Day 1: Hanoi –
Arrival
You are arrival
at our thousand years Capital – Hanoi city. Our guide welcomes you at Noi
Bai International airport and then transfer to your hotel in the city
center. Overnight in Ha Noi
Day 2: Hanoi City (B)
The full day tour
commences with visit to Hochiminh’s Mausoleum (Mondays & Fridays closed),
His House on Stilt, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc pagoda. Stop at
Trung Nguyen Coffee Center or Beer Hoi for a relaxation before continue
to visit Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (the Temple of Literature).
In the afternoon,
discover more of Hanoi with the visit to Ethnology Museum of Vietnam.
Next up, roaming to the down town for quick visit to Ngoc Son temple,
stroll around Hanoi old streets for looking and shopping & enjoy Water
Puppet show at Thang Long Theatre. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi-
Viet Ancient Village (B/L)
8.00AM: Take a short drive to visit Duong
Lam ancient village,
50km west of Hanoi. It’s a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red
River delta where some hundred-year-old houses are still well preserved.
Upon arrival, visit Mong Phu hamlet- the only hamlet whose original village
entrance gate remains intact and Mong Phu Temple. Discover the daily life
and farming, practice of Vietnamese peasants along the rice paddy fields
with stop at two ancient houses- the biggest ancient house was built
200 years ago and the most ancient house dated back to 400 years ago.
After lunch, visit Ngo Quyen & Phung Hung Temple, dedicated to
two national heroes who led revolutions against Northern Chinese invaders
for autonomy and independence in 7th & 10th century
and Mia Pagoda, built in 15th century with collection of
287 statues of various materials. Optional easily cycling around the sites
is available for those who love cycling. Late in the afternoon drive back to
Hanoi.
Day 4: Hanoi – Ha
Long bay – the World heritage (B/L/D)
After breakfast,
take 3.5 hours drive to Halong bay, a World Heritage Area of
outstanding natural beauty. Upon arrival, transfer to a junk for a cruise
around Ha Long Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. The
cruise passes by many rocks and islets in many funny shapes. The cruise may
stop for a while for visiting a beautiful case, if not today, you will do
tomorrow according to each boat/junk’s itinerary. Again your dinner served
on board. In the evening, enjoy the night fishing (optional) and later
overnight on board.
Day 5: Ha Long
Bay – Hanoi (Brunch)
In the morning,
take further cruise to explore the beauties of the Bay before returning to
the Wharf. Enjoy brunch on board before disembarking.
On the return to
Hanoi, we stop on the way in Bac Ninh, for visiting a special place
and the cradle of Vietnamese folklore music in the Red River Delta. We take
car or a horse-drawn cart through country lanes to visit Dinh Bang
Communal house & Do Temple (optional for horse-cart, not included), the
temple worships 8 (eight) kings of Ly Dynasty (1010-1225). After that you
will be invited to enjoy Quan Ho folk songs (duo of love songs)
performed by local artists and singers. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 6: Hanoi – Da
Nang – Hoi An (B)
Take a mid-day
flight to Da Nang. Pick up at airport and visit Danang city with
Cham museum, Han River Mable mountain, Then drive to Hoi An for
overnight.
Day 7: Hoi An – Tra Que village (B)
In the morning,
take half day excursion to Tra Que Vegetable Village, walk around a
vegetable garden and join the farmers in preparing the land, fertilizing it
with seaweed from the local lake, raking, sowing, watering greens, picking
greens and many more gardening activities. After gardening activities you
will be relaxed with foot massage with many kind of herb remedies. Then
spend the rest time to learn how to prepare ‘Tam Huu' spring roll & banh xeo
with your host. Ride back to your hotel.
In the afternoon
you will visit Hoi An ancient town. The visit includes Japanese
covered bridge, some Chinese Assembly Halls, and some typical Vietnamese
houses of 18 century. Free time then on for shopping or relax at café etc.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An –
Hue (B)
The car will
drive you to Hue which is about 135km via Danang. You will travel through
Hai Van pass, and pass by Lang Co beach – one of the most
beautiful beaches of Vietnam. Arrive in Hue after 3 hours drive.
In the afternoon,
we take a cyclo ride to visit Imperial Citadel and the Antique
Museum. Later on take a short boat trip on Huong River to visit Thien
Mu pagoda. Overnight in Hue.
Day 9: Hue –
Cooking Class (B/L)
Morning follow
your chef to local market to learn more about Vietnamese ingredients and
then join a cooking class demonstrated by Mrs. Cuc, the owner of Y
Thao Garden House. Lunch served at Vuon Y Thao including the dishes you
have learned.
In the afternoon
you will visit King Minh Mang’s tomb and King Khai Dinh’s tomb.
Then some minutes relax and enjoy Royal tea at Vi Da Xua tea
saloon. Overnight in Hue.
Day 10: Hue – Ho
Chi Minh City (B)
You will take the
mid day flight (around 12:00 noon) to Ho Chi Minh City. Pick up and transfer
to your hotel. After check in, take half day city tour including War
Museum, Reunification Palace and Notre Dame Cathedral. Visit China
bustling city with Thien Hau pagoda. The last visit is Fito
traditional medicine museum. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 11: Ho Chi
Minh City – Mekong Delta (B/L)
Our guide and car
will lead you to Mekong region. After arrival in Cai Be, take a boat to the
floating market. After your lunch time, we proceed to Vinh Long,
passing a small and beautiful canal with peaceful tranquil villages, the
unique natural setting of Mekong Delta region. Stop at An Binh islet
to visit some of the famous fruit orchards. See how local people make
ceramics, popcorn and rice paper... A nice chance for bicycle riding through
the village and its handicraft shops. Another stop at Vinh Long market
before arriving to Can Tho. Over night in Can Tho.
Day 12: Mekong
Delta – Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
Cruising along
the small and picturesque tributaries by a rowing boat, we will see the
Cai Rang floating market (the nicest one with heaps of rowing boats).
See the beautiful scenery and daily activities of the locals. Walk around a
village, visit a rice husking mill. Disembark at Ninh Kieu quay, visit an
ancient house (in Binh Thuy, 10 km from Cantho) and Cantho museum.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City via My Tho town. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 13: Ho Chi
Minh City – Cu Chi tunnels (B)
Visit Cu Chi
tunnels, the incredible underground tunnel network constructed by
Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence.
The tour guided by a soldier named Chu Nam (Uncle Nam) who is the witness of
the history of the site (subject to availability of Mr. Nam)
Free time in the
afternoon for shopping. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 14: Ho Chi
Minh – Departure (B)
Free time until
transfer to Saigon airport for your flight back home.
