Main Info
Vietnam extends 1700 kilometers from North to South and offers an enormous variety of landscapes. These beach holidays are equally diverse: A mixture of culture, novel experiences in the nature and relaxing at Vietnam’s most deserted beaches. The program covers four UNESCO World Heritage destinations: the legendary Halong Bay, the unique Phong Nga Grotto, the ancient Imperial City Hue and the Japanese-Chinese port town Hoi An.
| Departure | Noi Bai International Airport |
| Departure Time | Scheduled time |
| Return Time | Scheduled time |
| Tour code | VRT – 08 |
| Included |
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| Excluded |
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All inclusive in Twin or Double Room / Meal (Daily Breakfast and Lunch)
| 2 pax | 3 pax | 4 pax | 6 pax | 8 pax | Single Supplemental | |
| Highlight Vietnam Tour (2 weeks) | ||||||
| Budget | 1900 | 1750 | 1570 | 1420 | 1380 | 290 |
| Superior | 2150 | 1980 | 1800 | 1630 | 1580 | 420 |
| Deluxe | 2370 | 2210 | 2150 | 2080 | 2000 | 680 |
Tour category
Budget
Particularly suitable for uncomplicated tourists with low requirements
| Accomodation | Guesthouses and 2-Star Hotels, clean rooms w. window, A/C and bathroom |
| Transportation | Private 16-Seat Minivan (Mercedes) |
| Train | Soft berth, 4-bed compartment w. A/C (Ratraco Train to Lao Cai) |
| Boat trip | Private Boat |
Superior
Particularly suitable for tourists with high requirements
| Accomodation | 3 and 4-Star Hotels (International Standard) |
| Transportation | Private 16-Seat Minivan (Mercedes) |
| Train | Soft berth, 4-bed compartment w. A/C (Ratraco Train to Lao Cai) |
| Boat | Private boat |
Deluxe
Particularly suitable for sophisticated tourists
| Accomodation | 4-Star Hotels (5-Star Hotels extra charge) or best Hotel on site |
| Transportation | Private 16-Seat Minivan (Mercedes) |
| Train | Soft berth, 4-bed compartment w. A/C (Victoria Train to Lao Cai) |
| Boat trip | Private Boat |
Itinerary
Arrival in Hanoi. Transfer to the hotel. Short walk to the “Lake of the Returned Sword”. We visit the jade mound with the red wooden bridge, one of Hanoi’s main attractions. Welcome dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants.
Hotel Options
Budget: Icon 36 Hotel**
Tourist: Calypso hotel***
Deluxe: Sofitel Plaza*****
A morning bus brings us to one-of-a-kind Halong Bay (Ha Long means “descending dragon” contrary to Thang Long, “ascending dragon”, the old name of Hanoi). On the way we stop at the pottery village Bat Trang. On to Haiphong. At 12.30 pm the local ferry embarks to Cat Ba Island (natural reserve). The fun journey takes roughly two and a half hours. After check-in we explore the harbor in small basket boats.
Hotel options
Budget: Princess**
Tourist: Holiday View***
Deluxe: Cat Ba Sunrise Resort****
Today’s trek (partly on motobikes, partly on foot) in the national park shows us countless natural wonders of this unique island: bizarre rock formations, frog ponds, traditional villages and a longer hike to a panorama mountain at the end. In the late afternoon, Honda drivers bring us to the awesome Bai Tam Beach (relaxing, swimming, hiking).
After breakfast our spectacular boat journey through the breath-taking scenery of 2000 bizarre limestone islands begins. Now and then we stop for a swim. Our private boat passes by small floating villages. Before dinner we visit an impressive cave and later we ascend the Ti Tov panorama mountain. We stay on a junk (shared boat, double with toilet and bathroom, A/C).
On goes our trip through this magic world. Taking a rowing boat we advance into the interior of a laguna grotto. After a rich meal our boat slowly returns to Bai Chay Harbor. Upon arrival, return trip to Hanoi. After check-in we have coffee at the West Lake. In the evening, we watch a performance of the water puppet players.
On a morning bus trip we see the capital’s most important and most interesting locations: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Uncle Ho’s house (from here Ho Chi Minh led governmental affairs), the One-Column-Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot), the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu, Vietnam’s first university) and the Maison Centrale (a prison dating from the French colony). We have lunch at KOTO, a restaurant managed by former street kids. In the afternoon, we explore the old French quarter in cyclos (Vietnamese bicycle-rickshaws). The literary expression for Hanoi is “City of the 36 alleys”. In the tree-lined alleys we have a look over the shoulder of the local craftsmen. Shortly before midnight, our train to Dong Hoi departs (compartment for four people, soft berth with A/C).
Early morning arrival. Transfer to the Sun Spa Resort in a beautiful location at the still undeveloped beach. Free time.
Hotel Options
Budget: Bao Ninh beach resort**** (Superior Garden View)
Tourist: Sun Spa Resort**** (Superior Ocean View)
Deluxe: Sun Spa Resort**** (Deluxe)
Half-day trip to the Phong Nha Grottos. Ke Bang National Park (part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage since 2003) is one of the world’s two largest limestone mountain ranges and comprises several hundred caves, including long corridors with stalactites and stalagmites.
Bus trip to the old imperial city (150 km). In 1993 Hue was made part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. From here the 13 emperors of the Nguyen dynasty ruled the country and erected splendid palaces, temples and tombs. After check-in we go on a boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in the city. We go on to see the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang. Lunch on board. Back to the hotel on Honda taxis.
Hotel Options
Budget: Orchid Hotel***
Tourist: Green Hotel****
Deluxe: Saigon Morin Hotel****
Together with our Honda chauffeurs we go on a trip to the enchanting rural surroundings of Hue. We drive through rice fields and arrive at the Japanese wood bridge. Time seems to have stopped here. After lunch we go by bus to the lagoon peninsula Lang Co. We spend the rest of the day at the beach.
Hotel Options
Budget: Lang Co Beach Resort**** (Standard Room)
Tourist: Lang Co Beach Resort**** (Garden View Villa
Deluxe: Lang Co Resort**** (Ocean Front Villa)
A longer, yet interesting journey over Hai Van Pass (mountains in the Clouds) to Danang. En route to Hoi An, we make a stop at the Marble Mountains. After a steep hike we arrive at the rock pagoda. Brilliant view of the four other Marble Mountains and China Beach. We go on to the Chinese-Japanese port town of Hoi An.
Hotel Options
Budget: Hai Au Hotel**
Tourist: Ancient House Resort***
Deluxe: Sunrise Beach Resort*****
On a walking tour we explore the beautiful town of Hoi An: A fascinating mix of Japanese and Chinese influences, temples, pagodas, shop houses and commoners houses make for a special flair. Other attractions include the famous Chinese Phu Kien Temple, the trading house of the Tan Ky family and the Japanese Bridge. In the afternoon, we tour the Thu Bon River by boat. We watch fishermen at work and visit the river island Kim Bong, home to the best wood carvers.
A whole day of relaxing
Program on request (trip to My Son, the holy temple compound of the ancient Champa kingdom, cooking lessons, trip to the Cham islands, countryside tour on Hondas or free time).
Short morning flight with Vietnam Airlines to Hanoi. Return flight home.
