Essence of Vietnam from South to North

THROUGH ESSENCE OF VIETNAM FROM SOUTH TO NORTH TOUR, YOU WILL DISCOVER

Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, be welcome by your guide and transfer to the hotel. Take the rest of the day for free at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh city tour (B, L)

Depart the hotel and drive to Cholon Chinatown to discover the markets and visit Thien Hau Pagoda. Visit the FITO Museum to see an astonishing collection of over 3,000 items which are relevant to the Vietnamese traditional medicine.

Return to district one to discover Ben Thanh Market, one of the biggest markets in Saigon.

Visit War Remnants Museum then choose to visit History Museum (closed Mondays) or the former Presidential Palace. Then visit colonial sites of Ho Chi Minh City such as Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi (formerly Rue Catinat), Opera House and the nearby city.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)

At 8 AM, leave bustling Ho Chi Minh City for the delta town of Cai Be.

On arrival, board your boat for the lunch on the Delta’s waterways. Visit the Cai Be’s floating market, once a whole sale fruits and vegetables trade and these days a quiet market due to the road system has been much more convenient.

Then, visit local factory where villagers produced “pop-rice”, coconut, rice paper are made. Enjoy a late lunch with local Mekong style for specialties. After lunch, return to Ho Chi Minh City, arrive in late afternoon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City – Flight to Danang – Hoi An (B)

From Tan Son Nhat airport, take a short flight to Danang. Transfer to Hoi An. If time permits stop to visit Cham Museum. Arrive Hoi An and embark on a walking tour through Hoi An town, visit the old aged homes, the Japanese Bridge and the colorful market by the river.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 5: Hoi An – Danang – Flight to Hanoi (B)

Transfer back to Danang airport for the flight to Hanoi.

Begin the tour to discover Hanoi at the Temple of Literature. Built during 1076 and became Vietnam’s first university. Visiting temple to have a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past glory. The first university of Vietnam was built in 1070 and was the place where the royal family educated the mandarins and elite class. Next, visit Ho Chi Minh complex which comprises of the Imposing mausoleum and his house on stilts. Visit the nearby One Pillar Pagoda, founded in 1049, which sits on a column in the middle of a lake.

After midday break, visit interesting Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays) to learn about the 53 minorities of Vietnam.

Alternatively, visit the Vietnam Women’s Museum which offers fascinating insight into the lives and roles of Vietnamese women.

Walk through the Old Quarter’s streets and colorful markets near Hoan Kiem Lake. The Old Quarter in Hanoi is also well known for the pop-up business. Enjoy the world acclaimed Water Puppet performance.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D)

In the morning, transfer to Halong Bay for 3.5 hours with refreshing break on the way. Arrive and precede registration onboard. Enjoy lunch on the boat and cruise leisurely toward the bay center. Depends on different boats, the activities onboard may be varied, enjoy sightseeing, exploring cave activities or just spend time on sundeck.

Overnight on Halong Bay boat.

Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Departure (B, L)

Enjoy breakfast in Halong Bay’s fresh opened air while the cruise slowly moves back toward the harbor. Meet your driver and transfer to Hanoi Airport for the onward flight to the next destination.

You might be interested in our Classic Vietnam tour, otherwise look for other interesting options in our Vietnam multi-destination tours!