Vietnam Contemporary Art Tour 13 days 12 nights
• Tour duration: 13 DAYS 12 NIGHTS
• Depart from: Hanoi - Stop off: Ho Chi Minh
• Tour price: US$ 1404
+ Private tour with English/French speaking guide
+ Date of Departure is at your wish
VIETNAM CONTEMPORARY ART TOUR 13 DAYS
12 NIGHTS
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi (L/D)
Arriving
at Noi Bai Airport outside of Hanoi, you will be met by our local guide who
will take you to the hotel. After settling in, there will be a lunch
orientation at the Press Club, followed by a one-hour cyclo (pedicab) tour to
soak up Hanoi's atmosphere along Hoan Kiem Lake and the ancient, yet lively Old
Quarter. In the evening, you will visit the Water Puppets Theater, a
magical puppet show where the puppets emerge from the surface of a small watery
stage telling tales of old Vietnam. This is truly a tradition unique to
Vietnam. Then you will have dinner at Green Tangerine (a lovingly
restored 1928 colonial building in the center of the Old Quarter) featuring
French-Vietnamese cuisine.
Day 2: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)
You will
transfer by private van to Ha Long Bay on the Gulf of Tonkin. The Gulf was once
the haunt of Vietnamese and Chinese pirates, and in Ha Long Bay the romance of
old Vietnam still lingers, with scenic karst islets randomly scattered and the
odd red-sailed junks cruising across the languid waters. With 3,000 limestone
and dolomite islets sprinkled over an area of 1,500 square kilometers, this
UNESCO World Heritage site is a geographic wonderland.
Arriving
at Ha Long Port, you will board a private traditional wooden cruiser
(replica junk) for a tour of Ha Long Bay with a seafood lunch banquet prepared
on board. You will explore Sung Sot Cave, the
largest grotto in Ha Long Bay. Afterwards, you can enjoy
optional, assisted kayaking to visit floating villages, hidden beach
coves, caves and lakes. A dinner banquet will be prepared on board and you will
stay overnight in a private cabin.
Day 3: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi (B/L)
Savor the
opaque sunrise on misty Ha Long Bay and be warmed by Vietnamese coffee, noodle
soup, and omelets. You can leisurely explore grottos, cragged coves, inland
lagoons, and white-sand beaches before returning to Ha Long Port. After a
farewell lunch with crew, you will return to Hanoi, stopping at an interesting
crafts center en route. You will also visit the Bat Trang pottery village.
Back in
Hanoi, late afternoon and dinner will be on your own. We will provide a list of
wonderful choices, such as Wild Lotus, Wild Rice and other popular restaurants
with pleasant décor, offering delicious Vietnamese fusion.
Day 4: Hanoi - Fine Art (B/L/D)
You will
depart from your hotel at 08:00 and start your full day art tour. The
first will stop over will be the Museum of National Fine Arts. It has
received many high ranking delegations from many countries, and it has sent
many traveling exhibitions to other nations to introduce international friends
to the typical culture and heroic history of Vietnam. At the same time, it has linked
local people with the painting, photograph, and sculpture collections of
international artists. The Museum has created chances for local art lovers to
enjoy and learn about different fine arts schools and styles around the world.
Our next stop is at the home/studio of well-known artist Mai Hien, who is
an expert in field of Lacquer painting and graduated from Hanoi College in
1985. Mai Hien is a full member of Hanoi Fine Arts Association (HFAA).
Your next
stop will be at the home/studio of acclaimed artist, Pham Luc. Pham
Luc is also a member of the HFAA and graduated from Hanoi Fine Arts College in
1977. He specializes in motherland, love and war subjects. He has
participated in art exhibitions in Vietnam and foreign countries, including
Russia, Japan, France, Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic. His paintings have
been collected by Vietnam’s fine art museum and many foreign collectors.
Lunch
will be served at a top local restaurant, before you head out the town and stop
over at the home/ studio of Dao Anh Khanh (a sculptor and dancer), where
you can relax and enjoy his works!
You will
return back Hanoi and start your sightseeing walking tour to visit some the
biggest art galleries such as: Viet Fine Arts, Green Palm, Apricot, Gia
Huy and Thang Long. Your tour ends at 17:00 and you will be transferred back to
your hotel.
Day 5: Dong Ho Painting Village - But Thap Pagoda (B/L)
You can
relax in the morning until you are taken to lunch. After lunch, you will drive
about 40km to the village of Dong Ho to visit the home of traditional folk
painters. These artisans have been producing fine woodblock prints for
centuries. You will conclude your trip with a visit to But Thap Pagoda before
returning to Hanoi where you will have fee time.
Day 6: Hanoi - Hue (B/L/D)
On your
morning tour you will visit historic Ma May Ancient House in Hanoi.
Located at 87 Ma May Street, north of Hoan Kiem Lake in the Old Quarter, the
delightful house is worth visiting. It is one of the rare ancient houses still
preserved in Hanoi. The house was built at the end of the 19th century
according to the structure of traditional houses. There is a small yard between
buildings to allow wind and light. The ground floor (facing the street) was
used for selling goods, and the inner area was used for living, cooking. On the
second floor, the room facing street used for worshipping and receiving guests,
and the inside room used for bedrooms. After many restorations, the house has
still kept old architecture and decorations of Hanoi.
Afterwards,
you will have lunch at Café des Arts de Hanoi, a popular expatriate café,
with changing exhibits of paintings by local artists. Afterwards, you will
transfer to the airport for a one-hour flight to Hue. Arriving in Hue, you can
check in to the hotel and relax. You will have dinner at the tranquil, private
home/restaurant, Y Thao, featuring delicious Hue specialties,
including Banh Khoai, a Vietnamese-style crepe.
Day 7: Hue (B/L/D)
After
breakfast, you will start touring Hue, with a visit to the Old citadel.
Construction of the Imperial City started in 1805, under the reign of Emperor
Gia Long, and was completed in 1832, under the reign of Emperor Minh Mang.
Built on the northern bank of the Perfume River, the Imperial City was
influenced by the style of French architect Vauban. The city comprises three
sections: the Royal Citadel, the Imperial Enclosure and the Forbidden Purple
City.
Afterwards,
meet students and teachers at Hue’s Fine Arts College, then visit artist
Vinh Phoi at his studio and learn about his life and
inspiration. After lunch, you will also visit Thien Mu Pagoda, Vietnam's
most important Buddhist site overlooking the river. Enjoy traditional live
music while having dinner at Tropical Garden Restaurant.
Day 8: Hue - Hoi An (B/L)
After
breakfast, you will depart for Hoi An, pausing to take in picturesque beach
views at Lang Co Lagoon and the spectacular coastline panorama of the Hai Van
Pass. You will also visit Cham Museum, with a private tour of the world’s
finest collection of Cham sculpture that dates from the 2nd to the 15th
century.
Much of
the country was destroyed during wars, but Hoi An survived intact, even through
the traumatic 1960s and 1970s. Hoi An has a flourishing custom tailoring trade
and the artist community has successfully established itself in the last few
years. You will spend the afternoon exploring this charming arts and
crafts town and its mix of Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese architecture. You
will be free to enjoy dinner on your own.
Day 9: Hoi An (B/L/D)
You will
have a walking tour of Hoi An's intimate streets, visiting former merchants'
houses, lantern workshops, Phuc Kien Pagoda, the 400-year old Japanese covered
bridge and the colorful bazaar, followed by a visit to a local artist's studio.
Next will be lunch at the famous Cao Lao soup shop. The afternoon will be free
for lounging, beachcombing, biking or shopping. There will be an evening
cooking demonstration and dinner at local restaurant.
Day 10: Hoi An - HCMC (Saigon) (B/L/D)
Following
breakfast, you will take an early morning drive to Da Nang for a one-hour
flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). The city tour includes the old post
office, Notre Dame Cathedral, the former Presidential Palace and Saigon
Fine Art Museum. You will have lunch at the Mandarin restaurant and meet
renowned artists from the Saigon Artists Association, before visiting their
studios and exploring the central market. The afternoon will be free to wander
Saigon's vibrant central district with its many arts and crafts shops or take
an optional tour of a laquerware studio.
Day 11: Saigon (B/L/D)
You will
pay a morning visit to Cho Lon (Saigon's Chinatown) and explore the busy
marketplace and Quan Am Pagoda. You will have lunch at Quan An Ngon, an outdoor
restaurant featuring food stalls with live cooking. After a brief visit to
Ben Thanh Market, the afternoon will be spent exploring artist studios and
galleries, including Mr. Son's Tu Do Gallery, the first private
contemporary art gallery in Vietnam. You will have dinner at the Temple
Club, where almost all the furniture, antique and reproduction, is for sale.
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh and Mekong Delta (B/L)
You will
take a morning drive to the Mekong Delta (the "rice basket" of
Vietnam) to explore its thriving agrarian economy, river culture, and spicy
cuisine. Upon arrival in Cai Be, you will board a motorized boat to visit
a local family and nearby floating market. You will continue by boat towards An
Binh Island through small shade-lined canals, stepping ashore to visit an orchard
farm. You will learn about cultivation and the nursery for longan trees, while
enjoying a lunch served with local specialties and exotic delta-grown fruits.
After lunch, you will visit a pottery factory and candy making cooperative. In
the afternoon you will return to Ho Chi Minh City. You will have time for
dinner on your own, but we will provide a list with a wide range of culinary
offerings.
Day 13: Departure (B)
There is
no activity planned for today, so you can enjoy your free time souvenir
shopping until transfer to the HCMC airport for your home flight.
List of hotels recommended by New
Vision Tour |
||
Cities |
Hotels List |
Room Type |
Superior Category /
3-star hotel |
||
Hanoi |
Hanoi Imperial hotel |
Deluxe |
Medalion Hanoi Hotel |
Deluxe |
|
Ha Long Bay |
Dragon Pearl Junk |
Deluxe Cabin |
Huong Hai Junk |
Deluxe cabin |
|
Hue |
Festival Hue |
Deluxe |
Hoi An |
Ancient House Resort |
Deluxe Gardenview |
Ho Chi Minh |
Oscar Saigon hotel |
Deluxe |
First Class Category / 4-star
hotel |
||
Hanoi |
Sunway Hotel Hanoi |
Superior |
Ha Long Bay |
Pelican Cruise |
Deluxe Cabin |
Hue |
Saigon Morin hotel |
Deluxe River View |
Hoi An |
Hoi An Beach Resort &
Spa |
Deluxe riverview |
Hoian Boutique Resort |
Superior |
|
Ho Chi Minh |
Liberty Central Hotel |
Deluxe |
Deluxe Category / 5-star hotel |
||
Hanoi |
Hilton Opera Hotel Hanoi |
Executive |
InterContinental Westlake Hotel |
Deluxe Hanoi View |
|
Sofitel Plaza Hanoi Hotel |
Superior |
|
Ha Long Bay |
Indochina Sails Junk |
Deluxe cabin |
Hue |
Imperial Hue |
Deluxe Riverview |
Hoi An |
Palm Garden Resort |
Deluxe Ocean view |
Ho Chi Minh |
Caravelle Hotel Saigon |
Deluxe |
Sofitel Plaza Hotel Saigon |
Luxury |
|
Luxury Category / Luxury
5-star hotel |
||
Hanoi |
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi |
Historical Wing |
Ha Long Bay |
PARADISE LUXURY |
Deluxe Balcony cabin |
Hue |
La Residence Hotel & Spa |
Deluxe Riverview |
Hoi An |
The Nam Hai |
One bedroom villa |
Ho Chi Minh |
Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel |
Park Deluxe |
Category |
Valid from now until 30 Sept |
||||||
1 |
2 |
3-4 |
5-6 |
7-9 |
11-14 |
Sgl Sup |
|
Superior |
2,902 |
1,816 |
1,635 |
1,559 |
1,481 |
1,404 |
412 |
First Class |
3,421 |
2,087 |
1,906 |
1,830 |
1,752 |
1,675 |
603 |
Deluxe |
4,761 |
2,801 |
2,620 |
2,544 |
2,465 |
2,389 |
1,085 |
Luxury |
7,446 |
4,186 |
4,005 |
3,929 |
3,851 |
3,775 |
2,084 |
+ Hotel accommodation shared in Twin/Double room with breakfast
+ All private transfer & transportation
+ Flight tickets, cruise trip
+ English/French speaking guide
+ All entrance fees
+ Meal as stated in program
+ Vietnam visa approved letter
+ Vietnam visa stamp fee
+ International flights & departure airport tax
+ Personal expenses such as drinks at meals, camera fee to tour sites
+ Meals not mentioned
+ Travel insurance