Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Hanoi Arrival

Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, our guide and driver will welcome you and transfer you to hotel in Hanoi. The rest of your day is at leisure for independent exploration – just catch a sight of Hoan Kiem lake or explore the maze of streets in the city’s fascinating Old Quarter where you are certain to find something unique to buy.

Overnight: Hanoi

Meal: No Meal

Day 2Hanoi

On the morning of day 2 we take a city tour to Ho Chi Minh complex, his house on stilts and the museum and One Pillar Pagoda. We also make a visit to the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, which is now dedicated to Confucian worship and “Hanoi Hilton” –a nick name given by US pilots during the war. In the afternoon we attend a performance of traditional water puppetry.

Overnight: Hanoi

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3Halong Bay Cruise (Join group)

08.00 – 08.30 Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi by shuttle bus.

12.00 Embark at Hon Gai International harbour.

13.00 Check-in, enjoy a welcoming drink and cruise briefing.

13.30 Have lunch while cruising in the magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.

15.00 Cruise to Cap La.

16.30 Enjoy paddling around Cap La and Tra San by kayak.

17.45 Back to junk for swimming or relaxation.

19.00 Have dinner and stay overnight on board. Overnight on board Dragon Pearl cruiser

Overnight: on the board

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4Hanoi –Hue

07.30 Enjoy the fresh air and gentle breezes of the bay in the morning while having breakfast on board.

08.30 Visit Thien Canh Son Cave followed by swimming.

10.30 Cruise towards the harbour while an a la carte lunch is served.

11.45 Disembark. Farewell.

16.45 Arrive in Hanoi. Take overnight train to Hue.

Overnight: On the train

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5Hue

Arriving in Hue at 8.30 in the morning, we are picked up at train station and transferred to your hotel. Founded as a royal city in 1687, Hue is the gateway to the treasures of Vietnam’s royal past. Today Hue remains one of Vietnam’s major tourist attractions. This quiet city is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built under the Nguyen dynasty in a poetic background of greenery on the banks of the Perfume river.

Overnight: Hue

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6Hue-Hoi An

We have the opportunity with a tour around town, a great way to get off the beaten track & see Vietnam in close-up, On this action packed day you will see the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City, the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the king’s tombs and Bunker Hill. You will feast on a Buddhist vegetarian lunch at a pagoda, see the making of incense and conical hats, visit the ruined Tiger Arena and also enjoy a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River. If time permits we take a short walk to visit Dong Ba market. This truly is a fabulous day full of outstanding photographic opportunities. In the afternoon we jump in our private car for a 3 hour scenic drive to Hoi An.

Overnight: Hoi An

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7Hoi An

Once a thriving river port, the town’s architecture has been preserved and restored. This small town is a favorite with Australian travelers, and wandering the streets and narrow alleyways brings hours of pleasure and discovery. Today’s trade is in ceramics, wood-ware, paintings and tailoring. There is something here for everyone and it is the perfect place to pick up gifts for those at home. There are options here for a visit to the traditional handicraft villages of Kim Bong carpentry, Thanh Ha ceramics or simply lazing the day away on a nearby beach. Also, we take a half day tour to My Son sanctuary, a large complex of religious monuments comprised of more than 70 architectural works built by the nobility of the Champa Kingdom from the 4th century.

Overnight: Hoi An

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh

A short flight brings us to the emerging economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City (approx. 1 hour). Our hotel is located close to Ben Thanh Market and the city’s main shopping district, so there is much for you to discover on your own and you will have plenty of interesting and fun ideas. How about scooting off on cyclos to Cholon, the Chinatown area of Ho Chi Minh City for a spot of temple hopping? Or perhaps you’d like to visit the Vietnamese version of a department store for some shopping – the choice is yours! Afternoon follows the journey to Cu Chi Tunnels – 50 kilometers west of Saigon. It is used to be the basement of VC during Vietnam War. The tunnel created from French war but getting widen and famous in Vietnam War. Upon arrival; we have a short documentary film about Cu Chi before enjoying a trip around the revolutionary base. The local tour guide will show you how people live, struggle, produce, and learn during the war time here. You will also have chance to head to the real tunnel. The tunnel now is opened for tourists but they still keep some original part for sightseeing.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam with a population of just over eight million people. The huge number of people rushing about their daily lives gives Ho Chi Minh City a dynamic atmosphere. Today we take a tour around the city, you are going to visit the Reunification Palace, War remnants museum, Municipal Theatre, Notre Dame Cathedral, The General Post Office.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh

Meal: Breakfas, Lunch

Day 10Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta

On day 10 we travel south to Cai Be (approx. 3 hours), we board our waiting boats to cross the upper Mekong River and explore its intricate waterways. This is our introduction to a world where life depends on the river. We take a 2 hour cycling trip along the country road with beautiful landscapes and rural communities, we visit a fruit orchard where we can sample tropical fruits, before continuing on to visit some local cottage industries. Around sunset we make our way up one of the many canals to our home-stay. Our treat this evening is a wonderful meal of Delta specialties before settling down under our mosquito nets for the night. Home-stay in Vinh Long.

Overnight: home-stay in Vinh Long

Meal: Breakfas, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh

Wake up early with the sounds of the Delta coming to life for another day, we have breakfast and start our trip with a boat cruise on sparking streams along the endless waterway of Mighty Mekong River to visit a floating market. There will be hundreds of boats loaded with fruits, vegetables and fish jostling for trade. Sellers advertise their wares by crying out across the waters. Leaving the market, you will re-board our car for the drive back to Sai Gon. We return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh

Meal: Breakfas, Lunch

Day 12Ho Chi Minh Departure

Free at leisure before transfer to the airport to catch your flight back home.

Meal: Breakfas

Services End