Essence of Vietnam – 12 Days

General Information

Tour Route: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hue – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Duration: 12 Days/ 11 Nights
Departure Date: Any Time You Wish
Start/ End: Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Day 2: Hanoi Insight Tour (B, L)
Day 3: Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Ky Son Moon Garden Village (B, L, D)
Day 5: Duong Lam Ancient Village – Hue (B, L)
Day 6: Deep Inside Hue (B, L)
Day 7: Hue – Land Trip to Hoi An (B, L)
Day 8: Explore Countryside Life & Hoi An Ancient Town (B, L)
Day 9: Hoi An Ancient Town-Ho Chi Minh (B, D)
Day 10, 11: Floating World on The Mekong Delta-Ho Chi Minh (B, L, D)
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)

After pickup from Noi Bai International Airport by your local guide and driver, get comfortable on an air-conditioned vehicle for a ride to the hotel. Warm welcome dinner at one of the most highly regarded culinary artisan restaurants with local chefs. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi Insight Tour (B, L)

Get up early in the morning and find out another Hanoi. Hanoi in the morning will leave you spellbound and interested in a tranquil Hanoi. It is the different looks of Hanoi, distinct from the busy & chaotic Hanoi in the daytime.

Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and see the olds do morning exercise, sway to the music, capture the dim moment when the sunshine tears cloud, all streets wake up. Later on, enjoy the traditional breakfast with beef noodles and a cup of coffee at a local shop.

After breakfast, take a walk to a wet market where a huge variety of fresh products are bought and sold every day, which is a distinct part of Vietnamese culture. Next, we will visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology which successfully presents the recognition of Vietnam as a multi-ethnic country as well as a nation of socio-cultural diversity.

Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam, is our next destination. Built-in 1010 under the reign of Ly Thanh Tong, first to honor Confucius and nowadays it’s utilized to celebrate the doctorates and high ranking scholars of Vietnam. Have lunch and be ready for the afternoon exploration.

In the afternoon, visit Long Bien Bridge, the pride of Hanoians. Then it’s time for a cool beer and to take a street food tasting tour. Discover some more markets to get a panoramic view of Vietnamese food artisans, eat tasty local foods. This tour exactly is a great way to see the essence of Hanoi that non-touristy. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Day 3: Halong Bay (B, L, D)

Get the first-hand look at both the natural beauty and the local life. Embark on a four-hour drive to Halong with the quick stop en route at a souvenir shop. The heavenly journey across Halong Bay starts around at the marina at the doorstep of the most fascinating wonder in Vietnam. Discover the treasures disseminated across the Bay of the Descending Dragon during the afternoon as mysterious caves, pristine beaches, and the floating villages. Defined to be the highlights of the day, a highly refined & varied cuisine will be prepared for lunch and dinner in the elegant dining room.

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Ky Son Moon Garden Village (B, L, D)

Early birds can attend a Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck at the break of dawn. Start the day relishing in some delights with a colorful buffet breakfast. Spend time sailing across 2000 islets and visiting some of its highlights. Check-out the boat and you transfer directly to Ky Son Moon Garden village via Hanoi.

Moon Garden in Ky Son offers a unique opportunity to experience rural life in North Vietnam, it has changed little over the last century. Its architect specializes in the restoration of the ancient buildings and reflected in the design, furniture, antiques that adorn the rooms. Overnight in Ky Son Moon Garden homestay.

Day 5: Duong Lam Ancient Village – Hue (B, L)

Relish in morning exercises before breakfast. Take a ride to Duong Lam ancient village through countryside paths and then return to Ky Son Moon Garden for savoring lunch before flying to Hue. Meet and picked up by the local guide and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Situated on the bank of Perfume River, Hue, the capital of Thua Thien Hue in Central Vietnam, is 700km south of Hanoi, and not far from the sea. Hue is well-known for its historic values; Hue had been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

Day 6: Deep Inside Hue (B, L)

A wealth of history, culture, and an extraordinary journey through time is the highlight of today. Nothing is better than visiting a local house in Hue, which still preserves the traditional virtues dating from the feudal time under the Nguyen. You have a couple of hours to join the family activities and enjoy a meal with the host. Embark your exploration with a short drive from the hotel to a local family. You have a chance to interact and chat with the locals and learn about their customs associated with ancestral worship before come back to the hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon, there are myriad highlights in Hue exploration, that includes visiting the Imperial Citadel, visit the last resting place of the 12th King Khai Dinh. Next, we take a boat trip on Huong River (Perfume River). The boat drops us off at the stunning Thien Mu pagoda, its history drives us back to the year 1601. Turn back to the hotel for relaxation. Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: Hue – Land Trip to Hoi An (B, L)

Get entertained by enjoy a traditional Hue breakfast, then hop on a drive through the scenic sceneries here. Visit a typical handicraft village where you can learn more about the daily work of the locals. Savor tea and rice crackers while talking with the local host to understand more about their tradition and customs.

The next place of today is a historic pagoda nestled in a tranquil village in the suburb of Hue. Meet and talk with the host and the master nun who is in charge of the pagoda, home to many homeless elderly and orphans in the area. You can play with disadvantaged kids and teach them some funny English songs. Have a vegetarian meal prepared by the nuns. Hop on a journey to Hoi An through the stunning Hai Van pass and arrive Hoi An town in the early evening. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Explore Countryside Life & Hoi An Ancient Town (B, L)

In the morning, take a closer look into the countryside life in the outskirt of Hoi An Ancient Town. Ride your bike through the picturesque villages, rice fields, water coconut gardens, and then meet the villagers. Later on, take a boat ride in a river to see how fishermen catch fish, and reach Tra Que organic village for a cooking demonstration, enjoy the lunch.

In the afternoon, strolling around Hoi An Ancient Town; visiting the Japanese covered bridge, Chinese Assembly Hall and a local market in Hoi An.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoi An Ancient Town – Ho Chi Minh (B, D)

After having breakfast, we’re transferred to Da Nang airport for a jump flight to Ho Chi Minh City. As the diamond of the far-east, Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon is now the most populated city in Vietnam with many skyscrapers, food stalls along the street, … all roll into a dynamic urban city. The architecture in Ho Chi Minh city is the reconciliation between American and Chinese influence.

Upon arrival, let take a quick visit to these destinations as Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, or Rue Catinat. Transferred to the hotel, check-in and enjoy a couple of hour leisure before continuing with another mesmerizing experience.

Hop on the scooter for the evening exploration tour with a glance at the city’s nightlife. On the scooter, we move from the bustling streets to the hidden eateries; from the touristy places to the non-touristy places of Saigon. Also, get into the food heaven, make a few food stops for tasting local treats. Seatback and enjoy the ride.
Back to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 10, 11: Floating World on The Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh (B, L, D)

Leave the bustling Ho Chi Minh City behind, we are ready to undergo the two-day-one-night exploration on a sampan cruise trip to delve into the life along Mekong River. Experience the life floating, try many local foods along the river. Visiting the famous Cai Be Floating Market. We stop en route on the way at the local village and begin the cycling tour, enjoy the peaceful scenery and quiet road pathways.

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

Your leisure to delve into the city further before departing to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for flight back departure. The exploration of Vietnam ends.