Vietnam
8 Nights / 9 Days
19April -27 April
Host: Shahana Khan Khalil
Trip Overview
Welcome to an unforgettable journey through Vietnam, where ancient traditions meet vibrant city life! This carefully curated itinerary takes you from the bustling streets of Hanoi to the serene beauty of Halong Bay, the charming town of Hoi An, and the dynamic energy of Saigon. Each day is filled with rich cultural experiences, stunning landscapes, and opportunities to immerse yourself in the local way of life. Get ready for a remarkable adventure!
Trip Activities:
Full-day exploration of Hanoi
Halong Bay Cruise 1 Night 2 Days
Tai Chi Lesson
Hoi An Day Tour
Visit Le Jardin D'Amour Flower Garden and Ba Na Hills: (Old French Villas and the iconic Golden Bridge)
Saigon's Historic Landmarks Tour
Mekong River Delta Sampan Boat Ride
Visit to Cocoa Plantation & Vietnamese Chocolate Factory
Trip Inclusions
Airport Transfers: 2 Arrivals, 2 Departures between 8am- 5 pm
Accommodation in 4*+ hotels in shared rooms
All City Transfers including 2 domestic flights:
Hanoi - Da Nang
Da Nang - Saigon
Local English-speaking experienced guide
8 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 1 Dinner
Trip Exclusions
International Flights
Food & drinks (except as noted)
Visas and travel insurance
Airport Transfers outside of specified date/times
Single room upgrade
Any other activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Early check-in/ late checkouts
Tips & Gratuity
Itinerary
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Private Transfer to Hotel
Upon your arrival at Noi Bai Airport, look for your guide holding a signboard with your name. After checking in you get to relax for the day to recover from your long flightMeals: None
Accommodation: Hanoi Le Jardin Hotel & Spa or similar
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Cultural Highlights of Hanoi
After breakfast, we embark on a full-day exploration of Hanoi, with a welcome lunch along the way.Our tour begins with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and hear about the man who led Vietnam’s campaign for independence from French colonial rule. Then wander the grounds to see the one pillar pagoda and the presidential palace. Next, visit the 11th century relic, the Temple of Literature, which was built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius. In the afternoon we head towards the Museum of Ethnology that is widely acknowledged as the best in the country, with an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority people. Take a breezy cyclo ride ( Passenger operated carriages) through the Old Quarter’s 36 streets, named for the products that were sold from their shops. Today, vendors on Tin and Bamboo Streets still sell the same wares. Next, is the Ngoc Son temple set on a tiny island on the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake and how it got its name from a legend of an emperor, a magic sword and a giant turtle! End your day with a delightful water puppet show, a traditional art that is still being performed today.
Meals: Breakfast, Welcome Lunch
Accommodation: Hanoi Le Jardin Hotel & Spa or similar
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Cruising Halong Bay - Ha Lang Bay
After breakfast, we will have a private transfer pick us up at our hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. Enjoy the landscape of the Red River Delta on the way to Ha Long Bay.Upon arrival at - Tuan Chau Marina – have check-in procedures at the waiting lounge. While we wait, we will enjoy a special tea at the lounge with a warm welcome and then transfer to our Cruise by a speed boat.
Welcome aboard! we'll have some welcome drinks and gather at the restaurant for a cruise briefing and some safety instructions.
Passengers will be taking lunch while we cruise and visit Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay - one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature
We progress to Dark and Bright Caves - a must-visit destination! Kayaking through these caves is the ultimate way to experience the breathtaking beauty of Ha Long Bay up close.
Our cruise anchors for an overnight stay in Tra Bau, Lan Ha Bay, offering a serene landscape to immerse yourself in the bay's natural beauty.
Onboard you may join a cooking demonstration and enjoy the Happy Hour at the bar while watching the view of the bay at sunset.
Savor a fusion dinner made with the freshest ingredients in a sophisticated space with elegant French neoclassical style and traditional oriental touches.
It's time to admire the beauty of the night on the bay, our bar on the sundeck, and the restaurant welcomes you. You may want to try your luck with squid fishing or watch a movie in the restaurant, we also have chess and cards for you.
Overnight on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation: Orchid Classic Cruise or similar
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Morning in Halong Bay and Transfer to Hoi An
It is a perfect time to refresh and indulge yourself in the peaceful beauty of the bay with a tai chi session on the sundeck at dawn.
We will have breakfast at the restaurant while continuing the cruise.
We progress to Trung Trang cave by our bus on Cat Ba Island which is located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park with Kim Giao forest around the cave..
After our tour our cruise welcomes us back on board and it is time to enjoy a delightful brunch at our restaurant.
After disembarking our cruise at Tuan Chau Marina, we head back to our drop-off point in Hanoi, where we meet our representative and transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang.
Upon arrival in Danang, our guide will transfer us to our hotel in Hoi An. After refreshing, we will enjoy some free time to explore Hoi An's Old Town.
Meals: Breakfast and brunch on board
Flight - Hanoi to Da Nang (VNA) One-way Economy
Accommodation: Shining Riverside Hoi An Boutique & Spa or similar
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Hoi An Exploration Day
We will enjoy a tour discovering the rich history of Hoi An Ancient Town, known as ‘Faifo’, a former 16th to 18th-century trading port that hosted merchants from China, the Netherlands, France, Japan, Portugal, and Arabia. Wander through the charming streets adorned with honey-yellow buildings, revealing exquisite ancient architecture influenced by Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese cultures. Begin your journey at Chua Ong Pagoda, a Chinese-inspired marvel from 1653. Continue to Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Jinshang Temple, Tan Ky House, and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge. Pause at Reaching Out Tea House for a revitalizing cup before enjoying lunch and a cooking demonstration. Venture to Cam Thanh Village, meet a local family, and experience bamboo basket boat rides in a water coconut forest. Cruise along the Thu Bon River, savoring picturesque views, and conclude your day with a rooftop bar cocktail. Immerse yourself in the rich history, diverse culture, and natural beauty of Hoi An.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Shining Riverside Hoi An Boutique & Spa or similar
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Discover Ba Na Hill with Golden Bridge Tour
Explore the hidden beauty of Vietnam in this day-long tour of the majestic Ba Na Hills. Begin today with an exciting cable car ride to the top of the mist-covered summit. Take in the magnificent Linh Ung Pagoda and the Giant Buddha statue before heading to the elegant and colourful flower garden at the Le Jardin D'Amour. Here, take time to absorb the vibrant wildlife on display and take colourful pictures to impress friends back home. Next, take to the stunning, 150-metre long Golden Bridge, held up by giant moss-covered hands and marvel at the breath-taking views provided by the hills. Once colonised by the French, the area boasts an intriguing mixture of European and Vietnamese heritage. Visit an old French village and marvel at the juxtaposition of ancient French life in the middle of the distinctively Vietnamese mountains. Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch before spending the afternoon at leisure. Choose to explore the fantasy park with over 100 games for children and adults alike or to simply wander amongst the stunning surroundings. After a day of adventure and sightseeing, head back to the hotel for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Later, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a convenient, hassle-free transfer to our accommodation.Meals: Breakfast
Flight - Da Nang to Saigon (VNA) One-Way Economy
Accommodation: Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel or similar
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City Highlights Tour
Embark on a captivating journey to explore Saigon's historic landmarks as our guide escorts us from the hotel to Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, a gem among Saigon's pagodas. Marvel at its traditional Vietnamese architecture adorned with intricate wood carvings, housing a colossal Buddha statue and a sanctuary dedicated to Mother Goddesses. Explore the poignant War Remnants Museum, revealing the harsh realities of wartime. The enchanting tour continues with visits to the historic Reunification Palace, Central Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel, and the Saigon Opera House, offering a glimpse into Vietnam's rich history amid architectural wondersMeals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel or similar
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Mekong Delta - Cai Be
After breakfast we begin a delightful journey from Ho Chi Minh City to the enchanting delta town of Cai Be, renowned for its picturesque floating communities. Glide along the river on a boat, passing a charming array of river vessels where locals balance fishing and selling their goods. Explore cottage workshops crafting pop rice and coconut candy, marvel at the architecture of an old house, and cycle to a family weaving intricate hyacinth product. Experience the Mekong's beauty in a rowing sampan before relishing a late lunch in a local house. Be treated to a demonstration of making banh xeo, a Vietnamese savoury pancake, followed by a delicious farewell lunch with local delicacies. We conclude the tour with a tranquil boat ride back to Cai Be and return to Ho Chi Minh City. En route, visit a home factory to understand the art of making Vietnamese chocolate. Explore the cocoa plantation and witness the bean-to-bar process before indulging in a cup of rich hot cocoa.
Meals: Breakfast & Farewell Lunch
Accommodation: Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel or similar
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Farewell to Vietnam
After breakfast, it’s time to depart from Saigon airport. Safe travels and cherish the memories made during your adventure!Meals included: Breakfast
Meet your host
Shahana Khan Khalil
Shahana is a Pakistani American multi-hyphenate Creative who has worked onstage and on either side of the camera. As a digital content creator and writer, her content consists of existential themes ranging from feminism, human stories to the quirky and comedic. Her production credits include Coke Studio Seasons 6 and 12 as International Production Manager and Head of Editorial as well as working on the New York Emmy nominated Live From The Artists Den producing episodes for John Legend, OneRepublic and The Lumineers. With her career in the Entertainment Industry spanning over a decade, she has worked in various production capacities in countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, Serbia, Italy, South Africa, Thailand, Kazakhstan and the United States