Vietnam in Capture

Itinerary in details

• DAY 01: ARRIVAL HANOI - NOI BAI AIRPORT - HANOI (38KM): 1 HOUR

  On arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport.  Asia Hero Travel guide will greet you and transfer by private car through the city to your hotel. free time for discovery the city.

  Overnight in Hanoi.

• DAY 02: HANOI - CITY (B,L)

  This tour starts at 08:30am.

  Drive past the historical Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the independence of Vietnam in 1945. Next up is the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, built in the 11th century and added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2010. Venture inside and explore the underground war bunker that played an important role in the armed conflict with America.

  Continue the Hanoi landmarks tour with a stroll through areas where sewing shops have been in family hands for generations, and people still practice the old ways, or admire the daily life of local people in the alley of Hanoi. Proceed to the millenia-old Temple of Literature and explore its role in the country’s past, as both a university and a temple.

  Finally, if you feel interested, make a stop at the last courtyard where Vietnamese traditional instruments contribute to the oriental feel. For travelers who are musicians, opportunities to play some notes will present themselves, all under the guidance of the artists.

  In the afternoon, head to the highly-acclaimed Vietnam Women’s Museum, offering wonderful insight into the lives of Vietnamese women. Learn historic and modern-day traditions centred on birth, weddings, motherhood, spirituality and more. Towards the end of the tour, embark on a walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Witness the ancient commercial street names, mirroring the crafts and businesses dating back over a thousand years.

  Visit a family living in a typical ‘tube house’ in Hanoi's Old Quarter, built during the 19th century. Learn just what makes these houses unique, and how old tax laws resulted in this typical architecture. Make it back to the hotel, rich with new experiences from Hanoi.

  The rest of the evening is at your leisure.

  Overnight in Hanoi

• DAY 03: HANOI - MAI CHAU - MAI HICH

  In the morning, depart for Mai Chau valley. It take 140 km, about 3h30 driving with some stop for rest and pictutes.  After passing scenic road of Hoa Binh province, it will be the land of Thai people. They live on stilt house. Arrive at Mai Chau arround noon, have lunch at Lac village.

  After lunch, wark from Lac village to Mai Hich, about 10 km, 03 hours warking, it’ s easy wark.

  Dinner and overnight at the Thai stilt house.

• DAY 04: MAI HICH - HANG - EO KEN - PU LUONG RETREAT

  Breakfast at the homstay then take the car and continue to Ban Sai then sart trekking 8km to Hang village, about 3 hour trekking.

  Have lunch in hang village, and then continu trekking, climbing to Eo Ken where the lanscape is stunning and various: terraced rice field,  bamboo forest, river, Thai village… Transfer to Pu Luong Retreat, free time for exploring this beautifull village with the nice valley, river, and more.

  Overnight in Pu Luong Retreat

• DAY 05: PU LUONG RETREAT - NINH BINH 

  After breakfast, you will  drive to Tam Coc also known as  «Dry Halong Bay».

  On the way, stop to visit Hoa Lu, the formercapital of Vietnam during the 10th century. Arrive at Tam Coc, and get into a small rowing boat to discover the outstanding karst waterscape on Ngo Dong River. Tam Coc translates to «three caves», and that is what you will find here,three caves adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes and sizes. While rowing, enjoy the peaceful scenery full of rice paddies along the riverbank.

  Back to Tam Coc for the night

• DAY 06: NINH BINH - HAI PHONG

  After breakfast leave Ninh Binh for an overnight boat trip on Lan Ha Bay. Journey there through the rich farmlands, observe everyday life of Vietnamese villagers as they work the rice fields, take pigs to the market on bicycles and plough the fields with their water buffaloes. Arrive in Hai Phong City late morning and board your traditional wooden junk for the overnight journey into the Bay. Lunch is served on board.

  Towards the end of the day set anchor for the night. As the sun sets over the bay dinner is served on board with fresh seafood, salads, and fruits.

  Overnight on board in Lan Ha Bay.

• DAY 07: HAI PHONG - HANOI - HUE

  On your return to Hanoi enjoy a wholesome brunch as your boat weaves through strange-shaped limestone rock formations. Upon disembarkation your driver will meet you for the transfer to Hanoi Airport for the flight to Hue.

  On arrival your guide will welcome you for the 40-minute drive to the hotel.

  Overnight in Hue

• DAY 08: HUE - CITY

  In the morning discover the Imperial Citadel then make your way to the Hue Royal Antiques Museum to see a collection of ornaments. The main exhibition house of the present museum used to be a palace under Nguyen Dynasty, called Long An Palace. It was built in 1845 by Thieu Tri King, located on the north of Ngu Ha River. It was a type of “isolated palace” for the king.

  Continue the trip to visit the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda. Thien Mu pagoda is one of the most beautiful and ancient architectural structures of worshiping in Vietnam now, it has become one of the most famous tourist attractions in Hue City.

  Have lunch at the local restaurant. Then, in the afternoon, visit Tu Duc tomb and the encense fabrication village the the Dong Ba market.

  Overnight in Hue

• DAY 09: HUE - HOI AN (B,L) - 150KM/ 03 HOURS

  After breakfast, leave Hue for Hoi An, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Stop en route and enjoy the Lang Co beach and lagoon before climbing over the ‘Pass of Ocean Clouds’. Arrive in Hoi An and transfer to hotel.

  Enjoy free time at leisure

• DAY 10: HOI AN - CITY TOUR ( B,L)

  08:00/ 08:30am: our guide will pick you up at the hotel in Danang or in Hoi An for trip departures.

  Starting to visit the rural countryside by bike if you stay in Hoi An. Otherwise, you will be transferred to Hoi An to collect the bikes and start your day from here. Following the activities of the day, you will have the opportunity to ride the water buffalo with farmer on the field. Visiting bamboo handicraft villages nearby Cam Thanh :

  • Experiencing a boat trip to visit around by the bamboo basket about with local people.
  • Participating in the activities: shaking the bamboo basket boat, catching the purple crabs in the forest.
  • Learning how to make souvenirs with water coconut leaves.
  • Enjoying lunch at a local people house and then returning to the hotel in Hoi An by bike.

  This tour can be extend for a longer time by walking around the village in Cam Thanh to visit the farms or go back to Hoi An town and do another few hours walk in the old quarter before go back to the hotel.

  Overnight in Hoian.

• DAY 11: HOI AN - SAIGON (B,L)

  Transfer to Da Nang airport domestic airport for the 40-minute flight to Saigon. Upon arrival in the afternoon, start with a visit to the iconic Saigon Central Post Office built between 1886 and 1891. Based on the design of famous French architect Gustave Eiffel, it is now considered a symbol of Saigon and one of its most famous landmarks.

  If he is available, stop for a chat with Mr. Duong, who enjoys local notoriety for his professional love-letter skills.

  Walk along Dong Khoi street, formerly la rue Catinat and pay a visit to Gialong Palace – Ho Chi Minh City Museum for its beautiful architecture and listen to its history through times. Continue to ‘Le Loi Street’ to meet a local artisan who specialises in traditional engravings.

  Next, stroll through the old central market (your vehicle will be available) before arriving at the city’s oldest colonial-era apartment, built in 1886. See as well what the young creative Vietnamese are up to from their funky boutiques and coffee shops. Sit down at one of the stylish coffee shops and interact with a local resident who moved here in 1975.

  Leave the compound and have a look at the building on the other side, which used to be "Banque de l’Indochine" (Indochina Bank) during the 1920s. It’s a stunning example of the ‘Indochinois’ east/west fusion style of architecture that this area is known for. After this last stop, head back to the hotel.

  Overnight in Saigon.

• DAY 12: SAI GON - BEN TRE

  Leave the bustling city of Saigon behind and depart to the Mekong Delta considered Vietnam’s biggest «rice basket». Upon arrival at Hung Vuong Pier in Ben Tre town, you start your cruise along Bến Tre River, a tributary of the mighty Mekong to explore the local lifestyle and daily activities. Stop at Mr. Tu Lo’s brickfield to  see how Vietnamese workers make bricks by hand . This is followed by a visit to a coconut candy factory located along the canal to witness the process of making coconut candy.

  You will continue your rowing trip through the canals to visit Nhon Thanh village. Here you get a chance to stroll around the village to discover the local lifestyle and taste fresh fruit. A cycle excursion along the small roads passing lush rice paddies and vegetable gardens will leave you ready for lunch at a riverside homestay, where you will spend the night. Prepare and enjoy your dinner at the homestay.

  Overnight at the homestay

• DAY 13: BEN TRE - SAI GON

  In the early morning, embark a sampan and cruise to Cai Rang floating market. A crowded and vibrant market on the river. It is the busiest floating market in the Mekong Delta with thousands of colorful boats gathering for trade. This is an amazing opportunity to take unique photos !

  Lunch at the local restaurant. In the afternoon, drive back to Sai Gon.

  Overnight at hotel

• DAY14: SAI GON - CU CHI TUNNEL

  Morning drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, situated 70km from Saigon. The Cu Chi Tunnel system was created around 1948 to assist the Viet Minh in their combat against French occupiers. Construction and enlargement continued during American bombings and they were turned into an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon factories and field hospitals.

  The Cu Chi Tunnels could house up to 10,000 people who lived underground for years, getting married and raising children. During the Vietnam ­ American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated as a fire free zone yet was heavily bombarded. Since 1988, two sections of the tunnels are open for visitors.

  Have lunch at the local restaurant. In the afternoon, drive back to the hotel, free time.

  Overnight at the hotel

• DAY 15: SAI GON - DEPARTURE

  Your private car and guide will be at your disposal until your transfer by private car to Tan Son Nhat Airport for international flights or a domestic extension.

  End of the services!