Take this opportunity to explore the wonders of Vietnam. Join the Pre and Post Congress Technical Tours offered to all IRC2010 participants.
Note: all below tours are join-in tours. If you expect a private tour, please do not hesitate to contact us at our email: inbound@benthanh-tourist.com.vn or telephone number: 00844 39442122 – 27.
HANOI VICINITIES TOUR
Tour code : OP01
Price : USD 39 per person
Depart from the National Convention Center (Hanoi) at 8.30 hrs to Bat Trang, the famous village situated approximately 15km outside of Hanoi, surrounded by fertile farmland. Watch the artisans forming, painting and glazing their products, which are then baked for several days in huge kilns. Then we will take you to Dong Ky wood carving village which is 25km from Hanoi. The village is famous for producing beautiful traditional furniture inlaid with mother-of-pearl. This tour is also your wonderful souvenir-shopping opportunity.
• Tour departure: Daily
• Duration (approximate): 08:30 – 12:30 hrs
• Meals NOT included
• Other services included: Transfer, Entrance fees, English speaking guide
• The price is subject to minimum number being reached. Minimum 3 persons
HANOI HALF DAY CITY TOUR
Tour code : OP02
Price : USD 29 per person
Take a Half day Hanoi city tour at the Temple of Literature - Vietnam's first university constructed in 1070. Its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam's past. Then you will have chance to visit the Museum of Ethnology – a research center and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. (Note: the museum is closed on Monday, in case the tour departure date is on a Monday, another site will be chosen to replace the museum). Then drive past Tran Quoc pagoda – Hanoi’s oldest pagoda and the Hoan Kiem Lake representing the spiritual heart of the city.
• Tour departure: Daily
• Duration (approximate): 08:30 – 12:00 hrs or 13.30 -17:00 hrs
• Meals NOT included
• Other services included: Transfer, Entrance fees, English speaking guide
• The price is subject to minimum number being reached. Minimum 3 persons
HANOI FULL DAY CITY TOUR
Tour code : OP03
Price : USD 44 per person
Tour departs from the National Convention Center (Hanoi) at 8.30 hrs. The tour starts at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (open every morning except Monday and Friday). Enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of ‘Uncle Ho’s’ final resting-place. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s ‘house on stilts’ (closed on Monday and Friday afternoon), his home from 1954 till 1969. The wooden ethnic minority style house is surrounded by quiet and peaceful gardens. Lying in one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. The structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Then journey to the Temple Of Literature - Vietnam’s first university constructed in 1070. Its gardens and well-preserved architecture offers a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Take lunch at local restaurant to enjoy Vietnamese foods. After lunch, visit Ethnology Museum - a research center and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. Then enjoy one hour of leisurely cyclo tour through the classic streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter to experience the bustling market place. Finish the day with Vietnam’s most famous and charming art form, Water Puppetry. Or enjoy performance of Ca Tru which literally translates as "tally card songs”, one of the interesting traditional performances of Vietnam.
• Tour departure: Daily
• Duration (approximate): 08:30 –18:00 hrs
• Lunch included
• Other services included: Transfer, Entrance fees, Water puppet show ticket or Ca Tru ticket, cyclo tour (in one hour), English speaking guide
• The price is subject to minimum number being reached. Minimum 3 persons
HALONG BAY DAY TRIP
Tour code : OP04
Price : USD 110 per person
At 8.00 hrs, tour departs from the National Convention Center for Halong Bay. The bay is listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. "Dragon descending to the sea" as it is known in Vietnamese, the picturesque Halong Bay has more than 1,000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. Enjoy a relaxing 4-hour boat cruising through Halong Bay, fresh seafood lunch is prepared and served on board. Drive back to Hanoi.
• Tour departure: Daily
• Duration (approximate): 08:30 –19:30 hrs
• Lunch included
• Other services included: Transfer, boat ride, Entrance fees, English speaking guide
• The price is subject to minimum number being reached. Minimum 3 persons
FULL DAY HOA LU – TAM COC
Tour code : OP05
Price : USD 69 per person
Tour departs from the National Convention Center (Hanoi) at 8.00 hrs to Tam Coc, often called "Dry Halong Bay". Limestone carsts rise from rice fields and winding streams. Enjoy the spectacular scenery during a leisurely boat ride in traditional local sampans paddling through Three caves (Tam Coc in Vietnamese). Take lunch at local restaurant. Then proceed to Bai Dinh pagoda which is famous for its great size and imposingness. Drive back to Hanoi.
• Tour departure: Daily
• Duration (approximate): 08:00 –18:00 hrs
• Lunch included
• Other services included: Transfer, boat ride, Entrance fees, English speaking guide
• The price is subject to minimum number being reached. Minimum 3 persons
Halong Bay Cruise Tour Code : IRC - PRE-01 (Date: Nov 06-07, 2010)
Tour Code : IRC - POST -01 (Date: Nov 13-14, 2010)
Price : 161 USD per person (Additional 52 USD supplement for using single room)
Day 1 – At 8:00 hrs, depart from the National Convention Center for Halong Bay approximately three hours away. En route we have a short stop at one arts and crafts centre run by handicapped children. Upon arrival at Halong Bay (at around 12:00 noon) we will board the deluxe junk for a delicious seafood lunch. After lunch, we have the chance to explore some limestone caves dotted around the bay. Then our captain will find a spot for swimming and sun bathing (if weather permits) before dinner. Enjoy another seafood feast for dinner. Spend overnight on boat.
Day 2 – Continue to cruise around the bay to find more beautiful islands and caves. Back to the main harbor at around 11:00 am before transferring to the awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi.
• Tour departure: Nov. 6 or Nov. 13, 2010
• Duration: 2 days/1 night
• Full board meals included (breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner)
• Other services included: Transportation, entrance fees for all sightseeing as per itinerary, boat cruise with accommodation (twin sharing) and English speaking guide
• Excluded: Accommodation in Hanoi, Travel insurance, drinks, tips and personal expenses
• A minimum of three (3) participants are required for each tour. A tour can be cancelled if it does not meet the required minimum number of participants.
Halong Bay – Overnight in Hotel and Technical Visit to Field Crop Research Institute & rice farms
Tour Code :IRC – STD 01 (Date: Nov 06 – Nov 07, 2010)
Price : 215 USD per person (Additional 30 USD supplement for using single room)
Day 1– In the morning, visit the Field Crops Research Institute located in Hung Yen province. Learn about crops and rice varieties in Vietnam, specifically the North of Vietnam. An introduction about the works in the institute and general aspects on rice-based cropping systems in the Red River Delta will be given. Then visit fields planted with various varieties created by the institute and interact with farmers in areas around the institute. After the technical tour, depart for Halong Bay. The bay is recognized by UNESCO as one of the World’s Natural Heritages. It has over 3,000 spectacular limestone islands rising from the clear emerald of the Gulf of Tonkin. On the way to the bay, one could possible witness the rice fields or rice being harvest. Upon arrival at Halong, participants’ hotel check-in will be facilitated. After dinner, transfer to Tuan Chau Island to see dolphin and crocodile performances (show tickets are at your own expense). Spend overnight in Halong Hotel.
Day 2 – Breakfast at hotel then take a boat trip to visit HaLong Bay. Enjoy the bay cruise and witness the spectacular scenery of thousands of islands in various sizes and shapes such as, Man’s Head Island and Fighting Cocks Islands. Visit some legendary grottos with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites formation. Enjoy seafood lunch on the board. Get off the boat and take the trip back to Hanoi.
• Tour departure: Nov. 6, 2010
• Duration: 2 days/1 night
• Full board meals included (breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner)
• Other services included: Transportation, English speaking guide, Entrance fees as in the itinerary, 4 star accommodation – twin sharing in HaLong and Boat cruise in Halong Bay,
• Excluded: Accommodation in Hanoi, drinks, personal expenses, show tickets in Tuan Chau, other services out of the itinerary, and tips for the guide and the driver.
• A minimum of three (3) participants are required for each tour. A tour can be cancelled if it does not meet the required minimum number of participants.
Halong - Catba tour
Tour Code : IRC – PRE 02 (Date: Nov 05- 07, 2010)
Tour Code : IRC – POST 02 (Date: Nov 13-15, 2010)
Price : 394 USD per person (Additional 60 USD supplement for using single room)
Day 1 - At 8:00 hrs, depart for a four-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. On the way, stop for refreshments and a chance to buy handmade souvenirs at a handicraft centre established to raise money for disabled people. Upon arrival at Ha Long, we board the boat to discover Ha Long Bay on the way to Cat Ba Island. Take lunch on board and have dinner at
local restaurant in the island.
Day 2 – After breakfast, start the tour by visiting the Catba National Park. Then, go on a short trekking through a village where one can see the life of island’s local people. Spend overnight in a hotel in Cat Ba Island.
Day 3 - After breakfast, participants are free to discovering the island and stroll around the beach. Take lunch before boarding the one-hour ferry service back to Vietnam’s largest sea port and third largest city - Hai Phong. Upon arriving at Hai Phong, transfer to the awaiting vehicle and take a two hour drive back to Hanoi.
• Tour departure: Nov. 6 and Nov 13, 2010
• Duration: 3 days/2 night
• Full board meals included (2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners)
• Other services included: Accommodation (3 star hotel - twin sharing), transportation, entrance fees for all sightseeing tours as per itinerary, English speaking guide and boat cruise
• Excluded: Accommodation in Hanoi, travel insurance, drinks, personal expenses, and tips
• A minimum of three (3) participants are required for each tour. A tour can be cancelled if it does not meet the required minimum number of participants.
Hanoi – Sapa Tour
Superior Class (Accommodation in 3-star hotel - twin sharing and soft sleeper night train with 4 persons sharing 1 cabin)
Tour Code : IRC – PRE 03 Sup (Date: Nov 04 – Nov 07, 2010)
Tour Code : IRC – POST 03 Sup (Date: Nov 13 – Nov 16, 2010)
Price : 312 USD per person (Additional 48 USD supplement for using single room in a hotel and not single cabin on train)
Deluxe Class (Accommodation in 4-star hotel - twin sharing and deluxe soft sleeper night train with 2 persons sharing 1 cabin)
Tour Code : IRC – PRE 03 Dlx (Date: Nov 04 – Nov 07, 2010)
Tour Code : IRC – POST 03 Dlx (Date: Nov 13 – Nov 16, 2010)
Price : 497 USD per person (Additional 169 USD supplement for using single room in a hotel and not single cabin on train)
Day 1 - At 19:00 hrs (depends on departure time of the train), depart for an overnight train journey from Hanoi to the border town of Lao Cai. Accommodation will be on a soft sleeper berths on the train.
Day 2 – Arrive in Lao Cai in the early morning. Have breakfast and then transfer to Sapa. Start with a walk to Lao Chai and Ta Van Village. In the walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, meet some of the local ethnic minority people. Ethnical minorities include the Red Dzao, Hmong and Tay. Spend the second night at in hotel in Sapa town.
Day 3 –Walk to Ham Rong Mountain for a panoramic view of Sapa. Check out from the hotel and feel free to discover the rest Sapa. Transfer to Lao Cai for night train back to Hanoi. On the way to Lao Cai, visit Ta Phin village. Ta Phin is home to the distinctive Dao (pronounced Zao) community. Take an overnight train ride back to Hanoi.
Day 4 – Arrive Hanoi in early morning. Transfer will be arranged back to the respective hotels in Hanoi.
• Tour departure: Nov. 4 or Nov 13, 2010
• Duration: 2 days/3 night
• Full board meals included (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners)
• Other services included: Accommodation (twin sharing), transportation, entrance fees for all sightseeing tours as per itinerary, English speaking guide and Soft sleeper night train
• Excluded: Accommodation in Hanoi, travel insurance, drinks, personal expenses, and tips
• A minimum of three (3) participants are required for each tour. A tour can be cancelled if it does not meet the required minimum number of participants.
Hanoi – Hue – Danang – Hoi An tour
Tour Code : IRC – PRE 04 (Date: Nov 03 – Nov 07, 2010)
Tour Code : IRC – POST 04 (Date: Nov 13 – Nov 17, 2010)
Price : 725 USD per person (Additional 157 USD supplement for using single)
Day 1: Hanoi – Hue: Take the flight to Hue in the morning. Sightseeing of Hue - the old capital of Vietnam in the 19th Century. Visit Imperial Citadel - built in the early 19th Century by the Nguyen Dynasty. Dinner and overnight in Hue.
Day 2: Hue – Danang: After breakfast, take a boat down Hue’s tranquil Perfume River to see ancient tombs and pagodas . After lunch transfer to Danang. Arriving Danang in late afternoon and have dinner at local restaurant. Spend overnight in Danang.
Day 3: Danang – My Son – Hoi An: After breakfast, embark on a day trip to My Son, via the Cham Museum, located 60 km from Danang. My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham centers in Vietnam. My Son is now one of the five World Heritage-listed sites in Vietnam. After lunch, drive a short distance to the delightful town of Hoi An, approximately 30 km away. After hotel check-in, have dinner at local restaurant.
Day 4: Hoi An: After breakfast, embark on an orientation tour of this ancient trading town. Spend time walking around the historic town while enjoying the Hoi An atmosphere, exploring the many Chinese assembly halls and visiting the fascinating ancestral homes. After lunch, take a local sampan down Hoi An river to visit the traditional handicraft villages. The evening is leisure time.
Day 5: Hoi An – Hanoi:After breaksfast, transfer to Danang for flight to Hanoi. On the way, take a visit to Marble Mountain before going to the airport. Upon arriving in Ha Noi, transfer to the waiting vehicle for a drive back to the respective hotels.
• Tour departure: Nov. 3 and Nov 13, 2010
• Duration: 5 days/4 night
• Full board meals included (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners)
• Other services included: Accommodation (4 star hotel - twin sharing), transportation, entrance fees for all sightseeing tours as per itinerary, English speaking guide and domestic flight ticket: HANOI/HUE – DANANG/HANOI (One way - Economy Class)
• Excluded: Accommodation in Hanoi, travel insurance, drinks, personal expenses, and tips
• A minimum of three (3) participants are required for each tour. A tour can be cancelled if it does not meet the required minimum number of participants.
Ho Chi Minh City – and Mekong Delta including Technical Visit to Cuu Long Rice Research Institute and Rice Farms
Tour Code : IRC – PRE 05 (Date: Nov 04 – Nov 07, 2010)
Tour Code : IRC – POST 05 (Date: Nov 12 – Nov 15, 2010)
Price : 565 USD per person (Additional 97 USD supplement for using single)
Day 1: HANOI – HOCHIMINH CITY Morning flight to Saigon. City tour to outstanding landmarks of Saigon: The former Presidential Palace; Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral - two of the city's colonial-style monuments; Cho Lon - Saigon's China Town famous for the Binh Tay market, and; Thien Hau pagoda. Spend overnight in Saigon.
Day 2: HOCHIMINH CITY – CAN THO In the morning, drive 80km to the South for full day trip in My Tho/ Mekong Delta which is crisscrossed by a dense network of canals. Upon arrival, take a boat trip cruising the Mekong river to visit tropical fruit orchards and experience the life in the Mekong River Plains community. Enjoy some fresh fruits and the Southern traditional music offered by the hospitable owners. Witness the VinhTrang pagoda, a combination of Asian and European pagoda. Spend overnight in a hotel CanTho.
Day 3: CAN THO – HOCHIMINH CITY After taking breakfast in the hotel, take a boat trip to experience the buying and selling in the floating market - hundreds of boat selling tropical fruits. Then visit Cuu Long Rice Research Institute to learn rice agriculture in Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong Delta. Introductory talk on the works of institute and some general aspects on rice-based cropping systems in the Mekong River Delta will be conducted. Visit rice research laboratories, rice fields planted with different varieties created. Interact with farmers living nearby the institute. After lunch, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Spend overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 4: CU CHI TUNNEL – DEPARTURE In the morning, visit Cu Chi tunnels, which is about 70km from the center of Saigon. This place was called ‘Iron Triangle’ by American during the war. It stood as a stronghold of Vietcong (Vietnamese Army) for almost 30 years despite numerous American bombings and military actions. A walk underground the tunnels will help you understand how the Vietnamese people had fought and won the war. Return to Saigon in the afternoon.
• Tour departure: Nov. 5 and Nov 13, 2010
• Duration: 4 days/3 night
• Full board meals included (3 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners)
• Other services included: Accommodation (3 star hotel - twin sharing), transportation, entrance fees for all sightseeing tours as per itinerary, English speaking guide and domestic flight ticket: HANOI to HOCHIMINH CITY (One way - Economy Class)
• Excluded: Accommodation in Hanoi, travel insurance, drinks, personal expenses, and tips
• A minimum of three (3) participants are required for each tour. A tour can be cancelled if it does not meet the required minimum number of participants.
