"Hidden Beauty of Vietnam"
12 Days package price from just £1,100 per person.
Day 1 - UK Departure
Depart the UK with international flight to Hanoi.
Day 2 - Arrival Hanoi
Arrival and welcome at the airport in Hanoi. Transfer to check in at the hotel (hotel is at your disposal from13h30). We will explore the diversified architecture of Hanoi and its famous 36 streets of Old Quarter by a combined tour between walking and taking a cyclo ride, completed by walking around Hoan Kiem Lake – a symbol of Hanoi city.
Day 3 - Hanoi City Tour
The first half of the day is devoted to the discovery the culinary arts of Hanoi. Your cooking class starts with a stroll to the market where you will buy the ingredients for your dishes. A visit to the market will bring you an interesting aspect of daily life; markets are not only for buying goods, but also for socializing. Then we will take you along to an old house in Ma May Street where you will learn to cook some traditional dishes. The class will take approximately 2 hours. At lunch you will have the chance to taste what you have created during the cooking and to sample additional dishes prepared by the chef.
Following lunch we tour to the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature to have a glimpse at Vietnam’s first university. Transfer back to the city centre to take a walk through Hang Be market – one of the most famous markets in Hanoi thanks to its diversified goods and nice display. Take this chance to take a look at locals’ daily life as well as capturing some memorable pictures. Fill up your impression of Hanoi by enjoying a traditional water puppet show in the evening. (B/L)
Day 4 - Hanoi to Halong Bay
In the morning we leave the hotel early to visit Ho Chi Minh mausoleum (Closed on Monday and Friday morning) before heading for Halong Bay on a new highway that passes through large rice fields of the Red River Delta and at noon we arrive. We board a beautiful wooden junk for a 24-hour cruise on Halong Bay with an excellent menu of fresh seafood. (B/L/D)
Day 5 - Halong Bay to Hanoi to Hue
After breakfast on board we keep cruising on the bay. Back to the pier and disembark at around 11.00am. Return to Hanoi where we transfer directly to the airport of Hanoi for the flight to Hue. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel for check in. (B)
Day 6 - Hue City / Phuoc Tich Village
In the morning, take a tour of the citadel city and enjoy the refined and distinct atmosphere of the town with a visit to the Imperial Citadel. Continue driving to beautiful Thien Mu pagoda which is located right on the bank of the Perfume River. After lunch we journey in the direction of Phuoc Tich – a 500 years old village which is known for its dozens of wooden houses beautifully decorated with flowers, bonsai gardens and lush orchards. Overcoming the challenge of time, these old houses of the village are almost intact until this moment. Back to Hue city in the late afternoon. (B)
Day 7 - Hue city to Danang to Hoi An
This morning you will have chance to visit a typical garden house of Hue city, which was built according to precise rules of geomancy. Experience the serene and pleasant feelings it might bring you. Next site is Tu Duc mausoleum, one of the most beautiful tombs of Hue which was inspired by the calm and is a model of Vietnamese traditional art. It is also an opportunity to learn about the history of Nguyen dynasty and the French colonial invasion. Then we depart to Hoi An via the scenic Hai Van Pass to enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramas in Vietnam as you look out over the central coastline. You will also pass through the quiet, white sandy beach of Lang Co along the way. Upon arrival in Danang, make a short stop to visit Cham Museum and its well-preserved collection of Khmer statues. Continue driving to Hoi An and then check in at the hotel. (B)
Day 8 - Hoi An
In the morning enjoy a bike ride to visit the village of vegetables - Tra Que (located 5kms - 20 minutes cycling from Hoi An). Together with local people in their daily work, you will learn how to plant and water vegetables. Then learn to cook some local specialities, for example “Tam Huu”, a set of shrimps, pork and aromatic herbs, and enjoy what you have done after cooking. Return to Hoi An in the middle of afternoon and take a stroll around Hoi An town, exploring the quaint cobblestone streets of the town with more than two-century-old Chinese houses. Sites include the Japanese Bridge, the Chinese Temple and Phung Hung Chinese-style trading house. (B/L)
Day 9 - Hoi An to Danang to Saigon
Depart Hoi An for the airport in Danang for our flight to Saigon. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the city for a visit to the ethnic Chinese quarter of Cho Lon with the Binh Tay market and Thien Hau Pagoda. We then continue to visit various pagodas in Saigon and to see the daily life in different districts of the city. (B)
Day 10 - Saigon to Can Tho
Morning departure by bus to Cai Be, where you will board a boat to the Mekong Delta of Vinh Long. Discover the languid charm of the fabled Mekong River as you explore the quaint byways and Cai Be floating market, and be sure to sample fresh-picked exotic fruits from one of the many orchards. In the afternoon we continue the cruise to Vinh Long for transfer to Can Tho by road. Check into your hotel at the end of the afternoon. (B)
Day 11 - Can Tho to Saigon
Transfer to Ninh Kieu Quay where you will board on to the local boat for a cruise to the lively, colourful floating markets of Cai Rang, which is surrounded by a crowd of busy traders and brimful boats engrossed in their business. Once satisfied with the fruity flavours of the market, you will then enter the labyrinth of the channels and streams surrounding Can Tho, where you can observe resident daily life on the river and even see children swimming. Bus picks up at 10h30 upon disembarkation and returns to Saigon. (B)
Day 12 - Saigon departure
Free time at leisure for some last minute shopping or relaxing before transfer to Ho Chi Minh airport for your departure. (B)
12 Days package price from just £1,100 per person (based on double occupancy)
Price includes:
- Hotel accommodation (on twin share basis);
- Meals: daily breakfast at hotel and others as mentioned in itinerary;
- Sightseeing excursions with English speaking guides;
- All road transportation in private air-con car or minibus;
- Entrance fees;
- Domestic flights;
- Boat trip as mentioned in sights;
- Government tax and service charge;
- Luggage handling and drinking water.
Price excludes:
- International flights (due to high fluctuation of prices at different times of year - prices can start as low as £550 per person. Emperor Tours will provide details on enquiry);
- Visa fee;
- Departure tax;
- Personal expense such as laundry or drinks during meals etc.;
- Optional visits;
- Travel insurance (can be arranged, please ask for details);
- Tips to guides and drivers.
