Arrive Hanoi

Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Hanoi, known as the “River-bound City,” is Vietnam’s capital, boasting a thousand-year-old history dating back to 1010. The city’s charm lies in its unique cultural relics, ancient streets lined with antique houses, elegant French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and romantic lakes, making it one of the most enchanting cities in Asia.

No meals included.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Full Day City Tour

Start your day with an hour-long cyclo ride around the French Quarter in the heart of Hanoi. Immerse yourself in the nostalgic atmosphere of this area, developed during the French colonial era in the 20th century. The French Quarter’s grid-like structure, elegant colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and hidden alleys have remained largely unchanged, making it a fascinating glimpse into the past.

After your cyclo ride, visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square, significant pilgrimage sites for the Vietnamese. Explore the simple cottage on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked during his early revolutionary days. Then, visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, which offers a comprehensive tribute to his life and legacy. Gain insights into Vietnam’s prewar history at the Governor’s Residence, also known as the Presidential Palace. Despite its grandeur, Ho Chi Minh chose not to live in this opulent structure, opting instead for a traditional Vietnamese stilt house on the grounds. Stop by the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, a unique structure resembling a lotus blossom rising from a pond, and learn about its storied history.

Return to your hotel for some leisure time.

Afternoon:

Continue your exploration at the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. Then, visit Chợ Hôm market, primarily known for its vast selection of fabrics. This bustling market also offers a variety of produce, meats, seafood, and traditional Vietnamese foods. Experience the market like a local and see how Hanoians shop for their daily needs.

After the city tour, visit a unique café hidden in a small alley in the Old Quarter. With 95% of its furniture and decorations made from recycled materials, the café promotes environmental protection and community awareness. Using the principles of “reduce – reuse – recycle,” the café creatively repurposes scraps into tables, chairs, decorative lights, and drinking cups.

Evening:

In the evening, experience one of Vietnam’s unique traditional arts at a Water Puppet show. Originating from rural festivals, this style of theater features artists standing waist-deep in water, manipulating puppets to move, talk, laugh, and dance on the water’s surface. The performances depict typical Vietnamese stories, such as farmers working in paddy fields, water buffalo bathing, courtship scenes, and martial arts displays, delighting the audience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight stay at the hotel in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Halong Overnight on Boat

Depart from Hanoi at 08:30 for a scenic 3.5-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long Bay City. Along the way, you’ll stop for refreshments to break up the journey.

Upon arriving in Halong City, take a tender transfer to your junk boat and set sail through the bay while enjoying a delicious lunch. As you cruise through the magical bay, marvel at the thousands of sculpted limestone islands rising from the waves like dragons’ teeth.

Afternoon:

Later in the afternoon, visit a fishing village where you can interact with fishermen who have lived in the bay for almost three generations. This unique experience will give you a glimpse into their way of life and the traditions they maintain.

Evening:

Back on board, enjoy cocktails or participate in a cooking class while watching the sunset. Later, unwind with a lavish dinner at the onboard restaurant.

After dinner, take part in evening activities such as a movie night, board games, or indulge in a beauty treatment.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included Overnight stay on the cruise.

Halong – Hanoi (Drive) & Hanoi – Danang (By Flight) & Danang – Hoi An (Drive)

Wake up to the soothing sounds of the ocean and enjoy breakfast on board. For early risers, there’s an option to take a Tai Chi class and watch the sunrise over the bay.

After breakfast, visit a beautiful limestone grotto and explore its natural wonders. Then, head back to the junk for a final cruise through Ha Long Bay as you make your way back to the dock.

Disembark at the Cruise Café Lounge and rejoin your private car for the transfer to Hanoi Airport. Board your flight to Da Nang.

Afternoon:

Upon arrival at Da Nang Airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to Hoi An, a journey of about 45 minutes.

Check in at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Meal: Brunch Included Overnight stay at the hotel in Hoi An.

Hoi An – Hue (Drive)

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a half-day city tour of Hoi An.

Take a walking tour around Hoi An, a town recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Once a bustling maritime commercial port of Asia between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An is now a peaceful town with exceptionally well-preserved architecture, lifestyles, and traditions. The town exemplifies a fascinating fusion of cultures between Vietnam and the outside world, including influences from China, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Your sightseeing tour will include:

• The iconic 400-year-old Covered Bridge, with a small temple attached, exemplifying Japanese architecture.
• The Museum of Trade Ceramics, housed in an elegant Vietnamese-style wooden building from 1858, showcasing antique ceramic artifacts.
• The 200-year-old Tan Ky House, representing an ancient Chinese merchant residence.
• Ong Temple, built in 1653 by Chinese settlers to worship Guan Yu, an ancient Chinese general known for loyalty, bravery, and justice.
• The vibrant local market, filled with colors and activities.

Afternoon:

Transfer to Hue. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy some leisure time.

Late Afternoon:

Take a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River, enjoying the open view of the river and the beautiful landscape along the banks. During the cruise, visit Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery overlooking the river from a vantage point, with origins dating back to 1601.

Then transfer by car to Minh Mang Tomb, the burial site of the 2nd Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty.

Conclude your day with a stop for shopping at Dong Ba Market, the city’s traditional commercial center.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight stay at the hotel in Hue.

Hue – Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) (By Flight)

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel, then embark on a half-day tour of Hue City, the former Imperial Capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 and the last refuge of Vietnamese feudalism. The city’s charm lies in its scenic landscape and extensive historical relics.

Your tour will include:

• Hue Citadel: A UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site, this 520-hectare fortress-like complex was built in the early 1800s. It features three enclosures separated by heavy ramparts: Kinh Thanh Hue (Civic City) on the outside, Hoang Thanh (Royal City) in the middle, and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden City) on the inside.

• Khai Dinh Tomb: The burial site of Vietnam’s second-to-last king, this tomb is the most elaborate of all the kings’ tombs, showcasing a vivid European influence in its architecture despite its Asian style.

Afternoon:

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, meet our guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight stay at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnel

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel, then head out for a half-day tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Cu Chi Tunnels:

• Transfer to Cu Chi: Located in the northernmost suburban district of Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels were a major underground hideout and resistance base for Viet Cong forces during the wars against the French and the Americans. This intricate network of hand-dug tunnels stretches over 120 km and includes meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches, and emergency exits.

• Activities at Cu Chi Tunnels:

  • Watch a documentary film introducing the history of the Cu Chi Tunnels.
  • Crawl short distances through the tunnels, experiencing what guerrilla fighters endured. You’ll see a kitchen, living quarters, and a meeting room.
  • Learn about the various types of booby traps used in guerrilla warfare.
  • Visit the weapons room to see how the Viet Cong soldiers made their weapons.
  • For an adventurous experience, visit the shooting range to fire a real AK-47 (bullet costs are not included).

Afternoon:

Half-Day City Tour:

• War Remnants Museum: Delve into Vietnam’s war history with the French and Americans. The museum features a comprehensive collection of machinery, weapons, and photos from the Vietnamese perspective, including tributes to journalists, civilians, and soldiers lost during the war.

• Reunification Palace: Also known as the Independence Palace, this was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until the end of April 1975. It was here that the Vietnam War ended when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates.

• Drive Past the Former American Embassy: Visit the site where Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc self-immolated on June 11, 1963, sparking significant protests that led to the fall of President Diem’s regime.

• Ben Thanh Market: A centrally located covered market offering a variety of souvenirs and a chance to relax with a cup of Vietnamese coffee.

Late Afternoon:

• Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica: Visit this neo-Roman cathedral built over 130 years ago by the French with materials imported from Marseilles.

• Saigon Central Post Office: Designed and built by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel in the early 20th century.

• Cholon (China Town): Explore the city’s China Town and visit the Jade Emperor Temple (Phuoc Hai), a rare Taoist structure in Vietnam dedicated to the Lord of Heaven.

After the tour, check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight stay at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Ho Chi Minh – Mekong delta – Ben Tre – Can Tho (Drive)

After breakfast at the hotel, depart at 08:00 AM for a 2-hour drive to Ben Tre. Upon arrival at Hung Vuong Pier, board a boat to explore the Ben Tre River, one of the tributaries of the Mekong River. As you cruise along, witness lively morning activities such as fishing and coconut cargo boats on the river.

Activities in Ben Tre:

• Traditional Brickwork: Stop to see how bricks are made by hand at a traditional brickwork facility.
• My Long Village: Continue by boat to My Long village and walk through the hamlet to see rice paper being made. Enjoy some fresh rice cakes.
• Cai Son Canal: Navigate the canal winding through a coconut jungle, visit a coconut workshop, and learn about the stages of coconut processing from husking to peeling by hand.
• Coconut Candy Mill: Stop at a coconut candy mill, enjoy some fresh fruits, honey tea, and listen to local music.

Midday:

• Farmer’s House: Take a short walk to visit a local farmer’s house where sleep mats are made.
• Cycling or Tuk Tuk Ride: Cycle along rural tracks or drive a tuk tuk through coconut groves and vegetable fields (such as cucumber and bitter melon).
• Rowing Boat: Continue by rowing boat along a shady palm tree canal and stop for lunch at a riverside restaurant.

Afternoon:

• Return to Hung Vuong Pier: Boat back to Hung Vuong Pier by motorboat.
• Transfer to Can Tho: In the late afternoon, drive to Can Tho. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight stay at the hotel in Can Tho.

Cantho – Ho Chi Minh (Drive)

Ho Chi Minh – Mui Ne (Drive)

Mui Ne

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel.

Rest of the Day:

Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the beach or by the hotel poolside. Take in the beautiful scenery, enjoy the sunshine, and unwind in the tranquil surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast Overnight stay at the hotel in Mui Ne.

Mui Ne

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel.

Rest of the Day:

Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the beach or by the hotel poolside. Enjoy the serene environment, soak up the sun, and take a refreshing dip in the pool or the ocean.

Meals: Breakfast Overnight stay at the hotel in Mui Ne.

Mui Ne – Ho Chi Minh (Drive)

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Check-Out and Transfer:

After breakfast, check out from the hotel.

Transfer to Airport:

You will be transferred to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) Airport to catch your flight back home.

Enjoy your journey back!