Indo-China Region(Essential Vietnam) - (8 Nights / 9 Days)

Arrive Ho Chi Minh City also known as Saigon and transfer to the Hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, we proceed for a full day tour of Ho Chi Minh. Venture in to the Chinese quarter at Cholon, learn traditional Vietnamese medicine at FITO museum, and browse the amazing array of goods at Ben Tanh Market. In the afternoon, visit the War Remnants or History Museum and the former Presidential Palace for a glimpse into Vietnamese history before ending with an exploration of the city‟s French-influenced colonial architecture.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, take a boat ride of Cai Be floating market where Traders work the river and some have been living on these waters for generations. After visiting the market continue to a cottage factory where „pop-rice‟, rice paper and coconut candies are made. Return to the boat for the cruise to Dong Hoa Hiep Island, along the way admire the scenery and the daily life of the local villagers. Lunch will be local Mekong style serving specialties of the area. Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City by boat and then road.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, we transfer you to the Tan Son Nhat Airport for the short flight to the central port city of Danang. On arrival in Danang, transfer to Hoi An - a major Asian trading port during the 17th and 18th centuries, whose architecture and relaxed lifestyles has changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town center to visit the former merchants‟homes, the 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge and the colourful market. Evening enjoy sunset boat trip.

Overnight at hotel.

This morning after breakfast, leave Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The scenic route passes through Danang visit Cham museum which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co Arrive Hue, transfer to the Hotel. In the afternoon Visit the elaborate mausoleum of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 182 and 1945.

Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, we take a boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River, visit Hue‟s best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda and the mausoleum of former Emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. Afternoon, we transfer you to the airport for your short flight to Hanoi, the modern day capital of Vietnam. On arrival at Hanoi, transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at Hotel in Hanoi.

After breakfast, we proceed for a full day city tour of Vietnam‟s capital. Hanoi is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The city tour includes such sights as Ho Chi Minh‟s Mausoleum, The One Pillar Pagoda - an important symbol for the people of Hanoi, the Fine Arts Museum and the temples of literature. Continue to West Lake and one of the oldest Buddhist pagodas in Hanoi, Tran Quoc, and the nearby Toaist temple of Quan Thanh which dates from the Ly Dynasty. After lunch in the town, continue to the Museum of Ethnology and end the afternoon with a visit to the Lake of Restored Sword and the Old Quarter.

Overnight at hotel.

This morning after breakfast, we start journey there through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta, observe everyday life of Vietnamese villagers as they work the rice fields, take pigs to the market on bicycles and plough the fields with their water buffaloes. Arrive in Halong City late morning and board your traditional wooden junk or The Emeraude, a classic replica steamship of the colonial era for the overnight journey into the Bay. En-route lunch will be served. Following cruise by rock formations with such names as Sail, Dog and Dinh Huong (incense pot).As the sun sets over the bay dinner is served on board with fresh seafood, salads, and fruits.

Overnight on Halong Bay.

Enjoy the beauty of Halong Bay in the morning. After breakfast and disembarkation, transfer to Hanoi airport for your onward flight.

Tour End