FREE & EASY VIETNAM TOUR 12 DAYS

AM: 08:00 - 08:30: Pick up at your hotel (join tours will free pick up all points in Hoan Kiem, Hanoi). Then visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum to explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts and lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 - the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. We then continue on to the Quan Thanh Temple (Taoist - dating from the Ly Dynasty) and the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda on the West lake (One of the oldest pagoda in Vietnam). Then visit Bat Trang pottery village (apply on Mon, Wed & Fri).
Lunch at local restaurant.
PM: After lunch we’ll proceed to visit the Ethnology Museum (apply on Sun, Tue, Thu & Sat), the Literature Temple and Quoc Tu Giam. We’ll also see Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 1070 - It’s Gardens and well-preserved architecture will offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. We will take you past Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful waters, and the beauty of Ngoc Son temple. For the last part of the tour we’ll journey through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where you’ll then have a chance for some shopping and exploration. Tour ends around 15.30 – 16.00.
Notes:
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum close on Monday and Friday morning.
Bat Trang pottery village will be visited on Mon, Wed & Fri (without Ethnology Museum). Ethnology Museum will be visited on Sun, Tue, Thu & Sat (without Bat Trang pottery village).

08.00 – 08.30: Pick-up at hotel and start the scenic, 3 and ½ hour drive to HalongBay.
12.30 – 13.00:  Check in Ha Long Bay cruise
13.30 – 14.30:  Savor a delectable lunch
14.30 – 15.30:  Explore the amazing Sung Sot Cave - the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay.
15.30 – 16.30:  Kayak among the hidden areas of the bay, around the Drum Cave area.
16.30 – 17.30:  Return to the main boat and continue cruising to the quiet area while enjoy beautiful seascapeon the way.
17.30 – 19.00:  Enjoy Sunset Party on sundeck and admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set.
19.00: Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests, take part in board games, fish for squid, or just laze around.
Overnight on board.         

06.30 – 07.30:  Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt.
07.30 – 08.30: Have breakfast on board and enjoy the peaceful morning of Halong Bay.
08.30 – 09.30:  Cruising to Titov Island. Go swimming and relaxing at the beach of Titov or climb up to the top of the island for a panorama view of Halong Bay.
09.30:   Return to the boat. Freshen up and check out of your cabin.
09.30 – 10.30: Continue your cruise exploring the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more.
10.30 – 11.30: While heading back to the harbor, watch the fruit carving demonstrationand participate in the Cooking Classbefore enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
10.30 – 11.30:  Disembark the cruise.
12.30 – 13.00:  Transfer back to Hanoi.
Trip finishes at around 17.00.Night in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from your hotel in Hanoi to the airport. Pick up then transfer to your hotel in Hue. Bus trip to visit Hue City and King's tombs Tu Duc and Khai Dinh.
The tour ends by shopping at Dong ba Market.
Overnight at hotel in Hue.

08.00 Boat trip to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. Visit Imperial Citadel. Transfer to Da Nang. Spend time in Lang Co beach enroute, taking photograph from HaiVan Pass (The pass of Sea and Cloud). Cham Museum in Danang. Afternoon visit Marble Mountain and enjoying sea/sun bathing in Danang beach. Arrive Hoian. Overnight in Hoian.

Visit Hoian - an old trading town, some 30km from Danang. Visit Hoian: Japanese Covered Bridge, TanKy Old house, Assembly Hall Chinese. PhucKien Pagoda, Hoian Museum and Market. Lunch at restaurant. Overnight in Hoian

Full day free to explore Hoian by yourself. Night in Hoi An 

Free until transfer to Da Nang airport for flight to Sai Gon. Pick up at Sai Gon airport and transfer to hotel. Night in Sai Gon 

We start the trip by visitingNotre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office, followed by exploring the Reunification Palace, and the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum, (optional Ben Thanh Market -only drop off).
Located 60km from Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese & foreign tourists - the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens.
Today, ducks and water buffalos happily co-exist in the rivers along the side of the road. However, the peaceful rural rice paddy scenery belies the area’s violent history. Visitors will find it hard to imagine the destruction, damage & defoliation over this whole area, caused by bombing and mines. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a "Free Target Zone".
Start our tour in the morning, before entering the tunnels visitors can watch a short introductory videoshowing how the tunnels were constructed. You will spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla’s food during the war).
Return to Sai Gon. Night in Saigon

8:00 AM Pick up at your hotel and depart to My Tho. Enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields. On arrived at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ridealong the river, views the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals. Have a shortcycling trip (applied for private tour. if time permitted) then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by locals.
Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste the delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantation and village. Meet the bus and return to Ho Chi Minh City. This trip provides a fascinating insight into daily life in the Mekong Delta and you are guaranteed to take home your own private collection of beautiful memorie. Night in Ho Chi Minh City.

Breakfast at hotel. Free until transfer to airport for departure.