Exotic Vietnam Cambodia Tour
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This Vietnam Cambodia Tour 21-day offers you a perfect mixing of nature, adventure, and culture. You will have an opportunity to travel through the fabulous rice terraces in North Vietnam, the incredible karst caves, the colorful floating market, some ancient royal capitals, and many splendid pagodas and temples.
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Destination
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Departure
Hanoi/ Saigon -
Departure Time
Please arrive by 9:15 AM for a departure at 9:30 AM. -
Return Time
Approximately 8:30 PM. -
Dress Code
Casual, comfortable athletic clothing, hat and light jacket. -
Included
AirplaneAirplane TransportBreakfastDeparture TaxesMealsTransportation -
Not Included
5 Star AccommodationEntry VisaPersonal GuideTip for Guide and Driver
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Day 1: HANOI ARRIVAL
Upon arrival at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport ,
you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel. This is Vietnam's capital and celebrated its anniversary of 1,000 years in 2010.
Historical emphasis on the arts and learning stipulates that buildings in Hanoi remain small, simple and in harmony with nature.
Overnight in Hanoi.
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Day 2: HANOI FREE DAY MORNING – CYCLO TRIP – WATER PUPPET - WELCOME DINNER (B/D)
Breakfast at your hotel then free in the morning before a fantastic trip in the afternoon. You are free at leisure to revive after a long flight to Vietnam. You may like to discover the capital city by yourself or just relax at the hotel. At 14:00, you will enjoy a one-hour cyclo ride around Hanoi's Old Quarter. You also 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. Then, enjoy people watching in one of the city’s many stylish cafes. In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show at 17:20 before enjoying a dinner in a finest restaurant of Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.
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Day 3: HANOI FULL DAY CITY TOUR (B/L)
Hanoi is Vietnam’s artistic and intellectual capital. From 8:00 am You will have a full day to visit Hanoi’s main cultural attractions. This full day tour takes you around Hanoi's most interesting sights, including the Ho Chi Minh Complex, his Mausoleum and house on stilts, the Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda. Also on the tour, you'll see the Lake of the Restored Sword and Ngoc Son Temple, the Temple of Literature, peaceful West Lake (with lover's street "Thanh Nien”) and the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda.
Overnight in Hanoi.
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Day 4: HANOI – DUONG LAM VILLAGE - SAPA (B/L)
8:00 a.m Your driver & tour guide will pick you up at your hotel, then travel west of Hanoi to visit Duong Lam village, a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red River delta where many hundred-year-old houses. It will be your unique experience as you walk along tiny ancient alleys; visit Mong Phu temple in Mong Phu hamlet - the only hamlet whose original village entrance gate remains intact, dedicated to national heroes. You then continue driving to visit Mia Pagoda (other hamlet in Duong Lam village), is built in 15 th century and admire 287 statues of all sizes, along with are famous sculpture such as the statue of Buddha in the Himalayas and the statues of the Eight Vajra Deities. Then visit Ngo Quyen temple and Phung Hung temple, places dedicated to two national heroes Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung. Have some talks with the locals in their ancient houses by visiting those. Enjoy your special lunch with Vietnamese foods in an ancient house. After that, I headed to Sapa for a 5 hour-journey. Check-in your hotel upon arrival Sapa in the late afternoon.
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Day 5: SAPA – HIKING TRIBE VILLAGES TO CAT CAT VILLAGE (B/L)
You will have breakfast at the hotel restaurant then enjoy a free morning to explore around town. In the afternoon there will be a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the H'mong hill tribe minority peoples. As you walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, you will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here you will have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. You will stay overnight in Sapa.
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Day 6: SAPA – LAO CHAI – TA VAN VILLAGE (B/L)
Following breakfast, you’ll explore Sapa town and market at 08:00 AM, then set out on a 3-4-hour trek that will take you along buffalo paths and trails (*). You’ll also pass through the hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, home to the H'mong and Dzay people. The villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van are two large villages in the Sapa tourist area. Lao Chai village is located 7 km from Sapa town, adjacent to Lao Chai village is Ta Van village, about 12km from Sapa town. At present, Lao Chai - Ta Van village is home to many ethnic groups such as H'Mong, Dao, Tay...
You will stop for a picnic lunch on the way to Ta Van village at 12:30 p.m. Ta Van village is hidden in the foggy cloud, far away from Sapa busy streets. All its natural beauty is well reserved by over 110 households living in this village. Though you can definitely get there and back in a day, many choose to stay overnight at the homestay in Ta Van village to fully experience a day with the minorities groups culture other than H’mong, one of the most popular minority groups in Sapa region.
Overnight in Sapa.
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Day 7: SAPA - HUNG TEMPLE - HANOI (B/L)
08:00 Leave Sapa after breakfast to return to Hanoi.
11.30 am Arrive in Hung Temple. Have lunch and take a break at the restaurant.
13:30 Incense the ancestral land, visit the most valuable relic area of our nation - the origin of the nation. Visit the Hung Vuong Museum, hear about the history of the formation and development of Van Lang State - First National name of our country.
15.00 Continue to visit the Upper Temple, Middle Temple, Temple House, Hung Kings’ tomb. Take photographs and go shopping for souvenirs freely.
16.30: Leave Phu Tho. Back to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.
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Day 8: HANOI - HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE (B/L/D)
At 8:00 am, your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi to travel to Halong Bay on a comfortable journey in our shuttle vehicles. There will be a 30-minute stop en route for refreshments.
12:00 Arrive at Bhaya Group Cruise Centre at Tuan Chau International Passenger Port.
12:45 Embark your cruise onboard Bhaya Cruises. Enjoy welcome drinks while our Cruise Manager does the itinerary and safety briefing.
12:00 Arrive at Bhaya Group Cruise Centre at Tuan Chau International Passenger Port.
12:45 Embark your cruise onboard Bhaya Cruises. Enjoy welcome drinks while our Cruise Manager does the itinerary and safety briefing.
13:00 Let the vacation begin with a tasty lunch while the boat cruises towards the southwest of Halong Bay.
15:00 Discover the mysterious Tien Ong Cave which is not only a beauty spot but also an archaeological site. Covering an area of 1,000 m2 with stunning stalactites and stalagmites, the cave is one of the finest caves in Halong Bay.
16:00 Arrive at swimming area. It’s time to immerse yourself in the emerald green water of Halong Bay.
17:00 Bar opens for the Happy Hour "Buy one get one free". Take the chance to get more delicious drinks and fun.
17:30 Join exciting “Master-Chef Competition” and fruit carving demonstration, learn and try your hands with authentic Vietnamese food. The winner or the Master-Chef of Bhaya Cruise would be awarded surprising gifts. It’s also time to admire the sunset over enchanting Halong Bay while the boat anchors for an overnight stay.
19:00 Enjoy set-menu dinner on board while your Cruise Manager introduces the following day program.
21:00 Retire to your cabin or join our staffs for squid fishing. Overnight on board.
Overnight on cruise.
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Day 9: TAI CHI ON SUNDECK OF CRUISE - HANOI (B)
06:15 Start off your day with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck with complimentary tea and coffee being served. Rejuvenate your body and mind with the slow movement of Tai Chi and enjoy the dawn on the bay.
07:00 Light breakfast is served onboard. The boat weighs anchor to sail to Cua Van floating fishing village.
07:45 Take your time to visit the village which is voted as one of the 11 insanely beautiful small towns around the world by huffingtonpost.com. You can choose either kayak or traditional rowing boat to go around discovering local life on the waters.
09:00 Return to your boat and relax. Enjoy the brunch before checking out.
10:45 Disembark at Tuan Chau International Passenger Port then disembarkation where your driver waits to take you return to your hotel in Hanoi for another night stay.
Overnight in Hanoi
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Day 10: HANOI – FLIGHT TO HUE - FORBIDDEN CITY VISITING (B/L)
Transfer to the airport to catch a short flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue city, you will embark on a tour of the city. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with many tombs of emperors past, and a visit to Hue would not be complete without taking in attractions such as the Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum, Tu Duc emperor tomb and the Thien Mu Pagoda by river boat. You will explore this fabulous city starting with a visit to the Citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City, the Emperor's private residence.
Among the most impressive monuments in this former grand imperial capital are the Ngo Mon Gate of the imperial city which once was exclusively used by the royal family and their eunuch servants, the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang as well as the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. In fact, many of the monuments surrounding the royal buildings were constructed in the early 19th century and were modeled after Beijing’s Forbidden City. The wall that surrounds the citadel is six meters high and two-and-a-half kilometers long.
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Day 11: HUE – DANANG – HOI AN (B)
Rising up in the ancient land, enjoy your breakfast in the hotel. Then at 8:00 am, board a private boat for cruising the romantic Perfume River, and visit Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda). Situated on the north bank of the Perfume River in the village of Huong Long, five kilometers from the city of Hue, Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved religious sites in Vietnam.
You then visit the ornate imperial tombs of King Ming Mang, one of several Royal Tombs in the outskirts of the former Imperial Capital. This majestic tomb is renowned for its architecture and sublime forest setting. The tomb was planned during Minh Mang’s reign (1820–40) but built by his successor, Thieu Tri. You will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant at 12:30 pm. Leave the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Hue for Hoi An.
13:30 You will travel over the Hai Van pass, stopping in Danang for a visit to the handicraft village of Ngu Hanh on the foot of Marble Mountain before arriving in Hoi An. Once in Hoi An, you will check into our hotel and have some free time to explore the town before an overnight stay.
Overnight in Hoi An
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Day 12: WALKING ANCIENT TOWN HOI AN (B)
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.
At 14:00 You will enjoy a private 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. You will stay overnight in Hoi An.
Overnight in Hoi An.
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Day 13: HOI AN - DANANG – FLIGHT TO SIEM REAP (B)
You have another free day in Hoi An until you transfer to Danang’s International Airport to get a flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Pick up from the airport and then transfer to check in the hotel.
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Day 14: ANGKOR COMPLEX FULL DAY VISITING (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel: Start your sightseeing tour of Angkor area we spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat.
This architectural masterpiece was built in the first half of the 12th century (113-5BC). Estimated construction time of the temple is 30 years by King Suryavarman II, dedicated to Vishnu (Hindu), a replica of Angkor Thom style of art. Angkor Wat, in its beauty and state of preservation, is unrivaled. Its mightiness and magnificence bespeak a pomp and a luxury surpassing that of a Pharaoh or a Shah Jahan, an impressiveness greater than that of the Pyramids, an artistic distinctiveness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal.
We visited the jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm which is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. It has been left untouched by archaeologists except for the clearing of a path for visitors and structural strengthening to stave off further deterioration.You will enjoy a wonderful sunset from the Phnom Bakheng Hills. Then it will be time for dinner with a show at a local restaurant before an overnight stay.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
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Day 15: FLOATING VILLAGE – BANTEAY SREI – BANTEAY SAMRE - FLIGHT TO PHNOM PENH (B/D)
After breakfast, visit the Floating Village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. You will take a boat trip in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the "Great Lake '' of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia, is an ecological hotspot that was designated as a UNESCO biosphere in 1997. Here you will experience the human occupations at the edges of the lake are similarly distinctive – floating villages, towering stilled houses, huge fish traps. You can witness an economy and way of life deeply intertwined with the lake, the fish, the wildlife and the cycles of rising and falling waters. In the wet season, the Tonle Sap Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. In harmony with the specialized ecosystems, the human occupations at the edges of the lake are similarly distinctive - floating villages, towering stilted houses, huge fish traps, and an economy and way of life deeply intertwined with the lake, the fish, the wildlife and the cycles of rising and falling waters. Unlock Tonle Sap’s ecosystem, daily life animated by fishing activities, visit floating schools, houses, crocodile farms and even a floating market.
Our tour guide will explain you about Tonle Sap ecosystem and witness how life works in the floating community. You will spend the rest of time visiting the "Chantiers Ecoles - Les Artisans d'Angkor" which provides training to young Cambodians in an effort to revive the ancient Khmer traditions of stone carving and wood sculpting and transfer to the airport for flight departure. You then visit Banteay Srei Temple (10th century), regarded as one of the crown jewels of classical Khmer Art. Then, you will continue your visit to Banteay Samre, which was built in the third quarter of the 12th century.You will then have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit the unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, then see Srah Srang ("The Royal Baths") which was once used for ritual bathing.
Then it’s off to Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Ta Keo (constructed in the late 10th and early 11th century) and Ta Prohm (one of the area’s most beautiful temples). Then transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will pick us up from the airport and then transfer to check in the hotel. In the evening, transfer to dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Phnom Penh
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Day 16: PHNOM PENH CITY TOUR - ROYAL PALACE - KILLING FIELD (B/L)
Breakfast at a hotel. We continue to visit the Independence monument, then continue to the National Museum, and visit the Royal Palace, a royal residence now where His Majesty, the King of Cambodia, and the royal families live. It is like a small town of royal dynasties. Continued to Silver Pagoda, serves less as a functioning temple than a repository for cultural treasures such as 90 kg golden Buddha encrusted with 2086 diamonds.Then you will continue your visit to the riverfront for a view of the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers.
Next, you will visit Wat Phnom and Year Penh’s statue before lunch at a local restaurant. Wat Phnom Temple is one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh. Built in 1373 on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Daun Chi Penh. As the seat of Cambodia's Mohanikay order, it is the most important way of Phnom Penh, and the center of Cambodian Buddhism.
In the afternoon, you will visit Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 prison). This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeung Ek to be executed. Then drive to visit the “Killing Fields” of Choeung Ek (15 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) were detained and tortured at the S-21 prison and transported to the extermination camp of Choeung Ek. Then we discover Phnom Penh’s Psar Toul Tom Pong, known as the Russian Market, a great place to hunt for souvenirs, curios, and silks.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
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Day 17: PHNOM PENH - FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH CITY (B)
Breakfast at a hotel. Visit Ounalom Pagoda Phnom Penh is one of the major tourist attractions in Phnom Penh. With respect to the numerous pagodas, parks, monuments and museums, the city of Phnom Penh in Cambodia is an ideal destination for the vacationers. Visit to the Ounalom Pagoda, Phnom Penh will render a pleasurable experience to your trip to this city. Then continue to visit the Central Market (Phsar Thmei) , a reference to its location and size.It was constructed in 1935. The Art deco building is shaped in the form of a cross with a nice central dome. It has four wings filled with shops selling gold and silver jewelry, antique coins, fake name-brand watches and other such items. Then you transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Upon arrival, your driver will welcome and pick you up at your hotel for check-in.
Overnight in HCMC.
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Day 18: HCMC - MEKONG DELTA TO MỸ THO - BẾN TRE - CAN THO (B/L)
Ben Tre is the best option for a day trip to the Mekong Delta from Saigon, since it is only around 2 hours away, and 15 minutes from My Tho. However, this wonderful destination retains an authenticity which has been somewhat lessened in nearby My Tho. This picturesque and friendly Mekong Delta town has historically seen very few travelers, but the recent opening of a bridge connecting Ben Tre and My Tho has made it far easier for day trippers to visit from Saigon. Our one-day cruise excursion starts at 8:00 am from the lobby of your hotel in Saigon with a drive to Ben Tre. On arrival at Ham Luong river pier. Cruise on Ben Tre river explores the lively activities along river as fishing, water transferring, and you'll see plenty of coconuts being unloaded from boats for dispatch around the country.
Stop to see how people make bricks making in handy traditional style by printing and baking. Then visit one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along the canal. Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to the village to Cai Son and Nhon Thanh natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to the village to see some families making mats and enjoying some fruits and tea. Take a bicycleon shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to know the culture of a country and to be able to touch on real life and find out about tropical culture from the Peasants.
12:30 pm Stop at Mr. Hai Hồ for lunch. In the afternoon, take rowing-boat along water palm creek.
2:30 pm Transfer to Can Tho City for check-in at your hotel.
Overnight in Can Tho.
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Day 19: CAN THO - CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET - HCMC HALF-DAY (B/L)
Visit Cai Rang floating market & have a drink near Phong Dien floating market & beautiful experiences with locals on how to make fine rice vermicelli for your breakfast. Discover non-touristy beautiful country roads along many tropical orchards, the organic cacao farm & many authentic foods. At 6:00 am, your personal guide & driver will pick you up from your hotel lobby. Drive to the countryside and take the boat to Cai Rang floating market – a must thing to see in Can Tho. Your guide will explain things about the history of the market, the local life on the river. Enjoy the tour with the freshest pineapple on the floating boat and say GOOD MORNING VIETNAM! GOOD MORNING MEKONG!
Drive to the local family where the guide will explain the value of the traditional food that the local inherit and preserve it. You can practice making fine rice vermicelli for breakfast with BBQ pork in the garden. Spend about an hour driving including stopping over at the gardens, beautiful magic roads…that you have not ever expected to see on your trip. Keep driving back to Ho Chi Minh City for a half-day in the afternoon. You will enjoy a tour of the country's commercial center and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops.
There are several interesting sights in HCMC. The War Remnants Museum has a wealth of images from the wars, the most moving being a gallery entitled ‘Requiem’ which is dedicated to Vietnamese and foreign journalists and photographers who perished during the French and American conflicts. The Reunification Palace was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975 when the North Vietnamese tanks came crashing through the front gates, bringing the U.S.-Vietnam War to a dramatic end. Close to the palace some of the best examples of French colonial architecture are represented in the forms of Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office.
Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883 and the stone used to create it was exported in its entirety from France. Next to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office, finished in 1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam ‘s largest post office. For all its French colonial history though, Ho Chi Minh City is by far and away Vietnam ‘s most modern city. It has numerous shopping malls, cinemas, discotheques and a bewildering number of bars.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
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Day 20: CAO DAI HOLLY SEE - CU CHI TUNNELS VISITING (B/L)
8:00 am you will enjoy a half-day private excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The 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 was like during the U.S.-Vietnam War. The afternoon is and you will stay overnight in HCMC then transfer to the airport for your connecting flight. End of services. Cam on & Tam biet!
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Day 21: HO CHI MINH CITY DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at your hotel then free until time transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Cam on & Tam biet!
Tour Location
HA NOI - SAPA - HALONG BAY - HUE - DANANG - HOI AN - ANGKOR - PHNOM PENH - HO CHI MINH - MY THO - CAN THO
History Of The City
Da Nang is a city of bridges, with resort construction seeking to reposition the city from a transit hub to a destination. Two hours north is the Imperial City of Hue, which is steeped in political history. The cultural gem of Hoi An, on the other hand, is only forty minutes south. Both are noteworthy tourism spots that are well worth a visit.
Hoi An Town, which dates from the 15th to the 19th century, is an extraordinarily well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port. Its architecture and street plan represent the indigenous and foreign elements that have come together to create this unique cultural site.
Hue, known as Vietnam's most royal city, has captivated millions of visitors for decades. Here are some key local suggestions to help you make the most of your time in this great city.
Hanoi is located in the Red River Delta, in the center of North Vietnam. It is encompassed by Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc provinces to the north, Hoa Binh and Ha Nam to the south, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh and Hung Yen provinces to the east, Hoa Binh and Phu Tho to the west.
Cruising down the Mekong Delta, visiting the floating market and immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.
Make Your Own Memories
Jun
I went on the weaw tea and coffee tour with my girlfriend. It was a fantastic tour which really took us deeper into Vietnamese culture. We learned so much about tea and coffee growing, preparation, and presentation. The tour guides spoke fantastic English and had a wealth of knowledge. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Saigon!