The Amazing Vietnam – 10 Days

TRIP PRICE IN USD/PERSON

Notes:

• Minimum Guarantee: 3 pax
• Bank fee is not included, Online credit cards incur a 3% transaction fee
• Absolutely no hidden charges
• Validity: 31^st Oct 2024

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1 (23^rd Nov 2024) Hanoi Arrival – Welcome Dinner (D)

Welcome up on arrival by local tour guide and driver then we transfer to hotel. Relax for the rest of the day and enjoy a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant in town.

Overnight at The Q Hotel – Deluxe Room or similar
Meals: Dinner at Hanoi Food Culture

Day 2 (24^th Nov 2024) Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on Cruise (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we pick you up at the hotel in Hanoi by shuttle bus to start our journey. When we arrive at Halong International Harbour, you will wait at the lounge before boarding for the cruise. Transferred to the Athena Cruise by a tender boat. The cruise Manager and the whole crew member welcome you onboard, a safety briefing and clearing out the itinerary will be delivered while you are enjoying our signature welcome drink. Shortly after, enjoy your lunch at the Restaurant while viewing the beautiful islets of Ha Long Bay.

In the afternoon, the cruise stops at “Bo Nau” cave (Pelican Cave), the core area of the world’s natural heritage. Transferring by tender to “Sung Sot” Cave (Surprising cave) – the biggest and the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay. Leaving Surprising cave, keep moving by tender to the Titov Island was named by Uncle Ho, after Gherman Stepanovich Titov – the Soviet astronaut who visited in 1962. Enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach or climbing the steps of the Rock to the top of the island. A magical panoramic view of Halong Bay will surprise you there.

Around 5 pm, you will transfer back to Athena Cruise and spend time to relax with sunset party before joining a cooking demonstration of traditional Vietnamese dishes will be organized by Athena Head Chef.. After the dinner, enjoy some night activities on the boat like: squid fishing, drinks, or movies. The rest of night will be relaxing on the cruise.

*Group of 2 – 8: using shuttle bus of cruise
*Group of 9 – 16: using private car

Overnight on Athena Cruise – Executive Suite Balcony or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 (25^th Nov 2024) Halong Bay – Hanoi – City Tour with Cyclo & Water Puppet Show (B, L)

The morning activities will be a Taichi Class whilst cruising to “Luon” Cave. You will be enjoy the sunrise on board with the early breakfast serving at 7 am. At 8 am, we start visiting “Luon” Cave – one of the caves open to the form beautiful endemic then vegetation of Halong Bay. 2 options to choose how to discover it: kayaking for free and traditional woven (bamboo) boat rowed by a local boatman. After spending time here, we will return back to the Athena cruise, relaxing and packing the luggage. Leave the luggage outside the door. Athena team will collect and get them ready on the Pier. At 9:30 am, we enjoy a brunch buffet at the restaurant after check-out while cruising toward the port. Around 11:00 am, we will embark on the cruise and transfer back to Hanoi in the next 2-3 hours.

On your arrival in Hanoi, we will have a short rest before start the city tour with visiting the Temple of Literature, which was originally built as a temple to Confucius. After visit this place, we transfer to Phung Hung Street and enjoy time when the train run through this area before we enjoy 1-hour cyclo tour of the French-inspired “Old Quarter”. We will be free to shop in the old Quarter ranges from markets through to designer boutique stores to amazing contemporary art galleries. The cyclo will stop at Ngoc Son Temple where we will take a picture of all members with The Huc Bridge, known as the symbol of Hoan Kiem Lake. From here, we walk to Bong Sen Theater to enjoy a performance of the city’s famous Water Puppets. After the show, we transfer back to hotel for relax

Overnight at The Q Hotel – Deluxe Room or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch with Vietnamese Bread

Day 4 (26^th Nov 2024) Hanoi – Fly to Hue – City Tour (B, L)

This morning, we picked up at 5:30 am and transferred to the airport to take the morning flight to Hue.

Flight: Hanoi – Hue | HAN – HUI | VN 1541 | 08:00 – 09:15

On your arrival, our car will pick you up at the airport, and continue our tour to board the Dragon Boat on the romantic Perfume River heading out for the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to the most beautiful tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. We will enjoy a great view on the Perfume River and surrounding area. Thien Mu Pagoda is considered the symbol of Hue, and of Buddhism in Vietnam. From here, we rejoin our van and go visit King Khai Dinh’s Tomb.

In the afternoon, we visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945, after exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument. We will then depart to the Hue Royal Fine Art Museum, which is housed within the former Dien Long An Royal Palace. We will finish our day with the local Dong Ba Market to see the daily life of local people. Free the rest of day

These are the famous Hue Street Food that you should know and try in Hue city

• Banh Uot – Grilled Pork Wrapped with Hue Wet Rice Paper
• Coffee Viet – black or with condensed milk
• Che – Sweet Soup
• Bun Bo Hue – Hue Beef Vermicelli Soup
• Banh Khoai – Hue Fried Pancake
• Cha Hue– Hue Sausage
• Banh Loc – Filtered Tapioca Dumplings
• Banh Ram It – Fried dumpling topped with Sticky Rice Dumpling
• Nem Lui – Grilled Ground Pork on Stick.
• Me Xung – Sesame candy
• Bun Thit Nuong – Grilled Pork Vermicelli
• Banh Beo – Steamed Rice Discs Topped with Shrimp

Overnight at Eldore Hue – Deluxe Room or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with all traditional local foods

Day 5 (27^th Nov 2024) Hue – Danang – Hoi An Walking Tour (B, L)

Around 9 am, we travel by vehicle to Hoi An along scenic highway 1A. Along the way, we will stop to contemplate the stunning views North of Lang Co Beach, and South of Danang city. On your arrival, we will drive to Son Tra Peninsular, the central zone of ecological, is like mushrooms sprouting sea views over the city. We then visit Linh Ung Pagoda and enjoy the peaceful feeling in the mountains as well as admire the spectacular panoramic view to the ocean from the height from Linh Ung Pagoda. Having lunch at a local restaurant. We arrive Hoi An in the afternoon and will have a walking tour in here to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky’s old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, and the temples, and pagodas of Chinese appearance. After the tour, we transfer back to hotel in Hoi An for relax or you can have free time in the old quarter

Overnight at La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa – Deluxe Room or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Bánh Xèo

Day 6 (28^th Nov 2024) Hoi An – Free Time (B)

Today will be a free day!

OPTIONAL 01: Red Bridge Cooking Class ½ Day (Lunch) – Joined Tour – US$40/person

Tour Time: 08:00 – 12:00
Group Size: 2 – 12 people

This morning, we start the cooking class tour by a welcome drink at Hai Café. Then, we visit Hoi An’s colourful main market, and experience its amazing sights, sounds and aromas. We will have an opportunity to interact with the local sellers, to see and taste the wonderful variety of foods on display.

After that, we arrive at Cooking School and have a chance to freshen up before beginning our class. Working together with our Chef we learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food from scratch. On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s best-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – each dish is first demonstrated by our chef, before we prepare the same dish ourselves. The class will include a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, we sit down and eat exactly what we have cooked. We will finish at approximately 12.30pm – transfer back to central Hoi An arriving approximately 1.00pm

Recipes (our food contains no MSG):

*Vegetarians are provided with replacement ingredients.

1. Making fresh Rice paper
2. Fresh Rice Paper Rolls of Shrimp
3. Crispy Hoi An Pancakes with Shrimp, Herbs & a Peanut Sauce
4. Seafood Salad with Tra Que Herbs
5. Mi Quang Chicken Noodles
6. Food Decoration – Tomato Rose & Vietnamese Cucumber Hand Fa n

* Lunch includes the above meals as well as:

1. BBQ Lemongrass Beef (not included in the demonstration)

OPTIONAL 02: Farming & Fishing Eco Tour (L) – Joined Tour – US$80/person

Tour Time: 08:30 – 13:00
Group Size: 4 – 15 people

We have an early start this morning as we head off to our Farming & Fishing Life Eco Tour. Starting at Tra Que Village, we will get a personal insight into the local farming communities. We set about joining the farmers in preparing their land for sowing, helping to fertilize the garden using seaweed from the local river and watering it in using huge tin cans strapped to our backs. Following this, we will begin our leisurely cycling tour through the countryside witnessing local Vietnamese rural life first hand. Late morning we will board our Hoi An Eco-tour boat for a river cruise. Here we will meet and witness local fishermen working their craft, before enjoying a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. We then transfer to a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat for a quick race and ride down a coconut palm lined waterway. Lunch today, is on board our boat, which is prepared using vegetables picked earlier at Tra Que Village.

After lunch, we have some free time to wander around Hoi An town centre before heading back to the hotel.

OPTIONAL 03: Rural Villages Experience (L) – Joined Tour – US$79/person

Tour Time: 13:30 – 17:00
Group Size: 1-7

Set off on the back of our Vespas to discover the villages and countryside around Hoi An! Zoom out of town, following the banks of the Thu Bon River to a bustling local fish market. After a short walk through the market stalls, continue by Vespa into the lush countryside, filled with rice paddies and sleepy hamlets.

Pop into a family’s workshop to see how they make local rice crackers. Then continue across the Thu Bon River and ride through more quiet villages. Take a break for local snacks and drinks in a picturesque spot, giving you a chance to soak up the views and learn about the seasonal vegetables being grown in the area.

As the day winds to a close, the Vespas continue through the rice paddies, passing duck farms and other scenes of rural life. Pull over to see a family using traditional weaving to make floor mats and then on to another small workshop where potent rice wine is brewed! We then ride back to Hoi An, across the Cam Kim Bridge, and drop you at your hotel as the sun begins to set on this beautiful heritage town!

OPTIONAL 04: My Son Champa Kingdom for Sunset (L) – Joined Tour – US$29/person

Tour Time: 13:30 – 18:30
Group Size: 15 maximum

14:00: Our tour guide pick you up at your hotel and depart to My Son Sanctuary – The World Cultural Heritage.
15:00: Arrive at My Son and we’ll have 2 hours to discover the site by walking throughout the landscape, learning histories with our local English-speaking guide, and enjoying the Champa’s traditional performances.
15:15: Get back to mini van for transfer to the Cau Lau’s wharf for taking a boat trip to Hoi An with nice and cool breeze on boarding, beautiful sunset river scenery on the biggest river in the Central of Vietnam named as Thu Bon River. Get your camera ready for the amazing moment of local people activities along the river
18:30 Arrive at Hoi An, we will drop you at your hotel. Tour ends!

Overnight at La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa – Deluxe Room or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 (29^th Nov 2024) Hoi An – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L)

After breakfast, we will be free until your driver arrives to take you to Danang International airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Flight: Danang – Ho Chi Minh City | DAD – SGN | VN 109 | 09:15 – 10:55

On arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, welcomed upon arrival by a local tour guide and driver then we transferred to Cu Chi Tunnels for our half day visit. Cu Chi Tunnels is 50 km far from the city center. It’s located in Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh city. These are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels that were the location of military campaigns during American wars. This area is now a “should-not-be-missed” site for all visitors traveling to Vietnam. We will watch a short introduction video showing the foundation, activities… of Cu Chi tunnels and people lived here in the past then we will crawl all the safe parts of the tunnel system; enjoy some special cassava and tea  that served free in the tour. Later, we can go to the shooting range where we can try to fire real bullets: (costs US$3/bullet) or free for shopping at the souvenir shops. Back to Ho Chi Minh City and trip end at the hotel.

Overnight at Alagon D’Antique Hotel – Deluxe Room or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Cơm Tấm

Day 8 (30^th Nov 2024) Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B, L, D)

We pick you up at the hotel after breakfast and transfer you to Cai Be. The program will start with a visit to Tan Phong Island for biking/walking on village paths to see the local daily life: orchard, school, church, pagoda, traditional houses… On the way, we can have some stops to see how they wave the dried water hyacinth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, and shoes…

Then, the rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy a peaceful time. Next, we back to our boat to go across one of the longest rivers in the world, the Mekong River, to come to An Bình Island. While we travel on a handmade canal to homestay, we can walk around this orchard & enjoy some cups of tea while listening to the traditional music in the ancient house.

After that, we walk into the local village to visit the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice and enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea. It’ll give you an unforgettable experience. One more thing to do on this trip is visiting the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. The cruise transfers us back to Vinh Long city where we take our own vehicle to Can Tho and spend our night here.

Overnight in Iris Hotel Can Tho – Superior Executive Room or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 (1^st Dec 2024) Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)

Early morning today, we will take the boat trip to visit the famous Cai Rang Floating Market with the busy sense right at the time. This is a biggest floating market in Mekong Delta where we can see the daily life and local people selling their products on boats. If the time permits, we can visit Binh Thuy Ancient House here.

After that, you will be back to the hotel and have free time until check out. At noon, we will head back to Ho Chi Minh City and have lunch en-route. Arrive at our hotel in the afternoon and have free time at leisure. We will spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight at Alagon D’Antique Hotel – Deluxe Room or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (local restaurant)

Day 10 (2^nd Dec 2024) Ho Chi Minh City – Departure (B)

Time will be free until our car arrives at the hotel to take us to the airport in good time to board our departure flight. Trip ends. Thanks for choosing this Vietnam vacation package!

INCLUSION & EXCLUSIONS

Inclusions

• 9-night accommodation with daily breakfast as per detailed itinerary
• Transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle with experienced driver
• Meals as specified in the itinerary with authentic local food. Western food is available (upon request) (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
• Local-stationed English-speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees & permits
• 2 Days 1 Night in Halong Bay Cruise
• Bottle of drinking water

Exclusions

• International flights and airport taxes
• Domestic flights and airport taxes
• Vietnam E-Visa $30 per person
• Travel insurance
• Other meals which are not indicated above
• Surcharge and Compulsory dinners (if any)
• Beverages in the restaurants where meals are included
• Gratuities to guides and drivers
• Personal and other expenses such as porter, bar bills and laundry not stated in the itinerary.