Alluring Vietnam 16 days

The name of Alluring Vietnam 16 days shows you the fascination of this itinerary. All the daily tour activities will allure you from the North to the South, not only with the historic, cultural monuments of famous cities or tourist spots but also with the tranquil scenery, the unique culture and the daily life of villages in the countryside.

Begin your tour with exploration of Hanoi – the heart of Vietnam which is filled with cultural and historical sites including Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda, and Temple of Literature. One interesting factor of the trip is that you’ll get to know about some traditional villages near Hanoi and enjoy Quan Ho folk music in Bac Ninh. Taking a drive through Red River Delta, you’ll reach Halong Bay to explore caves, life of floating fishery villages and lime stones with different lively shapes. Visitors have compared the area’s magical landscape of carboniferous chalk islets to Guilin, China and Krabi in Southern Thailand. These tiny islands are dotted with innumerable beaches and grottoes created by the wind and the waves.

Reaching Hue City after a short flight, you’ll be brought along a truly majestic beautiful river, Song Huong or Perfume River, to Thien Mu Pagoda. The Citadel and Forbidden Purple City which was used as living places of the former imperial Nguyen Emperors is waiting for you to explore. Driving a scenic south ahead over Hai Van pass with the panoramic view of Danang City to Hoi An old town, you’ll be given half a day to wander along narrow and quiet roads for a visit to the traditional ancient houses, 400-year-old Japanese bridge and colorful riverside market. This itinerary offers you a cycling trip towards the countryside for participation in activities of local residents’ daily life in the old time such as bailing out water with long handle buckets, pounding rice, lifting fishing nets, etc. You’ll be involved in farming activities, collecting vegetables from the garden to bring home for food processing. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to prepare Vietnamese traditional food because host families are always there to help you. Leaving Hoi An, you have two wonderful days in Nha Trang where crystal waters are interspersed with perfect islands, fringed in white sand beaches. This is an amazing beach for relaxation, swimming, and snorkeling. The next destination is Dalat, which is situated in a temperate region dotted with lakes and waterfalls and surrounded by evergreen forests. Dalat is also considered as the most delightful city of Vietnam and a favorite honeymooning spot.

Saying goodbye to Dalat, you’ll enjoy your time in Saigon with tour around consisting of visiting Reunification Palace, the French architecture building, Norte Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office and Ben Thanh market. An embark boat cruise will take you to Cai Be through the natural cannel. You’ll have a good chance enjoying lunch in the orchard, visiting sale fruit market, and experiencing the agricultural lifestyle of local people. End of Vietnam tour, our vehicle ride will take us to floating market of Cai Rang in Can Tho City, the major part of our sightseeing tour in delta region. Visitors will be impressed by the unique way of trading in which each boat sells a particular item.

Highlights:

-   Exploring the best preserved traditional villages left of Vietnam and enjoy Quan Ho folk music
-  Visiting attractive sites in Hanoi such as Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison Museum…
-  Enjoying theprivate Quan Ho folk music show in Bac Ninh.
-  Enjoying the magnificent scenery of thousands of lime stones dotted on the emerald water of Halong Bay – Bay of Descending Dragon
-  Learning more about Vietnam history through Hue’s complex tombs, pagodas and palaces
-  Taking part in farming activities of agricultural locals
-  Relaxing on the beautiful beach of Nha Trang – white sand, blue sea and bright sunshine
-   Enjoying temperate climate of Dalat City
-   Exploring some French colonial structures, pagodas & bustle market in Saigon
-   Experiencing lifestyle of local people in Cai Be and floating market of Cai Rang in Can Tho.

Itinerary in brief: Day 1 : Arrival in Hanoi Day 2 : Hanoi (B,L) Day 3 : Hanoi (B,L) Day 4 : Hanoi – Halong Bay (B,L,D) Day 5 : Halong Bay – Flight to Hue (B,L) Day 6 : Hue (B,L) Day 7 : Hue – Danang – Hoian (B,L) Day 8 : Hoian – Tra Que Village (B,L) Day 9 : Hoian – My Son -  Flight to Nha Trang (B,L) Day 10 : Nha Trang (B,L) Day 11 : Nha Trang- Dalat (B,L) Day 12 : Dalat (B,L) Day 13 : Dalat – Flight to Saigon (B,L) Day 14 : Saigon – Cai Be – Can  Tho (B,L) Day 15 : Can Tho – Cai Rang – Saigon (B,L) Day 16 : Saigon – Departure (B)

Day 1 : Arrival in Hanoi
Arrive Hanoi airport, after clearing immigration and customs, you will be met and privately transferred to hotel located in the heart of the city. Settle in and enjoy a good night's sleep. Overnight in hotel in Hanoi

Day 2 : Hanoi (B,L)
Spend today exploring the villages and countryside around Hanoi with your private guide, driver and vehicle. Start with a drive to the village of Tho Ha, one of the best preserved traditional villages left in Vietnam. Here, you will explore the maze of narrow alleyways and visit local families to learn more about the local culture. During your visit to Tho Ha, also visit the Pagoda of Quang Minh and the Tho Ha Communal House. You'll then continue to the town of Bac Ninh, home to Quan Ho folk music, which has been performed by locals for nearly 1,000 years. Here, you will have a special treat of meeting Mrs. Ban, who is one of the oldest living persons that still performs Quan Ho folk music in Diem village where you can have chance to enjoy the private show during 30 minutes. This afternoon, continue driving along the Duong River, stopping to visit the villa of Dong Ho, which is known for its traditional painting   and the village of Xuan Lai, which is known for its unique style of smoked bamboo furniture. After witnessing the skillful artisans of these villages, return to Hanoi through the Red River Delta, arriving late this afternoon. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Day 3 : Hanoi (B,L)
This morning, meet your guide and continue exploring Hanoi. Start with a drive by of the Presidential Palace and visits to the serene One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's first university and a shrine for Confucian worship, founded in the year 1066. Next, visit the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, otherwise known as "the Hanoi Hilton." Built by the French to house Vietnamese revolutionaries, it was later used to keep captured American POWs during the war, including, most notably, Sen. John McCain. Then continue to the Huu Tiep neighborhood to see an American B-52 that was shot down during the Christmas bombing of Hanoi in 1968. It now sits rusting in a small pond surrounded by a busy market. After a break for lunch (on own account) and a little leisure time back at the hotel, tour the city's Old Quarter aboard a bicycle rickshaw, called a cyclo. In this part of town, each colorful street is devoted to a particular craft or ware. You will be pedaled amongst the quaint French buildings along Shoe Street, Silk Street and Banner Street (to name just a few), ending at historic Hoan Kiem Lake, the social center of Hanoi. Here, you'll attend a water puppet performance. Water puppet skits generally enact ancient folklore and legends that are rural in origin, and the theme of water is often present, as it defines so much of Vietnam's landscape. The show will be accompanied by beautiful, traditional Vietnamese music. Overnight in hotel in Hanoi

Day 4 : Hanoi – Halong Bay (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel and then start a 3-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Dinner on board. Overnight on Junk

Day 5 : Halong Bay – Flight to Hue (B,L)
Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back-up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival Hue, pick up & transfer to hotel in Hue. Overnight at the hotel in Hue

Day 6 : Hue (B,L)
Moring we then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, including the picturesque Thien Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda. One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc. Transfer back to Hue center for lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, visit the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945, do the walking and shopping in Dong Ba Market to enjoy the specialty of Hue city. Overnight at the hotel in Hue

Day 7 : Hue – Danang – Hoian (B,L)
Having breakfast, then we bid Hue farewell this morning. We continue our south bound journey in the comfort of AC and private vehicle. Today our destination is the old trading town of Hoi An. Along the way through we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Continue on our way down the other side and into Da Nang where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed East Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arrival in Hoi An, we spend the rest of the afternoon exploring and relaxing. The tranquil and charm of Hoi An with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, brightly painted temples and pagodas make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places. Overnight at hotel in Hoian

Day 8 : Hoian – Tra Que Village (B,L)
Morning, you will ride cycle to Tra Que Vegetable Village. Your cycling trip takes you on narrow roads to visit a place of display farming and fishing tools of the local farmers and fishermen. In this place you will participate in activities of the local residents’ daily life in the old time such as bailing out water with long handles buckets, pounding rice, lifting fishing nets, etc. Especially, you will savor boiled sweet potatoes dipping them into ground salty roasted peanut, drinking lotus tea gathered from Tra Que lotus lagoon and you will listen to folk songs about Quang Nam native country, Hoi An Old Town as well as Tra Que Vegetable Village.   After that you will keep going the tour to a house of a local resident to hear about history of the village foundation and the development of this village. Next, local farmers will take you to see vegetable gardens and instruct you the techniques of planting and cultivating many kinds of vegetables planted in the gardens. You will personally cut, tie in bundles, and reap the vegetables to bring home for processing food. Back to Tra Que’s family house, you will enjoy yourself with "food massage" before working together with our family chef to learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food. Then, we sit down and have a chance to savor the dishes we have prepared. In the afternoon, say goodbye to your host family and continue riding back to Hoian, on the way back, visit Nhat tomb and Ba Le well. Overnight in Hoian

Day 9 : Hoian – My Son -  Flight to Nha Trang (B,L)
Morning you'll be driven to the 4th century Cham religious sanctuary of My Son. Arriving here, My Son, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is located in a beautiful green valley surrounded by impressive mountains. While a small site, the ruins at My Son are the largest and most intact remaining in Vietnam. It is also the home of the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which records the development of the culture and history of the Cham people through their elaborate sculptures and carvings. The passable road ends about 1.5 miles from the actual site. At this point you have the option of taking a 4WD jeep or hiking the remainder of the distance to the ruins. Return to Hoian for lunch. Afternoon, transfer to Danang airport for flight to Nha Trang, the country's premier Resort town. This part of the country was once inhabited by an ancient civilization known as the Cham. Arrive in Nha Trang by mid to late afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang.

Day 10 : Nha Trang (B,L)
After breakfast, start from your hotel to Cau Da port. Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Mieu Island is the first place to visit, many sea species of Nha Trang/Khanh Hoa province make a small ocean world there. Mun Island is the best island for snorkeling where you can see lots of live colorful corals and fish. Visit a fishing village and take a fresh lunch at the island. On the way back you will be able to see caves in which the sea swallows make their nest.  Then we will visit the Po Nagar sanctuary, a beautiful site of the Cham and the Xom Bong fishermen's village and the Oceanographic Institute holds an aquarium and an exhibition Hall displaying more than 20,000 samples of sea animals. The 23 pools of the aquarium hold a great variety of richly colorful marine species, specially the sea-horses and Long Son pagoda. Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang 

Day 11 : Nha Trang - Dalat (B,L)
Moring after breakfast and time relaxing then drive to Dalat. After 3 hours on the road, you'll reach the mountainous town of Dalat, with stops to hill tribe villages of the Ede, Koho and Chu Ru groups. Arriving at Da Lat, sometimes known as the City of Eternal Spring, check in hotel, after lunch we visit Bao Dai Palace, Vietnam's last emperor palace with a place of rest and respite with his family and  the rather bizarre and very aptly named Crazy House, a brightly painted concrete house which winds itself around trees, mimicking their shapes. It now functions as a guesthouse. Next visit is Truc Lam Thien Vien and Pagoda. Time free. Overnight in Dalat

Day 12 : Dalat (B,L)
Morning after breakfast, go sightseeing at Ankoet Water-fall, Golden Spring, Silver Spring, Dankia, and the community of mountains, springs and lakes, the wonderful landscape of Lam Vien Plateau. Transfer to Lat Village of Loc Lat people at the bottom of Langbiang Mountain. On the way, overlook Da Lat suburb with farm produce and fruits of the earth plantation. Go climbing and conquer the top of Langbiang. You can gaze at the whole poetic and visionary Dalat city in the fog. Afternoon, visit Dalat Railway Station: This is the cog railway linking Dalat and Thap Cham from 1928 to 1964, until it was closed due to war. Remarkable with its architecture and its old steam locomotive, we will take 7km train riding to Trai Mat through vegetable farms. Return to hotel. Time free. Overnight in Dalat.

Day 13 : Dalat – Flight to Saigon (B,L) VN 1381  08:50/ 09:40
Moring, transfer to Dalat airport for flight to Saigon, pick up and transfer to hotel. Afternoon, we depart for the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace for the president of the South of Vietnam. After that we will visit War Remnant Museum, where you can see countless artifacts, photographs and pictures documenting about the second Indochina war. We stop at Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post office to get our good shots for our memory of the biggest city in Vietnam. Ben Thanh Market. Here you can experience our Vietnamese Southern daily life. Time free. Overnight in hotel.

Day 14 : Saigon – Cai Be – Can  Tho (B,L)
Morning, leave Ho Chi Minh City, departure for Cai Be where embark boat cruise through the natural canal, view the stilt houses and the fruit plantation along the river sides. Before going on island to enjoy having delicious lunch in the heart of the orchard, visit the whole sale fruit market. After lunch, we continue on cruising through the natural canal in island, and under the shadow of the water coconut trees. We also visit the local family where we can experience the agricultural lifestyle. Walking through the fruit plantation in An Binh Island then will get on the row boat, riding along the creeks before reaching Vinh Long town by boat. Then continue our vehicle ride to Can Tho city. Overnight in Can Tho.

Day 15 : Can Tho – Cai Rang – Saigon (B,L)
The impressive floating market of Cai Rang is a major part of our sightseeing tour in delta region. Upon leaving hotel we set off on a short drive and enjoy a boat trip to explore Cai Rang whose trading way is unique; each boat usually sells one particular item, whether it be pumpkins, pineapples, sugar canes. In order that the customer knows where to shop, they hang that item from the highest part of the boat. We disembark cruise at Ninh Kieu quay, and transfer to visit an ancient house in Binh Thuy, 10 km from Can Tho and Can Tho museum. Afternoon, transfer back to Saigon. Time free. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 16 : Saigon – Departure (B)
Today you are free until time to transfer to airport for flight home. End of Asia King Travel services

Trip includes:

• Private English speaking guide
• Accommodation based on twin sharing with daily breakfast
• Transfers & transport by private vehicle.
• Private show of Quan Ho folk music in Bac Ninh
  
• Water puppet show in Hanoi
• Classic Train riding in Dalat
  
• Halong cruise 2 days/ 1 night
• Flight: Hanoi – Hue; Danang – Nha Trang; Dalat - Saigon ( Economic class by Vietnam airlines)
• All entrance fees
• Local private boat cruise :  Hue, Nha Trang, Mekong Delta,
• Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Water & cool towels
• Government taxes & service charge

Trip doesn’t include:

• International flights
• Vietnam visa stamp fee ( 25 USD per person )
• Early check in/ late check out
  
• Travel insurance
• Admission fees during free time
• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
• Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry and bar bills etc.
• Tips and gratuities