Vietnam has had a tough past. Its history has been filled with bloodshed and war. Vietnam today is a reflection of its glorious and struggle-filled past and a celebration of its freedom and development of the present. Although it has been taken over by invaders over the years, Vietnam managed to keep its local culture alive while absorbing wholeheartedly the foreign cultures. Today, Vietnam stands proud in South East Asia as the 8th most populous country and a place that contains the richness of culture, history and natural beauty. Everything thing in one. That is Vietnam.
Vietnam invites all kinds of travelers. Budget travelers, backpackers, luxury travelers, solo travelers, tourists on an exotic vacation. Everyone is intrigued by the culture and the vibrancy of this place.Vietnam is heavily influenced by the Chinese as it was invaded four times by China in the past. Taoism and Confucianism are major factors that affect the culture here and can be seen in the various monuments here. Apart from that the Buddhism plays a great role in the heritage.
Vietnam has emerged as a popular tourist destination along with other countries like Laos and Cambodia in South East Asia. Vietnam cannot be ignored, especially when it comes to history as it harbors some of the most magnificent UNESCO heritage sites. Since early 2000's tourists have been flocking here with an intact curiosity and exploring the country with awe. This trip to Vietnam includes the main attractions that you can't miss as well as some of the other smaller spots that most might miss, but are equally relevant and important.
Departure dates: 04 March 2014, 18 March 2014
Rates: Per person on twin share basis, in USD (Valid for Indian nationals)
Superior: $ 1140 Single Supp.: $685
Deluxe: $1465 Single Supp.: $935
Price Includes:
Accommodation including meals as specified in the program
Entrance fees and boat fees
Transfers and tours
Vietnam visa approval (stamp abroad, stamp fee excluded), non-refundable if assistance is not needed
Service charges, room tax and baggage handling
Price Excludes:
Airfares & Taxes
Visas & Surcharge
Domestic air tickets
Vietnamese visa stamping fee (single visa entry)
Compulsory dinner supplements
Personal insurance
Expenditure of a personal nature such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry, etc.
The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is where the ancient Vietnam meets the modern. This city with all its chaos and hustle bustle hides some of the gems. A few sights like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Fine Art Museum and Historical Museum will tell you about all the history, architecture and beauty that fills this place. These are the major attractions in Hanoi, but apart from that Hanoi also has the Ngoc Son Temple and HoanKiem Lake. We will also drop by the Thang Long theatre to enjoy the famous Water Puppet Show – a unique Vietnamese traditional art. This art originates from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists-men and women-stand waist-deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move about, talk, laugh and even dance on water surface.
After paying our visit to the last spot in Hanoi- The Temple Of Literature, a symbol of Confucianism and respected by scholars and students even today, we make our way to Halong. Discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area and immerse yourself in its outstanding natural beauty - “Dragon descending to the sea“ as it is known in Vietnamese. Picturesque Halong Bay has more than 3,000 limestone islets rising from the clear emerald water, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. A lovely evening cruise in the Halong bay will showcase the beauty of Vietnam. We will also visit certain caves and islands on our way. The night will be spent on board and you can wake up to a lovely view of the bay in the morning.
Hoi An has a history of being a port city. Thus, it was the center of attention in the past. The city has not yet lost that energy. It still harbours ports built in the 15th-19th centuries and the streets of this coastal town reflect both indigenous and foreign influences. This ancient city has been named as a UNESCO world heritage site. Discover the historic town which used to be a prosperous seaport city during the 16th to 18th centuries. Its sizeable community of foreign merchants resulted in a unique architectural style with Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences. Visit the Phuc Kien hall, Japanese covered bridge, Tan Ky old house and a silk workshop.
Danang has gone from being laid back to being vibrant. Situated on the coats of the South China Sea, this place has lovely beaches and lots of picturesque landscapes. That said, this place has quite a few cultural and historical sights of its own too. Earlier this place didn't attract much tourism, but now tourists consider this a great visit with scenery and a happening nightlife. In Danang we visit the carving village at Marble Mountain and Cham Museum. After Danang we move to Hue via Hai Van pass and visit Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba market.
Once an imperial capital of a feudal dynasty, Hue once dominated South Vietnam in the 15th century. Later, when an emperor captures the whole of Vietnam, Hue became the national capital. The charm of Hue as a past capital of Vietnam still survives in its scenic beauty and its historic sites. We start our journey here by taking a boat trip on the Perfume River and visit Thien Mu pagoda, followed by Tu Duc Tomb. We continue with the journey with a visit to Khai Dinh Tomb and the incense making village.
Named after the popular Communist leader, Ho Chi Minh is the largest city in Vietnam. Capital of South Vietnam before the unification, this place played a major role in the war. Also called as Saigaon, this was also the capital of the French during their colonial rule here. Thus, most streets and buildings display French architecture. Around 70% of the tourists who come to Vietnam don't give this city a miss. Here we visit Cu Chi Tunnels, an amazing complex of the underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War. From there we go to visit War Remnants Museum, former Presidential Palace and quick photo stops at Notre Dame Church, and Central Post Office. This brings us to the end of the tour.
