18-Day History and Nature from North to South

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Today, you'll start with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder, Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts. This place has a deep significance to the secular and spiritual nature of many Vietnamese who come in large groups to honour and respect the father of their independent nation. The complex also comprises the One Pillar Pagoda and the water puppet show venue.

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You'll drive to Hoa Lu, the Ancient Capital of Viet Nam, and visit the temples of two dynasties, Dinh and Le with very unique old-time architecture. After lunch, board the sampan boats (2 people share a boat) in Tam Coc and drift down the river among the villages, mountains and lush rice fields. You'll pass through 3 caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai, Hang Ba. These early caves will leave you feeling a little strange.

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After breakfast drive to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, on the way, you can stop to visit local people. Once you arrive, you'll settle in the Retreat where you'll be staying for the next few days and meet your hosts. After lunch, you'll venture out into the village to learn about farm life and the irrigation systems used here.

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Trek to villages and visit local people to get to know what daily life is like in Pu Luong. You'll be in awe at the magnificent mountain ranges, stunning rice terrace fields, scenic rivers and waterfalls that surround the small villages, and have plenty opportunities to photograph them.

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You'll have breakfast at the retreat and have time to relax in the morning before you transfer back to Hanoi city. Once checked back into Angel Palace, you'll have time to explore parts of the city you missed previously.

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You'll rise early to hop onto the shuttle bus at your hotel and be transferred to the pier on Halong Bay. Board your cruise and get ready for your 24-hour journey through the iconic limestone karsts. Lunch will be served while cruising to Surprise Cave. You'll have time to explore the cave before having an evening to relax on the cruise.

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Start the day with Tai Chi as the sun rises over the bay. After breakfast, enjoy kayaking to Titop Island and have a swim in the warm waters on a beach that Ho Chi Minh once visited. You'll have a quick photo stop and then return to the boat for your return journey. You'll return to the pier by midday for your journey back to Hanoi.

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After breakfast, transfer to Hanoi airport for a flight to Hue. Located in Central Vietnam, Hue was the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty and the national capital from 1802 to 1945. A major attraction is its vast, 19th-century Đại Nội Citadel, surrounded by a moat and thick stone walls. It encompasses the Imperial City, with palaces and shrines; the Forbidden Purple City (Tử cấm thành), once the emperor’s home; and a replica of the Royal Theatre.

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Today you will visit the Imperial Citadel: The home of Vietnam’s last royal dynasty, the Nguyen Dynasty. The royal Antiques Museum, Minh Mang tomb; the conical hat village where see and learn how the locals this iconic hat and to an incense stick making village.

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After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Hoi An. On the way, stop at Lăng Cô, a small stunning village, the Hải Vân Pass, made famous by the TV show, Top Gear and Marble Mountain where you'll have spectacular views of Da Nang from ancient caves and temples. When you arrive in Hoi An you can relax for the remainder of the day.

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Today you will join a cooking class. The first stop is the market, where you'll shop for all your ingredients and then start cooking. Once you have finished you can then enjoy your own creation. In the afternoon, you'll go to Hoi An Ancient Town and visit the Temple Kwan, Phuc Kien Temple, Tan Ky Ancient House, Phung Hung house, the Japanese covered bridge.

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Tra Nhieu, a village of Duy Vinh commune, is located on Thu Bon river bank. This is a peaceful, romantic area where you still find typical traditional Vietnamese houses that are home to families to are professionals in their craft, be it making boats, mats or hats.

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Today, your Vietnam itinerary goes north to south - or central to south! You'll have breakfast at the hotel before you are driven to Danang for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. You'll arrive early afternoon, check into the hotel and then have free time to explore at your own pace.

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In the morning visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. After lunch, visit the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace (the former Presidential Palace), then to Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office and finish on Dong Khoi Street. One of the oldest parts of the city that is home to the stunning Opera House.

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Leave Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy the scenic journey along the national highway bordered by green rice fields. When you arrive in Can Tho, you'll visit Vinh Trang pagoda and then take a leisurely boat ride along the river to see everyday activities along the Mekong as well as the stilt houses that people live in.

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Early morning, making your way Cai Rang Floating Market, you'll be impressed by the bustle of more than 300 small and big boats with locals buying and selling their wares. Early afternoon, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. You'll have the rest of the day free to explore the city at your own pace.