Vietnam, a part of Indochina Peninsula, has much to offer visitors from around the world. The Taste of Vietnam Tour enables you to “taste” the different ways of living of different ethnic minorities, the rich history and culture, and the gorgeous God-sent places. Get ready for the most beautiful photos of your life when you are in Ha Long Bay. The busyness of each city you will visit may vanish in your memory as soon as you leave the country but the great moments which you experience with the people you meet in each city may linger in your mind for many years. For those who love to make their diaries lively, get your good pens out before you first experience a new land that you have only heard of or seen on the T.V. Be with us – Golden Lotus Travel who will care for you with its best knowledge, enthusiastic manner, and warm heart.
Noi Bai International Airport (Google Map)
1 Hour Before Departure
Upon arrival at Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi, welcomed by guide and transferred to your hotel in the city center to check in. Relax after a long journey.
Overnight in Hanoi.
The day starts with visit to the complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh- the nation’s founder, containing Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (view from outside), and house on stilts. This complex also comprises the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city.
Visit Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature & Vietnam’s first university). Constructed in 11th century, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Optional visit to Hoa Lo Prison or the Museum of Vietnamese Women.
Next up, take a trishaw ride around the Old Quarter streets which were named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places.
Spend around 30 minutes break at local draught beer shop by one of the busy streets for enjoying local beer with peanuts and snacks like locals do.
Stop at Hoan Kiem Lake for briefing and photo, followed by is the Water Puppet show– a uniquely Northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history. Overnight at hotel in Ha Noi.
Depart from your Hotel for a three hour and a half transfer to Ha Long Bay – UNESCO World Natural Heritage – where thousands of spectacular limestone islets and grottoes rising from the clear emerald Gulf of Tonkin. Upon arrival, welcome drink on board prior to your check-in. Lunch with fresh sea food will be served while boat is cruising through many stone islets, floating villages, small beaches. Visit a floating fishing village, talk and meet with local villagers prior to your swimming or free time at your own on the sundeck. Dinner would be ready at the time the boat anchors off at a quiet designated overnight area. Overnight on board in Halong Bay.
Note: Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions or local administration regulations
Breakfast is served while the junk cruises around Ha Long Bay, passes by many islets named by their shapes such as Dog, Incense Urn, Fighting Cock, Finger, etc. Stop for a while to explore SurpriseCave– one of the most beautiful ones of the bay. The junk then continues cruising towards the wharf. Ready to disembark at about 10.30AM. Your vehicle is ready to take you back to Hanoi and then straight to the airport for a flight to Danang. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our guide and transfer to Hoi An town. Check in your hotel and overnight in Hoi An.
Leave your hotel, and on bike to local farm in Tra Que village.
A short stroll will take you around the vegetable garden and then you can join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the local lake. Following steps are raking the ground, sowing, watering, picking vegetables and other gardening activities.
After that, you will join the cooking demonstration with some local delicacies including ‘tam huu’ spring roll, Banh xeo or local pancake of people in Viet Nam middle region. Enjoy your lunch at Tra Que Village.
Next up, you will pamper your feet into an wooden basin for Vietnamese traditional foot massage before going back to your hotel.
In the afternoon, explore this rich architectural fusion of 300 year Chinese temple, 400 year Japanese covered bridge, 200 year old Vietnamese former merchant home influences by visiting Hoi An narrow streets where each house façade is dangled with lanterns.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Have breakfast at your hotel and before check out.
Leaving Hoi An for Hue by car. Stop in Danang for your Cham Museum visit where Cham breathtaking sculpture collection is on open air display. Take a break at Lang Co beach for swimming if you wish, or another stop from the top of the cloudy Hai Van Pass to grab your own Vietnam central coast panoramic view.
In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue – UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.
Next, take boat trip on Huong River, or better known as the perfume river. The boat drops us off at the beautiful Thien MuPagoda which is also home to many young people who want to try out and learn from life as a monk.
Overnight in Hue.
Start your day visiting the tomb of Tu Duc King who ruled under from 1847-1883, he started the planning and construction of the place long before his death, the place was used as a refuge for him and his harem.
Later on, you’ll have chance to visit one of the most prominent characteristic of this once Feudalism ruled city – Hue Garden House. Tha Om garden house – a replica of a 19th century Hue residence, is situated in a charming garden and contains various types of trees, plants, and its small lotus aquarium offers such a special ambient atmosphere when you walk in. It’s a complex of adjoining rooms inclusive of bedrooms, living quarters, and one particular room dedicated to ancestral worship. Right here you could take the Hue Cuisine cooking class under the house owner’s instruction who is also a talented chef. Lunch is served with the dishes you’ve just participated to prepare and cook. After lunch time, go to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Pick up by your local guide at airport and go to your hotel in the city for overnight.
Depart from your hotel, it takes only two hours pleasant drive to Ben Tre Province. On arrival in Hung Vuong Pier, hop on a motorized boat on Ben Tre River – one of tributaries of Mekong River while sight-seeing lively activities along river as fishing, water transferring. Our first stop is at brick kiln to see how to make bricks traditionally by printing and baking. Continue to visit one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along canal. Return to the boat and go through naturalscissors creeks to a village and see some local houses making sleeping mats and enjoying some fruits. Take a motorized cart (tuk tuk) or bicycle on shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on real life and find out about tropical culture from peasants. Have lunch at local a riverside restaurant. After lunch, we take a rowing-boat along beautiful water palm creek before meeting up the motorized boat and transfer you back to the pier for your transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City for overnight.
Explore Saigon from Cho Lon District which is also known as “China Town” Visit the Chinese pagoda Thien Hau, and Binh Tay Market, and then return to the visit Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Centre Old Post Office in colonial architecture. Go back your hotel for freshen up.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
You will be free today until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for departure flight.
Traveling around Vietnam for 10 days & 9 nights was a truly amazing Vietnam is a country full of surprises and natural beauty. Our well-organized tour, led by an informative and accommodating guide, took us on a journey through diverse landscapes, from majestic mountains to stunning beaches. The locals were hospitable and the cuisine was superb. I highly recommend this adventure.
Traveling around Vietnam for 10 days & 9 nights was a truly amazing experience. The country’s diverse landscapes, from picturesque nature to lively cities, offered endless opportunities to explore. The local cuisine was delightful, and the locals were warm and hospitable. I highly recommend this adventure to all thrill-seekers.
Traveling from north to south in Vietnam was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Discovering the country’s deep cultural roots and history was enthralling, with bustling cities and peaceful countryside both offering unique experiences. The cuisine was a highlight, and the locals’ warm hospitality made the trip even more special. I highly recommend Vietnam as a travel destination.”
