Welcome to Vietnam!

Meet & greet: Upon arrival at airport, you will be welcomed to Vietnam by your private English-speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel. Early check-in at your hotel is subject to availability on arrival.

Suggested evening Water Puppet show: Water Puppetry is a traditional and unique Vietnamese Art. This highly entertaining form of theatre uses the water surface as stage. Standing waist-deep in the water, the master puppeteers are hidden behind a bamboo screen. The technical virtuosity of the puppeteers is startling and the music enticing. The entire atmosphere is truly enchanting. Many of the brief episodes relate to scenes of the daily life. (The water puppet show is not included in your itinerary but can be arranged by your guide and paid for locally).

Highlights: Arrival and welcome
None
Overnight in Hanoi at your selected hotel

Remark: Some museums & Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi will be closed on Mondays and Fridays. City tour today is not included visiting inside the Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum

Morning tour of Hanoi & cyclo tour of the Old Quarter: Start the tour of Hanoi with a visit to Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a relic complex associated with the history of Thang Long – Dong Kinh citadel and Hanoi province starting from the pre-Thang Long period (An Nam invaded in 17th century) through Dinh – Tien Le period. thriving under the Ly, Tran, Le dynasties and Hanoi citadel under the Nguyen dynasty.This is a huge architectural work, built by the kings in many historical periods and became the most important monument in the system of Vietnamese monuments. Following we will pass by the Soviet style Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh read out the declaration of the nation’s independence in 1945.

Afterwards you will visit the ancient Temple of Literature which was built in the 11th century and was the first university established in Vietnam. End the day by enjoying a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. The best way to explore the picturesque area of the Old Quarter is by “cyclo” (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi). Also known as the “36 Streets District”, it was once the thriving commercial centre of the city. Each of the 36 short lanes used to specialise in a particular trade represented by one of the guilds.  This is still reflected in the names of certain streets: like Silk Street, Gold Street and Fish Street. Among the ancient homes and attractive temples there is a multitude of tantalising souvenir shops.

After exploring the Old Quarter, option of your choice with going straight to the train street to enjoy egg coffees at a nice shop trackside and experience the unique ambiance. Although train schedules show them to come daily, sometimes they do and sometimes not, so if you’re lucky, you may catch one and experience the huge train passing right in front of your face. When you’re done with the drinks, your guide will take you back your hotel for relaxation.

Afternoon at leisure in Hanoi: This afternoon you have time at leisure to explore the Vietnamese capital independently. Stroll around the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, go shopping in the Old Quarter.

Street food tour of Hanoi: This late afternoon, your guide will take you on a street food tour of Hanoi. Wander about the Old Quarter streets to taste and enjoy aromas from local street food stalls, try some assorted sweet fried fruits and end the trip with dinner at a well-known rustic restaurant, where there is only one dish – grilled fish fillets, smothered in dill and saffron-infused oil, served straight from the frying pan onto your plate. Option of your choice to explore some hidden places to taste the real Hanoi Bia Hoi, a delicious local craft beer. Please note that the detail of this tour is flexible and your guide may make changes to give you the best experience depending on the day.

Highlights: Hanoi city tour with cyclo ride and evening street food tour
Breakfast, dinner
Overnight in Hanoi at your selected hotel

Road journey from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay: This morning (at approximate 08.00am to 08.30am) you will be met at your hotel by your private guide. Then You will be driven through the Red River delta to the coast and the Gulf of Tonkin, where the waters of Ha Long Bay are found, a journey of approximately 3 hours.

Overnight Ha Long cruise: You will arrive in Ha Long around midday, where you will board your deluxe junk where a welcome drink awaits. After a relaxing break, enjoy a delicious seafood lunch while cruising through the magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waters like dragons’ teeth. All activities arranged by the cruise are on a shared basis. After lunch you will explore some of Ha Long Bay’s famous caves and grottos. There will also be the opportunity for swimming on a quiet beach or sunbathing on the sundeck. In the late afternoon there will be an excursion to a local fishing village, and a water tunnel. Return to the boat in time for a pre-dinner drink as the sun is setting. Please note that the cruise itinerary is subject to alteration dependent on sailing conditions.

Highlights: Overnight on bay, swimming
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Sharing on your selected boat in Ha Long/Lan Ha Bay

Morning’s Cruise: Enjoy an early start with Tai Chi on the sundeck, otherwise sleep in until breakfast is served. This morning, you will visit Thien Canh Son Cave – the medium size and less visited cave in Bai Tu Long Bay. After seeing these amazing rock formations return to the quay at Hon Gai in the mid-morning, whilst brunch is served on board. Disembark the junk late this morning.

Road journey from Ha Long back to Hanoi: Travel back by road to Hanoi with sightseeing en route, a journey of approximately 3 hours. Continue to Hanoi airport in time to catch your onward flight to Hue.

Highlights: Tai Chi on board and fly to Hue
Brunch
Overnight in Hue at your selected hotel

Guided tour of Hue city: This morning, stroll around the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City nearby. Modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing by the Nguyen emperors in the early 19th century, the city was badly damaged during the war but the imposing city walls surrounded by a large moat afford good views of Hué. The palace retains a feeling of its past scale and importance, with detailed stonework and pavilions and it is at the moment in the process of being restored to its former magnificence. Following, we will take a short walk through the beautiful garden home complex of Phu Mong (Kim Long) and stop by a local home for tea-break and possible interaction with local family before visit one of the Royal Mausoleums in Hue, the final resting places of the Nguyen Emperors, which are dotted around the hills surrounding the south bank of the Perfume River. End the day with stop by Thien Mu Pagoda, sitting on the riverbank outside the city, this octagonal seven tier stupa has long been regarded as the symbol of Hué and was founded in 1601. It is still a site of Buddhist worship and its huge bell is said to be audible from the city.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon is time at leisure to relax at your hotel or explore Hue city and surrounding area independently.

Home hosted Dinner at local residence: Early this evening, we will visit a special residence in Hue where you can learn from the family members how they bring the essence of the Royal ambiance and culture into their home. It is built in royal architectural style, located on the most beautiful site of the Perfume River, and conceptually designed as an East West cultural meeting place. The owners will welcome you personally for tea-break and following by home hosted dinner. The soirée as the highlight of the evening will unfold in the ambience of the Theatre House, set up with the repertoire and accompanied by the traditional instrument ensemble interpreting Ca Hue Royal Chamber Songs, World lullabies, Vietnamese Art Songs, Folksongs and Western Classical Songs. Your meals is included music Récital in royal architecture, painting exhibition and refreshment.

Highlights: Explore Hue city and home hosted dinner
Breakfast and dinner
Overnight in Hue at your selected hotel

Road journey from Hue to Hoi An: This morning, you will be driven south, along highway 1, to Hoi An, a journey of approximately 3 hours. Soon the highway meets the Hai Van Pass (meaning Pass of the Ocean Clouds). There are some spectacular vista points and photo opportunities en-route as the Truong Son Mountain range cuts across the narrow centre of the country. The mountain range has created a barrier to the cold airstreams from the north which often results in thick cloudbanks over the peaks. The pass has been a strategic military focal point during Vietnam’s turbulent history and from the top there are views of the curve of Danang Bay.  Then, continue transfer to Hoi An and check in your hotel and relaxation.

Afternoon Hoi An walking tour: You will enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town center including temples, old houses, pagodas and the Japanese-covered Bridge to introduce an insight of Hoi An architecture/ history as well as the restoration plan being implemented by UNESCO. Free on your own to explore this ancient town and the colorful market with its stalls brimming with tropical specialties. The market is a good place to buy silk, which can be made upon into fine garments, all within a day. The remainder of the day is free at leisure for your own time of shopping or hanging around.

Highlights: Moving to Hoi An and walking tour
Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An at your selected hotel

Morning guided tour to My Son sanctuary: Considered one of the best-preserved Cham centers in Vietnam, My Son is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the 2nd to the 13th century. The one-hour drive in the morning will bring you to My Son where there are 20 monuments still standing today, set in a verdant valley surrounded by hills and overlooked by massive Cat’s Tooth Mountain. Stroll around the temple complex to learn about the Cham culture, architecture and civilization before coming back to Hoi An before noon.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon is time at leisure to relax at your hotel or explore Hue city and surrounding area independently.

Highlights: My Son Sanctuary
Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An at your selected hotel

Day at leisure: Today is at leisure to explore the charming tour of Hoi and surrounding area independently or relax at the nearby beach. Tours and excursions can be arranged locally, including cycle in some beautiful countryside, a day trip out to see the famous ruins at My Son sanctuary or see your tailor for a second fitting.

Highlights: Free day
Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An at your selected hotel

Private transfer: At approximate time this morning, you will be pick up at your hotel by your guide and then be transferred to Da Nang airport for your flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, meet with your guide and transfer to your hotel for check in.

Afternoon guided of Saigon city: This afternoon your guide will take you to Flower Market and Cholon, Saigon’s Chinatown District. Wander the markets, shops and pagodas. See various herb stores and get an insight into traditional medicine. Then, visit the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda and the Khmer Market. Afterward, let our guide take you off track to try some of Saigon’s famous iced coffee whilst our guide will take you on a walking tour of Saigon’s former colonial quarter, which boasts Notre Dame Basilica, Gustave Effeil’s Central Post Office. Meander along Dong Khoi (former Catinat street) and Nguyen Hue streets to get a great view of famous city hall in Saigon. Then, visit the former Presidential Palace, and War Remnants Museum.

Highlights: Fly to Saigon and city tour
Breakfast
Overnight in Saigon at your selected hotel

Guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai Holy See: Enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Cu Chi district you will experience the underground tunnels of Cu Chi which were created by Viet Cong guerrilla fighters, during the long long years of wars with America. After seeing this fascinating ‘war memorial’ drive for another hour and half towards Tay Ninh where you will visit the incredible Cao Dai Great Temple. This famous temple is a marked contrast to the Cu Chi Tunnels and has architecture that could have come straight from a Walt Disney fantasy and offers a place where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious cocktail. Lunch will be taken in a simple restaurant nearby and you will then drive back to Saigon in afternoon (arrive in Saigon at around 16:30 PM, depending on traffic conditions).

Highlights: Cao Dai Holy See and Cu Chi tunnels
Breakfast
Overnight in Saigon at your selected hotel

Guided cycling tour to Mekong Delta/ Ben tre: This morning you will be met at your hotel and head one and half hours southwest of Saigon and along the way notice lush rice paddies and fruit farms emerging alongside the highway. Upon arrival Ben Tre, we will take a short walk through a local village to enjoy the landscape of local houses and gardens. Then we board the charming wooden boat sailing across the Mekong Rivers. Our first stop at Coconut Garden, enjoy fresh coconut juice and visit local coconut processing operation. Our ride begins by exploring Huu Dinh village (approx. 4 kilometers), including stop at a brick making factory, where the locals still use centuries-old traditional methods to make the bricks by hand. Crossing to the other side of the river by a hand-rowing sampan, which takes you through narrow canals under a green canopy of water-coconut trees to catch a glimpse of the daily activities of the local people. We will stop to visit a local house where their family lives on fishing, shrimp trapping and farming. The owner will welcome you personally for tropical fruits and honey tea-break.

Afterward, you will get on a rickshaw motorcycle riding on narrow village roads to enjoy the lush surroundings of rice paddies and fruit farms alongside. Return back your boat and take you to a nice local restaurant for lunch, offering Mekong Delta specialties. After Lunch, continue your leisure cycling to nearby village to visit another local house to learn the fascinating process of rice wine making. Lastly, a memorable visit to house of a former Vietcong soldier, who survived two years fighting the Khmer Rouge in Phnom Penh. Today, he and his wife live on making rice paper. Have a chat with him and enjoy the crispy rice paper made by his wife and see how it is made. After the visit, re-embark your boat to ride back to the pier in Ben Tre for disembarkation and drive back to Saigon.

Highlights: Full day tour to Mekong Delta including cycling
Breakfast and lunch
Overnight in Saigon at your selected hotel

Morning at leisure: This morning is at leisure in Saigon to explore independently and hunt for souvenirs. You will have to check out of your room at noon time and then be transferred to the airport for your departure flight home. **note: check out time at your hotel is at 12:00pm.

Highlights: Ends of your trip in Vietnam
Breakfast

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