$1999
The perfect route to explore the most important highlights of the country takes you through North Vietnam with the capital Hanoi and HaLong Bay, via Central Vietnam with the towns of Hue and Hoi An, to South Vietnam with the city of Saigon and the Mekong Delta. You cross the larger distances of around 600 km. between the individual regions of the country with a one-hour flight, smaller distances by car.
Arrived in Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam. Reception by your guide and transfer to your hotel (check-in time at 14:00). The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi including breakfast the next morning.
Experience today the vibrant metropolis of Hanoi, which impresses with magnificent colonial buildings and pagodas. In the morning you will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the former home of the legendary politician, where he lived from 1958 - 1969. Then you will visit the most important literature temple in Vietnam and the legendary Chua Mot Cot, also called the "One Pillar Pagoda".
Afterwards a one-hour rickshaw ride through Hanois old town, one of the most beautiful in Asia. Visit to Ngoc Son Temple. Visit to the Temple of Literature - the first university in Vietnam and at the same time a Confucian cultural center. A performance by the water puppet theater rounds off the day. Overnight in Hanoi.
*** The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and also from October to the end of December due to renovation works. This morning we started our itinerary with a morning city tour of Hanoi, taking in the Ho Chi Minh Complex which includes the Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Presidential Palace as well as Ho Chi Minhs former stilt house residence. Then, visit the Temple of Literature. After lunch, visit the Ethnology Museum, Ngoc Son Temple and the vibrant old quarter. See the water puppet show. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast you drive to the "Bay of the Descending Dragon" with its nearly 2000 islands and limestone cliffs. You will board a junk where you will stay until the next day. Enjoy the stunning and mesmerizing scenery, a seafood meal and the breathtaking sunset.
Overnight on the junk.
In the morning you continue your journey through the beautiful island world of Ha Long Bay and enjoy breakfast on board. Until noon, continue your cruise through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay. After lunch, disembark and return to Hanoi.
For night train to Hue at 7:30 pm SE1 or SE3 train, soft sleeper, cabin of 4.
Option: Flight from Hanoi to Hue: 105 USD per person supplement
Detail: Free time for dinner and transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue.
Overnight at a hotel in Hue.
Your day begins with a tour of the former imperial city of Hue. It was built in the early 19th century and resembles the Forbidden City in Beijing. The sightseeing tour begins with a boat ride on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, a 17th-century Buddhist monastery. From there we continue to the venerable imperial city. Countless palaces, temples, a library and a museum lie within these walls alongside the legendary "Forbidden Crimson City".
Youll also visit the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang, set in a tranquil garden surrounded by many lakes. This impressive landmark reflects the beautiful architecture of Hue with its intricate decor and mysterious statues.
Overnight in Hue.
After breakfast, continue to Hoi An with a stop at the 496 m high cloud pass, the weather divide between the subtropical north and tropical south. On this day you can still see the miles of Lang Co Beach.
Afternoon, visit Hoi An - an old trading town. Explore the town and nearby Cua Dai beach. A walking tour is highly recommended as it is the best way to see the wooden-fronted houses that once belonged to the towns prosperous merchants. Theres also the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, Chinese Assembly Hall, Phuc Kien Pagoda, Hoi An Museum and Market. Hoi An is one of the best places in Vietnam to shop for souvenirs at bargain prices including silk, handicrafts, antiques and paintings.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Morning at leisure, then drive to Da Nang and fly to Saigon. Transfer to the hotel.
City tour of Saigon visiting Reunification Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House, Central Post Office (an architectural masterpiece), and Ben Thanh Market.
Overnight stay in Saigon.
Pick up at the hotel and drive to My Tho by private car. Cross the Mekong river by motorized boat. Row- boat ride along small creeks to Mekong River estuary. Motorized boat cruises along natural creeks and quiet villages in Ben Tre province. Visitor chards, bee - keeping farm, taste natural honey & honey wine, enjoy tropical fruit, traditional music, see round a distillery. See Coconut candy production process, taste candy & Coconut pulp. Then back to Ho Chi Minh in the late afternoon.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at hotel, free at leisure until transfer to the airport for the departure flight.