About Vietnam Culture

Day 1:  Arrive Saigon airport and transfer to your hotel. Welcome dinner at the Rex Royal Court where an ethnic folk show will introduce you to many of the ethnic groups that make up Vietnam.
Overnight Saigon. (D)
Day 2:  Morning tour of Saigon’s historic landmarks including the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the former Presidential Palace. After lunch, drive to ChoLon, (Chinatown).  Although the scenery doesn’t change on the 15-minute drive, the subtle difference is noticed when signs on buildings and shops are no longer in Vietnamese, rather in Chinese.  ChoLon has some of the finest buildings and temples in the city. You will visit the Nghia An Assembly Hall, Thien Hau and Quan Am Pagodas and Binh Tay Market the most colorful and exciting market in ChoLon. 
Overnight Saigon. (BL)
Day 3:  Today you will journey to the Mekong Delta, the "Rice Bowl" of southern Vietnam.  Early morning departure by boat to Ben Tre where you will visit a rice farm, candy workshop and honey bee farm.  Journey by Xe Loi (motorized rickshaw) to the banks of the Mekong River, then journey by sampan through canals and mangrove forests where you will watch the fishermen lay their traps.  Enjoy time on Unicorn  Island visiting local fruit, honey and tea farms.  You will be invited to experience a locally produced folkshow of traditional Mekong Delta music and dance.
Overnight Saigon.  (BL)
Day 4:  Morning flight to Buon Ma Thuot, the country’s coffee capital and home to many ethnic minorities.  Visit a Muong village, journey by elephant passing jungle streams and waterfalls toward the Mlieng Jarai minority village.  Picnic lunch will be provided during the day and dinner will be accompanied by local traditional entertainment of dancing and gong music. 
Overnight  in a village longhouse or in a  hotel in Buon Ma Thuot.  (BLD)
Day 5:  Morning flight to DaNang, the start of your exploration of the area once the Kingdom of Champa.  Begin with a visit to the Cham Museum, which contains an impressive collection of Cham statues and artifacts. Continue on the short drive south of DaNang to Hoi An.  Check in to your hotel.  Enjoy a walking tour of this well- preserved 600-year old town which is a living museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site featuring an eclectic mix of restored homes, winding streets and ancient bridges. During the 16^th-18^th centuries, Hoi An was an international trading port connecting Asia and the West. The influence of the traders and seamen from Portugal, China, Japan, and France are evident throughout this lovely town.  Rest of the day is free to enjoy Hoi An.
Overnight Hoi An.  (B)
Day 6:  Morning drive south about 35 miles to the stunning remains of My Son, a Cham religious complex built in the 4^th century and set amidst the jungle. My Son is a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site.  Picnic lunch will be served.
Overnight Hoi An.  (BL)
Day 7: Depart by car across the Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean and Clouds) where spectacular panoramas of the central coastline can be viewed from the summit of the mountains. Your 3-hour journey ends in Hue, the imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty, and a UNESCO World  Heritage Site..  Ruling from 1802-1945AD, the Nguyen emperors were the last of the kings of Vietnam.  Check in to your hotel.  Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before your afternoon tour to the beautiful mausoleums of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh.
Overnight Hue.  (BL)
Day 8:  This morning your exploration starts with a boat ride on the Huong Giang (Perfume River) to Linh Mu (Heavenly Lady) Pagoda, then by car to the Imperial Palace, patterned after the Forbidden City in Beijing.  After lunch transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Check in to your hotel.   This evening attend a performance of Vietnamese Water Puppetry at Thang Long Theater. 
Overnight Hanoi. (BL)
Day 9: Morning tour includes a visit to Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, Temple of Literature and One Pillared Pagoda followed by a cyclo ride in Hanoi’s Old Town.  Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the Old City.  Afternoon visit to the Ethnological Museum where a curator will lead you through this museum dedicated to the ethnic cultures of Vietnam. Rest of the day at leisure. 
Overnight Hanoi.  (BL)
Day 10: As you cross the Red River Valley to Hoa Binh and into the foothills of Ha Son Binh province, the road becomes tougher and the air seems crisper. The Mai Chau Valley shimmers with tiny villages that nestle beneath the towering limestone cliffs.  In this area are the Muong communities and White and Black Thai minorities.  The Muong are farmers growing rice, sugarcane and tea.  Silk production and weaving are common village industries. The area is very scenic with jagged limestone peaks and deep valleys.  Afternoon return to Hanoi. 
Overnight Hanoi. (BL)
Day 11:  Transfer to Hanoi airport  (B)

TOUR INCLUDES:
      Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast (B)
      Lunch (L) dinner (D) per itinerary (excluding beverages)
      Transfers and tours by air-conditioned private vehicles
      English-speaking drivers
      Domestic air tickets: Saigon-Buon Ma Thuot;
               Buon Ma Thuot-Danang;  Hue-Hanoi
      Entrance fees
      Water puppet show in Hanoi

PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY:

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