Day 1: Ho chi minh arrival
Arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to hotel, check in, relax. Today is free at your leisure to rest or explore, discovering your own first impressions of Vietnam.
Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.
Day 2: Ho chi minh city – Cu chi tunnel ( B, L )
Morning after breakfast, 8:00 AM pick up at hotel, drive tothe famous Cuchi Tunnels. It takes you nearly 2 hours traveling by road from Ho chi minh to Cu chi tunnel.
At the height of the Vietnam war, the tunnel system stretched from the outskirts of Saigon all the way to the Cambodian border of over 250 kilometers of tunnels. The tunnel system, built over 25 years starting in the 1940s, let the Viet Minh and, later, the Viet Cong, control a huge rural area. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was several stories deep and housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married, giving birth, going to school.
Back city for lunch.
Afternoon take city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals. We visit the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office, Opera House ( from outside ) and the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.
Day 3 : Ho chi minh – mekong delta – Ho chi minh – Danang flight ( B, L )
You will be picked up at your hotel, transfer to My Tho, 80 km from Ho chi minh city. It takes you around 2 hours to get the area. This trip provides a look at a wide variety of the life and scenery on Vietnam River from the peaceful Delta.
On arrival at My Tho, you will take the leisurely motorized boat on the Tien River through the four beautiful islands known as Dragon Island, Unicorn Island, Phoenix Island, Turtle Island.
On the way, you will see the fishing port, stilt houses, floating fishing village.
The boat trip will lead you to Thoi Son island, walk into the village, visit fruit garden, enjoy the tropical fruits while listening "Southern Vietnamese folk music". Here we also can join the daily activities of the local people and enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful natural countryside, taste the relaxing honey tea, local jam, visit coconut candy factory, specialties of Mekong river area. Time for you to ride a horse cart under shadow of lush fruits orchards, lines of green coconut trees in calm village. Then take an amazing rowing boat trip on the small canal - fully covered by the shadow of the water coconut’s tree and cool breezes.
Lunch will be served in the heart of the orchard garden, where you will enjoy countryside delicacies.
All make you feel like living in the past in peaceful and beautiful Mekong delta, forget all difficulties in life and relax totally.
Your expectations will be fulfilled by final boat trip back to My Tho on the Tan Thach natural canal.
Take 2 hour drive back Ho chi minh city, and drive directly to the airport for flight to Danang. Welcome at Danang international airport, transfer to hotel in Danang, check in, relax.
Day 4: Danang – Bana hills – Hoian ( B, L )
Breakfast at hotel, say goodbye Hoian and head out to Ba Na hills. Take Cable Car which gains 5 world scores to Ba Na hills station. Stop at By Night station to visit Vong Nguyet hills, Linh Ung pagoda, The Old Villas of French. Continue moving up by cable car to the Nui Chua Mountain – the top of Ba Na range, visiting Nghinh Phong top, Le Nim Villas, Orchid Garden… Experience hill climbing train (first and unique funicular in Vietnam) and visit an old French cellar (Debay Ancient Wine Cellar), flower garden Le Jardin D’amour and Linh Ung Pagoda.
You should not miss walking on the Golden Bridge amid the foggy hills of the mountain, enjoy the gorgeous view of Da Nang City.
Have buffet lunch at restaurant.
Afternoon: Free time for you to enjoy the amazing view in Ba Na Hills and do the great photoshoot.
15:30 catch the Cable car to Toc Tien Station and then transfer to Hoian, check in, relax
Overnight at hotel in Hoian
Day 5: Hoian ancient town – Danang – Hanoi flight ( B, D)
This morning explore Hoian ancient town, once a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The ancient architecture of Hoi An is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. Take a leisurely walking tour of the ancient town center and visit the sites of former merchants’ homes, a 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and a Chinese Communal Hall, 200 years old Tan Ky House & Historical Museum. Believed to have been settled no less than 2,200 years ago, Hoi An was known as Faifo to early Western traders. Hoi An was one of the major ports of Southeast Asia from the 17th to 19th centuries. Chinese, Japanese, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and other traders had small communities here, and the old wooden houses, bridges and temples that remain are reminiscent of a Vietnam of centuries past. This unique old trading town slowly became isolated due to its river silting up and by destroyed rail lines, leaving it untouched by war and frozen in time. Nowadays, this absolutely charming and relaxed town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi.
Welcome at Noibai airport, transfer to city center, visit Ba Dinh Square and Tran Quoc pagoda, West lake – the biggest lake in Hanoi, continue to visit Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) , do an electric car tour around the 36 streets of the Hanoi old quarter to learn more about simple life of Hanoian.
Time for wandering and shopping in the Old Quarter, Hang Gai Street, Hang Bong Street, Hang Ngang Street…
Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay cruise ( B, L, D ) - join in group
Breakfast at hotel, 08:00 – 08:30 you will be picked up at hotel by shuttle bus, departure for Halong bay. Our driver will take a 10 – 15 minutes break by a station for guests to rest on the way.
11:45 - 12:00 : Welcome to Cruise lounge at Tuan Chau International Habour and complete check in procedures.
12:00 Transfer to Cruise by a tender boat.
12:30 Embark on Cruise, enjoy welcome drink while listening to cruise briefing and safety instructions.
13:00 Have lunch at The D Restaurant while Cruise takes you through some of the most breathtaking scenery from Ha Long Bay to its secretive “neighbour” called Lan Ha Bay.
15:00 Explore Bright cave on a traditional rowing bamboo boat with locals. You can just chill and enjoy the breathtaking nature of the unique cave and lake surrounded by trees and stone cliffs.
16:30 It’s time for swimming and water activities, immersed in the green bay with floats.
17:30 – 18:30 Enjoy Sunset party with some complimentary while waiting for twilight over limestone islands. Take the chance of HAPPY HOUR to have your favourite drinks
19:00 Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests, take part in board games, fish for squid, or just laze around.
Overnight on board.
Day 7: Halong bay – Hanoi ( B, L ) – join in group
6:00 Start a day with a Tai Chi session, enjoy fresh air and watch sunrise on the bay.
6:30 Have a light breakfast on board.
7:00-8:00 Explore Tra Bau area by kayaking, get closer to the rocky islands and admire the stunning nature of the bay.
9:00 Return to the cruise, check-out.
9:30 Enjoy brunch at the restaurant while cruising back to Tuan Chau port.
11:00 Disembark at Tuan Chau port.
15:00 – 15:30 : Arrive back to your hotel in Hanoi, check in, relax.
Day 8: Hanoi departure ( B) - Private driver
Breakfast at hotel, free until transfer to the airport for your departure flight. End of tour.
