Discovery Tour of Central Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Cua Dai & More (10 Days Tour)

Prelude to a Splendor

Welcome the city of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, a place that combines serenity and energy with ease. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and soon you are settled into your accommodation within the center of the city. The French Colonial influence is apparent within the buildings of the Old City, and in its wide streets which allow waves of motorbikes to pass in consortium with bicycles carrying large, shallow baskets filled with vibrant fruit. Full of a millennium worth of history, the cityscape brings both modern luxury and tradition to the forefront of understanding, whether within the elegant architecture of the Opera House or on the tranquil shores of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Within the three-story halls of Hang Da Market you will find a diverse collection of culture and industry, where imported wine stores mix with local flower shops, and second-hand clothing stores stand next to textile stalls. The exterior is a remarkable multi-perforated façade colored in opulent white and is often filled with the aroma of freshly cooked snacks rising from the first floor. Paper lanterns glow superior hues in many shops, illuminating the goods and the walkway. You can hear the exotic birds chirping all the way from the store on the north corner. If something strikes your eye remember that haggling isn’t just encouraged but expected.  

What’s Included: transfer, accommodation

The Majestic Touch of Emperors

The day is filled with another burst of splendor predicated upon the city’s great history. Your private guide will take you through some of the open beauty that is associated with the tombs of old emperors, filled with opulence on a grand scale to commemorate the leaders in life and beyond. The Tomb of Khai Dinh is located on a hillside and brings together Vietnamese and European elements. The entrance marks the beginning of a large staircase that rises to a tripartite gate, the center entryway once reserved for the emperor Khai Dinh. The concrete and stone are blackened along the exterior giving a particularly gothic ambiance to the complex; however, the interior sings with an explosion of color from its rich mosaics. Within the Honor Courtyard you find Mandarin honor guards immortalized in stone guarding the tomb and watching out over the open plaza, each one unique in their own way. The atmosphere is compelling, lavish and tranquil.

What’s Included: breakfast, lunches, dinner, tour, accommodation

The Fringe of History

After breakfast you will be met by your private guide and taken to an area that was once known as the Demilitarized Zone. Within the peaceful walls of the Khe Sanh Combat Base your guide will inform you of the history of this place; in 1968 the hillsides were said to have trembled with war. The open space sits within the sprawling mountains and abundant greenery. The remains of the past are on display as well, from the large tank standing near the tree line to the remaining helicopters situated quietly on their pads. A small museum further offers insight into history in the form of old photographs and reconstructed bunkers. The aroma of coffee plantations rushes along the foothills.

Near the base you will also find the town of Vinh Moc which literally went underground during the conflict by creating a series of impressive tunnels. Over 90 families created over one and a half miles of tunnels stretching over three levels. Follow your guide through the labyrinth where the cool air of the tunnels relieves the tropical heat and where you can experience the depths at which the villagers burrowed to ensure their survival.

What’s Included: breakfast, lunch, tour, accommodation

Watching Over the Water

The morning washes over the mountain range with bright light and the sweet songs of the birds calling from beneath the canopy. The first half of the day is yours to enjoy the nature on grand display all around you. Whether you prefer to stroll through the trees or venture on a more challenging hike which will have you overlooking the edges of the South China Sea. After breakfast, much of the day is at your leisure. The cool early hours shift into the warmer afternoon bringing comfortable shade and fabulous hues beneath the sunlight. You are met by your private transfer and taken to the charming city of Hoi An, where the merchant past shaped its quintessential present within the elegant architecture and sleepy town atmosphere.

What’s Included: breakfast, lunch, transfer, accommodation 

The Complexity of Temples

The day is yours to explore the city or surrounding countryside as you prefer; however, if you choose to enjoy an excursion to the My Son temple complex you will experience the intricate wonder of ancient architecture which has endured through regime changes and has survived the elements. After breakfast your private guide will bring you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the second-century. The Hindu-themed ruins offer impressive and stunning sculptures set like a movie within the tropical jungle. Temples and towers rise above the trees in the open plaza and looked to have been forgotten through time. The red stones stand out against the lush jungle backdrop where mountains undulate along the skyline. The scent of trees and warm earth lingers in the breeze.

The Cham architecture showcases a solid tower base, sacred tower body, and top built in the shape of a man making an offering, each level representing a different tenant of belief. The serene sounds of the complex are only enhanced by the gracious animal calls of the jungle, from chirping birds to swaying branches. As you come closer to the temples you will be able to see the intricate detail that lies along the sides of each temple, where the statues of men, gods, demons, animals, and legends are carved into the now coarse stone.

What’s Included: breakfast, lunch, accommodation