Highlights of Vietnam

Breakfast at the hotel. 

The day is dedicated to discovering the city of Hanoi, starting with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, including the main building—the Mausoleum (exterior only; closed on Mondays and Fridays), the majestic Presidential Palace, Uncle Ho’s House on Stilts, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Built of wood in 1049, the pagoda rests on a single pillar and represents the purity of the lotus flower. Afterward, the tour continues with a visit to West Lake—the city’s largest natural lake—and the Tran Quoc Pagoda, which stands on the lake’s eastern shore.

Free lunch at a local restaurant of your choice. You will begin the afternoon with a “xich lo” (cyclo) ride through the Old Quarter, considered the city’s historic center—a place with a thousand-year history teeming with vitality and commerce. The Quarter consists of 36 streets, each dedicated to selling a specific product and named accordingly: from colorful spices and food to shoes, clothing accessories, and even votive paper/fake money (Hang Ma). Passing through an interesting local market, you will head toward the Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem), tied to a legend of swords, emperors, and golden turtles, and surrounded by centuries-old trees. You will visit the Ngoc Son Temple, an oasis of peace and tranquility, which offers a beautiful view of the Turtle Tower (Thap Rua). 

Return to the hotel. Accommodation and overnight stay at the hotel.

08:00 – 08:30. Departure for Halong by cruise company shuttle bus or private car. Magnificent and mysterious, fascinating and majestic: words alone cannot do justice to the natural wonder that is Halong Bay. The bay is considered one of the new seven wonders of the world. It features thousands of limestone stacks and islets, making it a highly picturesque destination for thousands of tourists every day. A visit to the floating village of Vung Vieng allows you to appreciate the life of the local people, who live in perfect harmony with the water.

The journey to Halong takes about 4 hours, including a short stop. Arrival in Halong around noon, boarding, and check-in on a boat for a cruise in the bay.

Visit to the Surprise Cave (Hang Sung Sot), which features limestone formations of various shapes, with stalactites and stalagmites. To access the three halls, you will need to climb over a hundred steps. Relax at a beach with the possibility of swimming, or climb to the highest point of an island to enjoy a panoramic view of the bay. Meals on board with seafood tasting. Overnight stay on board the junk in a private cabin (with air conditioning and shower).

NOTE: The cruise itinerary in Ha Long Bay may change depending on the cruise company, sea conditions, and the decisions of the Bay Authority. The guide on board will be English-speaking. A guide for the transfer from Hanoi is available at an additional cost. Please consult the “Supplements” section.

Breakfast on the deck of the junk, with the chance to admire the beauty of the bay at dawn. You will spend the morning relaxing on the cruise amidst the magical landscapes of Bai Tu Long Bay. Brunch on board. Disembarkation, followed by the return to Hanoi. A stop to visit the Phu Lang pottery village or the But Thap Pagoda (this visit is only scheduled for groups traveling by private car).

At 15:30, meet and transfer by our vehicles to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Hue. Arrival in Hue, an additional destination on the Saigon-Hanoi itinerary; welcome (without guide) and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation and overnight stay at the hotel.

NOTE: The cruise itinerary in Ha Long Bay may change depending on the cruise company, sea conditions, and the decisions of the Bay Authority. The guide on board will be English-speaking. A guide for the transfer from Hanoi is available at an additional cost. Please consult the “Supplements” section.

Breakfast at the Hotel. 

The city of Hue rises along the banks of the Perfume River and was founded in 1687 under the name Phu Xuan. It became the capital of southern Vietnam in 1744 and maintained this role from 1802 to 1945 under the reign of the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Hue is an almost mandatory stop for anyone visiting Vietnam. Not only was it the political and cultural capital of the nation for nearly 150 years, but it also houses spectacular imperial tombs, pagodas, and temples—not to mention the culinary aspect: Hue is the refined gastronomic capital of the country.

The day begins with a boat excursion on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, the symbol of the city, whose name means “Celestial Lady.” Return to the city by car to visit the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City, which is located within it.

Lunch break. In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to the Tomb of Minh Mang, and if time permits, a visit to the Tu Hieu Pagoda. Departure for Danang and Hoi An. 

Accommodation and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Visit the Old Town, featuring the Japanese Bridge built at the beginning of the 17th century, the Fukien Temple (Phuc Kien), founded by a Chinese congregation devoted to the Goddess of the Sea, and the Phung Hung Ancient House. Free time in the city until the transfer to the airport for your flight to Saigon. Upon arrival in Saigon, welcome (without guide) and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and overnight stay at the hotel.

Ancient Saigon, at the end of the civil war, took the name of the political leader of the winning side, North Vietnam. Today, it represents the beating heart of Vietnam, as well as its largest city, reflecting its essence through a unique fusion of indigenous culture and deep French and Chinese influences, which are immediately noticeable in its architecture.

 Accommodation and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the Hotel. 

After breakfast, depart by car toward the Mekong Delta—considered the “rice bowl of Vietnam.” Arrival at the Hung Vuong pier (Ben Tre city), located in front of the hotel of the same name. Boarding for an excursion along the Ham Luong River—one of the main tributaries of the Mekong River.

During the journey, you will admire lively local activities, fishing along the river, and the functional irrigation canals. You will stop at a brick kiln to observe traditional-style brick making. Along the canal, you will visit one of the many coconut processing workshops, where you can taste fresh coconut and see how every single part of this fruit is transformed into products. Right here, you will see how locals climb coconut trees to harvest the fruit, and you can even try it yourself if you wish. The final stop will be at a weaving workshop where straw mats are woven using hand looms. You will continue through the natural creeks of the delta to reach a village. Take a short walk to discover the daily life of the people in the Mekong Delta. Stop at a local family’s home to taste tea and fresh local fruit.

Lunch at a local house. After lunch, you will board a sampan, navigating through the canals to reach a spot where you will take a bicycle or an Xe Loi to visit the home of Mr. Khanh—a famous and passionate antique collector. The house is filled with unique artifacts from Vietnam and other Asian countries. He will also show you family albums with photos dating back to the French colonial period. Return to Saigon. Accommodation and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the Hotel. 

Meet our guide at the hotel reception at 08:30.

The entire morning is dedicated to visiting the Independence Palace, once the seat of the Presidents of South Vietnam. Our tour includes a visit to the North Vietnamese tank that crashed through the gates of the presidential palace in 1975 to bring an end to the controversial Vietnam War. Afterward, a visit to the War Remnants Museum (Bao Tang Chung Tich Chien Tranh) is unmissable; it offers a unique opportunity to understand the Vietnamese perspective on the bloody Vietnam War.

Next, you will see the Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to the cult of Thien Hau (Mazu, Celestial Holy Mother), the patron goddess of the sea, who is deeply revered by sailors and fishermen in Vietnam, China, and across Southeast Asia. The three large bronze statues depicting her dominate the main hall of worship in Chinatown.

Greeting and transfer to the airport for your return flight, concluding your Hanoi-Saigon journey. We wish you a safe trip home!!!

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