Classic Vietnam

Xin Chao and welcome to the modern and cosmopolitan city of Ho Chi Minh City, fondly known by its more evocative name, Saigon. Upon arrival to Tan Son Nhat Airport, our driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel.

Meals: No meals

Accommodation: Asian Ruby Select Hotel

Drive 1.5 hours north of Ho Chi Minh City to experience one of the most powerful symbols of the city and its recent history, the Cu Chi Tunnels. Squeeze through this extensive network of underground tunnels built by the Viet Cong to combat the better-supplied American and South Vietnamese forces, remembering the recent tragedy of war in Vietnam and the hardships many locals faced in this time period.

Browse the exhibits of the War Remnants Museum and view the former Presidential Palace, which can be viewed from the outside only on certain days.

End the day by visiting colonial Saigon with stops at the photogenic Old Saigon Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, Dong Khoi Street (formerly known as Rue Catinat), the Continental House, City Hall, and of course, the Opera House.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Asian Ruby Select Hotel

Settle in for a 2-hour car ride this morning to the small town of Ben Tre where we will board our day- cruise to explore the Mekong River Delta, the rice bowl of Asia. Enjoy the landscapes of fertile fields showcasing Vietnam’s natural riches and resources of lush, bright green rice paddies on board the boat while snapping photos of the maze of rivers, mangroves, islands, and swamps.

The final activity of the day will involve a mini-trip on a sampan, a smaller traditional rowing boat, to better explore the narrow waterways of the Mekong tributaries.

The excursion will conclude in the late afternoon, where upon completion, the driver will transfer you back to Saigon where the evening is free to snatch up those last-minute souvenirs, perhaps from the famous Ben Thanh Market.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Asian Ruby Select Hotel

You are free time till transfer to the airport for flight to Danang. Upon arrival, pick up & transfer to hotel in Hoian.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: ÊMM Hotel Hoi An

In the afternoon, it’s your time for walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town. The very well-preserved town is filled with quirky shops, antique teahouses, and amazing restaurants. Enjoy views of the Thu Bon River and the many canals found in the city as you learn about the history of the town and admire the interesting mix of Vietnamese, French, Chinese, and Japanese architecture.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: ÊMM Hotel Hoi An

Pick up by shuttle bus at your hotel and transfer to local farming village travelling along picturesque coutry roads. Share in the daily work life of local farmers – hoeing and a soil, watering veggie at an organic herb garden, riding water buffalo in the field and enjoy the freshest air of the countryside beauty.

Board on boat and cruise to the mouth of the river where it meets the Cua Dai Sea. Learn and try your hand at local traditional fishing techniques using round and cast nets. Learn to paddle the strange and unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boats. Enjoy basket boat dancing of gangnam style on the round boat (THUNG CHAI) shown by crews. Explore the now tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war and hear of the extreme conditions endured by soldiers on both sides. Have a relaxed fun with catching beautiful purple crabs on bamboo basket boat. Learn how to make an origami creations from reeds of palm leaves such as grasshopper, birds, ring, sunglass ,bracelets….etc. Visit a local water coconut palm village, take a walk around the village and have some tea and snack with local talks. Back on-board our Jack Tran’s boat, enjoy lunch and cold beer or soft drink. Return to hotel by coach.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: ÊMM Hotel Hoi An

You are free time today.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: ÊMM Hotel Hoi An

Transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our driver will pick you up and transfer to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Flower Garden hotel

You are free time till the time for overnight on train to Sapa.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Soft Sleeper Cabin on Train

Upon arrival to Lao Cai station, make the final 30-minute drive by car to the hill-side station of Sapa. Rejuvenate your body with an early morning breakfast at a local restaurant before beginning our tour today, which focuses on the Black Hmong ethnic minority ’s traditional art and handicraft forms.

A 30-minute car journey will transport us to Ta Phin Village, surrounded by beautiful rice terraces and sweeping valleys.  Try your hand at indigo dyeing, bamboo and hemp weaving, batik art, and embroidery and test your culinary skills with a Hmong/Vietnamese cooking class, feasting on your creations before heading back to Sapa town with the afternoon free to enjoy the city-center. As you wander around the main square you will see many different ethnic minorities meandering around the square, selling their goods.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sapa Village Hotel

Today is devoted to a gentle hike through Sapa Valley, known for some of the most impressive scenery in all of Vietnam. As your guide leads you along the Muong Hoa River, the blanket of morning mist will start to disappear, leaving us a breathtaking view of gleaming rice terraces. The walk will take us through the Black Hmong Lao Chai Village before leading us to Ta Van Village with its mixture of Hmong, Giay, and Red Dao residents, the latter well-known for their knowledge of herbs and natural medicines.

There is also time to view rock carvings and engravings left by different tribes long ago before sitting down for a carefully packed picnic lunch.

The walk will conclude at Giang Ta Chai Village, home to the Red Dao, where you will not only get a chance to see a bamboo forest and waterfall, but also an opportunity to try a Red Dao herbal medicinal bath to rest your weary feet before the vehicle takes us back to Sapa. In the evening, depart Sapa for Lao Cai station to bring you back to city life in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Soft Sleeper Cabin on Train

You will walk to your hotel which very close to the station and take a rest in few hours before transfer for the trip to halong Bay.

Following breakfast, head 2.5 hours east to Halong Bay. Established as  in 1994 and newly nominated as one of the new 7 natural wonders of the world, Halong Bay’s otherworldly atmosphere and landscape of emerald green waters, sandy beaches, and thousands of towering limestone karst islands are sure to leave you speechless.

Check into your cabin as we embark on an overnight cruise to experience the bay in all her glory. Activities include cooking demonstrations, a visit to a floating fishing village, kayaking and swimming, depending on the boat’s itinerary and weather.

At the end of the day, the boat will anchor while guests enjoy the cocktail happy hour and fresh seafood dinner. Try your hand at squid fishing in the evening or perhaps watch a film or stargaze before retiring to your cabin for a restful sleep.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Swan Cruise

Good Morning Vietnam from the middle of Halong Bay! Start the morning with some tai chi on the sundeck as the sun rises, and munch on a light breakfast before participating in a cave visit.

Brunch will be served after the cave tour, which gives you time to savor the views as the boat gently glides through the incredible rock formations towards the dock.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Flower Garden hotel

Dive into the history of Hanoi by visiting the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, designed to resemble a blooming lotus flower, commissioned by the legendary King Ly Thai Tho in 1049. Just a stone’s throw away lies the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a monument and tribute to Ho Chi Minh, the “uncle” of modern Vietnam, as well as his preserved stilt house and a small museum dedicated to his life. The mausoleum is closed every October and November, as well as every Monday and Friday throughout the year.

Pass by Vietnam’s first university, Quoc Tu Giam, otherwise known as the Temple of Literature. The grounds offer a quiet oasis in the center of Hanoi and will show you an interesting glimpse into the cultural elite’s past, dating back from 1076.

Brave the labyrinth of streets dubbed the “Old Quarter”, famous to international guests and locals alike due to its chaotic but photogenic and charming nature. Visit the 36 streets by cyclo as you meander past bamboo, silver, silk, gold, and fruit sellers. Pause at the heart of it all, the magical Hoan Kiem Lake, to visit Ngọc Sơn Temple and admire views of the “Turtle Tower”.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to discover Hanoi on your own.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Flower Garden hotel

Breakfast and discover the beach at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your onward booked transportation.

Meals: Breakfast