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“A touch of Vietnam” is designed for holiday makers who have only a short vacation and business travellers who wish to do some brief sightseeing. This is too quick a journey to fully discover the whole country, but the lively image of Vietnam, with an intriguing history, friendly people and an endeavour to move forward to a better future will remain in their memory.
The journey will take them to major cities in Vietnam: dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, poetic Hue, bustling Danang, ancient Hoi An, picturesque Halong and peaceful Hanoi where they will find different ways of life and different customs and practices.
Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport. Pick up and transfer to a hotel. An afternoon tour round Ho Chi Minh City, formerly called Saigon, features the History Museum, the Binh Tay Market in Chinatown, Thien Hau Temple and a lacquer workshop. O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2: Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels (B, D)
In the morning, have an excursion to Cu Chi, 70km north of Saigon, famed for its 200-kilometre-long tunnels. In the afternoon, at leisure or shopping in downtown Saigon (embroideries, lacquerware, wood-carvings,...). Enjoy a folk show and dinner. O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Hue (B)
Early in the morning, transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for a short flight to Hue, widely known for its magnificent monuments built under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 – 1945). After arrival, visit the Imperial Citadel, built in 1804 on a site chosen in accordance with the principles of geomancy. In the afternoon, visit the tombs of King Tu Duc (ruled 1848 – 1883) and King Khai Dinh (ruled 1916 – 1925). The monuments, designed by the kings themselves, were also used as holiday retreats during their lifetime. In the evening, enjoy a Hue folk show on a barge on the Perfume River. O/N in Hue.
Day 4: Hue - Hoi An (B)
Take a boat ride on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda with a 21-metre-high octagonal tower regarded as the symbol of Hue. Then overland to the Dong Ba Market, famous for its best conical hats in Vietnam. In the afternoon, transfer to Hoi An (140km) with a stop-over on the Hai Van Pass overlooking the scenic Lang Co lagoon. In the evening, enjoy a folk show in an ancient house. O/N in Hoi An.
Day 5: Hoi An - Danang – Hanoi (B)
Enjoy a morning tour of Hoi An, a trading post of seafaring Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese merchants several centuries ago. In the afternoon, before leaving Danang, visit the stone-carving village of Non Nuoc and the Cham Sculpture Museum. Take a short flight to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city of tree-lined streets and centuries-old temples. Pick up and transfer to a hotel. O/N in Hanoi.
Day 6: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B)
A city tour features both cultural and historical highlights, comprising the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One-Pillared Pagoda, the Ethnology Museum and the Temple of Literature. Transfer to Halong Bay. O/N in Halong.
Day 7: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B, L)
Board a private boat for a cruise in Halong Bay (4 hours), a World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO in 1994. Visit some magical grottoes and relax in the best scenic beauty of Vietnam. Lunch of fresh seafood is served on board. Return to Hanoi with stop-overs at ceramic and hand embroidery workshops en route. O/N in Hanoi.
Day 8: Departure from Hanoi (B)
Spend last minutes for downtown shopping (ceramics, silver-carvings, silk,...) or at leisure before check-out. Transfer to the airport for departure
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