All about Vietnam 12 Days

On arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted and welcomed by our guide and driver, then be transferred to the hotel. You might have a sleep to recover, or wander around for some own exploration. 

Meals on your own account. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

We will pick you up after your breakfast at the hotel. First visit of day 2 is Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – a must-see for any tourists visiting Hanoi capital. Aside from the mighty gray-granite mausoleum and vast Ba Dinh Square, you may find Uncle Ho’s vestige and historical objects of the wars in his Stilt House, Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda. Next destination is the well-preserved Temple of Literature. It is Vietnam’s memorial of education as well as greatest example of traditional Vietnam architecture.  

We save Museum of Ethnology - biggest and most vibrant museum in Hanoi for the afternoon. The museum has wide range of exhibitions (both indoor and outdoor) focus on Vietnam’s officially recognised 54 ethnic groups.

Afterwards, you get to spend the rest of the afternoon at the Old Quarter where Hanoi’ most authentic goods are. Our guide will take you around the Old Quarter’s maze-like streets and alleys. You can observe locals life and have yourself some local treats.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight stay at your hotel.

We’ll start our adventure to Ninh Binh by 2-hour driving to this city (around 110km)

Upon arrival, you’ll have a 1.5-hour visit to Van Long Nature Reserve - home to supernova Kong: Skull Island by a rowboat which enable you to have an insightful look into marvelous limestone caves and vast green rice fields. 

Next, we’ll grab a bicycle and ride along Boi river bank to explore Gia Hung village and its neighboring areas. From here, we travel to Nho Quan village for a lunch with locals. After your meal, pay a visit to Hoa Lu ancient capital. This picturesque little citadel surrounded by mountains and rivers was once the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries, during the reign of the Dinh and the Le dynasties.

Get ready to head back to Hanoi. Dinner on your own account. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early breakfast as we will go on a ride to the second city – Ha Long. The iconic Ha Long Bay on the Gulf of Tonkin offers exceptional natural scenic beauty of limestone islets, designated World Heritage site. On the way to Ha Long, you might enjoy infinite rice paddy fields, rolling mountains scene of the Red river delta. As soon as you reach Ha Long, it is the beginning of an exciting cruise on this charming bay. 

After your lunch on boat, you will be taken to some of glorious limestone caves. Each caves have stories of its own, possesses splendid and sacred exquisiteness made from stalactite. Finishing visiting the caves, tourists should reward themselves with a revitalizing swim in emerald water when the cruise comes to a halt. Kayaking is another option if you want to explore more of the bay by yourself.

The boat cast its anchor for a stay through the night. Have your dinner on board along with other fun games.

Kindly be informed that transportation used for moving from Hanoi to Ha Long is a shared shuttle bus (with an English speaking guide). Contact our travel consultants for more information about private transfer service.

Early morning on Ha Long bay is dreamy. Wake up to immerse yourself in a peaceful morning with fresh air and soothing light of the first sunshine.  Enjoy your breakfast in such breezy atmosphere while the ship sails you further to the ocean then back to the land.

A light lunch on board will be served, followed by a trip from the dock to Hanoi by shuttle bus. A private car (with no guide) is waiting to pick you up and take you to Noi Bai airport where you will catch a flight to Da Nang.

On the other side, our guide and driver are already waiting for you at the airport for a pick up and transfer you to Hoi An Ancient town.

Have dinner by yourself and relax for the rest of the day in your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, make a visit to one of Hoi An local markets in the morning. You can see how people sell things on the ground, eye-catching displays of herbs, fruits, meat and seafood. If you are keen on interacting with natives, this is a great chance.

Afterwards, we will head to Bay Mau nipa palm forest, hop on a coracle - a special means of transport in this area. You will find yourself floating under verdant mangrove forest. There are plenty of adorable souvenirs in shape of hats, rings, watches made of palm leaves being sold by locals along the way.

We have an exhilarating game for tourists called “bit mat dap nieu” - a Vietnamese folk game. After the game, take a sip of local tea before joining the cooking class. You will learn a lot about Vietnam cooking style in particular and Vietnamese culture in general.  Enjoy your self-made lunch afterwards.

After lunch, a chilling boat ride on Thu Bon river is ready for you. From the boat, you can observe the day-day-day activities of rural inhabitants.

Return to the town center in the afternoon. Walk around the old town – living museum of unique architecture which consonantly influenced by French, Japan, China and Vietnam’s culture. Pay a visit to Hoi An Museum to learn more about the town, go see the remarkable Phuoc Kien Assembly hall. Wrap up your tour with a sight-seeing at Tan Ky Old House and one-of-a-kind Japanese Covered Bridge.

Return to the hotel and the rest of the day is at your leisure. 

Meals on your own account. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Heading west to My Son Sanctuary - the ancient architectural ruins in the middle of forest. Located among the greenish beauty of Hon Quap (Cat’s Tooth Mountain) and Thu Bon River., My Son is a complex of Hindu temples that were constructed by the Champa Kingdom which ruled the Central and Southern part of Vietnam, from the 3rd century until 1832. 

Built in over 900 years, 25 remains among 68 Hindu temples for Shiva God survived centuries of time, stand through territorial wars as well as years of neglect. Besides the historical significance, it is the architecture style and religious features which is a combination of Hinduism style and the Champa’s style that draws attention and amazes tourists.

Go back to Hoian later this morning. The rest of the day is at your leisure. 

Meals on your own account. Overnight stay at the hotel in Hoian.

This morning is free at your leisure. You can spend time exploring the ancient town buying some lovely gifts for your family and friends back home. 

You will be transferred to Da Nang Airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City in the morning with no guide. Our driver and tour guide will be ready at Tan Son Nhat Airport to pick you up and send you to the hotel.

Meals on your own account. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Continue the trip to Cu Chi Tunnels – a 250km network of connecting underground tunnels. These was used in the 40s and again in the 60s, they were not only corridors but also all kinds of rooms for sleep, dining and hospital; as well as storages for weapon and food. It is allowed for visitors to try getting into these tunnels to see the poor conditions people used to endure during wartime.

Come back to the city center from Cu Chi tunnels. Lunch is on your own account.

In the afternoon, you will go on an arranged tour around Ho Chi Minh City exploring stunning French architectures includes the Old Saigon post office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House, Reunification Palace and Chinatown Cholon.

Dinner on your own expense. Overnight stay at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.

Another day-tour to an interesting place – Mekong Delta. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to 3 hours’ drive from Ho Chi Minh city center to Ben Tre. Arrive at Phong Nam pier, you will get on a cruise on Chet Say river – one of nine branches of Mekong River. From the boat, you have opportunity to get closer to local life and their handicrafts, i.e. activated coconut charcoal, coconut-based products and mat weaving.

Pay a visit to nearby village where you can hop on “xe loi” (a special motorized trishaw) or cycling around through green vegetation and endless rice fields. Taste some delicacies for lunch at a local house.

Return to the dock after enjoying a fun boat trip along a narrow canal. 

Bus transfer to Can Tho city. 

Dinner on your own expense. Overnight stay at a hotel in Can Tho.

From Ninh Kieu wharf, we start our trip by a boat sailing to Cai Rang floating market.  Watch in awe when you see the smooth performances of traders juggling all kind of fruits boat to boat. The practice of trading goods in the floating markets stands out as the image representing the tourism in this area. You will be immerse in this lively and bustling local wholesale market.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After meal, transfer back to Ho Chi Minh city. 

Dinner at your own expense. Overnight stay the hotel.

Last day in Ho Chi Minh City, stroll around collecting some souvenirs for you loved ones back home. You will be transferred without guide to the airport for your departure flight. Meals on your own account.

End of tour.