Sample Itinerary

Hanoi - Arrival (-/-/-)

DAY 1 WED  Meet on arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and transfer to the hotel. Note: Single traveler - a surcharge of US$14 net for arrival in Hanoi and US$10 net for departure in Ho Chi Minh City) applies. 

Optional afternoon  (14:00 -17:00)  tour  to Bat Trang Pottery Village: This famous village is situated approximately 30 minutes outside of Hanoi & surrounded by fertile farmland. Watch the artisans form, paint and glaze their products, and enjoy a wander through this traditional Vietnamese village.

Accommodation in Hanoi:
Category A:  Sunway**** Hotel (superior room) or similar 
Category B:  Sunny*** Hotel (superior room) or similar

Hanoi - Halong BAY (B/L/-)

DAY 2 THU  In Hanoi we experience the rich cultural and artistic traditions of Vietnam's capital.  We visit Ho Chi Minh's former residence and mausoleum (the Mausoleum closed during Oct-Nov), the One Pillar Pagoda & the Temple of Literature.

Check out of the hotel and enjoy a cyclo ride through the old quarter past the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son temple to a local restaurant for lunch before the drive to Halong Bay via the Ethnology Museum.

Halong Bay (165 km east of Hanoi) is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. "Dragon descending to the sea" as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Halong Bay has more than 1,500 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. 

Accommodation in Halong Bay:
Category A:  Pearl **** hotel (superior room) or similar
Category B:  Mithrin*** hotel (superior room) or similar

HALONG BAY - Hanoi (B/l/-)

DAY 3 FRI  Enjoy a relaxing 5 hours boat trip through Halong Bay with a fresh seafood lunch prepared and served on board (please let us know if you do not eat seafood). Cruise around the islands, relaxing and swimming before returning to Hanoi. 

In the evening we attend a performance of water puppetry, a traditional art form dating back to the 11th century and have some free time to explore Hanoi.

Accommodation in Hanoi:
Category A:  Sunway Hotel (superior room) or similar
Category B:  Sunny hotel Hotel (superior room) or similar

HANOI - Danang - Hoi An (B/-/D)

DAY 4 SAT  At leisure until transfer to airport for flight to Danang in the early afternoon.  From the port town of Danang we drive the short distance south past famous China Beach onto the enchanting town of Hoi An.

Known to early Western merchants, Hoi An was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a distinctive Chinese atmosphere with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow streets; the original structure of some of these streets is still virtually intact. Many of the houses were constructed of rare timbers and decorated with lacquer panels engraved with Chinese characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs. 

We take a walking tour to discover Hoi An, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Ancient town, visiting 300 year old Tan Ky and Phuc Kien houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge and Hoi An market. 

We soak up the atmosphere of these narrow streets, lane ways and friendly atmosphere before dinner in a local restaurant to sample some of Hoi An's culinary delights.

Overnight in Hoi An:
Category A:  Hoi An Riverside resort (SUP) or Hoi An Beach resort (RV) or similar 
Category B:  Hoi An Ancient House resort (Garden view) or similar

Hoi An - DANANG - hue (B/L/-)

DAY 5 SUN  Free morning at leisure until boat ride to local restaurant for an early lunch before the departure from Hoi An, via the Marble Mountains, over the most spectacular Hai Van Pass and onto Vietnam's former imperial capital and charming town set on the banks of the Perfume River.

We visit the local Dong Ba market in Hue, where the famous conical hats are made before an evening of leisure in this quiet town.

Overnight in Hue:
Category A:  Saigon Morin**** hotel (SUP) or similar 
Category B:  Asia hotel*** (SUP) or similar

HUE - Ho Chi Minh (B/-/D)

DAY 6 MON  A morning of culture takes us by dragon boat to the Thien Mu Pagoda, the Imperial Citadel and the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc.

In the afternoon fly to Ho Chi Minh City.

After check in at your hotel, enjoy Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by residents) by night beginning with a pre dinner sunset drink at one of the roof top bars and a walk down the famous Dong Khoi street (formerly Rue Catinat) to a local restaurant for dinner.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City:
Category A:  Equatorial (run of house room) or similar  
Category B:  Chancery Hotel (run of house room) or similar

HO CHI MINH CITY - Cu Chi Tunnels - HO CHI MINH CITY (B/L/-)

DAY 7 TUE  In the morning drive to Cu Chi district (75 km from HCMC) to visit the amazing complex of underground tunnels at Cu Chi. There are more than 200 km of underground tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels before returning to Saigon for Lunch. 

Afternoon orientation by foot from the Saigon River past the Opera House, Town Hall & Notre Dame Cathedral. Visit Reunification Palace (museum) and the famous Ben Thanh Market.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City:
Category A:  Equatorial (run of house room) or similar 
Category B:  Chancery Hotel (run of house room) or similar

Ho Chi Minh - Departure (B/-/-)

DAY 8 WED  Time at leisure until transfer to Ho Chi Minh City/Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight.

Our tour prices are inclusive of  transfers and tours with English, German or French speaking guide, accommodation in shared twin rooms with air-condition and private bath room, meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), domestic airfares Hanoi-Danang and Hue-Ho Chi Minh City inclusive domestic airport tax, entrance fees, boat fees, cyclo fee.

Not included are  surcharges for compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak season surcharges, which will be advised at time of booking.

NOTE : Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.

CHOICE OF DEPARTURE DATES :

Please contact FEST Travel

HOTEL ADDRESSES (Seat in coach tour):

OPTION A

OPTION B