12 Days Vietnam North/South Compact 
                       <Tour code: EVH 07>


Hanoi - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba Island - Hue - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City

This trip is for the traveler with limited time. It takes you around Vietnam's most popular sights in just 12 days. But we use our time well. Everything that everybody talks about is in it and we save time by flying or traveling on the overnight train. Highlights include the wonders of Ha Long Bay, now listed as a World Heritage site, the capital city of Hanoi with its fascinating Old Quarter, Hue, the Imperial City in the 18th and 19th centuries, the picturesque port town of Hoi An, a favorite with many travelers, and finishing at the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City.

ITINERARY


Day 1 : Arrival Hanoi
Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport our guide who will accompany you to your hotel and assist with your check-in procedures will welcome you. There are no activities planned for today but your guide will be able to offer assistance and advice before taking you out to sample some of Hanoi's superb cuisine. (Dinner included)


Day 2 : Hanoi - Ha Long City (Breakfast included)
This morning we start our itinerary with a morning city tour of Hanoi, taking in the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and the Fine Arts Museum. After the city tour we will depart Hanoi bound for Ha Long City, which lies around a four-hour drive north east of the nations capital. On the way we will stop for refreshments and a chance to buy hand made souvenirs at a handicraft center run for disabled peoples. Upon arrival in Ha Long City we check in to our hotel and this evening have the chance to sample some delicious Vietnamese delicacies at one of the many local restaurants in this seaside city. 


Day 3 : Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Island National Park
(Breakfast & Lunch included)
Following breakfast we board our private boat for a cruise of the crystalline emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board a sumptuous fresh local seafood lunch will be served with opportunities for a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area in the afternoon. Our final destination for today is Cat Ba Island. After the check in procedures are completed at our hotel accommodation for this evening, there may be time to either relax on the beach, explore the township of Cat Ba or visit the National Park. Following the evening meal you will be able to try out your voice at one of the many Karaoke bars on the island. 


Day 4 : Cat Ba Island - Hanoi (Breakfast included)
This morning finds us up early to catch the local ferry to Vietnams largest sea port and third largest city, Hai Phong around three hours away. We will have a simple breakfast on board the ferry before arriving in Hai Phong. Once here there will be time to stroll around the city, take in some of the fine examples of French colonial architecture and find a local coffee shop before commencing the two-hour drive back to Hanoi. This afternoon there are no activities planned so you have free time to explore before a visit to the famed water Puppet Theater in the evening. 


Day 5 : Hanoi- Hue ( Night train) (Breakfast included)
Today there is plenty of time for exploring. Following the morning cyclo tour of the city's sights with our guide, discovering what Hanoi has to offer. Whether it be the old quarter with its narrow streets with all manner of traders and wares on offer, or opting for more culture with visits to some of the many museums, or a stroll around the old French quarter where many of the Embassies are located, maybe a shop till you drop expedition or just relaxing around one of the many parks and lakes that helps to make Hanoi one of the greenest cities in Asia. The capital city has it all! This evening we board the Reunification Express at 21:00 for an overnight train journey. Our destination is the ancient capital of Hue, approximately 13 hours away. 


Day 6 : Hue (Breakfast included)
Arrival in Hue this morning is scheduled for around 0930 for a transfer directly to our hotel. Before we begin our tour of Hue, there will be time to discuss our itinerary over brunch. This afternoon we will be able to work off brunch as we board bicycles for a tour around this fabulous city. A visit to Hue would not be complete without taking in attractions such as the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and the Dong Ba market. To round off the days activities, a visit to one of Hue's many fine restaurants to sample some of the local specialties. For the night owls a call in to one of the bars could be in order before retiring. 


Day 7 : Hue (Breakfast & Lunch included)
Cruising the Perfume River is the order of the day. This time we head out for the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The ornate Minh Mangs tomb will be the first stop. From here we will cruise back to the eccentric Tu Ducs tomb, and discover the life of opulence that was led by this Emperor. With the mid day approaching, it will be time to cover the short distance back to the Perfume River and board our Dragon Boat. We will enjoy lunch while cruising back down towards Hue, stopping on the way to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda which is considered the unofficial symbol of Hue. 


Day 8 : Hue - Hoi An (Breakfast included)
As we bid Hue farewell this morning we continue our south bound journey. This time in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus. The destination for today is the old trading town of Hoi An. Along the way though we will first stop at Lang Co beach, for coffee and refreshments, then onto the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Continuing on our way down the other side and into Da nang, where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach, and Marble Mountains. Arriving in Hoi An we check into our hotel before spending the rest of the afternoon exploring and shopping. 


Day 9 : Hoi An (Breakfast & Dinner included)
Today there is plenty of time to discover what Hoi An has to offer. Whether it be visiting the Chinese Assembly halls to any one of the pagodas, spending time in the silk shops having a new wardrobe tailored. You may prefer cycling to the beach about 6 kilometers away, or maybe exploring the waterways with the local women, and visiting the boat yards and ceramic villages. One thing is certain, you will not get bored in this town. Tonight we will dine at one of the many excellent restaurants located here.


Day 10 : Hoi An -Danang - Ho Chi Minh City ( Flight ) (Breakfast included)
This morning we make the 40 minute drive from Hoi An to Danang Airport. From Danang we take the one-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where we will be transferred directly to our centrally located hotel. We have an early lunch before we embark on a tour of the city. The tour will include a visit to Cholon, Saigon's Chinatown and home to Vietnams biggest market, the Reunification Palace and the War Crimes museum. This evening we will head out for a night on the town. 


Day 11 : Cu Chi Tunnels & Cao Dai Temple (Breakfast & Farewell dinner included)
This morning will start with a 1 hour and 45 minute drive to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. This amazing network of tunnels which stretched for over 250 kilometers, and was three levels deep, gives the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life in the American war was like. From here we have another hour drive to Tay Ninh, the headquarters for the Cao Dai Sect, whose patron saints include Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo and Winston Churchill. The religion is an odd mix of a number of today's leading religions. This evening we dine Saigon style for the "Last Supper". 


Day 12 : Depart Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast included)
Today is departure day and time to bid your guide farewell. There will a transfer waiting to take you from the hotel to the airport for your flight out of Vietnam. 


Prices in USD per person

Package Class

Price per person in half-twin by private car/coach with guide in the party of

Single
Supplement

1

2

3-6

7-9

10-14

15+1 free

Standard

1,120

740

625

470

410

400

120

First Class

1,180

780

670

525

445

440

160

Superior

1,240

860

750

560

530

530

245

Deluxe

1,460

1,050

950

760

745

730

390


Prices are Includes :

  • 11 nights accommodation in twin sharing room.

  • Daily breakfast.

  • Meal as specified in itinerary.

  • Domestic flight from Danang to Nha Trang (one way) by Vietnam Airlines (VN).

  • Tranfer and tour by private air conditioning car with English Speaking guide as stated in itinerary.

  • Train ticket : Hanoi -Hue ( soft sleeper )

  • Private boat trip in Halong bay and catba island

  • Express boat : CatBa -Haiphong

  • Service charges, room tax and baggage handling

  • Entrance fees and permits during guided excursions

Prices are Excludes :

  • International air ticket.

  • International airfare and Airport Taxes in Hanoi: USD12/pax.

  • Other tour & meals than mentioned in program.

  • expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry and gratuity etc...

  • Visa for Vietnam


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Hotel Grade

Standard Class
ChainFist Eden (Hanoi)
TruongGiang (Halong)
HoaHong (Hue)
ThuyDuong (Hoi An)
Liberty 4 or 6 (Saigon)
Prince hotel (Catba)

Superior Class
ThienThai Hotel (Hanoi)
Halong 1 (Halong)
Saigon Morin (Hue)
Hoi An Beach Resort (Hoi An)
Rex - Saigon (Saigon)
Prince hotel (Catba)

Deluxe Class
Hilton Hanoi Opera (Hanoi)
Heritage Halong (Halong)
Saigon Morin (Hue)
Victoria Hoian (Hoi An)
Caravelle (Saigon)
Prince hotel (Catba)
 
Fine Arts Museum
 
Cat Ba
 
Hue
 
Hoi An Street
 
Cua Dai Beach - HoiAn

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