Group : Mr. Andaloro Massimo
Travel date: 27/11/2012 – 4/12/2012
Day 01: WELCOME TO HANOI (-/-/-)
Fly to Hanoi ( Flight SQ176 at 12:20 ). Upon arrival to the airport, you well be met by our guide and transfer to you hotel.
In the afternoon visit Temple of Literature. Following is a visit to The Presidential Palace (formerly Palace of the Governor-General of French Indochina), Ho Chi Minh’s house-on-stilt and nearby One Pillar Pagoda. Then followed by Van Mieu literally translated “Temple of Literature” which is wel-known in Vietnam for a combination of Confucian sanctuary and academy, the centre also housed the country’s first university, founded in 1076. We have time to wander through the stone tablets and soak up a thousand years of learning with our local guide.
Next is Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake Walking tour, foot along tree-lined boulevards and through the 1000-year-old Old Quarter, exploring the markets and taking in some of the city’s great colonial architecture. We finish day by Water puppetry show.
Accomodation in hotel.
Day 2: HANOI FREE TIME (B /-/-)
Free time to discover the city of Hanoi.
Day 3: HANOI – HALONG (B/L/D)
07:30 – 08:30 Our tour guide and bus pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi old quarter.
08:30 Departure to Halong Bay for 3.5 Hours.
10:00 Arrive in Hai Duong province, and have 20 minute short break.
12:00 Arrive Tuan Chau harbor, Halong Bay.
12:15 Welcome to Cruise and enjoy Welcome drink, Enjoy welcome drink get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Check-in your cabin.
12:30 Have Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian lunch, while cruising in the magnificent Halong Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.
14:30 arrival in Pearl Farm, take rowing boat through the village or kayaking
15:30 Continued exploration the bay.
16:00 Visiting Titop Island
17.30 Back Majestic Halong cruise and relax.
18:00 Join cooking class guided directly by Chef. You have chance to practice Vietnamese traditional dishes such as spring roll or famous cuisine of Vietnam.
19:30 Time for dinner enjoying special BBQ seafood on the cruise.
21:00 Evening entertainments: play game on the cruise: cards game, chess, karaoke,squid fishing, and overnight on the Cruise.
Day 4: HALONG – HANOI (B/L/-)
06.30: Early morning sun risers can enjoy Tai Chi lesson on sundeck.
07.00: Morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast.
08:00 Arrive Sung Sot Cave (Amazing Cave) and joining with guide to visiting and explore the cave.
10:00 Check-out and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay.
11:00 Enjoy the lunch on cruise.
12:00 Majestic Cruise are landing Halong Bay harbor, tourist say goodbye to sailors and finish the cruise.
12:30 Return to Hanoi by shuttle bus.
14:30 Stopover in Hai Duong province to visit a ceramics workshop.
16:00 – 16:30 Arrive in Hanoi end your trip.
Day 5: HANOI / SAIGON (B/-/-)
Breakfast.
07:45 AM transfer to Hanoi Airport. Arrival in Saigon after 1:45 hours flight, transfer (Own Account).
Please note: Saigon Airport is close to the city center (7km), the Taxi costs a maximum of 160,000 VND (8 $ US).
Day 6: SAIGON – CU CHI – SAI GON ½ DAY CITY TOUR (B/-/-)
Breakfast at hoteL.
At 08:30. Transfer to Cu Chi Tunnel, located about 70km northwest of Sai Gon city. The incredible underground tunnel network of Cu Chi stretches for more than 250 km and becomes legendary during the American War. The entire tunnel architecture has been built by providing it with habitable areas, food storage stores, gun factory, command center and dormitories. During the excursion you will visit a large tunnel section to experience the thrill of the underground life. Return to the city in the afternoon.
In the afternoon visit: Post Office, Catedrale Notre Dame, Chinese Quatiere with Thien Hau Pagoda, War Museum, Dong Xuan Market.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 7: SAIGON / MEKONG DELTA / CAI BE – VINH LONG / SAIGON (B/L/-)
After breakfast, transfer along the panoramic path between the countryside and the huge paddles, in the direction of Vinh Long (140km). The program begins with a visit to the colorful Cai Be floating market and local shops where you can see how rice pies, coconut candies and popcorn and pop rice are made. Particularly interesting is the visit to the villages where daily life today as in the past coincides with all its tradition and wisdom in preparing and packaging handicraft products: spring rolls, fish sauce and soy sauce , kitchen facilities and coconut leaves for cottages. Lunch will be served in the shade of fruit on An Binh Island, enjoying the famous Fried Mekong Elephant Ear Fish. After lunch, a rowing boat will take you through the countryside through the smallest canals to open moments of peace. It is interesting to see the traditional houses made with wood and palm leaves and some of the local farmers’ activities, such as catching fish or collecting the fruits ancestrally. Stay at the Nursery Garden where to learn how to pick the best quality fruits followed by Mr.Tiger’s advice and his son who have been very successful in farming in Vietnam. You will taste some of the fruits of your garden and home-made wine, listening to traditional music. With the boat you continue for another floating village where you will be able to catch the fish under the houses. Meeting with the private car at Vinh Long and transfer to Saigon.
Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 8: SAIGON / DEPARTURE FOR PHUKET (B / – / -)
Breakfast at hotel.
Free time and transfer to the airport (own account).
Please note: To avoid traffic to Saigon City, you must leave at least 3 hours in advance of the departure of the International Flight.