Vietnam Cultural Highlight Tour – 21 Days

GENERAL INFORMATION

Tour Route: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hue – Hoi An – Danang –  Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh Long – Can Tho – Phu Quoc – Ho Chi Minh City.
Duration: 21 Days/ 20 Nights
|Date: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
Start/ End: Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh City
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Accommodation: Listed below or equivalent

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Welcome up on arrival by local tour guide and driver then we transfer to hotel. Relax for the rest of the day.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi – Free Time – Cyclo & Water Puppet – Walking Tour with Street Foods (B, D)

This morning, you will be free.

Around 5 pm, 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. We will then sit down to enjoy a performance of the city’s famous Water Puppets. Then, we transfer back to hotel and start a walking tour around the old quarter of Hanoi along different streets, try to taste many kinds of local food such as beef/chicken noodle soup, oil-fried pastry, tofu, rice pancake, pillow cake, sweet soup, stuff pancake with pork, draught beer… and one of our best surprised is a stop at Dong Xuan whole sales market where we know many kinds of ingredients being sold.

Last but not least is our happy ending at a hidden coffee in the Old Quarters enjoy its famous ‘egg coffee’ in a pleasant surrounding overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. Fortunately, as it’s Friday so there’s night market and walking street around Hoan Kiem Lake. It would be a great chance to immerse in the local life of the local at weekend here. After the tour, we return back to hotel in old quarter Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi – Duong Lam Ancient Village – Vintage Jeep ½ Day GROUP TOUR (B, L)

This morning, we meet tour guide and driver at the lobby of the hotel and transfer 60 Km to the west of Hanoi to visit Duong Lam Ancient village. This is the first ancient village recognised as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information in Vietnam. It has a history of about 1,200 years with many houses dating back up to 400 years. One special thing about the village is that most of the buildings here are made of laterite and mud, two materials that are abundant in the area. Laterite is used on house walls, gates, wells, temple walls, and so forth. The mud is taken from ponds. Apart from its historical and tourism values, Duong Lam ancient village is an important place for scientists to study resident communities in ancient agriculture. The village gate, banyan, well, communal house are important factors in classifying Duong Lam ancient village.

On arrival, we will walk along the tine ancient alleys, meet and talk over a cup of green tea with the local in the ancient house. We will then visit Mong Phu Temple, the only hamlet whose original village entrance gate remains intact.

After lunch in a local house with traditional Vietnamese food, we will cycle to Mia Pagoda which was built in 15th Century containing 287 statues of different sizes; Ngo Quyen & Phung Hung Temples the two National Heroes of Vietnam. In the late afternoon, we transfer back to Hanoi and join the Jeep Tour.

Time Departures:

Morning:     08:00 – 12:00
Afternoon: 12:30 – 16:30
Evening:    17:00 – 21:30

Before the tour, our tour guide will meet you at the meeting location (or your hotel)  and give you a brief introduction. The guide will tell you all you need to know to have a completely enjoyable tour, and then we will embark on our journey.

First, we go to Backstreet Ride. We will drive through a maze of alleyways known only by locals, make friends with people and get to know the behind-the-scenes stories. The next stop is the French & Old Quarter with majestic French-style houses. Our jeep will take you through the green boulevards of Indochina’s capital, where you can see the influence of French architecture. The embassy area, Hanoi Opera House, Long Bien Bridge, and other Hanoi landmarks will be passed through.

The Great Westlake is the third place to know about the new parts of Hanoi Westlake, Hanoi’s largest lake, which is known as the city’s “air conditioner.” Due to the lake’s unique “Feng shui” location, dozens of spiritual sites have been created all around it. Our knowledgeable tour guide will explain everything and take you around the city. Then we zip around the West Lake, and pass through the city’s most peaceful areas, with ancient villages nestled around the West Lake, Truc Bach Lake – A frantic Hanoi with thousands of skyscrapers in the city’s new areas.

We not only take you on an exciting journey through Hanoi traffic, but we also introduce you to traditional Hanoian cuisine (vegan and vegetarian options are available)

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4: Hanoi – Bat Trang Ceramic Village Full Day with Traditional Oldstyle Feast (B, L)

Around 10:00 am, we will take a 15-Km drive to the outskirt of Hanoi in the East to visit Bat Trang Ceramic Village, which is located on the left bank of Hong River. This ceramic village was dated back from 15th century and soon became one of the most famous ceramic and pottery villages in the North of Vietnam. On arrival at the village, we will visit Bat Trang Communal House, which was built under Le Du Tong King’s period, from 1719 to 1720. We then visit the ancient house and ceramic workshops of artist Tran Van Do, To Thanh Son and Vu Duc Thang. If you wish, you can try your hands in making your own ceramic products, something for the beginners such as cup, bowl or flower vases. We finish our trip with a visit to the French ancient building since 1920s.

After the tour, we will enjoy the traditional oldstyle feast in Bat Trang which is used to serve in Lunar New Year in Vietnam. Finishing the lunch, we return back to Hanoi and enjoy the time in Phung Hung Street. This street is famous with train go through while you’re enjoy a cup of coffee here. After spending around 1 hour here, we continue to visit the Temple of Literature, which was originally built as a temple to Confucius. Later this afternoon, we enjoy 1-hour cyclo tour of the French-inspired “old quarter”. We will be free for shopping in the old quarter ranging from markets through to designer boutique stores to amazing contemporary art galleries. Then, we sit down to enjoy a performance of the city’s famous Water Puppets and return back to the hotel in Hanoi.

Funfact: Bat Trang is also a cradle of traditional Vietnamese cuisine with many dishes and original flavors passed down through generations. Visiting Bat Trang, we shouldn’t miss the opportunity to try out the village’s iconic “old-time feast”. In the North, festive-offering trays often had six bowls and eight plates of different traditional delicacies for the feast. At lunch time, we can visit a local culinary artisan’s home, sit down and have a cup of tea with them then enjoy the feast for lunch which was prepared by the artisan themselves or their children/students. Feast comes in a FIXED serving size for groups of 4 to 6 and requires reservation at least 3 days in advance.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi – City Tour (B, L)

Today, at 8:30 am, our guide pick you up at the hotel in Hanoi where we will venture out to explore Hanoi the first stop will be a coffee shop on Phung Hung Street. The train will run through this area while we enjoy our coffee here. After spending around 1 hour here, we continue to visit the Temple of Literature, which was originally built as a temple to Confucius. Let’s continue the tour by visiting Quan Thanh Temple represents the Taoist religion dating from Ly Dynasty and Tran Quoc Pagoda dedicated to Buddha (the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, especially locates on West Lake where you can capture nice sightseeing). Lunch is inclusive and served after the Tran Quoc pagoda visit.

Then, we go to the Ho Chi Minh Complex as the first attraction. With a fixed route, you will see Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (visit outside) which houses his corpse everlasting so that Vietnamese people and friend countries can come to pay expect to him as the greatest president ever in Vietnam; his stilt-house described as Ho Chi Minh’s final resting accommodation since his death in 1969, and One Pillar pagoda with a long history back to 1049 during Ly dynasty in Vietnam- the period that Buddhist was most magnifically prosperous. The architecture followed special meanings as well. You absolutely find out how special this city means to Vietnamese people.

After the tour here, we will spend time in the infamous Hoa Lo Prison Museum. Hoa Lo is also known as the ‘’Hanoi Hilton’’ and was where former US presidential candidate John McCain was incarcerated for over 5 years.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on Cruise (B, L, D)

After breakfast, the shuttle bus will pick you up at the hotel in Hanoi and we transfer to Halong Bay in the next 2.5 hours.

When we arrive at Tuan Chau Marina, you will get checked in at Paradise Suites Hotel and transferred to the Paradise Cruise via Electric Cart. Once arrived, you will be given a short briefing about your cruise itinerary and safety regulations while you enjoy some complimentary welcoming drinks. Shortly after, enjoy your lunch at the Restaurant while viewing the beautiful islets of Ha Long Bay.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Tung Sau Pearl farm where you will have the chance to learn about the process of pearl cultivation or you go kayaking instead. Afterward, your next stop will be at Titop Island, an island named after the Russian Cosmonaut “Gherman Stepanovich Titov”. You can choose to either hike the island’s mountain to get a majestic view of Ha Long Bay or swim at the beach.

After that, we return to the cruise and enjoy the Bay sunset while enjoying the “Happy Hour” special. You may also join our chef in the kitchen to learn how to make a Vietnamese Dish. After a Western Set Dinner, enjoy some night activities on the boat like: squid fishing, drinks, or movies. The rest of night will be relaxing on the cruise.

Overnight on board.

Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Hue (B, L)

Start your day with a Tai Chi Session at the Sundeck. Then, we enjoy a light meal with some fresh pastries, coffee, and tea at the restaurant. Next destination will be the Sung Sot Cave, the largest and most magnificent cave in the bay where you can see the stalactites in different forms. Afterward come to enjoy breakfast while the cruise passes by Thien Cung, Dau Go Cave, and the Fighting Cock Islet. After breakfast, you will check out and are free to enjoy the rest of your trip at the Lounge or on the sundeck looking at the astonishing view of Halong Bay. At 10:15 AM, Paradise Cruise returns to Tuan Chau Marina. Finally, we disembark and farewell the crew then get back to Hanoi by our shuttle bus/D-car in 2.5 to 3 hours driving.

When you return back to Hanoi, our car will wait for you at the hotel’s lobby before we transfer to the airport. On your arrival, our car will pick you up at the ariport and transfer to hotel in Hue for accommodation.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 8: Hue – Explore & Experience Emperor Life GROUP TOUR (B, L)

Around 8.00 – 8.30 am, we pick you up at the hotel in Hue to start our journey. The first place of our trip is Thien Mu Pagoda – The oldest pagoda in Hue city. We go there by Dragon boat to have a different look at the fabled Perfume River and also fully admire the beauty of Thien Mu pagoda from afar. After that, we explore the Imperial Citadel – The home of Vietnam & the last royal dynasty – the Nguyen Dynasty. Famously being one of Vietnam’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Imperial City of Hue has long been a must-see attraction for tourists visiting a hidden charm of Vietnam.

Following, we go to Dong Ba Market to see the daily life of local people. It’s relatively clean, with ample space, and most of what’s sold will fit in your suitcase. This place is designed for locals so you can pick up some cheap and tasty eats. The market ranges from raw foods to t-shirts and the usual stuff you find at tourist markets.

After lunch, we continue to visit Tu Duc & Khai Dinh King’s Tomb – a blend of Western and Eastern architecture. Khai Dinh designed his tomb himself, after exposure to France, and surely Chinese aesthetics, and it is very different from most other temples with nice colors, and beautiful fusion costumes (although he set a trend if you look at newer temples). This place will suitable for someone who likes history. The view is amazing, if try you can get a lot of perfect pictures. You will be impressed by the majesty and symmetry of the architectural constructions.

One more place on this trip is Conical Hat Village, an incense stick-making village. It has been a well-known trademark in Vietnam and around the world. When it comes to Hue’s traditional villages, conical hat village is one of the most well-known brands. It is dedicated to preserving Hue’s distinctive cultural attractiveness. At around 4:00 – 4:30 pm, we go back to your hotel. Tour ends

Overnight in Hue.

Day 9: Hue – Hoi An – Walking Tour with Street Foods (B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel, 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. The transfer will be no guide.

On arrival in Danang, we will have a brief visit to Marble Mountain – the five elements of the Universe (water, wood, air, fire, and earth). We will arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon. Then, we will start our walking tour around the ancient town to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky’s old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, the temples, and pagodas of Chinese appearance. Then we are back to our hotel to relax.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 10: Hoi An – Free Time (B)

The day will be free for shopping, strolling in the town, lazing on the beach, or whatever takes your fancy. We’ll spend the night in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 11: Hoi An – Danang – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City – Vespa Saigon After Dark Group Tour (B, D)

After breakfast, we will be free until your driver arrives to take you to Danang International Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

On arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, welcome upon arrival by a local tour guide and driver then we transfer to the hotel for check-in. After check-in, we will be free to wander around the hustle and bustle city on your own.

This unique itinerary is designed for tourists who want discover a different Ho Chi Minh City by night. The traffic is still utter nightmare but the Vespa drivers are so good that we still feel relax and comfortable. You will travel around all the highlight places in Ho Chi Minh City and see how they are in the nighttime, colorful and brightening. You also try many kinds of local food such as Seafood, “Banh xeo – Southern pancake”, “Cha gio – Southern Sprillroll”, “Bo xien nuong – roasted beef” and local beers…. 

We are picked up by Vespa driver at 6 PM and drive to meeting happy point at Cafes Zoom where we enjoy welcome drink and snack. Here, we are also be top models when the Vespa Adventure staff takes us many nice photos and send to us after the tour.

We start our tour once the sun disappears in the west; the drivers drive us around the big streets to small streets and we can see all the daily nightlife of local people. Then we stop at a seafood workshop for our first tasting meal. With all picked up dishes, we enjoy with local beer, fruit juice or cold water while streets outside are still busy. After that, Vespa drivers take us back to center district, passing many highlight places in the city and we finally meet tour guide who take his private Vespa at the Banh Xeo workshop. This is a special street restaurant where we will have chance to see the local women cooking Banh Xeo what we later try with cold drink. When we think we can’t eat anymore, it’s time the Vespa drivers take us to a hidden Vietnamese-style coffee shop to have a taste of Vietnamese live music as local. There is no micro, no power light, it’s only live songs and candle and people whisper to pick up drink. We can stay here long as we can or we will move to the last destination to change the music taste if we are fan of Rock & beer (Optional for family is Ice-cream workshop). We are back to hotels, say goodbye with Vespa drivers, tour guide, and enjoy a peaceful night.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City – City Group Tour (B, L)

Group size: 4 – 12 people
Morning option: 07:30 – 08:00  (the time of pick up depends on customer’s hotel/ accommodation’s exact position)
Afternoon option: 12:30 – 13:00  (the time of pick up depends on customer’s hotel/ accommodation’s exact position)

RETURN: 12 p.m (morning option) and 18:00 (afternoon option)

We will pick you up at the hotel in HCMC. The first place of the morning trip is Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification palace, which was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu.

We continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars. After the tour, we will transfer back to hotel.

Notes:

*The Notre Dame Cathedral has been restored, so the guests just visit outside.
*Drop-off time is subject to traffic, weather…so the finished time could be later than expected.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B, L)

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 Binh 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 Can Tho.

Day 14: 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 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 15: Ho Chi Minh City – Fly to Phu Quoc (B)

Time will be free until our car arrives at the hotel to take us to the airport in good time to board our flight to Phu Quoc. On your arrival in Phu Quoc, we will transfer you to the hotel by the shuttle bus of the hotel. The rest of day will be free.

Overnight in Phu Quoc.

Day 16 – 20: Phu Quoc – Free Time (B)

Today is a free day.

Overnight in Phu Quoc.

Day 21: Phu Quoc – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City – Departure (B)

Today, we fly back to Ho Chi Minh City and depart the flight back to Ho Chi Minh City. Trip ends. See you on the next Vietnam vacation packages!

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

Inclusions

• 20-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
• Hue Group Tour
• HCM City Deluxe Group Tour
• Bottle of drinking water

Exclusions

• International flights and airport taxes
• Domestic flights and airport taxes
• Vietnam Visa stamp (US$ 25.00 per person)
• Travel insurance with Covid protection term up to $10,000
• 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.