Atractiveness's Vietnam 16 days

The name of Alluring Vietnam 16 days shows you the fascination of this itinerary. All the daily tour activities will allure you from the North to the South, not only with the historic, cultural monuments of famous cities or tourist spots but also with the tranquil scenery, the unique culture and the daily life of villages in the countryside.

Day 1 : Arrival in Hanoi

Arriving at Hanoi airport, after clearing immigration and customs, you will be met and privately transferred to a hotel in the heart of the city. Your time to relax after a long flight. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2 : Hanoi (B,L)

Spend today exploring the villages and countryside around Hanoi. Located on a high strip of land along Bai Giang river, 30 km from the center of Hanoi, Dai Bai is one of the few well-known bronze casting villages in Vietnam. This traditional village specializes in the house’s essential productions such as warm, trays, pots. After that, drive to the village of Xuan Lai, which is famous for its unique style of smoked bamboo furniture. The artisans in these villages are trying to maintain and develop their products to make them unique and valuable uses. Coming here, we also have a chance to get to know about the friendly villagers as well as their local culture. Make a stop and enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant in Bac Ninh province. We will then continue to home to Quan Ho folk music, which has been performed by locals for nearly 1,000 years. You will have a special treat of meeting Mrs. Ban, who is one of the oldest living persons that still performs Quan Ho folk music in Diem village. Then enjoy 30 minutes of private Quan Ho folk show. If still have enough time, we depart for Dinh Bang commune to visit the Do temple, where has been a place of worship of 8 first Kings of the Ly dynasty.  After that transfer back to Hanoi. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Day 3 : Hanoi (B,L)

After having breakfast, meet your guide and continue exploring Hanoi. Start with the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh and the Presidential Palace, followed by the serene One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature known as the site of Vietnam's first university and a shrine for Confucian worship, founded in the year 1066. Next, visit the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, ironically nicknamed "the Hanoi Hilton." Built by the French colonists and used as house for Vietnamese political prisoners, it was later used to keep captured American POWs during the war. Then continue to the Huu Tiep neighborhood to see an American B-52 that was shot down during the Christmas bombing of Hanoi in 1968. Afternoon, have a little leisure time to back your hotel, then tour around the city's Old Quarter by a bicycle rickshaw, called a cyclo. In this part of town, each colorful street is devoted to a particular craft or ware. You will be pedaled amongst the quaint French buildings along Shoe Street, Silk Street and Banner Street (to name just a few), ending at the historic Hoan Kiem Lake - the social center of Hanoi. In the late afternoon, you will enjoy the Water Puppet Performance. Traditional content of these shows relates to daily life of Vietnamese farmers, communal entertainment or historical legends. The artists - men and women - stand waist-deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move around, talk and laugh and even dance on the surface of the water. The show will be accompanied by beautiful, traditional Vietnamese music. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 4 : Hanoi – Halong Bay (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel and then start a 3-hour driving through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay to enjoy a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone this World Heritage Site. While being on board, we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by swimming and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. Try the feeling of witnessing the sunset on boat is really great. Dinner on board. The captain then will anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  In the evening, there is the option for night fishing or just sit out on the deck and relax under the stars. Overnight on Junk.

Day 5 : Halong Bay – Flight to Hue (B,L)

Waking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the bay, we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. The cruise continues to move around the bay for us to discover more secluded areas, we then take kayaking and swimming in the stunning bay. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a backup vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival Hue, being picked up & transferred to the hotel in Hue. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

Day 6 : Hue (B,L)

Morning we set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, beginning with the picturesque Thien Mu pagoda, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda. Built in 1601 between a river and a pine forest, this pagoda is one of the oldest and prettiest religious buildings in the country. Among many interesting artifacts displayed here, there is the car which the former monk Thich Quang Duc left in Saigon before burning himself to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc. Transfer back to Hue center for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, take a visit to the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. After that, walking around and shopping in Dong Ba Market to enjoy the specialties of Hue city. Overnight at the hotel in Hue

Day 7 : Hue – Danang – Hoian (B,L)

After having breakfast, we continue south by road to Hoi An. The scenery en route is very beautiful. We make a stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments before winding our way up the spectacular Hai Van Pass to admire the stunning views north to Lang Co beach and south to Danang City. Continue on our way down to the other side and head to Da Nang where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arrival in Hoi An, we will have our first glimpse of this beautiful boutique town recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site The tranquil and charm of Hoi An with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, brightly painted temples and pagodas make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places. Overnight at hotel in Hoian

Day 8 : Hoian – Tra Que Village (B,L)

Morning, you will cycle to Tra Que Vegetable Village. Your cycling trip takes you on narrow roads to visit a place of display farming and fishing tools of the local farmers and fishermen. In this place, you will participate in daily activities of the local residents in the old time such as bailing out water with long handles buckets, pounding rice, lifting fishing nets, etc. Especially, you will savor boiled sweet potatoes dipping them into ground salty roasted peanut, drink lotus tea gathered from Tra Que lotus lagoon and listen to folk songs about Quang Nam native country, Hoi An Old Town as well as Tra Que Vegetable Village.   After that you will keep going the tour to a house of a local resident to hear about history of the village foundation and the development of this village. Then local farmers will take you to see vegetable gardens and instruct you the techniques of planting and cultivating many kinds of vegetables planted in the gardens. You have a chance to join hand in cutting, tying in bundles, and reaping the vegetables to bring home for processing food. Back to Tra Que’s family house, you will enjoy yourself with "foot massage" before working together with our family chef to learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food. Then, sit down and savor the dishes you have just prepared. In the afternoon, say goodbye to your host family and ride back to Hoian, on the way, visit Nhat tomb and Ba Le well. Overnight in Hoian.

Day 9 : Hoian – My Son -  Flight to Nha Trang (B,L)

Start your tour today with the 4th century Cham religious sanctuary of My Son, which is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, located in a beautiful green valley surrounded by impressive mountains. While a small site, the ruins at My Son are the largest and most intact remaining in Vietnam. It is also the home to the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which records the development of the culture and history of the Cham people through their elaborate sculptures and carvings. The passable road ends about 1.5 miles from the actual site. At this point you have the option of taking a 4WD jeep or hiking the remainder of the distance to the ruins. Return to Hoian for lunch. Afternoon, transfer to Danang airport for flight to Nha Trang - the country's premier Resort town. Arrive in Nha Trang by mid to late afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang.

Day 10 : Nha Trang (B,L)

After breakfast, from your hotel depart for Cau Da port. Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Mieu Island is the first place to visit, many sea species of Nha Trang/Khanh Hoa province make a small ocean world there. Mun Island is the best island for snorkeling where you can see lots of colorful corals and fish. Take a visit to a fishing village and have a fresh lunch at the island. On the way back you will be able to see caves in which the sea swallows make their nest.  Then we head to the Po Nagar sanctuary, a beautiful site of the Cham and the Xom Bong fishermen's village, followed by the Oceanographic Institute which includes an aquarium and an exhibition Hall displaying more than 20,000 samples of sea animals. The 23 pools of the aquarium hold a great variety of richly colorful marine species, specially the sea-horses.  Make a stop to visit the Long Son pagoda. Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang.

Day 11 : Nha Trang - Dalat (B,L)

Morning, after breakfast and time relaxing, we drive to Dalat. After 3 hours on the road, you'll reach the mountainou town of Dalat, make a stop at hill tribe villages of the Ede, Koho and Chu Ru groups. Arriving at Da Lat, sometimes known as the City of Eternal Spring, check in the hotel. After lunch, we visit Bao Dai Palace, Vietnam's last emperor palace with a place for him to rest with his family and the rather bizarre and very aptly named Crazy House, a brightly painted concrete house which winds itself around trees, mimicking their shapes. It is used as a guesthouse now. Next destination is Truc Lam Thien Vien and Pagoda. Time at your leisure. Overnight in Dalat.

Day 12 : Dalat (B,L)

Morning, after breakfast, go sightseeing at Ankoet Water-fall, Golden Spring, Silver Spring, Dankia, and the community of mountains, springs and lakes, the wonderful landscape of Lam Vien Plateau. Transfer to Lat Village of Loc Lat people at the bottom of Langbiang Mountain. On the way, overlook Dalat suburb with farm produces and fruits of the earth plantation. Go climbing and conquer the top of Langbiang. You can gaze at the whole poetic and visionary Dalat city in the fog. Afternoon, visit Dalat Railway Station: This is the cog railway linking Dalat and Thap Cham from 1928 to 1964, until it was closed due to war. Remarkable with its architecture and its old steam locomotive, we will take 7km train riding to Trai Mat through vegetable farms. Return to hotel. Time at your leisure. Overnight in Dalat.

Day 13 : Dalat – Flight to Saigon (B,L) 

In the early morning, transfer to Dalat airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, you are picked up and transferred to hotel for check in and rest. Afternoon, we depart for the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace for the president of the South of Vietnam, followed by the War Remnant Museum, where you can see countless artifacts, photographs and pictures documenting about the second Indochina war. We stop at Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post office to get our good shots for our memory of the biggest city in Vietnam. In Ben Thanh Market, you can experience our Vietnamese Southern daily life. Time for you to explore by yourself. Overnight at the hotel in Saigon.

Day 14 : Saigon – Cai Be – Can  Tho (B,L)

Morning, leave Ho Chi Minh City, departure for Cai Be. After reaching, embark boat cruise through the natural canal, view the stilt houses and the fruit plantation along the river side. Going on to the island to enjoy a delicious lunch in the heart of the orchard, visit the whole sale fruit market. After lunch, we continue cruising through the natural canal under the shadow of the water coconut trees of this island. We also visit the local family where we can experience the agricultural lifestyle. Walking through the fruit plantation in An Binh Island then get on the row boat, ride along the creeks before reaching Vinh Long town by boat. Then continue riding to Can Tho city. Overnight in Can Tho.

Day 15 : Can Tho – Cai Rang – Saigon (B,L)

Check out the hotel in Can Tho, we set off on a short drive and enjoy a boat trip to explore the impressive floating market of Cai Rang whose trading way is unique. In each boat, the vendors usually sell one particular item such as pumpkins, pineapples, sugar canes which are hang on the highest part of the boat in order that the customer easily knows where to find their needed items. We then disembark the cruise at Ninh Kieu quay, and transfer to visit an ancient house in Binh Thuy, 10 km from Can Tho and Can Tho museum. Afternoon, transfer back to Saigon. Time at your leisure. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 16 : Saigon – Departure (B)

Today you are free until time to transfer to airport for flight home. End of Asia King Travel services.

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