A glimpse of Vietnam 10 days 9 nights

Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you will be picked up then transferred to the hotel in city center. The day is free for your own exploration. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

After breakfast, you’ll explore Vietnam’s capital city. Your guide will take you to the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th century. The excellent Ethnology Museum gives you an overview of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic groups, their life, culture, and traditional costumes.

After lunch in a Vietnamese restaurant, you will continue to the Hoa Lo Prison – better known by captured US pilots as the ‘Hanoi Hilton’.

In the late afternoon, you’ll return to hotel and have time to freshen up before discovering the night-life of Hanoi by one of the most popular vehicles in Vietnam - Vespa motorbike.

We start this exhilarating evening at a rooftop bar, with views of the amazing St Joseph’s Cathedral and try a snack from a nearby street vendor before hopping on the back of our Vespas. We weave through narrow streets of the Old Quarter before arriving at a fascinating local joint located mere centimetres away from the railroad tracks, where we sample some infused rice wine and a snack.

The next stop is gastronomical heaven as we taste the quintessential dish of Hanoi, before making our way along West Lake to taste another local specialty and learn art of wrap ‘n’ roll, Vietnamese style! The night ends at a Jazz Club next to the Hanoi Opera House. A live band will wow you with a truly unique blend of styles, 1930’s jazz fused with traditional Vietnamese music.

After breakfast, we pick you up at your hotel and departure for Hoa Lu.

Upon arrival, you will visit Hoa Lư, the ancient capital of Vietnam between 968 and 1010. You have a chance to learn about Vietnamese history in the feudal system under Dinh, Le, and Ly Dynasty.

After lunch, you will visit Trang An which was recognized by UNESCO as A World Heritage Site in 2014. Trang An has a wonderful tunnel cave system so Kong’s Movie Group chose this place for the New Version of Kong in 2016 – “Skull Island”. With 2 hours for the boat trip, you will be persuaded by the beauty here.

Here you will have a 45-minutes cycling around the village to discover the life of the local people.

Back to your vehicle and be driven back to Hanoi, you will arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon. You will spend the night in Hanoi.

After breakfast, you’ll leave for Ha Long Bay, one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas and the world’s largest marine limestone ‘karst’ landscape.

After 2.5 hour driving, you will arrive at Tuan Chau Marina – Halong Bay. Transferred by boat to embark the Cruise. Welcome to Cruise and enjoy Welcome drink, meet the captain, crew to get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Check-in your cabin.

Enjoy Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian lunch, while cruising in the magnificent Halong Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.

Continue cruising through Con Vit islet (Duck Islet), Thumb islet and Gia Luan Harbor were belonged to Cat Ba area. Discover lagoon natural area belonged to Lan Ha Bay. Drop anchor for swimming or just simply sunbathe on our cruise (private, wild and fresh air). Heading back toward the sleeping area. Do kayaking and swimming at Ba Trai Dao Beach area or Tra Bau area (upon the sea wave and wind).

Back to our cruise and participate in our sunset party with fruit, cake and tea. Take photos and relax and then you will join cooking class guided directly by Chef on Cruise. You have chance to practice Vietnamese traditional dishes such as spring roll or famous cuisine of Vietnam.

Dinner time and then join the evening entertainments on boat: play game on the cruise: cards game, chess, listen to music, squid fishing and overnight on the Cruise.

Early morning sun risers can enjoy Tai Chi lesson with fresh air on the sundeck and then you will enjoy a morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast.

Mingling yourself in the stunning views of the Bay and its dramatic limestone islets as we sail through the calm emerald waters heading Dark & Bright Cave (Hang Sang & Toi). Take your option either exploring the cave yourself on kayak or comfortably on local bamboo boat rowed by the locals.

At 9.30 you will come back to the Cruise and check-out from the private cabin and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay.

After lunch on the cruise, you will arrive back at Tuan Chau Harbor where you will meet your driver for driving back to Hanoi. Check in your hotel and overnight stay in Hanoi.

You will be free until time leaving to Noi Bai airport, be met by driver and car to be on time for your short flight to Danang at 10.30 AM.

Landing at Danang airport, you will meet the driver (out of arrival terminal) and the guide will take you to a Vietnamese restaurant for your lunch.

You’ll drive along the My Khe and Non Nuoc beach to visit the Marble Mountains. Take the elevator and you explore caves, pagodas and shrines, view to Non Nuoc beach and city on the summit. At the base of the Marble mountain, you explore the Non Nuoc hamlet, known as stone sculpture village.

Check in your hotel in Hoi An.

In the afternoon, you explore Hoi An ancient town. You will stroll around Hoi An town to visit the Japanese Bridge, Phuc Kien Communal House, Tan Ky Traditional House, Museum, Handicraftsman Art Work. You walk to market or spend time do shopping or experience ambiance in this ancient own at cafes along old streets.

Overnight in Hoi an.

The day starts with cycling the narrow roads through the countryside, passing by rice paddy fields, water buffalos, bamboo bridges and local farmers on their daily work. You’ll then board a boat to the mouth of the Thu Bon estuary where the river meets the Cua Dai Sea and cruise along the coastline observing the lives of the local fishermen.

After joining the fisherman to try your hand at catching fish in a traditional ‘Thung Chai’ basket boat, you will meander through the water palm coconut canal. During the American War, Viet Cong soldiers made use of this area as a highly effective hiding place from enemy attacks through their long struggle. Following an insightful visit to a local fishing village, you’ll be free to relax and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch before cycling back to your hotel.

You will spend the night in Hoi An.

Thung Chai Basket boats, similar in style to coracles in use throughout the ancient world, are widely used throughout Central Vietnam, and are highly suited to the local terrain and lifestyles of local fishermen due to their relative light weight and portability, often doubling as a carrier for various handy items. Circular and constructed of bamboo and tarred for waterproofing, these small boats can typically carry up to five people, and represent a fun-filled opportunity to touch the authentic rural soul of Vietnam. As a precaution, life jackets are provided for your safety during this excursion.

Please note that the clothing and footwear used for activities is likely to get wet and or dirty out on the water, in the mud and basket boats. Travellers are suggested to bring sufficient spare clothes in case it rains or you get wet or dirty during the morning activity sessions. Please wear shoes that are comfortable, and can be worn in the mud (or you will need to take your shoes out).

In the morning, our driver will pick you up and drive you to the restaurant, where you’ll be ready at the restaurant at 9AM to join the cooking class.

The local chef will take you to travel to the local market to purchase ingredients. The most interesting thing is to go to the local market for picking the right ingredients yourself. After that is two hours of practicing with our chef.

You’ll have two choices: Cooking delicious “Cơm gà Hội An”(Hoian style chicken rice) or “Phở gà lá chanh” (Vietnamese chicken noodle soup). Despite of the simple look, their amazing and delicate taste requires some focus and skills. Join this class to grab our tips, in order to bring its totally genuine flavor back to your hometown.

In the afternoon, you’ll be free to stroll around the Ancient Town or travel back to your hotel by yourself. You’ll spend the night in Hoi An.

Leisure time for relaxing or stroll around and shopping in Hoi An Town.

Free at leisure until your driver arrive to pick up and take you to Danang airport for your departure international flight.

Check-in time at hotel: 14.00 // Check-out time: 12.00