Vietnam Culinary Delight

Breakfast at the hotel.

Full day dedicated to exploring the current capital of Vietnam. Free time at your disposal.

You have the opportunity to visit the city with Ciao Vietnam, an organization of Vietnamese students studying Italian in Hanoi who enjoy traveling and discovering beautiful places, history, and culture. Our mission is to create good opportunities for students to practice the Italian language and to help tourists travel in a more fun and economical way.

The tour is completely free; however, expenses for transfers (by bus/taxi), drinks, and food are at your expense. We are not professional guides, and therefore, we do not receive any payment for guiding services. On the other hand, being a group of volunteers, small gifts are always welcome.

Our suggestions with entrance fees in Vietnamese Dong (VND) per person:

• Ho Chi Minh Complex: which includes a visit to the Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and Uncle Ho’s residence.
• West Lake: the largest natural lake (approx. 4 km²) & Tran Quoc Pagoda.
• Temple of Literature: an ancient university built in 1070 in honor of Confucius.
• Museum of Ethnology: focusing on the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in the country.
• Lake of the Restored Sword & Old Quarter: where every street of this thousand-year-old neighborhood is named after the products found there, from colorful spices to shoes…

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for the Social Assistance Center.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for Thai Nguyen (78km ~ 1 hour by car).

Upon arrival, visit the Thai Nguyen General Hospital. Afterwards, we will take a boat trip on Nui Coc Lake through the caves.

Lunch at your leisure in a local restaurant.

Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for the Perfume Pagoda, located 80 km (a 1.5-hour journey) south of Hanoi. Over the course of 2 hours, you will discover an extraordinary landscape. This is one of the most important Buddhist religious sites in Vietnam. Every spring, following the Vietnamese New Year, thousands of pilgrims flock to this sacred land to pray and invoke health and prosperity for their relatives for the coming year. The Perfume Pagoda is a complex of pagodas and temples built into a limestone mountain. Embarking from the Ben Duc pier, you will take a one-hour boat trip along the Yen River to the foot of the Perfume Mountain. To reach the temples and shrines, a steep climb of about 1 hour on foot is required.

Lunch at your leisure in a local restaurant.

Return to Hanoi. Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

NOTE: Round trip to/from the Perfume Pagoda by cable car.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for the Thanh Hoa Orphan Education Center.

Lunch with staff members of the Center. Return to Hanoi.

Meals at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Upon arrival, we board the junk for an unforgettable cruise in Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994 and considered one of the seven wonders of the world since 2008.

Extending over an area of more than 1,500 square kilometers, it is home to thousands of small monolithic limestone islands, fantastic caves, and boasts a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna.

During the navigation through the bay’s beautiful natural scenery, you can participate in activities provided by the cruise line’s program, such as swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, visiting a limestone cave, or touring a fishing village—or simply relax while immersed in the unforgettable landscape.

Meals and overnight stay on board.

NOTE: The navigation itinerary in Ha Long Bay is subject to change based on the cruise company’s decisions, sea conditions, and the authority of the bay. The guide on board will be English-speaking. A guide for the transfer from Hanoi is available at a supplement; please refer to the “Supplements” section.

The cruise undoubtedly offers the privilege of witnessing a spectacular sunrise over Ha Long Bay. If you wish, you can participate in a Tai Chi session on the deck of the junk at 6:00 AM.

After breakfast on board, further activities are scheduled depending on the cruise company’s program.

As we make our way back to Ha Long port, brunch will be served on board to beautifully conclude this magnificent and unforgettable experience.

Departure for Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, you will be met by a driver and transferred to your hotel. 

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:30 The day begins with a boat trip along the Huong (Perfume) River, where you will visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Hue, dating back to 1601. It is the city’s spiritual highlight, renowned for its majestic octagonal tower and splendid views over the Perfume River. The next stop is the Hue Citadel, the most famous vestige of what was once the imperial city of Vietnam. It consists of three distinct parts: the Capital City, the Imperial City, and the Forbidden City (Kinh Thanh, Hoang Thanh, and Tu Cam Thanh).

Lunch at your leisure in a local restaurant.

The rest of the afternoon will be dedicated to visiting the traditional incense village of Thuy Xuan, where talented artisans preserve the tradition of the “soul” of the Vietnamese nation day after day. This is followed by a visit to the Imperial Tomb of Tu Duc, the most representative monument of Nguyen Dynasty architecture and one of the most marvelous constructions of the 19th century. The day concludes at the Dong Ba Market.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

The tour of Hoi An begins with a visit to Cam Pho, one of the city’s oldest communal houses, built according to traditional Chinese architecture. This building served as a center for worship, trade negotiations, and cultural exchange between locals and Chinese and Japanese merchants. Here, you can breathe in the city’s historical atmosphere and discover its rich culture.

Next, a short walk leads to the symbol of Hoi An – Chua Cau, or the Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 17th century to allow access to the Japanese quarter from the Chinese quarters. This bridge is a unique architectural work, blending Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese elements.

Continue your cultural experience with a visit to the Quan Thang Ancient House, one of the most authentic ancient houses in Hoi An. The lively and refined architecture and sculptures were crafted by artisans from the famous Kim Bong carpentry village in an Oriental style. The house offers a glimpse into the daily life of a Hoi An family and allows you to appreciate local art and craftsmanship.

The next stop will be the Phuc Kien (Fujian) Assembly Hall, built in the 17th century. This meeting place for residents, merchants, and visitors from the Chinese province of Fujian is an outstanding example of traditional Chinese architecture and will leave you speechless with its beauty.

Lunch at your leisure and free time at your disposal.

Finally, the tour concludes with a transfer to Danang Airport for your flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, you will be met without a guide and transferred to your hotel. Free time.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Your morning begins at 08:30 with a journey toward Ben Tre, a beautiful region of the Mekong Delta famous for its coconut candy production. You will arrive at the Phong Nam Bridge and take a boat trip on the Ben Tre River to discover local daily life. Along the canal, you can visit a kiln to observe traditional brick-making, as well as one of the many coconut processing workshops, where you can taste fresh coconut and discover how every single part of this fruit is transformed into various products.

Continue your boat trip to the village of Nhon Thanh, where you will have the opportunity to taste fresh fruit. Afterward, you will take a bicycle or Tuk-tuk ride along a small path through the villages, enjoying views of the coconut plantations, rice paddies, and vegetable gardens. This experience offers a unique opportunity to discover the natural beauty of the region and the daily lives of local residents.

After the cycling tour, you will have lunch at your leisure in a local restaurant. Subsequently, a short walk will allow you to discover local life up close and further immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Mekong Delta.

Finally, the tour continues with a boat ride along a small canal shaded by wild palms, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area and allowing you to appreciate the region’s natural beauty. This experience will leave you speechless and offer a unique opportunity to discover the true essence of the Mekong Delta.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will transfer to the pier for a boat trip to discover the Cai Rang floating market, the largest and most vibrant in the Mekong Delta. Here, you will be immersed in a multitude of colors and scents that fill the air, creating a unique and sparkling atmosphere. You will see hundreds of sampans, small traditional boats loaded with goods such as rice, fruit, and handcrafted products, ready to be sold to traders.

The Cai Rang market is a unique experience that offers you the chance to discover the daily life of local residents and the vital importance of agriculture and fishing in the Mekong Delta region.

During your visit to the floating market, you can also taste local specialties and discover the region’s culinary traditions. The sight of boats brimming with fresh fruit and vegetables, exotic spices, and artisanal products will make this an unforgettable experience.

Afterward, return to Saigon for your overnight stay.

Note: The Cai Rang market is at its most beautiful between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM.

Departure for Vung Tau to visit the Child Assistance Center, located approximately 96 km from the city center (a 2-hour journey).

Afterward, free time at Vung Tau beach.

Meals at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Return to Saigon (approx. 2-hour journey).

The day is dedicated to visiting the Independence Palace, once the seat of the South Vietnamese Presidents. Our visit includes the North Vietnamese tank that effectively stormed the palace in 1975 to end the controversial Vietnam War; the palace has five floors with rooms featuring original furnishings reflecting the style of the late ’60s and ’70s, as well as a basement bunker.

An unmissable stop in Ho Chi Minh City is the War Remnants Museum. The exhibits offer a comprehensive view of the Vietnam War that may provide a perspective quite different from what you are likely used to hearing and seeing.

Continue your pleasant tour toward the Nguyen Hue pedestrian street and walk to the city’s iconic landmark: the Saigon Central Post Office, a stunning building designed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. For the rest of the day, you are free to visit the city’s most famous market, the Ben Thanh Market, which has been open since 1870. The tour ends around 3:00 PM / 3:30 PM. The remaining time is at your leisure (guide and driver not included).

Finally, transfer to the airport in time for your flight back to Italy.

We wish you a pleasant journey home!

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