Wow Vietnam – 17 Days

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh city – Arrival (D)
Transfer via: International flight – your arrangement
Accommodation: Caravel hotel – 5 stars in Central city
Up on arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, we will be welcome at the airport by Viet Vision Travel’s tour guide and then transfer to hotel. Check in and relax.
In the evening, we enjoy our welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant in town. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh city tour (B)
Accommodation: Caravel hotel – 5 stars in Central city
Sites visited: Reunification Palace, Remnant Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post Office, Ben Thanh market, Cho Lon, China town… After breakfast at hotel, at 8:00, we depart our hotel for the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace for the president of the South of Vietnam. After that we will visit War Remnant Museum, where we can see countless artifacts, photographs and pictures documenting about the second Indochina war.
We also stop at Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post office to get good shots for our memory of the big, modern city of Vietnam. In the afternoon we will visit Ben Thanh market, Cho Lon, Chinese town and market. Here we can experience our Vietnamese Southern daily life. Then we will be back to hotel at around 18:00. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Reunification Palace

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh city – Cai Be – My Thuan – Sadec on Le Cochinchine cruise (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Le Co Chinchine cruise – Deluxe
Today, we check out hotel (leave big luggage at hotel and bring necessary things for 3 day boat trip), and transfer to Cai Be where we will board Le Cochinchine boat. We arrive at Cai Be at midday and check in with welcome drink. After that, Le Co Chinchine sets sails to Cai Thia while lunch is served on boat.
In this afternoon, we will embark on a lovely cycling excursion on the bank of the peninsula browing several verdant villages to visit the gardens and orchards, local houses and many opportunities meet with people and get insight into Delta life. On the way to My Thuan, we will visit Cao Dai Great Temple; then be back to cruise and continue toward Sadec where is a nice quiet town overlooking Mekong River.
We will visit lively Sadec food market and primary school headed by Magueritte Duras. We also walk along the village path and get ourselves acquaintance with rural activities as farmers farm their fields: rice fields, vegetable farm and fish farms.
In the end of the day, we relax on boat while it is downstream. Dinner and overnight on boat.

Le Cochinchine cruise on Mekong Delta

Day 4: Cai Thia – Vinh Long – Tra On on Le Cochinchine cruise (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Le Co Chinchine cruise – Deluxe
Breakfast on board on the Mekong.
Today we visit Binh Hoa Phuoc island and go for walk through the islets, sampling native fruits viewing local handicraft production and meet the local people.
Then we transfer to local boat for an extensive visit of Cai Be: the floating market, the mazes of waterway local pop-rice and sweets production. After visiting Cai Be floating market, we visit old houses, delightful flower gardens and local coconut candy and rice paper manufacturers; then back to boat to continue boating to Co Chien while lunch is served.
Arrive at Co Chien, we embark on a pleasant, walk on the footpaths of the countryside to discover tropical fruit orchards and the local people’s activities. We also visit a cottage industry, local farm and sample seasonal fruits. Boarding back, we enjoy our welcome back drink and enjoy sunset at open bar on the deck. Dinner is served while Le Co Chinchine cruising Mang Thit river. Dinner and night on board.

Cai Be Floating Market

Day 5: Tra On – Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh city (B)
Accommodation: Caravelle hotel – 5 stars in Central city
Breakfast on board. The morning bobbling commotion of Mekong river life comes to life for another lovely day our boat set sails to Can Tho through tributary and canals.
We will transfer to Cai Rang: one of the most bustling floating markets in Mekong. We go for a walk along the canals and the palm-shaded creek to see local houses and green orchards, ship building yards, rural and water activities in full swing. Then we board back at noon, with a welcome-back drink.
11 h00 we disembark in Can Tho and transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Cai Rang Floating Market

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh city – fly to Nha Trang (B)
Transfer via: Domestic flight – Viet Vision Travel’s arrangement (morning flight)
Accommodation: Diamond Bay resort – 4 star at Beach
Today we transfer to the airport for our short domestic flight to Nha Trang. After 1 hour flight, we arrive at Nha Trang Beach city. Welcome up on arrival by local tour guide who will take us to resort. Check in and relax at white sand beach.
Free for activities: kayak, pedal boats, volleyball nets or foot balls

Nha Trang Beach

Day 7: Nha Trang – Beach and Golf (B)
Accommodation: Diamond Bay Resort & Golf Nha Trang
Breakfast at resort.
Today is free day for Unlimited the beach games ( non – motorized ) or Golf (50 golf balls ).
Overnight in Nha Trang.

Diamond Bay Resort & Golf Nha Trang

Day 8: Nha Trang – Island & Snorkelling tour (B, L)
Accommodation: Diamond Bay Resort & Golf Nha Trang
Breakfast at resort.
We will be met by tour guide for full day tour at lobby of resort then transfer to Cau Da port. Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Mieu Island is the first place to visit; many sea species of Nha Trang/Khanh Hoa province make a small ocean world there.
Mun Island is the best island for snorkeling where we can see lots of lives colorful corals and fish. We will also be able to see caves in which the sea swallows make their nest.Then relaxing, swimming & doing water sports or other activities at Mot Island, Tranh Beach Island or on a small island calling “Mini beach”. Taking a fresh lunch at the island. On the way back we will visit a fishing village before going to the shore. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Mot Island – Nha Trang

Day 9: Nha Trang – Fly to Da Nang – transfer to Hue – Relax & to be Kings & Queens (B, D)
Accommodation: La Resident de Hue hotel – 5 stars
Transfer via: Domestic flight – Viet Vision Travel’s arrangement (morning flight)
This morning, we transfer back to the airport for our short flight to Da Nang. Arriving at Da Nang airport, we will be welcome by a local tour guide then transfer to Hue. On the way, we will visit Hai Van Pass with Lang Co beach…
The rest of the day, we are relax at hotel. In the evening, we will be King and Queen in our Royal Dinner. Overnight in Hue.

Hai Van Pass ocean view

Day 10: Hue – boat trip & Garden House (B, L)
Accommodation: La Resident de Hue hotel – 5 stars
Hue is known as an ancient Capital city of many original historical vestiges. There are more than 100 architectural works to be extremely reflected the life of Emperors and Mandarins under Nguyen’s reign. Situated in the middle of hills on the Southern Bank of Perfume River are very beautiful tombs of Nguyen Kings.
Our tour starts at 08:00 in the morning at the lobby of the hotel. We will be met and transferred to the Wharf where we will cruise along the Perfume River to visit:
– Thien Mu Pagoda (The Heavenly Lady pagoda), from here we will have a good view of Perfume River and surroundings.
– Tu Duc King’s tomb, which is one of the most beautiful works of Royal Architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty. The tomb lies in a boundless pine forest.
Then we transfer back to the city for our delicious lunch at a fine local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will visit the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City; Tinh Gia Vien Garden house and Dong Ba market. Tour ends at around 06:00PM at hotel. Overnight in Hue.

Tu Duc King’s tomb

Day 11: Hue transfer to Da Nang airport via Hai Van pass fly to Hanoi – cooking class (B, D)
Transfer via: Domestic flight – Viet Vision Travel’s arrangement (morning flight)
Accommodation: Sheraton Hanoi hotel – 5 stars
After breakfast at hotel, we transfer to Da Nang airport via Hai Van tunnel for our flight to Hanoi. One hour later, we will be welcome at the airport by local tour guide; transfer to hotel and relax.
In the afternoon, we join our cooking class at Viet Kitchen Spring restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.
Notes: from 1st April 2013 Hue airport will be under re-construction and there won’t be any flight from/to Hue airport.

Cooking Class at Viet Kitchen Spring Restaurant

Day 12: Hanoi city tour (B)
Accommodation: Melia hotel – 5 stars
Today we start our one day city tour from the lobby of the hotel. We will drive to Ho Chi Minh Complex, where we will spend a couple of hour to visit:
Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh museum and one pillar pagoda. Keep going to see the Temple of Literature: Originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society placed then and now on education.
Lunch will be at a fine local restaurant in Hanoi.
In the afternoon, we will visit one of the most interesting museums in Vietnam; Museum of Ethnology, which is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. Following by that we will wander around the city by car to see the real life of Hanoian as well as the difference parts the city.
After that we will take one-hour cyclo around the Old Quarter, known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally, each of the 36 streets names’ was related to the products being sold there.
Before we go back to hotel, we will have chance enjoy the unique Water Puppet show. Hear the Vietnamese traditional instruments and singing from the live musicians who play throughout the show. The trip will be finished after the show at the hotel.

Temple of Literature Hanoi

Day 13: Hanoi – Trang An Eco – Tourism Area – Hoa Lu Ancient Capital (B, L)
Accommodation: Melia hotel – 5 stars
We are met at the lobby of hotel by local tour guide then transfer 2,5 hour driving to Ninh Binh where we take amazing rowing boat to visit Trang An Eco-Tourism area. Trang An Eco-Tourism complex is a home of 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna that many of them in the Red book of Vietnam.
It is also a gathering of 31 valleys, 48 cross-water caves and we will visit 3 to 6 of them. On the rowing boat, we can enjoy the fresh air, clean and clear water with under water grass. Experience ourselves the feeling and emotion when we are on the water caves…. After that, we transfer to restaurant for our lunch.
In the afternoon, we will visit Hoa Lu ancient Capital city of Vietnam of Dinh Dynasty between 968 & 980AD. Then we go back Hanoi.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Day 14: Hanoi – Halong Bay (Overnight on Deluxe junk) (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Paradise Junk Cruise – Luxury cruise in Halong Bay
We will be picked up from our appointed hotel in Hanoi from 7:45 to 8 o’clock in the morning. Then we depart Hanoi for Halong Bay, along the way we will have a coffee break at a humanity center. Arrival Tuan Chau private wharf at noon time (11:45), we transfer to our Luxury Paradise Cruise. On the cruise we will have a welcome cocktail and having a briefing, safety instructions then check in our luxury cabins.
We then set sail and to explore Halong Bay. Our Asian Buffet lunch will be severed from 13.00 – 14.30 as the vessel sails to Halong Bay passing numerous of limestone islands and islets like: the Cocks fighting islets, the Elephant leg islet, the Castle islet…and the TITOP Island. At around
14.30 we arrive at Luon Cave (Hallow cave). We will have chance to explore most famous grotto in the entire Halong Bay by local rowing boat or we can enjoy kayaking activities ( If weather permitted) or Discover the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay, the Surprising Cave.
After the excursion at 15.30 we transfer back to cruise ship and continue cruising through the bay.
At 16.30 we arrive at Fairy Male cave and visit the Cua Vạn Floating Village – experience the daily life of local people – Optional: kayaking
At 17.15 we keep on to cruise to explore Halong Bay.
17.30 Enjoy the open-air cooking demonstration on the sundeck (weather permitting) and discover the secrets of the Vietnamese cuisine.
At 18.00 we arrive at Pearl farm area where once again we have chance to do swimming or kayaking, then anchor for stay overnight.
At dawn we can enjoy the open-air cocktail bar located on the sundeck then savor a delicious five course Set-dinner will be severed at 7:00 PM. Follow by is the happy hour and night activities including: enjoy Movie Night, Board Games or Beauty Spa services or relax at leisure. Overnight in our cabins

Cruise Sundeck on Halong Bay

Day 15: Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba National park (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Paradise Junk Cruise – Luxury cruise in Halong Bay
As the day breaks, you are invited to join a Tai Chi demonstration taking place on the top deck of the vessel. Enjoy a buffet breakfast on the main vessel before being transferred to our day-boat, Paradise Explorer, which will take you to Cat Ba Island. Dropping anchor at Viet Hai jetty, cycle or get a motorbike ride through the jungle to reach the village. Wander around the fields and houses, hike in the forest and immerse yourself in Cat Ba National Park lush vegetation.
Back on Paradise Explorer, lunch will be served as the boat starts sailing again. On the way, stop at Dark Cave & Light Cave area. Kayak, swim, or just enjoy the quiet and splendid setting. Back on the main vessel, relax and enjoy the facilities at leisure. Bar open, spa, massage & beauty services available for bookings according to your will.
Dinner served onboard followed by movie night, board games or just enjoying a cocktail surrounded by limestone rocks majestically springing out from silent waters in the night.

Cat Ba National Park

Day 16: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, D)
Accommodation: Melia hotel – 5 stars
Sunrise on this seclude Bay will be a wonderful experience; we then have chance for a Tai Chi Lesson at 06:45 on the sundeck. We then can enjoy our Continental Buffet Breakfast from 07.00 – 09.00. During breakfast the cruise keeps moving to explore other area in Halong Bay.
At around 07.45 we arrive at Ti Top Island where we can enjoy the Ti Top Beach or get up to the top of the island for a fabulous bird eyes view of Halong Bay. We have option of: swimming or kayaking activities (subject to weather permission).At 08.30 we depart Ti Top Island to continue cruise through Halong Bay. We check out our cabin at 09.30 & our settle bills – Luggage collection.
At 10.30 we will disembark the Warf at Tuan Chau Island. We will be transfer from the Cruise. We then transfer to our vehicles to go back to Hanoi. Trip concluded at the hotel in Hanoi.
Accommodation: Sheraton hotel – 5 stars.

Ti Top Island – Halong Bay

Day 17: Hanoi – Departure (B)
Transfer via: International flight – your arrangement Today our awaiting vehicle will transfer us back to the airport for our flight to home. Trip ends.