Highlights of Vietnam - 9 days/8 nights

Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hue – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Discover the highlights of Vietnam in just over a week, with city tours in Saigon, Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An, a traditional Water Puppet Show, an overnight cruise on legendary Halong Bay, and much more. Enjoy exclusive discovery features such as a boat trip on Thu Bon River and a dinner hosted by nuns in Dong Thien Pagoda. Private local guides with a passion for the history of their country make this an unforgettable trip.

• Itinerary
• Rates
• Hotels
• Book This Tour

Privately-Guided! Whether you are a single person, a couple, or a group, you'll have your own guide and driver for all airport pickups, drop offs, and daily excursions. 
 
Choose Your Own Dates! This is not a fixed-departure-date tour. Just let us know the dates that work best for you and we will arrange everything.
 
Customizable! Need more time? Less time? Want to see or do something that isn't included? Just let us know, and we will arrange it for you and let you know the change in costs.
 
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Trip Highlights

• Kayaking in UNESCO World Heritage Site Halong Bay
• A traditional water puppet show in Hanoi
• Mekong Delta cruise aboard the Cai Be Princess
• A visit to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels

Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrive Hanoi
Upon arrival in the Hanoi airport you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2:  Hanoi
Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards, and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is an attractive city with French-colonial style buildings and less traffic than other cities in Asia. Take a morning cyclo trip from the charming Old Quarter of Hanoi to the French Quarter where you’ll discover why this city is called the “Paris of the East.” Proceed to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum then to the Presidential Palace, Presidential Garden, his House on Stilts, and One Pillar Pagoda. Later visit the famed Temple of Literature.. After lunch, visit the Ethnology Museum to learn about Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. In the evening, attend a traditional Water Puppet Show, a fantastic art form originating in northern Vietnam. Overnight in Hanoi. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3:  Hanoi to Halong Bay
After breakfast at your hotel, depart for Halong Bay through the Red River Delta Upon arrival to Halong, board the junk and set sail through the bay while lunch is served. Pass into the picturesque “Dragon descending to the sea” Bay, which has 1,969 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. After lunch, choose a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay dotted with the junks, go swimming on a quiet beach, or sunbathe on the sundeck. In the late afternoon visit a local fishing village and interact with the fisherman who have been living on the bay for almost three generations. At sunset, kayak or simply take a bamboo row boat to explore a water tunnel with many coral reefs in a scenic lagoon. Back on board, enjoy cocktails while watching the sunset before dinner. Overnight on the junk. (All meals)

Day 4:  Halong Bay to Hue
Greet the day with morning Tai Chi exercise and watch the sunrise over the bay. (Tai Chi is only available for tours in the 4 and 5 star hotel class). After breakfast, visit a beautiful limestone grotto before heading back to the boat for a final glimpse of Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock. Drive back to Hanoi. On the way, visit Tho Ha, the famous village of terracotta products from before the 20th century. Explore the village’s narrow and zigzagged alleys and old houses constructed from broken pieces of old terracotta. Walk through the village cemetery to the dike, where you can see the village over the beautiful lake. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Hue. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 5:  Hue
In the morning take a cyclo trip from your hotel over the famous Trang Tien Bridge and past the Dong Ba Market. The cyclo will take you around the ancient citadel of Hue, through the streets and past local shops for an overview of daily life and architecture of this famous citadel. Stop at the Noon Gate of the Imperial Citadel for the walking tour to the inner area of the citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945, including the Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, and the Forbidden Purple City. After lunch in Royal Park Restaurant, drive to Thien Mu Pagoda, the symbol of Hue, then take a walk around Kim Long village for a chance to learn about the lifestyle of the local people. In the evening, experience the vegetarian dinner at Dong Thien Pagoda and interact with the nuns there. Overnight in Hue (All meals)
 
Day 6:  Hue to Danang to Hoi An
In the morning visit Tu Duc Tomb and discover the beautiful and impressive architecture of this unique construction and the story of the King. Drive to Danang along Highway 1 and enjoy beautiful scenery along the coast and Hai Van Pass. Upon arrival in Danang, enjoy lunch at Apsara Restaurant then visit the Cham Museum, which has the largest collection of Cham sculpture and artifacts in the world.Drive in the afternoon from Danang to Hoi An along famous China Beach. Upon arrival in Hoi An check into your hotel. Overnight in Hoi An (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 7:  Hoi An
In the morning take a walking tour to old section of Hoi An. Visit Phuc Kien congressional assembly hall, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and Tan Ky Ancient House. Then enjoy some free time for discovering the town on your own or shopping. Hoi An is known for its tailor shops where you can get clothes made or tailored quickly for very reasonable prices. Take an afternoon cycle trip to the rural area of Hoi An. Follow the Thu Bon riverbank and enjoy the view of Hoi An over the river before exploring the local villages. End your day with a boat trip on the Thu Bon River where you can see the daily life activities of the locals while enjoying a beautiful sunset over the river. Overnight in Hoi An. (Breakfast)

Day 8:  Hoi An to Saigon
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Upon arrival you’ll be welcomed by our representative and taken for a city tour. There are street markets, pavement cafes, and sleek new cafes and pubs. The city churns and bubbles with activity. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. In the afternoon, visit the major sites including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the Historical Museum. After lunch at Blue Ginger Restaurant, take a tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi was an important base during the Vietnam War because of its strategic location. The Vietcong built a 200km long network of tunnels connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Dug out of hard laterite by hand tools without the use of cement, this amazing network was never discovered. Afterward transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Saigon. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 9:  Saigon
In the morning depart Saigon for the Mekong Delta and embark on the Cai Be Princess for a boat trip to the colorful Cai Be Floating Market, then visit some local home factories to discover traditional rice paste making, rice pop corn, coco candies, and longans drying process. After enjoying a delicious lunch in a lush garden by the river, your sampan will cruise to the evergreen islands among the Mekong River. Visit an ancient Mandarin house dating from the 19th century where the family will welcome you with a cup of tea. Then proceed to Vinh Long, passing beautiful landscapes along Dong Phu Canal, Binh Hoa Phuoc and An Binh islands famous for their fruit orchards. Stops on the way can be made at An Binh ancient church or at Tam Ho bonsais garden. After crossing the Co Chien River, disembark the boat and drive back to Saigon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 10:  Departure
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. (Breakfast)

Rates

Per Person Rates (based on double occupancy):
Prices good through May 31, 2011
 
4-star Hotels: $2,255
5-star Hotels: $2,995
 
Single Person Rates:
4-star Hotels: $3,945
4 and 5-Star Hotels: $5,425
 
Single Room Supplement (in groups of 2 or more)
4-star Hotels: $885
4 and 5- star Deluxe Hotels: $1615


Rates Include

• All airport transfers to and from hotel
• All tours and excursions as outlined in the itinerary
• In-country flights as outlined in the itinerary
• All surface transportation as per the itinerary by air conditioned car with water and cool towels
• Hotel accommodation on twin sharing bed & breakfast basis inclusive of all taxes and service charges
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Entrance fees to indicated sites
• Water Puppet Show
• Cyclo Tour, all boat trips
• Overnight cruise on Halong Bay
• Services of a local English speaking guide for all visits and excursions

 
Rates Do Not Include

• International airfare
• Visa fees
• Airport departure taxes
• Tips
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Supplements for stays on Christmas or New Year's Eve and mandatory gala dinners at the hotels on those dates

Hotels

To Book This Tour

1. Download, print, and fill out the Reservation Form for each person.
2. Fax the form to 206-529-4803, or mail it with your non-refundable $500 per person deposit to:
   
   Red Lantern Journeys
   1000 N. Northlake Way
   Suite H Seattle, WA 98103
   
   
3. Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made less than 75 days prior to departure, full payment will be due upon confirmation of hotels and flights.

 
Payments must be made by personal check, bank wire transfer, or credit card. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will initiate the reservations and send you a statement showing your payment. Approximately 4 weeks prior to your departure, we will send you a final confirmation package containing your itinerary and detailed information on the logistics of your trip.
 
Forms to Download (pdf file)
Reservation Form with Complete Terms and Conditions