COMPREHENSIVE VIETNAM
17 days
A private car will welcome you to Hanoi, Vietnam and transfer you to your hotel for relaxation and check-in. Enjoy the night by having a look around the area on your own.
Overnight at a city hotel in Hanoi.
Your trip will start with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the Mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this site is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origin dates back to the foundation of Hanoi a thousand years ago. Your tour of Hanoi continues with a trip to the remarkable Temple of Literature, well known as Vietnam’s first university.
Have lunch at a local restaurant.
Visit the Museum of Ethnology, then on to Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy a cycle excursion (on cyclo) through the bustling Old Quarter streets. A bewildering maze of shopping streets and restaurants with an amazing assortment of architecture – traditional tube houses, countless pagodas, artisans’ workshops and cottages, colonial houses and modern concrete edifices. You’ll enjoy walking around the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake and through the less peaceful Old Quarter.
Back to the hotel for relaxation.
Overnight at hotel, Hanoi
In the morning, you will have breakfast at your hotel then a driver will pick you up and transfer to the pier in Ha Long Bay.
Embark at Hon Gai International Harbour. Check-in. The cruise begins with a welcome drink and safety briefing. As we begin to cruise through the bay, a special lunch of fresh seafood and an assortment of appetizing favourites will be served. Dining on a luxury junk with fine food and drinks doesn't come much better than this.
After lunch, we set sail for Bai Tu Long Bay, passing the towns of Hon Gai and Cam Pha, extraordinary limestone karst landscapes. Explore Vung Vieng fishing village by local rowing boats to discover the interesting daily lives of its inhabitants.
Then back onboard on a cruise main craft, we will drop anchor for our overnight stay surrounded by an incredible landscape. Afterwards, you can enjoy a Happy hour with special drink menu (Buy one, get another one for free).
Next, our Vietnamese cooking demonstration is a great way to learn how to prepare delicious appetizers and we will guide you through the process.
In the evening, it is your free time to relax with an exotic cocktail or whatever takes your fancy. Our bar has a wide range of wines, beers and liquors and is always a welcome sight for guests after a day on Halong Bay. Order a specialized massage in the room. Choosing other activities boat cruise such as watching documentary movies, squid fishing or simply relaxing on our rooftop deck under the cover of a star-filled sky.
Overnight on board.
Start your day with a Tai Chi demonstration on the sun-deck. Then, a light breakfast will be served in our restaurant (pastries, tea, coffee)
Enjoy the last stage of your trip in Thien Canh Son cave and islets, which is a wild and mysterious beauty in the middle of the World Heritage. Back to our main board afterwards to check out of your cabin as we draw closer to the mainland. After a final early brunch and a last goodbye from our crew.
AT noon, you will board our tender and head back to the wharf where you will be met by your trip vehicle to transfer you to Hanoi. Then, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue.
A private car will welcome you to Hue, citadel of Vietnam and convey to hotel for check-in and relaxation.
Enjoy the rest of day on you own.
Overnight at a city hotel, Hue.
We will visit the unique Royal Arena, where Tiger and Elephant fights were held by the Kings of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Take a visit to the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. You will also stop to visit the Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, and the Forbidden Purple City. This guided tour gives you a deep understanding of the King’s philosophy of geomancy and how this affected royal life.
Have lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, continue your car drive to the Hue outskirts, and visit more countryside villages and green paddies. There will be an opportunity to chat with the local people on the way to learn more about their daily life. You will learn the method to make incense and Hue Hat – the poetic symbol of the young ladies of Hue. We'll stop for a while and experience the daily life of Hue inhabitants at Dong Ba market.
Overnight at the hotel, Hue.
In the morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then we will leave Hue to Hoi An via Da Nang. After passing Lang Co beach, you will drive 20 km on Sea Cloud Pass (Hai Van Pass). On the north-to-south nation highway, the Hai Van Pass boosts an impressive landscape. This is the highest pass in Vietnam (500 m above sea level). The rugged pass is the final section of the Truong Son Range, stretching to the sea. Hai Van means "Sea Clouds" since the peak of the mountain is in the clouds while its foot is close to the sea.
Continue driving to Hoi An and enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant.
On arrival in Hoi An, the driver will transfer to the hotel for relaxation and check-in.
Overnight at the hotel, Hoi An
Start your Hoi An city tour with a boat trip on the Thu Bon River to the Cua Dai estuary; it will take you to an island called Cam Kim, where you can visit a family's traditional work of wooden furniture and sculpture. Have an easy work around the village to meet local farmers and school kids.
Continue the boat trip to the estuary where the river meets the sea which has amazing views and beautiful fishing nets. Back to town for the city tour on foot or cyclo to visit the Fukien Assembly Hall, the finest and oldest Chinese temple in town with ornate architecture and a beautiful garden.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Walk to visit the landmark of Hoi An - the Japanese-covered bridge - and an old house called Phung Hung. Enjoy your free time in the ancient town in the evening. There are plenty of bars and restaurants in town that will please all your liking.
Transfer back to the resort for relaxation.
Overnight at Hoi An.
Have breakfast at hotel.
Enjoy free day at your leisure, here are our recommendations:
Cycle through the surrounding rice paddies and visit a local village.
Take a sunset boat ride on the Thu Bon River.
Visit the vibrant Hoi An Night Market and sample local street food.
Relax at An Bang Beach, known for its soft sands and clear waters.
Discover the artistry of a lantern-making workshop.
Stroll through the Fukien Assembly Hall and Japanese Covered Bridge.
Indulge in a Hoi An food tour to taste regional specialties.
Experience the local culture with a morning at the bustling Central Market.
In the morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Then, our private car pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to Da Nang airport for a connecting flight to Saigon.
On arrival at Tan Son Nhat, a private car/driver will transfer you restaurant for lunch or hotel for check-in.
In the afternoon, let’s start your city tour with a visit to the War Remnants Museum. This museum is a collection of the machinery, weapons, graphic photos, and documentation of Vietnam's wars with both the French and Americans. Then, you’ll visit the Reunification Palace. It was here that the American-led war ended on April 30, 1975, when the North Vietnam Army invaded the Palace, forcing the president to resign. From here, visit two of Ho Chi Minh's finest examples of French colonial architecture: the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office.
Back to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight at a ctity hotel in Saigon.
After breakfast, meet your guide and driver for your transfer to transfer to the Cu Chi district. You will have a short film on the history of the Cu Chi tunnels before walking into the forest where the tunnels are located.
The length of the tunnels varies from 30 meters to 330 feet. In total, the system measures 200 miles, connecting several villages together.
After experiencing the tunnels, take a break with some hot green tea boiled in pandan leaves, along with some steamed tapioca in the forest. Then meet with a former guerilla in a private conference room. Mr. Nam Chia lived and fought in the tunnels for 12 years from 1963 to 1975 as a guerrilla. After national liberation in 1975, he was awarded a temporary captaincy.
Stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, a private car will take you to Ben Thanh market or Saigon Square to do a bit of shopping, troll around the market and taste various kinds of local dishes. If time permits, you can take a walk through the Russian Market or western malls such as Parkson.
Back to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at a city hotel in Saigon.
After breakfast, depart for a 02-hour drive from Saigon to Ben Tre, one of the country’s southern provinces, situated in the Delta of the Mekong River. Take in the highway as you leave behind the busy city. Pass Rach Mieu bridge before reaching Huu Dinh hamlet.
At Mango Home pier, meet with your local guide and get the boat. Enjoy the river views as you cruise through the smaller tributaries of Ben Tre province (cruise time approx. 30 minutes).
Dock at “Bao Island” and disembark your Mango Cruise to visit the Coconut Garden and drink fresh coconut here. Return to your cruise and head down the river to another visit - a local coconut processing operation. From here, you will start a Bicycle trip around Huu Dinh village (approx. 4 kilometres). Then, you will stop at a brick-making factory, where the locals still use centuries-old traditional methods to make the bricks by hand.
After your visit, Mango Cruises will transfer you to the other side of the river to take a rowing sampan. Our team will paddle you through the maze of small canals to enjoy the natural beauty and tranquillity of Ben Tre province. After about 15 minutes, we will arrive at the local house of Mrs. Huong. Her family lives on fishing, shrimp trapping and farming. Enjoy the tropical fruits and honey tea in her garden before getting on a tri-motor cycle (xe loi). Enjoy the narrow village roads that navigate through the lush greenery and coconut palm trees.
After finishing the Xe Loi ride, return to your day cruiser as we will take you to Mango Home restaurant to enjoy your 5-course lunch. After your lunch, freshen up before switching to a bicycle and riding 500m (approx. 4 minutes or 7-10 minutes’ walk) on village roads past green gardens and local houses. First is Mr. Ba Tài’s house to learn the fascinating process of rice wine making.
Lastly, a memorable visit to Mr. Sau Tuong, a former Vietcong soldier who survived two years fighting the Khmer Rouge in Phnom Penh. Today, he and his wife live on making rice paper which is the most famous specialty of My Long village. Have a chat with him and enjoy the crispy rice paper made by his wife and see how it is made.
Return to Mango Home, enjoy the swimming pool or relax at one of the nice sitting areas. Have dinner at Mango Home Restaurant.
Overnight will be spent in the Mango Home Riverside.
Breakfast will be served at the restaurant and the rest of the day will be at your leisure.
Perhaps you would enjoy a day of simply relaxing by the pool, booking a massage, or relaxing in a hammock with a good book. For our guest who wish to see more of our area, we can provide a map and bicycle for self-exploration.
Have lunch and dinner at Mango Home restaurant.
Breakfast will be served at the restaurant and the rest of the day will be at your leisure.
Perhaps you would enjoy a day of simply relaxing by the pool, booking a massage, or relaxing in a hammock with a good book. For our guests who wish to see more of our area, we can provide a map and bicycle for self-exploration. Then, you have lunch at Mango Home restaurant.
At 12:00, check out and you will be transfered to the meeting point, where your car will be ready to take you back to Saigon for your flight to Phu Quoc.
On arrival at Phu Quoc airport, a private car/driver will transfer to the restaurant for lunch or hotel for check-in.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at a hotel in Phu Quoc.
Have breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy your own leisure in Phu Quoc, this is our recommendations:
Visit the Phu Quoc National Park for a trek through dense tropical jungle
Indulge in a seafood dinner at Ham Ninh Fishing Village with oceanfront views
Relax on the white sands of Sao Beach, known for its crystal-clear waters
Explore the vibrant Dinh Cau Night Market for local crafts and street food
Discover local history at the Phu Quoc Prison Museum, a poignant historical site
Take a snorkelling trip to the An Thoi Islands to discover coral reefs and marine life.
Visit the Suoi Tranh Waterfall for a refreshing swim in the natural pools
Sample local wines at the Sim Wine Factory and learn about this unique beverage
Overnight at a hotel/resort in Phu Quoc.
Have breakfast at hotel.
Enjoy free day at your leisure.
Overnight at the hotel in Phu Quoc.
In the morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Then, our private car pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to Phu Quoc airport for a connecting flight to Saigon.
On arrival at Tan Son Nhat, a private car/driver will transfer you to a restaurant for lunch or the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.
Overnight at hotel, Saigon.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy the day at leisure until check-out and transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for your home flight.
End of service!
INCLUSIONS:
Private car with a dedicated driver.
English-speaking tour guide.
All listed activities.
Provided breakfasts and meals per the itinerary.
Accommodations
Entrance fees for included attractions.
Complimentary mineral water and tissues (2 bottles per person per day).
EXCLUSIONS:
Personal expenses.
Meals not specified in the program.
Bank transfers subject to a USD$35 transaction fee.
Credit card payments incurring an additional 4% fee.
Visa on Arrival Authorization Letter for Vietnam.
International flights.
Domestic flights (airfares are subject to change without notice).
Tipping and gratuities.
Any other expenses not explicitly mentioned in the program.