A Moment in Vietnam 8 Days

Today is going to be a day full of activities in Hanoi with the Classic Journeys. Our first stop is Ho Chi Minh Complex. We’ll discover all the attractions here including: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House and One Pillar Pagoda.

In the afternoon, we will visit the biggest and most fascinating museum in Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology, where you can observe a great collection of artifacts of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. While the indoor part includes the exhibition building, office, research center, library, storage, technical lab, and auditorium, the outdoor area attracts tourists to a host of houses modelling after the traditional architecture of ethnic minorities, especially those who live in the Northern and Central Highlands. . 

Afterwards, proceed to the colorful Old Quarter where a wide range of products can be found from street foods, clothing, furniture to jewelries, souvenirs and more. 

The Old Quarter is well-known for the history, the architecture, the diversity of products and even the everyday life of its residents. In this area, the bustling life of Hanoians is reflected in the most vivid way with crowded streets of people trading with each other. 

The quarter consists of 36 Old Streets, each of which was named for what it sold. Several years ago, skilled artisans migrated to the city and formed guilds. In the same guilds, the craftsmen perform similar services.

As time passes, many streets now no longer sell the products after which they were named, some still do. 

You can also find many street food vendors in the Old Quarter. Types of food may alter in accordance with the rhythm of the seasons. 

Following the tour guide, you will find a lot of mouth-watering dishes that you want to grab a bite.

Moreover, you will be able to explore Asian architectures which have remained for thousands of years. 

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. 

Overnight stay at your hotel.

• Transport:

  Car

• Meals:

  Breakfast

After your breakfast, we’ll pick you up at the hotel and start our 2.5 hours driving to Halong City.

The drive will take us through the vast rice paddies and great mountain ranges of the Red river delta to reach the gem on the Gulf of Tonkin - Halong Bay.

After arriving to Halong Bay, we’ll board on a cruise. Check in, meet with the crew and they will tell you briefly of life on board. A tasty lunch will be served while we’re cruising among limestone islands.

In the afternoon, visit some of the most interesting caves of Halong with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Hidden in thousands of jungle-covered peaks of Halong Bay are picturesque grottos and caves of all shapes and sizes.

Enjoy a refreshing swim in the warm water of the bay as the ship stops en route. You may prefer to test your sport skills with kayaking or simply just enjoy a swim.

Dinner on board.

At night, there's a lot of activities for you to join: take part in board games, fish for squid, or just laze around.

Overnight on board.

To be noted that, shared shuttle bus will be used to transfer you to Halong with an English speaking guide. For more information about private transfer or customize the trip to your own preferences, please contact Asia Private Travels!

• Transport:

  Car, Cruise

• Meals:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Engaging in Tai Chi session in the early morning is the perfect way to start your new day in Halong Bay. Tai Chi is a gentle physical exercise combining deep breathing and relaxation with slow and easy movements.

Breakfast on board.

Around midday, have lunch and then we’ll arrive at the harbor. Back to Hanoi on shuttle bus. Transfer to the airport for flight to Danang.

Pick up at the airport in Danang and drive to hotel in Hoian Ancient town.

Dinner on your own account.

Overnight in Hoian.

• Transport:

  Car, Fly

• Meals:

  Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at the hotel, ready for an exhilarating market exploration this morning, dive into the culture, and get clothes tailor-made in one of the many shops around town is the highlight part the Classic Journeys tour.

Bay Mau nipa palm forest is our next stop. A coracle is your means of transport today. You will be immersed in the natural beauty of the nipa forest. Lovely handmade souvenirs made from nipa palm leaves such as hats, watches,ring, etc. are not bad options if you are looking for some gifts for your friends and family back home.

After that, enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Thu Bon River and see what the local people do every day. When the sun goes down, you will see thousands of candle-lit lanterns float down the Thu Bon River.

Return to the town center in the afternoon for a stroll through its unique architecture.

Through the ups and downs in history, Hoian ancient town still retains its taciturn and ancient features. The ensemble of the old town is a harmonious blend of different architectural styles: Vietnamese – Chinese – Japanese – Western. It is a unique relic representing wisdom, talent and creativity of our forefathers in history. Some remarkable exemplars are Hoian Museum, Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, Tan Ky Old house and the stunning Japanese Covered Bridge.

Return to the hotel and the rest of the day is at your leisure. Dinner on your own account. Stay overnight at the hotel in Hoian.

• Transport:

  Car

• Meals:

  Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, you will be transferred without the tour guide to Da Nang airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Upon your arrival, our guide and driver are ready to pick up and transfer you to the hotel for check in. 

In the afternoon, get ready to discover Ho Chi Minh City. It is a vibrant city with a unique mix of French colonial architecture, Chinese influences, a modern entrepreneurial spirit, and numerous temples. 

Start your tour with the Reunification Palace, which is used to be the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam until April 1975.

The next stop is Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office, 2 most famous and oldest of classical French colonial architecture construction was built more than 100 years ago. 

Proceed to the Opera House afterward to marvel at the elegant and French-decorative structure since the colonial period. 

We continue the city tour by discovering the eastern side of the city. Ride to Cho Lon (Big Market), which is located inside the China Town. 

Before the tour ends, make a stopover for shopping at Ben Thanh Market in the city center

Meals on your own account. Overnight stay at the hotel.

• Transport:

  Car, Fly

• Meals:

  Breakfast

From Ho Chi Minh city, we will start off the trip to Ben Tre, a lovely countryside province of Mekong Delta which is 130 km away and takes 2.5 – 3 hours driving.  At Phong Nam Pier, you will take a boat ride on the river of Chet Say (Mekong’s part). 

Before reaching the destination, you will have a chance to experience the making of the traditional products, this is the special part of Asia Private Travels. One of the most interesting workplaces you are about to visit is the coconut factory, where every single part of a coconut is used and processed into different products like coconut charcoal, candies, handicraft or hat. 

In order to give tourists a deeper insight into the life of the locals , the boat will stop at a local village located on a small canal. When you set foot on the weaving house, you can observe how straw mats are made and you can even roll up your sleeves and pitch in weaving one. 

Leaving the weaving workshop, you will find yourself on xe loi (a motorized rickshaw vehicle) or you can ride a bike if you like to explore every corner of the village. On the beautiful rice paddy fields and green growing lands, farmers are harvesting, plowing the soil by simple tools. enjoy the site yourself. 

Then, let’s take a short rest and have lunch at a local house, tasty local dishes that are cooked from elephant–ear fish, river shrimp and some glasses of cold drinks would make you pleased.

In the afternoon, enjoy a delightful boat trip along a narrow canal before returning to the quay. 

Transfer back to Ho Chi Minh city. Dinner on your own expense. 

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

• Transport:

  Car

• Meals:

  Breakfast, Lunch

Take this last day of your trip to buy some great souvenirs for your loved ones back home. Our driver will transfer you to the airport to take your departure flight. 

Meals on your own account.

End of the service.

Asia Private Travels hopes to serve you again!
 

• Transport:

  Car

• Meals:

  Breakfast