Vietnam Classic Tour - 12 Days
Saigon - Danang - Hoi An - Hue - Halong - Hanoi

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Includes:
- Accommodation and meals as described (please note that some hotels provide only CBF).
- All transfers within the journey, including pick-up at airport.
- Domestic airfares as states in the itinerary in economy class.
- All entrance fees.
- English, French or German speaking guides (other languages available upon request).

Excludes:
- Visa fees.
- Airport taxes.
- Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, souvenirs.

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Day 1 - Saigon	• Arrival in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) • Transfer • Overnight in Saigon.
Day 2 - Saigon	• Sightseeing in Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown) A vibrant metropolis, SAIGON teems with energy, activity and motion. Everywhere you look, you see the meeting of traditional and modern life. The emerging modern skyline stands cheek by jowl with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Outside on the streets, young professionals zip by on motorcyles, chatting on cellphones; inside the quiet temple courtyards, worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense. Begin your tour of this exciting city with a tour of the historic center, strolling along DONG KHOI STREET, formerly known as the Rue Catinat, the main shopping thoroughfare and heart of old colonial Saigon. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate CITY HALL (HOTEL DE VILLE), the old OPERA HOUSE (both may only be viewed from the outside), and pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL and the CENTRAL POST OFFICE. Afterwards dive into modern history with a tour of the REUNIFICATION PALACE. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style uwas famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. Continue to the harrowing WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM, which comprehensively documents the travails of the long Vietnam- American War. Inside are detailed photographic exhibitions; outside is a collection of tanks, planes and weapons. A powerful experience, this museum is guaranteed to provoke strong emotions. In the afternoon, head out to CHOLON (CHINATOWN), stopping to visit two of Saigon's most interesting pagodas, the JADE EMPEROR PAGODA and GIAC LAM PAGODA, the oldest in the city. The sprawling, densely packed Cholon retains a traditional Asian feeling, unlike the more modern Saigon city center. Explore the highlights of this fascinating area, beginning with a brief visit to BINH TAY MARKET, the vast wholesale market selling every kind of good from dried foods to T shirts to electronics. Continue to THIEN HAU PAGODA, build by the Cantonese congregation and dedicated to the heavenly goddess. End your tour at the central BEN THANH MARKET, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste • Overnight in Saigon.
Day 3 - Saigon	• Excursion to My Tho with a boat trip to Mekong River islands From Saigon, transfer to My Tho, a bustling town in the rich agricultural region of the Mekong Delta and visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, a beautiful temple and a sanctuary for orphans and other needy children. Afterwards board a local boat to explore the islands of the Mekong, stopping at a fruit orchard to enjoy fruit and tea while listening to local music. The trip also includes a brief sampan ride through the tiny waterways that thread the island. • Overnight in Saigon.
Day 4 - Danang	• Transfer • Flight from Saigon to Danang. • Transfer • Sightseeing in Danang Danang is a thriving regional center, one of the largest cities in Vietnam. Tour the CHAM MUSEUM, an elegant colonial building which now houses the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world and briefly pass CHINA BEACH, a famous R&amp;amp;R spot for American soldiers during the Vietnam-American War. Continue south to Hoi An, stopping enroute to visit the MARBLE MOUNTAINS, five stone hillocks, once islands, that now rise sharply from the surrounding ricefields. Riddled with caves and shrines, they are said to each represent one of the five elements of the universe. • Overnight in Danang..
Day 5 - Hoi An	• By vehicle from Danang to Hoi An Journey south past the Marble Mountains and small villages. • Sightseeing in Hoi An with a boat trip on the Thu Bon River The exquisitely preserved merchant town of HOI AN was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Its colorful shophouses and temples reflect a diverse heritage, dating back to the 16th and 17th century, when it was a major port for Western, Chinese and Japanese traders. Today it is a thriving center of traditional crafts and a shoppers’ paradise, best explored on foot. Wander through the cobbled streets, past low tile-roofed buildings, the bustling central MARKET and the small HARBOUR where colorfully painted boats are moored. The walking tour will include visits to a PRIVATE HOUSE, where members of the same family have lived continuously for centuries in a traditional setting; to one of the FAMILY CHAPELS built by prominent merchant or official families as centers for ancestor worship; and to a typical CHINESE-STYLE PAGODA or ASSEMBLY HALL. Finally, continue to the famous JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE, first constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. In the afternoon, board a local boat and cruise down the THU BON RIVER, enjoying the unspoiled countryside and stopping to visit a POTTERY VILLAGE and a WOODCARVING VILLAGE before returning to Hoi An harbour. • Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 6 - Hoi An	• Excursion to My Son Journey to MY SON, the former religious center of the Champa Kingdom, a sophisticated civilization which held sway over the region from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Today, all that are left are five archaeological sites from different periods, in a beautifully green setting of hills and winding streams. After a brief visit to the VISITOR'S CENTER for an overview of Cham history and culture, visit each ruin in turn, walking along forested paths. • Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 7 - Hue	• By vehicle from Hoi An to Hue From Hoi An journey north past DANANG, passing LANG CO, a lovely stretch of beach curving outwards between a clear blue lagoon and the South China Sea, before arriving at Danang. Continue along steep mountainous roads with spectacular views of the coastline, crossing the dramatic HAI VAN PASS, the high dividing line between the climate zones of north and south Vietnam, before arriving in Hue. • Sightseeing in the Old Imperial City Located in the heart of Hue is the IMPERIAL CITADEL, a vast complex built in the early 19th century and modelled after the Forbidden City of Peking. The original walls stretched for 10 km and were surrounded by a wide moat. Today, most of the buildings have been destroyed due to bombing during the Vietnam-American War, but the monuments that remain provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty. Approach the city past the striking FLAG TOWER, where a giant Vietnamese flag waves proudly overhead, to the imposing NGO MON GATE, the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure. Enter into an area of spacious courtyards and serene lotus ponds, and visit DIEN THO Residence ( Dien Tho palace) is where the Queen mother lived, visit THAI HOA PALACE, the magnificently decorated reception hall, the HALLS OF THE MANDARINS, and the original NINE DYNASTIC URNS, among other sites. • Visit Dong Ba Market DONG BA MARKET: a local market near the Imperial City • Overnight in Hue.
Day 8 - Hue	• Excursion to Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang with boat trip Enjoy a leisurely boat ride down the PERFUME RIVER, stopping first at the iconic THIEN MU PAGODA, an elegant seven-tiered octagonal tower which has become Hue's most widely recognizable monument. Continue cruising into the countryside to the IMPERIAL TOMB OF MINH MANG, a majestic complex of courtyards, pavilions and temples in a beautiful natural setting. • Sightseeing in Hue Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years. It houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices. It was established in the 17th century. • Visit the Imperial Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh Venture into the countryside around Hue to the IMPERIAL TOMB OF TU DUC. Tu Duc, the longest reigning Vietnamese emperor, designed and built this elegant tomb during his lifetime, using it as a retreat for meditation, reading and theater performances. Take some time to soak in the tranquil atmosphere, wandering among the gracefully proportioned pavilions, courtyards and lotus ponds. Afterwards visit the IMPERIAL TOMB OF KHAI DINH, dramatically located on a hillside. The last of the monumental tombs of the Nguyen dynasty, completed in 1931, this tomb incorporates distinct European elements into the traditional Vietnamese architecture. • Overnight in Hue.
Day 9 - Hanoi	• Transfer • Flight from Hue to Hanoi. • Transfer • Sightseeing in Hanoi Head to HOAN KIEM LAKE, located in heart of Hanoi, which contains an islet with the tiny TORTOISE PAGODA. From there, walking to explore the OLD QUARTER. This fascinating network of narrow alleys and shophouses is also known as 'The 36 Streets,' each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics to crafts to medicines to tombstones. A handicraft-lover's paradise and a endlessly interesting place to explore local life. Afterwards, visit the MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY, which brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside the museum are detailed descriptions of minority groups, with examples of their traditional clothing and way of life. Outside are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings. • Visit a Water Puppet Show with transfer to/from restaurant WATER PUPPET SHOW: a fantastic art form originating in northern Vietnam, best seen in Hanoi. The Municipal Water Puppet Theater is located on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake. • Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 10 - Halong	• Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed Monday and Friday and all October to November) HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM: in the tradition of Lenin and Stalin before him and Mao after him, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels of a monumental edifice that has become a site of pilgrimage. The Mausoleum is open only in the mornings, and is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Every year, it closes in October and November for renovation and maintenance. • By vehicle from Hanoi to Halong Bay • Excursion by boat through Halong Bay including lunch (4 hours) Cruise on a traditional wooden boat among the emerald waters and craggy limestone cliffs of Halong Bay, stopping to explore one of the many caves in this area. Sail past picturesque islands, floating villages, fishermen casting their nets and pearl fisheries and observe the rhythms of daily life on the bay. Return to Halong pier. • Overnight in Halong.
Day 11 - Hanoi	• By vehicle from Halong to Hanoi with sightseeing at Hai Phong From Halong, travel to HAI PHONG, Vietnam's third most populous city, the main industrial center of the north and one of the country's most important seaports. Take a couple of hours to stop at some of the town's highlights, including the DU HANG PAGODA, a beautiful example of traditional Vietnamese architecture and the communal house of DINH HANG KENH, known for its 500 relief sculptures in wood. Continue onwards to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi. life on the bay. Return to Halong pier. • Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 12 - Hanoi	• Transfer

USD p.p	1 Pax	2 Pax	3-6 Pax	SGL S/C	Booking
Var A	1,940	1,120	960	270
Var B	2,100	1,200	1,050	350
Var C	2,840	1,570	1,410	720

All prices are per person in USD, based on twin-sharing in double rooms in the default hotel for the listed category.
* Meal plan: ABF.
** Reduction for 3rd pax in triple room Var. Var. A:$76; Var. B:$32; Var. C:$163.
*** Child reduction (sharing bed of parents): under 2 years FOC; under 12 years -30%.

NOTE: The itinerary can slightly change according to the season, local conditions, climate, flight schedules and room availability.

Hotel	Var A	Var B	Var C
Hanoi	Phuc Loi Hotel Standard Ha Long Hotel Hanoi ROH Prince Hanoi Hotel ROH Huy Hoang 1 2nd Class	Ocean Hotel ROH Green Park Hotel ROH	Melia Hotel Deluxe Nikko Hotel Hanoi ROH-Leisure Sofitel Plaza Hanoi Deluxe
Halong Bay	Sunlight Hotel Superior Van Hai Hotel ROH	Halong Pearl SUP room Mithrin SUP room	Halong Plaza SUP room Heritage Halong SUP room Tuan Chau DLX Pine Hill
Hoi An	Phu Thinh 2 Hotel 2nd Class Vinh Hung 2 1st Class	Lotus Hotel Standard Ancient House Resort Superior Glory Hotel Executive Superior	Life Heritage Resort Hoi An Superior Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa Superior Gardenview Hoi An Riverside Resort VN Standard
Hue	Imperial Garden Hotel Deluxe Ngoc Huong Hotel ROH	Hue Heritage ROH Huong Giang Hotel Superior Gardenview	Saigon Morin Hotel Superior Imperial Hotel Deluxe City View La Residence Hotel And Spa Superior
Saigon	Saigon Star Hotel ROH Saigon Royal Hotel ROH Bong Sen Annex Economy	Chancery Hotel Standard Room Vien Dong Hotel ROH	Windsor Plaza Hotel Executive Moevenpick Hotel Saigon Superior Equatorial Hotel Deluxe

For bookings of roundtrip or module packages, we will confirm one of the hotels mentioned above according to the selected category. Please note that compulsory gala dinners and peak season surcharges may apply during peak periods surrounding the public holidays of Christmas and New Year - these surcharges will be confirmed at the time of booking.

Included in the price(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner):

Accommodation and meals as described (please note that some hotels provide only CBF).
All transfers within the journey, including pick-up at airport.
Domestic airfares as states in the itinerary in economy class.
All entrance fees.
English, French or German speaking guides (other languages available upon request).

Not included in the price:

Visa fees.
Airport taxes.
Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, souvenirs.

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The tour above is a typical tour. If it doesn't fit your requirements, do not hesitate to talk to us about your preferences. In most cases, we will be able to customize this tour or package to match your expectations. Please click here to tell us about your request...

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9D Vietnam Classic	10D Vietnam Classic	12D Vietnam Classic
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Vietnam Classic Tour - 12 Days Saigon - Danang - Hoi An - Hue - Halong - Hanoi

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Vietnam Classic Tour - 12 Days
Saigon - Danang - Hoi An - Hue - Halong - Hanoi