Vietnam Explorer: 10 Days Through North, Central & South

DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL

Upon reaching Hanoi, complete the immigration and visa on arrival process at the airport. Meet our driver at the airport and board your transfers to reach the pre-booked hotel.

 

Complete the check-in procedure at the hotel and get ready to explore this capital city of Vietnam.

 

Free time for leisure to enjoy Old Quarter to enjoy the bustling local life. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers.

 

It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around you. Return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

 

DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR AND FOOD TOUR

Hanoi, located on the banks of the Red River, is one of the most ancient capitals in the world, where travelers can find well-preserved colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, temples and unique museums within the city center.

 

Get picked up by our friendly guide and start to explore Hanoi City 

 

Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi built in the 6th century

 

Then visit Ho Chi Minh complex, you have a chance to see the embalmed body of  Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969. Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Goddess of Mercy – It is the most unique pagoda in the world.

 

Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, temples, pagodas…

 

Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays.

 

Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed for at least 2 months (15th June -15th August) for the annual maintenance but still can take pictures Mausoleum and visit that area.

 

Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam

 

Special Note: we will visit Women's Museum instead of the Ethnology Museum closed on Mondays

 

Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine with 8 delicious dishes.

 

Continue to visit the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11th century.

 

ENJOY HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR

 

Our guide picks up for food tour. On a 3 hours walking tour you’ll explore the culture, history of Hanoi, step into a world full of street food vendors. Unlike big cities all around the world, street food in Hanoi are not just hot dog carts and pretzel stands, we offer an opportunity to try out 10 different dishes at local food stand, family restaurants… A rotating menu from day-to-day to represent the variety of delicious options, but tastings might include – but are subject to change: rice noodle soup with beef, rice noodle with chicken, rice noodle with grilled pork, snail, or dry noodle, sticky rice, along with various kinds of donut, steamed pancake or Vietnamese sandwiches.

 

DAY 3: NINH BINH DAY TOUR

Have a hearty breakfast at the hotel and get ready to start your day. (Pickup: 8 am).

 

Board your transfers to Ninh Binh province which is blessed with rich natural landscapes.

 

Around 10:30 am you will reach Hoa Lu, an Ancient Capital of the Dinh dynasty (968 - 1009); after which 29 years later King Ly Thai of the Le Dynasty moved the capital to Thang Long - present-day Hanoi.

 

Visit the age-old temples that have been built on the grounds of the old royal palace to know more about the feudal dynasties and the historical periods in Vietnamese history.

 

In the afternoon walk to the boat station and start a 2-hour boat trip to Tam Coc, popularly known as “Halong Bay on land”.

 

This boat ride on the Ngo Dong river will take you through the peaceful scenery of the Limestone Mountains, rice paddies, and magnificent temples.

 

On the way pass through a series of 3 caves which are named Hang Ca (first cave), Hang Hai (second cave), and Hang Ba (third cave).

 

Upon completing the boat ride, continue to ride to Mua Cave (Lying Dragon Peak) to enjoy the spectacular view from the top (500 steps). Enjoy your sunset and begin your journey back to Hanoi.

 

Return back to the hotel in Hanoi for an overnight stay.

 

DAY 4: HANOI – HALONG BAY

Start your day early with sunrise and join a Tai Chi lesson on Sundeck.

 

Start the day enjoying some delights with a light breakfast followed by a colorful brunch.

 

Continue exploring Halong Bay by sailing across its 2000+ islets and visiting some of its major highlights.

 

Spend the rest of the time at leisure until you reach back on the coast of Hanoi.

 

Upon arrival at the coast, board the transfer that will take you to our office in Hanoi then transfer to the airport.

 

Board your flight to Ho Chi Minh city, the cultural and financial capital of Vietnam located in the Southern part of the country.

 

Reach Ho Chi Minh city and board your transfer to the hotel.

 

Complete the check-in formalities at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

 

Overnight stay in the hotel at Ho Chi Minh city.

 

DAY 5: HALONG BAY – HANOI – DA NANG

Get up early to do a restorative Tai Chi lesson on the Sundeck while taking in the magnificent dawn over the water. Light breakfast will provide you energy for the day, and later on the cruise, a colorful brunch will be savored.

 

Continue your exploration of Halong Bay by cruising amongst its more than 2000 islets and stopping at some of its top attractions, including its breathtaking beaches, amazing caverns, and attractive floating towns. You'll have plenty of time to take in the splendor of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, capture it on camera, and lose yourself in the peace of the natural world.

 

After enjoying the spectacular scenery of Halong Bay on a memorable cruise, we'll return to Hanoi, where our attentive driver will transfer you to the airport for a flight to Da Nang.

 

Upon arrival, our skilled driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel, where you can check in and relax before embarking on a night of exploration in Da Nang. Take advantage of your free time to discover the vibrant nightlife of this bustling coastal city, where you can indulge in delicious local cuisine, experience the energetic atmosphere of the night market, or simply soak up the breathtaking views of the city skyline.

 

With a variety of options to choose from, you're sure to find something to suit your interests and make the most of your time in this charming destination. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Da Nang!DAY 6: BA NA HILLS

In the center of Vietnam, close to Danang, are the Ba Na Hills, a highland resort. It is renowned for its breathtaking mountain scenery, French colonial architecture, and an array of sights and entertainment choices. Panorama views of the surrounding hills and shoreline are available from Ba Na Hills, which is located at an elevation of more than 1,400 meters above sea level.

 

One of the main attractions at Ba Na Hills is the Golden Bridge, a pedestrian bridge that spans across two mountain peaks and is held up by giant stone hands. The bridge is a popular spot for photos and offers stunning views of the surrounding scenery. Visitors can also take a cable car ride to the top of the mountain, which is one of the longest and highest cable car rides in the world.

 

At the top of the mountain, there are several other attractions to explore, including a French village with European-style buildings, a flower garden, an amusement park, and a wax museum. There are also several restaurants and cafes serving a variety of Vietnamese and international cuisine.

 

Ba Na Hills is a popular day trip destination from Danang or Hoi An, and visitors can spend several hours exploring the attractions and enjoying the scenic views. It is also possible to stay overnight at one of the resorts or hotels located on the mountain.

 

DAY 7: BASKET BOAT TRIP AND HOI AN TOWN

Join us for an exciting adventure at Cam Thanh coconut village! At 8:00 am or 1:00 pm, our knowledgeable guide and skilled driver will pick you up at your Hoi An hotel lobby and transfer you to this picturesque destination.

 

Upon arrival, you will have the opportunity to hop aboard a basket boat and embark on a serene ride through the coconut forest. Along the way, your boatman will create lovely natural ornaments from coconut leaves, such as hats, rings, and glasses.

 

As we cruise along the Cua Dai River, you can even join in with the local fishermen and learn how to use a round net or cast net. You'll get to explore the stunning mangrove forest and discover the diverse array of marine life that calls this area home, including crabs, shrimp, and fish.

 

Get ready for some hands-on fun as local people teach you how to paddle a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat. Our knowledgeable guides will also share stories of past wars and the difficulties soldiers had to face. After all the excitement, we'll stop for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

 

Return to your hotel in the afternoon.

 

DAY 8: DA NANG – HCMC – CU CHI TUNNEL

Begin your day with a scrumptious breakfast at your hotel before our chauffeur whisks you away to Da Nang airport for a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, we'll be waiting to transfer you to your hotel, where you can freshen up before embarking on an exciting half-day tour of the legendary Cu Chi tunnels in the afternoon.

 

Located 60 km from Ho Chi Minh, Cu Chi is a network of over 200km of tunnels that were functioning as underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens.

 

Watch a short introductory video on how the tunnels were constructed before heading the explore these tunnels.

 

There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a “Free Target Zone”.

 

After exploring the tunnels for an hour, head back to Ho Chi Minh city.

 

Return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

 

 

DAY 9: MEKONG DAY TRIP

Have a hearty breakfast at the hotel and get ready by around 8 to 8:30 am to begin an interesting day of this tour.

 

Board your transfer to My Tho city, after which you will be starting the one-and-a-half-hour bus ride that will take you through the lush green landscapes of the rice paddies.

 

Later, embark on a boat ride along the Mekong River as it is the only means of transportation to explore this region.

 

Watch the fisherman fishing using the fish cages from their unique floating houses on the river.

 

The boat will further take you through a small canal to one of the two islands in the region famous for producing the local specialties like coconut candy, coconut handicrafts, etc.

 

You can also visit the bee farms to try the freshly made honey and taste the honey wine. Stop by and listen to Vietnamese traditional music as performed by the villagers (Đàn Ca Tài Tử – A folk art form from Southern Vietnam accredited by UNESCO in 2013 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity). Click some postcard-perfect pictures of the surrounding vistas before heading to a local restaurant for lunch.

 

Re-energize yourself by having a special Vietnamese lunch prepared by the locals in a natural setting under the shade of the trees. During this tour, you will also visit the Vinh Trang pagoda, the biggest pagoda in the Mekong delta.

 

The rest of the time is at leisure for you to relax and take walk around.

 

Later, start your journey back to the city and where you can spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

 

Return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

 

DAY 10: DEPARTURE DAY

After having a hearty breakfast, check out from the hotel and board your transfer to the airport.