TRAVEL SERVICE & RESERVATION – Louise Cully – code 504211H

Day 1 – 22 Apr: Hanoi (Arrival)

Please be ready around 2.5 to 3 hours at the airport in Brisbane before your departure flight to check – in your flight on Apr 21

Arrival at the airport in Ho Chi Minh and after immigration and baggage clearance, please quickly move from international terminal to domestic terminal to take flight to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi at 10:50AM (VJ124), our driver welcomes and transfers you to hotel for your stay.

• Overnight at Apricot Hotel in Hanoi.
• N/A

Day 2 – 23 Apr: 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.

08:00 – 08:30 Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in the Old Quarter (A short break on route for refreshments about 20 minutes)

11:30 – 11:45 Arrive at Halong International Habor

12:15 Embark on the cruise by tender. Check-in, enjoy welcome drinks and cruise briefing

13:00 Enjoy lunch while cruising to magnificent Ha Long Bay, and admire the fascinating formations on the way

14:45 Luon cave – kayaking or bamboo boat. Luon cave excursion on bamboo rowing boat by locals or kayaking. This is one of the must-do activities in the bay.

16:00 Titop Island – Climbing, Beach & Swimming. Your next stop is Titop Island with its famous crescent moon-shaped beach and tranquil beautiful blue waters. Viewing Halong Bay from the peak of Titop Island is another not-to-be-missed activity.

17:00 – 18:30 Enjoy the best moments of the day at sundeck as the sun hits the water between the dramatic limestone peaks and emerald-green coves, enjoying drinks and a cooking demonstration.

19:15 Savour a delicious dinner

21:00 Night-time squid fishing

22:30 Free of mind with sweet dreams

• Stay overnight on Victory Star Cruise
• B,L,D

Day 3 – 24 Apr: Halong Bay → Hanoi

06:15 Enjoy the sunrise on the Bay. Morning Tai Chi session on sundeck

06:30 Light breakfast. Coffee, tea, and pastries served in the restaurant

07:20 Sung Sot cave excursion: Explore Sung Sot Cave – the biggest and most stunning cave in Halong Bay

09:15 Check-out of cabins & bill settlement. Start cruising back to the port

09:30 Buffet brunch served at the restaurant

10:45 – 11:00 Back to the port. Farewell and disembark

11:15 – 11:30 Get on the bus back to Hanoi. Arrive at approximately 14:30-14:45

Back to hotel in Hanoi.

• Overnight at Apricot Hotel in Hanoi.
• B,L

Day 4 – 25 Apr: Hanoi (city tour) → Hoi An

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 Hanoi city tour as you will be back to this hotel to go to the airport from your hotel.

Around 08:00 – 08:30AM, Get picked up by our friendly guide and start to explore Hanoi City.

08.45: 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.

09.30: 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

11.15: 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

12.45: Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine with 8 delicious dishes.

14.00 – 14.15 : Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11 century.

15.15: 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”

After tour, drop you off at hotel.

At 17:00PM, our driver transfer you to airport for flight to Danang. (depart at 19:30PM – VN197)

Arrival airport in Danang at 20:55PM. Our driver welcomes and transfer you to Hoi An for your night stay.

• Overnight at Bel Marina Hoi An Resort in Hoi An.
• B,L

Day 5 – 26 Apr: Hoi An (Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary)

Breakfast at your hotel.

07:30 – 08:00AM, 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.

Have lunch at our restaurant.

Afternoon, you free time in Hoi An.

• Overnight at Bel Marina Hoi An Resort in Hoi An.
• B,L

Day 6 – 27 Apr: Hoi An (Leisure time)

Breakfast at hotel.

You’re free at leisure in Hoi An for walking around to explore the ancient town on your own and shopping.

• Overnight at Bel Marina Hoi An Resort in Hoi An.
• B

Day 7 – 28 Apr: Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh city

Breakfast at hotel.

At 09:45AM, our driver transfer you to Danang airport flight to Ho Chi Minh (depart at 12:15PM – VJ647)

Arrival Ho Chi Minh airport at 13:40PM, our driver welcome and transfer you to hotel. Check in the room and take a rest in Ho Chi Minh city.

• Overnight at Majestic Saigon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
• B

Day 8 – 29 Apr: Ho Chi Minh city (explore city tour & Cu Chi tunnels)

Breakfast will be served at your hotel.

07:30 – 07:45AM, 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 Majestic Saigon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
• B,L

Day 9 – 30 Apr: Ho Chi Minh city (visit Mekong Delta)

Breakfast at hotel.

07:30 – 07:45AM: 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.
Motorboat excursion on Tan Thach canal: Discover the daily life of local people, have lunch at a local restaurant. The eco-restaurant features crocodile, porcupine farms, frog, and snake farming models, hammocks for relaxing, and bicycles for exploring fruit orchards, coconut groves, and rice fields.
Horse-drawn carriage tour through village paths: Learn about the everyday life of local residents.
Return to Ho Chi Minh city

• Overnight at Majestic Saigon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
• B,L

Day 10 – 01 May: Ho Chi Minh (Departure)

Morning, enjoy breakfast at hotel.

At 07:00AM, our driver transfers you to airport for departure flight (depart at 10:40AM – VJ083)

• N/A
• B

End of service!