Unique Cultural Beauty Of Vietnam

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be met by our tour guide and transferred to the center of Hanoi. The rest of the day is free on your own. You will enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Check-in time: from 2:00 p.m. Earlier check-in is possible for a surcharge
Transfer airport - hotel: 30km (40-45 min.)

Today we have plenty of time to discover Hanoi. We start our city-trip by a visit of the Temple of Literature, which was constructed in 1070 and served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigid exams in the feudal ages with their names, birthdays and birthplaces engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. We also bring a visit to the Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Quan Thanh Temple. In the afternoon we visit the Ethnographic Museum which offers informative and well-documented displays of the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including colorful and intricate hill tribe costumes. The display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. Finally, you will get to discover the Old Quarter, also known as the “36 Streets & Corporations”. This is a veritable labyrinth of lanes, each of which is specialized in a trade or art, enjoy an “egg coffee” - a special drink in Hanoi. Watch the water puppet show in the late afternoon. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

After breakfast, leaving behind all the noise of the outside world to visit a peaceful village, and experience a cooking class. You will be very welcome by a girl – also the host. She will bring you to visit a traditional house and a bonsai garden. When you drink a cup of tea (green tea, operculatus tea, ethretia tea, etc. - other leaves in the garden), she also will introduce to you the tour program and other activities. Later, you, your tour guide and the host will walk to a local market, where the villagers exchange their agricultural products to choose ingredients for your cooking study. Then you will start to learn cooking. Lastly, you will enjoy your handmade food in an exploring space, sharing and happiness! In the afternoon, you will visit Quang Phu Cau incense making village,  a traditional handicraf village that will bring you an authentic and unique experience, you will go into the village factory, to see and explore the incense-making process, including bamboo chopping, dipping the sticks in dye, and the creation of incense paste. Then back to Hanoi to overnight at hotel here. 

We leave Hanoi in the morning and drive towards Mai Chau, a picturesque valley where the majority of inhabitants are White Thai people. During the ride you will be impressed by the fast changing variety in landscapes which you see through the window. After passing Hoa Binh, we enter the real mountainous areas. We enter the area which is the homeland of the Muong minority, a close cousin tribe of the Vietnamese people living in the Delta. They share the region with the White Thai people who live densely in Mai Chau Valley. Arrive in Mai Chau around noon and have lunch here. In the afternoon, a walk or cycle to neighbouring villages to explore the living way of White Thai people. Dinner and enjoy a traditional dance show of the Thai hill tribe and drink Ruou Can, a wine made from mountainous rice which will be without a doubt an experience for life. Overnight at homestay in Mai Chau.
Transfer Hanoi- Mai Chau: 140 km (3 -3.5 hours)

Leaving the peaceful valley of Thai poeple, we drive towards Ninh Binh, situated 150km from Mai Chau. Transfer to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, visit Dinh and Le temples, the two of the oldest and most sacred structures in Hoa Lu are the ancient temples to the founders of the Dinh and Le dynasties. In the afternoon, continue to visit Tam Coc, excursion in a rowing boat to admire a magnificent and enchanting natural landscape. Cross the 3 caves of Tam Coc which pierce the mountains- a spectacle that is both sublime and relaxing! After this moment of boating, you will go for a bike ride to all the Bich Dong pagodas built on the hillside. Stay overnight in the hotel.
Transfer Mai Chau– Tam Coc: 150km (3.5 – 4 hours)
Cycling time and distance: 1 hour/ 5 - 6km
Visiting time: 3 hours
Boat time: 2 hours

After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer to Lan Ha Bay. Along the way, enjoy the diverse landscape, ranging from rice plantations to the meandering rivers, very typical of the Red River Delta. Arrive at the boat pier around noon. We board our cruise to discover this spectacular place. Lunch is served on board as the cruise glides through numerous islands and limestone rocks rising from the emerald waters. It is the idea place to relax and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Discover the truest beauty of the limestone mountains and the blue sky of Lan Ha Bay by a kayak or a rowing boat. Back to the cruise and enjoy a sunset party before savoring a fresh seafood dinner on board. A sweet night on the cruise in your private cabin.
Transfer Tam Coc – Lan Ha: 215km (4-4.5hours)
Note: The cruise itinerary is subject to change without prior notice, in accordance with the weather condition, tide level, and other operating condition

Morning view of Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast in the fresh air. Explore one of the well-hidden cave. Check out of the cabin. Start cruising towards the harbor while a brunch is served. Disembark the boat and transfer back to Hanoi. Then, you will have about 1.5 - 2 hours free to visit Hanoi Old Quarter before catching night train to Hue - shared cabin (4 sleeping berth/cabin). Overnight on train.
Transfer Lan Ha - Hanoi: 180km (3.5 – 4h hours)
Train Hanoi- Hue: 13 hours  (from 19:30 PM to 09:00 AM)

Arrive in Hue train station at around 09:00 AM, you will have breakfast at local restaurant. Then, we start exploring the historic city of Hue. We will take a boat trip on the poetic Perfume River. Stop to visit Thien Mu Pagoda (Celestial Lady Pagoda) built in 1601 - the symbol of Hue city. Continue cruising toward Thuy Bieu eco-village, an old laid-back village situated on the bank of Perfume River known for its green tea fruit orchards. Arrive in Thuy Bieu eco-village, join the cooking class to prepare Hue’s signature dishes with our chef’s instruction. After lunch, relaxing by steeping your foot in with medicinal herbs water - a traditional therapeutically practice. The afternoon is reserved for walking through the peaceful village, visiting several communal houses, temples, the garden-house, a typical and unique feature of Hue. Drive back to the center of Hue city and visit the Imperial Citadel - the Vietnam's last imperial dynasty, a moat-walled fortress built in the early 19th century. Within these walls is the Forbidden Purple City and the former residence of the royal family. Stay overnight at hotel in Hue. 

After breakfast, we visit the imperial tomb of Tu Duc which was built on an area of 12 hectares in a valley of Thuong Ba Village. Located in the middle of a beautiful landscape of mountains and lakes, Emperor Tu Duc liked to spend his free time in this place and therefore found his final resting place there. Later, admire the Khai Dinh king’s tomb that was built in the early 20th century as the final resting place of Emperor Khai Dinh, who ruled Vietnam from 1916 to 1925. It is the most magnificent, costly and beautiful tomb compared to other Hue royal tombs. Then visit Dong Ba market, a valuable trading center of Hue City for the local people, where you can buy typical souvenirs of Hue. Overnight at hotel in Hue.

Breakfast at the hotel. Then start your journey on the Mandarin Road towards Da Nang. We drive over the Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Sea Clouds), and enjoy a magnificent view of the whole city of Da Nang with white sandy beaches and lush forests. Don't miss the opportunity to capture impressive nature images with your camera! Upon arrival, a small city tour awaits you in Hoi An, one of the largest trading ports in Southeast Asia, which was founded between the 15th and the 19th century. Stroll through the narrow and winding streets of the old quarter with your guide to visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tam Ky Ancestral House, and the Japanese Bridge. The old town of Hoi An with its narrow streets and small shops is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Transfer Hue - Hoi An: 145km/ about 3 – 3,5 hours

After breakfast, we take the car or bike to Cam Thanh village which is famous for water coconut palm trees. Then, embarking on a unique round basket boat cruise along the canal. The experienced fishermen will show and teach you how to catch scrabs among staying in coconut roots. After that, take a nice biking to Tra Que Village - a peaceful village which is very well-known for planting herbal vegetables to supply for Hoi An and surroundings. You will meet farmers, get involved in village life there and try local cuisine. Back to hotel and free at your own leisure. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Bike tour: 2-2.5 hours
Basket boat tour: 1 hour

After breakfast, you will free at your leisure to discover Hoi An old town or go to the beach until transfer to Danang airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), which is located on the Saigon River and is known for its elegant avenues and French colonial buildings. Afternoon, we experience the hustle and bustle of this big city with a city tour. You will be visiting the General Post Office, then continue to visit The Reunification Palace, which was formerly known as Presidential Palace and was the residence of the president of South Vietnam until the end of April 1975. Next on the sightseeing list is pagoda of the Emperor of Jade, icon of the inhabitants of Saigon and venerated for a hundred years. The prayers of the faithful (passing through) would increase fertility and even influence it. Another site that cannot be missed is the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.
Transfer Hoi An – Danang airport: 30km (45 min.)
Flight Danang – Saigon: 1h20 hours
Transfer Saigon airport – hotel: 9 - 15km (30-40 min.)

This morning, after breakfast, we will visit the Cu Chi Tunnel, situated 40 km northwest from Ho Chi Minh City. This complex of underground tunnels stretching over more than 250 km and was made by the Viet Cong guerillas during the war against the Americans. The cleverly constructed tunnel was the key to victory over the modern American forces. During our excursion we also learn more about what ‘Viet Cong life’ looked like during these times. After that, we transfer to the Mekong Delta, a region known as the "rice bowl" of Vietnam due to its fertile lands. This area is crisscrossed by nine branches of the Mekong River, which contributes to its regular flooding. Upon arrival in Cai Be, we will board a small boat that will take us to Lodge which is surrounded by picturesque orchards and canals, providing a tranquil and harmonious setting. After check-in, you will have a short biking or walking trip in around 1,5 hours to visit villages and orchards nearby the Lodge, countryside sigh seeing and visit Kim Phuoc Pagoda. Stay overnight at lodge in Cai Be.
Transfer Saigon – Cu Chi tunnel - Cai Be: 180km (4 – 4.5 hours)

In the morning, while enjoying breakfast at the lodge, you can also observe the peaceful daily life of the locals there. After breakfast, boat trip to  explore the lively Cai Be market, visit local handicrafts (handmade coconut candy & Vietnamese pop rice). Then back to lodge, have a shower and do the check out, then have lunch. Transfer back to Saigon. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.
Transfer Cai Be - Saigon: 125km (2h – 2h30)

Free time until transfer to the airport for the journey home.
Have safe flights to come back home and we always look forward to serving you for next vacations! See you again!
Transfer hotel – airport: 10 km (30 - 40 min. – because of crowded city)