Day 1
Overnight international flight to Hanoi.
Day 2
Upon arrival in Hanoi, airport reception and transfer to your hotel in a private vehicle. Depending on your arrival time, spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 3
Morning tour of the Ho Chi Minh Complex with your private guide. Visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state. See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked and visit the nearby Ho Chi Minh Museum – an extraordinary tribute to the life of the “father of the country.” Carry on to the Governor’s Residence, a fine example of Hanoi’s French architecture, followed by a stop at the One Pillar Pagoda to hear the legend of its construction.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by a private afternoon tour of the Hanoi City highlights. Orient yourself to the tree lined streets on your way to the Opera house and pass by Hoan Kiem Lake en route to one of the city’s fascinating museums of your choice – the Military, History or Fine Arts Museum. Continue to the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, for a quick escape from the busy streets. Afterwards, enjoy a private guided walking tour of the Ancient Quarter, also known as the 36 Streets District, where you will find a nice mix of ancient homes, temples and small shops.
Day 4
Morning excursion outside of Hanoi City for a trip to the surrounding countryside with your private guide. Rich in Buddhism, the north of Vietnam is home to the country's most colourful and revered pagodas and temples. The Thay Pagoda (Master's pagoda) is located 40 kilometres (25 miles) southwest of Hanoi. While a temple is a place to worship the dead, a pagoda is a place to worship the Lord Buddha. Thay Pagoda is widely known for its finely carved statues in lacquer and gold of Buddha in his past and present form and for its colourful Buddhist ceremonies performed here during auspicious dates of the Lunar calendar.
Only 6 kilometres (4 miles) away lies Tay Phuong Pagoda, situated at the top of a small hillock. Built in 1794 the pagoda is famous for its vast display of finely carved wooden statues of former monks from the 18th Century. Afterwards, return to Hanoi to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 5
Private morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival, airport reception and private transfer to the city for a visit to the Cham Museum, then continue to visit Hoi An. Close by Danang is China Beach, immortalized for many by the U.S. television show and still one of the most spectacular beaches in Asia. Also nearby are the Marble Mountains; a climb inside through the hundreds of the natural caves and grottoes is a must.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Hoi An before taking a walking tour with your private guide through this small town. Wander the completely traffic free streets and discover the historic old town center before transferring to your hotel. Enjoy the evening at leisure.
Day 6
Morning transfer to Hue in your private vehicle. The overland journey will take you through the most beautiful scenery in Vietnam as you traverse the Hai Van, or “Cloudy Pass.” There will be plenty of photo opportunities and stops at beaches en route. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Private afternoon guided tour of the Imperial Citadel. In the early 19th century, when the Nguyen Dynasty ruled Vietnam from Hue, the Emperor constructed a mighty citadel from where he could both live and rule. The resulting Imperial Citadel was modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, but 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.
Day 7
Morning visit to the Thein Mu Pagoda with a private boat and guide. Built in 1601 between a river and a pine forest, the “Heavenly Lady Pagoda” is one of the oldest and most attractive religious buildings in the country. Among the many interesting artifacts housed at the complex is the car that transported the monk Thich Quag Duc to the site of his self-immolation in 1963 Saigon. Then, continue by boat to the less visited, yet most majestic, of all of Hue’s tombs – the tomb of Minh Mang. Built around 1840, this tomb is well known for its harmonious blend of architecture and the natural landscape. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 8
Morning transfer to the Hue airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to your hotel. After check-in, enjoy an afternoon tour of China Town with your private guide. Cholon, which literally translates to “big market”, is the focus of the Chinese community in Saigon. See Cha Tam Church where President Diem sought refuge shortly before his assassination in 1963. Visit the impressive Thien Hau Temple dedicated to the goddess of the seas, who is said to protect fishermen and sailors. Here huge coils of incense hang from the ornate ceiling, and can burn for up to three months at a time. Visit Binh Tay market and the surrounding area, which bustles with trading activity. On your return journey, stop at a tiny Cao Dai temple, where one small sect of this eclectic religion worship daily.
Day 9
Morning city tour with your private guide. 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. 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 center of city, the “wedding cake” styled Hotel d'Ville and Dong Khoi street, formerly the center of haute couture in Saigon when it was known as Rue Catinat.
Lunch at local restaurant followed by a privately guided half day tour to Cu Chi tunnels. Journey out of the city centre to the Cu Chi region, 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 in late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Day 10
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Nha Trang. Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to your hotel in your private vehicle. Then, begin a privately guided morning exploration of the countryside, which is dotted with palm trees and fruit orchards. Board a small motorized boat for a delightful look into the nearby rural areas. Visit the household bakery that supplies the surrounding villages with delicious French style baguettes and then continue along the village path to the home of a family that weaves mats from local growing rushes.
As the morning continues, you will pass through a fruit orchard that boasts a plentiful supply of tropical fruits, which you can sample at a nearby riverside café. Time permitting; you will also have the chance to visit the local market at the village hub, where the townswomen gather every day to barter. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before retuning to Nha Trang for an afternoon at leisure on the beach.
Day 11
Enjoy a morning cruise on the turquoise waters of the South China Sea with your private guide. Your craft is a simple, but safe and comfortable, reconverted fishing boat. Off shore from Nha Trang lie numerous islands, some inhabited and many dotted with idyllic fishing villages. Take a brief stop at one of these villages, Bai Tru, for a chance to wander around at will. The local people are very friendly and hospitable to visitors. Yong children will ferry you between the boat and shore by coracle, the round bamboo boats so commonly used in coastal Vietnam.
If you desire, you will also have the opportunity to swim and snorkel in some of the many secluded bays around the area. Afterwards, a feast of local specialties will be prepared and provided for lunch onboard or at a local beach. Transfer back to mainland to enjoy the remainder of the day on the beach or exploring the town.
Day 12
Depending on your departure time, spend the day at leisure until your private transfer to the airport for your connection to Saigon and flight home or continue with the Yampu Tours add-on of your choice.
Vietnam
Nha Trang
Imperial Citadel, Hue
Ho Chi Minh's residence
