Package Overview
This 8 Days / 7 Nights Vietnam package is a fast-paced, comprehensive journey designed to cover the country's major highlights from North to South (Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City). The itinerary generally begins in the capital, Hanoi, with a city tour and a subsequent overnight cruise on the breathtaking Ha Long Bay (often including activities like kayaking and caving), followed by a day trip to the stunning limestone karst landscapes of Ninh Binh (the "Halong Bay on land"). The tour then typically flies to Central Vietnam to explore the ancient port town of Hoi An and the nearby city of Da Nang (including the famous Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills), and concludes in the Southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) with visits to historical sites like the Cu Chi Tunnels and a potential excursion to the Mekong Delta.
Day Plan
Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, after you finish all customs and immigration procedures, please head to the exit gate and look for your guide who will be waiting for you, holding a welcome signboard with your name on it. Then, you will be transferred to your hotel in town by a private vehicle.
Note: Room check in time is after 14:00
Early check-in or late check-out time is subject to availability and at an additional charge. Let us know in-advance the check in & check out time you require for proper arrangement. This afternoon, tour the city of Hanoi where the history and culture of Vietnam are clearly on display. Visit the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam. Constructed in the 11th Century, this stunning temple constitutes a rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote.
Visit the complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder and affectionately known to the Vietnamese as “Uncle Ho”. Make the first stop outside of the historic Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, an imposing monument built to serve as the final resting place of Uncle Ho.
Then visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi's oldest pagoda, situated on a small island in West Lake. On the grounds of Tran Quoc is a Bodhi tree taken as a cutting of the original tree in Bodh Gaya, India under which the Buddha sat and achieved enlightenment. The gift was made in 1959, marking the visit of the Indian president Rajendra Prasad. Conclude your city tour by spending some time at Train Street, where you can enjoy local coffee (at your own cost) and experience a truly unique atmosphere unlike any other.
Return back to hotel and the rest of the evening free on leisure.
Notes:
• Tour duration: 3.5-4 hours (13.30-17.00)
• Including transfer back to hotel after the activity
Overnight in Hanoi
Optional tour: Water Puppet Performance (2 hours) - SIC
Water puppet show is a unique culture show dates back to 11th Century. The show is performed in a waist deep pool of water and the puppets are made of wood. An unique art form with puppets from Northern Vietnam depicting rural life scenes, national history episodes or country legends.
Notes:
• Tour duration: 2 hours including transfer, show time
• Show time: 17.15; 18.30
Toyota Vios
Private Transfer to Full Trip
THIEN THAI HOTEL (Hanoi )
Room:
1 Double |
Meal: CP |
Room Type: Standard Room
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, Ninh Binh is home to amazing karst mountains, misty caves, and historical relics.
This morning, enjoy a 2-hour drive from downtown Hanoi to Ninh Binh province. It is a spectacular landscape of limestone karts peaks permeated with valleys, some of which are submerged, and surrounded by spectacular cliffs.
Visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu to get an overview of the first three centralized feudal states of Vietnam: the Dinh Dynasty, the Le Dynasty, and the Ly Dynasty. While the ancient citadel has probably disappeared, the temples of the Dinh and Le Dynasties still remain surrounded by rice paddies and mountains.
Visit Bich Dong which was conferred by a King as the “Vietnam's second most beautiful grotto”. The grotto is adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes and colors. Climb up the Ngu Nhac Son (Buddha's Palm Mountain) to enjoy the panoramic view that is created by mountains, rivers, pagodas, and temples.
Known as “Ha Long Bay on Land”, Tam Coc (“three caves” in Vietnamese meaning) was formed by the river of Ngo Dong flowing through a mountain. This afternoon, a local skilled rower will take you on a magnificent waterway lined with rice paddies. Enjoy the spectacular view of the karst formation as you explore these caves amid by towering mountains.
Arrive at Mua Cave and start an amazing trek up to the top of Ngoa Long Mountain for watching the spectacular rice valley with specious view of the nature. Return to Hanoi late afternoon.
Notes:
• Tour duration: full day (08.30-17.00)
• March-April is the beginning of the rice farming season in Ninh Binh. The fields are greenest here around April and early May, turning golden in late May and early June when the harvest starts.
• Walking distance from disembarkation point to Thai Vi temple: 200meters, on the flat road
• You can choose to enjoy a leisure cycling trip around Tam Coc-Bich Dong area (7km, easy terrain flat road). The bike is available for hire on the spot with an approximate extra cost of US$ 3 per bike
• You need to walk up 150-250 steps to explore Bich Dong grotto and pagoda
Overnight in Hanoi
THIEN THAI HOTEL (Hanoi )
Room:
1 Double |
Meal: CP |
Room Type: Standard Room
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay is a naturalist's dream. Magnificent Ha Long Bay, with its 3,000 islands rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, is one of the natural marvels of Vietnam. These tiny islands are dotted with innumerable beaches and grottoes created by the wind and the waves. Observing the limestone rocks rising from the sea and sailed junk boats sail by will be a truly memorable experience.
The scenic 2.5-hour drive from Hanoi to Ha Long is full of spectacular scenery as you will pass through seemingly endless green paddy fields and lush fruit farms. Upon arrival, board your traditional junk for a cruise amongst the incredible limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay to view Thumb Island, Cock Fighting Island, and Incense Island which can be seen on Vietnam's 200,000 dong currency note. Explore one of the biggest, beautiful stalactites and stalagmite cave of the bay. Enjoy a seafood lunch on board while cruising back to the wharf.
Notes:
• Boat capacity: 40 pax
• Tour duration: 9-10 hours (07.00-17.00, including 5 hours for roundtrip transfer and 4 hours cruising on the bay)
• This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice if adverse weather or tide conditions occur.
• Advanced reservations are required with complete passenger details, including Full Name, Gender, Date of Birth, Nationality, Passport Number, and Visa Expiry Date.
Overnight in Hanoi
THIEN THAI HOTEL (Hanoi )
Room:
1 Double |
Meal: CP |
Room Type: Standard Room
Transfer from your hotel to Noi Bai airport. Take your flight to Da Nang City. Upon arrival at Da Nang Airport, please head to the exit gate and look for your guide who will be waiting for you, holding a welcome signboard with your name on it. Then, you will be transferred to your hotel in town by a private vehicle.
Known as a prosperous trading port between the 15th and 19th Century, the riverside town of Hoi An still retains many remnants of its glorious time as evident in the bustling market and abundance of souvenirs and tailor shops. What makes Hoi An is remarkable is that its Old Quarter has been beautifully preserved. The streets still lined with old tile-roofed shop houses, shady pagodas, and colorful communal halls that contribute to its status as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Today, enjoy a guided walking tour around Hoi An Ancient Town, which is recognized for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets, and typical local cuisine. During this leisurely exploration on foot, observe some of the historic merchant and community houses, ancient pagodas, and traditional places of worship with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture. Make a stop at the iconic over 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge first built by the Japanese community in 1590s as a way to reach the Chinese quarter across the water. Visit the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation notice its gorgeous woodcarvings on the beams, walls, and altar while unraveling with your guide some untold stories about the Chinese community during their time in Hoi An. Continue strolling around Hoi An's back street and feel soft, clattering hum which is the sound of sewing machines. This little charming town is also home to hundreds of tailor shops and nobody can explain exactly when, how, or why it became sewing central. Visit a tailor shop where you can get some express made-to-order clothes.
Notes:
• Tour duration: Half day (13.00-17.30)
• Walking distance: 2-3km, easy on the flat terrain
• The Hoi An entrance ticket is valid for entry to 5 sightseeing spots in Hoi An including merchant houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, museums, pagodas and assembly halls for 24 hours. It also provides entry into Hoi An Ancient Town for as long as you are in Hoi An. Please keep the entrance ticket with you at all times should you independently visit Hoi An later in the evening or on another day
Overnight in Da Nang
CICILIA DANANG HOTELS & SPA ( Da Nang)
Room:
1 Double |
Meal: CP |
Room Type: Deluxe Room
Today, drive to Ba Na Hill, a scenic mountainous area with panoramic vistas reminiscent. Standing more than 1,400 meters (4,878 feet) above sea level, the temperature of this place is mostly cool year-round.
Arrive at Ba Na Hills cable car station, ride on a modern system of cable cars and get a bird's-eye view of nature which is strikingly beautiful, while enjoying a feeling of flying in the blue sky among the clouds and wind. Experience the feeling of walking in the clouds when you walk on the Golden Bridge which seems to be supported by a pair of giant hands jutting out of the mountain.
Then, enjoy your leisure time on Ba Na Hills for further activities such as European Architecture Villas, in-door game, French Wine Cellar, flower beds and pagodas.
Notes:
• Tour duration: Full day (09.00-17.30)
Overnight in Da Nang
CICILIA DANANG HOTELS & SPA ( Da Nang)
Room:
1 Double |
Meal: CP |
Room Type: Deluxe Room
Transfer from your hotel in Da Nang Airport. Take your early flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, please head to the exit gate and look for your guide who will be waiting for you, holding a welcome signboard with your name on it. Then, you will be transferred to your hotel in town by a private vehicle.
Formerly known as “Saigon” before 1975, Ho Chi Minh City today is Vietnam's commercial centre that never sleeps. Although the city is a dynamic metropolis undergoing dramatic change, the remnants of its past are still discoverable in the historic landmarks and beautiful French colonial buildings dotted throughout the city.
Wind your way to visit outside one of the most significant historical sites of the city, the Reunification Palace which is former Residence of the Indochina Governor-General and later of the President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the down fall on April 30, 1975.
A short drive or walk away is one of Saigon's most historic landmarks, the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires, based on the original construction from Paris. Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel, before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower.
Opt to wander along with the many tantalizing shops of Dong Khoi Street, once known as Rue Catinat, the boulevard where the high society flocked and shopped in colonial times. Conclude your visit to the bustling Ben Thanh Market to enjoy shopping and discover your bargaining power and come away with unusual items that will always remind you of this exciting day.
Notes:
• Tour duration: Half day (13.00-17.00)
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city
SKY GEM SORA ( Ho Chi Minh )
Room:
1 Double |
Meal: CP |
Room Type: Superior Room
Today, exchange city scenes for lush rice paddies and fruit farms. Depart from Ho Chi Minh City for a scenic drive to My Tho, known as the gateway to the Mekong Delta.Upon arrival, arrive at the waterfront pier and hop on an enjoyable motor boat excursion, take in the Delta scenery, houses built on stilts, and local fish farms along the way. Trade boat for bicycle and enjoy a relaxing ride over easy, level terrain as you travel through narrow village lanes lined with fruit orchards and customary cottages observing the rural life that remains in many ways similar to how it was lived far back in history. Notice that the local friendly children keep saying “Xin Chao” (hello) to their new friend along your cycling journey. You will have the chance to see a family-run business where they make coconut candy directly in front of the pier. Taste local tea with honey, sample fruits while having a chat with local people to get a glimpse of the lifestyle and traditional customs in Mekong Delta. Here you can also choose to ride on a horse-drawn cart through the lush surroundings of the fruit farms. Cap off the excursion with a memorable cruise by a rowing sampan that will take you along the narrow canals past lush orchards and sleepy villages. Taste some local delicacies before returning to Ho Chi Minh City in mid-afternoon.
Notes:
• Tour duration: Full day (08.30-17.00)
• Cycling distance: 5-7 km, depending on your physical ability and length you desire
• The exploration can be done on foot (500-700 meters) or by horse cart in case you don't want to ride a bike -
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city
SKY GEM SORA ( Ho Chi Minh )
Room:
1 Double |
Meal: CP |
Room Type: Superior Room
Transfer from your hotel to Tan Son Nhat airport – Ho Chi Minh City Departure.