Vietnam in Depth

On arrival at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted by our airport representative, who will provide the private vehicle transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Enjoy an early breakfast today and depart at 8.00 am for the 2.5-hour drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam’s first capital, Hoa Lu. Visit temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-980) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009). The ancient Hoa Lu Citadel, most of which has since been destroyed, once covered an area of three square kilometres. After visiting Hoa Lu, if time and energy levels permit, take a half-hour walk up one of the surrounding limestone karst hills, where your efforts are rewarded with spectacular views.
In the late morning, depart for Tam Coc Town to enjoy a Vietnamese lunch. Along the way, stop to take pictures of local villages and the stunning landscape.

After lunch, visit the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride on a peaceful river passing through a series of caves. Trang An is a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, some of which are submerged and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs. As the boat gently slices through the water, notice the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields giving rise to another name, ‘HaLong on Land’. Officially designated as an ‘eco-tourism’ area, the only interruptions here are the sound of birds and the gentle paddle of the oar upon the crystal-clear river. In the late afternoon, you will be transferred to Ninh Binh.

Following an early breakfast, depart Ninh Binh for a 4-hour (approximately) drive to HaLong Bay, Vietnam’s most popular UNESCO World Heritage site! The name ‘Ha Long’ means ‘Bay of Descending Dragons’ and owes its origins to a Vietnamese myth. The towering limestone karsts represent the dragon’s back, surrounded by jade green water creating an unforgettable sight. There are more than 1,600 limestone islands and islets with different shapes jutting out from the sea.

Arrive at HaLong Bay around noon and proceed with check-in formalities before boarding your junk boat for an unforgettable overnight cruise on HaLong Bay. After being welcomed onboard, a lunch of Vietnamese food is served while cruising toward the bay. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day, the boat sets anchor for the night among karst formations. Dinner is served on board. Overnight on board the boat in HaLong Bay (private cabin onboard the join-in boat cruise).

Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay. Then, as the sun rises, you can enjoy breakfast (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Upon arrival late morning at Tuan Chau Marina, you will be greeted by our driver, who will provide the private vehicle transfer back to Hanoi. 

You arrive in Hanoi late in the afternoon and then enjoy a leisurely one-hour tricycle tour through the streets of this fascinating city. You will come face to face with the daily lives and activities of Hanoi’s streets as you pass through the congested but delightful Old Quarter. Ride past the fascinating streets, which still bear the names of shops that could be found in the 15th to 18th centuries.

Afterwards, enjoy a walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the ’36 streets’. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around you. End the day with a Water Puppet show. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history. 

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide for a day of sightseeing in Hanoi. Commence with a visit to The One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure is one of Vietnam’s smallest but most iconic temples. Close by is the Mausoleum of the historic Father Figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and the Former President’s House on stilts, where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary

(The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed Mondays & Fridays and from Jun-Aug, you will view it from the outside). 

Lunch today will be served at a local restaurant.

One of the best things about northern Vietnam is that while most provinces are rapidly modernizing, villages that boast histories spanning centuries can still be found here and there. What’s better, not only their architecture but also their ambience is almost intact.

In the early afternoon, you will enjoy a 45-minutes drive from the hustle and bustle of the city to visit the 200-year-old Nom Village. The centre of this little town reveals a beautiful architectural complex consisting of a common house, an ancient well and a banyan tree. Meet with the head of the village, explore the narrow brick roads and visit another antique house. Engage in a conversation with the host over a cup of traditional tea to learn more about local life and the traditions that define this community. This visit ends with a stop at the holiest place in the village, Nom Pagoda, embedded in a century-old pine forest famous for its ancient Buddhist statues.

Dinner tonight will be served at a local restaurant. Around 8.00 pm, you will be transferred to Hanoi Railway Station to enjoy an overnight train trip to Lao Cai in superior 4-berth compartments shared with other passengers. The train departs at approximately 9.50 pm. 

Notes: The Train schedule is subject to change. Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless a private cabin is requested, and all berths paid for – with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience. Two ways private compartments are available on request are available for a surcharge.

You arrive early this morning (approximately 06:30 hrs) in Lao Cai, the border town to Yunnan, China. Your new journey starts with a 38 km drive on winding roads up the mountains to SaPa, located approx. 1,500 m above sea level. On clear days you can see the highest mountain in Vietnam, the Fansipan. After enjoying breakfast at a local restaurant, enjoy a morning walking tour of SaPa and a visit to the market. Here, the Red Dao, Black H’Mong, Tay, and other ethnic minority people converge from the surrounding countryside to sell their silverware and handicrafts and buy provisions. Next, enjoy a short drive to Cat Cat village of the Hmong people. Here, you can enjoy a light trek around the area and share their daily lives for a rare glimpse into their culture and customs. Finally, you will return to SaPa for lunch. The remainder of the day is at leisure. 

Appropriate footwear must be worn on treks in Sapa. Note that if conditions are wet, programs may be diverted.

Today you will enjoy a full day of trekking. First, visit Suoi Ho village with tea plantations and cardamom gardens. Follow the buffalo trails to visit the hospitable villages of the Black Hmong minority people in Ma Tra. Passing a school and enjoying scenic views en route, a picnic lunch will be served. After lunch, continue trekking to Ta Phin village. You will meet Red Dao people famous for their weaving skills, then proceed to the meeting point and transfer back to SaPa. 

Enjoy a short rest (time permitting), and then transfer to Lao Cai Railway Station. You will board the overnight train to Hanoi departing at 8.15 pm (shared sleeping compartments, sharing with other passengers in 2 lower & 2 upper berths per compartment).  

Notes: Train schedule is subject to change. Private compartments on request at a surcharge. Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested, and all berths paid for – with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.

On arrival in Hanoi, early this morning around 5.00 am, your driver will pick you up from the train station to enjoy breakfast and special Vietnamese coffee at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, you can enjoy a steam bath, sauna with one hour of body treatment (massage), and after, a bowl of noodles with a fresh fruit platter. In the early afternoon, after enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, you will meet your driver, who will provide the private vehicle transfer to Noi Bai Airport for a domestic flight to Hue. On arrival in Hue, you will be greeted by our airport representative, who will provide the private vehicle transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure. Located in Central Vietnam, Hue is the only place in the country where many historical, cultural, architectural as well as artistic values have been preserved. Tangible cultural heritage – the system of historic monuments – and intangible cultural heritage – the Imperial court music – have their own national and international values that were acknowledged as World Cultural Heritages. Hue is also the site where the northern and southern ecosystems meet, the area of river hills, greenery and beautiful landscapes. 

This morning, meet with your guide in the hotel lobby. Start the day touring with a scenic boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda. It is one of Hue’s oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship. Afterwards, you will explore the Imperial City of Hue. The Hue Citadel is situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River and built by Emperor Gia Long. It was designed for the exclusive use of the Emperor and his household. The Citadel is a square 2 km wall encompassing 3-walled enclosures: the Citadel, Kinh Thanh Hue, the Yellow Imperial city, Hoang Thanh and in the centre the Forbidden Purple City, Tu Cam Thanh, where the Emperor lived. The Hue royal complex has been officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Hue’s environment is famous for its tombs of past emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Most of the tombs have courtyards, a temple for worship, statues of elephants and figures and a pond. Still, the layout of each is different, reflecting differing each king’s personality and style, and they have a lovely peaceful atmosphere. Visit Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, considered one of the most beautiful mausoleums in Hue. Khai Dinh Tomb – Emperor of Vietnam from 1916 to 1925. The tomb represents a fusion of traditional Vietnamese style and modern influence. The construction of the tomb began in 1920 and lasted 11 years. On the way back to your hotel, you stop at a village that is well-known for its production of typical Vietnamese conical hats.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. 

In the afternoon, enjoy the spectacular drive over Hai Van Pass to DaNang with a wonderful view of the Pacific Ocean and the famous Lang Co fishing village. Continue to the charming historic city of Hoi An, which lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Hoi An was one of the major trading centres of Southeast Asia in the 16th century and was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. 

En route, you will visit the Cham Museum – the world’s foremost collection of the sculpture of the ancient Kingdom of Champa, and the Marble Mountain. Their peaks represent the five elements of the universe. 

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, meet your driver who will transfer you to Hoi An’s colourful main market Experience its amazing sights, sounds, and aromas. You will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and see and taste the wonderful variety of foods on display. The tour continues, and you board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy. Returning to the Cooking School, the chefs will explain how to prepare some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s best-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2-hours. The Red Bridge chefs first demonstrate each dish before you prepare the same dish yourself. Finally, enjoy the meal you have prepared. The class includes a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration).

In the afternoon, you will discover Hoi An – known to early Western merchants. Hoi An was one of the major trading centres of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a mixed Chinese-Vietnamese atmosphere with low, tile-roof houses and narrow streets. Having been through many ups and downs in the past, the original structures are still virtually intact, one reason to persuade UNESCO to recognize Hoi An as a World Heritage in 1999. Besides, the surroundings of Hoi An, especially the countryside, are one of the most outstanding highlights that visitors should experience during their stay in Hoi An.

One of the best ways to discover Hoi An and its surroundings is by walking. During your leisurely walk, you will visit some of the historic merchant and community houses, places of worship and the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, the daily life of the local people, green paddy fields, vegetable gardens, markets, temples, and historic houses, fishermen and stunning countryside.

Later enjoy “the TOP world-best show” and “A feast for the eyes” – Hoi An Memories Show. The setting is sprawling and magnificent, grandly depicting the nearby mountains, the sodden river flood plains that typify Vietnam and the old port of Hoi An. The music is exquisite, the lighting hi-tech and the choreography superb. The traditional performing art is not simply a tale that balances legend with history, tradition with progress, and peace with turbulence. It is also a way to help enrich the community of which they’re a part. The show will remain with you, an enthralling experience that brings one closer to Vietnam’s unique spirit and time-honoured traditions. After the show, you will be transferred back to your hotel for the remainder of the evening at leisure.

Today is at leisure.

Today is at leisure.

Enjoy the morning at leisure until you meet your driver in the hotel foyer. They will provide the private vehicle transfer to DaNang Airport for your domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat Domestic Airport. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our airport representative, who will transfer you to lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will explore the city and visit locations such as the Independence Palace (Reunification Palace) and War Remnants Museum. Stroll through the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City, such as the Old Saigon Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. Inaugurated in 1880 to become the spiritual and cultural crucible of the French presence in the Orient, as was the Post office designed by Gustav Eiffel and resembling a grand railway station. Visit Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), The Continental Hotel, Opera House and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee (formerly Hôtel de Ville), one of the most photographed buildings in Vietnam. It is notable for its gardens, ornate facade and elegant interior lit with crystal chandeliers. In the late afternoon, you are transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Today meet your local guide in the lobby of your hotel and drive to My Tho, the heart of the Mekong Delta, famous for its vast rice fields and most beautiful landscapes. Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda en route and stop by the banks of the Tien Giang River. Enjoy a boat trip on the Mekong River to Phoenix Island, where local handicrafts and sweets from coconut are produced. Enjoy fresh seasonal fruits and traditional live music and songs performance. Next, enjoy a short ride on a horse carriage to a typical local house to taste some homemade honey tea. Proceed by small sampan boats through the small canals and side arms of the river to observe the daily life along the riverbanks with a stop and short leisurely walk at the Turtle Island. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant before driving back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, arriving late afternoon. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

Enjoy an early breakfast this morning before you meet your driver. Enjoy the journey of 75 km from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels – a complex of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. More than 200 km of tunnels comprise a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels. For a more “thrilling” experience, you can even test your shooting skills on original AK47s and other guns from past war times (subject to a surcharge). 

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, and in the afternoon, you will transfer back to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. This evening, enjoy a Buffet dinner (including food and 01 welcome drink, excluded water soft drinks, and alcohols) on the floating restaurant – Bonsai Cruise. This offers a Vietnamese dining experience with a difference and the perfect way to soak up the atmosphere along the Saigon River. Upon arrival, the captain will welcome you aboard with a welcome drink and introduce the European and Asian cuisine on offer, making this Ho Chi Minh City dinner cruise a must-do culinary experience. Relax on the decks and enjoy the panoramic view during the 90-minute journey cruise of the Saigon River. The food, organic and fresh, is presented and prepared on interactive buffet stations, and a live band is on board to entertain. The cruise will return to the pier, where your driver is waiting to take you back to your hotel. 

Note: The cruise is operated on a join-in basis with two decks seating up to 200 guests with the central buffet areas offering modern Moorish cuisine inspired by flavours, species and tastes which can be found in the Indochinese region. Live entertainment will be performed throughout the cruise journey.

Enjoy your final hours of leisure in Ho Chi Minh City before meeting your driver at a pre-arranged time. They will provide the private vehicle transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight.