10 days 9 nights classic Vietnam tour from South to North

10 days 9 nights classic Vietnam tour from South to North

Just as the name implies, this tour over time is considered to be of the top of its class. You will have the full spectrum of Vietnam’s wonderful variety, in culture, cuisine, and landscapes. “No two days are the same”, and when it comes to traveling Vietnam, those words could never be truer.

Itinerary

Day 1: HO CHI MINH ARRIVAL

Stop At: Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City
Arriving at Tan Son Nhat airport, we will greet you at airport with ‘Welcome’ sign board, and then you will be transferred to hotel in Ho Chi Minh city. You will have the rest of the day to decompress after a long flight. We encourage you to get out and explore the city surrounding the hotel. There is lots of great food options nearby, and after a nice exotic meal you can find yourself a wonderful $10 massage, or grab a few cold beers from the roadside stalls and watch as people pass you by.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Ho Chi Minh


Day 2: FREE AT LEISURE

Stop At: Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City
(OPTIONAL TOUR WITH SURCHARGE: US$ 28 per person)
MEKONG DELTA FULLDAY TRIP

Over 60 million people depend on the Mekong Delta as their primary source of income or sustenance, and it connect 6 different countries. We will pick you up from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh city and then transfer to My Tho, on a 2.5 hour drive.

On arrival at My Tho, after visiting Vinh Trang pagoda, take a motor boat to enter My Tho city, through Bao Dinh natural canal. Take a leisurely cruise on the Tien River to view the four beautiful islands known as the Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands. Visit the coconut candy mill and take a boat trip along the small canal on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals.

Enjoy lunch at the local restaurant, then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by locals.
Meet at the bus and return to Ho Chi Minh City. This trip provides a fascinating insight into daily life in the Mekong Delta.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city
Duration: 16 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city


Day 3: CU CHI TUNNEL – DA NANG – HOI AN

Stop At: Cu Chi Tunnels, Phu Hiep TL15 Phu Hiep, Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Vietnam
Pick up from your hotel to transfer to the Cu Chi tunnels. The trip to Cu Chi will take approximately one and a half hours by bus. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introductions to followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions during times of war.

Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms, side by side with other facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels, to meet their basic needs.

You will also see and learn about the many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels, for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (food the guerilla fighters ate, during the war) will be served. Then it’s time to pull out the big guns. Buy real bullets from the gift shop and bring them down to the firing range, if you want to try shooting real guns that were used in the American-Vietnamese war. From M-1 to M-16, the classic AK-47 and more (Bullet fee is by your own expense)

Take you pick, but don’t forget to put on the protective ear wear, those guns pack a big boom. Return to Saigon at around 13:00 P.M

Transfer back to hotel. Take a short break until we transfer to you to your flight to Da Nang or night train.
Arrival in Da Nang, you will be transferred to Hoi An. Check in and overnight in Hoi An.
Duration: 16 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 4: HOI AN FARMING & FISHING LIKE LOCALS!

Stop At: Hoi An Ancient Town, Hoi An 560000 Vietnam
Cycle along a beautiful, narrow road to a local fishing village named Cam Thanh. In this village you will stop at a rice paddy field, as well as a fish and shrimp farm… You will also have the chance to traverse the most dangerous bamboo bridges in Vietnam the “monkey bridges”, and visit an ancient cemetery and holy temples.

Join in special farming work with the local farmers by ploughing the field, and even try your luck at riding water buffalo with the farmers. Watch the locals make palm-thatched houses. They will use completely naturally sourced water palm tree materials and bamboo forest materials. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on our planet, reaching growth of up to 1mm every 90 seconds, it’s a perfect renewable building material! Explore the water palm coconut paradise. Join local fishermen by catching fish and purple crabs, with unique fishing nets, and paddle the traditional Bamboo Basket boat. Learn how to make souvenirs with palm leaves.

Have lunch at the local home, learn how to make fresh rice milk and cook traditional Hoi An stuffed pancakes (Banh Xeo). Return to your hotel.
Overnight in Hoi An
Duration: 16 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 5: HOI AN SHOPPING AND BEACH DAY

Stop At: Hoi An Ancient Town, Hoi An 560000 Vietnam
You are free to explore Hoi An ancient town, get some tailored clothes and accessories handmade, or take a bicycle to explore the countryside and head down to the beautiful white sand of An Bang beach. Don’t forget to eat as much as possible too, Hoi An is arguably the best place for food in the nation.
Overnight in Hoi An
Duration: 16 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hoi An

Day 6: HOI AN – FLY TO HANOI

Stop At: Hanoi, Hanoi
You are to do any last minute wandering before we are ready to take you to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Our driver will hold a ‘welcome’ sign board with your name on, then transfer you to the hotel in Hanoi for check in.
Overnight in Hanoi
Duration: 16 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hanoi

Day 7: HALONG BAY - WORLD HERITAGE SITE - OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE

Stop At: Halong Bay, Halong Bay, Quang Ninh Province
With over 1600 islets, countless towering limestone karsts and hidden jungle caves, Vietnam’s “Bay of Descending Dragons” is a must-see destination for every traveller to Southeast Asia. Stay for 1 night in the bay aboard a Halong Bay cruise to experience all that this magical landscape has to offer.

At 8 am, we will fetch you from your hotel, to head to Halong Bay. We will arrive slightly before noon, at the Halong Bay Pier, where you will be transferred to the cruise ship. Once on board the ship, you will be provided a welcome drink, followed by cruise briefing and safety instructions, conducted by the host of the boat. After that, you will check in your cabin.
Lunch will be served on board while cruising and passing by Dog islet, Fighting Cock islet (symbol of Halong Bay), Hoa Cuong fishing village, and Swan islet. After lunch, the ship will continue exploring the wonders of Halong bay, passing by countless islands including Soi Sim beach, Coconut Tree Island.

We will anchor the vessel at Frog Pond area, where you can take time to explore this beautiful scenery by kayaking through the majestic scenery and swimming in emerald coloured water.

Relax on the sundeck with some cocktails, complimented by a variety of tropical fruits and best local wines. Then attend a cooking demonstration with our chef to learn one of the most popular cuisines in Vietnam: spring rolls. If you don’t want to cook, you can refresh yourself in the Jacuzzi.

For dinner, we specially prepare a 11-course meal to reward your taste buds and stomach. After that, you can engage in various evening activities, such as relaxing at leisure, doing squid fishing, going for spa services and dipping into the Jacuzzi.
Duration: 16 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight on Halong Cruise.

Day 8: HALONG BAY – HANOI

Stop At: Halong Bay, Halong Bay, Quang Ninh Province
Wake up to a refreshing morning with an organized Tai Chi class scheduled at 6.30am. Once, we have revived our bodies with smooth, deliberate, flowing movements, you may enjoy a light breakfast with our assorted homemade pastries, along with coffee, tea or fresh fruit juices.

We will move next on to Sung Sot Cave, where you will have the option to climb up and down 600 steps, to the magnificent limestone formations of the most beautiful and biggest cave in Halong bay. After the visit to the cave, you will check out of the cabin, and settle your bill, if you have incurred any additional expenses, like drinks or snacks in the bar.

A beautiful brunch buffet will be served as the ship cruises back to the Halong Bay harbour.
Our coach will pick you up and return back to Hanoi. ETA to be about 5pm, if the traffic is cooperative.

Overnight in Hanoi
Duration: 16 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hanoi



Day 9: HANOI – FREE TO EXPLORE THE OLD QUARTER

Stop At: Hanoi, Hanoi
You have a free day in Hanoi to explore, and get all your shopping done. There are all sorts of shops for clothing, souvenirs, and artwork, you won’t have trouble finding what you want. There’s even a local market in walking distance if you want to see how the locals buy their goods. Add in a plethora of Cafes and restaurants to try and you will fall in love with this eclectic city of the orient.
Overnight in Hanoi
Duration: 16 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hanoi

Day 10: HANOI DEPARTURE

Stop At: Hanoi, Hanoi
Your driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your onward flight home.
End of services!
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.