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

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.

Continue to Hoa Lo prison museum. Spend an hour to learn about the Vietnamese War. Hoa Lo was one of the largest prisons in Indochina, built by the French colonists in 1896 for Vietnamese political prisoners. Later, it was better known as the Hanoi Hilton since it imprisoned American pilots.

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.

Exploring 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.

8:00 Am: Meet tour guide and driver then depart to Mai Chau. On the way, visit a Muong village. Continue to Thung Khe pass where you can view magnificent panoramic views of the valley before arriving in Mai Chau town. Mai Chau is a beautiful valley located 145 km away from Hanoi. It is great place with harmonious landscapes, green mountain ranges, rice terraces and White Thai ethnic villages.

explore Mai Hich by bike(optional) or walk along the trails and concrete roads. You will be seduced by the gorgeous landscapes as the villages, rice fields, mountains and streams are in perfect harmony with one another. Do not miss the opportunity to communicate with the friendly local people who are always willing to welcome you into their house to enjoy a cup of tea. Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon.

depart to Ninh Binh, stop on the way to meet the local people and take pictures as you command. Arrive in Ninh Binh in the late afternoon and check in to your accommodation. 

8:00 Am: take a 15km bike ride (optional) or walk through the villages. A journey along the dyke will offer you gorgeous landscapes of rice fields, a river and limestone mountains. There are several stops for you to take beautiful photos or encounter the locals then walk to discover Thung La temple, dating back to the 11th century.

End of the day, transfer from Ninh Binh to Hanoi. Enjoy the journey passing Red River delta with a lot of chance taking pictures of rice fields, peaceful countryside.

Pick up at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter). Enjoy 3-hour drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Your journey will pass the series of villages and rice fields in Red River Delta. Have a stop for drink and restroom. Continue your driving, arrive at the harbor around noon, get warmly welcomed at reception.

08.30: Pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. Enjoy the landscape of the Red River Delta on the way to Ha Long Bay.

11:30: Arriving Tuan Chau Marina, have check-in procedures at waiting lounge..

12:15: Transfer to Orchid cruise by a feedder boat. Welcome aboard, we'll have some welcome drinks and gather at the restaurant for a cruise briefing and some safety instructions.

13:00: Passenger will be taking lunch while we cruise and visit Ha Long Bay – Lan Ha Bay - one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

15:00: We progress to Dark and Bright Caves, the ideal place for you to get up and close to Ha Long Bay by bamboo boat or kayak

17:00: Orchid cruise enters a less populated area at Tra Bau - Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy a nice swim in the green emerald water.

18:00: Onboard you may join a cooking demontration, enjoy the Happy Hour (buy 1 get 1) at the bar while watching the view of the bay at sunset.

Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly

19:15: Savor a deluxe dinner made with the freshest ingredients in a sophisticated space with elegant French neoclassical style and traditional oriental touches.

21:00: It's time to admire the beauty of the night on the bay, our bar on sundeck and in the restaurant welcome you. You may want to try your luck with squid fishing or watch a movie in the restaurant, we also have chess and cards for you.

23:00: End of Day One program

6:30: The day starts early onboard with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck.

7:00: Breakfast is served in the restaurant with morning view of our bay’s landscape, then we continue our journey.

8:45: Boarding Orchid day boat to visit Viet Hai fishing village. Cycling along the village (Optional electric car service is available) to enjoy the stunning landscape of Cat Ba rain forest and dark tunnels, witness the scenery of rice field, visit the ancient house, get closer to local life.

11:00: Return to the boat and enjoy lunch.

14:00: Visit Bao Trai Dao (Three peach islets), this peaceful body of water has beautiful scenery, making it the perfect place for scenic kayaking or relaxing on sandy beach.

17:00: Back on Orchid Cruise and have some Tapas prepared by chef. It's time to contemplate the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin while having few drink during Happy Hour at our bar on the top deck.

19:15: Deluxe Dinner is served. Experience a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting - take the time to enjoy our delicious local food prepared and served to you by our lovely caterers.

21:30: It's time to admire the beauty of the night on the bay, our bar on sundeck and in the restaurant welcome you. You can also try your luck with squid fishing or watch a movie in the restaurant, we also have chess and cards for you.

23:00: Overnight on board.

06:30: It is a perfect time to refresh and indulge yourself in a peaceful beauty of the bay with a tai chi session on sundeck. If you want to hunt for dawn, get up from 5:30 to 6:00 depending on the season, consult our sailors.

07:00: We will have breakfast at the restaurant while continuing the cruise

07:45: Kayaking activities at Ao Ech area is held to discover the hidden charm of Ha Long - Lan Ha Bay.

08:30: Orchid Cruises welcomes you back on board and it is time for checking out.

10:00: Enjoy a delightful brunch at our restaurant while cruising back

11:30: Disembark Orchid cruise at Tuan Chau Marina, say best wishes, end your cruise with us.

14:30: Back to drop-off point in Hanoi, end of the cruise trip.

Welcome by driver at the harbor then enjoy travel back to Hanoi. Have a rest at the middle of the way. Drop off at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter).

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.

Landing at the Phu Bai Airport you are welcomed by professional tour guide and driver at the pickup lobby. Enjoy 30 minute driving to Hue city center with city's briefing information about the most visited spots, culture, traffic and cuisine....Arrive at your hotel, check in and have a rest. 

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.

8:00 AM: 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 to 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.

Lunch is served in the village. In the afternoon, drive to 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.  

Hoi An used to be one of the most typical South-East Asian trading ports dating from the 15th to the 19th century and the Old Town is still well-preserved. The exchanged cultures is displayed on many historic buildings, religion, daily business and enriched by the authentic lifestyle of local inhabitants.

Firstly, visit the Hoi An city’s symbol - the Chua Cau or the Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 17th century to allow the Japanese quarter to be accessible from the Chinese neighborhoods. The bridge’s original style has been carefully preserved for the last 400 years.

Continue visit a special ancient house. Located in the center of Hoian, 18th century built, Phung Hung house is the evidence of culture exchanged in the splendid time of the town and has been used as home for more than eight generations. Meet local guide, also family member, follow she to discover the values of the house.

After visit, enjoy a walk to Hoian museum of history and culture. The display of the Sa Huynh Culture (before the 2nd centuries AD), Champa culture (the 2nd-15th centuries AD) and Dai Viet, Dai Nam Culture (the 16th-19th centuries) artifacts, with some huge bells, historic photos, old scales and weights alongside plenty of ceramics. It is enriched by the interesting things about the oldest street, the folk meaning and conception of the “eyes” on the doors of ancient houses and of the spiral carved patterns “De leaf” “Yin and Yang”, and many others.

Finally, you have an excursion to Hoian center market where is the best place to see the local daily life. Situated on the riverside, the large market is packed with stalls where you easily find a huge variety of food at extremely cheap prices. There is also a great fresh vegetable, meat and fish market which is worth visiting.

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

8:00 AM: Leave from your hotel to visit the most striking place in the history of the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Cu Chi is a real underground city made up of a large network of tunnels covering an area of over 250km long where the Viet Cong conducted the war of resistance against American troops. All of the tunnels were dug over a period of twenty years using only pickaxes and shovels. The tour includes special entering some part of tunnels. You will also have a chance to visit Ben Duoc memorial temple nearby but far less touristic built in 1993 in memory of the Vietnamese killed at Cu Chi.

8:00 AM: Tour guide and driver welcome you at your hotel for your transfer to Ben Tre, a beautiful region in the Mekong Delta River, famous for making coconut candy. Arrive at Hung Vuong pier, take a boat trip on Ben Tre River to discover the daily local life. Continue your boat trip on a canal to Nhon Thanh Village. This will be an opportunity to taste the fresh fruits.

Take a bike ride (or Tuk tuk) on a small path through the villages and enjoy views of the coconut ranges, rice fields and vegetable gardens. A lunch of elephant ear fish is served in the village. A short walk will help you to discover the local life in depth. This is followed by a boat ride on the small canal shaded by the wild palm trees. For those who wish to ride a bike, you can go to Mr Sau Khanh’s house to admire his collection of ancient objects. Then, continue riding through the rice fields and meet the locals.

Transfer back to Saigon in the late afternoon.

Private driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby for about 30 minutes to Tan Son Nhat 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.

In the rush hour (07:00 – 08:30 AM and 16:30 – 18:30 PM), it takes around 1 hour from city center to Tan Son Nhat airport.