12 DAYS DISCOVERING AWESOME VIETNAM

HANOI – HA LONG BAY – HUE –  HOI AN – MEKONG DELTA 

Highlights:

Ha Long Bay – the Nature of Wonder, 

Hoi An Ancient town – well-preserved Southeast Asian trading port,

Hue Ancient Capital Complex – the last capital of Vietnam, 

My Son Sanctuary – the land of ancient Champa. 

OUTLINE ITINERARY:

Day 1 Hanoi - Arrival [Guide]

Day 2 Hanoi - Full Day Tour  - Street Food [Guide/B/D]

Day 3 Hanoi - Ninh Binh [Guide/B]

Day 4 Hanoi - Ha Long Bay [Guide/B/L/D]

Day 5 Ha Long Bay - Flight To Hue [Guide/B/Br]

Day 6 Hue - Full Day City Tour [Guide/B]

Day 7 Hue - Hoi An Ancient Town [Guide/B]

Day 8 Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary [Guide/B] 

Day 9 Hoi An – Marble mountain – Cam Thanh Village- Flight To Ho Chi Minh [Guide/B]

Day 10 Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi Tunnel - Half Day [Guide/B]

Day 11 Ho Chi Minh - Mekong [Guide/B/L]

Day 12 Ho Chi Minh – Departure [Guide/B]

DETAILS ITINERARY:

DAY 1 HANOI - ARRIVAL [GUIDE]

Arrival in Noi Bai International airport, our guide will pick you up from airport to hotel for check in and take a rest. 

Check in time at 2PM

Overnight in Hanoi. 

DAY 2 HANOI - FULL DAY TOUR  - STREET FOOD [GUIDE/B/D]

Explore the charming city of Hanoi, often referred to as the ‘Paris of the East’, with its yellow ochre colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes. Visit the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument of marble and granite built to house the preserved body of beloved revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, affectionately known to the Vietnamese as “Uncle Ho”. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built in 1049 of wood in the shape of a lotus blossom and set on a single stone pillar. 

Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university built in the late 11th century. The picturesque temple is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote.

Lunch by your own account 

In the afternoon, drive back to central Hanoi for a walking tour through the famed Old Quarter known for its ‘36 streets of 36 wares’ named after the original 36 artisan guilds that date as far back as the 13th century. You will visit Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple – the temple of the Jade Mountain. 

Then you will enjoy street food in Hanoi. 

Below is some suggestion for you: 

1. Banh My – a simple Vietnamese baguette 
2. Bun Cha – made of grilled pork & noodle, a well-known local food in Hanoi. 
3. Banh Trang Tron – Rice Paper Salad – one of best street food
4. Tasting Egg Coffee or Sweet Soup (chè) 
5. Nem Lui – Grilled ground pork on stick 

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 3 HANOI - NINH BINH [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, then our guide will pick you up from hotel to Ninh Binh in around 2.5 hours.

Arrival in Ninh Binh, you will visit Hoa Lu, an ancient capital dating back to the 10th century, packed with temple & fortress ruins. 

Then you will visit the Temple of King Dinh and King Le and learn more about Vietnamese history under the Dinh, Le, and Ly Dynasties.

Lunch by your own account

In the afternoon, you will visit Tam Coc, known as “Halong Bay on the land”, where you can spend 1.5 hours on the bamboo boat to explore this area. On this excursion down the Ngo Dong River, you will pass through the beautiful paddy fields, limestone karst formation, and a stunning cave system including Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba for an unforgettable experience. 

We continue to visit Bich Dong Pagoda, nestled in the mountain with ancient architecture. 

Then back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 4 HANOI - HA LONG BAY [GUIDE/B/L/D]

In the morning you will depart Hanoi at 08:30 for a three and a half hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long Bay City. On the way, you will stop for refreshments, and upon arriving in Halong City, you will take a tender transfer to your junk and set sail through the bay while lunch is served. As you cruise the magical bay, you will notice thousands of sculpted limestone islands rising from the waves like dragons' teeth. Later in the afternoon, you'll visit a fishing village with the opportunity to interact with fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. Back on board, you'll enjoy cocktails or a cooking class while watching the sunset, and later you can unwind at a restaurant with a lavish dinner. To end the day, you can enjoy some evening activities such as movie night, board games, or a beauty treatment, before an overnight stay on the junk.

***Special Note: Cruise Itineraries may be subject to change due to weather condition without prior notice.

DAY 5 HA LONG BAY - FLIGHT TO HUE [GUIDE/B/BR]

Wake up on the bay to the sounds of waves and bird welcoming the new day. You will have an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, visit a beautiful limestone grotto then walk back to the boat for a final glimpse of Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock.

Disembark on cruise, then back to Hanoi.

Then transfer directly to airport for flight to Hue.

Arrival in Hue, check in at hotel and take rest.

Overnight in Hue. 

DAY 6 HUE - FULL DAY CITY TOUR [GUIDE/B]

Morning 8:00 am - 08:20 am: Car and tour guide pick you up at the hotel in the center of Hue city to Toa Kham boat station. Cruise on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, an ancient temple built in the early 17th century.

After that, the car picks you up and continues to visit the Citadel (Royal Palace of 13 kings of Nguyen Dynasty, last feudal dynasties of Vietnam: Ngo Mon, Forbidden City, The Mieu, Hien Lam Cac, Cuu Dinh).

Lunch by your own account 

Afternoon: Continue to visit the unique architecture from the tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty: Minh Mang Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb (Two mausoleums have beautiful and unique architecture with Eastern and Western styles). Continue to visit the village to make hats and incense. Here you can experience making incense, making hats, and don't forget to leave lovely memories.

DAY 7 HUE - HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, then you will take a private car transfer to Hoi An. On the way, you will come across Hai Van Pass with the panoramic view of Lang Co Beach & East Sea.

Arrival in Hoi An, check in at hotel and take a rest. 

In the late afternoon, you will discover Hoi An Ancient Town -– the well-preserved ancient architecture of a trading port from 15 – 19^th century. 

In the the late afternoon, Take a walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient town centre, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tam Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge. 

Back to hotel and take a rest

Overnight in Hoi An. 

DAY 8 HOI AN – MY SON SANCTUARY – HOI AN [GUIDE/B] 

Breakfast at hotel, then our guide will pick  you up to depart to My Son Sanctuary – take around 1 hour for transfer. My Son – “the spirit and art valley” is a symbol for a brilliant period of Champa kingdom. Since 1999, My Son has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage

Arrive in My Son Temple, a special electric car will pick you up at the main gate and take you to the place where was chosen to build the temple tower of the Champa Royal for nearly 1000 years with many ancient towers hidden in a discreet valley. The place where the most exquisite focus of ancient Champa culture – is considered to be the Holy Land.

There, you will hear the stone bricks tell about the dancing gods, tell about the gods of worship in the Champa culture, and so many secrets that until now still have no explanation and maybe you will be the first decode them.

After visiting and listening to the tour guide talk about the mysteries here, you will be back to the main gate of My Son Ruins by special electric car. Leave My Son Holy land behind.

DAY 9 HOI AN – MARBLE MOUNTAIN - SAIGON [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, then you will enjoy Cam Thanh village with coconut forest and basket boat dancing – an funny experience, which must try in Hoi An.

Then you will discover Marble Mountain – a cluster of five marble and limestone hills located in Ngũ Hành Sơn District, south of Da Nang city in Vietnam. The five mountains are named after the five elements: Kim, Thuy, Moc, Hoa and Tho.

Lunch by your own account

Then you will transfer to airport for flight to Saigon.

Arrival in Saigon,check in at hotel and take a rest.

Overnight in Saigon. 

DAY 10 SAIGON - CU CHI TUNNEL - HALF DAY [GUIDE/B]

Depart in the early morning for a 2hr drive northwest to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The ingenious tunnel complex was initially started in 1948 to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. The tunnels also served as communication routes, storage facilities for food and weapon caches and contained hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the American War.

Lunch by your own account 

Then you will come back HO Chi Minh and discover Ho Chi Minh city.

The first stop is Reunification Palace – a landmark of HO Chi Minh city, built in French colonial period. Besides, you will discover other exciting French style architecture like Dong Khoi Street, Opera House and Old post office. Visiting Fine Art Museum – a beautiful well-maintained French colonial architecture with a wide range of amazing Vietnamese art display. 

Then back to hotel & discover night time of Ho Chi Minh city by yourself.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh 

DAY 11 HO CHI MINH – MEKONG DELTA [GUIDE/B/L]

The program will start with a visit of Vinhlong market in the town. This is the best choice for you to take pictures of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, vegetables...

Mekong Travel boat will take you downstream on Mekong River seeing many floating cages for farming fish. Then, the first stop to visit the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice... Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea. 

The rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time. Then, we’ll walk to visit the orchard & traditional house of Ut Trinh family. Here, we will enjoy some kinds of fruits and tea when listening to the traditional music. The optional lunch can be served at this local house. 

Biking can be made for a leisure! It will be so amazing to do cycling on village paths to see the daily life of the rural people: orchard, school, church, pagoda, traditional houses... On the way back to VinhLong city, we can make one more stop to visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay.

The cruise will go back VinhLong city. Back to Hochiminh.

DAY 12 HO CHI MINH – DEPARTURE [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, free & easy, then our guide will pick you up to airport for flight home.

End of trips! 

We look forward to seeing you again on your next adventure with Vinasoul Travel!

SERVICE INCLUDES

+ Private door-to-door pick-up & drop-off services; 

+ All private transfer and transportation

+ Accommodation shared in Twin/Double room with daily breakfast 

+ Tissues and water on coach; Services charges and government tax; Exclusive and personalized single agent/single customer service; No extra charge after services confirmation; 24/7 hotline support guaranteed;

+ All Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast ; L: Lunch ; D: Dinner)

+ Halong Bay cruise program as specific

+ Domestic Flights: HAN - HUI, DAD – SGN,  Economy class, Vietnam Airlines. 

+ Experienced English-speaking guide during all tours and transfers

+ Private boat trip for sightseeing as mentioned in the program, Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary

SERVICES EXCLUDES

+ International flight tickets

+ Evisa Assistance to Vietnam (35usd/PAX) – including stamping fee at airport 

+ Meals, if not specified in the itinerary

+ Tipping for guides, drivers, hotel staff, restaurant staff, boat rider, etc. Personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc. All other services not specified in the itinerary Surcharge for Peak season, Tet Lunar New year holidays, and compulsory dinner at some hotel & resort on Xmas and New year’s Eve

+ Travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).

Suggestions for tipping and gratuities: 

+ Group under 6 pax: 20 USD per Group per day.

+ Group from 6 pax up: 3 - 5 USD per pax per day 

+ Group under 6 pax: 10 USD per Group per day. 

+ Group from 6 pax up: 2 USD per pax per day