ADHVAN representative will receive you at Hanoi airport and transfer to the hotel.

Check-in & relax. The day will be at leisure.

Overnight will be in Hanoi.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed for Hanoi city tour.

Start the tour with a visit to Vietnam’s first university: the Temple of Literature. Founded in 1076, Quoc Tu Giam was established within a temple to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite.

Continue with a visit to the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Nearby is the mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and his modest house on stilts. (Sites are viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov)

Visit the picturesque West Lake and its sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda.

Transfer (or stroll along the lakeside) 700 meters to the nearby Taoist temple of Quan Thanh dedicated to Tran Vu, one of the principal deities in Taoism.

This afternoon visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), which is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam.

Later in the afternoon visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake, home to literally thousands of small businesses and shops.

Finish the day with a Water Puppet show, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

Overnight will be in Hanoi.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam’s first capital, Hoa Lu.

Reach Hoa Lu and visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009).

If time permits after visiting Hoa Lu, take a half-hour walk up one of the surrounding limestone karst hills, boasting spectacular views.

Later depart for a traditional Vietnamese lunch in Tam Coc. Along the way stop to take photographs of local villages and the stunning landscape.

After lunch, board a private sampan (see options for Tam Coc sampan trip below). As the boat gently slices through the water, take note of the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields giving rise to the area’s nickname, ‘Halong on Land’.

The adventurous sort can have the option of climbing up Bich Dong Pagoda on nearby Ngu Nhac Mountain. Dating to 1428, it is comprised of three structures: Ha, Trung, and Thuong Pagodas. Return by sampan to Tam Coc town before returning to Hanoi.

*Option 1: Trang An Boat Option (in place of Tam Coc): Trang An is a less visited nature reserve illustrated by limestone hills and a peaceful river passing through a series of caves (one of which takes 15-minutes to pass through in darkness). An ‘eco-tourism’ area, the only interruptions here are the sound of birds and the gentle paddle of the oar upon the crystal clear river.

*Option 2: Thung Nang Boat Option (in replace of Tam Coc): Thung Nang is another less-visited area that is similar in style to Tam Coc.  Pass through a cave, fields of lotus (in summer) and reach a quaint pagoda before returning on the same route.

In the evening enjoy performance of CHEO (traditional music typical from Northern Vietnam).

Overnight will be in Hanoi.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to Ha Long Bay (one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the world’s largest marine “karst” landscape), which is often called Vietnam’s eighth wonder of the world and once visited, it is hard to dispute that claim. 4000 spectacular limestone outcroppings, cliffs, arches and coves compete for space in an area that is without doubt the most outstandingly naturally beautiful in the country – incomparable coastal scenery.

On arrival at around noon time, you will be taken on our tender from the wharf and make your way out onto the bay to board the boat cruise. You will be welcomed aboard and greeted with a complimentary drink. The Crew will conduct a compulsory safety procedures session and then you are free to check into your cabin/s and freshen up. Take some time to have a look around the vessel or watch the magical landscape go by.

Lunch will be served onboard cruise.

After lunch we set sail for Bai Tu Long Bay passing the towns of Hon Gai and Cam Pha, extraordinary limestone karst landscapes. Explore Vung Vieng fishing village by local rowing boats to discover the interesting daily lives of its inhabitants.

Return onboard cruise Halong Bay’s main craft we will drop anchor for our overnight stay surrounded by incredible landscape.

Dinner will be served onboard cruise.

For your two-day Ha Long excursion, you’ll board a boat on the Bay, a wooden junk based on the model of the old Vietnamese court vessels with sails, a wide transom and rectangular superstructure. The boats vary in size, accommodating between ten and eighteen people, so you’re likely to be joining other travellers for the cruise with air-conditioned cabins and an en suite bathroom.

Overnight will be onboard boat in Ha Long Bay.

The best time of the day on Ha Long Bay is the morning.

Relax with an early morning cup of tea, coffee or juice anywhere you wish on the boat and watch the never-ending miraculous scenery unfold before you.

Light breakfast will be served in the restaurant onboard (pastries, tea and coffee)

Enjoy the last stage of your trip in Thien Canh Son cave and islets, which is a wild and mysterious beauty in the middle of the World Heritage. Come back to the main board afterwards.

Check out of your cabin as we draw closer to the mainland. Enjoy brunch while the vessel cruises slowly back towards the port. Disembark where your guide and driver are waiting for you and drive to Hanoi airport.

En route to the airport, visit Thanh Chuong Palace, the home and studio of Thanh Chuong, of the most celebrated painters in Vietnam. More a living space than a museum, the Palace is an architectural gem showcasing Vietnamese traditional cultural objects, exquisite antiques and remarkable structures.

After the visit, head to the airport for the flight south to the central city of Danang.

Arrive at Danang and drive to the town of Hoi An, about 40 minutes south. A major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries, Hoi An’s architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the centuries.

Overnight will be in Hoi An.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed for a half day to visit the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son.

Located 40km southwest of Hoi An in a lush green valley, My Son is home to dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating between the 7th and 13th centuries. After a morning of exploration, head back to Hoi An, stopping for a visit to Tra Kieu, the capital of Champa between the 4th and 8th centuries. Some of the finest sculptures in Danang’s Cham Museum originated from here.

Upon returning to Hoi An, 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. After the tour, enjoy some time at leisure exploring the old town.

Overnight will be in Hoi An.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy the morning at leisure.

Drive to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Its mesmerizing tombs and mausoleums of the last emperors of Vietnam reveal fascinating insights into the lives of the imperial families and their subjects. The ancient Citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern. The Royal Citadel was badly damaged in the latter stages of the war but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today.

Drive through Danang and visit the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co.

Continue one hour drive to the city of Hue.

Overnight will be in Hue.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed for the city sightseeing of Hue.

Start the tour at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. From here take a cyclo through dai noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax. The lake is full of lotus flowers in the summer and there are many local style coffee shops around the lake, perfect for soaking in the local scene.

Later proceed for a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River. Constructed in 1601, the 21-meter tower is the centerpiece of the pagoda and represents seven reincarnations of Buddha. On the pagoda grounds is the famous Austin car a resident monk drove to Saigon in 1963 to protest against the southern regime. The photo of his self-immolation is one of the most well-known images of the war.

Continue to former emperor Minh Mang’s tomb located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds.

Later visit Khai Dinh’s Tomb, designed in traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue.

Before heading back to the hotel, take time to stroll around Dong Ba Market. The market is another of the must see sites in Hue, with stalls teeming with color and life.

In the evening you’ll be picked up to enjoy a Hue musical show on a boat in the Perfume River for about one hour.

Overnight will be in Hue.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Later we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh.

On arrival, met and transfer to your hotel for check-in and refresh before embarking on a city tour

Start for the city tour with a visit to Cholon, the Chinatown district of Ho Chi Minh City. Discover the area’s markets, shops and the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda.

Proceed to pay a visit to Vietnam’s first traditional medicine museum, the FITO Museum, with an amazing collection of 3,000 items relevant to the development of traditional Vietnamese medicine. Implements used to prepare indigenous herbs and objects commonly found in traditional pharmacies can be seen in the galleries as well as ancient books and documents on traditional Vietnamese medicine.

Head back to the city centre to visit Ben Thanh Market, where an incredible display of fresh produce is offered. Enjoy a stroll through the market exploring the variety of goods for sale.

This afternoon visit the War Remnants or History Museum (closed on Mondays) and the former Presidential Palace.

From the Palace, stroll to the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall.

Return to the hotel and relax.

Overnight will be in Ho Chi Minh.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Later drive to delta town of Cai Be.

Upon arrival, board a local vessel for the day’s cruise through the Delta.

Start the journey by passing by Cai Be’s floating market, once a busy place to trade fruits and vegetables and nowadays a more quiet market.

Continue to a cottage factory where ‘pop-rice’, rice paper and coconut candies are made.

Return to the boat for the cruise to Dong Hoa Hiep Island, admiring the scenery and daily life along the way.

Lunch will be served local Mekong style featuring specialties of the area.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon with the rest of the day free at leisure.

Overnight will be in Ho Chi Minh.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Morning will be at leisure or enjoy last minute shopping.

Later as per your flight timings, you will be transferred to the airport to take flight back home / onward destination with pleasant memories of Vietnam tour.

END OF THE JOURNEY