Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival
Meet on arrival at Hanoi International Airport and transfer to the hotel for check-in. (Check in time is 2 pm). There is then free time at leisure.
Day 2: Hanoi Full Day City Tour
A day of fascinating exploration starts with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (exterior only) and the former president’s stilt house where Uncle Ho lived from 1958 to 1969. We then head to the iconic One-Pillar Pagoda and the Museum of Ethnology. In the afternoon we visit the Temple of Literature; Ngoc Son Temple; Hoan Kiem Lake; and enjoy a water puppet show performance, a unique Vietnamese art form that takes its origins from rural festivals in Vietnam. We then take a fun stroll around the Old Quarter to explore 36 old streets before heading to a traditional coffee shop to enjoy a glass of refreshing Bia Hoi, locally brewed beer.
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay
Our tour of magical Ha Long Bay takes in a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has over 3,000 limestone islets rising from the clear emerald waters, many of them containing picturesque grottoes. Our excursion starts with a drive to the Bay (160km, approximately four hours) for the overnight cruise. Then we are free to discover magical Ha Long Bay which is known as the ‘dragon descending into the sea.’ Optional activities include swimming, kayaking, cooking demonstrations and night squid fishing.
Day 4: Ha Long – Hanoi – Da Nang – Hoi An
We continue the cruise through magical Ha Long Bay until we dock at 12 noon and proceed to Hanoi International Airport for the flight to Da Nang.
Day 5: Hoi An
Today we undertake a fascinating walking tour to discover the historic town of Hoi An which used to be a prosperous seaport city during the 16th to 18th centuries. Its sizeable community of foreign merchants resulted in unique architectural styles with Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences. We visit Phuc Kien Hall, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky old house and a silk workshop.
Day 6: Hoi An – Da Nang – Hue
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Hue, through the spectacular Hai Van Pass (if weather permits) and then visit the Cham Culture Museum in Da Nang. In the afternoon, we visit the Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba Market.
Day 7: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City
Today we enjoy a boat trip on the Perfume River and then then visit Thien Mu Pagoda and Tu Duc Tomb. We then embark on a short cycling tour to an ancient village near Hue to immerse ourselves in the greenery of the ‘Garden City. You will be welcomed to an ancient garden house where the host family will not only share with you their lifestyle and traditions – they will invite you to enjoy an authentic home-prepared meal with ingredients sourced from their garden. Then enjoy a relaxing herbal footbath sourced from plants in their garden. We then transfer to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnel – Ho Chi Minh City
Today we drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an amazing complex of underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the American War, followed by the return to Ho Chi Minh City.
After lunch we tour the War Remnants Museum, the Central Post Office and walk outside of the Reunification Palace, with free shopping time at the central Ben Thanh Market, or Le Cong Kieu Street, which has stores selling antiques and then Yersin Market.
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure
After breakfast is at the hotel, we transfer to Ho Chi Minh City International Airport and the conclusion of this tour.
