Heritage Tour 11 days

Highlights: Halong with its remarkable geology, geomorphology, biodiversity is the complex ‘karst’ with limestone ‘towers’. The natural heritage Phong Nha is the longest cave in the world. The World Heritage city of Hue is an exemplifies the powerful impact of Confucianism. Hoi An is well-known as the built houses and places of worship – hence the mix of architecture. The My Son Sanctuary, another World Heritage Area, is a group of ornate brick towers built by the ancient Cham people.

Details Itinerary 

Code: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide

Day 1: Arrival at Hanoi (D, G)

Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you'll be met and driven to your hotel.

17.15: You'll be picked up to watch the Water Puppet show an art form unique to northern Vietnam, and a good, light-hearted introduction to its rural culture.

18.30: Your Welcome Dinner will be served at one of the best local restaurant.

You'll spend the night in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B, L, G)

9.30 - 10.30: You’ll visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum where Ho Chi Chi lies in state (closed on every Monday & Friday and October & November). You’ll see the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked. You’ll continue to visit the One Pillar Pagoda and hear the legend of its construction, born from the love of an emperor in the 11th Century.

10.30 - 11.00: You’ll drive to visit the serene Tran Quoc pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi, on the banks of Hanoi’s West Lake.

11.00 - 12.00: You’ll also call the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and the dedicated to Confucius, it is a serene retreat from the busy streets outside and later become Vietnam’s first university.

12.00 - 13.30: Lunch at local restaurant

13.30 - 15.30: Visit the Ethnology Museum for an overview of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic

15.30 - 16.15: Pass by Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake , also known as Lake of Restored Sword from the legend that surrounds it en-route to one of the city’s fascinating museums.   

16.15 - 17.15: You’ll then take to the streets by cycle ride tour of the Ancient Qurter of 36 streets District. This densely populated corner of the city was once a centre of commerce where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, you’ll see streets name such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter’s paradise.

You’ll spend the night in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi/Ha Long (B, L, D, G)

10.00: You'll take a short break at Hong Ngoc Embroidery workshop.

10.30 - 12.00: You'll continue driving to Ha Long Bay.

12.00: You’ll board your boat, a wooden junk built from the model of the old Vietnamese court vessels with sails, a wide transom and rectangular superstructure, that will take you first to the busy World Heritage area and then to some of the less well-known grottoes and caves. Weather permitting, you’ll be able to swim, fish, climb a hill for an overview of the Bay’s remarkable seascape. All your meals will be provided on board, usually based on fresh seafood.

You'll spend the night on the boat.

Day 4: Ha Long/Hanoi (B, L, G)

7.30: You'll have western breakfast on boat.

8.00 - 8.30: You'll venture into some of the sea level caves in a small sampan.

8.30 - 11.45: You'll spend the morning cruising Ha Long Bay, followed by lunch just before docking to the harbour.

11.45 - 15.00: You'll drive back to Hanoi for your refreshment at your hotel

22.30 - 22.45: You'll drive to the station for your overnight train to Dong Hoi.

You'll spend the night on the train.

Day 5: Dong Hoi/Phong Nha/Dong Hoi (B, L, G)

5.00 - 6.00: Arriving in Dong Hoi station in the morning, you'll be picked up to your hotel for refreshment and have breakfast in the hotel's restaurant.

8.30 - 12.30: You'll travel to visit Phong Nha cave, one of the world heritage site in Vietnam. You'll take a boat trip along the river to see the water cave and dry cave. You'll return to Dong Hoi for your  free time to relax on the beach in the afternoon.

You'll spend the night in Dong Hoi.

Day 6: Dong Hoi/Hue (B, L, G)

Your time will be your own until you'll escorted to drive to Hue. On arrival, you'll check in your hotel in the city centre and have a Hue city tour in the afternoon.

14.30 - 16.30: You'll be picked up to visit Imperial Citadel, once the seat of the Emperors of the powerful Nguyen Dynasty that ruled Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. You’ll begin with a stroll around the area between the Citadel’s massive walls and the defensive moat, now filled with lotus flowers. You’ll then enter via the Noon Gate to wander around the Thai Hoa Palace, the Pavilion housing the Nine Urns of the Nguyen rulers, and the remains of the Royal Palaces.

16.30 - 17.30: You'll visit the bustling Dong Ba market, which is one of the most famous markets in the Centre areas. You'll spend the night in Hue.

Day 7: Hue (B, L, D, G)

7.30 - 8.30: Breakfast at your hotel

8.30 - 10.00: You'll be taken by car to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, a tranquil pagoda in the banks of the Perfume River.

10.00 - 12.00: Take a cruise along the Perfume River to the Royal Tombs of Minh Mang, the most majestic emperor and a staunch follower of Confucianism with many wives, concubines and a small army of children.

12.00 - 13.30: Drive back to Hue for lunch at a typical Vietnamese restaurant.

13.30 - 16.45: In the afternoon, you'll drive to visit Royal Tu Duc tomb, the "poet Emperor", is set in an elegant garden with a magnificent lake and pavilion complex and the Royal Khai Dinh tomb is an unprepossessing concrete construction on the side of a wide valley.

In the evening, you'll sit down for dinner in the pleasant surroundings and a comfortable atmosphere of another of the garden houses. The garden houses are a unique feature of Hue. The houses are traditional, privately owned, and set in attractive formal gardens. 

You'll spend the night in Hue.

Day 8: Hue/Danang/Hoi An (B, L, G)

7.30 - 8.30: Breakfast at your hotel, you'll then be picked up to travel to Hoi An.

8.30 - 12.00: You’ll drive to Lang Co Beach and the lagoon far below. You'll then cross the high mountain pass of Hai Van with excellent view to see Danang spread out.

12.00 - 14.00: You’ll have lunch at local restaurant and have a brief to visit Cham museum, a remarkable Hindu statuary.

14.00 - 15.45: Driver and guide will take you to visit Marble Mountain, Stone Carving village where you can admire the stone products of local people and Non Nuoc Beach.

15.45 - 17.30: You'll continue driving to Hoi An and have a visit  Hoi An Town, and enjoy its considerable significance in the history of Vietnamtown.

You’ll spend the night in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoi An/My Son/Hoi An (B, G)

8.00 - 8.30: Breakfast at your hotel

8.30 - 11.15: Drive to visit the World Heritage My Son Sanctuary, the guide will show you the remains of the remarkable brick towers, and explain their origins and purpose.

11.15 - 12.00: You'll return to Hoi An. Rest of day will be free perhaps to stroll around the Old Quarter of relax on the beach. You’ll spend the night in Hoi An.

Day 10: Hoi An free (B)

You�ll be free to stroll around the Old Quarter for silk shopping or relax on the beach as you wish!

Day 11: Hoi An/Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City (B, G)

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll be free and then be driven to Danang airport for your flight to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. You'll transit for your international departure flight.

Prices per person in US$:

Valid until December 31, 2012

Surcharge for peak season of hotels are not inclusive in the prices above.

Prices include:

• Breakfast and accommodation in twin or double room.

• All pick up and transfer.

• Private boats cruise as programme.

• Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver.

• One-way train ticket: Hanoi-Dong Hoi

• Domestic flight ticket: Danang-Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City with airport tax

• Experienced English-speaking tour guide as indicated in the itinerary.

• Entry fees for all sightseeing as mentioned in the programme.

• Lunches and dinners, as specified, in the local restaurants

• Government Taxes.

Price do not include:

• International flight tickets and airport tax.

• Visas.

• Dinners except as specified.

• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.

• Insurance.

Hotel list for Five Star standard

• Hanoi: Hotel De L' Opera (***** Ideally located in the city centre, Deluxe room)

• Dong Hoi: Sunspa Resort (**** nestled on a private beach facing the Nhat Le sea, luxurious tropical gardens all around the resort, Deluxe Ocean/Pool-view Room) or similar

• Hue: Imperial Hotel (***** in the heart of city centre, Deluxe Room) or similar

• Hoi An: Palm Garden Beach Resort (***** beautiful villa and bungalow style resort on a 5ha site on the northern section of Cua Dai Beach, Superior Garden-view Room)

Hotel list for Four Star standard

• Hanoi: Silk Path Hotel (**** modern boutique hotel in the old quarter, Deluxe Room) or similar

• Dong Hoi: Saigon Quang Binh (**** international four star hotel with swimming pool, Deluxe Room) or similar

• Hue: Huong Giang Hotel (**** on the bank of the Perfume River, Deluxe Room) or similar

• Hoi An: Hoi An Trails Resort and Spa (**** beside Cua Dai beach, Deluxe Room) or similar

Hotel list for Three Star standard

• Hanoi: Thang Long Opera hotel (*** city centre, walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake, Innova Superior) or similar

• Dong Hoi: Saigon Quang Binh (**** international four star hotel with swimming pool, Superior Room) or similar

• Hue: Mondial Hotel (*** city centre with outdoor swimming pool, Superior Room) or similar

• Hoi An: Lotus Hotel (*** with swimming pool, 2km from town centre, Deluxe Room) or similar

Hotel list for Two Star standard

• Hanoi: Nam Hai hotel (*** in the Old Quarter, Standard Room) or similar

• Dong Hoi: Saigon Phong Nha Hotel (** in the town centre, Standard Room) or similar

• Hue: Canary Hotel (** city centre, Superior Room) or similar 

• Hoi An: Lotus Hotel (*** with swimming pool, 2km from town centre, Superior Room) or similar

Creating Unique Touring Experiences with Gia Linh Travel
  All the touring itineraries on this website have been carefully crafted by our in-country management teams and represent a series of experiences we can certainly recommend. However, we understand that every travel experience should be as unique and individual as each traveler. Our consultants are waiting to hear from you so that we can tailor or custom design a tour to your individual specifications.