11 Days Best of Vietnam North to South Vacation

You will be welcomed by a warm driver at Noi Bai International Airport and transferred to hotel in Old Quarter. The rest of the day is free on your own and relax at the hotel.
Please note:
– Check in time is 14.00
– Can be arranged early check in with additional cost.

Meals: No
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

7:00: Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel. We take you to Ninh Binh province which is far from Hanoi city about 120 km.
9:00: Have a short break for 20 minutes to relax
10:30: The first destination in this trip is visit Hoa Lu ancient capital. This is the first capital of Vietnam. Come to visit Hoa Lu, you will learn about why the capital was moved to Hanoi nowadays. You are impressed on an outstanding architecture when entering temples of King Dinh and King Le, the first and second emperors of ancient Vietnam, built in the 17th century. Try to feel ancient atmospheres in Hoa Lu ancient capital.
11:30: Continue the tour with 45 minutes for cycling around the village to discover the life of local people.
12:30: Have buffet lunch in the restaurant with a lot of local foods goat meat, fried rice… Vegetarian food is always available in the buffet lunch.
13:30 – 14:00: Visit Tam Coc by 1,5 hours bamboo boat. During the boat trip, you will be surprised by the charming beauty here with paddy field, river, water, cloud, sky and stunning cave system. All make a masterpiece which Vietnamese people called “Ha Long Bay on land”
16:00: Come back to our shuttle bus to return to Hanoi
18:30 – 19:00: Arrive in Hanoi and get dropped off at the Hotel. The trip ends!
Note: The tour guide will arrange the itinerary depending on the weather conditions

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

07.45 – 08.30: You will be picked up from your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quarter. Then we will head to Ha Long Bay. You may enjoy the landscape of the Red River Delta along the way

11.30: Upon arriving in our lobby in Tuan Chau Marina, you may take a short stretch while our staff arranges all registration with the local government.

12.00 – 12.30: The cruise captain and staff will welcome you onboard after a short tender transfer. While enjoying a refreshing welcome drink, a short cruise briefing and safety instructions will be given.

12.30 – 13.00: The voyages to Ha Long Bay – one of the New Seven Nature Wonders of the World. Lunch is served on board while the cruise passes via amazing limestone karst formations that rise up out of the sea in an impressive manner.

14.00 – 14.30: You will leave the cruise to explore Sung Sot Cave (also known as Surprise/ Amazing Cave), one of the biggest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay.

15.00: Returning to cruise, the trip will continue to Ti Top Island. Here, you can watch the magnificent view over either the Gulf of Tonkin or swim in the emerald green and cool water.

17.00: After a long day, this is the ideal time to enjoy energizing drinks and snacks by joining ‘Happy Hour’ or Cooking Class on the sundeck

19.30: Sumptuous Dinner is served. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff.

20.30: After dinner, various activities including karaoke, and squid fishing are organized. Or you can just laze around with exhilarating drinks from our bar. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure.

Distance Hanoi – Ha Long: 180 kilometers (~3 hours)

Note: Itinerary/ activities may be changed due to the weather or other reasons.

Please note: It is an overnight cruise, please check out of your hotel room, you can leave your big luggage at the hotel lobby or bring all with you. Please also prepare some Vietnam Dong cash in case you need to use at the stop over.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on board

06.15 – 07.00: Breakfast is served. It can be a great idea to enjoy the meal with the magnificent view of the sunrise in Ha Long Bay.

8.00 -9.30: The cruise gets closer to the center of the Natural Preservation Area. Join our guide on a short trip to Luon Cave. This magic work of nature shows you the formation of karst mountains. You can discover this time masterpiece by kayaking on your own. If you are lucky, you can catch great photos with mischievous monkeys jigging up and down around the cliffs.

9.30: Crew welcomes you back on board and it is time for checking out.

10.00: Whilst cruising back, delightful lunch will be served.

11.35: We return to the quayside in the south of the bay, where our visitors disembark in Tuan Chau Marina. And leave for Ha Noi on our shuttle.

15.30 – 16.00: You will get back to your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quarter

* Because of cruising conditions, the program may be changed slightly due to specific weather or tide conditions without a prior notice to visitors. Wi-Fi is available although internet connectivity is limited due to the geography of the bay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight in Hanoi

8:00: Our tour guide will pick up you at your hotel. We start to visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum – the final resting place of Vietnamese great father or Uncle Ho, President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house – where Uncle Ho lived and worked from 1958 to 1969. Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Goddess of Mercy – It is the most unique pagoda in the world.
10:00 –12:00: Visit one of 2 options below
Option 1: Visiting Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam (on Tuesday – Wednesday –Thursday– Friday –Saturday – Sunday)
Option 2: Visiting Bat Trang ceramic village where we can explore the daily life of the locals & learn about the process how to make a perfect product (on Monday)
12:30: Take a rest and have lunch at our restaurant about 1 hour.
13:30 – 13:45: Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam) is one of the most attractive tourist spots in Northern Vietnam. The Temple of Literature was founded in 1070.
14:45: Keep going to visit Hoa Lo Prison, the prison was built by the French, from 1886 to 1901, When Vietnam was still part of French Indochina. The French called the prison Maison Centrale. The prison was called “A Hell on Earth” and now the prison is like a war museum for those who want to understand more about the war against France of Vietnamese people.
15:45: After visiting Hoa Lo Prison, we enjoy Egg Coffee Before Coming back your hotel.
16:30: Our bus will take you back to the hotel. We finish the trips!
SPECIAL NOTES:
- Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Monday and Friday.
- Museum of Ethnology is closed on Monday
- Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees in the public places like a temple, pagoda, HCM mausoleum…
- Should bring the necessary things such as: cash, cellphone or camara, raincoat/umbrella, sun block… (depending on the weather)
- The order of the itinerary can be changed depending on the situation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you'll have leisure time until our driver arrives to take you to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, our driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Da Nang. After checking in, you'll have the remainder of the day free to relax and explore at your own pace.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Da Nang

Having Breakfast and check out, be ready for the tour.

08:00 - 08:30 am: We’ll pick you up and transfer you to Monkey Mountain. A giant statue of Lady Buddha with a beautiful background such as mountains and a huge garden of bonsai would draw your attention.
You will definitely get lost in the garden of heaven with gripping stories when gently walking and enjoying a fresh breeze.
9:30 – 10:00am: Discovery the Marble Mountains and stop for a walk along the site to see local factories of stone sculptures – the most impressive handicrafts village in Da Nang.
Check in the Marble Mountains by climbing up to the top (elevator is optional). Here we will see beautiful pagodas which were made in the 19th century by the last dynasty of the Vietnam monarchy, and visit Huyền Không or Tàng Chơn caves.
Keep going to see the biggest fascinating cave named as Âm Phủ cave . You will learn interesting philosophies of Buddhism and take photos with amazing natural creations.
11:45am: Have lunch at a local restaurant with local and authentic Vietnamese cuisines.
13:00: We will drop you at your hotel in Hoi An. The tour ends!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Today, you'll have leisure time before your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Please remain at the hotel, and our driver will transport you to the airport when it's time. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll be transferred to your hotel, where you'll have the rest of the day free to relax and explore at your own pace.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

7:30 – 8:00am – Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and start your trip to depart for My Tho, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda which sated back to the late 19th century. Then boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.
Stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking around country lane and seeing orchards, enjoy tropical fruits, folk song music which performed by the local people. Visit the fruit plantation.
Riding a hand–rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and treat yourself in the beauty of the countryside, visit the family business, visit honey–bee farm, enjoy honey tea and coconut candy workshop.
Have lunch at local restaurant. Break time.
In the afternoon, time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong delta. Hammock relaxing and enjoy cool breeze for those can’t join the cycling trip.
Return to hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Distance from Ho Chi Minh to My Tho is about: 67–68 km/ Duration: ~2 hours. My Tho – Tan Trach: 9–10km/ Duration: ~30 minutes
Kindly note: You should wear comfortable clothes, shoes. Bring poncho if it rains.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze–like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.
Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun.
Return to Saigon. End trip.
Kindly note: There is no Lunch included in and you will be back at the hotel around 15:00pm, so you should have big Breakfast.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Today, you will take the flight back home as per your schedule. Please provide us with your departure time from Tan Son Nhat International Airport, we will arrange a car to the airport for you.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: No