Arrival Hanoi airport, welcomed by your guide & driver then transfer to hotel for check in.

 

Hanoi or “River-bound City” as its name literally means is Vietnam’s capital with a thousand-year-old history dating back to 1010. The city’s fascinating beauty which is characterized by unique cultural relics, ancient streets of antique houses, elegant French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and romantic lakes has made it one of the most charming cities of Asia.

 

Meal: None

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Morning, take a full day city tour beginning with Ho Chi Minh Complex which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. At the complex, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the nation’s founder’s body is preserved (closed on Monday, Friday and through October – November), the colonial Presidential Palace, originally the French Governor Office and a fine example of French architecture in Hanoi, and the rural style Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. Stop by one of Hanoi’s icons, the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th Century in dedication to Buddha of Compassion and reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond. Continue to the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars.

 

Afternoon, continue the tour to one of the following museums of choice namely the Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Vietnamese History, the Museum of Revolution, the Museum of Military History or the Museum of Ethnology. Go to Hoan Kiem Lake, the center point of Hanoi whose name “The Returned Sword Lake” originated from a legend of a sacred sword and home to a rare endangered giant turtle species and visit Ngoc Son Temple on the lake. Next, take a one-hour cycle tour of the Old Quarter of Hanoi with its ancient streets representing traditional trades from the past. Finish the tour at the Thang Long Opera Theatre with a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show.

 

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Pickup from your hotel at 8:00 AM for transfer to Ha Long Bay, approximately 160 km or a 3.5-hour drive. Arrive in Ha Long City around noon and check in aboard the booked junk after enjoying a welcome drink. Begin your cruise with lunch on board and take in the stunning views of the bay.

 

Ha Long Bay means Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as legend has it that it was where a holy dragon landed down from sky. The bay, famous as one of the world’s wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2. The bay cruise will continue with up close sightings of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, a visit to Sung Sot Cave and swimming stop at Titov Beach. Relax to enjoy the bay view at sunset. After dinner, go fishing or relax. Spend a night on board.

 

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight on cruises in Ha Long Bay 

Wake up at 06:30 AM and refresh your body and mind with a Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck. Tai Chi is an ancient internal martial art often practiced in soft and gracefully slow moves to enhance internal harmony and vitality. Have tea and coffee onboard before proceeding to Titov Islet or SoiSim Island to trek and swim. Check out at 09:30, have a buffet brunch while cruising back to shore. Disembark at 11:00 AM. Transfer back to Hanoi. Free at leisure until transfer to airport for flight to Hue

 

Arriving at Hue airport, meet your guide & driver then transfer to hotel for check in.

 

Meal: Brunch

Overnight at hotel in Hue

Morning, meet your guide at hotel and take a full day tour of Hue City, the former Imperial Capital of Vietnam for the 1802-1945 period and the last refuge of Vietnamese feudalism. The city’s beauty is characterized by a natural scenic landscape and an extensive variety of historical relics. Begin with Hue Citadel, a well-known UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site which is a 520 ha fortress-like grand complex built in the early 1800s and featuring three enclosures separated by heavy ramparts namely Kinh Thanh Hue (Civic City) as the outer, Hoang Thanh (Royal City) as the middle and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden City) as the inner. Continue to Khai Dinh Tomb, the burial site of Vietnam’s second-to-last king, and the most elaborate compared to other kings’ tombs. The tomb shows a vivid European influence in architecture despite its Asian style.

 

Afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Perfume River to enjoy the open view of the river and its surroundings. Stop along the way and land on shore to visit two prominent historical landmarks namely the Minh Mang Tomb, where the 2nd Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty was buried, and Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery overlooking the river from a vantage point with its origin dating back to 1601. Last, explore Dong Ba market, which is the city’s traditional commercial center.

 

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Hue

Free at leisure until transfer to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass (Ocean Cloud Pass). Enjoy a stunning headland-and-bay panoramic view from the pass, which for miles hugs the mountainside along the shoreline and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. On the way, stop to visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture built in 1915 and housing the world’s most extensive collection of Cham ethnic sculpture artworks and the Marble Mountains, whose peaks represent the five basic elements of the universe.

 

Arriving at Hoi An, check in hotel and relax.

 

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Hoi An

Meet your guide at the hotel and transfer approximately 40 km west of Hoi An to visit My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site. My Son was once a religious center for the Cham people, where royal ceremonies and burials were conducted. It represents a significant example of the Champa civilization, which existed as an independent state from around the 2nd to the 17th century before being absorbed into southern Vietnam. The site features impressive Hindu-themed ruins, including stone sculptures, temples, and towers set in a tropical jungle. My Son also served as a political center and royal burial ground, consisting of over 70 structures dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses, with Shiva being the most prominent, revered as the protector of the Champa kings. The skillful use of red bricks and sandstone is remarkable. This Hindu sanctuary is reminiscent of other notable sites in Southeast Asia, such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and is a must-visit for history enthusiasts.

 

Afternoon, transfer back to Hoi An to explore the ancient town. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Hoi An is celebrated for its well-preserved architecture, lifestyles, and traditions. The town’s charm lies in its unique blend of Vietnamese culture with influences from China, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines. Visit key attractions, including the iconic 400-year-old Covered Bridge, which features a Japanese-style temple. Continue to the Museum of Trade Ceramics, an elegant Vietnamese-style wooden house showcasing antique ceramic artifacts since 1858. Explore the Tan Ky House, a 200-year-old Chinese merchant residence, and the Ong Temple, built in 1653 by Chinese settlers to honor Guan Yu, an ancient Chinese general known for his loyalty, bravery, and justice. Conclude your tour with a visit to the vibrant Hoi An market.

 

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Hoi An

Free at leisure until transfer to Danang airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, welcome by your guide and transfer to hotel for check in. Ho Chi Minh City, formerly named Saigon, is the largest city and economic center of Vietnam, always bustling with activities of modern life. It is where businesses converge and shoppers indulge themselves into unlimited choices. However, the city also carries with it a rich historical legacy in contrast with its dazzling glamor.

 

Afternoon, take a city tour to visit the War Remnants Museum which features a comprehensive collection of the machinery, weapons, photos, and documentation of the Vietnam War with both the French and Americans and the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until the end of April 1975. Last, stop for shopping at the French-built Ben Thanh Market which dates back to 1870 and whose main entrance clock tower has become a city’s symbol.

 

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh 

Morning, transfer to Tay Ninh Province, 99 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, to visit the Great Temple, also known as the Holy See Temple, of the Cao Dai religion native to the province. Established in 1926, Cao Dai is a monotheistic faith whose name means “Way of the Highest Lord.” Its symbol, the left eye, represents the Highest Lord’s clairvoyant power and wisdom. The religion incorporates elements of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and even Catholicism. The Great Temple, built in 1933, features a unique cross-architectural style that reflects the blended nature of the religion. The temple holds prayer sessions four times daily (suspended during Tet), with the noon sessions being the most popular. On weekdays, a few hundred worshippers attend, but during festivals, the number can reach several thousand.

Afternoon, transfer to visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, a major underground hideout and resistance base of the Viet Cong during the wars against the French and Americans. This hand-dug network of interlinked, multi-level passageways stretched as far as the Cambodian border, totaling over 120 km in length. The tunnels included meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches, and emergency exits, all designed for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and resilient enough to withstand bombings and prolonged sieges. Today, about 100 km of the tunnels remain, with only a few sections open for visitors to explore.

 

Note: Please wear respectfully inside the temple; no shorts or sleeveless T-shirts.

 

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Meet your guide at the hotel, then transfer approximately 136 km to Vinh Long, which takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

 

Though not the largest town in the Mekong Delta, Vinh Long is the gateway to island life, including the Cai Be floating market, rural homestays, and abundant orchards, making it a highlight of a Mekong journey. Embark on a boat cruise to the lively Cai Be floating market, where sellers and buyers engage in dynamic exchanges from their boats. A unique feature of this market is the large Catholic cathedral on the riverside, providing a memorable backdrop for photographs. Continue through a maze of shady canals to Binh Hoa Phuoc Island. The island offers a picturesque landscape of lush vegetation, zigzagging canals, peaceful villages, and rural activities. On the island, visit local farmers’ homes, interact with friendly hosts, and learn about their trades, including bonsai gardening, tile and ceramic production, and rice paper and coconut candy making. After the tour, transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Note: it’s best to arrive early in the morning to see Cai Be floating market in the busiest time when wholesalers on big boats moor and hang samples of their goods from tall wooden poles.   

 

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Leisure time until transfer to Mui Ne in Phan Thiet province by private car with driver. Arrival at Mui Ne beach and check in.

 

Meal: Breakfast 

Overnight at hotel in Mui Ne

Enjoy your free time at Mui Ne Beach, renowned for its stunning sandy shores and crystal-clear waters. Relax under the sun, take a refreshing dip, or explore the scenic coastline at your own pace. For the adventurous, try kitesurfing or windsurfing in this popular water sports destination. Alternatively, unwind with a leisurely stroll along the beach or savor local seafood at a beachfront restaurant. Make the most of this tranquil escape in Mui Ne.

 

Meal: Breakfast 

Overnight at hotel in Mui Ne

Free at leisure time in Mui Ne beach.

 

Meal: Breakfast 

Overnight at hotel in Mui Ne

Morning, transfer back to Ho Chi Minh airport by private car for flight departure.

 

Meal: Breakfast