Essential Vietnam Tour

Welcome to Vietnam! Pick up upon arrival at Hanoi airport and transferred to the hotel. Standard check-in at 14:00. Meet with other group members at the gathering dinner. Then overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we visit the Ho Chi Minh complex which showcases the life of Ho Chi Minh, the founder of the nation. Within the complex, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the colonial Presidential Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Visit the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by the Ly dynasty to honor Confucius, sages, and eminent Vietnamese scholars. Afternoon: continue the visit to the Ethnology Museum, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple located on an islet in the lake. Hoan Kiem Lake is the central point of Hanoi and is home to a rare species of giant turtle that is endangered. Its name "Returned Sword" comes from a legend of a sacred sword lent to an ancient Vietnamese king by a sacred turtle of the lake and later returned to the turtle. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by private car for Halong Bay through the vast landscapes of the Red River Delta. Arrival at Halong Bay around noon. You will be warmly welcomed by the reception staff of Cruises at Tuan Chau International Harbor. Enjoy lunch at the restaurant. Check-in to rest in your room or go up to the cruise ship's rooftop to relax, savor the scenery, and look for beautiful photos of Lan Ha Bay. In the afternoon, you will start to participate in onboard activities, explore caves, swim or you can enjoy the view or relax in the jacuzzi, enjoy afternoon tea. Dinner and activities during the evening cruise, such as sipping a cocktail at the bar or night squid fishing. Overnight on the cruise.

There's nothing better than waking up in the morning in the middle of the sea, watching the sunrise and enjoying the fresh air. You will participate in Tai Chi instructions on the terrace in 30 minutes. Have breakfast and enjoy the magnificent beauty of the Lan Ha Bay as the cruise takes you to visit the bay. Brunch is served on the way back to the port. Return to the port and head back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by private vehicle to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam under the Dinh dynasty (968-980) and at the beginning of the earlier Le dynasty (980-1009). Here you will visit the temples dedicated to the emperors of the Le dynasty and the remains of the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu. This place creates the cultural identity of the legend about the founding of Dai Co Viet (an ancient name of Vietnam). Afterwards, you can take a half-hour walk in the surrounding karst limestone hills for a spectacular view of the area. In the afternoon, after lunch, continue to Tam Coc, known as "Halong Bay on Land", where a skilled rower will take you on a slow 2-hour journey along the winding river and canals. Return to the bus to go back to Hanoi. Then, you will be transferred to Hanoi railway station for the overnight train to Danang.

This morning will be the highlight of the trip, as the train will pass through Hue and cross the magnificent view of Hai Van Pass all the way to Danang, where you'll have 3 hours to enjoy a wonderful view from the train window with one side being the mountain and the other the ocean. The train arrives in Danang at 13:00, where our local tour guide will welcome the group and transfer you to a hotel in Danang for check-in and relaxation. Transfer to Hoi An for an afternoon walking tour of this enchanting city. Hoi An, once known as "Faifo", was a thriving trading port that attracted Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese, and Spanish ships, among others. Today, this ancient World Heritage city is recognized for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian streets, and distinctive local cuisine, offering visitors a glimpse into its illustrious past. The narrow streets of Hoi An are perfect for a guided walking tour of its many picturesque sites, including: old merchant houses with Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese architectural influences; the 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge, first built in 1590 by the Japanese community to connect them with the Chinese quarters across the stream; the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation Hall with its intricate wood carvings; and the colorful market brimming with stalls full of local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments in just a day or two. You will peacefully stroll through Hoi An's historic center in the charming sunset. Dinner at a local restaurant in Hoi An before returning to the hotel in Danang to relax. Overnight in Danang.

This morning, drive for 45 minutes from Danang to Bana Hill. In the ancient forest, there are 543 species of flora and 256 species of fauna, including many rare animals such as: the crested Argus, Asian black bear, and northern gibbon. Located at an altitude of 1,487 meters, the temperature of this place is mostly cool throughout the year. Arrive at the Ba Na Hills station, where you will have the chance to ride on a modern cable car system. Get a bird's-eye view of the extraordinarily beautiful nature, as you enjoy the sensation of flying in the blue sky among the clouds and the wind. Later, visit some ancient French villas and a suspension bridge, Nui Chua and the Mountain Peak. Experience the feeling of walking among the clouds as you walk on the Golden Bridge, which is supported by giant hands at a height of over 1,400 m above sea level. After lunch at a local restaurant with a stunning view, continue to explore Vong Nguyet villa (and its wine cellar) and the Linh Ung Pagoda, the monument of Buddha Sakyamuni. At 15:00, descend by cable car and then transfer to the hotel. Free time at leisure. Overnight stay in Danang.

Breakfast at the hotel. Then transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival, transfer to a city hotel for check-in. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will take a half-day city tour to visit outside the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica (under renovation until 2022), a neo-Romanesque cathedral built by French colonists with materials entirely imported from Marseille, the Saigon Central Post Office, designed and built at the beginning of the 20th century by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel. Then, visit the War Remnants Museum, which features a wide collection of artifacts including weapons, photographs, and documentation on the Vietnam wars with the French and Americans. You also have some free time for shopping at Ben Thanh Market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Parti per il viaggio di un'ora e mezza da Saigon a Ben Tre, situato nel delta del fiume Mekong, scambiando le scene della città con le lussureggianti risaie e le fattorie di frutta. Al molo, intraprendi un'affascinante escursione in motoscafo, passando per palafitte, allevamenti ittici e scene di vita di campagna. Arriva a Turtle Island e assaggia il latte di cocco e la frutta appena raccolti mentre interagisci con una famiglia di agricoltori locali. Fai un tour in un laboratorio di caramelle al cocco a conduzione familiare che utilizza le famose noci di cocco di Ben Tre. Esplora i numerosi canali del Delta da un sampan a remi e goditi l'ospitalità della campagna sorseggiando una tazza di tè al miele mentre guardi un'esibizione di canzoni popolari tradizionali. Per quest'ultima sera, ceneremo insieme su Saigon River Cruises. Pernottamento a Ho Chi Minh.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time at your disposal. Depending on the departure flight schedule, our driver will take us to the airport for departure. See you on the next tour!