Laidback Holidays Special - Vietnam - North, Central & South
December 24, 2022 - January 2, 2023
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Travel Dates: 24th Dec 2022 to 2nd Jan 2023
Travel route: Ha Noi – Ninh Binh - Halong Bay (Overnight on the cruise) – Da Nang & Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnel – Mekong Delta River
Meals indicated as B (breakfast), L (lunch), and D (dinner)
Tour Price in USD per person (Double Sharing)
Half Board (breakfast + 1 meal): 6-7 pax: $867; 8-9 pax: $806; 10 pax: $782
BB (Breakfast only): 6-7 pax: $787; 8-9 pax: $727; 10 pax: $702
Single sharing is an additional $298 on top of the package
TCS is 5% of package price and is refunded back to you
ITINERARY IN BRIEF:
DAY 1 – 24th Dec 2022: HANOI ARRIVAL (L)
Arrival flight: TBA
Arrival in Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi. Meet our tour guide and transfer to City Center where you may choose to have breakfast/coffee, freshen up and stretch your legs. We recommend the Coffee Club right in the heart of City Center that has a global menu.
We will visit The Opera House, Ly Thai To King’s Statue, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and journey through Hanoi’s Old Quarter by a green car. Have lunch at a LOCAL restaurant. Check-in to our hotel and relax. In the late afternoon, we will enjoy the Water Puppet show (Spoiler alert! - it is quite spectacular and a great introduction to Vietnam). Overnight in Hanoi. ENJOY CHRISTMAS EVE IN THIS VIBRANT CITY!
City Center - Hanoi
DAY 2 – 25th Dec 2022: HANOI – NINH BINH – HANOI (B,L)
After breakfast at hotel,
09:00am we pick you up at your hotel and depart for Ninh Binh province (2 hours by road). We start by visiting Hang Mua where you will wallow in a wonderful landscape of mountains, valleys and rivers. We first climb up hundreds of steps to lead to a temple on top of a hill and witness the spectacular views from Hang Mua over Tam Coc and Ninh Binh’s stunning countryside. They are well worth the effort. Have lunch at an INDIAN restaurant - you will be missing it.
Trekking to Hang Mua peak; you can see it in the background
Continue to visit the Trang An Scenic Landscape complex nearby which was recently recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage site, get on a rowing boat (small sampan) traveling along a small river with scenic mountains and green fields all around. The boat takes you to visit the cave complex of Trang An: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou. Mysterious and wild are the words that describe the scenery of mountains and rivers of Ninh Binh. Stop and climb up to the Tran temple to get a gorgeous view of the surrounding area.
Drive back to your hotel in Hanoi and overnight in Hanoi.
View from Tam Coc top
DAY 3 -26th Dec 2022: HA NOI – HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT ON THE CRUISE (B,L,D)
Today we head to the cruise by Limousine shuttle bus, sharing with other tourists
After breakfast at the hotel, 07:45am we will pick you up and drive to Halong, one of the first World Heritage Sites designated by UNESCO for Vietnam in 1994. Check-in to our boat and enjoy a lunch of fresh seafood and vegetarian options while the boat goes about this unusual seascape with thousands of picturesque rocks and islets, beaches and hollow islands. We can stop to visit some karsts grottoes or just go swimming, or stop at a beach and enjoy the sunset on the sea. (Lunch and dinner on board). Overnight on the boat in Halong Bay.
Evening view from the cruise ship
DAY 4 – 27th Dec 2022: HALONG BAY – HA NOI (Brunch)
By Limousine shuttle bus from the cruise, sharing with other tourists
We suggest you wake up early to enjoy dawn on the sea. The Vietnamese call the "East Sea" by a direction-oriented name "Eastern Sea", the sunrise over the islets of the Bay is stunning. After breakfast our boat will continue to cruise in spectacular areas, where almost each islet has its own name like Sail Island, Fisherman’s head rock, Butterfly rock or Turtle islet , named after their shape of the object/thing they resemble. Around 12h30, take the car back to Hanoi and check-in to our hotel. You are free at leisure or free for shopping. Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 5 – 28th Dec 2022: HA NOI fly to DA NANG & HOI AN (B,L)
Fly with Vietjet Air from Hanoi (HAN) to Da Nang (DAD)
Airfare: USD85/ ticket (included airport tax, service charge, baggage allowance: 20kg + 7kg)
· Airfare is subject to change/ increase
After breakfast at the hotel,
You are free at leisure, check -out hotel before 12h00. Our driver will pick you up and transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for domestic flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival in Da Nang International Airport, our driver and tour guide will pick you up and transfer to Hoi An ancient town. Have lunch at a Local restaurant.
This afternoon we explore Hoi An ancient town – walk over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly Halls and Trading Houses, Pagodas, and stroll around the market situated by the Thu Bon river, you may feel like the artists who see the charm of Hoi An. A magical old world of Oriental feel and source of inspiration. From the town pier, we embark on the boat on Thu Bon river. Enjoy the busy daily life of the Hoi An people from the boat. Continue to Thanh Ha pottery village where we learn and enjoy the daily life of Thanh Ha people. Observe all the steps of making a pottery product: vase, pot, kettle, cooking pot,... Return back to hotel or spend more time shopping at the town center. Overnight in Hoi An.
Hoi An - Ancient Town
DAY 6 – 29th Dec 2022: HOI AN – DA NANG (BA NA HILLS, GOLDEN BRIDGE (B,L)
After breakfast at the hotel,
09:00 we leave for the hills of Ba Na in Da Nang. Take the cable car that earns 5 points in the world to the Ba Na station. Stop at By Night Station to visit the hills of Vong Nguyet, the Linh Ung pagoda, The Old Villas of French. Continue to get on a cable car to the Nui Chua Mountain - the top of the Ba Na range, visit the top of Nginh Phong, Le Nim Villas, the orchid garden ... Try the climbing train (first and only funicular) in Vietnam) and visit an ancient French winery (Debay Ancient Wine Cellar), Le Jardin D'amour flower garden. Have BUFFET lunch in Ba Na Hills.
Do not miss the walks on the Golden Bridge among the foggy hills and enjoy the beautiful view of the city of Da Nang. After visiting Ba Na Hills, we transfer to our hotel in Da Nang and overnight in Da Nang.
Golden Bridge
DAY 7 – 30th Dec 2022: DA NANG fly to HO CHI MINH & CITY TOUR (B,L)
Flight with Vietjet Air from Da Nang (DAD) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Airfare: USD85/ ticket (included airport tax, service charge, baggage allowance: 20kg + 7kg)
· Airfare is subject to change/ increase
After breakfast at the hotel,
You are free at leisure, check -out hotel before 12h00. We pick you up and transfer to Da Nang Airport for domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival in Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, we will pick you up and transfer to city center, check-in to our hotel and head for lunch at an INDIAN restaurant.
In the afternoon we will visit the Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace which was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Witness the beautiful structures from French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum which has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Mekong Delta
DAY 8 – 31st Dec 2022: HO CHI MINH CITY – MEKONG DELTA RIVER – HO CHI MINH CITY (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel,
09:00am Leave the hustle bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and depart for My Tho, the town that lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda which dates back to the late 19th century. Then board the sampan boat and cruise down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.
Stop over at Unicorn Island, walk around country lane and see the orchards, enjoy tropical fruits, and folk music performed by the local people. Visit the fruit plantation.
Riding a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal, treat yourself to the beauty of the countryside. Feel free to visit the family business, honey-bee farm, enjoy honey tea and a coconut candy workshop.
Have lunch at LOCAL restaurant.
In the afternoon, cycle around the Tan Thach village, meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life of the Mekong delta. Relax in a hammock and enjoy the cool breeze for those who don’t with to join the cycling trip. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy NEW YEARS EVE IN HO CHI MINH!!! nuff said.
New Year’s Eve in Ho Chi Minh
DAY 9 – 1st Jan 2023: HO CHI MINH CITY - CU CHI TUNNEL & FREE SHOPPING IN HO CHI MINH CITY (B,L)
After breakfast at the hotel,
09:00am Depart for Cu Chi tunnel (approx one and a half hours in the bus). Upon arrival and before exploring the tunnels, you will get a short introduction about how the tunnels were built and how people survived in the harsh conditions of war. Spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems which include specially constructed living quarters with kitchens and bedrooms, side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. There are many hidden trap doors and maze like tunnels to secure the area during war. Special tea and cassava (Guerilla’s food during the war) will be served. Here you can relax and if you are a shooter, you can try to shoot a real AK47. Have lunch at a LOCAL restaurant and return to Ho Chi Minh. You are now free at leisure and for shopping. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 10 – 2nd Jan 2023: HO CHI MINH CITY - DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure then our tour guide will pick you up at the hotel and transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for departure. End of service.
Late check-out is not included and check-out time is 12h00!
HAVE A FANTASTIC TRIP!
Inclusions:
Hotel accommodation based on Double/Twin shared rooms
A/C transfer with experienced drivers
English speaking local tour guides
Overnight cruising package 2 days/ 1 night in Halong Bay
Boat trip as program mentioned
Sampan in Ninh Binh
Cable car to Ba Na
Meals without drinks as indicated: B = Breakfast ; L = Lunch ; D = Dinner
All sightseeing fees as program
02 bottles of 0,5l on each day tour
Exclusions:
E- visa into Vietnam (visa stamp fee already included): USD35/ 1pax
International air ticket to / from Vietnam and domestic flights
Early check-in and late check-out
Other meals not mentioned in programs
Gratuities/ tips for tour guides; Drinks, personal expenses and others….
4* hotels used for tour (or similar):
Hanoi - May De Ville Legend Hotel; https://www.maydevillelegendhotel.com/
Halong Bay - La Casta Cruise; http://lacastacruise.com/
Hoi An - Hoi An Blue Sky Hotel; http://www.hoianbluesky.com/
Da Nang - Golden Lotus Hotel; http://goldenlotushotel.vn/
Ho Chi Minh - Palace Saigon Hotel; http://www.palacesaigon.com/
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made before 30 days of travel will qualify for a full refund after deducting bank/credit card charges if applicable. Thereafter, refund shall be made as follows:
• 50% of the total amount charged if cancelled between 3-4 weeks prior to the trip
• 75% of the total amount charged if cancelled between 1-3 weeks prior to the trip
• 100% Cancellation charge in if cancelled less than 1 week of travel/postponement of the trip/no show
For bookings and other details contact:
Laidback Outdoor
Whatsapp: +91 8375090772
Email: nakblaidback@gmail.com
Instagram: @laidbackoutdoor
Facebook: @LaidbackIndia