Tour Style: Nature, Culture & History Tour

Tour Start: in Hanoi / Tour End: in Ho Chi Minh

Routing: Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu - Muong Phang - Halong Bay - Hue - A Luoi – Khe Sanh – Hill 937 – Rockpile – Truong Son Cemetery – Dong Ha - Quang Tri – Vinh Moc Tunnels - Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi minh - Cu Chi Tunnels - Mekong Delta

Trip duration: 15 Days 14 Nights

Group size: 2 - 16 pax

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival - Welcome dinner (D)

Upon arriving at Noi Bai International Airport, our guide and driver will be there to pick you up and then drive you to the center city. Have a beautifully 1 hour on cyclo to relax and enjoy the daily life of Hanoi. Then you will have a delicous welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Hanoi. 

Day 2: Discover in Hanoi (B, L)

After having breakfast, make our way to 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.

Then we will visit Vietnam Military History Museum. The museum consists of various buildings. Eras of Vietnamese military history are showcased in different buildings on the complex. The Flag Tower of Hanoi is within the bounds of the complex as well.

Move to visit Hoa Lo Prison which was a prison in Hanoi originally used by the French colonists in Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. During this later period, it was known to American POWs as the "Hanoi Hilton".

In the evening, we will watch the show of Hoa Lo Prison Night Tour: “Sacred Night”. The show combines historical storytelling, theatrical performances, and multimedia displays to give visitors a profound insight into Vietnam’s revolutionary history. It highlights the bravery and sacrifice of Vietnamese patriots who were imprisoned during the colonial and wartime periods.

Day 3: Hanoi – Fly to Dien Bien (B, D)

After having breakfast, we will depart to the airport for a short flight to Dien Bien. Arrive in Dien Bien, go to your hotel and check-in, and enjoy your night.

Day 4: Dien Bien Phu city tour (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we will begin our tour today with visit Victory Memorial Dien Bien Phu. The epic hilltop Victory Monument, commemorating the 1954 battles, presides heroically over Dien Bien Phu's main road. Road access leads around the back of the hill, or you can climb the steps for fine views.

Make our way to visit Hill A1 and Cemetery. It was the last hill taken by the Viet Minh, marking the end of the battle, and was the scene of some of the most intense fighting, and loss of life.

After lunch, we will visit Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum. The museum is designed in the shape of a former Dien Bien soldier’s mesh hat covered with camouflage leaves. The exhibition hall of the Museum consists of 5 parts, nearly 1,000 documents, and artifacts along with vivid historical landscapes and scenes that recreate the arduous but also very heroic war of Vietnamese soldiers people. In addition, the museum has put the Panaroma painting "Dien Bien Phu Campaign" in to exhibition. This historical painting, made for the first time in Vietnam with a length of 132m and a height of 20.5m.

Move to Command Bunker General Christian de Castries. This is the command bunker of the commander of the French forces in Dien Bien Phu, General Christian de Castries. With the seizing of the bunker by the Viet Minh ended the Battle of Dien Bien Phu (Điện Biên Phủ), on 7 May 1954. The bunker still is in original condition. Nowadays a roof is build wide above the bunker for protection

Depart to Memorial of French soliders in Dien Bien Phu. The Memorial was built by the initiative of Mr. Rolf Rodel - a French veteran who fought in Dien Bien Phu, under the support of the National Veterans Association and the French Veterans Association (France). There are multiple steles with French soldier symbols placed at the memorial.

Day 5: Dien Bien – Muong Phang – Fly back to Hanoi (B, D)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Then make our way to visit General Giap’s Headquaters. Tunnels and bunkers are recurring features of Vietnam’s 20 century strugle against foreign invader – and so they were at Dien Bien Phu.

Move to visit Muong Phang Victory Park. Muong Phang Victory Park was the place where our soldiers and people joyfully held a military parade to celebrate the victory on May 13th, 1954. Prominent in the campus of Victory Park, a cluster of monuments is assembled by green stone slabs, representing the forces participating in Dien Bien Phu Campaign. In the middle is the image of General Vo Nguyen Giap solemnly reading a letter from President Ho Chi Minh praising the soldiers, citizens, young volunteers, and people of the Northwest for the glorious victory and the daily order to welcome the great victory of Dien Bien Phu. This is a destination not to be missed when coming to Muong Phang and is often called by the locals with the familiar name of "Congratulation Monument”.

Then go to the airport for a flight back to Hanoi city. Arrival at the airport, our driver and tour guide will welcome you and take you to your hotel for check-in. Have a dinner before go back to your hotel for relaxing.

Day 6: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you’ll take a 2.5-hour drive to Halong Bay, one of the great natural wonders 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 a 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 7: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Fly to Hue (B, Br)

Your breakfast will be served while floating on the sea giving you another opportunity to capture the beauty of Ha Long Bay before disembarking time. Join a cooking class that shows you how to make Vietnamese spring rolls and other traditional food if you wish. The early lunch will be served before getting back to the main dock and transferring you to the airport in Hanoi for a flight to Hue.

Upon arrival in Hue, our driver and tour guide will come and take you to your hotel for overnight.

Day 8: Hue – A Luoi – Khe Sanh – Hill 937 – Rockpile – Truong Son Cemetery – Dong Ha (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we drive you to A Luoi. Along the way from Hue to A Luoi you can see natural beauty and minority people in highland mountain. Having a short rest, you will discover A Luoi town and daily life of Ta Oi ethnic with their traditional handicraft village such as weaving, textile... Besides, you will visit a well-known military site in the war between America and Vietnam - Hamburger Hill (nickname 937 Hill) by trekking. The driver will drive you to the foot of the Hill, after that you trek step by step to the top of the hill for enjoyment and discoverity. From the top of this hill, you can see the whole sight of the airport and the combat base.

Make our way to Dong Ha town, you will go on visiting Ho Chi Minh trail, Dakrong bridge, Paco minority village and Khe Sanh Combat Base to learn more about DMZ – a Demilitarized Zone where cut Vietnam country into sides North and South under the name Viet Cong in the North and Republical Regime in the South at 17th Parallel, the Rock pile (Elliot Combat Base) described as 230 high-piles of rocks.

Pay a visit to Truong Son National Cemetery. The cemetery is the resting-place of soldiers who fell on Ho Chi Minh Trail, which has become part of the history of anti-American war, and in battlefields in the Central part of the country. This is the biggest, highly artistic memorial site showing the people's deep sorrow, gratitude and respect for those who have sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the nation

Go to Dong Ha town for overnight.

Day 9: Dong Ha – Quang Tri Ancient Citadel – Hien Luong Bridge – Vinh Moc Tunnels - Hue (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we visit Quang Tri Ancient Citadel. Located on one bank of the Thach Han river, Quang Tri Ancient Citadel was once referred to as the site of bloody battles during the US war. Also, the site was a sacred place where dozens of thousands of Vietnamese soldiers sacrificed their lives for the nation independence. Because of carrying certain meanings in the Vietnamese history and contributing to the glorious historical chapter, it now becomes a special hotspot drawing more and more domestic and international tourists to visit.

Depart to Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai River, the 17th parallel: which marked the former border between North and South Vietnam from 1954 to 1972.

Continue our tour with visiting Vinh Moc Tunnels is a tunnel complex in Quang Tri, Vietnam. During the Vietnam War it was strategically located on the border of North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The tunnels were built to shelter people from the intense bombing in Vinh Linh county of Quang Tri Province in the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone. It was constructed in several stages beginning in 1966 and used until early 1972. The complex grew to include wells, kitchens, rooms for each family and spaces for healthcare. Around 60 families lived in the tunnels; as many as 17 children were born inside the tunnels.

Go back to Hue for overnight.

Day 10: Hue - Citadel - Drive to Hoi An - Half-day city tour (B, L)

After breakfast, we will visit Imperial Citadel of Hue, 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.

Then make our way 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.

Arrival at Hoi An ancient town, take a 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 11: Hoi An – My Lai Massacre - The Monument of Vietnamese Heroic Mother (B, L)

After enjoy breakfast, our guide and driver will be there to transfer you to Quang Ngai for experience an emotional journey of the war in Vietnam. Arrive at My Lai Massacre Museum, you will watch an emotionally charged video, and then you are free to roam the Museum at leisure before visiting the sites in the surrounding gardens with our guide who will be on hand to answer questions in English and help with camera shots.

You have chance to understand more about the terrible war in Vietnam with the visit of the My Lai monument. This site was built for memory of the civilians. About 502 of women and children who were killed during Viet Nam - American War. It is located on the land where American troop under learder of Mr. William Carney massacred the local people in the morning of 16th March 1968. About 502 old women & children were killed by American troop by shooting, and the colour of small river in My lai Village changed to become red colour. Because of blood of 502 children and old women were killed by shooting. It was very terrible war and sad experience.

Then we move to the Monument of Vietnamese Heroic Mother, built to honour all mothers that have lost their sons and daughters in the various wars. There is a vast image of the heroic mother Nguyen Thi Thu, she lost children and grandchildren in two wars. Go back to Hoi An at the end of the day.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 12: Hoi An - Da Nang - Fly to Ho Chi Minh: Half-day city tour (B, D)

Enjoy your last time in the beautiful place before our driver come and transfer you to the airport for flying to Ho Chi Minh city.

Arrive at Tan Son Nhat airport, our driver will come and pick you up, and drie you to the city centre to start our half-day cỉty tour. Our first destination in the city is 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.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi Tunnels - Talking with Vietnamese veterans (B, L)

After breakfast, we will visit 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. The tunnels (BEN DUOC) are located approximately 70 km from Ho Chi Minh city. Enjoy the scenery along the way, as we pass the lush, endless rice fields and the ducks are water buffaloes swimming in the rivers. You might find it hard to imagine that once the area was almost completely destroyed by bombs and mines from the war, when Cu Chi was a “free target zone “. This tour will be accompanied by a Vietnamese veteran, who will give you details and real story of their life during the War. This surely will be an unique and memorable experience for you in such historically significant site.

Then you will have opportunity engage in a special session with Vietnamese veterans. Hear personal stories about their experiences during the Vietnam War, gaining insight into the country’s history from a unique perspective.

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh - Farewell dinner (B, L, D)

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. Having a farewel dinner with us for your last night in Vietnam.

Day 15: 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 ***