Classic Vietnam tour

THROUGH CLASSIC VIETNAM TOUR, YOU WILL DISCOVER

Day 1 : Arrive Hanoi

Upon arrival to Hanoi, our guide and driver will be waiting to welcome you and transfer to the hotel for check in. After checking in, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 : Hanoi city tour (B, L)

Depart after a hearty breakfast for the city discovery, the first visit of the day begins at the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam. Over the past 1,000 years, through the ups and downs of time and history, the relics still retain the architecture of the Le and the Nguyen Dynasty.

Visit the Ho Chi Minh complex which includes exterior of the solemn mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh. Nearby is the former president’s house on stilts, where he lived from 1958 to 1969. Continue to The One Pillar Pagoda, founded in 1049.

Walk leisurely along picturesque West Lake to the 6th century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda then stroll along the lake shore to the nearby Taoist temple of Quan Thanh.

During the afternoon, visit the Ethnology Museum (closed on Mondays), this fascinating place offers a glimpse of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities. Alternatively, visit the Vietnam Women’s Museum to learn all about the important roles of Vietnamese women in history and society of the country.

Continue to visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter with a walking tour through vibrant Hang Be market and around Hoan Kiem lake. Enjoy getting lost in these narrow streets and alleyways where considered as paradise of small family businesses and shopkeepers.

In the evening, enjoy a special Water Puppet show, a uniquely Vietnamese art performance depicting scenes from rural life.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3 : Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hanoi (B, L)

Depart from hotel in Hanoi for the 2-hour drive to the site of Vietnam’s former capital, Hoa Lu. Visit the two royal temples of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80) and of the Le Dynasty (980-1009). Learn about why the place was chosen for the capital land. If time permits, hike up one of the limestone towers nearby for some spectacular panoramic photos.

Lately, depart for lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, board a private sampan in Trang An.

Trang An is a beautiful nature reserve area with surrounding limestone hills and peaceful rivers, which passes through a series of caves. Trang An is a trully “eco tourism” area as the only interruptions you may have here are the sound of birds and cicadas plus the gentle paddle flapping the crystal clear river.

Transfer back to Hanoi at end of the afternoon.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4 : Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight boat cruise (B, L, D)

After breakfast, leave Hanoi for a 4-hour scenic drive to Halong Bay. Arrive at the jetty in Halong City and after the welcome briefing on board, a buffet lunch will be served while the boat cruises towards the bay center. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities like visiting the cave or taking a row boat to the floating villages (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just relaxing on the beach or the boat sundeck. At end of the afternoon the vessel anchors for the night in a tranquil area. Set dinner is served on board.

Overnight on boat in Halong Bay.

Day 5 : Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Danang – Hoi An (B, L)

If you wish, get up early to join the crew for a morning Tai Chi lesson on the boat’s sundeck. Enjoy the fresh morning as the sun rises on Halong Bay and breakfast is served while the vessels glides leisurely through the spectacular rock formations towards the port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi for onward flight to Danang.

After an hour flight, arrive in Danang and transfer to Hoi An, an Asian trading port of 17th and 18th centuries, where the architecture and lifestyle hasn’t changed much over the years.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 6 : Hoi An city tour (B, L)

This morning, spend a half day for Hoi An countryside explorations with a private Vespa tour. Set out around 8AM, hop on the back of a vintage Vespa motorbike and weave through the old town. The tour will then head to Cam Kim island’s buzzing fishing port, stop at a traditional boat builder’s yard before continuing to discover other local villages.

Traversing the rustic scenery of rice paddies and vegetable farmland, stop along the way, visit a local family and learn the art of mat weaving, farming, and how to make (and sample) the perfect “banh dap” (rice cracker). Stop at a roadside local café in a small village to try local drip-coffee before crossing the bamboo bridge to the opposite riverbank. Arrive at local market and harbour.

Finally, cross Cua Dai Bridge for a delicious lunch in the middle of the rice fields (if weather permits).

The tour will end around 1PM then transfer back to the hotel.

Take a walking tour of the ancient town in the afternoon to visit Tan Ky ancient house, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a communal hall and the colourful riverside market.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 7 : Hoi An – Danang – Hue (B, L)

Today leave Hoi An for Hue. On the way, drive through Danang and visit the Cham Museum which displays the finest Cham sculptures collection in the world, then climb over scenic Hai Van pass, the Pass of Ocean Clouds, and descending down to the wonderfully scenic fishing village at Lang Co.

Arrive Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. It is the only place that preserves many historical, cultural, architectural and artistic values of the whole country.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 8 : Hue city tour (B, L)

Start your day at the Imperial Citadel enclose the royal palace where the Nguyen Dynasty reigned between 1802 and 1945. From here, walk along under a long corridor to Tinh Tam lake where Emperors used to come for relax.

Next, depart for Thien Mu Pagoda (Celestial Lady Pagoda) overlooking the Perfume River. Continue to former emperor Minh Mang’s tranquil tomb setting within the lovely gardens and ponds.

Drive to the city for Dong Ba market, stroll around the market, one of the must-visits in Hue: The material culture of Hue remains so far can be found in the Dong Ba market and also traditional Hue dishes. The market has become an ingredient hub for international restaurants and hotels selling Hue specialties to tourists.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 9 : Hue – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City – Half day city tour (B, L)

After breakfast, take a short transfer to Hue airport for the short flight to young and dynamic Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon for the former name.

Today, you will have a half day city tour visiting the former Presidential Palace, War Remnants Museum and stroll to the major colonial sights of Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Opera House and City Hall.

Get back to the city centre for a visit of Ben Thanh Market with an incredible display of fresh produce. Walk through the market shops exploring the variety of items displayed for sale.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 10 : Ho Chi Minh City – Sa Dec – Cai Be – Mekong cruise (B, L)

Depart from Saigon for the 3-hour drive to Sa Dec, deep in the Mekong Delta.

Sa Dec is an authentic Mekong Delta town that the charm was immortalized by Marguerite Duras the French writer. Upon arrival, visit Kien An Cung pagoda before having lunch in the home of Huynh Thuy Le, the main character in Marguerite Duras’ novel.

After lunch, embark a wooden boat to cruise to Cai Be. From boat beck, enjoy the lush landscape and tropical river life of the Mekong Delta. Along the cruise, stop to visit flower garden, floating houses where people raise fish underneath their houses in submerged cages along a branch of the Mekong river. Make a stop to visit a traditional mat weaving workshop where local women use river grasses to weave mats.

Reach the riverside city of Vinh Long to visit one of a brick and terracotta factory, biggest one in the Mekong Delta where traditional process of making terracotta pots and vases by hand and the imagery is still used.

Continue to the Mekong Riverside resort & spa which is perfectly located by a branch of the Mekong river.

Overnight at Mekong Riverside resort & spa in Cai Be.

Day 11 : Cai Be – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)

It’s an early start to the day as you go by boat the daily floating market of Cai Be.

Continue by boat to a less visited area of the Mekong Delta to take a leisurely 7km cycling trip crossing some tiny canals, passing through fruit gardens and sleepy villages. Alternatively, hop on a Xe Loi (a trailer towed from the back of a bicycle) – a mode of transport found only in the Mekong delta. On the way, visit traditional workshops turmeric spring roll paper.

Arrive at an orchard where the variety of tropical fruits are grown, meet the war veteran owner, who will share stories from his life as well as display his garden to sample some fresh tropical fruits.

Cycle to a beautiful 100-year-old house which has mixture of Vietnamese and European styles. Enjoy a Vietnamese lunch with Mekong Delta delicacies before wave farewell to the family and depart for Saigon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 12 : Ho Chi Minh Ville – Departure (B)

Have free morning before transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport  to take the flight to your next destination.

You might be interested in our Southern Vietnam’s discovery, otherwise look for other interesting options in our Vietnam multi-destination tours!