10 Days Vietnam Cultural Tour
FRICE FROM
DURATION
LANGUAGE
TRANSPORT
Stories woven into everyday life. In southern Vietnam, culture is found as much in daily life as in its historic landmarks. Ho Chi Minh City introduces a more contemporary side of the country through architecture, art and performance, while the Mekong Delta brings you closer to communities shaped by the river. Here, traditions continue through music, local crafts and the simple routines of life along the water.
The heritage of Central Vietnam. Centuries of history have left their mark across Hoi An, My Son and Hue. The ancient Cham ruins of My Son tell of a civilisation that once flourished here, while Hue carries the legacy of Vietnam's last imperial dynasty. In between, Hoi An feels more intimate, with its old streets, local cuisine and lantern-lit evenings keeping the character of this former trading port very much alive.
The spirit of the North. Hanoi brings history, food and local traditions together in its own distinctive way, from the flavours of "bun cha" and egg coffee to the familiar streets of the Old Quarter. Further east, Ha Long Bay opens into emerald waters and limestone islands, bringing a quieter final chapter to the journey with a night spent cruising through one of Vietnam's most beautiful landscapes
- Hotel accommodations listed in Itinerary.
- Basic Emergency Mobile Local Phone with important company contacts and tour guides programmed in.
- English speaking guide.
- Private vehicle and driver service.
- Entrance fees for itinerary.
- Meals as listed in the itinerary.
- Service charge & Government Tax.
- Bottled water and cold hand towels.
- Recommendation letter application for Vietnam Visa.
- Flights not listed in Inclusions
- Visa Fee & Related travel documents.
- Programs and meals not listed in the Itinerary.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips to the tour guide, driver and hotel bell boy, etc.
- Travel insurance.
- Infant below 2 years old sharing same room with parents is free of charge.
- Child below 12 years old sharing same room with 1 ADL is charged for 90%.
- Child below 12 years old with extra bed and sharing same room with parents is charged for 65%.
- Child below 12 years old No extra bed & sharing same room with parents is charged for 55%
information
Tipping For Guide And Driver (Compulsory)
- For 01-04pax: US$ 5/pax/day
- For 05-09pax: US$ 4/pax/day
- For 10pax up: US$ 3/pax/day
Day by day itinerary
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon highlights - AO Show
After you arrive by flight, your tour guide and driver will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh. Check in hotel then enjoy a short rest at noon.
Approximate Schedule: 10:30 am – 9:00 pm. Your Ho Chi Minh City tour begins at 10:30 AM, and the first stop is the iconic Central Post Office. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, this architectural marvel reflects a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and French colonial styles. Admire the intricate detailing of the interior and perhaps send a postcard to commemorate your trip. Just a short walk away is the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral. Built in the late 19th century by French colonists, this red-brick cathedral, with its twin bell towers reaching skyward, is one of the city's most important religious and architectural landmarks. Take some time to explore its peaceful surroundings and enjoy the quiet contrast to Ho Chi Minh City's vibrant streets. Next, head to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, where you will delve into the city's rich past, from the prehistoric period to the last Vietnamese dynasties. The museum features impressive exhibits, including ancient artifacts, traditional costumes, and historical relics that give insight into Vietnam's culture and heritage. Afterward, make your way to the Museum of Fine Arts, housed in a grand colonial building. Here, you'll explore a vast collection of contemporary and classical Vietnamese artwork, from traditional lacquerware to modern sculpture and paintings. The museum beautifully captures Vietnam's evolving art scene. Around 2:00 PM, enjoy a leisurely stroll through Ben Thanh Market, one of the city's oldest and most bustling markets. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere as you browse through colorful stalls selling everything from traditional Vietnamese clothing to fresh produce and local handicrafts. You may even wish to sample some street food or buy souvenirs. After the market, return to your hotel for some rest and relaxation. At 6:00 PM, get to the Saigon Opera House for the captivating AO Show, a must-see performance that blends traditional Vietnamese music, acrobatics, and modern dance, telling the story of rural and urban life in Vietnam. This visually stunning show is the perfect way to end your day in Ho Chi Minh City. Seating category: Ground Floor Zone A
Meal: None
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Explore the natural beauty of Mekong Delta
Approximate Schedule: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm. Discover the Mekong River, essential to Vietnamese life. You'll transfer to the remote My Tho.
This burgeoning capital rests in the Mekong Delta and is surrounded by beautiful countryside known as the "rice basket of Vietnam". First, you'll visit Vinh Trang Pagoda which is decorated with mosaics made from broken pottery. Overlooked by a tall white Buddha, it is set amongst lovely gardens packed with flowers, shrubs, lotus pools and tombs and ornate gates which provide entry. Next, you'll take a boat ride along the river to view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages. After lunch, you'll visit An Khanh, a small village that specializes in fruit orchards and coconut sweets. If time permits, you can take a short cycling trip through the island. Then enjoy seasonal fruit, honey tea, and delicious coconut candies all to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by locals. After the tour is finished, you'll return to Ho Chi Minh City. In the evening, enjoy your leisure time at Bui Vien Street.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Fly to Danang - Hoi An Ancient Town exploration
Check out hotel in the morning, your guide and driver will escort you to airport for your onward flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in Hoi An Ancient Town for check in.
Approximate Schedule: 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm. In the afternoon, you'll continue to visit Hoi An Ancient Town. This town features the 16th century Hoi An port town in its preserved state. You'll start the day visiting the Museum of Trade Ceramics. This museum houses art and pottery dating from the 1,500s to the 1,700s. After the visit, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
My Son Holy Land - Leisure in Hoi An
In the morning, you'll transfer to the My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views, lie the 4th century My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden from living or development. The ruins lie in a beautiful surrounding mountainous landscape. You'll enter the temples while your tour guide gives you the history and stories of the Cham and the site. At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as colorful lanterns light up the town. After you've finished the tour, you will return back to your hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Join Hoi An cooking class - Free & Leisure
Approximate Schedule: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. In the morning, you'll learn about the unique cooking style and rich heritage of Hoi An cuisine. This morning, you'll transfer to the Red Bridge Restaurant to join in a cooking class. You'll learn about the various influences of Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese in the culinary traditions that have developed over centuries in Hoi An. You'll also learn about various herbs, spices, and ingredients used in Central Vietnam. Then, under the guidance of your chef, you'll prepare several dishes. After the cooking class is finished, you'll enjoy what you've prepared for lunch. After the cooking class, return to hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Scenic Road Trip To Hue, Ancient Palace Of Hue, Fly To Hanoi
Our guide will assist with checking you out of your hotel and then transfer by vehicle for a scenic ride along the mountain coasts of Vietnam. Start by riding alongside the beaches of Danang where you'll see hundreds of traditional fishing boats scattered out along the water with beautiful mountains lining the horizon. Then you'll approach a steep and narrow ascent where you'll find the scenery surreal. Along the way, there is a stretch of road which overlooks a beautiful bay with a small fishing village, perfect for a Facebook portrait. You'll continue your climb to a summit where the clouds will meet you. In Chinese, the summit is referred to as "Where the Clouds Meet the Ocean". You'll continue onward through mountains, valleys, countryside, and shorelines where you'll find numerous breath-taking scenes. Feel free to request your driver to stop for photos along the way. As you enter Hue, you'll see many imperial signs and impressive houses and buildings which are only a deluge of what's to come. Your ventures will take you to lunch at a royal residence. These imperial styled houses near the Royal Citadel feature beautiful gardens, intricate furnishings, and detailed ornaments at every turn. Each dish highlights different aspects of Hue traditional food enjoyed by the royalty. The brilliant food presentation will be sure to leave a fond memory with you of this family-owned garden and restaurant. In the afternoon, you'll press onward to see the famed Imperial Hue Citadel – the old capital of Vietnam. This Citadel has a moat and wall perimeter 6 miles long. You'll be able to view its vast gardens and structure relics. Then you'll breach the outer perimeter of the Hue Imperial City. Inside, you'll see many of the national treasures and structures which have survived the Vietnam War. Venture further inside and you'll enter the Purple Forbidden City. This city was off limits to the commoners and only could be entered by the highest officials in Vietnamese government and royalty. Your driver will meet you on the other side of the city where you'll then be escorted to a stop at the Dong Ba Market where you can see local fruits and produce for sale.
In the evening, take a flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check in.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Hanoi city highlights - Street food & coffee experience
Start your day with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square, an important point of pilgrimage for the Vietnamese. Explore the nearby simple cottage on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked during his humble beginnings as a revolutionary. Then visit the highlight of the tour includes exploring the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. From now on, you will eat what was appealed to Anthony Bourdain, visit the sites where he was and meet the people he was impressed with. Time for your delicious lunch at the rustic restaurant where Bourdain broke bread with Barack Obama — a meal that includes bun cha, a Hanoian noodle specialty. Then, stroll down the streets and try café Trung. Vietnam is famous for its Robusta coffee, and café Trung is a charming Vietnamese version of cappuccino. Hot café Trung, with its rich taste of coffee, creamy egg yolk, and sweet condensed milk, will leave you smiling. Down time with one-hour cyclo ride around the French Quarter in the heart of Hanoi. A cyclo is a bicycle cab with a roof, pedaled by a driver who sits behind you, allowing for immersing yourself in an old atmosphere of an area that perfectly captures the timelessness and nostalgia of Vietnam. The Old Quarter consists of 36 old streets named after the kind of goods or crafts that used to be made or sold on those streets, such as Hang Dao (Silk Street), Hang Bac (Silver Street), Hang Duong (Sugar Street), and Hang Muoi (Salt Street). Disembarkation at the historic Pho Cuon restaurant by Truc Bach Lake for a quick snack. Do it as the locals do! Take your plastic seat and dip Pho Cuon into the tasty Nuoc Mam sauce and enjoy this specialty of Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Luxury overnight Ha Long Bay cruise
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and escorted to Ha Long Bay, one of the Wonders of the Orient. Your heavenly journey across Ha Long Bay starts around noon on Tuan Chau Island at the doorstep of Vietnam's most fascinating wonder. As the vessel sets sails, you will be greeted by Paradise Crew and Cruise Manager who will aim throughout your stay at providing you with the highest standards of service for a pure pleasure and utmost comfort onboard our luxury facilities in the stunning surroundings. Discover some of the treasures disseminated across the Bay of the Descending Dragon during the afternoon: fascinating caves, pristine beaches, fantastic rock formations rising up out of emerald water. While onboard, you can take advantage at leisure of the Spa, Beauty & Massage services; surrounded by a stunning setting in motion, you will attend the chef's cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking. Defined to be one of the highlights of your Paradise stay, a highly refined, innovative and varied cuisine will be presented for Lunch and Dinner in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages from around the world.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on cruise in Ha Long Bay
Disembark cruise - Hanoi Water puppet show - Dinner at Home Moc Restaurant
Early birds can attend a Tai Chi demonstration on the sundeck at the break of dawn. Start the day enjoying some Paradise delights with a colorful buffet breakfast. Continue exploring Ha Long Bay sailing across its 2000 islets and visiting some of its major highlights. Your Paradise Cruise will come to an end on Tuan Chau Island between 10.30am and 11.00am. Return to Hanoi and re-check in. Afternoon is at your leisure. The evening will start with a Water Puppet Show performed by the world-renowned Thang Long Opera House. This performance features a talent unique to Vietnam. You'll watch as water puppets perform the folklore legends of Vietnam while live ethnic music sets the mood. After the show, you'll enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine at Home Moc Restaurant – a historic French colonial residence restored in between the Old Quarter and the serene West Lake. Enjoy fine Vietnamese cuisine. Once you finish your dinner, you'll transfer to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Departure From Hanoi
Check out hotel in the morning, then you will be transferred to airport for your homeward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar trips
11 Days Vietnam Heritage Trail
DESTINATION INFORMATION
Vietnam
Climate
The country has a rather variable climate, stretching 2,000 km from north to south and with approximately three-quarters of the country being mountainous. Tropical, hot, and humid. Monsoons divide the year into two seasons: a hot and rainy one from May to October/November, and a cool and dry one from December to April. There is a risk of typhoons between September and October, when the summer monsoon transitions into the winter monsoon. In the central part of the country, the monsoon season begins in July and ends in January.
Visa
1. Vietnam grants e-visas for citizens of all countries and territories with a 90-day stay duration and valid for multiple entry.
2. Citizens of 24 countries enjoying unilateral visa exemption can stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days.
The 24 countries include Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, Switzerland.
Jet Lag
Timezone: UTC +7
Currently and payment systems
Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND) for most daily transactions. While some places may accept USD or EUR, it’s not very common, so it’s always more convenient to pay in local currency.
Cash is still widely used, especially in local markets and small shops while credit cards are accepted at hotels, malls, and more upscale restaurants, sometimes with a small surcharge.
ATMs are easy to find in cities and tourist areas, so withdrawing cash is generally simple and convenient.
