12 Day Heritage Of Vietnam Classic Tour

Breakfast at your hotel.

After which your guide and driver will collect you, and begin your 2- hour drive to Ninh Binh Province

The Bai Dinh Pagoda is located 20km west of Ninh Binh Town. The journey to Bai Dinh Pagoda will lead you along a road that hugs the edge of the Trang An River, surrounded by the world-renowned cliffs that are said to resemble that of Ha Long Bay, but on land.

You will enter the Pagoda complex via an electric buggy, which stops at the main gate. After which you will walk through the complex.

The Bai Dinh Pagoda complex attracts both Vietnamese, and foreign tourists alike. Local Vietnamese come both to pay their respects, and occasionally have their fortunes told by the resident monks.

Bai Dinh Pagoda, is Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist complex. It consists of several temples and over 500 intricately carved statues of Buddha, including one that’s made of bronze and is 10 metres in height. Set within the Gia Sinh Commune, monks.

Your guide will explain to you in detail the significance of this wide ranging Buddhist complex.

After your visit to the Bai Dinh Pagoda, we shall drive a short distance to a local restaurant for lunch (Vegetarian option available as always)

Relax for a while after lunch, then we shall proceed to Trang An

Situated near the southern margin of the Red River Delta, the Trang An Landscape Complex is a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, many of them partly submerged and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs. Exploration of caves at different altitudes has revealed archaeological traces of human activity over a continuous period of more than 30,000 years. The story of human occupation continues through the Neolithic and Bronze Ages to the historical era. Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Viet Nam, was established here in the 10th and 11th centuries AD. Trang An Eco system also contains temples, pagodas, paddy-fields and small villages. You will board a Sampan (4 people to each boat max), and you will be gently rowed along the Trang An river. The low level view given to you by the boat journey will amaze you. You will be able to see farmers, both cultivating and planting rice in the surrounding wetlands, plus view the surrounding high reaching limestone mountains. Your sampan boat will take you through 4-5 caves, the shortest being 35mtrs the longest being 105mtrs in length After approximately 2 hours on the boat, you will be dropped back at Trang An wharf. Where our guide and driver will take you safely back to your hotel in Hanoi. Night 2 :Overnight in your hotel in Hanoi

Breakfast at your hotel.

After which our guide will collect you and begin your journey to your cruise of Bai Tu Long Bay.The drive to the port takes approximately 3 hrs, driving through Hai Duong Province, where you shall stop for a short rest room break.

On arrival at the port, you will be transferred to the main cruise via a day boat. On boarding, you will be greeted by the ship’s crew, with a non-alcoholic welcome drink.

Safety check by the captain, you will then be allocated your cabin, time to freshen up.

After which lunch will be served in the ships restaurant as you sail to Bai Tu Long Bay.

We will then arrive at Vung Vieng village ,you will have the opportunity of exploring this area via either Kayak,or Sampan boat(your choice)

After visting Vung Vieng you shall board the day boat, and return to the main cruise.

Deck party on the cruise consisting of one glass of local wie and some seasonal fruit, this deck part will give you the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.

The main cruise will continue sailing through Bai Tu Long Bay ,this is an excellent opportunity for a photo shoot.

Time then to shower, and freshen up.

Your dinner will be served to you in the ship’s restaurant After your dinner you may wish to go on deck and take in the ambience-surroundings of Bai Tu Long Bay Fully stocked bar on the cruise for you if you wish to have some drinks. Night 3 : Overnight on the Cruise

Waken up early 6.30am, and join in the Tai Chi class held on the deck of the cruise

This is a very relaxing way to start your day.

Breakfast will then be served in the ship’s restaurant.

We shall then board the day boat, and visit Thien Canh Son Cave, with its numerous

(note there are 200 steps to access this cave)

After the cave, return to the main cruise.

Check out of your cabin.

There will then be a cooking demonstration held by the chef of the cruise, you be shown how to make a traditional Vietnamese spring roll (which shall accompany your lunch. Lunch will be served, as the cruise sails back to the wharf. Board our aircon bus to Hanoi You have some free time in Hanoi before your train journey ,

We advise that you have dinner, before your train jouney Tonight you shall board the soft sleeping train to Dong Hoi Our private car will transfer you to Hanoi train station for your soft sleeping train to Dong Hoi

Night 4: Overnight on the soft sleeping train (4 people to each cabin)

On your arrival at Dong Hoi train station our private car will transfer you Phong Nha town for breakfast.

Your tour will then begin with a boat trip on the Son River to the caves at Phong Nha. Explore Phong Nha cave one of the largest wet caves via boat, and walking

Phong Nha Cave was first “discovered” in 1899 During the American war the cave was used as a hospital to store and hide equipment and as a hospital. The Phong Nha cave is not the only cave in the area that was used for military purposes. Many other caves were used as hide-outs, weapons arsenals and bomb shelters!

In 1992 a group of British scientist joined the Hanoi University on a expedition inside the cave. With the mission, to fully explore the cave and document it. Several expeditions were organized and the group had successfully discovered 7,729 meters of cave with a maximum height of 50 meters and a maximum depth of 83 meters. This expedition and documentation was the reason for opening it up for tourism in 1995.

The Phong Nha cave is one of the longest wet cave or river cave in the world. The extremely large subterranean river system is running through the entire cave, however, there are some large dry chambers in the cave which the water doesn’t reach anymore. These dry areas give you the chance to explore the enormous caverns by foot

After exiting the cave via boat, you will be returned to the main wharf at Phong Nha town.

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant (vegetarian option available as always)

After lunch we shall visit the “Spectacular” Paradise Cave.

Paradise Cave one of the most popular caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. It was discovered by a local who was hunting in the region in 2005, and it was opened to visitors in 2010.

The British Cave Research Association, which explored the cave, named it Thien Duong – Paradise – because of its beauty, and its walkways show off rotund and fluidly shaped stalactites and stalagmites of various sizes.

The first 2.5 kilometres (2 mile) is open to all visitors. Viewing the cave is quiet easy, as there is a wide board walk running throughout the cave. The Paradise Cave trek is unlike any other cave in the area, the walk inside there is like immersing yourself in an alien world.

After visiting Paradise cave, our guide and driver will take you to Dong Hoi.

Breakfast at your hotel. (B)

The Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone was a demilitarized zone established as a dividing line between North and South Vietnam as a result of the First Indochina War.

During the Vietnam War, it became important as the battleground demarcation separating North from South Vietnamese territories.

The zone ceased to exist with the reunification of Vietnam, though the area remains dangerous due to the numerous undetonated explosives it contains. The Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone ran from east-west near the center of present-day Vietnam (spanning more than a hundred kilometers) and was a couple of kilometers wide, about a hundred kilometers north of the city of Huế. It ran along the Ben Hai River for much of its length, and an island nearby was controlled by North Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War. Although it was nominally described as being at "the 17th parallel," almost all of the zone lies to the south of the parallel, with only a small portion of the zone near the eastern end actually including the parallel.

We begin our day by visiting the Hien Luong bridge & Ben Hai river – the 17th Parallel.

Between 1945 and 1975, the Ben Hai River served as the demarcation line between North and South of Vietnam. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) consisted of a 5 km to north and south of the demarcation line.

Our next stop is Vinh Moc Tunnels - the famous “Underground city”.

Vinh Moc is story is a feat of humanity and resistance. In order to escape heavy bombardment during the war, the villagers constructed approximately 2.8 km of underground tunnels which they used as a refuge to survive the bombings the tunnels were built to shelter people from the intense bombing of Son Trung and Son Ha communes in Vinh Linh county of Quảng Trị Province in the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone.

The American forces believed the villagers of Vinh Moc were supplying food and armaments to the North Vietnamese garrison on the island of Con Co which was in turn hindering the American bombers on their way to bomb Hanoi. The idea was to force the villagers of Vinh Moc to leave the area. The villagers initially dug the tunnels to move their village 10 metres underground but the American forces designed bombs that burrowed down 10 metres.

Eventually, against these odds, the villagers moved the village to a depth of 30 metres. It was constructed in several stages beginning in 1966 and used until early 1972. The complex grew to include wells, kitchens, rooms for each family and spaces for healthcare. Around sixty families lived in the tunnels; as many as 17 children were born inside the tunnels.

The tunnels were a success and no villagers lost their lives. The only direct hit was from a bomb that failed to explode; the resulting hole was utilized as a ventilation shaft, which goes to prove the ingenuity, and resilience of the Vietnamese After visting the tunnel’s the surrounding area, and the Vinh Moc museum you will be transferred to your hotel in Hue

This morning, we shall visit the Royal Palace which has three perimeters, namely from outside to inside:

Kinh Thanh (Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel)

Capital Citadel: This construction started in 1805 under the reign of Emperor Gia Long and completed in 1832 under the reign of Emperor Ming Mang.

Royal Citadel: The Imperial City is located in the centre of the Citadel where established highest offices of Viet Nam's feudalism and sanctums honouring the deceased Emperors.

Forbidden Citadel: Located inside the Imperial City, behind the Throne Palace, the Forbidden Purple City was reserved for Emperor and his family.

After our visit to Hue Citadel we shall visit

The tomb of King Khai Dinh which is located in Chau Chu mountain near Hue in Vietnam. It was built from 1920 to 1931 taking 11 years to complete. In comparison with those of the preceding emperors, Khai Dinh’s tomb is much smaller i but it is extremely elaborate.

Then visit Thien Mu pagoda, an ancient pagoda in Hue city,. Its pagoda has seven storeys and is the tallest in Vietnam. The pagoda sits on the Ha Khe hill, in the ward of Huong Long in Hue. It is around 3 km from the Citadel of Hue constructed by the Nguyen Dynasty and sits on the northern bank of the Perfume River.

After which we will arrive at your hotel in Hoi An around mid afternoon Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is relaxed and informal, allowing you time to get a feel of Hoi An

Night 7:Overnight in Hoian

Morning tour of Hoi An: We discover how the traditions of the past are treasured in the present in Hoi An. An take part in a walking tour around this enchanting port town, follow the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures and visit its numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, the Tan Ky old house, the local market.

Lunch at a local restaurant

After lunch we will visit My Son Holy land, a cluster of abandoned and partially ruined Hindu Temples constructed between the 4th and the 14th century AD by the kings of Champa The My Son temple complex is regarded one of the foremost Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia and is the foremost heritage site of this nature in Vietnam. As of 1999, My Son has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

Returning to your hotel in Hoi An

Night 8: Overnight in Hoi An

Breakfast at your hotel

After which you will be tranfared to Danang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City

On your arrival at HCMC airport you will be transferred to your hotel Check in time 14.0pm

In the afternoon we shall continue with a half day city tour

Visiting the HCMC famous land marks, beginning at the former Presidential Palace which was once headquarters for the Saigon Government during the "American War", and the War Remnants Museum, established in September 1975 in Ho Chi Minh City. It contains countless artefacts, photographs, and pictures documenting some of the less heroic activities carried out by the US army in Vietnam. Planes, tanks, bombs and helicopters are also on display in the grounds of the museum. Next visit the 1880 & General Post Office and the late 19th century Notre Dame cathedral, located in a quiet part of the city.

Night 9: Overnight in Saigon

Breakfast at your hotel Then begin your tour to the Mekong Delta The Mekong Delta is Vietnam & rice bowl - a fertile region of flat farmland interlaced with thousands of waterways and tributaries of the Mekong.

Upon your arrival, we shall take a boat trip to explore the colourful Cai Be floating market, where you can observe all of busy trading activities of local traders with several kinds of agricultural product from one boat to another. We then continue the cruise to a local family industry, and view how pop rice, pop corn, rice paper and coconut candies are made. You also have an opportunity to taste these products served with hot green tea.

Return to your boat for an excursion to Dong Hoa Hiep Island and discover the beautiful and peaceful scenery together with the typical life of the region along the Mekong River.

A short walk through a local village, and fruit gardens, you will be able to stop at a local family and view the life style of the locals

Take a small rowing sampan for a cruise through Dong Phu canal, Binh Hoa Phuoc, An Binh to Vinh Long, the capital town of Cuu Long (nine Dragon) province. Stopping along the way for photographs. You then have a short walk through a nursery garden and enjoy several kinds of tropical fruit seasonal fruit, sample snake wine while listening to the traditional music, called Tai Tu which is performed by the local people.

Return to the boat to cross the Co Chien River, one of the two branches of the Mekong, called the upper one to Vinh Long Pier Board our aircon bus, returning to your hotel in HCMC

Night 10 Overnight in Saigon

Air Con Bus

Breakfast at your hotel.

Depart for Cu Chi tunnels. Our tour guide will give you an overview introduction of Cu Chi Tunnels and its legendary history. Enjoy the scenic drive northwest towards the Cambodian border.

Visitors will find it hard to imagine the destructions, damage and defoliation all over the area, caused by bombing and mines, when Cu Chi was classed " A Free Target Zone ". as y drive to Cu Chi via idyllic farmstead’s and luscious fruit plantations

Upon on your arrival, we will watch a short documentary style film regarding the pivotal role the tunnel system played during both the French, and American conflicts.

We will then begin the actual tour of the tunnel’s you can if you wish actually enter parts of the tunnel system if you wish, this will give you a hand’s on feel so to speak as what being in the tunnels for any length of time is actually like. (the size of certain parts of the tunnel system has been increased to facilitate for access to tourist’s)

The Cu Chi tunnels served as base for Viet Cong, the National Liberation Front, where the local soldiers and residents used to eat, sleep, work, cook and even go to school. Started in 1948 as a hiding place from French air attacks, by 1965 the tunnel was estimated to consist of an astounding 200 km of tunnels. It included almost everything needed for the life of local inhabitants: hospitals, schools, meeting rooms, kitchens and more.

Tourist’s may also attend the firing range located at Cu Chi, and experiment by firing either an AK47 or M16 or machine gun (Payment for this activity is separate from the tour). 13:00 Have lunch in a local restaurant. (Vegetarian option available) After lunch, the guide will transfer you back to your hotel. Arrive back in Ho Chi Minh City 14:00-14:30

Night 11: Overnight in your hotel HCMC