VIETNAM PACKAGE 16

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam!
Upon arrival, you will be collected by our local guide at Tan Son Nhat Airport and transferred to the hotel, then checked-in as per hotel’s standard check-in time.
Afternoon, start with a visit to the Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace. Built on the site of the former Norodom Palace, it stands as a prominent landmark of Ho Chi Minh City, designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu.
Next, see some beautiful examples of French Colonial architecture, including the Notre Dame Cathedral (viewed from the outside due to ongoing construction) and the historic Central Post Office.
Continue to the War Remnants Museum, which offers a comprehensive display of both the Indochina wars, providing deep insights into the wartime history and its impact.
Conclude the tour with a visit to Ben Thanh Market, a bustling hub where you can explore local crafts, souvenirs, and street food. Enjoy some free time to shop and experience the vibrant atmosphere.
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Breakfast at hotel.
Pick-up time: ~ 07:30 / Drop-off time: ~ 17:30
Leave the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City behind and embark on a trip to My Tho, a town located on the left bank of the Mekong River.
Upon arrival, visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, a historic site dating back to the late 19th century.
Board a sampan and cruise along the Mekong River, passing by the four beautiful islands: Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise.
Stop at Unicorn Island and take a leisurely walk along country lanes, exploring local orchards and sampling tropical fruits. Enjoy a performance of traditional folk songs by local artists.
Continue with a ride on a hand-rowed sampan through the Thoi Son Canal, immersing yourself in the picturesque countryside. Visit a family-run business, see a honey bee farm, and experience a workshop on making coconut candy. Enjoy a taste of honey tea and other local treats.
Have lunch at a local restaurant and take a break to relax.
In the afternoon, choose between cycling around Tan Thach Village to meet local villagers and experience daily life in the Mekong Delta, or relax in a hammock and enjoy the cool breeze for those who prefer not to cycle.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Breakfast at hotel and check out.
Pick-up time: ~ 07:30 / Drop-off time: ~ 14:30
Depart for the Cu Chi Tunnels, a journey of approximately one and a half hours by bus. Upon arrival, receive a brief introduction and watch an introductory video about the construction of the tunnels and how people survived under wartime conditions. Explore the extensive tunnel systems, including specially constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms, and other facilities like storage rooms, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. Discover hidden trap doors and dangerous traps that were used for security during the war.
After your exploration, enjoy special tea and cassava, a staple food of the guerrillas during the war. There will also be time for relaxation or an optional opportunity to try shooting real guns (at your own expense).
Return to your hotel.
Head to the airport with a driver (no guide) for your flight to Danang (air tickets excluded)
Upon arrival, you will be collected by our local guide at Noi Bai Airport and transferred to the hotel to check in.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Breakfast at hotel.
Pick-up time: ~ 8:00 / Drop-off time: ~ 16:30
Our tour guide and bus will pick you up at your hotel to start your discovery of Hanoi City.
First, visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, the final resting place of Vietnam’s great father, Uncle Ho. You’ll have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh in Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Mondays and Fridays, and for annual maintenance), then walk around the garden to explore the two houses where he lived and worked from 1954 to 1969. Nearby, visit the unique One Pillar Pagoda, which worships the Goddess of Mercy.
Next, visit the Vietnam Ethnology Museum (closed on Mondays, the alternate is Vietnamese Women’s Museum) to learn about the culture of the 54 ethnic groups living throughout Vietnam.
Enjoy lunch at our restaurant, where you can experience authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Vegetarian options are available.
Afternoon, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. This is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, built in the 6th century.
Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1070. This site is one of the most attractive tourist spots in Northern Vietnam.
Lastly, visit Hoa Lo Prison, a historical site built by the French between 1886 and 1901, when Vietnam was still part of French Indochina. Known as “A Hell on Earth,” the prison now serves as a war museum, offering insights into the Vietnamese people’s struggle against the French.
After the tour, our bus will take you back to your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Note: Please wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees when visiting sacred places such as mausoleums, pagodas, and temples.

After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, transfer to Ha Long Bay by the cruise’s shuttle bus.
Upon arrival, board the cruise and begin your journey through the stunning Ha Long Bay while enjoying a lunch of local cuisine on board. Ha Long Bay, meaning “Descending Dragon Bay” in Vietnamese, is steeped in legend as the place where a sacred dragon descended from the sky. The bay, recognized as one of the world’s wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts around 2,000 karst islands and islets spread over 1,553 km², with a geological history dating back 500 million years.
After lunch, participate in a guided tour of a grotto, where you’ll marvel at the fascinating formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Continue with a visit to a nearby island, where you can relax on the beach or take a short hike to a viewpoint for a panoramic view of the bay.
As the day winds down, return to the cruise to unwind and take in the breathtaking bay view at sunset. Then, join a cooking class where you can learn to make traditional Vietnamese dishes and later enjoy a dinner featuring local specialties on board.
In the evening, join in on optional activities such as squid fishing. Overnight on the cruise.
Note: The cruise itinerary may vary based on your chosen cruise. A stationed English-speaking guide will be available on board.

In the morning, start your day with a refreshing Tai Chi session on the sundeck at dawn, taking in the serene beauty of Ha Long Bay. Enjoy tea and coffee on board as you continue exploring the bay’s stunning 2,000 islets and some of its major highlights.
Later, you have the option to go kayaking or take a bamboo boat ride to explore hidden lagoons and get up close to the towering limestone cliffs.
Around 9:00, check out of your cabin and savor a brunch (local food) while cruising back toward the shore.
As you approach the mainland, enjoy some final moments on the deck, taking in the last views of the magnificent bay. Disembark at around 11:00 AM and transfer back to Hanoi by shuttle bus. Check in your hotel and have time at leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Breakfast at hotel and check out
Free at leisure until transfer with driver (no guide) to the airport for your departure flight.