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 CITY TOUR
Start the tour by visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho's final resting-palace. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts where he used to live in the past. Lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, built by King Ly Thai To in 1049 the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continue to visit the Quan Thanh Temple and Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda on West. Lunch at local restaurant.
After lunch proceed to visit the Literature Temple – Vietnam’s first university constructed in 1070, Its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Take a cyclo tour to go around city center. After that we will visit Hoan Kiem Lake, see the peaceful water, and visit Ngoc Son temple as the last stop of the day.
DAY 3: HANOI – HALONG BAY
Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Asia’s most magnificent natural splendours with over 1,600 largely uninhabited limestone islands jut out of the Gulf of Tonkin’s emerald green waters. This impossibly romantic seascape reveals grottoes, secluded coves, coral beaches and hidden lagoons. Meaning ‘Descending Dragon’, Halong Bay’s outstanding mythical beauty is complemented by major biological and geological significance. Cruise through the bay aboard the cruise, topping at leisure at several hidden caves and pearl farm villages.
DAY 4: HALONG BAY – 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 Halong 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 5: HANOI – NINH BINH
Depart Hanoi on a 2hr drive to Ninh Binh, a province known for its spectacular landscapes of rice paddies and limestone karsts. Visit the ancient Dich Long Cave and Pagoda, a remarkable series of temples and communal houses dating back hundreds of years. Afterward, enjoy a scenic boat trip through the wetlands of the Van Long Reserve with spectacular views of its 32 stunning grottoes. This area has recently become famous as one of the filming locations for the blockbuster movie “Kong: Skull Island”.
DAY 6: NINH BINH – HANOI – FLY TO HUE
Morning we will take you to Mua Cave and Ngoa Long Temple where you can do a short trek to top of the mountain and have a panoramic view of Tam Coc. Have lunch before back to Hanoi for flight to Hue.
DAY 7: HUE CITY 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 ½ DAY TOUR – DRIVE TO HOI AN
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. Have lunch before driving to Hoi An.
DAY 9: 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 10: HOI AN RICE FARM CULTURE
Start the day by cycling to the rice farm (If you don't know how to ride bicycles, we will cover for you) riding a water buffalo and then take part in ploughing, raking, sowing, planting, grinding and separating the rice and making rice flour. At the end of the tour you will have the opportunity to cook and eat beautiful crispy pancakes which will be served with a cool drink. This whole experience is held on a family farm and will be something you will never forget. Just be prepared to get dirty!
DAY 11: FLY TO SAIGON – CU CHI
Take a flight to Saigon. Drive to Cu Chi for lunch before visiting this famous site. Cu Chi tunnels - an underground tunnels network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during their struggle for independence. Arriving tunnels, a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed will be given. We then spend time exploring the maze of tunnels including innumerable trap doors, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. These tunnels consisted of many ‘moving parts’ making them a livable structure for long periods of time.
DAY 12: SAIGON CITY TOUR
We start this day tour by a visit to The Reunification Palace. This is one of the most important buildings in the city. Continue to The Post Office Center for the best examples of classical French colonial architecture in Saigon, Notre Dame Cathedral and War Remnants Museum, which formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes. In the afternoon, we will take a Cyclo to go to Thien Hau Pagoda, and Binh tay market to explore China Town in Saigon.
DAY 13: SAIGON – BEN TRE HOMESTAY
Drive to Ben Tre. Take a boat to visit fruit garden, traditional villages and explore local life on the river. Drop off at An Binh island for lunch and check-in your homestay. Join in some activities at homestay and cooking class before having dinner. Overnight in homestay.
DAY 14: BEN TRE – SAIGON
Morning with local breakfast and explore local market on the island before back to mainland. Drive back to Saigon and take a rest.
DAY 15: SAIGON DEPARTURE Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your onward departure.
To request for this customized tour, please reach out us via email sales@despacetravel.com
