Vietnam Deluxe Journey - 16 Days
Itinerary Details:
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival
Upon your arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you will be welcome by our staff and transferred to your luxury hotel in the center of town. After checking in, you will have leisure time to relax. That evening we have a welcome dinner and dine on delicious Vietnamese cuisine at a fine restaurant in the city.
Overnight in Hanoi hotel. Dinner included.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour
Today after breakfast we have full day of exploring the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the General Post Office, the Presidential Palace, and the Museum of War Remnants. After lunch we will head to the center of China Town to visit the Binh Tay Market, the Thien Hau Temple, and the Ben Thanh Market.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minhi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho, Mekong Delta
This morning we leave the city for the Mekong Delta. We arrive at the town of Cai Be, known for it's floating market, and we take a private boat ride to cruise along the maze of waterways and canals. After visiting some local cottage industries, we go to see a lovely Bonsai garden before we have a delicious lunch. After lunch we continue our exploration, heading for the town of Vinh Long. From there we go by vehicle to Can Tho.
Overnight in Can Tho hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 4: Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast we start off on a boat cruise to Cai Rang, and then we go on to the floating market of Phong Dien. Here we see hundreds of boats loaded with fruit, vegetables and fish, each jostling for trade. We then visit lush fruit orchards, and we are treated to a variety of delicious tropical fruit. That afternoon we drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minhi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi Tunnels
Today, following breakfast we drive to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels. We explore this amazing maze of tunnels used by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese during the war. After that we go to Tay Ninh to visit the religious headquarters of the Cao Dai religious sect. The Cao Dai religion is a curious mixture of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity. Confucianism, and Islam. We see the Cao Dai worshippers during their daily noonday ceremony chanting religious hymns wearing white and brightly colored robes. After lunch we return to Ho
Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minhi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City - Danang (Domestic Flight) – Hoi An
After breakfast in the hotel we take a morning flight to Danang. There we visit the Cham Museum housing displays of fine artifacts of the Cham civilization. We then start on our drive south to Hoi An, and along the way we stop at China beach, and we also visit a marble crafting village. In the afternoon we arrive at the charming and picturesque town of Hoi An. This incredible riverside town was a thriving Southeast Asia port, with traders coming from all
.jpg)
over the world, and it has architectural influences from many Asian and European nations.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minhi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 7: Hoi An
In the morning after breakfast we take a walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the old town, and see the many quaint old houses, shops and cafes. We also visit the FuKien Assembly Hall, the 200 year old Tan Ky house, the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Hoi An Museum, and
interesting handicraft workshops.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minhi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 8: Hoi An - My Son
Today after breakfast we drive to My Son. This is the site of the capital of the ancient Champa Kingdom which ruled central Vietnam between the 2nd and 15th centuries. It was the religious (Hindu) center and state capital of the Champa kings, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It has been compared to other great archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. Unfortunately it was
heavily damaged by bombing during the Vietnam War.
We return to Hoi An in the afternoon, and there will be free time for shopping and to do a little more exploring of Hoi An.
Overnight in Hoi An hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 9: Hoi An Free Day
Today the whole day will be free for leisure activities. You have time to further explore this fascinating town, go shopping, or go to the nearby Cua Dai Beach
.
Overnight in Hoi An hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 10: Hoi An – Hue
In the morning we travel north along the coast to Hue, the ancient imperial capital of Vietnam. On the way we stop at the Hai Van Pass for some spectacular views of the ocean and the surrounding countryside. The trip takes about 5 hours, and we will arrive in Hue in the afternoon. After checking in to our hotel, we tour the ancient city with a visit to the Imperial Palace, the Forbidden Purple City and the Dong Ba Market, and at night we enjoy a traditional music performance onboard a boat on the Perfume River.
Overnight in Hue hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 11: Hue
After breakfast today we go for a cruise on the Perfume River to visit the most famous pagoda in Vietnam, the picturesque Thien Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda. Then cruising on up the river we come to the tomb of the former Emperor Minh Mang. In the afternoon we return to Hue, and there will be free time for leisure activity and optional tours.
Overnight in Hue hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 12: Hue - Hanoi (Domestic Flight)
Today we will take a morning flight to Hanoi. When you arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. After checking in and getting settled in to the hotel, we take the tour of the city and visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum including the Presidential Palace, his house on stilts, and the One Pillar Pagoda. We then visit the Temple of Literature. After lunch we head for the Museum of Ethnology, with many fine ethnic exhibits and displays. This is followed by a walking tour of Hanoi's vibrant Old Quarter. We also visit picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, and in the evening we enjoy a traditional water puppet show.
Overnight in Hanoi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Note: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is open from Tuesday to Thursday and on weekends from 8am to 11pm. It is closed on Monday and Friday. The mausoleum is also closed for two months of the year, usually October and November, for maintenance.
Day 13: Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc
In the morning after breakfast we leave Hanoi for Hoa Lu,
the remains of the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century. We explore the ruins of the temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, the two heroes who built this capital city.
We then go to the nearby picturesque setting of Tam Coc. After lunch we take a boat ride along the Hoang Long River and see the limestone formations which run along the river for several kilometers. We also go through three caves on the river, which were created by wind and water at a time when the sea had covered this area. It is a very photographic and unforgettable experience.
Overnight in Hanoi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 14: Hanoi – Halong Bay (Overnight Cruise)
This morning we depart Hanoi for Halong Bay, one of four World Heritage sites in Vietnam. When we arrive in Halong City we board our luxury cruise boat for an amazing trip on Halong Bay. This beautiful natural wonder has approx. 1,600 islands in a spectacular seascape of emerald-green water. We enjoy a delicious seafood lunch on board while cruising, and in the evening dinner is served in the ship's restaurant. We spend an enjoyable and relaxing night on board.
Overnight onboard luxury cruise vessel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 15: Halong Bay – Hanoi.jpg)
In the morning we awake to the sound of the ocean, and we get ready for another wonderful day of cruising. We have breakfast and get underway for more exploration of Halong Bay. We take small boats to secluded lagoons, we visit Luon cave, and see floating villages. A gourmet lunch is served on board before we disembark, and head back to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 16: Hanoi Departure
Today is the last day of our amazing journey in beautiful Vietnam, and after breakfast in the hotel you will have time to get ready to depart. You have free time until your 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
town, and in the evening you have dinner at a fine Vietnamese restaurant. The next day there is a full day touring the city and seeing all the highlights.
home of the unique Cao Dai religious sect. 
