VIETNAM HISTORICAL SITES 12 DAYS

DAY 1: HANOI – THAY PAGODA – TAY PHUONG PAGODA – DUONG LAM ANCIENT VILLAGE – HANOI (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we will begin with a scenic drive through the countryside, where rice paddies stretch like emerald carpets and quaint villages amidst lush greenery. Our first stop will be Thay Pagoda. Nestled near a tranquil lake, this ancient pagoda boasts centuries-old wooden architecture based on high levels and exudes an aura of timeless peace. We will wander through its pagodas, admire the intricately carved statues, or light a joss stick in prayer. Take a moment to breathe in the fresh air and let the tranquillity wash over you; it’s a perfect escape from the city’s bustle.

Lunch at a local restaurant, embracing the rustic countryside charm. In the afternoon, we will transfer to Duong Lam Village, a purely agricultural area of North Vietnam, visit Mong Phu Communal House, wander around ancient houses made by laterite of the village, and enjoy local products like rice wine or rice cake. Back to Hanoi for overnight.

DAY 2: HANOI SIGHTSEEING – NINH BINH – HANOI (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast at the hotel, our vehicle and guide will take us to visit the sacred site of Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda. The next stop will be the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam built in the 10th century under the Ly Dynasty and greatly influenced by Confucianism.

Have lunch at a restaurant in Hanoi and then we head to Ninh Binh. Being an ancient capital city a millennium ago, Ninh Binh is now known for its poetic landscape and ancient relics.

Arrive in Tam Coc – Ninh Binh and taking a leisure boat trip to travel along the Ngo Dong river. Visit three different caves, Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba. After that, our vehicle take us to Hoa Lu, which is the ancient capital of Vietnam. Visit the Dinh King Temple and Le King temple from the 10th century and find out about the heroic histories of these two kings during the Chinese.

We will then be back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 3: HANOI – HALONG BAY – HANOI (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast at the hotel, the cruise’s vehicle and guide will pick us up to go to Halong Bay, a great UNESCO World Heritage site. The road takes about 2h30’.

Welcome onboard and have a nice trip of 5 hrs on the Bay with a nice Cruise, with nice and exciting activities [swimsuits recommended]. Being a small gulf with nearly 2,000 islands and islets, some with craters, Halong has been recognized twice by UNESCO as a World Heritage to emphasize its value and the need to be protected. We will have a great day here on a medium-sized cruise. Lunch onboard at noon. At about 5.30 pm, the cruise will take us back to the pier. Our vehicle will greet us again and come back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 4: HANOI – HUE (Breakfast, Dinner)

Have breakfast at the hotel before our vehicle and guide take us to Noi Bai Airport to depart for Hue city.

Arrive in Hue. Our vehicle and guide will pick us up at Phu Bai Airport and take you to the hotel for checking-in. You will have a short rest before visiting Hue Citadel (the Royal Palace of the 13 kings of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last feudal dynasty of Vietnam, with Ngo Mon, Thai Hoa Palace, Forbidden City, The Mieu, Hien Lam Cac, and Cuu Dinh places.

Later, we will visit the Tomb of Khai Dinh King, one of the massive mausoleums built over 11 years with unique architecture and structure, with local and foreign materials.

Have dinner at Hue local restaurant and overnight in Hue.

DAY 5: HUE – DMZ TOUR – HUE (Breakfast, Lunch)

Have breakfast at the hotel and our vehicles take us to DMZ full day tour. We will step back in time and witness the scene of many destroyed foundations of former American military bases buildings, monuments dedicated to local war heroes, and hundreds of war relics displayed within a US combat base-turned-museum.

Overnight in Hue

DAY 6: HUE – DANANG – NGU HANH SON – HOI AN (Breakfast, Lunch)

Have breakfast at the hotel and our vehicles will take us to Danang.

Arrive in Danang, have lunch at the local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will visit Cham Museum and Linh Ung Pagoda and then, Ngu Hanh Son Mountain, explore the caves, admire the beautiful scenery of the sky and water, visit the sacred pagodas. We will then stop at Non Nuoc Village where you can explore the artworks of stone artisans and take pictures. Free to shop for souvenirs. After that we will head to Hoi An old town. Being an old port in Vietnam until the 17th century, Hoian has a unique architecture mixed up between China, Vietnam, and Japanese styles. Here we can walk into Chua Cau bridge, Hoian market, or hang around ancient streets along the Hoai River to enjoy the city’s tranquility.

Overnight in Hoian.

DAY 7: HOI AN  (Breakfast)

Free day in Hoian and overnight in Hoian.

DAY 8: DANANG – TRA QUE – SAIGON (Breakfast, Lunch)

We’ll have breakfast at the hotel, then our guide will pick us up at the hotel and depart to Tra Que Vegetable Village – Hoi An.

Tra Que is located in Cam Ha commune, Hoi An town (Quang Nam), where the vegetables have been famous for a long time for being seeded on fertile soil and fertilized with the seaweed taken from Co Co river.

Tra Que is a famous brand for making high-quality clean vegetables and is an attractive destination for visitors. In spring, we can go to Tra Que to enjoy the fragrant aftertaste of vegetables and watch the villagers in their daily activities. Have lunch at a restaurant with Tra Que products.

After lunch, we will return to Danang airport taking the flight to Saigon.

Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 9: SAIGON CITY TOUR – CUCHI – SAIGON (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, we will visit the War Remnant Museum in the morning to learn more about the fierce wars that defined Vietnam as a slow-developed country in Southeast Asia. Lunch in Saigon. Afternoon we will go with our guide to the Cu Chi tunnel.

A huge underground system not far from Saigon, Cu Chi is the evidence of a very fierce war that the Vietnamese called “the War against the Americans” and the whole world calls it “The Vietnam War.” For many years before 1975, Cu Chi covered troops of Vietnamese guerillas not only from attacks but protected their daily lives; it became a strong base for the Vietnamese forces during the conflicts and is now a weird war remnant that can make anyone of us feel a stronger love to peace and everyday life upon each time visiting this place.

Back to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon

DAY 10: SAIGON – TIEN GIANG – FRUIT GARDEN – VINH TRANG PAGODA – (Breakfast, Lunch)

In the morning, Our car and Guide from AADASIA will meet us at our hotel.

We start our trip today by going to Tien Giang – a province to the north of Saigon. First, we will visit the Cai Mon Fruit Garden with luxuriant fruit trees and flowers.

After the visit, our car and Guide will take us to a local restaurant to have lunch.

In the afternoon, we will visit Vinh Trang Pagoda – the biggest pagoda in Tieng Giang, with an area of 2000 square meters with many beautiful trees. Then, we will visit Man Dinh Hong Flower Garden before our car and Guide will take us back to our hotel in Sai Gon.

DAY 11: SAIGON – VUNG TAU – SAIGON (Breakfast, Lunch)

In the morning, Our car and Guide from AADASIA will meet us at our hotel.

Our guide and vehicle today will take us to Vung Tau, 120km from Saigon, visit Long Tan & Mui Dat battle site in Vung Tau, go up to the peak of Vung Tau to enjoy the panorama of the area, and enjoy swimming and sunbath. Enjoy lunch with delicious local seafood at a local restaurant.

After some time of our own, we will back to our hotel in Saigon. Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 12: SAI GON (Breakfast)

Have breakfast at the hotel in your leisure time until our vehicle and guide take us to the Tan Son Nhat airport for our flight. Hope to see you for a next trip in Vietnam!