Day 1
Transport
Meals:None
HochiminhArrive in the late morning and enjoy an orientation
Detailed Itinerary:
Welcome to Vietnam’s modern metropolis: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Arrive in the late morning and enjoy an orientation tour through Saigon’s bustling streets en route to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to recover from jet lag and explore the city on your own.
Day 2
Transport
Meals:B, L
HochiminhVisit to the War Remnants museum
Detailed Itinerary:
Enjoy a full day to tour Saigon’s diverse attractions with hoteltravelvietnam guide. Start with a visit to Saigon’s China Town, then learn about traditional Vietnamese medicine at the FITO Museum and browse through the amazing array of goods at Ban Thanh Market. Stop for lunch then continue on the city tour with a visit to the War Remnants museum and former Presidential Palace. We conclude the day exploring the city’s French colonial architecture, stopping at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office.
Day 3
Transport
Meals:B, L
Hochiminh - Mekong DeltaVisit some fluvial islands
Detailed Itinerary:
Today we leave Saigon and travel to the Mekong River Delta. Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before driving to the riverside town, Cai Bai. Along the way, stop at a candy factory and orchard garden, where you have an opportunity to listen to traditional music. Enjoy a relaxing lunch at a riverside restaurant, then cross the Mekong by motorized boat to visit some fluvial islands and explore the countryside by bicycle. Our driver and guide will meet you at Vinh Long pier and take you to Can Tho city for the night.
Day 4
Transport
Meals:B, L
Mekong Delta - HochiminhVisit the Mekong Delta’s famous orchards
Detailed Itinerary:
Wake early and leave the hotel to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market by motor boat. Continue the boat ride to visit the Mekong Delta’s famous orchards and sample some of the fresh, exotic fruit. Then venture deeper into the country side, passing traditional houses made of wood and palm leaves as you observe the activities of the local people. Return to Can Tho for lunch then drive back to Saigon, arriving in the late afternoon.
Day 5
Transport
Meals:B, L
Hochiminh - DanangVisit Chua Ong Pagoda
Detailed Itinerary:
Today we fly from Saigon to Danang. Our driver and guide will meet you at the airport and take you on the short drive to the sleepy riverside town, Hoian. Take a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient quarter, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tam Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge. After lunch, take a short boat trip to a nearby island and visit a handicraft village specializing in ceramics. End the day with a relaxing sunset boat cruise.
Day 6
Transport
Meals:B, L
Danang - HoianEmbark on a family run “fisherman eco-tour.”
Detailed Itinerary:
Today we embark on a family run “fisherman eco-tour.” Explore Hoian’s surrounding farmland and countryside then try your hand at local fishing techniques as you learn to navigate a basket boat through narrow waterways. Return to Hoian in the afternoon for a private cooking class.
Day 7
Transport
Meals:B, L
Hoian - HueDrive northward to Hue over the 500m-high Hai Van pass.
Detailed Itinerary:
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then check-out and drive northward to Hue over the 500m-high Hai Van pass. Enjoy a stop at the scenic Lang Co Beach for a drink before continuing on to Hue—a UNESCO World Heritage site. Spend the afternoon on a leisurely walking tour through Vietnam’s ancient capital city, visiting the Royal Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda and the Mausoleum of King tu Duc (a replica of the king’s palace built for the next reincarnation of the king), before exploring the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba Market.
Day 8
Transport
Meals:B, L
Hue - HanoiVisit the Lady Pagoda
Detailed Itinerary:
Spend the morning on a private boat cruise down the romantic Perfume River to visit the Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) and the ornate Minh Mang's tomb. Drive to the airport in the afternoon to catch your short flight to Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi.
Day 9
Transport
Meals:B, L
HanoiTake you to Hanoi’s key sites
Detailed Itinerary:
Today we have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas; Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Our city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house); the Presidential Palace; the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Old Quarter; the Temple of Literature; West Lake; the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & Quan Thanh Temple; and one of the city's museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). In the evening enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance—a unique Vietnamese art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture.
Day 10
Transport
Meals:B, L, D
Hanoi - HalongTake a dip in the warm waters of the South China Sea
Detailed Itinerary:
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before setting out on a 3 to 4 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site: Halong Bay. Spend 24 hours on a traditional Junk Cruise in the amazing bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your private junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as we sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the South China Sea (weather permitting). Pass the night on your private junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.
Day 11
Transport
Meals:B, L
Halong - HanoiTake advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay
Detailed Itinerary:
Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as we navigate back to Halong City. Our driver will meet you at the dock and take you back to Hanoi. Enjoy the rest of the day free at your leisure.
Day 12
Transport
Meals:B
HanoiDrive to the airport to catch your departure flight home.
Detailed Itinerary:
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then drive to the airport to catch your departure flight home.