Activities

Day 1 - Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meal: Dinner

Day 2 – Ho Chi Minhy City

Take a full day city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City. Todays, the city is still called Saigon by many locals. We will take in a guided stroll around the city biggest marker called Binh Tay in China town. You will visit also the Thien Hau temple. We will come back to the city centre to visit a lacqueware factory to witness workers continuing a Vietnamese ancestral tradition. Followed lunch in local restaurant, we will visit After lunch visit the War Museum and the former Presidential Palace, from there on you will go on foot (the car will be available at all times) to visit the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. Have free time to explore the trendy boutiques on Ton That Thiep Street. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Meal: Breakfast; lunch; dinner

Day 3 – Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City

Head south to the Mekong Delta and reach Ben Tre, crossing the Mekong River with a local ferry. From there take an 18-kilometre ride by xe loi, a local motorbike trailer, through the second biggest Vietnamese coconut tree orchard. There are stops along the way to discover the local life and for an explanation of the Vietnamese rice field process. After lunch in a local restaurant continue your Mekong discovery cruising small canals and arroyos lined with water coconut, walking through fruit orchards, enjoying honey tea, and taking a horse cart ride. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Meal: Breakfast; lunch; dinner

Day 4 – Ho Chi Minh City – Danang – Hoi An

After breakfast, transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for the short flight to Danang. On arrival in Danang, transfer to Hoi An, Once known as Faifo, Hoi An was one of the orient’s major trading ports in the 16th and 17th centuries. After the Thu Bon River linking Hoi An to the sea silted up, ocean going ships were no longer able to sail into town and trade moved 30km up the coast to Tourane, known nowadays as Danang. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the centre of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday. A walking tour is the best way to see the wooden-fronted houses that once belonged to the town’s prosperous merchants, the Japanese-covered Bridge and the wonderful market. Hoi An is one of the best places in Vietnam to shop for souvenirs at bargain prices including silk, handicrafts, antiques and paintings. Five kilometers from the centre of town is Cua Dai Beach, popular with both locals and visitors alike, for its sandy beach, warm sea and seafood stalls. Hoi An is known throughout Vietnam for its excellent seafood and it also boasts its own unique dishes such as Cao Lau, a delicious combination of noodles, pork, bean sprouts, mint and croutons.

In the afternoon, take a boat trip on Thu Bon river with stops as Thanh Ha pottery village. Overnight in Hoian

Meal: Breakfast; lunch; dinner

Day 5 – Hoi An – Hue

Leave Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The scenic route passes through Danang before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. Afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Hear the story of the Nguyen Emperors narrated in a child friendly way, learn about the contrasting personalities and deeds of past Imperial Emperors. Visit Hue’s best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. There will be quiz/crossword sheet available for children from 8 – 13 years old, and colour-in Emperor identification kit for younger children. In the afternoon visit the elaborate mausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Overnight in Hue (B)

Meal: Breakfast; lunch; dinner

Day 6 – Hue – Hanoi

Morning visit to Tu Duc and Khai Dinh mausoleums before transfer to the airport for 1 hour flight to Hanoi. Arrive at Hanoi transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meal: Breakfast; lunch; dinner

Day 7 – Hanoi

Early morning exercises around Hoan Kiem Lake is a must for the more active. After breakfast, drive to the Museum of Ethnology. The Museum of Ethnology is one of Vietnam’s best with interactive displays and a wide collection of well preserved objects and documents. It is also a great place to learn about Vietnam’s 52 ethnic minority peoples. From the Museum of Ethnology, drive back to the centre of town via Ho chi Minh’s Mausoleum. Enjoy a great buffet lunch at Brother’s café, a wonderful fusion of Vietnamese and European dishes, plus local street food made and served by Vietnamese women in traditional dress. After lunch enjoy a tailor made treasure hunt by cyclo through Hanoi’s old quarter. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meal: Breakfast; lunch; dinner

Day 8 – Hanoi – Halong Bay

Your early morning departure from your hotel to Halong Bay takes you on a journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta. You observe everyday life of Vietnamese Villages as you see villagers work the local rice fields, take live pigs to market on bicycles or motorbikes, and plough the fields with their large water buffaloes. Arrive in Halong and board the Cruise, a wonderful replica of one of the classic steamships of the colonial era of French Indochina. A welcome drink is served on the sundeck. With luxurious air-conditioned cabins, a restaurant, two bars and a sundeck, this is the ultimate Halong Bay experience. Lunch is served on board at 1:00pm. While cruising on the emerald green waters of the bay try a traditional Vietnamese foot massage or high tea which is served on the sundeck in the late afternoon. Enjoy watching the sun set. A scrumptious buffet dinner is served between 8:00pm and 11:00pm. Before retiring to your cabin, return to the sundeck for a nightcap and take in the quiet serene beauty of the stars. Overnight on boat.

Meal: Breakfast; lunch; dinner

Day 9 – Halong Bay – Hanoi Departure

Early morning offers a Tai Chi class on the sundeck between 6:00am and 7:00am. If Thai Chi doesn’t interest you, enjoy a fresh cup of coffee or tea as you view the awakening of Halong Bay’s boat people. A wholesome breakfast is served before cruising back to Halong City. Arrive back at Emeraude’s exclusive private pier at 9:30am for disembarkation where your guide waits to take you back to Hanoi. Arrive back in Hanoi around 12:30pm. You will have some time for shopping at your leisure until transfer time to Noi Bai Airport for onward flight.

Meal: Breakfast

INCLUSIONS:

• Accommodations in twin or double sharing in all tour.
• Private transfer in air-conditioned vehicles as program.
• French or English speaking guide (different guide in each area)
• Entrance fees
• Boat fees Hue, Mekong Delta
• One 0.5l mineral water and cool facial towel/person/day
• Meals fullboard with Asian cuisines as per itinerary
• Package 2days/1 night on board of traditional junk in Halong in twin share cabin.
• Visa application fee

EXCLUSIONS:

• All international airfares to and from Vietnam
• International airport tax
• Domestic air fare Saigon-Danang// Hue – Hanoi: around 195USD per person
• Visa stamping fee
• Drinks and personal expenses.
• All services not mentioned clearly in the inclusive portion