You’ll be landing in Hanoi, where you will receive a warm welcome from our English speaking guide and driver, who will take you to your hotel for check in. You’ll get a start to Vietnam to remember, with a relaxing walk through some of Hanoi’s biggest attractions; the Opera House, Old Quarter, HoanKiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. And what better way to start an evening with a taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine?
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Today will be a full day of exploring Vietnam’s charming capital. With a mix of Viet-Franco colonial architecture, a plethora of peaceful, sparkling lakes and huge ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi makes for a mix that has an appeal for every type of tourist imaginable. This tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites, including the Ho Chi Minh Complex, the Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature, the Quan Thanh Temple and West Lake. By evening, you will enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique piece of Vietnamese Cultural Art hailing from Southeast Asia, helping you round of a day of sight-seeing in style before your second leg of the journey.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour
Today will be a full day of exploring Vietnam’s charming capital. With a mix of Viet-Franco colonial architecture, a plethora of peaceful, sparkling lakes and huge ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi makes for a mix that has an appeal for every type of tourist imaginable. This tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites, including the Ho Chi Minh Complex, the Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature, the Quan Thanh Temple and West Lake. By evening, you will enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique piece of Vietnamese Cultural Art hailing from Southeast Asia, helping you round of a day of sight-seeing in style before your second leg of the journey.
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay- Overnight on cruise
After a great breakfast to set you up for the day, you’ll be embarking on a 3 to 4 hour drive to the beautiful Halong Bay, where you will spend 24 hours atop the calm waves out on the emerald waters of one of the most beautiful places on Earth. You’ll be there by noon, just in time for an amazing gourmet fresh seafood lunch as you leave aboard your ship. It will take you around some of Halong’s many islands, and even give you the opportunity to take a dip in the mystical waters on an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach of the Gulf of Tonkin (weather permitting). You’ll get to spend the night in your own private cabin on the surface of the water, ensuring a peaceful night of sleep.
Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Da Nang
For those of you with an interest in martial arts, you have the opportunity to engage in some early morning Tai Chi on the top deck of your ship, or simply catch the breeze and the sun amidst a beautiful sunrise over the bay with a cup of coffee or tea in hand. But that’s not all, as you’ll be visiting the islands by rowing boat before returning to the junk for breakfast to head back to the dock. The sundeck will be your front row seat for the breathtaking landscapes visible from the top deck as you navigate back to Halong City. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier. Your driver will wait for you there to take you to the airport for your departure to your next destination! A comfortable, warm hotel in Hoi An awaits, right by the riverside.
Day 5: Hoi An
Today will begin with an adventure to the legendary My Son Sanctuary, a group of ruined Hindu temples dating back to the Champa Kingdom, where you can marvel upon the rich history carved into the walls and the site all around you. By afternoon, you will have a tour around the lovely town and bear witness to some of the biggest landmarks in the area, like Japanese Bridge, Chinese Temple and the former Vietnamese merchants’ houses.
Day 6: Hoi An – Hue
By morning, you will be transferred to Hue, one of the most historically rich cities in Vietnam, taking a route via the Han Van Pass, towering over 500m high and boasting of some great panoramic views and photo opportunities for miles. Along the way, you’ll pass the Marble Mountain, famous for delicate stone sculptures and crafts. You’ll even get the chance to visit it on your way through, and eventually arrive in Hue in the afternoon. Once you’re all checked in, you’ll have the entire day to do whatever you so desire. But make sure you get some rest!
Day 7: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City
Now that you’re here in one of the most culturally rich cities in the country, you’ll be indulging on all there is to see! You’ll have the chance to take a Royal Dragon Boat to the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda while sailing along the highly romantic Perfume River. Where you are, after all, is a city with over a millennia of history. So your tour will take you through to the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden City, to find some of the more well hidden pieces of unique charm Vietnam has to offer. It’s also the perfect opportunity to look for some of the best souvenirs you’ll ever find at the lively Dong Ba Market. You’ll be transferring to Ho Chi Minh City by late afternoon by plane. Upon arrival, a comfortable pre-booked hotel awaits for you to get your head down for the night.
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City
In a city named after the Nation’s great founder, it goes without saying that history is everywhere. For today’s highlight, you will be taking a tour of all of Ho Chi Minh City’s greatest landmarks; the Notre Dame Cathedral, followed by a visit to the Old Post Office. Here you will notice the great blend of Viet-Franco architecture everywhere. By late morning, you can appreciate some authentic Vietnam War exhibits in the War Remnants Museum. Accented by an A La Carte Lunch, you will continue your afternoon with a visit to the China Town and the Ben Thanh Market, giving you more chances to experience some beautifully taste Vietnamese cuisine, and shop for some great souvenirs.
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City – Cai Be Floating Market (Mekong Delta
With a great breakfast to give you the energy you need, you’ll depart for Cai Be. Once there, it is just a short motor boat ride to visit the Cai Be floating market and watch the locals trading fruit and many other commodities on board their vessels. It’s a unique chance to see how the local conduct their day to day business and experience their culture close up. And you’ll keep cruising to Vinh Long through a series of small canals, showing the tranquility of the Mekong Delta. You’ll pay a visit to a small family business to see how coconut candy and crispy rice popcorn are made. If you’re quite astute, you can even take the knowledge home to the Kitchen later and cook up a storm!
You will later arrive in Binh Hoa Phuoc village, the green pearl of Vinh Long town, where you can immerse yourself in nature. And with an invigorating and delightful walk through the bonsai garden, it’s an afternoon to remember.
Day 10: Depart from Ho Chi Minh
Unfortunately, your stay here in Vietnam is coming to an end, and you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back.
But it need not be goodbye. We’re sure after such an amazing visit, you’ll be back very soon! So be sure to book yourself another trip, and get another taste of this beautiful culture! See you soon!
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