Essence of Vietnam I North to South

📍 From Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi (35km):60mins

Hanoi, a city of contrasts, defies easy categorization. It's both modern and traditional, chaotic and serene, and always full of surprises. But one thing is for sure: it's a place that’s captivating, to all the senses. 

Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, your private guide and driver will assist on arrival for the transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Rest of the day at leisure. 

Overnight in Hanoi.

Inclusions:

📍 Routes can change subject to client’s interest.

Today’s full day discovery of Hanoi starts at 08:30.  Begin with a visit to the sixth-century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda, on the shores of serene West Lake.

Next, take a short drive to visit the famed Temple of Literature. In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam - Vietnam's first university, also referred to as Van Mieu, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite, for an incredible 800-years.  

Following, chose a museum option (to be discussed on the actual day of the tour):  

Option 1: Vietnam Women’s Museum.  Highly acclaimed, the museum displays highlights of Vietnam’s vast cultural diversity and the significant role women play in Vietnamese society.  

Option 2: The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (closed Mondays) is a must-visit for anyone interested in learning about the rich cultural diversity of Vietnam. The museum houses a vast collection of interactive exhibits that showcase the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. 

Following the visit of the museum, rest over a well deserved lunch. 

Once sated, visit Hanoi’s iconic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex.  The site is fascinating yet expect long walking distances (Note the Mausoleum is closed Monday and Fridays, each afternoon as well as annually from June 12th to Aug 14th).  

Continuing on foot past the Mausoleum (viewed from outside) to learn about the life and legacy of the nation’s founder. Continue to the ‘house on stilts’ where ‘Bac Ho’ resided from 1958 to 1969 (closed on Monday and Friday). Stroll around the tranquil grounds before completing the circuit at the One Pillar pagoda; built in 1049, the symbol of Hanoi is a unique representation of the city. 

Mid-late afternoon, continue the exploration with a stroll through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. A maze of alleyways and hidden treasures, learn about local life in the ‘36-guilds’ as you weave through the frenetic streets on foot. 

To conclude the day, step back in time to the 11th century and experience the ancient art of water puppetry at the famed Water Puppet Theater. 

Following the introduction to Hanoi’s highlights transfer back to your hotel.  

Overnight in Hanoi

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 From your chosen hotel in Hanoi to Ha Long (160km): approx.2.5hrs

The perfect way to see the UNESCO World Heritage areas of Halong and Lan Ha Bay is to spend a night aboard a charming boat. The mystical scenery, where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into wonderous shapes covered in lush flora is truly breathtaking.   

Following breakfast leave Hanoi at 09:00 for the 2.5hours drive to Halong City. Arrive at the pier around noon and proceed with check-in formalities. 

After the welcome onboard and checking into the cabin, lunch will be served whilst cruising. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits or activities (depending on the boat’s set itinerary). Towards the end of the afternoon the boat will anchor for the night surrounded by karst formations. 

Enjoy a sunset cocktail on the deck followed by dinner, then retiring for the evening. 

Please note: Subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Overnight on Halong / Lan Ha Bay.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 From Ha Long to Noi Bai Airport 190km): 3hrs Danang Airport - Central Hoi An (30 km): approx. 1hr

Wake up to the fresh morning amidst the islands of the bay for breakfast (brunch on some boats) while enjoying the serene setting of the spectacular rock formations. 

Mid morning, proceed to checkout as the cruise cruises towards port.  Disembark and transfer 3 hours to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport for the 1.5 hour flight south to Danang City. On arrival at Danang airport, the gateway to Hoi An, your private guide and driver will assist with the transfer to the hotel for check-in. 

Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most picturesque towns and UNESCO-heritage listed, once a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries now draws international visitors to its streets, for both the history and the surrounding scenes.    

Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Be enchanted by the historic wonders of UNESCO-listed Hoi An. Departure at 08:30, for a half day discovery with a local guide, exploring the ancient town. Explore former merchant homes, colourful communal halls, narrow lanes lined, traditional houses and the iconic Japanese Bridge*. Also visit charming backstreets and tiny alleys to discover lesser known gems. 

Meander down a small alley to a traditional style house where the art of healing through martial arts has been practiced by a local family for generations. This healing method is the master’s invention, combined between Qigong, Tai Chi, and traditional Vietnamese martial arts called Vo. Have a chance to learn some basic steps under the guidance of the master. 

To conclude the cultural exploration,  visit a cozy local home to taste a typical dessert before heading back to the hotel or next destination.

*The Japanese Bridge is currently under renovation until Q4 2024 (est) . Visitors are able to walk alongside the bridge (as of March 2024) on a purposely built metal platform however the actual structure is mostly covered in metal sheeting, therefore limiting photo op’s of the town’s most famous monument.

Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Tan Son Nhat International Airport to your hotel in HCMC (8km):30mins

After breakfast, transfer to Danang Airport for the short flight to Ho Chi Minh City, your private guide and driver will assist on arrival for the transfer to the hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon at 1330, meet with a local guide and start with a walking tour (depending on the season, this order might be changed) through the historic city center and CBD. See the architecturally splendid City Hall, historic Dong Khoi Street, the Continental Hotel and the Saigon Opera House. 

Then step off the main road into a historic building revolutionized by the city’s youth. Here, locally owned retail stores, coffee shops and art spaces offer a glimpse into the city’s creative  generation. If time allows, sit for a coffee at one of the building’s cafe’s. 

Continue on foot to the Central Post Office. Here, you can also glimpse the former CIA building, where one of the last helicopter evacuations took place in 1975.   

Stroll through lovely 30 April Park to perhaps the city’s most famous landmark - the Reunification Palace. Now preserved in a time warp, the ‘war rooms’ in the basement plus the opulent display’s are fascinating.  

Finish up the day at another historic site, the Ben Thanh Market. Still functioning as a local neighborhood market, the central location also welcomes travelers with a variety of stalls. 

Having gained greater understanding of Saigon's culture and history, return to the hotel. 

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 HCMC to Cai Be 110km):2.5hrs

Today’s tour will begin at 08:00. Leave the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City and drive into the Mekong Delta on this Cai Be day tour. 

Upon arrival, board a private boat and start exploring the Delta. Savor the taste of locally grown fresh fruits, relish the refreshing breeze while the boat glides through the river. 

Go ashore and start to cycle, riding through a local village and alongside verdant fruit gardens. En-route, explore the local culture by visiting families who specialize in handicraft products.  

Then, board a sampan through the narrow canals around the island, appreciating the tranquility and lush landscapes of this part of the Delta. Leaving the serene island, the boat takes on a brief journey along a busy area. The river banks bustle with various businesses, while local boats dot the middle of the river, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.

Arriving at a house, inhabited for more than four generations, offers a great example of traditional ‘Mandarin’ architecture. A traditional home-cooked ‘Mekong’ meal will be served for lunch here. Then, take a walk through the fruit orchard to see the fresh seasonal goodness on the trees. 

As the sun begins to dip lower in the sky it is time to return to Cai Be and onwards to Ho Chi Minh City. (L)

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Your hotel in HCMC to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (8km):30mins

At 0800 this morning, start with a different discovery of Saigon; the caffeine habits of the locals and the significance of coffee drinking in Vietnamese culture. 

Coffee was introduced to Vietnam by the French in the late 19th century with the country quickly becoming a leading exporter as vast areas of the highlands were given over to this important new cash crop. Today, the Vietnamese have taken coffee to new gastronomical levels, which continues to evolve. 

Start with a stroll through a buzzing local residential area and delve right into local life while browsing the street, watch people enjoying their coffee, reading their newspapers or chatting with each other.  

Here, visit a 90-year old coffee shop, the oldest in Saigon. Get to know the unique way of making coffee while listening to tales related to this trade.

As part of the tour, you will have a chance to visit a charmingly restored ‘shophouse’ located in the historic part of the city, which still operates as a trading area. Once there, discover the exquisite flavors of Vietnamese specialty coffee and learn how to prepare a delicious ‘caphe trung’, aka egg coffee.
Caffeine fueled, conclude the tour with a drive back to your hotel

Check out at 12:00 noon. At leisure for shopping until transferring to Tan Son Nhat Airport for onward flight.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast