Itinerary

Day 1 – Hanoi

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival at the airport in Hanoi, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy some time at leisure.

Day 2 – Hanoi

After breakfast, start your city tour with Ho Chi Minh complex where you will see the Mausoleum. Continue with your first pagoda visit, One Pillar Pagoda. After lunch, take a walk in the Temple of Literature with its gardens. The temple hosts the Imperial Academy, Vietnam's first national university. Later, enjoy trishaw ride to visit Hanoi’s busy old streets and Hoan Kiem Lake, located in the historical center. Your day ends with a Water Puppet Performance – a unique art form with puppets from Northern Vietnam depicting rural life scenes, history or country legends. Overnight in at your hotel. (B)

Day 3 – Hanoi / Ha Long Bay

Today, drive to the beautiful Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage, known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests. Upon arrival, board your cruise and set sail through many stone islets, floating villages, and small beaches. Visit a floating fishing village. Enjoy some time of leisure on board for swimming or relaxing on deck. Overnight on board in Halong Bay. (BLD)

Day 4 – Ha Long Bay / Da Nang / Hoi An

After breakfast, enjoy cruising through many islets. Enjoy exploring one of the most magnificent caves – Surprise Cave, then return to your boat to cruise towards wharf. Upon arrival, transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang and transfer to Hoi An, a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved Ancient Town, cut through with canals. The former port city’s melting-pot history is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shophouses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses. Enjoy some time at leisure. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 5 – Hoi An

Today, enjoy sightseeing of Hoi An: see the Japanese Bridge, the Chinese temple, and old Vietnamese former merchants' house. Later, learn the culinary secrets of this country with a cooking class in traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Enjoy a trip to the local markets to collect fresh ingredients. Afterwards, embark on a short cruise to your cooking school for your lesson. After enjoying your meal, return to Hoi An and overnight at your hotel. (BD)

Day 6 – Hoi An / Hue

After breakfast, drive to Hue. En route, pass Hai Van Pass and Da Nang. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Enjoy sightseeing of the remarkable Imperial Citadel, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Afterwards, take a boat ride to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, (the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady), a historic temple seven stories high and the tallest religious building in Vietnam. Return to your hotel. (B)

Day 7 – Hue / Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, visit the Tomb of King Tu Duc, the ‘poet Emperor,’ located in lush gardens. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, visit the Reunification Palace, Cho Lon Market, Jade Temple, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Old Centre Post Office. Market shopping may be available. Return to your hotel for overnight. (B)

Day 8 – Ho Chi Minh City / Mekong Delta

Today, begin your drive to Ben Tre, a coastal province in the Mekong Delta of southern Vietnam, connected by a bridge to the busy market town of Mỹ Tho. Upon arrival, take your boat on Ben Tre River for sightseeing of lively activities along the river banks. Stop at brick kiln. Visit one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along the canal. Continue your boat ride trough creeks to a villages. Take a motorized cart (tuk tuk) or bicycle on shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on real life and find out about tropical culture from peasants. After lunch, return to the river for your return boat ride. Return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City for overnight. (BL)

Day 9 – Ho Chi Minh City / En Route

Transfer to the airport for your return flight. You may like to extend your trip: 3 nights to Siem Reap in Cambodia or 3 nights beach extension.