CTV8: Taste of Vietnam tour 14 days 13 nights from 1095 USD

Itinerary in Brief

 

Day 1: Hanoi arrival 

Day 2: Hanoi city tour   (B, L)

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong bay cruise (B, L,D)

Day 4: Halong bay – Hanoi ( B, L )

Day 5: Hanoi – Hue flight ( B, L )

Day 6: Hue - Danang - Hoian (B, L)

Day 7: Hoian free ( B )

Day 8: Hoian – Nha Trang (B)

Day 9: Nha trang island tour (B, L)

Day 10: Nha trang -  Dalat (B, L)

Day 11: Dalat countryside – Ho chi minh (B, L)

Day 12: Ho chi minh city - Cu chi tunnel ( B , L )

Day 13: Ho chi minh – Mekong delta – Ho  chi minh (B, L)

Day 14: Ho chi minh departure (B)

 

Itinerary in Details

 

Day 1: Ha Noi arrival  

Arrival at Noi Bai 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 Hanoi

 

Day 2 : Hanoi city tour ( B, L ) 

Breakfast at hotel, This morning we start city tour with the Ho Chi Minh Complex from outside. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh (Close on every Monday, Friday, and from 15th June to 15th August for annual maintenance), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam, Vietnam’s first university.  Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Lunch at local restaurant. 

Afternoon, We continue to visit the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple, do a cyclo tour around the 36 streets of the Hanoi old quarter to learn more about simple life of Hanoian. Enjoy water puppet show- a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers, and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water. Time for shopping in the Old Quarter, Dong Xuan Market, Hang Gai Street, Hang Bong Street, Hang Ngang Street…

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
 

Optional- Street food tour including dinner

Time frame: Around 3 hours

At around 17:30, our tour guide will meet you again at your hotel lobby, then start walking around Hoan Kiem Lake and the old quarter "36 streets" to visit some famous and specialized- food families or stalls/ local restaurants, shops where they run their business everyday. Special thing that tour guide would like to introduce some popular authentic food in lovely mini restaurants (not luxury restaurants) where you feel comfortable to sit down and enjoy some favorite dishes and nice drinks too.

It's interesting to taste some local food stalls and mini restaurants in hidden alleys and sidewalks, to learn about Vietnamese cuisine, culture, people and language. 

Street food tour will give you an unique experience to try the foods of the local Hanoi people, kow how a Hanoian cook the meals. What’s a great way to discover Vietnam culture.

Cost:   30 USD / person
 

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay cruise ( B, L, D ) 

Breakfast at hotel, 8:30 – 9:00 AM our bus will pick you up from your hotel, transfer to Halong bay. Our driver will take a 10 – 15 minutes break by a station for guests to rest on the way.

12:00 – 12:30 Embark on Cruise followed by a short cruise briefing.

13:30 – 14:30 Savor a delectable lunch as cruises among the limestone islands.

15:00 – 16:00 Explore the amazing Sung Sot Cave - the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay.

16:00 – 17:00 Cruising to Titov island. Go swimming and relaxing at the beach of Titov or climb up to the top of the island for a panorama view of Halong Bay.

17:00 – 17:30 Return to the main boat and continue cruising to the quiet area while enjoy beautiful seascape on the way.

17:30 – 19:00 Enjoy Sunset Party on sundeck and admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set.

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 4: Halong bay – Hanoi  ( B, L )

06:30 – 07:15 Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt.

07:30 – 08:30  Have breakfast on board and enjoy the peaceful morning of Halong Bay.

09:00 – 10:00 Kayak around the Luon Cave.

10:15 Return to the boat. Freshen up and check out of your cabin.

10:15 – 11:00 Continue your cruise exploring the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more.

11:00 – 12:15 While heading back to the harbor, watch the fruit carving demonstration and participate in the Cooking Class before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch.

Our bus will transfer you back to Hanoi.

14:30 – 15:00 : Arrive back to your hotel in Hanoi, check in, relax.

 

Day 5: Hanoi – Hue flight ( B, L )

This morning take flight to Hue. Warmly welcomed at Hue airport by local guide, transfer to city center. 

We then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. 

Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon We embark on a boat for cruise upstream on the Perfume River, viewing the city and the tranquil villages on the riverbank. We will walk up to visit the Thien Mu pagoda, a nicely located pagoda, overlooks the Perfume River and the beautiful scenery beyond, where you get to learn more about the Buddhism in Vietnam.  One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Khai Dinh, built decades before its occupant's death the tomb was used as a palace retreat before the emperors final resting place. On return to the city, we then take a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market and pass many fantastic eating spots where visitors have a chance to sample some local delicacies.

 

Day 6: Hue – Danang – Hoian (B, L)

This morning say good bye Hue and embark on southern bound journey to  Hoian – the old trading town. Along the way though we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee ( by your own ) and refreshments. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Continuing on our way down the other side and into Da nang, where we will stop at Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world. We also visit the Marble Mountains, five sacred hills containing dozens of Buddhist shrines. Arrive in Hoian ancient town , check in, relax. We spend the rest of afternoon to discover Hoian.

Take a walk tour to explore Hoian ancient town, once a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Hoi An’s architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed little over the years. 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. 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. The town is also famous for it's shops in particular it's large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could  have a whole new wardrobe made for you here.

 

Day 7: Hoian free ( B )

Today there is plenty of time to discover Hoi An  by yourself. You can spend your time  walking around exploring the many Chinese  assembly halls and  fascinating ancestral  homes, some of which have been occupied  by the same family for fifteen genera ions. The town is also famous for it's shops in particular it's large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could have a whole new wardrobe made for you here! You might like to take a boat ride with one of the local women across the Thu Bon River. Perhaps you would like to hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4 km away. There's even the chance to improve your culinary skills with a Vietnamese cooking lesson! One thing is for sure - there is no shortage of things to do in this town .

 

Optional- Hoian ancient town & Ecotour Cam Thanh – Biking Tour & bamboo basket boat  

•Distance: 10km

• Activities: Cycling, basket boat cruise, fishing, relaxing foot massage with medicinal herbs, cooking classes and lunch at local family house.

Spend a day leisurely cycling though the scenic and peaceful countryside of Vietnam, far away from the noise of the city. After passing through town, you will find yourself cycling amongst villages of rice fields on quiet roads, ending up in Van Lang fisherman village and Bay Mau water coconut forest - 7 hectares of mangrove forest, canals, and houses covered in water coconut leaf. This place played refuge to people and local soldiers during the Vietnam War, but nowadays it is famous for its abundance of seafood. On our journey to the village we will stop at Ba Le market, rice fields, cemeteries and schools...In the village you will be warmly welcomed with a green tea by Mr. Han and his family, the third generation of his family to live here. You are then free to stroll through the village, before rowing a basket boat with the help of skillful locals, learning their traditional fishing techniques in the water coconut forest. After returning to Mr. Han and his family, you will enjoy a traditional therapeutic foot bath with medicinal herbs, before helping to prepare lunch with a local family. Lunch will feature many local dishes, such as Tam Huu spring rolls, Banh Xeo local pancakes, grilled fish in banana leaf, among many other Vietnamese delicacies. Free time and the opportunity for a short rest will follow lunch, before we return to your hotel.

 

Includes in the Morning Tour 

• Bicycle Tour through the local countryside

• Adventure basket boat ride

• Cooking class and lunch at local farmer family  

• Fishing with local fishermen

• Local guide  

• Cost:   52 USD / person
 

Day 8: Hoian – Nha Trang (B)

Breakfast at hotel, free until transfer to the Danang airport for short  flight to Nha Trang. Pick up at Cam Ranh airport, transfer to hotel, check in, relax. The fabulous sunny weather, the turquoise water, white sandy beach along the whole length of the city make Nha trang an ideal place for any seeking an enjoyable holiday. This afternoon, free and relax at the beautiful beaches.

 

Day 9: Nha trang island tour (B, L)
Start from your hotel to Cau Da port in the morning. The Oceanographic Institute nearby the Nhatrang Port is the first place to visit where you can sea the full collection of sea creatures of Nhatrang bay before embarking & cruising to the islands. Many sea species of Nha Trang/Khanh Hoa province make a small ocean world there. Mun Island is the best island for snorkeling where you can see lots of lives colorful corals and fish. You will also be able to see caves in which the sea swallows make their nests from the boat. Then relaxing, swimming & doing water sports or other activities at Mot Island, Tranh Beach Island or on a small island calling “Mini beach”. Taking a fresh lunch at the island or Con se tre village. On the way back you will visit a fishing village before going to the shore.

 

Day 10: Nha trang – Dalat (B, L)

After breakfast at hotel we drive up to Dalat, enjoy the beautiful scenery andtake some stop-overs on the way for photo and refreshment. Check in hotel up on arrival in Dalat.

We then visit the Truc Lam Zen Monastery by cable car, at present is the biggest Zen University in Vietnam,  enjoying airy space at Robin Hill, Dalat Cable Car Station to get the panorama view of the Dalat City and enjoy the marvelous sight of the pine forested valley stretched down to the South. Please dress decently, a very quiet scenery beside it’s beautiful flower garden, which is built on the top of Phoenix Hill. Keep driving southward, you vist Datanla waterfall with magnificent view.

Next place is the Domaine De Marie Church. The church is designed in European style but is more innovative than classical architecture. The church is used for local praying and helping disabled children. 

Then time is on your own to explore Dalat by yourself, wander around Dalat market, visit Xuan Huong Lake. Remember that coffee and cake in Dalat are some of the best in Vietnam and easily to be found in any finer cafes. Overnight at hotel in Dalat.

 

Day 11: Dalat countryside– Ho chi minh (B, L )

Picking you up from hotel and leaving the city centre for a wonderful excursion of Elephant falls. The first stop en route must be at Van Thanh traditional flower farm village. Taking photos of flowers planted in the greenhouses of local farmers will be a great trip collection for your journey in the southern central highlands. Keep heading up to the coffee plantation at Ta Nung village to find out what amazing procedures of coffee processing . Savoring local coffee on the terrace of the long house and enjoying the beautiful panoramic scenes of a lake and coffee fields. Another option is that you can also witness a fantastic model of breeding and making local weasel coffee- one of the best coffee bean in Dalat city by farmers there.  The next stop is at a cricket farm of a young guy in the village modeling for poverty elimination and livelihood option for the youth in the region. Perhaps, you should also try some yummy fried crickets with chili sauce for a new experience.  A local rice wine distillery stop will make your trip more unforgettable as well as the weasel farm.

Taking a short drive to get to a silk worm factory where sericulture has been developed for more than 100 years by local people in the region . Breeding silkworm and planting mulberries have become the traditional livelihood for the local farmers. Tourists will behold a great process of a silkworm spinning and enclosing themselves into a cocoon and of unraveling filament from cocoon, ect,. Local silk productions here are very qualitative and beautiful so just make your pocket happier. The last stop will be at Elephant falls one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Dalat and Linh An pagoda inhabiting nearby. Trekking from the top to the bottom of the falls for photos shoot is very nice but a little bit steep and slippery during the wet season around  April till November. Bringing good walking shoes with you is recommended. 

Transfer to airport for flight to Ho chi minh city. The guide in HCM city will pick you up, transfer to hotel in city center, check in, relax.

 

Day 12: Ho chi minh city - Cu chi tunnel ( B , L )

Morning after breakfast, 8:00 AM pick up at  hotel, drive to the 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 and the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.

 

Day 13: Ho chi minh – Mekong delta – Ho  chi minh (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, check in, relax.

 

Optional Tour: Saigon Nightlife & Food taste by Scooter tour

From 17:30 – 22:00 around 4.5 hours

+ This trip is best for: Nightlife activities combine street food tasting, people with food restrictions and sightseeing. 

+ Vegetarian, Israeli and Asian will have different menu to suit each taste, food restriction and religion.

 

From 17:30 – 22:00 around 4,5 hours

Itinerary:

At 5:30 PM, your personal English speaking tour guide will be waiting at your hotel lobby to meet and greet. We will do a quick instruction on how to drive safely and what you need to do in the back of our scooters. And hang on tight, let's the journey begin!!!

2/ We will go with the flow of traffic during the rush hour but we guarantee it's not a big problem since we are good drivers. After 20 - 25 minutes, we will be completely outside of those tourist destinations and be at real local vendors, where you have a chance to try Vietnamese noodles, pancakes while learning about the history and also special significant of each dish.

3 / At this point, you will probably be quite full, so let's take a short sightseeing, zip around the city, feel the cool of the weather, take a look at our amazing nightlife and slowly fall in love with Ho Chi Minh city.

4 / Feel relax yet? Here comes the traditional Street BBQ in Vietnamese style. What can be more authentic with a mini oven on the table and grill different types of meat and eat it instantly? Ooh, did i mention about local frozen beer, it's a perfect place to have a drink for sure.

5/Are you full now, cause we still got our last stop for the dessert. Let's try some Vietnamese sweet desserts that will leave a great taste and impression about our cuisine.

6 / After closing the tour, we will drive you back to your hotel around 10:00 PM, wish you all the best and hopefully we have a chance to see you again.

 

Include:

• All local foods & drink

• Qualified helmet, poncho.

• Cooking & local market

• English speaking tour guide

• Pick up & drop off at hotel 

• Motorbike

• Accident insurance, maximum 10,000 USD

Cost:  60 USD / person 

 

Day 14 : Ho chi minh departure ( B )

Free until transfer to the airport for your departure flight. End of tour.

 

Price

We offer different price for different travel period and quote from budget travel to luxury highen, no hidden cost. 

So please contact us for your best quote!