CTV15: Wonderful Vietnam Holiday 24 days 23 nights

 
Day 1: Ho chi minh arrival
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, you are warmly welcomed  and transferred  to hotel by private Asia View Travel’s guide with signboard, check in, relax. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.
 
Day 2: Ho chi minh city tour (B, L)
Pick up at  hotel, take city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals. We visit the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office before we shall see the exhibition on Vietnam War to the famous War Museum. and the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.
 
Day 3: Ho chi minh – Tay ninh – Cu chi – Ho chi minh (B, L)
Pick up at hotel, travel by roads to Tay Ninh to see the ornate temple of Cao Dai and attend the fantastic mid-day service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. After wards we continue to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. At the height of the Vietnam war, the tunnel system stretched from the outskirts of Saigon all the way to the Cambodian border of over 250 kilometers of tunnels. The tunnel system, built over 25 years starting in the 1940s, let the Viet Minh and, later, the Viet Cong control a huge rural area. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was several stories deep and housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married, giving birth, and going to schools.
Transfer back Ho chi minh city.  Overnight Ho chi Minh City.

Day 4: Ho chi  minh – Muine (B)
Transfer to Muine The scenic 200km drive north on Highway One passes through the bustling city of Bien Hoa before cutting through dense rubber plantations. Closer to Phan Thiet the terrain changes to arid semi-desert with cactus plants and strange looking dragon fruit trees. Arrive in Muine and check into resort. The rest of day is free to relax on the sandy beach. Overnight in Muine.
 
Day 5: Muine relaxation (B)
Today we have whole day at leisure to explore sand dunes or just relax on the beach. You can enjoy all the beach activities, watersports ( by your own ).   Overnight in Muine.
 
Day 6: Muine relaxation (B)
Today we have whole day at leisure to explore sand dunes or just relax on the beach. You can enjoy all the beach activities, watersports ( by your own ).   Overnight in Muine.
 
Day 7: Muine – Ho chiminh (B)
At leisure. Afternoon, transfer back to HCM city. Check in hotel, relax.
 
Day 8: Ho chi minh – My tho – Ben Tre – Can tho (B, L)
Pick up at hotel, transfer to My tho, the first bustling town of the Mekong Delta. This trip provides a look at a wide variety of the life and scenery on Vietnam River from the peaceful Delta. The huge ships, which come from many different countries moving slowly, quietly along the river is what you will see at the Saigon River. Do not miss this sight! On the way you will see daily activities of local people along the river sellers and buyers bargaining, exchanging fish, the products that they got from their working on the sea. From My Tho, you will ride on a local motor boat around Dragon Island, Unicorn Island, Phoenix Island, Turtle Island and stop at the famous Unicorn Island. While at the Unicorn Island, you will take a short trek and go for a rowing boat trip. You will also enjoy lunch, tropical fruit and free time  bike ride in the rural village.
From there, you will continue your motor boat trip to Ben Tre province to visit a handmade coconut candy workshop. Then transfer to a small motor boat and travel along the lush, green canals that are so beautiful for photography. Continue to Can tho, check in, relax. Overnight at the hotel in Can Tho.
 
Day 9: Can tho – Ho chi minh (B, L)
Cruising along the small and picturesque tributaries by local boat, we will see the Cai Rang floating market (The nicest one with heaps of rowing boats). Take in the beautiful scenery and daily activities of locals who live along the Mekong canals and you will roam through the village to visit a rice husking mill and a rice noodles making shop. Stops at Can Tho market where the car/ van will drive you back to Sai Gon.

Day 10: Ho chi minh – Nha trang  (B)
Take the short flight  from Saigon to  Nha trang – one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. Our guide and car will pick up you at airport, transfer to hotel, check in, relax.
 
Day 11: Nha trang island tour (B, L)
Start from your hotel to Cau Da port. Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Mieu Island is the first place to visit; many sea species of Nha Trang/Khanh Hoa province make a small ocean world there. Mun Island is the best island for snorkeling where you can see lots of lives colorful corals and fish. Visit a fishing village and taking a fresh lunch at the island. On the way back you will be able to see caves in which the sea swallows make their nest.


Day 12: Nha trang relaxation (B)
All day free and relax at beautiful Nha trang beach.
 
Day 13: Nha trang – Danang flight – Hoian (B)
Free until transfer to airport for flight to Daanng. Arriving in Danang international airport, the guide will pick you up and transfer to Hoian.
 
Day 14: Hoian  ancient town (B, L)
We spend the whole day exploring Hoian ancient town, once a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Hoi An’s architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed little over the years. Take a leisurely walking tour of the ancient town center and visit the sites of former merchants’ homes, a 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and a Chinese Communal Hall. Believed to have been settled no less than 2,200 years ago, Hoi An was known as Faifo to early Western traders.  Hoi An was one of the major ports of Southeast Asia from the 17th to 19th centuries. Chinese, Japanese, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and other traders had small communities here, and the old wooden houses, bridges and temples that remain are reminiscent of a Vietnam of centuries past. This unique old trading town slowly became isolated due to its river silting up and by destroyed rail lines, leaving it untouched by war and frozen in time. Nowadays, this absolutely charming and relaxed town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight at resort in Hoian.
 
Day 15: Hoian free (B)
All day free and relax. The town is also famous for it's shops in particular  it's large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could  have a whole new wardrobe made for you here! You might like to take a boat ride with one of the local women across the Thu Bon River. Perhaps you would like to hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4 km away 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 16: Hoian – Hue (B)
After breakfast at hotel, say good bye Hoian and embark on northern bound journey to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam.  Stop en route at the beautiful Non Nuoc Beach and the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world.  In Danang you will visit the Marble Mountains, five sacred hills containing dozens of Buddhist shrines. The guide and driver will take you over the beautiful Hai Van Pass - Vietnam's geographical and psychological boundary between north and south. The peak of the pass lies perpetually shrouded in clouds.
Arrival Hue in Hue at noon time.
This afternoon we visit the Imperial Citadel and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
 
Day 17: Hue city tour (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel, we embark on a boat for cruise upstream on the Perfume River, viewing the city and the tranquil villages on the riverbank. We will walk up to visit the Thien Mu pagoda, a nicely located pagoda, overlooks the Perfume River and the beautiful scenery beyond, where you get to learn more about the Buddhism in Vietnam.  One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc, emperor Khai Dinh, built decades before its occupant's death the tomb was used as a palace retreat before the emperors final resting place. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
 
Day 18: Hue – Hanoi  (B)
After breakfast at your hotel. 9:00 am. we then take a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market and pass many fantastic eating spots where visitors have a chance to sample some local delicacies. Then transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi. You are welcomed at Noi Bai airport by Asia View Travel’s guide with signboard and he will accompany you to your hotel in the city center, check in, and relax. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
 
Day 19: Hanoi  city tour (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel, This morning we start city tour  with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh (Close on Monday, Friday & Octorber for annual maintenance ), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with the impressive Ethnology Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups.  Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam, Vietnam’s first university.  Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. We continue to visit the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple,  do a cyclo tour around   around the 36 streets of the Hanoi old quarter to learn more about simple life of Hanoian. Enjoy water puppet show- a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers, and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water.Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
 
Day 20: Hanoi – Mai chau (B, L, D)
We depart Hanoi and head west toward Hoa Binh City where we stop for refreshments and coffee. Leaving Hoa Binh, we drive towards Mai Chau valley, about another two hours away to White Thai village of Poomcong. Enjoy the stunning views while lunching on tasty local dishes cooked by the White Thai girls of the village. Afternoon we walk to the surrounding village. Our hosts for this evening will be the White Thai minority people. In sampling these peoples hospitality, we find out a little more of their lives and cultures with a cultural exchange following the evening meal. Overnight at homestay in Mai chau
 
Day 21: Mai Chau – Hanoi (B, L)
Following breakfast we embark on a lovely walk to Lac village and Van village. As we walk we will encounter the local villagers going about their daily business tilling the fields, logging or herding the buffalo. We enjoy lunch in Mai Chau before we drive back to Hanoi. Visit Muong village in Hoa Binh before tour finish at your hotel in Hanoi. Check in, relax.
 
Day 22 : Hanoi – Halong Bay on board (B, L, D) – 180km – around 3,5 hour drive
Arrival in Hanoi in the early morning at round 5:00 am. Pick up at train station and the guide will take you to a mini hotel near the train station gate to have shower and basic set menu breakfast.
8:00 Am pick up at hotel, depart for Halong bay. It takes around 3,5 hours traveling by road.
Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee ( by your own ) before arriving to Ha Long City.
11:30 - 12.15  Arrive in Ha Long city, board our traditional wooden junk boat for an overnight journey. Sip on a refreshing welcome drink upon check in before you begin your cruise through the bay.
13.00 Start sail from Bai Tu Long Bay area, Feast on a delicious lunch as you cruise among beautiful of islets (Tea pot islet, Mat Quy –Monster Face islet, Yen Ngua islet, Man’s Head islet, Tortoise islet etc.) to discover unspoilt pockets of Halong Bay and visit Sung Sot - Amazing cave, one of the most imposing grottos of the Bay. Swim at Soi Sim beach or Titov beach or a short trek to the top of Titov mountain (426 Steps) for a magnificent panorama scenery.
17.30 Fresh fruits serve at lounge or sundeck. Enjoy vegetable/fruit carving & Folding Napkin 19.30 Enjoy your dinner on board. 21.00 Squid fishing or relax and chatting with your partner,
friends, family.
Overnight on Junk.

Day 23: Halong – Hanoi (B, L )
06.20 Tai Chi Exercise with an opportunity to admire the magnificent scenery of sunrise over the Bay.
07.00 For early riser complimentary tea, coffee and break fast are served.
08.00 Visit Luon cave on small bamboo boat paddle by out crew staff and enjoy the quiet atmosphere enclosed by high islets and mountains. Be back to our Huong Hai Junk. Sail past rock formations such as and passing Finger islet, Hoa Cuong fishing village area, Ga Choi – Fghting Cock islet, Dinh Huong Islet, Little Dog islet. Enjoy the tranquil scenery as the boat meanders its way through the bay on the way back to Ha Long city, etc.
09.00 Arrange your luggage and do the check out onboard.
10.15 Enjoy a lunch as your boat weaves through strange-shaped limestone rock formations.
11:30 – 12:00: We will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3.5 hours back Hanoi. We reach hotel at around 15:30 – 16:00, check in, relax
 
Day 24: Hanoi departure  ( B )
Free until transfer to the airport for your departure flight. End of tour.