VIETNAM VACATION 10 DAYS

Arrive in Hanoi. After clearing all the custom procedures, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. 

The afternoon is free for you to settle in and relax. Perhaps take a stroll through the old quarter, or try your hand at ordering the local speciality 'Pho', a hearty beef soup that will see you well into the evening! Our hotel is ideally located in the heart of Hanoi. 

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After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you’ll depart on a visit of some of Hanoi’s fascinating sights, starting with the Temple of Literature. Originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070, and highlights the importance influence that Vietnamese society has placed on education. You can then enjoy lunch at KOTO restaurant, a non-profit organisation staffed by former street children who have received training in catering through KOTO. To find out more about this worthwhile project.

Lunch is followed by a cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets. Cyclo is the Vietnamese version of a cycle rickshaw, originally used as the main form of transportation in Vietnam. It has now been overtaken by the use of motorbikes, but still remains very much at the heart of Vietnamese culture. Sit back and relax as you witness the hustle and bustle of this charming town and its maze of streets – a fantastic experience and something you’re unlikely to forget in a hurry.

You’ll then spend an hour at the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. The Temple is set on a tiny island on the Lake, with history dating back to the 13th century. The temple is reached by crossing the Huc Bridge which literally means the ‘Place Touched by Morning Sunbeams’. After a refreshment break the finale of today’s sightseeing is a Water Puppet show, a delightful performance of music, puppets and songs. 

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Breakfast at hotel. We depart for Ha Long city (170 km), approximately three hours away to visit Halong bay (a World Natural Heritage site and a New World’s wonder). Halong bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes with 1969 islets. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves, other support floating villages of fishermen. You have chance of observing scenic country side of Vietnam dominated by enormous lush rice field.

Upon arrival. Check-in between 11:30 - 12:00 at the boat port. Enjoy a refreshing “Welcome cocktail” upon check-in on the sun deck. Enjoy your lunch as the vessel sails to Halong Bay passing the Fighting cocks islet, the Elephant leg islet, the Castle islet, the Soi Sim Island. Arrive at Surprise grotto - one of the most famous grotto in the entire Halong, we will visit the cave by Tender. After taking a lot of photos and admire the beauty of the cave we will visit the fishing village by local rowing boat (1 hour) with the opportunity to interact with fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations then we return to the vessel for free time at your leisure. You can swim in the clear emerald waters, soak up the sun over a cool beer on the top deck sun lounge or try your hand at some kayaking (your account) amongst the huge limestone outcrops that surround us. We retire to the junk and relax on the top deck and enjoy a refreshing drink from the bar. Enjoy and learn the Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the sundeck. Your delicious seafood dinner will be served at the restaurant. Stay overnight on cruise for a more in-depth experience.

(The itinerary above may be changed depending on the cruise we choose and weather permitting).

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Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi exercise with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. Sitting on the upper desk we can enjoy the breath - taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the crystal-clear water of the bay. We can hear the birds singing, cicadas chirping ashore and the gentle lapping of the waves against our boat, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and gentle breeze.

Set Menu or Buffet Brunch served in the dining room. Check-out on board and disembarkation at boat port, Halong city.

On the way back to Hanoi, visit Tho Ha the famous village of terracotta products before 20th century. Discover village through narrow and zigzag alleys with the old houses had been constructed from broken part of terracotta from the past. Walking over village cemetery to the dike, where you can see the village from distance over the beautiful lake. 

Free your time at leisure,

Tonight we will catch a night train to Hue city.

Note you will have use of a day room in Hanoi to freshen up before the evening train journey. Dinner may be at a local restaurant or a picnic box to take on the train. 

Arrive into the station early morning, transfer to your hotel in a quiet area of Hue, and have breakfast. After freshening up, the tour leader will take you to the ancient walled Citadel containing the former Imperial Palace, where you can spend some time wandering through the enclosure.

After lunch, you’ll travel out into the surrounding countryside to see the final resting place of the Emperors at two of the most impressive Royal Tombs. In the evening, there is a relaxing sunset cruise along the Perfume River.

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Today the drive heads further south to the delightful town of Hoi An (approximately 4 hours). The journey takes you along the coast past the beautiful beach of Lang Co and over the Hai Van Pass. Meaning “Pass of the Ocean Clouds” this is where a section of the Truong Son Mountain range juts into the South China Sea and results in a climb of 496 metres along a dramatic ocean road with lovely views.

Arriving at the charming river port of Hoi An, there should be time for a short introductory tour of this ancient town. Recently declared a World Heritage site, Hoi An is being beautifully restored and preserved, and we are sure you will enjoy the unique architecture and charm of this small town. You will see the Japanese Covered Bridge, built to link the Chinese and Japanese communities. Hoi An is also a great place for shopping - choose from original paintings, handcraft woodwork, ceramics, embroidery, lanterns and more. It has also become famous for its tailoring, with a great variety of fabrics and tailors to choose from. Bring your favourite piece of clothing or even just a picture, and you'll be able to have it copied.

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Today will give you an insight into the lives of the farming and fishing communities in this beautiful region of Vietnam. Begin your adventure by cycling out into the countryside through emerald green rice paddies. After a short ride you will arrive at the village of Tra Que. This charming little settlement, on the edge of Hoi An, is famous for its sweet scented green vegetables that spice up Hoi An’s famous delicacies such Cao Lau and Mi Quang.

On arrival you will be introduced to the history of the village and the cultivation of the vegetables. Continue with a walk around the vegetable garden and join the farmers in preparing the land and planting some crops. Later, return to Hoi An and board a river cruise to meet and engage with local fisherman - you are sure to enjoy the hands on experience of river net fishing with the locals. Next, you have the opportunity to paddle a unique bamboo basket boat, known as a coracle, as you explore the area’s coconut palmed waterways.

Transfer to Danang Airport (approximately 1 hour) for the morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City.  Formerly known as Saigon, this busy city is an interesting blend of old and new, east and west.

In the afternoon, you’ll head off to see the Notre Dame Cathedral & Old Post Office. Built between 1877 and 1883 this is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture - remarkably, every stone used in its creation was shipped from France to Vietnam! You’ll also visit the Reunification Palace, one of the most important buildings in the city. Your tour leader will drop you off at the Ben Thanh market, should you wish to indulge in some retail therapy – or just absorb the atmosphere of this thriving food and clothes market.

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Breakfast at hotel. We’ll take a scenic early morning drive to Vinh Long (140 km), stop for photos at Tan An town over the flat rice fields. Upon embarkation on Cai Be Princess boat (Victoria cruise), you are welcomed with fresh cotton towels & seasonal fresh fruits.

The tour will start with the visit of Cai Be colorful floating market, cruising among local sampans coming from all provinces of the delta full of fruits and vegetables. Your sampan will proceed to Dong Hoa Hiep island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. During a 40 minutes cruise, you will be able to discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong delta rural life. These evergreen islands among the Mekong river still remain unknown to many people.

We will visit an ancient mandarin house dating from the 19 century where the family will welcome you with a cup of honey tea. Back on board, we will lead to you to observe the activity of the biggest rice stock market. Further, others stops will allow you to see a traditional bricks and tiles factory and how locals are using palm leaves for houses. Cruising 20 minutes further to Phu An hamlet passing by Cai Be beautiful church, we will have a visit at some interesting home factories to see how rice paste is made, but also rice cookies, coco candies, as well as longan fruits drying process.

Lunch will await you at Le Longanier restaurant, a superb indochine villa located in a lush tropical garden by the river, surrounded by fruit orchards. You will have a chance to enjoy the famous dish “Fried Mekong Elephant Ear Fish”.

After a short walk along a beautiful canal, the excursion will end at approx. 3.30pm at Ba Bon bridge - where our driver will meet you. Transfer back to Saigon.

Tonight we enjoy farewell dine at Vietnam House restaurant.

Depending on the time of your return flight, there should be time for some optional excursions, and we would suggest a trip to the remarkable Cu Chi tunnel complex (approximately 1½ hours from Ho Chi Minh City). The area was first used as guerrilla base during the independence war against France; however, it became much better known for its role during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. This excursion will depart the hotel at 8am and return at approximately 2pm.

Free your time until you are transferred to the Tan Son Nhat airport for your departure flight.