About the trip
Tucked nicely between China, Laos, Cambodia and Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam has continued to flourish into a beautiful country that embraces their past and strives for a better future. Many don’t realize the beautiful wonders of nature that are hidden in this land, spread along the shores and hidden amidst the mountain. We start from the city, the Temple of Literature that marks the beginning of advanced education for this country, dedicated to Confucius. Then to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum that tells the history of the former president that won the country independence. Nearby, you can find the One Pillar Pagoda, built almost a thousand years ago, and serves as an important Buddhist temple for locals. Visiting the Museum of Ethnology to learn about the culture of the various tribes and ethnic groups that live in Vietnam, and take a relaxing walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake before getting a good night’s rest. We’ll also visit Halong Bay, a popular beach destination in Vietnam best known for the gorgeous view of the Gulf of Tonkin. There are various water activities to take part in and explorers can try hop into the grottos, or artificial caves, that were found around the beach. By kayaking, you can even reach the islets around Halong Bay to look around. Spend a night on the cruise that’ll serve you a beautiful POV during the sunrise and explore the surrounding islands. In Saigon, we’ll go on another cruise trip, and this time through the famous Mekong River. The city of My Tho is known for their local produces and lives often revolves around the river. On this cruise, we’ll pass by many floating houses, stop by islands where tropical fruits grow, and enter small canals in smaller boats to meet the people that make these local delicacies. Saigon’s fervent prayers can be heard at Vinh Trang Pagoda, a unique Buddhist temple that has the features of Asian architecture with a bit of French. And finally, learn about everything on the Vietnam War as we visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, and back to Saigon to the museum and Reunification Palace that recalls the story of how Vietnam survived through the gruesome war and won their independence. You can get your shopping done in Ben Thanh Market and bring home some souvenirs or things to remember your trip by!
Max. Group Size
15
Highlights
- Accommodation based on Twin Sharing Basis
- 7 Breakfast, 7 Indian Lunch & 7 Indian Dinner
- Guaranteed Early Check-in on Day 1
- All Entrance fees and sightseeing as mentioned in the program
- Transportation by vehicle with A/C as per program
- Domestic Flight from Saigon to Hanoi
- Visa Processing & Stamping Fee
- War Remnants Museum
- Reunification Palace
- Ben Thanh Market
- Cu Chi Tunnels
- The Mekong Delta River cruise - Experience The Countryside Life Of Vietnam
- Vinh Trang Pagoda
- Halong Bay Overnight Cruise
- The Gulf of Tonkin - Natural World Heritage by UNESCO
- Hanoi City Tour - (Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature), One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Museum of Ethnology and Water Puppet Show
- Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu & Tam Coc
- Compulsory Tips for Tour Guide and Driver
- Surcharge of Guide Fees
- Surcharge for Transportation
- Local English speaking guides in Vietnam.
- Bottles of mineral water on tour day
Accommodation
Prague Hotel or Similar
3 nights in Ho Chi Minh City
Le Journey Ha Long Cruise or Similar
1 nights in Halong Bay
Hanoi Brilliant Hotel and Spa or Similar
2 nights in Hanoi
Included in the price
Ho Chi Minh City
- The Mekong Delta River cruise - Experience The Countryside Life Of Vietnam
- Vinh Trang Pagoda
- Cu Chi Tunnels
- War Remnants Museum
- Reunification Palace
- Ben Thanh Market
- Domestic Flight transfer from Saigon to Hanoi
- Single Entry Vietnam E-Visa
Halong Bay
- Cruise Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay
- The Gulf of Tonkin - Natural World Heritage by UNESCO
Hanoi
- Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature)
- One Pillar Pagoda
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Museum of Ethnology
- Water Puppet Show
- Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu & Tam Coc
Ho Chi Minh City
- The Mekong Delta River cruise - Experience The Countryside Life Of Vietnam
- Vinh Trang Pagoda
- Cu Chi Tunnels
- War Remnants Museum
- Reunification Palace
- Ben Thanh Market
- Domestic Flight transfer from Saigon to Hanoi
- Single Entry Vietnam E-Visa
Halong Bay
- Cruise Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay
- The Gulf of Tonkin - Natural World Heritage by UNESCO
Hanoi
- Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature)
- One Pillar Pagoda
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Museum of Ethnology
- Water Puppet Show
- Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu & Tam Coc
Day-wise Itinerary
ExpandDay 1: Arrival Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) And Saigon City Tour
- We welcome you to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam, with a population of around 9 million and above. You’ll land at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport and be greeted by your tour guide, an expert in knowing the local secrets and way to navigate through the alleyways.
- You’ll be transferred to your hotel and helped with check-in (standard check-in time is 14.00-15.00 so we will be providing you early check-in). Breakfast at hotel (till 9:30 am) and start your Saigon City Tour.
- We’ll enjoy a lunch break before we hop on our city tour in Saigon, starting with the War Remnants Museum, a famous historical landmark, an icon where people can learn about or be reminded of the Vietnam War that took place before the Vietnamese won their independence through blood and tears. There are exhibits that of the weapons, documents, photographs, and artifacts that survived the war.
- Some of these were evidences of the war crimes that took place in Vietnam and the heroic deeds of those who fought for their independence.
- Then to the Reunification Palace, which stands strong as the witness of the end of the horrid Vietnam War in 1975 and the unification of the south and north. Today, we’re visiting the palace that’s now a museum and hall for official events and read up on more about the end of the Vietnam War and the subsequent decisions made. The Notre Dame Cathedral is located not far from the palace, a perfect distance to walk up for some pictures. It was established by the French in 1880 and today, it’s one of the 19 most majestic cathedrals and the only one to represent Southeast Asia.
- In the evening, we’ll head out to Ben Thanh Market from the palace where locals love to spend their weekend at. It was built in 1912 and has become the symbol of Saigon as it continued to flourish. It is famous for the architecture that strongly reflects the French Colonial Era style, but has also undergone renovations over time, so it also features modern and contemporary building parts.
- We’ll head back to the hotel after you’re satisfied with your shopping for an overnight stay in Saigon.
- (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 2: Excursion To Cu Chi Tunnels (B/l/d) – Sic Tour
- Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel before an early morning drive. We will be heading to the historical site and witness of Vietnam War, Cu Chi Tunnels today. One may never truly understand nor can imagine the intensity of the war and what “Black Echo” meant until they enter this tunnel. American soldiers used the term Black Echo to describe the sheer difficulty to simply survive in the tunnels, but the Vietnamese soldiers lived here, along with venomous animals, bugs, and coming out on the at night to scavenge for supplies. It is a wide network of over 200kms long across the country and we’ll explore some that are today open for public.
- Return back to hotel in the evening and overnight stay.
- (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 3: Mekong Delta Tour – Experience The Countryside Life Of Vietnam - Sic Tour
- Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and get ready for an exciting day down the longest river in Southeast Asia. Your driver will be waiting at the lobby to take you to My Tho first, a city in the Mekong Delta famous for their local products made from local produce such as coconut candy and rice paper. It was a commercial hub of the region during the 17th century and still the centre of business and education.
- Hop on a cruise, which is a perfect way to explore the city while riding down the mighty Mekong River. You’ll be able to observe the local way of living, one that often revolves around the river. We’ll stop by one of the islands where fresh tropical fruits can be harvested and enjoy the performance of traditional southern Vietnamese folk music. We’ll switch vessel to smaller boats, manpowered by locals to enter small cannels and visit the factories where local delicacies are made, many still through traditional methods. Taste the honey tea and coconut candy milk, then take walk through the gardens where the honeybees feed.
- After lunch break, we’ll continue to Vinh Trang Pagoda, which is a unique pagoda that features the combination of Chinese, Cambodia, and French architecture and culture. This Buddhist temple is the most famous across the province and remains well-preserved to this day since it was built in 1849, a fascinating example of mixed style of Asian interference with a bit of French.
- We’ll head back to Saigon before as the sun begins to set, in time for dinner. We’ll stay overnight in Saigon.
- (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 4: Fly From Saigon To Hanoi And Transfer To Halong Bay – Overnight On Cruise
- After breakfast we will check-out and will be transferred to airport for Hanoi. Upon arrival your vehicle will be waiting at 9AM and get ready for a 3-hour drive to what has to be one of the most famous beaches in Southeast Asia, Halong Bay.
- Overlooking the Gulf of Tonkin, the bay became a designated Natural World Heritage by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006. Enjoy an authentic sight of Vietnam on your scenic ride as we pass by the Red River delta and green paddy fields on which farmers are working. Rural villages are signs of barely touched wilderness with the occasional buffaloes employed to plough the fields.
- We’ll board the cruise for check-in before enjoy our lunch after a long ride here. Take a break, drop your luggage and refresh before we take you to look around this gorgeous place.
- Halong Bay name means The Descending Dragon Bay, which comes from the legend that the Mother Dragon was sent by the Jade Emperor to defend Vietnamese against invaders from the sea. As you walk along the shore, you’ll spot limestone rocks that appear to be oddly sculpted by mother nature and several caves with magnificent karsts. These are grottos, or artificial caves, which can be entered by visitors. With the beach so beautiful, you probably can’t help yourself but go for a quick dip into the water. Kayaking is also available for those interested, allowing you to take the river route where floating houses can be seen and reach the islets near Halong Bay.
- We’ll return to the cruise by evening for dinner onboard and you’ll have leisure time to look around the boat, attend evening activities, or just relax.
- (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 5: Transfer From Halong Bay To Hanoi With Water Puppet Show
- Our day starts early today at Halong Bay because you don’t want to see the view of the sunrise from the horizon. Dawn breaks and bring out colours of the East Sea that’ll certainly put you in awe at the beauty of this country, as sunlight slowly falls onto the islets around you. After the sun is up, we head to the dining room for your breakfast before the cruise begins its journey.
- Many of islets were named after their shape, like the Fisherman’s head rock, Turtle Islet, Sail Island, etc. As the cruise continues, you’ll be able to understand the meaning behind those names. Check-out process is available before we reach the pier and brunch will be prepared on board afterward.
- Once we reach the port, you’ll be met with your driver and start your Hanoi City Tour.
- Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam and home to over 3.5 million people. It is the center of tourism where centuries-old buildings still stand to tell stories of old times. You’ll land at the international airport and be greeted by your tour guide, an expert in knowing the local secrets and way to navigate through the alleyways.
- From the museum, we drive back to the Old Quarter because we don’t want to miss the Water Puppet Show, a beautiful show which roots stem from centuries-old art form in Hanoi. Water puppet show was the entertainment of farmers in the 11th century when their fields are flooded, leaving them with little entertainment, but puppets to play with. Today, the show is synonymous to an art that preserves time and often sings about harvest times and myths related to water.
- We head back to the hotel after the show for overnight stay in Hanoi.
- (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 6: Full Day Excursion To Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu & Tam Coc
- Have breakfast at hotel. A 90km driving south of Hanoi will lead you to Ninh Binh, the site of the one capital city of ancient Vietnam before Hanoi took its leading role in 11th century. The area is featured by lots of well-known sceneries, which include Tam Coc Caves and Hoa Lu ancient capital with the old temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le reigned in 10th century. The visit in Ninh Binh starts by a boat trip in Tam Coc where spectacular limestone karsts jut out from the green paddy fields reminding about Guilin (China) and Halong Bay of Vietnam, which gives this scenery the name Halong-bay-on-land. Lunch at local restaurant.
- Further discovery in Ninh Binh will be continued by visiting Bich Dong Pagoda. Afternoon drive back Hanoi, on the way, stop to visit Hoa Lu, the site that used to be the kings’ palace in 10th century and now famous for the wooden relieves of the shady Dinh and Le temples. Late afternoon back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
- (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 7: Hanoi City Tour And Departure From Hanoi- Bid Adieu With A Bag Of Memories
- After breakfast at the hotel , we will pick you up from Old Quarter and head out for a city tour in Hanoi, starting from the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam). It is the location of Vietnam’s first national university’s Imperial Academy and was built in 1070. This thousand-year-old heritage marks the beginning of advanced education in Hanoi and was dedicate to major figures in education, particularly Confucius. It’s a tranquil place that just soothes the soul and calms the mind.
- Only 15 minutes by foot from the temple is the One Pillar Pagoda, a landmark with deep meaning for the people of Hanoi. It is a Buddhist temple with significant historical value. The One Pillar Pagoda is actually a complex that was constructed in the shape of a lotus flower by Emperor Ly Thai Thong who dreamed of a Buddhist goddess. The current pagoda is a rebuilt on top of the original pillar after the pagoda was destroyed in 1954 during the French colonization.
- Within the vicinity of the pagoda is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place for the revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh, who earned the country its independence. Visitors can also view his modest residence on stilts from the outside.
- NOTE: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museums is closed on Monday and Friday so there will be other alternative options if you depart on Monday and Friday.
- Later we’ll transfer you to the airport for your departure flight back home in the evening.
- (Breakfast and Lunch)
Exclusions
Expand- Visa Service to Vietnam
- RT-PCT / antigen test cost
- Covid insurance
- Single Supplement. Early check-in and late check-out. Hotel/Room upgrade
- Tip (servers, porters…), drinks, personal expenses and any services not clearly mentioned in the program.
Terms and Conditions
Expand- E-Visa Documents are required (Processing Time 5 Full Working Days):
- Clients’ passport scanned (Valid at least 6 months from departure date from Vietnam)
- Clients’ confirmed round trip air ticket
- Clients’ passport size photo (4cm x 6cm)
- Guide and vehicle will follow the exact confirmed program. Their maximum working time for sightseeing is from 08:00am - 17:00pm or 08:30am to 17:30pm. and Dinner time is in 2 hours from 07:00 – 09:00pm including pick up/drop off from/to your hotel. If anyone delays the confirmed program an over time charges is application on direct payment basis at the spot.
- If you need more time for sightseeing or dinner, please inform us in advance to include the cost from beginning.
- For lunch and dinner are not included in the program, clients will have to manage themselves and no guide and vehicle/driver escort for meals.
- Your understanding and punctuality is really appreciated because our tour guide and driver also need to refresh and recharge their health to work well on the next days.
- Normal check-out time at hotel is 12:00.
- The package is not included EARLY CHECK IN at hotel. For this issue, we will check case by case according to the Hotel policy.
- Cancellation policy:
- Cancelling 45 days or more before departure: the customer is charged a service fee of US$25.
- Cancelling between 44 and 21 days before departure: the customer is charged a service fee of US$50.
- Cancelling between 20 and 11 days before departure: the customer is charged a service fee of 50% of the total order value.
- Cancelling between 10 and 8 days before departure: the customer is charged a service fee of 75% of the total order value.
- Cancelling less than 7 days before departure: the customer is charged a service fee of 100% of the total order value.
