Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
On arrival, be welcomed in HCM City by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Relax for the rest of your day and in the evening you will enjoy our welcome dinner on a Saigon River Cruise.
Overnight in your hotel in HCM City
Day 2: Saigon city tour & Saigon Zoo – Botanical Garden
After breakfast at your hotel we begin our city tour, firstly visiting the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace of the president of South of Vietnam. Next we will visit the War Remnant Museum, where you can see countless artifacts, photographs and pictures. Before enjoying our lunch we will stop to see the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post office, both built during the French colonial years. Our delicious lunch will be served at a nice restaurant in the centre of the city.
In the afternoon, we will enjoy our time at the Saigon Zoo, strolling around to discover the vegetation and animals here. There are approximately 130 animal species which are cared for at Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens including Reptiles, Mammals and Birds. It is worth noting that more than 2/3’s of the animal species here were listed in the red-book of Vietnam and the World, signifying their rareness.
Overnight in your HCM City hotel.
Day 3: HCM City – Cu Chi Tunnels
In the morning we will leave HCM City by A/C vehicle for the Cu Chi tunnels, otherwise known as the “Iron Triangle”. Along the way we will drive through pleasant countryside of rubber plantations and rice paddies, and see the locals in the fields. Before entering the tunnels, we will see a short introductory video showing how they were constructed, followed by an exploration of the maze of tunnels, some of which have been widened to allow tourist access. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500lb bombs dropped by B52 bombers. We transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City and spend the afternoon free for personal discoveries of the city.
Overnight in HCM City hotel.
Day 4: Saigon – Mekong Delta (home-stay)
This morning you will be met at the hotel by our local guide. You will leave for the Mekong Delta at around 8:00am, driving through the Delta region to the Cai Be Floating Market. You then board a riverboat for a cruise along the endless waterways of the mighty Mekong River Delta region. You will visit a brick pottery kiln, and a floating fish farm, then enjoy a lunch of local delicacies of the river. Later, we will arrive at the lush orchards of the house in which we will spend the night in a home stay with a local family.
Overnight in Vinh Long.
Day 5: Mekong Delta – HCM City
You may join the local people in buying special fruits and souvenirs before we continue our cruise along the maze of waterways and canals that pass through An Binh Island. We will stop at an old house with a bonsai garden and visit some local cottage industries which produce candy as well as rice cakes. Following our cruise, we will return to the pier and transfer to our awaiting vehicle to return to Ho Chi Minh City. Lunch will be served at My Tho City and our journey will finish in Ho Chi Minh City at around 5:00PM.
Overnight in HCM City
Day 6: HCM City – fly to Nha Trang – Vinpearl Land
Today you take a short domestic flight to the popular beach city of Nha Trang. After your flight lands you will be welcomed at the airport then transferred to Vinpearl Land wharf, where we will check in and have the option of riding in the cable car or taking a speed boat to the island.Relax at the beach or by a swimming pool.
Day 7: Vinpearl Land with Amusement Park
Spend the day relaxing on the island where the entrance fees for all items in the Park are free to you. You have the time to experience indoors or outdoor games, the Vinpearl Water Park, discover the Vinpearl Underwater World and more…..
Day 8: Nha Trang – Thap Ba
Today will be spent relaxing at the Thap Ba Hot Spring centre, which you can reach by a motor vehicle or by cycling from your hotel. The springs are about 5kms away, along the picturesque sea-side boulevard. Relax and gain our health at the Mud baths and you can also enjoy swimming in the minerals springs there. After, on your way back to your hotel, visit the Cham Po Nagar Temples nearby, and return to your hotel through the streets of Nha Trang you will witness the local Nha Trang life.
Overnight in your hotel in Nha Trang.
Day 9: Nha Trang – Fly to Danang – Hoi An
Today we transfer back to Cam Ranh airport for our flight to Danang. Arriving in Danang, we transfer to Hoi An a Heritage Listed former sheltered port, built centuries ago. The historic buildings there are testament to the tradesmen of the day, as they are still standing today. It is a great place to visit, to relax on the beaches, visit the tailor shops for hand made clothing, and enjoy the laid back ambience of the town. in Hoi An.
Include: Hotel in Hoi An, Meals: Breakfast, Transportation
Day 10: Hoi An city tour & Cooking class
NO FLUORESCENT LIGHTS. NO MOTORCYCLES. NO TELEVISION. ON THE 15TH DAY OF EACH LUNAR MONTH, THE RIVERSIDE TOWN OF HOI AN GIVES MODERN LIFE THE NIGHT OFF.
Enjoy your walking tour of Hoi An’s historic district. There is a distinct Chinese atmosphere with low, tile-roofed houses and narrow streets. All the houses were made of rare wood, decorated with lacquered boards and panels engraved with Chinese characters. Pillars were also carved with ornamental designs. Enjoy a morning walking tour around the ancient city to visit Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200 – year old Tam Ky ancestral house, and the covered Japanese Bridge. In the afternoon, we will join a special cooking class. At 3.30pm you will be pickup at your hotel, and after a short drive through the local countryside we arrive at Tra Que Village , and the home of your host, Mr Tuan. Enjoy a welcome drink of freshly picked fruits, before you take a walk around the village and learn the history and customs of this charming village. You walk through the market gardens where local farmers work, using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago – no electrical machinery here. We return to the home of Mr Tuan, and this is where the real fun begins. Everyone is given a farming instruments, and we set about joining the farmers in preparing the land for sewing. Our guide describes the traditional farming methods while we help fertilize the garden using seaweed from the local river, and then water it using huge tin cans strapped to our back. Time is then spent picking vegetables and herbs, and learning how to wrap them to prevent damage. Many of the local herbs are used by the farmers for traditional village medicines – this includes the herbal pillow, which helps relax your body and mind, ready for a good night’s sleep. you then enjoy a cooking class and cook the village speciality named “Tam Huu” spring rolls – using local herbs. Then sit down and enjoy the lovely local meal which you helped prepare. Option: In Hoi An there is an option to make your own kite or lantern. Ask our staff about this when booking your tour
Day 11: Hoi An – Da Nang – Fly to Hanoi
Free time in Hoi An in the morning, and in the afternoon, you will transfer back to Da Nang for our flight to Hanoi. On arrival in Hanoi, you will be transferred to your hotel and relax in your new environs.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 12: Hanoi – City tour
After breakfast we visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his house on the stilts, and the outside of the Presidential Palace. Then soak up the city atmosphere as you walk along evergreen streets in the old French quarter, discover the Army Museum, to understand more about the wars resistance to defend the nation. The Vietnamese specialty Cha Ca is served for lunch, followed by a visit to discover the “Hanoi Hilton” (the old prison where the American pilots were detained) and then you visit the Ethnology Museum. This evening we are going to have special hot pot for dinner.
Overnight in your Hanoi hotel
Day 13: Hanoi – Halong Bay (Overnight on junk)
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to Halong city wharf where you will board the junk for your cruise on the world famous bay. A welcome drink will be served while receiving a briefing and safety instructions. We then set sail and to explore Halong Bay. Lunch will be severed around 1.00pm as the vessel sails on Halong Bay, passing numerous of limestone islands and islets like with shapes that are named the Cocks fighting islets, the Elephant leg islet, the Castle islet…and Ti Top Island. In the afternoon, you have the chance to explore the most famous grotto of Luon Cave (Hallow cave) by row boat, enjoy kayaking on the tranquil bay or discover the amazing Sung Sot cave. You will also visit Cua Van floating village, to experience the daily life of local people who live on the water. Late in the afternoon, you will cruise to the Pearl Farm area of the bay. You may try some drinks on the sundeck and a delicious five course set-dinner will be served at around 7PM. From 21:00 to 23:00 Happy hour and music on sundeck – “Buy one get one free drinks”
Night onboard the well fitted Junk
Day 14: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Sunrise on this secluded bay you will have chance for a Tai Chi Lesson at 06:45 on the sundeck. You then enjoy a continental buffet breakfast at 07.00am During breakfast the cruise keep moving to explore other areas in Halong Bay. At around 07.45 we arrive at Ti Top Island where you can enjoy the Ti Top Beach or climb to the top of the island for a fabulous bird eyes view of Halong Bay. We have an option of : swimming or kayaking activities (subject to weather permitting). At 08.30 we depart Ti Top Island and continue cruising through Halong Bay. You check out of your cabin at 09.30 and settle any bills. At 11:ooam, we will disembark at the Wharf at Tuan Chau Island. You will be transferred to your waiting vehicle, for your return to Hanoi. Your tour concludes at the hotel in Hanoi.
Overnight in your Hanoi hotel
Day 15: Hanoi – Departure
Today you are free for personal explorations or for last minute shopping, before your transfer to the airport for your flight to home, where your journey ends
End tour.
Took the family to Vietnam on a tour booked through HTS and loved every minute of it. It was real family time with no outside distractions, except for our travels, and it was eye opening for our children as well as us. Our time was so enjoyable that it seemed it was over much too quickly. Our thanks go to Miss Lilly who recommended the tour.