“Hoan nghênh”, Welcome to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. On completion of our VIP visa assistance you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel in the city. Post check in remainder of the day is free to relax and get over jetlag. 

By evening if you are up and ready, we recommend a stroll through the streets of Old Quarter to soak in the intrinsic appeal of Hanoi. Historic charm, architectural marvels and street food are splashed all over this area. You can also witness a flurry of activities at The Hoan Keim Lake, shop for silk and pictures at Hang Gai Street. Don’t forget the water puppet show an evening entertainment for locals and tourists alike. 

With a millennium-long history, Hanoi is a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks dotted with French-style buildings and historical monuments. The city centre is an architectural museum piece, retaining the air of a quaint and peaceful provincial town. After breakfast at the hotel we commence our program for the day. At the top of the list is Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which serves as the resting place of Vietnamese Revolutionary leader & President Ho Chi Minh. Close by one can visit the One Pillar Pagoda a historic Buddhist temple. Next, we drive to the President Palace built between 1900 and 1906 to house the French Governor-General of Indochina, followed by a visit to the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, built in 1070. The University displays wonderful traditional architecture and is dedicated to Confucius. We continue our sightseeing to Tra n Quoc Pagoda – Hanoi’s most ancient pagoda, standing tall for over 1500 years.

It is now time to take a break for lunch at a local restaurant and try some of the popular local dishes namely Pho, Banh Mi, Bun Cha and wash it all down with Egg coffee.  After lunch we head out to Hoa Lo Prison Museum. This thought provoking place is ironically named – Hanoi Hilton. A majority of the exhibits narrate the prison’s use to mid-1950s, highlighting the Vietnamese Independence struggle from France. Your day concludes with a walk through the local market to pick up souvenirs for friends and family back home or to head out to another fascinating local restaurant for dinner. 

Today, is another fun filled day to explore interesting sites just out of the city of Hanoi. We recommend you start early with packed breakfast to get the maximum out of this day. Our first stop is Hoa Lu. This former capital of Vietnam lies 90 km south of Hanoi and is protected by high limestone mountains and earthen walls. Hoa Lu is the beautiful ancient city that was the economic and political center of Dai Co Viet, a kingdom that extended from what is now northern Vietnam to the center during the 10th and 11th centuries. Here one can admire the Dinh King temple and Le King temple of the 10th century. The temple is an original architectural work of art full of folk sculptures! It attracts tourists for so many valuable relics hidden in thick bricks, tilts, Buddhist prayer-book pillars, and more importantly its meaningful history of the first ancient capital of Vietnam. Nearby you can find the Tomb of King Dinh Tien Hoang, which was situated on Ma Yen Mount, in front of his Temple. “Ma yen” means “back of a horse”, as seen from a far distance, it has the shape of a back of a horse. The tomb is in the sagging down post of the horse’s back. To reach up to the tomb, visitors must pass 150 rock steps. The tomb was built in 1840, under Ming Mang King reign.

It’s hard not to be won over by the mystical, watery beauty of the Tam Coc "three caves" region, which is effectively a miniature landlocked version of Ha Long Bay. Here the two-hour sampan-ride is a definite highlight, especially as the men and women row with their feet and make it look easy. These boat rides are the highlight in Tam Coc, meandering through dumpling-shaped karst hills in a flooded landscape where the river and rice paddies merge serenely into one; keep an eye open for mountain goats high on the cliffs, and bright, darting kingfishers. On the way back, you can ask to stop at Thai Vi Temple, a short walk from the river. Dating from the thirteenth century and dedicated to the founder of the Tran Dynasty, it’s a peaceful, atmospheric spot.

If you have time after the boat trip, follow the road leading southwest from the boat dock for about 2 km to visit the cave-pagoda of Bich Dong, or "Jade Grotto". Stone-cut steps, entangled by the thick roots of banyan trees, lead up a cliff face peppered with shrines to the cave entrance, believed to have been discovered by two monks in the early fifteenth century. On the rock face above, two giant characters declare "Bich Dong". The cave walls are now scrawled with graffiti but the three Buddhas sit unperturbed on their lotus thrones beside a head-shaped rock which purportedly bestows longevity if touched. Walk through the cave to emerge higher up the cliff, from where steps continue to the third and final temple and viewpoint over the waterlogged scene.

The last stop today is the Mua Caves Ninh Bin. Together with Trang an ecological tourism complex, the terrain of Mua cave looks majestic with rolling mountains surrounding a whole large delta like a rampart is protecting the country inside. Besides taking a ride to the cave you will also need to overcome 486 stone steps to head to the top of Mua mountain for some breathtaking scenery. 

Once back to the city remainder of your time is free to relax. 

Begin your day with a healthy breakfast and start towards Halong Bay for an experience to cherish. Halong Bay is one of the most magnificent scenic spots in all of Vietnam and was recognized as a world natural heritage site by UNESCO in 1994. Halong is a picturesque bay with almost 2,000 islets rising from the clear emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Your arrival in Halong Bay City will be greeted by a warm welcome onboard your cruise. The cruise will take you along the mesmeric emerald waters, allowing you to visit one of the lofty limestone caves. The islands here are topped by luxuriant rainforests, presenting you a living painting, bathed in refreshing hues. When the sun tops the sky, savor an irresistible lunch of local seafood followed by various onboard activities curated specially for you. Happy hours at the deck followed by a spring roll making class for the children complements the evening sunset viewed from the luxury of your deck. 

End the day with mouth watering delicacies skilfully crafted by the onboard chef. Retire to your room or back at the deck and relax while the ship anchors for the night. 

After breakfast, we disembark and head back to Hanoi airport for our evening flight to Da Nang. On arrival, you will be transferred to a hotel in Hoi An (Da Nang to Hoi An: 29 km, 40 minutes). Hoi An is a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved Ancient Town, cut through with canals. The former port city’s melting-pot history is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shop houses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda.

Post check in relax and enjoy the hospitality at your hotel.

Hoi An has a reputation for being one of the prettiest cities in all of Vietnam and the Old Town here has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its 800 historic buildings. There is a definite ‘old town’ feeling here which is like stepping back into the Vietnam of ancient times, and the city is also famous as it was never bombed during the Vietnam War.

This morning after a leisurely breakfast your private guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and escort you on your sightseeing trip.  Begin with a walk down the Old Town which has now been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is said to date back some 2,000 years. The first attraction that greets you here is Kwan Temple, founded in 1653 and is now the site of a History and Culture Museum. If you want to know more about the history of Hoi An then you need to come to its main museum. Here you will find a huge range of pieces that tell the story of the area including antiques that date from the Cham period as well as the colonial period. There are a number of galleries here that are filled with drawings, ceramics, paintings and photographs and you can also check out signature pieces like large bronze temple bells.

The Tan Ky Family House is one of the most historically significant buildings in Hoi An and is located in the Old Town section of the city. The family home was built in the 18th century and would have belonged to a family of merchants. The architecture here is a mix of Japanese, Chinese and traditional Vietnamese design motifs and you can now take a tour of this amazing property. Some seven generations of merchants lived in the home and you will still find their original furniture and memorabilia here which will give you an idea of how people would have lived in Hoi An in the days gone by.

Vietnam is a country that is famous for its delicious coffee and Hoi An is no slouch when it comes to its own brews. One of the best places to try the coffee in Hoi An is at Mia Coffee who roast their own beans and serve up some of the most delicious espresso in the city. The coffee varieties on offer here vary according to the season and all the beans here are handpicked to bring you the freshest and tastiest cups of coffee around. You can even buy bags of beans here to take home as a souvenir. Next, we head to one of the most opulent buildings in all of Hoi The Fujian Assembly Hall which dates from the 17th century. This was built by the Fujian Chinese community in Hoi An and is considered a sacred space. The main hall here is covered in carved figures that feature around a gateway which is etched with carvings of mythical Chinese creatures. There is also a large courtyard here and legend has it that if you pray in the Assembly Hall then you will be lucky when it comes to conceiving children. This is due to the presence of the 12 Midwives which are carved fertility statues that stand in the grounds of the hall.

Later we stroll over to The Japanese Covered Bridge located in the centre of the city and is also one of its focal points. The bridge spans some 12 meters and is famous for its ornate carvings, many of which are in the shape of monkeys and dogs. This is also a very popular place for amorous Vietnamese couples who come here to take photographs as the bridge is considered a top romantic spot in Hoi An. 

The gorgeous town oozes with well-known treats waiting to be sampled. Vietnam, as you would expect, has a huge number of different kinds of noodles. If you want to try the regional Hoi A variety, then you need to try Cao Lao which are brown rice noodles that are mixed with lye water. This is ash from the lye that comes from the wood on the Cham Islands which are around 12 kilometers from the coast of Hoi An. The noodles are hand cut and then topped with pork, rice crackers and fresh herbs, all soaked in a delicious meat broth. One of the best places to try the noodles is at Cam Ga Huong which is located off Le Loi Street.

After a delicious meal head over to the local market for some shopping. The pretty Lantern Market is located in An Hoi which is across the river from central Hoi An. This is one of the most scenic markets in Vietnam and, as the name suggests, you can buy traditional lanterns here which come in all different shapes and sizes. Many of these are made of gorgeous Hoi An silk and you can walk around at night and take in all the amazing illuminated lanterns which come in a range of different hues. If you like local arts and handicrafts then you will be spoilt for choice on a visit to Vietnam. Hoi An is known across Vietnam for being a hub for beautiful locally made products and you will be able to shop for these in places like the main central market.There are also a number of handicraft villages dotted on the outskirts of the town and you can usually take a tour to these where you can learn about the historical and cultural background behind the making of these items.Many of these are made by local minorities and make excellent gifts or souvenirs. In the handicraft villages you can also take classes such as ancient weaving or calligraphy.

Back to the hotel thereafter and remainder of the time is free.

Today, we check out and head to the spectacular Sun World Ba Na Hills. As part of Sun World Amusement Park Group and over 20 km away from Danang downtown, Sun World ba Na Hills is the most significant resort and recreational complex of Vietnam. At the height of 1,487 m from the sea level, Sun World Ba Na Hills is coined the “heaven on earth” owing to its spectacular climate and otherworldly natural landscape. Just travel to Sun World Ba Na Hills and revel yourselves in the typical rotation of four seasons in a single day and numerous festivities, recreations and relaxation and cuisine. For four years in a row from 2015 to 2018, Sun World Ba Na Hills was bestowed the accolade of Top Tourist Resort of Vietnam.

To cater to transport demands of millions of visitors to Ba Na, Sun World Ba Na Hills are equipped with 5 cable car routes, many of which smashed world records and won international awards with the accumulated capacity of nearly 7,000 passengers/hour. Travelers to Sun World Ba Na Hills are indulged in a number of sites and unique destinations here at the complex. One of the best loved destinations in Ba Na Hills is the French Village, which re-enacts an old fashioned and tranquil France lined with recognizable classical landmarks such as the square, church, town, old village and inns. In addition, the Golden Bridge, which was officially inaugurated in June 2018 in Ba Na, was also voted by TIME magazine as one of the “Top 10 best destinations of the world 2018” and admired by The Guardian as “The world’s most impressive pedestrians’ bridge”.

Sun World Ba Na Hills boast a dizzily vibrant and fascinating indoor game zone. Fantasy Park is the largest indoor game zone of Vietnam that includes countless games, recreations and sports for families. The Jurassic Park is a must-visit for children fans of the namesake blockbuster “Jurassic Park”. Besides, this complex also puts on offer the first wax museum of Vietnam, in which lifelike figurines are modeled after prominent figures worldwide.

When you arrive at the cable car’s second station, you can visit a variety of attractions. Sights include the Debay wine cellar and the Linh Ung pagoda, with its 27-meter-high Buddha statue. Enjoy a walk through the Loc Uyen garden, visit the Entertainment Paradise and after a meal at one of the many restaurants, head to a natural monkey garden and God Mountain – the highest peak in central Vietnam.

Enjoy the evening at the magnificent resort and partake the many adventures there. 

Today we head back to Danang airport, to board the flight to Ho Chi min city (Saigon). On arrival, your guide will escort you to the hotel for check in. 

After lunch at the hotel, we head out for a panoramic city tour. Start with the Old Saigon post office and Notre Dame Cathedral, officially Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception. Next up is Saigon Opera House, also known as the Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City. Built in 1897, this is an amazing example of French Colonial architecture. Your tour then proceeds to Dong Khoi Street, Home to numerous French colonial buildings. It was the glamor hub during French occupation and was called Rue Catinat. During the Vietnam War, it turned into Tu Do (Freedom Street). In 1970s, when the Communists overtook Saigon, it was christened Dong Khoi (Total Revolution). Conclude your day by paying homage at the Thien Hau Pagoda, a Chinese-style temple.

Back to the hotel thereafter. 

This morning, we head out early to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels for a sneak peek into the times of war. A complex network of over 200 km tunnels, this historical site comprises of several trapdoors, kitchens, hideouts, storage facilities, living areas, armory, command centres, and even hospitals. You can crawl through some of these historic underpasses to have a better understanding of underground life of Vietnamese soldiers back in 1948. Indeed, if a place can symbolize the tenacious Vietnamese spirit, Cu Chi Tunnels make the strongest case. Keep in mind, though, that if you have even minor claustrophobia, then you’ll probably want to avoid this day trip. There are some very tight spaces. One can always combine the tunnels with a visit to the Cao Dai Temple for their Noon Service. After lunch at a local restaurant we head back to the city and the rest of the evening is yours to savour the local culture and cuisine of Saigon. 

Kickstart your day with a hearty breakfast and a trip to Mekong Delta. The Mekong Delta Day Cruise is a full-day guided boat trip, that's great for travellers looking to explore a more traditional part of Ho Chi Minh City. Locally known as The River of the Nine Dragons, the 15,000 square-metre delta is home to several riverside villages, verdant forests, swamps, and rice plantations. Along with day trips over night stay options are also available should you prefer an overnight option. 

The journey starts at the busy market town - My Tho where we board our boat cruise on the remarkable Mekong River. The picturesque island-province of Ben Tre welcomes you during the cruise. On this island, visit a local orchard and relish exotic seasonal fruit. Watch a coconut candy workshop at Ben Tre also known as Coconut Island due to the abundance of coconut tress here.  For a little more adventure at a nominal charge one can also add in a horse-cart ride here. 

Later in the day we head back to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy our free time.  Should you be interested a visit to the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens or the Vietnam History Museum could be a great option. 

It’s time to bid goodbye and head back home with a promise to come back for more. This morning after breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. (B)