
- Start/End: Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh city
- Visit: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hai Phong – Lan Ha bay – Ho Chi Minh city – Ben Tre – Con Dao Island
- Duration: 11 Days
- Travel style: Authentic, Beaches, Family
- Category: Private tour
- Tour schedule: Daily departure
- Tour guide in:
n English, Français, Español, Deutsch, Italiano
Discover famous destinations of the North and South in a unique itinerary which gives you the most authentic experience in Vietnam. Immerse yourself in a beach vacation on a pristine island with white sandy beaches and warm blue water just a 1 hour flight away from Saigon. This is a great option for travellers interested in privacy, especially suitable for a honeymooning couple …
- The bustling city of Hanoi capital & dynamic Ho Chi Minh city
- Overnight on Lan Ha Bay – The hidden gem of Ha Long Bay
- Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta
- Beach holiday on Con Dao Island
- Authentic, Less touristic
Note
- June to September is the rainy and hot season in Northern and Central Vietnam
- Sunglasses, sun cream and insect spray are recommended
- Day 1,Hanoi35km – 0.75h
Welcome to Hanoi, enjoy a walking tour in the old quarter
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
Continue by a nice walking tour escorted by your tour guide. Start with a small pagoda named Ba Da quietly located in a small alley – only few steps from the Hanoi Great Cathedral, built by French colonialism since the 19th century. Your tour guide also takes you to typical streets of Hanoi such as Lan Ong Street selling traditional medicine, Lo Ren Street where metal items are produced … Stop to visit the Dong Xuan central market – the largest in Hanoi. Continue walking to the famous area for night activities and street food – Ta Hien street, where you can see the vibrant streets with a lot of the amazing local foods and drinks. Trying to taste some for an unforgettable experience.
Note: If your flight arrival late or you are jet leg after long flight, the walking tour will be moved to the city tour day.Included:English speaking guidePrivate transportationEntrance fees02 bottles of water/pax/dayHanoi Boutique Hotel(Deluxe Room)7 Ngo Gach street, Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi City, Vietnamhttps://www.hanoiboutiquehotel.vn - Day 2,Hanoi
Exploring the center of culture & education Van Mieu, outstanding museum of ethnology, visiting French Quarter and discovering Old town
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.
Next stop at the Ethnology Museum (closed every Monday) which offers a deep insight into Vietnamese culture through traditional costumes, tools, musical instruments and traditional houses of many ethnic groups. To fully explore this interesting museum, it takes you around two hours.
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.
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
Included:English speaking guideMeal: BPrivate transportationEntrance feesLeisure: Water puppet02 bottles of water/pax/dayHanoi Boutique Hotel(Deluxe Room)7 Ngo Gach street, Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi City, Vietnamhttps://www.hanoiboutiquehotel.vn - Day 3,Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hanoi100km – 2h
Biking to Thung La temple and then a boat trip in Van Long Nature Reserve, embroidering experience
8:00 AM: Transfer from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, driving through the picturesque countryside of the Red River Delta, painted by rice and vegetable fields. After a 1.5 hour drive, you will arrive in Van Long where you will meet a typical 3-generation rural family. Be welcomed to their home with a cup of tea and learn about their idyllic local lifestyles through intimate conversation.
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. Meet Mr Tuong, the temple guardian, and enjoy an authentic conversation as well as a 20 minute drum show.
Later, take a sampan boat trip along the stream and among the limestone mountains to discover the beauty of Van Long nature reserve. If lucky, you might get to see white monkeys and egrets on the cliffs. After the boat trip, visit an embroidery village and take part in an embroidery course under the instruction of local craftswoman, Mrs Lam. She will proudly explain the techniques of her traditional craft. This will be a good opportunity for you to practice on fabric like a real craftsman.
End of the day, transfer back to your hotel in Hanoi.
Included:English speaking guideMeal: B, LBoat: Van LongPrivate transportationEntrance feesBike: Ninh BinhLeisure: Thung La temple music02 bottles of water/pax/dayHanoi Boutique Hotel(Deluxe Room)7 Ngo Gach street, Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi City, Vietnamhttps://www.hanoiboutiquehotel.vn - Day 4,Hanoi – Hai Phong – Lan Ha bay140km – 2.5h
Cruising from Halong to Lan Ha bay, swimming & kayaking, cooking class
9:00 AM: Pick up at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter). Enjoy two and a half hour drive from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay on the national highway No5B. Your journey will pass the series of villages and rice fields in the Red River Delta. Have a stop for drink and restroom. Continue driving to the harbor around noon, get warmly welcome at cruise reception.
12:30: You will be taken aboard our support vessel and travel from the wharf via the bay to board our luxurious craft, Peony Cruises. Welcome fresh drinks, cold towels and a special lunch of fresh food and an assortment of appetizing delicacies will be served. You will be enchanted when decadently dining on our luxury junk. Life just doesn’t get better than this! We then set sail for Lan Ha Bay – A member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays.
15:30: We will visit the Dark and Bright Cave – famous for the pristine natural beauty and poetic, attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. Here you will take some photos of the romantic, lyrical local see-sights. This is also the best time for tourists to enjoy bamboo boat and swimming – which is an interesting activity to discover the truest beauty of the limestone mountains and the blue sky of LanHa Bay. Afterwards, visitors immerse in the emerald green water of LanHa Bay with exciting swimming activities or enjoy mini pool with jacuzzi on Peony Cruise.
17:30: Return to Peony Cruise. Enjoy sunset party on Lan Ha Bay. It is an ideal time for photography enthusiasts to capture the stunning moment of sunset at Lan Ha Bay.
19:30: Enjoy a romantic dinner at the restaurant on Peony Cruise.
21:00: Enjoy the nightlife of the bay from the top deck. Immerse yourself in music, enjoying a glass of cocktail from the bar, watching famous films and relaxing on the cruise. Otherwise, you can fish squid with the sailors or simply relax in the room and watch the bay from the balcony.
Overnight on the cruise.
Included:Shuttle bus: Hanoi – Hai Phong (Got)English speaking guide (on board)Meal: B, L, DEntrance feesKayak: HalongLeisure: Squid fishing,Beach swimmingCooking class: Halong (on board)02 bottles of water/pax/dayPeony Cruise – 2D1N(Deluxe Balcony Cabin)5/33B Pham Ngu Lao street, Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi City, VietnamWebsite: http://www.peonycruises.com - Day 5,Hai Phong – Lan Ha bay – Ho Chi Minh city
Exploring Trung Trang Cave, visiting Cat Ba National park, Transferring back to Hanoi for a flight to Ho Chi Minh city
6:30-7:30: Breakfast is served at Peony Cruise Cruise restaurant.
8:00: Cruise will arrival Frog Pond area, in here you have kayaking and free to relax in the four-season mini pool on Lan Ha Bay – A silk ribbon made from green mountains, blue seas and diverse fauna and flora.
9:30: Checking out of the room. Then the lunch in the restaurant is ready for you, pay the extra fee (if any) at the reception while traveling to the port. Kindly needed to pay for the costs in charge of the front desk (if any) while traveling to the port.
11:15 – 11:30: Disembark and move back the port.
11h30 – 11h45: You are at Tuan Chau International Marina Station
Welcome by driver at the harbor then enjoy 2 and a half hour travel back to Hanoi on the new highway No5B crossing the Red River Delta and villages. 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 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
Included:English speaking guideMeal: B, LPrivate transportationEntrance feesLeisure: Morning Tai Chi02 bottles of water/pax/dayFlight :VN259 (HAN – SGN)/ 17:00 – 19:15 – Vietnam Airlines – Economy / 06 ticketsElios Hotel(Senior Superior Room)233 Pham Ngu Lao street, district 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamhttp://www.elioshotel.vn - Day 6,Ho Chi Minh city50km – 1.5h
Visiting incredible Cu Chi tunnels, historical land.
8:00 AM: Pick up from hotel then drive to the suburban of Ho Chi Minh 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.
Travel back to Ho Chi Minh city. In the afternoon visit the Independence Palace, once used as the home – office of the Presidents of South Vietnam. Our visit includes the North Vietnamese tank which effectively attacked the palace in 1975 to bring the controversial Vietnam War to an end and the five-story palace with its rooms have been preserved in their late 1960s, 1970s style and a bunker basement.
Take a walk to visit the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, originally built between 1863 and 1880, evidently reflects the French colonist influences. It’s a picturesque spot in the city.
Besides, there is another architectural masterpiece. The Saigon Central Post Office is a stunning building, designed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. It is an actually working post office with beautiful indoor decorations.
Our last stop at the most famous market in the city, Ben Thanh Market, which has been opened since 1870. The market not only supplies the daily needs of local people but also excellent place to pick up inexpensive souvenirs and enjoy Vietnam’s local street foods.
End of the day services, drop you back at your hotel.
Included:English speaking guideMeal: B, LPrivate transportationEntrance fees02 bottles of water/pax/dayElios Hotel(Senior Superior Room)233 Pham Ngu Lao street, district 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamhttp://www.elioshotel.vn - Day 7,Ho Chi Minh city – Ben Tre – Ho Chi Minh city110km – 2.5h
Travelling to Mekong, enjoy boat trip, biking, interacting with local people in Ben Tre
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.
Included:English speaking guideMeal: B, LBoat: Ben TrePrivate transportationBike: Ben Tre02 bottles of water/pax/dayElios Hotel(Senior Superior Room)233 Pham Ngu Lao street, district 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamhttp://www.elioshotel.vn - Day 8,Ho Chi Minh city – Con Dao Island
Flying to Con Dao, beach holiday
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.
Get warmly welcomed at Con Dao airport then enjoy a 30-minute drive along the island, witness the landscape. Arrive at your hotel, check in and enjoy your beach vacation.
Included:Meal: BPrivate transportation02 bottles of water/pax/dayFlight :VN8063 (SGN – VCS)/ 09:55 – 10:55 – Vietnam Airlines – Economy / 06 ticketsCon Dao Resort(Deluxe sea view)8 Nguyen Duc Thuan, Con Dao island, Ba Ria Vung Tau, Vietnamhttp://condaoresort.vn - Day 9,Con Dao Island
Con Dao free & easy
Today you are free to relax and explore the island.
Included:Meal: BCon Dao Resort(Deluxe sea view)8 Nguyen Duc Thuan, Con Dao island, Ba Ria Vung Tau, Vietnamhttp://condaoresort.vn - Day 10,Con Dao Island
Con Dao free & easy
Today you are free to relax and explore the island.
Included:Meal: BCon Dao Resort(Deluxe sea view)8 Nguyen Duc Thuan, Con Dao island, Ba Ria Vung Tau, Vietnamhttp://condaoresort.vn - Day 11,Con Dao Island – Ho Chi Minh city
Flying back to Ho Chi Minh City, end of services
Enjoy your time until getting transfer to the airport. Perfectly end your beach holiday on Con Dao Island.
Take a short flight back to Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) Ends of your holiday.
Included:Meal: BPrivate transportation02 bottles of water/pax/dayFlight :VN8072 (VCS – SGN)/ 13:45 – 14:50 – Vietnam Airlines – Economy / 06 tickets
- English speaking tour guide following itinerary
- All entrance fees and tickets mention on itinerary
- Selected Accommodations with daily breakfast
- Cruise: Peony Cruise – 2D1N
- Boat: Van Long, Ben Tre
- Private car following itinerary
- Shuttle bus: Hanoi – Hai Phong (Got)
- Flight Tickets: VN259 HAN – SGN (Vietnam Airlines – Economy) , VN8063 SGN – VCS (Vietnam Airlines – Economy) , VN8072 VCS – SGN (Vietnam Airlines – Economy)
- Meal: B: 10, L: 05, D: 01
- Bike: Ninh Binh, Ben Tre
- Kayak: Halong
- Leisure: Water puppet, Thung La temple music, Squid fishing, Beach swimming, Morning Tai Chi
- Cooking class: Halong (on board)
- Service charges and Taxes
- International flight from/to your country
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tipping and Gratuities
- Other not mentioned in the program


























