VIETNAM AT A GLANCE

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1

  Hanoi arrival (NO MEAL)

  You are arriving in our one-thousand-year-old capital of Hanoi. Your guide will welcome you at Noi Bai International Airport and escort to your hotel in the heart of the city. Time to relax after a long flight before we start our Vietnam at a glance.

• Day 2

  Hanoi city – Street food tour (B)

  Start your Hanoi city tour. First, visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (close on Monday & Friday afternoon), his modest stilt house where he chose to live and work and also the museum dedicated to his memory. Continue visiting the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th century.

  Later, visit Hoa Lo Prison and stroll through Old Quarter from Hang Be Market to Thanh Ha wet market. Along the way delicacies, strange food items and an explanation of Vietnamese food practices will be given. This busy, eclectic market are alive with the sights and sounds of Hanoi and is the essence of Vietnamese culture.

  Keep walking on the streets of the Old Quarter to Dong Xuan market to sample some local street food such as pho tiu (noodle with pork) and bun dau (noodle with tofu). Your guide will explain the routine of Vietnam mealtime and indigenous/unusual ingredients eaten. Stroll up ‘food alley’ to see other dishes on offer.

  Back into the inner of the Old Quarter – check specially treated fruit which are dependable on the seasons and a common snack in Vietnam. Last stop at one of the Old Quarter busiest (yet smallest) coffee shops for a well-earned sit down and coffee before returning to your hotel.

  Overnight in Hanoi city

  Note: Shorts and tank tops are not allowed in Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & pagodas.

• Day 3

  Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D)

  After breakfast, depart for Halong Bay, which has been recognized by UNESCO twice as a World Heritage Site of outstanding natural beauty. Board your Halong bay cruise ship at around midday, enjoy the welcome activities, and check into your cozy cabin for the trip. Enjoy a delicious lunch served onboard as the cruise ship sales by magnificent karst formations as it heads into the deeper regions of Halong Bay. Enjoy dinner onboard and then sit back in the evening and take in the Bay at night, participate in night fishing. Overnight aboard a night in the bay.

  Note: Cruise itinerary is subject to change according to weather condition.

• Day 4

  Halong Bay – Hanoi – Hoian (Brunch)

  In the morning you have the option of a sunrise tai chi class before enjoying some tea and coffee. Delve into and explore a Halong Bay cave before brunch, which is served at 9am. As you enjoy your final meal onboard, the cruise ship heads back to the dock. Disembark at the pier and head straight to the airport for an afternoon flight to Danang. Upon arrival, meet your tour guide at the airport and head to Hoi An, 35km from the airport. Overnight in Hoi An

• Day 5

  My Son Holy Land & Hoian Sanctuary (B)

  Enjoy another breakfast at your hotel and then visit My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site, located in a lush valley. My Son is considered to be in the same league as some of Southeast Asia’s greatest archaeological sites with its towers built between the 4th to 13th centuries.

  The afternoon, take a fascinating guided walking tour around Hoi An Ancient Town. Begin with the picturesque Japanese Covered Bridge, which traverses one of the old town’s ancient streams. Continue onto the vibrant Chinese Assembly Hall and the bustling local market which rests on the banks of the river. Hoi An is an art-lover and shopper’s paradise, with countless shops selling beautiful souvenirs and talented tailors that can design and put together outfits ready for the next day! Enjoy the afternoon in the way you like, perhaps choosing to sit by the river with a cold drink or delving back into the shops! Overnight in Hoi An

• Day 6

  Hoian – Ho Chi Minh City (B)

  Take the mid morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, picked up by tour guide & driver to visit Cu Chi Tunnels. Located about 70 kilometers to the northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels were created to assist the Viet Minh to combat the French in 1948. This is an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storages, weapon shops, field hospitals, and command centers. During the American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a fire free zone and was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of the tunnels have been open for visitors.

  Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

• Day 7

  Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta (B, L)

  After breakfast, leave behind the hustle and bustle of Saigon to delve into the Mekong Delta, a patchwork of emerald greens and the rice bowl of southern Vietnam. After 2hours drive, arrive in Ben Tre province crossing Rach Mieu Bridge, hop on a private motorize and we cruise through the waterways and cannel of the Mekong delta to visit fruits orchards and learn about the local cottage industries like brick kiln-making, coconut processing, sleeping mats. Take a motorized cart (tuk tuk) or bicycle on shady paths, passing by green rice fiends and vegetable plains. Lunch is served in local restaurant.

  After lunch, experience a rowing-boat ride along beautiful water palm creek before we continue by the motorized boat back to the pier. Then return to our vehicle for the onward journey to HCMC. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

• Day 8

  Ho Chi Minh departure (B)

  You are at leisure for last minute shopping or optional visit before transferring to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure.

Kindly contact us or send email to tour@vietnamstay.com for the updated price!
Services include:

• Hotel room with daily breakfast as mention or similar
• Transfer services in private air-conditioned vehicle
• Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hanoi by shuttle bus.
• Entrance fees, other boat fees where applicable
• Meals as listed in the program B= Breakfast; L= Lunch & D = Dinner: pre-arranged at local restaurants based on local food with set menu.
• Tours with local English speaking guide on day with tours
• Private excursion on Day 2, 5, 6, 7.
• Sharing local guide on boat in Halong Bay.
• Government taxes & service charges.

Services Exclude:

• Drinks and other meals not clearly mentioned
• Surcharge for special request on food, and meals.
• Entrance fees, guide service during free time.
• Travel insurance
• All kind of gratuities for guides, drivers & others
• Surcharge for public holidays (if any)
• Internal airfares in the tour (please refer to the airfare supplement)
• International airfare from/to Vietnam
• Vietnam Visa handling fee, visa stamp fee.
• Personal expenses such as Bar, telephone & Laundry bills
• All other service not stated in the program.

 LEGAL TERMS

A. CANCELLATION POLICY:
The cancellation charges below refer to the non-transferable fee that is charged to the group member who has cancelled their tour:

• More than 45 days before departure: No cancellation charge
• Between 45 and 30 days before departure: 10% of total tour cost
• Between 30 days and 15 days before departure: 25% of total tour cost
• Between 15 days and 7 days before departure: 50% of total tour cost
• Less than 7 days before departure: 90% of total tour cost
• No-show at the airport on the day of arrival/departure: 100% of total tour cost

B. CHILDREN POLICY (land service only)

• Child from 1- 4 yrs:  Free of charge if sharing bed with parents
• Child from 5 – 6 yrs: charge 30% of adult price if sharing existing bed(s) with parents
• Child from 5 – 6 yrs: charge 50% of adult price if using extra bed/mattress in parents’ room
• Child from 7 – 11 yrs: charge 75% of adult price if using extra bed/mattress in parents’ room
• Child from 12 yrs up: pay as adult rate