Day 1: Hanoi - Hai Phong - Cat BaAt 06:30 AM leave for Hai Phong. Drive through the scenic Red River Delta. Reach Hai Phong Sea-port at about 9:00am, then catch hydrofoil to Cat Ba Island. It take you about 45 minutes. Check-in the hotel. Free and go for swimming in the afternoon. (-/-/D)
Day 2: Cat Ba
After breakfast, our driver will take you to visit Cat Ba National Park. Visit Military Cave on the way. Take a short trek to the peak of mountain to enjoy the beautiful view of Cat Ba Island. Drive back to CAT BA town for lunch. Free in the afternoon. (B/L/D)
Day 3: Cat Ba - Halong
Leave Cat Ba for Halong in the morning by junk. Cruise through Lan Ha Bay, Halong World Heritage Site where you can see thousands of islands with amazing formation. You can swim on the Bay.Lunch will be prepared with sumptuous fresh seafood. Reach Halong city at about 1:00 pm, then our driver will take you back to Hanoi. Arrive back Hanoi at about 5:00 pm. End of three days trip. (B/L/-)
With an area of 356 square km, Cat Ba encompasses forested zones, coastal mangroves, freshwater swamps, beaches, caves and waterfalls. In 1986, the Northeast side of the island was designated a National Park and includes a protected marine zone. Cat Ba Island supports a population of over 20, 000 inhabitants most of whom live off fishing or farming in and around Cat Ba Town. The town is small and ancient, with clusters of fishing boats. It is an ideal spot to watch inspiring sunsets across the harbor. You can even check out the catch-of-the-day in the early morning as the fishing boats return to port. See cuttlefish dried over hot charcoals, or stroll around the old town. It's a short hike from Cat Ba town through a tunnel to Cat Co Beach where mountains form a throne-like picture holding a marvelous sandy coast. You can even hike further along the beach to reach the rockier Cat Vang Beach.
As transportation in and around the town is not well-developed, the easiest and best way to get to the larger Trung Trang Cave with its many chambers, or to the National Park, or to discover other beaches around the island is by motorbike. A tour guide will be necessary to help you communicate with the local drivers and point out and explain the many beautiful sites.
The National Park is made up of stringy trees, thick undergrowth and slippery vines. In the Park there is also a great view of an old French, now Vietnamese, farming village from the top of the mountain and a wonderful lake in the middle of the Park that takes a half day to reach.
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Glimpse of VietnamDay 1: Hanoi
Arrive Hanoi , meet and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, we will tour around the Old Quarter by rickshaw (one-hour) and then join water puppet show.
Day 2: Hanoi
Take full day city tour of Hanoi including Ho Chi Minh complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, and Temple of Literature. Afternoon tour with visiting to Museum of Ethnology and Hoan Kiem Lake. (B/L/-)
Day 3: Hanoi - Hue
Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Hue, the former capital of Vietnam (1802-1945) ruled by Nguyen Dynasty. Check into your hotel. Afternoon visit to Tu Duc Tomb, Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City. (B/L/-)
Day 4: Hue - Hoi An
Take morning cruise on the Perfume River and stop at Thien Mu pagoda then visit the bustling Dong Ba market. In the afternoon, drive to Hoian via Danang and Hai Van Pass. Hoian, a World Heritage Site, is an ancient town and major port in the 17th and 18th centuries. (B/L/-)
Day 5: Hoi An
Have walking tour around in the ancient town to visit the Phuc Kien Temple, Tan Ky old house, Japanese Bridge and Hoian market. Afternoon at leisure on the beach. (B/L/-)
Day 6: Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, transfer to Danang airport and take the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Afternoon tour with visiting to Reunification Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, bustling China Town and Thien Hau Pagoda. (B/L/-)
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta
Full day trip to the Mekong Delta. Take a boat trip along the narrow waterways with lines of coconut trees, stop at Cai Be floating market to experience the daily life of the people who live on the mighty Mekong River, step foot on and walk through the beautiful orchard island, visit the traditional house of a farmer. After lunch drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. (B/L/-)
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City
Free until transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
INCLUSIVE OF:
¨ English speaking guide – Transportation on tours – Entrance fees and boat trips – Meals as mentioned in the program – Hotel accommodation – Domestic air tickets.
EXCLUSIVE OF:
¨International flights from/to Vietnam and airport tax – Visa arrangement – Drinks and other personal expenses – Tips.
