VN - T
10: COASTAL CLASSIC, 10 days (L)
Hanoi – Halong - Hoi An - Danang - Hue -
Saigon
Day
1 Hanoi
Arrival in Hanoi: meet on arrival at the
airport and transfer for to old quarter; discover the old quarter of Hanoi by
cyclo. It is also called "36 streets," most of which are named after
the crafts or merchandise traditionally sold there.
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2 Hanoi
– Halong
After
breakfast at the hotel and continue sightseeing in Hanoi - a city of lakes,
shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very
attractive city with French style buildings and less traffic than other cities
in Asia. Visit One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho
Chi Minh Mausoleum and Opera House. Afternoon, journey west along Highway
5, across Hai Hung Province and then across two ferries from Hai Phong to
Halong.
Overnight in Halong
ONE PILLAR PAGODA: built by the
Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who ruled from 1028 to 1054. Constructed of wood on a
single stone pillar, it is designed to resemble a lotus blossom.
TEMPLE OF LITERATURE: founded in 1070
by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, who dedicated it to Confucius in order to honor
scholars and men of literary accomplishment.
HOAN KIEM LAKE: right in the
heart of Hanoi, this lake contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda,
topped with a red star.
HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM: in the tradition
of Lenin and Stalin before him and Mao after him, the final resting place of Ho
Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels of a monumental edifice
that has become a site of pilgrimage. (Closed Mondays and Fridays).
OPERA HOUSE: a magnificent
900-seat opera house built in 1911. (May be viewed from the outside only).By
vehicle from Hanoi via Hai Phong to Halong.
Day
3 Halong
– Hanoi
After breakfast, boat trip Halong Bay (4 hrs). This four-hour boat ride explores Halong Bay, passing the islands of Trong, Mai, Am, Chen and Cong Troi (Heaven Gates). Stop at one of the islands and visit of one of the following caves. By vehicle from Halong to Hanoi. Journey around Halong Bay to Hai Phong and west along Highway 5, across Hai Hung Province.
Overnight in Hanoi
HANG DAU GO: a huge,
three-chambered cave, which is reached via 90 steps. The cave derives its
Vietnamese name from the third of the chambers, which is said to have been used
by Trang Hung Dao during the 13th century to store bamboo stakes used against
the Mongol invaders.
BO NAU: the
"Pelican" caves.
THIEN CUNG: "Heaven
Palace."
Day
4 Hanoi
- Danang – Hoi An
After breakfast, transfer to the airport
for flight from Hanoi to Danang
. Arrival Danang,
meet on arrival at the airport, process to visit China Beach and at the Marble
Mountains before transfer to Hoi An, the picturesque riverside town south of
Danang. It is best to visit some of the following sites of Hoi An by walking
around and/or by cyclo.
Overnight in Hoi An
CHAM MUSEUM: founded in 1915
by the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, the open-air collection of Cham
sculpture is the finest in the world. Many of the sandstone carvings are
breathtaking.
CHINA BEACH: made famous in
the American TV series of the same name, it stretches for many kilometers north
and south of the Marble Mountains. During the war, American soldiers were
airlifted here for 'rest and relaxation'.
MARBLE MOUNTAINS: five stone
hillocks, once islands, made of marble. Each is said to represent one of the
five elements of the universe. The largest and most famous, Thuy Son, has a
number of natural caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the
centuries. When the Champas ruled this area, these same caves were used as
Hindu shrines.
HOI AN is a picturesque riverside town
south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South
East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
It is best to visit some of the following sites of Hoi An by walking around
and/or by cyclo.
QUAN CONG TEMPLE: founded in 1653,
the main altar is dedicated to Quan Cong, whose partially gilded statue is in
the central altar at the back of the sanctuary. Stone plaques on the walls list
contributors to the construction and repair of the temple. The temple was open
to all Chinese traders or seamen and is dedicated to Thien Hau – it’s a small
Chinese style temple with a lintel gate, a rockery courtyard and lucky animals
depicted in statuary.
PHUOC KIEN PAGODA: Chinese pagoda
built around 1690 and then restored and enlarged in 1900. It is typical of the
Chinese 'clans' that were established in the Hoi An area. The temple is
dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors
and Fishermen).
JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE: the first bridge
on this site was constructed in 1593. It was built by the Japanese community of
Hoi An to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream. The bridge was
provided with a roof so it could be used as a shelter from rain and sun.
TRAN FAMILY CHAPEL: this house for
worshipping ancestors was built about 200 years ago with donations from the
family members. The Tran family traces its origins to China and moved to
Vietnam around 1700. The architecture of the building reflects the influence of
Chinese and Japanese styles.
SA HUYNH MUSEUM: located near the
Japanese covered Bridge, it contains exhibitions from the earliest period of
Hoi An's history.
<>
Day
5 Hoi
An – Hue
After breakfast, depart Hoi An for Hue -
Journey north along Highway 1 past Danang, Lang Co and the Hai Van Pass (pass
of the Ocean Clouds), passing through many fruit orchards, small villages of
red-tiled, you can enjoy spectacular views of sky and sea.
Overnight in Hue
HAI VAN PASS: the pass crosses
over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South China
Sea. It is an incredible mountainous stretch of highway with spectacular views.
LANG CO: a pretty, island-like stretch of
palm-shaded sand with a crystal-clear lagoon on one side and many kilometers of
beachfront facing the South China
Arrive in Hue, the royal city of
Vietnam’ last ruling dynasty. Transfer to hotel after refreshment takes boat
trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh
Mang.
THIEN MU PAGODA: just outside of
Hue, on the bank of the Perfume River, this was a hotbed of anti-government
protest during the early 1960s. Behind the main sanctuary of the pagoda is the
Austin motorcar, which transported the monk Thich Quang Duc to the site of his
1963 self-immolation.
TOMB OF EMPEROR MINH MANG: a complex built
in 1840 by King Minh Mang, known for its magnificent architecture, military
statuaries and elaborate decorations. It is perhaps the most beautiful of Hue's
pagodas and tombs.
Day 6 Hue
After breakfast at the hotel, continue
discover the royal city of Vietnam’ last ruling dynasty visits the old Imperial
City, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa palace, Hall Of The Mandarins, Nine Dynastic Urns,
Forbidden Purple City, Tu Duc Tomb, Khai Dinh and Dong Ba Market.
Overnight in Hue
IMPERIAL CITY: located in the
Citadel, it was built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden
City in Peking. There are numerous palaces and temples within these walls, as
well as towers, a library and a museum.
NGO MON GATE: the principal
entrance to the Imperial Enclosure, facing the Flag Tower. The central
passageway with its yellow doors was reserved for use by the emperor, as was
the bridge across the lotus pond.
THAI HOA PALACE: built in 1803 and moved to its present site in 1833, Thai Hoa Palace is a spacious hall with an ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns.
HALLS OF THE MANDARINS: these buildings,
in which the mandarins prepared for court ceremonies held in the Can Chanh
Reception Hall, were restored in 1977.
NINE DYNASTIC URNS: these were cast
in 1835-36. Traditional ornamentation was then chiseled into the sides of the
urns, each dedicated to a different Nguyen sovereign.
FORBIDDEN PURPLE CITY: this was reserved for the personal use of the emperor. The only servants allowed into the compound were eunuchs, who would pose no threat to the royal concubines. (Today the site is in ruins). Sightseeing at the Imperial Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh
TU DUC TOMB: Emperor Tu Duc,
who ruled Hue more than 100 years ago, built his tomb when he was still alive
and used it for meditation, reading and theater performances. There are
pavilions in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. The tomb was
constructed between 1864 and 1867. Tu Duc, who was the longest reigning
Emperor, lived a luxurious life.
KHAI DINH: this was the last monument of the
Nguyen dynasty and was constructed between 1920 and 1931. It sits magnificently
on the slopes of Chau E Mountain in Chau Chau Village. It has a long staircase
flanked by dragons. There are ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes. Visit the Dong
Ba Market
DONG BA MARKET: a local market
near the Imperial City.
Day 7 Hue
– Saigon
After breakfast,
transfer to the airport for flight to Saigon. Arrival in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh
City): meet on arrival at the airport, transfer to the hotel.
Sightseeing in Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown) - the largest of Vietnamese cities visit Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, City Hall, Opera House, Jade Emperor Pagoda, Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Gian Lam Pagoda, Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Pagoda.
Overnight in Saigon
NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL: built between
1877 and 1883, it is set in the heart of Saigon's government quarter. It has a
neo-Romanesque form and two high square towers, tipped with iron spires. In
front of the cathedral is a statue of the Virgin Mary.
CENTRAL POST OFFICE: a French-style
building with a glass canopy and iron frame, situated next to the Notre Dame
Cathedral. The structure was built between 1886 and 1891 and is by far the
largest post office in Vietnam.
CITY HALL: completed in 1908, also known as
“Hotel de Ville”, and located at the northern end of Nguyen Hue Boulevard. With
its ornate gingerbread façade, it looks like the town hall
of a French town. (May be viewed from the outside only).
OPERA HOUSE: built around the
turn of the century and first renovated in the 1940s, the building housed the
lower division of the National Assembly. Today it is a Municipal Theater and
also known as the Saigon Concert Hall. (May be viewed from the outside only).
JADE EMPEROR PAGODA: was a key meeting
place for Chinese secret societies. It has very colorful and mysterious
ambience.
REUNIFICATION PALACE: this was the
Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president and was stormed by tanks
on 30 April 1975, signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved
in its original state.
WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM: collections of
weapons and photographs from two Indochina wars are exhibited along with the
original French 'Guillotine' brought here in the early 20th century.
BEN THANH MARKET: the central
market of Saigon, which, with the surrounding streets, makes up one of the
city's liveliest areas. Everything commonly eaten, worn or used by the average
resident of Saigon is available here.
GIAM LAM PAGODA: the oldest pagoda
in Saigon, built at the end of the 17th century. Because the last
reconstruction here was in 1900, the architecture, layout and ornamentation
remain almost unaltered by the modernist renovations that have transformed so
many other religious structures in Vietnam. Ten monks live in this pagoda,
which also incorporates aspects of Taoism and Confucianism.
BINH TAY MARKET: Cholon's main
marketplace, much of the business conducted here is wholesale.
THIEN HAU PAGODA: built by the
Cantonese congregation in the early 19th century. The pagoda is one of the most
active in Cholon and is dedicated to Thien Hau. It is said that she can travel
over the oceans on a mat and ride the clouds to wherever she pleases.
Day 8 Saigon
After breakfast at the hotel, excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels - 45 miles from the city to see Vietcong underground base used during the American war, this amazing network was never discovered. Afternoon process to Tay Ninh, visit the Caodai Great Temple.
Overnight in Saigon
CU CHI TUNNELS: Cu Chi was an
important base during the American War, because of its strategic location. The
Vietcong built a 200km long network of tunnels connecting command posts,
hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Dug out of hard late rite by hand
tools without the use of cement, this amazing network was never discovered.
TAY NINH: this town serves
as the headquarters of one of Vietnam's religions, Caodism. The Caodai Great
Temple at the sect's Holy See is one of the most striking structures in all of
Asia and was built between 1933 and 1955. The area's dominant geographic
feature is Nui Ba Den (Black Lady Mountain), which towers 850m above the
surrounding plains.
Please
note that shortly before and during the annual TET festival (Vietnamese New
Year) the daily ceremony of the priests in Tay Ninh may be cancelled without
prior notice.
Day 9 Saigon
After breakfast, excursion to My Tho with
boat trip on the Mekong, visit My Tho and enjoy the boat ride on the Mekong
River and visit to an orchard on an Island with a stop at the Vinh Trang
Pagoda
Overnight in Saigon
MY THO: capital of Tien Giang Province.
The economy is based on fishing and the cultivation of rice, coconuts, bananas,
mangoes, longans, and citrus fruit.
MEKONG DELTA: this is the
southernmost region of Vietnam, formed by sediment deposited by the Mekong
River. Silt deposits extend the delta shoreline at the mouth of the river by as
much as 79m per year. The area is known as Vietnam's 'bread basket' and
produces the rice, which feeds the entire country. Visit one or two of the
islands with traditional handcrafts, bee farms and coconut candy production.
DRAGON ISLAND: the island has
many longan orchards, which can be visited and the lush, palm fringed shores of
the island are lined with wooden fishing boats.
PHOENIX ISLAND: until his
imprisonment and the consequent dispersion of his flock, the coconut Monk (Ong
Dao Dua) led a small community on this island.
VINH TRANG PAGODA: a beautiful and
well-maintained sanctuary, this is the oldest pagoda in the delta. The
charitable monks here provide a home to orphans, disabled and other needy
children.
Day 10 Saigon
After
breakfast, free time at leisure until transfer to the airport for departure.
End
of Services **Note: Itinerary subject
to change due to flight schedules.