Xin chao! When you arrive in Hanoi, your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring Vietnam's capital city. Set in the north of the country on the banks of the Red River, there is plenty to discover and do. You'll see the most popular attractions on a guided tour tomorrow, Of course, feel free to wander around the lively streets on your own. Try Hanoi foodies’ recipes on street stalls nearby Hoan Kiem lake, take some fruit juice on colorful pub in Ta Hien street, Ma May street…
Highlights Hanoi City (B/L)
8:00: After having Breakfast at your hotel, a few minutes waiting in the hotel’s lobby, We pick you up to visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum – the final resting place of the beloved national hero, Uncle Ho – and President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house where he lived off and on from 1958 to 1969. You’ll also the Ho Chi Minh Museum where you can learn about this remarkable man and what he did for Vietnam and the world.
9.30: You’ll visit the One Pillar Pagoda, which is actually a group of structures that collectively make up a pagoda built over the water in the middle of a square lake. After that, you’ll have a chance to explore the Tran Quoc Pagoda on the shore of west lake. From there, it’s onto the Temple of literature, which was Vietnam’s first university and is dedicated to Confucius.
12.30: You have lunch at a restaurant in the Old Quarter. Afterwards, you’ll visit Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart and soul of Hanoi.
Finally, you’ ll stop in at MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY. This superb museum showcases the depth of Vietnamese cultural diversity with an astounding collection of 15,000 artifacts gathered from throughout Vietnam. Maps, displays and dioramas are labelled in Vietnamese, French and English. Displays portray a typical village market, the making of comical hats and a Tay shamanic ceremony; videos show the real thing. You can also check out a traditional Black Thai house reconstructed in the museum. There's also a center for research and conservation where scientists from all over the world study traditional Vietnamese cultures
Hanoi - Mai Chau - Pù Luông (B/L)
Today you'll leave Hanoi in the morning and drive west with your guide to the rural Mai Chau region, about four hours away. Mai Chau is known for its lush green valleys and is home to several ethnic Thai villages. You'll make your way to the Thai village of Pom Coong, where you'll meet some of the locals and enjoy a delicious lunch. Then take a short drive to the trailhead for your hike through the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. This three-hour intermediate-level trek covers just over 5.5 miles (9 km) and includes some uphill climbs. Along the way, you'll be treated to spectacular views of villages and terraced rice paddies. You'll arrive at your Thai stilt house homestay in the late afternoon, and have time to relax before eating a traditional dinner with your host family.
Wake up early for breakfast and then spend the morning exploring the Thai village. You'll meet some of your neighbors and learn about their lifestyle and culture. Go for an easy hike along the rice paddies, if time permits, before lunch. Then return to Hanoi, arriving in the late afternoon. You'll have the rest of the evening at leisure, so head to the Old Quarter to explore the night market, and grab a drink and some street food at lively Bia Hoi Junction.
Hanoi - Halong Bay - Lan Ha Bay on the Luxury Cruise (B/L/D)
08:00 – 08:45: Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. Start 3 hours Express Way journey on shuttle limousine bus
12:30 - 13:00: Welcome to Halong Bay Cruise. You will be given a short briefing about your cruise while sipping your welcome drink in the restaurant.
13:00 - 13:15: Enjoy a typical lunch in the luxury dining room while Halong Cruise slowly glides between the numerous small islands
15:00: anchor for swimming or just simply sunbathe on our cruise (private, wild and fresh air). Also, you can kayak under our tour guide’s instructions to explore many beautiful spots.
16:30: Come back to Cruise
17:30: Summit on the sundeck for watching the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of
Tonkin, you are invited to Sunset party (we serve you local snacks and fresh fruits) and do not miss the special offer “Happy hours - buy 2 get 1 for free” (from 17:30 to 19:00).
18:00: You take part in a cooking demonstration. We will guide you how to make the traditional Vietnamese dish - deep fried spring rolls.
19:15: The delicious dinner is served with a fresh food set menu.
21:00: After dinner, reward yourself with a large selection of cocktails at a panoramic bar or go down to the entrance of the cruise for the squid fishing (We open the light and prepare the squid fishing rods).
05:30 - 06:00: Wake up early for the sunrise (depends on the season and the weather)
Enjoy Tai Chi session on the sundeck (If it is not raining). Tai Chi helps focus the mind and
condition the body.
06:30: Light breakfast is served in the dining room with the morning view of the bay's
landscape.
07:30: Traditional bamboo sampan or kayaking activities in the Light cave area - a perfect
destination for the adventurous visitor who would love to row or kayak on calm water surface
while enjoying the cave’s impressive stonewalls.
08:30: Come back to Cruise and pack your luggage.
09:15: Check-out, settle your bills and return the room keys at the reception area
09:30: Delicious brunch is served with a set menu.
10:45: After disembarking from Cruise, you will be transferred by tender to Tuan Chau
Marina
11:30: Return to Hanoi by comfortable shuttle bus
15:00 - 15:30: Arrive Hanoi city around 15.00 – 15.30. Services end.
WIFI ONBOARD: Wi-Fi is available on board the Cruise
You'll have the morning to yourself before you make your way to the airport in the afternoon. Fly to Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam. Your guide will meet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel for the night. Formerly known as Saigon, the modern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City is buzzing with energy and offers an intoxicating blend of the old world and the new.
Ho Chi Minh City Tour(B/L)
This morning you'll go on a half-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City's highlights with an expert local guide. Visit the bustling Cho Lon Market, discover a hidden Chinese pagoda, and marvel at the Notre Dame Cathedral built by French colonists. You'll see the historic Central Post Office and City Hall, too. Spend the afternoon exploring on your own. Stroll along the upscale shopping drag at Dong Khoi Street, sample rich Vietnamese coffee in one of the many cafés, or if you're interested in Vietnam War history, visit the War Remnants Museum or the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Ho Chi Minh City Departure(B)
On your last day in Vietnam 9 Day Adventure, enjoy breakfast at your hotel and possibly some shopping, if you have time. Then make your way to the airport for your onward flight.