12Days Mountain to Delta
Price from $4319 per person based on twin sharing basis + domestic flights from $639 per person
Hanoi - Halong - Hai Phong - Ninh Binh - Tam Coc - Hoa Lu - Hanoi - Mai Chau - Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An - Hue - Saigon - Vinh Long - Can Tho - Saigon
Day 1: Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your Hotel.
Day 2: Hanoi (B)
This morning your guide will take you on a brief walking tour of the fascinating Old Quarter of Hanoi, and Hoan Kiem Lake, followed by a visit some of Hanoi’s historical sites, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh’s house, as well as One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. Afternoon at leisure
This evening, visit perhaps Vietnam’s most famous performing art form, the Water puppet theatre for a one hour show. During a performance the puppets are directed by puppet masters who stand submerged in the water behind a screen and direct the puppets through the use of long sticks. Traditional musical instruments are used to accompany the story.
Day 3: Hanoi-Halong (B/L/D)
Morning drive to Bac Ninh, the cradle of traditional Vietnamese music and theatre. On arrival take ride through country lanes to visit the Dinh Bang communal house and Do temple. Enjoy local folk songs before proceeding to Ha Long Bay, stop enroute to visit But Thap pogoda. On arrival in Ha Long, check in your hotel.
Rest of the afternoon at leisure to explore the town on your own
Day 4: Halong-Hai Phong-Ninh Binh (B/L)
In the early morning, transfer from Hotel to Halong Bay. Arriving in Halong Bay, board a sailing Junk to discover this World Heritage site, known as the ‘land of 3000 islands’. Rising from the sea the islands offer a wealth of opportunity for the local people. Your visit includes exploring the beauty of this area up close. A delicious seafood lunch is included on board the boat (options available for those who do not like seafood – your guide will check with you locally).
In the afternoon proceed through picturesque scenes of rice fields and rural life. Stop enroute in Hai Phong for a brief city tour before continuing onto Ninh Binh After hotel check-in you will be free to explore the city.
Day 5: Ninh-Binh-Tam Coc-Hoa Lu-Hanoi (B/L)
In the morning, take a sampan ride to explore the limestone crests rise from rice fields and winding streams at Tam Coc, which literally means “Three Caves”. The region is widely known as the “Inland Halong Bay”. View temples, art and architecture of the ancient Dai Viet kings before returning to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi the evening.
Day 6: Hanoi-Mai Chau-Hanoi (B/L)
This morning you will be picked up at your hotel, depart for scenic drive to Mai Chau through the green rice paddies, spectacular mountain ranges. Stop enroute in Hoa Binh to encounter Muong people. Arrive in Mai Chau, transfer to Lac Village of while Thai minority. Enjoy lunch with villagers at a traditional house on stilt. After lunch embark an easy walking tour visiting Lac Village, Pomcoong village, watch people working on the rice field and at daily activities. Return back to Hanoi and transfer to your hotel.
Day 7: Hanoi – Danang – Hoi An (B)
You will be transferred from hotel to Hanoi Airport to connect a flight to Danang. On arrival visit the Marble Mountains, famed for being a “Viet Cong” guerrillas hideout during the Vietnam War and China Beach. Later take a short drive to the ancient trade port town of Hoi An for hotel check-in.
In the afternoon enjoy a walking tour of this quaint town visiting ancient merchants’ houses, a Hokkien temple (or Fukien Chinese Congregation), a 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the vibrant riverside market and an old pagoda. Travellers can also see local residents raise silkworms and produce silk for Hoi An’s burgeoning textile industry. Finish the day with a sunset boat trip on the Thu Bon River to Thanh Ha pottery village.
Day 8: Hoi An-Hue (B)
Morning drive along the coast, through emerald-green paddy fields and over the spectacular Hai Van Mountain pass. Enjoy beautiful countryside on the way and see farmers working in their rice paddies. Arrive in Hue; visit the elaborate tombs of Emperor Tu Duc before checking your hotel. In the afternoon visit the Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba market. The spectacular Citadel is built on the same principles and design as Beijing’s Forbidden Palace and contains a series of palaces, ornate halls, libraries, residences, and colleges.
Later proceed to the elegant Thien Mu Pagoda to witness a daily Buddhist prayer recital by the monks before enjoying a sunset cruise on the river.
Day 9: Hue–Saigon (B)
You will be transferred from Hotel to Hue Airport to connect a flight to Saigon. Arrive in Saigon and you will be transferred to your Hotel
In the afternoon, you will be taken for a tour of Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) – a fast paced city with a unique mix of French colonial architecture, Chinese influences, a modern entrepreneurial spirit and numerous temples. On this tour, you will take in the highlights of Ho Chi Minh starting with an exploration of Saigon’s turbulent past with visits to the Reunification Palace (from outside) and the War Museum.
The tour continues to Ho Chi Minh’s finest examples of French colonial architecture with a visit to the Notre Dame cathedral and Post Office. Your Ho Chi Minh tour continues with a visit to Giac Lam Pagoda, the Cholon Chinese district. Tour concludes at the Ben Thanh market, practice your bargaining skills.
Day 10: Saigon-Vinh Long- Can Tho (Mekong Delta) (B/L/D)
You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Cai Be. Have a motorized boat ride to see round Cai Be floating market with local people being selling, buying, and exchanging goods from their boats. Walk around to see orchard, rice paper making, rice scrispies producing process, etc. Stop for a rest and a Vietnamese lunch including tropical fruits, traditional music. Walk through a village to see peaceful tranquil life of villagers, admire marvellous natural setting of Mekong Delta region. Take a boat trip through some islands and cross Mekong River to Vinh Long. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 11: Can Tho – Saigon (B/L)
A 3-hour boat trip to discover the beautiful Cai Rang floating market and its surroundings. Visit a vermicelli making shop, a rice husking mill, fruit gardens. Enjoy tropical fruit (free). See the peaceful life in the rural area. Have lunch in Can Tho before going back to Saigon. Stop to visit Vinh Long market and bonsai garden in My Tho.
Day 12: Saigon
Transfer to airport to connect your onward flight.
Note: This is a private program and can be modified to suit your requirements.
Included: Accommodation in 4* Hotel, domestic flights, meals as shown above, transfers & sightseeing, local English speaking guides, entrance fees at monuments, current taxes, 24-hours local contact number for emergencies.
Prices quoted are valid till 30 September 2022. Cost above is indicative, based on Low Season in NZ Dollars and subject to change due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Please read T&C before booking. Call 09 410 5060 or 0508 EXOTIC (0508 396 842) or email info@exotic.net.nz for more information.