Vietnam - A country of many returns - 12 Days - VFA02

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be welcomed by our guide and brought to your hotel. Hanoi is one of Asia's most charming cities, with romantic tree-lined boulevards and colonial houses. The rest of the day is free for your own exploration and shopping.

In the morning, you can surprise your children with an excursion to Bat Trang ceramic village, situated 13km from Hanoi. Nestled on the bank of Red River, Bat Trang is known as the ceramic and pottery centre of Vietnam. Here you can have fun making your own products and letting your children get creative. You will the ride on electric car to visit the village and stop at one of the home factories for some shopping and more pottery practice. 
Back in Hanoi you will head to the Temple of Literature, built in 1076 and dedicated to Confucius, it served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam founded in 1076. This is the perfect hideaway from the bustling city. The temple and its beautiful garden provide an opportunity to relax in this tranquility and learn more about education in Vietnam 1000 years ago. Enjoy a water puppet show in the evening. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, you will depart to Halong Bay, passing beautiful scenery along the way full of lush rice paddies and winding rivers, typical for the Red River Delta. Arrive at Halong tourist wharf around noon and embark a wooden junk. Lunch will be served as the boat gently cruises past numerous islands and limestone structures rising from the emerald water of the bay. This is an ideal opportunity to enjoy the sea breeze and refresh your soul. A fresh seafood dinner will be prepared by an experienced chef.  A peaceful night on board in your private cabin.

Enjoy breakfast while savoring a magnificent sunrise as the boat cruises to visit Luon Cave, Halong’S floating fishing village before returning to the harbor where your car is waiting to drive you to Hanoi’s airport for your flight to Hue. Overnight in Hue.

In the morning, you will visit Hue Imperial City, the remaining vestige of Hue Citadel, including : Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh). You then take a boat trip on the poetic Perfume River. Stop to visit Thien Mu Pagoda also knows as ”Heavenly Lady Pagoda” built in 1601, the symbol of Hue. Continue your cruise toward Thuy Bieu eco-village, an old laid back village situated on the bank of the Perfume River known for its green tea fruit orchards. Lunch in the village. The afternoon is reserved for cycling through the peaceful village and visiting several communal houses, ancient temples and most importantly the garden-house, a typical and unique feature of Hue. After this full day of sightseeing, your feet will be refreshed in a bath of medicinal herb water followed by an excellent blind massage. Back to the hotel for the night.

Morning drive on the Mandarin road, a scenic journey from Hue to Hoi An, which allows you to see a picturesque Vietnam with stunning beaches and lush tropical forest. Take some photos en route before visiting the Museum of Cham Sculptures, with many precious antique artifacts of the former Cham Kingdom on display. We then continue our drive to Hoi An’s ancient town, once an important international trading port and now a charming riverside town. Hoi An features a fantastic combination of Chinese, Dutch, Japanese and Portuguese culture. Explores each, when visiting the Japanese Pagoda Bridge, Chinese streets, old Phung Hung houses, Hoi An’s market and ancient port. On the 1st and 15th of every lunar month, Hoi An’s ancient town is lit up by hundreds of colorful lanterns, giving it an extra portion of sparkle. Enjoy the city’s transformation and stroll through this quaint, glowing fairytale town in your free time. Overnight at hotel.

In the morning you will be taken to Danang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City formerly known as Saigon or “Pear of the Far East”. The whole day will be spent exploring this vibrant city situated on the banks of Saigon River, famous for its wide boulevards and historic French colonial buildings. Visit all must-see attractions, including: Ton Duc Thang and Nguyen Hue Avenue, Reunification Palace (President Palace), the Notre Dame Cathedral built in 1877 and the Central Post Office. The tour ends with a bit of shopping at Ben Thanh Market, the busiest business centre in Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.

Leaving the bustling city of Saigon behind, you depart to the Mekong Delta considered Vietnam’s biggest rice basket. Arrive at Hung Vuong pier in Ben Tre and embark your boat to cruise along Bến Tre River, a tributary of the great Mekong, to explore the local lifestyle and the daily hustle and bustle. Stop at the brickfield belonging to Mr. Tu Lo to see how bricks are made by hand in Vietnam and a coconut candy home factory located along the canal to witness the process of making this local candy and other souvenirs. You will then have the opportunity to taste bee honey tea at a local honey farm and a variety of tropical fruit that grow amply in the orchards of the Mekong Delta. You can walk or cycle through the coconut groves and green rice paddies to soak up and relax in the tranquil countryside atmosphere. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon you will take a trip on small rowing boats through a maze of waterways lined by two rows of palm tree. Cruise back to the pier and disembark. Return to Saigon for the night.

In the morning drive to Mui Ne, where you can unwind on soft white sand beaches considered amongst the best in Vietnam. Explore quaint fishing villages and have fun sliding down red sand dunes. Overnight at the hotel.

Free time to relax and play on the beach. Explore Mui Ne’s vibrant lifestyle on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, we will take you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your departure flight. Asiatica Travel’s service ends here.