Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

After clearing custom procedure, Destination Asia&rsquos tour guide will pick you up at the gate and transfer you to the downtown and check in to your hotel.
This afternoon enjoy an orientation of the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture, including the recently restored Opera House. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Lake of the Restored Sword from the legend that surrounds it en-route to one of the city's fascinating museums (Army, History or Fine Arts, depending on your preference). Then take to the streets on foot for a walking tour of the Ancient Quarter or 36 Streets District. This densely populated corner of the city was once a centre of commerce where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, you will see street names such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter's paradise!
Dinner tonight is at Wild Rice restaurant
Overnight Hotel in Hanoi
(Dinner)

Day 2: Hanoi

This morning you begin city tour of Hanoi.
Visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state (closed on every Friday and Monday and October and November). See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked, Nearby, visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, an extraordinary tribute in abstract form to the life of the 'father of the country' and the evolution of Vietnamese independence. French architecture is a feature of Hanoi, and the nearby former Governor's Residence is a fine example. See also the One Pillar Pagoda, and hear the legend of its construction, born from the love of an emperor in the 11th Century. Continue to the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and then dedicated to Confucius, it is a serene retreat from the busy streets outside, and later became Vietnam's first university.
Lunch at Indochine Restaurant
Afternoon is free for you to explore the city on your own or go shopping what you like!
Overnight Hotel in Hanoi
(Breakfast, lunch)

Day 3: Hanoi &ndash Hue

At leisure in hotel or explore the city on your own until departure transfer to airport for mid-noon flight HAN/HUI.
Enjoy box lunch today.
Arrival transfer from Hue airport to hotel for check-in
This afternoon you have a city tour to visit Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba market. In the very early 19th Century, when the Nguyen Dynasty administered Vietnam from Hue, the Emperor Gia Long commenced construction of a mighty citadel from where he could both live and rule. The resulting Imperial Citadel was modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, however unfortunately suffered much damage during years of war. Many of the pavilions, bridges, libraries and great halls are now being carefully restored with help from UNESCO. Marvel at the legends of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors who built the fortress and lived within its moated walls for nearly 150 years. Followed by a visit to the local Dong Ba market, known for the prettiest conical hats in Vietnam.
Overnight Hotel in Hue
(Breakfast, box lunch)

Day 4: Hue

Today you will have a full day tour of Hue including boat trip on Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda and Minh Mang tomb. One of the most notable features of Hue is the meandering Perfume (Huong) River that divides the city. As both the Thien Mu Pagoda and Minh Mang tomb are situated on the river banks, boating on a simple, yet comfortable, vessel offers a relaxing alternative to the Imperial Hue tour. Thien Mu Pagoda - an octagonal tower of seven tiers rises majestically over the tranquil Perfume (Huong) River. Beyond you may see robed monks chanting their mantra, or novices carefully tending the bonsai garden. One unusual feature of this temple is the blue Ford Austin motor car in the grounds - the same car that appeared on television screens around the world when a revered monk self-immolated in central Saigon, in protest of a repressive Diem regime in the 60's. Followed by most majestic of all of Hue's tombs - the tomb of Minh Mang. Built between 1841 and 1843, this tomb is well known for its harmonious blend of architecture and natural landscape, and is the ideal location for a picnic lunch. Enjoy picnic lunch there before continue to the afternoon tours. Emperors of Contrast (Tu Duc and Khai Dinh's Tombs). The hills surrounding Hue are dotted with the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty emperors. Built not only as an eternal resting place, the tombs were designed for recreation somewhere the Emperor could fish, hunt and enjoy the company of concubines in his twilight years. This tour combines visits to two of the most contrasting tombs. Visit first the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, resplendent in traditional architecture, paved walkways, resting pavilions overlooking tranquil lotus ponds, and a small forest for hunting. In stark contrast, continue to Khai Dinh's Tomb. Remembered as the 'Puppet Emperor' because of his affiliation with the French, this tomb was designed with colonial flair, and a glass mosaic frieze dominates the interior.
Overnight Hotel in Hue
Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Day 5: Hue &ndash Danang &ndash Hoi An

Overland transfer to Danang via spectacular Cloudy Pass then visit Cham Museum upon arrival. Cham Museum in Danang, once centre of the ancient Cham civilisation. Hindu in origin, the Cham people left a legacy of excellent sculptures, now housed in the only museum if its kind in Danang, as they were pushed south by the advancing Vietnamese invaders. Proceed to Hoi An for lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon you do a walking tour of Hoi An. Hoi An, an extraordinary jewel of a town. In a country so ravaged by war, Hoi An somehow managed to remain untouched and as you wander through the completely traffic-free streets of this ancient seaport it is not hard to imagine yourself amidst the sailors and merchants of the 18th Century, when Hoi An was one of the busiest trading ports in Asia. Chinese, Japanese and European architecture bears witness to this cosmopolitan past and allows today&rsquos visitors a glimpse of a mediaeval Vietnam that no longer exists anywhere else in the country. Enjoy an orientation walk through this charming town before spending some time at leisure strolling the maze of tiny streets and exploring the numerous local art galleries that have evolved in recent times.
Overnight Hotel in Hoi An
(Breakfast, lunch)

Day 6: Hoi An &ndash Saigon

Early morning you are transferred out to Danang airport for onward flight DAD/SGN. Meet at the airport upon arrival and have an orientation tour. In this essential highlight tour, visit the former Presidential Palace which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American War. Lunch at Lemongrass restaurant. Continue to the History Museum, which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese. Take the opportunity to see a delightful performance of Water Puppetry in the grounds. Visit Notre Dame, an impressive neo-Romanesque Cathedral in the centre of city, the 'wedding cake' styled hotel d'ville and Dong Khoi street, formerly the centre of haute couture in Saigon when it was known as Rue Catinat.
Check in to your hotel and rest of day is at leisure
Overnight Hotel in Saigon
(Breakfast, lunch)

Day 7: Cu Chi Tunnels

Journey out of the city centre to the Cu Chi regions, where you will visit the vast underground network of tunnels built first as a defence against the French, and later expanded during the American war. It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare and you will marvel at their ingenuity and resilience. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. The more adventurous may explore the deeper second, and even third level tunnels. For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above. Your guide will advise you of the length and level of difficulty of each tunnel before entering - some are easily accessed by stairs. We recommend good walking shoes and sun protection for this tour and advise you may get a little dirty!
Return to Saigon for lunch at local restaurant followed by at leisure the rest of day.
Overnight Hotel in Saigon
(Breakfast, lunch)

Day 8: Departure

At leisure until departure transfer to airport for onward international flight
(Breakfast)

Have a question about Highlight of Vietnam?

Your email:

Your question:

Load New Code

Powered by Web Wiz CAPTCHA version 2.01

*Enter security code (Case Sensitive)