Spectacular Vietnam – 07 Days
Itinerary Details:
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh Arrival
Upon your arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you will be met by our dedicated and experienced staff who transfer you to your hotel for check-in. After checking in, there will be time to relax. In the evening we will have an orientation meeting followed by a welcome dinner.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh hotel. Dinner included.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour – Cu Chi Tunnels
In the morning after breakfast in the hotel we leave the city for a drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels. On the way, we drive through the pleasant countryside of rubber plantations and rice paddies. Before entering the tunnels, we will view a short video showing how the tunnels were constructed. We will then explore the maze of tunnels, some of which have been widened to allow tourist access. Also on display are various booby-traps and the remains of an American tank, as well as numerous bomb craters made by the many bombs dropped by B52 bombers. Then it is back to Ho Chi Minh City. Before
lunch we stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Post Office.
In the afternoon, we visit the Reunification Palace, and the former Presidential Palace of the president of the South Vietnam. Then we will visit the War Remnant Museum with countless artifacts and photographs documenting Vietnam War.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Hue (Domestic Flight)
Early in the morning after breakfast, we transfer to the airport for a short domestic flight to Hue. After we arrive in Hue, we transfer to our hotel, and after getting settled in, we start our tour of the city. Hue is the ancient imperial capital of Vietnam, and has many historical sites, and has more than 100 architectural sites that reflect the life of the Nguyen Emperors and Mandarins. In the hills on the southern Bank of the Perfume River are the beautiful tombs of the Nguyen Kings.
Our tour starts at 8:00 in the morning and we will transfer to the wharf and we cruise along the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda (Heavenly Lady Pagoda), and from there we get an
excellent view of the Perfume River and surroundings. We also visit the tomb of King Tu Duc. Situated in a pine forest, it is one of the most beautiful works of imperial architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty. We then cruise back to the city, and in the afternoon we visit the Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, and the Dong Ba Market.
Overnight in Hue hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 4: Hue – Hanoi (Domestic Flight)
In the morning after breakfast, we fly to the capital, Hanoi. When we arrive in Hanoi, we will
transfer to our hotel for check-in. We then start our tour of Hanoi with a visit to the Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's first university dating back to 1070, and which was originally built as a temple to Confucius. Inside are the stone stele mounted on the backs of turtles, inscribed with the names of the university's graduates. The complex is divided into five courtyards with different paths that would originally have been used by the emperor and mandarins. One of the courtyards contains a statue of Confucius guarded by two bronze storks standing on turtles. The temple emphasizes the importance Vietnamese society places on education. Lunch will be at a
fine local restaurant in Hanoi.
After lunch, we visit a most interesting museum, the Museum of Ethnology. It is one of the best museums in the country with extensive displays devoted to Vietnam's 54 ethnic minorities. There are many exhibits inside, and traditional tribal houses reconstructed outside. Then we will take a drive by car to different parts the city to see the lifestyle of the people of Hanoi. After that we take a one-hour cyclo ride around the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets. This bustling area of narrow streets has thousands of small businesses and shops, and originally each of the 36 streets was named for the products sold on that street. Before returning to the hotel, we enjoy a unique Water Puppet show with Vietnamese traditional instruments and singing. The different stories depict historical events, and Vietnamese rural life.
Overnight in Hanoi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise
After breakfast we leave Hanoi and take a 3-hour drive to Halong Bay. Along the way we stop at the Humanity Center to donate money to support children who are the victims of Agent Orange. When we arrive at Halong Bay, we board our boat and have a delicious seafood lunch, and then spend about 4 hours cruising this beautiful bay. We visit the spectacular Heaven Palace cave with its many stalactites and stalagmites, and weather permitting; we can take a swim from our boat.
Overnight in Hanoi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 6: Hanoi – Bich Dong - Tam Coc - Hoa Lu
Today we start off in the morning, driving 2 hours south of Hanoi to the Bich Dong Pagoda where we see mountain scenery, rivers, and green fields. From the upper pagoda, we get a magnificent view of charming and historic Bich Dong. It is said that the location for this pagoda was chosen in 1428 when two monks were charmed by the view of the river and the mountains. We also visit the Tam Coc Grotto, about 2km from the pagoda, by taking a boat from Van Lam. The Tam Coc Grotto consists of three grottos: Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba. These caves have beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes and colours that sparkle like gems. After lunch we visit the
ancient capital of Hoa Lu with the temples of King Dinh and King Le.
Overnight in Hanoi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 7: Hanoi Departure
After breakfast today you have free time to get ready for your Hanoi departure transfer.
Breakfast included.
End of Trip. This is a suggested premium itinerary. At Travel Loops we specialize in custom tours designed to fit your needs and requirements. Please let us know the type of individual, customized tour you would like, and we can arrange it for you.
Cambodia
Emperors. We take a cruise on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda (Heavenly Lady Pagoda) and the tombs of kings. There is also a tour of the city with visits to the Forbidden Purple City, and Dong Ba Market. .jpg)
For beautiful country scenery of mountains, rivers, and green fields, the drive to historic Bich Dong provides magnificent vistas. There is also a visit to the Tam Coc Grotto with stalactites and stalagmites that sparkle like gems. Then, the tour is topped off with a visit to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and ancient temples. 
