Welcome to a country that will truly captivate the senses.  A country with a bit of everything for everyone.  A country with varying landscapes and lifestyles.  A country with tons of history.  A country with rich cultural heritage.  A truly diverse country, this country is Vietnam.

We are more than happy to summarize an ideal Vietnam getaway and introduce you to the Highlights of Vietnam.  Our program starts you off in Hanoi, the country’s capital city in the north.  French colonial buildings blend seamlessly with tree-lined boulevards, pagodas, temples, museums and mausoleums.  There are also several parks and lakes to visit and relax in as well.  So much to see and do here!

So, you are already in Hanoi.  Why not see Halong Bay?  Halong Bay when translated means Bay of Descending Dragons.  No, there are no dragons here, but local myths tell of giant flying lizards descending from the heavens in an effort to repel invaders.  The place does have a mystical feel to it and one shouldn’t be surprised if a dragon does show up here!  Halong Bay does have beautiful waters and picturesque limestone caves, so a camera will come in handy now.

After reaching land, it is time to make your way to Hoi An.  The town is rich cultural and historical heritage, earning recognition from UNESCO as a Heritage Site.  If you can remember how Oriental towns in the 1700’s looked like, then Hoi An is definitely it.  The charming town is also near the ocean, so you can always head to the beach and relax there if you so please.

So, where do they bury their leaders and emperors?  Find out in Hue.  Cruise along the romantically named Perfume River and lay witness to elaborate tombs and mausoleums of past rulers.  Also, don’t forget to visit the Imperial Citadel, home of various temples, pavilions, moats, gates, museums and galleries.  It is pretty big, making a visit here quite peaceful.

Ho Chi Minh City, otherwise known as HCMC, HCM or Saigon (let’s call it Saigon) is your base for further exploration of Southern Vietnam.  This is Vietnam’s commercial capital and an emerging modern city, yet is still filled with architectural remnants of the French Indochina period.  The city is filled with interesting sites that it is sometimes hard to decide where to begin.  No worries, we’ll take care of that and make sure that the best attractions are visited.  One word of warning in Saigon though: watch out for those motorbikes!  Traffic in the city is filled with waves and waves of motorbikes.  Mayhem it may be, but controlled mayhem it certainly is.

Leave the frantic pace of the city behind for a complete change of scenery in the semi-aquatic world of the Mekong Delta.  Motorbikes, paved roads and skyscrapers are replaced with boats, canals and stilt wooden houses.  The area is also home to smiling rural folk and colorful floating markets where items available on land and any goods unique to the area are all sold here.

There are also loads of programs in our Vietnam tours page.  Take a look and see what tour suits you.  Or if you like, you can take certain elements of different tours, combine them and create a unique itinerary for yourself.  Just visit our tailor made page and let us know your preferences and we will work towards that perfect program for you.

www.exotissimo.com/