Grand tour of
Meet at 12:30 with the tour leader at the Malta International Airport. Check in for our flight EK110 to Dubai departing Dubai at 15:35. Lunch on board.
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 Stars 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 major attractions of the fascinating old city. After the assignment of rooms, we will enjoy a familiarization walk with the tour leader.
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 Stroll through the 36 Old Streets, vibrant streets lined with traditional houses and full of local culture.
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 rescued from poachers. The heart of the jungle awaits us. During your trekking in Cuc Phuong National Park, we visit a one-thousand-year-old tree, a prehistoric cave and 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 have the opportunity to explore the countryside and enjoy the scenic beauty of rice paddies. Check in at the Ninh Binh Legend Hotel - 4 Stars
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. The hike to 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.
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’. Cruising 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, as you float by karst formations and through partially submerged caves. Dinner on board
Wake up to stunning views and then proceed for a light breakfast. Enjoy your last few hours in Ha Long Bay. 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 4 Stars Hotel White Lotus located in the City Centre.
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. We will end of the day with a visit to Hue Folk Songs on the Perfume River before returning to your hotel.
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 to visit the Love Bridge and the Dragon Bridge. You can take a leisurely stroll across the Dragon Bridge, and you will be treated to 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 Stars in the City Centre.
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 and return to Da Nang in the late afternoon.
Breakfast and today is a day at leisure to explore the city on your own or simply relax at the hotel.
Today we 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. We will stop at My Son Sanctuary which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. On our way to Hoi An, we will stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Upon arrival to Hoi An, you will begin our discovery of the Hoi An Ancient Seaport with a guided walk through the Japanese and Chinese Quarters. Our last stop will be at 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. Check-in at the ‘Laluna Hoi An Riverside’ 4 stars centrally located and just 3 min walk to the famous ‘Japanese Bridge’.
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 commence the day leisurely walking along country roads witnessing local Vietnamese rural life first hand, discovering all manner of photo opportunities - coming and visiting a beautiful organic vegetable village, watering and planting vegetable, hoeing a soil with local farmer, riding a water buffalo in a rice paddy field; seeing ducks swimming along the rice farm or farmers tending their crops. The photo opportunities are endless. As well you will experience the friendliness of the local people greeting you along the way. We will stop for Lunch. We will board the boat for a river cruise to meet and engage with local fishermen and enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. We will also experience paddling the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat while the waterways of coconut palm paradise. This tour provides you with a cultural window into the ways of life of both farming and fishing communities.
After breakfast and check-out, we will drive to the Da Nang airport to board your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Lunch, and after we visit the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral. Next, we will go to the Saigon Central Post Office which is an architectural gem in Ho Chi Minh City. We will enjoy walking through the Ben Thanh Market and Nguyen Hue Walking Street which are a bustling marketplace located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City's District 1. It is one of the oldest and most iconic markets in the city. Check-in at our City Centre Hotel Liberty Central Saigon Riverside 4 Stars.
Today we drive north of the city, towards 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 is a network of over 200 km of three-story underground tunnels hand-dug by local people during the Vietnam War. We can explore the rural area with guides and see the war exhibits the dot the compound. We will return to Saigon for lunch. After we 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. The War Remnants Museum provides a comprehensive overview of the war's impact on Vietnam and the world.
Today is a leisure day for personal sightseeing and last-minute shopping opportunities. We can keep the rooms till 19:00. At 20:00 transfer to Ho Chi Minh airport for the flight to Dubai by EK393 depart 23:55.
You will arrive in Dubai at 04:00 (local time) and fly back to Malta by EK109 at 08:00. You will arrive Malta at 14:05.
