Guide

Guided sightseeing - Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City Escorted by an English speaking Vietnamese tour guide

Meals

Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 1 dinner

Others

Lantern making in the home of the Ha Linh family in Hoi An and releasing our lanterns onto the river 1 overnight sleeper train Hanoi to Hue in basic 4 berth cabin (or opt to fly - see Add-ons for details) Halong Bay Junk boat cruise - opt to swim, kayak and explore caves Bicycle ride to Tra Que village and cooking demonstration Sampan boat trips in the Mekong Delta

Flights

Economy class flight: Danang to Ho Chi Minh City

Transport

Airport arrival transfer day 1 and departure transfer day 10 All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles

Accommodation

7 nights 4 star and special class hotels and 1 night aboard deluxe junk boat (private en suite cabin)

Not included:

Others

International flights and visa Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$3-6 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included

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Day 1 Day 1: Lantern Makers Of Hanoi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Lantern Makers Of Hanoi

Saturday 23rd September 2023. Welcome to Hanoi, perhaps the most graceful, atmospheric and exotic capital city in Asia. Airport to hotel arrival transfer. This morning offers free time for you to explore the wide tree lined avenues, beautiful lakes and ancient pagoda’s and thriving old city. Meeting our guide at 2pm we set of on foot to explore Hanoi’s charming Old Quarter known as the ‘36 streets of the old Hanoi’. There is Silver Street, Silk Street, Comb Street, Paper Street and importantly Hang Ma street where we’ll browse and learn about the history and traditions of Vietnam’s Full Moon Festival. There may even be deliciously sweet traditional Mooncakes to be shared.
Day 2 Day 2: Halong Bay
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Halong Bay

Hanoi – Halong Bay. After breakfast this morning we leave Hanoi and transfer to the crown in Vietnam's scenic crown - the incredibly beautiful Halong Bay. We'll explore the jade waters studded with karst islands aboard a traditional wooden junk boat and after embarkation there's time for lunch soaking up the views. This afternoon we will visit the spectacular Tien Ong Cave which was opened to the public in 2010, with its stunning stalagmites and stalactites. Later this evening back on board, watch a Vietnamese cooking demonstration held on the sundeck before settling down for a sumptuous seafood dinner.
Day 3 Day 3: Floating Villages And Cyclo Rides
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Floating Villages And Cyclo Rides

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue. Early birds can start the day with a relaxing Tai Chi class on the sundeck or a traditional massage - the perfect way to start the day. Before heading back to port we'll explore by kayak the Floating Village of Cua Van, which is home to generations of fishing families. Here we’ll see the traditional and colourful floating wooden houses and the locals going about their daily lives. On arrival back into Hanoi mid-afternoon we’ll explore the maze of streets in the French Quarter on our very only cyclo (rickshaws), taking in highlights such as the Opera house and Ly Thai To park. We then swap our wheels for a leisurely walk through ‘36 streets of the old quarter’, named after the numerous guilds that once set up shop on a particular street from silk tailors to traditional medicine shops. Later this evening there's a chance to freshen up before boarding the train (4 berth sleeper cabin, basic standard) on the ‘Reunification Express’ railway line to Hue. An option to fly from Hanoi to Hue is also available.
Day 4 Day 4: Imperial Hue
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Imperial Hue

Upon arrival to Hue we embark on a guided sightseeing tour of the 19th-century Nguyen empire capital. We visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, home to the oldest monastery in the city, whose 21m high tower has become something of a symbol for Hue and the citadel. Within the citadel is the Imperial Purple Palace, an exact copy of the Forbidden City in Beijing, with its impressive ramparts, formal moats and imperial palaces, some of which lay in ruin. In the countryside lies the Royal Tombs of the Nguyen kings, here we’ll view the elaborate mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. As the sun sets there's an optional cruise in a long boat along the gentle Perfume River, beautifully illuminated at night.
Day 5 Day 5: Delightful Hoi An
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Delightful Hoi An

Hue - Road of the Ocean Clouds - Hoi An. Today we take the scenic Hai Van Pass (Road of the Ocean Clouds), which offers magnificent views of beaches to one side and lush hills to the other. En route we stop for a walk along China beach, featured in Francis Ford Coppola’s movie ‘Apocalypse Now’. Perhaps enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea before continuing our journey south along the coast to Hoi An. The charming, old-world trading port of Hoi An with it cobbled streets, traditional homes and tiny shop houses is a perfect place to lose yourself in a by gone era. Boutique restaurants, hip cafes along the waterfront, delightful craft shops and artisans including some of Asia’s best bespoke tailors (whose services come at a nominal price), all can be found here. On a short walking tour of the enchanting historical town, we’ll visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Hall, 200-year-old Tam Ky house, former merchants’ homes and the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. During your stay in Hoi An, we offer a unique optional Hoi An Street Eats add-on, which explores the city’s most popular local haunts. Cruise the city the way the locals do, by vintage Vespa and enjoy lots of tasty Vietnamese Cuisine. Book early with your reservation consultant, as numbers are limited.
Day 6 Day 6: Full Moon Festival
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Full Moon Festival

Today marks the height of the Full Moon Festival and we will be celebrating with the locals. This morning we ride by rickshaw to a local home on the outskirts of Hoi An where we will learn about the family’s long tradition of lantern-making and handcraft our own lanterns for tonight’s festivities. Heading into town we explore the local market stalls and authentic lantern shops before free time to visit one of the many great tailor shops, take a row boat down the river or spend the afternoon relaxing by the hotel swimming pool. Tonight we make our way to the water's edge with hundreds of locals to release our lanterns and enjoy the spellbinding spectacle of hundreds of sparkling lights sailing down river and lighting up the night sky.
Day 7 Day 7: Village Life
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Village Life

A leisurely bicycle ride into the countryside, leads us to Tra Que village this morning. Here we discover age old farming practices and learn about traditional medicine. It’s a fun hands on experience today as we don conical hats and test our farming skills in the fields. Then we watch an entertaining cooking demonstration and help to cook up a tasty lunch.
Day 8 Day 8: Cruising The Mekong
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Cruising The Mekong

Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho. Early morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Drive to the Mekong Delta. Often referred to as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile Mekong Delta is famous for its abundant harvests of tropical fruits, flowers and rice, as well as it fantastic views while boating along the canals. Taking our sampan from Cai Be we cruise through the maze of waterways watching the hubbub of daily life on the river. Passing colourful trading boats, house boats and children swimming we stop to visit some of the local cottage industries that produce popcorn, coco candies and paper along the way. Lunch is served today in a traditional wooden home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island.
Day 9 Day 9: Mekong & Ho Chi Minh City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Mekong & Ho Chi Minh City

Can Tho - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City. Early today we visit the ever lively Cai Rang floating market. Watch as melons, pineapples, fresh greens, sacks of rice and children's toys get tossed from one sampan to another at great heights and speed before driving back to Ho Chi Minh City. Once called the Pearl of the Orient, modern Ho Chi Minh City is a thriving metropolis on the move. Sleek sky scrapers, gourmet restaurants, designer malls and swanky bars and spas are scattered between ancient pagodas, colonial era landmarks and lively street markets. On our walking tour of the city we see the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office before visiting the sobering War Remnants Museum. Evening at leisure.
Day 10 Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City

Monday 2nd October 2023. Today offers free time in Ho Chi Minh City till your departure transfer to the airport. Opt for a relaxing foot massage, shop for souvenirs at Ben Thanh Market or visit the grand Independence Palace, with its secret bunker and military command centre beneath! You could also extend your stay and join us on a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels Here you can go underground to explore the vast network of tunnels and hideouts used by Viet Cong guerrilla fighters, see booby traps, trap doors or test your skill with an AK 47 at the firing range.

10 days tour

Full Moon Festival, Hoi An - 10 Days

This tour includes:

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Itinerary of your trip Full Moon Festival, Hoi An - 10 Days

Day 1: Lantern Makers Of Hanoi

Day 2: Halong Bay

Day 3: Floating Villages And Cyclo Rides

Day 4: Imperial Hue

Day 5: Delightful Hoi An

Day 6: Full Moon Festival

Day 7: Village Life

Day 8: Cruising The Mekong

Day 9: Mekong & Ho Chi Minh City

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City

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