The Best of Vietnam

Saigon

Sightseeing in Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown)
Saigon is the largest of Vietnamese cities, with the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life visible everywhere. There are street markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new bars. The city churns and bubbles. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. To the west of the city is District 5, the huge Chinese neighborhood called Cholon, which means 'Big Market'. 

Overnight: Caravelle Hotel

Saigon

Excursion to My Tho with a boat trip to Mekong River islands
From Saigon, transfer to My Tho, a bustling town in the rich agricultural region of the Mekong Delta and visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, a beautiful temple and a sanctuary for orphans and other needy children. Afterwards board a local boat to explore the islands of the Mekong, stopping at a fruit orchard to enjoy fruit and tea while listening to local music. The trip also includes a brief sampan ride through the tiny waterways that thread the island.

Overnight: Caravelle Hotel.

Saigon - Danang - Hoi An

Flight from Saigon to Danang.
By vehicle from Danang to Hoi An
Journey south past the Marble Mountains and small villages.
Sightseeing in Danang
Vietnam's fourth largest city marks the northern limits of Vietnam's tropical zone, boasting a pleasant year-round climate.

Overnight: Life Heritage Resort Hoi An

Hoi An

Sightseeing in Hoi An with a boat trip on the Thu Bon River
Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The walking tour of Hoi An will visit five of the following sites, followed by a boat trip on the Thu Bon River.

Overnight: Life Heritage Resort Hoi An.

Hoi An

Excursion to My Son
Journey southwest of Hoi An to Vietnam's most important Cham site and one of the most stunning sights in the Hoi An area.
My Son: considered to be Champa's counterpart to Angkor and Bagan, the great cities of South East Asia's other Indian-influenced civilizations. The monuments are set in a verdant valley surrounded by hills and overlooked by massive Cat's Tooth Mountain.

Overnight: Life Heritage Resort Hoi An.

Hoi An - Hue

By vehicle from Hoi An to Hue

Journey north along Highway 1 past Danang, Lang Co and the Hai Van Pass.
Hai Van Pass: the pass crosses over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South China Sea. It is an incredible mountainous stretch of highway with spectacular views.

Sightseeing in the Old Imperial City

Imperial City: located in the Citadel, it was built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden City in Peking. There are numerous palaces and temples within these walls, as well as towers, a library and a museum.

Overnight: Saigon Morin Hotel Hue

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.

Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang with boat trip

Thien Mu Pagoda: just outside of Hue, on the bank of the Perfume River, this was a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s. Behind the main sanctuary of the pagoda is the Austin motorcar which transported the monk Thich Quang Duc to the site of his 1963 self-immolation.
Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang: a complex built in 1840 by King Minh Mang, known for its magnificent architecture, military statuaries and elaborate decorations. It is perhaps the most beautiful of Hue's pagodas and tombs.

Visit the Imperial Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh

Tu Duc Tomb: Emperor Tu Duc, who ruled Hue more than 100 years ago, built his tomb when he was still alive and used it for meditation, reading and theater performances. There are pavilions in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. The tomb was constructed between 1864 and 1867. Tu Duc, who was the longest reigning Emperor, lived a luxurious life.
Khai Dinh: this was the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty and was constructed between 1920 and 1931. It sits magnificently on the slopes of Chau E Mountain in Chau Chau Village. It has a long staircase flanked by dragons. There are ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes.

Overnight: Saigon Morin Hotel Hue

Hue - Hanoi

Flight from Hue to Hanoi.
Sightseeing in Hanoi
Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with French style buildings and less traffic than other cities in Asia.

Overnight: Sofitel Metropole Hanoi

Hanoi - Halong

Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed Monday & Friday / all October & November)
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: in the tradition of Lenin and Stalin before him and Mao after him, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels of a monumental edifice that has become a site of pilgrimage. The Mausoleum is open only in the mornings, and is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Every year, it closes in October and November for renovation and maintenance.
By vehicle from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Journey east along Highway 5 across Hai Hung Province and around Halong Bay.

Overnight: Tuan Chau Resort Halong

Halong - Hanoi

Excursion by boat through Halong Bay (4 hours)
Cruise on a traditional wooden boat among the emerald waters and craggy limestone cliffs of Halong Bay, stopping at different islands to explore some of the many caves in this area. Sail past floating villages, fishermen casting their nets and pearl fisheries and observe the rhythms of daily life on the bay.
By vehicle from Halong to Hanoi

Overnight: Sofitel Metropole Hanoi

Hanoi

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.