Our program is ideal for the traveler with limited time who wants to have a panorama of the diversity and the majestic beauty of Vietnam. Impressions of Vietnam is a colorful mix of cultural impressions and nature. We will visit the capital Hanoi with its colonial charm, the royal city Hue on the banks of the Perfume river with its palaces and Emperor’s tombs; the ancient Hoi An and the lively Metropole of the South HoChiMinh City or better known as Saigon.
Day 1: Hanoi
Meet & Greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel of your choice.
Your guide will provide you with a welcome kit which contains all the necessary information about your journey. Free to visit Hanoi.
In the evening you will enjoy a Welcome dinner with regional specialties (Dinner included).
Day 2: Hanoi - Halong
After breakfast we cross the Red River towards Halong. The three-hours-drive stops en route at Hong Ngoc, where we will have time for a drink and see local people manufactoring different kinds of handicrafts.
In Ha Long Bay we will board a junk for a fantastic cruise through Ha Long Bay (approximately five hours).
We will enjoy lunch with fresh catched sea food while having a cool drink before we leave the boat to see the Heavenly Palace Cave, one of the highlights around the bay.
Overnight on boat/ or hotel in Cat Ba Island (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Day 3: Halong – Hanoi
In the morning, we return to Halong Bay. Time for swimming, visiting islands. Come back Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi (Breakfast and lunch included).
Day 4: Hanoi - Hue
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Hue. Upon arrival the guide will meet you and bring you to your hotel.
After check-in we will have a short break before we head on to the see the Imperial City, an impressive complex, first built in 17th century based on the ancient practice of geomancy. We will visit Khai Dinh tomb and the Dong Ba market.
Overnight in Hue (Breakfast included).
Day 5: Hue – Hoi An
In the morning we leave the hotel for a boat ride on the Perfume River. Then on to Thien Mu Pagoda, which is located on the southwest bank of the river. The Pagoda was the centre of Buddhism in Central Vietnam.
We continue to Hoi An. En route we will have a stop in Lang Co, where we have a short break. Lunch optional
In Hoi An your guide will pick you up in the evening for an amazing walk through the illuminated ancient part of the city.
Overnight in Hoi An (breakfast, lunch included).
Day 6: Hoi An – Saigon
In the morning we will have a short drive to Da Nang airport and take a flight to Saigon, the Metropole of the South. In the afternoon we discover the city and come to see the Cathedral, the War Remnants museum before we end the day with a visit to China Town.
Overnight in Saigon (Breakfast included).
Day 7: Excursion to Mekong Delta
We depart from the hotel in the morning and drive southwards to the Vinh Long Province, which is situated between two branches of the downstream Mekong river.
On arrival, we enjoy a boat trip along the river’s narrow waterways, overhung with dense vegetation. We will have the opportunity to try exotic fruits in one of the many orchards. For lunch (optional) we will serve you the local delicacy - an Elephant’s - Ear fish. We continue with a visit to the Caibe floating market before we drive back to Saigon (Breakfast and lunch included).
Day 8: Half day to Cu Chi Tunnel
After breakfast we leave for Cu Chi which is located about 75 km northwest of Saigon. The tunnels were part of an underground network that was built by the Vietcong during the American War. It reached from the southern tip of the HoChiMinh trail near the Cambodian border to the Saigon River. You will have the opportunity to creep into a tunnel to experience how the Vietcong lived and fought during this time.
Return back to Saigon about lunch time. The afternoon is at leisure to stroll around the city or shop on the Ben Thanh market.
Overnight in Saigon (Breakfast and lunch included).
Day 9: Departure
Departure or start of extension programs.