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Explore the beautiful country of Vietnam on this 14 day tour with Tucan. See Hanoi, Halong Bay and more! Itinerary Day 1 to 1 Arrive Hanoi
Day 1 is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities, so you
will have free time to relax and see some of the sights.Hanoi is the
capital of the Socialist Republic and is dominated by colonial buildings
and tree-lined boulevards. The city boasts a convoluted yet elegant
history which is characterised by its ‘chameleon of names' – the city
has changed names many times throughout history. In terms of recent
history, the French withdrew their forces in 1954 and ever since foreign
investment and property has developed substantially. In Hanoi,
exploring on your own is relatively easy on foot or by bike. Many
travellers believe the true appeal and essence of Hanoi is discovered
wandering the streets, tasting local market food, observing the local
way of life, and taking in the architecture and surrounds.
Day 2 to 3 Halong Bay
In the morning we depart Hanoi and drive to Halong Bay. The area is
surrounded by spectacular beaches and is, naturally, renowned for its
delicious seafood!
We will arrive around midday and board our junk boat for a cruise,
(lunch included). On our cruise we will visit the famous caves and then
find a secluded spot for swimming, kayaking and sunbaking.
Halong Bay (Bay of Descending Dragons) is renowned for its limestone
karsts. The bay consists of a dense cluster of just under 2,000
limestone monolithic islands, each topped with thick jungle vegetation,
which rise dramatically from the ocean. Several of these islands are
hollow and contain large caves, and on our cruise we will be able to
explore these caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Dinner will
be followed by the option of a spot of night fishing if you're still
awake!
Local legend describing the origin of the bay claims that the gods sent a
family of dragons to defend the land when locals were fighting
neighbouring invaders (thus the name 'Bay of Descending Dragons'). When
the dragons came down on Halong Bay they began spitting out jewels,
which turned into the various islands that are scattered around the bay,
linking together and forming a barrier against invaders. Halong Bay was
kept safe and free from invading warriors from then on. Day 3 to 4 Halong Bay - Hanoi -Hue In
the morning we will continue to cruise around the bay to find more
secluded areas to either swim or kayak in.
In the early afternoon we will depart the majestic Halong Bay and travel
back to Hanoi (approx 3 hours) for some more free time. If you haven't
seen a water puppet show yet, make it your business to do so at our stop
this time as it is our last visit to Hanoi! We will board our overnight
train to Hue. Day 5 to 6 Hue Once the capital
of Vietnam (during the Nguen Dynasty in 1802-1945), Hue is situated on
the banks of the Huong Giang or Perfume River. It is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site and a bustling, lively place with many things to see and
do. Hue is renowned for its monuments temples, pagodas and architecture.
The Imperial City, often likened to the Forbidden City in Beijing (and
sometimes referred to as the Forbidden City as well), is well worth a
visit. Hue also offers many Buddhist pagodas and markets to explore if
you just feel like soaking up the lively atmosphere. Day 6 to 8 Hoi An -Nha Trang We
depart Hue and travel south to Hoi An. The drive takes us across the
Marble Mountains and via the scenic Hai van Pass. There are stunning
views to take in of the surrounding coastline and rice paddies. (The
drive is approx 4 hours).
We have free time in Hoi An to explore the handicrafts, ceramics and
fabrics that are sold at an abundance of markets. Hoi An is renowned for
tailoring; pack your favourite item of clothing and get it copied here!
If you're all shopped-out, you might enjoy relaxing on the serene
coastal beaches with some local cuisine. We will then travel by
overnight bus to Nha Trang. Day 9 to 10 Nha Trang This
beachside city is a popular destination for many travellers and is
brimming with restaurants, bars and nightlife. You can choose to relax
and swim in the surrounding crystal clear waters, or maybe take a cruise
around the islands with a seafood lunch. We board the overnight train
to Ho Chi Minh City. Day 11 to 12 Ho Chi Minh City We
arrive in Ho Chi Minh City in the early morning and have the rest of
the day free to explore. Ho Chi Minh City was known as Saigon until the
end of the Vietnam War (around 1975). Originally a small fishing
village, Ho Chi Minh City is now the most important economic centre in
Vietnam and is the largest city in the country.
Traffic in the city is fairly hectic at the best of times. Getting
around is relatively easy by taxi or motorbike taxi, although drivers
may not always speak English. Bus is the only form of public transport
and motorbikes rule the road; there are around 3 million motorbikes
cruising around the streets of Ho Chi Minh City!
If you're interested in the history of the Vietnam War make sure you
visit the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Hall. We include an
excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. A network of tunnels which was home to
around 10,000 people who lived underground for several years during the
war. It took about 25 years to build this underground city. It has
living rooms, kitchens, hospitals, weapon factories, storage facilities
and command centres. In its hey day the tunnel system stretched over
250km from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep.
Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction
giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground
life in the American war must have been like.
Or if you're in the mood to haggle for a bargain, don't miss Ho Chi
Minh's largest market, the Ben Thanh Market. You can buy everything from
cosmetics to live ducks here! There are also numerous food stalls at
this market, and at the popular Night Market nearby. The food in Ho Chi
Minh is some of the best and most diverse in all of Vietnam so make sure
you eat well during your stay! There are also many bars and clubs to
spend your evening in. Day 12 to 14 Mekong Delta -Depart Ho Chi Minh City This
morning we travel to the heart of the Mekong Delta, visiting Cao Dai
temple along the way. We will take a boat trip around the tributaries of
the mighty Mekong River which provides an insight into a real
perspective of Delta life. We will also visit a local handicraft village
and you will have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs to support the
local community. We will stay with a local family overnight.The
accommodation on the Mekong Delta has no showers and no hot water. You
will be staying in home stays along with other members of your group.
The next morning we take an early cruise on a traditional sampan to
visit the famous floating markets. We will return to Ho Chi Minh City in
the late afternoon and spend another night here. Our tour concludes on
day 14. |
