Essence of Northern Vietnam 8 days

Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam!

Afternoon

- Meet the tour guide at Noi Bai airport, then transfer to your hotel in Hanoi. 

- Check in your hotel at 2:00 pm.

NOTE: you will be able to have early check in with an additional charge. Please contact your travel consultant to book the service 

Morning

- Start your touring in Vietnam by joining a half day city tour.

NOTE: The tour departs either in the morning or in the afternoon depending on the availability. You can choose to travel by car, or by motorbike. Routes can change subject to the client’s interest.

- Visit the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam, One Pillar pagoda, Mausoleum of the President Ho Chi Minh, House on Stilts. 

NOTE: Sites are viewed from outside; The Mausoleum closed Mon and Fri and from Jun - Aug.

- Move to the picturesque West Lake and its sixth-century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. 

- Have a lunch at an authentic Vietnamese Restaurant.

- Free time at leisure for rest of the day.

Morning

- Head to Mai Chau by van, there wil be a short break along the way.

- Arrive in Mai Chau around Mid-day.

- Enjoy a welcome drink and traditional lunch in the village

NOTE: vegetarian diet is available.

Afternoon

- Join a bicyle ride to see farmers working in fields, locals weaving scarves, and visit surrounding peaceful villages.

- After that is free time for bicycling, walking, shopping.

Morning

- Have breakfast at your hotel. 

- Go to see more remote rural villages called Na Meo and Na Mo villages to understand more about their culture and customs.

- Back to the homestay for lunch and check-out around midday.

- Spend the free time for shopping and relaxing.

Afternoon

- Around 15:00 – 15:30 Say goodbye to the family to get on the bus to drive back to Hanoi.

- Arrive in Hanoi in 3.5 to 4 hours driving

- Drop in at your hotel.

Morning

- Have breakfast at the hotel

- Transferred to Halong Bay, which is listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty. 

- Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by the boat crew then check-in.

- Enjoy a cruise Halong with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. 

Afternoon

- Join many exciting activities such as visiting a cave, doing kayaking, or enjoying swimming in the sea

- Get back to the junk for relaxing and dining.

- Overnight on board.

NOTE: Each cruise has different itinerary, so the activities on cruise can vary from one to another.

Morning

- Start your day by joining an early tai-chi class, or simply waking up and witnessing the amazing sunrise on the bay.

- Enjoy a light breakfast on board.

- Continue to explore the most stunning caves in Halong.

NOTE: Depending on the cruise itinerary, there are some activities before lunch being served. 

- Gets back to the main dock for transferring to Hanoi. 

Afternoon

- Free time at your own to explore Hanoi

Morning

- Free time at your hotel until getting picked up at your hotel and taken to Noi Bai International Airport for a flight to Da Nang city.

- Arriving at the airport, our driver is currently waiting and will transfer you to the hotel in Hoi An.

- Check-in to the hotel and free at leisure for relaxing.

Morning

- Join half day walking tour, which is the best way to explore this ancient town.

- Walk along old streets, cross several old houses, see how the daily lives of local people are, and witness how historical elements of the town merge with modernity.

- Stop at some of the ancient monuments from other nations, like the Japanese Covered Bridge or Fujian Assembly Hall of the Chinese along the way.

- Enjoy a cold glass of traditional herbal drink from a street-side shop while wanderring around.

- Pass by a handicraft store, see the creation of the most notable souvenirs in town, and pick up some of them back to your hometown.

Morning

Have free time to explore the beauty of Hoi An. You can choose one of the below options:

- Option 1: Discover My Son Holly Land Half day - Visit the sacred destination to learn about Vietnam's ancient architecture and culture.

- Option 2: Life as a Farmer in Cam Thanh village - Experience the daily life of Vietnam locals in the countryside near Hoi An town. 

- Option 3: Hoi An Vespa Tour - The best way to explore hidden alleys of Hoi An town and pass by the approved local food trolley.

Morning

- Have breakfast at your hotel

- Getting picked up from your hotel in Hoian, then transfer to Hue via Hai Van pass.

NOTE: Shuttle bus or private cat will stop at some places for sightseeing and taking photos (admission fee is not included).

Morning

- Start a half day tour to discover Hue city. 

- Stop at Thien Mu Pagoda, a famous Buddhism attraction, located at the bank of the enchanting Perfume River. 

- Continue to visit the Imperial Citadel, which used to be "house” of the Nguyen Royal Family, the last dynasty in Vietnam.

- Spend time in the citadel to visit the front gate, the Flag Tower, The King’s Palace, and the Museums of Royal Antiquities, and interact with local people. 

- Next and last stop will be Dong Ba Market, the largest traditional trading place in Hue.

- Visit the market, tourists can understand more about the daily business of local sellers, their way of doing business, and will be able to purchase some interesting souvenirs before we drive you back to your hotel.

Morning

- Transfer to the airport after breakfast.

- Take a 1 hour 20 minutes flight, then arrive in Ho Chi Minh City.

- Upon arrival, our driver will wait and transfer you to the hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.

Afternoon

- Join Ho Chi Minh sightseeing tour to visit the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, and Saigon Post Office. 

- The last stop of the tour is local market where you can go for shopping, seeing local life and culture. 

- Return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, and free time for the rest of the day.

Morning

- Have breakfast at your hotel.

- Pick up at your hotel in Saigon for the travel to Ben Tre Province.

- Get on the boat to travel along Ham Luong river.

- Stop off at various local workplaces to see how the local economy works: brickwork factory, a coconut processing workshop - where you can sample fresh coconut and a mat weaving house - where straw mats are woven using a handloom. 

- Then stop at a quiet village where you can walk around the village to see how life in the Delta is.

- Board your 'xe look (a kind of motorized rickshaw) and travel into the forest to visit fruit orchards before stopping at a riverside restaurant for a delicious and filling lunch. 

Afternoon

- Board a sampan boat for a relaxing trip along narrow canals.

- Back to your hotel in Saigon around 17:00.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning

You will have this whole day to explore the daily life in Ho Chi Minh city by yourself by eitherconsult your tour guide for some recommendations or book the following tour as we suggests:

Optional 

- Option 1: Dinner Cruise on Saigon River - Immense yourself into the romantic atmostphere of Ho Chi Minh city at night while savorring a three-course meal served on board.

- Option 2: Cu Chi Tunnels & Cooking Class Full day - Learn about the rich history of Vietnam's resistance war by discover the underground paths of Cu Chi tunnel and then enjoy a self-made meal on a cooking class.

Morning

- Have leisure time before your departure.

- Transfer to the airport in Ho Chi Minh City for your onward flight.

Tour ends after arriving at the airport. We are honoured to be your companion and we hope to see you again in a near future!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: NA

Activities: Transfer to the airport for onward flight.

Check out time is at 12:00. Please contact your travel consultant if you want late check out.