Glories of Vietnam

“Halong Bay, VietnamUnesco World Heritage Site and Most popular place in Vietnam”

Discover enchanting Hanoi and breathtaking Halong Bay. Explore the hill tribe villages in Vietnam’s northern Region, Sapa. Visit the historical cities of Hue and Hoi An and discover the floating villages on the Mekong Delta. Vietnam is Asia’s cultural jewel full of colour, friendly people, beautiful beaches and magical rice fields!

*This tour is guaranteed with minimum 2 passengers. A private vehicle with driver and private local guides will be provided during sightseeing. Hotels mentioned above can be replaced with similar categories

INCLUSIONS

Accommodation in double occupancy in 4* and 5* hotels as indicated, or similar
Domestic flights within Vietnam, as per itinerary: Hanoi-Hue, Danang-Cam Ranh Bay
Return airport transfers by private car
Visits as per itinerary with private English speaking local private guides
Meals as per itinerary
Drinking water and cold towels during sightseeing.
All applicable local taxes.

Not included · International airfare and airport taxes · Gratuities to hotel personnel, guides and drivers · Beverages· Optional excursions · Visa for Vietnam $

Vietnamese woman rowing a boat way to mua cave hoa mua rear view

DAY 1 HANOI

Arrive in Hanoi, city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks. your guide will present you with a welcome packet then you will be transferred to your hotel.
Night in Hanoi

DAY 2 HANOI

Today, you will visit will Hoan Kiem Lake in the city center and the Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius. There’s no arguing – Hanoi has to be the coolest city in Vietnam. And no, we’re not just referring to the climate. This chaotic, colourful, motorbike-clogged, 1,000-year-old city is a delicious mix of East and West. Hanoi clings on tightly to its heritage which can be seen in the Old Quarter and the many historic buildings and monuments. There’s centuries-old pagodas, picturesque lakes and parks, as well as museums and prominent colonial buildings. Hoan Kiem Lake (Hoan Kiem means Lake of the Returned Sword), is a lake in the historical centre of the Hanoi capital. It is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal point for its public life. Legend has it that King Le Loi handed a magic sword called Heaven’s Will which brought him victory in his revolt against the Chinese Ming dynasty back to the Golden Turtle God in the lake. The Tortoise Tower (Thap Rua) standing on a small island near the centre of the lake is linked to the legend.
The Ngoc Son Temple was erected in the 18th century. It honours the 13th -century military leader Tran Hung Dao who distinguished himself in the fight against the Yuan – Mongol invaders, Van Xuong, a scholar and Nguyen Van Sieu, a Confucian master and famous writer in charge of repairs made to the temple in 1864. Jade Island is connected to the shore by the wooden red-painted Huc Bridge. The Temple of Literature has a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, and this monument is one of the best-preserved examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam’s first university. In one courtyard, giant stone tortoises bear stele on their backs, listing the accomplishments of graduating scholars. The Museum of Ethnology brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artefacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside the museum are detailed descriptions of minority groups, with examples of their traditional clothing and way of life. Outside are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings. Welcome dinner in Hanoi. ( B/L/D)
Night in Hanoi

DAY 3 HANOI - HALONG - CRUISE

Transfer to Halong International Passenger Port. Embark at Halong International harbour. Check in and enjoy a welcoming drink and cruise briefing. Have lunch while cruising in the magnificent Bai Tu Long bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay. Enjoy swimming in the crystal clear water and then explore the secluded Thien Canh Son cave. Short cruise to Hon Co Island where you can relax on a white sandy beach, swimming or kayaking. Back to the junk for relaxation. Have dinner and stay overnight on board. (B/L/D)
Night on board

DAY 4 CRUISE - HALONG - HANOI - LAO CAI - SA PA

Morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast in the fresh air. Visit Vung Vieng Fishing village by a rustic row-boat, meet the local people and pass through the floating school and fish farms. More time for swimming in the middle of the bay. Start cruising towards the harbour while an A La Carte lunch is served. Disembark at Halong around 11h45. Transfer to Sa Pa (B/L)
Night in Sa Pa

DAY 5 SA PA

Today you will enjoy an excursion to remote tribal villages (Thanh Phu – My Son – Nam Sai – Nam Cang). Leaving Sa Pa at about 08.30am by vehicle and travel southwards to Sa Pa. The first 16km portion of the road offers spectacular landscapes of Hoang Lien mountain range, Fansipan peak as well as marvellous terraced rice fields of the Muong Hoa valley. Enjoy several photo stops before arriving to Su Pan commune where customers will pay a visit to Hoa Su Pan, a small hamlet of the Black Hmong for half an hour. Continue the trip along the road further south to Muong Bo valley of Thanh Phu commune. Walking along the large village path for nearly an hour, paying visiting to several homes of the Tai people who live in spacious houses built on stilts, witnessing their daily life and experiencing their hospitality. Lunch break in a local home. Continue the trip in the afternoon with a short drive along the rocky road to My Son and spend a half an hour to walk around this charming village of the Xa Pho ethnicity (whose population is only more than 6 thousand people) for a brief understanding of their very unique culture and custom. Then travel further to Nam Cang commune for visiting a beautiful and prosperous village of the Red Dao people in Nam Than village. This portion of the road ride offers beautiful scenery of the Nam Sai Valley. Leave Nam Cang in mid-afternoon and drive back along the same way to Sa Pa. (B/L)
Night in Sa Pa

DAY 6 SA PA - HANOI

Today travel by vehicle from Sa Pa to Hanoi. Sleepy pot-bellied pigs, children playing with homemade toys, women weaving traditional cloth – these are just some of the scenes we may witness in the Hmong hilltribe villages we’ll visit today. We’ll trek through incredible landscape with views of mountains and valleys, stopping in rustic villages of simple wooden houses. (B/L)
Night in Hanoi

DAY 7 HANOI - HUE

Transfer from Hanoi to Hue by flight. Then you will be transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. (B/L)
Night in Hue

DAY 8 HUE

Today you will spend the day visiting Hue. Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years. It houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices. It was established in the 17th century. Rumoured to be haunted, a flashpoint for anti-government protests, and the site of a famous self-immolation by a monk. Thien Mu Pagoda will lure us in with its beauty, elegant architecture and evocative past. We’ll travel by boat along the Perfume River to visit the iconic pagoda, along with the Imperial Tomb of Minh Mang. Located in the heart of Hue is the Imperial Citadel, a vast complex built in the early 19th century and modelled after the Forbidden City of Peking. The original walls stretched for 10 km and were surrounded by a wide moat. Today, most of the buildings have been destroyed due to bombing during the Vietnam-American War, but the monuments that remain provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty. Approach the city past the striking Flag Tower, where a giant Vietnamese flag waves proudly overhead, to the imposing Ngo Mon Gate, the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure. Enter into an area of spacious courtyards and serene lotus ponds, and visit Dien Tho Residence (Dien Tho palace) where the Queen mother lived, visit Thai Hoa Palace, the magnificently decorated reception hall, the Halls of the Mandarins, and the original Nine Dynastic Urns, among other sites, including a visit to the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum. (B/L)
Night in Hue

DAY 9 HUE - HOI AN

Twisting winding curves, sudden bends, views that take your breath away – welcome to the Hai Van Pass. We get to drive along this incredible mountain pass on the way to Danang.
This city is home to beaches made famous by American soldiers during the Vietnam War, several quirky bridges, and the wonderful Cham Museum containing the best collection of Cham sculpture. We’ll also stop at the Marble Mountains – a group of limestone and marble hills filled with caves. Today’s Highlights: Hai Van Pass, Danang, Cham Museum, Marble Mountains (170 kms) (B/L)
Night in Hoi An

DAY 10 HOI AN

Sightseeing in Hoi An today (4 hours)
The quirky mix of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European influences makes Hoi An a photographers’ paradise. We’ll walk through the narrow winding streets of the old quarter past ochre-hued stone houses, lantern-filled shops and colourful fishing boats. One of the most iconic sights is the Japanese Covered Bridge. There are also ancient temples and merchant homes over 200 years old. We’ll explore many of the historical sites within the town. Today’s Highlights: Hoi An ancient town. Afternoon spent at leisure. ( B/L)
*Cyclo Fee is not included in the package. If it is required, please note the surcharge will be collected locally by guide
Night in Hoi An

DAY 11 HOI AN - DANANG - CAM RANH BAY - NHA TRANG

Today you will be transferred to Danang and then you will take your flight towards Cam Ranh Bay. From there you will be transferred by car to Nha Trang. Rest of the day at leisure. (B/L)
Night in Nha Trang

DAY 12 NHA TRANG

Nha Trang is not just about white sandy beaches and unspoiled islands – although they are pretty impressive! It’s also a great place for history buffs, as it showcases breath-taking structures from the Champa Kingdom, Buddhist temples and gothic-style Catholic churches. On the top of Mount Cu Lau, with views overlooking the river, are the Po Nagar Cham Towers, built between the 7th and 12th centuries. We’ll visit all the main sights and will also see the exquisite art of hand-embroidery. Today’s Highlights: Po Nagar Cham Towers, XQ Embroidery, Nha Trang Cathedral (4 hours)[ Half day ]. Rest of the day at leisure. (B/L)
Night in Nha Trang

DAY 13 NHA TRANG - DALAT

Today transfer from Nha Trang to Dalat. Rest of the day at leisure. ( B/L)

DAY 14 DALAT

Today will be spent sightseeing in Dalat. Nestled in the mountains, Dalat is a charming former colonial hill station with an abundance of colorful parks, lakes, gardens and waterfalls. Its ever temperate climate has earned it the name and City of Eternal Spring. Start the day by visiting Dalat Catholic Church or Dalat Chicken Church, followed by a visit to XQ Embroidery. Afterwards, tour Bao Dai’s Summer Palace for an insight into the daily life of the last Vietnamese emperor and his family. Finally, visit the Hang Nga House, popularly known as the “Crazy House” , which is an unconventional building designed and constructed by Vietnamese architect Dang Viet Nga in Dalat. In the afternoon, visit to the old Cremaillere Railway Station, a cog railway that linked Dalat and Thap Cham in the first part of the 20th century, with an old Russian steam train on display. Continue just outside the town of Dalat and take a cable car over fields and scenic countryside to Truc Lam Pagoda. After exploring the temple, stroll down the hillside to Tuyen Lam Lake (Paradise Lake). Continue to Datanla Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the region. Stop for a short visit one of the organic farm which is very well-known in Dalat. (B/L)
Night in Dalat

DAY 15 DALAT - SAIGON

Today transfer from Dalat to Saigon and then leisure time for the rest of the day.( B/L)
Night in Saigon

DAY 16 SAIGON

We’re going underground – deep into the Cu Chi Tunnels! These hand-dug tunnels changed the course of the Vietnam War. The well-camouflaged entrance holes lead into a network of incredibly narrow tunnels that stretch for over 200 kilometres connecting command posts, hospitals and shelters. We’ll learn about the life of the Vietcong and venture into some of the tunnels. The deadly, bamboo-spiked booby traps are another must-see. Today’s Highlights: Cu Chi Tunnnels (6-7 hours) Ever-vibrant, ever-changing – this is the buzzing city of Saigon, where sleek skyscrapers loom over incense-infused temples and motorcycles rule the roads. There’s classic European-style landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, the ornate City Hall and the art-deco Post Office. Reminders of a recent past can be seen in the Reunification Palace, famously stormed by tanks in 1975. We’ll visit all the main sights of the city and make time to browse the stalls in the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Today’s Highlights: Reunification Palace, Emperor of Jade Pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market (4 hours) ( B/L)
Night in Saigon

DAY 17 SAIGON - CAN THO

Breakfast at hotel. We could end up feeling fruity as we cruise the Mekong River Islands! This area may be Vietnam’s -‘rice bowl’ but it’s the fruit orchards we’re heading to. We’ll stop to try out fresh fruits, coconut candy and homemade honey-tea while listening to traditional music. A sampan will take us down the narrower waterways giving us an appetising glimpse of daily life on the delta. We then continue by vehicle to Can Tho. (B/L)
Night in Cant Tho

DAY 18 CAN THO

Breakfast at hotel. The merchants have a great way of showing off their wares at the Cai Rang Floating Market. They simply hang a sample off the top of a long pole! We’ll explore by boat so we can get close up photos of the colourful boats piled high with seasonal vegetables and tropical fruits. And we can mingle among the merchants as they trade from boat to boat. We’ll check out the riverside town of Can Tho to see the bustling local market, the distinctive Ong Temple and a beautifully preserved French-style ancient house. Today’s Highlights: Ong temple, market, Binh Thuy Ancient House. (B/L)
Night in Cant Tho

DAY 19 CAN THO - SAIGON

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer by vehicule from Can Tho to Saigon. Visit of The War Remnants Museum exhibits collections of weapons, photographs and memorabilia from two Indochina wars along with the original French ‘Guillotine’ brought here in the early 20th century.Visit Cholon, the large Chinese neighbourhood to the west of the city in District 5. Cholon means ‘Big Market’, a good indication of the importance the Chinese have traditionally played in Vietnam’s economy. Visit Giac Lam Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Saigon, built at the end of the 17th century. The pagoda has not been renovated since 1900 so still retains most of the original architecture, layout and ornamentation. The pagoda incorporates aspects of Taoism and Confucianism and is home to ten monks. Next is the Binh Tay market where is Cholon’s main wholesale marketplace, and is a bustling centre for trade. (B/L)
Night in Saigon

DAY 20 SAIGON

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport to take your return flight home.(B)

**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment The prices indicated exclude the contribution to the Customer Compensation Fund of $3.50 per $1,000 of tourism product or service purchased from a travel agent in Quebec.