Vietnam Golden Lantern Tour - 09 Days
Itinerary Details:
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Upon your arrival in Hanoi, you will be met by our professional staff and transferred to your deluxe 5-star hotel. In the evening, there will be an orientation meeting, and we will then dine at one of the fine restaurants in town.
Overnight in Hanoi hotel. Dinner included.
Day 2: Hanoi - Halong Bay Cruise
After breakfast, we depart for Halong Bay which is designated a World Heritage site. We take a 5-hour cruise of the majestic and secluded bay. We cruise to such places as Dog Islet, Cock Fighting Islet, and Turtle Islet, and we stop to explore the Dau Go and Thien Cung caves. A delicious, fresh seafood lunch will be served on board. In the late afternoon we disembark, and return to our hotel in Hanoi, and dinner will be at a first-class restaurant.
Overnight in Hanoi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 3: Hanoi City Tour
In the morning we visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes the Mausoleum, the Presidential palace, Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, and the One Pillar Pagoda. (see note below) Then we will visit the Hoa Lo Prison, built by the French at the turn of the century (1901). This is where American pilots were held when their planes were shot down during the war, and was dubbed the “Hanoi Hilton” by the prisoners. This will be followed by a visit to the Temple of Literature, and then we take an hour long cyclo (a kind of pedicab) tour of the old quarter. In the evening we enjoy the unique Water Puppet show, followed by dinner at an excellent restaurant.
Overnight in Hanoi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Note: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is open from Tuesday to Thursday and on weekends from 8am to 11pm. It is closed on Monday and Friday. The mausoleum is also closed for two months of the year, usually October and November, for maintenance.
Day 4: Hanoi – Hue (Domestic Flight)
In the morning after breakfast we have free time before we transfer to the airport for the short flight to the ancient imperial capital of Hue. At Hue you will be met by our staff and transferred to your hotel. After getting settled into the hotel, we explore the sights of the city. In the afternoon we will explore the Citadel, the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Dong Ba Market. Overnight in Hue hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 5: Hue - Hoi An
This morning we drive to the Perfume River stopping at Thien Mu Pagoda (Heavenly Lady Pagoda), beloved for its beautiful architecture, and then continue on to the tomb of Tu Duc. In the afternoon we continue our drive to Hoi An along scenic Highway 1A, and we stop at Hai Van Pass, China Beach and Marble Village.
Overnight in Hoi An hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 6: Hoi An
This is a charming, old port town on the De Vong River. Through the centuries it was a major trading port in Asia and has Vietnamese, French, British, Portuguese and Dutch, Chinese, and Japanese architectural influences. It is very picturesque, and is popular with tourists for its quaint architecture, cafes, souvenir shops and tailor shops. Many of the old buildings along the narrow streets have changed very little over the last hundred years or so, and it is now listed as a World Heritage site. In the morning we will take a walk through the winding streets of the Old Town, and along the way we visit the Fu Kien Assembly Hall, the 200 year old Tan Ky House, the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Hoi An Museum, and also browse the many handicraft workshops. In the afternoon you have free time to continue to explore the city, and/or go to the famous Cua Dai Beach.
Overnight in Hoi An hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 7: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City (Domestic Flight)
Today we transfer in the morning for an early flight to Ho Chi Minh City. When we arrive, we check into our deluxe accommodation and get ready to take a full-day tour around the city. We visit the highlights of the city, including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the General Post Office, the Formal Presidential Palace, the Museum of War Remnants, and the Ben Thanh market.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels.jpg)
After breakfast at the hotel, we head to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels were dug and used by the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army during the war. It is likely that our guide here will have been a soldier here and their insight will help us understand this vital part of Vietnamese history. Some parts of the tunnel have been enlarged to accommodate larger sized people! There is also the chance for you to fire a few rounds from an AK47, the rifle used by the Vietnamese during the war.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Days 9: Ho Chi Minh City Departure
In the morning after breakfast, it will be time to say farewell, and prepare for your departure transfer. Depending on your departure time, you may also have free time for last minute shopping, or other leisure activity.
Breakfast included.
End of Trip. This is a suggested premium itinerary. At Travel Loops we specialize in custom tours designed to fit your needs and requirements. Please let us know the type of individual, customized tour you would like, and we can arrange it for you.
Cambodia
d Hanoi, and then be treated to Vietnam's unique entertainment, the Water Puppet show. 
