Hanoi – Hue – Hoi An – Sai Gon – Me Kong Delta 10 days:
Introduction:
Hanoi Vietnam, capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Hanoi is one of the most visited of the popular destinations, is the beautiful capital city of Vietnam, sprawling in the banks of the Red River with French colonial heritage, most foreigners on a short visit find Hanoi to be slow paced, pleasant and even charming.
Hanoi is a sacred land of Vietnam. The year 1010 then became an historical date for Hanoi and for the whole country in general. For about a thousand years, the capital was called Thang Long (Soaring Dragon), then changing to Dong Do, Dong Kinh, and finally to Hanoi, in 1831. This sacred piece of land thereafter continued to be the theatre of many fateful events. Throughout the thousand years of its eventful history, marked by destruction, wars and natural calamities, Hanoi still preserves many ancient architectural works including the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples. Famous sites include the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Hanoi Citadel, Hanoi Opera House, President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum...
Hue is located in central Vietnam on the banks of Perfume River (Sông Huong), just a few miles inland from the East Sea. It is about 700 kilometers (438 miles) south of the national capital of Hanoi and about 1100 kilometers (690 miles) north of Hochiminh City.
Hoi An: In the 16th and the 17th centuries, Hoi An commercial port was the international trade center in Southern Vietnam. Foreign merchant ships came to Hoi An in great numbers and a bustle for annually commercial fairs, each lasted from 4 to 6 months. Right in this town, Japanese, Chinese,Dutch, Indian traders set up their emporiums or established their own quarters for permanent habitation.
Thanks to fortunate opportunities, the old town of Hoi An, a unique concentration of architectural monuments of various forms: living house, assembly hall, communal house, pagoda, shrine, temple, water well, bridge, wharf, market...has been preserved rather intact. They are along the streets that cut one another, forming palaces and giving a good example of symbolic oriental cities in the Middle Age. So wonderful with its old aged and traditionally well kept habits and customs, the town is now an excellent model of a living museum of architecture and urban lifestyle.
On the 4th, December 1999 the Old Town of Hoi An was inscribed on the World Heritage list.
Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh) - still known to locals as Saigon - is Vietnam’s largest city and its economic powerhouse.
Like many cities in Vietnam, Saigon did not escape the wrath of war.
The name Saigon was used officially in 1698. In the 60's and 70's, Saigon was bustling with commerce and business. It was the cultural center and the capital city of South Vietnam. Already heavily influenced by the French in terms of culture and style, the city had an air of a French provincial town with a Vietnamese twist. Saigon was dubbed the "Pearl of the Orient" by the foreign press. The city was alive with activities and cultural diversity that rivaled any Asian city at the time.
In 1975, the city and many of its inhabitants were in a state of chaos and turmoil. In 1976, the new government renamed the city Ho Chi Minh City and shut its door to the rest of the world. Although recognized world wide as Ho Chi Minh City, to the people of Vietnam, the city is still lovingly referred to as Saigon.
Mekong delta is made up of 13 provinces: Long An, Tiền Giang, Bến Tre, Hậu Giang, Kiên Giang, An Giang, Đồng Tháp, Trà Vinh, Sóc Trăng, Vĩnh Long, Cần Thơ, Bạc Liêu and Cà Mau
And Mekong delta is divided by many rivers and canals. And all the rivers and canals are 5.700 km.
Mekong delta is about 40.000 square kilometers (km2) in area. And it is known as one of the widest and richest delta in ASEAN, in Vietnam it is considered as the biggest granary of Vietnam (the second one is Red River delta in the North of Vietnam), it provides 60% of nation’s rice. Besides that, Mekong delta is the place of different tropical fruits such as durian, coconut, banana, pineapple, dragon fruit… and when people come here they can enjoy the seasonal fruits all round year.
Mekong delta is the area which has the biggest population in Vietnam, now it has a population of about 18 million people. In the past, most of the people here lived by farming.
There are 2 distinguished seasons in Mekong delta: rainy season (from May to November) and sunny season (from December to April). Especially, in the rainy season the color of all the rivers are brown because of the alluvium, in the sunny season the color changes into light blue.
In Vietnam, people don’t call this land “Mekong delta”, but they call “Nine dragons delta” because when the Mekong river comes to Vietnam, it divides into 2 small branches, then the 2 branches divide into 9 mouths going to the East Sea. Seeing on the map, people can realize that the river now looks like 9 dragons.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival - Hanoi
Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be picked up from airport to a hotel in Hanoi for relax. Overnight at proposed hotel. Include: Transportation, Hotel in Hanoi with family room
Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B, L)
Hanoi is the vibrant capital city of Vietnam. The ancient city is a home of numerous interesting cultural sites such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, Temple of Literature, ethnological museum. Kids can visit SOS village and play with unfortunate children, Zoological Garden, cyclo in old quarter, visit lakes, enjoy water puppet show
Include: Transportation, Hotel in Hanoi with family room, Tour guide, Entrance fees
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong (B, L, D)
Pick up at your address in Hanoi at 8: 30AM and drive to Halong. Arrive at 12: 00noon. At Halong port, our Crew welcomes you on Junk, enjoy welcome drink & check into your cabin. Lunch with seafood will be served right after. At 13: 00, boat starts 3.5 hours cruising into Halong bay to see the amazing karsts with different formations: Mat Qui (Monster’s face) islet, But Moc islet, Cap De islet, Trong (Drum) cave, Trinh Nu cave, to a Floating Fishing village to se this unique way of life... and then explore Luon cave (from 16: 40 to 17: 30). There will be lots of time for swimming, sun bathing. Enjoy a great sunset dinner and relax under the starlit sky before retiring to the comfort of your cabin.
Include: Transportation, Accommodation on Boat with cabin for family, Tour guide on boat, Entrance fees
Day 4: Halong - Hanoi - Hue (B, L)
Early risers can enjoy a morning view of Bay’s landscapes with a cup of tea, coffee, fresh fruits. Sitting on the upper deck, we can enjoy the breath - taking beauty of the rocky Islands rising from the crystal-clear waters of the Bay. The quiet is almost eerie; we can hear birds singing, cicadas chirping ashore and the gentle lapping of the waves against our boat, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and gentle breeze. And then explore Sung Sot (Amazing) cave (8.00 to 9: 00), swim and relax at Titop beach. At 09: 30, boat start cruising back and brunch buffet will served from 10: 30 to 11: 30, check out procedure at 11: 35. Arrive at harbor by 12: 00 noon, and drive back to Hanoi airport for flight to Hue that depart at 17: 45, upon arrival in Hue, you will be picked up to hotel for relax
Include: Transportation, Hotel in Hue with family room, Flight tickets: Hanoi – Hue
Day 5: Hue City tour (B, L)
AM: Visit Royal Citadel which was constructed by Emperor Gia Long in the style of French military architect Vauban during the first decades of the 19th century. Before leaving the site of Imperial city we visit Imperial Museum, many precious objects which were salvaged from the Imperial city then we visit Khai Dinh Tomb, have lunch PM: A boat trip along Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda, Minh Mang tomb, visit Dong Ba market.
Include: Transportation, Hotel in Hue with family room, Tour guide, Entrance fee Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6: Hue - Danang - Hoi An (B, L)
Drive to Hoian. On the way, we visit, Lang Co Beach, Hai Van Pass. In Danang city, we visit Cham Museum Lunch in Hoian Afternoon: visit Hoi An ancient town, a small town recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, This is an old city with an old style, and the majority of activities involve historic sites, traditional homes and people-watching, Hoi An has nice beach that accessible for kids, Scuba diving and boat tours to Cham Island are another good way to spend
Include: Transportation, Hotel in Hoi An with family room, Tour guide, Entrance fee
Day 7: Hoi An - Danang - Saigon (B)
AM: Free at your relax Early lunch at hotel PM: transferred to airport for flight to Saigon depart at 13: 30, upon arrival in Saigon, you will be picked up to hotel for relax
Include: Transportation, Hotel in Saigon with family room, Flight tickets: Danang – Saigon
Day 8: Saigon City tour (B, L)
Ho Chi Minh or Saigon is the capital and the largest city of Vietnam, the city offers a wealth of natural beauty and is overflowing with stunning tropical landscapes, awe-inspiring mountain ranges and ancient architectural gems. One of the most popular activities is to explore the Chinatown area. Here, visitors can tour the old buildings and numerous temples or visit the popular museums. Dam Sen Water Park, Saigon Zoo and Diamond Superbowl offer great entertainment for kids
Include: Transportation, Hotel in Saigon with family room, Tour guide, Entrance fees
Day 9: Saigon - Mekong Delta (B, L)
8: 00 Pick up at hotel. Transfer to My Tho. Take the motorized boat through the Bao Dinh natural canal; view the stilt house and the fruit plantation along the canal sides. Visit the My Tho wholesales fruit market. Proceed to the Tortoise Island. Lunch served in the heart of the orchard. Enjoy the nice boat ride through the Tan Trach natural canal in Ben Tre, cruise under the shadow of the water coconut trees. Visit the family business where you can experience the agricultural lifestyle. Trekking through the fruit plantation in Thoi Son island, enjoy the rowing boat ride on the creeks before returning to My Tho by rowing boat. Proceed to Can Tho. Check in on arrival.
Include: Transportation, Hotel in Saigon with family room, Tour guide, Entrance fee, Boat trip
Day 10: Saigon – Departure (B)
Free until transferred to airport for your ongoing flight
Include: Transportation
End of service
Price: The price is very flexible follow the trip quality and the number of people in the goup so please feel free to contact us http://hanoihighfivehostel.com/en-us/contact-us.html