Day 01: Ho Chi Minh City – Arrival

Upon arrival Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon. Welcome by our Tour Guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this dynamic city.

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 02: Ho Chi Minh City Tour – Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L)

In the morning we take a half day tour of this dynamic city. First, we visit the Reunification Palace, the former palace of President Thieu and his predecessors. Today this building is a museum and venue for official receptions. Inside you can visit the private rooms of the president, the “War Room” from where the South Vietnamese forces were controlled, and, most poignantly, the room where the North Vietnamese army finally took control in 1975. Next, we visit the War Remnants Museum, Historically, the war museum as part of the Vietnam and World Peace museums system was born on Sep 4 1975 at 28 Vo Van Tan street, district 3, HCMC. Since its 30-year inception, the museum has attracted over 10 millions arrivals of domestic and foreign tourists, especially, student delegations from provinces and cities nationwide. It helps reappear the then-wars, helping students well realize on the values of patriotism, struggle for peace and national liberation from forefathers. This museum includes 8 specific exhibitions and various collections of the truth of history (conspiracy and process from hostile forces for the war in Vietnam); crime evidences and war consequences; kinds of weapon and tools serving for the wars; prison (prison house system, concentration camp, torture, maltreatment, corporal mutilation and spiritual oppression against political prisoners).

We also stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office. The post office, built between 1877 and 1883, is an excellent example of classic French colonial architecture.

Lunch will be served at a local Vietnamese restaurant.

In the afternoon we drive 70 kilometers North West to explore the underground tunnels in Cu Chi which system had been created long time back, from 1948 to assist Viet Minh in the combat with French. It was continuing built over 25 years later. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years… getting married, giving birth. During the American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a free fire zone and was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of tunnels have been open for visitors. You may even have a chance to crawl through the tunnels yourself. We return to Saigon in the late afternoon.

Day 03: Ho Chi Minh – Vinh Long – Ho Chi Minh (B, L)

This morning we drive to Vinh Long, located in the heart of the Mekong Delta. A three-hour journey through the lush fields and farms will take us to the southernmost region of Vietnam - the Mekong Delta, often referred to as the rice basket of Vietnam as it produces three harvests per year.

Upon arrival, we embark on a boat trip to visit Cai Be floating market before visiting Dong Hoa Hiep, a village that makes rice paper - a crucial element in Vietnamese cuisine!

We will also visit one of many local orchards where we can enjoy some of the exotic fruit before transfer back to Sai Gon.

Day 04: Ho Chi Minh – Nha Trang (B, L)

Free time at the leisure until transfer to the airport for flight to Nha Trang.

Upon arrival in Nha Trang, we take a transfer to our Hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 5: Nha Trang (B, L)

Start from your hotel to Cau Da port. Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Mieu Island is the first place to visit; many sea species of Nha Trang/Khanh Hoa province make a small ocean world there. Mun Island is the best island for snorkeling where you can see lots of lives colorful corals and fish. You will also be able to see caves in which the sea swallows make their nest. Then relaxing, swimming & doing water sports or other activities at Mot Island, Tranh Beach Island or on a small island calling “Mini beach”. Taking a fresh lunch at the island. On the way back you will visit a fishing village before going to the shore.

Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 06: Nha Trang – Early flight to Da Nang – Hoi An (B)

Transfer to the airport for a short flight to Da Nang. After that we drive to our hotel in Hoi An and check-in. This afternoon we take a walking tour of the old town Hoi An. Hoi An nestled on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Before the river silted up, Hoi An was one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia, and a center for East-West exchange and trade. From the 2nd until the 10th century, Hoi An was one of the principal Cham cities. Over the years, Indian, Dutch, Portuguese, French, Thai, Indonesian, Spanish, American, Japanese, Filipino and Chinese ships docked in Hoi An. In the 19th century, as the result of warfare and environmental changes, Hoi An was replaced by Da Nang as a major port. Reflecting the diversity of the traders and missionaries that settled in the port (including Alexander of Rhodes), the ancient architecture is a fascinating mix of Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese. The rooftops of Hoi An retain a magical old world Oriental feel and are a favorite subject for Vietnamese artists. In the early 1980s Hoi An’s ancient quarters and historical monuments came under the protection and restoration efforts of UNESCO and the Polish government. Visit the Japanese covered bridge, Phuc Kien assemble hall, Phung Hung old house, Hoi An museum and Quan Cong temple. The rest of time is fee to walk in the old town, feel the atmosphere of its original culture, enjoy shopping for tailor clothing, lanterns, shoes and food, or simply relaxing on the beach.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 07: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An (B)

In the morning we drive 70 kilometers to My Son Holy land. Located 70 km southwest of Da Nang, My Son was the capital of the once mighty Champa Kingdom. It boasts a complex of ancient ruins that date back to 1,700 years ago, and is the most complete example of ancient Champa ruins in Vietnam.

In the afternoon free to explore the town, enjoy the shopping or simply relax on the beach.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 08: Hoi An – Hue (B)

After breakfast, we depart from our hotel for a three-hour journey to Hue, one of Vietnam’s most cultural and historical cities, once ruled by the Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty. Stop on the way to visit Cham Museum and Marble Mountain. Marble Mountain was one of four mountains located south of Da Nang that stretched from the coast inland or westward for about three miles. All of the mountains had lots of cave entrances and tunnels.

Upon arrival, check in to our hotel in Hue and visit Forbidden Purple City. The rest of time is free at the leisure.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 09: Hue – Flight to Hanoi (B, L)

In the morning we board a dragon boat on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. From here we drive to visit Minh Mang and Khai Dinh Tomb, stopping en route to witness the crafting of Vietnamese conical hats.

In the afternoon we take a short flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, welcome and transfer to our downtown hotel to check in.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 10: Hanoi City Tour (B, L)

We begin a full-day city tour by visiting the Ho Chi Minh complex, including the One Pillar Pagoda, the former leader’s house on stilts and his Mausoleum. This is followed by the peaceful Temple of Literature - the first university of Vietnam.

In the afternoon we visit the Ethnologic museum, followed by an hour cycle tour (rickshaw) through the bustling Old Quarter. A walk through its exciting streets is a fascinating introduction to the different lifestyles of Vietnam, and an opportunity to shop for bargains. To finish off the day, we attend the performance of the unique water puppetry.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 11: Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Ninh Binh (B, L)

After breakfast, we transfer to Ninh Binh province. Visit Hoa Lu - Nearly one thousand years’ ago, this place used to be the Capital of Grand Viet ruled by Dinh and Le Dynasty. In spite of many feudal and historical conflicts, Hoa Lu still preserved its heritages with many temples and pagodas. Your one-day tour will be filled with many legend and myth. Additionally, one thing that make this tour the most exiting is the boat trip through winding stream to visit Tam Coc (three grottoes)- regarded as “ inland Halong bay”.

Check in to the hotel in Ninh Binh.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Day 12: Ninh Binh – Ha Long (B, L, D)

We depart Ninh Binh for Ha Long Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea“ as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Ha Long bay has more than 1.000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes.

Upon arrival at Ha Long Bay we embark on a boat trip to cruise discovering this magnificent UNESCO World Wonder. This is a great journey among surreal islands rising from a tranquil emerald sea.

In the late afternoon, we anchor for the night on the bay and enjoy a delicious seafood dinner on board.

Overnight on a junk boat in Halong Bay.

Day 13: Ha Long – Hanoi (B, L)

Early morning coffee and tea will be served on the sundeck followed by a Tai Chi class. After breakfast we take a Sampan boat to explore Luon Cave. We may have a chance to see the wild monkeys that gather around waiting for food from the tourists. After that we continue to cruise around the bay. Lunch is served on the boat on our way back to the docks then we return to Hanoi. On the way, stop over for Dinh Bang Village in Bac Ninh Province to visit Do temple, this temple was building during the Le Dynasty and has been altered several times since. The major reconstruction took place under the reign of Le Trung Hung in the 17th century. Then we enjoy traditional music show “Quan Ho” or called Quan Ho Folk song. Return to Hanoi and free time.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 14: Departure day (B)

Free day until your transfer to Hanoi airport for your flight home.