Days 1 – Hanoi
On arrival, you are welcomed by a tour leader of HTS tour, and will be transferred to your hotel in Hanoi. In the afternoon, you will have short tour briefing and take a cyclo ride through the ancient Old Quarter, the best way to get to know the ancient laneways and local people. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner in one of the finest restaurants in Hanoi with a travel consultant of www.htstour.com. We will hand to you all travel documents and any of your questions related to this trip will receive full explanation from our staff.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi, Dinner.
Day 2 – Hanoi City Tour
For the early risers, may we suggest a stroll along the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake where each morning, groups of locals gather to do their exercises along the lovely tree-lined lake’s promenade. You may cross over the red bridge at the northern end to Ngoc Son Temple and you will see the Tortoise Tower on a small island.
After breakfast, you will have a full day on your own to see the city, so good walking shoes are a must. You will have many options to choose from.
- Temple of Literature, built in 11th Century and the country’s first University.
- Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Presidential Palace.
- Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House.
- One Pillar Pagoda.
- Ethnology Museum.
- Opera House.
- Hoa Lo prison, which is also known as the “Hanoi Hilton”.
- West Lake & Tran Quoc Pagoda.
In the evening, attend a Water Puppet show – a unique form of Vietnamese art, known famously a round the world.
Accommodation: Breakfast, Hotel in Hanoi.
Day 3 – Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise
After breakfast in your hotel, drive to Halong Bay, 3.5 hours by road, passing through the countryside of the Red River Delta to the UNESCO World Heritage site.
A traditional style Vietnamese junk cruiser, fitted with all modern conveniences, is awaiting your arrival and will set sail at noon today for the 23 hours cruise on this magnificent bay. Lunch will be served on board amidst spectacular views of the bay. In the afternoon you will visit one of the largest caves in Halong Bay and enjoy a beach stop where you can swim in the refreshing waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.
Tonight enjoy a fresh seafood dinner onboard your Junk.
Accommodation: in air-conditioned comfort on the junk. Breakfast, lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Halong Bay – Hanoi airport – Hue.
Participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply watch the sunrise over the magnificent bay. Enjoy your morning cup of coffee or juice before setting out to the nearby cave, by row boat. Watch for monkeys high on the cliff tops. Return back to the Junk where breakfast is served, while sailing around Bay Tu Long Bay, where the movie “Indochine” was filmed.
Your cruise will end at noon and you will met your guide & driver for the road trip back to Hanoi and then transfer to the Noi Bai airport for your flight to Hue, where your driver will be waiting for you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Note: there are only 3 flights a day from Hanoi to Hue (Departs: VN241-6.30, VN245 – 12.30 and VN247 – 19.20 therefore we may have to wait for a while when you take the late flight to Hue today)
Accommodation: Breakfast, lunch, Hotel in Hue
Day 5 – Hue City Tour
Today you explore this fabulous city – the former capital of Vietnam (1802 -1945 under Nguyen Dynasty). You start with a visit to the Citadel, which contains the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City, the Emperor’s private residence. The Imperial City was created in the 19th century and there here are many palaces and temples inside. You will even have the chance to play emperor yourself at a regal feast!You also visit the Imperial Museum, The Tu Hieu Pagoda, and the vibrant Dong Ba Riverside market.
Accommodation: hotel in Hue
Meals: breakfast
Days 6 – 7 ~ Hue – Hoi An
We drive through spectacular coastal scenery towards Hoi An, visiting the sacred Marble Mountains, the Champa museum and China Beach along the way. We introduce you to the delights of Hoi An on a fun cyclo tour and then cruise the peaceful Thu Bon River at sunset. For something different, we embark on the family-run ‘Fisherman eco-tour’ that gives you a real insight into Vietnamese life. In a tranquil canal rarely visited by tourists, you will learn about the lives of local fisherman. Try your hand at their fishing techniques and learn how to navigate a basket boat through the narrow waterways!
Go shopping with our local chef at the market and learn how the local people prepare for a meal by enjoying the Cooking Class at a restaurant. Todays dinner is included.
Days 8 – 11 ~ Saigon & Mekong Delta.
Fly to Vietnam’s most exciting city, Saigon, now officially known as Ho Chi Minh City. A walking tour to the most iconic sights in District I will acquaint you with the Opera House, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and Dong Khoi Street. Visit the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the tenacity and resilience of the Vietnamese during the American War. Travel into the Mekong Delta and cycle around a small village, where you will spend the night at a memorable home-stay, before returning to Saigon.
Day 12 – Free until departure time.
Our driver will transfer you the airport for onward flight.
Accommodation in a Hotel in Saigon and Home-Stay in Mekong Delta.
End tour.
The food on our Vietnam Cuisine tour was delightful. Beginning in Hanoi, and including a city tour and Halong Bay cruise, we loved all the food that was served (and more). We then discovered the cuisine in the central area of the country and besides seeing the sites we had a cooking class that highlighted the local dishes, and checked out a fishermen’s village. We then moved to HCM City and the sites of it and the wonderful Mekong Delta region where we spent a night in the home of a local. Back to HCM City and our holiday was over. We have resolved already to return as 12 days was not enough time to discover the whole country. Vietnamese people are very friendly and the food on our travels was exceptional, thanks for an informative and delightful holiday.