Embark on a premium 9-day journey to discover the essential highlights of Vietnam! Traveling from north to south, this thoughtfully designed itinerary combines must-see attractions with comfortable hotels and a luxurious cruise. Explore Hanoi's iconic landmarks and the famous Train Street, relax on a boutique luxury cruise through the stunning Halong Bay, stroll through the historic town of Hoi An, and uncover the rich history of the Cu Chi Tunnels. Get ready for a trip filled with culture, flavors, and unforgettable memories!
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.
Come back to hotel. End of the day
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.
8:00 - 8:30: Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter (for private transfers) or at our Shuttle Bus stop (for shared transfers). We'll head to Halong City.
11:30: Arrive at Tuan Chau Port, complete check-in procedures in the waiting lounge while savoring a welcoming tea.
12:15: Transfer to Nostalgia Cruise by tender boat. Enjoy a welcome drink at the restaurant while receiving a cruise briefing and safety instructions for your trip.
13:00: Lunch will be served as Nostalgia Cruise disembarks through Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay.
15:00: Transfer by tender to Cat Ba Island. Ride to Trung Trang Cave by bus. The cave extends 300 meters through the mountain and boasts a mysterious beauty shaped by geological tectonics over the last million years, along with many historical relics. Marvel at stalactites of various shapes that stimulate the human imagination and amaze visitors.
17:00: Return to the boat. Nostalgia Cruise enters a less-populated area at Tra Bau of Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the green, emerald water.
18:00: Onboard, participate in a cooking demonstration where traditional Vietnamese food is prepared. Enjoy Happy Hour (buy one, get one free) at the bar while watching the sunset over the bay.
19:15: Savor a fusion dinner made with the freshest ingredients in the restaurant, combining elegant French neoclassical style with traditional oriental touches.
21.00: A tea ceremony is served at the restaurant. Learn how to enjoy Vietnamese tea and immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture during this ceremony.
21:30: Admire the beauty of the night on the bay. Our bar on the sundeck and in the restaurant welcomes you. You may want to try your luck with squid fishing or play some board games in the restaurant. Overnight on board.
6:15: Rise early to witness the bay at its best while enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Afterward, a light breakfast will be served. We then head out to explore the bay in the area where the Sang Toi cave is situated.
7:45: Enjoy kayaking at Ao Ech area to discover the hidden charm of Lan Ha Bay.
9:30: Return to Nostalgia Cruises boat for check-out procedures.
10:00: While cruising back, enjoy a delightful brunch.
11:35: Return to Tuan Chau Port and disembark. Our driver will meet you at the port and bring you back to Hanoi. You are expected to arrive in Hanoi at about 2-3 PM.
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.
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.
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.