Real Taste of Vietnam - 13 days

Arrive in the lovely city of Hanoi and be warmly greeted by our tour guide. 

Note: Please be present at Pole No.10 (Outside the Terminal Gate at the airport) and contact us, so we can easily search for you.

Hotels in Hanoi start their check-in service at 14.00, so you can get there by that time or pay an additional fee for early check-in.

The rest of the day is time for you to relax.

Meals: NA

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Morning

Meet our guides at your hotel at 8:00 to start your trip around Hanoi on the rental motorbike.

• Enjoy the view of Long Bien Bridge, built from 1899 to 1902 and known as the oldest bridge in Hanoi. After that, pass through the famous Chuong Duong Bridge, with four lanes and a steel span.
• Come through Nha Hat Lon (Hanoi Opera House), constructed by the French government in the early years of the 20th century. Enjoy the very famous Trang Tien’s Ice Cream and listen to our guide talking about the unique structure with outstanding values in terms of history, culture, architecture, and art.
• Immerse in the peaceful place with a fascinating history Ho Guom (Hoan Kiem Lake) in the center of Hanoi's historic district.
• Nha Tho Lon (St. Joseph's Cathedral) is a Roman Catholic cathedral with a neo-gothic style, which was built about 120 years ago. One of the first structures built by the French colonial government in Indochina when it opened in December 1886.

Lunch will be served at The Old Quarter restaurant. Let’s fulfill your energy with some delicious local Vietnamese food after a tired morning trip.

Afternoon and Night

Relax with your lunch before continuing our afternoon trip, prepare to discover various popular attractions in our beautiful city: 

• Explore the Hoa Lo Prison - the French called Maison Central and listening to the audio guide will bring you a lot of feelings. Whatever its name, the notorious prison housed a century of torture within its walls. 
• Enjoy the freshwater West Lake, having a circumference of 17 km with plenty of historical places of interest, five-star hotels, stylish restaurants, cafes, and nightlife venues that are worth exploring along the shoreline.

Even if you are not a coffee lover, it is still worth trying Cafe Trung (Egg Coffee) at Cafe Giang. This is a creative mixing of coffee by Vietnamese people.

• Pass by the B52 plane crash site at Huu Tiep Lake, a remarkable victory of Vietnam soldiers during the Vietnam War.
• Our last destination is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the most iconic and popular leader of Vietnam, known to his people as ‘Uncle Ho’.

After that, our driver will drop you off at your hotel in the old quarter.

Note: The above itinerary is subject to change, based on the day’s weather and traffic conditions.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Due to the renovate reason, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is not allowed to access then visitors only see it from the outside.

Morning

Have a good time at the hotel's delicious breakfast.

8:00-8:30: Our driver will pick you up and take you to Halong Bay, a World Heritage site with stunning scenery. The trip to this must-see location is quick and easy, taking only about 2.5 hours by car.

The friendly crew of the boat will be waiting to greet you and assist you with checking in from 12:00 to 12:30. For safety purposes, our manager will show you some rules and guidance while staying on board. 

While enjoying your lunch on board, you may look out over nature and observe the numerous beautiful islets of varying shapes that are unique to Halong Bay. 

Afternoon

After lunch, take a nap to rejuvenate for the afternoon's adventures, which can include cave exploration, kayaking, or swimming in Halong Bay's pristine waters.

You may be eager to return to the boat at 17:00 - 17:30, at which point the Sunset Party will begin the "buy one, get one free" program. 

Savor a delicious dinner at 19:00

There are a variety of nighttime pursuits available on board, such as squid fishing, board games, films, a night bar, etc. Don't hesitate if you don't like going to bed early.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on board

Morning

6:00: It’s time to join the Tai Chi class on the sundeck to celebrate the beginning of a new day. This form of recreation is perfect for early risers to unwind physically and mentally after a hectic first day.

Refresh with a light breakfast buffet featuring a variety of delicious starters, appetizers, and drinks.

The local ferrymen will tell you the history of the area's ecology as they row you through the cave on a bamboo raft. If you take a diversion via the fishing village, you may be able to spot a wide variety of aquatic life.

Note: The cave and fishing village are depending on the cruise you stay in. 

Return to the ship around 10.00 to go over your items one last time before setting sail. If you've already checked out, a buffet brunch on the way to Halong Bay is a great way to take a rest. 

11:00-11:30: It’s check-out time. Thank the crew for their hard work, and bid them farewell before boarding the tender and making your way to Tuan Chau Pier.

Afternoon

After returning to Hanoi, you spend time exploring the ancient streets of Hanoi's Old Quarter. Our food journey will start at 17.00 with some popular dishes in Hanoi. 

• Soup-based specialties like Pho Bo (Vietnamese beef noodles), Bun Thang (rice vermicelli noodles with chicken and eggs), and Bun Bo Hue are great options for those looking for something a little more refined.
• Delicious choices include Banh Cuon, often known as "Steamed Rice Rolls," and Banh Mi (Vietnamese bread).
• Try some street dishes like Nom Bo Kho (Dried Beef Salad) and Nem Chua Ran (Fried Fermented Pork Roll), among others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Morning and Afternoon

Get some rest before your journey with a hotel breakfast. When it's time for your flight from Hanoi to Hue, our driver will be there to pick you up and take you there.

After being greeted by your tour guide at the airport, you'll be driven to your City Centre accommodation.

Night

18:00: The guide will arrive at your hotel by cyclo.

Your food adventure will begin at the "Hang Me" restaurant on Vo Thi Sau Street, where you will be able to sample specialties (Banh Beo, Banh Nam, Banh Bot Loc, Banh Ram It, Banh Uot...).

Following that, the cyclo will take you to "Hen Island" to eat clam specialties such as clam rice and clam noodles ("Hen" means baby clam).

We take you to a sweet soup shop on Le Loi Street to fill in Hue's special sweet soup, then head to Dinh Tien Hoang Street for "Banh Khoai" and "Nem Lui".

You will stop along the way to see the Imperial Citadel, the residence of the Nguyen Dynasty rulers, and the Truong Tien Bridge at night.

Finally, the cyclo takes you around the streets at night to view the charming scene. Sesame candies, conical hats, sour prawns, long gowns (ao dai) and Minh Mang wines are also available as souvenirs.

22:00: Cyclo returns you to your accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Morning

Let's get ready at the hotel lobby between 8:00 - 8:30 for pick-up.

• Come to a famous Buddhist attraction Thien Mu Pagoda, which is located on the Perfume River’s bank with its ancient design and secret behind. 
• Continue the journey with a visit to the Imperial Citadel. Here, you can spend time admiring the front gate, the Flag Tower, and The King’s Palace.
• Finally, a short visit to Dong Ba Market will end your morning trip. Walk through kiosks to understand the daily business of local sellers. Purchase some interesting souvenirs before having lunch at the local restaurant.

Afternoon

• Visit Khai Dinh Tomb, the smallest tomb of the Nguyen Emperors but known as a perfect combination of Oriental & Western Styles.
• Head to the most majestic Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, famous for its landscape and oriental architecture. The tomb is impressive, with ancient traditional architecture imbued with Confucian identity.
• Travel to a conical hat village to see how craftsmen make this beautiful product and get a chance to interact with locals before transferring back to the hotel.

Our tour end at about 17:00 in your hotel lobby.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Get transferred to your booked hotel in Hoi An by shuttle bus or private car. During the journey, you can stop by some spots for sightseeing and photoshoot (admission fee is not included).

You have free time to explore Hoi An on your own

• Take a leisurely stroll along the meandering lanes that are situated close to the Thu Bon River in order to gain an appreciation for the ageless beauty of Hoi An Ancient Town.
• Paying a visit to the Japanese Covered Bridge will provide you with the opportunity to gain insight into the lives of Japanese people who settled in the United States during the 17th century.
• Pay a visit to the Fujian Assembly Hall, which was a place of worship for the people who moved to Hoi An in the 17th century from the province of Fujian in China.

Spend a lovely night in Hoi An before the Tra Que village discovery on tomorrow. 

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Morning

Meet your local guide in the hotel lobby after breakfast, then at 8:00, head to a local farm in Tra Que Village.

Join the farmers in preparing the field, fertilizing with seaweed from a nearby lake, raking the ground, seeding, watering greens, picking greens, and doing many other gardening chores.

Spend the rest of the morning working on the farm, then have a break to prepare lunch with your host family.

The lunch includes many local delicacies, including spring rolls and local pancakes.

Afternoon

Relax with a foot massage, then say goodbye to your host family and ride back to Hoi An.

In the late afternoon, you can ride to the home of the craftsman, who will show you a brief introduction about the history, shape, and color of the lantern as well as the steps of making them.

Have a chance to make your own lantern and keep it as a souvenir.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Afternoon

Start around sunset and will walk you through local cafes, food stalls, markets, and restaurants, giving you a filling food adventure for the memory books. Hoi An traditional dishes include:

• Vietnamese bread (Banh Mi): Bread followed in the footsteps of the French and was introduced to our country in the shape of a baguette, which was served with butter, jam, and cold meat in the nineteenth century. Baguettes were "modified" over time by Vietnamese people based on their own eating habits and tastes, becoming a popular food today.
• Cao Lau: The difference between Cao Lau and other noodle dishes is the texture. Cao Lau noodles are firmer and chewier. Additionally, the best way to enjoy Cao Lau's taste is to eat from street vendors who only serve Cao Lau or a small handful of local dishes. 
• Banh Beo: Banh Beo is a traditional Vietnamese cake that is a popular snack among the residents of Hoi An. To find it, you will need to navigate several narrow alleys and stop at a few local business buildings.
• Banh Khot: A round pancake made with rice flour, turmeric, coconut milk, quail egg, and vegetables. A street vendor near Hoai Square will be an ideal place to try Banh Khot.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Enjoy your free time before transferring to the airport in Da Nang for the Ho Chi Minh City flight.

On arrival, transfer from the airport to the hotel. Check in and relax.

Optional:

With our Saigon Night Life Tour by Motorbike, you can experience the bustling and lively nightlife of Saigon. From crowded streets to hidden alleyways, our motorbike trip provides a one-of-a-kind and exciting experience that you will never forget.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Morning

8:00: Visit Cu Chi Tunnels, a collection of underground tunnels and constructions used by the Saigon Liberation Army during the Vietnam War.

Have a chance to crawl along the tunnels to see how life and war happened at that time and admire the creativity of the Vietnamese for creating such a place.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant on your way back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Afternoon

• Your first stop this afternoon should be at the Reunification Palace, which served as the official house of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.
• Visit the War Remnants Museum to glimpse the past through the many historical artifacts from both Vietnam and the United States.
• Be sure to check out the Saigon Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, well-known for being the earliest examples of traditional French colonial architecture.

Finally, your tour will end at a local market where you can practice your bargaining skills while shopping for souvenirs. Discover local life and culture. You’ll find some of the friendliest, liveliest, most convivial people in the city here.

Return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, you will have free time to relax.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Notre Dame Cathedral is closed for renovation purpose so you are not allowed to enter.

Morning

8:00: Get picked up at your hotel in Saigon and head to Ben Tre Province to discover Mekong Delta.

Take a boat ride to the Ham Luong River, which is a tributary of the Mekong.

Visit some of the local workplaces to get a sense of how the economy operates in the area, such as a coconut candy factory or some local factories, depending on time. 

You will be taken to a peaceful village, where you will get the opportunity to go on a short walk and experience actual life in a Delta community. Get on your "xe loi," which is a form of motorized rickshaw, and travel into the forest to visit fruit plantations there.

At a riverbank restaurant, a scrumptious and satisfying meal will be given, with local delicacies such as elephant-ear fish and river prawns, and will be accompanied by a selection of refreshing beverages and beers. 

The elephant-ear fish is one of the most signature dishes in the Mekong area, which make you surprise immediately by its unique appearance. 

Afternoon

Board a sampan boat for a relaxing trip along narrow canals.

Around 17:00, back to your hotel in Saigon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy your lazy last morning in Ho Chi Minh City, and have breakfast at the hotel's restaurant.

Free until our transfer comes, and you are transported to the airport for your flight back home.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: NA