DAY 1: Depart for Vietnam
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DAY 2: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh
- Arrive in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon), the largest city in Vietnam. Transfer to your hotel and spend the balance of the day at leisure
- Overnight: Ho Chi Minh
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DAY 3: Ho Chi Minh City Tour
- Spend the morning at leisure or, join the optional half day tour to Cu Chi Tunnels. They were part of an underground tunnel network built by the Viet Cong to control a largely rural area near Saigon. The Cu Chi network includes 125 miles of tunnels with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, weapon factories, hospitals, shelters, and other tunnels. In the afternoon, embark on a guided tour in Ho Chi Minh City, which includes the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office with its French style architecture, City Hall, and the magnificent Saigon Opera House. From here, visit lively Ben Thanh Market, where an unbelievable assortment of wares and crafts are sold under one roof. Continue to Dong Khoi Street, a major shopping thoroughfare in the center of the city. Early in the evening, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 5:30 PM, followed by dinner at a local restaurant
- Optional: Half Day Cu Chi Tunnels (AM)
- Overnight: Ho Chi Minh
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 4: Full Day in Ho Chi Minh
- Today is at leisure to further explore the city on your own or, join the optional full day Mekong Delta River Tour. Todays journey into the Mekong Delta region will take you along the newly built highway, picturesque countryside and seemingly endless paddy fields. Upon arrival at My Tho, you will board a private motor boat for a fascinating cruise along the river, observing the daily life of local people on the waterways. The tour includes a visit to a coconut factory, handicraft workshop and honey bee farm. You will be introduced to the daily life of the local people, learning about local fruit and plants as well as an opportunity to sample some tropical fruit in an orchard. The tour ends with lunch at a local restaurant by the riverbank
- Optional: Full Day Mekong Delta River Tour
- Overnight: Ho Chi Minh
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 5: Flight to Da Nang, Hoi An Walking Tour
- Depart Ho Chi Minh on your flight to Da Nang, one of Vietnams major ports, situated on the coast of the South China Sea. Travel south to the picturesque ancient town of Hoi An, where people still wear the "ao dais," Vietnams traditional dress. The ancient town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the most important trading port in Southeast Asia in the 15th century. Its ancient past is superbly preserved in an enchanting collection of temples, pagodas, shop houses and magnificent private homes in the towns Old Quarter. Walking tour of this artistic jewel, with its centurys old architecture, includes the gorgeous Phuoc Kien Pagoda, the 400-year-old bright-red Japanese Covered Bridge, and the Ancient House. Afterward, continue to dinner at a local restaurant
- Overnight: Hoi An
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 6: Full Day in Hoi An
- Spend the day at leisure discovering all the delights of Hoi An independently. Walk through the Old City, stopping at one of the citys many museums, or see artisans using age-old techniques to fashion a variety of crafts. Of special interest are the colorful and elaborate paper lanterns created by lantern artisans for which Hoi An is well known. Or, join the optional boat trip on the Thu Bon River visiting the Organic Village, including lunch. The boat trip begins at a local pier in the Old Town. Youll cruise down streams and past many fishing areas before arriving in Kim Bong village, home of traditional woodworking and boat building. Return to the mainland and drive to the Traque Organic Village for lunch. Here, youll learn about the many vegetables and herbs organically grown to support the people of Hoi An. After a Vietnamese culinary lesson and tasting, return to Hoi An
- Optional: Boat Trip on the Thu Bon River & Organic Village with Lunch
- Overnight: Hoi An
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 7: Travel to Hue, Hue Imperial City Tour
- This morning, travel to Da Nang, with stunning views of bowl-shaped Da Nang Bay. Drive by the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five limestone and marble hills that are home to ancient caves and temples. Journey over the towering mountains to Hue, home to a wealth of palaces, temples, libraries, and museums. Take an afternoon tour of this former imperial capital, modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. Enter the Ngo Mon Gate, principal entrance to the imperial enclosure and the central passageway reserved for use by the Emperor. Continue to the Thai Hoa Palace with its spacious hallways and ornamental roof, the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns, and the ruins of the Forbidden Purple City, once home to the royal family. Tonight, spend time at leisure to explore on your own or join the optional Cyclo Ride with Dinner at the Citadel. Enjoy a panoramic view of both the daily life and the architecture of Hue with a trishaw (cyclo) tour. Later arrive at a family-run restaurant within the Citadel and savor a multi-course dinner replica of the Royal Feast
- Optional: Cyclo Ride with Dinner at the Citadel
- Overnight: Hue
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 8: Full Day in Hue
- Today is at leisure to explore Hue independently. Or, participate in the optional boat excursion on the gentle Perfume River, which explores the life along the banks of the ancient royal capital city. The river, with its shimmering blue color is dotted with a poetic landscape of boats, gardens, pagodas, towers and temples. The tour continues to the legendary Thien Mu Pagoda, on the north bank of the Perfume River, built in seven successive tiers. Then, a drive to the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, final resting place of Vietnams longest reigning emperor and to Khai Dinh, the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty. Here, a vegetarian lunch will be prepared by Buddhist nuns of the Dong Thien Pagoda. Return to Hue
- Optional: Perfume River Boat Trip and Lunch at Dong Thien Pagoda
- Overnight: Hue
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 9: Flight to Hanoi, Sightseeing en route to Halong Bay
- Depart Hue on the flight to sparkling Hanoi, cultural center of the country. Upon arrival, travel overland and through the lush Vietnamese countryside to picturesque Halong Bay, considered one of Vietnams most celebrated attractions. As you approach, youll see thousands of limestone islands rising out of the sea creating a truly magical scene. Arrive at your hotel in Halong Bay for overnight
- On some departures, the flight Hue-Hanoi may be changed to depart from Da Nang-Hanoi. Details will be provided locally by your Tour Manager
- Overnight: Halong Bay
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 10: Cruise Halong Bay, Travel to Hanoi
- Incredible views await you today Halong Bay is considered one of the most breathtaking places on the planet, added to the list of UNESCO Heritage Sites and declared recently as one of the "New Seven Natural Wonders of the World." There are over 3000 islands in the emerald waters and over 1000 have their own names. Numbers of caves and grottos of all sizes and shapes are filled with small waterfalls, stalactites, and stalagmites. Sail on a traditional wooden boat on the tranquil bay with lunch served on board. Visit one of the caves. Afterward, drive to Hanoi, Vietnams vibrant capital and check into your hotel. This citys history is tied to French colonialism - its architecture, cuisine and local culture still bear evidence of the French influence
- Overnight: Hanoi
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 11: Hanoi City Tour & Evening Water Puppet Show
- Today, visit the Museum of Ethnology, center for the preservation and exhibition of cultural heritage for over 50 ethnic groups in Vietnam. In the evening, attend a performance of the world-famous Water Puppet Show, accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese orchestra and Cheo (a form of opera). The show depicts a series of ancient Vietnamese folktales, acted out by puppets over a pool of water. Tonight at dinner, bid farewell to your Tour Manager
- Overnight: Hanoi
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 12: Depart Vietnam
- Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
- Meal: Breakfast
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