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Comprehensive Vietnam journey from Hanoi through Halong Bay, central regions, and Ho Chi Minh City with cultural and historical highlights.
Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, after completing all customs and immigration procedures, proceed to the exit gate and look for your guide who will be waiting with a welcome sign bearing your name. Transfer to your hotel by private vehicle.
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay.
Overnight: Hanoi
The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a perfect blend of old and new, Asian and European, a dynamic unification of tradition and 21st-century progressive thought. Despite recent rapid development, the city has retained much of its traditional identity.
Visit the complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh, founder of the nation and affectionately known by Vietnamese as “Uncle Ho.” Make a first stop at the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument built as the final resting place of Uncle Ho. Continue walking through the beautiful botanical garden of the Presidential Palace to visit Uncle Ho’s humble house, built on stilts in the style of a rural Vietnamese home with a simple design in a peaceful setting, reflecting his simple, pure, and noble lifestyle. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 of wood on a single stone pillar, designed to resemble a lotus flower, a symbol of purity.
Proceed to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, located on a small island in the West Lake.
In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Built in the 11th century, this splendid temple is a rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is depicted on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote.
It’s time to relax with a drink in the waiting room of the local train station before joining the locals for a short train ride across the century-old Long Bien Railway Bridge, a historical testament to Hanoi’s resilience during two resistance wars and the dramatic changes in the city’s new era.
Discover the vibrant heart of Hanoi in the most authentic and enjoyable way: aboard a traditional cyclo. These charming three-wheeled taxis have been part of Hanoi’s cultural fabric for decades, offering a nostalgic and intimate journey through the city’s bustling streets. With the gentle rhythm of the cyclo and the fresh breeze on your face, you’ll be transported to a world where old-world charm perfectly blends with the lively energy of modern Hanoi.
Meals at a local restaurant. Overnight stay..
Note
Train LP5 departs from Long Bien Station at 3:26 PM and arrives at Gia Lam Station at 3:40 PM. Guests should be at Long Bien Station 45 minutes before departure to enjoy a drink and have time to see the Long Bien Bridge.
Supplement for train tickets during Tet Festival (2–3 USD per person)
Overnight: Hanoi
The karst islands of Ha Long Bay, beside Lan Ha Bay where the cruise overnights
Located south of Ha Long Bay and east of Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay stretches over more than 7,000 hectares, with about 400 islets scattered throughout the area. Considered a seascape with majestic limestone mountains in many different shapes, each hiding a lively folk legend behind it, Lan Ha Bay has gradually gained popularity among travelers seeking an unspoiled and less crowded destination.
This morning, set off on a 2.5-hour journey to Tuan Chau port where you will prepare to embark on a relaxing cruise in the magnificent Lan Ha Bay, as beautiful as its famous neighbor Halong Bay, but still relatively undeveloped. Take some time to look around the boat or watch the magical scenery pass by, then enjoy a special lunch featuring fresh seafood. After lunch, the cruise fully enters Lan Ha Bay. The area is surrounded by an extraordinary limestone karst landscape. Choose a traditional rowboat to explore one of the bay’s fascinating cave systems or relax on the boat. Then, return to the main boat to sail to the place where we will dock for the night. You will have time to enjoy a Vietnamese cooking demonstration, a great way to learn how to prepare delicious appetizers. Enjoy a special dinner in the restaurant before spending the evening at leisure. Overnight on board.
Note
Overnight: Lan Ha Bay (overnight cruise)
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the bay with a cup of tea or coffee in hand on the sundeck. Afterwards, there will be a gentle Tai Chi demonstration. Enjoy breakfast in the fresh air of Lan Ha Bay as the boat continues to sail around the bay, passing the most beautiful and peaceful areas. Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room while enjoying the bay’s scenery as you approach the pier. A vehicle will be ready, waiting for your disembarkation at around 10:30 AM for transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue.
Upon arrival at Hue airport, transfer to your hotel by private vehicle. Dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight: Hue
Hoi An ancient town from the air
Early in the morning, depart from Hue toward Dong Ha province and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), an iconic war zone along the beautiful Ben Hai River. Established after the First Indochina War, the 17th parallel was the dividing line between the former North and South Vietnam, and probably the most contested piece of territory.
Today, you will travel through the former North-South border area, with the opportunity to see the former American military base at Khe Sanh, the Rockpile, the Dakrong suspension bridge, the Lang Vay special forces camp, the Hien Luong Bridge at the 17th parallel, and the Ho Chi Minh Trail…
Continue your visit to the Vinh Moc tunnels where you can learn how a village was built underground to avoid bombings during the war. The complex consists of wells, kitchens, and rooms for each family. Stop at the Old Citadel of Quang Tri. Located along the Thach Han River, the citadel was the administrative seat of the Nguyen dynasty and also the site of a bloody battle during the Easter Offensive in 1972. After lunch served at a local restaurant, return to the center of Hue. Dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight: Hue
Breakfast. Departure for Hoi An (3–3.5 hours by car).
The UNESCO World Heritage site, My Son, is a remarkable trace of Champa structural remains. My Son was the prosperous capital of the Champa civilization, which ruled central Vietnam from the 2nd to the 13th century.
Today, drive 40 km southwest of Hoi An to the My Son Sanctuary, considered on par with some of the greatest archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The towers were built from the 9th to the 13th century. Most of the temples were dedicated to the Champa kings and also served as burial places for Cham monarchs.
Walk around the temple complex, rediscovered at the end of the 19th century, where you’ll have a great opportunity to learn about the fascinating Cham culture, architecture, and civilization. Your guide will also explain the connections to Hindu deities, especially Shiva, known as the founder and protector of the Champa dynasties.
After exploring the My Son complex, return to the center of Hoi An.
If time permits, visit a local home and learn how to make rice paper using traditional methods. The host will be happy to show you one of the rice paper production processes, which you’ll then have the chance to taste.
Meals included. Overnight stay
Overnight: Hoi An
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
Known as a thriving trading port between the 15th and 19th centuries, the riverside town of Hoi An still preserves many remnants of its glorious past, as seen in its vibrant market and abundance of souvenir and tailor shops.
What makes Hoi An truly remarkable is that its old quarter has been beautifully preserved. The streets are still lined with ancient tiled-roof houses, shaded pagodas, and colorful communal halls that contribute to its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today, enjoy a guided walking tour of the ancient town of Hoi An, known for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets, and signature local cuisine. During this pleasant walk, you’ll explore historic merchant houses and community halls, ancient pagodas, and traditional places of worship that showcase Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese architectural influences. Stop at the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, built by the Japanese community in 1590 to connect to the Chinese quarter on the other side. Visit the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation and admire its exquisite wooden carvings on the beams, walls, and altar, while your guide reveals untold stories about the Chinese community during their time in Hoi An. Continue strolling through Hoi An’s backstreets and hear the soft hum of sewing machines the sound of the town’s vibrant tailoring trade. This charming little city is home to hundreds of tailor shops, though no one can say exactly when, how, or why it became a hub for custom clothing. Visit a tailor shop where you can have garments made to measure.
You can choose one of the following options
Step into a small alley to visit an elderly man passionate about Vietnamese calligraphy. Enjoy a cup of tea and chat with him to learn that calligraphy is not just a way to convey information, but also a means of expressing one’s deepest thoughts and feelings. Watch the master at work as he creates a lucky character in calligraphy for you to take home as a souvenir.
Option 2 : Maximum Capacity for Calligraphy Experience: 10 People
Known as a key part of Hoi An’s culture, the silk lantern is a simple yet colorful craft. Follow a narrow alleyway to reach the home of a local artisan, tucked away in a small corner of the neighborhood. After a brief introduction to the history, meaning, shapes, and colors of the lanterns as well as the stages of their production you’ll have a chance to create or decorate a lantern and take it home as a souvenir.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, after completing all customs and immigration procedures, head to the exit gate where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in a private vehicle.
Note
Hoi An Entrance Ticket is valid for entry to 5 sites in Hoi An, including merchant houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, museums, pagodas, and assembly halls for 24 hours. It also grants access to the Ancient Town of Hoi An for the entire duration of your stay. Please keep the entrance ticket with you at all times if visiting on your own.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
The Mekong Delta, known as “Vietnam’s rice bowl,” is a very fertile plain with its myriad waterways, lush green rice fields, tropical fruit orchards, and fish farms. Rural life here remains in many ways similar to how it was lived in the distant past. Geographically characterized as the gateway to the Delta, Ben Tre is an ideal gem for travelers seeking a taste of riverine agrarian life. This morning, depart on a 2-hour journey from the center of Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre province. Admire the lush surroundings of rice paddies and fruit farms along the highway as you leave behind the energetic city.
Arriving at the pier along the waterfront, embark on a leisurely journey along the Mekong River aboard the charming Apricot boat, a new river barge inspired by tradition that blends modernity with the classic style of traditional river boats. Enjoy the countryside scenery and river life as you savor seasonal tropical fruits and local specialties. Among the various coconut-growing areas, Ben Tre is renowned for its extensive plantations stretching along the canals and riverbanks. As part of the onshore excursion, you will first visit a local home to sip honey tea and taste fresh coconut water, all while taking in the peaceful rural atmosphere.
Stop for a visit to a family-run business where you will learn how coconuts are processed, then enjoy the warm hospitality of the countryside as you sip a cup of honey tea and savor the sweet taste of coconut candies in a rustic yet welcoming atmosphere.
Visit a hidden island by traditional tuk-tuk or bicycle, passing through a sleepy village, local home industries, canals, and orchards. Locals will often greet you warmly with a “hello” or “xin chao” as you go by. Relax while discovering more of the Delta aboard a small rowed sampan, gently paddled through a maze of narrow canals shaded by coconut trees. Complete your memorable journey with a delicious lunch featuring specialties of the Mekong Delta at the peaceful Apricot Riverside restaurant. After lunch, choose to relax on a hammock, enjoying the fresh breeze of the Mekong Delta before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
Free time before transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Note
You will have the opportunity to visit the local library, housed in the elementary school and freely accessible to children aged 6 to 11. Your contribution of English textbooks and other school supplies is greatly appreciated
Departure flight should be booked after 9:00 PM
If you would like to inquire or book this itinerary for your clients, request a proposal brief and our consultants will review the request.