Itinerary

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1. DAY 1: ARRIVE IN HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)

   Welcome to Vietnam, one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia. Upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh City, still often called Saigon by many locals, the local guide will greet you at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and then transfer you to your hotel by private transfer. Experience Vietnam’s chaotic biggest cities, Ho Chi Minh City with its vibrating energy and fascinating culture. This dazzling city still proudly boasts French colonial charm from its architecture to its food.
   The rest of the day is yours to relax after a long journey, and do a little exploring city at your own leisure.
   Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
   Meals included: No meals.

2. DAY 2: HO CHI MINH – HISTORICAL CITY TOUR

   Start your day with visiting the wholesale flower market. The alleys are filled with fresh flowers ranging from endemic ones in Vietnam to imported ones. You can walk the vibrant and bustling streets, as you stop from one colorful shop to another.
   Next, you’ll visit the iconic Reunification Palace, the former residence of Indochina Governor General and later of the President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam. The historical building reminisces the fall of Saigon regime in April 30th 1975. Subsequently, the next worth visiting building is the former US embassy where the last American helicopters fled.
   It’s time to visit Cao Dai Temple @ 891 Tran Hung Dao Street for an interesting noon service. Cao Dai is a new religious movement found only in Vietnam. It combines Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, Confucianism and Islam. There is a ceremonial service taken every 6 hours, known as the most colorful ceremony of Vietnam.
   Today you will try Pho – Vietnamese noodle, as considered the national dish of Vietnam.
   Afternoon, you’ll make images of many of Saigon’s icons including the fantastically ornate Hotel de Ville which serves as Saigon’s city hall, the turn of the century Opera House, the Notre Dame Cathedral (1880), the spectacular turn-of-the-century Colonial French Post Office.
   To round off the trip, stop at a central city café where you’ll have a coffee while enjoying the city vibrant life.
   Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

3. DAY 3: HO CHI MINH CITY – CU CHI TUNNELS & COOKING CLASS

   This tour today is an amazing program for people who would love discover and understand clearly about Vietnamese agriculture and history with great Vietnamese cuisine.
   Explore the organic farm and learn about different vegetables, mushrooms, herbs, spices, fruits and how to use them for cooking and medicines.
   The highlight of tour is to challenge yourself to become a real vietnamese farmer on local traditional hat. By picking your own ingredients from the garden for your cooking lesson; bring to the kitchen and transform them into a fantastically tasty meal. Your next mission is to made your lunch include three dishes and one dessert. The chef will provide you with great healthy recipes, cooking tips and therefore the best ways to make healthy, simple and delicious Vietnamese meals.
   In afternoon, moving on Cu Chi Tunnels and your guide will show you the structure of tunnels system with 200 km-long network that was built over 2 decades and used as an army base during the Vietnamese-American War. You will be surely amazed at the tunnels with their underground story including trap-door, living areas, storage, weapon factories, clinics, kitchen, command centre, etc. Cu Chi is definitely worthy of what has been named the “heroic village” of Vietnam.
   Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

4. DAY 4: HO CHI MINH - BEN TRE - TRA VINH - CAN THO

   Begins the day by picking you up at your hotel and heading down to the Mekong Delta, with our first stop being Ben Tre.
   You'll start your exploration of the Delta along a narrow canal lined with mangrove trees, before returning to land for by taking a sampan along a narrow canal lined with mangrove trees, before returning to land for a stroll ride through dense coconut plantations. Then return to the quayside in Ben Tre, where the bustling market and streets full of commercial activity provides a vibrant tableau for street photography.
   In the afternoon, you'll head to the Khmer cultural heartland of Tra Vinh, where we will visit some of the 141 Khmer temples practicing the Theravada branch of Buddhism – a wonderful opportunity to experience these serene, peaceful places and get some wonderful portraits of the young monks in their saffron-coloured robes.
   You will then head to Can Tho - the capital of Mekong Delta. In the evening, take the short walk to the night market by your own way.
   Overnight at hotel in Can Tho.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

5. DAY 5: CAN THO - CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET - FLY TO DANANG - HOIAN

   Rise early for a boat trip to Cai Rang market, the biggest floating wholesale market of the Mekong region. The market is filled with hundreds of small boats darting through the water as vendors sell their wares. Glide through the matrix of boats to see how the locals trade their fruits and vegetables and learn more about the floating marketing culture and the floating life on the boats.
   Leaving the market, continue your boat ride along narrow canals to visit a traditional homemade rice noodle factory where you can see how the locals make rice noodles, and enjoy the homemade “rice noodle pizza”.
   Get back to your hotel for breakfast & relax, then you will be picked up and transferred to Can Tho Airport to catch the departure flight to Danang city. 

6. DAY 6: HOIAN – VISIT LOCAL VILLAGE & ANCIENT TOWN & FOODIE TOUR

   After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel to visit a local fishing village by cycling on level ground to the Thu Bon River. For safety purposes, you will be given a short bicycle competency test. For those uncomfortable with riding a bicycle, motorbike or a private car can be arranged.
   Ride along country lanes at a peaceful pace viewing local life and pause to see farmers toiling in their rice fields using centuries of farming practices. Peddle your way through palm forests, across bridges, fields of water buffalo…
   Take a short break in a local family at Cam Thanh Village before enjoying a 1.5 hours ride on Traditional Basket Boat (round boat) in the Water Coconut Palm Forest. Learn how to sail the basket boat and spend your time to catch fishes and “purple crabs” in the Canal.
   Continue to ride your bike to Tra Que Organic Vegetable Village where a large variety of vegetables is produced for the local community. At the village, you will be shown the environmentally sustainable practices which the local villagers have used for centuries and is still being used extensively today.
   After some farming practices, head a local family to enjoy a foot massage and the traditional herbal foot dip. You will then ride back to the hotel to rest during the day. Get ready for the afternoon walking & foodie tour.
   Afternoon, continue your trip to the Ancient Quarter of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you will embark on a walking tour visiting the major attractions such as Chua Ong Pagoda, Tan Ky Ancient House, Fujian Assembly Hall, and the Japanese Covered Bridge.
   Continue to visit the Precious Heritage Museum, home to the permanent exhibition of Réhahn’s Precious Heritage Collection. While transporting you to the furthest reaches of Vietnam, the collection will unveil the rich cultural tapestry of the ethnic tribes
   The highlight of the day is the visit to the Reaching Out Tea House, a welcome little oasis of calm in the busy, vibrant Old quarter, owned and operated by the mute and deaf people. Here you will be treated with delicious cakes and incredible tea in the Eastern style.
   Hoi An is a food lover’s paradise, famous for its wonderful cuisine and delicious street food. Now, it’s time for your Hoi An street food discovery tour. With your guide, you will weave in and out the tiny alleyways, get to chow down with the locals at stalls you’d never discover on your own. Every day at 4 pm, Hoi An’s streets filled with a myriad of street food carts, stalls, and vendors. The street food tour will give you an unforgettable and delicious culinary experience as we sample many local specialties. The town is a melting pot of cultures, which has influenced its cuisine. Originating in the 15th century as an important South East Asian commercial port, it became home to many Chinese traders and merchants; hence, the strong influence of Chinese cuisine, which is guided by the forces of Yin and Yang to create a regulating balance of flavors and textures. The French, Japanese and Indians also contributed to the town’s unique cuisine.
   Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with streetfood.

7. DAY 7: HOIAN - MY SON HOLLYLAND - HUE

   This morning,  you’ll venture to My Son, the former capital and religious centre of the Champa Kingdom. My Son’s skyline is shaped by dozens of red-brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries. You’ll tour the temples and get an insight into Cham culture.
   On your way to Hue, you’ll drive via the Hai Van Pass (the ‘Pass of Ocean Clouds’), a spectacularly scenic mountain pass with views of forest-cloaked peaks and blue-green sea.
   Arrive in Hue city at late afternoon, check in hotel & free at leisure.
   Overnight at hotel in Hue.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

8. DAY 8: HUE – CITY TOUR

   Your day will start with a private boat cruise down the romantic Perfume River to visit the Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu pagoda).
   Continue on to the Hue Royal Complex, former home to the Nguyen Dynasty, the last Monarchy of Vietnam from 1802 – 1945. You will explore the ancient and atmospheric walled Citadel which contains the former Imperial Palace and the Forbidden Purple City.
   Wind your way to visit Tu Hieu pagoda & enjoy an excellent Vegetarian lunch, prepared and served by the nuns.
   Afternoon, we’ll visit one of the most aesthetic royal tombs, Khai Dinh Tomb. This jaw dropping perfect blend of Western and Eastern architecture was constructed between 1920-1931 for the 12th emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty – Emperor Khai Dinh.
   Move on to Dong Khanh Tomb, recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage and a unique architectural work in the system of Nguyen Dynasty mausoleums in the ancient capital of Hue. You will have the opportunity to learn about the long process of forming this royal tomb.
   Your day comes to an end at Truc Chi Garden, the crafting bamboo paper art workshop. You will have a chance to meet one of the students there and be treated to hands-on experience to learn how to use the etching technique with bamboo pulp to create artworks.
   Overnight at hotel in Hue.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

9. DAy 9: HUE – FLY TO HANOI & CITY TOUR – TEA TASTING

   Today you will be transferred to Hue airport for the morning flight to Hanoi city.
   Upon arrival, you will be met by your local tour guide and driver who will drive you to the hotel in the city center for check-in.
   Lunch today, you may try Cha Ca La Vong – as known as Vietnamese Turmeric Fish with Dill. Not just a dish, a unique culture of Hanoians.
   This afternoon, you’ll visit to the Ba Dinh Square where stands the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh who led Vietnam to independence from French colonial rule. This site has become an important city landmark and a perfect place to learn more about Vietnam’s rich history. Here, you will take the group photo and hear the stories of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh (*Note: Outside visiting of Ho Chi Minh mausoleum).
   Then, visit the iconic One Pillar Pagoda - a unique Vietnamese architecture reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond and hear the legend of its construction and the Temple of Literature to explore its role in the country’s past, as both a university and a Confucius temple.
   The highlight of day is a visit to a Tea House is an intrinsic part of Vietnamese culture, and what better way to start your time in Hanoi than by learning about tea from a former winner of the Tea Master Cup competition, travels with his wife to plantations across Vietnam to pick high-quality white, green or Oolong tea from ancient Vietnamese tea trees. If we’re lucky, he’ll be there to talk us through his favorites in person. We’ll watch a traditional green tea preparation ceremony, and learn more about tea and tea-drinking habits in Vietnam. After this fascinating experience, we bid farewell to the passionate Tea Masters and travel back to the hotel, marking the end of this journey into Vietnamese culture.
   Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

10. DAY 10: HANOI - THO HA VILLAGE

    After breakfast, travel to Tho Ha, the outskirt of Hanoi to enhance your trip with the great photography experience and technical challenges.
    Situating by the side of Cau River and retaining the traditional architecture with a communal house, banyan trees, a small market and especially, the unique tradition of making rice papers, it is a good example of Vietnamese village that somehow escapes urbanization. Here, life goes on the way that has been for centuries. You’ll get to walk through the village gate, sit underneath the banyan tree, pass by the communal house…The design of the village follows the Vietnamese architecture with narrow alleys winding way through the community. Among the special things are the coffin walls which are built from ceramic coffins (well, no corpse inside!). Once upon a time, they were made for sale and they have moved away from ceramics since 1990s.
    People of Tho Ha have long involved in making rice paper – an integral of the famous Vietnamese “Spring Rolls”. It’s truly photographic when seeing the locals hanging rice paper on bamboo lattice racks, and then putting these racks on house roofs, village alleys or any open space for drying. Sit back at the local resident’s house and enjoy a cup of tea, you’ll see into our different camera modes and check what we can do at different light conditions to generate the best shots possible.
    A conversation with the locals will enrich your experience and provide insight into the life of the village. Enjoy some Quan Ho music performance before a hosted lunch will surely be a memorable meal on your trip to Vietnam.
    After lunch, transfer back to Hanoi city.
    Later, hop on a cyclo, one of the most typical vehicles in Hanoi, is a human-powered transport with a seat at the front for passengers and the driver at the back. With this an hour leisurely ride, which is perfect chance for photos and slow-moving sightseeing, you will have a great chance to have the local closer touch.
    Finish your day at a water puppet show. This art form, unique to northern Vietnam, depicts scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.
    Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

11. DAY 11: HANOI – MAI CHAU

    After breakfast at hotel, your guide and driver will meet you at hotel. Then driving deep into northern Vietnam today, where winding roads carve through lush foliage and hug forested hillsides.
    Stop at the top of Thung Khe Pass for making pictures of the majestic scenery of the Northwestern mountains as well as visiting the local market to see the products and life stock sold there.
    Arrive Mai Chau Hideaway resort for lunch, enjoy your meal at Mai Chau restaurant and admire the exceptional panorama view to Black river (Da river). The view is breathtaking and “could not be missed “when you plan your trip to Mai Chau. Sure that you will get a lot of beautiful photos featuring the green mountains, blue river.
    Afternoon, you are free at leisure. You can also choose to explore the surroundings on your own or relax with the comfort of your room or unwind at our swimming pool.
    Overnight at hotel in Mai Chau.
    Meals included: Breakfast.

12. DAY 12: MAI CHAU

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13. DAY 13: MAI CHAU – HANOI

    Free until check out resort, you’ll be transferred back to Hanoi.
    Arrive in Hanoi, check in your hotel and the balance of day is free at leisure.
    Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
    Meals included: Breakfast.

14. DAY 14: HANOI – HALONG BAY – ON BOARD

    After breakfast at hotel, check out of hotel and then you will be picked up and transfered about 3.5 hours through rustic Vietnamese countryside to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage sites. With hundreds of giant limestone peaks jutting out of the water at the Bay of Tonkins – it is indeed an impressive sight.
    Board our cruise and after a delicious seafood lunch was served, we take a short trek to a nearby summit to enjoy the panorama view of the bay. As the day wanes, slip into a swim in the cool water before enjoying a sumptuous dinner under the moonlit sky.
    (Note: Program may differ slightly base on cruise ships)
    Overnight on board.
    Meals included: Breakfast.

15. DAY 15: HALONG BAY – HANOI

    Rising to the sound of the bay, enjoy an elegant breakfast before visiting a beautiful limestone grotto to admire its many unique rock formations. Then you’ll get back to the boat to form your final lasting impression of Halong Bay’s awe-inspiring beauty while cruising back to the dock, at the same time enjoy your lunch/ brunch.
    Getting back onshore, you will be transferred back to Hanoi city. Check in hotel & relax.
    Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
    Meals included: Breakfast.

16. DAY 16: HANOI – DEPARTURE

    Your guide and driver greets you at the hotel after breakfast and escorts you to Noi Bai International Aiport, to catch your departure flight home!
    Meals included: Breakfast.