HA NOI – HA LONG – HOA LU – TAM COC

(5 Days/4Nights by coach & boat - Tour code: VEHO-04)

Feature Itinerary:

Hanoi - he oldest and one of the most attractive capital cities in Southeast Asia exudes a rare sense of gracious charm and timelessness. At its core exists a 600-year-old ancient quarter, augmented by a century-old colonial city. Today, the rich cultural heritage of both blends in perfect harmony with growing modernization, as Hanoi claims its position as the heart of Vietnam. Hoa Lu - the ancient capital of Viet Nam lies in Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam. The area is one of rice fields broken by picturesque limestone mountains, and is approximately 90 km south of covered Ha Noi an area of 300 ha (3.0 km2), including both the Inner and Outer Citadels. It included defensive earthen walls, palaces, temples and shrines, and was surrounded and protected by mountains of limestone. Today, the ancient citadel no longer exists, and few vestiges of the 10th century remain. Visitors can see temples built in honor of the emperors Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh, their sons, and Queen Duong Van Nga, who was married first to Dinh Tien Hoang and then to Le Dai Hanh.

Outlined Itinerary:

Day 1	Hanoi Arrival	Dinner & guide
Day 2	Hanoi city tour	Breakfast, lunch, dinner & guide
Day 3	Hanoi – Bat Trang – Dong Ho- Dong Ky	Breakfast, lunch, dinner & guide
Day 4	Ha Noi departure	Breakfast & guide

Day 1: Hanoi arrival (Dinner)

Upon arrival in Noi Bai international airport, you will be met by your escorted and driver who will transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Take one-hour cyclo (if time permits) around the Old Quarter, known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally, each of the 36 streets names' was related to the products being sold there. After having a delicious dinner in local restaurant at Hanoi Old Quarter, the guide will take you to see Vietnamese water puppet show for nearly 1 hour. The rest of day will be free at own leisure. Stay overnight at your hotel of choice in Hanoi Old Quarter.

Day 2: Hanoi city tour (Breakfast, lunch)

Morning:After having breakfast at your hotel, we will pick you up and take you to Tran Quoc pagoda- Hanoi’s oldest pagoda in the 16^th century and thenHo Chi Minh complex with Ho Chi Minh mausoleum – reopen until November 6^th, 2012 due to the usual restoration, his simple stilt house where he lived and worked and the museum dedicated to his memory. A short drive to The Temple of Literature – the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th century to admire the beautiful construction and learn about Royal court and Vietnamese talents. Have lunch in the local restaurant.

Afternoon:Short time to relax before driving ahead to Thang Long Imperial Citadel where you can

The architectural relics consist of the foundation, the base of pillars, sections of brick walls, road sections, and brick/gravel tiled floors, a water drainage system, water wells, and traces of lotus lakes. The new discoveries have revealed the magnitude and scale of the Thăng Long Citadel that could not be manifested through written documents or ancient maps. After that, visit Viet Nam Ethnology museum to get over view information about Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups and overview information about ethnic groups over

Vietnam

through the well organized display both in indoor and outdoor exhibition. At night, have refreshment by Hoan Kiem Lake (Sword Lake)with Ngoc Son temple. Stay overnight at your hotel of choice in Hanoi Old Quarter.

Day 3: Ha Noi -Ha Long Bay(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, drive to Ha Long (03 hours road trip) via Dong Trieu Pottery Village en route. Settle on your private boat and start cruising on Ha Long Bay - World Heritage with lunch on board and visit Thien Cung Grotto, Dau Go Cave, Dinh Huong Islet, Ga Choi Islet. Then, spend rest of your time on board to enjoy Ha Long scenery, which is crammed with stalactites and stalagmites. Dock back to Ha Long pier and drive back to Hanoi. Free at leisure and dinner at a local restaurant. Stay overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4: Ha Noi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Morning: Our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoiat 08:00 AM then depart for Ninh Binh Province, after 2 hours driving, we arrive Ninh Binh. Our first visit is the former capital of Vietnam – Hoa Lu, visit two temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, the two heroes who lived in 10th century and chose Hoa Lu to build the citadel of the capital city of Dai Viet.

Afternoon: We proceed to Tam Coc for lunch. Tam Coc known as "Halong Bay on land" boasting breathtaking scenery, “Tam Coc” means three caves. After lunch we get on small rowing boats, the boat trip to all three caves takes about two hours. Drive back to Hanoi. Free at leisure to do some shopping in the Old Quarter. Stay overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 5: Ha Noi departure (Breakfast)

After breakfast at the hotel, be free leisurely at your time when our car takes you to the airport again. Fly back to home. The tour & service end.

Tour price: Basing on USD per person

Ranges	Hotel or similar		2	3 - 4	5 - 6	7 -10	11- 14	15 up + 01 FOC	SGL
Ranges	Hanoi	Ha Long	2	3 - 4	5 - 6	7 -10	11- 14	15 up + 01 FOC	SGL
3*	Ha Noi Legacy	Blue Sky Ha Long	467	394	344	309	270	282	83
	Le Belle Vie		477	404	354	319	280	292	93
	Doice Vista		487	414	364	329	290	302	103
4*	Lan Vien	Saigon – Ha Long	537	464	414	379	340	356	155
4*	Silk Path	Ha Long Pearl	562	489	439	404	365	381	180
5*	Moevenpick	Novotel	626	553	503	468	430	452	242
5*	Melia	Novotel	636	563	513	478	440	462	252