Essential Vietnam

Upon arrival in Hanoi Noibai Airport, meet greet and transfer to hotel

Rest of the day will be at your leisure

Today you will enjoy a half day Hanoi city tour visiting:

the beautiful and peaceful Temple of Literature, the iconic One Pillar Pagoda and the grand and solemn mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh and finally the heart of Hanoi with the Hoan Kiem Lake also called Lake of the Restored Sword

The tour also offers you 1-hour traveling wandering around the narrow streets of the bustling Hanoi Old Quarter by traditional cyclo (rickshaw). It will give you the best chance to get acquainted with the old streets and the life of Hanoian

Afternoon is free at leisure for own exploration and shopping

Early in the morning, you will be transferred from your hotel in Hanoi to Ha Long Bay by a Group-Joint Shuttle Bus, a 4-hour journey until Ha Long Bay, the 8th Natural World Wonder

Around 12:00, check-in on board your junk for an overnight Cruise

Start sailing amongst the thousands islets of Ha Long Jewel and have the opportunity to join many outstanding activities such as visiting an amazing cave and a floating village or just swimming in a pearl farm

Before your dinner, you will also have the chance to join a cooking demonstration on the sundeck or a squid fishing activity

Today, start your day with a Tai-Chi instruction on the sundeck

Later on, you will discover Sung Sot Cave, also called the Surprise Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance and tour the cave for approximately 45 minutes

Return to the harbor where a shuttle bus will transfer you back to Hanoi

In the morning, transfer to Hanoi Noibai Airport for a domestic flight to Saigon

Upon arrival at Saigon Airport meet greet and transfer to hotel

In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour to admire Saigon’s historic landmarks. During the city tour, you will visit the major and most beautiful sights of Ho Chi Minh City including the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice based on the original construction from Paris.

Then head across the square to visit the Central Post Office, designed by the famous Gustav Eiffel.

Continue to visit the former Presidential Palace, headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American War, revealing the history of Saigon during its turbulent recent past. Further, drive to visit the War Remnants Museum for a vivid insight of the American war through the local’s eyes

Depart from the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City to the area referred locally as ‘the rice bowl of Vietnam’,

On arrival in Ben Tre Province head towards Tien Giang where you will board a local boat for a cruise among the aptly named Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix Islands.

En-route visit a small factory producing handicrafts made of coconut and Turtle Island, where a stop will be made in a tropical orchard to taste some exotic fruit

After the boat trip, take a ride on a horse driven cart along country roads to a famed garden for a honey tasting session

Continue on a smaller rowing boat for a more adventurous cruise on the Xep Canal which is set amongst a forest of palm trees.

In the afternoon return to Ben Tre/My Tho for lunch and a visit to Vinh Trang Pagoda before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City where you will arrive in the late afternoon

Free morning at leisure

Transfer to Saigon Airport for your departure flight