An excellent value private tour covering all the principal sights of Vietnam in a short space of time. Highlights include an overnight cruise around Ha Long Bay (or Lan Ha bay) on a yacht to gaze at a natural tranquility, the historic towns of Hue and Hoi An and the two main cities of Hanoi and Saigon. This journey features the selection of the best local boutique-style hotels which are all centrally located, allowing independent exploration of Vietnam’s delightful restaurants.
Welcome to Hanoi/Vietnam!
Meet & greet: Upon arrival at airport, you will be welcomed to Vietnam by a private guide, and then transferred to your hotel. The early check-in is subject to availability on arrival.
Suggested evening Water Puppet show: A unique and captivating experience, showcasing ancient Vietnamese art through water puppetry shows accompanied by live music. With its imaginative designs, talented performers, and festive atmosphere, their performances are many brief episodes related to scenes of daily life.
Highlights: Arrival and welcome
None
Overnight in Hanoi at your selected hotel
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).
End the day by enjoying a cyclo ride (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi) to explore Old Quarter. Following, 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.
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, and sample some of Hanoi’s many culinary delights for dinner.
Highlights: Hanoi city tour with cyclo ride
Breakfast
Overnight in Hanoi at your selected hotel
Road journey from Hanoi to Halong 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 Halong Bay’s famous caves and grottos. There will also be the opportunity for swimming 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.
Highlights: Overnight on bay, swimming
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight 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 Halong 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
Morning guided tour of Hue city: This morning, stroll around the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City nearby. it’s modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing by the Nguyen emperors in the early 19th century. Following, you will 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.
Road journey from Hue to Hoi An: This afternoon, you will be driven south, along Highway 1 to Hoi An, for approximately 3 hours. Soon the highway meets the Hai Van Pass. There are some spectacular vista points that you will witness en route. Arrive in Da Nang, you will continue drive to Hoi An and check in your hotel upon arrival.
This evening is at leisure to explore Hoi An town independently or attending Hoi An Memories Show. Extra tours and excursions can be arranged locally.
Highlights: Moving to Hoi An and walking tour
Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An at your selected hotel
Morning shared cooking class: This morning, you will go to the rural outskirts of Hoi An ancient town to visit vegetable villages and learn the traditional gardening methods and how they cultivate the vegetables. Then arrive at Kumquat restaurant, where you can experience a hands-on cooking class with a renowned chef so that you get to know closely how a way of traditional home-cooked Vietnamese is.
Mid afternoon Hoi An walking tour: Just enjoy as a pedestrian on Hoi An ancient town centre including temples, old houses, and the Japanese-covered Bridge to introduce the insight of Hoi An architecture/ history. Free on your own way to explore the town.
Highlights: Cooking class and walking tour
Breakfast and Lunch
Overnight in Hoi An at your selected hotel
Private transfer: This morning you will be met by your driver and transferred to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Saigon. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the city.
Afternoon guided tour of Saigon city: This afternoon visit Saigon’s historic landmark including the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France. Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. A short drive away is the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the War Remnants Museum for a vivid perspective of the American War through the eyes of the Vietnamese. Experience Saigon’s famed street coffee culture while your guide provides a brief language lesson as well as insights into daily life of a Saigonese before returning to your hotel.
Highlights: Move to Saigon
Breakfast
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.
Highlights: Ends of your trip in Vietnam
Breakfast
End of services
08 Days – 07 Nights
Year round and best time from December to September of next year
Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, and Saigon
Accommodation with daily breakfast in the program *Check-in & Check-out time: generally, check-in time is after 02.00pm and Check-out before 12.00pm (noon). Eerly check-in and late checkout are subject to room availability and may generate additional full rate room rate.
Private cruise in Halong/Lan Ha: **cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change upon weather conditions.
Transportations with guide services: all transfers and transportation on tour by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver and stationed English speaking guide in each city.
Air-tickets as mentioned in the itinerary: REP-HAN, HAN-DAD, DAD-CXR & CXR-SGN (Economy class and included airport taxes, 20-23kg checked luggage and 7-12kg hand luggage).
Entrance fees of the scenic spots as per program
Meals as indicated in the itinerary. Not include drinks in the meals
1 bottle of mineral water (500 ml) per pax on airport pick-up and see-off day
2 bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per pax per tour day
Visas and visa stamping fees
Early check-in or late check-out at all hotels
Meals where not indicated in the program
All drinks
One-way sharing seaplane flight from Hanoi to Ha Long
Other air-tickets and train tickets not mentioned in the program and in the inclusion column
International airport taxes
Overweight luggage
Gratuities/ Tipping to guides, drivers, boatman, bellboys...etc (*we recommend USD5-8 per traveller per day as tips for your guides and USD3-5 for your driver, however you might pay more or less depending on their services)
Travel insurance (*we strongly recommend you to buy full coverage travel insurance from your country of origin in advance)
Personal expenses (such as room services, laundry, optional activities …etc)
Optional tours and extra activities
Other services not mentioned in the program and in the inclusion column
Ready to learn something new before starting a journey in Vietnam!
