VIETNAM – 10 DAYS

Vietnam can be thought of as comprising three unique areas: north, central, and south. The north is known for its alpine peaks, the Red River Delta, the plains of Cao Bang and Vinh Yen, enchanting Halong Bay, and historic Hanoil, as well as for the diversity of its ethno linguistic minorities. Central Vietnam, also home too many ethnic minorities, is characterized by high temperate plateaus rich in volcanic soil and by spectacular beaches, dunes, and lagoons. It is also the location of the ancient imperial city of Hue. In the South, visitors encounter modern life in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and the fertile alluvial delta of the Mekong River. Vietnam's territory also encompasses a large continental shelf and thousands of archipelagic islands.

Vietnam's climate is as complex as its topography. Although the country lies entirely within the tropics, its diverse range of latitude, altitude, and weather patterns produces enormous climatic variation. North Vietnam, like China, has two basic seasons: a cold, humid winter from November to April, and a warm, wet summer for the remainder of the year. Summer temperatures average around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (about 22 C), with occasional typhoons to keep things exciting. The northern provinces of Central Vietnam share the climate of the North, while the southern provinces share the tropical weather of the South. South Vietnam is generally warm, the hottest months being March through May, when temperatures rise into the mid-90's (low-30's C). This is also the dry season in the south, followed by the April-October monsoon season.

DAY 1 ARRIVAL - HANOI

Arrival in Noi bai’s airport – Hanoi then meet & transfer with guide to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.  

Hanoi, Vietnam, is one of the most beautiful capital cities in Asia. French colonial architecture meets traditional two-story Asian shop-houses; tree-lined streets are filled with scores of students in school uniforms on bicycles; people are dressed simply, yet elegantly—from young girls in traditional white ago dais, to older women in wide black pants, silk or velvet earth-toned boxer jackets, and black velvet head pieces.
Much of Hanoi’s appeal comes from its history: It has been a capital city almost continuously for over a thousand years. It was home to various Chinese dynasties until the French took over in 1887 and made it the capital of all Indochina. It fell into the hands of Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh in 1954, became the capital of North Vietnam, and was the obvious choice for capital upon Vietnam's reunification in 1975.
With over 600 pagodas and temples in the city, several stunning examples of French colonial architecture and the charming Old Quarter, Hanoi is ripe with tourist attractions and activities. (Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, featuring the amazingly well-preserved body of Uncle Ho, is a must-visit.) Hanoi also has several beautiful lakes and public parks should one need to escape the fast-paced urban areas.

DAY 2 HANOI - HALONG

Breakfast at hotel then your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (closed Mondays and Fridays), as well as his private residence from 1954 until 1969.

The wooden ethnic minority style house, which was built on stilts, is surrounded by lovely peaceful gardens. In the same complex is One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049, the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi is an important landmark of the city and stands integrated to the political and social history of Vietnam. Hanoi in Vietnam, which has a history dated back to 3000 years, even otherwise has several monuments, scenic beauty and reserves of history imprinted through the strife-torn colonial and political regimes. However, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum draws special emphasis because it testifies about Uncle Ho in Vietnam.

The tour will continue to the National Fine Arts Museum.

L ocated in colonial France’s former Ministry of Information, which has an e l ect r ic mix of contemporary Vietnamese art, religious pieces, lacquer-ware and sculptures. In the same complex we will see the Temple Of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Lunch at a local restauran t

Then depart Hanoi for Halong by road. The 3.5 hour journey takes you through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and check in hotel in Halong.  

Halong Bay is one of the world’s natural wonders which is the most beautiful tourist destination of Vietnam. HaLong Bay features more than one thousand awesome limestone karsts and islands of various sizes and shapes along the 120-km coastline of Bai Chay Beach.
Its waters are host to a great div ersity of ecosystems including offshore coral reefs, freshwater swamp forests, mangrove forests, small freshwater lakes, and sandy beaches. The folk tale has it that the dragons descended from heaven to help locals by spitting jewels and jade to the sea, forming a natural fortress against invaders; these precious stones are represented by the lush green outcrops. Several islands boast beautiful grottos and caves with contiguous chambers, hden ponds and peculiar stone formations. The bay is about 170 kilometers northeast of Hanoi and 3,5 hours by road.

Dinner at a local restaurant or hotel .

Overnight in Halong.

DAY 3 HALONG - HANOI

 

Breakfast at hotel then you will be escorted to your private junk for a 5-hour cruise on the emerald green waters of Halong Bay. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch as you cruise among some of the spectacular 3,000 limestone islands. Your return to Halong harbour will be in the middle of the afternoon, where you will then transfer back to Hanoi and your hotel. Plan on departing your hotel around 8:30AM, arriving back in Hanoi at approximately 7:30PM.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 4 HANOI - HUE  

Breakfast at hotel then transfer to the airport for flight to Hue - the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Visit The Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945, after exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument, depart to the Hue Royal Fine Art Museum which is housed within the former Dien Long An Royal Palace. Following depart to the Mausoleum of Tu Duc, built decades before its occupant's death the tomb was used as a palace retreat before the emperors final resting place. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Hue was the capitol of Vietnam, the feudal sovereignty, from 1744 when the Nguyen lords controlled all of southern Vietnam from the city. The dynasty of the Nguyen family lasted (in theory) from 1802, when Nguyen Anh defeated rebels to control the city, until 1945, when the last emperor abdicated. The city was severely damaged in the 1968 Tet offensive during the American war, when house-to-house fighting lasted for weeks, but many architectural gems remain and are well worth a visit.

Hue is divided between the older fortified Citadel, containing almost everything interesting, and the new, smaller sprawl that has developed across the river. The new side contains most of the facilities, the hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and banks. People come to Hue to see the old Imperial complex, the Citadel and the Forbidden city, the pagodas, and the many tombs of the emperors that lie a few kilometers south of the city. Each tomb is a walled compound containing temples, palaces, and lakes.

Hue is a quiet, relaxing city, big enough to be interesting but small enough to bicycle around. The food is great, the best in Vietnam, and the women are supposed to be the most beautiful in the country.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Hue.  

DAY 5 HUE - DANANG - HOIAN

Depart your hotel for your half day tour of Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam.   A boat trip along the romantically named Perfume River carries you through a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes where Hue’s best-known religious sites, the Thien Mu Pagoda and drive to visit the mausoleum of former Emperor Minh Mang are located. Lunch at a local restaurant.

The Perfume River has two sources, both of which begin in the Day Tr??ng S?n mountain range and meet at Bang Lang Fork. The Ta Trach (Left Tributary) originates in the Truong Dong mountains and flows northwest towards Bang Lang Fork. The shorter Huu Trach (Right Tributary) flows past the Tuan ferry landing towards Bang Lang Fork.

The river then flows in south-north direction past the temples of Hon Chen and Ngoc Tran and then turns north-west, meandering through the Nguyet Bieu and Luong Quan plains. Continuing on, the Huong River then flows to the north-east to Hu? city, only an echo of Truong Son mountain, and passes the resting place of Nguyen emperors. The river of green water continues its itinerary, passing Hen Islet and various villages, crossing the Sinh junction , which is known as the capital of ancient Chau Hoa , before emptying into the Tam Giang Lagoon.

From Bang Lang to Thuan An estuary, the Perfume River is 30 km long and runs very slowly (as the river level is not much above sea level). The Perfume River darkens as it winds along the foot of Ngoc Tran Mountain - home of the Jade Cup Temple - where there is a very deep abyss.

The river snakes through the villages of Kim Long, Nguyet Bieu, Vy Da, Dong Ba, Gia Hoi, the Dinh market, Nam Pho, Bao Vinh, and through Hu?.

Built in 1601 between a river and a pine forest, the Thien Mu Pagoda ("Heavenly Lady Pagoda") in Hue is one of the oldest and prettiest religious buildings in the country. Among the many interesting artifacts housed at the complex is the car that took the monk Thich Quang Duc to his self-immolation in 1963 Saigon.

History

The Thien Mu Pagoda has its roots in a local legend: an old woman once appeared on the hill and said that a Lord would come and build a Buddhist pagoda for the country's prosperity. Hearing of this, Lord Nguyen Hoang ordered the construction of the pagoda of the "Heavenly Lady" (Thien Mu).

Construction began in 1601 under Lord Nguyen Hoang, and it was renovated by Lord Nguyen Phuc Tan in 1665. Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu contributed a great bell in 1710 and a stele erected on the back of a marble tortoise in 1715. The Phuoc Dien Tower in front was added in 1864 by Emperor Thieu Tri.

The pagoda was heavily damaged in 1943, but was then fully renovated for over 30 years thereafter.

What to See

Thien Mu Pagoda is situated on Ha Khe hill, on the north bank of the Perfume River a few miles southwest of central Hue. The temple complex stretches north from the river banks in seven successive tiers, each of which is dedicated to a human form taken by the Buddha or a step to enlightenment (depending on whom you ask).

The octagonal Phuoc Dien Tower (1864) in the front of the complex rises 2m meters high in seven levels. Dai Hung shrine, the main-hall, presents a magnificent architecture. Near the entrance gate are 12 huge wooden sculptures of fearsome temple guardians , with real facial hair. The great bell (2.5m high, 3,285kg) from 1710 and tortoise with inscribed stele (2.58 m high) from 1715 are housed in the main building.

A complex of monastic buildings lies in the center, where the monks are usually involved in their daily routines of cooking, stacking wood, and whacking weeds. Novices might also be seen practicing their calligraphy.

A building near the rear of the complex houses a national relic: the car in which the monk Thich Quang Duc rode from his temple to Saigon on June 11, 1963. He stepped out of the car in an intersection, sat down in the lotus position, and burned himself to death in protest against the regime's violations of religious freedom.

At the far north end of the complex is a large cemetery at the base of the Truong Son mountains and a well-kept garden of pine trees.

You will depart Hue for Hoi An .

Believed to have been settled no less than 2,200 years ago , Hoi An was known as Faifo to early Western traders.   Hoi An was one of the major ports of Southeast Asia from the 17th to 19th centuries. Chinese, Japanese, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and other traders had small communities here, and the old wooden houses, bridges and temples that remain are reminiscent of a Vietnam of centuries past. This unique old trading town slowly became isolated due to its river silting up and by destroyed rail lines, leaving it untouched by war and frozen in time. Nowadays, this absolutely charming and relaxed town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After that you take a leisurely walking tour of the ancient town center and visit the sites of former merchants’ homes, a 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and a Chinese Communal Hall.

The guide and driver will take you over the beautiful Hai Van Pass - Vietnam's geographical and psychological boundary between north and south. The peak of the pass lies perpetually shrouded in clouds. Stop en route at the beautiful Non Nuoc Beach and the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world.  

In Danang you will visit the Marble Mountains , five sacred hills containing dozens of Buddhist shrines.

The Marble Mountains, also referred to as Ngu Hanh Son or Mountains of the Five Elements, consist of five marble mountains: Thuy Son (water) which is the highest, Moc Son (wood), Kim Son (metal), Tho Son (soil), and Hoa Son (fire). The Marble Mountains are famous for their traditional stonemasonry activities. In Dong Hai village close to Thuy Son, 600 families chisel stone statues, jewellery, and art work. Stone from the Marble Mountains has been exported to many countries.

The Cham Museum was built in 1915 with the financial support of the French Far-East Research Institute in Vietnam. At present, the museum displays approximately 300 sculptures, among which some are made from terracotta from the period between the 5th and 15th centuries. The works were collected from Cham temples and towers throughout Central Vietnam, more specifically the area stretching from Quang Binh to Binh Thuan. All the sculptures are displayed in ten showrooms named after where the pieces were discovered.

Before you return to your hotel enjoy browsing and shopping in the one of the most colourful local marketplaces in all of SE Asia

 

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Hoian.

DAY 6 HOIAN - DANANG - NHA TRANG

Breakfast at hotel then transfer to the airport in Danang for flight to Nhatrang  

Arrival in Nhatrang then transfer to your hotel for check in. Then visit Long Son Pagoda .

Long Son Pagoda was founded in the late 19th Century. The entrance and roofs are decorated with mosaic dragons made of glass and ceramic tile. From the pagoda, those more energetic will have the chance to climb the 152 stone steps leading to the giant white Buddha seated on a lotus blossom. There are superb views of the whole city from the platforms around the Buddha (14 meters high), which was built in 1963.

Next, you will also visit Dam market in the centre of Nha Trang

Dam Market is o ne of Vietnams' most interesting local markets. There's a colourful selection of local produce. Fruit, vegetables and seafood are the most common but you will also see dried seahorses and lizards - popular specialties of Nha Trang!

Evidence of the ancient Cham civilisation of Vietnam can be seen in Nha Trang at the hill top Po Nagar Cham Towers. Built between the 7th and 12th Century and named in honour of the former Cham Princess who introduced her people to profitable weaving and wet rice cultivation techniques, it is still used as a centre for worship today.

Walk across Ha Ra Bridge below to photograph the abundant fishing boats moored in the shallow Nha Trang harbour. Boats are brightly painted in blue and red - an engaging sight against a typically azure sky.
Dinner at a local restaurant.  

Overnight in Nhatrang.

DAY 7 NHA TRANG - DALAT

Breakfast at h ot el then depart Nha Trang for Dalat , a cool mountain resort. It’s lakes, waterfalls, evergreen forest and gardens make Dalat one of the most enjoyable places in Vietnam.

On the way, visit Long Son Pagoda, Po Klong Garai Cham Tower, a secret Hindu site dating back to the 2nd century AD, and Po Klong Garai Cham Tower. Lunch at local restaurant. Arrive Dalat and enjoy a scenic drive around Xuan Huong Lake before checking in at hotel.

Dinner at a local restaurant or hotel.

Overnight in Dalat.

DAY 8 DALAT - HO CHI MINH CITY

You will explore Dalat’s highlights on tour. Much delight will be taken in an exploration of Dalat's architecture. Start the tour with Truc Lam Monastery of Meditation - one of the largest Zen Meditation study centres in Vietnam, with equally large numbers of nuns and monks.

An optional at own expense to reach Truc Lam by a scenic tram ride from a hilltop overlooking Dalat. Continue with a visit to Prenn Waterfall , arguably one of the nicest waterfalls of the region. The waterfalls are situated at an altitude of 1,120 meters and the falls themselves are 15 meters high.

The tour also includes Bao Dai's Summer Palace that sits on a hill just outside the main centre.

Bao Dai was the Last Emperor of Vietnam and the Palace has been preserved exactly as he left it in 1954. It is a classic example of art deco that is a tourist attraction in itself.

You will end the tour at the town's bustling central market, renowned for its fresh vegetables and fruit that is rarely found in a tropical country. Then transfer to the airport for flight to Saigon.

Arrival in Saigon then transfer to your hotel for check in. Dinner at a local restaurant or hotel .

Overnight in Saigon.

DAY   9 HOCHIMINH CITY TOUR

Depart your hotel this morning on full day city tour of Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals.   This dynamic city has a unique life of its own.

Visit the city’s bustling Chinatown (Cholon) which begins with a stop at Thien Hau Temple. From the temple take a short drive to the lively Binh Tay Market before (if clients wish) visiting a lacquer ware factory where workers continue a Vietnamese ancestral tradition.

Enjoy own lunch in a local restaurant before continuing your tour to the War Museum and the former Presidential Palace. From the palace you will go on foot (your car will be available at all times) to visit the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City including the red-brick Catholic cathedral of Notre-Dame , the nearby 19th century Empire-style Post Office, and the next door ‘Hotel de Ville’ or City Hall all look indomitably European, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Opera House. After this historical visit enjoy a scoop of wonderful ice cream at Fanny’s, a quaint little parlour with French a tm osphere, before exploring the trendy boutiques and shops on Ton That Thiep Street.

Dinner at a local restaurant . Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 10 HO CHI MINH CITY – DEPARTURE
Breakfast at hotel then transfer to the airport for flight to next destination.