Vietnam From South to North 9 Days 8 Nights

Upon arrival to Ho Chi Minh City, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in. (Check-in standard time: from 14:00). Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, exploring the largest metropolitan city of Vietnam or relaxing at your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: No

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, we set out early to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels (Địa Đạo Củ Chi), located just 70 km from Ho Chi Minh City. This extraordinary complex comprises over 200 kilometers of underground passages, originally constructed during the Indochina War (1945-1954) and used as hiding spots during combat. Upon arrival, you’ll explore the complex on the ground level, encountering hundreds of inventive booby traps and counterfeit bunkers set up to trap enemies. On the underground level, you’ll have the chance to crawl through narrow passages, discover hidden entrances, and examine booby traps, gaining firsthand insight into the hardships faced by Vietnamese soldiers during the war. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, our exploration continues in the city center of Saigon. We’ll stop at the majestic Central Post Office, a masterpiece designed by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel and completed in 1891, showcasing stunning colonial architecture in Vietnam. Following this, we’ll delve into Vietnam’s heroic past with a visit to the War Remnants Museum, one of the most famous history museums in the country.

Overnight at the hotel in Saigon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, we’ll depart for the Mekong Delta. We’ll transfer by motorboat on the Tien River (Sông Tiền), enjoying the fresh air as the boat passes local houses, pagodas, and markets along the way. Shortly, the boat will take us to a local house where you’ll meet friendly hosts who will invite you to taste their home-grown seasonal fruits, and you can also enjoy live traditional music. Say goodbye to the family, and we will walk to another neighborhood. After 10 minutes, you will arrive at Mr. Nam’s orchard, where you’ll have the chance to taste honey with tea or wine and see bees breeding in wooden boxes under longan trees. Next, you will hop on the motorboat again and enjoy a refreshing coconut drink to cool down. After 30-40 minutes of cruising, we’ll arrive at Ben Tre land, where you’ll transfer to a smaller hand-paddled wooden sampan. This sampan will take you through the quiet, narrow waterways of the delta, passing through the Xep canal in Ben Tre (land of coconuts), amidst green coconut grove ranges. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere while listening to the water’s sound and the birds’ songs. After about 20-30 minutes of riding on the sampan, we’ll disembark and start our exploration of the local villages. Along a small route, we’ll walk through lush tropical fruit gardens, fresh vegetables, and plants such as bananas, pomelos, jackfruits, longyans, oranges…, admiring the richness that the Mekong Delta has bestowed upon this region. Hop onto a traditional Vietnamese tuktuk (xe lôi) and continue our journey to a small factory producing coconut candies, where you’ll observe the way coconut candies are made through different stages.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant*. At the restaurant, you can rent a bicycle and enjoy a short ride around the local village (at your own expense) before heading back to My Tho pier via motorboat.

After a day filled with excitement and discovery, we’ll journey back to Ho Chi Minh City by road. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival in Danang, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred by car (approximately 45 minutes) to Hoi An, a charming ancient town located on the central coast of Vietnam. Check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

*Lunch at a local restaurant here offers simple fare, and while the flavors may not cater to every palate, it provides an authentic taste of the region. Adjusting expectations accordingly will ensure a more enjoyable dining experience.

Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we’ll visit the Hoi An Ancient Town (or Hoian). Our morning begins with a scenic boat ride along the Thu Bon River, offering picturesque views of quaint villages nestled along its banks. We’ll then venture into the old quarter – the heart of the ancient town – to visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge dating back over 400 years. Explore the ornate Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (Fujian Assembly Hall) – a 300-year-old Chinese congregation known for its ancient and precious architecture. Continue our journey to the Tan Ky Old House – a residence spanning 7 generations that once served as a trading hub for local and foreign merchants during the 18th and 19th centuries. Finally, we’ll visit The Museum of Sa Huynh Culture to learn about the cultural heritage of the Sa Huynh civilization – considered the first settlers of the port town, who engaged in trade with countries in Southeast Asia, South India, and China. Lunch at a local restaurant and return to your hotel in the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, we’ll set off for Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital. Stop at the Son Tra Peninsula to visit the Linh Ung Pagoda, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the azure sea and pristine sandy beaches below. Continuing our journey to Hue, passing by the Hai Van Pass, celebrated as one of the world’s top ten most beautiful coastal roads. Upon reaching Hue, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, our exploration begins at the Thien Mu Pagoda, an iconic landmark nestled on the banks of the Perfume River (Song Huong). Then we’ll venture into the bustling Dong Ba market where you can immerse yourself in vibrant local culture. Before heading to the hotel for check-in, we’ll stop by the An Hien Garden House, an architectural gem reflecting the grace and tranquility of Vietnamese culture.

Overnight at the hotel in Hue

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we embark on a journey to explore Hue City, once the imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled the country from 1802 to 1945. Our journey into the past begins with a visit to the complex of Hue Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Our first stop is the Hue Imperial City, spanning 520 hectares. It is divided into three main sections: Kinh Thành Huế (Hue Citadel), a square fortress enclosing the entire compound; Đại Nội (Royal City), serving as the administrative center where the kings and their entourage conducted their affairs; and Tử Cấm Thành (Forbidden Purple City), a private enclave reserved exclusively for emperors and royal families. After lunch, we’ll venture to the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, an architectural marvel blending Western influences with traditional Vietnamese design. Reigning from 1916 to 1925, Emperor Khai Dinh’s elaborate tomb stands as a testament to his era’s cultural shifts and influences.

At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and free time to explore the city in the evening.

Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet our tour guide at the scheduled time and start to explore Hanoi – the charming capital of Vietnam. Our morning journey begins with visits to iconic landmarks, including the One Pillar Pagoda. We’ll then explore the outer part of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a monument honoring the esteemed country leader Ho Chi Minh, affectionately known as Bác Hồ (Uncle Hồ) by the Vietnamese people. Our tour continues with visits to the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House. Next, we’ll delve into the tranquility of the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám (Temple of Literature), a symbol of Hanoi’s rich cultural heritage, originally built in 1070 as a Confucian temple and later housing the country’s first university.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

Our afternoon adventures take us to the nearby Tran Quoc Pagoda, the city’s oldest pagoda dating back to the 6th century. Following our visit, we’ll enjoy a traditional cyclo in the vibrant ambiance of the Old Quarter, renowned for its labyrinthine streets, bustling markets, and ancient temples. Finally, take a leisurely break at a coffee shop, savoring the unique flavors of egg coffee or fresh juice before coming back to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we embark on a journey to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its stunning limestone karsts and islets, being formed over 500 million years ago. Upon arrival at the boat pier, you’ll be greeted by the cruise members with a refreshing drink at the lounge while awaiting embarkation. A small sampan will transport you to the main cruise, where you’ll complete the check-in process, receive a safety briefing, and get a brief introduction to the cruise itinerary. Enjoy a delectable lunch onboard as the cruise glides past picturesque islands and towering rock formations, allowing you to marvel at the breathtaking scenery. After lunch, take a short rest before participating in the afternoon activities offered by the cruise, which could include visiting caves, fishing villages, kayaking*, or swimming at a quiet beach, depending on the cruise’s program. Dinner will be served at the cruise’s restaurant while it anchors in a safe and serene area for the night.

Overnight onboard the cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start your day with an early morning Tai Chi class on the sundeck, allowing yourself to embrace a meditative state through gentle movements and controlled breathing. Witness the tranquil beauty of the bay as the sun slowly ascends behind the limestone cliffs, casting a serene glow over the horizon. Continue with the morning activities outlined in the cruise program or bask in the sun’s warmth on the sundeck. Indulge in a leisurely brunch aboard the cruise, savoring each bite as you glide past majestic rock formations on your journey back to the dock. Upon disembarking, transfer by sampan to the pier, where transportation awaits to whisk you back to Hanoi Airport (approximately 2.5 hours). Take your departure flight to the next destination.

Meals: Brunch