LEGENDARY VIETNAM

DAY 01: SAIGON ARRIVAL – SAIGON DINNER CRUISE.

Arrive Tan Son Nhat international airport. After completing immigration formalities and clearing customs you will be met by our guide outside the baggage claim area who will escort you to a private waiting vehicle for your transfer to your hotel in Saigon (12 km | Approx. 30 minutes). After an included private transfer, you’ll be greeted with welcome drink at the check-in desk.

Enjoy a Saigon cruise in the evening, you will experience a delightful dinner while taking in the magnificent sights of the river and the city at night. Aside from the delectable food, the boat cruise will allow you to witness the vibrant nightlife of Saigon

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon).

DAY 02: SAIGON - CU CHI TUNELS - CITY TOUR (B,D).

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel and then transfer to Cu Chi district, 50 km to the northwest of Saigon city (approx. 01 hour 30 minutes).

• Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, watch a short introductory video showing how they were constructed, then spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels.
• Experience history first-hand as you crawl the legendary Cu Chi tunnels, sample local food and food eaten by soldiers who lived in the wonder of Vietnam's unique military art.

Afternoon, enjoy a half day Saigon city tour:

• The twin towers of Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed.
• The historic Saigon Central Post Office.
• The Reunification Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon government during the American war.
• The War Remnants Museum for a vivid perspective of the American war through the eyes of the Vietnamese.
• Walking tour along Dong Khoi Street, known as Rue Catinat in French-colonial times.
• Enjoy a walking tour to visit the famous Ben Thanh Market, this will give you a good insight into the Vietnamese markets as well as an opportunity to interact with locals.

It's time to enjoy a cup of coffee, our local guide will help you enjoy a truly Saigon, experience Saigon's famed coffee street culture to get closer to its locals.

Dinner will be served at a local restaurant (Top 10 must-try dishes in Saigon will be served during your lunch).

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon).

DAY 03: SAIGON – BEN TRE – SAI GON (B,L).

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel.

• We transfer to Ben Tre (90 km & approx. 02 hours).
• Take a private leisurely boat trip, stocked with cold, cold towels, bottled water, fresh, seasonal fruits, and green tea, cruise along the Ben Tre river, you will have the opportunity to witness the daily activities of the local people.
• The boat then takes you to the old brick kiln, where you can learn about traditional brick making techniques.
• The boat ride continues along a small river branch, with rows of green water coconut trees and cork trees on both sides. This picturesque scenery adds to the charm of the journey. The boat makes a stop at a facility specializing in peeling coconuts and making coconut meat, allowing you to witness the skilled work of the workers. You can also try their hand at peeling coconuts with the guidance of the workers.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant (Top 10 must-try dishes in Mekong delta will be served during your lunch).

• Next, the boat takes the group to Cai Son nipa canal, where you can admire the nipa palm groves and visit a coconut candy production facility. Here, you can learn about the traditional handmade coconut candy making process and savor some delicious coconut candy. You can also enjoy honey tea while listening to Southern amateur music.
• The journey continues to Nhon Thanh market, where you can visit the famous Nhon Thanh mat weaving village and learn about the traditional craft of mat weaving. You will have the opportunity to try weaving mats themselves under the guidance of skilled artisans
• Enjoy Xe Lam-Auto rickshaw around the village to have a look at the orchards and visit local people’s house. to experience the daily life of Mekong people.
• You also have the opportunity to experience traditional boating through a small canal surrounded by shady coconut trees. This unique experience allows visitors to get up close and personal with the stunning natural beauty of Ben Tre.

Transfer back to Saigon city.

Dinner will be served at a local restaurant

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon).

DAY 04: SAIGON – FLY TO DA NANG – HOI AN (B,D).

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel. We transfer to the airport to take a flight to Da Nang. You are welcome at the airport then transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.

Dinner will be served at a local restaurant. (Top 10 must-try dishes in Hoi An will be served during your dinner).

Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure and overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 05: TRA QUE VILLAGE – HOI AN (B,L).

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide and a Xe Lam-Auto rickshaw will transfer you to Hoian’s colorful market, experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market, interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later to Tra Que village.

• Auto rickshaw to Tra Que village, a charming little village on the edge of Hoi An, visit Reu Tra Que.
• Enjoy a signature hand & foot massages, delivered with a unique musical therapy that synchronize song with rhythmic acupressure.
• Learn to prepare Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese Crispy Rice Pancake) and be given a sound understanding of the ingredients and flavors used in Vietnamese cooking. You will also be introduced to tastings of local specialty dishes that you may be yet to try.
• Enjoy a delightful lunch prepared by you.

Afternoon:

Enjoy a walking around the historic town to visit:

• Phuc Kien Assembly Hall - One of five official assembly halls in Hoi An (was established in 1697).
• 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge - The symbol of Hoi An.
• Chua Ong Pagoda (Quan Cong Temple), a centuries-old spiritual treasure trove of Hoi An was established in 1653.
• Tan Ky old house, a living museum with more than 200 years old in Hoi An.
• The silkworm & handicraft workshops.
• Enjoy a short cruise on the river to experience the lantern floating with a lantern drop for good luck.

Our guide will help you enjoy an authentic Hoi An ancient town, enjoy a cup of egg coffee by the riverside and witness the local life.

Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure and overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 06: HOI AN FREE (B).

Breakfast at hotel. This is a free day for you to enjoy and explore the wonders of Hoi An at your leisure.

Here are some suggestions to make the most out of your free day in Hoi An.

Relax on the beach or by the swimming pool or visit tailor shops.

Rent a bicycle and explore the charming streets of Hoi An's ancient town to visit ibrant markets, and cultural landmarks.

Explore Cam Thanh coconut village with a traditional basket boat.

Take a half day trip to the My Son Holy Temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 07: HOI AN – HUE IMPERIAL CITY (B,D).

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel. We leave Hoi An to Hue (135 km | Approx. 03 hours), on the way to Hue city we will visit:

• Cham Museum - One of the largest collections of Cham sculpture and artwork in the world.
• Explore a nearby stone-cutting craft village.

Afternoon:

• Explore Hue Citadel Complex including Royal Citadel and Forbidden Citadel - UNESCO World Heritage sites, set up by Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945.
• Visit the striking Flag Tower, the imposing Ngo Mon Gate, Dien Tho Residence (Dien Tho Palace), Thai Hoa Palace, the magnificently decorated reception hall, the Halls of the Mandarins, and the original Nine Dynastic Urns…
• Visit the bustling Dong Ba Market - one of the romantic symbols of this city, interact with local people.
• Enjoy “Royal dinner”. Enjoy a delicious food while listening to melodious music and having a feeling of being the King and Queen. All wear traditional royal clothes.
• Meet and talk with people who are descendants of kings and royal family to have an in-depth experiences of Nguyen dynasty.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Hue.

DAY 08: HUE ROYAL TOMBS – THUY BIEU VILLAGE – LUXURY TRAIN TO HANOI (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel. We will visit:

• Visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes.
• Visit the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - One of the most beautifully designed complexes among the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty.

Afternoon:

• Enjoy a journey to the grapefruit village of Thuy Bieu (7km from Hue city center).
• Walking to visit the old temple dedicated to the genius of the village, at school, and in a family which owns three of the older houses. These buildings are characterized by engravings and sculptures in wood: dragons, phoenix and other natural landscapes on columns, beams or rafters.
• Continuation by bike all along the river of perfumes in the nature, among flowers and thousands of grapefruits. Stop at the local market, to buy if you want notebooks, pencils, pens, to offer to the orphanage.
• Boat trip along the romantic Perfume River carries us through a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes.
• Visit Thien Mu Pagoda - one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious work ship in Hue.
• Admire the sunset aboard of the boat during the return to Hue.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Hue.

Our guide and driver will pick you up then transfer to Hue Train Station, to take a luxury train to Hanoi (19:00). Overnight on the train.

DAY 09: HA NOI ARIVAL – CITY TOUR (B,D).

Arrive Ha Noi train station (12:00), you will be met by our guide and driver then transfer to your hotel in Ha Noi. Our guide will be holding a welcome board with your name. Check in hotel, you're handed a welcome drink at the check-in desk.

Afternoon: Enjoy a half day Hanoi city tour.

• The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, visit the Kinh Thien Palace, which was constructed in 1428.
• Visit Bach Ma Temple was built in the 11th century under the reign of Emperor Ly Thai To.
• Visit Hanoi Ancient House, one of the very few old houses where you can have a better understanding of the lifestyle and daily activities of ancient Hanoians.
• Visit Dong Xuan Market, the largest covered market in Hanoi was originally built by the French in 1889.
• Enjoy a traditional water puppet performance “Roi Nuoc” (Approx. 50 minutes).

Dinner will be served at a local restaurant. (Top 10 must-try dishes in Ha Noi will be served during your dinner).

Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Ha Noi.

DAY 10: HA NOI CITY TOUR – LUXURY TRAIN TO LAO CAI – SA PA (B,L).

5. Includes: 01 breakfast at hotel,01 lunch & 01 dinner at local restaurant, private transportation during the tour, Italian-speaking guide, all entrance fees, one hour cyclo ride, water puppet show, wet wipes, 02 bottles mineral water per person, accommodation at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel.

Today, we enjoy a private Ha Noi full day city tour:

• Ho Chi Minh Complex. Follow a long queue to get inside the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Take a short walk to Ho Chi Minh’s former house, which is built on stilts.
• One Pillar Pagoda (built in 1049), it’s one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples.

• The sixth-century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda.
• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. The museum offers an excellent view of the customs and habits of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam with various unique cultural features.

Note:

• The mausoleum is open in the morning on every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. The mausoleum is closed on Monday & Friday weekly. Normally, each year, the mausoleum will be closed for about 2 months for maintenance, usually from September to November.
• Museum of Ethnology is closed on Monday weekly.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Afternoon:

• Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university (Founded in 1070 by Emperor Le Thanh Tong).
• The oldest bridge of Ha Noi “Long Bien Bridge” to take photos and see the local life of Hanoi.
• The Maison centrale in Hanoi, also known as Hoa Lo Prison or the ‘Hanoi Hilton’.
• Enjoy a cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as “36 streets.

You will be escorted to the train station one hour before your train (21:00) to enjoy a night train to Lao Cai (22:00). Overnight on train (soft sleeper 4-berth shared cabin).

DAY 11: SA PA ETHNIC VILLAGE.

5. Includes: 01 breakfast at local restaurant,01 lunch at local restaurant, private transportation on tour, English-speaking guide, all entrance fees, wet wipes, 02 bottles mineral water per person, accommodation at hotel.

6:30 a.m. Upon arrival in Lao Cai station. Our driver will pick you up and transfer to Sa Pa town(35 km | Approx. 50 minutes). You will be escorted to a local restaurant for a morning shower & breakfast.

• Visit Muong Hoa Valley, a collection of various minority groups.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant (Top 10 must-try dishes in Sa Pa will be served during your lunch).

Afternoon:

• Visit village of Sin Chai, inhabited by Black H’mong people.

• Walking tour of the town and delightful local marketto have in-deep local life
• Stretch your legs with one hour Sa Pa foot massage (This will be offered by us for free).

Free your time at leisure and overnight in Sa Pa.

DAY 12: SAPA ETHNIC VILLAGE – NIGHT TRAIN TO HA NOI.

5. Includes: 01 breakfast at hotel,Train ticket, private transportation during the tour, English-speaking guide, All entrance fees, wet wipes, 02 bottles mineral water per person, accommodation on train.

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel.

• Explore Lao Chai village. Walk through remote villages and rice fields and observe the distinctive dark blue dress of the local Hmong tribespeople.
• Continue hiking to the village of Ta Van, one of the few villages in Vietnam inhabited by the Zay tribe and on to several other even more remote small villages.

Free your time at leisure.Transfer to Lao Cai train station for night train to Hanoi (21:10 P.m). Overnight on train (soft sleeper 4-berth shared cabin).

DAY 13: HANOI – HA LONG BAY – A NIGHT CRUISE.

5. Includes: 01 breakfast at local restaurant,01 lunch & 01 dinner on cruise, private transportation on tour, English-speaking guide, all entrance fees, wet wipes, 02 bottles mineral water per person, accommodation on cruise.

5:30 A.M: Arrival in Ha Noi. Pick-up at the Hanoi train station. You will be escorted to a local restaurant for a morning shower & breakfast. Free your time to enjoy coffee and witness the busy of Hanoian.

Then we depart for Ha Long city to visit Ha Long Bay, a World Natural Heritage site and a World of New7Wonders. (170 km | Approx. 02 hour 30 minutes). Upon arrival in Ha Long. Check-in between 11:30 - 12:00 at the boat port.

• Enjoy welcome drinks and cruise briefing.
• Enjoy lunch while cruising to the magnificent Ha Long Bay. Passing the Fighting cocks Islet, the Elephant leg Islet, the Castle Islet, the Soi Sim Island…
• Luon Cave excursion on bamboo rowing boats or kayaks.
• Swimming or sunbathing at Titov beach.
• Pre-dinner sunset cocktail party
• Enjoy and learn the Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the sundeck.
• Savour a delicious set dinner in dining room.
• Night-time squid fishing.

(The itinerary above may be changed depending on the cruise we choose and weather permitting).

DAY 14: HA LONG BAY – DEPARTURE.

5. Includes: 01 breakfast on cruise,01 brunch on cruise, private transportation during the tour, English-speaking guide, All entrance fees, wet wipes, 02 bottles mineral water per person, accommodation at hotel.

• Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi Exercise with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay.
• Light breakfast. Coffee, tea, and pastries are served in restaurant.
• Arrive at Surprise Grotto - one of the most famous grottos in the entire Ha Long, we will visit the cave by tender.
• Enjoy the international brunch buffet served in the restaurant.
• Check-out on board and disembarkation at boat port.

Our tour guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to the airport (170 km | Approx. 02 hours 30 minutes) to take your departure flight.