DAY 1:  HO CHI MINH CITY ARRIVAL

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 2: HALF DAY CITY TOUR (Breakfast, Lunch)

This morning visit the War Remnants or History Museum (choose whichever is preferred) and the former Presidential Palace. From there stroll (the vehicle will be available at all times) to the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. Visit Ben Thanh Market where an incredible display of fresh produce is offered. Simply stroll through the market, seeing and enjoying the variety of goods for sale, a great way to get a feel for the city.

Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Optional Extra:

Please inform if additional activities like a vespa tour by night, a meal in a local family’s home, or an afternoon tour of the FITO Museum known as one of the best collections of objects commonly found in traditional Vietnamese medicine would like to be arranged.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 3: HO CHI MINH MEKONG DELTA HO CHI MINH (Breakfast, Lunch)

Today’s tour starts at 08:00 with a pick up from the hotel in the city centre. Leave the busy streets and modern buildings of Ho Chi Minh City behind on this Ben Tre day trip. Drive 2-hours south of the city to this land of coconut in Mekong Delta. On arrival in Ben Tre Province, board a local boat for a first glimpse of life inside the Mekong Delta’s maze of waterways, fertile green terrain and its family-run cottage industries such as coconut candy making. See many local women spending their days boiling cauldrons of the sticky coconut goo before rolling it out and slicing sections into squares. The hand-rowed sampan journey under the shadow of the water coconut trees is always a not to be missed part. The riverside promenade and the narrow lanes on both sides of the river are ideal for a cycling exploration. (There is also an option to hop on a Lambro motor-tricycle which was once the iconic vehicle and main means of transportation in Southern Vietnam dating back to the 1960s. This would need to be requested in advance and is based on availability.) After lunch at a riverside restaurant with Mekong Delta specialties, cruise pass bridges toward the pier for a drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 4: HO CHI MINH DA NANG HOI AN (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for the short flight to the central port city of Danang. On arrival in Danang transfer to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit the former merchants’ homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market.

Rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 5: HOI AN HALF DAY TOUR (Breakfast, Lunch)

Depart for the Hoi An cycling tour from the hotel at approximately 08:00 and transfer by road a short distance into the nearby countryside. On arrival at a typical hamlet, hop on the bicycles to begin exploring the village.  Cycle along the lush water-coconut forest, beyond tranquil ponds and green rice fields. Take a break at Mr. Tien’s Temple – the initiator of the birds’ nests culture in this area. Spend time at Thanh Dong Organic farm – a 6000sqm organic garden supporting 14 local families. Learn about the rural lifestyle here and help out the farmers with their work, depending on the season, while learning more about local organic farming techniques in this area. Take a break at Mr. Meo’s house and listen to stories about the culture and history in this area.

Leaving the farm behind, a 20 minute ride in a traditional ‘basket boat’ along a small languid river takes guests to a special local restaurant situated in the middle of the rice paddy fields. Here enjoy a break in the shade and a delicious Vietnamese lunch. Afterwards transfer back to Hoi An Ancient Town or to selected hotel in Hoi An, arriving back at approximately 14:30.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An

DAY 6: HOI AN HUE (Breakfast, Lunch)

Leave Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Its mesmerising tombs and mausoleums of the last emperors of Vietnam reveal fascinating insights into the lives of the imperial families and their subjects. The ancient citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern (the Royal Citadel was badly damaged in the latter stages of the war) but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today.

Drive through Danang before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co.

In Hue visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945.

Later visit Khai Dinh’s Tomb which is traditional Vietnamese in design with a European touch making it unique from other tombs in Hue.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 7: HUE HA NOI (Breakfast, Lunch)

This morning, take a short trip to one of the traditional crafting villages in Hue where the ancient art of bamboo is still kept alive. Learn about the utilities of bamboo in old and modern days, meet with an artisan and see the revolutionary new Truc Chi art of combining bamboo and paper.

Optional Extra:

Contact the travel consultants if additional experiences are desired. For example,  a visit to Ming Mang’ tomb, the local market, or a walking tour of Hue’s garden houses.

In the afternoon, transfer to Hue Airport for the 1-hour flight to Hanoi. On arrival transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 8:  HANOI FULL DAY TOUR (Breakfast, Lunch)

This morning depart the hotel for the Temple of Literature. In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam – Vietnam’s first university, also referred to as Van Mieu, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

The One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 will be visited next. This structure is one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples.

Then visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), a research centre and public museum, exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam.

Lunch is served before the afternoon drive 45 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Long Thuong Village has been the home of a community of bronze casters since the 13th century. Explore their village and observe how different families create products such as tripod cauldrons, incense-burners and flower vases. Engage with the locals and learn about the history of their community through stories of the war.

Then, head for a 20-minute walk on a hardened road between rice paddies 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.

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.

Conclude the trip with a visit to the holiest place in the village,  Nom Pagoda, embedded in a century-old pine forest which is famous for its ancient Buddhist statues.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 9:  HANOI HA LONG BAY. HA LONG OVERNIGHT CRUISE (Breakfast, Lunch)

Following breakfast leave Hanoi for a 2.5 hour drive to Halong Bay including a 20-minutes stop on the way. Arrive at the jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After a welcome onboard, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. 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 the karst formations.

Dinner is served on board.

Overnight on Halong Bay cruise.

DAY 10:  HA LONG BAY HA NOI AIRPORT (Breakfast)

On returning to Halong City, enjoy a wholesome brunch as the boat cruises through uniquely-shaped limestone rock fomations. Disembark and be greeted by the driver for a transfer back to Hanoi. Spend the rest of the day at leisure until the transfer to Noi Bai Airport for the onward departure flight.