Day 1: Hanoi
HANOI ARRIVAL – CITY TOUR
Welcome to Hanoi – Vietnam!
Upon arrival flight, the local driver will be welcoming you at Noi Bai airport; it takes us 35 minutes driving to the center of Hanoi then check-in at hotel.
Our tour guide will pick you at your hotel in the Old Quarter and then we get a Cyclo to Hoan Kiem Lake, one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal point for its public life to visit Ngoc Son temple and The Huc Bridge. And then we will stop at Hanoi Opera House, erected by the French colonial administration between 1901 and 1911.
After that, on the way to Water puppet show, we will see Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel - A Grand Dame of Southeast Asia that welcomes guests to experience her colonial grandeur and timeless elegance. Located steps from the Opera House in Hanoï’s French Quarter, this legendary property bring guests into intimate contact with the opulence of another era. A stage art invented by the Vietnamese peasants hundred years ago, with nearly 20 stories of Vietnam traditions and daily scenes will be the last activity. Finally, we will take a walk on the streets of the old quarter and enjoy the Vietnamese traditional food: Beef noodles.
Night activities suggestion: enjoy local beer at Ta Hien Streets, experience the ambience of sleepless street with life music, the young people of Hanoi and also foreign tourists. Hundreds of bars and pubs in the Old Quarter are also at your disposal. Or just simple spend your time at shopping malls or various boutique Shops.
Please note: Standard check in time is 14:00.
Day 2: Hanoi
HANOI – TAM COC – HOA LU - HANOI (B/L)
07:30 – 08:00 - Our guide will meet you at your hotel in the Old Quarter and start 120km comfortable shared deluxe bus journey through a verdant landscape. Stop over for a rest on the way.
10:30 – Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel with Dinh King Temple dating back to the 17th Century.
12:00 – Enjoy the lunch at our restaurant with the great local cuisines.
14:00 – Take sampan boat trip which owned and rowed by locals, gently sailing along Ngo Dong river, capturing the wonderful scenery of Karst hills, rice fields, and peaceful villages, and passing “Hang Ca”, “Hang Hai” and “Hang Ba”.
16:00 – Arrive Mua Cave and start an amazing trek up to the top of Ngoa long mountain for watching the spectacular rice valley with sprecious view of the nature.
17:30 – Return to our Limousine bus and then come back to Ha noi.
20:30 – Drop you off at your hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Pù Luông
HANOI – PU LUONG (B)
Pick up and transfer to Pu Luong retreat. In the morning, you enter Pu Luong Nature Reserve by road via a breath taking mountain pass giving you a panoramic view of the whole valley. You arrive at your accommodation in time for a delicious lunch (guests’ own account), followed by free time to explore the beautiful retreat, with its captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting.
You have the chance to get close to village life and interact with locals living in the hills above the Retreat. Glimpse at daily life, walk around working farmland and rice fields, and get to know more about the local culture. Walking back the retreat. Overnight in Pu Luong.
Day 4: Pù Luông
ENTHRALLING TREKKING AND CYCLING ROUTES (B/L)
This is a common and easy walk around the most beautiful valley of rice terraces in front of the Retreat. We start to descend into the beautiful valley facing the Retreat where you walk around tumbling rice terraces. Then we will walk through small paths shrouded in vegetation to slowly reveal a picturesque Uoi village sitting at the base of a towering mountain. Your camera will not be able to sit still when you see the panorama view of the village from above. Continue walk down hill to a local home, where you can take rest then take a cycle to go cycling around Lan village. If time permits, we will visit a local family where we can learn about their traditional brocade weaving. Cycling through the rice paddies and village to village, bridge to bridge to explore more the scenic landscapes surround. You will end up at Hieu Village (the stunning village in the area), you will have a good chance to enjoy the Hieu waterfall, the sole one in the reserve. Ride back to the local home, where the car pick-up point. You will be transferred back to Puluong retreat to stay overnight.
Day 5: Hanoi
VILLAGE LIFE AND THE COMMUNITY – PU LUONG – HANOI (B)
After breakfast, take a short ride from the retreat to Dong Dieng village, going down into the most beautiful valley in Puluong. Along the way you will have a chance to enjoy beautiful terrace rice fields and gorgeous mountains. Take a scenic trails winding to have a look of the landscape of rice field and the village, which were widen in your eyes. You will pass some homes on the way, you can come to visit any local family if you want, this is a great chance to learn more about life style and culture of the locals. It’s time to get back the retreat. Check out the Lodge in the afternoon and transfer back to your hotel in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 6: Ha Long Bay
HANOI - HALONG - OVERNIGHT ON BOARD (B/L/D)
From Hanoi, take the shuttle bus to head East for more than 3 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994. 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 Halong, we’ll take a big boat to cruise the Bay to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch of fresh seafood on board, we can visit the Surprising Grotto, stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating villages and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Back to the boat for dinner late afternoon. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the boat near Titov Beach.
Please note! The program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose.
Day 7: Hoi An
HALONG – HANOI – DANANG – HOI AN (B/Br/-)
After breakfast, visit by boat to Luon Cave, a ring-shaped pool inside an island in Halong with absolutely tranquil landscape and emerald water. Back to the Wharf of Halong passing the most densely area with many islands that have been named like the Cock-Fighting Rock, Sail Island, Incense burner rock or Sea Dog Rock. Arrive at Halong Wharf around 11.00.
Take shuttle bus back to Hanoi. Our driver shall wait for you en route to continue the transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for a short flight to Danang.
Welcome at the airport then transfer along the coast to reach Hoi An Ancient Town to check in. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An
HOI AN – HALF DAY CITY (B)
Morning at leisure.
15:00 Our guide will meet you at our hotel in Hoi An center and start the Hoi An City Tour. Firstly, you’ll visit Hoi An Market which is always bustling. It offers an unmissable shopping experience. This market is full of sights, colors, sounds and smells. Then, our tour guide will buy entrance tickets (included in the price) and start walking to the Hoi An Old Town. Go to the Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, a colorful mélange of bright gates, dragon statues and elaborate rooftops. Get an introduction to ancestor worship while visiting the family altar and watching local devotees making offerings.
You will see remarkably well-preserved old houses Phung Hung Ancient House or Tan Ky Ancient House. That have withstood 200 years of weather and war. Learn about the prosperous merchants who used to live in these homes, trading with buyers from all around the world. Make a stop at the Japanese Bridge. The bridge spans a small waterway and was constructed more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. Admire the carvings and paintings inside the bridge, learning about their symbolism and cultural significance. Additionally, visit some of Hoi An’s well-known handicraft shops and artwork galleries. Discover smaller laneways and local neighborhoods gaining a better appreciation of Hoi An’s endless charm.
Enjoy your time with the boat ride and drop flower lanterns to pray for good luck for you and your family. You will immerse yourself in the fanciful space of the lantern street. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh
HOI AN – HALF DAY SAIGON TOUR (B)
Relax till transfer to Da Nang Airport to take the midday flight to Saigon. You will be welcomed at the Tan Son Nhat airport and transfer to the hotel to check-in. Then we will join a half tour to have an overview of Saigon - the most dynamic city of Vietnam. Depart from your hotel to the Reunification Palace; this beautifully preserved palace was the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. On April 30th 1975 the American War officially came to an end here. Enjoy a visiting the War Remnants Museum where you can see countless artifacts, photographs and pictures documenting the second Indochina war. Afterward, we visit The Notre Dame Cathedral, which was built in 1880, and the Old Post Office, which was built sometime between 1886 and 1891. It is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Our last stop would be at a local Market where you can practice your bargaining skills while shopping for souvenirs. Discover local life and culture. You’ll find some of the friendliest, liveliest, most convivial people in the city in here. Overnight in Saigon.
Please note: Notre Dame Cathedral is under renovation till 2027. Visit will be arranged outside.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh
SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA – SAIGON (B/L)
After breakfast at hotel, picked by at hotel and drive heading to My Tho the homeland of coconut and family factories with local products like coconut candy, rice paper… Upon arrival, embark on the boat cruising on the mighty Mekong River viewing the life to the local people live along the banks. We stop at one of 4 islands in the area for sightseeing. Enjoy the fresh tropical fruits served in the heart of the garden accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music at the plantation. After that you will embark on the small boats rowed the local people thru the small cannels with water coconut tree to visit the local factories. There you will taste the honey tea and see the local people produce the coconut candy milk and of course you also can try it or stroll in the garden where the locals feed honeybee. We continue getting on the big boat to visit the vast area. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant nearby Mekong River. Afternoon, drive back to Saigon with stop to visit Vinh Trang pagoda, a famous pagoda in the area that its architecture is a mix of Chinese, Cambodian, and French culture. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh
SAIGON – CU CHI TUNNELS – SAIGON (B)
Morning visit Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the few remaining monuments to the Vietnam War. Beneath the ground lie 200 km of tunnels, dug by hand and inhabited by the forces of the Vietnamese guerillas during the conflict. At its peak, prior to the Tet Offensive in 1968, the tunnel complex was base to almost 10,000 troops. To this day, it remains one of the most impressive examples of how fierce the war used to be. You even can try to crawl some dozens of m on the tunnel underground to have the real experience. Return to Saigon.
Afternoon, your free time for shopping in the downtown where you can choose many lovely stuff at the very reasonable price. A few places to be mentioned to visit during your shopping is Ben Thanh Market – the center and typical market of Saigon; Saigon Square where is a few minutes walking from Ben Thanh Market; An Dong Plaza and its nearby Market; or Diamond Plaza and Thuong Xa Tax if you are seeking the high qualified and brand name goods. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 12:
SAIGON – DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at hotel. If your flight is in the afternoon, you will have a half day more for sightseeing and shopping before the departure till check out time and transfer to the airport for the departure flight back to your sweet home.
End of services.
Please note: Standard check out time is around 12.00.
