Vietnam – Dynamic Experience

Welcome to Hanoi – The Capital City of Vietnam!
Upon arrival, welcomed by the local tour guide and transferred to downtown to check in the hotel.
Have a short break to freshen up before gearing up the exploration.
Afternoon, have an overall view of the capital by a “cyclo” visit, which will go through the fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses also known as ‘The 36 Streets’ – each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics to crafts and from medicines to tombstones. Drop by at Ngoc Son Temple located on the Hoan Kiem Lake. From here walking around the Old Quarter streets for a food tour to explore the authentic Viet cuisine. Together with your tour guide’s introduction, you will have chance to taste the delicious food including Banh mi (bread), Pho (noodle) or Bún Chả, Chè (Sweet Soup), Fresh Spring Roll. End of the day, walking long the history Long Bien Bridge, view the sunset slipping down to Hong River. Taste Egg coffee/Salt coffee while wandering. 
End of your trip with a 30 minutes food massage at a spa. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Note: check-in at the hotel is at 2pm. Early check in is subject to hotel availability.
Optional: Enjoy Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre.
 

Have breakfast at hotel. 
In the morning, we will start our city tour from Ba Dinh Square where the most solemn ceremonies of Hanoi take place. We first visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Closed on Monday and Friday) where is the last rest place of Ho Chi Minh President, we then visit One-Pillar pagoda nearby with unique architecture first built on 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong. Continue visiting Ho Chi Minh Resident including the wooden ethnic minority style house, which was built on stilts, is surrounded by lovely peaceful gardens and his fish pond. Continue to visit Hoa Lo Prison, also known as Maison Centrale, well-known as one of the most inhuman prisons with terrified punishment. In this prison, you’ll see the horrified iron shackles and many artifacts and photographs of prisoners who are wearing leg chains. Prisoners often starved, tortured, are always beaten and isolated. Thereby, visitors can understand the spirit of the revolutionary soldiers and their sacrifice for their communist ideals. 
Afternoon let’s warm-up our biking tour by cycling around the West Lake, the largest lake of Hanoi. West Lake is also a religious area of the city with dozens of pagodas, temples and old villages. Our guide and driver will take you to the West Lake, where a truck with your bikes is waiting for you. The first stop is Tran Quoc pagoda, the oldest pagoda of North Vietnam founded 1,400 years ago during Kind Ly Nam De empire. Continue riding to West Lake Palace “Phu Tay Ho” worshipping Mother of Goddess, 1 of 4 most legendary characters of Vietnam. Also cycling to Lotus Pond, lotus is the national flower to take photos during sunset (best time from July to October). End the round 18km, your private vehicle will take you back to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Note: This cycling round doesn’t require stamina so you please avoid wearing tight and short clothes like short skirts or short clothes when visiting pagodas/temples. Also don’t make noise when you’re in the pagodas.
 

Have breakfast at hotel. A 90km driving south of Hanoi will lead you to Ninh Binh, the site of the one capital city of ancient Vietnam before Hanoi took its leading role in 11th century. The area is featured by lots of well-known sceneries, which include Tam Coc Caves and Hoa Lu ancient capital with the old temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le reigned in 10th century. 
The visit in Ninh Binh starts by a boat trip in Tam Coc where spectacular limestone karsts jut out from the green paddy fields reminding about Guilin (China) and Halong Bay of Vietnam, which gives this scenery the name “Halong-bay-on-land”. 
Lunch at local restaurant.
Further discovery in Ninh Binh will be continued by visiting Bich Dong Pagoda situated on a mountainside consisting of 3 separated pagoda located from low to high. When you reach the top of the stairs, you’ll be welcomed with a stunning view out of the valley of the distant mountain peaks and vast rice fields. Afternoon drive back Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at hotel.
At 9am, head East for about 3 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006. Upon arrival in Halong, check in the overnight cruise to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch on board, we can visit the Grottos, stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating houses and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Back to the cruise, enjoy cooking demonstration before having dinner. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the cruise. 
Please note the program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose. 
 

You should wake up early to enjoy the dawn on the sea in the early morning. The Vietnamese call the "East Sea" by a point-oriented name "Eastern Sea", so you may guess how miraculous seeing the sunrise over the islets of the Bay. After breakfast our boat will continue to cruise in marvelous areas, where almost each islet has its own name, adopting its shape or reminiscent like Sail Island, Fisherman’s head rock, Butterfly rock or Turtle islet etc. Check out your room and have brunch on board while the cruise coming back the pier. Disembark from the cruise, transfer back to Hanoi. You have free time for your own sightseeing until pick up and transfer to Hanoi Railway Station for the train to Quang Binh. Overnight on train (4-berth cabin with AC; SE1@22:00-07:43 or SE19@19:50-06:02).

Arrival in Dong Hoi Station in the early morning, welcomed by your local tour guide and driver, transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast. After that, drive 70km to visit Thien Duong Cave (Paradise Cave). 
Paradise Cave is first discovered in 2005 by the British Cave Research Association, It’s a largest and most beautiful cave in the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park area by British spelunkers. It is said that the cave's beauty is reminiscent of an imperial palace and very well resented with easy access, great walkways, and excellent feature lighting which made it extra special. According to the cave explorers, it is the longest dry cave in Asia. After that we drive to Chay River where you will have lunch and dynamic time there with many exciting activities such as zipline over the river, swimming, kayaking, high-wire…that promise you bunch of joy and fun.
Exploring Dark cave is really an amazing experience. We will kayak along Chay river, walk through the dark with just head torches and plunge into a narrow cavern full of thick, wonderfully gloppy, gooey mud. You will be surprised of the beauty hidden in the dark. Inside Dark cave, you will have the opportunity to have a natural mud bath and swim in the cool lake. The cave is a way different experience in compare with the other caves. 
Late afternoon, transfer to check in hotel. Overnight in Phong Nha.
 

After breakfast, drive to visit Phong Nha Cave.
Phong Nha Cave has been regarded by British Cave Research Association as the top cave in the world due to its 4 top records: the longest underground river, the highest and longest cave, broadest and most beautiful fine sand beaches inside the caves, the most spectacular stalagmites and stalactites. Once you reach at the entrance of cave, you will feel like you are entering in the mouth of mountain.
We will take a boat to cruise on Son river. While on the boat you will see the greenfield, people, houses and limestone along the river. After 25 minutes on the boat, visitors will arrive at Phong Nha cave, take a couple of hours to see the cave. This cave is a water cave and famous for its rock formation.
After lunch, drive to Hue. Upon arrival, check in hotel. Time at leisure. Overnight in Hue.
 

Being recognized by UNESCO as the 1st Cultural World Heritage for Vietnam, Hue is highlighted by the old royal architectural works and the most traditional Vietnamese lifestyle. We will discover the charm of the city from the Royal Citadel, Forbidden City, Hue Royal Museum. Go on to visit Thien Mu pagoda, the iconic of Hue city. Enjoy Royal Dinner served by the typical dishes of Hue. Have lunch at the local restaurant.
In the afternoon, drive 12 km out of Hue City to visit the Tombs of Emperor Minh Mang located on the west bank of Perfume River. Minh Mang tomb was built from 1840 and completed in 1843 with the effort of ten thousand workers and artisians. The Tomb offers a balance of nature and structures that is unmatched among tombs in Hue. The solemn and quiet architecture set in a poetic landscape demonstrates both the Emperor's strictness and deep beliefs. 
Continue visiting Emperor Khai Dinh’s Tomb, the last great tomb of the Nguyen dynasty with a mix of Asian and European style in architecture and decoration. The tomb began construction in 1920 and took eleven years to complete, and was still unfinished when the Emperor Khai Dinh passed away. Though in extent, Khai Dinh’ Tomb is small in comparison with the rest of Imperia tombs, its construction, decoration and details are very elaborate. Overnight in Hue. 
 

Start cycling from your hotel to the first sightseeing of Tiger Arena (Ho Quyen), this was the arena where duels between elephants and tigers were arranged for the entertainment of the Emperor, the royal family and mandarins. Next visit to Long Chau Temple or Dien Voi Re – “The Palace of Crying Elephants”. Long Chau temple is a royal temple where the kings’ war elephants were buried and worshiped. Continue to cycle to Thuy Bieu village, visit the first local garden house and discover the aloes wood work by local people. Keep cycling along verdant paths to visit Nguyen Phuoc Toc worship palace, Luong Quan temple and see local people’s daily life. Visit ancient houses which are called “Nha Ruong” with the history of over 100 years. After that, time to relax your feet after a 3-hour ride. You will have 15 minutes of herbal foot bath. Enjoy the lunch prepared by local family in Thuy Bieu village. You can join with local and learn how to make sesame candy under the guidance of the household. Then you can enjoy what you have made. After lunch, leave Thuy Bieu village and come back to the city by boat.  Continue visiting Tay Ho village where has long been known as the home of poetic conical hat, a familiar symbol when it comes to Hue. Conical hat making in the village has been passed down from generation to generation because everybody, young or old, can take part in the process. During the visit, you will meet and chat with some skillful artisans in the village to understand about the meaning of Conical Hat – the symbol of Hue culture. Also watching the procedure of making a Conical hat combined of 15 meticulous steps performed by traditional Hue women.
Drive back to your hotel in the late afternoon. Your time at leisure. Overnight in Hue.
 

Breakfast at hotel. Check out and transfer to Hoian through Hai Van Pass (the “Ocean Cloudy Mountain Pass”), enjoy viewing the beauty of Lang Co Beach en route. On the way, stop to visit Ngu Hanh Son or Marble Mountain.
Upon arrival, have lunch at the local restaurant by the river. Proceed to check in hotel.
Afternoon, you take interesting walk over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly Halls, enjoy the attractiveness of ancient houses or listen to folk music of Central Vietnam at old club-houses. Later we can stop at shrines or stroll into the market located by Thu Bon river, where you may find the same feelings of the artists, who see the rooftops of Hoian a magical old world of Oriental feel and source of inspiration. This is also a wonderful town to shop for lanterns, soft silk, raw silk, or get your clothes tailored within a day. Evening, amaze the town lighten up with thousands of colorful lanterns. Embark on the boat to release the flower garland on the river carrying your wishes as the way that the local people still believe that it will come true. Overnight in Hoian.
 

After breakfast, 08:00Am picked up at your hotel then go to the market with the chef. You will be introduced the necessary ingredients for cooking class. 
Our guides will introduce to you the necessary ingredients for cooking classes. After buying the materials to prepare for lunch, move to Cam Thanh village by boat. You have a chance to contemplate the countryside beauty along the banks. Let's explore Cam Thanh coconut village. Rowing basket boat through these small and beautiful channels then experience the round net (traditional net) with the fisherman to catch the fish and the shrimp … After that, cook your lunch with the guidance of chef for 4 dishes. Enjoy your lunch prepared by you. 
Afternoon, participate in the lantern making class at a local family workshop.  With the guidance of the instructor, you can make your own complete lantern from crafting a bamboo frame to create your lantern, choosing between a range of different colored silks and designs. You of course will bring home your own product as a souvenir which can be folded up neatly in your suitcase. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Hoian.
 

Have breakfast at hotel. Time at leisure until check out. Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, picked up and transferred to check in hotel. Time at your own. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Optional tour to Ba Na Hill (quoted separately)
Morning transfer to Ba Na Hills for discovering this beautiful attraction in Da Nang city. You will take a cable car to the summit of mountain (at 1487m of sea level). Start visiting Ba Na Hill with many different attractions: Funicular, Debay ancient wine cellar & Le Jardin D’Amour, Linh Ung pagoda, Thich Ca Buddist statue, etc. 
This afternoon you continue to join activities and games in Fantasy Park. Later walk to the summit of the mountain at the height 1487m – the highest one of Ba Na Mountain, visit Bell Tower, Nghinh Phong tower and Golden Bridge, to take beautiful photos of the mountain and Da Nang city. Late afternoon, taking the cable car back to foothill. 
Transfer to the airport to board the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Please note: Wax Museum, cotton animal game and carnival skill at Fantasy Park is not included in my quotation, joining them will be at your own account.

After breakfast we drive to visit Cu Chi tunnels - the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. After a short introduction video showing how the tunnels were constructed, you will have a chance to crawl into a short section of the tunnels to feel the oppressive narrowness and heat inside. Return to downtown after lunch.
Afternoon Saigon Sightseeing and Food Tour by Motorbike: Saigon has tons of things to do including tourist attractions, hidden places, and great local foods on main roads and back alleyways. Let’s enjoy the city in a different way by having a fun ride on motorbike around 7 districts, visiting must-see attractions like other tourists including Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, Saigon Central Post Office, Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market and also seeing unseen gems which are missed by most tourists, and tasting amazing specialty foods such as non-tourist markets (medicine market, pet market, flower market, lantern market, fruit market), old building, … Taste some local food like Vietnamese bread or Savory sticky rice, Grilled Banana with Coconut Milk – a bit sweet and salty of tropical fruits and coconut milk sauce Vietnamese Pancake & Rice noodles with fried roll, Special Vietnamese coffee. The tour will end at your hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
 

After breakfast, drive more than 2 hours to Tien Giang province where is famous with Cai Be Floating market. On arrival, embark on the  motor boats on Mekong River to visit Cai Be Floating market. Nowadays, Cai Be floating market is getting smaller every year since trade is shifting more and more into modern central markets. Yet the trip offers you the chance to view the daily life of the local people whose entire family live together in a small boat where is also the place to stuff their goods for trade. We will stop to visit a small family business to see how coconut candy and crispy rice popcorn are made. Then wander in small villages, visit fruit plantations, accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music. Afterwards, paddling through a series of small canals to experience the charm of the Upper Mekong Delta. Arrive in Tan Phong Island, the green pearl where you can enjoy yourself with the nature. Lunch time is a good chance to get closer with the local and you will learn how to prepare special Vietnamese dishes. Food is cooked by yourself, and fresh river food is served in the heart of the garden. Cycle in the village path through orchards. Meet the local islanders to learn more about the local daily life in the Mekong Delta. Afternoon, take the boat back to Cai Be then drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Dinner on the cruise on Saigon River, enjoy traditional folk music on board. Overnight in HCMC.

Have breakfast and check out. Start the journey to Mui Ne Beach via express way. 
Upon arrival, have lunch and check in hotel by the beach. (check in time is 14:00pm).
Afternoon, the car will take you to visit Suoi Tien (Fairy Stream). Take a walk and feel the cool stream with a pleasant feeling like being massaged and admire the poetic beauty that is bestowed by nature along the two banks of the stream. We then drive to Flying Sand Dunes (red sand dunes), famous for the shape of the sand dunes changes every day. Sandboarding game will give you an unforgettable feeling on the red sand hill (at your own cost). Next we visit Bau Trang (white sand hill) first. Where there are immense sand dunes, surrounded by a large lotus pond, cool water all year round. Don’t forget to experience the games here with the car or Motor ATV services (at your own cost) which will take you to the top and run straight down. What an extremely strong feeling!
Continue to the white sand road, one of the most beautiful sea routes in Vietnam. On the way, stop at the yellow water cart – a car as emblem on this road and the giant wind turbines for photos shooting. 
Return to your hotel to relax. Overnight in Mui Ne.
 

Breakfast at hotel. You have full day at leisure for beach relax. Overnight in Mui Ne.

Breakfast at your hotel. Time at leisure until check out and transfer to back to Tan Son Nhat airport boarding the flight back home. Tour ends.
Please note: The standard check out time is 12:00pm. No late check out included.