Hanoi to Hue private land tour - Hanoi southbound to Hue - North Vietnam's panhandle (4D3N)
(Hanoi to Hue private land tour) Unlike most of the transfer from Hanoi to Central Vietnam cities of Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An, Dong Ha, Dong Hoi by flights, train or sleeper bus, transfer from Ha Noi to Hue (Da Nang, Hoi An, Dong Hoi, Dong Ha) by private land transfer using private car/minivan is another option that not many companies organize it. However, if you're type of travellers who like off-the-beaten-track, unusual, uncommon and unique itinerary from North Vietnam to Central Vietnam, this is an option that shouldn't be missed out. This kind of transfer is very suitable for you to discover the 'authentic' Vietnam's region of North Central, a.k.a. North Vietnam's panhandle according to its shape during the Vietnam war.
This southbound trip will bring about a deep understanding of Vietnam history from ancient Vietnam's history to modern history of Vietnam war. You'll discover about the southwards expansion of Vietnam from North to South into Champa kingdom territory (from Quang Binh province to Binh Thuan province), about the North-South division (at Gianh river) of northern Trinh lords and Southern Nguyen lords under Revival Le dynasty and the division of North and South during Vietnam war (at the DMZ Ben Hai river). This area is also birthplace of many famous revolutionary leaders of Resistance War against U.S. like Ho Chi Minh, Vo Nguyen Giap or Le Duan. To make it more interesting, this tour also features visits to Trang An scenic landscape, Phong Nha Ke Bang national park which are World Unesco Heritage Site in the region. Add to its uniqueness for foodie travellers, we'll try all local delicious specialties of each province we'll pass by. It's goat meat of Ninh Binh province, BBQ duck of Thanh Hoa province, BBQ pointing chicken, beef on hot stone of Nghe An province, cu đơ of Ha Tinh province, grilled pork and vegetables rolled in rice paper of Quang Binh province, bánh lọc, buffalo meat of Quang Tri province. And many many more delicious royal cuisine sare waiting for you in Hue and Hoi An which are dubbed as Vietnamese mecca cities for foodie travellers
Hanoi to Hue private land tour - Hanoi southbound to Hue - North Vietnam's panhandle (4D3N)
Consider to do this trip for a quicker transfer from Hanoi to Hue in 2 days
Day 1: Ha Noi - Thanh Hoa
Pickup from Ha Noi (hotel, airport) going Southbound to Ninh Binh to visit Trang An scenic landscape complex - a world UNESCO heritage site renowned for its boat cave tours. Take a boat tour to discover the beautiful scenic landscape of Trang An. Back to Ninh Binh city, on the way we will take a look at Hoa Lu ancient capital - the capital of Vietnam in 10th and 11th century before moving to Phat Diem Cathedral - a catholic architecture resembles a buddhist temple whose history associated with the Operation Passage to Freedom after the Geneva accord signed in 1954. The largest numbers of Catholic refugees came from Phat Diem diocese with the highest percentage of Catholics in Vietnam. This cathedral was described as "more Buddhist than Christian" by novelist Graham Green in his novel-turn-movie the Quiet American. Drive all the way towards Thanh Hoa city of the same name province Thanh Hoa. Will have stop at Ham Rong bridge or Dragon's Jaw bridge - one of the dead coordinate for US bombing during Vietnam war operation Linebacker. Overnight in Thanh Hoa city.
Consider to do this trip for a quicker transfer from Hanoi to Hue in 2 days
Day 2: Thanh Hoa - Vinh
Pickup from your hotel in Thanh Hoa city heading South towards Nghe An province's Vinh city - homeland of Vietnam's father Ho Chi Minh. You will go past many cement factories along the way from Ninh Binh to Vinh - one of the major city of North Central Vietnam which was bombed heavily during operation Pierce Arrow in 1964. This city was considered "coordinate of fire". On arrival Vinh city, we'll have lunch break before going to visit Ho Chi Minh's paternal house (Lang Sen) which is printed on Vietnamese currency biggest note 500.000 Dong and maternal house (Lang Tru). President Ho Chi Minh spent 5 years at Lang Tru (1890-1895) from his birth to 5 years old and another 5 years at Lang Sen (1901-1906) before moving to Hue for high school and further down South for working and going abroad for country's salvation.
Drive back to downtown of Vinh city. Overnight in Vinh city.
Hanoi to Hue private land tour - Hanoi southbound to Hue - North Vietnam's panhandle (4D3N)
Day 3: Vinh - Dong Hoi
Keep driving Southbound towards Ha Tinh province. Turn right at Nghen town of Can Loc district towards Dong Loc junction - a strategic road T-junction at the beginning of the Ho Chi Minh trail which was extensively bombed by American forces during the Vietnam War in 1968. The site is now mainly remembered for the memorial to ten young unmarried girls aged 17–22 who were youth volunteers helping with logistics at the T-junction.
Keep going Southwards to Quang Binh province, you'll pass by the Ngang pass which marked the former boundary of Champa and Dai Viet (then Vietnam polity) until the 15th century when the Vietnamese pushed south and conquered the Cham lands piecemeal. Ngang pass is very well known in Vietnamese literature, its beauty having been sung in many poetry works. After Ngang pass, we keep going to General Vo Nguyen Giap burial site at Vung Chua nearby. This location was chosen by General Giap for his perpetual life after his death in 2013.
Continue southbound along Highway 1 to Gianh river - a physical border between the Trinh Lords and Nguyen Lords under the Revival Le Dynasty (1533 - 1789). Turn right after crossing Gianh river towards Phong Nha town. Having lunch at Phong Nha town before boarding a boat riding along Son river to visit Phong Nha cave (dubbed as river Styx cave) which is a unique underground river cave with amazing chambers, stalactites and stalagmites. You will have ample time sitting on the boat admiring the patterns of karst rock formations and strolling inside the cave with lots of photo opportunities. Phong Nha cave is also the earliest cave open to tourists and one of the most beautiful cave in the national park of Phong Nha - Ke Bang. Sitting on the boat watching magnificent limestone mountains and stalactites/stalagmites while the sailor paddling through the Son river (dubbed as river Styx of Vietnam) is a breathtaking experience for every tourists. Cruising back to boat station then drive all the way to Dong Hoi city.
Overnight in Dong Hoi city of Quang Binh province.
Consider to do this trip for a quicker transfer from Hanoi to Hue in 2 days
Hanoi to Hue private land tour - Hanoi southbound to Hue - North Vietnam's panhandle (4D3N)
Day 4: Dong Hoi - Hue
Morning pickup from your accommodation, we'll take you to Quang Tri province and turn left to the coast to see Vinh Moc tunnel - a refuge underground village hideout for the local civilians and soldiers to avoid American bombing during the peak time of Rolling Thunder operation. Keep going to DMZ Hien Luong Bridge/ Freedom Bridge/Bridge of No Return, you'll take a look at UN building, frontline flagpole, memorial statue of border police, museum, ... then strolling across the Ben Hai river/17th parallel in South Vietnam. Hopping on car for our drive toward Dong Ha city for lunch break.
After lunch, we will continue our tour with visit to Mine Action Visitor Center - a museum-like display of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) collected around the DMZ in Quang Tri province (if not Saturday/Sunday). Next stop is Quang Tri citadel where took place the 81-day fierce battle between North and South Vietnam in scorching summer of 1972. Upon request Bonus stop at La Vang cathedral - Our Lady of La Vang - a pilgrimage site for the catholic in Vietnam whose location is believed to have Marian Apparition in 1798. Drive all the way to Hue city.
Consider to do this day as a separate day tour Dong Hoi - Phong Nha cave - Vinh Moc tunnel - DMZ - Hue.
Consider to do this trip for a quicker transfer from Hanoi to Hue in 2 days
Hanoi to Hue private land tour - Hanoi southbound to Hue - North Vietnam's panhandle (4D3N)
Tour price: $US 399/person (at least 2 persons)
Inclusive:
- Private vehicle (car/SUV/van/minivan) with driver
- Private guide
- 3 night accommodations in Thanh Hoa city, Vinh city, and Dong Hoi city (3 star hotel sharing room)
- All entrance fees to attractions listed
- Toll fees
- Bottled water
- Door to door service
- No hidden fees
Hanoi to Hue private land tour - Hanoi southbound to Hue - North Vietnam's panhandle (4D3N)
Consider to do this trip for a quicker transfer from Hanoi to Hue in 2 days
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