Vietnam Highlight

This tour of Asia Essence Tours is so perfect for travelers who wish to maximize their exposure to the cultural and natural highlights of Vietnam while traveling in comfort and style.
Journey highlights:

• Squeeze in the scrambling alleyways of Hanoi’s timeworn Old Quarter
• Enjoy a cup of egg-coffee in a hidden café looking over Hoan Kiem Lake
• Explore Halong Bay’s spectacular scatter of islands on an overnight boat
• Visit once the Nguyen emperor’s home and picturesque resident surrounding in Hue
• Stroll around the iconic ancient town of Hoi An and visit the most highlights
• Admire the beauty of partially ruined Hindu temples in My Son Sanctuary
• Visit Saigon’s most historical highlights
• Get active through the canals in the water base land of Mekong Delta
 
Day 1 - Hanoi arrival
Welcome to our beautiful Vietnam! Upon arrival, our guide and driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in the Old Quarter. Check-in and spend the rest of the day free to relax in your room or stroll down the Walking Street to enjoy the ambience of Hanoi.
 
Meal: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

 
Day 2 - Charming Hanoi sightseeing (B,L)
Full day tour of Vietnam’s capital city, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his traditional stilt house and the revered One-Pillar Pagoda. After that, visit Vietnam’s first university, the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature. Have lunch with Pho bo Hanoi or Hanoi noodle soup with beef and served with Hanoi flavorful spring roll. 
In the afternoon, visit the Ethnology Museum where you can learn about the customs and culture of Vietnam’s 54 diverse ethnic groups.
Finish your day with a walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Your local guide will then take you to one of Hanoi’s best-reserved secrets, a hidden café with stunning views over the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. This hard-to-find café is one of the few left in the city that still serves egg coffee, a scrumptious local delicacy that we will sample whilst admiring the hustle and bustle of the city center below. Or, if coffee is not your style, a cold beer awaits! Return to your hotel later this afternoon.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 3 - Hanoi - Fascinating Halong Bay (B,L,D)
This morning, depart Hanoi through the Red River Delta for Halong Bay (3.5 hours driving). Upon arrival, embark on the cruise then start cruising among the limestone islands. Keep cruising to the quiet area while enjoy breath-taking seascape along the way, until enjoy sunset party on sundeck and admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set. Dinner is served around 19.00 then it’s time for you to socialize with other guests, to take part in board games, fishing for squid or just to laze around.
 
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight cruise
 
Day 4 - Halong - Hanoi - The royal ancient Hue (B)
Early this morning, start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt. Then, breakfast will be served on board while you immerse into the peaceful morning of Halong Bay. After check out of your cabin, continue your cruise exploring the Bay. While heading back to the harbor, watch the fruit carving demonstration and participate in the cooking class before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch. Disembark around 12.00 then your driver will wait for you to take you back to Hanoi. Enjoy some free time shopping around before meeting up with our driver for the transfer to Hanoi airport where you will catch a brief flight to Hue, a historically significant city; it was the imperial capital for the Nguyen Dynasty, which left behind regal monuments and sprawling temples. Upon arrival in Hue, you will be met by our tour expert and transferred to hotel for a two-night stay.
 
Meal: Breakfast, Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
 
Day 5 - Explore the former capital of Vietnam (B,L)
Today you will travel by private vehicle to an icon of Vietnam and as potent a symbol of Hue as Thien Mu pagoda. It is famous for its seven storeys, and dedicated to a Manushi-Buddha. After your visit, board a local boat to the peaceful outskirts of Hue, where you will then start cycling on a leisurely tour to Thuy Bieu village. There are plenty of opportunities to admire the quiet and superb landscapes of Hue: rice fields, fruit tree orchards and vegetable gardens, communal houses, primary schools and a valley of cemeteries. Along the cycling route, visit a homemade incense-producing household and observe the daily life of the farmers as they perform their strenuous work with seemingly incredible joy and enthusiasm. Don’t be afraid to greet those you meet along the way. Then, you’ll head to Tu Duc Mausoleum, one of the most beautiful tombs of Hue. It was inspired by the concept of tranquility and is a model of Vietnamese traditional art. It is also an opportunity to learn about the history of the Nguyen Dynasty and the French colonial period before returning to the city center.
In the afternoon, have a closer look at the home of the royal family with a visit to the impressive Citadel. Round off your day with a walk around Dong Ba Market for a glimpse of local life. Back to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day free at your leisure.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
 
Day 6 - Hue - Danang - Xin Chao Hoi An (B,L)
After breakfast, tour guide and driver will pick you up departing Hue, through the Hai Van tunnel to Hoi An ancient town, which is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century.
The drive takes approximately 3 hours and passes through some of Vietnam’s most breathtaking landscape. Then, visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which contains one of the finest collections of Indo-Hindu carvings and documents the history and culture of the Cham people. Also visit the handicraft villages on the foot of Marble Mountain.
Arrive in Hoi An, which used to be a prosperous international commercial port for merchants, such as: Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, etc. from the 16th to 18th centuries. Nowadays, Hoi An is a quaint riverside town, famous for its eclectic architecture, tailors shops, and numerous cafes. Many buildings in the narrow streets have remained unchanged for more than a century. Enjoy a half-day tour on foot through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter and then visit Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200- year old Tan Ky ancestral house and the Japanese covered Bridge.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:  Hotel in Hoi An
 
Day 7 - Hoi An: Excursion to My Son Holy-land (B,L)
This morning, we will travel more than 60 km to visit My Son Holy land, which is another UNESCO Heritage and considered as one of the best-preserved Cham centers in Vietnam. My Son is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the second to the thirteenth century. This site is a must-see for those people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations and is now one of five World Heritage listed sites in Vietnam.
Back to your hotel and spend the rest of time at your own leisure.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:  Hotel in Hoi An
 
Day 8 - Hoi An - The untold story of Ho Chi Minh city (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel in Hoi An.
After that, you will be transferred to the airport in Danang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh. Start your explorations of this city with some afternoon touring, which will include a visit to the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office. Next, stop at the War Remnants Museum, featuring collections of weapons and photographs from the two Indochina wars. Conclude the day with a visit to Thien Hau, arguably the most important Buddhist pagoda in Saigon, and then spend some time shopping at Binh Tay market in Cholon (Chinatown) before returning to your hotel for relaxation.
Note: Notre Dame Cathedral is under renovation; therefore, only outside visit is allowed. You may ask your guide to switch to a visit of Tan Dinh church and Tan Dinh market next door.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:  Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
 
Day 9 - Excursion to Mekong Delta (B,L)
The program starts with the visit to Cai Be a colorful floating market, cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables. Then, an optional stop can be made at local workshops where you can see how rice paste, coconut candy, pop-rice, and popcorn are made. It is so interesting to visit the handicraft village where you can see how they make some special products like making rice-net for spring-rolls, or sewing coconut-leaves… A delicious lunch will be served under the shade of local orchards on An Binh Island.
After lunch, the rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time. Here, you will be able to see traditional houses made of wood and palm tree leaves and to see some local activities. You will have an opportunity to get on with the local people and see how they catch fish or pick up fruits by ancestral ways in Mekong Delta.
One more stop can be made at the nursery garden where you can learn how to have some high quality fruit trees. This offers you a choice to know the real famous farmers – Mr Tiger & his son who are very successful in Vietnam agriculture. We will enjoy some kinds of fruit from their garden as well as home made rice wine when listening to the traditional music. The boat will take you to visit the floating village to see how people farm catfish under their houses.
The cruise ends at around 3:30 pm in Vinh Long where your driver will be waiting for your transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
 
Day 10 - Goodbye Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Having breakfast at the hotel
Our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel and transfer back to Tan Son Nhat International airport for boarding your flight back home or onward other destinations.
 
Tour ends.
 

This tour is built upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and availability of ground services.
The prices are quoted in US Dollars per person based on 2 pax/room
 

Categories

2 pax

4 pax

6 - 8 pax

Single Sup.

Superior

1012

801

734

318

First-class

1135

925

838

441

Deluxe

1432

1221

1134

734

Child from 4 – 10 years old: 75%

 

Please click on CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIPS and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalized quote within 24 hours!

Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suite your requirements, but may incur price changes

 

WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels 
Private vehicles and drivers
Transport from Hanoi to Halong and return by mini van
Private English speaking guides (Other languages if available, upon request)
Half-board as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
Vietnam visa authorization letter
Drinking water available on the vehicles
Service charge & Government Taxes

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
International flights and domestic flights
Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
Any bank fees or charges at your end
Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
Personal travel insurance
Tips for tour guide and driver in each region
Peak season or public holidays surcharge if any
Compulsory gala dinner on Christmas or New Year’s Eve if any
Vietnam visa stamp fee 
Other services not mentioned above
 

HOTEL SELECTION:

The hotels listed below are our suggestions for the best value on this tour.  However, Asia Essence Tours offers many more options of hand-picked hotels, with different "star ratings", allowing you to customize the vacation to meet your taste and budget.
  

LOCATIONS

SUPERIOR CATEGORY

FIRST CLASS CATEGORY

DELUXE CATEGORY

LUXURY CATEGORY

Hanoi

Mercury Center  Hotel Emerald Waters Classy  Ambassador  Golden Rooster

Hotel du Larc  Hanoi Garden Hotel & Spa  Imperial Hotel & Spa

La Siesta Premium 
  La Siesta Classic Ma May
La Sinfonia Del Rey

Capella
Sofitel Legend Metropole

Halong Bay

Venezia Cruise

Aspira Cruise Genesis Cruise Luxury Regal Cruise
Dora Cruise Madeline Cruise

Heritage Cruise Binh Chuan
Le Theatre Cruise

Ginger Cruise

Hue

Emm Hue

Alba Spa

Pilgrimage Resort & spa

Azerai La Residence Hue

Hoi An

Hoi An Luna Villa  Eden Hoian Villa  HoiAn Merrily de Art

Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort & Spa  
La Siesta Resort & Spa

Palm Garden  Boutique Hoi An
 

Four Seasons The Nam Hai  Intercontinental Peninsula Danang

HCM City

Hoang Lan Hotel  Ben Thanh Retreats Acnos Hotel

Au Lac Charner  Silverland Yen

Mia Luxury Saigon

Park Hyatt
 Reverie


 

ABOUT HOTELS:

We, at Asia Essence Tours, are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. As the hotel cost will be the major expense of your vacation in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, it is essential that all of the hotels chosen by us are the highest quality for the price paid. All of our prices are based on twin, double or queen shared rooms.

BELOW IS AN EXPLANATION OF THE HOTEL "STAR" RATINGS:

Superior/ 3 Star (from US$ 50 - US$ 80 per room/night)

The Superior/ 3 Star Hotels are good value and normally centrally located. They all have comfortable en-suite rooms, good amenities and public areas to relax in. They are usually family run hotels, so offer great personalized service for your enjoyment and comfort. Most first class properties offer an in-house restaurant, and some may even have a swimming pool!

First-Class/ 4 star (from US$ 100 - US$ 150/ per room/night)

The 4* First-Class Hotels offer a wide range of services. Many superior hotels feature a choice of several in-house restaurants. In addition virtually all of them have a swimming pool. Some may even feature a spa or health club. This grade of hotel offers more for your enjoyment and comfort, while still remaining affordable.

Deluxe/ 5 Star (from US$160 - US$ 240++/ per room/night)

These 5* Deluxe hotels are usually owned by Worldwide, well known Hotel chains. The deluxe hotels feature excellent locations, offer the highest standards of service and facilities, and are known as the best hotels in each region. Facilities such as swimming pools and spas are the norm, and guest rooms are luxurious. These hotels offer first class service and amenities throughout.

ASIA ESSENCE TOURS™ BESPOKE STYLE SUITS EVERYONE

Flexibility: The sample itinerary can be modified to suit your interests, budget as well as your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination.

Tailor-Made Journey: This trip can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of the trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.

Commitment to Excellence: We enjoys excellent relationships with all of the highly regarded hotels and finest properties in our destinations as well as with service suppliers so that we are able to negotiate the most attractive prices for our clients, which enables us to provide exclusive holidays and affordable special offers. We create one-of-a-kind vacations for groups and individuals. We love our destinations and do our best to make sure that our customers feel the same way. Our job is to make sure that everyone gets the right balance of comfort and excitement to enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

 

Extend This Tour With...

Best of Northern Vietnam


Best of Southern Vietnam


Hanoi Saigon Experience


Best of Central Vietnam