Vietnam  Panorama
(10 days  - 9 nights)

The nature of these trip is to discover typical and classical sites of the country from North to South. During the tour, you will accomodate in major cities in comfortable hotels and travel essentially by car, bus, plane and/or train.

Day  01: Hanoi arrival (D)                                                 

You will be welcomed by our guide by arrival at Hanoi Airport. We transfer you with a comfortable vehicle to the city center of Hanoi to check-in in your hotel. This day is scheduled to take some rest after your long flight. You have the opportunity to get some first impressions of the city by yourself and of course our tour guide is always available at your request. Tonight you have dinner in a local restaurant and you overnight in your hotel in Hanoi.

Day  02: Hanoi city tour (B, L)

Today we have plenty of time to discover the pearl of South-East Asia; Hanoi. With charming streets, lined with dozens of old trees, beautiful lakes, colonial architecture and countless interesting monuments, this city will impress you with its lively characters. We begin our city-trip at the Restored Sword Lake, famous of the legend of the tortoise and the sword of 15th century . After the bombardment of this lake by the Americans in 1968 the huge turtle was killed and the little pagoda in the water is the final resting place of this legendary animal. We will continue our way with a visit to the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and his disciples. This temple used to be Vietnam's first university founded in 1076. After visiting this historical sight the we invite you to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the house of the hero Ho Chi Minh, who lives in the heart of every Vietnamese. We also bring a visit to the Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Quan Thanh Temple and finish our city-tour by participating in an one-hour ride in a traditional rickshaw (bike) around Hanoi’s old quarter. After dining in a local restaurant, we  visit  the famous water puppet show. We overnight in Hanoi.
 

Day 03: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)                              
After a Vietnamese style breakfast we take you to one of the wonders of nature; Halong Bay. During our way we pass magnificent green rice paddies tended by peasant women with conical hats. The entire rice paddy strip is like a beautifully designed patchwork which leads us to the heart of the Red River Delta. In Halong City we enter our private boat for a full afternoon of cruising in the bay of the dragon, with more than 3000 limestone islands scattering up from the emerald water. An environment of sublime beauty and serenity. Ha Long Bay was recognized as Natural World Heritage by UNESCO in 1994 and is worldwide known for its unique landscape . We visit some of the most beautiful grottos and have the opportunity to get a panoramic view of the bay as we climb the Ti Top Mount. For the lunch, you enjoy a meal of fresh seafood, including shrimps, squids, fishes and other delicious bites prepared by our professional cooks. We overnight in Halong city.
 

Day 04: Halong - Haiphong  - Hue (B ,L)               
We return to Hanoi and drive via Hai Phong, one of the most important economic centers of the north. During a trip around town we will visit the impressing Communal House and the Du Hang Pagoda. After lunch we drive towards Hanoi Airport to take off for a short flight to Hue. On the way to the airport we make a stop to visit the Ethnographic Museum. Overnight at hotel in Hue.

Day 05: Hue full day visit (B, L)                                        

Hue,  the former capital of Vietnam (1802 -1945 under Nguyen Dynasty), is known as ‘the city of peace and poetry’. The city is charming and has a romantic atmosphere. With a small sampan we make a cruise upstream the Perfume River to visit the famous Thien Mu Pagoda and the Minh Mang King's tomb. We continue our visit at one of the most romantic places of the area; the complex of Tu Duc Emperor's tomb. Located in lush vegetation, the tomb combines majesty with oriental charm.  Afterwards we discover the Forbidden Citadel, which seems to be untouched despite turbulent history like the American wars. The rest of the day you will be free to visit the Dong Ba Market, to search for nice souvenirs for the loved-ones at home. We overnight in Hue.

Day 06: Hue - Danang – Hoi An (B, L)                                   

We leave towards Hoi An in the morning by the well-known and stunning Mandarin Road. On the top of the Ocean Cloud Pass, we have a panoramic view over Danang and the surrounding areas. In Danang city we visit the Cham Museum, exposing countless antique articles of the former Cham Kingdom which lasted until the 16th century. Afterwards we climb the Marble Mountains, a set of 5 mountains which represent the 5 factors that symbolize our universe. From here, the view upon China Beach is breathtaking. We continue our trip by arriving in Hoian. Also this ancient town was recognized by UNESCO as being World Cultural Heritage in 1999. Hoian used to serve as an active port of trade with the Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese people during the 17th and 18th centuries. The streets, houses and architecture are remained ‘untouched’, despite turbulent history. We also visit the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Tan Ky ancient house before checking-in at the hotel in Hoi An. Hoi An is is famous about its numerous tailor-made clothing establishments. If you wish you can order some tailor-made clothes upon request, which will be ready to wear in just a few hours!!
 

Day 07: Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)          

You have leisure time to stroll around Hoi An before we transfer you to Danang to take of for a short flight towards Ho Chi Minh City. We are going to explore the vivid economic capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City. We bring a visit to the Central Post Office of Saigon and the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is the symbol of semi-colonial architecture of the French occupation in Vietnam. We continue our trip with an interesting visit to the Thien Hau Pagoda, situated in the heart of China Town. We spend the night in our hotel.

Day 08: Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi tunnel – Mekong Delta  (B, L,D)                            

Today an interesting visit to the Cu Chi Tunnel is planned, situated 30 km northwest from HCM City. This complex of underground tunnels is stretching over more than 250 km and was made by the Viet Cong guerillas during the war against the Americans. The cleverly constructed tunnel was the key to victory over the modern American forces and Southern Vietnamese fantoccini. During our excursion we learn more about what ‘Viet Cong life’ looked like during these times. We continue our trip by traveling to Can Tho, the metropolis of the Mekong Delta. Here we will have dinner and spend the night in a hotel.

Day 09: Mekong Delta  – Ho Chi Minh City ( B, L )           

The Mekong Delta is formed by nine tributaries of the Mekong River and is often referred as the ‘rice bowl’ or the ‘garden from heaven’ of Vietnam. Because the soil is very rich you will find here countless green rice paddies and dozens of tropical fruits, which only grow in this certain area. A visit to this region allows us to explore the ‘life on the water’ of the local people. Because of periodical floods the local people adapted their lives to the water. Experience their floating houses, floating schools, floating mini-supermarkets and even their complete floating markets! You will be overwhelmed by the wet rice civilization.

In the morning we take a small boat in the direction of the Cai Rang floating market. Rice, fresh fruit, fish, handicrafts, bonsais, everything is for sales on this local spot. The lunch is delicious, including a Mekong River delicacy " the Elephant Ear Fish". We exchange the unforgettable Mekong Delta for the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City where we will join a farewell diner at local restaurant . Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city .

Day 10 : Ho Chi Minh City - Departure (B)                       

You will have free time until we transfer you to Saigon Airport for your departure.

End of our service.

Note: 
This itinerary is designed from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City in 10 days, but can be reversed while keeping all above-mentioned visits. Please feel free to contact us  for further information.
 
Price in Euro per person (by a group of more than 15 persons, 1 person free of charge)

Tarif valid until 31 December 2006
The tariff is set up in Euro. Payment in USD is based on the exchange rate applied by the Vietnamese Bank at the time of settlement. Click here for the current Exchange Rate

• Price for a group of at least 2 person

• Price for 1 person: Please contact us

The price include:

• Accommodation in standard hotels with daily breakfast (hotels can be upgraded upon request)

• Meals as stated in the program (B = Breakfast ; L = Lunch ; D = Diner)

• Air-conditioned vehicles for all transportations

• English speaking guide

• Boat trips as mentioned in the program

• Entrance fees

 The price exclude:

• International air-tickets and airport departure tax.

• Domestic air-fare (Hanoi - Hue = 64 € , Danang - HCM City = 64 € including airport tax)

• Meals not mentioned in the program (between 5 - 7 Euros/meal/person)

• Drinks, phone calls and all personal expenses