Highlights of Vietnam

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival - Hanoi

  Arrive in Hanoi and check into the hotel. You can unwind in your room or explore the surroundings for the remainder of the day.

  At 7:00 pm, meet your tour guide and fellows and enjoy a welcome dinner. Get to know each other while eating and listening to your guide brief you on the following itinerary.

  Optional: Private transfer from the airport to the hotel with an English-speaking guide.

  Accommodation: The Lapis Hotel or similar

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  • Hanoi

• Day 2: Hanoi, Touch Vietnamese Culture through City Sightseeing

  Gather together at the hotel lobby to start your city sightseeing in Hanoi. Explore Ba Dinh Square, where you'll learn the tale of Uncle Ho, Vietnam's former President who made his country independent, by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh House on Stilt. The tour includes a stop at the neighboring One Pillar Pagoda as well.
  After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Temple of Literature to see its traditional Vietnamese architecture from many dynasties. Then, take a 1-hour cyclo tour of the Old Quarter. This well-preserved historic district is ideal for witnessing Vietnamese daily life, with Vietnamese architecture, green spaces, ancient shops, and street vendors.

  Accommodation: The Lapis Hotel or similar

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  • Hanoi

• Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay, Embark on Halong Bay Cruise

  After breakfast at the hotel, drive about 2.5 hours to embark on your overnight Halong Bay cruise, the best way to take in the breathtaking karst seascapes of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
  Complete the check-in process, listen to the safety briefing, and enjoy the welcome lunch featuring fresh catches from the bay. This afternoon, you can participate in colorful activities on board or out, like a visit to the Vung Vieng floating fishing village by kayaking.

  Accommodation: Athena Luxury Cruise or similar

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  • Halong Bay

• Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Da Nang - Hoi An

  Wake up to the relaxing Tai Chi practice on the open deck in the early morning light. After a light breakfast, you can go ashore to explore Thien Canh Son Cave and admire its stunning stalactites and stalagmites.
  When the boat arrives at the pier at around 11:00 am, you will get picked up by your guide and driver for the 3-hour trip to Hanoi Airport. Fly to Da Nang, then change into a car to the hotel in Hoi An.

  Accommodation: Lasenta Boutique Hotel Hoi An or similar

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  • Hoi An

• Day 5: Hoi An, Explore Countryside and Tiny Town

  Bike through the countryside in the morning to reach the Tra Que Vegetable Village. Along the way, stop to browse a vibrant market, pass through rice paddies, take pictures of water buffalos, and say hello to warm-hearted locals. On arrival, try out local daily life by going basket boat fishing and working in the herbs garden.

  After lunch here, return to discover Hoi An old town. The tour includes the historic Japanese Covered Bridge, the colorful Chinese Temple, and a century-old Vietnamese house of a former merchant.

  Accommodation: Lasenta Boutique Hotel Hoi An or similar

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  • Hoi An

• Day 6: Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City

  Be escorted to the airport in Da Nang after breakfast to catch your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
  After landing, take a transfer to your hotel for check-in. A short break later, go out for a heritage walk along Dong Khoi Street with a local guide. You'll see the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, the Central Postal Office, the Saigon Opera House, and many other historic architectures in the French colonial style. If you'd like, enter the Hotel Continental for a cup of drink or afternoon tea (pay on-site on your own).

  Accommodation: Alagon D'antique Hotel & Spa or similar

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  • Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City, Day Excursion to Mekong Delta

  Today, your guide will take you on a full-day excursion to Ben Tre, a popular destination in the Mekong Delta. Wander around Ben Tre market to observe locals' life, ride a small boat sailing along the nipa palm-fringed canals, experience the local tuk-tuk, and see how to make hand broom from coconut leaves threads and coconut candy from coconut juice. Finally, cook some traditional dishes for lunch at a local house with the assistance of the host. Enjoy your creation and then go back to your Ho Chi Minh City hotel.

  Accommodation: Alagon D'antique Hotel & Spa or similar

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  • Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City, Departure

  Time to bid farewell. Free at leisure until check out of the hotel.

  Optional: Private transfer from the hotel to the airport with an English-speaking guide.

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