10-Day Essense of Vietnam Tour from Hanoi:Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, Hue and Halong Bay | River Cruise

Your Vietnam adventure begins with your arrival in Hanoi. Your private driver will meet you at the airport, holding a signboard with your name. He will escort you to your accommodation right in the heart of the city, with the fascinating Old Quarter at your fingertips. You can easily explore the city at your own pace or relax at the hotel after the flight.
Overnight in Hanoi.

8:00am – 8:30am: Our Tour guide and our Bus pick up at your hotel and start to discover Hanoi City
08:45am: Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi built in the 6th century.
09:30am: Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, the final resting place of Vietnamese great father or Uncle Ho. You have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969.
Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Goddess of Mercy – It is the most unique pagoda in the world.
- Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, temples, pagodas…
- Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. But still can take picture of the Mausoleum and visit around that area.
- Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum is closed at least 2 months (15th June -15th August) for the annual maintaining.
11:15am: Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam.
Special Note: We will visit Vietnamese Women's Museum instead of Vietnam Ethnology Museum closed on Mondays.
12:45pm: Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine. Vegetarian foods are available.
14:00pm-14:15pm: Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam) is one of the most attractive tourist spots in Northern Vietnam. The Temple of Literature was founded in 1070.
15:15pm: Keep going to visit Hoa Lo Prison, the prison was built by the French, from 1886 to 1901, when Vietnam was still a part of French Indochina. The French called the prison Maison Centrale. The prison was called "A Hell on Earth" and now the prison is like a war museum for those who want to understand more about the war against France of Vietnamese people.
16:30pm: Our Bus take you back to the Hotel. We finish the trip!

In the morning, check out of the hotel, and get picked up by the Cruise team. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see. 
On arrival at the pier, you will board the cruise and enjoy the fantastic views of limestone rocks and the karst grottoes. Have an utterly delicious seafood lunch and enjoy the time at the sundeck exploring the Bay. 
The cruise will stop in a secret place where you will spend time kayaking or swimming, so you can explore the karst grottoes closer. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities taking part on the boat or just relax.
Overnight in Halong Bay.
Note: In case of bad weather (the boat is not allowed to push off or not allowed to overnight in the sea), the Ha Long bay tour could be canceled without notice. We will consider other replacement tours or a refund based on the specific circumstances.

Rise early today to view the sunrise at the wonder of nature with breakfast served in the dining room.
Then head off to visit the limestone cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. After your exploration return to the boat to check out and enjoy the brunch while the cruise is sailing back to the harbor. Later you will be transferred back to Hanoi, from where you will take your flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, your private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation. 
Overnight in Hue.

Hue City is the cultural, political, and economic center of the Thua Thien Hue province, and used to be an old imperial city of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty.  During this time, the most remarkable architectural monuments were constructed, which now are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel around 8:00-8:30 am. 

Start your exploration with the boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda, which is the oldest pagodas in Hue. Then visit the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Here you will also visit the Royal Antiques Museum to see the collection of ornaments from the Nguyen dynasty. Then head to the bustling Dong Ba market. 

Have delicious Vietnamese lunch. In the afternoon, we will head to Khai Dinh's Tomb, which combines traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch, making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. Then explore Minh Mang's Tomb, which represents the Confucian style. On the way, you will also visit conical hats and incense sticks villages. 

You will be back at your hotel around 16:00-17:00pm.
Overnight in Hue.

Have breakfast at the hotel and get ready for the transfer from Hue to Hoi An by private car. You will drive through one of the most beautiful roads in the world - Hai Van Pass. You will be blown away by the stunning views of the mountains and the sea. Upon arrival in Hoi An check in the hotel and have free time to explore the surrounding area. 
Overnight in Hoi An.

Relish the remaining moment in Hoi An before your private driver escorts you to the Da Nang airport to take the flight to Ho Chi Minh. When you arrive in Ho Chi Minh, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in the city center. The rest of the time is free at leisure. 
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Kick start your day with a hearty breakfast, and a trip to Mekong Delta follows. The guide will meet you at the hotel lobby around 7:15am-7:30am, and you will head to My Tho, which lies on the left side of the Mekong River. ­
Upon arrival, board the sampan and cruise down the river around the four beautiful islands, known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands. Stop at Unicorn Island, walk around the country lanes and see the orchards. Visit fruit plantations and enjoy tropical fruits and folk song music performed by the local people. ­
Then take a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and immerse yourself in the beauty of the countryside. Visit family workshops and honey-bee farm, and taste some honey tea and coconut candies. ­
Refuel yourself with a traditional Vietnamese lunch, and later cycle around the Tan Thach village, and meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong Delta. If you are not keen on a cycling trip, enjoy a cool breeze and a relaxing time in a hammock. Afterward, you will get back to your accommodation.

Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office. Continue to the War Remnants Museum, which has a vast display of both the Indochina wars.  Have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, depart for Cu Chi tunnel. The trip will take approximately one and a half hours bus driving. Upon arrival, you will have a short introduction about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime. Then, spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems.  The tunnels include specially constructed living areas with kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterward, try a special tea and cassava (guerilla food during the war). Later you will be back at your hotel. 
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip to Vietnam. Complete the hotel check-out formalities, after which you can visit the local markets to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later your private driver will transfer you to the airport to take your flight back home. Trip Ends.