12 DAYS DISCOVERING BEAUTIFUL VIETNAM 

OUTLINE ITINERARY:

Day 1 Hanoi - Arrival [No Guide]

Day 2 Hanoi City Tour [Guide/B]

Day 3 Hanoi Ninh Binh [Guide/B]

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

Day 5 Ha Long Bay Hanoi - Flight To Da Nang [Guide/B/Br]

Day 6 Da Nang - Bana Hill - Marble Mountain [Guide/B/L]

Day 7 Da Nang - Hoi An [Guide/B]

Day 8 Hoi An My Son Sanctuary - Flight To Saigon [Guide/B]

Day 9 Saigon Mekong Delta [Guide/B/L]

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

Day 11 Saigon Departure [No Guide/B]

DETAILS ITINERARY:

DAY 1 HANOI - ARRIVAL [NO GUIDE]

Arrival in Hanoi, our driver  will pick you up to hotel for check in and take a rest. 

Check in is from 2PM onward.

Overnight in Hanoi. 

DAY 2 HANOI CITY TOUR [GUIDE/B]

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 Stilt House, 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, you will discover Hoa Lo Prison - Most exhibits relate to the prison’s use up to the mid-1950s, focusing on the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France. A gruesome relic is the ominous French guillotine, used to behead Vietnamese revolutionaries. There are also displays focusing on the American pilots who were incarcerated at Hoa Lo during the American War

Next, you will 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. 

Finally, you will enjoy Water Puppet show - a traditional art dating back from 11th century.

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 Mua Cave, also known as the “Great Wall of China” in Vietnam, and climb 500 steps to reach the peak of Ngoa Long Mountain, overlooking the amazing view of the city and Tam Coc below.

Back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi

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

Breakfast at hotel, then our guide will pick you up to Ha Long. 

11:30-12:00 Upon arrival at No 12, Tuan Chau Marina, you will enjoy a warm welcome by our cruise staff in the waiting lounge and complete check-in procedure.

12:00 Upon boarding Hera Grand Luxury Cruise, our crew welcome you with a refreshing drink and cold towel before checking into your cabin. The vessel leaves Tuan Chau Marina, taking you on an exciting journey to discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay. Along the way, you can enjoy the view of some of the most beautiful spots in Ha Long and admire the grandeur of the Bay with thousands of limestone islands while the vessel heads to Luon Cave and Titop island.

Enjoy your lunch at our luxurious restaurant on board while the vessel cruises toward Luon Cave and Titop island.

14.30: Return to your room and prepare for swimming activities at Titop Island.

                 Visit Titop Island and hike to the top for stunning views of Ha Long Bay, or have a fun swim in the clear blue water.

16h00: Hera Cruise will take you to Luon cave area, you will participate in kayaking or rafting here around the thousand-year-old rock formations. 

17.30-18.00 Back on board, you will participate in Sunset party & cooking class while the vessel cruises toward the shore. You can enjoy relaxing moments while sipping a cup of traditional Vietnamese tea or coffee on the sundeck amid wonderful scenery and beautiful sunset. Ha Long Bay is calm during the day, but when the sun goes down, the Bay becomes even more tranquil and peaceful.

You will be instructed to make delicious traditional Vietnamese floating rice cake by our chef and then enjoy the floating rice cake made on your own.

17.30-18.30 Happy hour - BUY 2 DRINKS GET 1 FOR FREE

19.30 Outdoor dinner. Enjoy a romantic dinner outdoors (if the weather is favorable) or Restaurant

21.30 After dinner, you will enjoy a peaceful view of the Bay at night on the deck. You can also participate in evening activities such as massage (subject to additional charge), herbal foot bath in your room (free of charge), Bamboo dancing, fashion show traditional costumes “Footsteps of Heritage” and some drinks at Sky Bar while admiring breathtaking view of the Bay at night and squid fishing.

The cruise ship anchors for your peaceful night stay in quiet area

DAY 5 HA LONG BAY HANOI - FLIGHT TO DA NANG [GUIDE/B/BR]

06.15: Start your day with Tai Chi class on the sundeck.

06.30-07.00 Enjoy a light breakfast with coffee, tea, cake and fruit, Pho Vietnam, egg station.

07.30 Exploring Sung Sot cave. This is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in HaLong Bay. The cave has some unique rock formations which couldn't be found anywhere else. The path to the mouth of Sung Sot Cave is under a canopy of leaves. Walking through steep stone steps, tourists may have the feeling of climbing on mountains and experience the excitement as if they are stepping to the sky.

08.30-09.30 Back on board, you can rest in your room, enjoy the herbal foot bath prepared by our crew, sunbathe on the sundeck, take pictures of Ha Long Bay

09.30 Check-out time.

Please put your luggage outside your cabin and leave the room key at the reception desk. Our staff will transfer your luggage to the waiting area.

10.00 Enjoy an early lunch buffet at the restaurant on the 2nd floor and settle the bills if any.

11.00 Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina. 

Then transfer to airport for flight to Da Nang.

Arrival in Da Nang, meet our guide, chekc in and take a rest. 

Overnight in Da Nang. 

DAY 6 DA NANG - BANA HILL - MARBLE MOUNTAIN [GUIDE/B/L]

In the morning, transfer to Bana Hills Station. You have a chance to ride on a modern system of cable cars helps you get a bird’s-eye view, very miraculous and attractive while enjoying a feeling of flying in the blue sky amidst the clouds and wind. You will visit some old French villas en route, as well as the suspension bridge, Nui Chua & the Mountain Peak (at the height of 1,487m). Visit Linh Ung Pagoda, Golden Bridge, Sakyamuni Buddha’s monument and Ba Na.

Leave Bana behind, you will visit 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.

DAY 7 DA NANG - HOI AN [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, then you will visit Son Tra Peninsula with giant Linh Ung Pagoda.

Then transfer to Hoi An. 

In the afternoon, you will visit Cam Thanh Village with Coconut forest and amazing basket boat dancing. 

In 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 - FLIGHT TO SAIGON [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.

Lunch on your own

Then transfserr to airport for flight to Saigon. 

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

Overnight in Saigon. 

DAY 9 SAIGON MEKONG DELTA [GUIDE/B/L]

Receiving at Mỹ Tho tourist boat station: No 6-8, 30/4 Street, Ward 1, Mỹ Tho City, Tiền Giang province.

Cruising on the Mekong river for a sight-seeing of the four islands: Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, Phoenix and Rạch Miễu bridge.

Heading toThới Sơn (Uniorn island, the biggest island in this area which is about 1.200 square hectare and about 11 km long).

Visiting an orchid garden to to see orchid flowers, some bee hives and enjoy honey tea as well as to have a look at a local chocolate processing workshop.

Continuing to Bến Tre province visit a coconut candy workshop and riding tuktuk along the village road.

Resting at a farm-house to enjoy some fresh tropical fruits and listen to some traditional music performed by local people then rowing small boat (sampan) along a beautiful natural canal and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere in the countryside.

Getting to a local restaurant for lunch with some typical Mekong Delta food... 

Returning to Mỹ Tho city and enjoy fresh coconut on the boat.

Visiting Vinh Trang Pagoda with beautiful architecture. 

Then back to Saigon and take a rest. 

Overnight in Saigon

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

After breakfast at hotel, you will transfer directly to 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.

Back to Ho Chi Minh. 

In the afternoon, you will discover History Museum, which shows you the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam as you explore various exhibits and artifacts on display.

Then you will visit Reunification palace. It was designed by architect Ngô Viết Thụ and was the home and workplace of the president of the Republic of Vietnam. It was the site of the Fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975 that ended the Vietnam War, when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates. Finally, you will visit Old Post Office, constructed from 1886-1891 and depicts classic elements of Gothic, Renaissance and French colonial design.

Back to hotel and take a rest.

DAY 11 SAIGON DEPARTURE [NO GUIDE/B]

Free and easy, then transfer to airport for flight home. 

Trip ends! 

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

+ Accommodation shared in Twin/Double room with daily breakfast 

+ 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)

+ Experienced English-speaking guide during all tours and transfers

+ Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary

+ Domestic flight from Hanoi to Da Nang, Da Nang to Saigon, Economy Class

SERVICES EXCLUDES

+ International flight tickets

+ Evisa to Vietnam 

+ 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