Essential Vietnam

Embark on an unforgettable tour of Vietnam, where history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture come together. Wander through the bustling streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, marvel at the iconic limestone karsts as you cruise Halong Bay, and soak in the tranquil beauty of Tam Coc and Hoa Lu. Delve into the historic charm of Hue and the timeless allure of Hoi An’s Old Quarter. Experience the lush landscapes of the Mekong Delta, and uncover the fascinating history of the Cu Chi Tunnels. Along the way, savor Vietnam’s delicious cuisine and immerse yourself in its rich traditions. Start your adventure today and create memories to last a lifetime!

DURATION

12 DAYS 11 NIGHTS

PRICE FROM

CONTACT

WHEN

YEAR-ROUND

DESTINATION

Vietnam

TYPE

PRIVATE

Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrive Hanoi - Transfer only

Upon arrival at Hanoi’s International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your representative and transferred to your hotel. Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. You will have the rest of the day to unwind after your journey and explore your surroundings at leisure.

Please note: Regular check-in time is 2:00 PM. Early check-in is not included

Accommodation: In Hanoi
Meals: None

Day 2 | Full-Day Hoa Lu and Tam Coc Boat Tour - Join group tour

8:00 AM: Begin your journey with a hotel pickup in Hanoi, where you’ll meet your guide and travel in comfort to the scenic Ninh Binh province. Sit back and relax during the approximately 2.5-hour drive, with a short break along the way.
Explore Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital, and visit the historic temples of the Dinh and Le Dynasties. Immerse yourself in the fascinating history and admire the intricate architecture of these cultural landmarks.
Savor a delightful lunch in Tam Coc, enjoying authentic local cuisine before continuing your adventure.
Embark on a serene boat ride through the breathtaking landscapes of Tam Coc, part of the UNESCO-listed Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Glide along the tranquil river, marveling at dramatic limestone karsts and exploring mysterious water caves.
After the boat trip, join a biking excursion through the picturesque rice paddies and countryside. Enjoy the tranquility and serenity of the rural landscape as you pedal through scenic paths for approximately 45 minutes.
Conclude your memorable day with a relaxing drive back to Hanoi, cherishing the stunning sights and cultural experiences from Ninh Binh.
6:30 PM: Arrive back in Hanoi and be dropped off at your hotel.

Accommodation: In Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 | Hanoi - Halong Bay - Sharing bus of cruise

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1994 for its thousands of natural islands, Halong Bay (literally: the bay of descending Dragon bay) is a legendary world, and one of the most magnificent scenic destinations in Vietnam.
After breakfast you will set off on the four-hour drive to Halong City (including a 20-minutes stop on the way). On arrival in Halong Bay, you will board your boat for an overnight cruise to explore the natural beauty of Halong Bay. Here you will see the magnificent views of the limestone karsts in turquoise waters, deserted beaches, amazing caves, lively floating fishing villages, and hidden lagoons. Spend one night on a boat. Accommodation is in an air-conditioned cabin with ensuite facilities.

Accommodation: On Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 | Halong Bay - Hanoi

Wake up early and witness the mesmerizing sunrise from the sundeck while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee. Begin your day with a satisfying breakfast.
Transfer to a smaller boat and head to Surprise Cave, one of the most beautiful limestone caves in Halong Bay. Explore its various points of interest and discover the captivating scenery.
Cruise to some of Halong Bay’s untouched areas, including Finger Islet and Fighting Cook Islets, where you can appreciate the natural beauty.
Indulge in a traditional Vietnamese lunch as the boat cruises back to the pier, concluding your Halong Bay excursion.

Accommodation: In Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch

DAY 5 | Hanoi City Tour and Fly to Hue

07:40 – 8:30, after breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up to begin your day of exploration. Your first stop is Tran Quoc Pagoda, a sacred Buddhist relic and national heritage site beautifully situated on the tranquil shores of West Lake.

Visit the iconic Ho Chi Minh Complex, home to the final resting place of Vietnam’s beloved leader. Explore his humble stilt house and the unique One Pillar Pagoda, designed in the shape of a lotus flower, a symbol of Hanoi.
Dive into Vietnam’s cultural diversity at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where you’ll discover the traditions of 54 ethnic groups. Take a break and enjoy a delightful lunch at a local restaurant in the vibrant Hanoi Old Quarter.

Step into history at the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, sages, and scholars. Known as Vietnam’s first university, it remains a testament to the nation’s dedication to education and talent.
Conclude your Hanoi tour with a visit to the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ngoc Son Temple, dedicated to the heroic general Tran Hung Dao, who led Vietnam’s resistance against the Mongols.

At 15:30, you’ll be dropped off, and our driver will pick you up for transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival, our driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Hue city for check-in, setting the stage for the next chapter of your adventure.

Accommodation: In Hue
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6 | Hue City Tour Full Day

8:00 – 8:15 AM: Start your day with a pickup from your centrally located hotel by our tour guide.

Begin with a serene Dragon Boat Ride to Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest and most iconic pagoda in Hue, perched on the banks of the Perfume River.

Explore the Imperial Citadel, the seat of power for Vietnam’s last royal dynasty, the Nguyen Dynasty, and delve into its rich history.

Visit the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, home to an exquisite collection of ornaments and artifacts from the Nguyen Dynasty.

Stroll through Dong Ba Market to experience the vibrant daily life of the locals and explore a variety of goods and foods.

You will enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, Continue to Khai Dinh King’s Tomb, a unique blend of Western and Eastern architectural styles that showcase intricate craftsmanship.

Visit Minh Mang King’s Tomb, renowned for its majestic design and harmonious symmetry, reflecting traditional Vietnamese architecture.

4:00 – 4:30 PM: Return to your hotel, concluding an enriching day of cultural exploration in Hue.

Accommodation: Hue

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7 | Hue/ Drive to Hoi An

About 8:00 am our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to Hoi An. On the way, you will have a chance to visit Thanh Toan Tile Bridge, Hai Van pass, Lang co beach. Stop at Danang for lunch by yourself, then you will visit Nonuoc village, Marble Mountain. On arrival in Hoian, you will have free time to enjoy a nice beach

Accommodation: In Hoian
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8 | Bana Hills and Golden Bridge

8:00 AM – Your tour guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to begin the journey.

We’ll take the modern Cable Car, offering stunning views of Quang Nam and Da Nang City, to Ba Na Hills.

Upon arrival, visit the Golden Bridge, France Wine Cellar, Le Jardin D’amour, and Linh Ung Pagoda.

Next, take the second cable car to the French Village, where you can enjoy street music, art statues, and attractions like the Campanile, Nine Floor Goddess Shrine, and Tombstone Temple. Don’t miss the Tube Car Slide and the Carnival Performance Show.

Lunch will be a buffet with a variety of delicious dishes.

Afterward, take the Lava Train to explore new attractions, including Helios Waterfall, Time Gate, Moon Kingdom, Fairy Forest, Dinosaur Park, and thrilling rides like the 5D Wild West, 4D Death Race, and Journey into the Underground. Plus, enjoy over 90 free games at Fantasy Park.

3:00 PM  Return to the cable car station to depart from Ba Na Hills.

4:45 PM to 5:45 PM  Our minivan will transport you back to your hotel

Accommodation: In Hoian

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9 | Hoi An City Tour/ Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Our tour guide and driver will meet you at hotel’s lobby takes you to World Cultural Heritage site of Hội An ancient town area, from here will start to walk to visit the complex of architectural monuments of various forms: Tan Ky old house, assembly hall, japanese bridge, water wells, local markets, Harbor…, & enjoy Hoian’s traditional dance and folk song.

Then take you to have lunch with many kind of Hoi An special local food:

– Phuong bakery (Banh Mi Phuong)

– Cao Lau.

– White rose.

After lunch back to the hotel. In the afternoon, our driver will pick you up to the airport for your flight to Saigon where our driver is waiting for you to transfer you to check in at a hotel in Saigon.

Accommodation: Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10 | Mekong Delta Full Day

About 7h:30 – 7:50 am: Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and starting your trip to depart for My Tho, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.

Stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking around the country lane and see orchards, enjoy tropical fruits, folk song music which is performed by the local people. Visit the fruit plantation. Riding a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and treat yourself to the beauty of the countryside, visit the family business, visit honey-bee farm, enjoy honey tea and coconut candy workshop. You’ll enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong delta. Hammock relaxing and enjoying cool breeze for those who can’t join the cycling trip. Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Accommodation: Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11 | HCMC - Cu Chi Tunnels

About 7h:30 – 7h:50 am: Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification palace, which was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars. You’ll have lunch at a local restaurant.

Departing for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerrilla’s food during the war) will be served. Break time for relaxing or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun.

Accommodation: Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 12 | HCMC Departure - Goodbye Vietnam

Enjoy your free time to explore Ho Chi Minh City at your leisure. Later, our driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. It’s time to say farewell to HCMC and Vietnam. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home and look forward to welcoming you on another adventure in the future.

Accommodation: Check out time is at 12:00

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Details

Departures

 

The tour is operated daily. Emoi Asia Travel guarantees the departure of the tour with a minimum of 02 people. Solo travelers, please get in touch with us for more information.

Pickup/Drop Off: Hotel in Old Quarter
Language: English

What’s Included

 

  • All Transportation with A/C as mentioned, 
  • Hotel in DOUBLE/ TWIN room basis
    with daily breakfast
  • English speaking guide at sightseeing time
  • Meals as stated in the itinerary (B) for
    breakfast, (L) for lunch or (D) for dinner.
  • All sightseeing tickets.
  • Water on bus (01 bottle / pax / day)

What’s Not Included

 

  • International flight ticket
  • Domestic flight
  • Beverage, Personal expenses, and gratuities, Tips
  • Travel insurance, bank fee
  • Vietnam visa fee

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