THE LIFE OF VIETNAM

11 Days 10 nights

DAY 01: HA NOI ARRIVAL                                                                                                                

Welcome to Hanoi – a thousand years Capital and transfer to hotel. You are then free to unwind after your flight and get settled into your new surroundings.

Transfer to hotel for check in (Check in time at 02.00 PM earlier time will be up on arrival).

Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 02: HANOI CITY TOUR  

You will have the whole day to explore Vietnam’s capital city. Your guide will take you to the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th century and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (close on Monday & Friday afternoon), his modest stilt house and the museum dedicated to his memory

After lunch, take a walk in deep of Old Quarter. The tour also provides the opportunity to see Hanoi in deeply by going through dark & tiny alleys having width fit one medium Vietnamese only. Stopping at a family has been living in the Old Quarter over 50 years and having interesting chat about their daily routine, you will learn more about local tradition, culture and lifestyle as well. Before finishing the day with a performance of the famous water-puppets.

Overnight in Hanoi

Note: Shorts and tank tops are not allowed in Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & pagodas.

DAY 03: HANOI – HALONG   – 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 cruise

DAY 04: HALONG – HANOI – SHUTTE BUS – FLIGHT TO DA NANG, HOI AN 

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of Halong Bay’s landscape. Continue cruising to explore more of the bay and enjoy the brunch breakfast before returning to the Jetty at noon time.

Transfer to Hanoi then our driver will take you to Noi Bai airport for 1 hours flight to Danang city.

After landing at Danang airport, take a 40 minutes’ drive to the charming town of Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An

DAY 05: 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 06: HOI AN – MY SON – DA NANG – HUE   

Enjoy another breakfast at your hotel and then 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.

Afternoon, travel to the ancient capital of Hue 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 Hue in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Hue city

DAY 07: 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 08: HUE – FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH – HALF DAY CITY 

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). 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 09: CU CHI – TAY NINH  

Today’s tour will begin at 07:30. It’s an early start today on this day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, departing by 07:30 to make the most of this adventure in the countryside. Relax on the drive to Tay Ninh, watching the landscapes change from concrete buildings to rice paddies and villages dotted with wooden houses.

At Tay Ninh visit the Cao Dai Great Temple, with architecture that could have come straight from a Walt Disney fantasy. Admire the whimsical statues and colorful paintings covering this remote temple building. Learn about the origins and beliefs of this unusual religion, which blends the world’s major faiths into a unique mosaic.

Following a lunch break, drive further through the countryside to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Spend the afternoon exploring this incredible network of 200 km underground tunnels. Learn how the Vietnamese resistance fighters constructed the tunnels during the French and American wars. Crawl underground and get a better sense for what life was like living and fighting in the labyrinth of caves and tunnels. Hear remarkable stories of the residents’ resilience and see relics of the wartime weapons.

This insightful day in the countryside concludes in the late afternoon with a drive back to the city

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

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. 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:

• 09 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 and group from 6 pax, 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

8. 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