Impressive Vietnam Escapade 8 Days 7 Nights

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be warmly greeted and transferred to your selected hotel, which is about 30 km away and takes approximately 45 minutes.

After checking in, you will have some free time to explore the area around your hotel and familiarize yourself with the surroundings.

Meals will be on your own during this time, so you can choose to dine at any nearby restaurant or enjoy room service at your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Read more about Hanoi: Hanoi things to do

After breakfast, your day kicks off with a visit to the square in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, honoring the nation's founder. Your guide will narrate the country's independence history before you capture memories in photos.
Next, head to the Defense Pagoda by West Lake, ending your morning with an insightful trip to the Hanoi Ethnography Museum, showcasing Vietnam's diverse ethnic cultures.
Lunch awaits at a local eatery.
In the afternoon, a fascinating stroll through the Hanoi Old Quarter awaits you. Start with the Long Bien Bridge - Paul Doumer Bridge (Trần Nhật Duật Street side) and continue to Cao Thắng Street, famous for its traditional spices. Then, explore the Đồng Xuân Market, the largest market in Hanoi, and soak in the lively atmosphere of Hàng Mã Street, known for its decorative items, Chinese toys, and colorful lanterns.
Continue your exploration through Lương Văn Can, Lãn Ông, and Hang Buồm streets, taking the time to visit the Bạch Mã Temple (76 Hang Buồm Street), the oldest temple in Hanoi. Take a well-deserved break at Café Market (Hanoi Coffee Station, 44 Hang Bè Street or another café boutique) to enjoy a complimentary coffee.
Capture the vibrant atmosphere by Hoan Kiem Lake before attending a mesmerizing Hanoi water puppet show in the evening.
Dinner is on your own, followed by an overnight stay at the hotel in Hanoi

We will start your day with an 8am pick-up from your hotel to transfer you to Halong Bay. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a popular travel destination located in Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam. In Vietnamese, "Hạ Long" means "descending dragon."

We will arrive at Tuan Chau Port around 11:45am to 12:00pm, where you will board our boat. You will receive a welcome drink and a cruise briefing with safety instructions. A delicious deluxe Vietnamese Set Menu Lunch will also be served. If you wish, you may book a massage service in advance with your Cruise Manager and enjoy it throughout the cruise.

As we cruise through Halong Bay, we will pass by the most beautiful and serene areas, including Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock, and Finger Islet. Our next destination is the breathtaking Surprise Cave (Hang Sửng Sốt), one of the largest and most stunning grottoes in Halong Bay. To reach the mouth of the grotto, we will climb approximately a hundred stone steps.

After exploring the Surprise Cave, we will depart and sail for about 30 minutes to anchor overnight. During this time, guests can attend a Fruit and Vegetable Carving Lesson led by our Head Chef. Our chef will demonstrate fruit and vegetable carving and teach guests how to decorate and make some traditional Vietnamese food.

Dinner, featuring fresh seafood, will be served in the evening, followed by various activities. Board games like cards or Parcheesi will be available, as well as massage services throughout the cruise. Everyone can also try their luck at squid fishing on the boat with the help of the crew.

Overnight on boat.

Things to do in Halong

You may choose to wake up at 6:30am to enjoy coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries served in the dining room. However, this is not mandatory if you prefer to sleep in.

For those who wish to participate, a Tai Chi lesson lasting about 30 minutes will be held on the sundeck at 6:45am.

Guests will then be transferred by tender to Titov Island, where they can spend approximately one hour climbing to the peak to enjoy a stunning 360-degree view of the Bay. An expansive viewing deck is also available halfway up the island for those who prefer not to climb. After the climb, guests can relax on the beach and take a swim.

Once guests return to the boat, they will have 30 minutes to freshen up and finish packing. We kindly ask guests to collect all of their belongings from the cabins and leave heavy luggage outside of the cabins. Our staff will transfer your luggage directly to the pier.

A full breakfast will be served in the dining room, and bills will be settled after breakfast. Guests can then relax on the sundeck or in the dining room, enjoying the beautiful bay scenery as we approach the pier.

We are scheduled to arrive at Tuan Chau port at 11:00am. Guests can then relax inside the pier building while waiting for return transportation.

(Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions, tide levels, and operational conditions, and the times provided are approximate and may vary.)

At 12:00 PM, your memorable cruise experience will come to an end, and you will be transferred to Hanoi.

Dinner will be on their own.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Following an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the Airport for your morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. This bustling metropolis was once known as Saigon, serving as the capital of the French colony of Cochin-China and later the independent republic of South Vietnam from 1955-75. On 2 July 1976, Saigon was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City, in honor of the Vietnamese communist revolutionary leader who served as prime minister (1945-1955) and president (1945-1969) of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam).

Upon arrival, you will embark on a tour of the city. First, you will visit the Opera House, which was constructed in 1900 and influenced by the architecture of the Opera Garnier in Paris. The facade of the opera is a replica of the Petit Palais in Paris. You will also visit Notre-Dame Cathedral, a renowned central Saigon Cathedral erected in 1877 with materials imported from France, and the Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will explore the Chinese quarter "Cho Lon" and its remarkable Binh Tay market. The day will conclude with a visit to a lacquer ware factory, where you will have the opportunity to witness the creation of traditional Vietnamese lacquer ware.

Following the tour, you will return to your hotel for some leisure time, with dinner on your own.

Overnight in Saigon (HCM city).

Begin your immersive experience of traditional Vietnamese life with a pick-up from your hotel in Ben Tre, a charming town situated in the Mekong Delta renowned for its scenic natural landscapes and distinct local culture.

At 10:30 am, you'll arrive at Hàm Luông pier in Ben Tre town, where you'll board a boat for a picturesque cruise on the Ben Tre River, one of the Mekong Delta's tributaries. During the journey, you'll observe the vibrant activities taking place along the river, such as fishing and water transfer, which form an essential part of the daily routine of the local people.

Witness the traditional brick-making process by visiting the masonry and observing how bricks are printed and fired. Then, explore a coconut processing workshop located along the canal and visit a workshop where mats are made and tea and fruit are enjoyed.

Experience the tropical culture of the peasants by taking a motor cart (xe lôi) or a bicycle through the green plains or green rice fields.

Enjoy lunch at the Hai Hồ family and then take a rowing boat to reach the pier, where you'll continue your journey by car to the house where you'll be spending the night. Check-in with the locals and take some time to rest or explore the village to learn more about the daily life of the locals.

Savor the flavors of traditional Vietnamese cuisine at the homestay dinner, prepared using fresh, local ingredients.

After dinner, unwind with a foot bath program that includes precious medicinal herbs from the garden and Sa Huynh salt, which is made using coconut shells for an authentic relaxation and healing experience.

Overnight homestay in Ben Tre.

Commence your day with a revitalizing bike ride to explore a coconut garden after your morning meal. Savor the taste of freshly picked coconuts while listening to the tale of the abode with two wings and three compartments.

Following that, you will have the opportunity to taste delectable cocoa and learn about the methods of cultivating and producing cocoa in the vicinity. This unparalleled experience will enable you to discover the conventional techniques of cocoa collection.

Cycle through a beautiful region that showcases typical southern landscapes, and appreciate the extensive rice fields, orchards, gardens, and canals that stretch out for miles.

After a busy morning, take a breather and enjoy the local cuisine. Collect your belongings and embark on the journey to Ho Chi Minh City.

Your full-day adventure and exploration of Vietnamese rural life will conclude when you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City around 5:00 p.m.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Following your breakfast, you will have some leisure time before your scheduled airport transfer for your flight back home. Please note that meals during this time will be at your own discretion.

End of Trip (8 day tour in Vietnam)