Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (-)
Upon arrival in Hanoi, our bus will pick you up and take you to your hotel for check-in.
Free time for the rest of the day.
Day 2: Hanoi – City Tour (B, L, D)
Today, you will discover the millennium city of Hanoi and learn more about its rich History. Hanoi is without a doubt one of the most interesting cities to visit in Vietnam.
First, we will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Presidential Palace, and Temple of Literature. Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Vietnam Military History Museum, West Lake, the Old Quarter (including Dong Xuan Market, Hang Giay Street, and O Quan Truong gate), and Hoan Kiem Lake.
Finally, we will rejoice by watching a very nice water puppet show.
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
(Note: visit of Hanoi night market on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays).
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B, L, D)
Today, we will drive for 3h30 to reach Ha Long City.
At Ha Long tourist port, we will get onboard and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch while cruising through the thousands of islands and islets that form this incredible World Natural Heritage site. We will have the opportunity to swim in the bay, explore caves with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, or take kayaks and discover the hidden treasures of Ha Long Bay.
Dinner and overnight onboard.
Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Ninh Binh (B, L, D)
Wake up early to enjoy breakfast while seeing the sunrise. The boat will continue the cruise in Ha Long Bay and we will stop to visit Thien Cung cave. Then, back to the boat to enjoy the cruise while admiring the beauty of Ha Long – if time permits, we will stop for swimming.
Lunch on board while sailing.
After lunch, back to the bus to drive through the Red River Delta from Ha Long to Hai Phong, then Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, and finally Ninh Binh. While on our way, we will make a few stops: visit Tran Temple in Nam Dinh to learn about the most successful dynasty in the history of Vietnam, visit traditional villages specializing in making lacquers and wood carving.
In Ninh Binh, we will check-in at the hotel located in the middle of a rural area. You will have free time to enjoy the peaceful countryside.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Ninh Binh – Hanoi (B, L)
Today, we will visit Ninh Binh, surrounded by many limestone mountains emerging from rice fields. Ninh Binh is known as “Ha Long Bay on land”.
We will visit the Trang An grottoes, newly recognized as World Natural Heritage site by the UNESCO. There, we will board bamboo row boats and cruise along the stream through 9 grottoes including Ba Giot, Dia Linh, Toi (“Dark Cave”), Sang (“Bright Cave”), Ao Trai, and Seo. We will also visit the valleys of Tran Temple, May, Khong, and Nau Ruou.
Later, we will go to Bai Dinh pagoda, the biggest in Vietnam. Finally, we will return to Hanoi and head to the airport for your flight to Hue. On arrival, our bus will pick you up and take you to your hotel for check-in.
Free time in the evening.
Day 6: Hue – City Tour (B, L)
The day will be dedicated to an exciting full-day visit of Hue.
After breakfast, we will hit the road to Perfume River tourist port where we will sail along the peaceful river and its stunning scenery. After, visit Thien Mu Pagoda and The Citadel.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will visit the tombs of Emperors Minh Mang and Khai Dinh. After heading back to the city, we will visit Duc Son pagoda, which is also an orphanage home to hundreds of children taken care of by the monks.
Dinner on your own and free time in the evening.
Day 7: Hue – Hoi An (B)
After breakfast, our driver and guide will pick you up and drive to Hoi An, with a stop at the top of Hai Van pass, where the view is absolutely fantastic. We will have another stop at the Cham Museum in Da Nang, where you will be able to see the biggest collection of Cham sculptures in the world.
Upon arriving in Hoi An, check-in at the hotel and lunch on your own.
In the afternoon, visit the ancient city and its major landmarks, including the famous Japanese bridge, the old house of Tan Ky, and many others.
Back to the hotel and free time for the rest of the day.
Day 8: Hoi An (B)
Free day in Hoi An for shopping or for optional visits.
Day 9: Hoi An (B)
Free day in Hoi An for shopping or for optional visits.
Day 10: Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Enjoy free time at your own leisure until the bus picks you up and takes you to Da Nang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. You will be picked up upon your arrival and directly taken to your hotel for check-in.
Free time for the rest of the day.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – City Tour – Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L, D)
This morning, we will discover some of the major landscapes of Ho Chi Minh City: the Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Ben Thanh Market.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will drive for 60km until reaching the site of Cu Chi Tunnels. This vast underground system was created in 1948 to assist the Viet Minh in their battle against the French. Afterwards, the tunnel complex kept being built and extended over 25 years. Indeed, it played a big role during Vietnam War and acted like a real underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage units, field hospitals, weapons factories, and command centers. At its peak, it housed around 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years, with some getting married and giving birth to children inside the tunnels.
Later, we will drive back to Ho Chi Minh City and have dinner.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City – Cai Be Floating Market – Can Tho (B, L)
You will be picked up at your hotel in the early morning. After a 2-hour drive, we will finally reach Cai Be.
Upon arrival, at Cai Be, you will embark on a private boat to cruise in the floating market and observe local people selling and buying from their boats. Visit a local garden and a house to see orchards and the rice crisp production process.
After lunch, we will continue to sail on the river to witness the peaceful and tranquil life of villagers and admire the marvelous natural setting of the Mekong Delta region.
Around 3:00pm, the boat will arrive at Vinh Long Market. Take a walk and wander around to explore Vinh Long Market.
Finally, we will go to Can Tho and check-in at the hotel.
Dinner on your own and free time during the evening. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 13: Can Tho – My Tho – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Today, we will hop on a rowing boat and cruise along the narrow and charming branches of the Mekong River. Visit the Cai Rang floating market – one of the liveliest of the Delta. Immortalize the scenery with your camera while observing the daily life of the locals who live along the Mekong canals. We will roam through the floating village and visit a rice husking mill and a rice noodles workshop.
After a stop at Can Tho Market, we will take a boat ride to go to Cai Von, where the bus will take you back to Saigon via My Tho for lunch.
Check-in and free time for the rest of the day.
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure (B)
Free time in Ho Chi Minh City until the bus picks you up and drives you to the airport for your departure flight.
