Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Our representative/tour guide will meet and greet you at the airport in Hanoi City, the capital city of Vietnam, is an elegant city located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Restored Sword Lake at its heart. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Much of the city was transformed by the French when it became a French protectorate in the 1880s and there are wide boulevards and large colonial buildings which are now home to government departments and foreign embassies. Transferring to your hotel in the city center to refresh. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi City.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tours (B)
This comprehensive day tour takes in all of Hanoi's essential sites. In the morning we will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and historical presidential relics and then the Temple of Literature nearby. Afterwards we head to Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the Hoan Kiem Lake and dates back to the 13th century. The lake itself is a picturesque focal point of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike. In the afternoon, we will visit Museum of Ethnology, widely acknowledged as the best in the country which houses a display dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic minority peoples. Then we will take 1 hour by cyclo ride through Hanoi's Old Quarters to experience daily life of people who are living in the oldest parts of the city, Enjoying the famous traditional water puppetry show in Thang Long Theatre where you will have chance to get a general picture of the daily activities typical to Vietnam's rural areas. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Morning depart for Halong Bay, we go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3, 000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. Stay overnight on the Junk Cruise.
Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue (B, L)
Waking up and enjoy the sun rising over the Bay. After breakfast, visit beautiful limestone grotto then back to the boat for a final glimpse of the Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock and our van will pick you up at the pier and transfer back to Hanoi and then go to the airport to catch flight to Hue. Pick up and transfer upon arrival to Hue. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Hue Touring (B, L)
Hue served as Vietnam's capital under the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945 and the city’s regal past can still be seen inside the walls of the Citadel and the Imperial City. Both were heavily damaged during the Tet Offensive of 1968 when the Hue served as Vietnam's capital under the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945 and the city’s regal past can still be seen inside the walls of the Citadel and the Imperial City. Touring the ancient Imperial Citadel and visit Thien Mu, a beautiful pagoda located right on the bank of Perfume River. Then we will drive through countryside and visit Tu Duc and Khai Dinh Royal tombs. Back to Hotel and the rest of time at your own leisure. Overnight in Hue.
Day 6: Hue - Hoi An (B, L)
This morning we drive to Hoi An, we will cross Hai Van Pass where you will have magnificent view of the China Sea. Stop at Lang Co to have break. Visit the fascinating Cham Museum, famous China Beach and the Marble Mountains en route to charming Hoi An. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. At leisure for the rest of time. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Day 7: Hoi An Touring (B)
In the morning, you will enjoy a walking tour with first stop is the bustling fish and vegetable market and then we will go through the Old Quarters to see the town's landmarks of Japanese Covered Bridge, ancient Assembly Hall, Phuc Kien Temple and then we take a river trip and you will enjoy the scenery along the Thu Bon River and the general view of Hoi An Ancient Town. It transforms itself at night, when many of the shops hang lanterns outside. We will transfer you back to the town and rest of time at your own leisure. Hoi An is well know for souvenir shopping with great prices and also famous for its large number of tailor shops, so if you want to get a cloth tailor made to measure, this is the time to do it. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: At leisure (B)
Free at leisure to relax at the beach or make your own exploration to the town for shopping. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Day 9: Hoi An - Saigon (B)
Free at leisure until transferring to Danang airport to take flight to Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam's largest city has an exciting buzz as millions of people rush around on their daily business. The tour guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer to hotel to refresh for a while and today you will visit all interesting sites and landmarks in Saigon City. First stop is Notre Dame Catholic Cathedral and short visit to French built Post Office nearby, and then we will proceed to see the Reunification Palace, formerly the Presidential Palace governed by the US-pro government of Republic of Vietnam. Touring the building and then we will visit the War Remnants Museum, which primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War. Overnight at hotel in Saigon City.
Day 10: Saigon - Vinh Long - Cai Be (B, L)
We will start the trip at 07: 30 am and head for Vinh Long province. Boarding our beautiful traditional boat. This five hour river cruise takes you through Vietnam’s most productive agricultural area. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of coconut palms, sugar-cane groves and fruit orchards from the vessel as you head to the Cai Be floating market. Here you can cruise through the colourful barges full of fruits and vegetables and then proceed to local home factories such as rice paste making, rice pop corn, coco candies, and longans drying processing. The trip continues along the Mekong canals to Dong Hoa Hiep Island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. Along the way you will find the local people engaged in their daily tasks and see brightly coloured Khemer pagodas. Stops on the way can be made upon request for particular visits or photos making. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people. Arrive at La Residence de Phu An resort where you will be welcomed and served Vietnamese culinary delights. You will then walk along a narrow canal to an air-conditioned vehicle that will transport you to Can Tho. Stay at hotel in Can Tho for a night.
Day 11: Can Tho - Saigon (B, L)
Design your day tour with 3 options as follow
Option 1 (Bird Watching): Experience the variety of life of the Mekong Delta. Visit the bamboo basket handicraft village and admire the natural beauty of the countryside environment. Discover a vintage rice mill and finally come face to face with thousands of birds at the Thot Not bird sanctuary, one of the wonders of South Vietnam!
Option 2 (Biking Mekong Delta): Depart from the Hotel jetty on a traditional boat with bicycles on board. Cross the Hau river, then cruise on Cai Von canal and stop over for the visit of an incense making community.
Continuing by boat you will arrive at a tiny village. Finally, start biking through the lush countryside. It's really a big challenge on the rough trails and dikes along immense rice fields. On this trip you can experience a lot of rustic charms and the simplicity of farmers' life: funny monkey bridges, water buffalos, duck keepers, fishermen and more.
Option 3 (Cooking Tour): Take this wonderful opportunity to learn the art of Vietnamese cuisine either at the resort or at some exotic locations such as a rice field, the Binh Thuy ancient house or on our converted traditional rice barge, the Lady Hau. Visit the market first to choose the ingredients and enjoy the lunch you prepared. A gastronomic journey through the culture and history of Vietnam.
Day 12: Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels - Tay Ninh (B)
Depart in the morning to head towards Cao Dai Temple, home to a unique religion combining the disciplines of Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Confucianism, Hinduism and Geniism. The aim of this sect is to achieve a synthesis of all religions. Followers consider Joan of Arc, Rene Descartes, William Shakespeare, Victor Hugo, Winston Churchill and Napoleon Bonaparte their respected saints or spirit intermediaries. You will arrive at the temple in time for the midday service giving you the chance to listen to chanting devotees. The temple’s exterior is decorated with multi-coloured dragons of all shapes and sizes.
After lunch, you will enjoy a scenic drive through idyllic paddy flatlands and countryside. Arrive to Cu Chi tunnels for a fascinating guided tour of this amazing three-floor labyrinth of underground passages stretching a staggering 250kilometres from Saigon to the Cambodian border. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life in war was like.
Day 13: Saigon Departure (B)
Free at leisure until transferring to Tan Son Nhat airport to take departure flight onward. HOME SWEET HOME. End of service.
