Easy Pace Vietnam – 12 days

A journey incorporating Vietnam’s essential highlights with a long break in Mui Ne to soak up its magical atmosphere, fantastic beach. This trip will bring you to the cutural capital Hanoi, the impressive sights of Halong Bay, the ancient capital Hue, charming Hoi An, vibrant Ho Chi Minh City and the mighty Mekong Delta.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Wake up to the glistening waters of Halong Bay lapping at the bows of our comfortable & luxury cruise after an overnight cruise
• Spend a day venturing through the city, taking in museums, markets and other colorful sights in Hanoi
• A romantic escape in quaint Hoi An Town
• Private boat trip on Mekong River to explore the surrounding floating markets and islands
• Beach breakaway in Mui Ne

ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Full Day Hanoi City Tour
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi/Fly to Hue
Day 5: Full Day Hue City Tour
Day 6: Hue – Hoi An Ciy Tour
Day 7: Hoi An – Danang/Fly to Ho Chi Minh City – City Tour
Day 8: Mekong Delta
Day 9: Transfer to Mui Ne
Day 10: Mui Ne
Day 11: Mui Ne
Day 12: Mui Ne – Ho Chi Minh City Departure

DAY 1:             HANOI ARRIVAL (D)

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to a hotel in Hanoi for relaxing and your welcome dinner.
 
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2:             FULL DAY HANOI CITY TOUR (B, L)

Depart your hotel to visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum and One pillar pagoda) and the Tran Quoc Pagoda. Continue to the Temple of Literature, the first University in Vietnam dating back to the 16th century. 
 
In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarter will provide another fascinating insight into the character and history of the city, before moving on to Dong Xuan Market with its bustling stalls and brisk trading of day-to-day local goods. Finish the day with a traditional water puppet show.
 
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 3:             HANOI – HALONG BAY (B, L, D)

After breakfast, ransferred to Halong Bay. Arrive at Halong City at noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. A truly memorable experience awaits you as you cruise the delightful 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 onboard Halong Bay.

DAY 4:             HALONG BAY – HANOI/FLY TO HUE (BRUNCH)

Start your day with calming Tai Chi, enjoy the sunrise over the Bay and continue cruising. Enjoy the brunch on the way back to port, transfer to Hanoi. En route visit Thanh Chuong Palace, the home and studio of Thanh Chuong, of the most celebrated painters in Vietnam. More a living space than a museum, the Palace is an architectural gem showcasing Vietnamese traditional cultural objects, exquisite antiques and remarkable structures.
Continue driving to Hanoi Airport, then take a short flight to Hue. Arrival Hue, check in Hotel.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 5:             HUE FULL DAY CITY TOUR (B, L)

After breakfast, we visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. From here take a cyclo through Dai Noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax. Continue to visit Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River.
In the afternoon see the tomb of the former emperor Minh Mang which is located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds. Journey on to Khai Dinh’s Tomb which is traditional Vietnamese in design with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue.
Before heading back to your hotel take time to stroll around Dong Ba Market, a great place to catch a glimpse of everyday life.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 6:             HUE – HOI AN (B, L)

Transfer to Hue via the Hai Van Pass and through the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co. Drive through Danang and visit the Cham museum which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. Arrive Hoi An, check in hotel.
 
In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour around Hoi An ancient town and explore its treasures: the Japanese Bridge, Phuc Kien Pagoda, Phung Hung Old Merchant House, and Quang Dong Assembly Hall.
 
Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 7:             HOI AN – DANANG – HO CHI MINH CITY (B, L)

After breakfast, drive to Danang to take the morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel, check in. 
In the afternoon, visit the Former Presidential Palace, the town’s center with the Notre Dame Cathedral, the City Hall, the Municipal Theater, Quan Am Pagoda, Cho Lon and China town.  Finish the tour in fine style by heading up the Bitexco Tower, which is the city’s tallest building. Your guide will be happy to wait for a short while whilst you enjoy a stylish sundowner with breath-taking skyline views.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 8:             HO CHI MINH CITY – BEN TRE – HO CHI MINH CITY (B, L)

This morning, leave bustling Ho Chi Minh City for the 2 hour drive to the delta town of Ben Tre. Board your local boat through small canals with beautiful tropical scenery. En-route visit the brick making factory, where the locals still use centuries-old traditional methods to make the bricks by hand then visit a small factory producing handicrafts made of coconut. Afterwards, take a ride on a horse driven cart along country roads, through the fruit plantation before enjoying lunch at riverside restaurant.
In the afternoon, enjoy a ride in a rowing boat along the palm creek before heading back Ho Chi Minh City. Free evening at leisure.
 
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 9:             HO CHI MINH CITY – PHAN THIET – MUI NE (B)

Leave Ho Chi Minh City by road for Phan Thiet. The 200km (05-hour) drive north on Highway One passes through the bustling city of Bien Hoa before cutting through dense rubber plantations. Arrive in Phan Thiet in the late morning and check into resort. The rest of day is free to relax.

Overnight in Mui Ne.

DAY 10:           MUI NE (B)

Your day is at leisure.

Overnight in Mui Ne.

DAY 11:           MUI NE (B)

Your day is at leisure.

Overnight in Mui Ne.

DAY 12:           MUI NE – HO CHI MINH CITY DEPARTURE (B)

Free day at leisure until transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your departure flight.

SERVICE INCLUDED

• Shared accommodation in twin/double room with daily breakfast
• Tours as per itinerary with local speaking guide (NO guide on board Halong Bay)
• All transfers and transportation with air-con vehicles
• All entrance fees as program
• Private boat trips in Mekong Delta
• Meals (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner) as indicated in the program
• A bottle of mineral water per day tour

 
SERVICE EXCLUDED

• Drinks
• Mineral water beyond that supplied
• Tips
• Personal expenses and tips
• Visa to Vietnam
• Airfares (international and domestic)
• Meals (other than mentioned in the program)
• Airport taxes  
• 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