DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL
Welcome to Hanoi. The Old Quarter, known for its ‘36 streets of 36 wares’, is also home to a number of passionate artisans who continue to practice their age-old crafts.
DAY 2: HANOI – HISTORY & CULTURAL TALK
Vietnamese history, culture, and ethnic peoples will be shared during the trip to visit the Museum of Ethnology which houses an extensive collection of traditional costumes and artefacts from Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups. Then we will take you to The Thang Long Imperial Citadel which was built in the 11th century by the Vietnamese Ly Dynasty, marking the independence of the Đại Việt. It was built on the remains of a Chinese fortress dating from the 7th century, on drained land reclaimed from the Red River Delta in Hanoi. It was the centre of regional political power for almost thirteen centuries without interruption. The trip will be ended at Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple.
DAY 3: HANOI TRADITIONAL VILLAGES – DUONG LAM & BAT TRANG
Duong Lam Village is about 60 km far from downtown. Our first destination is Son Dong Village which village provice almost Pagoda statue for all Pagoda in Northern Area in Vietnam. In here you can see how those craftman create lively statue with their skillful hands. Next we wil come to Duong Lam Village and visit rice wine & rice cake in traditional produce. Then you can ride along village by bicycle enjoy fresh air and visit Phung Hung Temple and Mia pagoda. Have lunch with local home family.
The second stop is Bat Trang, the famous village is situated approx 15 km outside of Hanoi, surrounded by fertile farmland. Watch the artisans forming, painting and glazing their products, which are then baked for several days in huge kilns.
DAY 4: HANOI – LAN HA BAY
From Hanoi, head East for more than 2.5 hours to Lan Ha, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin. The road will pass by the Red River delta with green paddy fields and rural villages, where hard-work farmers are busy with their farming jobs, ploughing buffaloes or planting seedling. Upon arrival in Lan Ha, we’ll take a big boat to cruise the Bay to discover the magnificent beauty of the bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch of fresh seafood on board, we can visit the cave, stop for swimming, passing floating villages and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the boat.
DAY 5: LAN HA – HANOI
In the morning, doing exercise morning on Sundeck, enjoy light breakfast with coffee, tea, seasonal fresh fruit and bread before keep going to visit Lan Ha Bay, passing by many other rocks, Islets as well as fishing villages. Brunch (lunch) will be served on board before disembarking time. Return to Hanoi, take a rest and enjoy your free time.
DAY 6: HANOI – HUE – ½ DAY TOUR
Take a flight to Hue. Visit Perfume river, an hour on boat will take you to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. Then going to Thuy Huong Incense Village to discover the traditional craft that hides the long-standing beauty of the Vietnamese people and own genuine check-in photos in the colorful space of the incense sticks here.
DAY 7: HUE HISTORIC TOUR
Going to tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, the 12th King of Nguyen Dynasty. The architectural work owns a harmonious combination between the European modernity and the Vietnam classical characteristics. Then we drive to tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, a different architectural style and one of the biggest tomb in Hue.
Have lunch before visit Imperial City is the most well known and iconic site in Hué. Famously being one of Vietnam’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Imperial City of Hue has long been a must-see attraction for tourists visiting a hidden charm of Vietnam.
DAY 8: HUE ANCIENT HOUS & TRADITIONAL HANDICRAFT VILLAGES
The An Hien garden house in Hue was built in the late 19th century, the first owner of the old house was the 18th princess of Emperor Duc Duc. By 1895, this entire property belonged to Mr. Pham Dang Khanh, the son of a great minister of the Gia Long Emperor reign period.
Explore craft villages outside of Hue where passionate artisans continue to produce legendary folk art. Meet an artisan who specialises in the 400-year-old tradition of folk painting using natural materials such as red earth, seashells and ashes of bamboo leaves. Afterward, take a scenic bike ride to Thanh Tien Village and learn about the 300-year-old craft of making paper flower which are mainly used to decorate altars for ancestor worship and as offerings in religious rituals. Try creating your own paper lotus flower under the guidance of one of the artisans.
DAY 9: HUE – HOI AN – LANTERN MAKING
Drive over the Hai Van Pass, one of the most beautiful coastline routes in the world, to the former merchant town of Hoi An. During your walk through the Ancient Town, you will notice the beautiful silk lanterns that decorate the street and storefronts, a sight which has become emblematic of Hoi An. Visit a family who has carried on the tradition of lantern making from the previous generation. Under their guidance, choose your lantern design and fabric and create your own signature lantern to take home with you.
DAY 10: HOI AN WALKING TOUR
Take a short drive to the riverside town of Hoi An. You will set off on a walking tour to explore this World Heritage Site. Highlights include an ancient merchant house, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and the vibrant riverside market. Lunch with famous local cuisine on the road like Mot drink, Banh Mi & Cao Lau.
DAY 11: HOI AN RURAL LIFE
Take a short boat ride across the Thu Bon River to reach Cam Kim Island. The car-free island is perfect for cycling where we’ll spend half a day on our bikes exploring the peaceful countryside. Visit Tra Nhieu Village which has retained many typical features of the Vietnamese livelihoods of agriculture and handicraft making. Learn about the diversity of local plants and herbs and visit several local homes to observe how people make rice wine, rice noodles and rice paper. Continue to a scenic water coconut forest and try your hand at rowing the unique Vietnamese round bamboo basket boats. Enjoy a home-hosted lunch before returning to the mainland.
DAY 12: HOI AN COOKING CLASS
Visit Hoi An’s colourful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – chefs first demonstrate each dish before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, we sit down and eat what we have cooked.
DAY 13: FLY TO SAIGON – CITY
Take a flight to Saigon. Your program includes the Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace. Continue to the Jade Emperor Pagoda located on the fringes of District 1. Dating from 1909 and built by Cantonese Buddhists this quiet oasis was designed using feng shui principals showcasing ornate statues and effigies. From there stroll to the major sights of colonial Saigon: The Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, Theater, Opera House.
DAY 14: SAIGON BUSTLING TOUR
A day will begin with Tan Dinh Market where you can observe daily life activities. Then take a stop at Pink Church for photography. Enjoy Vietnamese sweet soup at Vuon Chuoi Market and coming to Cho Cu, an old market surrounded by many morden building. Lunch at local restaurant before taking a cyclo tour to China Town to visit Thien Hau Pagoda, and Binh tay market.
DAY 15: SAIGON – CAN THO
Making our way down to the Mekong Delta. Arrive Can Tho, boat will take you down the Hau River to bring you to the model of rafting fish farming on the river. Uncle 7’s Bon rafe fishing farm is very famous in the Mekong Delta. You will learn about many rare and typical fish on the Mekong River here. Besides, you also learn how to raise strabismus fish as well as many other fish. The special thing that makes visitors come here is the beautiful Koi raft. You can drop your feet into the water for Koi fish to massage them and have beautiful photos taken with them. Go to the tropical fruit garden and enjoy some seasonal fruit right in the garden. See how people here make pop rice in the traditional way.
DAY 16: FLOATING MARKET – SAIGON
Wake up early to visit the colourful floating market where wholesalers converge on the Mekong River to sell their goods. After breakfast, visit the Binh Thuy Ancient House. The home is an outstanding example of Western and Oriental architectural elements and was famously used in the movie “The Lover”, the love story of young Marguerite Duras, set during the Indochine period. Afterward, visit the Pitu Khosa Rangsay Pagoda, one of the most beautiful Khmer temples in the Mekong Delta, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 17: DEPARTURE Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your onward departure.
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