Essence of Vietnam 9 Days 8 Nights

After breakfast, your day kicks off with a visit to the square in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, honoring the nation's founder. Your guide will narrate the country's independence history before you capture memories in photos.

Next, head to the Defense Pagoda (Tran Quoc) by West Lake, ending your morning with an insightful trip to the Hanoi Ethnography Museum, showcasing Vietnam's diverse ethnic cultures.

Lunch awaits at a local eatery.

In the afternoon, a fascinating stroll through the Hanoi Old Quarter awaits you. Start with the Long Bien Bridge - Paul Doumer Bridge (Trần Nhật Duật Street side) and continue to Cao Thắng Street, famous for its traditional spices. Then, explore the Đồng Xuân Market, the largest market in Hanoi, and soak in the lively atmosphere of Hàng Mã Street, known for its decorative items, Chinese toys, and colorful lanterns.

Continue your exploration through Lương Văn Can, Lãn Ông, and Hang Buồm streets, taking the time to visit the Bạch Mã Temple (76 Hang Buồm Street), the oldest temple in Hanoi. Take a well-deserved break at Café Market (Hanoi Coffee Culture, 45 Nguyễn Hữu Huân Street or another café boutique) to enjoy a complimentary coffee.

Capture the vibrant atmosphere by Hoan Kiem Lake before attending a mesmerizing Hanoi water puppet show in the evening.

Dinner is on your own, followed by an overnight stay at the hotel in Hanoi.

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We will start your day with an 8am pick-up from your hotel to transfer you to Halong Bay. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a popular travel destination located in Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam. In Vietnamese, "Hạ Long" means "descending dragon."

We will arrive at Tuan Chau Port around 11:45am to 12:00pm, where you will board our boat. You will receive a welcome drink and a cruise briefing with safety instructions. A delicious deluxe Vietnamese Set Menu Lunch will also be served. If you wish, you may book a massage service in advance with your Cruise Manager and enjoy it throughout the cruise.

As we cruise through Halong Bay, we will pass by the most beautiful and serene areas, including Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock, and Finger Islet. Our next destination is the breathtaking Surprise Cave (Hang Sửng Sốt), one of the largest and most stunning grottoes in Halong Bay. To reach the mouth of the grotto, we will climb approximately a hundred stone steps.

After exploring the Surprise Cave, we will depart and sail for about 30 minutes to anchor overnight. During this time, guests can attend a Fruit and Vegetable Carving Lesson led by our Head Chef. Our chef will demonstrate fruit and vegetable carving and teach guests how to decorate and make some traditional Vietnamese food.

Dinner, featuring fresh seafood, will be served in the evening, followed by various activities. Board games like cards or Parcheesi will be available, as well as massage services throughout the cruise. Everyone can also try their luck at squid fishing on the boat with the help of the crew.

Overnight on boat.

Halong Bay Luxury Cruises

You may choose to wake up at 6:30am to enjoy coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries served in the dining room. However, this is not mandatory if you prefer to sleep in.

For those who wish to participate, a Tai Chi lesson lasting about 30 minutes will be held on the sundeck at 6:45am.

Guests will then be transferred by tender to Titov Island, where they can spend approximately one hour climbing to the peak to enjoy a stunning 360-degree view of the Bay. An expansive viewing deck is also available halfway up the island for those who prefer not to climb. After the climb, guests can relax on the beach and take a swim.

Once guests return to the boat, they will have 30 minutes to freshen up and finish packing. We kindly ask guests to collect all of their belongings from the cabins and leave heavy luggage outside of the cabins. Our staff will transfer your luggage directly to the pier.

A full breakfast will be served in the dining room, and bills will be settled after breakfast. Guests can then relax on the sundeck or in the dining room, enjoying the beautiful bay scenery as we approach the pier.

We are scheduled to arrive at Tuan Chau port at 11:00am. Guests can then relax inside the pier building while waiting for return transportation.

(Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions, tide levels, and operational conditions, and the times provided are approximate and may vary).

At 12:00 PM, your memorable cruise experience will come to an end, and you will be transferred to Hanoi.

Dinner will be on their own.

Overnight in Hanoi.

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After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your morning flight to Da Nang city. Upon arrival, a driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to Hoi An. En route, you will make a stop at Non Nuoc Marble village, located about 8km southeast of Da Nang City, which is also known as "Mountain and Water" in Vietnamese.

Next, you will continue your journey to the ancient town of Hoi An. This town was once an important trading port during the 17th and 18th centuries, and has been officially listed as a World Heritage site. After arriving, you will check into your hotel and have free time to explore the ancient town.

Meals on your own.

Overnight in Hoi An.

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What a wonderful itinerary! You will have the opportunity to experience some of the most famous and beautiful sights in Hoi An, while also venturing out into the peaceful countryside for a day of cycling and cultural immersion.

The morning walk through the ancient town sounds like a great way to start the day, with visits to some of the most significant historical and cultural sites.

The Quan Cong temple and Phuc Kien pagoda will offer insight into the Chinese influence in Hoi An, while the Japanese Bridge and Tan Ky ancient house will showcase the town's diverse heritage.

Lunch at a local restaurant is a perfect opportunity to refuel before embarking on an afternoon of cycling through the picturesque countryside. It will be refreshing to get away from the busy city and enjoy some peaceful time in nature. The Van Lang fisherman village and Bay Mau water coconut forest sound like stunning destinations, full of history and natural beauty.

Meeting Mr. Han and his family will be an incredible opportunity to learn about the local culture and traditional way of life. The basket boat tour and foot bath with medicinal herbs are unique experiences that will surely be remembered for years to come. And of course, dinner with a local family is an excellent way to sample traditional Vietnamese cuisine and connect with the local community.

Overall, this itinerary offers a great balance of history, culture, nature, and food, making it an unforgettable experience for anyone visiting Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

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Following an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Da Nang Airport for your morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. This bustling metropolis was once known as Saigon, serving as the capital of the French colony of Cochin-China and later the independent republic of South Vietnam from 1955-75. On 2 July 1976, Saigon was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City, in honor of the Vietnamese communist revolutionary leader who served as prime minister (1945-1955) and president (1945-1969) of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam).

Upon arrival, you will embark on a tour of the city. First, you will visit the Opera House, which was constructed in 1900 and influenced by the architecture of the Opera Garnier in Paris. The facade of the opera is a replica of the Petit Palais in Paris. You will also visit Notre-Dame Cathedral, a renowned central Saigon Cathedral erected in 1877 with materials imported from France, and the Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will explore the Chinese quarter "Cho Lon" and its remarkable Binh Tay market. The day will conclude with a visit to a lacquer ware factory, where you will have the opportunity to witness the creation of traditional Vietnamese lacquer ware.

Following the tour, you will return to your hotel for some leisure time, with dinner on your own.

Overnight in Saigon (HCM city).

Embark on an immersive adventure into traditional Vietnamese life starting at 8:00 am, with a pickup from your hotel in Ben Tre, a quaint town situated in the Mekong Delta region renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and distinct local culture.

At 10:30 am, you will arrive at Hàm Luông pier in Ben Tre town and board a boat for a picturesque cruise on the Ben Tre River, one of the Mekong Delta's tributaries. Along the journey, witness the lively activities taking place along the river, such as fishing and water transfer, which are integral parts of the local people's daily routine.

Experience the traditional brick-making process by visiting the masonry and observing how bricks are printed and fired. Also, explore a coconut processing workshop located along the canal and visit a workshop where mats are made, and enjoy some tea and fruit.

Take a motor cart (xe lôi) or a bicycle ride through the lush green plains or rice fields, and witness the tropical culture of the peasants.

Savor a delicious lunch at the Hai Hồ family before taking a rowing boat to reach the pier and return to Ho Chi Minh City.

You will arrive in HCM City around 5:00 pm after a refreshing break.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Following your breakfast, you will have some leisure time before your scheduled airport transfer for your flight back home. Please note that meals during this time will be at your own discretion.

End of Essence of Vietnam 9 Days 8 Nights.