TRAVEL SERVICE & RESERVATION – 503111U – Mrs C Gardiner

Day 1 – 11 Mar: Ho Chi Minh (Arrival)

Arrival airport in Ho Chi Minh at 21:00 – JQ61 (4 pax), our driver welcomes and transfers you to hotel for your stay.

Your leisure time in the city on your own.

• Overnight at Royal Kim Do Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
• N/A

Day 2 – 12 Mar: Ho Chi Minh (Leisure)

Breakfast at your hotel

Your leisure time in the city on your own.

• Overnight at Royal Kim Do Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
• B

Day 3 – 13 Mar: Ho Chi Minh (City tour + Cu Chi Tunnel)

Breakfast will be served at your hotel.

At 07:30 – 07:45 AM, ‭Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served. 

Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun. Have lunch at restaurant in HCM city. 

In the afternoon, visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known Landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars. 

Back to the hotel. End trip.

• Overnight at Royal Kim Do Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
• B,L

Day 4 – 14 Mar. Ho Chi Minh → Mekong delta

Breakfast at your hotel then check out, you can leave big luggage at hotel (please note to hotel staff to keep for you) and bring small bag for trip as you will be back to this hotel to stay more.

‭07:30 – 7:45 AM: Pick up guests at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and depart for My Tho Port.‬ Boat cruise on the Tien River to view the four islets: Long, Lan, Quy, Phung.‬ ‭The‬ ‭boat‬ ‭passes‬ ‭by‬ ‭floating‬ ‭fish‬ ‭farms‬ ‭along‬ ‭the‬ ‭Tien‬ ‭River,‬‭offering ‬‭a ‬‭view‬‭ of ‬‭Rach ‬‭Mieu ‬Bridge.‬
‭Arrive‬ ‭at‬ ‭Thoi‬ ‭Son‬ ‭islet:‬ ‭Stroll‬ ‭through‬ ‭village‬ ‭paths,‬ ‭visit‬ ‭fruit‬ ‭orchards,‬ ‭enjoy‬ ‭seasonal‬ ‭fruits, and listen to traditional Southern Vietnamese music.‬

Rowing‬ ‭boat‬ ‭through‬ ‭small‬ ‭canals:‬ ‭Enjoy‬ ‭the‬ ‭peaceful‬ ‭riverine‬ ‭scenery,‬ ‭visit‬ ‭a‬ ‭honey‬ ‭bee‬ ‭farm, and taste honey tea and banana wine.‬
‭Continue‬ ‭down‬ ‭the‬ ‭Tien‬ ‭River‬ ‭to‬ ‭Tan‬ ‭Thach‬ ‭Canal‬ ‭(Ben‬ ‭Tre):‬ ‭Visit‬ ‭a‬ ‭coconut‬ ‭candy‬ ‭workshop, and explore traditional handicrafts.‬
‭Motor boat‬‭ excursion‬‭ on ‬‭Tan‬‭ Thach ‬‭canal: Discover‬‭ the‬‭daily ‬‭life ‬‭of‬‭ local‬‭ people, ‬‭have ‬‭lunch‬ at‬‭ a‬‭local‬‭ restaurant.‬‭

The‬‭eco restaurant‬ ‭features ‬‭crocodile,‬‭ porcupine‬‭farms, ‬‭frog,‬‭ and‬‭snake‬. farming‬ ‭models,‬ ‭hammocks‬ ‭for‬ ‭relaxing,‬ ‭and‬ ‭bicycles‬ ‭for‬ ‭exploring‬‭fruit‬‭orchards, ‬‭coconut‬ ‭groves, and rice fields.‬
‭Horse-drawn‬ ‭carriage‬ ‭tour‬ ‭through‬ ‭village‬ ‭paths:‬ ‭Learn‬ ‭about‬ ‭the‬ ‭everyday‬ ‭life‬ ‭of‬ ‭local‬ ‭residents.‬
‭Return to My Tho Port to continue to Can Tho.‬

• Overnight at Muong Thanh Luxury Can Tho Hotel in Can Tho.
• B,L

Day 5 – 15 Mar: Mekong Delta → Ho Chi Minh

Have breakfast at hotel.

Around 07:00 AM, ‭breakfast‬ ‭at‬ ‭the‬ ‭hotel.‬ ‭Relaxing‬ ‭boat‬ ‭ride‬ ‭to‬ ‭explore‬ ‭the‬ ‭picturesque‬ ‭tributaries‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭Hau‬ River, followed by a visit to the bustling Cai Rang Floating Market.‬

Visit‬ ‭a‬ ‭local‬ ‭noodle-making‬ ‭factory.‬ ‭Explore‬ ‭Munir‬ ‭Ansay‬ ‭Pagoda,‬ ‭a‬ ‭renowned‬ ‭Khmer‬ pagoda with unique architecture.‬

‭Then, proceed to Son Islet, visit fish farms, fruit orchards, and enjoy seasonal fruits.‬

Lunch and return to Ho Chi Minh City, ending the tour.‬

• Overnight at Royal Kim Do Hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
• B,L

Day 6 – 16 Mar: Ho Chi Minh → Hoi An

After breakfast at hotel, at 7:30 AM we transfer you to Tan Son Nhat airport for flight to Da Nang (10:15 AM – VN122).

Upon arrival at airport, our driver transfers you to Hoi An town for your stay.

• Overnight at Qualia De Hotel in Hoian.
• B

Day 7 – 17 Mar. Hoi An (Visit My Son Sanctuary)

Breakfast at hotel.

07:30 – 08:00 AM, Our guide picks you up at hotel and leave Hoi An for visiting My Son Holly Land – the ruins of Cham people and was an imperial city during Cham dynasty. Here you can have more chance to explore and understand of technique of Old Cham people in making red bricks to build Tower which still now a secret to everyone, you can see a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 65 architectural works. It also surprises for those who are curious with architectural art. In 1999, UNESCO labeled the Cham architecture in My Son as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon, your free time in Hoi An.

• Overnight at Qualia De Hotel in Hoian.
• B,L

Day 8 – 18 Mar. Hoi An → Da Nang

Breakfast at hotel.

Your leisure time for walking around the Old Town for shopping and relax in Hoi An.

At 12:00 PM, we transfer you to Da Nang. Rest of the day is your leisure time at beach in Da Nang.

At 21:00 PM, Mr. Dominic arrives in Ho Chi Minh and our driver will transfer him to New Space hotel for his stay.

• Overnight at Cicilia Hotel Da Nang in Da Nang.
• B

Day 9 – 19 Mar. Da Nang (Leisure)

At 5:20 AM, transfers Mr. Dominic to the airport for his flight to Da Nang (07:25 AM – VJ622). After arriving, our driver in Da Nang will transfer him to the hotel for check in.

Everyone else can enjoy their breakfast at hotel, and spend their leisure day in Da Nang.

• Overnight at Cicilia Hotel Da Nang in Da Nang.
• B

Day 10 – 20 Mar. Da Nang (Marble Mountain & Monkey Mountain)

Breakfast at hotel.

7:30 – 8:00 – We’ll pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to Monkey Mountain. A giant statue of Lady Buddha with a beautiful background such as mountains and a huge garden of bonsai would draw your
attention. You will definitely get lost in the garden of heaven with gripping stories when gently walking and enjoying a fresh breeze.
9:30– 10:00 – Discovery the Marble Mountains and stop for a walk along the site to see local
factories of stone sculptures – the most impressive handicrafts village in Da Nang.
– Check in the Marble Mountains by climbing up to the top (elevator is optional). Here we will see beautiful pagodas which were made in the 19th century by the last dynasty of the
VietNam monarchy, and visit Huyền Không or Tàng Chơn caves.
– Keep going to see the biggest fascinating cave named as Âm Phủ cave . You will learn interesting philosophies of Buddhism and take photos with amazing natural creations.
11:45 – Have lunch at a local restaurant with local and authentic Vietnamese cuisines.
13:00- We will drop you at your hotel. The tour ends!

• Overnight at Cicilia Hotel Da Nang in Da Nang.
• B,L

Day 11 – 21 Mar. Da Nang → Hanoi (Food tour)

After breakfast, at 9:00 AM we transfer you to the airport for flight to Hanoi (11:15 AM – VN166).

Upon arrival at airport in Hanoi, our driver transfers you to your hotel.

Around 16:30 PM, please make your own way to the theater to the show. The show starts at 17:15.at 16 Le Thai To str, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi

At 18:10 PM pick up at 16 Le Thai To, Hang Trong str, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi

– We will take you inside Hanoi Old Quarter and discover some of the lesser-known dishes of locals. From Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodle), Banh Cuon (Steamed rice rolls), “Banh Mi” (Vietnamese Baguette), etc.
– Finish the tour with unique Ca Phe Trung (Egg Coffee), which will perfectly round off our Hanoi street food discovery.

• Overnight at Aurora Premium Hotel in Hanoi.
• B,D

Day 12 – 22 Mar. Hanoi (City tour)

Breakfast at hotel.

07:55 – 08:20 AM, get picked up by our friendly guide and start to explore Hanoi City.

Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish IsLand in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi built in the 6th century.

Visit Ho Chi Minh complex, you have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969. Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Godess of Mercy – It is the most unique padoga in the world

• Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, temples, pagodas…

• Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays.

• Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed at least 2 months (15thJune -15thAugust) for the annual maintaining but still can take picture Mausoleum and visit around that area

Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam.

Special Note: we will visit Women Museum instead of Ethnology Museum closed on Mondays

Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine.

Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11 century.

Leave for Hoa Lo Prison Museum which originally used by the French colonists in Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. During this later period, it was known to American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton”.

Take a cyclo tour for sightseeing around the Old Quarter of Hanoi.

• Overnight at Aurora Premium Hotela in Hanoi.
• B,L

Day 13 – 23 Mar. Hanoi → Halong bay

Breakfast at your hotel then check out your hotel, you can leave big luggage at hotel (please note to hotel staff to keep for you) and bring small bag for Halong bay trip as you will be back to this hotel to stay more.

• 11: 45- 12: 00 – welcome at waiting room 26 Tuan Chau harbour in Halong Bay
• 12:00 . You will be taken on our tender from the wharf and make your way out onto the bay to board our luxurious craft, Sapphire Cruise. You will be welcome aboard and greeted with a complimentary drink. Our Crew will conduct a compulsory safety procedures session and then you are free to check into your cabin and freshen up. Take some time to have a look around the vessel or watch the magical landscape go by.
• 13: 15  While our boat starts to cruise ,  enjoy the special lunch of fresh  seafood and vietnamese food  cooked by one of the best Chef in halong bay . 
• 15:00  After cruising for nearly 2 hours to explore the tranquil Bay , passing by thousands of islands and islets , the boat reaches the best area to do kayaking to see a lot of amazing limestone karst landscapes . Our boat will not bring you to the crowded and tiny beach for swimming . Our boat will stop in the middle of the Bay so that you can have chance to jump into water , take a backflip or somersault ..
• 16:30  Keep cruising to admire the stunning beauty of the Bay from our Sundeck where you can capture great  photos
• 17:00  Attend the cooking class opened right on the Sundeck , our guide will show you how to prepare and make our vietnamese traditional dish that is spring roll
• 17: 45  Join the Sunset party , enjoy fresh fruit , making friends with other members in the group , listening to soft and light music.
• 19 :00  Enjoy the special Dinner with fusion food prepared by the excellent skills of decoration of our Chef .
• 20: 30  Your free time

• Overnight on Sapphire Cruise in Ha Long Bay
• B,L,D

Day 14 – 24 Mar. Halong bay → Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh

• 05:45 – The nicest time of the day on Lan Ha Bay is the morning. Head to the upper deck to participate in our daily Tai Chi sessions. Relax with an early morning cup of tea, coffee or juice anywhere you wish on the boat and watch the never-ending miraculous scenery unfold before you.
• 06:30 – Light breakfast will be served in our restaurant (pastries, tea, coffee)
• 7:00 – 8:15 – Enjoy the last stage of your trip to Dark & Bright cave and islets by local rowing boats which is a wild and mysterious beauty in the middle of the World Heritage. Back to our main board afterward.
• 09:15-9:30 – Check out of your cabin as we draw closer to the mainland.
• 09:45 Enjoy your brunch on the boat.
• 11:00 you will board our tender and head back to the wharf where you will be met by your return trip vehicle to transfer you to Hanoi.
• 11:45 Tour ends at TuanChau habour in Halong

Back to hotel in Hanoi.

After that, at 16:20 PM we transfer you to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh (18:55 PM – VJ159).

• Overnight at Royal Kim Do Hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
• B,L

Day 15 – 25 Mar. Ho Chi Minh (Departure)

Morning, your breakfast at hotel.

Your leisure time in the city until we transfer you to the airport for flight back home.

• N/A
• B

End of service!