Day 1: Arrival Saigon
Flight suggestion (estimate): SQ 178 (SIN-SGN) 9.45-10.55
Your private guide and driver will meet you outside of the arrival hall at Saigon.
Transfer for your lunch then take the Half day Saigon City
We start the day exploring some old Saigon streets and iconic buildings. We take a glance at the splendidly restored exteriors of the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville, which are still two of the finest buildings in Saigon.
Next, we wander up to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris. Then we head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect Gustav Eiffel before he rose to fame with the Eiffel Tower.
We continue today’s story with a visit to the Reunification Palace (former Presidential Palace and headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war) which reveals the history of Saigon during its turbulent recent past. This is the location where the two North Vietnamese army tanks crushed the gates of the palace on 30th April 1975 and signaled the end of the conflict, by taking the surrender from Duong Van Minh, who had been president of South Vietnam for only three days.
We move on and visit the site of the wartime offices of the US Information Service (USIS). This is now the War Remnants Museum (formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes). This museum is a disturbing experience. It graphically recounts the Vietnam War from the perspective of the victors. The Requiem photo gallery comprises images taken by photojournalists killed in action from both sides of the conflict.
Meal: Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Saigon
Day 2: Saigon - Drive to Dalat (it takes about 6-8 hours)
After breakfast, our guide and driver will meet you at hotel for transferring to Dalat (It takes about 6-8 hours for driving)
It’s a long journey by driving with stopping for spectacular view and stop for lunch.
Check in hotel in Dalat.
Free and Easy at your leisure.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Dalat
Day 3: Dalat city tour
Our guides are the experts so we leave you in their hands to discuss and decide what you want to see and do today.
There are some great cultural places to visit, natural highlights and markets in the area.
If you are in the mood to shop then you can visit the biggest market in Dalat, or the XQ Silk Embroidery Village.
If you are interested in history and cultural heritage then we recommend that you take the time to visit highlights such as Bao Dai’s Summer Palace III, take the cable car to Truc Lam Meditation Pagoda, or Linh Phuoc Dragon Pagoda.
For architectural enthusiasts, there is the Crazy House and the Railway station.
For nature lovers, there is the flower garden, Datanla Waterfalls and an optional elephant ride at Frenn falls.
When you choose to have lunch is up to you. Chat with your guide and decide what suits you or we could arrange with our suggestion!
And of course, we will take time to visit The Domaine De Marie (Dominion of Marie) Church which has an architecture combination of French and Vietnamese styles. Today, it is not only a place for the local people to worship but also a destination for visitors from just anywhere. This church also called Mai Anh Church or Cherry Church, is home to the Roman Catholic nuns of the Mission of Charity.
If we have more time, we can visit one more famous church in Dalat, it is Chicken Church.
This is a flexible full day of touring and you can discuss specific sites/sights and locations with your guide, depending on your own personal interests and pace.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Dalat
Day 4: Dalat trekking (gentle trekking)
The trailhead starts just south of Dalat and a short 20 minutes vehicle transfer. We head up from 1,500 meters in elevation to the ridgeline which meanders 1,700 meters. The going is steep to begin with and both sides of the trail are dotted with pine trees. The reward for this steep uphill climb is a fantastic view of the town and surrounding area, with stunning views of Langbian Mountain in the north.
After a brief rest at the lookout spot, we connect with the main ridgeline trail and head into the jungle. There is a noticeable change in the ecosystem, with the canopy above us and hidden birds singing to us as we trek. There is a wide variety of flora in this area ranging from towering hardwood trees hundreds of years old to delicate blooming flowers.
We stop at a small clearing near the trail junction that breaks down to the lake below, for a well-deserved break and lunch. Dalat is known as the vegetable garden of Vietnam and lunch offers you a chance to try some of the area’s tasty produce.
After lunch, the trail goes downhill gradually and works its way towards the lake at 1,400 meters. This section of trail wanders through broadleaf evergreen almost until the end, before breaking out into a pine-forested clearing right on the edge of the lake.
We finish at the main road and vehicle back to Dalat.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Dalat
Day 5: Dalat Countryside
After breakfast at the hotel, our guide and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby. Begin your journey to Tanung Village. Along the way there is so much to see and learn about countryside living and what has been produced in the region: vegetables, flowers, pine trees, coffee, rice wine, mushrooms, crickets, and silk. This morning you will travel through plantations and forests, and see the spectacular Elephant waterfall.
A lunch spot will be recommended by your guide.
The afternoon is to head south to visit the most famous church of the Churu people which has won the international church architecture 2016 – Ka Don Church. 25km back to Dalat and rest.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Dalat
Day 6: Dalat fly to Danang - Drive to Hue - Tha Om dinner
Transfer to Lien Khuong Air airport for your domestic flight to Da Nang and private transfer by road to Hue City, flight to be determined.
Flight: VNA 1954 DLI-DAD 13.40-14.45
Check in hotel in Hue, take a rest then private transfer for your dinner.
Tha Om dinner – A quite unique dining experience
This evening, take the opportunity to rub shoulders with royalty with a visit to the residence of Pham Ba Vinh and his wife, Ton Nu Cam Tu. Mr Vinh is of royal heritage and during your visit to the delightful Tha Om Garden House, he will undoubtedly regale you with a few stories of his ancestral roots.
Tha Om Garden House offers an excellent opportunity to relax and enjoy traditional Vietnamese hospitality in the surrounds of a fully-working and functioning replica of a 19th century Hue residence. The house itself is set in charming gardens, complete with lotus ponds and pavilions.
Like many of Hue’s homes, the structure is built on high foundations with low, dipping roofs due to the historical problem of flooding in the area. As the sun sets, enjoy an exceptional Vietnamese dinner either within the house or, if the weather is fair, in the gardens.
Meal: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at hotel in Hue
Day 7. Hue – Our Lady of La Vang – Hue Citadel – Thien An
After breakfast we drive north of Hue to Our Lady of La Vang – A major pilgrimage center for Catholics in Vietnam, spending time for praying then back to Hue city for lunch.
In the afternoon, we will depart to visit Citadel, which is located on the North bank of Huong River (Perfume River), inside Hue city.
It is a huge complex covering an area of 520 ha and comprising three circles of ramparts, Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel). The rule of the last Vietnamese Emperor lasted until the mid-1900s. At the time, the Purple Forbidden City had many buildings and hundreds of rooms. It suffered from termite and cyclone damage, but was still very impressive. Many bullet holes left over from the war can also be observed on the stone walls.
After ending a meaningful day, we take time to enjoy the atmosphere at Thien An Monastery.
It is located in Thuy Bang, Huong Thuy, Thua Thien Hue, in a romantic, airy space in the middle of the forest of pine. After many years of establishment, with type of design as convent church, Thien An Monastery still retains its intimacy, harmonize with nature, and be beautiful between forest. We will have a great time there.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Hue
Day 8. Minh Mang – Khai Dinh – Hue Churches
We begin with a discovery of Minh Mang tomb, which is 12km from Hue, on the west bank of the Perfume River. Begun in 1840, construction was not complete when Minh Mang died. His successor, Emperor Thieu Tri continued this task according to his father’s plans.
It took ten thousand soldiers and artisans to finish the project. Fully completed in 1843, the tomb comprises of about 40 monuments of various sizes which was designed on an symmetric axis running from Dai Hon gate to the foot of La Thanh (Surrounding Wall) behind the tomb.
Then we will visit Khai Dinh Tomb which is home to an imperial audience court, featuring a reinforced concrete stele monument, as well as twelve stone statues representing bodyguards.
In the afternoon we will spend time to visit Hue famous churches.
Phu Cam Cathedral is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Hue, and is one of the largest, the most famous and the oldest church in Hue.
The cathedral was built on a hill where an orange plantation once stood. Construction started on the property in 1963 with further additions in 2000, it is built in the style of Modern Architecture designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Hue is a great Catholic work, with high architectural value and certainly an attractive tourist destination of Hue City.
The Phanxico Cathedral is the folk name of the parish church of Francis Xavier, an ancient church located on Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Hue City.
Features of this architecture are the dome door round decorative fringe, soft pattern. The highlight of the building is the bell tower soaring, on the tip of the tower is the cross. Beneath the bell tower is the statue of St. Francis Xavier.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Hue
Day 9. Hue – Bach Ma National Park - Nuoc Ngot Orphanage – Danang Cathedral - Hoian
After breakfast, we check out Hue hotel then departure to Bach Ma National Park, the TROPICAL RAINFOREST
Bach Ma National Park is an old French Hill station stretching out over some 40,000 unspoilt hectares and offering great hiking trails, waterfalls and views.
It’s around 1.5 hour drive from our hotel and is home to some of the most stunning stretches of jungle walk and mountain ranges we’ve explored in central Vietnam.
Today as we enter the park, stop at the Exhibition Centre to gain a good understanding of the topography. Depend on your trekking level we’ll drive up to the highest levels and visit Do Quyen waterfall. This is an astounding fall in the wooded mountain. It is more than 300m high and around 20m-30m wide.
Discuss with your guide about treks or walks, through the tropical or sub-tropical forests depending on your stamina and time. We know to be quite flexible with this. However you decide, we’ll also make sure you also get outstanding views and memorable photos from the Bell and Sea-View Towers.
After that, we continue the journey by driving to Nuoc Ngot orphanage centre for a visit. Then heading to Da Nang over mountain Pass which is specticular view and stop for lunch and Da Nang Cathedral (Rooster Cathedral). Then we drive to Hoian to check in hotel.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Day 10. Hoi An Walking Tour - Marble Mountain - “Hoi An Memories” Show
After breakfast we will make Hoi An Walking Tour
Located on the banks of the poetic Thu Bon River, Hoi An ancient town is an Eastern oriental classic captivation. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a prosperous trading port, with a number of foreign occupations. These included the Japanese and Chinese, and and also western (Dutch and Spanish) during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Today, this UNESCO World Heritage listed ancient town is home to well-preserved buildings, pedestrianized streets, a quaint riverside and unique cuisines. The narrow lanes are ideal for aa approximate 3 hours walking tour to give you a glimpse of an ancient town with its illustrious past.
You will visit the Japanese Bridge, the Assembly Hall of Chinese, an old merchant’s house – Tan Ky and have a visit to the colorful local market.
After lunch we drive to visit Ngu Hanh Son (The Marble Mountains)
This is a cluster of five marble mountains lying close to the sea. That is why it is dubbed Hon Non Nuoc, which means Mountain and Water in Vietnamese.
Thuy Son is both the highest and considered the most beautiful covering an area of 15ha. It has three peaks namely Thuong Thai, Trung Thai and Ha Thai. As a result, the pagoda built on the mountain was named Tam Thai.
The Marble Mountains are famous for their traditional stone engraving activities. In Dong Hai village close to Thuy Son, 600 families chisel stone producing statues, jewelry, and art work. Stone from the Marble Mountains has been exported to many countries. At this village, you can admire all those wonderful works created by patient craftsmen right in front of you.
In the evening you will enjoy the real world performace – “Hoi An Memories” Show – The heroic and romantic memories of Hoi An
Take a walk on the memory lane with “Hoi An Memories” Show, an outdoor visual arts performance, you will experience impressive stories on the rich history, culture and identity of Hoi An.
“Hoi An Memories” show is a outdoor art performance with the participation of over 500 dancers and actors, various props, captivating stage effects, eye-catching choreography, modern sound and lighting, all in one on a 25,000 square metres stage.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Day 11. Our Lady of Tra Kieu - Departure
After breakfast at hotel, we will visit Our Lady of Tra Kieu, which is the holy mountain church where pilgrimages gather to pray and memorize the glory and the victory that Our Lady who gave to the faithfuls when they were in the war of self-defense against the Can Vuong Movement in 1885.
After lunch time, your private guide and driver will transfer to the airport for your flight home.
End of your Vietnam Catholic Tours
Flight suggestion (estimate): SQ173 16:35-20:10 Da Nang – Singapore
Meal: Breakfast
Included: All services listed in the tour plan
Excluded:
Traveling with us in the meaning of “CONNECT and SHARE”, you will see how life becomes special to catholic communities and it is a great chance to understand more about Vietnamese culture and catholic stories through the real local catholics.
Ho Thi Suong Lan
0161000885230
Vietcombank – Hue
Viet Orchid Travel Co., Ltd.
16 Doan Huu Trung, Phuoc Vinh Ward, Hue City,
Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam.
(+84) 914 544 660 – 234 3623 896
Fax: 0234 3935 621
