DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL
Upon arriving at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our guide, who will be holding a sign with your name. After a transfer of about 50 minutes to an hour, you’ll reach your hotel for check-in.
Hanoi, whose name means “River-bound City,” is the heart of Vietnam with a history stretching back over a thousand years to 1010. The city’s allure lies in its mesmerizing blend of timeless cultural treasures, ancient streets adorned with historic houses, elegant French colonial architecture, verdant boulevards, and enchanting lakes. This enchanting combination of historic elegance and natural beauty makes Hanoi one of Asia’s most captivating destinations.
Meal: None
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR WITH CHOCOLATE MAKING WORKSHOP AND WATER PUPPET SHOW
Breakfast at hotel.
Start your exploration at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, dedicated to the nation’s founder. Here, you’ll visit Ba Dinh Square, a significant pilgrimage site for many Vietnamese, the Presidential Palace and the simple yet charming house on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. Make a stop at the One Pillar Pagoda, an iconic structure built in the 11th century in honor of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, also known as the Buddha of Compassion. The pagoda is designed to resemble a lotus blossom rising from a pond. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (own payment)
Afternoon, discover the art of Vietnamese chocolate at a hands-on workshop in Hanoi. Learn how cacao is transformed from bean to bar, craft your own chocolate creations, and enjoy guided tastings led by local experts. Perfect for chocolate lovers looking for a fun and delicious experience in the heart of the city.
Late afternoon, enjoy Water puppet show.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
DAY 3: TRANSFER FROM HA NOI TO HA LONG – OVERNIGHT CRUISE
Breakfast at hotel
Our car and driver will pick you up at your hotel for a transfer to Ha Long Bay, located approximately 160 km away, or a 2.5-hour drive. Along the way, you’ll pass through the picturesque rural landscapes of the Red River Delta, offering numerous opportunities to photograph Vietnamese farmers at work in their rice paddies. Feel free to make stops to take in and appreciate the local scenery.
Arrive at the jetty in Ha Long City around noon, where you’ll complete check-in procedures. Once onboard, enjoy a welcome drink and a delicious lunch as the boat sets sail towards the bay.
In the afternoon, you can take part in visits and activities based on your boat’s itinerary, or simply relax and unwind on deck. As the day winds down, the boat will anchor for the night amidst the stunning karst formations. Dinner will be served onboard.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at hotel on cruise at Halong Bay
DAY 4: HALONG – HANOI
Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Ha Long in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi city center.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
DAY 5: HANOI – FLY TO HUE – CITY TOUR WITH ROYAL DINNER
Have breakfast at hotel, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue.
On arrival, transfer to hotel for check-in.
Afternoon, start the city tour with a visit to the grand Hue Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This expansive fortress, constructed in the 19th century, is a testament to Vietnam’s imperial heritage and comprises three distinct enclosures. Explore the imposing Kinh Thanh Hue, the outer civic city; delve into the Hoang Thanh, the Royal City, where emperors once resided; and finally, reach the innermost realm of Tu Cam Thanh, or the Forbidden City, once reserved exclusively for the emperor and his court.
Following this, proceed by car to the Minh Mang Tomb, the final resting place of the second emperor of the Nguyen dynasty. Discover the grandeur and intricate design of this imperial mausoleum, which stands as a symbol of the Nguyen era’s architectural elegance. Conclude your exploration of Hue with a visit to the bustling Dong Ba Market, a vibrant marketplace where you can explore an array of local specialties, crafts, and souvenirs.
In the evening, enjoy a special Royal Dinner experience, where you can dine in traditional royal costumes, further enhancing your immersion into Vietnam’s imperial history.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay overnight in Hue
DAY 6: HUE – SCENIC RAILWAY TO DANANG – HOI AN
Today, board the train from Hue to Danang, one of Vietnam’s most beautiful rail journeys. As the train winds along the coast over the Hai Van Pass, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of jungle-covered hills and turquoise bays. When you arrive Danang train station, take private car to your hotel in Hoi An.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
DAY 7: HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN – EVENING MEMORIES SHOW
This morning transfer to Hoi An ancient town for sightseeing. Take a walking tour of Hoi An to discover the historic town which used to be a prosperous seaport city during the 16th to 18th centuries with Japanese covered bridge, Chinese Assembly halls, Hoi An market and the ancient streets. Visit Hoi An colorful local market, Tan Ky old house. See residents raise silkworms and produce silk for Hoi An’s burgeoning textile industry
Evening arrive at the Hoi An Impression Theme Park at about 5:00 PM to explore its charming recreated streets, cultural displays, and mini live performances that bring Vietnam’s past to life. Wander hand-in-hand through scenes of ancient Hoi An, from bustling marketplaces to royal palaces. As the sun sets, settle into your seats by 7:45 PM for the spectacular Hoi An Memories Show, which begins promptly at 8:00 PM. This breathtaking open-air performance features over 500 actors, stunning lighting, traditional music, and vivid storytelling that spans centuries of Hoi An’s history. A truly magical and romantic way to end your day in this historic town.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
DAY 8: HOI AN BIKING, COOKING CLASSS & LANTERN MAKING
In the morning, meet our guide at your hotel and stroll to a local market to explore the ingredients and traditional foods used in Vietnamese cuisine. Next, board a boat for a 25-minute ride along the Hoi An River, where you’ll observe local fishermen casting their nets as part of their daily routines.
Upon reaching the cooking school, set in a picturesque open-air pavilion by the river, you’ll engage in a cooking class with a seasoned chef. Learn to prepare a delicious lunch with local flavors, tailored to your preferences, and savor the results of your efforts (Join-in class).
After lunch, embark on a cycling excursion to visit a lantern-making family. Lanterns, introduced by Chinese and Japanese traders in the late 14th century, are a defining symbol of Hoi An. Experience the time-honored craft of lantern-making, which has been practiced for over 400 years. Guided by skilled artisans, you’ll participate in each step of the process, from shaping bamboo frames to cutting and attaching fabric. Take home your handcrafted lantern as a memorable souvenir from this charming and tranquil town.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
DAY 9: DANANG – FLY TO HO CHI MINH CITY – HALF DAY CITY TOUR
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. The flight duration is approximately 1.5 hours.
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by our guide and driver. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, a journey of about 45 minutes.
Afternoon, meet your tour guide in the hotel lobby for an afternoon city tour. Begin with a visit to the War Remnants Museum, a poignant and comprehensive showcase of the Vietnam War, featuring an extensive collection of machinery, weaponry, photographs, and documentation. Highlights include displays of vintage military equipment, such as an F5A fighter jet and a UH1-Huey helicopter.
Next, explore the historic Reunification Palace, a landmark of old Saigon with its distinctive architecture. This site played a crucial role during the Vietnam War and marks the end of the conflict in 1975.
Conclude your tour with a visit to Ben Thanh Market in District 1. This bustling market, popular with tourists for its vibrant atmosphere and central location, offers a wide array of goods. After browsing the market, you can choose to return to your hotel or be dropped off at another central location of your choice.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
DAY 10: HO CHI MINH – VINH LONG – CAN THO
Morning be picked up from your hotel and transfer approximately 136 km to Vinh Long, a charming riverside town in the heart of the Mekong Delta, the world’s largest delta. Embark on a boat cruise to explore the vibrant Cai Be floating market, where colorful boats are laden with goods and vendors engage in lively bargaining. As you navigate through the intricate network of shaded canals, you’ll reach Hoa Binh Phuoc Island, a haven of picturesque landscapes featuring winding canals, lush greenery, and tranquil rural villages.
On the island, visit local farmers’ homes to interact with welcoming hosts and gain insights into their traditional crafts, including bonsai gardening, tile and ceramic production, and the making of rice paper and coconut candy. Enjoy a typical Vietnamese lunch prepared in a local home, offering a genuine taste of the region’s culinary delights.
Afternoon, continue your journey by car for about 40 km to Can Tho, where you’ll have the rest of the day at your leisure to explore or relax.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Can Tho
DAY 11: CAN THO – CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET – HO CHI MINH CITY
Morning, we depart Ninh Kieu wharf by shuttle-boat where you can see bustling activities along Can Tho riverbanks. Particularly, you may know how local people go fishing with plenty of fish traps and how they transport passengers as well as products by the waterway. When we approach Cai Rang floating market, the selling activities are reappeared in the past using a traditional “offering pole” exchanging consumer goods hanging on the pole for Mekong fruit and vegetables with local sellers. In order to understand more about lifestyle over here, keep on going into the small creeks called Rach Nho in which the Southern countryside can be seen clearly before cruising back to Ninh Kieu Wharf. End of day, our guide & driver will transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City. Free in the rest of day.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city
DAY 12: HO CHI MINH CITY DEPARTURE
Our driver and guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. We look forward to seeing you on your next journey!
Meal : Breakfast
Nhà Hàng Good Morning Vietnam