Unseen Vietnam

Upon arrival in Hanoi – a thousand years Capital, you are met and transfer to hotel in the city centre. Time at leisure after a long flight.

Overnight in Hanoi.

The day starts with visit to the complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh, the Nation’s founder, containing Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, and his house on stilts. This complex also comprises the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city.

Next, we visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology which successfully presents the recognition of Vietnam as a multi-ethnic country and promotes socio-cultural diversity.

In the afternoon, return to city central, visit to the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th century. Discover the famed Old Quarter on foot. Walk through the hidden alleys, amaze at the old styled tube houses, visit the lively local market and lovely peaceful temple Bach Ma. Next, hop on a traditional bicycle rickshaw move at leisure pace that’s perfect for photos and slow-moving sightseeing. Seat back and relax while your driver weaves through the busy streets, dodging speeding motorbikes and rolling past French colonial houses. As the local do, sit down at a local café by the church, enjoy a cup of ‘Tra Chanh’ – green tea with lime and chat with the youth.

Overnight in Hanoi

Note: Shorts and tank tops are not allowed in Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & pagodas.

- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mons & Fri afternoon.

- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is closed on Mons.

Nested in a valley amongst verdant hills in the northwestern highlands, Mai Chau’s stunning scenery offers excellent opportunities for trekking while providing a glimpse into the village life of the H’mong and White Thai ethnic hill tribes. This is a remote area that is off the beaten track and less touristic, a truly amazing Vietnam scenery.

Departing Hanoi to Mai Chau valley, 150km North-west of Hanoi city. 12:00 at noon arrive in the village of Mai Chau. Surrounded by steep mountains and stunning rice paddies, tiny Mai Chau is an uplifting and refreshing holiday from a region packed with challenging travel opportunities. Short trek to visit villages of Thai minority people (biking option is available), visit their home to see how they live and have chat with local. Lunch in local house

Descending the last 14km of your first day of the tour on a steep mountain road into the stunning valley of Mai Chau, you will reach village of Thai Ethnic people.

After check in your hotel, take a short rest, then take an easy bike of 1-2 hours around the village and valley.

Have dinner and enjoy folk dance performance with charming Thai ladies at your hotel. (on your own expense).

Stay overnight at your hotel in Mai Chau

Note: Cruise itinerary is subject to change according to weather condition.

After breakfast, follow your tour guide to visit another peaceful and scenic village. The village nested in the lush green garden, with mountain range at the back and a beautiful spring in the front (If you come here in Mar, May, Jun or Sep, Aug, Oct you will see lush green rice fields. The crops will be in early August and early December. There will be no crops during winter time, but you may see a lot of water buffalos on rice fields.

The village is home for Thai Ethnic people as well, and this village not yet touched much by tourists. From here, you can take a walk through villages.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Make an early morning departure from Hanoi by shuttle bus and drive 3.5hours through the Red River Delta on our way to Halong city. Upon arrival, the crew will greet us abroad the traditional style junk with a refreshing welcome drink and then the cruise begins!

While navigating the way through the emerald waters and limestone islands, lunch is served with delicious fresh seafood (vegetarians are also catered for). As cruising through the bay, marvel at the amazing karst scenery with different formations. Halong Bay is littered with hidden caves and grottoes and we’ll take some time to explore one of these. For those felling active you then can explore the bay by sea kayak. After the dinner, night fishing is available on the main deck.

Overnight onboard on the bay.

Note: Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions or local administration regulations.

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of Halong Bay’s landscape. We Continue cruising to explore more of the bay and enjoy the brunch breakfast before returning to the Jetty at noon time. Then shuttle bus will pick you up and transfer back to Hanoi. Then private transfer will take you to Noi Bai airport for 1hr flight to Danang city.

Land in Danang airport and make the 40-minute drive to the charming town of Hoi An. Over night in Hoian.

This morning we will take a cooking class to learn fun and easy authentic Vietnamese dishes.

Come to the Hai Scout Café in Hoi An’s old streets to meet the chef. Visit a local market to buy the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. Board a boat for a leisurely cruise along the Thu Bon River to the Red Bridge Cooking School, witnessing the Vietnam’s countryside scenery along the way. On arrival, explore the school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An and Vietnam’s well-known dishes, which are a mix of Vietnamese and Chinese cuisines. The cooking lesson lasts about 2 hours – each dish is first demonstrated by the Red Bridge’s chef before you prepare the same dish by yourself. The class also contains a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carvings (plate decoration). After the lesson, sit down and enjoy what you have cooked.

In the afternoon, you will visit Hoi An ancient town, named as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visit Tan Ky House, a late 18th-century merchant’s residence. The house itself is a fine example of combined Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese architecture, typical of the older houses in Hoi An. The Fukhien Association, also known as the Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation, was founded as a place where minority Fujian Chinese could hold meetings. Later it became a temple for the worship of Thien Hau, goddess of the sea and protector of fishermen and sailors.

Overnight in Hoi An

Free morning at your leisure.

In the afternoon, leave Hue for Hoi An via Hai Van Pass which is one of the best coast roads in the world and must-see Vietnam scenery. Stop en route for taking breath at Lang Co Bay.

Check-in your hotel, relax and overnight in Hue.

Located near the center of Hue imperial city, Thuy Bieu Village is known for its serenity, immense grapefruit orchards and centuries old houses. Cycle around the peaceful village amidst fresh air and beautiful tree-lined, shaded village lanes, and see ancient Hue garden houses, a special feature of Hue, with traditional red roofs set in natural gardens. Stop at some traditional handicraft producers to learn about silk painting, incense stick or sesame candy making. Chat with friendly locals and capture nice photos. Visit a local family, learn more about their culture, customs and daily life. Enjoy a local home meal and return to your hotel with nice memories of Thuy Bieu.

In the afternoon, explore the most important relic – the Citadel, seat of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors. Construction began in 1804 under the orders of the first Emperor Gia Long after the site had been selected using principles of geomancy (Feng Shui). The citadel was inspired by Vauban fortifications and is composed of three sections; the capital city (Thanh Kinh), the Imperial city (Hoang Thanh) and the Forbidden City (Cam Thanh). It was largely destroyed in 1968 during the fighting that engulfed Hue following the Tet Offensive. Today, efforts are being made to restore and preserve this precious piece of heritage.

Overnight in Hue city

After breakfast, depart to airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh city. On arrival, transfers to hotel and enjoy free time at leisure.

In the late afternoon, experience HCMC nightlife the way local do, all from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. You will find a special Vietnam scenery at night in the most bustling city of the country.

Enjoy drinks at Vespa Themed café to watch “as the world goes by”. Throughout the night, try a variety of food and drinks at local restaurants and samplings of Saigon’s best authentic street food. You’ll also go to a Vietnamese-style coffee shop with special live music, and then wrap up the evening at an exciting bar where the new generation of Vietnamese unwind and flaunt their unique styles

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

After breakfast, leave behind the hustle and bustle of Saigon to delve into the Mekong Delta, a patchwork of emerald greens and the rice bowl of southern Vietnam. After 2hours drive, arrive in Ben Tre province crossing Rach Mieu Bridge, hop on a private motorize and we cruise through the waterways and cannel of the Mekong delta to visit fruits orchards and learn about the local cottage industries like brick kiln-making, coconut processing, sleeping mats. Take a motorized cart (tuk tuk) or bicycle on shady paths, passing by green rice fiends and vegetable plains. Lunch is served in local restaurant.

After lunch, experience a rowing-boat ride along beautiful water palm creek before we continue by the motorized boat back to the pier. Then return to our vehicle for the onward journey to HCMC. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

You are at leisure for last minute shopping or optional visit before transferring to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure.