This Vietnam tour begins with Hanoi - the vibrant capital and takes you to Halong Bay, renowned for its limestone karsts. You will then explore Hue - ancient capital of Vietnam, famous for its imperial citadel and royal tombs and the charming town of Hoi An. You can take a boat trip through the floating market in Can Tho and conclude your journey at Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s premier beach destination.
Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Day 2: Hanoi city tour
Day 3: Ha Noi – Ha Long bay
Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi – Da Nang – My Son
Day 6: Hoi An city tour + Cycling to the beach
Day 7: Hoi An – Da Nang – Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh city)
Day 8: Sai Gon city tour – Can Tho
Day 9: Cai Rang floating market – Phu Quoc Island
Day 10 & 11: Phu Quoc Island
Day 12: Phu Quoc island – Sai Gon
Arrival in Noi Bai airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in the city center. The check – in will be available at 2 pm. The rest of the day is free to rest or discover the city at your own pace.
Car: 20km Night: hotel
You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:00 am, starting the day trip with a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays) and his former stilt–house residence. We will continue with the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigorous exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring one luck. Its peaceful green compound and its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative being the History Museum), which offers informative and well–documented displays on the country’s 54 ethnic groups cultures, including elaborate and colorful hill tribe costumes. The display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinh to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. Then back to the Old Quarter for a one hour and a half walking tour to give you a deeper insight into local daily life. Head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century, and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike.
Walking: 2h Night: hotel
After breakfast, depart for Ha Long Bay, passing through the typical peaceful countryside of Red River Delta with endless rice fields and winding rivers. We will arrive at Ha Long’s tourist wharf around noon and embark on an elegant wooden junk. Lunch will be served while the boat gently cruises past numerous islands and limestone structures rising from the emerald water. A fresh seafood dinner will be prepared by an experienced chef and served on deck. A peaceful night indeed in your private cabin.
Please note the program may vary a little depending on the cruise you choose & weather conditions on that day.
Car: 150km/3h Night: on boat
Awakening to the tranquil beauty of the bay, you have time for an early morning dip while the sun rises, followed by breakfast on board. We will sail through the bay all morning to explore more secluded areas. The junk will stay close at all times serving as a backup vessel for those who require it. Around midday we will return to the main harbor and drive back to Hanoi.
Car: 150km/3h Night: hotel
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. Our guide and car will pick you up at Da Nang airport and take you to My Son Holy Land, which was once, between the 4th and 12th century, the capital city of the Champa Kingdom. My Son is a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 70 architectural works. Including temples and towers connecting to each other with complicated red brick designs. Check–in your hotel in Hoi An.
Car: 130km/3h Night: hotel
After breakfast, cycle to Phu Thinh beach, passing through lush paddy fields. On the way, stop at the Precious Art Gallery Museum to discover Vietnam ethnic minorities. Upon arrival, go for a swim and have an enjoyable massage facing the sea. Seafood lunch will be served on the beach. After that, ride the bike back to your hotel.
The afternoon, explore Hoi An’s ancient town visiting the Japanese Pagoda Bridge, Chinese streets, old Phung Hung houses, Hoi An’s market and ancient port. On the 1st and 15th of every lunar month, Hoi An’s ancient town is lit up by hundreds of colorful lanterns, ever more sparkling. Following the tour, you will stop over at Reaching Out tea house, a tranquil oasis in the center of bustling Hoi An.
Biking: 2h Night: hotel
Free time at your hotel then transfer to Da Nang airport and flight to Sai Gon. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon or "Pearl of the Far East", you will be welcomed by our guide and brought to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the largest city of Vietnam and its wide elegant boulevards and historic French colonial buildings at your own pace. Overnight at the hotel.
Car: 50km Night: hotel
After breakfast, head to an authentic place where the elders exhibit collectible birds. Enjoy the atmosphere of the green park of Tao Dan around a good coffee. Then visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the General Post Office. From the cathedral, take a short stroll along Dong Khoi Street to the Opera House. Finally, stop at The Reunification Palace, formerly known as Presidential Palace, which was the residence of the president of South Vietnam until the end of April 1975. In the afternoon, transfer by car to Can Tho. Check in hotel.
Car: 170km/4h Night: hotel
In the early morning, excursion to the floating market of Cai Rang, the largest in the region, where boats full of fruits and vegetables gather every day. Then take a walk in one of the orchards of Mr. Ba Cong, where you will be able to enjoy fresh tropical fruits and visit a vermicelli factory.
Transfer to Can Tho airport and flight to Phu Quoc Island.
Car: 30km Night: hotel
Sleeping beauty nestled in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc Island and its pristine beaches are calling for those who crave for idleness.
– Fine sandy beaches and emerald waters
– Opulent forests and buzzing ports
– Beautiful lodges and seafood
– Wide range of tours and specialties (nuoc mam, pepper, dried fish, fruit wine)
Free time then transfer to the airport for your flight to Sai Gon. End of our services.
The price includes
þ Accommodation and breakfasts in hotels on the accommodation list
þ Meals clearly mentioned in the program: B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner
þ The entrance fee to the sites
þ Competent English–speaking guides throughout the trip except the free days when it is mentioned clearly: without a guide
þ Private air – conditioned car for all land transport except free days when it is mentioned clearly: without driver
þ One litre of drinking water per person per day
þ Domestic flight Hanoi - Hue, Da Nang - Sai Gon and Can Tho - Phu Quoc in economy class
þ All logistic services necessary for the program
The price does not include
ý International flights and airport taxes from/to your country
ý Bank commission
ý Means of transport not mentioned in the program
ý Meals not mentioned in the program
ý Tipping for services: local guides, crew members, drivers, porters…
ý Drink, telephone, linen or all personal expenses not mentioned in the "price includes" section