Essential Vietnam Private Tour - The classic images of Vietnam today

For travelers with less time but who still want to discover the real Vietnam, this 10 day private tour visits the most interesting locations in the country, introducing the mystery of old Hanoi, the magnificence of Ha Long Bay, the historic Center and the tropical evergreen South. It’s the perfect introduction to one of Asia’s most fascinating cultures.

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Upon arrival at Hanoi’s international airport, our guide will welcome you then transfer to Hanoi city center by car. In the evening, you will enjoy a welcome dinner accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese music show. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi city tour Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Today we will begin to tour Hanoi, visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda the Museum of Ethnology and the Temple of Literature. Walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake, and enjoy a one-hour cyclo ride around the Old Quarter. In the early evening, attend a famous Water Puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay

After breakfast we cross the Red River towards Halong city. The three-hours -drive stops en route at Hong Ngoc, where we will have time for a drink and see local people manufacturing different kinds of handicrafts.

On arrival Halong city we board a junk for a fantastic cruise through Ha Long Bay (approx. 5 hours). Declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural attractions. Located about 200 km from Hanoi, the bay covers an area of more than 1500 square meters and is dotted with thousands of limestone islands, which rises from the clear green waters like sculptures crafted by the gods.

Quan Ho Bac Ninh - We will enjoy lunch with fresh sea food while having a cool drink before leave the boat to see the Heavenly Palace Grotto and Driftwood cave, one of the highlight around the bay. Overnight in Halong city.

Day 4: Halong Bay - Bac Ninh - Hanoi

Morning you are free in Halong city for more visiting and taking photos. After lunch at 11.30 am, checkout and return Hanoi. On the way return, your route takes you to Bac Ninh Province and the village of Due Dong, north of Hanoi, where Quan Ho singing was born in about the 16th century.

Quan Ho is a romantic song performed by groups of young women and men singing alternatively. The songs are usually performed in the spring amidst natural landscapes, in the yard of a communal house or pagoda on the hill, in a rowboat, or other traditional place. The contents of the songs usually discuss love.

Here, in the 200-year-old communal house, you can sit and listen to a Quan Ho performance by the star singers of the village for 1 hours. After the performance, you can visit the homes of the artists (including an 80-year-old lady, who is one of the lead singers), sip tea, ask questions, and share experiences. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi - Hue Hue - the ancient imperial city of the Nguyen Kings

Transfer to airport to catch an early flight south to Hue, the ancient imperial city of the Nguyen Kings. With the help of UNESCO and other international organizations, the palace buildings are being restored. Our guide and driver will pick up you at the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in.

After check-in we will have a short break before head on to the see the Imperial Citadel - an impressive complex, first built in 17th century based on the ancient practice of geomancy.

You will also have time to visit the completely different Khai Dinh royal burial place, flanked with a grandiose dragon staircase leading to its European-like castle built in the 1930’s. Khai Dinh was the father of Emperor Bao Dai, and his tomb was completed in 1931. During the early 60s, Hue was the site of violent Buddhist demonstrations against the repressive Diem regime. Overnight in Hue.

Day 6: Hue - Hoi An

Hoi An - This morning you can take a boat ride on the Perfume River and visit some of the more interesting sites of Hue – Thien Mu pagoda and the Minh Mang tomb’s.

In the afternoon, drive to ancient Hoi An via the breathtaking Hai Van tunnel, marveling at some of Vietnam’s most spectacular scenery. Check in hotel in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 7: Hoi An

You will spend the rest of day visiting the town of Hoi An – walking over the Japanese Bridge, visiting the different Chinese Assembly Halls and pagodas and old houses. Hoian is also a wonderful town to shop for cotton, silk and sedge sandal. So this afternoon you are free for shopping or just sunbathing and swimming. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Saigon & Cu Chi Tunnels Ho Chi Minh City

Early in the morning we transfer to Danang airport to fly to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, we discover the city and come to visit to the Re Unification Palace, the former palace of President Thieu and his predecessors. Nearby are the Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883 and one of the city’s major landmarks. Neo-Romanesque in form, Notre Dame is the major seat of the Catholic religion in modern Vietnam.

This afternoon we drive to visit Cu Chi tunnel, which is located about 75 km northwest of Saigon. The tunnels were part of an underground network that was built by the Vietcong during the American War. It reached from the southern tip of the Ho Chi Minh trail near the Cambodian border to the Saigon River. You will have the opportunity to creep into a tunnel to experience how the Vietcong lived and fought during this time. Return Saigon about dinner time. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 9 :Mekong Delta - Vinh Long

Caibe floating market - You will depart from the hotel at 7:30 am. We drive to Vinh Long and enjoy a boat trip along the rivers narrow waterways, overhung with dense vegetation. We will have the opportunity to try exotic fruits in one of the many orchards.

For lunch we serve the local delicacy - an Elephant’s ear fish. We continue with a visit to Caibe floating market and a snake farm in My Tho on the way back. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Departure

Free at your leisure until transfer to airport for departure flight.

From US$ 1253. The surcharges will be applied if the date is on the peak season such as Christmas season, New Year Date by solar calendar and Vietnamese New Year Date.

Included:

• Accommodation in twin-sharing with daily breakfast at superior luxury hotels.
• Domestic air tickets and airport tax.
• Private transportation with air-conditioned
• English-speaking guide
• Luxury cruise in Halong Bay
• All boat trips (in Hue and Hoi An) as indicated
• Meals as mentioned in the program (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch)
• Water puppet show and 1-hour “cyclo” ride around the old quarter of Hanoi
• All entrance fees
• Mineral water.

Luxury tour services excluded:

• All international air tickets.
• Arrival visa
• Single supplement
• Drinks
• Other meals not mentioned in the program
• Tourist insurance
• Personal expenses

Available whenever. However, it is better to contact us one month before your arrival for the best arrangement. Offer is valid until December 2011