FLAVORS OF VIETNAM IN 11 DAYS

11 Days 10 nights

DAY 01: HANOI – ARRIVAL

Welcome to Hanoi, you will be collected by our local guide at Hanoi Airport and transfer to hotel for check-in (Check in time at 02.00 PM earlier time will be up on arrival). Relax after a long flight at the hotel and lunch and dinner on your own.

Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 02: STREET FOOD TOUR – HALF DAY CITY TOUR 

Today’s tour will begin at 09:30. Join with a local foodie to sample the best food that Hanoi has to offer. Start with a ‘wet market’ and browse the aisles of fresh produce and exotic items such as live frogs. The market is always busy with shoppers buying ingredients for the day’s meals.

Step out of the market and back onto the streets in search of more some daily snacks of local which are displayed along road side. Stop to taste a piece of fresh spring roll or a crispy pancake before wandering through narrow streets to the corner with full flavor of bun cha, fresh rice noodles with grilled pork. Continue to savor Vietnamese desert by traditional sweet cakes made from some kinds of local herb or a little cup of fresh fruit mixed with greasy coconut milk. With a better understanding of Vietnamese gastronomy and unforgettable impression of Hanoi street food.

Set off on a half day guided tour of Hanoi’s highlights. Dive right in a visit to the Temple of Literature. Explore the incredible compound which was constructed in 1076. Hear stories of the buildings’ history, getting a glimpse into the past when it served as a university and temple.

Finish your day with a walk through the Old Quarter, learning about Vietnam’s traditional ways of life while crossing the maze of streets and lanes. Continue walking through busy Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. Snap some photos and chat with the locals on the way.

Dinner on your own.

Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 03: HANOI – HALONG BAY – SHUTTLE BUS 

Following breakfast leave Hanoi for a 3-hour drive to Halong Bay including a 20-minutes stop on the way. Arrive at the jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities.

After the welcome onboard, be served with lunch while cruising towards the bay.

In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.

Overnight on Halong Bay.

 

DAY 04: HALONG – HANOI – SHUTTLE BUS 

Enjoy a fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi and overnight in Hanoi.

Notes:

• This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice if adverse weather or tide conditions occur. 

 

DAY 05: HANOI – FLIGHT TO HUE – HALF DAY STREET FOOD

After breakfast, our guide and driver will transfer to Noi Bai airport to take a flight to Hue – Imperial city. Up on arrival, transfer to hotel for check-in (Check in time at 02.00 PM earlier time will be up on arrival).

At 16:00, our guide picks you up at your hotel to start the cyclo tour for discovering Hue cuisine. You will have chance to enjoy special popular foods of Hue people such as Stuffed Pancake with grilled meat, Hue pancake, grilled chopped meat…Let’s eat like a local one.

Next, you continue to taste delicious dishes include Hue beef rice noodles, eating the meat roll and meat pie which are pork hash wrapped in banana leaf; these are well-know specialties here. After that, cyclo driver will bring you to taste Hue traditional cakes where have famous kinds of Hue city including steamed rice discs topped with shrimp, steamed flat rice dumplings and filtered tapioca dumplings.

You continue to taste one among many of interesting sweet gruel for example: sweet green bean gruel, red green bean gruel, sweet corn gruel, sweet Indian taro gruel, sweet best flour gruel…these dishes are not only colorful and spectacular but also appetizing.

After finish enjoying the aromatic of sweet gruel, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 06: HUE  

After breakfast visit the tombs of King Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Each tomb has its own unique architecture reflecting the king’s character and individual philosophy. Tu Duc was a poet, and thus there is a sweeping poetic nature to the design that blends effortlessly with the countryside. Khai Dinh was more eccentric, and his tomb is both striking and cluttered but is a true marvel to behold. Enjoy a great lunch of local Hue food.

In the afternoon, pay an important visit to the impressive abode of the 19th and 20th Century Nguyen Dynasty emperors, the grand Imperial City and the intricate Royal Citadel.

Within the towering outer walls lies the Imperial City containing dynastic temples, stunning garden houses and scenes of Hue’s laidback lifestyle. At the center of the Imperial City rests the Royal Palace of the Forbidden Purple City. Sadly, much of the palace was destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968 but it is gradually being restored and it already makes an extremely impressive place to visit, with gorgeous temples decorated with porcelain art, striking mythological imagery and the odd French colonial architectural beauty.

Then take to the water and sail upstream to the Perfume River until reaching Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s oldest pagoda and one of the most significant places of worship in Vietnam.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 07: HUE – HOI AN

Enjoy another breakfast at your hotel and good bye to the ancient capital of Hue then say hello to ancient town by pass by along one of the most beautiful coastal stretches of Vietnam, over the glorious Hai Van Pass. Translating into English as ‘the mountain pass of ocean clouds,’ this elevation affords spectacular views of Danang to one side and untouched bays to the other. We also stop at the small fishing village of Lang Co, often referred to as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Before arriving in Hoi An, visit My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site, located in a lush valley. My Son is considered to be in the same league as some of Southeast Asia’s greatest archaeological sites with its towers built between the 4th to 13th centuries.

Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 08: TRA QUE VILLAGE – HOI AN 

In the morning, take half day excursion to Tra Que Vegetable Village, walk around a vegetable garden and join the farmers in preparing the land, fertilizing it with seaweed from the local lake, raking, sowing, watering greens, picking greens and many more gardening activities. After gardening activities, you will be relaxed with foot massage with much kind of herb remedies. Then spend the rest time to learn how to prepare ‘Tam Huu’ spring roll & banh xeo with your host. Ride back to your hotel.

In the afternoon, you will do an easy walking tour to visit Hoi An ancient town, recently named as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visit Tan Ky House, a late 18th-century merchant’s residence. The Fukhien Association, also known as the Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation, was founded as a place where minority Fujian Chinese could hold meetings, the Japanese bridge.  Later it became a temple for the worship of Thien Hau, goddess of the sea and protector of fishermen and sailors.

Overnight in Hoian.

DAY 09: HOI AN – DA NANG – FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH – HALF DAY TOUR

Flight to Ho Chi Minh after breakfast at hotel. Transfer to hotel for check in (Check in time at 02.00 PM earlier time will be up on arrival).

Meet with a local guide and set off on a half day tour in Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon. Start with a visit to the city’s most iconic building: Reunification Hall. Formerly called the Presidential Palace, images of the building were seen around the world on 30 April 1975 when tanks stormed

the gates as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese. Hear the echoes of time while walking through this historic downtown site.

Then take a stroll to Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, City Hall, the old Saigon Post Office, hear about the glory days of French Indochina and how that era continues to influence aspects of modern Vietnamese culture.

Step inside the War Remnants Museum for an insightful, yet sombre, look into Vietnam’s military history. See exhibitions displaying imagery from the French and American wars, learning more about the country’s struggle for independence and hearing tales of the resilience of the Vietnamese people.

Then step off the tourist trail for one last visit on this Ho Chi Minh City tour at a Vietnamese coffee shop, sit down and taste the coffee like locals. After this insightful visit, return to the hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 10: MEKONG DELTA  

Today’s tour will begin at 08:00. Leave the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City and drive deep into the Mekong Delta on this Cai Be day tour. Upon arriving in Cai Be, board a private boat and start exploring the Delta.

Pass by trading boats laden with fresh produce while cruising past river islands, coconut groves, and fish farms. Go ashore at small family-run workshops making local specialties such as rice popcorn and coconut candy.

After this introduction to the Mekong Delta, get a closer look at the lives of its residents. Take a short walk through a local village and flourishing fruit gardens. Arrive at the home of Mr. Kiet and his family. The house has been lived in by more than four generations and is a great example of traditional ‘Mandarin’ architecture. A delicious home-cooked Vietnamese meal will be served for lunch in the family’s house. Then take a walk through their fruit orchard to see the fresh seasonal fruits on the trees.

Say farewell to the host family and continue to Tan Phong Island. Take a local row boat through the narrow canals around the island, appreciating the tranquility and lush landscapes of this part of the Delta. As the sun begins to dip lower in the sky it is time to return to Cai Be and onwards to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Note: Cruise itinerary is subject to change according to weather condition

DAY 11: HO CHI MINH – DEPARTURE 

Free time for last minute shopping or optional visit before transferring to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure flight.

 

End of tour!

DETAILED PRICE OF THIS TRIP:

(PRICE IN USD/PERSON IN GROUP)

 

 

OPTIONAL SURCHARGE (PRICE IN USD/PAX)

 

 

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• 10 nights shared Accommodation in twin/double room with daily breakfast at the below indicated room types (see hotel category list below) (check in and check out around noontime)
• 01 night on Cruise in Halong bay
• All transfers and transportation with air-con vehicles (based on Group will be arranged suitable transfer)
• Shuttle bus round trip Hanoi – Halong (group 6 pax up, a private transfer will be arranged)
• Local English-speaking guides in each area.
• All entrance fees as program
• Meals (B/L/D) (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) as indicated in the program (Local food)
• 02 bottles of mineral water per person per day on bus on days of transfer

 

TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:

• Airfares (international and domestic)
• Meals (other than mentioned in the program)
• Drinks
• Visas to Vietnam & Cambodia
• Mineral water beyond that supplied
• Tips
• Early check in or late check out
• Insurances
• Optional excursions and activities
• Additional transfer required due to any emergency situation
• Items of a personal nature (Phone calls, laundry, beverages…)
• Peak season surcharges if any
• All not mentioned above

 

HOTEL LIST

 

 

Terms & Conditions:
1. Cancellation policy

• Any cancellation at 35 days prior to arrival date: NO charge (except in case of deposit or issuing the flight tickets to guarantee the seats)
• Any cancellation between 35 days to 20 days prior to arrival date: 25% charge
• Any cancellation between 20 days to 10 days prior to arrival date: 50% charge
• Any cancellation less than 10 days: 100% charge

2. Payment policy:

• Full payment is required soonest possible & latest by 35 days prior to arrival date (except in case we have credit agreement)
• The deposit will be required in case we need to deposit to hotels or airlines
• The bank fees (transfer fees and correspondence fees are on the sender)

3. Payment

Method of payment:

• By credit card
• By bank transfer

Please note for any kind of payment: bank fee is on the sender

Payment due: The special payment deadline will be applied and indicated in specific bookings in tour confirmation. Generally, we request payment at 2 weeks in advance for FIT & 30 days in advance for GIT. In case, we have to deposit to the suppliers to guarantee the service availability, we will request you to settle the deposit to us accordingly

4. Booking process notes:

• Upon receipt of your request or booking, we will immediately send a short notice to acknowledge the receipt
• We will deal with your requests or bookings and send out our detailed proposal or tour confirmation within 24 hours (or soonest possible) with details of specific terms & conditions

5. Cancellation/ No show

The specific cancellation fee will be indicated in tour confirmation for specific bookings. This is due to the fact that each hotel and each supplier apply their different cancellation policy.

Any cancellation due to irresistible reasons such as war, strikes, earthquarthe.. will be subject to no charge

6. Flights

Please be advised that Flight schedules by Vietnam Airlines are subject to change without prior notice. In case of any flight schedule change, the itinerary will be adjusted accordingly. We will try to guarantee the price and program as confirmed. But we have the case to inform of any incurred surcharges and clients will need to pay for the surcharges to adjust the programs accordingly. Furthermore, we are not responsible for the fact that in case of flight schedule change that clients cannot connect the international flights

7. Warranty

Connek trip travel will commit all the services as confirmed and stated in tour confirmation. However we are not responsible for any injure, loss or damage borne by clients during their journey due to circumstances beyond Connek trip travel‘s control

In case of a passenger falling sick or being hospitalized, Connek trip travel shall provide all necessary assistance to the tourists. The tourist shall bear his/her own medical expenses and any other incidental expenses

Once we send out tour confirmation, we send all full information on places and destinations; we will not hold any responsibility due to the fact that these destinations change appearances due to any irresistible reasons. In this case, we will arrange the visit to alternative with similar costs