Swosti Travels

Detailed Day Wise Itinerary

Day 1

VIETNAM HANOI – SAI GON 5 NIGHTS 6 DAYS (Day 1)

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI - CITY TOUR (B, L, D)

The first destination is Ha Noi. Our tour guide and car will be welcoming you at Noi Bai airport. It will take about 35 minutes driving to the center of Ha Noi. Have breakfast at hotel (American buffet breakfast). After breakfast departure visit Ha Noi city: visit Tran Quoc Pagoda - the oldest of its kind in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty (544 - 548). The Buddhist shrine has undergone several changes throughout the years, particularly its renaming from An Quoc to Tran Quoc (protecting the country) by Emperor Le Huy Tong in the 17th century.

Then we move visit at the Complex of Ho Chi Minh including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh’s house-on-stilts fish pond and the One-Pillar Pagoda. Then, the temple of literature which is considered as the first university of Vietnam.

Have lunch at Indian restaurant, check in hotel then we have an overall view of the capital by cyclo in 1 hour (pay by your own) which wanders around the Old Quarter of Ha Noi and the Hoan Kiem lake (the “Sword” Lake). From here wandering on the narrow streets of the Old Quarter to experience the daily life of the local people.

Late afternoon enjoy the Water puppet show (pay by your own), an unique northern traditional art form especially for depicting scenes episodes of national history.

Evening, have dinner at Indian restaurant and free for your shopping in center of city. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2

VIETNAM HANOI – SAI GON 5 NIGHTS 6 DAYS (Day 2)

Breakfast at hotel, check out hotel then departure for Ha Long Bay is around 8:30 am (about 3 hours) from your hotel. Arrive at the port around noon. Welcomed on board, you are taken to your cabin before the trip briefing. check out hotel then departure for HaLong Bay cruise.

12:00 - 12:30: Embark the cruise at Ha Long Bay port. Enjoy a welcome drink and cruise briefing.

13:15 – 14:00: A splendid lunch is served while cruising into the primitive Halong Bay.

15:30 – 17:00: On a bamboo boat, visit Bright Cave, a serene round lake surrounded by lush trees and high stone cliffs. Then enjoy swimming in the private emerald water.

17:00 – 18:30: Return to the cruise for afternoon tea on the top deck – a perfect time to take some of your best snapshots of the day when the sun begins to set. Enjoy daily HAPPY HOUR promotion from 17:30 – 18:30. Relax with Massage and Spa treatment, always available upon request

19:00: Delight in the shimmering atmosphere of thousands of stars while eating a fantastic, expertly prepared dinner and overnight on Luxury cruise.

Day 3

VIETNAM HANOI – SAI GON 5 NIGHTS 6 DAYS (Day 3)

Day 3: HA LONG BAY – HAI PHONG – HO CHI MINH (B, BR, D) - JOINT IN TOUR

06:30 – 06:45: Begin your new day with a Tai Chi session or a photo hunt.

07:00 – 07:45: Enjoy breakfast in the fresh air and peaceful beauty of the Bay.

07:45–09:00: Experience kayaking to discover the lovely Tra Bau area. Visit a fishing farm and socialize with the resident fishermen to know more about life here and how the people work every day.

09:00 – 09:45: Pack your luggage and check out of your cabin while cruising towards the port.

10:00 – 11:30: Join a cooking demonstration before enjoying an extraordinary Buffet brunch

11:45 – 12:00: Disembark the cruise & Farewell then transfer to Cat Bi Airport from Hai Phong city for short domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Once arrival in Ho Chi Minh city, you will be warmly welcomed and transfer to hotel for check in. Dinner on your own account. Overnight at the hotel.

Evening, have dinner at Indian restaurant and free for your shopping in center of city. Overnight in Ho Chi minh city.

Day 4

VIETNAM HANOI – SAI GON 5 NIGHTS 6 DAYS (Day 4)

Day 4: HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR - CU CHI TUNNELS (B, L, D)

Breakfast at hotel, tour guide and driver will pick you up at

your hotel. We will visit the following places of interest of Ho Chi Minh city:

• War Remnants Museum: Formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes, this is a poignant display of the futility of war. Some of the black and white photography in the ‘Requiem’ exhibit is particularly touching, dedicated to both foreign and Vietnamese journalists and photographers who perished during the conflict. The courtyard outside contains the spoils of war, namely rusting jets, tanks and cannons captured from the American military machine.

• Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office: Built between 1877 and 1883 this is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Remarkably every stone used in its creation was shipped from France to Vietnam. Her two 40m towers, topped with iron spires dominate the city’s skyline. The Old Post Office is another example of French colonial architecture and is also the country’s largest post office.

• Jade Emperor Pagoda: Built in 1909 in honor of the supreme Taoist god, this is one of the most spectacularly atmospheric temples in HCMC, stuffed with statues of phantasmal divinities and grotesque heroes. The pungent smoke of incense fills the air, obscuring the exquisite woodcarvings.

After a few hours of discovering the city, you will enjoy your lunch at India Restaurant – Tandoor restaurant.

After lunch we drive about 1,5 hours through the pleasant countryside before arriving at Ben Dinh tunnels, Cu Chi.

• Upon arrival, you’ll watch a brief of propaganda video, which explains how the tunnels were used to successfully defeat American military forces in combat.

• The tour continues and the guide explains some traps that were placed in the jungles of Viet Nam to either maim American soldiers or create panic amongst the ranks.

• From here, you can enter one of the tunnel entrances and crawl through the tunnels is a real experience to imagine how people could live there for an extended period!

• There is a shooting range where you can try to fire an automatic or semi-automatic weapon for a fee (this fee is not included)

• Take some rest at the end for a taste of Cu Chi boiled tapioca and thinking what humans are capable of when having to defend their home.

We drive back to Ho Chi Minh city and drop you to your hotel.

Have dinner at Indian restaurant – Namaste India. Free for your evening.

Day 5

VIETNAM HANOI – SAI GON 5 NIGHTS 6 DAYS (Day 5)

Day 5: DAY TRIP TO MEKONG DELTA (B, L, D)

Breakfast at hotel, Our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel, and drive 1,5 hours to My Tho city.

Upon arrival, we board a motor-boat and cruise along a vast network of canals and channels to enjoy wonderful views of the Mekong River, including four famous island “Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, and Phoenix”.

Stop at one of the floating fish houses, in nets and wire baskets under their house, the villagers cultivate freshwater fish and shrimp - a major export product of the region.

Cross the River to the other side, you will stop at a traditional workshop to witness a step-by-step process on how to make coconut candy, honey farming… while trying some yourself and listening to traditional music. Enjoy what local people offer by hand rowing a sampan along the shady, breezy canal. We will transfer to local transportation called Xe Loi to travel throughout the villages.

Lunch will be served at the local Restaurant.

We drive to Vinh Trang Pagoda, an ancient southern architectural gem built in the middle of the 19th century. There are many Buddha statues including some that are over a hundred years old.

We drive another 1,5 hours back to Ho Chi Minh city and drop you at your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Have dinner at Indian restaurant. Free for your evening or shopping at Ben Thanh night market

Day 6

VIETNAM HANOI – SAI GON 5 NIGHTS 6 DAYS (Day 6)

Day 6: HO CHI MINH – DEPARTURE (B )

Have breakfast at your hotel. Free for your leisure or shopping till check out the hotel then transfer to the airport for your flight back home.