Best of Vietnam 9 Days 8 Nights: Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang – Hanoi

Detailed itinerary

DAY 1: HOCHIMINH ARRIVAL & HALF DAY CITY TOUR

Upon arrival in Hochiminh, be met by our car driver and be transferred to the hotel

(Standard check in time is at 2pm and early check in is not included)

Then, you will take a half-day city tour to visit outside of Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, a neo-Roman cathedral built by the colonial French with materials entirely imported from Marseilles, Saigon Central Post Office. Then, visit the War Remnants Museum, which features an extensive collection of exhibits including weaponry, photos and documentation on Vietnam’s wars with the French and Americans. You also have free time to go shopping at Ben Thanh Market. Overnight in Hochiminh

Please note: Normal check-out time at hotel is 11:00AM

Transfer: Private car

Guide: English speaking guide

Meal: No

DAY 2: HO CHI MINH – MEKONG DELTA (B)

In the morning, guide & driver pick up & transfer to My Tho city. Then, taking boat trip on Tien River, you will be excited by the light breeze from the river and the natural beauty of four beautiful islands such as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise along the riverside. Cruise through the small canal by sampan, treating yourself to the beauty of the countryside, and taking a short Horse Carriage Car around the village which will certainly be an unforgettable experience when participating in the Mekong Delta tour. Visit the coconut candy workshop, and enjoy seasonal delicious fruits & honey tea. Get a chance to listen to the Southern Vietnamese folk music which is performed by local people. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Trip ends.

Transfer: Private car

Guide: English speaking guide

Meal: breakfast at hotel

DAY 3: HOCHIMINH – FLY TO DANANG – CAM THANH COCUNUT VILLAGE HOI

AN (B)

Free at leisure until transfer to airport for fly to Danang.

Upon arriving Danang airport, you will meet our guide and transfer to hotel.

Today, you will transfer to visit Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle and try bamboo basket boat. Then you will walk around Hoi An Ancient City. Hoi An known then as ‘Faifo’, was a prosperous trading port, attracting Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish ships amongst others. Today, this World Heritage ancient town is recognised for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets and distinctive local cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. Hoi An’s narrow lanes are ideal for a guided walking tour of its many atmospheric sights including: old merchant houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s by the Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with its intricate woodcarvings; and the colourful market with stalls brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two. Overnight in Danang.

Transfer: Private car

Guide: English speaking guide in Danang, no guide in Ho Chi Minh

Meal: Breakfast at hotel

DAY 4: NATURAL BEAUTY OF BA NA HILL WITH GOLDEN BRIDGE HAND (B)

Drive 45 minutes from Danang to Ba Na Hill. In the old-growth forest, there are 543 species of flora and 256 species of fauna including many rare animals such as: Crested Argus, Asian Black Bear, northern buffed-cheeked gibbon. Located at an elevation of 1,487 meters, the temperature of this place is mostly cool year-round. Arrive at Ba Na Hills Station where you have a chance to ride on a modern system of cable cars. Get a bird's-eye view of nature which is strikingly beautiful, while enjoying a feeling of flying in the blue sky among the clouds and wind. Next, visit some old French villas as well

as a suspension bridge, Nui Chua and the Mountain Peak. Experience the feeling of walking in the clouds when you walk on the Golden Bridge which is supported by giant hands at a height of over 1,400m above sea level. After your lunch at a local restaurant with a great view, continue to explore Vong Nguyet villa (and its wine cellar), and Linh Ung Pagoda, Sakyamuni Buddha's monument. Transfer back to hotel. Overnight in Danang.

Note: Alpine Coaster, Wax Museum, Wine Cellar and selected games are not included

Transfer: Private car

Guide: English speaking guide

Meal: Breakfast at hotel

DAY 5: DANANG – FLY TO HANOI & CITY TOUR (B)

Free at leisure until transfer to airport for fly to Hanoi.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, be met by our car driver & guide transfer to city center visiting Ho Chi Minh complex including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside only), his house-on-stilts, the One-Pillar pagoda. Continue on West Lake & Tran Quoc Pagoda regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi. Then we pass by the famous Train street for taking photo (outside area only) if wish. Drop into a vintage coffee shop nearby, where you sit on very small chairs as is the special style of Hanoi and taste a cup of Vietnamese coffee or Fruit. This also offers a perfect opportunity for people-watching, to get a better idea of the daily activities of the local daily lifestyle, visit Hoan Kiem Lake, shopping at 36 Old Quater. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Transfer: Private car

Guide: English speaking guide in Hanoi, No Guide in Danang

Meal: Breakfast at hotel

DAY 6: HANOI – NINH BINH – HOA LU- TAM COC (B)

Have breakfast at hotel, Our guide will meet you at your  hotel start  110km car -journey through verdant landscape of country side. Short-brake en route.

Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel with Dinh King Temple and Le King Temple dating back to the 17th Century, go through small villages with back drop of a maze of limestone mountains. In the afternoon, boarding a small sampan to visit Tam Coc which means literally “three caves” (1.5 hour boat trip). With Halong bay type views of majestic limestone cliffs and mysterious caves, as well as countryside landscape like peaceful streams, rice paddies and deserted green fields, Tam Coc really has it all. You will feel the fresh air and peaceful moments, a very good opportunities for photo lovers, freezing the special moments and scenery. At the end of day, transfer back to Hanoi, overnight in Hanoi.

Transfer: Private car

Guide: English speaking guide

Meal: Breakfast at hotel

DAY 7: HANOI – HALONG BAY (B/L/D)

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Halong Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage site (160km driving one way – 3.5hrs drive). This will be your first opportunity to see some of the rural areas of Vietnam. The drive goes through the Red River delta, so we'll have plenty of chance for taking photo of Vietnamese farmers tilling the vast green paddy field.

12h00 – 12h30: Embark Halong Cruise. Enjoy welcome drink and get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Check-in your cabin.

13h15: Have lunch while cruising in the magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay, admiring the fascinating rock and the beautiful of Halong Bay from your cruise.

16h00: Join a guided visit to Stalemate Cave in Ha Long Bay.

17h20: Return to Cruise, enjoy the sunset while relaxing with happy hours from now to dinner time at the bar.

18h00: Enjoy happy hours various drinks on discount. Taking part in a Cooking Demonstration & Food Décor Class with our Chef.

19h00 – 21h00: Dinner is served on cruise restaurant.

21h00 – 22h00: Time of second happy hours to the late night or join Squid Fishing with the crew, sing Karaoke or just laze around or relax in your cabin.

Please note the program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose.

Transfer: Private car

Guide: sharing English speaking guide on Cruise

Meal: breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner on Cruise

Accommodation: Halong cruise (Joined boat – private cabin, 2 persons per cabin)

DAY 8: HALONG – HANOI (B/ Brunch)

06h30 Welcome a new day with amazing dawn on the cruise. Refresh your body & soul by a Tai-Chi Lesson on sundeck.

07h00 – 08h00: Catch morning view of seascapes with a cup of tea or coffee, have breakfast.

08h00 – 09h00: Climb to the peak of Island for the panoramic views of the bay. Relax on the beach, swim in the emerald water.

09h00: Return to Cruise for freshening up.

09h30: Check out your cabin and continue roaming around the picturesque route toward Bai Tho Mountain near the harbor.

10h30: Have early lunch.

12.00 : Arrive back at Ha Long city for disembarkation.

Ha Long City Pier at noon where transportation will be waiting for and drive back to Hanoi

Transfer: Private car

Guide: sharing English speaking guide on Cruise

Meal: breakfast at hotel, brunch on Cruise

DAY 9: HANOI DEPARTURE (B)

Today is your last day in Vietnam. Spare some time for shopping and the driver will take you to Airport for your departure flight back home.

Transfer: Private car

Guide: No

Meal: Breakfast at hotel

Please note:

Standard check in time is 14:00 – 15:00pm. Early check in is not included.

Standard check out time is around 11:00 – 12:00. Late check out is not included.

We hope you have had a memorable trip and wish you pleasant onward travels!

Services included

+ Private transportation

+ Accommodation shared in Twin/Double room with daily breakfast

+ Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: lunch, D: dinner)

+ Sampan in Mekong Delta

+ Sampan in Tam Coc

+ Basket boat in Cam Thanh Village

+ 2 ways cable car in Bana Hill

+ Boat trip for sightseeing as mentioned in the program

+ Admission to all attractions listed in the itinerary

+ Experienced English-speaking guide as mentioned in the itinerary

+ 24/7 hotline support guaranteed;

Services excluded

+ International flight tickets

+ Flight ticket Hanoi – Danang – Hochiminh, Economy Class

+ Vietnam visa arrangements

Remarks

Spliting of the package is not allowed

Important notes

Sightseeing times may vary according to traffic and weather conditions.

Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.

Transportation

Terms and conditions

Children Policies

+ Maximum 1 child can share the parent's existing bedding.

Booking Amendment

To request changes to your booking, contact our reservations team with your booking number.

Liability

Airline schedules and local conditions may affect accommodation and itineraries.

Passport and Entry Visa

Your passport must be valid for at least six months following your entry date to your travel destination.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a valid passport and visa and all travel documents are valid for travel.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not included. Please check that your insurance covers your travel destination and activities.

If you wish to speak to us, please call our Reservation Center at +84. 915 986 125 and live chat during our business office hours.