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 – Hanoi – Danang - Hoian (B, L)
Day 5: Hoian ancient town & Ecotour Cam Thanh – Biking Tour & bamboo basket boat ( B, L )
Day 6: Hoian – Hue ( B )
Day 7: Hue – Ho chi minh ( B, L )
Day 8: Ho chi minh city – Cu chi tunnel ( B, L )
Day 9: Ho chi minh – Mekong delta (B, L)
Day 10: Ho chi minh – Phu Quoc (B)
Day 11: Phu Quoc relaxation (B)
Day 12: Phu Quoc relaxation (B)
Day 13: Phu Quoc – Ho chi minh (B)
Day 14: Ho chi minh departure (B)
Itinerary in Details:
Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to hotel by Asia View Travel’s guide with signboard, check in, relax. Today is free at your leisure to rest or explore, discovering your own first impressions of Vietnam. Overnight at hotel.
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: 28 USD / person
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay cruise ( B, L, D )
Breakfast at hotel, 8:45 AM pick 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 - Danang flight - Hoian( 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.
We will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a drive back Hanoi. We transfer directly to the airport for flight to Danang. The guide in Danang will pick you up, transfer to hotel in Hoian, check in, relax.
Day 5: Hoian ancient town & Ecotour Cam Thanh – Biking Tour & bamboo basket boat ( B, L )
• 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.
1.00pm Back to your hotel, take rest in a while.
Afternoon, explore Hoian ancient town by walking tour, 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!
Overnight at hotel in Hoian. Free time in the evening, you can wander around the Night market, or join to release the lantern on the Hoai River.
Day 6: Hoian – Hue ( B )
This morning there is plenty of time to relax or discover Hoian 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. 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 the town, 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!
Afternoon say good bye Hoian and embark on northern bound journey to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Stop en route at the beautiful Non Nuoc Beach and the Marble Mountains, five sacred hills containing dozens of Buddhist shrines. The guide and driver will take you over the beautiful Hai Van Pass - Vietnam's geographical and psychological boundary between north and south. The peak of the pass lies perpetually shrouded in clouds. Arrival Hue, we 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.
Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 7: Hue – Ho chi minh ( B, L )
Breakfast at hotel, we 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.
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. Transfer to the airport for flight to Ho chi minh city. The guide in Ho chi minh city will pick you up, transfer the city center, check in, relax.
Day 8: Ho chi minh city – Cu chi tunnel ( B, L ) – 70km 1 way
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 and the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.
Day 9: 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 – 22:30 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 10: Ho chi minh – Phu quoc (B)
Take the short flight from Saigon to Phu Quoc island, a sleepy tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand, 45km south-west of the Vietnam. Transfer to resort on arrival. Phu Quoc's interior is still mostly covered in dense tropical forest and its coastline is ringed with deserted sandy beaches. There are three days free to enjoy this tropical hideaway.
Day 11: Phu quoc beach (B)
Relax and enjoy your Phu quoc sandy beach: swim, sunbathe and take in the delights of this beautiful holiday resort. Optional sightseeing or visit to offshore islands, scuba diving and other water sports (by your own) or just relax and enjoy the resort facility. Overnight in Phu quoc.
Day 12: Phu quoc beach (B)
All day free at leisure, relax at beautiful Phu quoc beaches.
Day 13: Phu quoc- Ho chi minh (B)
At leisure before transfer to airport for flight back Ho chi minh city. Pick up, transfer to the hotel in city. Check in, relax.
Day 14: Ho chi minh departure (B)
Breakfast at hotel, free time until transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Say goodbye Vietnam.
Price
We offer different price for different travel period and quote from budget travel to luxury highen, no hidden cost.
Tour includes:
• All accommodation in double / twin room with daily breakfast at selected hotels
• 2 days 1 night cruise in Halong Bay ( private cabin – sharing boat )
• All tours & transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
• Private English speaking guide during guided time ( sharing tour guide on Halong cruise )
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary with local foods (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Boat cruise as stated
• Domestic flight ticket: Hanoi – Danang, Hue – Ho chi minh, Ho chi minh – Phu quoc, Phu quoc – Ho chi minh
• Entrance fees and permits for all sights visited
• Mineral water & towel
• Government taxes & Service charges
Tour excludes:
• International flights to and from Vietnam
• Vietnam visa
• Optional Tours
• Surcharge on Christmas, New Year and our Lunar New Year
• Personal travel insurance
• Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills
• Tips & Gratuties
Children Policy:
For children between 2 to 12 years old, the following price policy applies:
Child in extra bed 85% of total package
Child no bed 50% of total package
Child in twin 90% of total package
For infant between 0-2 years old, the following policy applies:
No extra bed, no meals, no entrance. All services free
