VIETNAM IN YOUR EYES
Attractions: Cat Ba - Da Nang - Halong Bay - Hoi An - Saigon - Cu Chi tunnels - Ben Tre
Discover the real essence of Vietnam in a limited holiday time, this 10 days tour of Vietnam should be a perfect option. The journey leads you to almost famous highlights of this small country but well-known for more than 4000 years of history. This will an opened at both ends of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi in case you want to extend your trip to Cambodia and Laos with more days.
Discover the real essence of Vietnam in a limited holiday time, this 10 days tour of Vietnam should be a perfect option. The journey leads you to almost famous highlights of this small country but well-known for more than 4000 years of history. This will an opened at both ends of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi in case you want to extend your trip to Cambodia and Laos with more days.
Highlights
Highlights
- Hanoi - Discover a city tour to explore the 1000 year old Hanoi and its cultural richness
- Halong Bay - Cruise through enchanting Ha Long Bay and enjoy a quiet night with pure, fresh atmosphere on board in Halong Bay.
- Ninh Binh - Reveal the beauty of “Halong Bay on the rice fields” on bikes
- Hoi An - Step into the impressive, historic homes of Hoian, UNESCO World Heritage Site and Enjoy Cooking class.
- Saigon - Explore the throbbing metropolis Ho Chi Minh City and the famous Cu Chi – an incredible underground network.
- Mekong Delta - Sharing a good memory with your beloved while enjoy an excursion to explore the life and the the spiritual of people living along Mekong Delta
Day 1: Hanoi arrives
Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B)
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong bay (B, L,D)
Day 4: Halong bay -Hanoi - Flight to Da Nang/ Hoi An (B, L)
Day 5: Hoi An city tour & cooking class (B, L)
Day 6: Hoi An free & easy (B)
Day 7: Hoi An / Da Nang - Hochiminh city (B)
Day 8: Hochiminh city & Cu Chi tunnels (B)
Day 9: Mekong Delta (B, L)
Day 10: Departure (B)
Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B)
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong bay (B, L,D)
Day 4: Halong bay -Hanoi - Flight to Da Nang/ Hoi An (B, L)
Day 5: Hoi An city tour & cooking class (B, L)
Day 6: Hoi An free & easy (B)
Day 7: Hoi An / Da Nang - Hochiminh city (B)
Day 8: Hochiminh city & Cu Chi tunnels (B)
Day 9: Mekong Delta (B, L)
Day 10: Departure (B)
Itinerary
Warmly welcome you on arrival at Noi Bai international airport. We transfer you with a comfortable vehicle to the city center of Hanoi to check-in your hotel. This day is scheduled to take some rest after your long flight. You have the opportunity to get some first impressions of the city by yourself and of course our tour guide is always available at your request (pls note that early check-in is NOT included and subject to hotel’s availability).
Overnight in Hanoi
Overnight in Hanoi
Breakfast at the hotel, then our guide will pick you up and show you around Hanoi, Vietnam’s gracious capital. We enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, home to his mausoleum, garden, house on stilts and a museum which traces his life and work.
Our first stop is to visit the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh. Located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, this is the most important monument of Vietnam in which Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved. .This site will be oppend from Tuesday to Sunday and from 08:00 – 11:00.
The next destination is the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house was completed on May 19th, 1958 as a birthday present for uncle Ho and becomes a symbol of his simple life.
We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. This temple provides an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history.
Our last stop to visit today will be Hanoi Hilton – Hoa Lo Prison Museum. Maison Centrale in Hanoi, also known as Hoa Lo Prison or the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ housed Vietnamese revolutionaries and American POW during the Vietnam War. The fortress was once a vast colonial-style prison, most of which was torn down in the 1990s.
Overnight in Hanoi
Our first stop is to visit the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh. Located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, this is the most important monument of Vietnam in which Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved. .This site will be oppend from Tuesday to Sunday and from 08:00 – 11:00.
The next destination is the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house was completed on May 19th, 1958 as a birthday present for uncle Ho and becomes a symbol of his simple life.
We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. This temple provides an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history.
Our last stop to visit today will be Hanoi Hilton – Hoa Lo Prison Museum. Maison Centrale in Hanoi, also known as Hoa Lo Prison or the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ housed Vietnamese revolutionaries and American POW during the Vietnam War. The fortress was once a vast colonial-style prison, most of which was torn down in the 1990s.
Overnight in Hanoi
Breakfast served at hotel and then starts a 3-hour drive through the great scenery of the surrounding farmlands of the Red River Delta including rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life to Halong city.
Declared as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural attractions. Nearly 200 km far from Hanoi, the bay is dotted with 1600 limestone islands, capturing visitors’ attention.
Arrive in Halong ad board a luxury wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Dinner served on board.
Overnight on boat
Declared as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural attractions. Nearly 200 km far from Hanoi, the bay is dotted with 1600 limestone islands, capturing visitors’ attention.
Arrive in Halong ad board a luxury wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Dinner served on board.
Overnight on boat
Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back-up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Noi Bai airport for flight to Da Nang. Meet with our local guide and A/C auto driver in Da nang and transfer to Hoi An - a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries with a relaxed lifestyle that has changed little over the years. Don’t forget that this is the town famed for its great tailors.
Overnight in Hoi An
Overnight in Hoi An
The ancient town of Hoian is a small town in Central Vietnam. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoian was a busy international commercial port for foreign merchants. Today, Hoian is popular for its peaceful beauty, eclectic architecture, tailors and cafes.
Enjoy morning cooking class. The tour will be started with a short trip to visit Hoi An’s colourful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. You will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – the chefs first demonstrate each dish before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Enjoy your lunch with what you have cooked.
Next, your guide will take you on a tour of the ancient town, walking alonh the narrow streets to visit the homes of former merchants, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the ancient house and the exotic local market. Remainder of the day is free on your own exploration.
Overnight in Hoi An
Enjoy morning cooking class. The tour will be started with a short trip to visit Hoi An’s colourful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. You will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – the chefs first demonstrate each dish before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Enjoy your lunch with what you have cooked.
Next, your guide will take you on a tour of the ancient town, walking alonh the narrow streets to visit the homes of former merchants, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the ancient house and the exotic local market. Remainder of the day is free on your own exploration.
Overnight in Hoi An
A free day for relaxing, shopping or swimming at beach.
Today, we spend some last hours in Hoi An for relaxing or shopping before transfer to Danang airport to take a short flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, you will be met by our guide and transfer through the city to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight in Saigon
Overnight in Saigon
After breakfast, we start the day early with the famous Cu Chi Tunnels.
Located 70 km northwest of Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese soldiers in the American war. Nowadays, the tunnels have become a popular tourist attraction of Vietnam.
In the afternoon, we pass the now-demolished wartime War Remnants Museum before we visit the Reunification Palace.
War Remnants Museum shows us an evidence of the crime and the consequences of war that the invasion forces, first those of the French and then those of the American, has caused to Vietnam.
Reunification Palace is a unique construction designed for the President of South Vietnam during Vietnam War. When entering, visitors can not only admire its architectural beauty but also enjoy fresh atmosphere created by trees and grasses around.
We then move to some French colonial structures including the Old Sai Gon Post Office, Notre Dame
Cathedral. Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous architectural monuments influenced by European architecture. Both its exterior and interior are impressive with bright red color of bricks, stained glass panels and carved tiles, attracting many tourists.
The final destination of a city tour is Ben Thanh Market. Developed from informal markets created by early 17th century street vendors gathering together near the Saigon River, Ben Thanh Market is the earliest surviving structure and an important symbol of Saigon. It is also a good place to by handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs and local cuisines.
Overnight in Saigon
Located 70 km northwest of Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese soldiers in the American war. Nowadays, the tunnels have become a popular tourist attraction of Vietnam.
In the afternoon, we pass the now-demolished wartime War Remnants Museum before we visit the Reunification Palace.
War Remnants Museum shows us an evidence of the crime and the consequences of war that the invasion forces, first those of the French and then those of the American, has caused to Vietnam.
Reunification Palace is a unique construction designed for the President of South Vietnam during Vietnam War. When entering, visitors can not only admire its architectural beauty but also enjoy fresh atmosphere created by trees and grasses around.
We then move to some French colonial structures including the Old Sai Gon Post Office, Notre Dame
Cathedral. Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous architectural monuments influenced by European architecture. Both its exterior and interior are impressive with bright red color of bricks, stained glass panels and carved tiles, attracting many tourists.
The final destination of a city tour is Ben Thanh Market. Developed from informal markets created by early 17th century street vendors gathering together near the Saigon River, Ben Thanh Market is the earliest surviving structure and an important symbol of Saigon. It is also a good place to by handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs and local cuisines.
Overnight in Saigon
The Mekong Delta is the region in southern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea. It is a very rich and lush area, covered with rice fields, that produces about half of the total of Vietnam’s agricultural output.
After breakfast, we'll escape the city to explore the iconic Mekong Delta. We'll enjoy the scenic journey through the exotic landscapes of Southern Vietnam of low lying rice paddies and a comprehensive network of the delta's canals and channels bordered by dense mangroves and palm forests. On arriving, we'll board a private boat to Turtle Island, where we can taste locally grown fruit and listen to folk songs performed for us by local artists. We'll travel by horse drawn carriages to a Bee Farm, where we'll taste local tea sweetened with the farm's honey, then we'll take rowing boats to the Island of the Coconut Monk to enjoy lunch at a delectable restaurant, before returning to Saigon.T he remaining time would be spent at your own pleasure.
Overnight in Saigon
After breakfast, we'll escape the city to explore the iconic Mekong Delta. We'll enjoy the scenic journey through the exotic landscapes of Southern Vietnam of low lying rice paddies and a comprehensive network of the delta's canals and channels bordered by dense mangroves and palm forests. On arriving, we'll board a private boat to Turtle Island, where we can taste locally grown fruit and listen to folk songs performed for us by local artists. We'll travel by horse drawn carriages to a Bee Farm, where we'll taste local tea sweetened with the farm's honey, then we'll take rowing boats to the Island of the Coconut Monk to enjoy lunch at a delectable restaurant, before returning to Saigon.T he remaining time would be spent at your own pleasure.
Overnight in Saigon
Today is departure day. Enjoy some free time for last purchases or simply relax before transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your onward flight. Ends of trip.
| Standard class | |||
| Location | Accommodation name | Star | Room Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat Ba | Sunlight Boutique | Royal Suite | |
| De luxe class | |||
| Location | Accommodation name | Star | Room Type |
| Cat Ba | Ocean Cruise | Signature Junior Suite |
Tour includes:
- Accommodation in a double or twin share room with daily breakfast
- Overnight cruise on board a good-quality boat in Halong Bay (non-private boat)
- Domestic flights and domestic airport taxes
- Private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers.
- Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
- Experienced English speaking guide during all tours and transfers
- Lunch or dinner as specified in the itinerary
- Local private boat cruise: Mekong Delta,
- Water & cool towels
- Government taxes & service charge
Tour excludes:
- Vietnam Visa stamp fee: USD 25/ person
- International airfare and departure taxes
- Meals, if not specified in the itinerary
- Early check in/ late check out
- Gala dinner on 24th and 31st December if any
- Surcharged for Public holidays
- Drinks and meal not mentioned
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks … etc.
- Personal travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).
- Gratuities/ Tipping
- All other services not specified in the itinerary
Where can we take you?