GTV3: Vietnam Golf tour 18 days from Ho chi minh

 
Itinerary in Details:
 
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 - Cu chi tunnel ( B , L )
Morning after breakfast, 8:00 AM pick up at  hotel, drive tothe famous Cuchi Tunnels. It takes you nearly 2 hours traveling by road from Ho chi minh to Cu chi tunnel.
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, going to school.
Back city for lunch.
Afternoon 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 – Mekong delta - Ho chi minh (B, L) – 80km for 1 way, around 2 hours on road / 1 way.
You will be picked up at hotel, transfer to My Tho, 80km from Ho chi minh city. It takes you around 2 hours to get the area. 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. Take 2 hour drive back Ho chi minh city, check in, relax.
 
Day 4: Ho chi minh – Nha trang (B )
Breakfast at hotel, free do the shopping in the city center until transfer to the airport for flight to Nha Trang. Pick up, transfer to the hotel, check in. The rest of the day free and relax at beautiful Nha Trang beach.
 
Day 5: 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 6 : Nha trang – Diamond Bay golf course ( B )
After breakfast at hotel, pick up and transfer to Diamond Bay Golf.
Tee time: 9:30 AM , combine with others into group of 4
Green fees and Caddie fees included
Transfer back hotel.
 
Day 7: Nha trang free ( B )
All day free at beautiful Nha trang beach.
 
Day 8: Nha trang – Danang - Hoian (B, L)
We board a flight to Da Nang. Arriving in Danang international airport, the guide will pick you up and transfer to Hoian.
We spend the rest of the day to discover Hoian.
Take a walk tour to explore 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. 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.
 
Day 9: Hoian – Danang Golf club (B)
After breakfast at hotel, pick up and transfer to Danang Golf Club.
Tee time: 9:36 AM , combine with others into group of 4
Green fees and Caddie fees included
Transfer back Hoian.
 
Day 10: Hoian cooking class ( B , L )
RED BRIDGE COOKING TOUR (HALF DAY)
• We start the day (8.15am / 1.30pm) with a drink at Scout Café - 98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An – our meeting point.
 
• Visit Hoi An’s colourful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later.
 
• We board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to  Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy.
 
• On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – each dish is first demonstrated by the Red Bridge chef’s, before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration).
After the lesson, we sit down and eat exactly what we have cooked.
 
Recipes (our food contains no MSG):
1. Making fresh Rice paper
2. Fresh Rice Paper Rolls of Shrimp
3. Crispy Hoi An Pancakes with Shrimp, Herbs & a Peanut Sauce
4. Marinated Beef on a Sizzling Plate
5. Vietnamese Eggplant in Clay Pot
6. Food Decoration - Pineapple Boat, 3 Coloured Flowers & Vietnamese Hand Fan
 
*   Lunch includes the above meals as well as:
Steamed Ocean Fish on a bed of Freshly Chopped Vegetables   (not included in the demonstration)
• Finish at approximately 1pm – transfer back to hotel.
 
Day 11: Mongtgomerie Links Golf course (B)
After breakfast at hotel, pick up and transfer to Montgomerie Links Golf.
Tee time: 9:35 AM , combine with others into group of 4
Green fees and Caddie fees included
Transfer back Hoian.
 
Day 12: Hoian free ( B )
Today there is plenty of time to discover Hoi An  by yourself. You can spend your time  walking around exploring the many Chinese  assembly halls and  fascinating ancestral  homes, some of which have been occupied  by the same family for fifteen genera ions. 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 13: Hoian – Hue (B, L)
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. 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. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
 
Day 14: Hue –  Hanoi (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,  built decades before its occupant's death the tomb was used as a palace retreat before the emperors final resting place. Transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi. The guide in Hanoi will pick you up, transfer to hotel in city center, check in, relax.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 15: 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 & October 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 16 : Hanoi – Halong bay on board ( B, L,D ) – 180km around 3,5 hour drive
Breakfast at hotel, then 8:30 AM  start a 3. 5 hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee ( by your own ) before arriving to Ha Long City.
12:00 – 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 Ha Long Bay aboard Junk.
 
Day 17:  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 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 drive back Hanoi,check in, relax.