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Itinerary

DAY 1    Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (D)
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh where you will be met and transferred to your hotel by our local representative. Your tour leader will meet you at the hotel where a trip briefing will be held at 5.00pm or later depending on your flight schedule. You then have the evening free to try out one of Ho Chi Minh’s many fine restaurants or eating establishments.
DAY 2    Ho Chi Minh City (B,D)
With a population of more than 7 million, Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam. The huge number of people rushing about their daily business gives Saigon a vital and dynamic atmosphere and the city is characterised by a vast variety of sights and sounds. In the morning, we tour through the maze of streets by one hour cyclo tour to experience the hustle and bustle of China town and Ben Thanh market. We continue to explore tthe former Presidential Palace and War Crimes Museum. The afternoon is free at leisure.

DAY 3    Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang by train (B)
This morning is at leisure before we transfer to the railway station to take the train to Nha Trang. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to the group hotel. The evening is at leisure.

DAY 4    Boat trip in Nha Trang (B,L)
A full day boat trip in the Bay of Nha Trang. Our first stop is at Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Mieu Island to see the whole collection of sea creatures in Nhatrang Bay. Mun Island is the best island for snorkeling where you can see lots of live colorful coral reefs and fish and have a chance to see the caves in which the sea swallows make their nest. We then visit a fishing village for lunch before returning back to Nha Trang

DAY 5    Fly to Danang and transfer to Hoi An (B)
This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Danang. Upon arrival, we transfer to Hoian. The rest of the day will be for exploring this delightful little town. From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders. These people came to trade primarily for the high quality silk, which is still produced in the area. Today, Hoi An is a quaint riverside town popular among tourists for its eclectic architecture, souvenir and tailor shops, and cafes. Some of the buildings in the narrow streets have changed little over the last one hundred years. We enjoy a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Assembly Hall, the 200 year old Tam Ky House, and the Japanese Bridge.

DAY 6    Visit Thanh Nam fishing village near Hoi An (B,L)
This morning we will ride by bicycle to Thanh Nam fishing village. Here we will receive a brief introduction to the history of the village and a tour of the display room with its traditional fishing tools such as: basket, net, wooden boat and other original Vietnamese utensils. After that, we will take a boat with some local fisherman to learn how to cast a net and hopefully catch some fish. After bidding farewell to the local fisherman, we continue to Dai Chiem estuary to visit the peaceful waterways with their many boats and wharf. You will have lunch at a local restaurant and return to Hoi An where our programme finishes around 3pm. The aftrenoon is at lesiure.

DAYS 7-8    Free days in Hoi An (B)
Hoi An is famous for its shops in particular it's large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could have a whole new wardrobe made for you here! The riverside market is always a hive of activity, especially in the early morning when the day's catch arrives. You might like to take a boat ride with one of the local women across the Thu Bon River. You could hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic
ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4 km away, stopping along the way at some of the neighbouring villages. There's even the chance to improve your culinary skills with a Vietnamese cooking lesson! One thing is for sure - there is no shortage of things to do in this town!
DAY 9    Transfer from Hoi An to Hue (B,L)
This morning we drive north to the ancient capital of Hue. It is approximately a four hour drive over the spectacular Hai Van pass to the old imperial city of Hue. A stop will be made at the peak for a bird’s eye view over Da Nang city and Lang Co white sand beaches. Upon arrival, we will enjoy an tour of the city. Hue is reknown for the magnificent architecture of its royal tombs, pagodas and temples built by the Nguyen Dynasty alongside the picturesque setting of the Perfume River. We will enjoy lunch at local restaurant. This afternoon, we will visit the Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, Tu Duc tomb and Dong Ba market.

DAY 10    Fly from Hue to Hanoi (B,L)
This morning we transfer to the airport to take our flight to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival we transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a one hour cyclo tour to explore the old quarter followed by a visit to Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ngoc Son Temple. You will find a wonderful selection of shops in Hang Gai selling everything from local souvenirs to exquisite silk clothing.

DAY 11    Transfer to Halong Bay (B,L,D)
The drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City takes around 4 hours and an early start is required. On the way we will stop for refreshments and a chance to buy hand made souvenirs at a handicraft center run to raise money for disabled people. Upon arriving in Halong City we transfer to our private boat for a cruise of the crystalline emerald waters of Halong Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. Whilst on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim. We will also have the opportunity to explore some of the limestone caves in this area. Our accommodation this evening is on board our boat, where the view of the sun setting on the bay will be first class.

DAY 12    Cruising before returning to Hanoi (B,L,D)
Following breakfast on board we continue to cruise to explore some more of Halong Bay. After an early lunch we return to the habour where our vehicle will be waiting to transfer us back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, check in to our hotel. In the evening, we will enjoy a performance at Hanoi's famous water puppets show.

DAY 13    Trip concludes in Hanoi
Our trip concludes this morning with a group transfer to the airport.

Accommodation

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