Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi | Meal: D | Overnight: Hanoi

Warm welcome upon your arrival in Hanoi. Your guide  will meet you at the airport for a transfer to your hotel located in the Hanoi downtown. After check in you have free time to relax, then your guide see you again for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Your day will be completed by a water puppet show – a unique art performance in Vietnam.

Day 2: Hanoi Free Choice: Sightseeing - Street Food - Dinning | Overnight: Hanoi

Widely acknowledged as one of the loveliest cities in Asia, this one-thousand-year old city offer you its unique images that totally different from other Asian cities. Hanoi still retains a small-town provincial charm and unique intermingle with a French legacy wide, tree-lined boulevards, parks, grand villas and an artistic, café society.

Different people, different interests and tastes. Hanoi Free Choice included Sightseeing – Street Food – Dinning offers you the best things that Hanoi has to offer and satisfy you with a personalize discovery and authentic experience. Please select one of the Hanoi city options and one of the Hanoi Surroundings to enjoy the day in Hanoi. Do not forget to add your favourit street food to the list and the dining option to taste and experience the Hanoi and North Vietnam cuisine.

Hanoi Free Choice Offers. All included. No extra cost

1. Free Choice Sightseeing

+ Option 1: Hanoi Full-day ( Maximum 7 places )

+ Option 2: Hanoi Half-day ( Maximum 4 places ) & One of Hanoi Surroundings

2. Free Choice Street Food Lunch Break – Authentic experiences

3. Free Choice Dining

Feel free to personalize and enrich your visit

Hanoi Sightseeings:

1. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum ( open in the morning) ; 2. One Pillar Pagoda

3. Quan Thanh Temple ; 4. Temple of Literature

5. Bach Ma Temple ; 6. Hanoi Ancient House

7. Tran Quoc pagoda ; 8. Sword Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

9. Vietnam Military History Museum ; 10. Vietnam National Museum of History

11. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology ; 12. Vietnamese Women’s Museum

Hanoi Surroundings

1. Bat Trang pottery villages

About 13 kilometers south east of Hanoi center, Bat Trang village, established in 14th or 15th century, is famous for ceramic and pottery products of high quality such as vases, bowls, dishes, and many other kinds of ceramic products which have been exported worldwide.

2. Van Phuc silk village:

About 8 km southwest of Ha Noi, Van Phuc silk village is well known for its traditional sericulture, weaving, and silk products for a long-lasting history of more than two thousand years. The village makes more than 2 million meters of silk per year and is an ideal place for silk products & souvenirs

3. Duong Lam Ancient village.

Duong Lam ancient village, some 60km to the west of Hanoi, has a history of about 1,200 years with many houses dating back up to 400 years. One special thing about the village is that most of the buildings here are made of laterite and mud, two materials that are abundant in the area. The village also has its prestige as two of Vietnam’s kings, Phung Hung (761-802) and Ngo Quyen (896-944) were born in here.

4. Dong Ho painting village

Dong Ho painting village, 30 km to the East of Hanoi, or Vietnamese woodblock prints is a distinct Vietnamese folk art. Dong Ho paintings reflect people’s innermost feelings. Dong Ho paintings is made of of bark of a tree called “Dzo. Colors of the painting are refined from various kinds of tree leaves that people can easily find in Vietnam. Dong Ho paintings have about 300 years of history in the north of Vietnam. It is always considered a symbol of traditional culture and aesthetic value of Vietnam.

Free Choice Street Food Lunch Break – Authentic experiences

1. “ Pho Hanoi “

2. “ Banh Cuon “

3. “ Bun Cha Hanoi “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

4. “ Bo kho ”

All street food is followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea at street-side pub.

Free Choice Dining :

1. “ Cha Ca Hanoi “ in Hanoi Old Quarter area at local restaurant.

2. Vegetarian set-menu at local restaurant

3. Vietnamese set-menu at French building restaurant

4. Vietnamese cuisine a-la-carte at Ngon restaurant

5. KOTO restaurant. Know One Teach One unique restaurant.

Day 3: Hoa Lu – Tam Coc caves | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Ninh Binh

In the morning you leave Hanoi for Ninh Binh to visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Tam Coc caves located in the Red River Delta. Your first stop is the Dinh-Le temples. These two temples are constructed by near the center of the old capital in order to honor Dinh Bo Linh, the first emperor of Vietnam and Le Dai Hanh who founded the Le Dynasty in the 10th and 11th centuries.  In the afternoon you take a sampan to explore the Tam Coc caves then have a bike riding to visit Bich Dong pagoda. Back to hotel to relax. Dinner with Vietnamese rural cuisine at local restaurant.

Day 4: Ninh Binh - Halong Bay | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Traditional Junk

In the morning you leave Ninh Binh for Halong Bay via the Red River Delta. Enjoy welcome drink onboard then start cruising through Bai Tu Long Bay while lunch is served. Stop to visit and explore Vung Vieng fishing village by bamboo boat or you can have a kayak around Vung Vieng area. Time to relax, sunbath or swimming at Ban Chan Beach. Back to the junk to enjoy the sunset cocktail while the boat is cruising to Cong Do area docking for overnight.  BBQ dinner followed by some activities of board games or squid fishing.

Day 5: Ceramic village - Hanoi | Meal: B-L | Overnight: Hanoi

Early bird with exercises with Tai chi on the sundeck then enjoy a light breakfast while cruising to Hon Co area. Stop to exploring  Thien Canh Son Cave, located at the centre of the World Heritage Area- Halong Bay. Return to the boat for check out and relaxing on sundeck or watching fruits carving demonstration or enjoy the last of the Ha Long Bay scenery over lunch as the boat is cruising back to shore. On the journey back to Hanoi you will have a stop at the Phu Lang ceramic village – one of the most famous ceramic brand dated from 17th – 19th century in the North of Vietnam.

Day 6: Fly to Hue | Meal: B-D | Overnight: Hue

Enjoy your free time until transfer to airport for flight to Hue. Located in central Vietnam, the World Cultural Heritage Site Hue used to be the Citadel of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945.  Your local guide meets you at the airport for a transfer to hotel. Free. At leisure. Evening meeting with your guide again for a Hue Royal style dinner, taste some Royal cuisines at local restaurant.

Day 7: Hue Free Choice: Sightseeing - Street Food - Dinning | Overnight: Hue

Besides Hue citadel and tombs, Hue still has a lot to offer you. Hue Sightseeing Freedom of Choices and Meal options will satisfy you. All you have to do is to select one of the Hue city options and one of the Hue Surroundings to explore Hue by your own way.

Hue Free Choice Offers. All included. No extra cost

1. Free Choice Sightseeing

+ Option 1: Hue Full-day ( Maximum 7 places )

+ Option 2: Hue Half-day ( Maximum 4 places ) & One of Hue Surroundings

2. Free Choice Street Food Lunch Break – Authentic experiences

3. Free Choice Dining

Feel free to personalize and enrich your visit

Hue Sightseeings

1. Dragon boat trip to visit the Thien Mu pagoda

2. King Minh Mang’s tomb ; 3. King Tu Duc’s tomb

4. King Khai Dinh’s tomb ; 5. King Gia Long’s tomb

5. Hue Citadel Complex ; 6. Notre Dame Cathedral | Tu Hieu pagoda

7. Dong Ba market – a paradise for snapshots of daily activities.

Hue Surroundings

1. Phuoc Tich ancient village: Located on the bank of leisurely O Lau River, about 30 kilometers from center of Hue city, Phuoc Tich village, built in 1470, is the symbol of architecture of the central region and famous for traditional pottery. Trip to Phuoc Tich village offers you a view of Centre Vietnam countryside, too.

2. Thanh Toan village: This is one of the most beautiful villages in Hue. The village, 8km east of Hue, is famous for its beautiful roads, peaceful rural landscape, particularly the tile-roofed bridge, communal houses, clan worshiping houses, traditional festivals, farming practices and local people’s daily activities. You also can join in the village market and taste some local culinary specialties like Hen rice, fish-pancakes, and a wide variety of rice noodles.

Free Choice Hue Street Food Lunch Break – Authentic experiences

1. “ Bun bo Hue”

2. “ Banh khoai “

3. “ Cơm Hến “

4. “ Nem lụi Hue “

All street food is followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea at street-side pub

Free Choice Dining

1. Hue vegetarian food at local restaurant

2. Vietnamese set-menu at local restaurant

3. Dinner with Vietnamese traditional songs on the dragon boat.

Day 8: Hue – Hoi An | Meal: B-D | Overnight: Hoi An

Today you leave Hue for Hoi An, another World Heritage site in the Central Vietnam. Journey to Hoi An is travelling over the Hai Van pass where you have a stop for a panoramic view over the Lang Co beach. Hoi An used to be an international trade center by sea on the east area in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was the busiest trading port during the reign of Nguyen as merchants from Japan, China, Portugal, Spain, Holland stopped over to exchange and purchase commodities. At leisure then you enjoy dinner at local restaurant.

Day 9: Hoi An Free Choice Sightseeing - Surroundings - Street Food - Dining | Overnight: Hoi An

Your stay in the Hoi An Ancient town will be full of interesting. Besides the Walking Hoi An Ancient town, you can select one of the Hoi An Surroundings to start your wonderful day in Hoi An. Do not forget to add your favourit street food to the list and the dining option to taste and experience the Quang Nam cuisine.

Hoi An Free Choice Offers. All included. No extra cost

1. Free Choice Sightseeing: Walking Hoi An Ancient town

2. Free Choice Surroundings

3. Free Choice Street Food Lunch Break – Authentic experiences

4. Free Choice Dining

Feel free to personalize and enrich your visit

Hoi An Sightseeings

Walking in Hoi An Ancient town: Explore the town with old houses, narrow streets and stop to visit the lantern makers, Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, Handicraft workshop.

Hoi An Surroundings

1. Tra Que Vegetable village by bicycle

Where you can join with gardening activities as preparing the land and fertilizing with seaweed from the local lake, prepare food and join lunch with a local family. It is also good time to relax and learn more about the Vietnamese village.

2. Kim Bong Carpentry village by boat

Formed in the 15 th century by Vietnameses from the Northern Vietnam, Kim Bong carpentry developed vigorously and the occupational village was established with three groups: Ancient architectural construction, civil wooden furniture and shipbuilding. Many carpenters from this village worlked to build Hue Citadel

3. My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary dates from the 4th to the 13th centuries. It was a unique culture on the coast of contemporary Vietnam, owing its spiritual origins to the Hinduism of India. This is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower temples in a dramatic site that was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence. The My Son Sanctuary is a remarkable architectural ensemble that developed over a period of ten centuries. It presents a vivid picture of spiritual and political life in an important phase of the history of South-East Asia.

4. Red Bridge Cooking Class (Joined group)

Begins with a with a drink at Hai Scout Café followed by a visit the Hoi An colorful market. It is time to get in touch with local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients for your own cooking lesson. Boat trip cruising along the Hoi An river to the cooking school. On arrival, you explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden. Learn about some of Hoi An and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The 2-hour cooking lesson includes a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving. Try some dishes yourselves. Lunch is served included what you have cooked.

Free Choice Hoi An Street Food Lunch Break – Authentic experiences

1. “ Rice & Chicken”

2. “ Banh Xeo Hoi An “

3. “ Cao Lau Hoi An”

4. “ Mi Quang ”

All street food is followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea at street-side pub

Free Choice Dining:

1. Hoi An cuisine set-menu at local restaurant.

2. Dinner on the beach at local restaurant.

3. BBQ fresh seafood on the beach at local restaurant.

4. Relaxing Dinner Cruise on the Hoai river and the Thu Bon river

Day 10: Fly to Ho Chi Minh city | Half-day Tour | Meal: B-D | Overnight: HCMC

Again you take an one-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh city, the most dynamic one where everyone seems busy riding, buying, selling, studying. However, the city’s core is still adorned with wide elegant boulevards and historic French colonial buildings.  In the afternoon you visit some famous attractions such as Reunification Palace, Municipal Theatre, City Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum then having a walk through the city downtown and end up at the Ben Thanh market, the city’s biggest market. Tonight you dinner on the Lady Hau cruises on the Saigon river.

Day 11: Cu Chi tunnels | Free Choice Street Food - Dining | Overnight: HCMC

In the morning you drive to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Very famous in the wartime with its smart and complicated system including underground meeting room, kitchen, food, weapon caches, hospital. This underground complex is a must-see when you are in HCMC. You are invited to crawl around in the safer parts of the tunnel system or try a shooting range where you can fire a number of assault rifles, such as the M16 rifle or AK-47, as well as a light machine gun like the M60. Back to HCMC. Enjoy  the Free Choice Street Food before relax at your hotel.

Free Choice Street Food Lunch Break – Authentic experiences 

1. “ Banh mi”

2. “ Hu tieu Saigon

3. “ Banh canh ”

4. “ Banh xeo ”

5. “ Com tam”

All street food is followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea at street-side pub

Day 12: HCMC – My Tho – Can Tho | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Can Tho

Today you have am excursion to the Mekong Delta. Surrounded by thousands of crisscrossed canals, life in the Mekong Delta revolves much around the river, most of the villages are often accessible by rivers and canals rather than by road. Upon arrival you take a motor-boat to explore the Thoi Son islet. Following a village path passing local houses to visit some family-run coconut candy mills then you take a horse-cart from village to village. Enjoy lunch with local special dishes followed by the “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, a very common art activity in the Mekong Delta performed by local people.  Rejoin your car for a drive to Can Tho.

Day 13: Floating market - Villages biking – HCMC | Meal: B-L | Overnight: HCMC

Early wake up today to join in the Cai Rang floating market, one of the most exciting activities you should do when you are in this area. Take a motorized boat to join the market and experience how people exchange goods, fruit and many other commodities on their vessels. You also find floating restaurants, floating bars, floating gas stations, and many other floating shops. Back to the shore and take a bike cycling from village to village on path, over monkey bridges, get in touch with local people. Lunch is at local restaurant before driving back to HCMC.

Day 14: Departure HCMC | Meal : B

Today is the last day of your trip. Enjoy your free time at your hotel or you can do last minute souvenir shopping before meeting your guide for transfer to airport for your flight home. Have a nice journey. Thanks for joining us.