Highlights of Vietnam

Tour of Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City

See Red Beach in Danang
Witness the revival of traditional Khmer craftsmanship at the Artisans D'Angkor training school Visit Ho Chi Minh's house. Visit the Cham museum to learn about the ancient Champa civilisation. Visit the colourful market of Hoi An. Visit the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s. Join a Lantern Making Workshop or a Fishing Life Tour to learn about the lives of the local fishermen and have a go at casting your own fishing net

¿Qué está incluido?

• AUTHENTIC ACCOMMODATION
Stay and dine onboard Jasmine Cruises' traditionally built Authentic Accommodation, as you float among the magnificent limestone islands of Halong Bay. The original junk boats were developed during the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD) and were used as seagoing vessels as early as the 2nd century AD.

• BE MY GUEST
Enjoy lunch at one of the great remaining garden houses of Hue where you will gain insight into the lives of a local family and admire their fascinating collection of artefacts and mementos from the days of the former Royal Empire

• CULTURAL INSIGHTS
Witness the revival of traditional Khmer craftsmanship at the Artisans D'Angkor training school Visit Ho Chi Minh's house. Visit the Cham museum to learn about the ancient Champa civilisation. Visit the colourful market of Hoi An. Visit the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s. Join a Lantern Making Workshop or a Fishing Life Tour to learn about the lives of the local fishermen and have a go at casting your own fishing net

• HIDDEN TREASURES
Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure

• LOCAL SPECIALISTS
in Halong Bay, the Mekong Delta and Angkor Wat

Duración

12 días

Cubierto de destino

Hanoi, Hoi An, Matiz y Ho Chi Minh City

Más adecuado

Todo, Presupuesto, Familias, Grupos, Luna de miel, Niños, Lujo, Personas viajando solas

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi (2 Nights)
Welcome to Vietnam. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception with drinks and local appetizers.

Day 2: Hanoi Sightseeing
Start the day with a visit to the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument where the preserved body of 'Uncle Ho' resides. A short walk from here is Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, a Cultural Insight, where he lived intermittently between 1958 and 1969. Continue to the Temple of Literature, the first university for the sons of Mandarins, for an overview of Hanoian culture. After lunch enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarter to embrace the bustling local life. This evening is yours at leisure or choose to take part in an Optional Experience.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise
This morning, drive through green rice paddy fields to Halong Bay to board your Authentic Accommodation, a traditional style Vietnamese junk boat. Cruise among the hundreds of islets of Halong Bay, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage listed site. After lunch on board travel by small boat to visit the Tien Ong Cave; a very large cave which boasts a system of stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Continue to Cua Van Fishing Village, where the people live in floating houses. It is generally considered to be the "wealthiest" village in Halong Bay and many families have houses with tiled roofs, television sets and furniture. Head back to the boat and participate in a cooking demonstration with the chef or enjoy sunset on the top deck before dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Danang - Hoi An (3 Nights)
Begin your day as the locals do during a morning T'ai Chi class with a Local Specialist, on the deck of the traditional Junk boat. Then it is time for an early morning swim at a natural white sandy beach. If you are feeling energetic, perhaps take an uphill walk to have one last view of scenic Halong Bay before your drive to Hanoi Airport to catch your flight to Danang. On arrival transfer to your hotel in Hoi An

Day 5: Hoi An Sightseeing
This morning enjoy a walking tour around the ancient town of Hoi An. Today this ancient UNESCO World Heritage designated town boasts well-preserved buildings, pedestrianised streets, narrow lanes and a colourful market, a Cultural Insight. See the old merchants houses and the 400 year old Japanese Covered Bridge. Later visit Tra Que Organic Village for a Cultural Insight. Spend some time helping local farmers and learning about their daily working routines, before indulging in a relaxing foot massage. After lunch return to Hoi An for the rest of the day and evening at leisure.

Day 6: Hoi An
This morning enjoy some free time to relax at the hotel or explore Hoi An further. In the afternoon your choice of activities gives you two Cultural Insight opportunities: to join a Lantern Making Workshop or a Fishing Life Tour (subject to weather conditions) to learn about the lives of the local fishermen and have a go at casting your own fishing net.

Day 7: Hoi An – Hue (2 Nights)
This morning depart Hoi An by boat to the Red Bridge Cooking School to learn about the traditional ways of preparing and cooking famous Vietnamese food. Then savour the dishes you have prepared before boarding a local boat for a short cruise along Hoi An River back to Hoi An. This afternoon, drive over the picturesque Hai Van Pass stopping en-route at Red Beach where the American Marines first landed in Vietnam during the war. Continue to Danang for a visit to the Cham Museum before arriving in Hue for your overnight stay.

Day 8: Hue Sightseeing
Start from your hotel with a cyclo ride to the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage designated site. From here drive to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's best-preserved religious monument. Standing on the riverbank with its seven-storey tower, it is an amazing sight. Then take a local dragon boat trip along the Perfume River to the house of the former Princess Ngoc Son for a Be My Guest lunch. It is one of the great remaining garden houses of Hue and although no longer owned by royalty the current owners have maintained it largely in its original form. Chat with a family member to get a glimpse of their life in this historic house and enjoy lunch prepared by the family. This afternoon enjoy some free time or take part in an Optional Experience.

Day 9: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City (3 Nights)
This morning, fly to Vietnam's largest metropolis, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Upon arrival enjoy some free time to stroll around the city before lunch at KOTO restaurant; a non profit social enterprise that provides training to disadvantaged young people in the hospitality industry. Meet a senior staff member who will explain more about the work of KOTO and enjoy a meal served by some of the senior trainees who are on their internship within the training programme. Next transfer to Dong Khoi Street for the start of a walking tour. See the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville. Wander up to the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustave Eiffel. Continue to visit the War Remnants Museum for a vivid glimpse of the war through the eyes of the locals. Conclude the day at Ben Thanh market before arriving to your hotel.

Day 10: Mekong Delta
Today take a day trip to My Tho situated in the Delta of the Mekong River. Transfer to a small sampan boat and discover the maze of small canals before stopping for a Regional Meal of delicious Mekong Delta specialities. Take a short walk along village roads to visit the house of a former soldier, a Local Specialist who survived fighting the Khmer Rouge. Now he and his wife live on making rice paper and have some fascinating stories to tell. Later return to Ho Chi Minh City for an evening at leisure.

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City
Today travel by private speedboat to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. On leaving Ho Chi Minh City glimpse the glittering skyscrapers and commercial centres which give way to green fields and stilt houses along the Saigon River. Arrive at the famous tunnels, an immense network of connecting underground tunnels started in 1948 to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. The tunnels also served as living quarters, communication and supply routes, and housed hospitals, food and weapons caches. Tour the underground compounds and gain an understanding of the history of the tunnels. Return to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy some free time this afternoon. Later join your fellow travellers for a visit to the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, a Cultural Insight followed by your Farewell Dinner.

Day 12: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Package price does not include flights
Terms and conditions varies