Home Vietnam TIMELESSE VIETNAM DISCOVERY 12DAY

Overview

Discover Vietnam’s timeless charm on this 12-day journey from South to North. Explore bustling Ho Chi Minh City, the peaceful Mekong Delta, the ancient beauty of Hoi An, and the sacred My Son Holyland. Continue to Hanoi for cultural highlights and a street food adventure, then marvel at the natural wonders of Ninh Binh and the world-famous Halong Bay.

Itinerary in brief

Day 1: Hochiminh (Saigon) arrival
Day 2: Saigon - Mekong Delta- Saigon
Day 3: Saigon City half day (or Cuchi tour)- flight to Danang in the afternoon/Hoian
Day 4: Hoian- Cam Thanh Village - Hoian
Day 5: Hoian – My Son Holy Land - Hoian
Day 6: Hoian – Bana-Hoian
Day 7: Hoian /Danang – flight to Hanoi- street food tour
Day 8: Hanoi City
Day 9: Hanoi – Ninh Binh 
Day 10: Ninh Binh – Halong 
Day 11: Halong - Hanoi
Day 12: Hanoi - Departure

Detail program

Detail program

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) arrival  (-/-/-)
Arrival in Tan Son Nhat airport, you will be picked up by driver (no guide) then transferred to the hotel in city center. 
Free time to relax or explore the city by your own the downtown at Dong Khoi Street (formal Catinat str.), Ben Thanh market .
Cho Lon - the Chinese quarter, with Binh Tay market, strolling on the always-crowded streets. 
Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Saigon – Mekong Delta - Saigon (B/L/…)
08:00 Depart for My Tho. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda (late 19th century).
Take a boat along the Mekong River, passing floating fish farms and the busy fishing harbor. Visit a fishing pen and observe local fishing boats.
Cross the Mekong to Ben Tre and view the four islands: Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise. Continue along a small canal through coconut and palm forests. Take a hand-rowed sampan and enjoy the peaceful countryside.
Disembark to visit a local house, taste seasonal fruits, honey tea, and enjoy traditional music.
Ride a motor cart through village paths, stop at a coconut candy workshop, and sample some sweets.
Lunch at a local riverside restaurant.
Return across the Mekong to My Tho pier, then transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City for overnight.
Day 3: Saigon – City tour ½ day or Cuchi tour ½ day - flight to Danang in the afternoon/Hoian (B/-/-)
Explore the dynamic heart of southern Vietnam with a halfday city tour:
Reunification Palace: the former Presidential Palace, a key site of Vietnam’s modern history.
Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office – two beautiful examples of French colonial architecture.
War Remnants Museum: a powerful and moving exhibit about the Vietnam War.
Optional: Cuchi Tour instead
An extremely complex tunnel system, the Cu Chi network covers a wide area of countryside near to Ho Chi Minh city and was an excellent way for the Viet Cong to move underground, undetected by American forces. 
The Cu Chi tour starts with an introductory video detailing its long 25-year construction. Then it is time to go underground in the infamous 120-mile Cu Chi tunnel system which offered a safe haven for soldiers and thousands of Vietnamese people during the Vietnam War. 
On display are booby traps, the remains of an US army tank and huge craters left by American B52 bombs. You will be able to admire lots of compelling photos and personal effects left behind. 
 
There is also the chance to take part in your own "HUNGER GAMES" and fire an authentic AK rifle used during the war (Bullet fee is on your own).
In the afternoon, take a flight from Saigon to Danang, transfer to hotel in Hoian for check in (no guide)
Overnight in Hoian.
Day 4: Hoian - Visit Cam Thanh Village - Hoian (B/-/D)
13:00 PM - Departure from hotel
14:00 PM - Cam Thanh Coconut Village
Immerse yourself in the tranquility of Cam Thanh Coconut Village. Embark on a traditional basket boat, navigate the serene canals, and witness the beauty of this hidden gem.
15:00 PM - Hoi An Old Town
Step into the enchanting Hoi An Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through narrow streets adorned with charming yellow buildings, each housing a piece of history. Explore ancient temples and traditional houses, and immerse yourself in the town's timeless allure.

 
17:00 PM – Light local meal: Quang noodles.
18:30 PM Hoai River Boat Ride
As the late afternoon transitions to early evening, embark on a scenic boat ride along the Hoai River. Witness the enchanting play of colors as the sun sets, casting a warm glow over the waters. Drift through the heart of Hoi An, capturing the essence of its riverside charm. Experience the magic of crafting your own vibrant lantern on board and, as darkness falls, release the lantern onto the river—a mesmerizing tradition that adds a touch of enchantment to your journey.
19:30 PM - Explore Hoi An at Night
Return to Hoi An Old Town and witness the magical transformation as the lantern-li streets come alive. Experience the vibrant night market, where local vendors
showcase a myriad of crafts, souvenirs, and street food. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere, enhanced by the glow of lanterns reflecting on the river.
20:30 PM - Return to hotel.
Overnight in Hoian
Day 5: Hoian - My Son Holy Land - Hoian (B/L/…)
My Son is considered as the fourth World Heritage in Viet Nam since 1999 due to its unique historical, architectural and cultural value. 
08:00 We travel about 50 km from Hoi An to My Son Holy Land. Visit Tra Kieu Ancient Capital, which was the former administration Centre of Champa Kingdom. Enjoy the Cham traditional dancing show. Then start walking tour to visit Cham ancient ruins. My Son was once the intellectual and religious centre and may have also served as a burial place for Cham monarchs between the 4th and the 12th centuries. Take a boat along Thu Bon river to visit Kim Bong Carpentry village.
Have lunch at local restaurant.
Back to the hotel.
Overnight in Hoian.
Day 6: Hoian – Bana Hills - Hoian (B/L/…)
08:00: Pick you up by driver at hotel (no guide) and transfer to Ba Na Hills
Upon arrival Ba Na hills, you will get on a Cable Car which gains 4 world scores including longest single-wire cable car system 
Arrive at Station 2 at the height of 1.138 m, our guide will take you to: Debay Wine Cellar built in 1923, Le Jardin D’Amour Flower Garden (a huge flower garden
Highlight in this tour is Golden Bridge ( Hands of God). 
You continue to visit Linh Ung pagoda 
Have buffet lunch at Bana hills
Conquer the peak of Chua Mountain at the height of 1487 m, the highest peak in Bana. Then, you will visit Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple to bask in the purity and peacefulness, find your minds relaxed and leave your worries behind.
Continue to discover the French Square, visit and play some games in Fantasy Park 
Back to the cabin down the mountain. Car takes you back to your hotel in Hoian. 
Day 7: Hoian /Danang – flight to Hanoi (B/…/…)
Transfer to Danang airport (no guide) and take a morning flight to Hanoi.
Arrival in Noi Bai airport, you will be picked up by the driver (no guide) and transferred to the hotel in the city center.
The rest of the day is free at your leisure to explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Recommended highlights include:
The bustling 36 streets of the Old Quarter, especially Hang Dao, Hang Bac, and Hang Gai, known for silk and jewelry shops.
Dong Xuan Market – a large indoor market perfect for souvenirs and local experience.
Long Bien Bridge – a historic French-built bridge offering scenic views for walking and photography.
Train street coffee
Note: These activities are self-guided and any transportation, entrance fees, or personal expenses incurred during this time are at your own cost.
Overnight stay in Hanoi. Hotel accommodation is included.
Day 8: Hanoi City (B/L/-)
Hanoi, located on the banks of the Red River, is one of the most ancient capital in the world, where travelers can find well - preserved colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, temples and unique museums within the city centre
08:00 - 08:30: Get picked up by our friendly guide and start to explore Hanoi City 
08:45: Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish IsLand in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi built in the 6th century.
09:30: Visit Ho Chi Minh complex, you have a chance to see the embalmed body of  Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969. Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Godess of Mercy – It is the most unique padoga in the world. 
Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, temples, pagodas…
Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays.
 Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed at least 2 months (15thJune -15thAugust) for the annual maintaining but still can take picture Mausoleum and visit around that area
11:15: Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam.
Special Note: We will visit Women Museum instead of Ethnology Museum closed on Mondays
12:45: Have lunch at local restaurant. 
14:00 : Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11 century.
16:30: Return to your hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 9 : Hanoi - Ninh Binh (Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Mua Cave) (B/L/…)
07:30 - 08:10: Our guide will meet you at your hotel/stay and start 110km on Bus-journey through verdant landscape of country side. Short-brake en route.
10:30: Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel with Ding King Temple and Le King Temple dating back to the 17th Century.
11:30: Leisure cycling on rural roads alongside the extensive canal network and through small villages with backdrop of a maze of limestone mountains. 
12:00: Enjoy buffet lunch at our restaurant with the great local cuisine.
13:30: Boarding a small sampan to visit Tam Coc which means literally “three caves” (1.5 hours boat trip). With Halong Bay type views of majestic limestone cliffs and mysterious caves, as well as countryside landscape like peaceful streams, rice paddies and deserted green fields, Tam Coc really has it all. You will feel the fresh air and peaceful moments, a very good opportunities for photo lovers, freezing the special moments and scenery. 
15:30: 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. 
16:30: Return to our bus and then come back to Hanoi.
18:30: Drop you off at your hotel/stay. 
Overnight in Ninh Binh.
Day 10: Ninh Binh – Halong (B/L/D)
Today’s long drive takes you to Halong Bay, the World Heritage, which is created by the imposing nature. 
Halong means, “Where the dragon descends into the sea”, only this name itself already contains an occult. You’ll find here a lot of legends handed down from one generation to another. There are over 3,000 islands, composed of carboniferous chalk and covered with green vegetation.
08:00 : Pick up at the hotel. Transfer to Halong Bay (no guide)
11:30: Arrive at Halong International Habor 
Embark on cruise by tender. Check-in, enjoy welcome drinks and cruise briefing
Enjoy lunch while cruising to magnificent Ha Long Bay, and admire the fascinating formations on the way
Luon cave - kayaking or bamboo boat 
Luon cave excursion on bamboo rowing boat by locals or kayaking. This is one of the must-do activities in the bay. 
Titop island – Climbing, Beach & Swimming 
Your next stop is Titop island with its famous crescent moon-shaped beach and tranquil beautiful blue waters. Viewing Halong Bay from the peak of Titop island is another not-to-be missed activity. 

 

Enjoy the best moments of the day at sundeck as the sun hits the water between the dramatic limestone peaks and emerald-green coves, enjoying drinks and a cooking demonstration. 
Savour a delicious dinner 
Night time squid fishing. Overnight on board.
Day 11: Halong - Hanoi (B/Brunch/-)
06:15 Enjoy sunrise on the bay. Morning Tai Chi session on topdeck
06:30 Light breakfast will be served in the restaurant (pastries, tea, coffee)
Explore Sung Sot Cave – the biggest and most stunning cave in Halong Bay
09:15 Check out of your cabin after a final early brunch 
09:30 Buffet brunch served at the restaurant 
10:45-11:00 Back to the port. Farewell and disembark
11:15-11:30 Get on the bus back to Hanoi (no guide). Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 12: Hanoi - Departure (B/- /-)
After breakfast, we transfer (no guide) to the airport for your flight off. 
Your room is available until 12h00.

Services inclus

SERVICES INCLUDED:
  • Accomodation at all places  with breakfast.
  • Modern & comfortable air-conditioned vehicles and English speaking Guide during the tour (except the break time or program clearly mentioned “WITHOUT GUIDE”)
  • Entrance fees (without camera fees) indicated in the itinerary;
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary: (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
SERVICES EXCLUDED:
  • Entry visa
  • International flights
  • Domestic flights: 150 - 200 usd/person (the airfares are subject to change)
  • Airfares are subject to change)
  • Drinks during the meals;
  • Meals are not indicated in the itinerary;
  • Personal expenses, tax;
  • Insurance (of all kinds);
  • Tips for the guide(s), driver(s) and porter(s); 
  • Others not clearly mentioned above
  • VAT

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22/05/2024
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