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Day 1: Arrival - Ho Chi Minh
On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. The bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This metropolis ,contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafes. ( If time permits) we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life. O/N in Ho Chi Minh.
Day 2 : Ho Chi Minh
Today we spend a full day exploring the captivating Ho Chi Minh City. The most places of interest are located near the town center. We pass by the now-demolished wartime American Embassy on our way to the Reunification Palace. This famous mansion was a former residence of the President of Southern Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. Upon leaving these landmarks we drive to see the crowded Saigon's Chinatown, locally named Cho Lon, which is crammed with fascinating temples as well as mysterious and narrow lanes. We follow it with a visit to the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War remnant exhibit with a wealth of images from the notorious conflicts. The sightseeing ends up with a walk around the retail Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)
Day 3 : Ho Chi Minh - Hue
The following destination of our trip is Hue via a short flight from Ho Chi Minh. On arrival you are greeted by our guide and transferred to hotel. Along the way we make stop to catch a look of the Camp Eagle. The charming Hue Town is widely known for magnificent architecture, pagodas and royal tombs laid in many small villages and surrounding hills. We spend this afternoon to visit Hue with the massive citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to stroll among the ruins. The sightseeing also includes a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. Along the way we pass by many fantastic eating spots, ideal places for visitors to sample some local delicacies. O/N in Hue. (B)
Day 4 : Hue - Quang Tri - DMZ
The demilitarized zone is a major part of our expedition in central Vietnam. Today we drive northwards along the highway No 1 past the former war sites of Camp Evans , Fire Support Base Nancy and Quang Tri battle field. En route we catch a look of Ai Tu Combat Base and Airfield before arriving in Dong Ha , which is well known as Leatherneck Square bounded by Con Thien, Gio Linh, Dong Ha, and Cam Lo. We cross over the Hien Luong Bridge spanning the Ben Hai River which once demarcated North and South of Vietnam in many decades. These rural areas are now at peace however we can dig some war vestiges out of the Doc Mieu Base, the infamous Vinh Moc Tunnels and the old citadel of Quang Tri. This violent battlefield is still in memory of the many veterans. O/N in Dong Ha. (B)
Day 5 : Quang Tri - Khe Sanh - Lang Vei - Hue
Heading out of town we travel by roads along the highway No 9 and pass the rugged and verdant mountain which once housed a series of fire support bases including Rockpile, Camp Carol and Da Krong Bridge. They are almost set on mountain top therefore we can catch views of these war site from a far distance. The thrilling drive reaches the former American marine base of Khe Sanh, giving us a chance to stroll around and have a look at some of the many battle sites and military camps. There were all but partly cleared by villagers. We continue making our way to visit Tacon Airport and Lang Vei Special Force Camp in south of Lang Vei Village. The next stop is Truong Son Cemetery which provides an insight into the painful war. By mid afternoon we drive back to Hue via A Luoi if road conditions permit. O/N in Hue. (B)
Day 6 : Hue - Danang - Hoi An
The beautiful riverside Thien Mu Pagoda and the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc are not to be missed. We include these in a cruise along the Perfume River. Upon leaving Hue we travel southwards with stopover in Lang Co Beach. The winding road begins as we make our way up the spectacular Hai Van pass. A view from the top of Hai Van pass is one of Vietnam’s most impressive panoramic scenes. The next stop is Danang City for an interesting visit to the famous Cham Museum. This structure boasts the largest collection of Cham treasures in Vietnam. We also have a chance to see the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements, and the famous China Beach on our way to Hoi An. This charming town was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. O/N in Hoi An. (B)
Day 7 : Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh
The ancient architecture of Hoi An is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. There are plenty to see in this delightful and tranquil town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda and the vibrant central market. We visit these sites on our morning walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past. By mid afternoon we are transferred to airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh. On arrival you are greeted by our guide and driven to hotel. The remainder of day will be free for your own exploration of Ho Chi Minh City and catching up on many shopping areas. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh - Departure
There is a free time to relax or further explore Ho Chi Minh City. The tour ends after your transfer to Tan San Nhat Airport for departure. (B)
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