Day 1+2, May 1+2, 2024: Athens/ Thessaloniki - Flight to Hanoi, Vietnam
Athens, Greece. Arrival in Athens and transfer from Istanbul to Athens via Istanbul. Arrival at noon the next day in Hanoi, the country's capital. After the necessary formalities, meet with our local guide and transfer to the hotel. Settle into the rooms and free time for a first introduction to the city.
Day 3, May 3, 2024: Hanoi, city tour, train street & street food
Breakfast and full day tour of Hanoi with a visit to the Mausoleum complex of President Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and his home where the great leader lived and worked until the last years of his life. In addition, you will stop at the One Pillar Pagoda to admire one of the 4 symbols of Hanoi. Then you will see the Temple of Literature, which was Vietnam's first university and is dedicated to Confucius. Then you will visit the old town and the famous train street, to get a close look at the passing train. In the afternoon you will visit the Museum of Ethnology, which preserves and exhibits many cultural artifacts of all 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. Some rest time at the hotel before departing for a unique evening culinary tour of Hanoi. Within 3 hours you will taste and learn how to prepare famous Vietnamese dishes (Bun Cha, Pho, Bahn Cuon, Banh Mi) and drinks, while walking around the highlights of the old town and local market.
Day 4, May 4, 2024: Hanoi - Halong Bay with a 2-day cruise
After breakfast, depart by road for Vietnam's most famous attraction, Ha Long Bay, through a beautiful route alongside the Red River Delta. Some three thousand limestone formations like meteoric rocks rise from the emerald waters, seemingly cut with precision by some giant tool, and are topped with forests, creating infinite islands in miniature, offering a unique cruising experience. You board special boats (cruise ships) for a unique ride among them (Dog stone, fighting cock, three cocunuts and more). Enjoy a delicious lunch of seafood and other Vietnamese delicacies, and anchor for kayaking in one of the beautiful caves, Luon Cave. You'll visit Titov Island to swim at one of the best beaches in the bay. Dinner and overnight on the cruise ship.
Day 5, May 5, 2024: Halong - Hanoi and fly to Danang, Hoi An
The morning view of the bay is unique. Enjoy Tai Chi and a hearty breakfast before visiting Sung Sot Cave, where you will admire magnificent stalactites and stalagmites after climbing Bo Hon Island. Return to the ship and Tuang Chau port. Road transfer to the airport and board the domestic flight to Da Nang, the coastal town and former colonial port of the French. Transfer to Hoi An and your hotel. Time to walk around and explore the narrow streets where you will admire many different architectural styles.
Day 6, May 6, 2024: Hoi An, Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge
Breakfast and transfer by ultra-modern cable car to the majestic Ba Na Hills to visit the Gardens of Love, Ling Ung Pagoda with its impressive Buddha statue and of course the famous Golden Bridge, held in a proffer pose by two huge hands. Lunch at a restaurant and time to visit Fantasy park, a large theme park with entertainment zones such as Dinosaur and Jurassic park. Return to the cable car and descent down the mountain. Transfer back to the hotel.
Day 7, May 7, 2024: Hoi An, city tour and Hue
Breakfast followed by a tour of the ancient city of Hoi An, where you will see the well-preserved old houses where merchants lived when the city was one of the most important trading centers in Southeast Asia. You will stop at the covered Japanese bridge that connected the Japanese quarter with the Chinese quarter on the opposite bank of the river, with magnificent carvings and paintings of great artistic significance and symbolism. You will continue by exploring Kwan Temple, Phuc Kien Pagoda and the colourful local market on the river. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the old imperial city of Hue with a stop at the Cham Museum and the magnificent marble mountains. Arrive at the hotel and rest.
Day 8, May 8, 2024: Hue, city tour and flight to Saigon
Breakfast at the hotel and start your tour of the major sights of Hue, which was the capital during the Nguyen imperial period and still the corridors of its fortress echo with whispers that testify to the glory of the old days. Part of its charm, moreover, is due to the fact that it is built on the Perfume River. You will visit the Tien Mun Pagoda, a trademark of Hue, as well as the Mausoleum of Emperor Min Mang. The afternoon tour includes the Forbidden City and the Imperial Citadel, where the imperial family lived. Late afternoon transfer to the airport for the flight to Saigon, the most important city in South Vietnam, now called Ho Chi Minh City, in memory of the politician and hero who helped unite the country after the war. Arrival, check-in at the hotel and overnight.
Day 9, May 9, 2024: Saigon, city tour and Qu Chi tunnels
Breakfast and transfer to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground system of more than 200 km of labyrinthine tunnels. The tunnels included hospitals, shelters and schools, and was the headquarters of the Viet Cong during the multi-year war with the Americans. During your visit, you will see some of the larger tunnels. Return to Saigon followed by a tour of the highlights of this commercial metropolis with a strong French influence from the colonial period. You will see the old South Vietnamese presidential palace and now the Reunification Museum, the war museum, the town hall, the central post office, Vin Ngiem pagoda and Notre Dame Cathedral. If time permits you will also visit the bustling Ben Thanh Market, known as the best place to sample authentic Vietnamese cuisine and buy souvenirs.
Day 10, May 10, 2024: Saigon, excursion to the Mekong River Delta (Cai Be & An Binh, Vinh Long)
Breakfast. Today is dedicated to the Mekong River Delta region, a vast area full of wonderful small villages nestled among canals and magnificent nature. After a two-hour road transfer you will arrive in Cai Be, where you will board boats to admire the centre and the ancient church. After arriving at Tan Phong Island, you will enter by small rowing boats through the lush long-lived vegetation. Stop to taste local fruits and hot tea to the sounds of traditional music. Continue exploring the daily life of the area with images of local schools, pagodas, churches and traditional houses. Return to the ferry to cross the Mekong, one of the longest rivers in the world, to reach An Island Binh. Visit and lunch at a traditional local house. Walk to the village to see how to make rice paper and clay pottery. The cruise ends in Vinh Long town, from where you will return back to Saigon.
Day 11+12, 11+12 May 2024: Saigon, transfer to the airport and flight to Greece
In the morning after having your morning meal you will have time to walk around the historic city centre and local markets. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and fly via Istanbul to Athens and Thessaloniki, where we will arrive the next morning full of wonderful images and memories.
