Insight Vietnam

• Day 1:

  You are arriving in the capital Hanoi, a city established over a thousand years ago. After greeting you at Noi Bai International Airport, your guide will escort you to your hotel. Accommodation in Hanoi: (5*) Melia Hotel (Deluxe Room) (two nights) Visa on arrival letter and immigration assistance at airport: Please provide your agent all passport details at least 10 days prior to your arrival date, and you will get a visa approval letter on time before your flight to Vietnam. Your visa will be inserted in your passport upon arrival at international airport in Vietnam. An immigration coordinator will meet and greet you at the entrance of the arrival hall with a signboard bearing your name. As quick as possible, provide the immigration coordinator all necessary documents (original passport, photo, stamping fee currently 25USD per person). Then, on behalf of guests, staff will complete the visa procedure at Visa on Arrival counter. You will have your passport returned with a visa stamp and will be shown to the passport control and baggage claim where you will pick up your luggage and continue through the terminal to meet your tour guide. OPTIONAL: VIP FAST TRACK AT AIRPORT (For travelers who seek excellence) - Additional Charge Applies: The VIP Fast track service offers personal care in a pleasant atmosphere, as well as outstanding flexibility, security and time savings. How it works: - Guests will be greeted by an immigration coordinator at the upon aircraft door or aero-bridge and be escorted to the arrival hall. - The immigration coordinator collects all necessary documents (original passports, luggage ticket, list of checked luggage) from the guests. - Without delay, guests will be escorted by the immigration coordinator to the meeting point outside the arrival hall through a private exit ((without immigration procedure) while the coordinator takes care of collecting baggage from the conveyor belt and through immigration and custom clearance. - Guests will be escorted by the guide and driver to their hotel without delay. Their passport and luggage will be sent to their hotel room right afterward and as quick as possible.

• Day 2:

  Good morning Hanoi for early risers: If you have seen how busy and chaotic the Hanoi Old Quarter gets during the daytime, get up early for a different take on Hanoi in the very early morning when most are still asleep. See empty streets gradually wake up with dogs, cats, cleaners, morning food shops, and people doing morning exercise. Meanwhile, at the other side of the city, at Long Bien night market and morning dye flower market, you will see life is very busy even before dawn. Around Hoan Kiem Lake, you will see locals enjoying all kinds of morning exercise, and you may wish to join in. Later on, you will have a traditional breakfast with beef/chicken noodle, and a cup of coffee at a local shop. This is a fascinating tour for early bird photographers and local food lovers. After breakfast, stroll down to a wet market where a huge variety of fresh products are bought and sold every day - a fundamental part of Vietnamese culture. Next, we visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology which successfully presents Vietnam’s multi-ethnic make-up and promotes socio-cultural diversity. Continue to the Temple of Literature, constructed in 1070 under Ly Thanh Tong’s rule, first built to honor Confucius, the Temple of Literature now celebrates the doctorates and high-ranking scholars of Vietnam. In the afternoon, we take a scooter tour through the French Quarter and pass by the historic Ba Dinh Square where the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Parliament House are located. Continue to the scenic Westlake and access to Hoang Hoa Tham Street, which is full of bonsai, flower and pet shops before going through narrow lanes to a special tea house that run by a talent young film director, chatting with her (subject to availability) and enjoying some local food, herbal/flower tea or a cup of premium coffee. From this stop, we head up to the old street for street food tasting experience. Scooter driver(s) ride you through narrow streets in the old quarter for your street food adventure: talk with food artisans, street vendors and try out some tasty local food and drink. This tour is a great way to see parts of Hanoi that most tourists don’t see. After street food adventure, end the day with a fabulous dinner at a very beautiful riverside restaurant, The Clover. Set in a lush green garden by the side of Red River with stunning view of the historic Long Bien Bridge, this elegant dining area enchants you with its romantic and charming ambience and views. Featuring inspiring cuisine and innovative dishes by The Clover’s Executive Chef and with the restaurant’s awarded sommeliers on hand to provide recommendations for pairing meals with fine international wines, our gourmet restaurant will impress even the most discerning of diners.

• Day 3:

  Leave Hanoi for Mai Chau. The driver will take you through the beautiful mountainous province of Hoa Binh, located southwest of Hanoi. During the four-hour drive, you’ll see gorgeous scenery dotted with limestone and rice paddies, while passing small villages of Muong, Thai, H’Mong, and Dao ethic people. Descending the last nine miles on a steep mountain road into the stunning valley of Mai Chau, you will reach a village of ethnic Thai people. After checking in to your hotel, take a short rest, then head out for an easy walk of 1-2 hours around the village and valley. Tonight, your dinner is recommended at Mai Chau Lodge Restaurant, and enjoy a folk dance performance with charming Thai ladies at Mai Chau Ecolodge. Accommodation in Mai Chau: (4*) Mai Chau Ecolodge (Superior room) (one night)

• Day 4:

  After breakfast, check out and follow your tour guide to visit another peaceful and scenic village. The village is nestled in a lush green valley with a mountain range at the back and a beautiful spring in the front. If you come here in March, May, June, or August through October, you will see lush green rice fields. The crops will be in early August and early December. There will be no crops during winter, but you may see a lot of water buffalos on the rice fields then. The village, home to Thai ethnic people, is not yet touched much by tourism. From here, you can take a walk through surrounding villages. Enjoy lunch at a local house of Thai minority then transfer back to Hanoi. Accommodation in Hanoi: (5*) Melia Hotel (Deluxe room) (one night)

• Day 5:

  After breakfast, leave Hanoi for Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, where thousands of spectacular limestone islets and grottoes rise from the clear emerald Gulf of Tonkin. Arrive at the port and check in. Enjoy a welcome drink on board before having lunch. Relax while the boat is cruising among many stone islets, floating villages and small beaches. Visit a floating fishing village, talk and meet with local villagers prior to swimming or enjoy free time at your leisure on the boat’s sundeck. Dinner will be ready by the time the boat anchors at a quiet designated overnight area. Accommodation on Halong bay: Azalea Cruise (Deluxe Balcony Cabin) (one night) Note: Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions or local administration regulations.

• Day 6:

  Tai Chi class is available on the sundeck for early risers. Then your breakfast is served while the boat continues cruising around Ha Long Bay. You will pass many islets with names inspired by their shapes such as Dog, Incense Urn, Fighting Cock, Finger and so on. Follow your boat guide to explore a magnificent cave, then return to your boat to cruise back to the wharf. When you disembark at approximately 10:30 AM, your vehicle will be waiting for your direct transfer back to Hanoi. On the way to No Bai airport for flight to Hue, stop at a talented water puppet artist’s home for his water puppet mini show. Water puppetry is a unique traditional folk art formed in wet rice culture and dating back to the 11th century in the villages of the Red River Delta. It is a special creation of the Vietnamese. Proud to be 7th generation of a traditional water puppetry family in Ha Noi, the artist and his ancestors contributed a lot to the art of Vietnamese water puppetry. His father created a mobile water puppetry stage and the character “chu Teu” - a humorous farmer and narrator now found in any water puppet show. Liem himself has entertained both domestic and international audiences over the past decades. Be welcomed by his family, chatting with him about Vietnam water puppetry and have his family stories shared. Enjoy the very interesting water puppet show and later challenge your own skills by practicing controlling puppets under the water. Inclusions: Private transfer by car, English-speaking guide, interesting mini water puppet show at the home of a talented water puppet artist. Afterward, continue your journey to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue ancient capital city (additional charge applies). Located on the bank of Song Huong - Perfume River, Hue, the capital of Thua Thien Hue province in Central Vietnam, is approximately 435 miles south of Hanoi and only a few miles from the sea. Until 1945, Hue was the national capital, the political, cultural and religious center of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty. Most well-known for its historic legacy, Hue has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will be met by your guide at the airport who will transfer you to your hotel. Accommodation in Hue: (5*) Pilgrimage Village Resort (Deluxe Room) (two nights)

• Day 7:

  After breakfast, follow your guide to visit a local home where three generations live in a typical traditional garden house. Meet and walk with the host to a nearby vibrant market to purchase ingredients for lunch. At your host’s house, discuss and learn about local culture and traditions. Then, take a short walk to visit their family ancestral temple to learn about the customs associated with ancestral worship before coming back to see the cooking demonstration of traditional dishes and participate in setting the home meal. Enjoy a local lunch with your host’s family. Say goodbye to your host. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel where the kings of Vietnam’s last feudal dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945, a vast compound including Flag Tower, Nine Holy Cannons, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns and Forbidden Purple City. You will then spend time at the well-known Dong Ba Market. All of the most special cultural gifts and souvenirs of Hue can be found in Dong Ba Market. They include “non la bai tho” (conical hats having poems woven into their design) from Phu Cam Village, royal tea, lotus seed of Tinh Tam Lake and other local specialties. Dong Ba Market is also the place where you can try most of Hue’s delicious dishes within one place at a high quality standard. Optional Cruise dinner on Huong River with Hue Folksong (additional charge applies) In the early evening, board Hue River cruise for dinner on the river while enjoying Hue traditional folksongs. Inclusions: Round trip transfer by car, dinner, Hue music performance Join tour is subject to availability. Private tour is upon request

• Day 8:

  After breakfast, visit the King Minh Mang Tomb located on the left bank of the Huong River, which represents the perfect harmony between nature and architecture. King Minh Mang (1821–1840) boasted to have 64 princesses and 78 princes. Also he was well known for his opposition to French involvement in Vietnam and his rigid Confucian orthodoxy. Next, will board a cruise and head up Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda which is also home to many young people who want to try out and learn from life as a monk. Thien Mu Pagoda dates back to the year 1601. Consisting of seven stories, the Thien Mu pagoda is the tallest religious building in Vietnam and within its grounds is the Austin car in which Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist monk who demonstrated against the South Vietnamese government during the Vietnam War, was driven to Saigon prior to his widely reported self-immolation in 1963. Return to your hotel to check-out and start on your land journey to Hoi An through Hai Van Pass. Reach the quaint Hoi An Ancient town in the late afternoon. Accommodation in Hoi An: (5*) Royal Hoi An Mgallery hotel (Deluxe Room) (two nights)

• Day 9:

  Breakfast is at your hotel followed by a market visit and cooking lesson at the market restaurant. Begin the morning at Hoi An’s colorful central market followed by an interesting and informative tour in the restaurant where you will be guided around many live food counters in this unique first-of-its-kind interactive dining venue in Vietnam. This afternoon is free to enjoy the facilities at your hotel or to further explore the historic town at your own pace. Optional: Dining in the middle of rice paddies (additional charge applies) After a short transfer from your hotel, board a Vietnamese basket boat to float down the Co Co River and view the beautiful river scenery at twilight. At your private dining bamboo house, you will be warmly greeted and given a welcome drink by the friendly hostess clad in traditional costume. Spend your evening in the quiet and beautiful surroundings of rice fields. Unwind with a cool late afternoon breeze, and savor your chosen set menu and BBQ dinner, which will be customized to suit your taste and the specific occasion. Enjoy this relaxing private dinner amid the breathtaking view of rice terraces – an unforgettable setting reflecting the wet rice culture roots of Vietnam. Inclusions: Transportation by van, basket boat, local English-speaking guide, sea fishing activities and net casting, welcome drinks, food.

• Day 10:

  After breakfast, transfer to Danang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (additional charge applies). Once affectionately called the diamond of the Far East, Ho Chi Minh City is now the most populated city in Vietnam, with modern office skyscrapers set amid Chinese style pagodas and street food stalls, creating a dynamic urban area. Ho Chi Minh City’s architecture and lifestyle is the reconciliation between American and Chinese influence, just as historic as it is modern. Upon arrival, In the afternoon, transfer to visit the moving War Remnants Museum which presents a partial, but riveting, view of the American War, as it is known in Vietnam. Continue to the Reunification Palace, former residence of the Indochina Governor General and later President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the fall of Saigon in April 30, 1975. Continue to visit to Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City: (5*) Nikko Hotel (Deluxe room) (three nights)

• Day 11:

  The “rice bowl” of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is carpeted with rice paddies, floating markets, crisscross rivers and canals. Ben Tre, popularly known for coconut, attracts visitors to its fresh-aired environment of large green coconut and fruits gardens. Experience the slow pace delta life, meet very friendly local, feel the generous hospitality and blow away the stresses of modern life. Leave bustling Saigon behind, head out to untouched areas not well-known by tourists in Ben Tre. Board the Apricot Cruise, featuring a new boat design, open on all sides to allow the river breezes to flow freely. From the comfort of your Apricot Cruise, meander down the Mekong observing local life play out along the river’s banks. Stop at some local families and see how local traditional methods utilize every bit of the coconut. Learn how to make local cakes, and why you don’t let a local fortune-teller tell you what is supposed to happen in the future. It is a full day of interesting experiences: boat rowing through winding water-coconut canals, bike riding along lush rural roads, sampling tasty local cakes, tea with honey, and enjoying lunch served with Mekong specialties at Apricot Riverside Restaurant. Relax, enjoy the tour and have memorable experiences. Go back to Ho Chi Minh City for overnight. Optional A O show (or The MIST or The DAR) (Additional charge applies) Tonight, enjoy the A O Show (Ahh! Ohh! Show) which depicts the charming beauty and cultural richness of Southern Vietnamese life in the countryside, in contrast with the nation’s racing urbanization. Performed on the stage of the Saigon Opera House, a perfect example of French colonial style circa 1900, this 60-minute show is a unique mix of bamboo cirque, acrobatic acts, contemporary dance, and live music, plus the creative use of bamboo and rattan props from ordinary life. All these elements harmonize to capture the essence of Vietnam’s fascinating culture. In case there is no AO show on your date, an alternative may be The Mist or The Dar show. Includes: Transfers and show tickets Show time and date: Subject to availability

• Day 12:

  After breakfast, transfer to the Tan Cang pier, board a speedboat and start your boat journey to explore Cu Chi. Water and seasonal fruits are served on board. Enjoy the fresh air and understand the daily life of local citizens living along the river banks. Cu Chi Tunnels, synonymous with the Vietnam War and a testament to the determined spirit of the Vietnamese, are the underground network of passages at Cu Chi, and it is a fascinating day trip out of the city. Work on the tunnels began during the war against the French in the 1940's and, over the next 25 years as the conflict with America escalated, they were improved and expanded to create an underground city of meeting areas, storerooms, living quarters and much more. The tunnels allowed the Viet Cong to control a vital area of South Vietnam and, at their height, extended for more than 125 miles in length, stretching from what was then Saigon to the Cambodian border. Preserved as a memorial park, two sections of this remarkable network are open to the public. After the visit, go back to the city by speedboat and have lunch at restaurant. End the tour at your hotel. In the late afternoon we visit Bitexo Financial Tower (Saigon Skydeck-49th floor for panoramic view of Ho Chi Minh city.

• Day 13:

  Today you are at leisure to explore the city further until time for your transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your flight.

January 01 – December 17, 2020 (Except for public holidays)  

Per Person Sharing:      $2,329

Single Supplement:       $  979

Inclusions:

• Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast as mention in the program or similar
• One night cruise to explore Ha Long Bay inclusive of accommodation, food and entrance fee
• Transfer services in private air-conditioned vehicle
• Visa assistance service at airport (upon arrival)
• Scooter tour in Hanoi city
• Private puppet show at an artist’s house
• Home visit in Hue and lunch
• Market visit and cooking class in Hoi An as mentioned
• Entrance fees to all the mentioned sites
• Ticket to Bitexco building for panoramic view of Saigon
• Boat fees where applicable
• Meals as listed in the program (if any)
• English speaking local guide in each city
• Bottled water on coach during transfer
• Government tax

Exclusions:

• International and domestic flights, along with airport taxes (including airport departure tax), unless otherwise mentioned
• Hotel upgrades
• Drinks at meals and minibar in hotel room
• Meals not mentioned
• Drinks and surcharge for special request on foods and meals
• Entrance fees, guide service during free time and other personal expenses
• Insurance
• Gratuities for guides and drivers
• Surcharge for public holidays and/or peak periods (if applicable)
• Any compulsory meal by the hotels (during Christmas and New Year)
• Kayak equipment in Ha Long Bay
• Any type of visa and fee
• All other services not stated in the program

PLEASE NOTE

Standard hotel check-in time is 14:00 and check-out time is 12:00 (Early check-in time or late check-out time is subject to availability and with additional charge.)