A Private Vietnam Tour – Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue, Halong Bay, Hanoi, Ninh Binh

Day 1 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
Upon arrival in HCM City, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City (Cu Chi Tunnels & Saigon)
This morning, travel out of the city to ¬the Cu Chi Tunnels. This underground network was dug in 1948 for the guerrillas to hide from French air and ground sweeps. It also served as communication routes and food and weapon caches as well as hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the Vietnam war. The tunnel system was improved and expanded to create an underground city of meeting areas, storerooms, living quarters and much more. The tunnels allowed the Viet Cong to control a vital area of South Vietnam and at their height, extended for more than 200KM in length and stretched from what was then Saigon to the Cambodian border that remained totally undetected until after the war! Here, You’ll have the option to go below the surface and visit sections of the tunnels first hand. The more adventurous may go deeper and your guide will be on hand to give guidance on the degree of expected difficulty. There is plenty of interest above ground as well and it is recommended to bring good footwear, sunscreen and a hat. Please note you may get a little dusty if you decide to go underground.

Return to city for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we’ll visit some of the highlights of the city starting with the former Presidential Palace. This landmark gained its place in history as the first North Vietnamese tanks passed by, signifying the end of the Vietnam War. Take a walk along Book Street, passing by the Notre Dame Cathedral (outside only) and the colonial-era Post Office, featuring classic Gothic, Renaissance, and French colonial designs. Next, drive to the Fine Arts Museum boasts a beautiful collection of ancient and modern art and sculptures. Stop by the colorful Ben Thanh market for some street food sampling and souvenir hunting before heading back to your hotel. Balance of the afternoon at leisure to relax and explore the vibrant surrounding area. (B,L)

Day 3 Ho Chi Minh City (Upper Mekong Delta)
Travel south to the Upper Mekong Delta, a rich fertile region of farmland interlaced with countless waterways crisscrossed by low-lying rice paddies. Today you will explore one of the country’s most enchanting landscapes traveling by car, bicycle, motorized boat and a hand rowed sampan into the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam. A 2-hour scenic drive takes you to Ben Tre’s lush countryside of tranquil rivers and warm friendly people. We’ll hop on a bike for a leisurely 5-7km ride (otherwise motor-tricycle) through quiet village lanes surrounded by vegetable gardens, coconut trees and rivers. You might want to challenge yourself to cross over the monkey bridge, which is a handmade bamboo walkway built across canals and gullies. Ride further to the village communal house originally built in the 19th century where the farmers usually come to pray for their wishes. Wind your way to the only standing brick kiln factory in the area where the baking methods have not changed for centuries. As Ben Tre owns the largest coconut-growing area in the country, you’ll see how products are made from virtually every part of the fruit. Get on a motorized boat for a cruise along the main river for an insight into agriculture-river life; then on a motor-tricycle ride to a rustic local restaurant for lunch featuring Mekong Delta specialties (such as elephant-ear fish and river shrimp). Later, enjoy a tranquil ride on a sampan through picturesque canals amid shady water coconut groves. Return to the city by car in the late afternoon. (B,L)

Day 4 HCM City/ Nha Trang
Fly to Nha Trang . Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your resort. Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure. (B)

Day 5 Nha Trang
Today, enjoy a day at leisure enjoy the beach, considered one of the finest in all of Vietnam. Optional tours (Nha Trang City, boat tours, etc.) are available upon request. (B)

Day 6 Nha Trang / Hoi An
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival, transfer by car to Hoi An.  Designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town and one of Southeast Asia’s major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Today, Hoi An retains its historical charm with beautifully preserved old merchant houses, local temples and lively markets. Here, we enjoy a walking tour of around town immersing in its rich history, vibrant markets, and iconic lantern-lit streets lined with  quaint restaurants, art galleries and colorful shops. Take a short boat ride along the Thu Bon River to relax and enjoy views of beautiful Hoi An from the river before heading to your resort. (B)

Day 7 Hoi An
This morning, enjoy a culturally-inspiring tour of Hoi An’s beautiful countryside and a chance to observe rural Vietnamese life. We’ll start with a leisurely bicycle ride along the banks of Thu Bon River passing lush paddies and waterways fringed with water coconut palms. Visit several local craft villages that specializes in everything from shipbuilding to furniture-making to mat weaving with be plenty of opportunities to stop and interact with the local communities, observe local farming methods, learn about their craft-making techniques, even try to make your own rice noodle and bamboo basket boats. Return to your resort and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 8 Hoi An / Hue
This morning, journey north by car for Hue along steep mountainous roads with spectacular views of the coastline, crossing the dramatic HAI VAN PASS, the high dividing line between the climate zones of north and south Vietnam. Upon arrival in Hue, take a boat ride on Perfume River and a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda. Set on the banks of the river, this iconic pagoda consists of seven stories and is the tallest religious building in Vietnam.

Afterwards, enjoy a food tour around Hue famed for its unique cuisine different from those in the rest of Vietnam. Your culinary adventure begins with welcome drink and light finger food at a local bar where you’ll be given an introduction about Hue cuisine. Continue to vegetarian restaurant, where you can see Buddhist traditions imprinted in Hue’s food art. We’ll then take a slow ride on a cyclo farther and farther away from the tourist quarter. Then suddenly street food stalls appear where a variety of delicious local eats will tempt just about any palate. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to try some local snacks and small dishes along with some desserts before ending the evening. Overnight in Hue. (B,D)

Day 9 Hue / Hanoi 
This morning, visit the Imperial Citadel. Built between 1804 and 1833, this heavily fortified structure is still very much the centerpiece of modern-day Hue and despite a conquered history, the fortress remains superbly intact. Visit Long An Palace, situated outside the citadel walls, this area of the Imperial Citadel was only reopened to the public in 2012 after four years of extensive renovation and now serves as the Royal Fine Arts Museum. Inside this exquisite museum are several thousand antiquities including porcelain, silverware and paintings, many of which belonged to the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Afternoon flight to Hanoi. Check-in at your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure to relax or explore the surrounding area around your hotel. (B)

Day 10 Hanoi
Today’s tour hits the highlights of the Vietnamese capital. A city of lakes, parks and colonial mansions, Hanoi retains much of its historical charm and, with an eclectic mix of Asian tempo and French refinement, tantalizing foods and a great place to observe typical Vietnamese life. We’ll visit the 11th century Temple of Literature Vietnam’s first university; One Pillar Pagoda, an iconic Buddhist temple known for its unique architectural design featuring a single pillar rising from a lotus pond; Visit Hoa Lo Prison (a.k.a. ‘Hanoi Hilton’), where the late John McCain spent 5 years in captivity during the Vietnam War, followed by a cyclo (rickshaw) ride through the city’s Old Quarter that boats a labyrinth of quaint streets and alleyways lined with shops of all trades. Afterwards, enjoy a simple lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien, a local hole-in-the-wall joint made famous by President Obama and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain’s dinner outing in 2016. 

This evening, enjoy a night foodies tour for which Hanoi is known. We’ll start with a walk through the maze of bustling streets of the city’s famed Old Quarter. Join the locals and pull up a plastic stool at a pavement stall to try Vietnamese snacks starting with famed Hanoi dish Banh Cuon, followed by two barbeque stalls featuring meat, vegetable, and bread specialties grilled over hot coals.  Then, it’s time for dessert. Venture down a small alley try a cup of fresh fruit smothered with crushed iced and condensed milk. Continue on to one of Hanoi’s best kept secrets, a hidden café with stunning views over the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, for a cup of coffee (or a beer) overlooking the city. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,D)

Day 11 Hanoi / Halong Bay 
Morning transfer by road to Halong Bay (approx. 2.5 hours) for an unforgettable cruise around Halong Bay. Visit Dark and Bright Caves, the ideal place for you to get up and close to Ha Long Bay by bamboo boat or kayak, before continuing to Lan Ha Bay* where you can jump into the bay for a refreshing dip. Lunch and dinner are served on board. (B,L,D)

*Lan Ha Bay is featured by Premium Orchid Cruise

Day 12 Halong / Hanoi
For the early risers, join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck while tea, coffee and assorted pastries are served. Afterwards, enjoy kayaking activities followed by brunch on board before disembarking your cruise at around 11:30am. Return to Hanoi and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to relax and further explore the city on your own. (B)

Day 13 Hanoi / Home
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. (B)

****END OF PROGRAM****

• Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
• Prices include all entrance fees, domestic air taxes, hotels taxes & service charges
• Price excludes transpacific air (i.e. flights to/from Vietnam), personal expenses, beverages and gratuities to guides and drivers.
• Holiday surcharges and/or compulsory gala dinners at hotels apply between Dec. 20 – Jan. 05
• A visas is required for Vietnam. Not included in package.
• All flights, hotels and land services are subject to availability at time of reservation