Best Cultural and Heritage Tour Vietnam 11 days/10 nights

• Private tour with English/French speaking guide
• Date of Departure is at your wish
• Starting from Hanoi & end in HCMC or vice versa

We have designed this cultural journey for people keen to experience the diversity of Vietnam but with limited time to spare. We take you to discover the very best of Vietnam has to offer in 11 days. You discover 4 World Heritages listed Sites, the magnificent Halong Bay in Tonkin Gulf, the historical and cultural depth of Hoi An the enigmatic Cham Towers in My Son, and the ancient Capital Hue. This trip starts from colonial Hanoi and ends in vibrant Saigon - Ho Chi Minh city.

In charming Hanoi, dine in one of the French colonial villas converted into gourmet restaurants. Shop at fashionable boutiques and galleries featuring traditional and contemporary artists. Explore the fascinating maze of 36 streets in the Old Quarter. Venturing outside the city, cruise along dramatic limestone islands in Halong Bay.

Farther south, Hue, the former Imperial capital that is a quiet city renowned for the magnificent architecture of its citadel, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples, built under the Nguyen dynasty on the banks of the Perfume River. In the UNESCO-designated river town of Hoi An, tour centuries-old merchant houses, visit busy silk and fish markets.

In Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon), Vietnam 's dynamic commercial center, explore colorful produce markets, or perhaps stop in a designer shop to order a haute couture ao dai. Take a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels and watch an unusual, eclectic religious ceremony at the main temple of Cao Daism, a unique fusion of world religions. On another day trip, tour the narrow canals of the Mekong Delta to see a traditional side of Vietnamese life.

Outlined Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive Hanoi (D)
Day 2. Hanoi 's tangible and intangible heritage (B/L)
Day 3. Hanoi - Halong Bay Natural World Heritage - Hanoi (B/L)
Day 4. Hanoi - Hue World Heritage (B/D)
Day 5. Hue World Heritage (B/L)
Day 6. Hue - My Son - Hoi An World Heritages (B/L)
Day 7. Ancient Town Hoi An (B/L)
Day 8. Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
Day 9. Mekong Delta Excursion (B/L)
Day 10. Cu Chi Underground Tunnels (B/L)
Day 11. Depart Vietnam (B)

 

Best Cultural and Heritage Tour Vietnam 11 days/10 nights
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi (D)

Upon arrival at Hanoi 's Noi Bai International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Welcome dinner at local restaurant followed by evening water puppet performance. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi 's tangible and intangible heritage (B/D)

Vietnam 's artistic and intellectual capital. Explore the fascinating Old Quarter and its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquer-ware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more. Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, ride a cyclo to dinner in French colonial villas converted into gourmet restaurants. Enjoy people-watching at stylish cafes. Shop for impressive modern art in the city's myriad galleries. Also visit Hanoi 's main cultural attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his House on Stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum, the Temple of Literature or Vietnam Ethnology Museum. Overnight in Hanoi .

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay Natural World Heritage - Hanoi (B/L)

In the morning you will drive to Halong Bay City, approximately 3 hours away. Once at Halong Bay City you are welcome on board for a four-hour cruise on the the stunning bay, stopping along the way to visit one of the limestone caves in the area. As you are cruising, the boat crew will serve you a sumptuous local seafood lunch. After 4 hour navigation you sail back to harbor and rejoin car back to your hotel in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4: Hanoi - Hue World Heritage (B/D)

Transfer to airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival at Phu Bai Airport , You will be transferred directly to your hotel. This afternoon we embark on a tour of Hue City including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City , the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba market. Tonight you enjoy the fine cuisine of Hue in the Tinh Gia Vien Restaurant. Overnight in Hue

Day 5: Hue World Heritage (B/L)

Rising up in the ancient land, breakfast in hotel, you board on a private traditional boat for cruising on the romantic Perfume River. This time you head out for the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. Setting in the converge of rivers, and gives you a great view on the Perfume River and surrounding area. From here you will cruise further to the ornate Minh Mang's tomb. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant before driving to king Tu Duc's tomb. Overnight in Hue.

Day 6: Hue - My Son - Hoi An World Heritages (B/L)

Today you will travel over the Hai Van pass, stop in Danang for a visit to the Cham Museum. Continue to visit the Cham Ruins at My Son Holy Land. My Son is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the second to the thirteenth century. Their religion was primarily derived from Indian Hinduism. My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. The complex is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. This site is a Must-See for those people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations and is now one of five UNESCO World Heritage sites in Vietnam. You drive to Hoi An for hotel check-in and have some free time to explore the town. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 7: Ancient Town Hoi An (B/L)

From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders. These people came primarily to trade in the high grade silk, which is still produced in the area, as well as ceramics. Today, Hoi An is a quaint riverside town, popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailors shops, and numerous cafes. Some of the buildings in the narrow streets have remained unchanged for more than a century.

You enjoy a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200- year old Tam Ky ancestral house, and the Japanese Bridge. Following the tour there will be free time to shop or relax. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)

Transfer and flight to HCMC for two nights. Afternoon, private tour of Ho Chi Minh City, the country's commercial center and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops. Visit the Reunification Palace , the Opera House and Hotel de Ville.
If desired, also visit the powerful War Remnants Museum. Explore colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street, the city's main shopping boulevard with fashionable boutiques and accessories designed by up-and-coming Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and house-wares. Overnight in HCMC.

Day 9: Mekong Delta Excursion (B/L)

Leave HCMC to lush My Tho where you will board a private boat to go through the green vegetation of the canals to an orchard, where guests are treated to a delicious lunch in a bonsai garden in the heart of the Mekong, complete with succulent tropical fruits. You also visit the Dong Tam snake-farm that breeds snakes for, among other things, snake wine and enjoy a bonsai garden in Trung Luong before heading back to HCMC. Overnight in HCMC.

Day 10: Cu Chi Underground Tunnels (B/L)

In the morning you enjoy a half-day private excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi Tunnels consist of more than 200km of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War. Afternoon free at leisure. Overnight in HCMC.

Day 11: Departure (B)

There is no activity planned for today. Enjoy your free time for souvernir shopping until transfer to the airport for your onward flight.