Along Mandarin Route - 16 Days / 15 nights

Tour Code: VA-15

Ho Chi Minh, Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Qui Nhon, Hoi An, Hue, Dong Hoi, Vinh, Ninh Binh, Hai Phong, Ha Long, Hanoi
Along coastline of Vietnam the route connecting the country's important cities and towns has borne witness to many twists and turns in her recent history. Built in the 18th century by Vietnamese foot soldiers and mandarins, it was called mandarin route. From the hectic traffic and fast business pace of HCM City to pristine beaches in Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Danang...and historical sites in Qui Nhon, Hoi An, Hue and Hanoi. Sixteen days of travelling along this backbone route will give you an opportunity to tell your friends that "I have been there and have learnt about Vietnam.

Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City
Arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport. Pick-up and transfer to hotel. City tour: History Museum, Binh Tay Market in Chinatown, Thien Hau Temple and lacquer workshop.

Day 2: HCMC-Phan Thiet
AM: transfer to Phan Thiet, Check in hotel. PM: at leisure and visit to sand dunes at Hon Rom. [B]

Day 3: Phan Thiet-Nha Trang
AM: transfer to Phan Rang, visit to Po Klong Garai Towers and My Nghiep brocade-weaving village. PM: transfer to Nha Trang, Check in hotel. [B]

Day 4: Nha Trang
Full day cruise to off-shore islands of Hon Tam & Hon Mun: snorkeling or diving, seabathing and sunbathing. Lunch of sea food. [B]

Day 5: Nha Trang-Qui Nhon
Visit to Dam Market and Po Nagar Towers. Transfer to Qui Nhon. [B,L]

Day 6: Qui Nhon-Hoi An
AM: visit Tay Son Museum followed by martial arts show and Duong Long Towers. Transfer to Hoi An. PM: stop-over at Sa Huynh Beach. Overnight in Hoi An and enjoy the colourful lighting night. [B,L]

Day 7: Hoi An-My Son-Hoi An
AM: transfer to My Son, visit to Cham Holy See. PM: visit to Hoi An ancient town. Evening: folk show. [B]

Day 8: Hoi An-Hue
AM: visit to Hoi An fish market, Non Nuoc stone-carving village and Cham Sculpture Museum. PM: transfer to Hue, stop-over on Hai Van Pass overlooking Lang Co Lagoon. Evening: Hue folk show on Perfume River. [B]

Day 9: Hue
Full day sightseeing of Hue. AM: visit to Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba Market. PM: visit to Tu Duc & Khai Dinh Tombs. Transfer to Thien Mu Pagoda. Sunset boat ride on Perfume River back to Hue. [B]

Day 10: Hue-Dong Hoi
Transfer to Dong Hoi, stop-over at ruins of Quang Tri Citadel & Dong Ha Town, which was almost flattened by American bomb, and it was also be divided the country in to two parts is called:" DMZ" by Ben Hai River and Vinh Moc Tunnels. Overnight in Dong Hoi [B,L]

Day 11: Dong Hoi-Vinh
Visit to Nhat Le fish market, then transfer to Xuan Son ferry landing. Boat ride on Son River to Phong Nha Cavern, visit to Bi Ky & Cung Dinh Caves, hike to Tien Son Cave (1 km). Transfer to Vinh. Overnight in Vinh [B]

Day 12: Vinh-Ninh Binh
AM: transfer to Kim Lien village, visit to President Ho Chi Minh's birth home. Then visit to Cuong Temple. PM: transfer to Ninh Binh. Overnight in Ninh Binh. [B]

Day 13: Ninh Binh-Hai Phong
AM: boat ride to Tam Coc, visit to caves and temples. PM: transfer to Hai Phong, stop-over at Tuc Mac Temple and Pho Minh Pagoda in Nam Dinh. Overnight in Hai Phong seaport city. [B,L]

Day 14: Hai Phong-Halong-Hanoi
Transfer to Halong. Cruising among two thousand islands come out of the water, seeing cave, islets and beaches (5 hours). Transfer to Hanoi. Overnight in Ha Noi [B,L]

Day 15: Hanoi
Full day sightseeing of Hanoi. AM: visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One-Pillared Pagoda, Ethnology Museum and Temple of Literature, lunch with Bun cha(rice noodle with grill ). PM: visit to Bat Trang pottery village, old quarters and xichlo ride(pedaling tricycle ride 1 hour) around town. Evening: water puppet show. [B,L]

Day 16: Departure from Hanoi
Dowtown shopping (ceramics, silver-carving,silk..) or at leisure before check-out. Transfer to airport for departure.

Meals included: B= breakfast L= lunch D= dinner