Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace and spirituality that it has fixated & confounded travellers for centuries.

Prepare to be charmed…. Wrapped in rainforests, edged by golden sands, crowned by volcanoes, studded with ruins of lost civilisations: this is Southeast Asia as you have always imagined it. Spirituality swirls around like the smoke from incense sticks swirls around its myriad Temples.

As a land of staggering natural beauty & cultural complexities, of dynamic megacities & hill-tribe villages, emerald waters & islands, rural adventures, old town exploration, sublime landscapes, a resilient culture & zesty cuisine, Vietnam is a fragrant & frenetic assault on the senses

Arrive in Hanoi - the most cosmopolitan city in Vietnam where the medieval & modern co-exist, a city with a blend of Parisian grace & Asian pace, an architectural museum piece evolving in harmony with its history, rather than bulldozing through like many of the region’s capitals.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? -  Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in and provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next few days.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the morning / afternoon is at leisure to relax or independent exploration or optional activities (we shall be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements). 

Ah…Vietnam - a land of staggering natural beauty & cultural complexities, of dynamic megacities & hill-tribe villages.

Welcome to a world where the colours are more vivid, where the landscapes are bolder, the coastline more dramatic, where the history is more compelling, where the tastes are more divine, where life is lived in the fast lane. This world is Vietnam, the latest Asian dragon to awake from its slumber.

Self-confident & fast-developing, its progress is all-evident in the country's booming metropolises. Vietnam's allure is easy to appreciate (and something of a history lesson) as ancient, labyrinthine trading quarters of still-thriving craft industries are juxtaposed with grand colonial mansions from the French era, all overseen from the sky bars of 21^st century glass & steel high-rises.

Vietnamese culture is complex, diverse & represents something of a history lesson. The nation's labyrinthine, teeming trading quarters are rich in indigenous crafts & reflect centuries-old mercantile influences. Ancient Temples display distinctly Chinese influences in the north & Hindu origins in the south. Meanwhile the broad, tree-lined boulevards & grand state buildings that grace the capital date from the French colonial period. And it is impossible to forget Vietnam's pivotal position close to the epicentre of East Asian power & prosperity, for its cities' skylines are defined by clusters of glass & steel corporate HQs & sleek luxury hotels.

The grand old dame of Asia, Hanoi lay in a deep slumber after Vietnam’s partition in 1954 until the effects of economic reforms kicked in four decades later. The city survived American bombs & Russian planners to emerge relatively unscathed in the early 1990s as an example of a French-conceived colonial city. Huge mansions line grand boulevards, lakes & parks dot the city, providing a romantic backdrop to the nonstop soundtrack. There are still moments of Paris, as the smell of baguettes & cafe au lait permeates street corners. Known by many names down the centuries, Thanh Long (City of the Soaring Dragon) is the most evocative, & let there be no doubt that this dragon is on the up once more.

Imagine a city where the exotic chic of old Asia blends with the dynamic face of new Asia. Hanoi is where imagination becomes reality. Vietnam's capital races to make up for time lost to the ravages of war & a government that as recently as the 1990s kept the outside world at bay. Imagine the most cosmopolitan a city in Vietnam where the exotic chic of old Asia blends with the dynamic face of new Asia.

Where the medieval & modern co-exist, a city with a blend of Parisian grace & Asian pace, an architectural museum piece evolving in harmony with its history, rather than bulldozing through like many of the region’s capitals. Hanoi is where imagination becomes reality.

Founded over 1000 years ago, the capital city is rich in history, with the streets of its rambling Old Quarter dating back to the 14^th century. The tangled web of streets in the Old Quarter, has been a cauldron of commerce for almost 1000 years & is still the best place to check the pulse of this resurgent city.

Wandering these tree-lined lanes past crumbling colonial facades will transport you back in time. However, today's Hanoi is about much more than the past. The ancient city is being invigorated with modern cafes, world-class restaurants & cool art galleries.

Its streets surge with scooters vying for right of way amid the din of constantly blaring horns & all around layers of history reveal periods of French & Chinese occupation - offering a glimpse into the resilience of ambitious, proud Hanoians.

Negotiate a passage past the ubiquitous knock-off merchants & you will find the original streets of the Old Quarter. Hawkers in conical hats ply their wares, locals sip coffee & bia hoi (beer) watching life (& plenty of tourists) pass them by. Defiant real-deal farmers hawk their wares, while city folk breakfast on noodles

Witness synchronised t’ai chi at dawn on the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake while goateed grandfathers tug at their wisps over the next chess move. See the bold & beautiful dine at designer restaurants & cut the latest moves on the dance floor. Hanoi has it all: the ancient history, a colonial legacy & a modern outlook. There is no better place to untangle the paradox that is modern Vietnam

There is more to Vietnam than the traditional image of rice paddies & conical hats. Here, you will find a country bursting with energy & forward motion. Feel the hum & activity on the streets. You will see it in the way Vietnamese welcome you to their homes, invite you to taste their food & proudly show you their rich culture. Meet the people, delve into the past & witness the awakening of a Hanoi on the move

When the sun goes down, you have your pick of watering holes, from sophisticated rooftop bars to buzzing bia hơi. Dine on the wild & wonderful at every corner, sample market wares, uncover an evolving arts scene, then sleep soundly in luxury for very little cost.

Overnight.  

Although it is the modern‐day capital of Vietnam, Hanoi still retains the mystery & charm of past centuries.  Narrow lanes & traditional shophouses invite exploration by Cyclo, while its many beautiful public spaces ‐ lakes, parks, tree lined boulevards & monuments ‐ give the city an air of elegance & harmony with nature unique among Asian capitals

Morning, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby at 09.00 am & proceed for a full day 8 hour sightseeing tour.

First stop will be the Temple of Literature, a peaceful series of walled courtyards & graceful gateways set amidst landscaped grounds near the centre of Hanoi. One of the best example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture, it is depicted on the 100,000d currency note

Founded in 1070 by Emperor Le Thanh Tong, the attractive complex, dedicated to Qufu-born philosopher Confucius (Khong Tu), was also the site of Vietnamʹs first University.  The Altars are popular with students praying for good grades, while the halls, ponds & gardens of the 5 courtyards make picturesque backdrops for student graduation photos. Originally admission was exclusively for those born of noble families, but after 1442 it became more egalitarian & gifted students from all over the nation headed to Hanoi to study the principles of Confucianism, literature & poetry. In 1484, Emperor Ly Thanh Tong ordered that Stelae (large slabs) be erected to record the names, places of birth & achievements of exceptional scholars: 82 of 116 Stelae remain standing, mostly atop turtle statues.

Continue to the miniature One Pillar Pagoda originally built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong who ruled from 1028 to 1054. The Emperor dreamed that he met Quan The Am Bo Tat, the Goddess of Mercy, who handed him a male child. According to the annals, the heirless Ly Thai Tong then married a young peasant girl & had a son & heir. As a way of expressing his gratitude for this event, he constructed a Pagoda here in 1049.

Built of wood on a single stone pillar, the Pagoda is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, the symbol of purity, rising out of a sea of sorrow. One of the last vindictive acts of the French before quitting Hanoi in 1954 was to destroy the original One Pillar Pagoda; the structure was rebuilt by the new government.

Proceed to the nearby vast Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex, a lovely park setting which is home to Ho Chi Minhʹs final resting place, as well as Ho Chi Minh Museum, a 5 storey architectural project situated behind Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Visit the Mausoleum, where you can pay respects to the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. In the tradition of Lenin, Stalin & Mao, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is a monumental marble edifice. Contrary to his desire for a simple cremation, the Mausoleum was constructed from materials gathered from all over Vietnam between 1973 & 1975. Set deep in the bowels of the building in a glass sarcophagus is the frail, pale body of Ho Chi Minh. The Mausoleum is usually closed from 4 September to 4 November while his embalmed body goes to Russia for maintenance.

The queue usually snakes for several hundred metres to the entrance & inside, filing past Ho’s body at a slow but steady pace. If you arrive at the right time, you will catch the changing of the guard outside the Mausoleum - the pomp & ceremony displayed here rivals the British equivalent at Buckingham Palace in London.

Continue through the Park to Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the simple 2 room dwelling where Ho Chi Minh lived Minh lived, worked & held meetings with top leaders, intermittently from 1948 until he passed away in September 1969. This humble, traditional Stilt House located in the compound of the opulent beaux-arts Presidential Palace (former Residence of the Governor General of Tonkin), is set in a well-tended garden adjacent to a carp-filled pond & has been preserved just as Ho left it.

The House made from wood, in the style typical of the houses of mountain ethnic minorities, is now used for official receptions & isn’t open to the public. But visitors may wander the grounds if sticking to the designated paths. The clear views through the open doorways & windows permit insights more fascinating than many Museum displays.

Then. head to Hoan Kiem Lake, considered to be the heart of Hanoi, symbolising the city, to see Hanoi's most visited Temple Ngoc Son ('Temple of the Jade Mountain') sitting on a small Island in the northern part of the Lake, connected to the lakeshore by an elegant curved scarlet Bridge (called Cau The Huc meaning ‘morning sunshine’), constructed in classical Vietnamese style. The Temple is dedicated to the God of Literature, General Tran Hung Dao (who defeated the Mongols in the 13^th century), La To (patron Saint of Physicians) & the scholar Van Xuong.

Just at the beginning of the Bridge is a stone brush Tower located on a small hillock with 3 carved Chinese characters "Ta Thanh Thien" (writing on the blue sky). At its foot is Dai Nghien (Inkstab). The monument of King Le Thai To is situated on the Western Bank of the Lake.

In the centre of the Lake there is an islet where the tiny Tortoise Pagoda & Tortoise Tower stands. A large tortoise carcass of 2.1 metres long & weighing 250 kilos, that lived some 400-500 years back, is still kept at the Temple. Many central & municipal bodies as well as busy trade streets are located around Hoan Kiem Lake.

Enroute, to the Lake, you will be driving by other colonial landmarks (may be seen from the outside only) such as the magnificent Opera House & St. Joseph’s Cathedral.

Hanoi Opera House (also known as the Hanoi Municipal Theatre) is one of the most significant architectural & historical landmarks in Hanoi - the capital’s Theatre of Performing Arts & the stage for the city’s most interesting & important Performances throughout the year.  

From the time they first arrived in Hanoi in 1883, the French had intended to build in this city a venue for performing arts. The construction of the Hanoi Opera House was started by the French in 1901 & completed in 1911, modeled after the Opera Garnier Theater in Paris, though smaller in stature & using materials suitable for the local climatic conditions. Although not suitable for Western art activities, this was the first theater in Hanoi in Western style.

There is also Labour's Culture Palace built with the help of the Soviet Union, inaugurated in 1985 on the site of the former Exhibition House. The large hall with a circular stage seats 1,200 & the small hall has 250 seats. This is mainly reserved by around 24 Clubs for their year-round activities. Close by is Lenin Park (Thong Nhat Park) built over a former marsh, now converted to a large lake with a statue of Lenin on an islet.

The Cathedral of Hanoi (St. Joseph's Church or Cua Bac Church), built in 1886 in Gothic style, slightly influenced by that of Vietnamese Pagoda, is the most beautiful & largest Church in Hanoi. A reminder of French colonial presence in Vietnam, from street level, the Cathedral’s bold, neo-gothic motifs create a powerful impression above surrounding the houses & streets. Near the Cathedral is the office of Hanoi's Bishop & in front of it is the Madonna Monastery.

From the Lake, hop on a Cyclo (Cycle rickshaw) & begin exploring the Old Quarter, the name commonly given to the historical civic urban core of Hanoi, located outside the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. Once the main form of transport here, Cyclos move at the perfect pace for you to take in interesting street scenes without having to worry about traffic & navigation. After this gentle introduction, pick a few streets to tackle on foot.

For many locals, the Old Quarter is an intriguing neighbourhood considered the 'real' Hanoi. If you make friends with someone born in the Old Quarter, chances are they will share with you fond memories of growing up on these atmospheric streets. A handicraft loverʹs paradise & an endlessly interesting place to explore local life. 

It is home to a mix of Vietnamese architecture, green spaces, ancient shops & fresh-as-it-gets street food - all of it easily explored on foot.

The Old Quarter's street names date back 5 centuries to when the area was divided among 36 Artisans' Guilds, each gathered around a Temple or a Dinh (communal house) dedicated to the Guild's patron spirit, set up in this area north of the Lake.

This fascinating network of narrow alleys & shophouses is also known as “36 Streets” & each guild street was named for 36 trades or craft or traditionally sold there, mainly high-quality goods & merchandise ranging from Fabrics to Crafts to Medicines to Tombstones, to supply the royals in the Thang Long Citadel, just steps away. Today, only a few streets sell the same products they once did. Some streets, however, have kept the traditions of the past & these can be great fun to explore on foot, and with your camera in hand.

The Old Quarter may not have many Malls, but shopping here happens at the street level. Hang Dau, Ly Quoc Sư, Tạ Hien & Hang Da streets are lined with stores selling clothing, bags, shoes & sportswear targeted at tourists. For a more curated selection, try Vui Studio, the minimalist boutiques on Chan Cam Street, or the small natural beauty shops on Hoi Vu Street.

Hang Bạc (Silver Street), where Silversmiths once made money & jewellery for the Palace, still houses jewellery stores & money changers. Hang Ma is where Hanoians go to buy religious goods & festival decorations. Hang Gai, now known as Silk Street, was named for the pinkish dye this street famously sold & used in clothing. Shops here now trade in fabrics & custom-made suits & dresses. Lan Ong is a fragrant street filled with traditional medicines & herbs.

Shops pouring into sidewalks, motorcycles navigating narrow streets, the smell of noodles & flowers - the Old Quarter can be a hectic place. Constant motion is part of the charm. Old Quarter's most recent attraction is Train Street. Tiny cafes & stationery stores have moved into the buildings facing the tracks & countless Instagrammers come every day to have their pictures taken with this colourful backdrop.

Wherever you go, you will have a chance to glimpse the tube houses that are typical of the Old Quarter. These houses have narrow facades, but are built deep & high, with multiple courtyards to allow light inside. Also interesting are the Soviet-influenced apartment blocks, which you can find up & down Hang Dieu Street.

The Old Quarter is chock-full of speciality restaurants & popular stalls that have been around for years. One thing Hanoians love to do is spend hours at coffee shops, just people-watching & sharing news.

You will notice bicycle vendors selling fresh flowers & ripe fruit, old friends gathering for games of checkers & cooks doing a roaring trade in steaming pho & bun cha. The longer you wander, the more you’ll be rewarded with moments in hidden alleyways, secluded Pagodas & cosy Coffee Shops.

If you are hungry, get a seat at a cafe & enjoy the action from a safe distance & grab a bowl of bun cha at Bun Cha Huong Lien where President Obama dined, or go for a less crowded alternative at Hang Quạt.

Don’t leave without sampling the original egg coffee at Cafe Giang. Apart from egg coffee, another famous original dish from the Old Quarter is cha ca la vong - a magical blend of fish chunks marinated in turmeric & spices, grilled & served with soft rice noodles, dill & crunchy peanuts.

Vietnamese regularly gather to eat & drink on sidewalk corners, with long meals & countless rounds of beers going late into the night. This ‘bia hoi’ tradition is a fun way to experience local life & make new friends. The most famous beer corner in the Old Quarter is Bia Hoi Junction. The party spills out onto Tạ Hien Street, where backpackers & locals sit on tiny plastic stools & drink fresh draft beer in the evening air.

Enjoy lunch in the Old Quarter (not included – direct payment).

The Cyclo jaunt around Old Quarter concludes & the tour continues on to visit a Museum (so many Museums here but you can visit only one in the available time). 2 are especially interesting - History Museum & the Museum of Ethnology.  

Built between 1925 & 1932, the architecturally impressive Museum of History was formerly home to the Ecole Française d’Extreme-Orient. Its architect, Ernest Hebrard, was among the first in Vietnam to incorporate a blend of Chinese & French design elements.

Housed in an elegant building from the 1930s, it includes exhibits spanning the entirety of Vietnamʹs history including prehistory, proto‐Vietnamese civilisations, the Dong Son culture, the Oc‐Eo culture & the Khmer Kingdoms. The Museum has rich collections of archaeological findings of great scientific & artistic value, including some relating to the era of the Hung kings about 4,000 years ago represent the evolution of the Vietnamese nation.

Exhibit highlights include Bronzes from the Dong Son culture (3^rd century BCE to 3^rd century CE), Hindu statuary from the Khmer & Champa Kingdoms, jewellery from imperial Vietnam & displays relating to the French occupation & the Communist Party. The former Museum of the Vietnamese Revolution is now part of the National Museum of Vietnamese History. The 40,000 exhibits enthusiastically present the histories of conflict & revolution within Vietnam, from the liberation movements against the French occupation to the establishment of the Communist Party & the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The other Museum you can go to is the superb Museum of Ethnology that showcases the depth of Vietnamese cultural diversity with an astounding collection of 15,000 artifacts gathered from throughout the country.

It brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with tribal art & artifacts & everyday objects, from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside the Museum are detailed descriptions (Vietnamese, French & English) of the minority groups, with examples of their traditional clothing & way of life.

Displays portray a typical village market, cemeteries & other distinctive ethnic buildings & the making of conical hats & a Tay shamanic ceremony. You can also check out a traditional Black Thai longhouse reconstructed in the Museum. There is also a Center for Research & Conservation where scientists from all over the world study traditional Vietnamese cultures. The section Museum of Fine Arts contains artistic works of great value, ranging from bronze drums (1^st millennium B.C.) to sculptures, paintings, engravings & lacquer works by contemporary artists are displayed, not to mention folk art.

The sightseeing concludes & you return to the hotel.

But the day is not over yet. In the evening around 07.00 pm, meet the Tour-guide / Rep again & proceed to Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre to enjoy a 1 hour traditional Water Puppet Show, a fantastic art form originating in the northern Vietnam, best seen in Hanoi. In a unique Performance like no other, historical stories are told through Puppets on water. Multilingual programs allow the audience to read up on each vignette as it is performed. Especially interesting for children but adults are mesmerized, too.

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is the best place to witness the eponymous art form integral to Vietnam, that dates back to the 11^th century. When the rice paddies got flooded by the Red River & the talented village Puppeteers would appear with wooden Puppets to entertain the village folks.

Established in 1969, the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater uses a stage filled with water as the setting for the Performance, offering an authentic experience with changing mood lights& a Vietnamese orchestra playing traditional songs about agricultural harvests & mythical legends, that are acted out by Puppets in a pool of water. Artists stand hidden behind a screen in waist-high water, which serves as the stage, as they manoeuvre exquisite handcrafted wooden Puppets, through an apparatus put under in the water surface, narrating historical legends.

The 1hour Performance usually shows 17 short vignettes replicating the daily lives of Vietnamese farmers & fishermen, legends of dragons & other historical tales.

The Performance concludes & you are transferred back to the hotel by 09.30 pm.

Overnight.  B 

Morning at 06.00 am, depart for a full day 8 hour excursion to the scenic Halong Bay.

Sprawling Halong City (also known as Bai Chay) is the Bay's main gateway, but its high-rises are a disappointing doorstep to this site.

A Day Cruise is a perfect option for busy travelers who have limited time but still want to get a glance of the amazing Halong Bay. You will have a wonderful opportunity to visit ‘some’ of the beautiful attractions in the Bay.

A short cruise tour doesn’t mean that you will be limited to attend in various activities. On the contrary, you still can take part in a plenty of Optional activities such as paddling through Luon Cave by a sampan, swimming in Soi Sim Beach or exploring Heaven Cave or kayaking or boat rowing in the deep blue sea waters or admiring impressive limestone islets like Fighting Cocks, Duck, Finger, Incense Burner & Stone Dog (different Cruise Operators have different sailing routes).

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, magnificent 1500 sq-km Ha Long Bay, with its towering limestone pillars, scattered around 3,000 plus tiny Islands topped by forests, punctuated by perfect beaches & deserted wind & wave eroded grottoes, rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, is a vision of ethereal beauty & unsurprisingly, one of the natural wonders of northern Vietnam.

Ha Long means, 'Where the dragon descends into the sea.' Legend has it that the Islands of Ha Long Bay were created by a great dragon who lived in the mountains. As it ran toward the coast, its flailing tail gouged out valleys that filled with water & formed mountains that peek above the sea as rocky Islands. While the vast majority of the Islands in Bay are uninhabited vertical rocks sticking out of the sea, Cat Ba Island - the largest in the Bay - actually has a few tiny fishing villages. There are also 17 Caves & Grottoes where various artifacts like stone tools & bones from circa 4500 BC have been discovered in the mountains within. The most famous Cave is Cai Beo Cave.

About half of the Cat Ba Island was declared a National Park dedicated by Ho Chi Minh personally in 1963 & protects the Island's several diverse ecosystems with waterfalls, mangrove forests, spectacular limestone hills & a large lake.

Cuc Phuong National Preserve of is one of the last tropical primeval forest reserves on earth. There are some 20 types of mammals, 70 species of birds & almost 800 plant species to see many of which are extinct everywhere else in the world. Bizarre & fascinating species of animals from flying lizards to monkeys dwell within the Park's 61,000 acres. Also on site is the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, run by German & Vietnamese Biologists. There are currently 13 types of rare Gibbon & Langeur monkeys here.  Black market demand for these monkeys has pushed several species to extinction. All of the animals at the center were either rescued from illegal traders or were bred in captivity.

Lying to the south of Halong Bay off the north-eastern coast of Vietnam, the 300-or-so karst Islands & limestone outcrops of Lan Ha are just as beautiful as those of its superstar neighbour, but feel more isolated & untouched. Lan Ha also has the additional attraction of numerous white-sand beaches, which aren't found at Halong.

Geologically, Lan Ha is an extension of Halong Bay but sits in a different province. Around 200 species of fish, 500 species of mollusc, 400 species of arthropod (prawns, crabs) & numerous hard & soft corals live in the waters here, while larger marine animals in the area include seals & 3 species of dolphin.

Arrive at the Pier before 11.00 am & board a wooden panelled junk with colorful pillows & cushions, white furniture & chic wall deco.

Embark on a 5 hour cruise & begin sailing among the emerald waters & craggy limestone cliffs of Halong Bay, stopping at different Islands to explore ‘some’ of the many Caves. Sail past floating villages, fishermen casting their nets & pearl fisheries and observe the rhythms of daily life on the Bay.

Come back to the Pier by 04.30 pm & disembark. Meet the Journeys Rep & depart for Hanoi.

Arrive at the hotel & Check-in.

Balance of the day is at leisure for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements for Optional activities).

Overnight.  B L

Morning, meet The Journeys Rep & transfer to Terminal? - Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh, a high-octane city of commerce & culture that has driven the country forward with its pulsating energy.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? -  Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort, discuss the program for the next few days & introduce you to the Tour-guide to commence your tour of Ho Chi Minh City, straight from the Airport.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel.

You will immediately proceed for an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. 

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) formerly known as Saigon, is Vietnam at its most dizzying: a high-octane city of commerce & culture that has driven the country forward with its pulsating energy. A chaotic whirl, the city breathes life & vitality into all who live here. Located in the South, surrounding the Saigon River, it is the largest city, business & financial hub in Vietnam with a prominent history going back hundreds of years. There are plenty of Museums showcasing the country's dark wartime history & classic colonial architecture built by former French rulers.

Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant metropolis on the move & we are not just talking about the motorbikes that throng the streets. Teeming with energy, activity & motion, everywhere you look, you will see the meeting of traditional & modern. The emerging modern skyline stands cheek by jowl with colonial buildings & traditional Temples. Outside on the streets, young professionals zip by on motorbikes, chatting on cellphones; inside the quiet Temple courtyards, worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense. 

Saigon is a name so evocative that it conjures up a thousand jumbled images. Wander through timeless alleys to ancient Pagodas or teeming markets, past ramshackle wooden shops selling silk, spices & baskets, before fast-forwarding into the future beneath sleek skyscrapers or at designer malls, gourmet restaurants & minimalist bars.

The ghosts of the past live on in the Churches, Temples, former GI hotels & government buildings that one generation ago witnessed a city in turmoil, but the real beauty of Saigon’s urban collage is that these 2 worlds blend so seamlessly into one.

The Saigon experience is about so many things - memorable conversations, tantalising tastes & moments of frustration - yet it will not evoke apathy. Stick around this conundrum of a city long enough & you may just unravel its mysteries.

Ho Chi Minh is a city that never sleeps. You may think the city is amazing & bustling during the day, but the night takes it to a whole new level.  Vibrating with energy, innovation & traffic - lots of traffic - a freewheeling, cosmopolitan, its dynamic cityscape draws together old & new Vietnam in the most compact of spaces, representing the city’s past as well as its future.

From delicious food to beautiful French architecture to an up & coming craft beer scene, visitors will find no lack of things to do here. Hanoi tends to favour more conventional dishes, so if you are looking for authentic Vietnamese food, Hanoi is the place to go. However, for a mix of both traditional dishes & intriguing fusion cuisine, Ho Chi Minh City offers a greater variety of both.

Reach Cu Chi Tunnels after driving for around 2 hours.

On the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, amidst humid jungles that will cause rivulets of sweat to drip down your face, lies one of the city’s most iconic attractions: the Cu Chi Tunnels. An immense network of connecting Tunnels located in the Cu Chi District of Ho Chi Minh City & are part of a much larger network of Tunnels that underlie much of the country.

Today, visitors can walk through the area & learn about the daily life of the VC & see the cleverly disguised entrances & elaborate booby traps and even crawl through these tight spaces, inside the legendary Tunnels, some of which have been modified to accommodate visitors. Visiting the Tunnels gives you a first-hand experience of an eye-opening snippet inside the lives of the Viet Cong. Be aware, this is not an experience for the claustrophobic.

The large & sophisticated complex connects over 200 km of maze-like underground tunnels that the Viet Cong used during the infamous Vietnam War. Never discovered by American forces, this incredible underground network dug by hand out of hard laterite, connected command posts, communication & supply routes, hospitals, kitchens, food & weapon caches & factories & bomb shelters, developed into entire self-contained underground villages. Location of several military campaigns, they were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as living quarters for 1,000s of North Vietnamese fighters.

As opposing U.S soldiers were committed to aerial bombardment tactics, the underground Tunnels served as a perfect solution for the Viet Cong to survive & continue their guerrilla warfare to counter the growing American military effort. The triumphant Tet Offensive in 1968 against the Americans, was one of the Viet Cong’s most successful campaigns planned & launched from the Cu Chi Tunnels. The Viet Cong would set numerous booby traps for enemy troops such as trip wires that would detonate grenades or punji sticks, camouflaged pits with sharpened bamboo sticks to impale soldiers.

It is important to know that the sections (enlarged & upgraded versions of the real thing) of the Tunnel complex, open to public, are split over 2 neighbouring sites.

Ben Dinh is near village of Ben Dinh & the other site is 15 km away at Ben Duoc. Visiting the Tunnels at Ben Dinh is easier to reach by road. Even if you stay above ground, it is still an interesting experience learning about the region's ingenious & brave resistance activities.

Suitable for more adventurous individuals, Ben Duoc section, with a narrower & rougher Tunnel system which is 5 times bigger than Ben Dinh, allows you to explore a more elaborate & realistic Tunnel system. In these Tunnels, you will also find fascinating sites, such as the Ben Duoc Memorial Temple & Hoang Cam Kitchen.

Both sites have attached Gun Ranges which offer an opportunity to handle weapons used during the war such as AK47s & M16s. You can also participate in a paintball game, kayak & cycling!

Spend a couple of hours, exploring the area & the Tunnels.

In time, hop on to the vehicle again for the drive back to Ho Chi Minh.City.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.  

Balance of the day is at leisure for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements for Optional activities).

You may want to walk around on your own. Wander through timeless alleys to incense-infused Temples before negotiating chic designer Malls beneath sleek 21^st century skyscrapers. The ghosts of the past live on in buildings that one generation ago witnessed a city in turmoil, but now the real beauty of the former Saigon’s urban collage is the seamless blending of these two worlds into one exciting mass.

Overnight.  B 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide in the lobby at 08.00 am & depart for a full day 8 hour sightseeing of the city.

Commence the tour of this exciting city with a visit to the historic center, strolling along Dong Khoi Street, formerly known as the Rue Catinat, the main shopping thoroughfare and heart of old colonial Saigon. Pass by classic European‐  style landmarks such as the ornate City Hall, the old Opera House (both may only be viewed from the outside), and pay a quick visit to the neo‐ Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral & the Central Post Office.

The ornate yellow French style building housing the Ho Chi Minh City Hall used to be the Hotel de Ville designed by French architect Femand P. Gardes & built between 1898 & 1908. Between 1954 & 1975, it was called the City Hall of Saigon under the then South Vietnam Government. After the reunification of the country in 1975, it was given its present name, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Head Office.

With its stunning architecture, the People’s Committee Building impresses tourists with its sophisticated reliefs carved on the walls as well as firm Roman columns & arches. The majestic colonial People’s Committee Building is one of the 17 landmarks in the city which are over 100 years old. The facade of this building is a perfect confluence of many different kinds of decorations, the most well-known of which is the Marianne relief in the middle, which reflects the renaissance style that was inspired by the design of town halls in France. The magnificent interiors of the Hall & rectangular wings with working government offices feature sophisticated pieces of furniture & harmonious frescoes. A notable feature is the Bell Tower that stands on a pyramid-shaped pedestal & the building looks spectacular when lighted up at night. Near the entrance, visitors are greeted by a statue of Ho Chi Minh teaching a child. An iconic spot where locals & tourists get their photographs taken.

The building is not open to public. Yet, just strolling around the outside is a fascinating experience that gets the locals nostalgic about the colonial heritage, good times & bad times.

The next door is the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House (also known as Saigon Municipal Opera House), which captures the flamboyance of France’s belle epoque & offers Performances ranging from Ballet & Opera to modern Dance & Musicals. A popular year long event is the wildly popular AO Show, a 1 hour performance combining music, dance & acrobatics.

An example of French colonial architecture, built in 1897 by French architect Eugene Ferret, this grand colonial Opera de Saigon edifice with a sweeping staircase, is one of the city's most recognisable building. The 500 seat auditorium served as the site of the unicameral National Assembly from 1956 & then as bicameral Lower House & a Senate or Upper House of the National Assembly of South Vietnam. It also held the People's Assembly of the Republic of South Vietnam from 1975. It was not until 1976 that it was once again used as a Theatre.

Another notable landmark is Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica (officially Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception) established by French colonists, enlivens the heart of Ho Chi Minh City's government quarter. Initially named as the Church of Saigon, it was constructed between 1863 & 1880.

The red-brick, neo-Romanesque Catholic Cathedral with twin Bell Towers & Spires that reach 60 metres into the sky, modeled after its Parisian namesake, started being called Notre-Dame Cathedral since 1959. Gaze up at the spires & inside, one can admire its stained-glass windows & walls inlaid with devotional tablets.   

Next door is another iconic building with Gothic, Renaissance & French influences, that identifies the city. The Ho Chi Minh City Post Office (or the Saigon Central Post Office), was constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the late 19^th century.

Adorned with a most artistic neo-Baroque facade with vintage maps painted on the concourse walls & a science-themed interior with an impressive tiled floor, the Central Post Office has been functional since late 1800s. It is particularly well laid out & well equipped for the different services for which it was / is intended, thanks to the skill & talent of the distinguished Chief Architect of the Colony, M. Alfred Foulhoux.

Next, dive into modern history with a tour of the Reunification Convention Hall (formerly called the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese President). The building is deeply associated with the fall of the city in 1975, yet it is the kitsch detailing & period motifs that steal the show.

It was the site of the final battle, the ‘Fall of Saigon’ that ended the Vietnam War. The first Communist Tanks to arrive in Saigon rumbled here on 30 April 1975 & it is as if time has stood still since then. After crashing through the wrought-iron gates – in a dramatic scene recorded by photo-journalists & shown around the world - a soldier ran into the building & up the stairs to unfurl a VC flag from the balcony. In an ornate reception chamber below, General Minh, who had become head of the South Vietnamese state only 43 hours before, waited with his improvised Cabinet.

The memory of that date signifying the fall of South Vietnam has been preserved & in its original state & one of those original Tanks remain on display near the entrance gates.

In 1868, a residence was built on this site for the French Governor General of Cochin-China & the building was gradually it expanded to become Norodom Palace. When the French departed, the Palace became home to the South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem. So unpopular was Diem that his own Air Force bombed the Palace in 1962 in an unsuccessful attempt to kill him & most of the colonial-era structure was damaged.

The President ordered a new modernist residence to be built on the same site, this time with a sizeable bomb shelter in the basement. Work was completed in 1966, but Diem did not get to see his dream house as he was killed by his own troops in 1963. The new building was named Independence Palace & was home to the succeeding South Vietnamese President, Nguyen Van Thieu, until his hasty departure in 1975.

Designed by Paris-trained Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu, surrounded by royal palm trees, the dissonant 1960s architecture of this landmark government building with an airy open concept & the eerie ambience of its deserted halls make it an intriguing spectacle. It is the home & workplace of the President of Republic of Vietnam.

The ground floor is arranged with Meeting Rooms, while upstairs is a grand set of Reception Rooms, used for welcoming foreign & national dignitaries. In the back, are the President’s living quarters; check out the model boats, horse tails & severed elephants’ feet.

The 2^nd floor contributes a shagadelic Card Room, complete with a cheesy round leather banquette, a barrel-shaped bar, hubcap light fixtures & 3 legged chairs set around a flared-legged Card Table. There is also a Cinema & a rooftop Nightclub, complete with Helipad.

Perhaps most fascinating of all is the basement with its Telecommunications Centre, War Room & a warren of Tunnels, where hulking old fans chop the air & ancient radio transmitters sit impassively.

Towards the end, are rooms where videos appraise the Palace & its history in Vietnamese, English, French, Chinese & Japanese. The National Anthem is played at the end. The Palace is open to tourists for guided tours as long as official receptions or meetings aren’t taking place.

Continue to the harrowing War Remnants Museum, which comprehensively documents the travails of the long Vietnam‐ American War. Inside are detailed photographic exhibitions; outside is a collection of tanks, planes & weapons. A powerful experience, this Museum is guaranteed to provoke strong emotions. 

To understand the US Invasion of Vietnam & contextualize its devastating impact on the country's civilians, a visit to this deeply moving Museum is essential.

Many of the atrocities documented here are already well publicized, but it is rare to visit a Museum such as this, where the victims of US military brutality are given the space to tell their side of the story.

While most of the displays are written from a Vietnamese perspective, much of the disturbing photography of war atrocities come from US sources, including the images of the My Lai Massacre, where more than 500 unarmed South Vietnamese civilians were brutally killed by psychopathic US soldiers. Its absorbing exhibits give visitors an invaluable insight into a defining chapter in the country’s history & a deeper understanding of present-day Vietnam, as a result.

The Museum, formerly known as the Museum of Chinese & American War Crimes, primarily deals with the American War, but the French-colonial period & conflicts with China are also documented. US armoured vehicles, artillery pieces, bombs & infantry weapons are on display outside.

One corner of the grounds is devoted to the notorious French & South Vietnamese prisons on Phu Quoc & Con Son Islands. Artefacts include that most iconic of French appliances, the guillotine & the notoriously inhumane ‘tiger cages’ used to house war prisoners.

The ground floor is devoted to a collection of Posters & Photographs with Vietnamese & English captions, showing support for the antiwar movement internationally. This somewhat upbeat display provides a counterbalance to the horrors upstairs.

Some of the images on show are very upsetting, in particular photos of widespread destruction from US napalm bombs & the horrific toxic effects of Agent Orange on Vietnamese citizens. Many ‘decent’ visitors are overcome with emotions & may need to take a break between exhibits.

The Museum also offers the rare chance to see some of the experimental weapons used in the war, which were at one time military secrets, such as the flechette, an artillery shell filled with thousands of tiny darts.

Upstairs, look out for the Requiem Exhibition. Compiled by legendary war photographer Tim Page, this striking collection documents the work of Photographers killed during the course of the conflict, on both sides & includes works by Larry Burrows & Robert Capa with Vietnamese & English captions. Imagine the irony that the War Remnants Museum is housed in the former US Information Service building.

Drive to the historic center to visit Emperor of Jade Pagoda, one of Saigonʹs most interesting Taoist Pagoda.

The Jade Emperor Pagoda (also known as the Tortoise Pagoda) built in 1909 in honour of the supreme Taoist God - the Jade Emperor or King of Heaven, Ngoc Hoang - is one of the most atmospheric Temples in Ho Chi Minh City, stuffed with statues of phantasmal divinities & grotesque heroes.

The multi-faith nature of the Temple is echoed in the Shrine's alternative name Phuoc Hai Tu (Sea of Blessing Temple), whose message is clearly Buddhist. Similarly, the Chinese characters (Phat Quang Pho Chieu) in the main Hall mean 'The light of Buddha shines on all'.

Inside the main building are 2 especially fierce & menacing Taoist figures. On the right (as you face the altar) is a 4 metre high statue of the General who defeated the Green Dragon (depicted underfoot). On the left is the General who defeated the White Tiger, which is also being stepped on.

Worshippers mass before the ineffable Jade Emperor, who presides – draped in luxurious robes, flanked by his guardians, the Four Big Diamonds (Tu Dai Kim Cuong), so named because they are said to be as hard as diamond.

The pungent smoke of incense (huong) fills the air, obscuring the exquisite woodcarvings & the roof over the main sanctuary, encrusted with elaborate tile work. The Temple's statues, depicting characters from both Buddhist & Taoist lore, are made from reinforced papier mache.

On the left-hand side of the Jade Emperor’s chamber is another room, presided over by Thanh Hoang, the Chief of Hell with his red horse. Other figures here represent the Gods who dispense punishments for evil acts & rewards for good deeds.

This room also features the famous ‘Hall of the Ten Hells’, carved wooden panels illustrating the varied torments awaiting evil people in each of the 10 Regions of Hell.

Women queue up at the seated effigy of the City God, who wears a hat inscribed with Chinese characters that announce 'At one glance, money is given'. In a mesmerising ritual, worshippers first put money into a box, then rub a piece of red paper against his hand before circling it around a candle flame.

On the other side of the wall is a fascinating little room in which the ceramic figures of 12 women, overrun with children & wearing colourful clothes, sit in 2 rows of 6 each. Each of the women exemplifies a human characteristic, either good or bad (as in the case of the woman drinking alcohol from a jug). Each figure represents a year in the 12 year Chinese astrological calendar. Presiding over the room is Kim Hoa Thanh Mau, the Chief of All Women. Upstairs is a hall commemorating Quan Am, the Goddess of Mercy, opposite a portrait of Dat Ma, the bearded Indian origin founder of Zen Buddhism.

Outside, a small pond seethes with turtles, some of which have shells marked with auspicious inscriptions. Hence, the name Tortoise Pagoda is also used. U.S. President Barack Obama paid a visit to the Pagoda during his state trip to Vietnam on 22 May 2016, marked by a plaque.  

In between, enjoy Lunch (direct payment – not included)

Later, head out to Cholon (Chinatown) & explore the highlights of this fascinating area, beginning with a brief visit to Binh Tay Market, the vast wholesale market selling every kind of good from dried foods to T-shirts  to electronics.

Drive by Thien Hau Pagoda, built by the Cantonese congregation & dedicated to the heavenly goddess.

Last stop will be at the largest market in Vietnam - Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste.

While Ho Chi Minh City might not be as renowned a shopping destination that other equally buzzing Southeast Asian city (Bangkok), it still has plenty to offer. A couple of large markets promise a visual feast, with plenty of Instagram-worthy photo opportunities, as well as oodles of items to purchase & take home.

Ben Thanh Market is the largest in Vietnam & one of symbols of this 300 year old city. Built in 1870 by the French, the Market was initially called Les Halles Centrales before being renamed Ben Thanh in 1912.

A bustling market in the daytime & a social center after sunset, Ben Thanh Market is absolutely a must-see attraction of the most dynamic city of Vietnam. Once the indoor market closes at 6.00 pm, a small night market just outside takes over until midnight or even early in the morning (each stall owner decides when to close up).

Ben Thanh & its surrounding streets comprise one of HCMC's liveliest areas. Literally, everything under the sun can be found here - items from consumables to luxury goods - & there are up to 1,500 stalls selling wholesale & retail, managed by 6,000 merchants inside the market. It is arranged in sections according to categories, from textiles & souvenirs, to fresh produce.

From its start as an indoor wet market created by street vendors in early 17^th century, Ben Thanh has experienced many ups & downs throughout its history & it is now the oldest surviving market in the country. Hot, stagnant air ripe with the smell of fish & squid always seems to hang in the air right over that gift you can't live without.

The Southern Gate leads to stalls offering garments, clothes & dried foods, while fresh produce stalls selling fresh fruit, meat & flowers can be found around the Northern Gate. The Eastern Gate is ‘cosmetics heaven’ where you can get to buy a wide range of body care & skin care products and the Western Gate leads to stalls that sell footwear & souvenirs.

Brave the gauntlet of sellers & make your way through the Market’s narrow aisles to a hidden staircase near the South Gate. Take it up to a small Temple where vendors pray for a good day’s business & enjoy the views over the Market.

Personally, nothing is more thrilling at Ben Thanh than the art of "The Barter” - a strategic game of wits of where you pit product desire against pocketbook ability & the house always wins. You are constantly walking that fine line between feeling like you got ripped off or feeling you are further oppressing the local population.

The sightseeing concludes & you are transferred back to town.

Balance of the evening is at leisure for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.  B

Alas, like all good things, the wonderful experience comes to an end. Time to say to say au revoir to this enchanting country & go home.

Check-out of the hotel by 11:00 am (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the use of the hotel facilities & leave the luggage at the Bell Desk if you want to go out). 

Vietnam, you would have noticed, is an exhilarating country to travel. Known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas & bustling cities with thousands of years of history, sprinkled with a handful of outside influences. A nation on the move & this contrast between old & new Vietnam is a big part of its appeal.

Too much to see & explore & discover here & we are sure you would want to come again. We would be waiting to facilitate that.

 “Travel is like knowledge. The more you see the more you know you have not seen” - Mark Hertsgaard

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? -  Ho Chi Minh City - Tan Son Nhat International Airport for the flight back home. Bon Voyage.  B .

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