Vietnam Essential

Itinerary in details

• Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City - Arrival

  Upon your arrival in the bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still called “Saigon” by many locals, your guide will welcomed you at the airport and then transfer you to your hotel for check –in. Your room is at disposal from 2:00pm.

  Free at leisure to relax in the rest of the day

• Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City (B,L) 180 km

  The lush, riverine tapestry of the Mekong Delta makes the perfect escape from the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City. You can savour blissful peace in Ben Tre where they can explore orchards, farms and fisheries and survey the scenery by bike or from a boat.

  Enjoy the fresh air and immerse yourself in the tranquility in this part of countryside in Mekong Delta, still untouched by tourism.

  Board on a long tail boat and experience the diversity of the Mekong waterways first hand as you explore fish farms and exotic fruit farms. Touring the orchards, paddy fields and swamplands of the Mekong Delta, boat trip along the river to visit a brick kiln factory, a coconut processing workshop and a local mat-weaving house. Visit a quite village where you can have a short walk to experience real Delta village life. Enjoy some local fresh fruits.

  Take Xe Loi ride (a kind of modern motorized rickshaw) or cycling tour to explore around village under coconut row. Have lunch at a riverside restaurant. After lunch, we take rowing sampan along the water coconut canals with beautiful tropical scenery.

  We end the tour by taking boat back to return to Saigon.

• Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels - Flight to Danang - Hoi An (B,L)

  Today morning you will drive 55 km out of Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi District famous for the amazing complex of underground tunnels. There are more than 200 km of tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. Experience traditional noodle for your lunch.

  Afternoon enjoy the attraction of Ho Chi Minh City. Sightseeing examples of French colonial architecture and exploring the Vietnam’s turbulent in past at the Museum. Our guide will show you the most interesting sights that Ho Chi Minh City has to offer.

  Depart from your hotel to the Reunification Palace; this beautifully preserved palace was the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. On April 30th 1975 the American War officially came to an end here. Afterward, we visit Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, which was built in 1880, and the Old Post Office, which was built sometime between 1886 and 1891. It is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Our last stop would be at a local Market where you can practice your bargaining skills while shopping for souvenirs. Discover local life and culture. You’ll find some of the friendliest, liveliest, most convivial people in the city in here. Return your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

  Free time in the rest of day. Back to your hotel and enjoy your free time before transferring to airport in Ho Chi Minh for flight to Da nang.

  Pick up at airport in Da Nang then transfer to hotel in Hoi An for check - in

• Day 4: Hoi An - half day Eco tour (B,L)

  After breakfast in the hotel, start the day by visiting Tra Que village. Walk around the vegetable village and join in daily activities with local farmers. Continue along De Vong  River to reach Hoi An Beach wharf, embark the boat to Cua Dai estuary, watch and learn how to cast fishing net with local fishermen.

  Continue to visit Cam Thanh, the village of water coconut and stroll around in fresh air and rustic settings. Cooking class and have lunch in this village, enjoy specialties of the local cuisine as pancakes, spring rolls...

  After lunch, back to Hoian old town.

• Day 5: Hoi An - Free day (B)

  Optional: We introduce some ways to explore the beauty of Hoi An.

  Discover My Son Holly Land Half day: My Son Sanctuary - a collection of Champa ruins nestled amongst the mountains in a geological basin of the Quang Nam province.

• Day 6: Hoi An - Danang - Flight to Hanoi (B)

  Transfer to the Da Nang airport to take a flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our driver will wait and transfer you to the hotel in the center of city.

  Check-in hotel and free at leisure to relax.

• Day 7: Hanoi - Half day City tour (B,L)

  Half day Hanoi city tour (by car or by motorbike – upon client’s interest) - Morning or afternoon departure depend on availability.

  Begin the first day of the trip with a tour of Hanoi. Depart from the hotel at 08:30am for a visit to Vietnam’s first university: the Temple of Literature. Founded in 1076, Quoc Tu Giam was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite.

  Continue with a visit to the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Nearby is the mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and his modest house on stilts. (Sites are viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from June -August)

  Wrap up the morning with a visit to the picturesque West Lake and its sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. Tran Quoc Pagoda is regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with its history line of more than 1,500 years.

  Have lunch at an authentic Vietnamese Restaurant.

  Free time at leisure for rest of the day.

• Day 8: Ha Noi-  Halong bay (B,L,D) - 180 km 3h driving
  

  Be ready for pick-up at your hotel lobby at 08:00am. Halfway to Halong City we will have a stop at Hong Ngoc Humanitarian Centre. Apart from having clean western style toilet facilities we will be able to see local craftsmen at work and have time for relaxation.

  Upon arrival at the pier, embark on the boat and set sail on a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay, taking in the spectacular scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

  Lunch is served as you cruise by impressive rock formations with unusual names and shapes.

  In the afternoon you will start to discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty, known in Vietnamese as "Dragon descending to the sea". Depending on each cruise’s itinerary of the day, you may visit a beautiful cave, have some swimming at Titov or Soi Sim beach.

• Day 9: Halong Bay - Ha Noi (B,L) 180 km 3h driving

  Wake up by the sounds of the sea. After breakfast, cruise will take tourists to explore the most stunning caves in Halong.

  At around boat starts cruising back to the harbor while brunch is served. We continue cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations.

  Back on shore we will then transfer back to hotel in Ha Noi.

  Spend leisure time to relax or discover Ha Noi on your own

• Day 10: Hanoi - Departure (B)

  Free at your leisure in the morning. You room is available until 12:00pm.

  Our driver will transfer you to the airport to take your departure flight.

  End of services.