Essential 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.

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

Depart from Ho Chi Minh City, we head to Mekong Delta, the land of nine dragons. Getting out of the city, you will see the mighty delta with its quaint rural landscape and immense waterway.

Arrive at Cai Be River Wharf, view pop rice, coconut candy and rice paper making workshops. Visit either nursery garden, bonsai garden or orchard. Stroll around island, tradtional music, visit brick and pottery factory.

Lunch at local home. Meet and talk with local people, known for their friendliness, warmth and generosity.

Transfer to Can Tho and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: West Hotel Can Tho

Getting on our rowed sampan to visit Cai Be floating market, a cultural feature of Mekong Delta. Try to visit it early and you will see the most vibrant scene on Tien River with hundred of boats gathering for fresh produce trade. 

Transfer back to Tan Son Nhat Airport for flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our driver will pick you up & transfer to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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 To 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

Leave the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and journey 2 hours south to the charming countryside town of Ninh Binh. You may recognize some of the backdrop of the 2017 Hollywood blockbuster hit “Kong: Skull Island” as it was filmed here.

Start with an unusual row-boat ride in Van Long and enjoy the view of the romantic countryside as water buffalo graze, farmers work and children play. Don’t forget to watch your head as you are gently propelled along the crystal-clear river through small caves in this otherworldly scenery.

Cycling ride to Hang Mua, a picturesque mountainside spot with a cave and beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding area, dotted with karst mountains and sparkling rice fields.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Flower Garden hotel

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, Lunch, Dinner

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.

Transfer to Noi Bai Airport for a short 80-minute flight to Hue. Our driver will pick you up & transfer to your hotel in Hue.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Romance Hotel

Dive further into the history of Vietnam by visiting the ancient citadel plus two addition tombs of emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last family to rule Vietnam before the French colonial takeover. Although the ancient citadel was badly damaged by the Vietnamese-American War, it is still possible to catch a glimpse of what used to exist here hundreds of years ago in the Forbidden Purple City.

Compare and contrast the tombs of Emperor Tu Duc and Emperor Khai Dinh, one constructed from 1864-1867 with a landscape dominated by a large lake and rustic architecture while the other designed as a hybrid of European and Vietnamese beauty standards.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Romance Hotel

Travel 2.5 hours south from Hue along the incredible Hai Van Pass Ocean Road to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An. The very well-preserved town is filled with quirky shops, antique teahouses, and amazing restaurants.

The rest of your day is free at leisure to discover the city on your own by foot or on bicycle. Hoi An is not only famous for its ambiance as it is for its tailors. Here tourists can get any manner of clothing made in 24 hours for a fraction of a price that it would cost back home. For those interested in tailoring, we can arrange a visit to one of the best tailors in the city to design your own outfits, bags, and shoes.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: ÊMM Hotel Hoi An

Hop on a bicycle and peddle out of town to Tra Que Vegetable Farm. 20 different types of vegetables and herbs are cultivated here by the 150 farmers and 400 land owners on site without the use of GMOS or pesticides.

Wander through the garden and meet the locals working in the garden. Learn how the farmers cultivate their crops and even lend a hand raking the ground, sowing the seeds, watering greens, and transplanting and tending the plants.

Soak your feet in a traditional herbal bath and prepare tam huu spring rolls and banh xeo pancakes for lunch with a local family before returning to your hotel in 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

Transfer to Danang and enjoy your leisure time at the beach.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Le Belhamy Hoi An Resort and Spa

Enjoy free time at your leisure today.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Le Belhamy Hoi An Resort and Spa

Enjoy free time at your leisure today.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Le Belhamy Hoi An Resort and Spa

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

Meals: Breakfast