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7 Days Beauty of Vietnam
7 Days Beauty of Vietnam
SEE COMPLETE ITINERARY
Day 1 : Hanoi Arrival
Welcome to Hanoi – Vietnam!
On arrival at Noi Bai airport, our driver will pick up and transfer to the Centre of Hanoi for check-in into the hotel (standard check in time is 14:00, early check in will depend on hotel availability).
Free at leisure on your own. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Night activities suggestion: Enjoy local beer at Ta Hien Streets, experience the ambience of sleepless street with live music, the young people of Hanoi and also foreign tourists. Hundreds of bars and pubs in the Old Quarter are also at your disposal. Or you can just simply spend your time at shopping malls or various boutique Shops.
Meal: No Meal
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 2 : Hanoi Full Day City Tour
09:00 start a full day city tour beginning with the Ho Chi Minh Complex which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. Explore Ba Dinh Square, an important point of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese, the Presidential Palace and the rural style Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he lived and worked. Stop by one of Hanoi’s icons, the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th Century in dedication to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or Buddha of Compassion and reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond. Continue to the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam, built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars.
Afternoon, visit Hoan Kiem Lake or “Returned Sword Lake” which originated from a legend of a sacred sword. On an islet in the lake, there is located Ngoc Son Temple which is accessible by a classically red painted wooden bridge. Touring through the Old Quarter, famous for its ancient streets representing traditional trades from the past by cycle. 17:30 transfer back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 3 : Hanoi To Halong By Shuttle Bus – Overnight On Cruise
Breakfast at hotel then check out.
Following breakfast leave Hanoi for 4 hours drive to Ha Long Bay including a 20-minute stop on the way. Arrive at the jetty in Ha Long City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. Be welcomed onboard and have lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (local food/seafood)
Overnight on cruise in Halong Bay
The itinerary of cruise will be changed following the cruise that you select
Day 4 : Halong Back To Hanoi By Shuttle Bus – Noibai Airport By Private Transfer – Flight To Danang
Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Ha Long in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.
Arrive in Danang, welcomed by our driver (no guide). Transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight in Danang.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch (local food/seafood)
Overnight at hotel in Danang
The itinerary of cruise will be changed following the cruise that you select.
Note: Your flight should depart at around 18:00 or a bit later to match this itinerary.
Day 5 : Full Day Ba Na Hills
09:00 Finish your breakfast at hotel then transfer to Ba Na Hills, one of the most spectacular landscapes of Danang City. You will take a cable car to the summit of mountain (at 1487m sea level). Start visiting Ba Na Hill with many different attractions: Funicular, Le Jardin D ’Amour, Linh Ung pagoda, Thich Ca Buddhist statue, etc.
This afternoon you continue to join activities and games in Fantasy Park. Later walk to the summit of the mountain at the height 1487m – the highest one of Ba Na Mountain, visit Bell Tower, Nghinh Phong tower and Golden Bridge, to take beautiful photos of the mountain and Da Nang city. 16:00, taking the cable car back to foothill then transferring back to your hotel. Time at leisure. Overnight in Danang.
Please note: Wax Museum, Debay ancient wine cellar, cotton animal game and carnival skill at Fantasy Park are not included in my quotation, joining them will be at your own account.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Danang
Day 6 : Full Day Cam Thanh Village & Hoi An Ancient Town
Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure on your own.
13:00 meet our guide at your hotel and you will transfer for your half day excursion to Cam Thanh village. Board on a local wooden basket boat to Cam Thanh water coconut village to learn about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families and their community and begin cruising to Cua Dai River where there are thousands of water coconut trees which used to be the habitat of Vietnamese army during the war. Learn how to paddle the Vietnamese unique bamboo basket boat. Explore the now tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war and hear of the extreme conditions endured by soldiers on both sides.
Late afternoon, transfer to Hoi An Town. You take interesting walk over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly Halls, enjoy the attractiveness of ancient houses or listen to folk music of Central Vietnam at old clubhouses. Later we can stop at shrines or stroll into the market located by Thu Bon River, where you may find the same feelings of the artists, who see the rooftops of Hoi An a magical old world of Oriental feel and source of inspiration. This is also a wonderful town to shop for lanterns, soft silk, raw silk, or get your clothes tailored within a day. You have time to enjoy lantern boatsin Hoi An by night (it is around 15-20 minutes). 20:30 transfer back to Danang. Overnight stay in Danang.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Danang
Day 7 : Departure
Morning, you have breakfast at hotel. Check out hotel (standard check out time is 12pm). Transfer to airport
for departure flight without guide (airfare is not included).
Meal: Breakfast
7 Days Majestic Northern Vietnam
7 Days Majestic Northern Vietnam
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Day 1 : Hanoi Arrival
Welcome to Hanoi – Vietnam!
On arrival at Noi Bai airport, our driver will pick up and transfer to the Centre of Hanoi for check-in into the hotel (standard check in time is 14:00, early check in will depend on hotel availability).
Free at leisure on your own. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Night activities suggestion: Enjoy local beer at Ta Hien Streets, experience the ambience of sleepless street with live music, the young people of Hanoi and also foreign tourists. Hundreds of bars and pubs in the Old Quarter are also at your disposal. Or you can just simply spend your time at shopping malls or various boutique Shops.
Meal: No Meal
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 2 : Hanoi Transfer To Sapa By Sharing Limousine – Half Day Cat Cat Village
Breakfast at hotel then check out.
08.00 – 08.30: Transfer to Sapa with 5.5 hours direct drive and 2 times
break (20 mins each) by sharing limousine.
13.00 – 13.30: Arrive your hotel at Sapa town. Check in hotel.
This afternoon, take a short car ride just 3 km out of Sapa to Cat Cat village inhabited by a community of the Hmong ethnic minority people.The village is known as a cultural site since many traditions and customs of the Black Hmong are still preserved to date. The traditional trades of brocade making and silver and bronze smith are still practiced nowadays by villagers after numerous generations of their ancestors. You can see Hmong women by their looms weaving fabrics, which will be later on dyed with sap from leaves for the desired coloration. Your walk through the village will take you to Tien Sa waterfall where a French-built hydropower station has been in service since 1920.
17:30 transfer back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Sapa.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Sapa
Day 3 : Fansipan Peak – Silver Waterfall – Moana Sapa
09:00, our driver and local guide will pick you up at hotel to cable car station take a cable car to Fansian Peak, promising a spectacular journey. Taking the cable route over Hoang Lien Son range to reach Fansipan Peak, the top of Indochina, at a height of 3,143m above the sea level, enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful landscapes from the high. Then come back to Cable Car Station and return to Sapa town.
Note: You will trek up to 600 steps you will reach the peak of Fansipan – the Roof of Indochina.
Afternoon, visit Silver Waterfall, located 12 kilometers northwest of Sapa town on National Highway 4D, is a stunning 200-meter-high cascade. Continue take a visit to Moana Sapa. Located in an extremely convenient location, only 500m from the central square, Moana Sapa has a total area of about 10,000m2. Here, visitors can not only admire the majestic beauty of Hoang Lien Son Mountain range and the Peak of Fansipan Mountain, but Moana Sapa will take you from these interesting things to other unexpected experiences. With many ideas and clever design, the resort includes 7 beautiful check-in points (Bali Heaven Gate, Moana Statue, Infinity Lake, Golden Hand, Death Swing, Lonely Tree, and Coffee Complex) create a special attraction for thousands of visitors. Coming to Moana Sapa, you will be surprised with the beauty like Western Europe right in Sapa. 18:00 transfer back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Sapa.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Sapa
Day 4 : Sapa Transfer To Hanoi By Sharing Limousine – Half Day City Tour
Breakfast at hotel then check out.
08.00 – 08.30: Sharing limousine (no guide) will pick up from Sapa hotel in the centre and 5.5 hours back to Hanoi included 20 mins break.
13.00 – 13.30: Arrive Hanoi and check in hotel.
This afternoon, we visit Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Stop at Ba Dinh Square and take photos of Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum from outside. Then, you will visit Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple then take a cyclo tour around the Old Quarter of Hanoi. 18:00 transfer back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 5 : Hanoi – Halong Overnight Cruise
Breakfast at hotel then check out.
Following breakfast leave Hanoi for 4 hours’ drive to Ha Long Bay including a 20-minute stop on the way.
Arrive at the jetty in Ha Long City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. Be welcomed onboard and have lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (local food/seafood)
Overnight on cruise in Halong Bay
The itinerary of cruise will be changed following the cruise that you select.
Day 6 : Halong Back To Hanoi By Shuttle Bus
Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Ha Long in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port.
Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.
Free at leisure on your own. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 7 : Departure
Morning, you have breakfast at hotel. Check out hotel (standard check out time is 12pm). Transfer to airport
for departure flight without guide (airfare is not included).
Meal: Breakfast
8 Days Vietnam Classic Tour
8 Days Vietnam Classic Tour
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Day 1 : Hanoi Arrival – Ha Long Bay
Welcome to Vietnam!
Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be welcomed by our local guide and transferred to Halong Bay, approximately 160 km or a 2.5-hour drive away.
On the way, you will see some rural areas of the Red River Delta with plenty of chances to take photos of Vietnamese farmers working in paddy fields. Stop halfway to visit a handicraft workshop of fine clothes and embroidered paintings.
Arrive in Ha Long City at 10:00 - 10:30 AM and have free time to relax at the cruise lounge.
At noon time, check in aboard the booked junk right after the welcome drink is served. Start cruising while having lunch on board and enjoy the mighty bay view. Ha Long Bay meaning Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as legend has it that it was where a holy dragon landed down from sky. The bay, famous as one of the world’s wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2. The bay cruise will continue with up close sighting of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, a visit to Sung Sot Cave and swimming stop at Titov Beach. Relax to enjoy the bay view at sunset, have dinner after, go fishing at 09:00 PM and spend a night on board.
Note: the itinerary of the cruise in Ha Long Bay will be changed following your chosen cruise and weather.
Meals: Lunch (Local Food), Dinner (Local Food)
Accommodation: A cruise used in Ha Long
Day 2 : Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Short City Tour
Early risers can enjoy the splendid yet tranquil view of the bay at the crack of dawn. Breathe the sea’s fresh air, feel the morning breeze and hear the sounds of birds above. Have breakfast and cruise to visit Human head shaped island and Tortoise Island. Continue to cruise into Bai Tu Long Bay to discover the adjacent bay of “The Little Dragon Bowing to His Mother” as it is named. Check out and have lunch on board while heading to shore.
Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi by the private transfer.
After your short rest, proceed to Hanoi Half Day City Tour.
Today, you visit Ho Chi Minh Complex which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. At the complex, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside), the colonial Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda.
Continue your visit to Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars.
Afterwards, enjoy walking through the iconic Old Quarter. The streets of this district are bustling with scooters, bicycles, cyclos and cars zipping around pedestrians. The best way to enjoy the charming colonial architecture is to wander with your guide at a leisurely pace, and be sure to stop for a cup of Vietnamese coffee (at guest’s own account).
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch.
Accommodation: A hotel used in Hanoi.
Day 3 : Hanoi – Flight To Da Nang
Breakfast at hotel.
Free at leisure until you get on private airport transfer to Danang Airport for the flight to Da Nang.
Upon arrival in Da Nang, private airport transfer to your hotel for check-in. Your rooms are available from 14:00. Early check-in is subject to room availability.
The balance of the day is free at your leisure without a guide or vehicle.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Da Nang.
Day 4 : Cam Thanh Coconut Village – Hoi An Ancient Town
Breakfast at hotel.
Free at your leisure until you get on private transfer to Hanoi Airport for flight to Danang on VJ 515 (11:50 – 13:10)
Upon arrival in Danang Airport, private transfer to your hotel in Danang for check-in. Your rooms are available from 14:00. Early check-in is subject to room availability.
After your short rest, continue your day with an excursion to Cam Thanh village, being a fisherman at Cam Thanh water coconut village tour you will enjoy experiences from learning traditional fishing techniques and how to row unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat, fishing and catch the crabs, coconut mussel while exploring the now tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war.
Next, depart to Hoi An Ancient Town, a major trading center in Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Have your camera ready to capture the picturesque Japanese Covered bridges, originally designed by the Japanese community to link them with the neighboring Chinese quarters. Walk through the historic town. As the streets of the old town are very narrow, cars are not permitted in the historical center. Start with the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, a beautiful home that has been lovingly preserved over seven generations. Continue on foot to the Museum of Trade Ceramics, with fascinating pottery artefacts from all over Asia and the Middle East. Take a short walk through the historic town to the 17th century Chinese Chua Ong Pagoda – the neighborhood around it has distinctly Chinese inspired buildings and is lovely to explore at a relaxed pace.
Enjoy the exciting time to do shopping in Hoi An. You will be amazed by vintage decorating items, jewelry, artworks, and souvenirs.
Early evening, take a boat ride and float some Hoi An paper flower lanterns along the gentle water of the Hoai River. Immerse into Hoi An City by night, which is dipped into the warm honey color of hundreds of lanterns magically lit and twinkling floating lotus candlelight paper lanterns floating along the river.
Afterwards, private transfer back to your hotel for relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: A hotel used in Danang.
Day 5 : Full Day Bana Hills – Golden Bridge
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning, departure to Ba Na Hills, pass the sea-shore on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, one of the most beautiful roads of Da Nang City and Red Beach, where the French first landed in Da Nang.
Arrive at the Cable car station at the foot of Ba Na Mountain. Enjoy the first leg Cable car, which achieves two Guinness World records in 2009, longest non-stop cable car (5,042m) and highest non-stop cable car (1,292m). Sitting in the cabin, in mid air, looking upon the endless tree line of the forests, bring you with spectacular views of the lush jungle and fairly waterfalls along the way. Experience pristine ecological
First, step on Golden Bridge which stands 1,400m above sea level in the Ba Na hills, extends over the treetops from the edge of a leafy cliff face offering tourists uninterrupted views of the majestic landscape beneath. The gold-colored walkway is lined with purple Lobelia Chrysanthemums and extends for almost 150 metres, curving around in an elegant design. But it is the sculpted hands that give it the true wow factor. It looks like giant hands of Gods pulling a strip of gold out of the land. The Golden Bridge is the latest tourist attraction in Da Nang and has attracted hordes of guests since it opened.
Visit the Le Jardin, old wineries, remains of French Villas and Ling Ung Pagoda with 27m high Buddha status.
We then leave the Le Jardin for the second cable car station to visit the top of mountain and see the remain of old villas. Conquer the Peak of Chua Mountain at the height of 1,487m. View the whole Da Nang city under the cluster of white clouds. Leave Peak of Chua Mountain, visit the trail of Dreaming Stream, Rainbow Waterfall, Suspension Bridge, Golden Valley, and ruined Opera House.
Lunch at local restaurant (Local buffet lunch at guest’s own arrangement).
Play with wild monkeys and take photos, freely then we return to Cable car station at foot of Ba Na Mountain then transfer back to your hotel in Danang.
Remarks: Cable car ticket includes all free games in Fantasy Park: over 105 games and free Knight Game
(Chute), entrance fees for Funicular, The Golden Bridge.
Debay ancient wine cellar, Wax Museum, Coin-games, Alpine Roller Coaster are excluded.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: A hotel used in Danang.
Day 6 : Danang – Flight To Ho Chi Minh
Breakfast at hotel.
Free at leisure until you get on private airport transfer to Danang Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh.
Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh city, private airport transfer to your hotel for check-in. Your rooms are available from 14:00. Early check-in is subject to room availability.
The balance of the day is free at your leisure without a guide or vehicle.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
Day 7 : Ho Chi Minh Full Day Cu Chi Tunnel And City Tour
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning, take a half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels, 75 km Northwest of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, which were once major underground hideout and resistance base of Viet Cong forces during the two wars against the French and later on
Americans. The tunnels, entirely hand-dug, formed a highly intricate network of interlinked multilevel passageways at times stretched as far as the Cambodian border and totaling over 120km in length. Its complexity was beyond imagination containing meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches and emergency exits all aimed for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and strong enough to withstand destructive bombings and self-contained enough to outlast prolonged sieges. Back to Ho Chi Minh City and spend time at leisure.
Afternoon, take a half-day city tour to visit the War Remnants Museum, which features an extensive
collection of exhibits including weaponry, photos and documentation on Vietnam’s wars with the French
and Americans, and the Reunification Palace the South Vietnam President’s residence and symbol of the
Southern Administration’s reign until end of April 1975.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: A hotel used in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 8 : Ho Chi Minh City – Departure
Breakfast at hotel.
Free at your leisure until you get on private transfer to the airport for departure flight. Room is at your disposal until noon time only.
Meals: Breakfast.
10 Days Adventure in Vietnam
10 Days Adventure in Vietnam
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Day 1: Arrive In Ho Chi Minh City - Meet And Greet
Welcome to Vietnam! After you exit the aircraft, an airport representative will greet you with a signboard showing your name. Our guide and chauffeur will greet you and transfer you to the hotel for check in. Feel free to let the guide know if you need to stop along the way for currency exchange or visiting a convenience store. Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling metropolis of the South and the economic muscle of Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, it was the main base center of the US military with the largest airport in the region. Prior to that, it was under French colonial rule and was an Asian hub of sea trade. The city is based in the Mekong River Delta region – the rice basket of Southeast Asia and where many exotic fruits are cultivated. Full of history and culture, Ho Chi Minh City will certainly be an interesting visit.
Meal: None
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Highlights | Cu Chi Tunnels
After breakfast, our guide will greet you and transfer you to see some of the most significant and mysterious temples in Ho Chi Minh City. You'll start by visiting the Emperor Jade Pagoda; also known as the Tortoise pagoda. This figurine-filled place of worship is considered by many to be Ho Chi Minh City's finest. The next stop is Cho Lon: the Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City. A thickly settled district rife with tea houses and pagodas. There you'll see Phuoc An, Hoi Quan Pagoda and Quan Am Pagoda. Then you'll enjoy a cyclo tour around the city before stopping at Ben Thanh Market. Here you can find local handicrafts, textiles and souvenirs or give the local cuisine a try. Take your adventures underground today for an adventure in history you won't forget. In the afternoon, transfer with our guide to the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Discover these amazing systems developed by the guerrillas fighting in the Vietnam War. You'll have an opportunity to see the various weapons used in the war on display. Then you'll be taken to see the innovative ways the guerrillas survived and fought back in the war. See how they built an impressive underground system as your tour guide tells of the stories and history of the Vietnam War. You'll also have an opportunity to shoot the various guns used in the war at a firing range near the tunnels (extra charges apply). Then you'll have the chance to see rice paper and coconut candy being made. After, you'll enjoy jasmine tea and a boiled cassava root snack that was a common food eaten by guerrillas during the war. You'll return back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3: Mekong Delta Discovery
Depart from Ho Chi Minh City to Mo Cay for visiting the floating market at Ben Tre. Board a sampan along the canals and visit the Thom Coconut Floating Market. Boats filled with coconuts and various other fruits and produce wait for customers and trade. Continue to the Ho Isles for lunch. After lunch, enjoy a walk on one of the islands to see local life with small hamlets and gardens. Visit a fruit orchard and try some fresh seasonal fruit from the Delta, such as mango, dragon fruit or jackfruit (type of fruit will depend on season). Then enjoy a traditional herbal foot bath. Continue to Tra Vinh for learning about the Khmer culture, who share language and traditions with Cambodians. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 4: Flight To Da Nang | Hoi An Ancient Town At Dusk
In the morning, you will transfer by flight to Danang. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check in. In the afternoon, transfer with our guide to 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. Then you'll briefly visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century which features China's influence in the region. You'll continue through the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors and more. You'll take a stroll through the Old Tam Ky House to see its imperial styles meshed with French overtures. Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. You'll then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge has connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway for centuries. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years. At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as old colorful lanterns light up the town. After you've finished the tour, return to the hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Day 5: Relax On The Beach
Spend this full day at your own leisure. You can walk around the city and discover the local daily life, find out some interesting souvenir items, drop by at a bar to relax and have a drink or two. Alternatively, simply relax on the beautiful beaches of Danang or indulge yourself with the comfort and amenities which your resort offers.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Day 6: Flight To Hanoi
Today, you will transfer by flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check in. After check in, enjoy a stroll on your own around Hoan Kiem Lake outside your hotel. Feel free to also pick up a souvenir at the night markets or at one of the many trinket shops in the alleys and small roads of this historic part of town.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 7: Impressions Of Hanoi | Private Streetfood Tour
In the morning, you'll be escorted to see the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This 1,400 years old temple features ten tiers surrounded by gardens and which also hosts a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat. Next, you'll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water. Then you'll enjoy a half hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter in Hanoi. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist escorts you while you sit in a seat affixed to the front with a canopy over top. Next, you'll visit the One Pillar Pagoda - a pagoda situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the middle of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a 9th century emperor who saw it in a dream and regarded this as divine inspiration to recreate the structure in the vision. You'll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before visiting the highlight of this tour - The Temple of Literature. This ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius teachings. Start the afternoon with the latest craze in Hanoi: Egg Coffee at the original cafe where it began – Cafe Giang (for the less adventurous, other drink options are available). Soak up the local life of Hanoi from your seat while enjoying a pleasant chat. After your cups are dry, begin your walking tour of the Hanoi Old Quarter. Our guide will entertain you with a commentary about the history of the “36 Old Streets and Guilds”. Throughout the afternoon, you'll stop to try some excellent Vietnamese street food which may include Pho Cuon (grilled beef and fresh herbs wrapped in rice noodles), Ngo Chien (crispy sweet corn), Bun Cha (BBQ pork in fish sauce with rice noodles, fresh herbs and spring rolls), Nem Cuon (fresh spring rolls) or some other popular Vietnamese dishes. During the afternoon, you will also visit a local market to see how vendors display their produce, meat, and foodstuffs. Finish the walking tour at Hoan Kiem Lake, a calm lagoon with an old stone tower on an island in the center. Return to the hotel for leisure time.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 8: Emerald Isles Of Lan Ha Bay
In the morning, our guide will meet and greet you and then transfer to the Heritage Line's welcome lounge at the Tuan Chau Marina. Then you will take a quick speedboat transfer to the luxurious floating home before starting your unique journey of exploring one of the wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay and its main Island of Cat Ba. Enjoy your lunch which is served in the ship's a nearly 360-degree light-flooded restaurant. Their live cooking in the open kitchen is a one of a kind experience – enjoy the culinary display along with fantastic panoramic views of the passing scenery. Relax on the terrace deck or on your private balcony and soak in the enchanting aura which emanates from the surreal seascape. Enjoy some unique facilities on board. Take a plunge in the pool with infinity-like vistas or get pampered with a selection of fine treatments and massages in the spa area of the ship. As the cruise reaches the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, you will hop on bicycles (e-cart transfers are also available) for leisure pedaling along small paved roads towards the Viet Hai Village. Little has changed in Viet Hai since the ancestors of the 80 households settled here centuries ago. Situated in a valley within the Cat Ba National Park and surrounded on all sides by thick forests and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island's other villages and towns. The only access is via sea. The community is self-sufficient, as the residents provide for themselves by cultivating vegetables and fruits in the next-door fields, growing rice of cause in the valley, and going fishing out in the bay. This is a truly unique and authentic opportunity to meet local inhabitants and experience their local daily life. You have a glimpse of local households and see how they make medicine organically from tree bark. Try various homemade liquors if you fancy. Back on board, you'll join a cooking demonstration to learn a few Vietnamese culinary secrets with the chef in the restaurant's big open kitchen (or any other alternative onboard activity).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on cruise in Lan Ha Bay
Day 9: Sunrise Lan Ha Bay | Return To Hanoi
Rise early for one of the top best sunrises in the world. Then head to the sundeck for an invigorating Tai Chi session amongst a picture-perfect backdrop of karsts, sea, and nature. Coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries await in the dining room to start the day. It is time to lift anchors and continue with the cruise to a place called “Frog Lake”, a secluded area which is perfect for your energetic morning excursion. Go for a refreshing swim in the bay or explore this captivating marine landscape via kayak. The cliffs stretch vertically out of the water and you feel a sense of freedom while paddling through this labyrinth of jade-green water, rocks, and vivid tree-topped islets. Back on board and enjoy a hearty breakfast while cruising back. Bid the crew farewell and then transfer back to Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 10: Farewell!
Today, our guide will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home and to bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!
Meals: Breakfast
11 Days Vietnam Heritage Trail
11 Days Vietnam Heritage Trail
SEE COMPLETE ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Arrival Hanoi airport, warmly welcomed by our guide & driver then transfer to the city. Hanoi or "River-bound City" as its name literally means is Vietnam's capital with a thousand-year-old history dating back to 1010. The city's fascinating beauty, which is characterized by unique cultural relics, ancient streets of antique houses, elegant French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and romantic lakes has made it one of the most charming cities of Asia.
Meal: None
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 2: Full Day City Tour In Hanoi
Have breakfast at the hotel. You'll then meet our guide at the hotel lobby to start a half day city tour beginning with Ho Chi Minh Complex. At the complex, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the rural style house on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. Stop by one of Hanoi's icons, the One Pillar Pagoda. Afterward, transfer to the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue the tour to one of the following museums of choice: the Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Vietnamese History, the Museum of Revolution, the Museum of Military History or the Museum of Ethnology. You'll then go to Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple on the lake. Next, take a one-hour cycle tour of the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Finally, enjoy a water puppet show at Thang Long theatre.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Overnight On Boat
Have breakfast at the hotel. Then, transfer to Ha Long Bay, which is about 160 km or 3.5-hour drive away. On the way, you will see some rural areas of the Red River Delta with plenty of chances to take photos of Vietnamese farmers working in paddy fields. Stop halfway to visit a handicraft workshop of fine clothes and embroidered paintings. Arrive in Ha Long City at 11:30 AM. Check in aboard the booked junk right after the welcome drink is served. Start cruising while having lunch on board and enjoy the mighty bay view. Ha Long Bay, famous as one of the world's wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2. The bay cruise will continue with up close sighting of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, a visit to Sung Sot Cave and swimming stop at Titov Beach. Relax to enjoy the bay view at sunset, have dinner after, go fishing and spend a night on board.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on cruise in Halong Bay
Day 4: Halong – Hanoi - Take Flight To Hue
Early risers can enjoy the splendid yet tranquil view of the bay at the crack of dawn. Breathe the sea's fresh air, feel the morning breeze and hear the sounds of birds above. Have breakfast and cruise to visit Human head shaped island and Tortoise Island. Then, have brunch on boat while heading to shore. Arrival at the pier. Time to say Goodbye and transfer to airport in Hanoi and take the domestic flight to Hue by 18:30. Meet our guide at the airport then transfer to check in hotel and relax. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hue
Day 5: Full Day City Tour In Hue
Have breakfast at the hotel. Morning, meet our guide at your hotel and take a full day tour of Hue City, the former Imperial Capital of Vietnam for the 1802-1945 period and the last refuge of Vietnamese feudalism. Begin with Hue Citadel, a well-known UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site. Continue to Khai Dinh Tomb, the burial site of Vietnam's second-to-last king, and the most elaborate compared to other kings' tombs. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will take a boat cruise along the Perfume River to enjoy the open view of the river and its surroundings. Stop along the way and land on shore to visit two prominent historical landmarks namely the Minh Mang Tomb, where the 2nd Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty was buried, and Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery overlooking the river from a vantage point with its origin dating back to 1601. The last destination is a stop for shopping at Dong Ba market, which is the city's traditional commercial center. Come back to the hotel in Hue.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hue
Day 6: Hue – Hoi An Ancient Town
Have breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass (Ocean Cloud Pass). Enjoy a stunning headland-and-bay panoramic view from the pass, which for miles hugs the mountainside along the shoreline and overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Transfer out for a city tour in Hoi An. This city recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site is now popular as a city of peaceful with well-preserved architecture, lifestyles and traditions. Your visiting will be impressed by an enchanting fusion of culture from Vietnam and also outside world including China, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines. Today, to explore almost the main attracting spot in Hoi An, our guide will take you to the iconic 400 year old Covered Bridge which a Japanese-styled temple is based on. Then continue to the Museum of Trade Ceramics – a Vietnamese Style wooden house which has showcased antique ceramic artifacts since 1858, the Tan Ky House which has had a long lasting of 200 year old – an ancient Chinese merchant residence, the Ong temple for worshiping an ancient Chinese general who had been admired as his loyalty, bravery and justice - Guan Yu, which is built in 1653 by the Chinese settlers. Finish tour, our guide take you to see the colors activities in local market. Transfer back to hotel.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Day 7: Hoi An Full Day Fish & Chip Tour
Have breakfast at the hotel. You will be collected at your hotel. Ride bicycles to Tra Que Village. Visit the vegetable village and see the daily activities of the local farmers there. Continue riding bicycle along De Vong River to Hoi An Beach dock. Take a boat to Cua Dai sand dune, enjoy casting net show and learn how to cast net by local fishermen. Continue to Cam Thanh Water coconut village, have a brief introduction to the history there. Take on the basket boat along the water coconut river. Fishermen will teach you how to catch the crabs (02 paxs/ boat). Have lunch at local family house. After lunch, learn how to make funny tools by water coconut leaf. Then visit a craft man's house in the village. Free to go shopping.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Day 8: Hoi An – Da Nang – Flight To Ho Chi Minh City
Have breakfast at the hotel and free at leisure. Check out hotel and transfer to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Meet our guide at your hotel and take a city tour to visit the War Remnants Museum which features a comprehensive collection of the machinery, weapons, photos, and documentation of Vietnam War with the both the French and Americans and the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975. Last, stop for shopping at the French-built Ben Thanh Market which dates back to 1870 and whose main entrance clock tower has become a city's symbol. Dinner at local restaurant.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City - Full Day Cu Chi Tunnel
Have breakfast at the hotel. Meet our guide at your hotel and take a city tour to visit the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, a neo-Roman cathedral built by the colonial French with materials entirely imported from Marseilles, the Saigon Central Post Office, which was designed and constructed in the early 20th Century by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel, Cho Lon area or the city's China Town and the Jade Emperor Temple (Phuoc Hai), a rare Taoist structure in Vietnam built by the Cantonese community in the area in 1909. Lunch at local restaurant. Transfer about 75 km North-west of downtown Ho Chi Minh City. The driving time is approximately 2 hours. Arrive in Cu Chi Tunnels, start discovering the famous Tunnels, which were once a major underground hideout and resistance base of Viet Cong forces during the two wars against the French and the American, the tunnels, entirely hand-dug, formed a highly intricate network of interlinked multilevel passageways at times stretched as far as the Cambodian border and totaling over 120 km in length. Its complexity was beyond imagination containing meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches and emergency exits all aimed for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and strong enough to withstand destructive bombings and self-contained enough to outlast prolonged sieges. Return to the city for a rest.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Full Day Ben Tre Tour
Have breakfast at the hotel. Today, meet with your guide at your hotel then transfer about 136 km to Ben tre. The driving time is approximately 2 hours. On arrival in Hung Vuong Pier in Ben Tre town. Boating on Ben Tre river – one of the tributaries of the Mekong river- is along mangrove tree from town to country, Sight-seeing lively activities along river as fishing, water transferring. Stop at My Long village, walking to village to see making rice paper and enjoy some rice cake. Continue by boat on canal winding through coconut jungle. You will visit one of plenty of handy coconut workshops located along river, witness stages of coconut processing from husk out to peel out. Go on small waterway and stop at a bee garden, enjoy some fruits, honey and listen to local music as well. Short walking on riverside paths to coconut candy mill, have a look and enjoy some sweet by the way. Lunch at local restaurant. Cycle rural tracks or drive tuk tuk through coconut grove, village paths. You will enjoy meal in farmer house Ba Danh by river. Relax and get around garden and have a look at the orchid, bonsai garden. Continue by rowboat on shady palm tree canal to Ben Tre river. Boating back to the pier by motorboat. Back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City Departure
Free at leisure. Meet our guide & driver at the hotel lobby then transfer to airport for flight departure.
Meal: Breakfast
12 Days Vietnam Culture & Coastal Escape
12 Days Vietnam Culture & Coastal Escape
SEE COMPLETE ITINERARY
Day 01: Hanoi Arrival – Free & Easy
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our tour guide and private transfer to your hotel for checking in. The transfer distance is approximately 40 minutes.
Meals: No meal
Overnight at a hotel in Hanoi
Day 02: Hanoi Full Day City Tour
8h30: Our Tour guide and our driver pick up at your hotel and start to discover Hanoi City
08h45: Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, the final resting place of Vietnamese great father or Uncle Ho. You have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969.
Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Goddess of Mercy – It is the most unique pagoda in the world.
- Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, temples, pagodas, etc.
- Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. But still can take picture of the Mausoleum and visit around that area.
- Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed at least 2 months (15th June -15th August) for the annual maintaining.
Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first University of Vietnam, The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam) is one of the most attractive tourist spots in Northern Vietnam. The Temple of Literature was founded in 1070.
Keep going to visit Hoa Lo Prison, the prison was built by the French, from 1886 to 1901, when Vietnam was still a part of French Indochina. The French called the prison Maison Centrale. The prison was called “A Hell on Earth” and now the prison is like a war museum for those who want to understand more about the war against France of Vietnamese people.
Then proceed to Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoan Kiem Lake is the center point of Hanoi and home to a rare endangered giant turtle species. Its name “Returned Sword” comes from a legend of a sacred sword being lent to an ancient Vietnamese King by a holy turtle from the lake and later returned to the turtle.
Then, enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Show, a unique Vietnamese art form dating back over 1,000 years. Originating in the rice fields of northern Vietnam, the performance features wooden puppets moving gracefully on water, accompanied by live traditional music and folk stories depicting rural life and Vietnamese legends
After the tour, transfer back to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 03: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight On Cruise
08:00-08:30: Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel to Ha Long Bay, which is about 160 km or 3.5-hour drive away. On the way, you will see some rural areas of the Red River Delta with plenty of chances to take photos of Vietnamese farmers working in paddy fields. Stop half way to visit a handicraft workshop of fine clothes and embroidered paintings.
Arrive in Ha Long City at 11:30 AM and check in aboard the booked junk right after the welcome drink is served. Start cruising while having lunch on board and enjoy the mighty bay view. Ha Long Bay meaning Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as legend has it that it was where a holly dragon landed down from sky. The bay, famous as one of the world’s wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2. The bay cruise will continue with up close sighting of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, a visit to Sung Sot Cave and swimming stop at Titov Beach. Relax to enjoy the bay view at sunset, have dinner after, go fishing at 09:00 PM and spend a night on board.
Note: the itinerary of the cruise in Ha Long Bay may change depending on your chosen cruise and the weather.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight on a cruise
Day 04: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight To Danang
Early risers can enjoy the splendid yet tranquil view of the bay at the crack of dawn. Breathe the sea’s fresh air, feel the morning breeze and hear the sounds of birds above. Have breakfast and cruise to visit the Human head-shaped island and Tortoise Island. Continue to cruise into Bai Tu Long Bay to discover the adjacent bay of “The Little Dragon Bowing to His Mother,” as it is named. Check out and have lunch on board while heading to shore.
Disembark and transfer to the airport for the flight to Danang.
Arrival Danang, transfer to your hotel and check in.
Meals: Breakfast / Brunch
Overnight at a hotel in Danang
Day 05: Danang Free Day
Free day at your leisure. No services of tour guide/driver
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight at a hotel in Danang
Day 06: Bana Hills – Golden Bridge
08:00 Our tour guide and driver pick you up at your hotel
Spend your time in the most modern cable car in Southeast Asia, visit Dream Stream Cable Car Station, and admire the breath-taking view of Da Nang coastal city.
After finishing the first cable car, you will visit The Golden Bridge, which has the most exotic structure and is also one of the world’s most prominent pedestrian bridges, as highlighted by the British Guard newspaper, Le Jardin d'Amour (which consists of nine gardens), and Linh Ung Pagoda.
Sit on the 2nd Cable Car to visit the French Village, where you could enjoy street music, watch Art’s statue, Campanile, Nine Floor Goddess Shrine, Tombstone Temple, watch the Carnival Performance Show, Square Du Dome, etc.
Have lunch at the restaurant (buffet lunch)
Take the Lava Train from Sun Kingdom to many new attractions for check-in, such as Helios waterfall, Time Gate, and the Moon Kingdom. Join in Fantasy Park by walking in Fairy Forest, discovering Dinosaur Park, playing 5D Wild West, enjoying a 4D death race ride, watching 3D Mega 360 degrees, riding on a journey into the underground, entering Jurassic Park, challenging Freefall Tower, participating in an adventure in Horror House, and playing over 90 free games.
Return to the cable car after leaving Ba Na Hills.
NOTE: Ticket of Bana Hill NOT include the Wax Museum, Debay Wine Cellar, Games with coin, Alpine Coaster
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight at a hotel in Danang.
Day 07: Free Day
Free day at your leisure. No services of tour guide/driver
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight at a hotel in Danang
Day 08: Coconut Jungle – Hoi An Ancient Town
About 1:00 pm: The van and tour guide will pick you up at your hotel.
Start your adventure with Cam Thanh Coconut Village. Immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of Cam Thanh Village. Enjoy a relaxing boat trip through the beautiful coconut forest. Learn to paddle the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat and join in a basket boat rowing. Besides that, you will see the basket-boat performance.
About 3.00 pm: Visit to the next destination to Hoi An Old Town - a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its timeless charm and rich cultural heritage.
Enjoy a traditional art performance at the Hoi An Traditional Performing Arts House, offering an authentic glimpse into local folklore, music, and cultural expressions.
Continue your walking tour with visits to the Museum of Trade Ceramics, showcasing Hoi An's long history as a major trading port through a rich collection of ceramics from Vietnam and Asia. Explore the beautifully preserved Tan Ky Ancient House, a 200-year-old merchant residence that reflects the harmony of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architectural styles. Then visit the historic Cantonese Assembly Hall (Hoi Quan Quang Dong in Vietnamese), admired for its intricate carvings, vibrant colors, and cultural significance to the Chinese community in Hoi An—together illustrating the town's unique multicultural heritage.
Stop by the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, one of Hoi An's most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of the town's history.
As evening falls, enjoy free time to explore the Hoi An Night Market, soak in the magical lantern-lit atmosphere, shop for local handicrafts, and take memorable photos.
7:00 pm: Finish the tour in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
- Overnight at a hotel in Danang
Day 09: Free Day
Free day at your leisure. No services of tour guide/driver
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight at a hotel in Danang
Day 10: Danang Half Day City Tour
Morning at leisure. Afternoon, meet our tour guide and start the half day Danang city tour:
Visit Monkey Mountain. A giant statue of Lady Buddha with a beautiful background such as mountains and a huge garden of bonsai would draw your attention. You will definitely get lost in the garden of heaven with gripping stories when gently walking and enjoying a fresh breeze.
Discover the Marble Mountains and stop for a walk along the site to see local factories of stone sculptures—the most impressive handicrafts village in Danang.
Check out the Marble Mountains by climbing up to the top. Marble Mountain, also known as Ngu Hanh Son, is a group of five limestone and marble hills. It looks like five fingers lying close to the sea. It features caves, caverns, pagodas, stairs, and two viewing points. The mountains are home to Buddhist sanctuaries and Hindu grottoes, popular places of worship for the local population. It's a must-see destination for nature lovers who want a respite from the busy urban areas.
Afterward, stop for photos at Dragon Bridge, one of Da Nang's most symbolic structures. Capture stunning photos of the bridge and nearby highlights such as the Love Bridge and the Carp-Turning-Into-Dragon statue.
Conclude the tour with a visit to Han Market. You will have time to walk around, explore local products, and shop for Da Nang specialties such as dried seafood, handmade souvenirs, and local snacks before returning to the hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight at a hotel in Danang
Day 11: Free Day
Free day at your leisure. No services of tour guide/driver
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight at a hotel in Danang
Day 12: Danang Departure
Free at your leisure until you get on private transfer (with guide) to the airport for departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
10 Days Vietnam Style with Beach
10 Days Vietnam Style with Beach
SEE COMPLETE ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival | Ha Long Bay
Welcome to Vietnam!
Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be welcomed by our local guide and transferred to Halong Bay, approximately 160 km or a 2.5-hour drive away.
On the way, you will see some rural areas of the Red River Delta with plenty of chances to take photos of Vietnamese farmers working in paddy fields. Stop halfway to visit a handicraft workshop of fine clothes and embroidered paintings.
Arrive in Ha Long City at 10:00 - 10:30 AM and have free time to relax at the cruise lounge.
At noon time, check in aboard the booked junk right after the welcome drink is served. Start cruising while having lunch on board and enjoy the mighty bay view. Ha Long Bay meaning Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as legend has it that it was where a holy dragon landed down from sky. The bay, famous as one of the world's wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2. The bay cruise will continue with up close sighting of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, a visit to Sung Sot Cave and swimming stop at Titov Beach. Relax to enjoy the bay view at sunset, have dinner after, go fishing at 09:00 PM and spend a night on board.
Note: The itinerary of the cruise in Ha Long Bay will be changed following your chosen cruise and weather.
Meals: Lunch (Local Food), Dinner (Local Food)
Accommodation: A cruise used in Ha Long
Day 2: Ha Long Bay | Hanoi | Short City Tour
Early risers can enjoy the splendid yet tranquil view of the bay at the crack of dawn. Breathe the sea's fresh air, feel the morning breeze and hear the sounds of birds above. Have breakfast and cruise to visit Human head shaped island and Tortoise Island. Continue to cruise into Bai Tu Long Bay to discover the adjacent bay of "The Little Dragon Bowing to His Mother" as it is named. Check out and have lunch on board while heading to shore.
Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi by the private transfer.
After your short rest, proceed to Hanoi Half Day City Tour.
Today, you visit Ho Chi Minh Complex which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation's founder. At the complex, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside), the colonial Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda.
Continue your visit to Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars.
Afterwards, enjoy walking through the iconic Old Quarter. The streets of this district are bustling with scooters, bicycles, cyclos and cars zipping around pedestrians. The best way to enjoy the charming colonial architecture is to wander with your guide at a leisurely pace, and be sure to stop for a cup of Vietnamese coffee (at guest's own account).
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Accommodation: A hotel used in Hanoi
Day 3: Full Day Ninh Binh (Tam Coc & Hoa Lu Temples)
Morning, meet our guide and transfer to Ninh Binh province - located 110km from Hanoi to the South, Tam Coc Cave may be one of the most spectacular sights in Vietnam. Along the Hoang Long River, vast limestone cliffs rise out of the rice paddies make Tam Coc somehow similar to Halong Bay, thus Tam Coc is also called Halong Bay – on-land. A river trip to Tam Coc and through three caves of Tam Coc is wonderful for photo hunters, especially when local residents come to harvest the rice planted along the river or when they transplant seeding for the next crop.
Next to Tam Coc is Hoa Lu, the relics of the ancient capital of Vietnam in 10th century. What remains are temples dedicated to the two heroes: King Dinh and King Le whom chosen Hoa Lu to build the citadel of the capital city. Though the temples are not wholly maintained, some precious antiques are still preserved well like: the whole-stone dragon thrones; wooden has-relieves and lacquered statues of King Dinh, King Le and Queen Duong Van Nga who in turn got married to both of the Kings.
Then continue to visit Bich Dong pagoda, an ancient three tiered cave pagoda only accessible by steep stone steps, but it is really worth climbing up for a charming pagoda and stupendous view from the top.
By the end of afternoon, transfer back to Hanoi and free at leisure in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: A hotel used in Hanoi
Day 4: Hanoi | Flight To Danang | Cam Thanh Coconut Village | Hoi An Ancient Town
Free at your leisure until you get on private transfer to Hanoi Airport for flight to Danang.
Upon arrival in Danang Airport, private transfer to your hotel in Danang for check-in. Your rooms are available from 14:00. Early check-in is subject to room availability.
After your short rest, continue your day with an excursion to Cam Thanh village, being a fisherman at Cam Thanh water coconut village tour you will enjoy experiences from learning traditional fishing techniques and how to row unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat, fishing and catch the crabs, coconut mussel while exploring the now tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war.
Next, depart to Hoi An Ancient Town, a major trading center in Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Have your camera ready to capture the picturesque Japanese Covered bridges, originally designed by the Japanese community to link them with the neighboring Chinese quarters. Walk through the historic town. As the streets of the old town are very narrow, cars are not permitted in the historical center. Start with the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, a beautiful home that has been lovingly preserved over seven generations. Continue on foot to the Museum of Trade Ceramics, with fascinating pottery artefacts from all over Asia and the Middle East. Take a short walk through the historic town to the 17th century Chinese Chua Ong Pagoda – the neighborhood around it has distinctly Chinese inspired buildings and is lovely to explore at a relaxed pace.
Enjoy the exciting time to do shopping in Hoi An. You will be amazed by vintage decorating items, jewelry, artworks, and souvenirs.
Early evening, take a boat ride and float some Hoi An paper flower lanterns along the gentle water of the Hoai River. Immerse into Hoi An City by night, which is dipped into the warm honey color of hundreds of lanterns magically lit and twinkling floating lotus candlelight paper lanterns floating along the river.
Afterwards, private transfer back to your hotel for relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: A hotel used in Danang
Day 5: Full Day Bana Hills | Golden Bridge
Morning, departure to Ba Na Hills, pass the sea-shore on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, one of the most beautiful roads of Da Nang City and Red Beach, where the French first landed in Da Nang.
Arrive at the Cable car station at the foot of Ba Na Mountain. Enjoy the first leg Cable car, which achieves two Guinness World records in 2009, longest non-stop cable car (5,042m) and highest non-stop cable car (1,292m). Sitting in the cabin, in mid air, looking upon the endless tree line of the forests, bring you with spectacular views of the lush jungle and fairly waterfalls along the way. Experience pristine ecological systems of the Ba Na Mountains will leave you the sense of unforeseeable discovery.
First, step on Golden Bridge which stands 1,400m above sea level in the Ba Na hills, extends over the treetops from the edge of a leafy cliff face offering tourists uninterrupted views of the majestic landscape beneath. The gold-colored walkway is lined with purple Lobelia Chrysanthemums and extends for almost 150 metres, curving around in an elegant design. But it is the sculpted hands that give it the true wow factor. It looks like giant hands of Gods pulling a strip of gold out of the land. The Golden Bridge is the latest tourist attraction in Da Nang and has attracted hordes of guests since it opened.
Visit the Le Jardin, old wineries, remains of French Villas and Ling Ung Pagoda with 27m high Buddha status. We then leave the Le Jardin for the second cable car station to visit the top of mountain and see the remain of old villas. Conquer the Peak of Chua Mountain at the height of 1,487m. View the whole Da Nang city under the cluster of white clouds. Leave Peak of Chua Mountain, visit the trail of Dreaming Stream, Rainbow Waterfall, Suspension Bridge, Golden Valley, and ruined Opera House.
Lunch at local restaurant (Local buffet lunch at guest's own arrangement).
Play with wild monkeys and take photos, freely then we return to Cable car station at foot of Ba Na Mountain then transfer back to your hotel in Danang.
Remarks: Cable car ticket includes all free games in Fantasy Park: over 105 games and free Knight Game (Chute), entrance fees for Funicular, The Golden Bridge. Debay ancient wine cellar, Wax Museum, Coin-games, Alpine Roller Coaster are excluded.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: A hotel used in Danang
Day 6: Danang | Flight To Phu Quoc | Free & Easy
Free at leisure until you get on private airport transfer to Danang Airport for the flight to Phu Quoc.
Upon arrival in Phu Quoc Island, private airport transfer to your hotel for check-in. Your rooms are available from 14:00. Early check-in is subject to room availability.
The balance of the day is free at your leisure without a guide or vehicle.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Phu Quoc
Day 7: Cable Car | Aquatopia Water Park & 3 Island Trip By Boat
Breakfast at hotel and to be ready at the lobby at 07:30 AM.
07:30: Pick up from your hotel. Arrive at the harbor - board our boat.
Visit 3 islands in the south:
- Xuong Island (or Gam Ghi island): Snorkeling at the coral reef
- May Rut Trong Island: white sand lagoon – beach, water sports, beach bar & chill out
- Enjoy lunch on board
- The boat arrives Thom Island: Enjoy Aquatopia waterpark – more than 20 modern games from the world's leading manufacturers.
- Back on the cable car (around 25 mins): Enjoy sunset & rides with a panoramic overall view of islands
17:30: Return to your hotel.
Tour Price Includes: Round trip by car & tourism boat; English speaking tour guide; Fresh fruit + 1 bottle of water; Lunch; Snorkeling equipment: mask, snorkel & fins (fin not available in child sizes); Life jackets.
Tour Price Excludes: Other personal expenses; Clients to bring their own towel & sunscreen.
Note: In case of weather conditions - some islands will be changed to other islands. We can change the food and vegetarian food upon request, please kindly inform us in advance.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Local food)
Accommodation: A hotel used in Phu Quoc
Day 8: Full Day Vin Wonders & Vin Safari
Breakfast at hotel. Then, prepare sunscreen items and wear flat shoes/sandals for the visit.
Morning, local driver takes you to visit North Island & experience Safari Semi-Wild Zoo & Vinwonder Theme Water Park.
There are two main subdivisions in Safari: the zoo and the semi-wild. At the zoo, you are free to visit, feed animals, take pictures with animals and watch shows with birds and parrots. At the semi-wild area: you can sit on a bus, experience the feeling of "locking people, releasing animals" There is 1-0-2 in Vietnam. Because with the semi-wild area, you will have the opportunity to visit wild animals with "nationality" in different regions and continents such as Africa, Australia, America ... such as Bengal tiger, Arabian antelope, twisted horned antelope, black and white lemur... You will experience thrills when tigers with sharp claws are around. Don't worry about being attacked, because the glass is very strong, and the animals in the zoo have been trained to be human-friendly! In this exciting experience, in addition to exploring the unique natural habitat of each animal, you will also be guided to explain each species' characteristics, and take a selfie with the animals through the glass door frame.
Afternoon: Guests are free to explore, participate in thrilling experience games with theme subdivisions: The world of adventure - where there are thrilling games; Medieval Europe - at the Central Castle; Magical World - fairy garden, suitable for the children, find a feeling in the light games; Secret Village - Viking area.
When you need to rest, you can enter Hai Duong Palace, just enjoy the scenery, watch the show and experience the fresh feeling here.
15h00: Experience the feeling of refreshment and freshness with games in the water park at the Tornado World.
16:30: After bathing and having fun, take a break for a walk in the Western part of the Park and treat yourself with super shimmering photos.
19:30: Back to the town & free at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: A hotel used in Phu Quoc
Day 9: Phu Quoc | Flight To Ho Chi Minh City | Half-Day City Tour
Morning, free and easy, until you get on private transfer to Phu Quoc airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, welcomed by our local driver and private transfer to your hotel for check-in.
After your short rest, start Half Day Ho Chi Minh City Tour with your local guide. You get insight into Vietnam History. The impact of the Vietnam War can be witnessed all over the country, and any war or history buff should make sure a visit to the War Remnants Museum is on their must-see list for Ho Chi Minh City.
With your private driver and English-speaking guide, delve into the images and sounds of Vietnam's lengthy war history with the French and Americans. The museum features a comprehensive collection of the machinery, weapons and photos of the Vietnamese side of the war, and includes a moving tribute to the journalists, civilians and soldiers lost during the war, as well as a critical look at biological warfare, weaponry, and worldwide movements for peace.
Later on, visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, where the French colonial presence can be felt. The neo-romanesque Catholic Basilica was constructed from 1877 to 1880 entirely of imported French building material, including bricks from Marseilles and stained-glass windows from Chartres. Head across the street to the Saigon Central Post Office, a stunning architectural marvel with rich Gothic, Renaissance and French influences.
End with a visit to the iconic Ben Thanh Market, a centrally located covered market with ample opportunities to pick up souvenirs or relax with a cup of Vietnamese coffee (at your own account).
Afterwards, return to your hotel and free at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: A hotel used in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City | Departure
Free at your leisure until you get on private transfer to the airport for departure flight. Room is at your disposal until noon time only.
Meals: Breakfast
7 Days Vietnam & Cambodia Connection
7 Days Vietnam & Cambodia Connection
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Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City - Half day city tour
Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, welcomed by our guide and transfer to your hotel (Check in time is 14:00 – 15:00, early check in is not included). The transfer distance is approximately 40 minutes. you'll explore the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City. Your first stop is the historic Reunification Palace, once the presidential palace of South Vietnam and the site where the Vietnam War ended in 1975. Next, you'll visit the FITO Museum, the first museum of traditional Vietnamese medicine, with fascinating artifacts and tools on display.
The tour also includes key city landmarks like the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Old Saigon Post Office, the bustling Chinatown of Cho Lon, and the sacred Emperor Jade Pagoda. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to your hotel to check in and relax.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Overnight at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2: Half day Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh City Vespa street food tour
Morning, take a half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels, 75 km Northwest of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, which were once a major underground hideout and resistance base of Viet Cong forces during the two wars against the French and later on Americans. The tunnels, entirely hand-dug, formed a highly intricate network of interlinked multilevel passageways at times stretched as far as the Cambodian border and totaling over 120 km in length. Its complexity was beyond imagination, containing meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches, and emergency exits all aimed for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and strong enough to withstand destructive bombings and self-contained enough to outlast prolonged sieges. Back to Ho Chi Minh City and spend time at leisure. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the late afternoon, your drivers will meet you at the hotel with their classic Vespa scooters. Hop on the back of these stylish scooters and enjoy the buzz of Saigon as night falls. Your first stop is a famous sidewalk spot by a park, known for generations for its delicious, dried beef salad. Afterward, you'll head to a street famous for “bánh xèo” to sample this classic savory pancake from Southern Vietnam. The adventure continues at a local restaurant for dinner, where you'll enjoy the city's best street food and local beer while watching the world go by. To end the night, you'll visit a cozy café to listen to live acoustic music and taste some authentic Vietnamese coffee.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3: Full day Mekong Delta (My Tho) - Dinner on Saigon River cruise
Your day begins with a journey south to the Mekong Delta, known as Vietnam's “rice bowl.” Upon arrival in My Tho, you will board a motorboat to navigate the intricate canals. This is a great chance to see the daily life of the local people up close as you cruise past lush islands. Your first stop is Thoi Son Island, where you'll enjoy Southern Vietnamese traditional music performed by local artists. Next, you'll switch to a smaller paddleboat for a relaxing ride through the shady canals. You'll visit a local family's home to see how they make coconut candy and rice wine by hand, then stop at a bee farm to taste fresh honey tea and seasonal fruits. On the way back, you will visit the beautiful Vinh Trang Pagoda, a historic temple famous for its stunning architecture that blends Vietnamese, Chinese, and Cambodian styles. After lunch, you'll have free time to explore the area further. You can take a bicycle ride through the peaceful countryside, try your hand at fishing, or simply relax in a hammock. You will return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner on the river cruise.
Accommodation: Overnight at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 4: Flight to Siem Reap - Free & easy
This morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel and some free time for last-minute exploration. Later, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Welcome to Cambodia! Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, our representative will greet you and handle the express visa processing on your behalf. Afterwards, transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap
Day 5: Angkor temples tour by tuk-tuk
After breakfast, you'll spend a full day exploring the temples of Angkor by tuk-tuk. Your adventure begins at the majestic South Gate of Angkor Thom. Inside, you'll discover the enigmatic stone faces of Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, the Terrace of the Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King. You'll also visit the famous Ta Prohm Temple, where giant tree roots have intertwined with ancient temple walls. For lunch, you'll relax at Sala Kdei, a beautiful traditional wooden house overlooking the royal bathing pool of Srah Srang. It's the perfect, serene escape from the midday heat. Afternoon, you will visit the heart and soul of Cambodia: the magnificent Angkor Wat. As a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest religious monument in the world, this architectural masterpiece is truly unforgettable. You'll have time to stroll through its vast galleries, courtyards, and pavilions, and admire the iconic temple towers reflected in the surrounding ponds.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap
Day 6: Siem Reap countryside & quad bike adventure - Artisans d’Angkor workshop
This morning, get ready for an exciting half-day quad bike adventure. Led by an expert guide, you'll ride through beautiful countryside and lush paddy fields, getting a glimpse into local village life. A special part of your tour is a visit to a local orphanage and school supported by these trips. Your adventure directly contributes to the well-being of the children here. You'll also discover Prei Monti, a quiet 9th-century temple hidden away from the main tourist crowds. Enjoy a refreshing break with fresh coconut water before heading for lunch at the stylish FCC Angkor Kitchen. Located in the famous Foreign Correspondents' Club, this restaurant offers a wonderful atmosphere and a delicious menu of both Cambodian and international dishes. This afternoon is free for you to relax or explore on your own. Alternatively, you can visit Artisans d'Angkor, a fascinating workshop where you can see local artisans practice traditional Khmer crafts. Watch them at work with wood and stone carving, silk painting, and lacquering. A guided tour will give you insight into how this social enterprise helps support local communities by preserving their unique skills.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap
Day 7: Departure from Siem Reap
Morning, you will have breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
10 Days Vietnam Cultural Tour
10 Days Vietnam Cultural Tour
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Day 1: 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
Day 2: 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
Day 3: 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
Day 4: 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
Day 5: 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
Day 6: 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
Day 7: 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
Day 8: 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
Day 9: 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
Day 10: Departure From Hanoi
Check out hotel in the morning, then you will be transferred to airport for your homeward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
17 Days Vietnam Panorama
17 Days Vietnam Panorama
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Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City - Ho Chi Minh City highlights - Relaxing spa
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you will be welcomed by our English-speaking guide with a sign board and then accompanied to the hotel for check in. Feel free to let the guide know if you need to stop along the way for currency exchange or visiting a convenience store. Ho Chi Minh City (as known as Saigon) is a bustling metropolis of the South and the economic muscle of Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, it was the main base center of the US military with the largest airport in the region. Prior to that, it was under French colonial rule and was an Asian hub of sea trade. The city is based in the Mekong River Delta region – the rice basket of Southeast Asia and where many exotic fruits are cultivated. Full of history and culture, Ho Chi Minh city will certainly be an interesting visit.
Approximate Schedule: 1:00pm – 5:00pm. In the afternoon, you'll see the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City and learn of the history of these iconic landmarks. Go to see some of the most important places in Ho Chi Minh. You'll start by visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral. Constructed by French colonists during their settlement, you'll learn of its significance as the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia. Across the road is the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical architectural building which is considered one of the main tourist attractions in the city. Your next stop is Cholon, the Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh. Explore the thickly settled district rife with tea-houses and pagodas, and the famous Binh Tay Market. To finish the tour you'll visit the Emperor Jade Pagoda. Also known as the Tortoise pagoda, this figurine-filled place of worship is considered by many to be Ho Chi Minh City's finest. Once the tour is completed, you'll return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh City walking tour
Start/Finish: 8:00am – 12:00 pm. Take your adventures underground today for an adventure in history you won't forget. Wake up early to enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you depart for the Cu Chi Tunnels. Your private tour guide and chauffeur will meet you in the morning and escort you to the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh. Discover these amazing systems developed by the guerrillas fighting in the Vietnam War. You'll have an opportunity to see the various weapons used in the war on display. Then you'll be taken to see the innovative ways the guerrillas survived and fought back in the war. See how they built an impressive underground system as your tour guide tells of the stories and history of the Vietnam War. You'll also have an opportunity to shoot the various guns used in the war at a firing range near the tunnels (extra charges apply).
Then you'll have the chance to see rice paper and coconut candy being made. After, you'll enjoy jasmine tea and a boiled cassava root snack that was a common food eaten by guerrillas during the war. You'll return back to Ho Chi Minh City. In the afternoon, your private tour guide will pick you up from hotel then start a cyclo tour to get real experience on busy life of local people. Then enjoy a dinner with Vietnam's cuisines at Indochine Saigon Hotel. After dinner, travel (walking) to Ben Thanh market to see how bustling the market is at night. The market is one of the earliest surviving structures in Ho Chi Minh City and one of symbols of the City, popular with tourists seeking for local handicrafts, textiles, Ao dai (Vietnam's traditional long dress), and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine. After finished the tour, you will escort back to your hotel.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3: Mekong Delta discovery (Vinh Long)
Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 5:30pm. Discover the Mekong River, essential to life in the heart of Vietnam. After you've finished breakfast at the hotel, your private guide and car will greet you and escort you to Vinh Long where you'll embark on a boat cruise to the vibrant Cai Be floating market. Be prepared to see fresh spices, mints, and local fruits. If you're adventurous, you can take of one of the many colorful fruits in season. The next stop is the Hoa Binh Phuoc islet, full of local homes where the families produce tiles and ceramics. You'll visit the rice-paper kiln and coconut candy kiln where you can walk around and observe daily country life. You can have the opportunity to taste fresh made coconut candy which has a soft and chewy consistency. When the tour is finished, you'll return to Ho Chi Minh.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 4: Flight to Danang - Hoi An Ancient Town at dusk
Today, you'll take a flight to Danang. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in Hoi An for check-in. At the end of a long lane of sandy beaches, palms and blue sea turns the Thu Bon River. Take a step back in time 300 years to cobblestone alleys and aged wooden and stone homes. Time stands still in this quiet part of the world where ornate doorways and bridges could keep the curious passerby entranced in amusement. The setting - a Far Eastern port that was forgotten in time. Japanese, French, Chinese and Vietnamese designs and styles melt together along every street.
Approximate Schedule: 3:00pm – 6:30pm. In the afternoon, transfer with our guide to 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. Then you'll briefly visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century which features China's influence in the region. You'll continue through the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors and more. You'll take a stroll through the Old Tam Ky House to see its imperial styles meshed with French overtures. Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. You'll then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge has connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway for centuries. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years. At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as old colorful lanterns light up the town. After you've finished the tour, return to the hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An
Day 5: My Son Holy Land - Hoi An traditional craft
Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 11:30am. Today you'll explore the My Son Holy Land, a UNESCO Heritage site and Vietnam's most important Cham site. In the morning, your tour guide and driver will escort you from your hotel to the My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views lie the 1,100-year-old My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden from living or development. The ruins lay 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. Afterward, you'll watch an Apsara show nearby the site, passed through the Cham tradition. The show features live music and colorful costumes. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore on your own.
Approximate Schedule: 1:00pm – 4:00pm. In the afternoon, visit the traditional house in Quang Nam and listen to the fascinating story of craft sericulture. Next, explore the ancient mulberry gardens and the silkworm-breeding house, learning how to feed the silkworms. At the Unraveling House, understand how to extract silk thread from the cocoon to weave silk fabric. Next, visit the Hoi An Silk Village exhibition to understand the difference between pure silk and fake silk fabric. The variety of silk products here will cater to all your shopping and tailoring needs.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Day 6: Mountain coastal road trip to Hue - Dinner at a royal residence
Your tour guide will assist with checking you out of your hotel and then you'll be escorted 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.
Approximate Schedule: 7:00pm – 9:00pm. In the evening, transfer to Royal Park restaurant to enjoy a Hue Royal Cuisine experience: guests can enjoy a fine dining experience with specialties such as nem công (peacock spring rolls), chả phụng (phoenix-shaped patties), royal-style sticky rice, and a variety of soups and desserts once reserved only for royalty. The atmosphere is often enhanced by traditional music, royal costumes, and elegant decoration, giving visitors the feeling of dining like kings and queens.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Hue
Day 7: Hue tombs and palaces by bicycle
Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 4:00pm. In the morning, after breakfast at your hotel, start riding a bike to Khai Dinh Tomb. On the way, stop to take some photos of the countryside scenery. When you reach Khai Dinh Tomb, explore the building, which is far more elaborately designed than others of its era, being a mix of a number of architectural styles. The tomb is a rectangular structure leaning against Chau Chu Mountain in the outskirts of Hue. The side walls are formed by the biggest sculptures of dragons in all of Vietnam. The tomb houses an imperial audience court, featuring a reinforced concrete steel monument, as well as twelve stone statues representing bodyguards. Close to the top floor is the Khai Thanh Palace, featuring intricately designed glass and porcelain decorations on the walls. The ceiling of the palace is decorated with nine intricate dragons. The rear room of the palace is home to a temple containing Khai Dinh's grave, an altar to him, and a statue of his likeness. After visiting Khai Dinh Tomb, continue to ride to Tu Duc Tomb. The road is rough, but it will surely bring you fun experiences and a chance to mix with local life and nature. After 15 minutes of biking, you will arrive at Tu Duc Tomb. While Khai Dinh's Tomb is noteworthy for its ornate extravagance, Emperor Tu Duc's tomb showcases a traditional elegance and many view it as the most beautiful of Hue's royal tombs. Designed by Tu Duc himself, he is said to have preferred spending time in these serene grounds than at the palace. Lunch at a local restaurant before riding to another famous imperial tomb of Hue - Minh Mang Tomb. It is about 4.66 miles from Tu Duc Tomb. Minh Mang Tomb is a standard architectural complex consisting of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, pavilions, etc.) designed on a symmetrical axis running from Dai Hong Gate to the foot of La Thanh (Surrounding Wall) behind the Emperor's tomb. End the tour and return to Hue.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Hue
Day 8: Hue Imperial Citadel - Flight to Hanoi
Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 12:30pm. In the morning, you'll press onward to see the famed Imperial Hue Citadel – the old capital of Vietnam. This Citadel has a moat and wall perimeter 10 km 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 could only 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. Continue 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. After the tour, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. After check in, enjoy a stroll on your own around Hoan Kiem Lake outside your hotel. Feel free to also pick up a souvenir at the night markets or at one of the many trinket shops in the alleys and small roads of this historic part of town.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi
Day 9: Impressions of Hanoi - Vietnam War sites and art gallery
Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 12:00pm
In the morning, you'll be escorted to see the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This 1,400-year-old temple features ten tiers surrounded by gardens and which also hosts a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat. Next, you'll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water. Then you'll enjoy a half hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter in Hanoi. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist escorts you while you sit in a seat affixed to the front with a canopy over top. Next, you'll visit the One Pillar Pagoda - a pagoda situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the middle of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a 9th century emperor who saw it in a dream and regarded this as divine inspiration to recreate the structure in the vision. You'll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before visiting the highlight of this tour - The Temple of Literature. This ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius teachings. Embark on an exciting half-day afternoon tour starting with a visit to Nguyen Art Gallery, one of Hanoi's finest, where you'll admire contemporary Vietnamese art and learn about the country's rich artistic heritage. Next, head to the Vietnamese Women's Museum, which showcases the significant contributions of Vietnamese women throughout history, including their roles in family, fashion, and society. Continue visit to Huu Tiep Lake where what remains of a felled B-52 Bomber protrudes out of the calm water. Finally, explore the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to the 11th century and offers a glimpse into Vietnam's imperial past with its ancient architecture and archaeological treasures.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi
Day 10: Leisure day
Spend this full day at your own leisure. You can walk around the city and discover the local daily life, find out some interesting souvenir items, drop by at a bar to relax and have a drink or two. Alternatively, simply indulge yourself with the comfort and amenities which your hotel offers.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi
Day 11: Road trip to Nghia Lo - Thanh Son Tea Plantation
Start the morning with a road trip up in the mountains to the northwest region of Vietnam - Nghia Lo (Yen Bai province) approx. 4h. Along the way, you will visit tea fields in Thanh Son. Then stop at Thu Cuc to visit villages of the Muong living by the roadside. Visit a village of the Thai ethnic group, meet local people and find more about customs and culture.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in Nghia Lo.
Day 12: Mu Cang Chai rice terraces and hill tribe villages
After breakfast, take a road trip for 2.5 hours through winding mountain roads with the beautiful natural scenery of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range to Mu Cang Chai - considered an untouched paradise and one of the best places in Vietnam to take stunning landscape photos. Stop at the valley of Tu Le to begin trekking. You will cross rice terraces and suspension bridges to reach villages of the Thai and Mong. In traditional clothes, they will welcome you with enthusiasm. Have lunch at Tu Le. After lunch, continue the tour to Khau Pha Pass (celestial horn). It is an ideal place to take the most beautiful photos of the terraced rice fields. Then take a 2 to 3-hour trekking to visit the most beautiful terraced rice fields like La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, and Che Xu Phinh. Continue to the Homestay in Mu Cang Chai for check-in. Enjoy dinner. Overnight in Mu Cang Chai.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in Mu Cang Chai
Day 13: Return To Hanoi
After breakfast, our guide will transfer you back to Hanoi (approx. 6.5h). On the way, you will admire beautiful mountainous landscapes and rice terraces, and quiet villages under the trees. Arrive in Hanoi around 05:00 PM.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in Hanoi
Day 14: Emerald Isles Of Lan Ha Bay
In the morning, our guide will meet and greet you and then transfer to the Heritage Line's welcome lounge at the Tuan Chau Marina. Then you will take a quick speedboat transfer to the luxurious floating home before starting your unique journey of exploring one of the wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay and its main Island of Cat Ba. Enjoy your lunch which is served in the ship's nearly 360-degree light-flooded restaurant. Their live cooking in the open kitchen is a one of a kind experience – enjoy the culinary display along with fantastic panoramic views of the passing scenery. Relax on the terrace deck or on your private balcony and soak in the enchanting aura which emanates from the surreal seascape. Enjoy some unique facilities on board. Take a plunge in the pool with infinity-like vistas or get pampered with a selection of fine treatments and massages in the spa area of the ship. As the cruise reaches the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, you will hop on bicycles (e-cart transfers are also available) for leisure pedaling along small paved roads towards the Viet Hai Village. Little has changed in Viet Hai since the ancestors of the 80 households settled here centuries ago. Situated in a valley within the Cat Ba National Park and surrounded on all sides by thick forests and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island's other villages and towns. The only access is via sea. The community is self-sufficient, as the residents provide for themselves by cultivating vegetables and fruits in the next door fields, growing rice of cause in the valley, and going fishing out in the bay. This is a truly unique and authentic opportunity to meet local inhabitants and experience their local daily life. You have a glimpse of local households and see how they make medicine organically from tree bark. Try various homemade liquors if you fancy.
Back on board, you'll join a cooking demonstration to learn a few Vietnamese culinary secrets with the chef in the restaurant's big open kitchen (or any other alternative onboard activity). After dinner, you may enjoy watching the stars from the sundeck, watching a movie in the restaurant, or giving night squid fishing a try with the staff (subject to seasonal availability).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in Lan Ha Bay
Day 15: Sunrise at Lan Ha Bay - Return to Hanoi - Private street food tour
Rise early for one of the best sunrises in the world. Then head to the sundeck for an invigorating Tai Chi session amongst a picture-perfect backdrop of karsts, sea, and nature. Coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries await in the dining room to start the day. It is time to lift anchors and continue with the cruise to a place called “Frog Lake”, a secluded area which is perfect for your energetic morning excursion. Go for a refreshing swim in the bay or explore this captivating marine landscape via kayak. The cliffs stretch vertically out of the water and you feel a sense of freedom while paddling through this labyrinth of jade-green water, rocks, and vivid tree-topped islets. Back on board and enjoy a hearty breakfast while cruising back. Bid the crew farewell and then transfer back to Hanoi for overnight.
Approximate Schedule: 3:00pm – 6:00pm. Start the afternoon with the latest craze in Hanoi: Egg Coffee at the original cafe where it began – Cafe Giang (for the less adventurous, other drink options are available). Soak up the local life of Hanoi from your seat while enjoying a pleasant chat. After your cups are dry, begin your walking tour of the Hanoi Old Quarter. Our guide will entertain you with a commentary about the history of the “36 Old Streets and Guilds”. Throughout the afternoon, you'll stop to try some excellent Vietnamese street food which may include Pho Cuon (grilled beef and fresh herbs wrapped in rice noodles), Ngo Chien (crispy sweet corn), Bun Cha (BBQ pork in fish sauce with rice noodles, fresh herbs and spring rolls), Nem Cuon (fresh spring rolls) or some other popular Vietnamese dishes. During the afternoon, you will also visit a local market to see how vendors display their produce, meat, and foodstuffs. Finish the walking tour at Hoan Kiem Lake, a calm lagoon with an old stone tower on an island in the center. Return to the hotel for leisure time.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in Hanoi
Day 16: Transfer to Ninh Binh - Hoa Lu and Trang An Grottoes - Return to Hanoi
After breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer to Ninh Binh by car. Then, you will travel to Hoa Lu (2 hour transfer), the ancient capital. In 968, Dinh Bo Linh declared himself King. Since then Hoa Lu existed as the capital for only 41 years. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long – present day Hanoi. Hoa Lu became the old citadel. In Hoa Lu there are now two temples dedicated to two Vietnamese kings, which have been built on the grounds of the old royal palace.
The visit offers a chance to learn more about the feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history. In the afternoon, you'll take an amazing boat trip through Trang An Grottoes. A gathering of 31 valleys and 50 cross-water caves is home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna many of which are listed in the Red Book of Vietnam. Rowing through the Trang An Grottoes is a peaceful trip of serenity. The highland air is a respite from modern living and the sounds are only that of birds and the oars stirring the clear water. Towering overhead are magnificent forested mountains upon which you might catch a glimpse of grazing white-bearded goats. In the valleys, you'll see cultivated rice fields. After the tour is finished, you will transfer to your hotel in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in Hanoi
Day 17: Farewell!
Today, our guide will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home and bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!
Meal: Breakfast
Pick-up: 2.5 hours before the flight
13 Days Wonderful Vietnam & Cambodia
13 Days Wonderful Vietnam & Cambodia
SEE COMPLETE ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Welcome to Vietnam!
Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be welcomed by our tour guide and private transfer to your hotel for checking in. The transfer distance is approximately 40 minutes. Your rooms are available from 14:00 – 15:00. Early Check-in is subject to room availability and a surcharge. Hanoi, or “River-bound City,” as its name literally means, is Vietnam’s capital. Its history dates back to 1010. The city’s fascinating beauty, characterized by unique cultural relics, ancient streets of antique houses, elegant French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and romantic lakes, has made it one of the most charming cities in Asia.
Meal: No meal
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi
Day 2: Full Day Hanoi City Tour
Morning, start a full day city tour beginning with the Ho Chi Minh Complex which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation's founder. Explore Ba Dinh Square, an important point of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese, the Presidential Palace, and the rural style Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts where he lived and worked. Stop by one of Hanoi's icons, the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th Century in dedication to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or Buddha of Compassion and reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond. Continue to the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam, built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages, and outstanding Vietnamese scholars. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon: Our group can enjoy Jeep tour: 30 minutes – 45 minutes Jeep Tour: (each Jeep 4-5 persons) Russian Jeep or US Army. Discover the soul of Hanoi in a truly unique way: from the back of a legendary, open-air military Jeep. This special tour lets you sit back, relax, and soak in the sights, sounds, and smells of the city without the barrier of a bus window. Your expert guide and driver will take you through hidden alleys and bustling streets to show you the real Hanoi, revealing a side of the city that most tourists miss. Your adventure begins in the historic Old Quarter, zipping through its 36 famous streets, each once dedicated to a specific craft. Next, you'll cruise through the elegant French Quarter, often called the "Little Paris" of Asia. Here, you'll admire grand colonial architecture, stately embassies, and beautiful tree-lined boulevards. Along the way, you'll pass by famous landmarks including the magnificent Hanoi Opera House and the neo-gothic St. Joseph's Cathedral.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long / Overnight On Cruise
Morning, pickup by the local guide with Private Transfer from your hotel to Ha Long Bay, which is about 160 km or 3.5-hour drive away. On the way, you will see some rural areas of the Red River Delta with plenty of chances to take photos of Vietnamese farmers working in paddy fields. Stop half way to visit a handicraft workshop of fine clothes and embroidered paintings. Arrive in Ha Long City at 11:30 AM and check in aboard the booked junk right after the welcome drink is served. Start cruising while having lunch on board and enjoy the mighty bay view. Ha Long Bay meaning Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as legend has it that it was where a holy dragon descended from the sky. The bay, famous as one of the world's wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2. The bay cruise will continue with up close sighting of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, a visit to Sung Sot Cave and swimming stop at Titov Beach. Relax to enjoy the bay view at sunset, have dinner after, go fishing at 09:00 PM and spend a night on board. Note: the itinerary of the cruise in Ha Long Bay may change depending on your chosen cruise and the weather.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on a cruise in Halong Bay
Day 4: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Fly to Danang
Early risers can enjoy the splendid yet tranquil view of the bay at the crack of dawn. Breathe the sea's fresh air, feel the morning breeze and hear the sounds of birds above. Have breakfast and cruise to visit the Human head-shaped island and Tortoise Island. Continue to cruise into Bai Tu Long Bay to discover the adjacent bay of "The Little Dragon Bowing to His Mother," as it is named. Check out and have lunch on board while heading to shore. Disembark and transfer back to the City Centre by private transfer for the flight to Danang (Departure time after 17:30).
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch.
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Da Nang
Day 5: Danang – Hoi An Ancient Town
This morning, your tour begins in Da Nang. You’ll start by exploring the Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son), a cluster of five limestone hills. Here, you’ll discover hidden caves, intricate sculptures, and enjoy panoramic views from the top. Next, you’ll drive along the scenic coast to the Son Tra Peninsula to visit Linh Ung Pagoda, home to the magnificent Lady Buddha statue. The morning continues with a fun trip to Cam Thanh coconut village. Here, you’ll learn how to row a traditional bamboo basket boat and try your hand at catching crabs along the tranquil, palm-fringed waterways. After lunch at a local restaurant, this afternoon is dedicated to discovering Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. On a guided walking tour, you’ll explore its charming streets and see key landmarks like the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, a historic Old House, and a beautifully preserved Chinese Assembly Hall. The town is also a shopper’s paradise, perfect for finding unique souvenirs. As evening falls, the magic of Hoi An comes alive. You’ll take a gentle boat ride on the Hoai River, releasing a paper lantern for good luck and watching as hundreds of others float by. The town, illuminated by colorful lanterns, creates an unforgettable atmosphere. You will then be transferred back to your hotel in Da Nang for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Da Nang
Day 6: Full Day Ba Na Hills – Golden Bridge
After breakfast, you will journey to the spectacular Ba Na Hills, a mountain resort known for its stunning views and French-inspired architecture. You’ll ascend the mountain via one of the world’s most impressive cable car systems, enjoying breathtaking views of the lush landscape below. Your first stop is the world-famous Golden Bridge. Seemingly held aloft by two giant stone hands, this incredible walkway offers majestic, panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. You can also explore the beautiful Le Jardin D’amour flower gardens, a historic French wine cellar, and the serene Linh Ung Pagoda located nearby. A buffet lunch will be served at a restaurant on the mountain. Afterward, you’ll have free time to unleash your inner child at Fantasy Park, a large indoor amusement park with a wide variety of fun games and rides. In the late afternoon, you will take the cable car back down the mountain. Your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Da Nang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Da Nang
Day 7: Danang - Fly to Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
Free at your leisure until you get on a private transfer to Danang Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh Airport, take a half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels, 75 km Northwest of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, which were once a major underground hideout and resistance base of Viet Cong forces during the two wars against the French and later on Americans. The tunnels, entirely hand-dug, formed a highly intricate network of interlinked multilevel passageways at times stretched as far as the Cambodian border and totaling over 120 km in length. Its complexity was beyond imagination containing meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches and emergency exits all aimed for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and strong enough to withstand destructive bombings and self-contained enough to outlast prolonged sieges. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 8: Full Day My Tho (Mekong Delta) – Can Tho
Your day begins with a journey south to the Mekong Delta, the vibrant “rice bowl” of Vietnam. Upon arrival in My Tho, you will board a motorboat to explore the bustling canals. As you cruise past lush islands, you’ll get a close-up view of daily life on the water. Your first stop is Unicorn Island, where you’ll wander through fruit orchards, taste fresh seasonal fruits, and enjoy traditional Southern Vietnamese music performed by local artists. The journey continues into Ben Tre province, famous for its coconuts. Here, you’ll visit a local family’s workshop to see how they make coconut candy by hand. Next, you’ll stop at a bee farm to taste fresh honey and honey tea. In the afternoon, you will journey onward to Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta, a drive of about 2.5 hours. After checking in to your hotel, the evening is free for you to relax or explore the bustling night market on your own.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Can Tho
Day 9: Can Tho – Chau Doc
Begins with a boat trip from Ninh Kieu wharf to explore the lively waterways of Can Tho. As you cruise, you’ll see bustling local life along the riverbanks, from traditional fishing methods to the constant flow of transport boats. The main destination is the famous Cai Rang floating market, the largest in the Mekong Delta. Here, you’ll witness a vibrant scene of commerce on the water, where vendors use a traditional ‘offering pole’ - a tall bamboo stick with a sample of their goods attached—to advertise what they’re selling from their boats. After soaking in the market’s energy, your boat will venture into smaller, more peaceful canals. This is a wonderful chance to see the authentic Southern countryside up close before you cruise back to the pier. After returning to shore, begin your journey to Chau Doc, a drive of about 3 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Chau Doc
Day 10: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh By Speedboat – City Tour
This morning, a private transfer will take you to the pier where you’ll board a speedboat for the scenic journey to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Welcome to the “Pearl of Asia”! Upon your arrival in the early afternoon, our guide and driver will greet you at the pier and escort you to a local restaurant for lunch. Afternoon, you will journey outside the city to confront Cambodia’s tragic past. The tour includes a reflective visit to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, a former orchard that became a place of execution during the Khmer Rouge regime. You will walk through the quiet fields and see the memorial stupa, a poignant tribute housing the skulls of victims. The tour continues back in the city at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, formerly a school that was tragically converted into the notorious S-21 prison. Then will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the evening is at your leisure to relax and reflect.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Phnom Penh
Day 11: Phnom Penh Half-day Tour - Siem Reap Highlights (Land transfer)
After breakfast, take a half-day tour to explore the key landmarks of Phnom Penh. Your tour begins at the magnificent Royal Palace complex, which still serves as the royal residence. Inside its walls, you’ll visit the stunning Silver Pagoda, named for the thousands of gleaming silver tiles that cover its floor. Next, you’ll visit Wat Phnom, a peaceful temple set on a small hill that marks the legendary founding place of the city. Afterwards, you will begin your scenic overland journey to Siem Reap, a drive of approximately 6 hours. The journey takes you through beautiful Cambodian countryside with a couple of fascinating stops along the way. First is a visit to Skun, famously known as ‘Spider Village,’ where deep-fried tarantula is a local delicacy for the adventurous traveler. You will also stop at Kompong Kdei to see the impressive Spean Prahtos, an ancient and beautifully preserved Angkorian bridge built over 1,000 years ago. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will be transferred to your hotel to check in and relax.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap
Day 12: Siem Reap city tour
Discover the world’s wonder site of Angkor Wat. The magnificent temple was built in the 12th century and is the largest religious monument in the world. Then move on to Angkor Thom Ancient City: Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of Leper King, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, and Bayon with its captivating stone faces. Continues to explore Preah Khan, which was built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII and originally designed for medical purposes. The site was built in the second half of the 12th Century, according to tradition, on a spot where the King fought a crucial battle against the Cham. Move to Tomb Raider fame, Ta Prom Temple. Enjoy the view of the Sunset at Bakheng Hill.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap
Day 13: Siem Reap - Departure
Have breakfast at the hotel before you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Rooms are at your disposal until noon time only.
Meals: Breakfast
16 Days Vietnam Echoes and Shores
16 Days Vietnam Echoes and Shores
SEE COMPLETE ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to Vietnam! After you exit the aircraft, an airport representative will greet you with a signboard showing your name. Our guide and chauffeur will greet you and transfer you to the hotel to check in. Feel free to let the guide know if you need to stop along the way for currency exchange or visiting a convenience store. Saigon (officially Ho Chi Minh City) is a bustling metropolis of the South and the economic muscle of Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, it was the main base center of the US military with the largest airport in the region. Prior to that, it was under French colonial rule and was an Asian hub of sea trade. The city is based in the Mekong River Delta region – the rice basket of Southeast Asia and where many exotic fruits are cultivated. Full of history and culture, Saigon will certainly be an interesting visit.
Meal: None
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2: Full Day Cai Be Handicrafts – An Binh Island – Vinh Long
Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 5:30pm. Morning, our tour guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby and transfer you to Cai Be. The program will start with a quick visit of Cai Be town & the ancient church from the boat. Then, we'll come to Tân Phong Island for the rowing boat. They will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time under the shade of mangrove trees. Stop at local garden to enjoy some fruits with hot tea when listening to the traditional music. Then, start the biking trip on village paths to see the local daily life: orchard, school, church, pagoda, traditional houses... On the way, we can make some stops to see how they wave the dried water-hyacinth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, shoes... (You can walk, but see less). Back to our boat to go across one of the longest rivers in the world, Mekong River, to come to An Bình Island. Travel on the handmade canal to Ut Trinh home & have lunch at this traditional house. After lunch, we can walk in the local village to visit the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice... Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea. Visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. The cruise will end at the new boat station of Vinh Long city! Then, you transfer back to Saigon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels - War Remnants Museum - Fine Arts Museum
Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 5:00pm. Experience a historical adventure underground as you explore the Cu Chi Tunnels today. After breakfast at the hotel, your private tour guide and chauffeur will pick you up and take you to the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh. There, you'll discover the amazing tunnel systems that the guerrillas used to fight in the Vietnam War. You'll see the various weapons on display and learn how the guerrillas survived and resisted the enemy in the war. You'll also get to see how they built an impressive underground network that stretched for more than 200 kilometers, and hear stories and facts about the Vietnam War from your tour guide. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try shooting some of the guns used in the war at a nearby firing range (extra charges apply). Then, you'll have the opportunity to see how rice paper and coconut candy are made, and taste some of the local delicacies. You'll enjoy jasmine tea and a boiled cassava root snack, which was a common food for the guerrillas during the war. You'll head back to Ho Chi Minh for your second stop on the Bourdain Trail - to experience traditional Cơm Niêu (regular rice) and Com Dap (red rice). It's a crisp rice pilaf baked in clay pots, which must be broken open to serve. Lunch will include a Corn and Crab Soup, Thit Kho - a classic braised pork dish in a caramelized sauce, Ga Xao Gung - a simple stir-fried chicken dish with ginger, and Bo Sot Tieu Den - a tender beef dish with black pepper sauce. In the afternoon, you'll visit the War Remnants Museum and the Fine Arts Museum. The War Remnants Museum showcases the impact and consequences of the war on the Vietnamese people, with exhibits of photographs, artifacts, and weapons. You'll see the effects of Agent Orange, napalm, and other chemical weapons, as well as the atrocities committed by the US and South Vietnamese forces. The Fine Arts Museum displays the works of Vietnamese artists, from ancient to contemporary times. You'll see sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and textiles that reflect the culture and history of Vietnam. You'll also learn about the challenges and opportunities that the Vietnamese art sector faces in the present and future.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 4: Flight to Hue - Hue Imperial Citadel - Dinner at Park Royal
In the late morning, you will transfer by flight to Hue. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport.
Approximate Schedule: 1:30pm – 6:00pm. Then our guide 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 10 km 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 could only 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. Then, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in.
Approximate Schedule: 7:00pm – 9:00pm. In the evening, transfer to Royal Park restaurant to enjoy a Hue Royal Cuisine experience: guests can enjoy a fine dining experience with specialties such as nem công (peacock spring rolls), chả phụng (phoenix-shaped patties), royal-style sticky rice, and a variety of soups and desserts once reserved only for royalty. The atmosphere is often enhanced by traditional music, royal costumes, and elegant decoration, giving visitors the feeling of dining like kings and queens.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hue
Day 5: Hue Tombs and Palaces by bicycle
Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 4:00pm. Morning, after breakfast at your hotel, start riding a bike to Khai Dinh tomb. On the way, stop to take some photos on countryside scenery. When reaching Khai Dinh Tomb, start exploring the building which itself is far more elaborately designed than others of its era, being a mix of a number of architectural styles. The tomb is of a rectangular structure leaning against Chau Chu Mountain in the outskirts of Hue. The side walls are formed by the biggest sculptures of dragons in all of Vietnam. The tomb is home to an imperial audience court, featuring a reinforced concrete steel monument, as well as twelve stone statues representing bodyguards. Close to the top floor is the Khai Thanh Palace, featuring intricately designed glass and porcelain decorations on the walls. The ceiling of the palace is decorated with nine intricate dragons. The rear room of the palace is home to a temple containing Khai Dinh's grave, an altar to him as well as a statue of his likeness. After visiting Khai Dinh tomb, continue to ride to Tu Duc tomb, road is rough, but surely it will bring you fun experiences and mix with local life and nature. After 15 minutes, biking you will arrive at Tu Duc Tomb. While Khai Dinh's Tomb is noteworthy for its ornate extravagance, Emperor Tu Duc's tomb showcases a traditional elegance and many view it to be the most beautiful of Hue's royal tombs. Designed by Tu Duc himself, he is said to have preferred spending time in these serene grounds than at the palace. Lunch at local restaurant before riding to another famous imperial tomb of Hue - Minh Mang tomb. It is about 5km from Tu Duc tomb. Minh Mang tomb is a standard architectural complex consisting of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, pavilions, etc.) designed on a symmetric axis running from Dai Hong gate to the foot of La Thanh (Surrounding Wall) behind the Emperor's tomb. End the tour and return to Hue.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hue
Day 6: Road trip to Danang - Hoi An Ancient Town at dusk
Your tour guide will assist with checking you out of your hotel, and then you'll be transferred by vehicle for a scenic ride along the mountain coasts of Vietnam. This will take approximately 2.5 hours to arrive at your hotel in Danang. Start by riding through the mountains, valleys, countryside, and shorelines where you'll find numerous breathtaking scenes. Feel free to request your driver to stop for photos along the way. Then you'll continue to a summit where the clouds will meet you. In Chinese, the summit is referred to as 'Where the Clouds Meet the Ocean.' After you cross the summit, you'll approach a steep and narrow descent 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.
As you reach the base, you'll travel alongside the beaches of Da Nang where you'll see hundreds of traditional fishing boats scattered out along the water with beautiful mountains lining the horizon. Your tour guide and driver will escort you to your hotel for check-in.
Approximate Schedule: 3:00pm – 6:30pm. In the afternoon, transfer with our guide to 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. Then you'll briefly visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century which features China's influence in the region. You'll continue through the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors and more. You'll take a stroll through the Old Tam Ky House to see its imperial styles meshed with French overtures. Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. You'll then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge has connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway for centuries. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years. At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as old colorful lanterns light up the town. After you've finished the tour, return to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Da Nang
Day 7: Agent Orange Hospital visit - My Son Cham Ruins
Rise early to visit a local hospital in Da Nang dedicated to the victims of Agent Orange, where we will donate some soup for the survivors on your behalf. Feel free to pack some second-hand paperback children's books, which can be donated to their library. Then stop for breakfast at a local restaurant to try out Cao Lau. Cao Lau is a noodle dish that features thick and chewy rice noodles, sliced pork, fresh herbs and a thin gravy. The noodles are made by one family in Hoi An with a secret recipe passed down through many generations – requiring water from a specific well, lye solution from the ash of trees that come from a certain island nearby, and rice flower, which gives them a very distinct texture and flavor. Continue to My Son Holy Land, a UNESCO Heritage site and Vietnam's most important Cham site. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views lay the 1,100 years old My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden from living or development. The ruins lay in a beautiful surrounding mountainous landscape. You'll enter the temples while our guide gives you the history and stories of the Cham and the ruins they left behind. Afterward, you'll watch an Apsara show nearby the site, passed through the Cham tradition. The show features live music and colorful costumes. Return to the hotel for the rest of the day at leisure.
Stop for lunch with the guide to stop at a Bourdain favorite - Banh Mi Phuong is a famous sandwich shop in Hoi An, Vietnam, that serves crispy and delicious banh mi with various fillings. You can choose from pork, chicken, beef, cheese, egg, or vegetarian options, and enjoy the fresh and flavorful combination of meat, pate, pickled vegetables, and herbs in a soft and crunchy baguette.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Da Nang
Day 8: Leisure Day
Today is at your leisure to enjoy the resort facilities or explore on your own. Feel free to take the hotel shuttle to explore Hoi An Ancient Town for some custom lanterns which are famed in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Da Nang
Day 9: Flight to Hanoi - Transfer to Ha Long - Emerald Isles of Lan Ha Bay
In the early morning, you will transfer by flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport. Then you will transfer to the Heritage Line's welcome lounge at the Tuan Chau Marina. You will take a quick speedboat transfer to the luxurious floating home before starting your unique journey of exploring one of the wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay and its main Island of Cat Ba. Enjoy your lunch which is served in the ship's nearly 360-degree light-flooded restaurant. Their live cooking in the open kitchen is a one of a kind experience – enjoy the culinary display along with fantastic panoramic views of the passing scenery. Relax on the terrace deck or on your private balcony and soak in the enchanting aura which emanates from the surreal seascape. Enjoy some unique facilities on board. Take a plunge in the pool with infinity-like vistas or get pampered with a selection of fine treatments and massages in the spa area of the ship. As the cruise reaches the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, you will hop on bicycles (e-cart transfers are also available) for leisure pedaling along small paved roads towards the Viet Hai Village. Little has changed in Viet Hai since the ancestors of the 80 households settled here centuries ago. Situated in a valley within the Cat Ba National Park and surrounded on all sides by thick forests and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island's other villages and towns. The only access is via sea. The community is self-sufficient, as the residents provide for themselves by cultivating vegetables and fruits in the next-door fields, growing rice of cause in the valley, and going fishing out in the bay. This is a truly unique and authentic opportunity to meet local inhabitants and experience their local daily life. You have a glimpse of local households and see how they make medicine organically from tree bark. Try various homemade liquors if you fancy. Back on board, you'll join a cooking demonstration to learn a few Vietnamese culinary secrets with the chef in the restaurant's big open kitchen (or any other alternative onboard activity). After dinner, you may enjoy watching the stars from the sundeck, watching a movie in the restaurant, or giving night squid fishing a try with the staff (subject to seasonal availability).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on cruise in Lan Ha Bay
Day 10: Sunrise at Lan Ha Bay - Hanoi Private Street food tour
Rise early for one of the best sunrises in the world. Then head to the sundeck for an invigorating Tai Chi session amongst a picture-perfect backdrop of karsts, sea, and nature. Coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries await in the dining room to start the day. It is time to lift anchors and continue with the cruise to a place called "Frog Lake", a secluded area which is perfect for your energetic morning excursion. Go for a refreshing swim in the bay or explore this captivating marine landscape via kayak. The cliffs stretch vertically out of the water and you feel a sense of freedom while paddling through this labyrinth of jade-green water, rocks, and vivid tree-topped islets. Back on board and enjoy a hearty breakfast while cruising back. Bid the crew farewell and then transfer to Hanoi.
Approximate Schedule: 3:00pm – 6:00pm. Start the afternoon with the latest craze in Hanoi: Egg Coffee at the original cafe where it began – Cafe Giang (for the less adventurous, other drink options are available). Soak up the local life of Hanoi from your seat while enjoying a pleasant chat. After your cups are dry, begin your walking tour of the Hanoi Old Quarter. Our guide will entertain you with a commentary about the history of the "36 Old Streets and Guilds". Throughout the afternoon, you'll stop to try some excellent Vietnamese street food which may include Pho Cuon (grilled beef and fresh herbs wrapped in rice noodles), Ngo Chien (crispy sweet corn), Bun Cha (BBQ pork in fish sauce with rice noodles, fresh herbs and spring rolls), Nem Cuon (fresh spring rolls) or some other popular Vietnamese dishes. During the afternoon, you will also visit a local market to see how vendors display their produce, meat, and foodstuffs. Finish the walking tour at Hoan Kiem Lake, a calm lagoon with an old stone tower on an island in the center. Return to the hotel for leisure time.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 11: Hanoi Highlights - Leisure
Approximate Schedule: 8:30am – 12:30pm. In the morning, you'll be transferred to see the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This 1,400-year-old temple features ten tiers surrounded by gardens and which also hosts a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat. Next, you'll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water. Then you'll enjoy a half hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter in Hanoi. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist escorts you while you sit in a seat affixed to the front with a canopy over top.
Next, you'll visit the One Pillar Pagoda - a pagoda situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the middle of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a 9th century emperor who saw it in a dream and regarded this as divine inspiration to recreate the structure in the vision. You'll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before visiting the highlight of this tour - The Temple of Literature. This ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius teachings. After the tour, you will return to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 12: Flight To Phu Quoc
Today, you'll transfer by flight to Phu Quoc. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Phu Quoc
Day 13: Relax On The Beach
Today is at your leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the beach of Phu Quoc on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Phu Quoc
Day 14: Relax On The Beach
Today is at your leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the beach of Phu Quoc on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Phu Quoc
Day 15: Relax On The Beach
Today is at your leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the beach of Phu Quoc on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Phu Quoc
Day 16: Flight To Saigon - Farewell!
Today, our guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Saigon to catch your flight back home and bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!
Meal: Breakfast