October 24, 1995 is considered to be the birth of tourism in Phan Thiet, when thousands rushed to MuiNe to see the total solar eclipse. The event was commemorated on the same day in 2005 as the tenth anniversary of tourism for the province. Local people in Phan Thiet regularly practice a ceremony to a whale god, which is believed to give good luck in nautical pursuits.
Phan Thiet is the main city of Binh Thuan province, Phan Thiet has a long coastline with a hot, mainly dry climate and average temperatures of a little more than 27 degrees. The population includes descendants of the Cham, who ruled the area until 1692. Phan Thiet is famed throughout the country for is fish sauce Vietnam’s leading brand.
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
You will be met and transferred to hotel. This afternoon, you will explore the bustling Old Quarter of Hanoi. Your hotel is located close to the West Lake and the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi. (D)
Day 2: Hanoi – City tour
Full day Hanoi city tour of the charming capital Hanoi city including Ho Chi Minh complex: Mausoleum, Museum, stilts House and the One-Pillar Pagoda, and the Tran Quoc Pagoda. After lunch at Koto restaurant, we visit the Temple of Literature, Restored Sword Lake, the Old Quarter of “36 streets of 36 wares”. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,L)
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong
Morning drive to Halong bay. Arrive at Halong city. Board Huong Hai Junk, check-in registration. Have lunch on board. PM: A fantastic cruise in Halong Bay visit Dinh Huong, Ga Choi island, Dog, Sail island. Continue to visit Sung Sot cave and a swim at Titov beach. Enjoy dinner on board while watching sunset. Fishing, drinking Vietnamese wine and spending a night on an air-conditional cabin. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Halong – Hanoi
After have breakfast. A morning cruise to visit Man’s head island, Tortoise island, visit Luon cave by small bamboo boat, Bai Tu Long bay, Toad island, Bai Tho mountain. Return to Halong city and have lunch on board. Go back to Halong wharf and return to Hanoi. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,L)
Day 5: Hanoi – Danang (Air) – HoiAn
Leave Hanoi for Danang. Arrive at Danang airport. Your guide will meet and transfer to your hotel. Lunch at restaurant. Then we will visit the charming ancient town, a stroll between the 844 houses and temples in HoiAn, including the Tanky’s House, 200 years of antiquity, with Chinese poems written in nacar inlaid, or even the structure oldest call “The House at Tran Phu St” made of carved wood. Overnight in HoiAn. (B,L)
Day 6: HoiAn – Cua Dai beach
After breakfast, continue to visit the ancient town. Have lunch at a local restaurant. PM. Enjoy the time on Cua Dai beach. Overnight in HoiAn. (B,L)
Day 7: HoiAn – Nha Trang
You are transferred to Danang for the flight to Nhatrang. You will be met by our guide and be transferred to hotel. Afternoon, city tour Nha Trang including PoNagar Cham Tower, and Long Son Pagoda and Dam market. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Nha Trang. (B,D)
Day 8: Nha Trang
After breakfast, take a boat trip to visit Tam and Mun islands. Have lunch. Afternoon, relax on beach. Return to NhaTrang and Dinner on your own. Overnight in Nha trang. (B,L)
Day 9: Nha Trang – Dalat
After breakfast. Leave Nha Trang for Da Lat – the charming city in Highland. Visit Pokrongarai Cham Tower and enjoy the beauty of scenery en route when passing Ngoan Muc Pass. Have lunch at a local restaurant in Dalat. PM. Visit Hoa Binh market, Prenn Water Fall and Tuyen Lam Pagoda in Da Lat. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Da Lat. (B,L)
Day 10: Dalat
In the morning, visit Flower Garden and Valley of Love, Lake of Sighs, Former Palace of Emperor Bao Dai – The last Emperor of Vietnam and Crazy House with the special architecture by Ms Hang Nga. In the late afternoon, time at leisure and shopping. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Dalat. (B,L)
Day 11: Dalat – Phan Thiet (Biking)
8:00 AM pick you up at hotel. Transferred by escort van to National road No 28 (80 km from Dalat) and start biking on one of the most scenic and quiet roads of the area. This ride will bring you from the mountain of Pine Hills to sandy beach of palm trees. The biking can be divided into two parts:
– Part one: (~ 50 km) begin from Cau Bon; pass through coffee plantations, Pine Hills, rain forests, a small village of K’nop people…to the small town of Ma Lam. Lunch en route. Get on the escort van to Phan Thiet and then to MuiNe along one of the nicest beaches of Vietnam. Arrive in MuiNe for dinner on your own. Overnight in MuiNe beach. (B,L)
Day 12: MuiNe
Have a free day to explore MuiNe on your own. Overnight in MuiNe beach.
Day 13: Phan Thiet – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Transfer to Saigon. Check in Hotel. Have lunch in Saigon. Our guides are the experts so we leave you in their hands to decide what you want to see and do today. There are some great markets if you are in the mood to shop or you can visit some of the museums like the History Museum, or some pagodas, like Thien Hau Pagoda and Jade Emperor Pagoda. A more somber attraction is the War Remnants Museum, a very powerful look at the Vietnam War. Chat with your guide and decide what suits you. Overnight in Saigon. (B,L)
Day 14: Saigon – Cu Chi – Tay Ninh
After breakfast, drive to Tayninh and a visit the incredible CaoDai Great Temple, attend the Noon prayer service. Lunch at local restaurant. PM. Continue to Cuchi. Upon arrival, visit villages of Cuchi and the remain of the underground battlefield network of tunnels built by Vietnamese during the long years of war. Return to Saigon, stop on road to visit a countryside market. Dinner on your own and Overnight in Saigon. (B,L,D)
Day 15: Saigon
Free time for shopping or optional visit before transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure flight.