Best Vietnam Itinerary 11 days: Sai Gon to Hanoi

Start of your Vietnam trip! Landing at the Tan Son Nhat airport, you are welcomed by professional tour guide and driver at the pickup lobby. On the 30-minute driving from the airport to the city center, your tour guide will introduce you about the highlights of the city, and share the experiences of eating and drinking, traffic, culture.... On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Note: Hotel check in time at 14.00 Included: private guide in your language (Laos & Cambodia subject to availability), private transportation, 02 bottles of mineral water.

Escape to the stunning Mekong Delta region from Ho Chi Minh City as we journey towards My Tho, a peaceful town perched on the banks of the Mekong River. Once in My Tho, visit Cao Dai Temple. Then embark on a traditional boat ride along the Mekong River and discover the famous Four Islands namely the Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix Islands. During the trip, we will make various stops to immerse ourselves in the local daily life of the people living on the Mekong. We will see how they sustain themselves by cultivating orchards, chocolate factory, coconut candy factory and many more. Take a glimpse of the past and breathe that magic atmosphere of ancient times. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant, before we head back to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon. Included: English speaking guide Meal: B, L Boat Private transportation Bike 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day

The day starts with a tour of Cu Chi. Discover the network of over 200km-long underground tunnels and their significance during the Vietnam War, before returning to Saigon. After lunch join a guided walking tour and discover the rich history of this spirited city as you visit some of its main attractions. Visit the former Presidential Palace, it was towards this modern building that North Vietnamese resistance fighters tanks (Viet Cong) rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975 as Saigon fell. From the palace you will go on foot (your car will be available at all times) to visit the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City including the red-brick Catholic cathedral of Notre-Dame, the nearby 19th century Empire-style Post Office, and the next door ‘Hotel de Ville’ or City Hall all look indomitably European, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Opera House. Continue your tour by stopping at Ben Thanh market, one of the biggest market in the downtown area of Saigon. The market is one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and today is considered one of symbol of Saigon, popular with tourists seeking local handicrafts, textiles, “ao dai” (Vietnamese traditional custom), and souverirs, as well as local cuisine. Included: private guide in your language (Laos & Cambodia subject to availability) Meal: B, L Private transportation Hotel Entrance fees 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day

Driver will transfer you to the airport. Fly to Danang, and then enjoy a scenic drive to Hoi An for your hotel check in. In the afternoon we will do a walking tour. The tour starts at the Museum of Folk Culture where you will learn about the history of this charming and peaceful town before you walk around the small market. Walk along the main street to the Chinese Assembly Hall of Fujien Chinese community. The hall, built in 1697, has been used as the worshipping place to dedicate to Thien Hau (the Goddess of the Sea or Holy Mother). Continue to the river bank along narrow streets – on both sides are old houses transformed into beautifully decorated shops with colourful lanterns. Next we’ll stop to see the Japanese covered bridge built in the early 17th century by Japanese traders who settled in the town. The special pagoda-shaped bridge is now the official symbol of Hoi An. We will finish the tour of this UNESCO-recognized town, with the visit of a historic old house. We will stay the next two nights in Hoi An. Included: private guide in your language (Laos & Cambodia subject to availability) Meal: B, L Private transportation Entrance fees 01 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day

Morning is free at your leisure. 14:30PM : Our local guide will meet you at the hotel lobby. Take a boat to estuary. Experience the daily fishing activity of the local fishermen, try to cast the net with their assistant. Move deep into the water coconut forest in Cam Thanh Village by locally handmade bamboo basket boat. Listen to a brief introduction Cua Dai about the history of this unique area.  Fishermen will show you how to catch the crabs and make origami with water coconut leaf. Split into smaller groups for a short basket boat racing. Then, visit to a local bamboo craftsman’s house; get an insight to their daily life and the different stages of preparing & making a proper bamboo furniture or bamboo house.  Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.  Transfer back to the hotel by E-car after the meal. Included: private guide in your language (Laos & Cambodia subject to availability) Hotel Meal: B,D Private transportation Entrance fees 01 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day

8:00 AM: Pick up from hotel then travel to Hue by passing Da Nang along the sea road. Once you arrive in Da Nang, stop to visit the Cham Museum which preserves the most important Cham culture collections in the world. Then, walk to My Khe beach where you can enjoy the view of giant Goodness of Mercy statues in the Linh Ung Pagoda. Take photos of fishermen by the beach then continue driving along the coastline to Hue ancient capital. Make a stop at top of the Hai Van pass to enjoy the breathtaking view of the ocean.  Arrival in Hue, enjoy lunch then visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Hue, dating back to 1601. This is the spiritual highlight of the city and well known for its majestic octagon tower and beautiful view of the Perfume River.   Keep your tour visit the most important sites in city - Hue Citadel, the only vestige symbol for what was once the imperial city of Vietnam. It is inspired by the fortification of Vauban. The city is composed of three parts: Kinh Thanh (the Capital city), Hoang Thanh (the Imperial city) and Cam Thanh (the Forbidden City). The most beautiful sites in Hue are concentrated in this area including the flag tower, the South gate, the palace of supreme Harmony, the Dynasty temple area and the settlement area. End of the day, check in hotel and enjoy stay in ancient capital. Included: private guide in your language (Laos & Cambodia subject to availability) Hotel Meal: B, L Private transportation Entrance fees 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day

Transfer from hotel to visit the Emperor Minh Mang's tomb, an architectural masterpiece that harmoniously highlights the nature and imperial religious works. The tomb was planned during Minh Mang’s reign (1820–40) but built by his successor, Thieu Tri with the effort of ten thousand workers and artisans.   Continue your trip, take a boat along Huong River (or Perfume River) to Thuy Bieu Village, admire the picturesque landscapes on both sides. After 1 hour, we arrive to Thuy Bieu, well-known for its divine grapefruit trees where you can take a bike around the village under the shade of the grapefruit trees and enjoy their pleasant perfume aroma and the harvested straw. The peaceful atmosphere is in every corner of the village. Then, visit a temple dedicated to the village protector, a traditional garden house built several centuries ago. This is a wonderful opportunity to stop for great photos and interact with the villagers working in the gardens and vegetable fields which should not be missed.   Join in cooking class with Hue's specialties selected then have lunch in village then transfer back to city in the afternoon. Take a short flight to Hanoi capital. Landing at the Noi Bai airport, you are welcomed by professional tour guide and driver at the pickup lobby. Enjoy 45-minute driving to the city center (Hanoi Old Quarter) with city's briefing information about the most visited spots, culture, traffic and cuisine....Arrive in your hotel, check in and have a rest.   Note: Hotel check in time at 14.00 Included: English speaking guide Meal: B, L Boat: Thuy Bieu - Minh Mang Private transportation Entrance fees Bike: Thuy Bieu Cooking class: Thuy Bieu 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day

9:00 AM: Get Pick up by tour guide to the Temple of Literature which was built under the Ly dynasty in 11th century for worshipping Confucius and teaching Royal children. Enjoy a walk in the garden to the city’s symbol Khue Van Cac. You will then visit the World Heritage "stone steles” which shows the name of outstanding students. Continue to explore the Quoc Tu Giam which is considered as the first national university of Vietnam. Follow it with a visit to one of the city’s museums (choose among the National history museum, Hoa Lo, Museum of Ethnology and Fine art museum) before having a break for lunch or some drink (by your own budget). In the afternoon you visit the French Quarter – it is a “little Paris” in Hanoi with tree-lined boulevards, government head offices and a big square. Visit (outside) Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum before having a leisurely walk in the botanical gardens to visit the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live and work. Towards the unique One – pillar pagoda which is one of the city’s symbols. It takes us from 1 to 2 hours to explore this complex, depending on the number of traveler. Continue to the Quan Thanh temple, one of the four most important temples in the city, dated back to the 11th century under Ly Thai To King, worshipping the Tran Vu gods, the principal deities in Taoism. Take a leisurely walk on a romantic road crossing the West Lake with beautiful city views. Stop at the Tran Quoc pagoda which dates back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty. Next we will explore the Hanoi Old Quarter which was built in the 15th century as a trading center in the capital city with 36 streets of different products. Despite the changes, the Old Quarter is always considered a live city museum. The unique tube houses, small alleys, temples, open door markets and street vendor foods come together in a beautiful harmony. Discovering the town by walking is the best way to stimulate all your senses. Finally enjoying the water puppet shows that is the unique performances, first appeared in the 11th century. In these shows, the daily life, culture and belief of Vietnamese people are described by puppets on water. The show usually integrates a traditional music performance as well. Come back to hotel. End of the day. Included: private guide in your language (Laos & Cambodia subject to availability) Meal: B,L Private transportation, Entrance fees Leisure: Water puppet 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day

Depart for a 2.5 hour journey to Halong Bay by shuttle bus. Make a stop en route for some refreshment (around 15-20 minutes). On arrival in Halong Bay, This UNESCO World Heritage site boasts a wild beauty of clustered limestone islets and crescent beaches. Then board your deluxe junk, settle into your cabin and prepare your appetite for an enjoyable lunch on deck. Settle on board your main boat to begin a 2 day/1 night cruise through the spectacular Ha Long Bay. Afterwards, take an exhilarating kayak trip through the lagoon, have a refreshing swim or simply relax on board and enjoy the sunset. Overnight on junk. Included: English speaking guide on cruise  Meal: B,L,D Shuttle bus Entrance fees

Wake up early and take a position on the upper deck to witness the sun rise over the bay, a cup of hot tea in hand. Early morning is truly a magical time on the bay as the limestone karsts appear all around you in different shapes, sizes and colours. Continue sailing through magnificent Ha Long Bay. Enjoy a brunch on board before arriving at Ha Long City Pier at noon where transportation will be waiting for and drive back to your hotel in Hanoi Included: English speaking guide on cruise, meal: B,L, shuttle bus, entrance fees Hotel

Private driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby (Hanoi Old Quarter) for about 45 minutes to Noi Bai airport (international or domestic hall according to your request). Thanks for the visit to our city. Note: International flights require you to be at the airport 3 hours and domestic is 2 hours before departure time. This is the end of your Vietnam travel package!