Vietnam Essential 10 Days 9 Nights

At 8:30 am, depart from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre. Arrive at Ham Luong Pier in Ben Tre town at 10:30 am, located opposite the hotel with the same name. Embark on a boat trip along the Ben Tre River, one of the Mekong River's tributaries. Observe lively activities such as fishing and water transfer taking place along the river. Witness the traditional method of brick-making, where they print and bake bricks. Visit a coconut processing workshop situated along the canal. Take a stroll to a family workshop where they produce sleeping mats and drink fruit and tea.

Ride a motor cart (xe loi) or a bicycle to explore life under the shades of trees, passing through green rice fields and vegetable plains while learning about tropical culture from the locals.

Enjoy lunch at Hai Ho family's house, and to reach the pier, take a rowing boat. Take a car transfer to the homestay, where you can relax around the village.

Join in cooking with the family members at 6:00 pm and have dinner at the homestay at 7:00 pm.

Overnight at homestay in Ben Tre.

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After having breakfast, you will embark on a cycling tour to explore the local market, witness the process of making brooms and soy sauce at their respective workshops. If you wish, you can also visit a local school to get a glimpse of the educational system in Vietnam. Later, you will enjoy lunch at a local house.

In the afternoon, you will return to Ho Chi Minh City and check-in at your hotel.

Dinner is at your own expense.

Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.

After savoring your breakfast, head to the airport for your flight to Da Nang city. Upon landing, a driver will greet you at the airport and escort you to Hoi An. Along the way, you will make a pit stop at Non Nuoc Marble village, famously called "Mountain and Water" in Vietnamese, located approximately 8km southeast of Da Nang City.

Following that, you will continue your journey to the historic town of Hoi An. It was a thriving trade center during the 17th and 18th centuries and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once you arrive, check into your hotel and enjoy leisure time to explore the quaint 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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After enjoying your breakfast, you will be escorted to the airport to catch your morning flight to Hanoi, a vibrant city known for its rich cultural and historical heritage as well as its central role in Vietnamese business, education, and politics. Hanoi boasts numerous universities, research institutes, government offices, and a thriving startup and technology community.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, a professional driver will be waiting for you at the airport to take you directly to your hotel, ensuring a hassle-free start to your exciting journey.

Meals on your own.

Overnight in Hanoi.

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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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Your day will begin with an 8am pickup from your hotel for a transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay in Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam. "Hạ Long" means "descending dragon" in Vietnamese.

We'll arrive at Tuan Chau Port between 11:45am and 12:00pm, where you will board our boat and receive a welcome drink. Your Cruise Manager will provide a safety briefing and instructions before serving a delicious deluxe Vietnamese Set Menu Lunch. If you wish, you can also book a massage service in advance to enjoy throughout the cruise.

While we cruise through Halong Bay, we'll 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'll climb approximately a hundred stone steps.

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

Dinner will feature fresh seafood, 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.

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You have the option to rise early at 6:30am to enjoy a light breakfast and hot drinks in the dining room, but it's not mandatory. For those who are interested, there will be a Tai Chi session lasting around 30 minutes on the sundeck at 6:45am.

After the Tai Chi session, a tender will take you to Titov Island, where you can spend approximately one hour hiking to the peak for a stunning 360-degree view of the Bay. For those who don't want to climb, there's an expansive viewing deck available halfway up the island. After the climb, you can unwind on the beach and go for a swim.

Upon returning to the boat, you'll have 30 minutes to freshen up and pack your belongings. We kindly request that you collect all of your belongings from the cabins and leave heavy luggage outside of them. Our staff will transfer your luggage directly to the pier. A full breakfast will be served in the dining room, and you can settle your bills after breakfast. While we approach the pier, you can relax on the sundeck or in the dining room, enjoying the beautiful bay scenery.

We are scheduled to arrive at Tuan Chau port at 11:00am, where you can relax inside the pier building while waiting for transportation back to your hotel. Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions, tide levels, and operational conditions. 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 Ninh Binh. During the journey, you will stop to savor the mouth-watering green cake, a popular local delicacy.

In the afternoon, you'll arrive in Ninh Binh and proceed to check-in at your hotel. Your comfortable and cozy accommodations await, offering you the chance to relax and unwind after a long day of adventure and exploration.

Dinner is on your own tonight.

Overnight in Tam Coc (12km from Ninh Binh city).

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Start your day off right with a delightful breakfast, followed by a scenic two-hour cruise through the picturesque waterways of Ninh Binh on a small sampan. Marvel at the stunning rural landscape of limestone cliffs and rice fields as you make your way to Thung Nham, which is just 5 kilometers away from Tam Coc.

After the cruise, continue your adventure by exploring the magnificent Bai Dinh Pagoda. Not only is this pagoda the largest in Vietnam, but it is also the largest in all of Southeast Asia. Perched on a hill with commanding views overlooking a river, its prime location has made it one of Ninh Binh's most impressive tourist attractions.

Savor a delectable lunch at a nearby local restaurant before continuing on with your day's itinerary. In the afternoon, return back to Hanoi to explore the city at your leisure. Dinner is on your own tonight.

End your day by spending the night in Hanoi.

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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 Trip (11 day tour in Vietnam).