Upon your arrival at the Hanoi International Airport, you’ll be greeted with a warm welcome and escorted to your hotel. We know it’s a long travel day, so we keep today’s activities light. After checking in to your hotel, relax for a few hours before dinner. Dinner as a group this evening.

Meals: D

Today we’re going to be exploring Hanoi’s most popular historical, religious, and political landmarks. Explore the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been the center of Vietnam’s political power for over 1300 years. It was used as a prison by the Japanese army in 1945 and 1954, it became the headquarters for the Ministry of Imperial Defence. The most notable structures are the Kinh Thien Palace, the North Gate, and the Princess Pagoda. Visit the ‘One Pillar Pagoda’, which is one of Vietnam’s oldest temples built in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong. We will then visit the Temple of Literature. Originally built as a university in 1070, this building is extremely well preserved and is an excellent example of traditional Vietnamese architecture.

We will see the St. Joseph’s Cathedral, one of the first structures built by the French and inspired by Notre Dame in Paris.

Visit a local craft store representing four generations of women entrepreneurship since 1969.  We will explore the Old Quarter and the 4-storeyed Dong Xuan Market complex, which was built in 1889. Here you can find everything from souvenirs to fruits and vegetables. It also gives a deep insight into the local culture.

You may pick some souvenirs or just admire the many forms of art available in the small shops of this vibrant city. We will cross the lovely red Huc Bridge (also called Rising Sun Bridge) to visit Ngoc Son temple. This temple is dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century.

We will also witness a traditional performance of an ancient art form that dates back 1000 years and was traditionally performed in ponds or lakes. Featured in the ‘Asia Book of Records’, it holds a record for the longest duration of water puppetry performance.

Meals: B, L, D

A visit to Hanoi would be incomplete if we do not visit the Vietnamese Women’s Museum. It showcases the contributions and achievements of Vietnamese Women. Take some me to admire the contribution of women in Vietnam’s history and culture, through this museum.

Then, visit an art museum that highlights a group of women who pursued their passion in the arts of embroidery, showcasing around 400 handcrafted artworks, antiques, photographs, etc.

Proceed for a stroll through the lovely French Quarter with its Art Deco designs, followed by the iconic Opera House that began its construction in 1911. We will also get to taste Bia Hi – Hanoi’s famous fresh beer, Ca Phe Trung aka Vietnamese Egg Coffee, and the traditional ice cream of Hanoi.

Meals: B, L, D

Early morning, you will be transferred to the pier to board your overnight cruise on Halong Bay. Twice recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage for its exceptional natural and cultural values and recently voted as one of 7 new wonders of the World, Halong Bay is considered one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is a huge body of emerald water that covers a space of more than 1500 square kilometers with stunning limestone islands of different shapes that are carved by waves and winds for millions of years.

Enjoy a pleasant lunch onboard and learn about the fascinating geography of the region. Proceed to visit the floating village and also see fishermen at work. Depending on the route of the cruise, you may also get to visit the pearl factory and see women at work extracting real pearls. In the evening, a lavish dinner spread will be served.

Meals: B, L, D 

Start your day by participating in one of the oldest traditions of East Asia i.e. Tai Chi session on the open deck. Visit one of the most beautiful caves of Halong Bay where you get to witness a mesmerizing collection of stalagmites.

Disembark the cruise & drive to Hanoi airport to board a flight for our next destination – Hue.

On arrival, check-in at the hotel.

Meals: B, L, D 

This morning after breakfast, we will board a dragon boat for a magical ride that will go upstream of the Perfume River and stop to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. This is the oldest and most charming pagoda in Hue, with its 7 stories Phuoc Duyen tower mirroring the water’s surface.

Some prominent objects in the pagoda include a huge ancient bell whose sound can be heard miles away and an Austin car that belongs to venerable monk Thich Quang Duc who burned himself to death to protest the South Vietnam government’s policy against Buddhism in 1963.

Visit the Hue Imperial Citadel which encompasses 3 courts covering 6 km. and is surrounded by massive brick walls and a deep moat. There were hundreds of buildings that were built in perfect harmony and the strict concept of Fengshui. Only a few structures inside the citadel are still there due to successive wars, especially in 1947 and 1968.

Wander around the Dong Ba market where you’ll find a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. You can try some local specialty ‘banh khoai’ that Hue is famous for. You may choose to explore a distinguished arts & crafts store, owned by a local female entrepreneur who promotes local artisans with a focus on sustainable development in the community.

Meals: B, L, D

We leave early today to experience the serene countryside of Hoi An which is at the confluence of 3 rivers: Thu Bon River, Truong Giang River, and De Vong River.

We will see rice fields and visit a family farm, ride bikes, try our hands at rice paper making, and row a bamboo boat. We will also work with the farmers and enjoy an organic cooking class with authentic local cuisine.

It is believed that colored lanterns bring happiness, luck, and wealth. So today, we will participate in a lantern-making workshop where you can choose from a wealth of different silks and learn to build a bamboo frame to create your very own foldable lantern, to bring back home.

We will also arrange for a few traditional Vietnamese dresses ‘Ao Dai’ for the ladies and capture the moment in a group photo. Later, we will check-in to our beach resort.

Meals: B, L, D

This morning after breakfast, we will board the longest cable car ride to Ba Na Hill while enjoying the stunning views of the mountains and the countryside.

Explore the French Village, Du Dome Square, The Garden of Love, and the Debay Wine Cellar. Visit the Spiritual Aracon Zone with Trú Vũ Teahouse.

Visit the famous Golden Bridge, located 1,414m above sea level. Its unique design resembling lied by two giant hands and the golden yellow hue of this pedestrian bridge makes it probably the most recognizable bridge in Vietnam.

Enjoy watching a world-class outdoor visual art performance, representing a 400-year-old story of Hoi An, and the ceremony of lantern releasing on the river, before returning to the resort.

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast at the hotel, get ready to board your flight to the next destination – Ho Chi Minh City.

After arriving, we will check in to our hotel and get settled. In the afternoon, we’ll go on a sightseeing tour.

Today, you’ll visit a 100-year-old Jade Emperor Pagoda, built by Vietnam’s local Chinese Cantonese community. It was also toured by former President Obama in 2016 and is listed at the top of Ho Chi Minh attractions.

For dinner, we will be taking you on the most fun culinary journey through taste, smell, touch, and sound at a unique Vietnamese restaurant.

Meals: B, L, D

Today, we will drive to see the historic Cu Chi Tunnels. This tunnel was built by the Viet Cong in the 1940s as protection from French air raids during the Indochina conflict. The Tunnels extend underground for more than 155 miles in the vicinity of Ho Chi Minh City alone. During the Vietnam War, the tunnels housed living quarters, hospitals, booby traps, storage, etc.

After, we’ll walk past the charming fountain of Ho Chi Min Squares. This is an important national site, where street parades and ceremonies are held.

You may choose to also visit the 17th-century Ben Thanh market, which is one of the oldest markets in the city and is known for artifacts, traditional outfits as well as cuisines.

As your journey comes to an end, before transferring you to the airport, we shall have some leisure me vising a shopping mall where you can collect some souvenirs for your loved ones.

Meals: B, L, D

Today we’re flying back to Hanoi for a final night together before departures tomorrow.

Meals: B, L, D

It’s departure day, and we’re bummed. But we saw and did so much! After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer you to the airport, depending on your flight departure.

After our trip, we will set up a group chat to keep in touch, share photos, and continue to grow these awesome friendships we formed.

Meals: B