Hanoi City

Begin your full-day discovery of the capital with Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the most ancient pagodas in Hanoi. Constructed in the 6th century, the pagoda has been relocated to a peninsular on West Lake since the 17th century. Afterward, take a 15-minute leisure walk along the beautiful Thanh Nien Road to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - the final resting place of Vietnam’s greatest leader, his traditional stilt house, and the architecturally striking One-Pillar Pagoda nearby. 

In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Temple of Literature (or Van Mieu in Vietnamese), a temple dedicated to Confucius and also the site of Vietnam’s first university. This complex is like a peaceful oasis amid the bustling city with ornate gates, pretty water lily ponds, traditional-style pavilions, and well-manicured gardens. Later on, you will explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Created in November 1997 at the Francophonie Summit, it is both a research center and a public museum that showcases the rich diversity of the country’s 54 ethnic groups. 

Ninh Binh Day Trip

After breakfast at hotel, you will travel for 2 hours from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, the ancient capital of Vietnam. The pristine landscape of karst mountains and winding rivers makes Ninh Binh nicknamed “Terrestrial Halong Bay”.  Upon arriving, you will pay a visit to Hoa Lu temples dedicated to the Le and Dinh Kings of Vietnam since the 10th century. This afternoon, you will have a leisure boat trip with a traditional sampan in roughly 2 hours to venture the pristine area of Tam Coc to admire the natural caves, calm rivers and idyllic limestone mountains. Lately, you get back to Hanoi in the evening. 

Hanoi – Halong Bay

On this day, let’s venture to Halong Bay - a fabulous natural wonder that’s approximately 2.5 hours of driving from Hanoi. This world-famous bay is one of the most stunning landscapes in Vietnam with over 1,900 limestone islands and islets, mostly uninhabited and unvisited. These towering formations rise majestically from the emerald waters, creating a breathtaking panorama that helped the bay earn its UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994. Upon arrival, you will soon embark on an inclusive cruise trip through the most splendid attractions of Halong Bay. The trip includes delectable meals with freshly caught seafood, and fun activities onboard after the night falls.

Halong Bay – Hanoi – Hoi An

On the next day on Halong Bay, let’s get up at dawn to admire the gorgeous sunrise over the turquoise waters of the bay. The cruise will continue to glide around the bay until it finally docks at the end of the morning.

After that, you will return to Hanoi for your flight to Da Nang. Upon your arrival at Da Nang Airport, meet your enthusiastic tour guide and get transferred to your hotel in Hoi An. Relax in the hotel, or head out to soak in the bewitching atmosphere of Hoi An at night. 

Hoi An Ancient Town

Today, you will get to explore Hoi An Ancient Town, a charming place recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The well-preserved ancient streets and houses showcase a harmonious blend of Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, and French architectural elements can be seen via outstanding structures like the renowned Japanese Covered Bridge, the marvelous Fujian Assembly Hall, and the 200-year-old house of Tan Ky.

Later, commence a relaxing bicycle ride through Hoi An’s rural paths to Tra Que Vegetable Village, known for its organic farming practices and production of fresh vegetables and herbs. Take your time to observe local farmers’ daily work, or even join them in planting and picking vegetables. At lunch, feast on the village’s specialties and some other salient dishes of the region. 

In the afternoon, join a lantern workshop to learn more about this traditional handicraft. Introduced to Hoi hundreds of years ago by the Chinese, the art of lantern-making has now become a symbol of the city’s rich cultural heritage. The workshop allows you to create your lanterns from bamboo frames and silk fabric under the guidance of skilled artisans. This is a work of precision, which requires patience and a touch of dexterity to complete. At the end of the class, you’ll be able to take home your masterpiece as a meaningful souvenir.

Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City

The morning is your own leisure time. You can stay at your hotel, go out for a coffee, or stop by An Bang Beach for a shoreline walk.

In the afternoon, leave Hoi An and travel to Da Nang for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival at the Tan Son Nhat Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your driver and local guide before getting transferred by private car to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this vivacious city on your own.

Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels

Spend this day to venture Cu Chi Tunnels and unveil Ho Chi Minh City. Drive for around 2 hours, you will reach the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the most significant historical sites in Vietnam. This immense network of underground tunnels was initially hand-dug by the Viet Minh in the late 1940s during the French-Indochina War, then expanded and used massively by the Viet Cong during the subsequent Vietnam War. Afterward, get on the way to return to Ho Chi Minh City.

In the afternoon, set off to uncover a few prominent attractions of the city: the French colonial Saigon Central Post Office, the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, and Dong Khoi Street - a wide avenue lined with luxurious shops and hotels. Next, spend some time roaming the insightful War Remnants Museum – exhibits US weapons and vehicles used during the Vietnam War. This museum also displays photographs showcasing the war’s effects on Vietnamese civilians, including the consequences of chemical weapons. 

Mekong Delta Day trip

This morning, depart from Ho Chi Minh City and head west to explore Ben Tre Province in the Mekong Delta region. You will board the boat sailing along a Mekong’s tributary. Make stops to discover several local workshops to gain a deeper insight into some local specialties such as the coconut candies and a brick factory to learn about the local way of making handmade bricks, etc. During your adventure in Mekong Delta, you will ride a local motorized rickshaw called xe loi to wander around the village and catch some fascinating sights of traditional farms, rice fields, and vegetable plants.

At noon, move toward a humble local restaurant for a delicious and hearty lunch made of regional specialties, such as “elephant-ear fish” and freshwater shrimps. In the afternoon, hop on a bicycle to traverse the village roads with lush landscape, visit a local workshop specializing in carpet weaving, enjoy a leisurely sampan ride along the zigzag canals, then travel back to Ho Chi Minh City by car. 

Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap

This morning, head toward Tan Son Nhat Airport to catch the flight to Siem Reap well-known for its magnificent Angkor Temples. Located in the northwest of the country, this city is also a great base to discover Tonlé Sap Lake - the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, the genuine Cambodian countryside, or some remote temples like Beng Mealea, Phnom Kulen, and Kbal Spean. 

Upon your arrival, you will be picked up by your local tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Spend the evening enjoying a flavourful dinner while watching a mesmerizing Cambodian traditional show - a classical Khmer performance art inspired by the water and cloud spirits of Hindu and Buddhist mythology.

Angkor Temples Exploration

Set off your adventure today by traveling on a road surrounded by hundred-year-old trees. At the end of the road, you’ll find a majestic stone door leading to Angkor Thom - the last capital of the Khmer Empire. Also known as the “Great City”, Angkor Thom showcases the grandeur and ingenuity of Khmer architecture, engineering, and artistry. The centerpiece of Angkor Thom is Bayon Temple, built around the 12th - 13th century and features 216 mysterious smiling stone faces that seem like emerging from nowhere. This amazing temple comprises 54 towers, each impressively carved with smiling 4 faces.

After exploring the Bayon Temple, you will travel to the adjacent Baphuon, a temple mountain built in the 11th century which has been restored by French architects not so long ago. Subsequently, let’s admire the Terrace of the Elephants, which stretches approximately 350 m in length and was used for royal audiences and public ceremonies. Continue your visit to the Terrace of the Leper King, a 12th century construction covered by stunning sculpting of Apsara.

The following period is time to uncover the most renowned temple in the Angkor Archaeological Park - Angkor Wat. Spanning over 162 ha, it is the world’s largest religious structure and a symbol of the pinnacle of Khmer architecture and engineering. Finish the day by visiting Ta Prohm, a temple that has been severely damaged by the tropical nature. 

Siem Reap Departure

This morning, let’s discover the floating villages of Kampong Pluk, the most beautiful village on Tonle Sap Lake. It is one of natural tourisms and a mangroves forest for hundreds of species of fresh water fishes and birds and decorated with ethnic stilted houses line over the water surface up to the air. The villages are primarily Khmer and have about 3000 inhabitants between them, most of who live in stilted houses. You will have a great opportunity to learn about their lifestyle and how do they live on the lake. Lunch at local Khmer Traditional House. 

After the exploration of this village on Tonle Sap Lake, you will return to Siem Reap. At an appointed time, you will be transferred to Siem Reap Airport for your flight to the next destination.