Day 1: Saigon arrival (-/-/-)

Saigon - Airport: 7km, ~20min drive

Upon arrival in Tan Son Nhat International Airport, meet your driver & tour guide who will escort you to city center. After hotel check-in, you will be left to rejuvenate and explore the largest city in Vietnam, which is known as ‘The Pearl of the East’.

Meals Included: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 2: Saigon City - Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L/-)

Saigon - Cu Chi: 60km, ~1h20m drive

After breakfast at hotel, we depart for the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war. Upon arrival, we proceed to an underground hut to watch a short video and presentation about Cu Chi tunnels before having a real hand-on experience of what it took to live in the tunnels.

 We return to Saigon for lunch at a local restaurant (on your own cost). In the afternoon, we visit some major sights of the city including the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office and the War Remnant Museum - originally opened in September 1975 which displays old military equipment and other related items from Vietnam War. If time permits, we continue our trip on to the bustling Ben Thanh Market which is a fantastic place for bargains of every kind. There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers guests many freshly delicious dishes. You also can find any goods for daily use as well as variety of eye-catching local handicrafts, souvenirs here.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon 

Day 3: Saigon - Ben Tre Mekong Delta (B/L/-)

Saigon - Ben Tre: 107 km, ~2h drive

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave the bustling city of Saigon behind us and depart for the Mekong Delta known to locals as ‘Vietnam’s biggest rice basket’. Upon arrival at My Tho town, we embark a boat to cruise along Tien River, get over Tien River to the other side (Ben Tre land). We will do some sight-seeing to fish farms, floating fish market along the Dragon Island on the way. Through Xếp canal in Bến Tre (land of coconuts) to see coconut collection set and how the locals make handicrafts from coconut trunk and shell. Then, you will enjoy seasonal fruits and listen to traditional music. After that, take the horse-cart on village path and stop at Mr Nam Ngô orchard to taste honey with tea or wine and see bees-breeding in wooden boxes under logan trees.

 We will take a trip on small rowing boats through a maze of waterways lined by two rows of palm trees. We will have lunch in islets and boat to see local people make coconut candy, tasty candy (special products of Ben Tre province) before cruising back to the pier and disembark for a drive to Can Tho where we will spend the night.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho

Day 4: Cai Rang Floating Market – Sai Gon (B/- /-)

Rising early to the sounds of the Delta coming to life for another day, we have breakfast and start our day with a boat cruise along the seemingly endless waterway of Mighty Mekong River. We arrive amongst Cai Rang floating market, the biggest and most famous floating market in the Mekong Delta. View hundreds of boats which are packed with mango, bananas, papaya and pineapple…  all for selling, buying and exchanging. We visit the lush orchards and are treated to a delicious tropical fruits. After having lunch at the local restaurant, we drive back to Saigon.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 5: Saigon – fly to Nha Trang (B/-/-)

After breakfast at hotel, our driver will meet and transfer you to airport for the flight to Nha Trang. Upon arrival, you will be picked up by our driver for a drive to hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours for personal discovery or relaxation.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Nha Trang

Day 6: Nha Trang Day Cruise (B/L/-)

After using breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up at your hotel to Hon Tam Port to board the junk sailing around Nha Trang Bay. This name must have been relatively familiar with tourists all over the world by its magnificent beauty. Together with Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang Bay was officially recognized and ranked as one of the 29 most beautiful bays worldwide. This area is covered by 19 large and small islands including nearly ten islands oats. With the diversity in marine system, going around this charming bay will bring you the opportunity to enjoy the water sports like kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, paragliding and so on. And the last thing you can’t miss is the the scene of hundreds of canaries stretching their wings to fly in the blue windy sky. Bird nest is considered as the speciality of Nha Trang, which is supposed to be good for maintaining and enhancing our health. Annual harvesting of bird nests brings millions of dollars to the province of Khanh Hoa. Hence, don’t forget to grab it up a little for your family as a small gift.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Nha Trang

Day 7: Nha Trang Free Time (B/-/-)

Day at leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Nha Trang

Day 8: Nha Trang - Flight to Danang - Hoi An (B/-/-)

Nha Trang - Danang: 520km, 1h flight 

After breakfast at the hotel, our driver will meet and transfer you to the airport for flight to Danang. Upon arrival, you will be picked up by our guide and driver for a drive to Hoi An which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. After our arrival in Hoi An, we will visit this delightful and tranquil town, including the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, and a vibrant market.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Day 9: Hoi An - My Son Holy Land & Craft Village (B/-/-)

After breakfast, we drive towards the archaeological site of My Son (45km, ~1h drive). This is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled central Vietnam between the second and thirteenth centuries. Hinduism from India heavily influenced the religion. Located 60 km from Da Nang, My Son is considered one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. The complex is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. This site is a must-see for people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations. Not surprisingly, it is one of four World Heritage-listed sites in Vietnam.

In the afternoon, we enjoy a comfortable ride to Thu Bon River to board a river cruise. Sailing down the river, you can experience the local daily life along the river, such as fishing, farming and even catching clams. We then visit Thanh Ha ceramic village to admire its intricate pottery and see old men who produce jars, vases and many other objects. Getting back to the boat, we cruise down to the Cua Dai bay for a spectacular view of the sun setting over Thu Bon River and the sea before returning back to the harbour where our driver is waiting to take you back to the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Day 10: Hoi An Free Time (B/-/-)

Day at leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Day 11: Hoi An – Danang - Flight to Hanoi (B/-/-)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will then be transferred to airport for flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, our driver & tour guide will meet and transfer you to hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 12: Hanoi City Tour (B/L/-)

After breakfast at hotel, we start the day trip with a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site compromises Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum. We then visit the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which was served as the first University of Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigid exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat. 

In the afternoon, we visit Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative is the History Museum or Hoa Lo Prison) dedicated to Vietnam's 54 officially recognized ethnic groups with both indoor and outdoor sections. While the in-housed exhibition is particularly informative, the outdoor display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. We then enjoy 45 minute cyclo tour to the Old Quarter where you can see streets with century-aged trees and French Colonial buildings. We then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century, and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 13: Hanoi - Halong overnight on boat (B/L/D)

Hanoi - Halong: 180km, ~3h30m drive

After breakfast at hotel, we depart for Halong Bay, passing a peaceful countryside typical of Red River Delta with endless rice fields and winding rivers. We will arrive at Halong’s tourist wharf around noon and embark an elegant wooden junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of  Ha Long Bay to enjoy a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone this World Heritage Site. While being on board, we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by swimming and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. Try the feeling of witnessing the sunset on boat is really great. Dinner on board. The captain then will anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  In the evening, there is the option for night fishing or just sit out on the deck and relax under the stars.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on Junk

Day 14: Ha Long Bay Exploration (B/L/D)

Upon wakening, savor a cup of tea or coffee whilst you enjoy the beautiful surrounding landscape of the bay and take in the fresh sea air. The cruise continues along where we will discover more of the beautiful aspects of this awe inspiring UNESCO Heritage listed site. You’ll spend the day kayaking through hidden lagoons and parks. There will be time too for swimming in the crystal waters. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served on board.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on Junk

Day 15: Halong - Hanoi - Ninh Binh (Br/-/-)

Waking up surrounded by 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. The cruise continues to move around the bay for us to discover more secluded areas, we then take kayaking and swimming in the stunning bay. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a backup 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 Ninh Binh.

Meals Included: Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh

Day 16: Ninh Binh - Hoa Lu Cycling to Tam Coc – Hanoi (B/L/-)

We begin our day by cycling around the countryside and head to Hoa Lu, which was the capital city of Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty between 968 and 980 AD. Here there are many ancient sanctuaries and tombs that can still be seen today. Apart from the historical importance, the area surrounding Ninh Binh is naturally beautiful, referred to many as the “Halong Bay on land” with limestone peaks and fertile green valleys. We continue riding through the limestone peaks to Tam Coc, passing rice paddies and through the rural villages. Arriving in Tam Coc, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the boat pier, which provides a great chance for photos. We drive transfer back to Hanoi for the night.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 17: Hanoi – Departure (B/-/-)

After breakfast at hotel, time is free until our driver & tour guide meet and transfer you to Noi Bai airport for your flight home. Thank you very much for travelling with us!

Meals Included: Breakfast