Highlights:

– Enjoy the traditional water puppet show with family

– Taste the traditional flavors of Vietnamese cuisines in many places

– Cruise through the stunning scenery of Halong Bay, UNESCO World Heritage

– Experience Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam as well as explore the local culture

– Cruise in Mekong Delta and discover the lifestyle of floating markets

Full Itinerary

Day 1: A Familial Welcome

Arriving at Hanoi Airport, welcome you to Hanoi! We will transfer you to your hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a walking tour around Hanoi.

You will be surprised with a variety of architectural works in our capital and its well-known 36 streets of the Old Quarter. Transfer back to the hotel. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Finding the Old and New with Hanoi city tour (B/L)

In the morning, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday and Friday) where the great President Ho Chi Minh rests in peace. We will visit the traditional stilt house and the respected One-Pillar Pagoda, the special pagoda with a particular structure. Leaving here, we will transfer to the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature, the famous first university in Vietnam. You will recognize that this is a popular place for Vietnamese students to take commemorative photographs when graduating.

 

After a short rest, visit around Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple as well as the Ethnology Museum (closed on Monday). Here, you can deeply explore the diversity of Vietnam’s ethnic groups before enjoying a traditional water puppet show performed after the sunset.

 

Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner on your own and take a sound sleep for the following day!

Day 3: Set Out for the Bay of Halong (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we will leave Hanoi for a 180-km journey to Halong Bay, one of UNESCO World Heritage site with its 2000 islands located in a background of limestone in Gulf of Tonkin. Coming to Halong, visitors will be impressed with the beauty of natural achievement and many wonderful types of scenery.

You will enjoy an overnight cruise on a wonderful boat floating on Halong Bay and savoring a special menu of fresh seafood will absolutely bring you the best moment you have ever had.

You will be served with lunch and dinner on the cruise. Overnight on the cruise.

Day 4: Halong Bay – Fly to Saigon  (B)

You are recommended to wake up early in the morning on this day because that is the most wonderful time for you to contemplate aquamarine water of the bay at its best. Once satisfied with the tea break, you will continue the onboard excursion through impressive limestone surrounding the bay. Don’t forget to take some nice photos of this unique land.

Returning to the Harbour, we will transfer back to Hanoi Airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Welcome on arrival and transfer to hotel for check-in. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Along the Vast Mekong Delta (B/L)

In the morning, we will depart to the Mekong Delta and board a sampan to Cai Be floating market, the most astonishing market. The panorama of this region is full of colors thanks to the diverse fruits, vegetables, and skilfully handcrafted regional products. Getting on local boats, you will have the chance to exchange with merchants to understand more about their activity here. We might visit some local candy and cake producing factories or float on the river through the green water scenery to observe some local houses, verdant orchards, and shipbuilding yards.

The floating markets are the center to trade numerous fruits and vegetables in Mekong Delta that explains why the number of the trading boat is dependent on harvesting seasons and market demand. Additionally, modern wholesale markets are becoming more and more popular as well as an essential part of Vietnam. That’s also a reason for the increase of the boat. Transfer back to Mekong Riverside resort and take a short break.

Continue floating downstream through the verdant landscape of paddy fields, you will have the chance to comprehend the daily activities of local anglers fishing by casting net.

Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Saigon city tour (B/D)

Enjoy breakfast in the atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh city and then we will visit this dynamic metropolis. Let’s visit some historic sites of the city such as the Old Post Office of Saigon, the Notre Dame cathedral, Dong Khoi Street and the Chinese District of Cho Lon as well as astonishing Ben Thanh and Binh Tay Market.

 

Thien Hau pagoda is also an interesting destination for the peaceful feeling that you should not miss. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Transfer back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Farewell Friendly Vietnam (B)

The morning comes with your breakfast and a cup of coffee. Free time at your leisure until we transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Meals on your own.

Inclusion

– Accommodation

– Internal flight ticket in economy class (Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City)

– Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle

– Local English speaking guide

– Meals where mentioned (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner)

– Entrance fees

Exclusion

– International flight to and from Vietnam

– Other services than mentioned

– Drinks, other than water on activity days

– Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip...)

– Travel insurance