Welcome to Vietnam! On your arrival at Hanoi airport, you will meet your tour guide/driver and travel to your hotel in the city.  Relax and explore Hanoi on your own. 

Meals: None.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Today’s tour will begin with a visit to the fascinating Ethnology Museum. Browse the informative exhibitions to learn about Vietnam’s remarkably diverse ethnic groups and view the traditional costumes on display. Continue to the Temple of Literature. Wander around the incredible compound which was constructed in 1076. Hear stories of the buildings’ history, getting a glimpse into the past when it served as a university and temple.

In the afternoon head to another ancient site, the One Pillar Pagoda. Built in 1049 this stilted structure is one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Snap some photos here then move on to the nearby mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside). See locals paying homage to this historic figure and ‘father’ of modern Vietnam. Take a short walk to his house on stilts, where he lived from 1958 to 1969. Walk around the tranquil grounds, learning about Ho Chi Minh’s life and legacy. (Mandatory requirement when visiting Ho Chi Minh Complex: all visitors must wear long, discreet clothing. Do not wear a scarf over a tank top or short skirt/shorts.).

** In the case you don’t want to visit Ho Chi Minh complex, you will visit one of the oldest Buddhist pagodas in Hanoi, Tran Quoc, and the nearby Taoist temple of Quan Thanh which dates from the Ly Dynasty

 At the end of the day, take a walking tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the ‘36 streets’.  Turn away from the hustle and bustle street, you will stop at tea shop that is next to old well. Listen to your guide share about locals' real life at the back street over a cup of tea. Continue to creep into tiny alley, which is fit for single person go through, before coming back to busy Old Quarter.

Head back to the hotel and enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Meals: Breaksfast, Lunch

Overnight in Hanoi.

Today, take a half day to visit the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. Here, 40km southwest of Hoi An in a lush green valley, are dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7^th and 13^th centuries. On the way back to Hoi An stop to visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of Champa between the 4^th and 8^th centuries. Some of the finest sculptures in Danang’s Cham Museum originated from here.

In the afternoon, take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colorful market.   Hoi An is a destination with two faces – the charming, old-world trading port of narrow streets and traditional houses, and the beach with its new resorts and long stretch of clean white sand. In keeping with Hoi An’s heritage as a trading port, the town’s tiny shop houses now host a range of craft shops and artisans including some of Asia’s best bespoke tailors. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the centre of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight in Hoi An.

In the morning you will fly to Ho Chi Minh City and settle into the hotel.

After lunch, transfer to Cu Chi tunnels. Arrive and start the visit of the famous Cu Chi Tunnels which consist of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. Here you can imagine what it was like to be a guerrilla complete with Russian Carbine rifles and AK 47’s on display.

Return back to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy the evening on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Depart from the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City to the area referred locally as ‘the rice bowl of Vietnam’.

On arrival in Ben Tre Province head towards Tien Giang where you will board your local boat for a cruise among the aptly named Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix Islands. En-route visit a small factory producing handicrafts made of coconut and Turtle Island, where a stop will be made in a tropical orchard to taste some exotic fruit.

After the boat trip, take a ride a motor cart along country roads to a famed garden for a honey tasting session. Continue on a smaller rowing boat for exploring the Xep Canal which is set amongst a forest of palm trees.

In the afternoon return to Ben Tre/My Tho for lunch and a visit to Vinh Trang Pagoda before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City where you will arrive in the late afternoon.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Discover Ho Chi Minh city with a half-day city tour of iconic colonial sights. Start with a visit to the Reunification Hall, one of the most recognizable icons of the city. Then wander your way through Ho Chi Minh’s colonial quarter where you can admire the colonial architecture of the stunning Opera house, Saigon Post Office, City Hall and more.

Free time until transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for your onward departure.

Meals: Breakfast.