Embark on an unforgettable 7-day journey to discover the very best of Vietnam! This thoughtfully crafted itinerary combines unique experiences with stays in comfortable accommodations. Explore Hanoi’s iconic landmarks and the famous Train Street, unwind on a luxury boutique cruise through the stunning Halong Bay, take part in a private cooking class in the historic town of Hoi An, ride through the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City on the back of a classic Vespa, and delve into the rich history of the Cu Chi Tunnels. Prepare 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 at the Hai Café (98 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An) rendezvous point (Transfer from hotel to meeting point on your own). After briefing, cycle to Tra Que village. We suggest you visit the vegetable garden where the villagers work according to the traditional method. Here, you will find and choose the coriander and fresh mint to prepare your dishes before drinking the local herbs.
Then, you will go to a local market with the list of spices you need, select the local ingredients such as star anise, cardamom, sesame rice papers, banana flowers and return to Red Bridge Restaurant. You will have a chance to refresh before starting the cooking class. Accompanied by the cooks of Red Bridge, you will learn how to make traditional Vietnamese cuisine, using local ingredients to prepare 4 famous dishes including the famous national dish, Pho. After the cooking class, you can taste the dishes you prepared yourselves. Later, you will enjoy a half hour cruise on Thu Bon River back to Hoi An town center. Today's activities end at around 14:30 PM.
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
To start off this Saigon night tour, enjoy drinks at our Vespa-themed café, Café Zoom, to watch “as the world goes by” (as said in the Lonely Planet guide book)
Throughout the night, try a variety of food and drinks at 2 local restaurants and samplings of Saigon’s best authentic local food.
Zoom past the famous must-see sights of Ho Chi Minh City while in the bustling traffic. We’ll also go to a Vietnamese-style coffee shop with special live music, and then wrap up the evening at an exciting music bar where the new generation of Vietnamese unwind and flaunt their unique styles.
Guests ride pillion behind our drivers to enjoy and experience the Vietnamese nightlife with friends. This tour includes free flowing drinks and all you can eat, so come with an appetite!
At the end of the tour, drive back to your hotel.
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.