Vietnam Southern & Central Highlight 9D8N Trip

We’ll begin with a short orientation tour (walking / driving) of Old Saigon Streets and Iconic Buildings. Appreciate the splendidly restored exteriors of the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville which are still two of the finest buildings in Saigon.

Wander up to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris. Then head across the square to the Central Post office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower.

Wartime Saigon

We begin this story with a visit to The Reunification Palace (former Presidential Palace), the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war and reveals the history of Saigon during its turbulent recent past. This is the location where the two North Vietnamese army tanks crushed the gates of the palace on 30th April 1975 and signaled the end of the conflict, by taking the surrender from Duong Van Minh, who had been president of South Vietnam for only three days.

We’ll continue to visit the site of the wartime offices of the US Information Service (USIS). This is now The War Remnants Museum (formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes). This museum is a disturbing experience. It graphically recounts the Vietnam War from the perspective of the victors. The Requiem gallery, depicting the images taken by many international War Photographers during the conflict, is especially graphic and moving.

Onwards to the wartime tunnels.

Cu Chi is about 40 km northwest and around one and a half hours drive. The Cu Chi Tunnels are an elaborate underground community made up of about 250 km of tunnels and chambers below the city. The tunnels were dug with simple tools and bare hands during the French occupation in the 1940s, and further expanded during the Vietnam War in the 1960s to provide refuge and a defensive advantage over the American soldiers.

Despite all the bombings in their town, the Cu Chi people were able to continue day-to-day living beneath the soil, where they slept, ate, planned attacks, healed their sick, and taught their young. Some even wed and gave birth underground, but over 10,000 lost their lives here.

NOTE: Depending on season, we may visit Cu Chi in the morning and the city in the afternoon.

Start today no later than 7.30 am for our day exploration of the Mekong Delta, driving around two hours to the small Delta town of Cai Be. Here the Tien River forms the border between Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Ben Tre Provinces.

Cruise through the former Cai Be Floating Market. Nowadays, this is primarily a wholesale market, and there maybe a few traders moored, where they congregate here to offer their wares, in a way that is relatively unchanged in generations.
The merchandise sold in each boat is hung on a high pole in front of the boat as a sample to attract customers from a distance. Visit local gardens and houses to see orchards, rice crisped producing process etc.
Cruise along the river and canals of An Binh island to see the peaceful and tranquil life of local villagers, admiring the marvelous natural setting of the Mekong Delta region. Lunch will be taken at a local house on the island

Around 3 pm, the boat will arrive at Vinh Long, where you have a chance to explore the land market before the 3.5 hours’ drive back to your hotel by late afternoon

After check our your hotel, your private transportation will be waiting for you to have lunch before transfer to Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat Airport for your onward flight to Hue City.
ARRIVAL TO HUE CITY
Meet you at Hue Phu Bai Airport (HUI) and private transfer to check in your choosing hotel in Hue city. It will take about 45 minutes. Your guide will be with you for this transfer

This morning, our private transfer and guide will pick you up from your hotel in Hue to begin your journey exploring the architectural wonders of Hue city.

Minh Mang tomb, on the west bank of the Perfume River is explored next. Begun in 1840, construction was not complete when Minh Mang died. His successor, Emperor Thieu Tri continued this task according to his father’s plans.
It took ten thousand soldiers and artisans to finish the project. Fully completed in 1843, the tomb comprises of about 40 monuments of various sizes which was designed on an symmetric axis running from Dai Hon gate to the foot of La Thanh (Surrounding Wall) behind the tomb.

Then we will visit Thien An Monastery, which is located in Thuy Bang, Huong Thuy, Thua Thien Hue, in a romantic, airy space in the middle of the forest of pine. After many years of establishment, with the type of design of a convent church, Thien An Monastery still retains its intimacy, harmonizes with nature and is beautiful between the forest. We will have a great time there.

THA OM GARDEN HOUSE VISIT WITH ROYAL LUNCH – A QUITE UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
One of the memorable thing in this date is taking the opportunity to rub shoulders with royalty with a visit to the residence of Pham Ba Vinh and his wife, Ton Nu Cam Tu. Mr Vinh is of royal heritage and during your visit to the delightful Tha Om Garden House, he will undoubtedly regale you with a few stories of his ancestral roots.
Tha Om Garden House offers an excellent opportunity to relax and enjoy traditional Vietnamese hospitality in the surrounds of a fully-working and functioning replica of a 19th century Hue residence. The house itself is set in charming gardens, complete with lotus ponds and pavilions.
Like many of Hue’s homes, the structure is built on high foundations with low, dipping roofs due to the historical problem of flooding in the area. After visiting the house, you will enjoy an exceptional Vietnamese lunch either within the house or, if the weather is fair, in the gardens.
Enter the ancient Hue Citadel and the Forbidden City.
The poetic and beautiful Hue of Vietnam was chosen to be the capital of the Southern Kingdom under Nguyen Lords’ Dynasty, and officially became the nation’s capital under Tay Son Dynasty, King Quang Trung. The citadel palace complex is located on the North bank of Huong River (Perfume River), inside Hue city.
It is a huge complex covering an area of 520ha and comprising three circles of ramparts, Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel). The rule of the last Vietnamese Emperor lasted until the mid-1900s. At the time, the Purple Forbidden City had many buildings and hundreds of rooms. It suffered from termite and cyclone damage, but was still very impressive. Many bullet holes left over from the war can also be observed on the stone walls.

After that we will transfer to visit Dong Ba Market – the biggest market of Hue city. Dong Ba Market is the oldest of its kind in Hue, with hundreds of stalls selling household items, handicrafts, clothing and fresh produce at affordable prices. The Market spans almost 16,000 square metres, with several sections dedicated to fruits, seafood, clothing, meat, and handicrafts.
Dong Ba Market is one of the few shopping venues in Hue, attracting tourists looking to experience the local lifestyle and shop for souvenirs and street food. Here you will have a chance to enjoy a local coffee at Depo Cafe Shop

Following National Highway 1 south to Hoi An is around 4 hours drive. We’ll stop by Lang Co Beach, followed by a scenic drive over the stunning Hai Van Mountain Pass. This is the highest pass in Vietnam (500m above sea level). The rugged pass is the final section of the Truong Son Range stretching to the sea.

Hai Van is translated “Sea Clouds”, since the peak of the mountain is in the clouds while its foot is close to the sea. The views over Lang Co Bay and Da Nang are stunning. We’ll make stops along the way for photos and refreshments as required.

Passing by Da Nang we head to the Ba Na Hills. This hill resort, inherited from the French, has refreshingly cool weather and gorgeous countryside views.
Until WWII, the French were carried up the last 20km of rough mountain road by sedan chair, but now a 5.7km (the world’s longest) cable car system has opened up access. The ride involves a rise of almost 1400m, a truly spectacular trip over dense jungle and waterfalls.

Folklore says that when the French arrived in this region, they saw a lot of bananas and gradually this morphed to Ba Na!

Walk the Golden Bridge…
This amazing construction has attracted visitors worldwide, eager to see a novel piece of architecture famed for its unusual design.
The pedestrian walkway, sits at over 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level and extends over the treetops from the edge of a leafy cliff face, offering visitors uninterrupted views of the majestic landscape beneath.
The bridge was designed to evoke the image of the ‘giant hands of God’, pulling a strip of gold out of the and to connect the cable car station with the gardens and to provide an amazing scenic overlook.
We’ll remain flexible as to the walks and sites visited.
After lunch, we’ll continue to Hoi An to arrive by around mid to late afternoon.

Start after breakfast for a 30 minutes gentle bicycle ride through the flat country lanes to Tra Que, which is a charming little village located just a few kilometres northeast of Hoi An. The village is famous for growing many kinds of vegetables and herbs including: lettuce, salad, houttuynia, flagrant knoutwed, basil and coriander.
We will learn about the planting and growing of vegetables and herbs. Enjoy a herbal foot massage before taking a short informal cooking class with a local family, to learn how to make (and then eat) some local delicacies.

WOOD CARVING WORKSHOP AT DRIFT WOOD VILLAGE
An experience unlike anything else, you are invited to pick up a chisel and carve your own inspired, meaningful work of art.
Working closely with our local craftsmen, you will create a unique work of art to take home with you as a treasured memory of your time in Hoi An.
Learn the ancient techniques and basic skills in our introduction to woodworking. Explore our collection for inspiration. Meet and work hand-in-hand with a local artisan.
Joining our Woodworking experience, you can expect a unique and creative few hours interacting and working hands-on with the talented sculptors and artists of the famous Kim Bong carpentry village as you sculpt your own work of art.
It is truly an unforgettable memory and sure to be a highlight of your visit to Hoi An.

Located on the banks of the poetic Thu Bon River, Hoi An ancient town is an Eastern oriental classic captivation. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a prosperous trading port, with a number of foreign occupations. These included the Japanese and Chinese, and and also western (Dutch and Spanish) during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Today, this UNESCO World Heritage listed ancient town is home to well-preserved buildings, pedestrianized streets, a quaint riverside and unique cuisines. The narrow lanes are ideal for aa approximate 2 hours walking tour to give you a glimpse of an ancient town with its illustrious past.
You will visit the Japanese Bridge, the Assembly Hall of Chinese, an old merchant’s house – Tan Ky and have a visit to the colorful local market.

THE REAL-WORLD PERFORMANCE
In the evening you will enjoy a special show in Hoian. “Hoi An Memories” Show – The heroic and romantic memories of Hoi An.
Take a walk on the memory lane with “Hoi An Memories” Show, an outdoor visual arts performance, you will experience impressive stories on the rich history, culture and identity of Hoi An.
“Hoi An Memories” show is a outdoor art performance with the participation of over 500 dancers and actors, various props, captivating stage effects, eye-catching choreography, modern sound and lighting, all in one on a 25,000 square metres stage

Private transfer to Da Nang airport (flight details tbc). Your guide will be with you for this transfer. This service marks the conclusion of your 9-day, 8-night journey