Classic Vietnam is our annual two week adventure in which participants drive either an ex US military Jeep, or a modern SUV, from Hanoi to Da Nang before taking a flight to Saigon to finish the trip. We provide you with the vehicle, full mechanical support and insurance. In common with all our trips there is no convoy driving. Instead you travel at your own pace guided by an easy to follow route book. As well as visiting tourist spots, we also drive through parts of Vietnam that most visitors do not experience. Our route includes four World Heritage Sites, passes a number of significant Vietnam War locations including Khe Sanh and Hamburger Hill and visits cities including Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City.
Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, and proceed by your transfer to hotel. Hanoi or “River-bound City” as its name literally means is Vietnam’s capital with a thousand-year-old history dating back to 1010. The city’s fascinating beauty which is characterized by unique cultural relics, ancient streets of antique houses, elegant French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and romantic lakes has made it one of the most charming cities of Asia. Overnight at Hanoi.
Note:Rates are not applicable during festivals events Christmas and New Year Eve. Prices are subject to change during Chinese New Year period.
After breakfast, visit Ho Chi Minh Complex which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. At the complex, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the nation’s founder’s body is preserved (closed on Monday, Friday and through October - November), the colonial Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honour Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars.
Later in Afternoon, proceed to one of the following museums of choice namely: The Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Vietnamese History, the Museum of Revolution, the Museum of Military History or the Museum of Ethnology. Late afternoon, visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple located on an islet in the lake. Hoan Kiem Lake is the center point of Hanoi and home to a rare endangered giant turtle species. Its name “Returned Sword” comes from a legend of a sacred sword being lent to an ancient Vietnamese King by a holy turtle from the lake and later returned to the turtle. Shop or walk at leisure in the Old Quarter of 36 ancient streets. Overnight at Hanoi.
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Ha Long Bay, which is about 160 km or 3.5-hour drive away. On the way, 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. Stop half way to visit a handicraft workshop of fine clothes and embroidered paintings.
Arrive at the jetty in Ha Long City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. Be welcomed onboard and have lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. Overnight on cruise in Ha Long Bay.
Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Ha Long in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.
Arrive in Hanoi, proceed to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh (flight tickets not included) Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, proceed to hotel for check in 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. Overnight at Ho Chi Minh.
After breakfast, take a half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels, 75 km Northwest of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, which were once a major underground hideout and resistance base of Viet Cong forces during the two wars against the French and later on 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. Later return to Ho Chi Minh City and take a half-day city tour to visit the War Remnants Museum, which features an extensive collection of exhibits including weaponry, photos and documentation on Vietnam’s wars with the French and Americans. Continue to Opera House, City Hall (outdoor visit). Evening is free for shopping at Ben Thanh market or Saigon Square. Overnight at Ho Chi Minh.
After breakfast, proceed to Mekong Delta. Travel past miles of flat rice fields, along a bustling road to the Mekong Delta, the world’s largest delta and Vietnam's largest rice bowl. On arrival in My Tho City, board a motorboat and navigate through intricate canals while observing the local daily life up close as well as the landscape of waterways and lush islands. Land on Thoi Son Island where you can listen to Southern traditional music performed by native artists. Next, you will change to a paddle boat to cruise through the narrow canals and visit households with traditional occupations of home-based coconut candy and rice-wine making. Continue travel by motorized boat to another island to visit a bee farm and taste tea with fresh honey from the beehives and enjoy fresh fruits. Interact with local residents to understand about the river life. Their economy is based mostly on tourism, mangoes, bananas and citrus fruit. On the return to My Tho, stop to visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, a prominent local Buddhist structure built in 1850 with a unique architectural mixture of Vietnamese, Roman, Chinese and Cambodian styles characterized by a highly ornate façade. Overnight at Ho Chi Minh.
After breakfast proceed to Airport to board flight from Ho Chi Minh. Holiday Concludes. Let’s stay in touch on Facebook / email and meet again on another memorable Holiday. See you soon!
