An lifetime trip to Vietnam

Upon arrival in the airport, you will be warmly welcomed and taken to the hotel for check in. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Spend all day exploring the city. The first stop in your journey will be Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex- an important historical attraction in Hanoi; Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt house where the leader Ho Chi Minh spent the last part of his life, the Presidential palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Then, make your way to the Temple of Literature which reveals the Hanoians’ spirit of study in the past.

Take a break for lunch at a local restaurant. You afternoon journey will start with a visit to the Museum of Ethnology- the largest and most interesting museums in Hanoi where artifacts about 54 ethnic groups are well displayed. Despite being out of the way compared with other museums in Hanoi, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is worth a thorough visit, for those who are keen to learn about the multiculturalism of Vietnam and for those who would appreciate some green space.

Continue onto to Ngoc Son Temple located in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake- the picturesque heart of Hanoi.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional water puppet show - a great way to learn more about the traditional culture of the charming land. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Today you will visit Thanh Chuong Palace- a complex of historic- looking buildings on the outskirts of Vietnam’s capital. After stepping through the large wooden gate, you will soak up into the long-lasting culture of Vietnam. Here, you can find various traditional buildings and artifacts across the country.

After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer back to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the city on your own until being transferred to the train station for the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.

After arriving in Lao Cai at around 6.00 am, continue to Sapa- the town of cloud. After breakfast, start your excursion to Sapa town. Take a stroll around Sapa to visit its market and an old cathedral.

In the afternoon, take a walking tour to Cat Cat village where H’mong hill tribe inhabits. This is a great chance to get to know more about their traditions and customs. From the village, proceed to handicraft shops to admire beautiful brocade and silver jewelry. Make a stop at a small waterfall where you can pay a visit to the old Hydro Electric Power Station built by the French. Overnight at the hotel in Sapa.

After breakfast at the hotel, set off your full day tour of Sapa. Make the first stop at a vibrant market and colonial houses to learn more about the traditions and customs of hill tribe villages. Make your way to Muong Hoa Valley to visit Lao Chai village and Ta Van village where you can get a true insight into the local life of ethnic minorities. Take your time to admire the breathtaking scenery of terraced rice paddies, green forests and rolling mountains.

After a picnic lunch, transfer back to Sapa. On the way back, pay a visit to Ma Tra village where Black Hmong ethnic people live. Drive to Lao Cai train station for the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.

Upon arriving in Hanoi in the early morning, you will then be picked up to the hotel in Hanoi for breakfast and relax. Afterwards, set off your 3 hour scenic drive through the Red River Delta to Halong famous for its stunning natural landscapes.

Upon arriving at the wharf of Halong, embark on a comfortable wooden junk for a cruise on the bay. As passing through other attractions, you will immerse into the stunning views of the bay. Along the way, you will enjoy delicious lunch with fresh seafood on board.

The boat then makes the way to Vung Ha area where you will have chance to enjoy relaxing moments with a kayaking or fresh swimming. Afterwards, the boat cruises towards Bai Tu Long Bay- one of the most famous landscapes of the bay. Head back to the boat to take part in a tea ceremony followed by Happy Hour on board.

Enjoy delicious dinner. Afterwards, try your luck with squid fishing from the main deck. Overnight on board.

This morning, try to wake up early to take into the breathtaking views over the Bay or immerse into the fresh water. After breakfast on board, cruise into Vung Vieng fishing village- the biggest fishing village on the bay. Take a small rowing boat for 1 hour to explore the village.

Head back to the ship for lunch in the restaurant while the ship sails towards Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island. Take a walking tour in the national park of Cat Ba Island and visit the Au Co organic farm.

After sometime for exploration, head back to the boat and enjoy Happy Hour and Cooking Demonstration on board. A delicious seafood BBQ will be served while the ship sails to Drum Cave for the night. Overnight on board.

In the early morning, enjoy the Tai Chi session to refresh your soul as the ship cruises to Sung Sot Cave- one of the most beautiful caves in the bay. Transfer back to the boat for a cruise back to the wharf. Along the way, enjoy breakfast and beautiful scenery from the bar or sundeck.

Upon arriving at Halong wharf, disembark. Take time to relax until being transferred to the airport for the flight to Hue. Upon arrival, check in hotel and relax. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

In the morning, take a boat trip on the poetic Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda- one of the oldest and prettiest religious buildings in Hue and Minh Mang Mausoleum. Touted as the most majestic of all Nguyen Dynasty royal tombs, Minh Mang Tomb is a complex of 40 constructions: palaces, temples, pavilions, etc. it’s a perfect combination of manmade and natural beauty of Hue, where architecture fits harmoniously into the surrounding landscape.

Take a short break for lunch at a local restaurant. Your afternoon tour will be continued with a visit to the Imperial City of Hue- one of seven World Heritage Sites of Vietnam. You will have the chance to learn in depth the history of the region with its all sites including Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Ums, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and Forbidden Purple City. Then, proceed to Tu Duc Tomb- one of the most beautiful works of architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty. Wrap your day with a visit to Dong Ba Market where various kinds of goods are displayed.

Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up for a journey to Hoi An. Make a stop in Danang for a visit to Cham Museum- a graceful building and an eclectic mix of French-colonial architecture and Cham elements. Continue onto the Marble Mountain- a well-known pilgrimage site with peaks, caves, tunnels and temples.

Upon arrival in Hoi An, you will be taken to the hotel for check in. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, take a tour around the city with a visit to Japanese Bridge Pagoda- a unique covered structure built by the Japanese. Continue on to Phuc Kien Hall and Phung Hung Ancient House which is considered the heritage of the town. It is mainly made of wood with unique blending of two different architectural styles: Japanese and Chinese style. Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An.

Today is at your leisure. Spend time relaxing or exploring the city on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An.

After breakfast, your driver and guide will take to Danang airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check in.

In the afternoon, start your exploration of the city. Start with a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral and the General Post Office. Continue your journey along Dong Khoi Street. Make a stop at the Peoples’ Committee building and the Opera House which is served as the home of the Lower House Assembly. Move onto The Reunification Palace, also known as the Independent Palace which is a historical work with its own charm.

Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. 

This morning, you will be picked up from your hotel for a drive to Tay Ninh where you will pay a visit to the famous temple of Cao Dai. The temple features a unique architectural style that reflects its blended traditions. It is a perfect synthesis of the world’s most powerful religions.

After lunch at a local restaurant, drive to Cu Chi Tunnels, about 70 km from Saigon. This is unusual underground tunnel which is used to serve as a shelter, a base for Vietnamese soldiers during wartime. Your excursion will start at the Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc sections- a great way to have a closer look at the life of soldiers in the past.

Return to Ho Chi Minh. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, you will be taken to Ham Luong River in Ben Tre town. Upon arrival, you will embark on Mango Cruise. Enjoy a welcome cocktail on board. Make a stop at the Mo Cay floating market to take in the bustling atmosphere of local people selling and buying various kinds of food from fresh fish, meat to vegetables and other delicacies of the region.

Your boat will continue cruising along the canals. Your next stop will be a village where you will take a short walk to visit a coconut processing factory. There, coconut products like coconut oils and coconut fiber are produced.

After a short tour around the region, head back to the boat for a cold drink and spend time relaxing on deck. Your trip will be continued after lunch. Head down Vung Liem canal to explore traditional brick making factory. Take a bicycle to visit Cao Dai temple and Kh’mer temple- famous historic sites of the region. Then, head back to the boat to cruise to the anchorage in Tra On. After sometime freshening up, you will join a cooking demonstration after enjoying a delightful dinner on board. 

In this morning, try to wake up early to visit Tra On floating market – the best time to witness the daily life of the locals. Then head to Can Tho. Make a stop at the outstanding Cai Rang floating market. From there, you will transfer to a smaller boat and mingle with thousands of trading vessels. Do not miss out the chance to taste drinks or fruit from local vendors.

Afterwards, head back to Mango cruise and immerse into the rustic beauty of the nature before disembarking at Ninh Kieu quay in Can Tho. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for the night.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken to the airport for the flight to Con Dao. Upon arrival, check in hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Con Dao.

Spend time relaxing on the beach. Overnight at the hotel in Con Dao.

Spend time relaxing on the beach. Overnight at the hotel in Con Dao.

Today is free until being transferred to the airport for the flight back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

This morning, free time to relax or do some shopping until being transferred to the airport for your departure flight. End of service.

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