Highlight Of Vietnam Tour (13 days/12 nights)

Upon arriving at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, you will be welcomed by one of our MinMax Travel team members and brought to your hotel in a private car. As arrival times vary and international travel can be quite exhausting, we leave the remainder of the day open. Your first night is spent in Hanoi city.

We begin our tour of Hanoi by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Here you can experience the architectural splendor and historical importance of Uncle Ho's final resting place- a national treasure for all Vietnamese. Adjacent to the mausoleum is Ho Chi Minh's former “House on Stilts,” where the leader spent a great deal of his free time. From here we visit the nearby One Pillar Pagoda, an 11th century temple built by King Ly Thai To. This pagoda is not only historically and religiously significant, but is also an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continuing on, we visit one of the city’s most iconic destinations: the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam). Vietnam’s first University, this 11th century establishment boasts perfectly manicured gardens and extremely well-preserved architecture, offering visitors some excellent insight into Vietnam’s rich past.

After a busy morning, we will enjoy lunch at a delicious local restaurant, followed by a tour of the bustling “Old Trading Quarter” of Hanoi. Our scenic tour ends with a visit to Lake Hoan Kiem’s Ngoc Son Temple and a live viewing of Hanoi's world-famous Water Puppet Show (Mua Roi Nuoc). A traditional form of entertainment in Northern Vietnam, the roots of these memorable shows date as far back as the 10th century. Day 2 ends with a transfer back to the hotel and another night in the capital city.

Day 3 will begin with an 8:30 AM hotel pickup and departure for Hoa Lu and Tam Coc. These famous sites are located within the Ninh Binh Province, about 95 km south of Hanoi. Tam Coc is a picturesque destination, known locally as “Halong Bay on the rice fields.” Upon arriving, we will ride a traditional “sampan” through a karst landscape to reach the Tam Coc grottos. The sampan rower will navigate the boat through shallow rice paddies, bringing us to three splendid, long grottos, followed by a visit to Thai Vy: a unique, 13th-century temple.

Our next stop on the journey will be Hoa Lu, the capital of the Dinh and early Le dynasties in Vietnam (from the 10th-11th century). The sanctuaries found here were built in the 17th century and are filled with stone pedestals of royal thrones, bronze bells and statues of the late emperors. We will return back to the hotel that evening and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4 starts around 8:00-8:30 AM with a hotel pickup and shuttle bus out to Halong Bay. Upon arriving at the port, the Ha Long Cruise boat crew will bring you aboard, where you can enjoy a welcome drink and check in to your assigned cabin. A seafood lunch will be served soon after, and as your boat launches out into the mystical bay, you’ll immediately see many of the numerous attractions. A quiet cruise carries you along the amazing karsts, all boasting different, unique formations. From the Mat Qui (Monster’s face), But Moc & Cap De islets, through the Trong (Drum), Luon and Trinh Nu caves, out into the remarkable Floating Fishing Village- you will be mesmerized and captivated by Halong’s timeless beauty. As for personal time, there will be plenty of opportunities for swimming, sun bathing and photography all throughout the day. Top off the day with an unforgettable sunset dinner and relax under the starlit sky before retiring to the comfort of your cabin.

Early risers can enjoy a morning view of the Bay’s iconic landscapes while waiting for breakfast. After eating, pass the morning hours atop the boat’s upper deck, where you can capture breathtaking, panoramic shots of the rocky islets rising up from the bay’s crystal-clear waters. With no towns, roads or traffic nearby, the silence is absolutely serene. Before heading back to town, explore one more “Amazing” (Sung Sot) cave, swim and relax at the Titop Beach and soak up some top-deck rays. Lunch is served while you make your way to port, and you’ll arrive at the harbor by 12: 00 Noon. Your shuttle bus to Hanoi will be waiting, and you’ll arrive back at the hotel around 4.30PM. That evening you will take a short, late-night flight to the city of Hue City. Upon arrival in Hue, a MinMax Travel Agent will pick you up, transfer you and check you into your hotel in Hue. (Overnight in Hue.)

You will start your tour of this former Imperial Capital (ruled by the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802-1945), by taking a boat trip down the beautiful Perfume River. Here you will encounter the city’s best-known religious site, the Thien Mu Pagoda. After soaking in the scenery and attractions, you will get to try a local lunch at one of our favorite restaurant in Hue. The afternoon will be spent exploring the elaborate mausoleums and monuments of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Before heading back to your hotel, you will have the chance to stroll around Dong Ba Market alongside your guide to shop for some great local souvenirs. (Overnight in Hue.)

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will leave Hue for the ancient town of Hoi An. Along the coastal road to Hoi An, you will experience one of the country’s most beautiful strips of highway, filled with spectacular views of Da Nang, the East Sea and Lang Co’s virgin beaches – some of the best in Vietnam. Upon arrival in Hoi An, you will have a chance to explore some of the area’s most famous sites, including the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, Pottery & Trade Museum, 200-year old Tam Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda and the vibrant Hoi An market. One of the “old town’s” most memorable experiences is simply strolling through the picturesque, mango-colored streets. Here you will pass rows of low-tiled shop fronts, traditional communal houses and assembly halls, which reflect the town’s multi-cultural heritage. You will be brought back to your hotel for check in and some relaxation. (Overnight in Hoi An.)

As Hoi An is often many traveler’s favorite destination in Vietnam, we leave an entire day for you to explore this vibrant, cultural town on your own. Visit Hoi An’s pristine beaches, take a bike ride through the countryside and rice paddies, take an informative cooking class or consider getting some tailor made clothes in Vietnam’s tailoring capital! With so many attractions in this favorite Vietnam destination, you won’t have to look too far to keep busy! (Overnight in Hoi An)

You are free to explore the ancient town of Hoi An one final time, until our driver transfers you to the airport for the quick flight south to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, a MinMax Travel staff member will pick you up, transfer and check you into your hotel. The rest of the day can be spent at your leisure. (Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.)

After having breakfast, we will begin the tour by visiting the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels. Here you will have the chance to experience what life was like for guerilla soldiers living and fighting underground during the war. Crawling through a 50-100 meter portion of over 200 kilometers of tunnel systems is truly an unforgettable experience. On the ride back to Ho Chi Minh City, we will visit local rice paper workshops with beautiful rice paddy fields illustrating the way.

After returning for lunch, we will begin our Ho Chi Minh City Tour. Starting off at the Reunification Palace, visitors can explore one of the most historically important buildings in the entire city. We will then pay a visit to the poignant War Remnants Museum (formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes), a moving display speaking out on the futility of war. Nearby are some excellent examples of French Colonial architecture (Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office), and we’ll wrap up the day touring the iconic Ben Thanh Market. After observing this vibrant commercial center and exploring some of its famous street life, we will return back to the hotel (overnight in Saigon).

Day 11 begins our exploration of the Mekong Delta region: a major rice producing area of Vietnam. Considered to be one of the world’s most fascinating rivers, the Mekong splits into nine major arteries, creating a vast network of rivers and waterways that fuel the life force of southwestern Vietnam. Between the thousands of ships that cruise through the waters and the everyday, local life thriving along the Mekong’s banks, the Delta region will be one of the most unique and memorable destinations on your Vietnam Tour.

Upon arrival from Ho Chi Minh City, you will make a boat trip out to the iconic Cai Be Floating Markets, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit local villages and meet the charming people of the Mekong Delta region. Your boat trip will continue on to An Binh Island, where you will have lunch with a local family. We will move on with the trip towards the city of Can Tho (the heart of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region), where you will check in to your hotel and have the evening to yourself. (Overnight in Can Tho.)

After having breakfast at the hotel we will start the morning by cruising along the Mekong’s small, picturesque tributaries by rowboat. We will see the Cai Rang Market (the biggest market in Can Tho), soak up the beautiful scenery and witness the daily activities of the locals who live amongst the Mekong’s canals. After that, we will visit a local rice-husking mill, a rice noodle shop and even sample some local tropical fruits. In the afternoon we will drive back to Ho Chi Minh where you will spend the night.

After breakfast, you will have the chance to explore Ho Chi Minh City one last time (leaving at least 2 hours before your flight’s departure). Our driver will bring you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and your tour is complete!!

We would like to express our sincere thanks for considering and (hopefully) choosing to travel with MinMax Travel. We are confident that you will thoroughly enjoy every moment of your trip and every corner of our beautiful country.

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