# 15-Day Vietnam Exploration with Beach Free Days: Every Sense Comes Alive

Exploring Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, hunting for local snacks in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, walking into Tha Om the formerly-royal mansion in Hue, whizzing through narrow streets on a motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City and relaxing on the white sandy beach of Pho Quoc Island. Vietnam is great for exploration, and you being there is the only key to ignite an experience to remember.

## Highlights

- The Old Quarter by rickshaw, try out oddly-looking local eats in Hanoi
- Dining in an ancient-style house restaurant and take a visit a a formerly-royal private mansion with its owner in Hue
- 2 days trekking in Phong Nha National Park with a brave heart
- Motorbike tour in Ho Chi Minh City to some hidden alleys and markets
- Kick back on the sandy beach of Phu Quoc Island

## What's Included

- Private transfers and English-speaking Vietnam tour guides in every destination
- All guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
- Hotel accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
- Internal flights including taxes and fuel as specified in the itinerary
- Breakfasts at hotels, lunches for every guided day and one soft drink per person for the Halong Bay Cruise
- Governmental taxes

## Price per Person in US Dollars

Nov.1 - Mar.31 | Handpicked Comfort | Luxury
--- | --- | ---
2-5 People | $#AH-3,st,25,2016-11-10# | $#AH-3,lx,25,2016-11-10#
6-9 People | $#AH-3,st,69,2016-11-10# | $#AH-3,lx,69,2016-11-10#
Apr.1 - Oct.31 |  |
2-5 People | $#AH-3,st,25,2016-09-10# | $#AH-3,lx,25,2016-09-10#
6-9 People | $#AH-3,st,69,2016-09-10# | $#AH-3,lx,69,2016-09-10#

Note: The price is only for reference and subject to change on final comfirmation.

## Suggested Itinerary

Day 1Hanoi Arrival

Your Vietnam exploration tour starts as your international flight lands in Hanoi. Your private tour guide and driver will soon have you all in the comfort in of a hotel room.

- Before Vietnam:

1. Getting into Vietnam: you may connect the international flights at Bangkok or Hong Kong for better airfares.
2. Vietnam is just one part of your Asia travel? Entrust your entire trip with us and enjoy better services. 3.Visa-on-arrival: apply for visa-on-arrival at Hanoi's airport with our pre-offered approval letter.

Accommodation:

2 nights at Hanoi Pearl Hotel (Handpicked Comfort) / Apricot Hotel Hanoi (Luxury)

Day 2 Hanoi

Let's get to know about Hanoi. The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology will offer a good prespective of ethnic minority cultures.Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace Historical Site gives you a better understanding of Uncle Ho and his life.
After lunch, you will go for a Rickshaw Ride in the Old Quarter with local eats. The trip starts from a hidden coffee stall famous for the Egg Coffee, get to the Beer Corner for a cold beer and continue to Hang Bong Street where you will try out some local snacks. Getting around the Hoan Kiem Lake for pleasent views of the city life. Transfer back to hotel after the trip.

- Yum yum:

Your private tour guide will offer some authentic and clean choices for this foodie hunt. Please let him/her know ahead of time if you have any special requirments (such as allergies or non-pork).

Sweet tooth or meat-eater? Tell your tour guide what you feel like having.
Day 3Hanoi - Halong Bay (3 hours by car)

You will set off to Halong Bay right after your breakfast. The drive will be about 3 hours with a changing view from city to countryside. Arrive at the pier and board your Halong Bay cruise.
In this 2-day-and-1-night cruise, you will probably see Cua Van Fishing Village, Vung Vieng Fishing Village, Me Cung Caves, Virgin Cave, and Surprise Cave, as well as some small islets, such as Flight Cock Islet, Human Head Islet, and Toad Isletand etc.

- About the cruise:

1. Meals onboard are mostly seafood and simple vegetable dishes. Please make a request beforehand if you have any allergies.
2. Drinks and wine are not inclusive on the cruise. You may want to do some light shopping the night before or on the way to the bay.

Accommodation:

1 night on Paloma Cruise (Handpicked Comfort) / Emeraude Classic Cruise (Luxury)

Day 4 Halong Bay - Hanoi (3 hours by car) - Hue (1 hour by air)

The cruise will end at about noon after a fresh brunch. Meet your tour guide and driver again at the pier and transfer to Hanoi Airport for the flight to Hue.

Check in and have the rest of today free at leisure.

Accommodation:

3 night at Hotel Saigon Morin (Handpicked Comfort) / Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa (Luxury)

Day 5 Hue

Yesterday's imperial city and today's ancient town, Hue silently draws you into the history. This morning, you will visit the Imperial City and the Royal Tomb of King Tu Duc.
Your lunch will be served in Ancient House Restaurant. The restaurant itself showcases the imperial style decoration and widely known for its nice food. Later, we will walk into another ancient house, Tha Om Garden House. This house used to be a royal mansion and now it belongs to Mr.Vinh. He will walk you around the garden with some interesting stories to tell.

Day 6 Hue - Dong Hoi (4 hours by car)

After breakfast, your private tour guide and driver will take you to Quang Binh, a place blessed by God with forests, seas, rivers and a stunning coastline. On the way, you will visit many important sights that have great influence during the American Wars such as the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), Ben Hai River and Hien Luong Bridge. Then head to Dong Hoi to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, take a boat on the Son River to visit Phong Nha ("Wet Cave"), a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003 and Tien Son ("Dry Cave"). Trekking in the national park itself can be an ideal way to free your mind.

- Thank you!

Boater of the national park are all locals and your tour guide will tip them on your behalf as a gesture of gratitude. (Tips are included in the tour)

Accommodation:

1 night at Muong Thanh Luxury Nhat Le Hotel

You will be wearing a life jacket for this boat trip to the cave
Day 7Dong Hoi - Hue (4 hours by car)

You will start your tour in the morning by a kayaking trip on the Chay River.
Continue your trip to visit the longest dry cave in Asia - Thien Duong ("Paradise Cave"). After that, you will be transferred back to Quang Binh and have lunch on the way back to Hue.

Day 8Hue - Hoi An (3 1/2 hours by car)

After breakfast, hit the road to Hoi An. We will stop for some nice photos at Hai Van Pass and have lunch.
Arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon and free time at leisure.

Accommodation:

2 night at Essence Hoi An Hotel & Spa (Handpicked Comfort) / Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa(Luxury)

Day 9Hoi An

Discover Hoi An's untold stories with a historic highlights tour: the Japanese Covered Bridge, Old House of Tan Ky and Fukian Assembly Hall. Have lunch at a nicely-set restaurant.

Roll up your sleeves for some hands-on experience at a local lantern workshop to learn to make lanterns.

- Full Moon:

Hoi An Ancient Town celebrates the monthly full-moon date with glittering lanterns and soft traditional music. Power will be cut for one hour and the entire town will be in the gentle light of the moon.

Day 10Hoi An – Danang (40min by car) – Ho Chi Minh City (1 1/2 hours by air)

We would like to introduce you Mr.Thanh, who used to be a chef at some high-end resorts in Vietenam and now he finds new passion in training others to be top chefs. This morning, you will have a cooking class at his own house.
You will have lunch with Mr. Thanh and then you will be taken to the airport in Danang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City.

- Going with Mr.Thanh:

1. Depending on the size of your group, Mr.Thanh will come and pick you up at the hotel and go for a market visit, followed by an easy cycling trip to his own house in a vegetable village.
2. Taking this class with your kids? Your kids can hang out with Thanh's three sweet kids if they are not in the mood of chopping and cooking. Mr.Thanh also has some easy dishes if they are up to the task.

Accommodation:

2 nights at Eden Star Saigon Hotel (Handpicked Comfort) / Grand Hotel Saigon(Luxury)

Learn to cook with Mr.Thanh at his home kicthen
Day 11Ho Chi Minh City

Those roaring scooters might seem scary when you are trying to cross the streets yet riding one can be a completely different experience. After breakfast, hop on your tour guide's own motorbike to hit the city highlights: the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral,and the Old Central Post Office, Chinatown and Binh Tay Market just to name a few.
Transfer back to your hotel after lunch.

- Motorbike tour:

1. Safety is the biggest issue. You will be wearing a helmet during the Vespa ride. The ride will be at an average speed of 30 km/h. If you are traveling with young children under 15, we’d suggest something less heart-racing, such as a cycling trip or a rickshaw ride.
2. You will just have a quick exterior visit at each attraction. 3. One motorbike only takes one passenger. We will rent some more according to the size of your group. We will arrange common private van visit for group of more than 5 people.

Day 12Ho Chi Minh City - Cai Be (2 hours by car) - Vinh Long (1 hour by car) - Can Tho (1 hour by car) - Phu Quoc Island (50min by air)

Drive down to the Mekong Delta, heading to Cai Be Floating Market. Later, take a small boat in Vinh Long. The trip will be mixed with visits to a local rice paper mill and boating through the channcels to a remote village. You will have a freshly-cooked and organic lunch at an orchard with its owner.

Later in the afternoon, you will be taken to Can Tho. Take an evening flight to Phu Quoc Island.

- What to bring?

A pair of sunglasses, mosquito repelleant, and lots of sunblock are necessary for your trip to the Mekong Delta.

- Transfer in Phu Quoc:

Your tour guide will not fly to Phu Quoc Island with you. We will arrange a private transfer from your hotel in Phu Quoc upon arrival.

Accommodation:

3 nights atFamiana Resort & Spa (Handpicked Comfort) / La Veranda Resort Phu Quoc(Luxury)

One small boat can take up to 4 passengers, not including the boater
Day 13 & 14Phu Quoc Island

Have these two days free to yourself!

Day 15Phu Quoc Island - Ho Chi Minh City (1 hour by air) and Departure

After breakfast, your hotel will transfer you to the airport for the ongoing flight back to Ho Chi Minh City,.Cconnecting with your international flight, and you will soon be home. See you again soon!

- Connecting flight:

1. We will have you flight to Ho Chi Minh City one day ahead if your departure flight leaves early than 11am.
2. What's your next destination? Entrust us with your Asia travel plan and extend the nice experiences in your next steps.

Tour Map

## Asia Highlights Handpicked Hotels

Asia Highlights chooses hotels with a balanced mixture of traditional Vietnamese style and modern comfort, easy access to everything yet quiet enough for a good night's sleep.

Hanoi - Hanoi Pearl Hotel

- 4.5/5 points by over 600 travelers on TripAdvisor.
- By the Hoan Kiem Lake, 10 minutes to walk to the Old Quarter.
- All rooms allow extra bed and adjoining rooms are available for families on holiday.

Halong Bay - Paloma Cruise

- Winner of Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor and ranked 17/166.
- Cruising through a less-crowded bay Bai Tu Long Bay with more islands to see.
- We choose your cabin on the 2nd deck with private balcony for better views and quieter night.

Hue - Hotel Saigon Morin

- Winner of Certificate of Excellence of TripAdvisor, ranked 21/110 of all hotels in Hue.
- Centrally located, easy walk to Dong Ba Market and close to the Imperial Palace and restaurants.
- Rich experience in serving high-end travelers, spacious rooms with good view of the Perfume River.

Dong Hoi - Muong Thanh Luxury Nhat Le Hotel

- 4.5/5 points on TripAdvisor, ranked 1/18.
- Great location in downtown and by the beach, ideal as a camp base.
- Spacious rooms of 30m2 and up, soft beds and quiet sleep.

Hoi An - Essence Hoi An Hotel & Spa

- Winner of Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor, ranked 6/119.
- Secluded and rural setting, 15 minutes to walk to the Ancient Town of Hoi An.
- Featuring with great spa center, outdoor swimming pool and nice food. Connecting rooms are great for families.

Ho Chi Minh City - EdenStar Saigon Hotel

- Winner of Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor, ranked 40/421.
- Centrally located in District 1, near Benh Thanh Market.
- Great rooftop swimming pool, soft beds, nice views of the city on higher floor and in-room Wifi.

Phu Quoc Island - Famiana Resort & Spa

- Winner of Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor and ranked 11/71.
- Located in Cua Lap Hamlet, away from the chaos and perfect for a peaceful holiday.
- By the beach, featuring with a vast pool, great food and spacious rooms, ideal for family vacation.

Note: Your comfort counts! It's totally possible to change hotels based on your interests and budget. From guesthouses to high-end luxury resorts, just let us know your preferences and we will help you choose.

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