North and South Vietnam

Xin Chao and welcome to the traditional and cultural heart of Vietnam. Upon arrival to Hanoi, our representative will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel for check-in and refreshment.

Our half-day tour will begin this afternoon at the heart and literal center of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the Hanoi city center by discovering the beauty and special role the area plays in Vietnamese history and culture by visiting Ngọc Sơn Temple and viewing the “Turtle Tower”.

Continuing on, you will visit the labyrinth of streets dubbed the “Old Quarter”, famous to international guests and locals alike due to its propensity for its chaotic but photogenic and charming nature.

This tour ends in the late afternoon, leaving the evening free for you to explore on your own.

Meals: No meals

Accommodation: Peridot Grand Hotel & Spa

Start your morning by diving into the history of Hanoi by visiting 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.

Afterwards, visit the iconic One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a monument and tribute to Ho Chi Minh, the “uncle” of modern Vietnam. The mausoleum is closed every October and November, as well as every Monday and Friday throughout the year.

After lunch, enjoy a gentle stroll between West and Truc Bach Lake to the Taoist temple of Quan Thanh and Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda, before stopping at The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. All displays are clearly labeled in English, French, and Vietnamese, with guides available at the main entrance for
those who want to hear more in-depth information.  (Closed on Mondays)

Transfer back to your hotel where the evening is free for your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Peridot Grand Hotel & Spa

Following breakfast, head 2.5 hours east to Halong Bay. Established as a UNESCO World Heritage site 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: Bhaya Premium Cruises

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 2-hour flight to the modern Ho Chi Minh City. 

Spend the afternoon on the back of a Vespa and zoom through the streets of 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: Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint 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: Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel

Breakfast and discover the city at leisure until your transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your onward booked transportation.

Meals: Breakfast