Your Vietnam & Indochina DMC
Tour Overview
Still your classic journey from South to North Vietnam by Asia Links Travel but with hidden gem treats! This 2-week Vietnam itinerary, meticulously crafted for southbound explorers, takes you from the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the ethereal beauty of Halong Bay.
Along the way, explore the river life in Mekong Delta, delve into Vietnam's rich history in the ancient city of Hue, and explore the unique Thuy Bieu Eco Village.
Highlights of the journey would be the escapes to hidden gems like the Tra Que Vegetable Village and breathtaking landscapes of Pu Luong. This healing family tour in Vietnam promises you a perfect blend of iconic landmarks and off-the-beaten-path experiences, ensuring an unforgettable vacation in the heart of Southeast Asia.
Tour Highlights
- Delve into Vietnam's history with Cu Chi Tunnels and Hue City.
- Experience the unique charm and colorful traditions of Hoian.
- Discover the tranquil Tra Que Vegetable Village and join farming activities.
- Trek through the stunning rice terraces and mountains of Pu Luong.
- Immerse in the picturque limestone mountains and curling rivers in Ninh Binh.
- Cruise through the majestic Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Itinerary
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. On arrival, meet our driver at the airport for the transfer to the hotel in the city center.
Please note: the standard hotel check-in time is 02:00 PM. This tour does not include early check in and it is subject to hotel availability.
Overnight at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
After breakfast, Asia Links Travel guide & driver pick up at your hotel and depart to Cu Chi (approximately one and a half hours driving.)
Upon arrival, you will have some short introduction before exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems. Besides specially constructed living areas and other martial facilities, there are many hidden trap doors within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war.
Break time for relaxing or real gun shooting experience.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a city tour to the former French colonial capital – also called Saigon by many locals. We will visit main historical sites like The Independence Palace, Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House, and of course the famous Ben Thanh market where you can shop various souvenirs. Spend the night at a hotel based in Ho Chi Minh City.
Lunch & Dinner on your own account.
After breakfast at the hotel, our tour guide will pick you up in the private car to commence the Ben Tre Mekong Delta Full Day tour. We will head south to Ben Tre Province, reaching the Ham Luong River (a run-off of the Mekong) and join a boat tour along the flow.
Stops will be made at Ben Tre’s most renowned handicraft workshops: traditional bricks firing, coconut products and mats weaving. Take this opportunity and try weaving your own mat!
Next, we will take a walk around a picturesque village and its beautiful, tropical surroundings. Wait for a local Xe Loi (motorized rickshaw) to take us into exotic fruit orchards on the river. Then savor the local specialties of elephant-ear fish and freshly caught river shrimp in Ben Tre.
After that, the rest of the afternoon is for a sampan boat as we row through Ben Tre’s tranquil backwaters. Make sure to bring your camera for a magical ambiance under water coconut and palm trees’ shadow. You will transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City at about 05.30 PM.
This morning, transfer to Ho Chi Minh Airport for a short flight to Danang. Then our guide and driver will pick you up at Danang airport and move to Hoian.
Welcome to Hoian Ancient Town, which used to be an important South-East Asian trading port from the 15th to the 19th century. Unveil the charm of this town when visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese’s street, Phung Hung Old House, Hoian market, ancient port and the old house of Tan Ky. Overnight in the hotel in Hoian.
Lunch & Dinner on your own account.
Morning, enjoy breakfast and the tour guide will then meet you at the hotel’s lobby and start today’s tour: we will ride bicycles to Hoian’s colorful central market.
This local market is the perfect opportunity to interact with the local vendors, and learn about the ingredients in the markets - for the cooking lesson later. Make sure your camera is ready to record the whole process!
We continue to cycle to Tra Que vegetable village where a cooking class will be held for tourists. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink for rest. Then, we walk through the vegetable gardens where local farmers cultivate by traditional methods - no electrical machinery here.
Relax with foot herbal massage as a treatment after the farmer experience. After the foot massage, it’s time to cook lunch. Move to the restaurant & work together with the chef. With the attentive instructions, you will learn the traditional ways to prepare and cook Vietnamese food.
After the lesson, enjoy what you have cooked for lunch.
Afternoon, we transfer to Cam Thanh coconut village. Join a bamboo basket boat ride around the coconut forest, chat with the boatman or even join a fun basket boat race between the baskets. During the boat trip, your boatman will use coconut leaves to create funny ornaments such as hats, rings, glasses, etc. as a traditional way to make toys. They are extremely lovely for you!
Dinner on your own account. Overnight at the hotel in Hoian.
Morning drive on the Mandarin road – a scenic journey from Hoian to Hue, which allows you to see stunning beaches and lush tropical forests. Take some stops for photo taking enroute before arriving in Hue (Hai Van Pass.)
Afternoon, we will visit Hue Imperial City to continue this Vietnam tour. The city tour will bring you through the remaining vestiges of Hue's citadel such as the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons and the Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh).
Then hop on a trip to Minh Mang Mausoleum, which is a mesmerizing landscaped royal complex of 40 buildings (palaces, temples and pavilions).
Lunch and dinner on your own account. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.
Continue the exploration in Hue with Tu Duc Royal Tomb, one of the most beautiful royal mausoleum compounds in Hue. We will then join a leisure boat trip along the picturesque Perfume River, en route to visit Thien Mu Pagoda - "Heavenly Lady Pagoda" which is the symbol of Hue. Afterwards, the boat continues toward Thuy Bieu eco-village, an ancient village hiding ancient heritages situated on the bank of the Perfume River.
The afternoon is for you to cycle around the peaceful village. During the ride, visit several communal houses, ancient local temples and don't miss the highlight: the garden-house, a typical feature of Hue that no other region in Vietnam has. To refresh your feet after a day of sightseeing, Soaking them in medicinal herb water followed by an excellent blind massage. Back to the hotel in Hue for an overnight stay.
This morning we will take a flight to Hanoi. Land in Hanoi and transfer to the city center.
Afternoon, we will enjoy a tour in this historic city including Ho Chi Minh complex with the Presidential Palace (closed on Mon & Fri), Ho Chi Minh Stilt House, One Pillar Pagoda.
Continue to visit the Temple of Literature - the first University of Vietnam dated back from the 11th century.
After that, visit Hoan Kiem Lake and take a cyclo trip around the Old Quarter. You can also do some shopping on the road with many souvenir shops.
Lunch & Dinner on your own account.
Overnight at the hotel.
Wake up early this morning to enjoy the breakfast at the hotel, or you can bring the breakfast box. At 07:30 AM, we will start the trip to Pu Luong with about 3,5-4 hours driving on the mountain road.
Arrive at Pu Luong at about 11:00-11:30. Check-in your hotel, enjoy lunch and freshen up after a long drive. Kindly note that the homestay is the traditional shared stilt house.
In the afternoon, get ready for a short ride to Ban Huou Village, nestled in the most beautiful valley in Pu Luong. Along the way you will have a chance to enjoy beautiful terrace rice fields and gorgeous mountains. Take scenic trails winding to have a look of the landscape of the rice field and the village. Feel free to visit local families, as it is a great chance to learn more about the lifestyle and culture here.
We then cruise down a calm and wide river on traditional bamboo rafts to watch the nature and local farming life on both sides. This peaceful 30-minute way of floating through the Cham River is very unique and far from the previous experience of sightseeing. Don’t miss the chance to explore bamboo water wheels - the most distinct in this region. Explore such an abundance of these centuries-old water supplying devices in active use, feeding rice fields and local households with their ingeniously simple design.
Back to your hotel for an overnight.
This morning, brace yourself for breathtaking scenery all day! This morning, we'll spiral down into a hidden valley covered by dreamy rice terraces. Lush, hidden paths will gradually unveil a secret treasure - the quaint Uoi village nestled at the foot of a majestic mountain. As we reach the peak, prepare for a panoramic village vista that will leave your camera begging for mercy!
But the real magic lies in immersing ourselves in local life. Mingle with the friendly hill people, peek into their daily routines, and wander through vibrant farmland and emerald rice paddies. If time permits, we might even score an invite to a local family's home, where the ancient art of brocade weaving might be unveiled before your eyes (not guanranteed).
After lunch is your free time until 3 PM before we drive to Hanoi.
Arrive at Hanoi, check-in at the hotel and relax.
After breakfast, get picked up by our friendly guide to depart for Ninh Binh province.
Have a short break for 15 – 20 minutes on the way to relax.
Step back in time to Vietnam's 10th-century heart at Hoa Lu, the ancient capital that thrived under the Dinh, Le, and Ly dynasties. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Vietnamese feudal history, exploring the legacy of these powerful emperors.
Then, prepare to be enchanted by Tam Coc's emerald embrace. Glide through a landscape sculpted by nature's hand for 1.5 hours on a traditional bamboo boat. Lush paddy fields unfurl on either side, while the river snakes its way through towering limestone cliffs. Be mesmerized by the hidden grottoes, each a jewel in this crown of natural beauty. This haven, aptly nicknamed "Halong Bay on land," promises an unforgettable Vietnamese experience.
Cycling to Bich Dong Pagoda.
Get back to the van then leave for Mua Cave (Dancing Cave). Walk up almost 500 steps, and you will reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain & enjoy an amazing panoramic view of Tam Coc from here.
04:30 pm: Return to the van to return to Hanoi.
06:30 pm: Get dropped off at your hotel in Hanoi.
7:45 - 8:15 AM: After breakfast, our guide of cruise will meet you at your hotel with shuttle bus pick up. Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmland of the Red River delta.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina. Welcome aboard the cruise! Meet your captain, crew and get a welcome drink to refresh your energy. Check into your cabin and then savor a delectable lunch while cruising ahead to Halong Bay.
In the afternoon, explore the Surprising Cave – the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay. This is considered one of the widest caves in Halong Bay, sparkling with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.
Then visit Titop Island – swimming or climbing up to the Top of the Island to take the best view of Halong Bay.
Come back to our cruise, and enjoy a lively Sunset Party on the sundeck.
Savor dinner at the restaurant before joining evening activities: socialize with other guests, take part in board games, fish for squid, or just laze around.
Overnight on board.
06:30 – 06:45 AM: Have your breakfast on board while the Halong Bay cruise starts sailing to the Natural Preservation Zone.
Kayak to explore around the area or visit a local floating house and learn about the daily life of the local fishermen. Back to the cruise, take time to refresh and relax before checking out. Your bags can be left in the luggage store.
Continue your cruise exploring the bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more.
Time for a brunch.
11:00 – 11:30 AM: Disembark at the harbor, Tuan Chau Marina and back to Hanoi.
Check-in at the hotel and relax. Overnight at a hotel in Hanoi.
Your leisure time to explore Hanoi until transfer to Hanoi Airport for the departure flight. Ends of tour services. Thank you for choosing our services.
What's included
Trip Notes
Time travel: Possible to travel all year around.
Rooms are available from 14.00 on arrival day until 12.00 on departure day, room supplement charge will be added for request of early/late check in/out.
Airfares (if any) may change without notice prior to e-ticket issuance.
Price for infants and children will be quoted as follow:
- Children under 2 years old: Free of charge (Maximum 1 child under 2 years old travels with 2 adults; from the second child, 50% of the regular fare will be applied)
- Children from 2 to 5 years old: 50% of the regular fare will be applied
- Children from 5 to 11 years old: 75% of the regular fare will be applied
- Children from 12 years: 100% of the regular fare will be applied
During Peak Season and special occasions, surcharges may be added to the price:
- Christmas and New Year’s Eve: Compulsory meals would be added during these times of the years, depends on hotels or resorts you will stay overnight.
- Vietnam Lunar New Year: 24 January – 27 January: Extra fee will be applied during holiday.
Visa requirements:
For Vietnam: You must have a valid passport and a visa (or pre-approval letter for a visa on arrival) to enter Vietnam. Our consultant will be happy to advise you on visa requirements.
Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your planned stay, and you must have at least one blank page for each visa stamp.
We can customize this tour just for you
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