An unforgettable highlights tour of Vietnam, beginning in the bustling streets of Hanoi with its rich history and vibrant culture. Explore the scenic beauty of Ninh Binh, cruise through the breathtaking limestone karsts of Halong Bay, immerse yourself in the charming ancient town of Hoi An, delve into the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, and conclude your journey with a tranquil exploration of the Mekong Delta's picturesque waterways and floating markets.
Landing at the Noi Bai airport, you are welcomed by professional tour guide and driver at the pickup lobby. Enjoy 45-minute driving to the city center (Hanoi Old Quarter) with city's briefing information about the most visited spots, culture, traffic and cuisine....Arrive in your hotel, check in and have a rest.
Note: Hotel check in time at 14.00
In the morning, explore the Tran Quoc Buddhism pagoda. It dates back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty. Take a leisurely walk on a romantic road, crossing West Lake before heading to the Temple of Literature which is best known as the first National University and a World Heritage site.
Continue to the Hoa Lo Prison museum (Hanoi Hilton) which presents Vietnam’s history while the French ruled and the war between Vietnam and the USA.
After lunch, transfer to the French Quarter – a “little Paris” in Hanoi with tree-lined boulevards, government head offices and a big square. Visit (outside) the mausoleum, worshipping Ho Chi Minh who got Vietnam Independence back from the French. Enjoy a leisurely walk in the botanical garden to visit the Presidential Palace - Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live and work.
Continue the trip to Hoan Kiem Lake to visit the Pen Tower then cross the Sunlight Bridge to Ngoc Son temple which is located on the Jade islet since the 19th century and is dedicated to Confucian and Taoist philosophers and the national hero Tran Hung Dao.
After that, we will go to the Old Quarter which is always considered a live city museum. The unique tube houses, small alleys, temples, open door markets and street vendor foods come together in a beautiful harmony. At last we come to the very historical Long Bien Bridge, enjoy different city views and enjoy the sunset on the Red River. Get back to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Ninh Binh is an awesome site with giant limestone karst formations jutting out of the rice paddies. This ancient land is enriched with historical, cultural and geographic wonders. Visit Trang An Nature Reserve and Bai Dinh pagoda is the fantastic experience for a day tour from Hanoi.
- Discover the World' First Mixed Heritage Trang An by boat
- Excursion Giant Bai Dinh pagoda
Bai Dinh pagoda which is one of the most impressive of Buddhism centers in Vietnam. On arrival at pagoda, walk along a path with 500 stone arhats alongside it, lining the route to the main pagodas. Each of the large pagodas and huge statues is an example of artistic architecture.
Take a lift to the viewpoint, a 13-storey tower that is believed to keep a part of Buddha’s ashes. Experience a panoramic view of the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia, surrounded by an exquisite river valley that is dotted with limestone karsts which will take your breath away.
Trang An, the world's first mixed heritage zone, recognized by UNESCO in 2014. On arrival at the pier, you will board a private traditional sampan boat which is gently rowed by a local. Cruise across a poetic river through a series of caves, some of them being 300-400m long. Every section offers you a new hidden world inside isolated valleys of tranquility.
Step off the boat for a walk through peaceful pagodas and temples worshipping the most famous Tran Dynasty’s mandarins. Hike up to get better views then continue down to a movie set island where the latest iteration of the King Kong movie series “Kong: Skull Island” was filmed. Get back on the sampan boat, immersing yourselves in the beauty of the nature while heading back to the pier.
8.30 get a pick up from hotel to Halong Bay 12:30: Checks in boat with cruise briefing and safety instructions. Start cruising and explore Halong Bay - one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
Enjoy buffet lunch with Vietnamese dishes served while cruising through the bay, passing the most beautiful and quiet areas, such as Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock, Soi Sim beach, Coconut Three Islands In the afternoon, visit Tung Sau area, covered by the leaping rocks, cultured pearl fishery. You can wit yourself the process of the jewel, from culturing to harvesting and sculpting. Moreover, you have a chance to do kayaking based on your preference. Enjoy busy space with pearl maker, you can experience the completion of pearl. Visiting the beautiful Titov beach for swimming (if the weather permits), Titov Beach is especially famous for its fresh atmosphere, clean water, and smooth white sand that create a great ambiance for tourists to relax or passengers can take steps to reach on the top of Titov island to have a whole panorama view of Halong Bay. Back to the boat and free time while sailing to Luon Bo area, and anchor for overnight.
Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu)
18:30: Attend the Cooking class on sundeck – How to make Vietnamese spring rolls - traditional Vietnamese food. Then enjoy Happy Hour (Buy one drink-get one free). It is time for chit chat and relaxing. Watch the magnificent sunset over Halong Bay.
Dinner – Deluxe Vietnamese BBQ Set Menu Dinner
Evening activities include: Leisure time to enjoy a chat around the bar, watching movies and many sort of Vietnam cultural films, relaxing and spending a romantic night on Pelican Halong Cruise’s music, playing cards, chess are available, reading magazines in room and dining room. You may also try your luck at squid fishing & fishing from the boat.
06:30: The day starts early onboard with Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi also called Tai chi chuan, combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements.
Coffee, tea and pastries for breakfast are served in the dining room with morning view of bay’s landscape.
Transfer by tender to Sung Sot Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance. It takes approximately 45 minutes to visit Sung Sot Cave, one of the biggest caves in Halong bay with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Return to the cruise by tender. Check out and settle your bill at reception.
Have a buffet brunch and enjoy the bay scenery while cruising back to the Tuan Chau Wharf.
11h30-12h00: Disembark
Meet our driver and transfer back to Hanoi for flight to Danang. On arrival, pick up to Hoi An town.
Hoi An used to be one of the most typical South-East Asian trading ports dating from the 15th to the 19th century and the Old Town is still well-preserved. The exchanged cultures is displayed on many historic buildings, religion, daily business and enriched by the authentic lifestyle of local inhabitants.
the Hoi An city’s symbol - the Chua Cau or the Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 17th century to allow the Japanese quarter to be accessible from the Chinese neighborhoods. The bridge’s original style has been carefully preserved for the last 400 years.
the Cantonese Assembly Hall sits right next to the Cau Pagoda, constructed by Cantonese settlers during the 19th century for communication among Chinese residents and worshipping the Thien Hau Holy Mother. On a visit, you can admire the structure as well as the decor, which includes a striking dragon made from pottery.
Cam Pho - one of the oldest communal houses in Hoi An. It was built in the shape of Chinese character means the country for worshipping and trading business and cultural exchange between locality and Chinese, Japanese traders.
Hoian center market where is the best place to see the local daily life. Situated on the riverside, the large market is packed with stalls where you easily find a huge variety of food at extremely cheap prices. There is also a great fresh vegetable, meat and fish market which is worth visiting.
Far diffrent from the famous Hoian ancient town or sand beaches, the rural countryside gives you the most authentic experience about life and people here. Cycling through the riverside villages, crossing rice fields and meeting people...
- Gently cycling in Kim Bong carpentering village
- Witness the landscaps from Thu Bon river
- Sampan boat experience
Take a boat to Kim Bong village. On the boat, you will immerse yourselves into the comfortable fresh air and enjoy the idyllic landscapes on both sides of the river.
This village has long been known for its wood carving. At first, the artisans inherited the techniques from the northern Vietnamese. Later, from business exchange, they could successfully adopt the know-how of Chinese and Japanese sculptures and cultivate their own style. Bike around the village to understand their daily life and visit a carpenter's workshop to admire their talent. It is possible to buy some wood products as souvenirs.
Travel to Tra Nhieu village. Immerse into the countryside in the center of Vietnam. The trip will allow some unprecedented meetings for instance, Ms Duoc with the mat weaving, Mr Kha with the bamboo sampan basket making and Mr Huynh Ri with his craftsman shipyard. A countryside landscape of palm and rice fields, buffaloes and farmers in the fields will surround you along the way.
Finally to Cam Thanh village. Along the way the landscapes of fishing farms and water palmtrees will accompany you. Arrive in Cam Thanh and embark a small round bamboo sampan basket boat. Enjoy crab catching in the water palm trees forest. This is a relaxing moment after hours of biking.
After that take a little rest in the house of fisherman (Mr. Phong) enjoy green tea and foot massage with medicinal herbs that planted in the family garden. Then prepare vegetables and herbs from Tra Que village, join in a small practice of cooking the typical dishes: crispy pancake (meat, shrimp, beansprouts…), spring rolls of Hoi An, Tam Huu, grilled fish in banana leaf… Enjoy the dishes you made.
In the afternoon, return to hotel
Free and relax at your hotel until getting pick up by private driver for about 45 minutes to Da Nang airport (international or domestic hall according to your request). Thanks for the visit to our city.
Note: International flights require you to be at the airport 3 hours and domestic is 2 hours before departure time.
Take a flight to HCMC. On arrival, get a pick up to hotel
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the biggest and most dynamic city in Vietnam. A tour to some highlight spots to explore the city’s mixed culture of oriental and western, heroic history and stunning architecture buildings.
- Discover the city history & culture: War remnant museum, Independence palace, Quan Am pagoda
- Interract to local people: China town, Ben Thanh market, walking tour
- Special excursion: Fito museum, French architecture buildings
the top visited in Ho Chi Minh – the War Remnant museum. The exhibits offer you all-sided views of the Vietnam War that might bring a big surprise than you are probably used to hearing and seeing.
the Independence Palace, once used as the home - office of the Presidents of South Vietnam. Our visit includes the North Vietnamese tank which effectively attacked the palace in 1975 to bring the controversial Vietnam War to an end and the five-story palace with its rooms have been preserved in their late 1960s, 1970s style and a bunker basement.
visit Quan Am Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in city and dedicated to Guan Yin, elements of Taoism, and the folk worship of the "Queen of Heaven".
the most famous market in the city, Ben Thanh Market, which has been opened since 1870. The market not only supplies the daily needs of local people but also excellent place to pick up inexpensive souvenirs and enjoy Vietnam’s local street foods.
Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, which played an important part in the Vietnam-US War. The tunnel system has deep layers, including countless trap doors, specially built living areas, warehouses, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Adding to the trip is a visit to the unique temple of Caodaism in Tay Ninh.
- Explore Cu Chi tunnel systerm
- Cao Dai Temple
Today, we will visit one of the most sacred attractions in Vietnam - the Cao Dai Temple. Caodaism is a uniquely Vietnamese religion that is influenced by elements of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism and even Roman Catholicism. On a visit, you can attend the midday mass.
Transer to visit Cu Chi the most striking place in the history of the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Cu Chi is a real underground city made up of a large network of tunnels covering an area of over 250km long where the Viet Cong conducted the war of resistance against American troops. All of the tunnels were dug over a period of twenty years using only pickaxes and shovels. The tour includes special entering some part of tunnels. You will also have a chance to visit Ben Duoc memorial temple nearby but far less touristic built in 1993 in memory of the Vietnamese killed at Cu Chi.
Tour guide and driver welcome you at your hotel for your transfer to Ben Tre, a beautiful region in the Mekong Delta River, famous for making coconut candy. Arrive at Hung Vuong pier, take a boat trip on Ben Tre River to discover the daily local life. Continue your boat trip on a canal to Nhon Thanh Village. This will be an opportunity to taste the fresh fruits.
Take a bike ride (or Tuk tuk) on a small path through the villages and enjoy views of the coconut ranges, rice fields and vegetable gardens. A lunch of elephant ear fish is served in the village. A short walk will help you to discover the local life in depth. This is followed by a boat ride on the small canal shaded by the wild palm trees. For those who wish to ride a bike, you can go to Mr Sau Khanh’s house to admire his collection of ancient objects. Then, continue riding through the rice fields and meet the locals.
Transfer back to Saigon in the late afternoon.
Private driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby for about 30 minutes to Tan Son Nhat airport (international or domestic hall according to your request). Thanks for the visit to our city.
Note: International flights require you to be at the airport 3 hours and domestic is 2 hours before departure time.
In the rush hour (07:00 – 08:30 AM and 16:30 – 18:30 PM), it takes around 1 hour from city center to Tan Son Nhat airport.