Day 1: Arrival Hanoi

Xin Chao – Welcome to Hanoi

On arrival, we will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Hanoi. At night we will bring you out for a welcome dinner in an authentic local restaurant. It is a great start to learn about the amazing local cuisine.

Hanoi is over 1000 years old and is currently the capital of Vietnam as well as the political, and cultural heart of the country.

Included: Airport transfer & Accommodation

Meal: Dinner

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour

Today, your Hanoi city tour starts off with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, His House on-stilts, the One-Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, which was built in October 1073 to commemorate Confucius and is considered to be the first university in Vietnam.

After lunch, we will then proceed to Hoan Kiem Lake where you will see the Ngoc Son Temple which commemorates the Van Xuong saint and Tran Hung Dao, a former general commander. Later in the afternoon, you will get a chance to enjoy a one-hour cyclo ride around the 36 streets in the Old Quarters of Hanoi, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Included: Transfer, English-speaking tour guide, Tours, Accommodation

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3: Hanoi – Hai Phong – Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay

Early morning we take a drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay, one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of Nature.

Sample Itinerary – Actual itinerary depends on the standard of the package booked

12h15
Transfer by tender to the Cruise Ship.

12h30
Welcome guests onboard and then check in, enjoy Welcome Drink, receive cruise briefing, safety instructions and check-in. Start cruising and explore Halong Bay – one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

13h00
The cruise proceeds to Da Chong islet, where you can see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. Have an International Buffet Lunch while passing via the islets of Con Vit area. These unique limestone karst formations rise up out of the sea in an impressive manner. This area is untouched, as not many cruise ships use the route via the Cat Ba Island – Thoi Quyt area – Coc Ngoi islet – through Gia Luan area which it belongs to Cat Ba National Park.

14h15
We progress to Trung Trang cave by bus on Cat Ba island, located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park with Kim Giao forest around the cave. Trung Trang Valley is the largest valley on Cat Ba Island. The valley covers an area of approximately 300 hectares, has a depth of 10m to 30m and is around 15km in the middle of Cat Ba National Park. Trung Trang Cave measures 300 m lengthwise through the mountains. The cave was carved by nature for more than 2000 years. The cave has many stalactites that take on various shapes that will awe and inspire visitors to use their imagination.

17h00
The cruise gets to the less populated area at Tra Bau in Lan Ha Bay. You will enjoy the green emerald and cold water by swimming.

17h45
Returning to the boat, you can watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Onboard you may join a traditional cooking class. The chef will instruct you in the making of some Vietnamese dishes. In the early evening, the boat has its Happy Hour deal.

19h30
Sumptuous Candlelight Deluxe Dinner Set Menu served. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting.

21h30
Enjoy the landscape of the bay at night up on the top deck. Relax while enjoying drinks from the bar. Try your hand at night squid fishing, or watching a movie in the restaurant. Overnight on board.

23h00
End of Day One program

Note: Above program is a sample program and can vary depending on the package chosen.

Included: Transfer, English-speaking guide, Cruise, Accommodation on Cruise Ship

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Hue

Wake up early to witness the bay at its very best while enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck; after which breakfast is served. Upon completing breakfast continue our journey and head out to explore the bay in the area where Ao Ech is situated.

7h45
Enjoy kayaking at Ao Ech area to discover the hidden charm of Lan Ha Bay

9h30
Welcomes back on board, and it is time for checking out.

10h00
While cruising back, you can enjoy a delightful brunch.

10h30
Tea Ceremony is served at the restaurant. You will learn how to enjoy Vietnamese tea and Vietnamese culture at this ceremony.

11h35
Return to the quayside in the south of the bay. Disembark and bid farewell.

Transfer to Hanoi railway station to take the night train to Hue.

Note: Above program is a sample program and can vary depending on the package chosen.

Included: Cruise, Transfers, Night Train Hanoi – Hue

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 5: Hue City Tour

Upon arrival in Hue, you will enjoy the local ‘Bun Bo Hue’ for breakfast. After breakfast, you will proceed to visit the beautiful Imperial Citadel, a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1993. Here, we will see the Imperial City and Forbidden City, the home of previous Emperors.

Here, enjoy the various palaces, ornate halls, libraries, residences, colleges, Flag Tower and the Noon Gate. After the Citadel, we will proceed to the Truong Tien Bridge and traditional Dong Ba Market which is rarely seen anywhere else in the world.

In the afternoon, you will be exploring the ancient Hue and enjoy its beauties and marvels. We will start by taking a boat trip down the romantic Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest and most beautiful pagodas in Hue.

After that, we will move on to see the Khai Dinh Tomb before calling it a night.

Included: Transfer, English-speaking tour guide, Tours, Accommodation

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 6: Hue – Hoi An

After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel in Hue and transferred to Hoi An. On the way to Hoi An, you will make a pit stop at the Hai Van Pass to enjoy the scenery and take photos. Visit Marble mountain and Stone village

After having lunch at a local restaurant in Hoi An, exploring Hoi An on foot is one of the best ways to absorb the beauty of this city. The unique atmosphere combines elements of Vietnam, China and Japan. The tour also includes visits to the Hoi An Museum and many of the town’s renowned Ancient Houses, which boast remarkable architecture,

At the end of the day, you will be transferred back to your hotel for a night’s rest.

Included: Transfer, English-speaking tour guide, Tours, Accommodation

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 7: Hoi An

Today is free at your own leisure. You have time to explore and enjoy the beauty of the city at your own pace.

Wooden boats on the Thu Bon River, Hoi An

Included: Accommodation

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Hoi An

Today is another free day in Hoi An. You can enjoy the optional cycling tours and go sightseeing in the small villages in the area.

Included: Accommodation

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

In the morning, after breakfast and checking out from your hotel, you will be able to take a stroll around Hoi An and take in the beauty of this magnificent town.

You also can spend the day shopping and enjoying lunch at any of the wonderful restaurants. In the afternoon, we will leave Central Vietnam and head back to the more fast-paced and modernized city of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as “Saigon”.

We will go through Da Nang to catch the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where you will be picked up and brought to check into your hotel.

Included: Accommodation, Airport Transfers

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City Tour

In the morning, your city tour will start with a visit to the awe-inspiring Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat). You will pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate City Hall (Hotel de Ville).

Next, we will head on to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the most famous landmark in Vietnam, as the twin bell towers can be seen from a long distance. In the same square is located the famous Saigon Post Office, the largest functioning post office in Vietnam. What makes this Post Office so extraordinary is that it was designed and built by Gustave Eiffel who also designed and built the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty. It is a building not to be missed.

Afterwards, dive into modern history with a tour of the Reunification Palace. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975, signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. Continue to the War remnants museum, which comprehensively documents the travails of the long Vietnam- American War.

In the afternoon, we head out to Cho Lon (Chinatown). Explore the highlights of this fascinating area, beginning with a brief visit to Binh Tay Market, the vast wholesale market selling every kind of goods. Continue to visit Thien Hau Temple, build by the Cantonese congregation and dedicated to the heavenly goddess.

You will end your tour at the central Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste.

Included: Transfer, Tour, English-speaking tour guide, Accommodation

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho (Mekong Delta)

Today’s tour will bring you to the fertile Mekong Delta. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda and enjoy a boat ride on the mighty Mekong River and visit the island of My Tho.

The Vinh Trang Pagoda is a Buddhist temple near My Tho in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. It is one of the best-known temples in the region.
The beautiful structure features a mixture of Chinese, Vietnamese and Angkor (Cambodian) architectural styles. The pagoda consists of five buildings, two ornamental yards and 178 pillars.

The breathtaking structures in the pagoda are two triumphal arches bearing an art of inserting bottle and porcelain fragments which create harmonious pictures illustrating the Buddhist legend.

The economy in the Mekong Delta is based on tourism, fishing and the cultivation of rice, coconuts, bananas, mangoes, longans and citrus fruit.

Visit the local islands to learn more about their traditional way of living and enjoy a nice boat ride along the Mekong River. Later, return to Ho Chi Minh City and to your hotel for a night’s rest.

Included: Transfer, Tour, English-speaking tour guide, Accommodation

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 12: Departure Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast and checking out from your hotel, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight back. We hope you have enjoyed your tour with us and we hope to see you soon.

Included: Transfer

Meals: Breakfast