Treasures of Vietnam

Xin Chao and welcome to the traditional and cultural heart of Vietnam, Hanoi. Upon arrival to Noi Bai Airport, our driver 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 of Ngọc Sơn Temple and viewing the “Turtle Tower”.

Continuing on, 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, by traditional cyclo. 

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

Leave the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and journey 2 hours south to the quaint countryside town of Ninh Binh. This area has recently risen to fame as it was used for the shooting of the Hollywood Blockbuster hit “Kong: Skull Island” in 2017.

Ninh Binh is well-known to locals for its lush valleys, mysterious grottoes and craggy karst limestone formations, and is often referred to as “Halong Bay on Land”. Take an unusual rowing boat ride through Van Long– don’t forget to watch your head as you are gently propelled along the crystal-clear river through small caves in this otherworldly scenery.

Cycle through the countryside to Hang Mua and hike to the top for a perfect chance at photographing the beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding area, dotted with karst mountains and sparkling rice fields.

The return to Hanoi will leave you the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Peridot Grand Hotel & Spa

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.

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.

Have lunch at Koto Training Restaurant, a social enterprise dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty faced by many youths in the city, empowering them by training them in the culinary arts and hospitality training.

After lunch, peruse the carefully curated collections of tribal art, clothing, jewelry, and full-size replica houses 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.

After dinner transfer to the Hanoi Train Station to board your cabin and get cozy in the comfortable soft sleeper berth on the train to Sapa.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Peridot Grand Hotel & Spa

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 people’s traditional art and handicraft forms.

Our local guide comes from the Sapa O’Chau social enterprise, a company devoted to responsible tourism, ethical employment and community empowerment, and can give us unique insight into the local people’s culture and everyday life.

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.  Test your culinary skills with a Hmong/Vietnamese cooking class and feast on your creations before heading back to Sapa town with your 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, Lunch

Accommodation: BB Sapa 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 and then Lao Cai to catch the overnight train back to Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: BB Sapa Hotel

Arrive to Hanoi while the city is still asleep in the morning and wake up with a cà phê sữa (Vietnamese traditional coffee with milk) and breakfast in a local restaurant.

Following breakfast, drive east to  Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 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 during your 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

What better way to spend your last day in Vietnam than by waking up in the middle of Halong Bay amongst such fresh air and magnificent scenery? 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.

Disembark the cruise and return to Noi Bai International Airport for a 1-hour and 20 minutes flight south to the beachside getaway of Da Nang and charming ancient town of Hoi An.

Check into your hotel and enjoy a free late afternoon as the city comes alive with glowing lanterns and delicious street food cooking in the busy alleys.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Lasenta Boutique Hotel Hoi An

After breakfast, explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hoi An Ancient Town. Hoi An is a very cute and well-preserved town, known for its importance in Vietnam’s history as a major port city from the 15^th to 19^th century. Take a walking tour through the ancient town, admiring the diverse architecture styles, ranging from wooden Chinese shops to grand French colonial houses, traditional Vietnamese “tube” houses and the iconic Japanese covered bridge. The city is also famous for its many brightly colored and delicately painted lanterns which hang in droves on many different shop walls and doors.

The afternoon is free for you to explore. Check out the wide variety of tailors available throughout the city, shop for ready-made clothing, shoes, bags, quilts, accessories and souvenirs, or sip tea in charming tea houses. Beach lovers can check out My Khe or An Bang beach. 

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Lasenta Boutique Hotel Hoi An

Explore another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Central Vietnam this morning, Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary.

Mỹ Sơn is a group of ruins from the ancient Cham Empire which existed in Vietnam between the 4th and 13th centuries. The complex is a cluster of abandoned and partially ruined Hindu temples dedicated to the god Shiva.

After our visit, return to Hoi An and enjoy the rest of your time free at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Lasenta Boutique Hotel Hoi An

Gain an in-depth insight into the history of Vietnam by travelling 2.5 hours north to Hue along the incredible Hai Van Pass Ocean Road to view the grandeur of the emperors. 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 during your morning visit to the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Emperor’s Private Residence.

Then, stop by the official symbol of Hue, the serene  Thien Mu Pagoda along the banks of the Perfume River.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Eldora Hotel

Dive further into the history of Vietnam by boarding a boat and journeying down the poetic Perfume River to visit the beautiful landscaped tombs of Emperor Tu Duc and Emperor Ming Mang, emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last family to rule Vietnam before the French colonial takeover.

Lastly, admire the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, which was built not only as a mausoleum but as a monument. This tomb, finished in 1931, shows the influence of European design and beauty standards in juxtaposition with traditional Vietnamese motifs.

Transfer to Hue Airport for a short evening flight of 1 hour and 30 minutes to the modern, cosmopolitan city of Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel

After breakfast, journey 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.

The tunnels were built during the Vietnam – American war by North Vietnamese troops to combat better-supplied American and South Vietnamese forces. The Viet Cong dug an extensive network of miles and miles of underground tunnels which run directly underneath the northwest area of the city.

After lunch, the afternoon will be spent visiting the War Remnants Museum with a quick stop at 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: 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.

Sample southern Vietnamese cuisine as you watch everyday life pass you on both sides and enjoy juicy fruits from local orchards during a mini-stop.

Finally, hop into a sampan, a smaller, traditional rowing boat, to better explore the narrow waterways of the Mekong tributaries.

The excursion concludes in the late afternoon once you’re dropped off in the late afternoon at your hotel in Saigon.

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