Day 01: Arrive Saigon

Chào ban! Welcome to Vietnam. Saigon, officially known as Ho Chi Minh City, is Vietnam’s largest city, established between 1623 and 1698. Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel. Check in time starts from 1400 hrs.

Overnight: Grand Hotel, Saigon (3 nights)

Day 02: Saigon

We have a whole day to explore some of the most interesting sites in the city, including the beautiful neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the Opera House, also known as “Saigon Concert Hall’ and a lovely example of French colonial architecture. We also explore the Jade Emperor Pagoda with its colorful and mysterious ambiance, the Reunification Palace, where a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through the front gates, ending the Vietnam War, and Ben Thanh Market. We then visit Binh Tay Market, at the centre of Vietnam’s largest Chinatown district, and beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda, dating from the 19th century. (B)

Day 03: Saigon/My Tho/Saigon

Today, we take an interesting excursion to My Tho, the capital of Tien Giang Province. The town of My Tho lies on the left side of the Mekong River and is just a two-hour drive from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City. We will enjoy a cruise on the Mekong River, then ride on a hand-rowed sampan through small inlets under a green canopy of water-coconut trees to catch a glimpse of the daily activities of the local people. A highlight of the day will be our visit to an orchard to observe the rural life style while sipping coconut juice and enjoying seasonal fruit. After our excursion, we return to Saigon. (B)

Day 04: Saigon/Danang (Flight)/Hoi An (Drive)

We are transferred to the airport for a short flight to Danang, where we start our tour with the Cham Museum. Founded in 1915 by the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, this museum has the finest open-air collection of Cham sculptures in the world. China Beach, made famous in the American TV series of the same name, stretches north and south of the Marble Mountains. The Marble Mountains consist of 5 stone hillocks made of marble and each is said to represent one of the five elements of the universe. The largest and most famous, Thuy Son, has a number of natural caves, in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. We continue to Hoi An, a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports from the 17th to 19th centuries.

Overnight: Boutique Hoi An Resort, Hoi An (2 nights) (B)

Day 05: Hoi An/Tra Que/Hoi An

One of the keys to the flavor of Cao Lau, the famous dish of Hoi An, is fresh vegetables grown at Tra Que village, located on the banks of a lagoon.  Here, we will have a chance to join the local farmers in Tra Que vegetable garden, learning how they grow and prepare vegetables. Next, visit a local home for a cooking demonstration of Hoi An’s famous cuisine. Learn how to cook and prepare some of Hoi An’s specialty dishes such as Bánh Xèo (crepe filled with shrimp, meat and bean sprouts), Cao Lầu (a local specialty of noodle soup), and Tam Hửu (rice rolls filled with salad, steamed shrimp and pork).   Of course, the best part is that we get to savour the dishes we have made!  Afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of enchanting Hoi An, a stunningly well-preserved example of a South East Asian port town dating from the 15th to the 19th century. We admire some of the historic architecture, including the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, residential houses, assembly halls, historic and ancient pagodas, and shops offering silk lanterns, paintings and high quality clothing. (B, L)

Day 06: Hoi An/Hue (Drive)

This morning, enjoy a beautiful drive to Hue along one of the most scenic roads in Vietnam. Upon arrival, our afternoon tour includes a visit to the citadel, built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden City in Peking. Ngo Mon Gate is the principal entrance to the citadel and faces the Flag Tower. We explore the 19th-century Imperial City that served as the cultural and intellectual centre of the country for many years. Also inside the citadel is the Forbidden Purple City. Access to this compound was reserved for the personal use of the emperor. Evening is free to wander the town and meet the local Hue people.

Overnight: Thanh Lich Royal Boutique Hotel, Hue (2 nights) (B)

Day 07: Hue

A visit to lovely Tu Duc Tomb, once the Royal Palace of Tu Duc, begins today’s tour. Constructed between 1864 and 1867, its pavilions are framed in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. We also see the Khai Dinh Tomb, the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty, which sits magnificently on the slopes of Chau E Mountain in Chau Chau Village. This tomb houses a long staircase flanked by dragons, and decorated with stunning ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes. Next, explore Thien Mu Pagoda. Located just outside of Hue on the bank of the Perfume River, this pagoda was a hotbed of anti-government protests during the early 1960s. Our final stop is Emperor Minh Mang Tomb complex. Built in 1840, this tomb is known for its magnificent architecture, military statuaries and elaborate decorations. It is perhaps the most beautiful of Hue's pagodas and tombs, a fitting end to a spectacular day. (B)

Day 08: Hue/Hanoi (Flight)

We are transferred for our short flight to Hanoi. The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, is a charming city of peaceful shaded boulevards, French-style buildings and public parks. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of Hanoi starting with a visit to the Ethnology Museum (closed on Monday). Afterwards, we return to downtown Hanoi, enjoying a stop at Hanoi Opera House and a walk to Hoan Kiem Lake, which has served as a place of worship and birthplace of legends for hundreds of years. Take photos at Hanoi Post Office, City Hall, Flower Garden and Ly Thai To Statue.  Next, we visit St. Joseph Cathedral, a striking neo-Gothic cathedral noteworthy for its square towers, elaborate altar and colorful stained-glass windows. Later, enjoy a scenic, one-hour pedicab ride around the Old Quarters of Ha Noi. After visiting Bach Ma Temple and Ma May Ancient House, our last stop will be at Hang Da Market. Following our tour, we check into our hotel.

Overnight: La Belle Vie Hotel, Hanoi (1 night) (B)

Day 09: Hanoi/Ha Long Bay (Drive)

This morning, a highlight of our trip as we drive to beautiful Ha Long Bay for our overnight cruise. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay is known for its beautiful scenery of towering limestone formations and emerald waters. After boarding and check-in, we enjoy a welcome drink at noon. Then, we cruise our way through Cho Da, Dinh Huong, Ga Choi and Hoa Cuong limestone islets while lunch is being served on board. Next, visit Sung Sot Grotto, the “Cave of Surprises”, before taking a swim in Titov Beach or Soi Sim Beach’s pristine waters. The vessel then cruises further to reach its overnight anchorage location near Ho Dong Tien or Luon Cave. Enjoy the magnificent sunset from the sundeck or while swimming.  In the evening, savour a scrumptious dinner on board while soaking in the peaceful setting of the bay.

Overnight: Pelican Junk, Ha Long Bay (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 10: Ha Long Bay/Hanoi (Drive)

This morning, we board a small boat which will take us to visit Luon Cave. We are back on board in time for lunch before arriving at the pier.  After disembarking from our cruise, we drive back to Hanoi. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the city.

Overnight: Sunway Hotel, Hanoi (1 night) (B, L)

Day 11: Depart Hanoi

This morning, we depart Vietnam with pleasant memories of this historic and artistically rich country. Check out time is by 1200 hrs and transfer to the airport is provided today to connect with our departure flight. Or, extend your adventure with visits to the neighbouring countries of Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand. Contact Bestway Tours & Safaris for further details. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 06 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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