OVERVIEW

Highlights of

11 Days / 10 Nights

Ky Son / Ha Long Bay / / / Hue / Hoi An

Explore Vietnam from north to south, getting a taste of the country’s diverse landscapes, intriguing history and rich culture. From the natural beauty of Halong Bay to the buzzing streets of Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy immersive tours to truly connect with the remarkable wonders of Vietnam.

Fathom Asia 137 Sunnybrae Road, Glenfield, Auckland Tel: +64 9 444 2298 / 0800 422 784 | [email protected] | www.fathomasia.co.nz

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Discover Vietnam’s rich culture See a water puppet performance, explore the world of traditional medicine and visit small workshops producing local crafts.

See UNESCO-Heritage sites Visit Halong Bay, Hoi An’s old town, historic Hoa Lu and Hue’s Imperial Citadel, some of Vietnam’s best UNESCO- heritage sites

Catch a glimpse of modern Vietnam

Embrace the modern energy of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh

City, seeing evidence of Vietnam’s rapid development.

ITINERARY

Highlights of Vietnam - 11 Days / 10 Nights

DAY 1 - Hanoi Arrival

Noi Bai International Airport to your hotel in Hanoi(35km):60mins

Upon arrival to Hanoi, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in. After checking in, enjoy the remainder of the day free at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2 - Hanoi MEALS [B]

Routes can change subject to client’s interest

The capital of Vietnam, a city that celebrated 1.000 years in 2010 has countless fascinating cultural and historic sites and our days’ tour will visit the highlights. See the grand and solemn mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov), the ‘icon of Hanoi’ - The One Pillar , the beautiful Temple of Literature, ’s Tran Quoc temple and Quan Thanh pagoda as well as the fascinating Ethnology Museum, the bustling Old Quarter and at the end of the day - a water puppet performance.

08:30 depart your hotel for the Temple of Literature. In 1076, Vietnam's first university Quoc Tu Giam, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Visit The One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049, next. This structure is one of

Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Close by is the mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and the former presidents house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary. (Viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov)

Continue to picturesque West Lake and the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. From here transfer (or stroll along the lakeside) 700 meters to the nearby Taoist temple of Quan Thanh dedicated to Tran Vu, one of the principal deities in Taoism.

In the afternoon visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), which is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam.

At the end of the afternoon visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 streets’. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around you.

Finish the day with a Water Puppet show. This is a uniquely northern form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 3 - Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Hanoi MEALS [B|L]

Hanoi to Ninh Binh (100km): 2hrs

Depart from the hotel early this morning for a 2-hour drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam's first capital, Hoa Lu. Visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009). If time permits after visiting Hoa Lu, take a half-hour walk up one of the surrounding limestone karst hills, boasting spectacular views.

In the late morning, depart for a traditional Vietnamese lunch in Tam Coc. Along the way stop to take photographs of local villages and the stunning landscape.

After lunch, board a private sampan (see options for Tam Coc sampan trip below). As the boat gently slices through the water, take note of the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields giving rise to the area’s nickname, 'Halong on Land'. The adventurous sort can have the option of climbing up Bich Dong Pagoda on nearby Ngu Nhac Mountain. Dating to 1428, it is comprised of three structures: Ha, Trung, and Thuong . Return by sampan to Tam Coc town before returning to Hanoi.

*Option 1: Trang An Boat Option (in place of Tam Coc): Trang An is a less visited nature reserve illustrated by limestone hills and a peaceful river passing through a series of caves (one of which takes 15-minutes to pass through in darkness). An 'eco tourism' area, the only interruptions here are the sound of birds and the gentle paddle of the oar upon the crystal clear river.

*Option 2: Thung Nang Boat Option (in replace of Tam Coc): Thung Nang is another less-visited area that is similar in style to Tam Coc. Pass through a cave, fields of lotus (in summer) and reach a quaint pagoda before returning on the same route.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 4 - Hanoi - Halong Bay MEALS [B|L|D]

Hanoi to Halong Bay (160km):3hrs 30mins

After breakfast in Hanoi, depart for the 3hr 30mins drive to Halong Bay.

Arrive to the Halong City jetty (around noon) and proceed with check in formalities. After a welcome on board, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay. In the afternoon, enjoy some sightseeing, on-board activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board.

Towards the end of the day, the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.

Overnight on Halong Bay.

DAY 5 - Halong Bay - Noi Bai Aiport - Danang - Hoi An MEALS [B]

Routes can change subject to client’s interest..

Early risers can enjoy an unforgettable sunrise over Halong, with breakfast served shortly thereafter. Enjoy breakfast (or brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly back towards port. Disembark and our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to either Hanoi or Haiphong.

En route to the airport, visit Thanh Chuong Palace, the home and studio of Thanh Chuong, of the most celebrated painters in Vietnam. More a living space than a museum, the Palace is an architectural gem showcasing Vietnamese traditional cultural objects, exquisite antiques and remarkable structures.

After the visit, head to the airport for the quick flight south to the central city of Danang. Upon arrival to Danang, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the town of Hoi An, about 40 minutes south. A major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries, Hoi An’s architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the centuries.

Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 6 - Hoi An - My Son - Hoi An MEALS [B]

Routes can change subject to client’s interest.

Begin Day 6 with a half day to visit the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. Located 40km southwest of Hoi An in a lush green valley, My Son is home to dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating between the 7th and 13th centuries. After a morning of exploration, head back to Hoi An, stopping for a visit to Tra Kieu, the capital of Champa between the 4th and 8th centuries. Some of the finest sculptures in Danang’s Cham Museum originated from here.

Upon returning to Hoi An, take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colorful market. After the tour, enjoy some time at leisure exploring the old town.

Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 7 - Hoi An - Hue MEALS [B]

Hoi An to Hue (150km):3hrs.

Enjoy this morning at leisure before leaving Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Its mesmerizing tombs and mausoleums of the last emperors of Vietnam reveal fascinating insights into the lives of the imperial families and their subjects. The ancient Citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern. The Royal Citadel was badly damaged in the latter stages of the war but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today.

Drive through Danang and visit the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. Continue one hour to the city of Hue.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 8 - Hue MEALS [B]

Routes can change subject to client’s interest

Begin the day’s explorations with an 08:30 departure from the hotel in Hue. Start the tour at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. From here take a cyclo through dai noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax. The lake is full of lotus flowers in the summer and there are many local style coffee shops around the lake, perfect for soaking in the local scene.

Next, pay a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River. Constructed in 1601, the 21- meter tower is the centerpiece of the pagoda and represents seven reincarnations of Buddha. On the pagoda grounds is the famous Austin car a resident monk drove to Saigon in 1963 to protest against the southern regime. The photo of his self immolation is one of the most well known images of the war.

Continue to former emperor Minh Mang’s tomb located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds. Afterwards, journey on to Khai Dinh’s Tomb, designed in traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue.

Before heading back to the hotel, take time to stroll around Dong Ba Market with the guide. The market is another of the must see sites in Hue, with stalls teeming with color and life.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 9 - Hue - Ho Chi Minh City MEALS [B]

Routes can change subject to client’s interest

After breakfast, transfer to Hue Airport for the flight south to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, check in and take a short rest before embarking on a city tour. Begin the tour with a visit to Cholon, the Chinatown district of Ho Chi Minh City. Discover the area’s markets, shops and the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda. Next pay a visit to Vietnam's first traditional medicine museum, the FITO Museum, with an amazing collection of 3,000 items relevant to the development of traditional Vietnamese medicine. Implements used to prepare indigenous herbs and objects commonly found in traditional pharmacies can be seen in the galleries as well as ancient books and documents on traditional Vietnamese medicine.

Head back to the city centre to visit Ben Thanh Market, where an incredible display of fresh produce is offered. Enjoy a stroll through the market exploring the variety of goods for sale.

This afternoon visit the War Remnants or History Museum (personal preference) and the former Presidential Palace. From the Palace, stroll to the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall (guide and driver will be available at all times).

At the end of the afternoon head back to the hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Note: History Museum is closed on Mondays.

DAY 10 - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City MEALS [B|L]

HCMC to Cai Be (100km): 2hrs

Leave the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City and drive deep into the Mekong Delta on this Cai Be day tour. Upon arriving in Cai Be, disembark the boat when reaching Tan Phong Island and start a very interesting cycling tour immersing yourself in nature through small villages and narrow roads. Ride along the pathways and take the opportunity to visit local families making traditional products such as handicraft items made from water hyacinth, roofs made from palm leaves, hammocks made from coconut ropes, and rice papers.

Enjoy lunch with specialties of the Mekong Delta in the ambience of an ancient house. After lunch,

walk through narrow lanes of a local market to enjoy the hustle and bustle before getting on board and continue cruising on the Mekong River, witness everyday life in the watery world passing by while sampling local fresh fruits. Leave the boat for a while to visit local businesses such as family-run rice wine making and rice mill factory and interact with the host learning about their daily lives.

At the end of the tour, drive back to Saigon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 11 - Ho Chi Minh City Departure MEALS [B]

Enjoy the morning at leisure until transport (provided) to the airport for the departing flight.