Amazing Vietnam

Welcome to Vietnam – at Noi Bai airport, you’ll be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel – settle in, you’re here for two nights. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a Water Puppet Show and a delicious welcome dinner. (D)

Today we’ll explore Hanoi. We start our visit at the Ho Chi Minh complex, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum – resting place of Vietnam’s “Uncle Ho”, President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house and the Ho Chi Minh Museum where we’ll will learn of his devotion to the nation. We continue our trip with a visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest temple in Hanoi, and drive on to Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, the Temple of Literature, considered the first university in Vietnam. The afternoon is yours to relax or explore further… tonight you’ll sleep in Hanoi. (B, L)

After breakfast, we’ll make a 3.5-hour drive to Halong Bay, one of the world’s great natural vistas. Upon arrival, you’ll board a traditional junk for a cruise around Halong Bay and a delicious seafood lunch amid the countless limestone islands rising from the clear, emerald water. After lunch you’ll have an opportunity to explore the bay with a cave visit, some kayaking or a swim before re-boarding the junk for a rest and dinner. In the evening, you might even join locals in a little night fishing. Tonight you’ll sleep on board. (B, L, D)

Today you’ll breakfast afloat. As you enjoy the beauty of Halong Bay, you might join in onboard activities before lunch and our arrival dockside in Hanoi. We’ll spend tonight in the bustling capital. (B, L)

Today you’re free to explore the city until we transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue, our destination for the night. (B)

We’ll begin today with a visit to Tu Duc tomb, the most beautiful of Nguyen Dynasty tombs. We’ll explore villages dedicated to the traditional crafts of hat and incense making, you’ll take in the imposing Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda, an icon of the city. We’ll leave for Tam Giang Lagoon and a peaceful cruise in this incomparable setting. In the afternoon, you’ll change to a more intimate craft and explore the fringe of the lagoon – a perfect setting for photos, floating and observing the local life of a fishing village – you might even try traditional net fishing techniques… Tonight we’re in Hue. (B, L, D)

Today we’ll depart Hue for Hoi An, with stops at Lang Co Beach and Hai Van Pass — the boundary between North and South, perpetually shrouded in clouds. Once we’re checked in, you’ll start into the countryside along roads twisting through rice paddies, temples, and palm forests. At the Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, we’ll take bamboo “basket boats” on the Cua Dai River, exploring palm forests, and learning to catch crabs…. At the An My Paddy Field, you’ll spot buffalo among the vast fields – the very symbol of countryside living in Vietnam. In Tra Que Village, you’ll assist in preparing rice milk and enjoy a traditional lunch with at local family, meet local farmers and share their experiences of daily life — you’ll gain a real sense of what brings rice to the table. (B, L)

Today is yours to relax on the beach, explore a bit outside the city or even take a cooking class… (B)

Another day to fully take in all this port city has to offer – museums, shopping, exciting new foods… (B)

Yours to relax until we head to the airport and our flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Sleep tonight in Saigon. (B)

Today begins with an unforgettable visit to the Cu Chi Tunnel complex, the underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the struggle for independence. Later, our tour encompasses the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the bustling Ben Thanh market. We’ll sleep in Saigon. (B, L)

Today we’ll journey by boat along the Ben Tre River, witnessing the activities along river — fishing, ferries, commerce… A brickworks will demonstrate the area’s timeless construction methods, and a coconut processing workshop will reveal both the candy-making process and the tasty product …. A family-run workshop will demonstrate the crafting of traditional sleep mats and you’ll have option to tour tranquil villages and vegetable gardens by motorbike-driven carts. After a rowing-boat tour through palm – lined creeks, we’ll head back to Saigon for the night. (B, L)

Today is yours to relax and explore until we head for the airport and the journey home, with stories and memories for a lifetime. (B)