Tastes of Vietnam

* Hanoi Street Food Tour: Enjoy Bia Hoi, bun thang, banh goi, baguettes, and egg coffee.
* Hanoi Historical Sightseeing: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, Temple of Literature, Ngoc Son Temple, and Hoan Kiem Lake.
* Ha Long Bay Cruise: Enjoy a lavish seafood meal, swimming, kayaking, cave visits, cooking demonstration, sundowner cocktails, and Tai Chi session.
* Ho Chi Minh City Tour: Visit the History Museum, Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Chinatown, Binh Tay wholesale market, and Thien Hau Temple.
* Cu Chi Tunnels Tour: Explore the underground tunnels, learn about their history, and crawl through a short section.
* Ben Thanh Market Shopping: Enjoy last-minute shopping before departing Vietnam.
* Puppet Show: Experience a unique Vietnamese traditional art form.
* Water Puppet Show: Experience a unique Vietnamese traditional art form.
* Cyclo Ride: Take a traditional cyclo ride through the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
* Cooking Class: Learn how to prepare delicious Vietnamese dishes.
* Relaxation: Enjoy time on the beach or by the pool.
* Hiking: Explore the Sapa Valley and other scenic areas.
* Cultural Experiences: Visit temples, markets, and other cultural attractions.

* Return Economy class international flights
* Domestic Economy flights between Hanoi and Ho Chih Minh
* Tours and transfers with licenced English-speaking guiding services / assistance.
* Accommodation in sharing twin / double.
* Transportation for tour and transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, unless otherwise stated.
* All entrance fees for visits as mentioned in the program.
* Meals as mentioned in the program.
* All applicable taxes and service charges.
* Package 2D1N on sharing cruise in Ha Long Bay
* Refill bottle and water during tour

* Voluntary Carbon Offset Compensation: USD1.50 per person per day.
* Personal expenses such as other meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours/visits, unless otherwise stated.
* Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
* Any domestic / international airline tickets, airport taxes, visa fees, specific camera / video fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general pick-up / drop-off regions (such as airports, out-of-town resorts, sports, harbours, and accommodation in surrounding towns)
* Any accommodation expenses of a personal nature. This includes (compulsory festive) meals and drinks, mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the program.
* International travel and medical insurance coverage for customers.
* Visa fee

Welcome on arrival at Noi Bai International Airport. Welcome and transfer to downtown. Check in time approx. from 2pm

Enjoy the street food tour in Hanoi from 4pm till approx. 8 pm Our street food starts with a cold refreshing glass of Bia Hoi, a popular draft beer, accompanied by a snack of salty roasted peanuts in Ta Hien Street, which is known as the ‘International Crossroads’. Next we browse some hidden alleys to get a bowl of noodle soup which is locally known as bun thang. The noodle shop we eat in is nestled on the upper floor of an old house in Cau Go Street. This ‘warm-up’ will replenish your energy for the stroll to Hoan Kiem Lake and Saint Joseph’s Cathedral. Only a few steps away, we find a seat at Quan Goc Da to enjoy banh goi (pillow shaped crispy dumplings) and the delicately made fish sauce will make it taste even better. We then head through the Old Quarter to try baguettes packed with fresh ingredients, including pate, followed by o mai (salted or sugared dried fruits). This gastronomic tour ends in Hanoi’s oldest cafe with a cup of egg coffee

ACCOMMODATION: Flower Garden or similar
MEALS: Dinner

Breakfast at hotel.

Our full-day exploration of Hanoi starts at the famed Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, followed by the former president’s stilt house where Uncle Ho lived from 1958 to 1969. Next is the iconic One Pillar Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. After lunch at a local restaurant, we head to the Temple of Literature and enjoy a cyclo ride, followed by a visit to Ngoc Son Temple and picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. We then enjoy a famous water puppet show performance. This is a unique Vietnamese traditional art form that takes its origins from rural festivals in Vietnam, and it is performed by the puppeteers in water.

ACCOMMODATION: Flower Garden or similar
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at hotel.

Drive to iconic Ha Long Bay.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to thousands of dramatic limestone karsts that jut out of the ocean.

We board the boat and set off on our unforgettable exploration of this fascinating natural phenomenon. Unlike Camille and Jean-Baptiste in the famous movie Indochine, we enjoy a lavish seafood meal and take part in a variety of activities, including swimming and kayaking among the ancient rock formations and visiting caves that date back millions of years.

In the late afternoon, we can kick back and relax on the sun deck, soak up the sublime surroundings, enjoy a sundowner cocktail during happy hour and learn how to cook like a local with a cooking demonstration.

Dinner and overnight on boat.

Please note: There are many boat companies offering cruises on Halong bay. The comfort level and itinerary may slightly differ.

ACCOMMODATION: Indochina Sails Premium or similar
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early-risers can wake at dawn to enjoy sunrise and a Tai Chi session on the sundeck as we set sail for our return journey through Halong Bay. A hearty brunch is enjoyed on the boat as we pass by more of the bay’s intriguing rock formations and dramatic limestone islets that have been created during millions of years of weather conditions and strong waves.

There is a range of activities for you to enjoy, including fishing and informative talks from the crew about the sites we sail by. Alternatively, kick back on the deck and soak up the seascapes.

We arrive at the pier by late morning and disembark to drive back to Hanoi (about 2.5 hours). Drop off at the airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh. Arrival in Ho Chi Minh, Pick up and transfer to hotel for check in.

ACCOMMODATION: Bay Hotel or similar
MEALS: Breakfast

Breakfast at hotel.

Get to know Ho Chi Minh City with a tour that introduces you to the sights and sounds of this exciting metropolis. This full-day excursion takes in the main attractions. First stop is the History Museum (closed on Mondays). Built in 1929, this notable Sino-French Museum houses a rewarding collection of artefacts illustrating the evolution of the cultures of Vietnam, from the Bronze Age to the Cham, Khmer, and Vietnamese eras.

Next is the Reunification Palace, which is also known as the Independence Palace. This sits on the site of the former Norodom Palace, and it was the home of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Our exploration continues to the War Remnants Museum which contains exhibits from the Vietnam War and the first Indochina War involving French colonialists. We then take a quick photo stop at the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral and the colonial Central Post Office.

We visit Chinatown, the colourful Binh Tay wholesale market and Thien Hau Temple.

ACCOMMODATION: Bay Hotel or similar
MEALS: Breakfast

Breakfast at hotel.

This tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels takes us back in time to an era of past conflict but what is now an area of peace and tranquillity. The vast network of underground tunnels is testament to the resilience of the people. Above ground you will see picturesque rice fields, fertile crop plantations and sprawling countryside, but underground lies a labyrinth containing living quarters, storage rooms, weapon factories and field hospitals. They date back to 1948 during the fight against French occupation in the First Indochina War, but by the time the Vietnam War escalated in the 1960s, a 250 km warren spanned from Saigon to the border with Cambodia.

Upon arrival and after a short introduction, you will have a chance to crawl into a short section of the tunnels to feel the oppressive narrowness and heat inside. Documentaries and displays of traps will give you a vivid idea of life and struggle in this extraordinary subterranean world.

Drive back to Ho Chi Minh and drop off at Ben Thanh market for shopping.

Breakfast at hotel.

This tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels takes us back in time to an era of past conflict but what is now an area of peace and tranquillity. The vast network of underground tunnels is testament to the resilience of the people. Above ground you will see picturesque rice fields, fertile crop plantations and sprawling countryside, but underground lies a labyrinth containing living quarters, storage rooms, weapon factories and field hospitals. They date back to 1948 during the fight against French occupation in the First Indochina War, but by the time the Vietnam War escalated in the 1960s, a 250 km warren spanned from Saigon to the border with Cambodia.

Upon arrival and after a short introduction, you will have a chance to crawl into a short section of the tunnels to feel the oppressive narrowness and heat inside. Documentaries and displays of traps will give you a vivid idea of life and struggle in this extraordinary subterranean world.

Drive back to Ho Chi Minh and drop off at Ben Thanh market for shopping.

ACCOMMODATION: Bay Hotel or similar
MEALS: Breakfast

Breakfast at hotel.

Day is at leisure until you transfer, to the airport for departure flight.

MEALS: Breakfast