7D6N Vietnam: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi – Mekong Delta (May-Sep’18)

7D6N HANOI – HA LONG BAY – HO CHI MINH – CU CHI – MEKONG DELTA

Day 1: HANOI – ARRIVAL

Pick up at Noi Bai airport  & transfer to hotel for check-in (check-in time: after 14:00).
Free at leisure. 
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: HANOI – SIC TOUR TO VISIT HA NOI CAPITAL (Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at hotel.
AM: 08:00 – 08:30: Free pick up at your hotel. Then visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (except Monday & Friday, the whole Oct & Nov) to explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts and lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 – the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Then continue on to the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda at West lake (One of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam). Then visit Bat Trang pottery village (applied on Mon, Wed & Fri). Lunch at local restaurant.
PM: After lunch proceed to visit the Ethnology Museum (apply on Sun, Tue, Thu & Sat), the Literature Temple and Quoc Tu Giam, see Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 1070 – it’s gardens and well-preserved architecture will offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Take you past Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful waters and the beauty of Ngoc Son temple. At the end, journey through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where you’ll then have a chance for some shopping and exploration. Tour ends around 15h30 – 16h00. Transfer back to the hotel. 
Overnight in Hanoi.
Notes:
– Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Monday and Friday morning. The whole Oct & Nov for maintenance.
– The itinerary can be changed due to weather and operating conditions.
– Special request (diet or vegetarian, etc., ) should be sent before your departure date.
– Bat Trang pottery village will be visited on Mon, Wed & Fri (without Ethnology Museum). Ethnology Museum will be visited on Sun, Tue, Thu & Sat (without Bat Trang pottery village).

Day 3: HANOI – SIC TOUR TO HA LONG BAY – HANOI (Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at hotel.
+ 08:15 – 08:30: An open bus will pick you up at the hotel to join with other tourists. 
+ 08:45: Depart for Ha Long. Enjoy the interesting 3.5-hour drive to Ha Long city. Arrive in Ha Long city. Lunch. Then take a boat trip about 4hrs journey. Cruise through the emerald waters between the limestone outcrops and long corridors, visit THIEN CUNG cave or SUNGSOT cave. Back to Halong city where your minibus will be waiting for you to take you back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi at around 08:30 PM. 
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4: HANOI –  HO CHI MINH CITY (Breakfast)

Have breakfast at the hotel.
Free at leisure. Transfer to Noi Bai airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Pick up at Tan Son Nhat airport and transfer to hotel for check in. 
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 5: HO CHI MINH CITY – SIC TOUR TO CU CHI TUNNEL (Breakfast) 

Breakfast at hotel.
+ 07:30- 07:40: Pick up and send to the meeting point for joining with other tourists.
At 08:00, depart for Cu Chi. Located 60km from HCMC, Cu Chi is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese & foreign tourists – the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens.
Today, ducks and water buffalos happily co-exist in the rivers along the side of the road. However, the peaceful rural rice paddy scenery belies the area’s violent history. Visitors will find it hard to imagine the destruction, damage & defoliation over this whole area, caused by bombing and mines. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a "Free Target Zone".
Start our tour in the morning, before entering the tunnels visitors can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed. You will spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla’s food during the war).
Return Ho Chi Minh City and drop off at your hotel by a taxi. The rest of day is at leisure.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 6: HO CHI MINH CITY – SIC TOUR TO MY THO & BEN TRE (Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at hotel.
+ 07:30-07:40: Pick up & send to the meeting point for joining with other tourists.
At 08:00, depart for My Tho. Enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields.
On arrived at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals, then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by locals.
Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste the delicious coconut candy  & observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantation and village. Meet the bus and return to HCMC. This trip provides a fascinating insight into daily life in the Mekong Delta and you are guaranteed to take home your own private collection of beautiful memories.
Back to Ho Chi Minh city. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh city at around 17.00 PM. A taxi will send you to your hotel.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 7: HO CHI MINH CITY – DEPARTURE (Breakfast)

Have breakfast at the hotel.
Free at leisure. Check out hotel (before 12:00).
Transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure flight.

***END OF ITINERARY***

---

7D6N ACCOMMODATION

HOTEL CLASS	HANOI	HO CHI MINH
A	Nikko 5*	New World 5*
	(Deluxe room)	(Superior room)
B	Lan Vien 4* / Sunway 4*	Golden Central 4*
	(Superior room)	(Deluxe room)
C	May De Ville Quarter 4* / Mon Regency 4*	Golden Central 4*
	(ROH) / (Superior)	(Deluxe room)
D	First Eden 3*	Elios 3*
	(ROH room)	(ROH)
E	Luminous Viet 3*	Queen Ann 3* / La Felix 3*
	(ROH room)	(Superior room) / (ROH)

 

---

DOMESTIC FLIGHT:

Route

HAN-SGN

Vietnam Airlines

Economy

Taxes Included

 

---

SURCHARGES:

Transfers for 1 pax traveling alone