ITINERARY PROPOSAL CRAFTED FOR

7 WONDERS TRAVEL

12D11N Highlight of Vietnam

Prepared on 21 Dec 2017

By Ngan Ho, Business Development Executive
 TOUR SUMMARY

Date of proposal: 21 Dec 2017

Program: 12D11N Highlight of Vietnam
Number of Guests: 2 - 06 persons
Room Type: Double/ Twin/ Single
Room Preference: Non-smoking, nice view (wherever possible)
Travel Style: Foodie tour, Art and Culture tour
Destinations: Vietnam
Remarks:

ITINERARY DETAILS

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (Flight to be advised/ Own tickets)

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, your guide will come to meet you up and transfer you to hotel.

OPTION: AIRPORT ARRIVAL ASSISTANCE SERVICE (INTL)

As soon as you deplane, our Immigration Officer will meet you at the end of the jet bridge (or at the entrance of
the terminal if there is no jet bridge), holding a signboard with your name(s) on it. The officer will assist you
with immigration procedures. For those who already have their Vietnam visa, the estimated time to clear
immigration is approximately 15-20mins per person. For those applying for a visa on arrival, the estimated
wait time for the visa is usually 30mins, depending on the number of guests in the queue. (FYI, there is only one
visa-on-arrival counter at Noi Bai Airport.)
After clearing immigration, our Immigration Officer will escort you to the baggage claim to collect your luggage
and introduce you to your guide who will be waiting outside the terminal and transfer to your hotel. Please note
that this service does not include any required visa or associated visa fees.

Meals: None
Accommodation: In Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi

HANOI HALF-DAY CITY TOUR WITH OLD QUARTER CYCLO RIDE

Explore the charming city of Hanoi, often referred to as the ‘Paris of the East’, with its yellow ochre colonial
buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes. Visit the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing
monument of marble and granite built to house the preserved body of beloved Vietminh leader Ho Chi Minh,
affectionately known to the Vietnamese as “Uncle Ho”.
Visit the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built in 1049 of wood in the shape of a lotus blossom and set
on a single stone pillar, considered by many to be one of Vietnam’s most iconic pagodas. Proceed to Ho Chi
Minh's House nearby, a simple wooden house in a tranquil setting where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked.
Some of his belongings are on display and visitors can walk up the steps to see his bedroom.

Then take a 1hr cyclo tour through the famed Old Quarter known for its ‘36 streets of 36 wares’ named
after the original 36 artisan guilds that date as far back as the 13th century. Explore the fascinating maze of
back streets, fronted by narrow houses known as “tunnel” or “tube houses”, built to avoid taxes based on the
width of their frontage onto the street, a wonderfully eclectic glimpse into Hanoi street life.

HOME HOSTED MEAL WITH FAMILY OF MUSICIANS

Located in a charming alley in the Old Quarter is the home of a family of musicians. The husband is a
traditional musical artist and has shared his passion for well over 30 years, even inspiring his daughter to join
the craft. Sitting down to a meal with the family will help you to understand more clearly the importance of
meals at home in Vietnamese culture. The hosts are certainly more than happy to share their life stories and
enthusiasm for music. A private performance of ‘Dan Bau’ will be held at the home after the meal, which
you can also join in to learn a few notes should you wish

OPTION: AFTERNOON STREET FOOD TOUR

Eating on the street is a very typical activity for Hanoians and makes up an important part of the city’s unique
culture. Depart at 15:30 for a leisurely walk with our tour guide to the Old Quarter. Make your first stop to
taste the national dish of Vietnamese - Pho Ga (chicken noodle soup). Then wander around a local market
to enjoy the sights, the sounds and the aroma from hundreds of kinds of food on offer. Then sit down at a tiny
Banh Duc shop to try a bit of Banh Duc – cooked rice powder with Vietnamese spices. Banh Duc will be served
hot or cool, depends on weather. Your next stop is a little shop selling many different types of traditional
Northern cakes such as Com cake (young rice) which is considered to be a part of every Hanoians’ childhood.
Follow your guide to a small alley to get an idea of a typical “tube houses” of Hanoi. You will stop at Banh My
Lan Ong and try their famous bread with Pâté. After the banh mi, you can enjoy some Vietnamese desserts
- sweet soups called Che. Then cap off your trip by tasting a cup of Vietnamese egg coffee before returning back
to your hotel

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Accommodation: In Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong (overland)

Depart for a 3.5 hour journey to Halong Bay stopping for a break at Dai Viet Center - the best place to stop
and stretch your legs en route. On arrival in Halong Bay, board your deluxe junk, settle into your cabin and
prepare your appetite for an enjoyable lunch on deck. In mid-afternoon visit the mysterious Tien Ong Cave
- a wide cave but short entrance which is said to resemble the shape of frog’s mouth. In 2007 a team of
Vietnamese archeologist conducted extensive research which led to the discovery of human bones and artifacts
dating to 10,000 - 8,000BC, and then continue to Cua Van area. It was once the fishing village, however most
of them have moved on land for their children’s future due to the lack of education system and access to vital
information. Head back to the boat, participate in a cooking demonstration with the chef or enjoy sunset
on the top deck before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: On board
Day 4: Halong – Hanoi – Hue (Flight HANHUI/economy class)

Rise early and greet the day with another refreshing Tai Chi demonstration on the upper deck. Then it is
time for an early morning swim - in the Bay. By tender boat we bring the guests to a natural white sandy
stretch. Sporty ones can also climb up to a hill top to have a last view from above over Halong Bay before we
return to the boat and cruise slowly back to Halong City. During our trundle breakfast is served before we
arrive at the jetty in late morning. Disembark at Heritage Line Lounge in Tuan Chau New Marina and transfer
to the airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Hue

Day 5: Hue – Pagoda Stay

Today, escape from the bustling city and engage into the religious life activities. Firstly, visit Uu Dam pagoda
orphanage which home of 50 children. Meet and talk with the centre representative (Nun Phuoc Thien) for
an insight of the daily activities as well as their effort to take care the orphans. Chat with some children to
understand their life at school as well as their dreams.
Afterward, walk over to the 400-year-old Sac Tu Khanh Long pagoda which the name was given by King
Nguyen Phuc Chu. Meet Nun Tinh Tam and listen to the typical religious life. Involve yourself into the reading
time and get a glimpse about human beings in Buddhism and the basic purpose of following the teaching of
Buddha. Have vegetarian lunch and then walk to your rustic room in the garden compound and rest in the
tranquillity.
In the afternoon, practise the meditation and listen the Buddhist lecture before help the nuns take care of
their garden and pick vegetables for the dinner preparation. At the end of the day, enjoy meditation in the
serene ambiance followed by Buddhist evening ceremony. Overnight at pagoda

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: In Pagoda

Day 6: Hue – Hoi An (Overland)

Around 4.00 AM, enjoy Buddhist morning ceremony with the nuns. After a simple breakfast, time to clean
and tidy up things to welcome Buddhist followers.
The nun Tinh Tam will take you to visit the local family and learn about their daily life. Afterward, come
back the pagoda and participate the Buddhist Ceremony for yourself. The nun will read your name in this
ceremony and pray for your safe trip and peaceful life.
Wander around this ancient pagoda and breathe fresh air and enjoy peaceful surrounding. Then bid farewell
to the nun and thank you for their hospitality before driving back to Hue and drive to Hoi An. The rest of the
day at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Hoi An

Day 7: Hoi An

HALF DAY HOI AN WALKING TOUR

Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An known then as ‘Faifo’, was a prosperous trading port, attracting
Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish ships amongst others. Today, this World Heritage ancient
town is recognised for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets and distinctive local cuisine,
allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. Hoi An’s narrow lanes are ideal for a guided walking tour of
its many atmospheric sights including: the old merchant houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese
and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s by the
Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream; the Assembly Hall of the
Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with its intricate woodcarvings; and the colourful market with stalls
brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or
two.
MAKING LANTERN WITH MR HUYNH VAN TRUNG

Silk lanterns, the simple yet colorful handicraft is now an essential part of Hoi An culture. The lantern is
inspired and hand-made by local artisans and is meant to bring good fortune. It has really made a comeback
thanks to an experienced man – Mr. Huynh Van Trung who was born in a traditional lantern making family.
Trung inherits valuable skills in making lanterns from his father – the well-known artisan Huynh Van Ba.
Chat with him for a brief introduction to the history, shape, and color of the lanterns as well as the stages of
production. Try creating your own lantern and take it home as a souvenir.

OPTION: HOI AN SUNSET CRUISE

Sunset is just the start of a long day (and night) in the life of Hoi An’s fishermen. Board a local river boat for a
sunset cruise while witnessing the town’s fishermen board their boats and head out to the Cua Dai Sea for a
night of fishing. From the boat, you will see at first-hand the daily activities of the fishermen. The boat will stop
along the shore where you can try your hand at casting traditional fishing nets, a common fishing method still
practiced today. Also learn the art of paddling the unique Vietnamese round basket boats before heading back
to the river boat. On the way back to town, enjoy a refreshing drink and a snack as the sun disappears below
the horizon.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Hoi An

Day 8: Hoi An

ORGANIC FARM VISIT AND COOKING CLASS

Cam Thanh Village is now an urban ward of Hoi An city. It is known for dense water coconut jungles and
immense rice fields. During the Vietnam war, Cam Thanh was a shelter for local people and soldiers.
Nowadays, this place supplies seafood, vegetables and rice for the area. This morning, meet your guide and
transfer to the picturesque Co Co river for a bamboo basket-boat ride to Thanh Dong village which is the
first and only organic farm in Hoi An. Get a glimpse about the history and customs of this charming village
before venturing into the garden and getting your hands dirty – You may like to borrow the farmers’ clothing
provided by the villagers and learn how cultivate vegetables without chemicals before harvesting
vegetables for your cooking class. Continue a short bamboo basket-boat ride through the peaceful water
coconut forest to a riverbank restaurant looking out rice fields. On arrival, enjoy a welcome drink, take
part in traditional Vietnamese folk games as balance Bamboo Bridge, pot smashing then join in a hands-
on cooking class. After the cooking class, savor the dishes you have prepared. Bid farewell to the chef before
transferring back your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation: In Hoi An

Day9: Hoi An – Danang – Saigon (Flight DADSGN/economy class)

Transfer from your Hoi An hotel to Danang airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

OPTION: A O SHOW & DINNER AT DINING ROOM

Late this afternoon depart from your hotel to see “A O Show” - a combination of arts highlighting the peaceful
country life and poetic scenery of Vietnam. The show is special in the way it contains episodes of Vietnamese
traditional folk games, dances and circus acts performed against the background of traditional and modern
music combined with artistic lighting. Bamboo pipes and baskets are used throughout the performance as set
decorations and traditional daily activities of villagers and festive celebrations are demonstrated by performers
and musicians in farmers’ clothing. After the show, enjoy beautifully decorated dishes of innovative Vietnamese
cuisine in a different approach at Dining Room restaurant. Transfer back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: In Saigon

Day 10: Saigon

CU CHI TUNNELS TOUR LED BY A VC VETERAN

The Cu Chi tunnel complex was dug in 1948 for the guerrillas to hide from French air and ground sweeps.
It also served as communication routes and food and weapon caches as well as hospitals and living quarters
for guerrilla fighters throughout the American war. Visit the underground villages with a VC veteran who
used to live there, to better understand the tunnels’ history, life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese’s resilience
during the combats. Discuss with the veteran and find out about his experience living in the subterranean
hamlets where lack of air, food and water can made life unbearable. Your guide will be there to translate the
veteran’s experiences.

RETRACING THE PAST

Start your tour into historical wartime Saigon sights with a visit to the shrine outside of the US Consulate
followed by the former CIA building (outside visit only), where helicopters evacuated remaining US citizens in
1975. Then head to the rooftop café of the iconic Rex Hotel, for a drink and a spectacular view of downtown
Saigon as your guide explains the hotel’s place in history. Visit the Reunification Palace for a guided tour
of the former headquarters of the South Vietnamese Government and presidential residence. Drive to the
former residence of the US Ambassador of South Vietnam in the early 1960s, Mr. Henry C. Lodge Jr., who
supported the overthrowing of the South Vietnamese Government. Enjoy a cold drink while watching a 10min
documentary film about Saigon during that time. Next on the tour is a secret weapons chamber used by
the Viet Cong. Enjoy a late lunch of pho (noodle soup) at the historic Pho Binh Restaurant, the wartime
headquarters where Viet Cong commanders gathered to plan the 1968 Tet Offensive. View the upstairs photo
collection before returning to your hotel.

OPTION: VESPA TOUR - STREET FOOD EVENING TOUR

With all its hustle & bustle, Saigon is a city on the move! Discover what this thriving and exciting metropolis
can offer in terms of street food, all from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. Early this evening, meet your
Vespa driver at the hotel lobby. Then be driven to the local Zoom coffee shop for a welcome drink and briefing
about the trip. Start the journey with en-route stops including dinner and drinks at Saigon's best authentic
street food, and a Vietnamese-style coffee shop. Drive to District 4 to taste various snail dishes which are very
popular in Saigon. Then it’s back to District 3 to sample a southern Vietnamese specialty – Banh Xeo (rice
pancake with pork and prawns). Finally, head to a local Vietnamese style coffee shop and enjoy a local coffee.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Saigon

Day 11: Saigon – Ben Tre – Saigon (overland)

BEN TRE IN DEPTH

Depart Saigon for a 1.5hr drive to Ben Tre Province in the Mekong Delta, famous for its tropical fruit gardens
and traditional products made of coconuts. Visit a brick factory to learn how bricks are made by hand using
centuries-old traditional methods before boarding your private local boat and cruising along the waterways
to observe the way of life on the river. Shore excursions include a coconut workshop where almost every
part of the coconut is used for candies and crafts, and a family-run mat workshop where you can try your
hand at weaving the ubiquitous straw sleeping mats. A 3km (2mi) ride by tuk-tuk or bicycle takes you to the
home of a fruit farmer where you can sample tropical fruits. After a visit to a chopstick workshop (optional)
and lunch at a local restaurant, board a rowing sampan for close up views of the water palm-lined waterways
of the Delta. Travel back to the Hung Vuong pier by boat before transferring by car back to Saigon.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: In Saigon

Day 12: Saigon Departure (Flight to be advised/own tickets)

Transfer from your accommodation to the airport for flight to the next destination

Meals: Breakfast

END OF SERVICES!

YOUR QUOTATION(Nett & Non Commissionable)

Tour Price in USD per person in twin share

OPTION 1: DELUXE

Departure date 02 persons 04 persons 06 persons Single Supplement

10 Jan – 30 Apr 2018 1,930 1,625 1,512 665

01 May – 31 Sep 2018 1,827 1,516 1,405 624

OPTION 2: SUPERIOR

Departure date 02 persons 04 persons 06 persons Single Supplement

10 Jan – 30 Apr 2018 1,720 1,414 1,294 545

01 May – 31 Sep 2018 1,683 1,367 1,258 512

Not includes peak season surcharge: to be advised.

Inclusions: Non – inclusions:

 Private transfers and transportation on tour  Airport Assistance Service

 Entrance fees and boat rides  Separate luggage truck
 2D1N Halong Junk (shared cruise/ private cabin)  Vietnam Visa
 Accommodation based on twin / double sharing  Other meals where not mentioned in the
room with daily breakfast. program
 Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ water)  Other flights & airport taxes
 Cold towels and water on sightseeing days  Hotel early check in/ Late check-out
 Airfare in economy class with airport taxes: HAN  Overweight luggage
– HUI, DAD - SGN  Personal expenses
 Local English Speaking Guide (one guide each  Travel insurance
city)  Tips & gratuities
 Other services not listed in inclusive column
ACCOMMODATION:

DELUXE
HOTELS
CITIES

- Movenpick Hotel Hanoi (Superior)

HANOI
- Melia Hanoi Hotel (Deluxe ROH)

- Bhaya Classic Cruise (Terrace Suite)

HALONG
- Jasmine Cruise (Deluxe)
- Indochine Palace (Palace Deluxe)
HUE (city) - Imperial Hue Hotel (Deluxe City View)
- Park View Hotel Hue (Junior Suite)

HUE (Pagoda) - Khanh Long Pagoda

- Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa (River View)

HOI AN
- Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa (Superior Sea View)

- Grand Hotel Saigon (Deluxe)

SAIGON - Liberty Saigon Riverside Hotel (Deluxe)
- Novotel Saigon Centre Hotel (Superior)

SUPERIOR
HOTELS
CITIES
- Silk Path Hotel Hanoi (Premium Deluxe)
HANOI - The Lapis Hotel (Deluxe)
- La Belle Vie Hotel (Deluxe)

HALONG - Bhaya Classic Cruise (Deluxe)

- Eldora Hotel (Deluxe City View)

HUE (city)
- Moonlight Hotel Hue (Deluxe River View)

HUE (Pagoda) - Khanh Long Pagoda

- Boutique Hoi An Resort (Superior)

HOI AN - Sunrise Premium Resort Hoi An (Deluxe)

- Grand Silverland Hotel & Spa (Premier Deluxe)

SAIGON
- Liberty Saigon Centre Hotel (Deluxe)