Urban Hanoi retains its strong French colonial flavour, the lovely lakes is a great contrast with the labyrinth of alleys in Old Hanoi and arts is also seeing a renaissance in the Vietnamese capital. A drive away, Halong Bay boasts spectacular limestone peaks.
Central Vietnam is home to three UNESCO sites - Hue, Hoi An and My Son. Hue, an ancient capital city bears many cultural heritages. The ancient town of Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to 19th century. My Son was a centre for spirituality and worship during the reign of the Champa Kingdom.
This program is specially designed for the needs of youngsters - minimizing long drives and maximizing time spent on beaches and including activities that would appeal to both adults and children alike!
DAY 01 BEIJING OR SHANGHAI/HANOI
| Fly |
Beijing/Hanoi |
VN 901 |
1545/1820 - Except Mon, Thurs |
Or
|
Shanghai Pudong/Hanoi
|
VN 913
|
1710/1915 - Mon, Wed, Sat
|
Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel in Ha noi
DAY 02 HANOI
In the morning, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (open in the morning only and closed Mondays and Fridays), his Former Residence and One-Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature - the first University in Vietnam as well as the capital of Vietnam about 1000 years ago.
Enjoy a traditional fish-dish lunch at Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant and in the afternoon, we visit the Vietnam History Museum (closed on Monday/Friday) before going on a rickshaw ride through the alleys of the bustling Old Quarter or the "36 Streets". You may wish to sample some of Vietnam's best coffee in one of Old Hanoi's cozy cafes.
(Breakfast, lunch included)
DAY 03 HANOI/HALONG BAY
This morning, drive about 3 hours through rustic Vietnamese countryside to Halong Bay, one of the 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites. With hundreds of giant limestone peaks jutting out of the water at the Bay of Tonkins - it is indeed an impressive sight.
Board your cruise and after lunch has been served, we take a short trek to a nearby summit to enjoy the panorama view of the bay. As the day wanes, slip into a kayak or swim in the cool water before enjoying a sumptuous dinner under the moonlit sky. (Note: Program may differ slightly base on cruise ships)
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner included)
DAY 04 HALONG BAY/HANOI/HUE
Greet the new day with Tai Chi exercise as the sun rises once more over the bay. Enjoy an elegant breakfast before we visit a beautiful limestone grotto to admire its many unique rock formations. Then it's back to the boat to form your final lasting impression of Halong Bay's awe-inspiring beauty as we cruise back to the dock.
Before driving back to Hanoi, we would delight you with a stop to enjoy a unique water puppet show in a village where water puppetry originated. You will enjoy lunch in the village before the 1-hour show and drive back to Hanoi for flight to Hue.
| Fly |
Hanoi/Hue |
VN 247 |
1920/2030 |
Upon arrival, you would be met & transferred to the hotel
(Breakfast, lunch included)
DAY 05 HUE/HOI AN
Hue was the former imperial capital of Vietnam and rated by many as the most beautiful city in the country.
This morning, we visit the Imperial Citadel with the Forbidden Palace inside. This palace models after the Imperial Palace of China - though on a smaller scale, it exudes its own unique charm. We also visit Thien Mu Pagoda, sitting next to the Perfume River and end our visit in Hue at the royal tomb of Tu Duc.
Enjoy lunch at Y Thao restaurant, run by the former Imperial family of Hue before driving a 2.5 hour drive to Hoi An. The drive is lovely along the South China Sea Coast and over the Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Clouds). We will have some brief stops in Danang to visit Marble Mountain and the Cham Museum.
Upon arrival in Hoi An, check into your hotel
(Breakfast, lunch included)
DAY 06 HOI AN
In the morning, we enjoy a walking tour of Hoi An, a lovely riverside township that is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The town is filled with narrow streets and old buildings and is also a great place for ethnic crafts. And on 14th day of the lunar calendar, following an ancient tradition, all electric lights are switched off and candlelit lanterns illuminate its narrow alleyways, creating a nostalgic sense of romance.
You will have the afternoon free at leisure by the beach of Hoi An
(Breakfast included)
DAY 07 HOI AN
This morning, break away from the typical tourist sights and enjoy a cycling tour through the countryside through picturesque trails to an old pottery village, Tra Que vegetable village and a stop at a traditional lantern making shop. We see how pottery and lanterns have been made for generations, and at the local farm we prepare a meal from the produce that is grown there.
You will have the afternoon free at leisure by the beach of Hoi An or you may wish to take the optional tour to visit My Son, one of the most important Cham site in the country set amongst lovely hills. My Son is another of Vietnam's UNESCO World Heritage Site.
(Breakfast included)
DAY 08 HOI AN/DA NANG / BEIJING OR SHANGHAI
Transfer to Danang airport for flight back to China via Hanoi
| Fly |
Da Nang/Hanoi |
VN 306 |
0605/0715 |
| Fly |
Hanoi/Beijing |
VN 900 |
1010/1445 - Daily, except Mon, Thurs |
| |
Hanoi/Shanghai Pudong |
VN 912 |
1115/1515 - Mon, Wed, Sat |
(Breakfast included)
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