Southbound Adventure - CODE: FM05

Trip's length:	12 days
Trip Themes:	Local life & Culture, Community, Education
Transport:	Car/Bus, Boat, Flight, Train
Places visited:	Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta
Tour operates:	All year round
Start / End cities:	Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh City
Accommodation:	Hotel: 9nts, Boat: 1nt, Train: 1nt

TRIP FACTS:

- This entire Vietnam family trip is designed as a comfortable paced tour - Ideal for those do not suit to adventurous style of travel but would likde to gain the highlights of Vietnam

- This Vietnam family tour utilises air and coach travel plus short boat cruises on Mekong River, Perfume pagoda and Halong Bay

- Order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions


INCLUSIVE:

    Accommodation with daily breakfasts
    Meals mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
    Expert tour guides
    Private air-conditioned vehicles
    Sightseeing fees and permits during guided time
    Boats in Mekong River, Perfume River and Halong bay
    Two bottles of mineral water/person/day
    Domestic air tickets: HANOI- HUE & DANANG -  SAIGON

EXCLUSIVE:

    Travel Insurance (Compulsory)
    International flight tickets
    Visas and airport departure tax
    Tips and gratuities
    Meals, drinks and others that not mentioned clearly in the inclusion above

Trip's Itinerary

 Day 1: Arrival (D)

Arrival in Hanoi. Get pick up from airport and transfer to Hotel. Brief meeting with tour guide/group leader for necessary information and travel documents. Welcome dinner in local restaurant.Overnight in Hotel.

Day 2: Hanoi city (B, L)

Visit and enjoy breakfast at KOTO, a restaurant helping disadvantaged youth. Visit to Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and his house. Enjoy colorful exhibits and display of Ethnology museum. Take a cyclo ride around to visit Hanoi's Old Quarter then enjoy the water puppet show, a special and typical Vietnamese traditional art that started in Red River Delta from 11th century. Overnight in Hotel.

Days 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)

Take a drive through beautiful rural scenery of North of Vietnam. Visit to Hong Ngoc Humanity center that was founded to help disadvantage youth. Cruise through the emerald waters of Halong Bay and admire the breathtaking scenery of the World Natural Wonder. Visiting the magnificent limestone cave and enjoy swimming. Overnight on board.

Day 4: Halong - Hanoi (B, L)

Further cruise then get back to harbor at noon. Drive back to Hanoi and free at leisure until the time to get overnight train to Hue. Overnight on train.

Day 5: Hue (L)

Arrive in Hue in the morning. Check in hotel and free at leisure. Afternoon: visit the Imperial Citadel and Royal Forbidden city. Free evening. Overnight in hotel.

Day 6: Hue (B, L)

Enjoy the boat cruise on Perfume River, visiting lovely Thien Mu Pagoda and one of Emperor Tomb. Enjoy vegetarian feast in a nunnery. Afternoon: explore the lively Dong Ba Market and wandering around the city for sightseeing. Free evening. Overnight in hotel.

Days 7: Hue - Hoi An (B, L)

Travel past picturesque rice paddies and verdant mountains to the ancient town Hoi An. Take a city tour around Hoi An town for sightseeing, shopping and photos. Free evening. Overnight in hotel.

Day 8: Hoi An (B, D)

Visit Hoi An Beach and enjoy swimming. Afternoon: take a boat cruise on Thu Bon river and enjoy a BBQ feast whilst watching the sun set. Overnight in hotel.

Day 9: Hoi an – Ho Chi Minh city. (B, D)

Free morning for shopping and wandering until time for bus to Da Nang for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Visit Ben Thanh Market, the central market of the city with lots of product available include plenty of souvenirs. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in hotel.

Days 10: Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)

Take a cyclo tour to visit Ho Chi Minh City’s interesting sites in the morning. Enjoy lunch with Vietnamese taste in a local restaurant then escape the heat of the city by heading to Dam Sen Water Park for some aquatic fun of swimming and water sports. Free evening. Overnight in hotel.

Day 11: Mekong delta (B, D)

Drive to Mekong delta for a full day tour. Enjoy the lush and evergreen scenery of the most fertile land in the country. Take a boat cruise on Mekong River, visit orchard garden to taste local fruits freshly picked from trees then visit some local cottage industry. Optional lunch with local specialties then explore the mangroves of the Mekong Delta by paddling a sampan around the tributaries before boarding a boat to cruise back to the harbor. Bus drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

A farewell dinner will be organized this evening and it is the time to summarize the experience of the whole trip. Overnight in hotel.

Day 12: Departure (B)

Free at your leisure until time to depart for your flight. Safe travel.
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