First-timers to Vietnam

After breakfast, your private guide and the driver will pick you up at the hotel and accompany you to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex to honor the leader who led the country towards liberation. President Ho lived a frugal life, and at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, you’ll see his distinctive sandals made from recycled tires placed beside his well-preserved body. Please note that we’ll pay respects only from outside during the mausoleum's closure on Mondays, Fridays, and for yearly maintenance. Learn more about him at the Presidential Palace and his simple two-story wooden Stilt House. Then, pass by the Buddhist One Pillar Pagoda, and visit the Temple of Literature, a typical Chinese building complex that worships the Chinese sage Confucius and houses Vietnam's first university.

In the afternoon, head to the Museum of Ethnology to discover Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. The interactive museum displays their attire, farming tools and 1:1 traditional dwellings, such as the Ede people’s Long house and the Ba Na people’s communal stilt house, which you can enter for a closer observation! You’ll also learn about the Si La people, who considered the teeth blackening as a sign of beauty and civilization, distinguishing themselves from barbarians and animals. However, the custom has gradually faded away. Afterward, tour the vibrant Old Quarter, aka the "36 Streets", with densely packed narrow lanes each selling the same type of products. On weekends, night markets emerge, where you can experience the locals’ bustling nightlife, savor street food, and browse diverse souvenirs on your own if you want.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Show, which takes a pool as the stage, with puppeteers operating the puppets behind the scenes to perform a series of plays, including rural life, folklore and stories. Since the small puppets are difficult to view from the back seats, it’s advisable that you confirm your tour in advance so that we can get you a front seat. Finally, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: May De Ville Lakeside Hotel (5 stars) or La Siesta Classic Ma May, Hanoi (4 stars) or similar

Today, the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay awaits! In the morning, enjoy a 2.5-hour escort by private car to the Ha Long Bay wharf, where you’ll board a cruise ship. Around noon, have a buffet lunch while taking in the breathtaking landscapes of vast emerald water, and countless craggy karst rock formations and caves.

★ Enjoy Ethereal Scenery & Local Culture of an Unspoiled Bay

We’ve carefully picked two cruises for you to choose from, each heading to a neighboring less-visited bay instead of the commercialized area of Ha Long Bay that most other travel agencies arrange. The five-star Indochine Cruise, a classical Vietnamese-style ship featuring suites with private balconies, accompanies you to Lan Ha Bay to visit the Dark and Bright Cave (bat cave), a typical karst cave rich in various unique stalactites. The four-star Western-style Signature Royal Cruise will head to Bai Tu Long Bay, where you’ll explore Vung Vieng Floating Village, boasting colorful houses and pearl farming areas guarded by steep mountains that float on the water. Unfortunately, the village is now getting smaller as urbanization accelerates; thus, seize the opportunity to take a look at the idyllic paradise. In addition, various water activities, including kayaking, sampan trips and swimming, and Vietnamese culinary lessons, card games and night squid fishing onboard are also included in both cruises.
► Note: The itineraries may vary depending on the cruise companies.

Tonight, drifting on the tranquil sea, enjoy a nice sleep on the cruise ship.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Indochine Cruise (5 stars) or Signature Royal Cruise (4 stars) or similar

Around 6:00, practice Tai Chi on the deck. Learn basic postures, Tai Chi breathing, and how to relax with gentle motions from the professional Tai Chi master. After sipping coffee or morning tea, set out and explore more of the bays. If you are on the Indochine Cruise, head to Cat Ba Island to visit Trung Trang Cave, which served as the Vietnamese navy’s secret radio base during the Vietnam War (1955-1975). It features lower ceilings inside, so please mind your head. If you’re on the Signature Royal Cruise, hike up short but steep steps to explore the Thien Canh Son Cave, which boasts amazing stalactites and stalagmites, and a small sandy beach at its foot, where you can sunbathe or take a leisurely stroll.

After the excursion, return to the cruise and enjoy a sumptuous brunch while sailing back to Ha Long Bay wharf, from where your private guide and the driver will escort you to Hanoi airport for the 1-hour flight to Hue, Vietnam’s ancient capital for three feudal dynasties. On arrival, the local guide and the driver will pick you up and escort you to the hotel. After check-in, you can either rest or explore the city on your own.

► Recommended Eatery in Hue (at your own expense)
Madam Thu Restaurant - Taste of Hue features a cozy environment, authentic cuisine, and friendly staff, who will teach you how to pair the food for maximum flavor. Try signature dishes, including Hue beef noodles, crispy pancakes, and shrimp in passion fruit sauce, or a tasting platter blending 10 local specialties, such as spring rolls and shrimp cakes.
Average Cost per Person: VND 100,000-200,000 (USD 4-8)
Address: 45 Vo Thi Sau, Phu Hoi, Hue

Meal: Brunch
Accommodation: Indochina Palace (5 stars) or White Lotus Hotel Hue (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, follow your guide to board a unique dragon boat to cruise the Perfume River. After a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) scenic journey, reach the bank and go ashore to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, a 400-year-old spiritual site with an iconic 21-meter (69-foot) tall octagonal tower.

Then, explore the Hue Imperial City, which was the political and cultural center of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), and is Vietnam's largest and most complete ancient building complex. Vietnam was greatly impacted by Chinese culture over its 1,000-year feudal past, and the Imperial City, an imitation of the Forbidden City in Beijing, bears testimony to that. The entire city features three circular enclosures: the outermost citadel, the middle Imperial City, and the innermost Forbidden City, each of which is surrounded by a moat. The most exquisite is the Kien Trung Palace, which combines Renaissance, French, and Vietnamese styles, with intricate porcelain inlay designs in blue, green, and yellow on its façade, pillars, eaves, and roofs.

Hue’s royal tombs are another reason for its fame. Follow your guide to admire the Tomb of Tu Duc, where the fourth Nguyen emperor, Tu Duc, even resided during his reign. Stroll around the pavilions, towers, and lotus ponds, and soak up the serene and solemn atmosphere. Round up today’s tour at Dong Ba Market, the largest of its sort in Hue. At last, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Indochina Palace (5 stars) or White Lotus Hotel Hue (4 stars) or similar

Today, your guide and the driver will escort you to Da Nang. En route, stop by the mountaintop Hai Van Pass, one of the “50 Places of a Lifetime” rated by the National Geographic for its breathtaking beauty of misty mountains on one side and the vast sea on the other. We’ll also stop at the narrow, white arc-shaped Lang Co Beach for a while.

In the afternoon, your guide will accompany you to tour the UNESCO-listed My Son Sanctuary, a religious site of the Champa Kingdom (2nd-17th centuries). Since Cham people worshipped Lord Shiva, a major Hindu deity, the architectural style reflects Hindu elements: east-facing pagodas, buildings symbolizing the sacred Mount Meru, and carvings of celestial maidens and Makara, a mythical water monster. Cham people began using bricks and stones to build temples after a fire had destroyed their first wooden temple; today, the remaining red-brick buildings are still seamless and anti-corrosive, thanks to the amazing brick firing, carving, and bonding skills, which are yet unknown. Additionally, appreciate a Champa dance show to gain a deeper understanding of their culture.

After a two-hour tour, we’ll set off for Hoi An. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and enjoy a good rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa (5 stars) or Hadana Boutique Resort Hoi An (4 stars) or similar

★ Enjoy a Join-in Vietnamese Cuisine Cooking Class

Since you’ve savored Vietnamese dishes for nearly a week and may have an interest in cooking traditional Vietnamese dishes, we plan a hands-on cooking class for you. At around 08:00, your private guide will escort you to Hai Cafe to meet the foodie guide, who will accompany you to the Hoi An main market and introduce Vietnamese culinary culture and history, and diverse spices, vegetables and seafood. Then, arrive at Red Bridge Cooking School by a scenic boat trip. Disembark and enjoy an informative herb garden tour. Many of the seasonings you’ll need are from there. Class begins at 10:00! Learn to make 4-6 Vietnamese dishes depending on the season, such as rice paper rolls of shrimp, crispy Hoi An pancakes, and a seafood salad. After finishing cooking, savor your creation and additional chef-prepared delicacies. At last, enjoy a boat ride back to Hoi An at noon.

In the afternoon, your private guide will accompany you on a Hoi An Ancient Town walking tour. Once a trading hub, the town blends Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese architectural and cultural styles. You’ll see the cultural fusion from the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple dedicated to a Chinese martial wealth god; the Chinese Assembly Hall, one of the oldest Chinese communities’ gathering places in the town; the Tan Ky Old House, a “living museum” of a classic local merchant's house; and the Japanese Covered Bridge, an iconic footbridge with a delicate temple atop. After the tour, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel, and you can enjoy the night by yourself.

► Recommended Hoi An Evening Activities (at your own expense)
As night falls, Hoi An becomes a lantern-lit realm. Colorful circular, rhombus, and water-drop-shaped lanterns brighten the streets and the peaceful river. Rent an Ao Dai, a traditional Vietnamese attire, and take some exotic photos by the lantern wall. Or rent a bike and ride through the alleys, and maybe stop at a lantern shop to see how the craftsman make an antique lantern.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa (5 stars) or Hadana Boutique Resort Hoi An (4 stars) or similar

This morning, enjoy some last-minute sightseeing in the laid-back Hoi An Ancient Town on your own, and then your driver will escort you on a 1-hour private car ride to Da Nang airport, where you’ll catch your 1.5-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s most affluent metropolis. The city was formerly known as Saigon and renamed in 1976 to honor the beloved president who led the country to unification. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and the driver, who will escort you to the hotel.

Due to its lengthy colonial past, the city has retained numerous French-style buildings. After a short rest, your guide will show you around two iconic ones: Notre Dame Cathedral, the city’s grandest Catholic church featuring twin towers with a red-brick façade, and its opposite, the Central Post Office, a fully functional and still-operating post office, featuring postal services, souvenir counters, and retro facilities suitable for taking photos, such as wooden telephone booths. At last, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.

► Recommended Café in Ho Chi Minh City (at your own expense)
Drip coffee is distinguished by its unique brewing method. Pour hot water into the metal filter containing coffee powder, place the lid on, and wait for the coffee to slowly drip into the cup under. Due to the coffee powder’s varying fineness, it takes 15-30 minutes to fill a cup. You can try it at the famed Trung Nguyen Legend, where coffee beans are classified from No.1 to 8 based on their acidity and bitterness, with No.8 being the hallmark.
Average Cost per Person: VND 100,000-200,000 (USD 4-8)
Address: 7 Nguyen Van Chiem, Ben Nghe, Quan 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Saigon (5 stars) or Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, meet your guide in your hotel lobby, and let’s have an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Originally excavated by the Cu Chi peasants as a means of fending against French occupiers, the underground realm was later extended to a total length of 250 kilometers (155 miles) during the Vietnam War. The tunnels feature various living and defensive sectors, including kitchens, schools, hospitals, and weapon storage, as well as booby traps and concealed and narrow entrances, less than 1 meter (3.3 feet) wide, making the tunnels never truly breached by the enemy! People spent the day in the tunnels during the war and only emerged at night to breathe fresh air and collect supplies. Don’t hesitate to follow your guide to explore the underground world!

Later, you will be escorted back to the city and follow your guide to learn about modern Vietnam's tortuous development in the Reunification Palace, which once served as the French governor-general's residence, and later became South Vietnam’s presidential palace before the country was reunified. Then, tour the War Remnants Museum, which houses numerous exhibits related to the Vietnam War, including tanks, fighter jets, battlefield photos and documentaries. The items showing the widespread devastation wreaked by chemical weapons like Agent Orange upon the Vietnamese innocents are incredibly brutal. Please be mentally prepared. After the visit, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Saigon (5 stars) or Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel (4 stars) or similar

Today, we’ll travel to the idyllic Mekong River, the mother river of Southeast Asia. Your guide and the driver will escort you to Hung Vuong Pier in Ben Tre, a coconut paradise, and help you board a private boat to cruise the Ben Tre River. While sipping the refreshing coconut juice we’ve prepared, admire the enchanting rural landscape, and pass by lines of lush water coconut groves and local trading boats. Despite the Mekong Delta's abundance of natural resources, locals’ incomes are generally low, with an average monthly income of only about USD 260 per person.

Aside from rice farming, residents also rely on handicrafts to earn a living. We’ll pass by fruit orchards, and visit brick workshops to see how locals fire clay into red bricks in the traditional honeycomb-shaped kilns; drop by a coconut sugar factory to observe the production of coconut sugar: the amber-colored syrup is boiled in a copper pot, and as the temperature rises, it solidifies into sugar bricks. Try some freshly made coconut sugar, with rich, deep caramel and salty flavors - such a unique taste of the Mekong River Delta! We’ll also land at a village to explore the authentic rural life by visiting a farmer's house. The villagers will show you their skills of making sedge mats and treat you to homemade tea and tropical fruits. Then, take a unique motorized tricycle "Xe Loi" or a bicycle, and immerse yourself in the rural landscape for about 20 minutes.

For lunch, enjoy a sumptuous meal at a riverside restaurant and savor the signature fried elephant ear fish. Afterward, enjoy a leisurely sampan tour in the narrow waterways to continue viewing the wonderland. Then, board your boat to return to Ben Tre. There, your private driver will be waiting for you and escort you to Can Tho where you’ll stay overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Victoria Can Tho Resort - Superior Room (4 stars) or Victoria Can Tho Resort - Deluxe Room (5 stars) or similar

Today, your guide will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning for a special experience to the bustling Cai Rang Floating Market, Vietnam’s largest and most distinctive floating market! Showing the prosperous transactions around daybreak, the vast river is thronged with coming and going cargo ships and small rowboats, with locals from nearby villages peddling fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers, as well as refreshments like drip coffee and rice noodles! It would be fun to observe how they make delectable food and what tools they use on the boat! Another intriguing scene is the poles hanging with products like pumpkins, onions and bananas on each boat - those are the “billboards” of the smart vendors! If something tickles your fancy, wave to the vendors, and they’ll pull their boats around. After the visit, pass by a small island and visit a tropical fruit orchard. Then, we’ll go back to Ho Chi Minh City by private car in 3 hours.

★ Privilege of Our Guests

In order to witness the market at its busiest between 6:00 and 8:00, we’ll set out at around 6:00 and take a private speedboat specially prepared for you, instead of the public shuttle boat departing at 4:00 that other travel agencies would arrange. After the visit, we’ll escort you back to the hotel for breakfast. However, if you prefer to have a novel dining experience on the marine market, your private guide will be glad to help you!

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Saigon (5 stars) or Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel (4 stars) or similar

Time flies, and today marks the end of your 12-day Vietnam best tours. Your guide and the driver will escort you to the airport and see you off. Have a pleasant journey home!

You can also extend your trip to other Indochina countries, such as Cambodia, famous for Angkor Wat; Thailand, renowned for its Grand Palace and Phuket Island; and Laos, boasting the Buddhist center of Luang Prabang. All our itineraries are customizable based on your preferences. Please feel free to contact us at any time!

Meal: Breakfast