Highlights of Vietnam 12 days

Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam! You will be greeted by our tour guide and transfer directly to hotel in Hanoi. The hotel room will be available at 2:00pm, and in case that you would like to secure an early check in, an additional charge will be applied.

Optional: The rest of this day is free at leisure. You might have a sleep to recover, or wander around for some own exploration, or consider taking part in one of our suggested activities below:

• Water Puppet Show: A traditional Vietnamese water performing art, at which Vietnamese folk tales, history and local lives are introduced via colorful puppets.
• Vietnamese Cooking Class or Foodie Tours: Food in Vietnam, especially Hanoi, is totally tasty and able to mesmerize any visitor. A short walk around Old Quarter for some of Hanoi’s best food, or participation in a fun Vietnam’s cooking class could be a good start to your journey in this lovely country.

Water Puppet Show

Please contact our travel consultant if you are interested in these services, and we are available 24/7 for assisting you.

Note: Please be advised that both international and domestic might be crowded at sometimes during the day, so in case that you arrive and cannot find our representatives, please be presented at Pole No.10 (International) and contact us, so we could easily search for you.

• Meals: NA
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.
• Activities: Welcome to Vietnam! Transfer to the hotel in city center and relax for the rest of the day.

(Morning or afternoon departure depend on availability)

Half day Hanoi city tour (by car or by motorbike – upon client’s interest) - Routes can change subject to client’s interest.

Our tour guide is ready at the hotel lobby to assist you in exploring Hanoi City. We make our first stop at the Temple of Literature, which is known as The First University of Vietnam. The temple was built in 1070 as a school for royal family’s member, descendants of governor as well as normal civilization who were intelligent. Nowadays, Temple of Literature is considered as a historical attraction, as well as a symbol of Vietnamese’s fondness of learning. Then, our tour guide will take you to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, at which you will explore more about our famous leader, President Ho Chi Minh City, how he gained independence to Vietnam, as well as his humble daily life as the leader of the country.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

A short visit to the One Pillar Pagoda, a unique ritual place which was built on a single wooden pole, is also on your itinerary (Sites are viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Jun-Aug). Leaving the mausoleum, we will now head to a local restaurant for a tasty lunch of Vietnamese dishes, before we transfer you back to the hotel and say goodbye!. Services: Meal (lunch or dinner), English speaking tour guide, transfer as itinerary (car or motorbike on guest’s request)…

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Being listed as a world heritage with a mesmerizing beauty, Halong Bay is a must-see destination when you visit Vietnam. And there is no better way to witness this natural wonder than an overnight cruise trip, which is also included in this journey. After breakfast in hotels in Hanoi, you will be leaving Hanoi on a 3,5hours to Halong. Reaching the port at about mid-day, friendly and professional staff on the cruise, will support in check-in and arranging rooms, before you have lunch on-board with other guests while the junk heads to Halong Bay. There will be a plenty of exciting activities on-cruises, including sightseeing and visiting Thien Cung Grotto, beach activities like kayaking, or cooking class on deck with lesson on making Vietnamese traditional dishes. Dinner with fresh seafood is served at around

7:00pm (depending on cruise’s actual schedule), and the rest of the night is for you to enjoy tranquil atmosphere of the bay. Note: Please be kindly informed that the tour guide will not escort you on the cruises, and be replaced by crew members who are fluent in English.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: On-board an overnight cruise in Halong Bay
• Activities: Drive to Halong Bay where you board a junk for a cruise among the hundreds of islets of this magical World Heritage Site. Enjoy lunch and a swim. Drop anchor in the evening for an overnight stay among the dramatic limestone peaks.

Our tour guide will not accompany aboard the cruise in Halong Bay. Resident English speaking guide on board is available.

You might start your 2nd day in Halong with an early tai-chi class, or simply wake up and witness the amazing sunrise on the bay. Breakfast is served a bit later, with tea and bread, while the vessels continue cruising through rock islands and returning to base.

Reaching the port, our transfer (share/private) is waiting to bring you to Hanoi on another 3.5 hours journey. Check-in hotel and overnight in Hanoi.

Ha Long Bay

• Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
• Activities: Follow our local guide continue cruising to explore the most stunning caves in Halong and have the brunch on board. Disembark then back to Hanoi.

Free at leisure until our transfer is presented at your hotel and take you to Noi Bai International Airport for a flight to  Hue. Upon arrival, our driver is currently waiting and will transfer you to the hotel in the center of the city. Check-in to the hotel and free at leisure to relax.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
• Activities: Transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for flight to Hue.

Morning or afternoon departure depend on availability

The tranquil  Hue City  was founded in 17th century as a royal city and a capital (before Hanoi replaced it), and now has become one of top destinations in the middle of Vietnam. Our itineraries today start with a visit to  Thien Mu Pagoda, a famous Buddhism attraction which is located at the bank of the enchanting Perfume River. The pagoda is fascinating because of not only the ancient design of the buildings but also good location at which you could enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Perfume River. Leaving the pagoda, we continue our journey today with a visit to the  Imperial Citadel.

Hue

Being the “house” of the Nguyen Royal Family, the last dynasty in Vietnam, the citadel reflects the luxurious and prosperous lives of the royal family and allows visitors to explore a part of Vietnam pre-modern history. Even though some buildings were damaged or destructed during some wars, but crucial constructions are still remained and currently being conserved in good condition. We will spend most of the time around the citadel, with a visit to the front gate, the Flag Tower, The King’s Palace, and the Museums of Royal Antiquities. Time for the buildings is finished, and now is time for interaction with the local people.

Our next and last stop will be Dong Ba Market, the largest traditional trading place in not only Hue City, but also the adjacent provinces. Walking through kiosks, you will have a chance to understand the daily business of local sellers, their way of doing business, as well as purchase some interesting souvenirs before we drive you back to your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
• Activities: Explore tombs and pagodas lie everywhere in and around Hue.

Pick up at the hotel in Hue, then transfer to the hotel in Hoi An via Cloudy Pass. Land transportation by shuttle bus or private car will be used, with a stop at some spots on the way for sightseeing and photoshoot (admission fee is not included).

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
• Activities: Transfer from Hue to Hoi An.

Morning or afternoon departure depends on the availability

Hoi An is an old port town, which was founded with a mixture of different cultures from Vietnam to Japan, China, and Europe. Fortunately, most of the ancient constructions in this town have been conserved at unspoiled conditions (although some of the buildings are now using for commercial purposes), so travelers will have a complete understanding of the history and diversity in the culture of this historic place. Our half-day excursion is simply walking.

We will wander along old streets, cross several old houses; see how daily lives of local people are, and witness how historical elements of the town merging with modernity. We will also visit some of the ancient monuments from other nations, like the Japanese Covered Bridge or Fujian Assembly Hall of Chinese.

And after some walking, a cold glass of traditional herbal drink from a street-side shop is the best way to refresh, and enjoy the true taste of Hoi An on your tongue. If we have enough time, we will also pass by a handicraft store, at which you could directly see the creation of most notable souvenirs in town, and take some of them back to your hometown.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

After having breakfast, our transportation will transfer you to Da Nang airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. After about 1.5 hours flight time, you will reach Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, at which our driver is waiting to bring you to hotels in the city centre. Check-in hotel and free to explore the city on your own (or simply having a nap).

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city
• Activities: Transfer to Da Nang airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Meet our tour guide at the hotel’s lobby, and let’s start our journey to Cu Chi Tunnels, which is about 70km far from Ho Chi Minh City. The attraction is a collection of underground tunnel and construction, from hospital, bedrooms to ammunition storage using by North Vietnam’s army during Civil War (1955 – 1975) as a military camp. You are provided opportunities to crawl along some of the tunnels for exploration more about the Vietnam War, or touch a real-gun with the firing-gun services here (with an additional charge).

Cu Chi Tunnels

Lunch is served at a local restaurant on the way we return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Half-day Saigon city tour in the afternoon In the afternoon, we have a short walking tour around attractions in Ho Chi Minh City to witness how historical features merging with the city rapid modernization. We will stop at The Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, and Central Post Office which is all constructed in French colonial time that is nearly a hundred years ago. The last place of today will be the local Ben Thanh Market, at which you will have a chance to learn more about the traditional trading place of Vietnamese, as well as purchase local souvenirs for your beloved ones.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
• Activities: Morning: drive 55 km out of Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi District and discover the amazing complex of underground tunnels. Afternoon: walking tour to the most significant landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City.

Today is free to enjoy the city in your own way. We might suggest some attractive activities that you could explore the South of Vietnam in a very authentic way:

• Option 1: Tour Insight Mekong Delta: Immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere and enjoy lush fruit in the heart of the Mekong. Experience the locals' life by visiting their traditional handicraft workshops and orchards.
• Option 2: Experience another version of Saigon city, which is quieter and more poetic in the early morning. You will have chances to fill your lung with fresh air in the morning, enjoy truly local breakfast, with additional milk-iced coffee before the city turns to their daily face of noisy and crowded.
• Option 3:Dinner Cruise on Saigon River: Spending a romantic evening with a special dinner on the boat while the cruise setting sail on the Saigon River. Fell free to contact our consultant for these services or any other activities that you would like to try.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy your lazy last morning in Ho Chi Minh City, and have breakfast at the hotel's restaurant. You are free until our transfer comes, and you are transported to the airport for your flight back home. We say goodbye after arriving at the airport, and we hope to see you on your other vacation in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City

Note: Hotel check-out time is 12:00 noon. However subjected to room's availability, late check-out can be settled with a surcharge.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: N/A
• Activities: Free at leisure until be picked up for departure flight (optional excursions available). Hope to have a chance to serve you again!