HONEYMOON IN VIETNAM
ITINERARY IN BRIEF
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI
DAY 2: HANOI - HA LONG
DAY 3: HA LONG - NINH BINH
DAY 4: NINH BINH - MAI CHAU
DAY 5: MAI CHAU - HANOI
DAY 6: HANOI - HUE flight
DAY 7: HUE - HOI AN
DAY 8: HOI AN
DAY 9: HOI AN - DA NANG - SAIGON flight
DAY 10: SAIGON - BEN TRE - SAIGON - DEPARTURE
DAY 1 - HANOI
Arrival in Hanoi welcomed by our tour guide and transfer to the city. Hotel accommodation (rooms are normally available from 14h00). In the afternoon visit Hanoi - the thousand-year-old city: Temple of Literature - considered as the first university in Vietnam dating back to 11th century. Continue with the visit of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outdoor zone), the monument dedicated to the Vietnamese leader and his old wooden mansion on stilts surrounded by a verdant park, which reminds us about the traditional structure of ethnic minorities houses from northern Vietnam, where the Father of the nation used to live during last years of his life (closed Monday afternoon). Then we would be heading to the One Pillar Pagoda, built in XI century, connected to a legend on Ly Dynasty - founders of Hanoi the capital. The architecture of the Pagoda is one of a kinds, simulating a giant lotus flower, symbol of purity of the soul. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
DAY 2 - HA LONG
Departure to Ha Long. Arrival at the port at noon and accommodation on cruise boat. Key delivery, comfortable cabin equipped with hot water, air conditioner and bay view. Meal served on board, prepared by sailors. Cruising through the extraordinary Ha Long bay, a natural wonder, which is situated in a cove known as Tonkin gulf, with about 2000 limestone monolithic islets coated in dense vegetation, standing out in the splendid sapphire blue water. Special dinner and overnight on board. Peaceful night in the idyllic bay.
DAY 3 - HA LONG - NINH BINH
Wake up at dawn to practice Tai Chi and admire the sunrise. Breakfast on board. After breakfast, continuation of the cruise to visit the caves. Brunch on board then disembarkation and departure to Ninh Binh. Arrival to the town and hotel accommodation. Free time for a walk in the surrounding zones and exploration of local daily life. Overnight stay in Ninh Binh.
DAY 4 - NINH BINH - MAI CHAU
Departure for Trang An, considered as terrestrial Ha Long Bay for the boat trip along picturesque landscapes through natural caves carved in the karst rock, which are seemingly still untouched by mass tourism. Departure by car to Mai Chau. Accommodation and dinner in booked lodging. Enjoy the evening time with a traditional dance performance while sipping some special local rice wine. Overnight stay at the hotel in Mai Chau.
DAY 5 - MAI CHAU - HANOI
After the breakfast, go out for a walk or take the bicycle out to visit Lac and Pom Coong villages - home of Thai ethnic. Departure by car to Ha Noi. Arrival to the capital in the afternoon, accommodation in hotel. For the evening, “My village” circus performance with bamboo tools - a delicate fusion between tradition and innovation to bring out the beauty of daily life in Vietnamese villages. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
DAY 6 - HUE
Transfer by car to Ha Noi airport. Departure by plane to Hue, the former capital of Nguyen Dynasty. Hotel accommodation (rooms are normally available from 14h00). In the afternoon, visit Thien Mu Pagoda which situated up on a hill by the Perfumes River. Continuation by car to visit the Citadel - a fort like construction. The Citadel was partially destroyed by the Americans in 1968 during the Vietnam War. Today numerous donations contribute to the restoration of this priceless heritage. Following with a visit to Dong Ba market. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Hue.
DAY 7 - HOI AN
Visit to the tomb of Minh Mang , the best known one among the 13 Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Transfer by car to Hoi An, going through Hai Van pass (the route might be changed due to weather condition). After breakfast, morning dedicated to visiting the ancient city of Hoi An: the market, the ancient house of Tan Ky, the Chinese Temple of Phuc Kien, the Japanese covered bridge and free time for shopping. Overnight stay in Hoi An.
DAY 8 - HOI AN
Free day to enjoy the beach that located about 4 km from the town. Take a round-boat trip and romantic dinner on private bamboo rafts. Overnight stay in Hoi An.
DAY 9 - SAIGON
Transfer to Da Nang airport for the morning flight to Sai Gon. Arrival after an hour and a half flight, transfer to the city. The afternoon is dedicated to the city exploring activities: visit Ngoc Hoang pagoda where people come to pray for luck in love, the Central Post Office, the old quarter Catinat where the most historically famous hotel of Sai Gon are located - the “Continental” and Ben Thanh market. Overnight stay in Saigon.
DAY 10 - BEN TRE - DEPARTURE
Departure for the Mekong Delta to the town named Ben Tre. After two hours travel time, embark on a boat and cruise on the great branch of Mekong river, surrounded by lush vegetation. Visiting the coconut candy workshop. Take a walk, visit local people, and see the process of making traditional mat. Back to Sai Gon in private car. Free time until direct transfer to the airport for your flight back home.