10-Day Relaxing Vietnam Tour From Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc Beach, Halong Bay, Mekong Delta and Hanoi

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, we will pick you up at the airport and drive to Ho Chi Minh city center. You have free time for leisure.

Spend overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

At 8:30am we depart to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace.

The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. It was the sight of the end of the Vietnam/American war in 1975, as a North Vietnamese army tank crashed through the gates. The tank is still located at the Independence Palaces’ property.

Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars. In courtyard massive military vehicles are for exhibition as well as tiger cages for the visitor to get a feel on how it was to be a prisoner during wartimes.

In the museum building itself, each floor will represent a separate theme from the war and the war crimes committed towards the Vietnamese people.

We drive from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels for 60km from Ho Chi Minh City. Cu Chi is now considered a heroic district for its role in the anti - American war in Vietnam. It is legendary for its tunnels system of over 220 km and is a popular spot for both Vietnamese and foreigner.

The peacefully rural rice paddy scenery contains ducks and water buffalos swimming in the rivers along the side of road. You will find it hard to imagine the destruction, damage and defoliation all over the area, caused by bombing and mines, when Cu Chi was "A Free Target Zone ". The remnants you will see that Cu Chi still has her evidence to prove the fierce battleground that took place there.

Ever wonder what it feels like to fire an AK-47? Visit Cu chi tunnels, you have a chance to find out!

Spend overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

At 7:45am we'll depart for the Mekong Delta!

An unforgettable way of seeing the Mekong Delta to drive along the provincial roads down on the Southern region of Vietnam through paddy rice field, pine-apple plantation, orchard and small hamlets (2 hours drive)

After arrival in My Tho, you will ride on a local motor boat along Dragon Island, Unicorn Island, Phoenix Island, Turtle Island and stop at the famous Unicorn Island. While at the Unicorn Island, you will take a short trek and go for a rowing boat trip. You will also enjoy tropical fruits in an orchard, natural pure honey at a bee farm and traditional music.

From there, you will continue your motor boat trip to Ben Tre province to visit Mekong people handmade coconut candy. Then change to a small motor boat and travel along the lush, green canals, and stop at Mien Tay restaurant to enjoy Vietnamese lunch and bicycle riding around the village. 0

At 3:00pm transfer by bus to Can Tho city.

Spend overnight in Can Tho.

After breakfast, take the morning boat trip to visit the largest floating market in Can Tho (Cai Rang) which is at its busiest at this time of day. Keep cruising through the small channels system and visit a rice noodle making village. Experience the “Monkey Bridge” in the Delta. Walk through the fruits garden, see the process of noodles making.

Break for lunch.

Then we'll return to Ho Chi Minh City.

At 2:00pm we'll travel by public bus to Rach Gia city, arriving by 5:00pm. We'll transfer to the hotel and have free time to relax here.

At 8:00am we'll depart by hydrofoil to Rach Gia to Phu Quoc island, arriving by 10:30am

Then we'll transfer to the hotel and check in, having time to relax until 12:30pm when we'll have lunch at a local restaurant.

At 2:30pm we'll head to the Eastern Island. Here we'll visit a local pepper garden where "itsy-bitsy teeny weeny peppercorns" are patient grown. Next, we'll head to Ham Ninh ancient village where you can enjoy fresh seafood (own expense). From here we'll discover Tranh Stream and one of the most beautiful waterfalls on Phú Quốc.

Then we'll travel to Hung Long/Phap Quang Pogoda, located on a high hill, overlooking the town.

We'll head back to Duong Dong town, stopping at a Sim wine distillery to taste the local wine. Then we'll visit Dinh Cau Temple, and have dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, you can choose between two day trips:

Option 1: Sao Beach Tour
8:00am: transfer to the south side of the island and visit:
v Fish sauce workshop: learn about the fish sauce production and enjoy the unique aromatic flavor of Phu Quoc fish sauce
v Have lunch
v Pearl Farm. You may be able to witness how oyster shells are cut open to retrieve pearls and how these pearls are bored, strung or placed on silver or gold ornaments.
v Coconut prision: which was built in 1949-1950 by the French colonists to jail those considered specially dangerous to the colonist government
v Sao beach - one of the most beautiful beach in the South East of Phuquoc island. Relax and swimming, have lunch here
v Have dinner at local restarant

Option 2: Snorkeling Tour
8:00am: transfer to the south side of the island and visit:
v Pearl Farm. You may be able to witness how oyster shells are cut open to retrieve pearls and how these pearls are bored, strung or placed on silver or gold ornaments.
v Then, go to pier, get on board for snorkeling and fishing. The snorkeling set is ready for you to enjoy the colorful life of coral reef and of the fish under water. Have lunch on board
v Go back to pier and transfer to Sao beach - one of the most beautiful beach in the South East of Phuquoc island
v Back to hotel
v Have dinner at local restaurant.

Have breakfast at hotel, free at leisure before we check out and then transfer to Phuquoc airport. Take a flight to Hanoi.

Our driver will pick you up at Noi Bai airport to hotel. After checking hotel, you have more freedom to sightseeing fantastic landscape nearby. Some places are highly recommended to visit: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ethnology museum, Military Museum or Fine Art museum, Dong Xuan market, Hoan Kiem lake, Tay lake and more!

07.45 – 08.15 approx
- Our guide will meet you at your hotel. The shuttle bus or private car pick up
- Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta
- Get your camera ready to take photos. Comfort break. The time from Hanoi to Halong bay is approximately 3 ½ hours.

12 – 12.30 approx
- Arriving Tuan Chau marina. Welcome aboard the cruise. Refresh with our welcome drink. Meet the captain, crew in the cruise briefing.
- Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind
- Set sail as lunch is served
- Join us for a typical local lunch in the dining room or at the outdoor dining area.

Afternoon
- Arrive at Surprising Cave (Hang Sửng Sốt), explore the cave and find out how the cave was named a Surprising.
- Heading to Titop island area. Drop anchor in the calm water surrounded by beautiful islets. Visit Titop island for swimming and snorkeling or do the short trek to the top of island to have the overview of Halong bay from here
- Heading back toward the sleeping area

Early evening
- Summit on the sundeck watching the sunset, enjoy Sunset party. It’s ideal time to make acquaintance with new friends, sharing your traveling experience or simply watching the sunset
- An authentic Vietnamese menu is served
- After dinner, reward yourself with a large selection of cocktails at our bar, or take for you one of our onboard activities: book reading, games, movies, and squid fishing…

06:30
For the early risers join us for a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body, joining Tai Chi session to full charge your energy for the day.

07:00 – 08:00
Local breakfast is served

08:00
- Mingling yourself in the stunning views of the Bay and it’s dramatic limestone islets as we sail through the calm emerald waters heading to Luon Cave (Hang Luồn)
- Take your option either exploring the cave yourself on kayak or comfortably on bamboo boat rowed by the locals.

09:00
Check out the cabins, at your leisure while our cruise taking you pass by other beautiful highlights in the bay.

10:00
You will join with our short class of Cooking demonstration, how to make spring rolls before an early lunch is served.

12:00
Return to the shore and disembark from the cruise as our crew say farewell.
Transfer to minibus or private and return to Hanoi.
Arrival back at your hotel approximately 16:30. Stay overnight in Ha Noi.

Breakfast at hotel, free time for leisure. Our car transfer you from hotel to the airport, take the flight back home. See you again.