Grand tour of
Day 1 Meet at 12:30 with the tour leader at the Malta International Airport. Check in for our flight EK110 to Dubai departing to Dubai at 15:35. Lunch on board.
Day 2 Arrive in Dubai at 01:05 (Local time). At 03:30 we fly to Hanoi (breakfast on board) on EK394 and arrive at 13:15 (local time). Transfer to our 4* Hotel ‘Thang Long Opera’, ranked as the number one Boutique Hotel in Hanoi. Located on the banks of the Red River and just a short walk from all the major attractions of the fascinating old city. After the assignment of the rooms, we will enjoy a familiarization walk with the tour leader.
Day 3 After breakfast city, you will embark on a tour of Vietnam’s capital city starting off with the Temple of Literature. Built in 1070 as a Confucian temple, this complex became Vietnam’s first university just six years later. We will walk around the complex and its gardens. We will proceed with a visit to the impressive Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex. The morning will continue with other visits, the first one to the One Pillar Pagoda which is a symbol of Hanoi's spiritual heritage, followed by Tran Quoc Pagoda, situated on an island in West Lake and The Presidential Palace, an iconic French colonial-era building. The Presidential Palace is a symbol of Vietnam's political history. Lunch, and after we proceed to visit Hoan Kiem Lake in the City Center and Ngoc Son Temple, situated on a small island in the photogenic lake. We will pass through the 36 Old Streets, vibrant streets lined with traditional houses and full of local culture. End the day with the Water Puppet show which is a unique and captivating performance that originated in the rice paddies of northern Vietnam.
Day 4 After breakfast and check-out, you are transferred from Hanoi to Cuc Phuong National Park.
On arrival you will visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center. This unique place has some very rare animals that are almost extinct and luckily have been rescued from poachers. The heart of the jungle awaits us. In Cuc Phuong National Park, we visit a one-thousand-year-old tree, a prehistoric cave and you can try to spot monkeys, birds, insects and reptiles. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we will take a relaxing sampan boat down a small canal to visit Trang An Caves, enjoying the natural scenery along the way. On arrival in Ninh Binh, you will check in at the Ninh Binh Legend Hotel 4*.
Day 5 After breakfast and check-out, you are transferred to Hoa Lu to discover the old capital, showcasing ancient temples and historical architecture. The area is rich in cultural heritage and provides an insight into Vietnam's feudal history. Next, we will visit Mua Cave, a hidden gem offering panoramic views of the surrounding karst landscape and the Ngo Dong River below. Reaching the top involves climbing stairs, but the stunning scenery at the summit makes it well worth the effort. Lunch and after we proceed to Halong Bay and check-in to Hotel Marina 4* located in the center of Halong coastal city.
Day 6 After breakfast check-out and another exiting day is waiting! Today we board the ship for a day and 1 night cruise on the ‘Scarlet Pearl’. We will cruise along ‘Halong Bay. The entire bay is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the world’s most spectacular land/seascapes. The scenic beauty is characterized by a vast area of the sea that is full of lush hills jutting out of the ocean. Once aboard, you will check in and get settled into your Ocean View cabin. Begin enjoying the amazing views from the upper decks as you cruise toward the center of the bay. A lunch is served shortly after the cruise begins. You will be amazed at the peacefulness and quiet beauty of the bay. You can join the activities organized by the crew. Dinner on board.
Day 7 Wake up to stunning views and then proceed for a light breakfast. Enjoy your last few hours in Ha Long Bay and take part in activities organized by the crew. The boat now begins its leisurely cruise back to the dock, giving you plenty of time for more relaxation and photography. Check out of your cabin and transfer to Hanoi Airport to board the flight to Hue sometimes referred to as “The City of Mist”. Hue is widely known for its magnificent monuments built during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 – 1945), and famous for its amazing food and conical hats. Transfer to our 5* Hotel TCC Imperial Hotel located in the City Centre.
Day 8 After breakfast, we will have a walking tour to visit the Royal Citadel, built in 1804 on a site chosen in accordance with geomancy. The tour of the Imperial City features monuments such as the Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa, and the Forbidden Purple City. Next, we will visit, Thuy Xuan Incense Village which is famous for its centuries-old tradition of exquisite crafting incense sticks. After lunch, we pay a visit to the mausoleum of King Khai Dinh, Thien Mu Pagoda one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. We will also pay a visit to the Đông Ba Market, a historic market located in the heart of Hue, Vietnam. End your day with a visit to Hue Folk Songs on the Perfume River.
Day 9 Check-out. We drive south toward Da Nang. We will have Lunch en-route. We will visit The Son Tra Peninsula Island, also known as Monkey Mountain. We will proceed to Da Nang and stop close to the Love Bridge and the Dragon Bridge, which offer panoramic views of Da Nang's skyline and the tranquil Han River. The last visit for today will be ‘Han Market’. Check-in at the Hotel Mandila Beach 4* in the City Centre.
Day 10 Today we start our journey to Bana Hills, a mountain retreat near Da Nang that promises a unique blend of natural beauty and architectural marvels. Our adventure begins with a scenic cable car ride, offering panoramic views of lush landscapes as you ascend to the summit. Upon reaching Bana Hills, we will step into a realm of fantasy and charm. One of the highlights of our tour is the iconic Golden Bridge, a stunning architectural masterpiece held aloft by colossal stone hands. This symbolic bridge seemingly floats in mid-air, offering unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. We will have Lunch in one of the restaurants in the French Village and return to Da Nang in the late afternoon.
Day 11 Breakfast and today is a day at leisure to explore the city on your own or simply relax at the hotel. Those interested can engage in sports activities such as paragliding which are available from the beach opposite the hotel.
Day 12 Check-out from your hotel after breakfast and then proceed onward to the nearby southern outskirts of town, approaching Hoi An. The ancient city of Hoi An is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its reputation as the best-preserved ancient seaport in the world. Upon arrival to Hoi An, you will begin the discovery of the Hoi An Ancient Seaport with a guided walk through the Japanese and Chinese Quarters. We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Check-in at the Little residence - A Boutique Hotel & Spa 4*. In the early evening you will visit the Hoi An Impression Theme Park which is the home to the impressive "Hoi An Memories Show", a large-scale outdoor theater production. The setting enhances the overall experience, providing a unique and visually stunning backdrop. A show not to be missed!
Day 13 Today, enjoy a unique tour of the rural areas surrounding Hoi An. Farming & Fishing Life provides you with a close-up and intimate exposure to both the local farming and fishing communities. We will visit a beautiful organic vegetable village, where, with a local farmer, we water and plant vegetables, hoe soil and listen to how farmers tend to their crops. The photo opportunities are endless. The friendliness of the local people make this experience a unique one. We will proceed by boarding the boat for a river cruise to meet and engage with local fishermen and enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. Lunch prepared by the fishermen on board. We will also experience paddling the unique Vietnamese coconut basket boat. This tour provides you with a cultural window into the ways of life of both farming and fishing communities.
Day 14 After breakfast and check-out, you will proceed to the Da Nang airport to board you flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Upon arrival, you are greeted at Saigon airport and break for lunch. After lunch, you are driven to Cu Chi. This excursion is an opportunity to see one of the most unique aspects of the Vietnam War as you visualize years of people’s lives being lived underground. This area is famous for its elaborate network of over 200 km of three-story underground tunnels hand-dug by local people during the Vietnam War. You can just explore the rural area with guides and see the war exhibits around the compound, and you can even choose to experience crawling down a tunnel to experience what the North Vietnamese soldiers lived like. You can even test your marksmanship with an automatic/semi-automatic rifle at the firing range against payment. You are driven to the hotel and assist with check in - Liberty Central Saigon Riverside 4*.
Day 15 After breakfast, visit The Saigon Central Post Office, which is an architectural gem in Ho Chi Minh City, showcasing a blend of French Colonial and Gothic architectural style. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the renowned architect of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Saigon Notre dame Cathedral is just opposite the Saigon Central Post Office but unfortunately is under refurbishment. After lunch, we will proceed to The Reunification Palace. This was the headquarters of the South Vietnam government, the original furniture, equipment rooms, and war rooms remain untouched, all the way down to the rotary phones on the desks and strategic maps on the walls. Our last visit will be to the War Remnants Museum which provides a comprehensive overview of the war's impact on Vietnam and the world.
Day 16 Today is a leisure day for personal sightseeing and last-minute shopping opportunities. We can keep the rooms till 19:00. At 20:00 we transfer to Ho Chi Minh airport for the flight to Dubai by EK393 departing at 23:55.
Day 17 You will arrive in Dubai at 04:00 (local time) and fly back to Malta by EK109 at 08:00. You will arrive in Malta at 14:05.
