Day 01
Arrival in Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City
Day 1: Hanoi arrival
- Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a water puppet show followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Hanoi (B)
- Hanoi is the intellectual and artistic capital of Vietnam.
- Explore the fascinating Old Quarter with its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk garments, lacquerware, embroidered linen, furniture, bamboo, ceremonial items, and much more.
- Enjoy a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and a cyclo ride before dining in French colonial villas converted into gourmet restaurants. You will also discover the city's modern art shops and many galleries.
- Also visit Hanoi's cultural sites such as the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh, his house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Temple of Literature.
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)
- After breakfast, depart for Halong Bay, passing beautiful scenery along the way filled with lush rice paddies and winding rivers typical of the Red River Delta.
- Arrive at Halong's tourist wharf around noon and embark on a classic wooden junk. Lunch will be served as the boat gently cruises past numerous islands and limestone formations rising from the emerald waters of the bay. It is also an ideal opportunity to enjoy the sea breeze and refresh your soul.
- An experienced chef will prepare a fresh seafood dinner. Overnight on board in your private cabin.
Day 4: Halong Bay - Hue (B, L)
- Enjoy breakfast and savor the incredible sunrise from the sundeck while the boat sails to Luon Cave and one of Halong's floating villages before returning to the harbor.
- Return to Hanoi by car, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue. Overnight in Hue.
Day 5: Hue (B)
- After breakfast at the hotel, board a private boat for a cruise on the romantic Perfumed River. The ancient capital of Hue is famous for the tombs of past emperors, and visiting some of them is on today's agenda. Thien Mu Pagoda will be the first stop of the day, offering a superb view of the Perfumed River and the surrounding areas. From here, continue by boat to the tomb of Minh Mang.
- Have lunch on the dragon boat and then head to the tomb of Khai Dinh. Overnight in Hue.
Day 6: Hue - My Son - Hoian (B)
- On the way, stop in Danang to visit the Cham Museum, then continue to the ruins of My Son. My Son was the ancient capital of the Cham civilization that ruled central Vietnam in the second half of the 13th century. Their religion was derived from Hinduism. My Son is considered one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. It includes 70 Hindu-inspired towers and temples dating back to the second century. This site is a must-see for those interested in architecture and ancient civilizations and is one of the five UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam. Once in Hoian, check in at the hotel and enjoy free time to visit the city.
Day 7: Hoian (B)
- Between the 16th and 18th centuries, Hoi An was an important international trading port for Dutch, French, Portuguese, and Arab traders. These people came mainly to buy silk, which is still produced in the area, as well as ceramics.
- Today, Hoi An is a quiet little town, popular for its eclectic architecture, souvenir shops, many tailors and dressmakers, and cafes.
- Your tour through the streets of the Old Quarter will take you to Chua Ong Pagoda, the Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, Chinese merchants' houses, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. The Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, built in 1690, is a must-see.
- The pagoda inside is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau, goddess of the sea and protector of sailors. The town's unofficial emblem is the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, which you will encounter along the way. The rest of the time is free at your leisure to enjoy Hoian.
Day 8: Hoian - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (B)
- Transfer and flight to Ho Chi Minh City for a two-night stay. A guided tour of the city is planned for the afternoon.
- After lunch, visit Cholon, the city's Chinatown, which also houses Binh Tay, the largest market in Ho Chi Minh City; the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975, when soldiers from the North entered with their tanks, symbolizing the end of the war against the United States; and finally the War Museum, which houses an impressive collection of photos taken by foreign journalists during the war against the Americans.
- Ho Chi Minh City is currently the most modern city in Vietnam and has all the infrastructure of a large city, with shopping centers, cinemas, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (B)
- The Mekong Delta is the southernmost part of Vietnam. This extremely fertile region is considered the rice granary of Vietnam and is also famous for its tropical fruits, flowers, and fish farming. The Mekong River, originating in Tibet, crosses six countries over 4,500 km before turning into a delta and emptying into the China Sea.
- As you take a boat trip through this immense delta, you will realize the crucial role that this river plays in the daily lives of thousands of people.
- Drive to My Tho and then take a boat to begin a cruise through a maze of canals. Enjoy a delicious meal in a bonsai garden in the heart of the Mekong, complete with succulent tropical fruits. You will also visit the Dong Tam snake farm and, among other things, taste snake wine, visit a bonsai garden in Trung Luong, and then return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels (B)
- Enjoy a private morning tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels. The tunnels stretch over 250 km from Saigon to the Cambodian border and are three levels deep. The network includes gates, storage facilities, weapons factories, hospitals, command centers, and kitchens.
- Today, what remains of the tunnels has become a major tourist attraction, giving visitors a unique sense of what life was like underground during the Vietnam-US War. Free time in the afternoon in the city.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh departure (B)
- No activities are planned for the day. Enjoy your free time before the transfer to the airport.
