Itinerary Vietnam - 2009

Day 1 - Bangkok / Hanoi :

• INFO : your arrival at Suvarnabhumi Bangkok International Airport should be scheduled around 08:00am in the morning

• ALPG : meet & greet with your Private English Speaking Tourguide

• IAFL : Intra-Asia flight Bangkok - Hanoi : AIR ASIA - FD3702 - ETD 11:45am / ETA 13:35pm

• ALPG : Services of a PRIVATE ENGLISH SPEAKING TOURGUIDE ( from 08:00am until 18:00pm )

• TRSP : Private vehicle with anglophone driver at your disposal ( from 13:35pm until 18:00pm )

• INFO : Hanoi is the northern capital city of Vietnam and is officially the political capital of the country. Just a couple of years ago, the city was still in the throes of the transition from the communist economic system to a capitalist system. This required the creation of a completely new legal system and, as a result, regulations and amendments were issued in profusion every day. Firms needed to retain lawyers full-time just to keep up to date with the daily changes. Those days have passed, to some extent, since the entrepreneurial spirit of the Vietnamese people is now in full swing and management education has also been established. Yet Hanoi still retains much of an old-fashioned charm, with numerous pleasant cafes, lakeside walks and interesting restaurants and sites. It also has a most chaotic traffic system - well, system is a word that rather overstates the degree to which the anarchy of motor cycles, bicycles, trucks and buses all charge around the city with horns blaring continuously and all seemingly determined to get to their destination by means of the shortest possible route irrespective of anything or anyone who might happen to be in the way. Hanoi has a history of being a city for both economic and political reasons. It is first known at the beginning of the 11th century as a riverside village which then assumed much greater importance when ' King Ly Thai To ' relocated his capital there. Subsequent kings have all attempted to improve upon the beauty and auspiciousness of the city, even during the periods when it has not been a capital city. Much of Vietnamese history has been defined by the desire to resist Chinese domination while at the same time benefiting from Chinese cultural institutions. This was also true of the establishment of Hanoi which followed a Chinese model - the T'ang Dynasty capital of Chang'an was also created in a square shaped pattern with 120 different craft guild areas. Hanoi was not able to grow so large because of constraints to its size imposed by the Red and To Lich Rivers, the Kim Nguu River and the West Lake. Nevertheless, Hanoi has become famous for its 36 guilds. It was initially known as ' Thang Long ' and provided accommodation for Ly Thai To's Dai La Citadel. Subsequent enlargement of the city and of the official buildings within it occurred periodically as respective monarchs felt the need and had the resources. Major constructions were carried out in the 17th and 18th century by the Trinh lords, who were part of an aristocratic family dynasty who rivalled monarchs in their power. It was the Trinhs who built their own palace area outside the royal residence area - and rather overshadowing it. These periods of building brought in many artisans and craftspeople to Hanoi and many of these stayed on after their employment, either inside or outside of the guild system, while the growth in bureaucracy and government meant a great increase in military and administrative personnel. These increases were matched by a growth of economic activity in both quantity and quality that have enabled Hanoi to remain a vibrant city until the present time. Most cities in the world that have lasted for a substantial period of time wax and wane over the centuries. Hanoi is unusual in that both the political and economic bases to sustain a city have remained strong over a lengthy period of time. Judging by the energy and determination of its people now, it seems likely that Hanoi will continue to thrive for the foreseeable future.

• TOUR : Hanoi - in the afternoon, when things cool down a bit, we shall participate in an excillarating cyclo tour. Our cyclo's ( a " bicycle taxi " pedaled by a driver behind you ) gives us an unobstructed view, perfect for snapping photos during our tour. The Old Quarter is the heart of Hanoi, home to many of the must-sees, like Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Hanoi Citadel, and the Opera House. Ride at the perfect pace to enjoy some of the 36 tree-shaded streets of this historic district and ' Old Quarter '.

• TOUR : Hanoi - exchange your seat on the cylco for a seat at Thăng Loi Water Puppet Theater to watch the quintessential Vietnamese art of water puppetry - begun over a thousand years ago by farmers in the Red River Delta. A complex system of underwater poles, rods, and strings brings these elaborate puppets to life. Puppeteers bring magic to the water’s surface as they spin tales of Vietnamese legend - knights on horseback, princesses, unicorns, and fire-breathing sea dragons.

• OPTION : Hanoi - After the show, optional dinner at ' Cha Ca Hanoi ' and sample the dish that gave the restaurant its name. Cha ca, fried fish made with Vietnamese herbs and spices and served piping hot over white rice noodles, is famous for its intriguing and complex flavors.

• HTLS : Overnight in Hanoi - based on DBL / TWN room - upgrade & single supplement on request.

Day 2 - Hanoi / Halong Bay Cruise :

• ALPG : Services of a PRIVATE ENGLISH SPEAKING TOURGUIDE ( from 08:00am until 18:00pm )

• TRSP : Private vehicle with anglophone driver at your disposal ( from 08:00am until 18:00pm )

• TOUR : Hanoi - visit the Ho Chi Minh-mausoleum, a large memorial to the Vietnamese leader. It is located in Ba Ðình Square in Hà Nội and was modeled after Lenin's Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh's body is preserved here and the mausoleum is open for people to come and pay their respects. Today rows of visitors can be seen visiting the place everyday. In his will, he stated his wish to be cremated and to have his ashes buried in the hills of the north, centre, and south of Việt Nam. He said that he liked cremation because it was ' more hygienic ' than burial and could also save land for agricultural purpose '. By building this mausoleum, the successor Communist government intentionally violated this wish.

• TOUR : Hanoi - the Presidential Palace in Hanoi is a three-storey structure located on the north of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Presidential Palace stands as a memento of French contribution to the architectural splendor in Indochina. This mustard-yellow palace was built from 1900 to 1906 to function as the living and operational bases of the governors-general of Indo-China. The designs of this palace were conceived by Auguste Henri Vildieu, the French architect officially appointed for Vietnam. History says that Ho Chi Minh denied staying in Presidential Palace in Hanoi when he returned to independent Vietnam after defeating the French in 1954. He rather began staying in a mere cottage within the premises of the palace from 1954 to 1958. Thereafter, he built a Vietnamese House made of Stilt but he continued to use the palace when important guests came to Hanoi. The tradition continues even now as the palace offers site for official receptions to guests and for other administrative meetings. You won't be allowed to enter the palace but you can go around it for a look from outside. The building is enclosed by gardens and orchard and the famous Mango Alley, which being 300 feet long boulevard, leads from the palace to the stilt house where Ho Chi Minh stayed. Displaying the French architectural style, the palace has a conical structure. There are gates of wrought iron with sentry boxes at the entry of the palace. You will find parts of Italian Renaissance design used in 16th and 17th centuries in the structure of the building like the second floor with a stairway ending in the arched portal, broken gables, intricate columns and aedicules.

• TOUR : Hanoi - visit to the remarkable  ' One Pillar Pagoda ' ( Chua Mot Cot ). It reflects the architectural splendor that this country has grown. One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi was built originally in 1049 during the Ly dynasty. This pagoda is located on the west side of the original capital of Thang Long. According to the legend : ... " King Ly Thai To of the Ly dynasty had saw in his dream that Goddess Quan Am sat on a lotus leaf and gifted him a son. Soon after the king saw this dream, the king married a rustic girl of peasantry class and begot a son from his wife. The king became so overwhelmingly happy that he constructed a wooden pagoda on a stilt in a lake so that the goddess of Mercy- Quan Am, could be venerated and the long life of his son could be ensured "... He named the pagoda- Dien Huu, which means happiness and good luck ( according to a theory the pagoda was built in a style so as to resemble a lotus emerging out of the water ). Later, One Pillar Pagoda succumbed many a times to the ravages caused the colonial powers. It was severely destroyed even till 1954 when the French forces were beating a retreat. The present form of One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi was built in 1955 when the pagoda was refurbished with a concrete pillar from its remnants by the Vietnamese government. Today's structure can be just called the replica of the original pagoda, which was a large building. Locals believe that if you pray in this pagoda, it will invoke well-being and fertility. You are also advised to wear full-length clothes as you visit this place.

• TOUR : Hanoi - Hoan Kiem Lake is located at the heart of Hanoi. The name literally means ' The Lake of the Restored Sword '. It refers to the 15th-century legend in which... " the nobleman Le Loi, who fought for the Vietnamese against Ming China, received a sword from a magic turtle living in the lake. The nobleman defeated the Ming and returned home in victory. One day, the emperor was boating in the lake when the turtle appeared asking for the sword to restore it to its heavenly owner "... In memory of this event, the emperor built the Tortoise Tower on an island at the south end of the lake. Enormous turtles still live in the lake today. When they are spotted, it is supposed to foreshadow the death of one of the country's leaders. The lake itself is one of the most enchanting spots in the city. The early morning misty air is energetic for people who throng the footpath that circles the lake for morning exercise, badminton and tai chi. Hoan Kiem Lake serves also as a meeting point and performance venue during major festivals such as TET and for holidays like National Day. The apparently unique species of turtles, known as ' Rafetus swinhoei ', are sometimes considered as the largest freshwater turtles on earth.

• TOUR : Hanoi - From 1961 to 1973, the North Vietnamese and Vietcong held hundreds of Americans captive. In North Vietnam alone, more than a dozen prisons were scattered in and around the capital city of Hanoi. American POWs gave them nicknames: Alcatraz, Briarpatch, Dirty Bird, the Hanoi Hilton, the Zoo. Conditions were appalling ; food was watery soup and bread. Prisoners were variously isolated, starved, beaten, tortured for countless hours and paraded in anti-American propaganda. "It's easy to die but hard to live," a prison guard told one new arrival, " and we'll show you just how hard it is to live." American prisoners were held at the Hoa Lo prison, nicknamed the Hanoi Hilton from 11 August 1964 to 28 March 1973. The French built this prison near the turn of the century, with construction completed in 1901. Current presidential candidate John McCain was also sent to the Hanoi Hilton and would not know freedom again for more than six years. McCain graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958. He became a naval aviator, flying ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, he nearly lost his life in the 1967 USS Forrestal fire. Later that year while on a bombing mission over North Vietnam, he was shot down, badly injured, and captured as a prisoner of war by the North Vietnamese. He was held from 1967 to 1973, experiencing episodes of torture and refusing an out-of-sequence early repatriation offer ; his war wounds would leave him with lifelong physical limitations.

• TRSP : Transfer Out - Hanoi ( city center ) - Halong Bay ( boat jetty ).

• TOUR : Halong Bay Cruise - The Chinese style Halong Junk boat will bring to you a wonderful night on the bay with luxury and antique accommodations with perfect services provided by the friendly crew. Spending time on the junk, you’ll not only savor a unique feeling in a world of wonder but also enjoy  various of such interesting activities as : watching Vietnamese folk music performance, going fishing on the bay at night, kayaking, learning more about Vietnamese cuisine. Arrive in Halong City we transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood snack followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. The cruise will take you by exotic islets with shapes of Dog, Incense Urn, Sail, Fighting Cocks, which are naturally formed by process of erosion between the see water and lime stone mountains. Arrive Surprise Cave and explore the bay by kayak, paddle to Luon cave : this cave is a natural tunnel thrusts through a mountain's foot and leads to an exotic lagoon surrounded by mountains covered by dense junle.

• OPTION : Halong Bay Cruise -  Seafood dinner followed by optional night paddle.

• HTLS : Overnight at Halong Bay on boat surrounded by a wonderfully tranquil atmosphere in Luon cave area - Overnight aboard our Chinese Junk - DBL or TWN cabin / join-in with other international travellers.

Day 3 - Halong Bay / Hanoi / Sleeper train to Hué :

• ALPG : Services of a PRIVATE ENGLISH SPEAKING TOURGUIDE ( from 08:00am until 18:00pm )

• TRSP : Private vehicle with anglophone driver at your disposal ( from 12:00pm until 18:00pm )

• TOUR : Halong Bay Cruise - cont'd : rising to the sound of ocean coming to life for another lovely day. We breakfast over sunset. Our junk boat once again sets sail through breathtaking secluded Halong bay. A new day wakes you up with joys and emotions in an early morning for watching sunrise on sea. Have breakfast, continue kayak exploration. Paddle from Luon cave toward islets in shape of Tortoise, Man's head, Virgin cave. Returning to the wharf in Halong City and disembark.

• TRSP : Halong ( Bay wharf ) / Hanoi ( Railway Station )

• HTLS : Overnight aboard the sleeper train Hanoi / Hué - based on aircon. cabin 2 sleeper berths only – 2nd class

Day 4 - Hué :

• ALPG : Services of a PRIVATE ENGLISH SPEAKING TOURGUIDE ( from 08:00am until 18:00pm )

• TRSP : Private vehicle with anglophone driver at your disposal ( from 08:00am until 18:00pm )

• TRSP : arrive early morning in Hué - transfer to city center.

• INFO : Hué - there is a beautiful juxtaposition of ancient and recent history in modern Hué. In every facade of society the eventful past has left its mark. Issues like national identity, international relations or politics are tinged with the History of Hué. In the city's landscape every sign is worth a question. Before the birth of Christ, this region was part of the Nam Viet Empire. At that time it was under the realm of Champa which had reigned over this territory for seventeen centuries. In the 1300's the King of Champa handed the region over to the Vietnamese. The name Hué originated from the mispronunciation of the term ' Hoa ', came into being in 1307, after the Champa King Jaya Sinhavarman III had handed over this city to Vietnam for getting married to a princess of the Tran dynasty. In the year 1687 Hué region was chosen by an Nguyen Lord to be the political center of Dang Trong. This political center was then turned to be the capital of the whole country by the Tay Son dynasty. In the 19th century, Hué was the capital of the Nguyen dynasty. This period has produced some of the most beautiful buildings in the city including the Citadel. Since 1883, the region was under French colony. At the beginning of the 19th century, Gia Long, the first Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, carried out a large scale planning and new construction, making Hué the capital of the whole country. Proceeding towards the modern times, in 1945, Hué emerged as the center of the August Revolution. During this time Communist and National forces dethroned the last Nguyen king. After the division of the country, due to its strategic position, Hué, as part of South Vietnam, was the central battleground during Vietnam War. The signs of the devastating war can be seen today in the historical buildings and temples, many of which were seriously damaged by the bombing. The city was the heart of the fierce fighting between South and North Vietnamese, American troops during the TET-offensive. The National Liberation Front snatched the victory and got the city back in 1975.

• INFO : Hué - Royal Tombs : During the era of 1802-1945, Vietnam was ruled by the Nguyen Dynasty. This was Vietnam's last ruling Royal family. There were in all 13 kings in different times. As a mark of tradition the rulers built tombs of their own name around the palace. These tombs are famously known as the Royal Tombs of Hué. Though there were 13 rulers but only seven tombs are found in the site. Due to various reasons only seven of the rulers had tombs built after their name. These tombs form the architectural wonder of Hué and definitely are a reason to visit the place. The seven imperial tombs of Hué are built on a hilly region on the southwestern front of the Citadel, another famous monument of Hué. The kings having their presence in the form of the tombs are Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Tu Duc, Duc Duc, Dong Khanh and Khai Dinh. These tombs were constructed during their respective reigns and were named after them too. These were very aesthetically built monuments showcasing the taste of the respective rulers. The tombs showcase the statute of the kings and are built in a way which perfectly synchronizes with the harmony that strings all the monuments in the same tune. The array of tombs presents a picture perfect of poetic setting in the lap of nature. The components which were incorporated in every of the constructions were : walls, triple gate, Salutation Court, Stele House, temples, lakes and ponds, pavilions, gardens, and finally the tomb. In the year 1957, the Royal Tombs of Hué were enlisted as World's Wonders. Unfortunately most of the artifacts are now stolen by the French and various crooks. It's really unfor-tunate for Hué for losing one of its wonders. Still today Hué has retained its glory and has been regarded as " a masterpiece of urban poetry " by Mr. Amadou-Mahtar-M'Bow, the Director General of UNESCO in 1991.

• TOUR : Hué - visit Khai Dinh Tomb, the final resting place of Khai Dinh, Emperor of Vietnam, who ascended to the throne in 1916 and ruled until 1925. Located on the slope of Chau Chu Mountain the location of the tomb was selected by none other than the king himself. The tomb is located 10km from Hué and represents a fusion of traditional Vietnamese style and modern influence. The construction of the tomb began in 1920 and lasted for 11 years, completing in 1931. The tomb's architecture incorporates many finer points of European architectural style and is almost entirely made of concrete. Though Khai Dinh Tomb is much smaller compared to those of the preceding emperors, what it lacks in size is more than made up by the intricate architectural detailing that has gone in the construction of the tomb, intermingling many architectural trends : -Asian and -European as well as -modern and -ancient. The overall tomb construction has been shaped as an emerging rectangular structure with 127 steps, leaning against the mountain. To enter the tomb area, you have to climb a 37 steps gate with the biggest dragons in the country forming the side walls to the entrance. The courtyard houses two rows of left and right altars built in accordance to the traditional configuration of ' double storeys with eight roofs ', with the rafters made of reinforced concrete. On climbing 29 further steps, you will reach the imperial audience court, which houses the octagonal stele monument, made of reinforced concrete in the centre. There are two rows of statues on both sides of the courtyard, facing towards the centre of the court. Theses statues are similar to those of the other tombs. However, in addition to these statues Khai Dinh Tomb has six more couples representing bodyguard soldiers looking over the court centre. All these statues are made of stone, a material used rather sparingly in the construction of Khai Dinh Tomb as most of the construction has been done with reinforced concrete. Two high and majestic pillars flank the courtyard on both sides.

• TOUR : Hué - visit Tu Duc Tomb : located in a narrow valley in Thuong Ba village, Tu Duc Tomb is one of the most beautiful works of royal architecture of the Nguyen dynasty. Lying in a sprawling lush pine forest, 8km from Hué, this tomb is the final resting place of Emperor Tu Duc (1848-83) who enjoyed the longest reign of any monarch of the Nguyen dynasty. The construction of the tomb started in December 1864 and was completed in 1867. Though the Emperor had over a hundred wives and concubines, he did not have an heir ( possibly, he became sterile after contracting smallpox ). In the absence of a son, it fell to him to write his own epitaph on the deeds of his reign, which he considered to be a bad omen. However, the epitaph can still be found inscribed on the stele in the pavilion just to the east of the Emperor's tomb. The stele for Tu Duc Tomb was brought here from a quarry over 500 kilometers away, taking fours years to complete the trip and is the largest of its type in Vietnam. Tu Duc had begun planning for his tomb long before he died in 1883. In fact, the major portions of the tomb complex were completed from 1864-67, along with future temple buildings that served as a palatial retreat for Tu Duc and his many wives during his lifetime. To complete the elaborate construction of his tomb, the emperor demanded so much corvee labor and levied such extra taxation that there was an abortive coup against Tu Duc in 1866. However, Tu Duc was able to suppress the coup, with the help of his generals and he continued to use the tomb's palace buildings as his place of residence for the remainder of his life. The royal amenities available at this tomb are unmatched compared to any other tomb in Vietnam. The palace area of the tomb has a lake where Emperor used to boat, a small game hunting ground on the tiny island in the lake's middle and the luxurious Xung Khiem Pavilion where he could recline and recite or compose poetry in the company of his concubines. The most interesting part about this tomb is that despite the grandeur of the site and the amount of time Tu Duc spent here, he was actually buried in a different, secret location somewhere in Hué. Even today, the mystery of the hidden, real tomb of Tu Duc perplexes many historians.

• TOUR : Hué - in a small Vietnamese village we will after get an introductionary demonstration and see the manufacturing process of colorful incense and intricate Vietnamese conical hat making.

• TOUR : Hué - short boat tour on the Perfume River, before our visit to Thien Mu Pagoda. Lord Nguyen Hoang, the ancestor of the Nguyen dynasty, erected this Buddhist monastery in 1601. Thien Mu Pagoda, Hué was renovated in 1844 under King Thieu Tri's sovereignty. The pagoda overlooks the southwest bank of the Perfume River and panoramic views beyond. Although, the 21-meter tall tower is the centerpiece of the temple, a 2000-kilogram bell cast in 1710 and a stele from 1715 displayed in the temple are other prime attractions of the temple. The Thien Mu Pagoda or the Heavenly Lady pagoda has two sections. The front of the Pagoda houses the Phuoc Duyen tower, visible from various points in the city and can be accessed from the Perfume River. The 2000-kilogram bell cast in 1710 is also present in this area of the temple along with the tortoise bearing a great stele carved in 1715. The other section of the pagoda is its rear portion, which houses the main hall where Buddha is enshrined. It is in this area that the monks of the temple live and practice Buddhism. The Pagoda was the center of Buddhism in central Vietnam. In 1963, in an act of defiance against the Diem regime, ' Thich Quang Duc ' torched himself in downtown Saigon. Today, the pagoda visitors can see the car that took him to Saigon kept in the rear of Thien Mu Pagoda.

• OPTION : Hué - Tinh Gia Vien restaurant is located down a quiet lane within the citadel. It has a lovely garden, and serves an Imperial Banquet presented in an artistic fashion. The food is delicious and plentiful, and the setting is really very nice and makes a quiet change from the noise and bustle of the city.

• HTLS : Overnight in Hué - based on DBL / TWN room - upgrade & single supplement on request.

Day 5 - Hué / Danang / Hoi An :

• ALPG : Services of a PRIVATE ENGLISH SPEAKING TOURGUIDE ( from 08:00am until 18:00pm )

• TRSP : Private vehicle with anglophone driver at your disposal ( from 08:00am until 18:00pm )

• TOUR : Hué - one of the famous Historic sites of Hué is the Flag Tower, it is situated at the imperial city ( the Citadel ) in Hué. The Flag Tower, or the King's Knight, is the landmark of Hué which is commonly known as a flag-staff. It is viewed from the Imperial City and a vast structure of three flat-top pyramids, one lying on top of another. In 1807, during the reign of Emperor Gia Long the Flag Tower, Hué was built and was enhanced by his son, Emperor Minh Mang. In the opinion of the Thuc Luc ( Nguyen Dynasty's Chronicle ), the flag-tower is 17.40m high which comprises three terraces. On the third terrace, there are 8 little buildings and on each building one canon is sculptured. Two sentinel-boxes are placed at the opposite ends of these little buildings. The Flag Tower was destroyed and rebuilt quite a number of times. In feudal times, a yellow flag fluttered everyday on top of the Flag Tower and was replaced with a larger one on festive occasions, for example- The Nam Giao Offering Ceremony. This flag was made of wool or velvet and the size of this flag is 4m by 3.6m. The flag was brocaded with a dragon design in its center and fringed with serrated lace. The Flag Tower has kept the magnificence of its past days, standing in all its glory and it is the "Must-Visit" historical site in Hué, the most valuable cultural heritage existing in Vietnam.

• TOUR : Hué - the former royal capital of Vietnam is lavishly adorned with outstanding architectural heritage and historical vestiges have made them important world heritage sites. These include Ayutthaya and Sukhothai in Thailand, Angkor in Cambodia, and Luang Prabang in Laos among others. In fact, the Forbidden Purple City, based in the heart of the city is one of the prime illustrations of the rich architectural legacy of Vietnam that draws tourists by hordes. Said to be patterned after the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Forbidden Purple City of Hue was commissioned by the Emperor Gia in the early 19th century. Today unfortunately most of the Forbidden Purple City stands completely destroyed, due to the TET-offensive, the spared remains are a nostalgic reminder of the grand buildings that once stood there. The city was supposed to house a new palace and a citadel to be used solely by the emperor and his family. The palace of the Emperor was located within the walls of the citadel along the east side nearest the river. A second, smaller set of walls and moat defined the area of the " Purple Forbidden City " where the Emperor built a network of palaces, gates, and courtyards that served as his home and the administrative core of the Empire. The construction thus came to be known as ' Cung Thanh ' ( City of Residences ). The name Forbidden Purple City was adopted later during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang. By the end of the imperial rule in Vietnam in the mid-20th century, when the last Emperor of Vietnam stepped down, many dozens of pavilions and hundreds of rooms had been added to the Purple Forbidden City. Though improper maintenance of the Forbidden City made it susceptible to frequent termite and typhoon damage it nevertheless remained an imposing spectacle. Today the city is one of the UNESCO sites and the remaining buildings and those that escaped complete destruction have been lovingly restored.

• TOUR : Hué - Dong Ba Market is near the place where the Dong Ba Canal joins the Perfume River. This market is strongly recommended to anyone with an interest in Vietnamese food or culture. The maintenance of ancient characteristics makes an unforgettable impression to visitors. Dong Ba Market is near the eastern corner of the Citadel.

• TOUR : Hué / Danang / Hoi An - drive towards Hoi An ( about 4 hours ), on the way we will stop for visiting Lang Co Beach, Hai Van pass, Cham Museum in Danang, home to Vietnam’s largest collection of Cham treasures and Marble Mountains.

• HTLS : Overnight in Hoi An - based on DBL / TWN room - upgrade & single supplement on request.

Day 6 - Hoi An :

• ALPG : Services of a PRIVATE ENGLISH SPEAKING TOURGUIDE ( from 08:00am until 18:00pm )

• TRSP :  Bicycle at your disposal / you can also have a walking tour today as travel distance is closeby.

• TOUR : Hoi An - located perfectly on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia. Come and have fun exploring the historical ruins of the Sa Huynh- and Champa cultures at Hoi An during your sightseeing tours in Vietnam. During the period between the 16th and late 19th century, Hoi An was an important international seaport town. Hoi An is one of the Vietnam's four World Heritage sites and has a lot to offer you today. Having an influence from the Japanese and Chinese architecture, the Tran Family Worship House is one of the major tourist attractions of Hoi An. Surrounded by a garden and high fences, The Tran Family Worship House was built by a mandarin of civil service named Tran Tu Nhac. This house is divided into two parts, the first part is used for worship, whereas the second part is reserved for the family. Built in 1780, Phung Hung Old House is a 3-storey building. The third floor of the Phung Hung Old House was used as a refuge for many families during the flood in 1964. The design of the house was influenced by the Japanese and Chinese architecture. No wonder, this house is worth visiting during sightseeing in Hoi An Vietnam. Located on the west end of Tran Phu Street in Hoi An is the Japanese Covered Bridge. This popular landmark of Hoi An was built in the early 1600's by the Japanese community. Sightseeing in Hoi An is no doubt incomplete without a visit to the Japanese Covered Bridge. Located at 80, Tran Phu Street, the Museum of Trade Ceramics houses a variety of unforgettable broken pottery. Get to know about the handicraft and culture of Vietnam with a visit at this museum. Then there are a number of meeting halls in Hoi An that you can visit during Hoi An sightseeing. Cantonese Meeting Hall is located at 176, Tran Phu Street. Hokien Meeting Hall is ideally resting between Tran Phu and Phan Chu Trinh Streets. Chinese All-Community Meeting Hall is located next to the Fujian hall. The 200-year old Tan Ky Merchant House is also worth a visit.

• TOUR : Hoi An - there is much more to watch out for in Hoi An like the romantic Thu Bon River, Cham- and Cua Dai Beach. We cycle to the beautiful white-sand Cua Dai Beach, where we can relax, unwind and enjoy a magnificent sunset.

• HTLS : Overnight in Hoi An - based on DBL / TWN room - upgrade & single supplement on request.

Day 7 - Hoi An / Danang / Hanoi / Bangkok :

• ALPG : Services of a PRIVATE ENGLISH SPEAKING TOURGUIDE ( from 08:00am until 16:00pm )

• TRSP :  Transfer Out - Hoi An ( Hotel ) / Danang ( Airport )

• IAFL : Intra-Asia flight Danang - Hanoi : VIETNAM AIRLINES - VN310 - ETD 08:10am / ETA 09:20am

• IAFL : Intra-Asia flight Hanoi - Bangkok : AIR ASIA - FD3703 - ETD 14:05pm / ETA 16:00pm

• INFO : say farewell to your tourguide - we hope to see you again at one of our other exciting adventures in Asia...

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