Routing: Ha Noi - Ninh Binh - Ha Long - Hue - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh - Ben Tre – Ho Chi Minh

Tour Style: Nature, Culture & History Tour

Tour Start: in Ha Noi / Tour End: in Ho Chi Minh

Trip duration: 12 Days 11 Nights

Group size: 15 - 40 pax

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi - Welcome dinner (D)

Upon arriving at Noi Bai International Airport, our guide and driver will pick you up and drive you to your hotel.

There’s nothing better than taking a short break after your flight and discovering great local cuisine for dinner in Hanoi’s town. (First day’s schedule can be flexible to meet your arrival time)

Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B)

After having breakfast, the first destination is the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam. It's not only the first university in Vietnam, but it always is the fire to light up the traditional fondness for the learning Vietnamese people. Students come here to get motivated before the upcoming important exam. Quoc Tu Giam has also been chosen for organizing the complimentary ceremonies, events on holiday, be the icon of Ha Noi city. The second destination is the Ho Chi Minh complex, an important place for pilgrimage, which has built to honor and express gratitude to Uncle Ho. The most important part of the complex is the Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, where preserved Uncle Ho’s corpse for people all over the country and international visitors to visit their beloved old father. In front of the mausoleum is the Ba Dinh square. It has preserved many imprints of great events of the Vietnamese nation. On September 2, 1945, at this square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence that gave birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. And then you will come to visit the Presidential Palace, a large French design building used as the workplace of the president. Behind the Presidential Palace is the Ho Chi Minh's Residence. This place will show you how simple the president live in his whole life. Another signature place in the complex is One Pillar Pagoda, a strange architectural style pagoda built from 1049. And the final place will be the Ho Chi Minh Museum, a place to express gratitude and eternal memory of the great merits of President Ho Chi Minh.

Depart to West**** Lake to visit Quan Thanh temple, one of the Thang Long four sacred temples. You will know more about the Taoism culture of Vietnam and enjoy the picturesque view of the biggest natural lake in Hanoi.

In the afternoon, you will visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (close on Monday), which is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. Besides visiting indoor and outdoor objects demonstrating the Vietnamese culture of 54 ethnic groups, you can join many interesting activities such as traditional festive, water puppet... The day ends beautifully with 1 hour on the cyclo to discover the alive Hanoi 36 streets in the Old Town. The bustling narrow streets will show you thousand of businesses and shopkeepers. "36 streets" used to wellcome artisans and traders from villages around Ha Noi from 2000 years ago. The streets were named for what they sold. You enjoy water puppet show in the late evening.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Mua Cave (B, L)

After breakfast, our driver and tour guide take you to Ninh Binh - the World Natural Heritage Site with 120km drive South of Hanoi, offering a great experience in the lush countryside along the high way No1. Our first destination is Hoa Lu - the ancient capital of Vietnam, recognized by UNESCO as one of four main areas of Trang An World Heritage Site complex. Here we will spend about an hour to visit temples of two Vietnamese dynasties of Dinh and Le with very unique architecture in the old time. Pick up information about the ancient culture of the Royal Palaces ground dated 10th century.

We do a short transfer to Van Lam village, you get on a bamboo boat rowed by the local villager to explore the stunning scenery of Tam Coc. UNESCO has recognized Tam Coc to be the World Natural Heritage Site in 2014 and made this place become a famous destination in Ha Noi - Ho Chi Minh Tour. Boating along Ngo Dong River, you will be able to explore for the "Indochine" film-setting. The beauty of the area has attracted millions of French tourists since then. Continue cruising under the astonishing limestone cliffs, you will get to Hang Ca - first cave with the river going through. The cave is 132m long. Leaving the 2nd cave, your boat will head to Hang Ba - the final cave.

Then we will do a short transfer to visit Mua Cave, see the Panorama View from MUA cave which means: Dancing Cave in Vietnamese. Climb up 500 steps to top to enjoy the amazing view of Ngo Dong River and TAM COC panorama view from this then go to your hotel for resting and enjoy your night.

Overnigh in Ninh Binh.

Day 4: Ninh Binh - Halong Bay (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you’ll take a 2.5-hour drive to Halong Bay, one of the great nature of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Upon arrival, the boat crew will welcome you and transfer you to the junk for check-in and enjoy a cruise around Halong Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. At the same time, you can behold thousands of limestone islands and grottoes rising from the clear, emerald water. After lunch, you’ll join some activities on the boat to discover the beauty of the bay such as visiting a cave, kayaking, or enjoy swimming in the sea**** before getting back to the junk for relaxing and dining. In the evening, you can join night fishing with locals.

Overnight on board.

Day 5: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Night train to Hue (sharing cabin) (B, Br)

In the morning, your breakfast will be served while floating on the sea to explore the beauty of Halong Bay before disembarking time. Joining some more activities on the boat and then checking out the cabin. The early lunch will be served before getting back to the main dock and transferring you back to Hanoi. Then you will get on a train to Hue.

NOTE: Overnight on 4-berths sharing cabin.

Day 6: Hue City tour - Boat on Perfurm river (B)

Our driver and tour guide will pick you up at the station, and take you to a local restaurant for breakfast. Then you will be pick up at your hotel to visit the ancient tomb of Vietnam's kings. Being the last great tomb from the Nguyen dynasty, The Nguyen Emperor Khai Dinh's Royal Tomb consists of many royal tombs. One of those belonged to Khai Dinh, who built his final resting place to be monumental in style and bombastic in execution. It has mixed architecture of Western and Asia, modern and traditional Vietnam. The tomb clearly reflects the past period and the characteristic of Khai Dinh king, and the story behind it has always been the key attractive point for tourists to come and find out. Then, visit Tu Duc tomb which is a complex system of the pavilion, temple, chamber, courtyard and personal palace. Tuc Duc’s Tomb is a symbol of himself, portraying one of the Nguyen Dynasty’s Emperor: having majesty, power, but no less elegance and grace. The beautiful scenery of the tomb looks like various colored classic paintings with small bridges crossing the flowered lake, green shades and a peaceful atmosphere, which attracts tourists from all over the world.

Depart to Citadel which has a variety of structures with the royal style. You will explain about the history of 13 reigns of Nguyen Emperor, visit the palace where king and queen live.

In the end of day, you will have a cruise on the beautiful Perfume River by dragon boat and viewing Thien Mu pagoda, the daily activities of other people, visit the sampan village along the Perfume River.

Day 7: Hue - Drive to Hoi An - Half day city tour (B, L)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel then we start drive to Hoi An. On the way, we will stop at Lang Co beach to have a break and take some photos. Lang Co is an 8km white sandbank, mixing with the natural scenery of Hue forming a mysterious picture. The peaceful and charming of the fishing village and the beaches will win the heart of tourist.

After that, we take you over the beautiful Hai Van Pass - Vietnam geographical and psychological boundary between the North and the South. Hai Van attracts the tourist by the scenery of mountain hiding in the cloud, curvy road surrounding from the bottom to the top, it's a great place for the adventurer to conquer and test self-limit.

Arrive in Hoi An, we will walk through town, seeing remarkably well-preserved traditional houses that have withstood 200 years of weather and war. Learn about the prosperous merchants who used to live in these homes, trading with buyers from all over the world. The next destination is the Japanese Covered Bridge, one of two such bridges in Vietnam. This beautiful bridge was first constructed in the 1590s by linking it with the Chinese quarters. Following Tran Phu Street, we will reach The Assembly Halls. There are 4 Assembly Halls in Hoi An which you can find when walking along Tran Phu Street. Each of those Halls belongs to a Chinese community who have their own beliefs, different assembly halls worship different gods and goddesses.

Day 8: Hoi An - Bana Hill - Hoi An (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel then the driver come and transfer you to to visit Ba Na Hill complex in Da Nang. We will hop on one of the cable cars which achieves two Guinness World Records for the longest non-stop single-track cable car (5,042m) and the highest difference in elevation between the top and bottom station (1,292m). The ride offers us a spectacular view of the endless tree line, lush jungle, and Fairy Waterfalls along the way. Once we get to the first stop, feel free to visit Le Jardin Garden, Debay wine cellar, French village, and Linh Ung Pagoda. We can’t miss the famous Golden Bridge which achieves many rewards for its impressive design. This bridge was built at a height of 1.400m above sea level and features a harmonious blend of groundbreaking architecture and spectacular nature. Get on the second cable car to the top of the mountain where we will have a leisure walk or challenge our limits with the Peak of Chua Mountain at a height of 1,487m. Visit the trail of Dreaming Stream, the rainbow Waterfall. We will leave for Hoi An at the end of the day.

Day 9: Hoi An - Danang - Flight to Ho Chi Minh - Street-food tour (B, D)

Start your day on the right foot with a delicious breakfast to get you going. Then, your driver will take you to Danang Airport, where you will take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival in HCMC, our driver and tour guide will transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Check-in and get some rest.

We begin the food tour around 6 o'clock in the afternoon to discover the most interesting thing in Vietnam. That’s street food tour. First of all, we will go Ho Thi Ky Flower market walking all around and enjoying street food (BBQ, skewers, mixed rice paper, fruits…) inside the market. Then we will go straight to Chinatown, we will stop a Vietnamese Chinese Herbal tea shop and visit Cha Tam Church (A 300 years catholic Church). From here you can choice so many thing: Dumpling in a local shop, Pho, Broken rice, Banh Xeo, Pancake with egg… Then we will be back to Nguyen Hue walking street. You might get tired already, so we will have a beer/juice or smoothies in Bui Vien walking street or you can join a sky bar in De Tham. Back to your hotel and finish your day.

OPTIONAL: STREET FOOD TOUR BY VESPA - $80/PAX

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh half-day city tour - Cu Chi Tunnels (B)

After having breakfast, our driver and tour guide pick you up at your hotel, then make our way to the War Remnants Museum where we can be informed about the US invasion of Vietnam, and its absorbing exhibits give visitors an invaluable insight into a defining chapter in the Vietnam war’s history. Departure to Reunification Palace which was named in global history in 1975 and was built for the South Vietnam Government during the Vietnam-American War. After that, we will visit the famous French architecture Notre Dame Cathedral, and General Post Office.

Depart to Cu Chi tunnel is one of the best things to do while we are in the South, not only for its location but also for its location with an extraordinary history. Allow half an hour for the introduction to the history of Cu Chi and its creation and purposes. Enjoy a guided walk in the jungle, crawl into the tunnels and visit some permitted areas of the systems including living areas and martial facilities before heading back to Ho Chi Minh.

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh (B, L)

After having breakfast, we travel to Hung Vuong Pier in Ben Tre. Take a boat at Ben Tre River for sight-seeing lively activities along the river such as fishing, and water transfer. We will stop at the most popular places for handicraft workshops including a craft brickyard where the locals still use centuries-old traditional methods to handmade bricks, process coconut into many different forms, and weave mats with the aid of dried reeds and a huge loom. A local Xe Loi (motorized rickshaw) will take us into a tropical garden where we can taste the exotic tropical fruit and enjoy our homemade lunch. Spend the rest of the afternoon lounging on a sampan boat rowing through Ben Tre’s iconic backwaters with water palms and coconut trees. We go back to Ho Chi Minh at the end of the day.

In the evening, you will have a farewell dinner on our last day in Vietnam. Thank you for traveling with us!

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh - Departure (B)

We enjoy one last hearty breakfast with our travel companions before getting transferred to Tan Son Nhat International Airport where your journey with us ends.

*** Ends of service ***