GLIMPSE OF VIETNAM NORTH TO SOUTH

This morning will start with a first stop at the Temple of Literature, built in the 11th century as Vietnam’s first university before we proceed to the One Pillar pagoda, built by Emperor Ly Thai Tong who ruled from 1028 to 1054, as one of Vietnam's two most iconic temples. Then, we continue to visit the Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the rest place of the greatest hero of Vietnam – Uncle Ho, the one was admired by millions of people in Vietnam and other countries in the world, and the former presidents house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary. (Viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov).

In the afternoon, visit the highly acclaimed Vietnam Women’s Museum (closed Monday) where displays women’s role in Vietnamese society and culture, the memories of the wartime contribution by individual heroic women that are most poignant. It’s also showcase a stunning collection of propaganda posters, as well as costumes, tribal basket-ware and fabric motifs from Vietnam’s ethnic minority groups. Then heading to the bustling Old Quarter for a walking tour, the quarter consists mainly of 36 Old Streets divided and named according to their craft guides in the past, and remain most of that working system until now, it’s the great place to take some great photos, explore thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers, learn about its rich cultural, artistic, culinary history and shopping, then enjoy a wonderful performance of Water Puppet Show to finish the day

Note: an alternative to the Vietnam Women’s Museum (closed Monday), visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, contains more than 10,000 objects, 15,000 black and white photos, hundreds of video tapes and cassettes which depict all aspects of life, activities, customs, and habits of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, this morning a scenic drive leads you to the stunningly beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay, the picturesque destination in which a thousand of islands with various sizes and shapes rising from clear, emerald waters and world famous caves. Arrive at your jetty in Ha Long City towards noon then board your traditional wooden junk boat, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay and pass by the emerald waters soaking up the panoramic vista of the thousand or so karst limestone islands that stud the bay.

In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.

Overnight on Ha Long Bay

Enjoy the sunrise over the Bay and explore the Surprise Cave (Sung Sot). Your breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer to Hai Phong or Noi Bai airport for an onward flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival you are picked up and transferred to Hoi An ancient town. On the way there, visit the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world (if time permits)

Overnight in Hoi An

This morning, a walking tour of Hoi An's ancient town center will take you back in time to when it was a major trading port during the 17th and 18th centuries in Asia and today an officially listed UNESCO world heritage site. Visit old shop houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colorful market in this well-preserved town. The rest of the day is free at leisure to enjoy the shopping in Hoi An – a paradise for silk & fashionable clothing and accessories.

Overnight in Hoi An

After breakfast transfer to Da Nang Airport for the short flight to Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to hotel.
This afternoon, visit to the War Remnants Museum where exhibits photographs and weapons of the Vietnam War before taking a stroll to the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City as the Old Saigon Post Office, Gothic-style Notre Dame Cathedral, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Opera House and City Hall. At the end of the afternoon head back to the hotel.

Note: an alternative to the War Remnants Museum, visit the History Museum (closed Mondays), the good collection of displays and illustrations depicting the cultural evolution of the country from ancient times plus valuable artifacts from Angkor Wat and household implements, clothing, ceramics and weaponry from Vietnam’s past, or the former Presidential Palace - the home to the last 3 President of South Vietnam.

Overnight in Saigon

Today we leave the bustle of the city behind for a day of exploring scenic rice fields, waterways, extensive orchards and colorful markets of the Mekong Delta area.

Upon arrival, we embark a local boat and start the excursion with a visit of Cai Be colorful floating market, the market runs approximately 400 to 500 boats filled with fruits, vegetables, and other products are anchored along the banks of the river, from 5 am to 5 pm every day. The merchandise sold in each boat is hung on a pole in front of the boat to attract customers. You also have change to discover the rural lifestyles and daily activities of the delta inhabitants.

After exploring the colorful market, the short stop will be made at local workshops where you can see how to make rice paper, coconut candy and pop-rice, pop-corn.

Then the rowing boat will take you into the untouched countryside along small canals and to enjoy the peaceful time. It is so interesting to see a traditional house made of wood and palm tree leaves and see daily activities of the local farmers as with an opportunity to make contacts with them and see how they catch fish...

After lunch, you will enjoy a folk music show performed by peasants and seasonal fruits. We end the excursion by taking a bike trip along countryside paths to see the local farms, houses, real life of inhabitants in Mekong Delta. In the late afternoon we return to Saigon

Overnight in Saigon

If time permits, you can do some last-minute shopping at Ben Thanh Market, the city’s central market that is packed with all kinds of local wares and souvenirs famous for wholesaler trading where you can take a long stroll around the market’s expansive grounds and watch the hustle and bustle before you transfer to the airport for your flight home