TASTE OF VIETNAM

TASTE OF VIETNAM

Tour code: TASVI

Day 1: Hanoi (D)

Arrive Hanoi , Vietnam’s gracious capital. Hanoi has been the political and historical centre of Vietnam for almost 1000 years and has a wealth of sights to explore. Heavily influenced by French colonial architecture, Hanoi is both historically beautiful and a vibrant capital city sure to entice you.  Our representative/tour guide will meet and greet you at the airport. Drive to your hotel. Free at leisure after long route flight. Dinner.  Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi (B/ L)

Today, We begin with a cyclo tour of the fascinating Old Quarter - 36 ancient streets where you can observe the daily bustle of life around the markets where peddlers continue to trade as they have done for centuries. We finish at the Old Citadel, then walk along beautiful tree-lined boulevards until we get to Ba Dinh Square, site of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and where Ho Chi Minh first declared independence from French rule in 1945. Ho Chi Minh is without question one of the great figures of twentieth century history and this morning we’ll take time to visit the ‘Ho Chi Minh Quarter’ for a look at the life of the father of modern Vietnam.  We visit the humble house on stilts from which ‘Uncle Ho’, as he is affectionately known, ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969. Then continue on to view the Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda. Afterwards, we visit the infamous ‘Hanoi Hilton’ - Hanoi’s former central prison made famous first for the incarceration of the leaders of Vietnam’s national liberation movement and later US Air force pilots shot down over North Vietnamese airspace. The site of the prison was recently developed, however one wing has been retained as a museum.  In the evening, enjoy a performance of the unique art of water puppetry and complete your day by dining at one of the city's many excellent restaurants. O/n in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi -  Halong Bay (B/ L)

We spend a day visiting the World Heritage listed Halong Bay - enjoy a cruise through this natural wonder with thousands of islands rising out of the water, creating a beautiful landscape.Have seafood lunch on junk. Swimming at Tiptop Islet, back to hotel, dinner. Visit night market. O/n in Halong 

Day 4: Halong - Hanoi -  Sai Gon ( B/ L)

Abf at hotel. Driver back to Hanoi then connect flight  to Saigon still called Saigon by many locals. A full day city tour takes in the city’s bustling Chinatown and begins with a visit to the Thien Hau Temple, from where you will take a cyclo ride; the most appropriate and unusual way to explore Cholon, literally meaning ‘big market’. The ride will take you to the lively Binh Tay Market. Then visit a lacquerware factory to witness workers continuing a Vietnamese ancestral tradition. After lunch visit the War Museum and the former Presidential Palace, from there on you will go on foot (the car will be available at all times) to visit the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. the city's busiest market for a look at the diverse fresh vegetables, herbs, spices and tropical fruits that will be our daily fare during our time in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 5: Sai Gon - Cooking Class ( B/ L)

The next morning we enjoy a hands-on cooking class with our chef who will explain more about the wonderful flavours of Vietnamese cuisine. After enjoy lunch in fun. Next, we travel to Cu Chi and the amazing tunnel system built by Communist soldiers during the Vietnam War. Driver back to HCM city. Free at leisure. O/n in HCM 

Day 6: Sai Gon - Mekong Delta( B/ L)

Our journey takes us to the river system of the Mekong Delta ,Vietnam's  most fertile region and the source of a large amount of the country's fresh food. The Vietnamese name for the Mekong is "Cuu Long", meaning 'Nine Dragons', symbolizing the nine major tributaries of the Mekong that flow through the Delta to the East Sea.
The Delta is an incredibly fertile region of rice paddies, fruit orchards and mangrove swamps and is known as Vietnam's "rice bowl" as it produces the majority of the country's rice supplies and exports.
Over the centuries, local residents have created an ingenious system of dykes, canals and waterways for irrigation and for transportation. Perhaps the best way to view the daily lives of the people in the Delta is to take a boat tour through some of these waterways.

Day 7: Sai Gon - Departure ( B)

Your journey ends with your airport transfer.

SERVICE INCLUDED:

• Ground transfer by good A/C vehicle
• English speaking guide ( local guide)
• Boatrip on Halong bay,  Mekong Delta
• Entrance fee for sightseeing
• Halfboard meals as mentioned ( both Vietnamese & Western set menu)
• 6 nite accommodation + abf ( twin share based on R.O.H)
• Water on bus ( 2bottle/pax/day)

SERVICE EXCLUDED:

• Tips for tour guide, driver
• Compulsory gala dinner
• Travel insurance
• Airfare & airport taxes:Hanoi-HCM  around 120usd - 140usd include airport tax ( this subject to change )
• Personal expenses such as drinks, telephone, souvenirs and laundry etc
• Others which are not mentioned in the inclusion