Vietnam Overview Tour

After breakfast, our guide will pick you up and show you around Hanoi, Vietnam’s gracious capital. We enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, home to his mausoleum, garden, house on stilts and a museum which traces his life and work.
 
Our first stop is to visit the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh. Located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, this is the most important monument of Vietnam in which Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved. This site only opens on Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 08:00 – 11:00.
 
The next destination is the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house was completed on May 19th, 1958 as a birthday present for uncle Ho and becomes a symbol of his simple life.
 
Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda. The pagoda looks like a lotus blossoming from the square pond. It was constructed in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong based on his dream of Goddess of Mercy seating on a lotus flower and giving him a boy. In 1954, it was destroyed by the French and then restored in 1955.
 
We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. This temple provides an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history.
 
In the afternoon, visit the impressive Ethnologic Museum that is dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. This museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibition area with the most popular architectural styles of house’s ethnic people. The museum closes on every Monday.
 
Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Breakfast served at hotel and then starts a 3-hour drive through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to Ha Long City.
 
Declared as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural attractions. Nearly 200 km far from Hanoi, the bay is dotted with 1600 limestone islands, capturing visitors’ attention.
 
Arrive in Halong ad board a luxury wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  Dinner served on board. Overnight on Junk

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back-up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue.
 
Hue was the capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty. Not only is it famous for the splendid architecture of citadels, palaces, royal tombs and pagodas but the ancient traditions of Hue also create a unique romantic city.
 
Upon arrival Hue, pick up & transfer to hotel in Hue. Overnight at the hotel in Hue

Morning, walking for few minutes to the boat pier in Perfume River, we then take a boat trip on the picturesque Thien Mu pagoda, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda.
 
Built in 1601, it is one of the best know religious and must-see sites in Hue. Both landscape and monuments here are always in harmony and bring a feeling of peace for travelers. 
 
Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc.
 
Stretching along the Perfume River, Tu Duc mausoleum is considered to be the most picturesque site of Hue. The tomb was designed by the Emperor Tu Duc himself and this is the largest architectural work of Nguyen Dynasty’s royal palaces and tombs.
 
 Afternoon, visit the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built in the 19th century by Nguyen dynasty, the Citadel becomes the most important historical and cultural monument in Vietnam. It is a square 2 km wall encompassing 3 walled enclosures: the Citadel, the Yellow Imperial city, and the Forbidden Purple city.
 
Afterward we continue our south bound journey by road to Hoi An. Arrive in Hoian a little bit late today, transfer to check-in hotel then you are free to relax.

Have breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver pick you up and transfer to Da Nang and to Ba Na Hill 
 
Located 40 km far from Da Nang city, Ba Na Hills has the climate with 4 seasons in a day, unspoiled forest and the spectacular view over Da Nang city. With a combination of villas, restaurants and game complex, it become an excellent destination for family holidays with kids.
 
To reach the summit, you will take a cable car from the foot with spectacular sceneries of forest, trees, and waterfall underground when you are on cable. On arrival you will visit Old French Villas at the height of 1138 meters for experience architecture here. You will take mountain climbing train to visit Flower Garden where has many kinds of beautiful flowers. After that you continue to visit old tree, stream, Great Buddha Statue, Suspension Bridge, Wine Tunnel where are storing different wines. Especially check-in the Golden Bridge – the most famous & unique architecture of Sun World's Ba Na Hills. Have lunch at restaurant. In the afternoon you spend more time for sightseeing at the hill and then free to relax and play games at Fantasy Theme Amusement with Movie 3D…(Fee paid by yourself). After that you will take cable car back the foot and the driver picks up and transfers you to Da Nang city. Free to have your own dinner. Overnight at hotel in Da Nang

Today we have our first glimpse of this beautiful boutique town recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The tranquil and charm of  with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, and the colorful riverside market make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places.
The ancient town of Hoian is a small town in Central Vietnam. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoian was a busy international commercial port for foreign merchants. Today, Hoian is popular for its peaceful beauty, eclectic architecture, tailors and cafes.
We also take a boat trip on Thu Bon River to visit Thach Ha, the ceramic and pottery village. Learn how to make the beautiful jars and bow.

Leaving Hoian, we transfer to Da Nang airport to take a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival checking in the hotel then you are free to relax.

The Mekong Delta is the region in southern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea. It is a very rich and lush area, covered with rice fields, that produces about half of the total of Vietnam’s agricultural output.
Morning at around 08:30 we depart from the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City to the area referred locally as ‘the rice bowl of Vietnam’- Ben Tre. 
Situated in Mekong Delta, Ben Tre has advantages to develop ecotourism with many fruit gardens, the floating fishing village, etc. For nature lovers, Ben Tre will be a wonderful destination.
On arrival in Ham Luong pier. Cruse on Ben Tre river exploring the lively activities along river as fishing, water transferring... see brick making in handy traditional style by printing and baking. Visit one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along canal. Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village. Take a walk to family workshop making sleep mats and enjoying some fruits and tea.
Riding a motor cart (xe lôi) or bike on shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on really life and find out about tropical culture from Peasants. Lunch at Hai Hồ house.
Afternoon - riding a sampan along canal, before boat back to Ham Luong pier. End you touring, going back to HCM city or next destination.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

After breakfast, we start the day early with the famous Cu Chi Tunnels.
Located 70 km northwest of Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese soldiers in the American war. Nowadays, the tunnels have become a popular tourist attraction of Vietnam.

In the afternoon, we pass the now-demolished wartime War Remnants Museum before we visit the Reunification Palace. 
War Remnants Museum shows us an evidence of the crime and the consequences of war that the invasion forces, first those of the French and then those of the American, has caused to Vietnam. 

Reunification Palace is a unique construction designed for the President of South Vietnam during Vietnam War. When entering, visitors can not only admire its architectural beauty but also enjoy fresh atmosphere created by trees and grasses around.

We then move to some French colonial structures including the Old Sai Gon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral.
Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous architectural monuments influenced by European architecture. Both its exterior and interior are impressive with bright red color of bricks, stained glass panels and carved tiles, attracting many tourists.

The final destination of a city tour is Ben Thanh Market. Developed from informal markets created by early 17th century street vendors gathering together near the Saigon River, Ben Thanh Market is the earliest surviving structure and an important symbol of Saigon. It is also a good place to by handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs and local cuisines.

You are then transferred to the Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight to next destination (suggested flight would be in the late afternoon or evening). End of Golden Trail Travel’s services.