VIETNAM ESSENTIAL 9 DAYS

BRIEF ITINERARY 

Day	Itinerary	Meal
DAY 1	SAI GON ARRIVAL
DAY 2	SAI GON FULL DAY CITY TOUR & CU CHI TUNNELS	B/L
DAY 3	SAI GON -  CAI BE FLOATING MARKET – SAIGON	B/L
DAY 4	SAI GON - DA NANG - HOI AN CITY TOUR	B/L
DAY 5	HOI AN – HUE BOAT TRIP	B/L
DAY 6	HUE – HA NOI HALF DAY CITY TOUR	B/L
DAY 7	HA NOI - HA LONG / OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE	B/L/D
DAY 8	HA LONG BAY - HA NOI	B/L
DAY 9	HA NOI DEPARTURE

DAY 1: HO CHI MINH ARRIVAL
 
Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, welcome by our guide and transfer to your hotel. Ho Chi Minh City formerly named Saigon is the largest city and economic center of Vietnam always bustled with activities of modern life. It is where businesses converge and shoppers indulge themselves into unlimited choices. However the city also carries with it a rich historical legacy in contrast with its dazzling glamor.
 
Meal: Not included
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Saigon.
 
DAY 2: FULL DAY EXPORE CU CHI TUNNEL & CITY TOUR



Morning, meet our guide at your hotel and transfer about 75 km North west of downtown Ho Chi Minh City. to visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were once a major underground hideout and resistance base of Viet Cong forces during the two wars against the French and the Americans. The tunnels, entirely hand-dug, formed a highly intricate network of interlinked multilevel passageways at times stretched as far as the Cambodian border and totaling over 120 km in length. Its complexity was beyond imagination containing meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches and emergency exits all aimed for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and strong enough to withstand destructive bombings and self-contained enough to outlast prolonged sieges.
 Afternoon, tour in the city starting first with the Reunification Palace, which was formerly the South Vietnam President’s residence and symbol of the Southern Administration’s reign until end of April 1975. Next, stop at Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, a neo-Roman cathedral built over 130 years ago by the colonial French with materials entirely imported from Marseilles. Call in Sai Gon Post Office, a fine colonial building which was designed and built in the early 20th Century by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel. Move on to Cho Lon or the city’s China Town where you will visit the Jade Emperor Temple (Phuoc Hai), a rare Taoist structure in Vietnam built in 1909 in dedication to the Lord of Heaven. End of the second day.
 
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch,
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh
 
DAY 3: FULL DAY MEKONG DETLA ( VINH LONG)



Morning, pick up at your hotel and transfer about 136km to Vinhlong, a riverside town located in the Mekong Delta. Enjoy a boat cruise to the Caibe floating market with sellers and buyers bargaining and exchanging goods from their boats, and then go to Hoa Binh Phuoc islet where the maze o shady creeks will surely fascinate you. You will have a chance to mingle with local peasants, learn the secrets of their bonsai gardening. Visit local homes where the families produce tiles and ceramics; drop into rice-paper mills and coconut-candy mills; and observe daily country life. A typical Vietnamese lunch at a local home will be arranged.
 
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch,
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Saigon.
 
DAY 4: HO CHI MINH – DA NANG – HOI AN CITY TOUR / FLIGHT VN ( 9.55- 11.55)



Have breakfast at hotel. You are transferred to airport for flight to Da Nang. Arrive Da Nang, guide meet you and take you to Hoi An. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant. 
Take half day Hoi An city tour. Once a bustling maritime commercial port of Asia between 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, is now a peaceful town of exceptionally well-preserved architecture, lifestyles and traditions. The town exemplifies a fascinating fusion of cultures between Vietnam and the outside world including China, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines. Your sightseeing will include the iconic 400-year-old Covered Bridge with a small temple attached to one side as a prominent example of Japanese architecture, the Museum of Trade Ceramics which is an elegant Vietnamese style wooden house built in 1858 showcasing antique ceramic artifacts, the 200-year-old Tan Ky House typifying an ancient Chinese merchant residence, the Ong Temple built in 1653 by Chinese settlers to worship Guan Yu, an ancient Chinese general whose character stands for loyalty, bravery and justice and the local market vibrant with colors and activities.
 
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch,
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Saigon.
 
DAY 5: HOI AN – HUE CITY TOUR



Have breakfast at hotel. 7.30 Transferred to Hue via the Hai Van Pass (Ocean Cloud Pass). Enjoy a stunning headland-and-bay panoramic view from the pass, which for miles hugs the mountainside along the shoreline and overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Have lunch on the way.
PM: Enjoy a half-day city tour to visit Hue Citadel - Vietnam’s former imperial capital and recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. With an area of 500ha and a system of three circles of ramparts, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel) and Khai Dinh Tomb, Hue Citadel is the result of the interminglement of many architectural trends: European and Asian, as well as ancient and modern. After that visit Dong Ba market for shopping.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hue.
 
DAY 6: HUE – HANOI HALF DAY CITY TOUR/ FLIGHT VN ( 10.50 – 12.00)

Have breakfast at hotel. Guide meet you at hotel, transfer to Hue airport for flight to Hanoi.
Arrive in Hanoi, local guide welcome you and take you to restaurant for lunch.
PM: Our guide will meet you at hotel and transfer to visit Hoa Lo Prison. Hoa Lo Prison was a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners (The French called the prison Maison Centrale), and later by North Vietnam for prisoners of war during the Vietnam War when it was sarcastically known to American prisoners of war as the "Hanoi Hilton". The prison was demolished during the 1990s, though the gatehouse remains as a museum - with a great deal of valuable objects which reflecting the war. Then continue visit  Temple of Literature – the first university in Vietnam.  Enjoy water puppet show in Thang Long Theater, you will be transferred to restaurant for dinner.  Drop you at hotel.
 
 Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
 
DAY 7: HANOI – HALONG BAY/ OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE




Morning pickup at 8:00 AM from your hotel for transfer to Halong Bay, which is about 160 km or 3.5-hour drive away. The transfer is approximately 3 hours. You will see some rural areas of the Red River Delta with plenty of chances to take photos of Vietnamese farmers working in paddy fields and you may stop on the way to admire the local scenery. 
Arrive in Halong City at 11:30 AM and check in aboard the booked junk right after the welcome drink is served. Start cruising while having lunch on board and enjoy the mighty bay view.
Arrive in Halong City at 11:30 AM and check in aboard the booked junk when your journey across Halong Bay starts. Halong Bay meaning Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as legend has it that it was where a holly dragon landed down from sky. The bay, famous as one of the world’s wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2.
After lunch, take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay dotted with golden sails, go swimming on a quiet beach or sunbath on the sundeck. Later in the afternoon, you will visit an interesting fishing village with an opportunity to interact with local people who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. An optional kayaking trip is available weather permitting. Back onboard enjoy a lavish dinner and enjoy the bay view at sunset. Spend a night on board.
 
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
Accommodation: Overnight on Cruise 
 
DAY 8: HALONG BAY - HANOI

Wake up with Tai Chi exercises on the sundeck and continue cruising the Bay. Enjoy breakfast buffet in the restaurant, then visit the limestone grotto. Enjoy lunch on board and disembark in Halong City around 12.00 noon and private transfer to Hanoi airport. Say goodbye to the crew then transfer to Hanoi. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon.
11:00: Transfer back Hanoi by private car.
15:30: Arrive Hanoi, visit Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. Drop you at hotel.
 
 Meal: Breakfast, Lunch,
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
 
DAY 9: HANOI DEPARTURE

Have breakfast at hotel. Our driver and guide meet you at hotel and transfer to Noi Bai Airport for  departure flight. End trips.

Meal: Breakfast
                                       
                                                                   *************** End Services *************

Tour prices shown are “  per person”, based on a traveling party at least 2 adults. If you intend to travel alonee, the cost is might be much higher. However, you also SAVE MONEY by JOINING “ GROUP TOUR”
 
NOTE: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suite your requirement, but may incur price changes
 

INCLUSIVE

• Accommodation in a double / twin  room with daily breakfast
• One night cruise on luxury Cruise in Ha Long Bay – joining group tour / private cabin
• Lunch or dinner as specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast/ L=Lunch/ D=Dinner)
• Services of a driver and private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers.
• Experienced English-speaking guide during all tours and transfers
• Private board for sightseeing as mentioned in the program, Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
• Private boat trip in Vinh Long.
• Mineral water is available as complementary

EXCLUSIVE

• International & Domestic flight tickets
• Visa stamping fee at the airport (25US$ in Vietnam  paid by cash at the airport)
• Personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc. All other services not specified in the itinerary
• Meals, if not specified in the itinerary
• Tipping for guides, drivers, hotel staff, restaurant staff, boat rider, etc.
• Surcharge for Peak season, Tet Lunar New year holidays, and compulsory dinner at some hotel & resort on Xmas and New year’s Eve
• Travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).
   

Essential Vietnam Tour 9 Days is an interesting trip to explore Vietnam from South  to North with main sites and connecting with the locals, taking you to some most beautiful scenery and historical cities should not be missed once you visit Vietnam.Discover Vietnam’s treasure  trove of historic monuments, vibrant cities, pristine landscapes and rich-culture.This compact Essential Vietnam 9 days highlights offer the best sites. 

Service Details During The Trip

It is said that the experience of living starts when you find the pleasure of enjoying, those little things around us creating unforgettable moments which lasts a lifetime. For us, each detail counts to satisfy our clients, therefore we handle client’s requests with full attention from the time we receive the enquiries until after the end of your trips to our beautiful country. Our ultimate goal is to bring the beauty of our country, our people and our culture to friends all over the world. So join us to become our next happy customers and also our friends.  You can  customize your dream vacation with the things you have always wanted to do.

Private Local Tour Guide   

You will have legally International licensed local tour guide in each destination, from welcome until farewell you at the airport. Your guide will be a person who guide, help, assist and taking care of you in order to make your tour worry-free. He/ she will provide you the useful information ralate to tourist site.  Our tour guide  can help you discover its unique and amazing qualities, with great passion, discipline and knowledge not only to show you the best of Vietnam, but to allow you to feel it with all your senses.


Private Drivers & Vehicle    

Safety is first priority for transportation. Our driver is well trained and always drive clamly and safety, they are polite and helpful  with customers.  A well maintained good condition car with legal business licensed and an experienced driver to make sure you are in safe hands. To maximize your comfort and joyful experience with driving service. Besides, we always provide the latest model vehicle for transportation, give you the most comfortable on the road. The (cold) drinking water are provided in the car.

Local Flavor Meals 
  
Discover traditional food and cuisine will be excellent tourist attraction in each destinations and also claimed that eating local cuisine might be an integral part of the travel experience because food serves ad both entertainment and a cultural activity. Come with us, you not only see beautiful sightseeing, attractive tourist sites, served high quality services but also enjoy traditional food and cuisine in each country you will arrive. Because  we select both restaurants and menus for you. Indochina Vibes will select clean and good environment restaurants for our customers. Menu is also carefully selected by us to ensure you try different food every meal in the your trip. Besides local good, we are well serve Western, Asia, Vegetarian menu for different request.  We also recommend dinners are free on your own so you can choose your favorite food by yourself under necessary assistance of your local guide.

Well-Selected Hotels    

We carefully select accomodation for our customers, you are always received the best choice for your stay in each destination. Hotel must be central located, good breakfast, comfortable stay, high quality services, and morden facilities, joyful decoration style.
 
Travel Visa

Most countries in South East Asia require you to obtain a visa. Please check carefully with your travel specialist regarding specific visa requirements for each country you plan to visit as the legislation does change frequently. Thailand offers a free visa on arrival to most nationalities. Other countries including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar offer a “visa-on-arrival” service which requires you to pay a fee at the airport, or you may prefer to obtain this in advance through the relevant embassy or a visa agent. For visa-on-arrival in Vietnam, you must submit some paperwork before you arrive.

This is an option to get your visa for Vietnam instead of getting visa at the Vietnam consulate in your country.  

Step 1: Provide us your application details

·         Your full name (as exactly seen on your passport)
·         Your gender
·         Your date of birth
·         Your nationality
·         Your passport number
·         Your passport expiration dates ( valid for at least 6 months)
·         Date of arrival ( dd/mm/yy)
·         Date of exit (dd/mm/yy)
·         Arrival airport
 
Step 2: Process your visa information into a visa application   

We will contact you for reviewing your visa information and then submit your application on your behalf to Vietnam Immigration department and follow other procedures pursuant to the regulations of Immigration department to get Visa approval letter granted by Immigration department.

Step 3: Send the visa approval letter via email to you after 5 - 7 working days   

After we obtain the visa approval letter from the Immigration department for you, we will forward you a scanned copy of it by email (Your visa information then have been recorded to the Visa system of the Vietnam Immigration department).

Step 4: Get your visa stamp on your arrival   

Just print the approval letter out, prepare 2 passport sized photos and an amount of USD ( cash) for stamping fee ($25 for single entry visa; $50 for 1 month multiple entry visa and $50 for 3 multiple entry visa). Put all above mentioned things along with your passport in a package, then show them to Immigration officer at Vietnam arrival airports.       

Upon arrival at Vietnam’s airport, expect a simple form to fill in (or contact us to require an arrival form)