This tour includes the key highlights of Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi - with daytrips to the most interesting attractions of each city. You begin in bustling Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), the country's commercial center and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops.
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival
On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafe. (If time permits) we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life. Overnight in Saigon
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)
In the morning half day private excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. At its height the tunnel system stretched over 250km. from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War must have been like.
In the afternoon take private city tour of Ho Chi Minh City, the country's commercial center and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops. Visit Chinatown, the Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace, the Opera House and Hotel de Ville. If desired, also visit the moving War Remnants Museum. Explore colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street, the city's most upscale shopping boulevard with fashionable boutiques and accessories designed by new Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and housewares. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi (B/L)
Transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi - the city with old aged-history and rich culture together the strong architecture influence of China and French that allures tourists by its charming beauty. This afternoon we enjoy a half day city tour to visit the very impressive Museum of Ethnology, one of the finest museums in Vietnam with many exhibits and pictures and houses' models of 54 ethnic people could make you have truly experience of ethnic minorities inhabiting in Vietnam. Back to the downtown and from here we enjoy one hour cyclo tour of Hanoi's vibrant Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, the focal point of the city. This is great fun! Last, in the late afternoon, you will be soaked up with the legends and stories in Water Puppet show that one should not miss while visiting Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 4: Hanoi (B/L)
Today is full day city tour and shopping in Hanoi: Vietnam's artistic and intellectual capital. Explore the fascinating Old Quarter and its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquerware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more. Enjoy people watching at stylish cafes. Shop for impressive modern art in the city's many galleries. Also visit Hanoi's main cultural attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his House on Stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 5: Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi (B/L)
In the morning we drive to Halong Bay City, approximately 3, 5 hours away. Once at Halong Bay city you are welcome on board for a four-hour cruise of this stunning area, stopping along the way to visit some beautiful limestone caves in the area. As we cruise our boat staff will serve you a sumptuous local seafood lunch on boat. After 4 hour navigation we sail back to harbor and drive back to your hotel in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 6: Departure (B)
There are no activities planned for today. You may enjoy your free time until transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
