8N / 9D
Vietnam Highlights: 8-Night North and South Cultural Explorer Tour
Hanoi(3N) → Halong Bay(1N) → Ho Chi Minh City(3N) → Ben Tre(1N)
Sold By: Ideal Travel Asia
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome to Hanoi (-/-/-)
- Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, meet your guide.
- Transfer to the hotel for check-in.
- Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Day 2 Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu - Mua Caves - Tam Coc (B/L/-)
- Morning: Ancient Capital & Breathtaking Heights
- Depart from Hanoi for a scenic 2-hour drive to Ninh Binh province.
- Your journey begins at the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, where you will explore the historic temples dedicated to the Dinh and Le dynasties, uncovering Vietnam's 10th-century history.
- Next, head straight to Mua Cave (Hang Múa) before the midday heat.
- Challenge yourself to climb nearly 500 stone steps along the dragon’s spine to the mountain peak, where you will be rewarded with a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the entire Tam Coc valley.
- Afternoon: Regional Delicacies & Timeless River Cruise
- After descending the mountain, enjoy a relaxing lunch break at a local restaurant to savor Ninh Binh's most famous regional specialties, featuring authentic, flavorful goat meat dishes paired with crispy burnt rice (cơm cháy).
- Following lunch, transition to Tam Coc and step onto a traditional bamboo rowboat.
- Let a local rower glide you along the winding Ngo Dong River, passing through three magnificent natural caves and navigating between towering limestone karsts that rise dramatically above the lush rice paddies.
- Conclude the day with a peaceful drive back to Hanoi.
- Overnight in Hanoi
Day 3 Ha Long Bay On Overnight Cruise (Le Journey Premium) (B/L/D)
- You will be picked up at your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter and transferred to Ha Long.
- Upon boarding the Le Journey Premium Cruise, our crew will welcome you with a refreshing drink and a cold towel before you check into your cabin.
- The vessel will leave Tuan Chau Marina, taking you on an exciting journey to discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay.
- Along the way, you can enjoy views of some of the most beautiful spots in Ha Long and admire the grandeur of the Bay with thousands of limestone islands while the vessel heads to Surprising Cave.
- Enjoy your lunch at our luxurious restaurant on board while the vessel cruises toward Surprising Cave.
- Explore the Surprising Cave, the most beautiful cave in Ha Long Bay.
- After that, we will take you to visit Titop Island for swimming and climbing to the top of the island to enjoy the best view of Ha Long Bay in the summer.
- Back on board, you will participate in a sunset party and cooking class while the vessel cruises toward the shore.
- You can enjoy relaxing moments while sipping a cup of traditional Vietnamese tea or coffee on the sundeck amid wonderful scenery and a beautiful sunset.
- Ha Long Bay is calm during the day, but when the sun goes down, the Bay becomes even more tranquil and peaceful.
- You will be instructed on how to make delicious fresh spring rolls by our chef and then enjoy the rolls you made yourself.
- Enjoy your dinner on the sundeck (if the weather is favorable).
- After dinner, you will enjoy a peaceful view of the Bay at night from the deck.
- Enjoy music and some drinks at the Sky Bar while admiring the breathtaking view of the Bay at night or try your hand at squid fishing.
- Overnight on board.
Day 4 Ha Long Bay – Hanoi (B/Br/-)
- Enjoy breakfast on board as the boat begins cruising to the Natural Preservation Area.
- The cruise will take you to the Luon Cave area, where you can participate in kayaking or rafting around the thousand-year-old rock formations.
- Savor an early lunch at the restaurant on the 2nd floor and settle any outstanding bills.
- At 11:00 AM, the cruise will arrive at the port, where you will have free time to relax or cycle around to explore before the car picks you up for your return to Hanoi.
- Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 5 Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/-)
- Begin the day with a visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, located on West Lake.
- Continue to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
- Explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university.
- After lunch at a local halal restaurant, take a xich lo (a traditional vehicle) to visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter, passing highlights such as Hoan Kiem Lake and St. Joseph’s Cathedral.
- Finally, join our guide to try a famous Vietnamese drink called egg coffee, and experience Vietnamese coffee culture.
- After that, our car and tour guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
- Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 6 Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi (B/L/-)
- Explore the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City and discover its rich history.
- Visit the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President of South Vietnam.
- See the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office.
- Continue to the War Remnants Museum, which offers insight into Vietnam’s wartime history.
- Enjoy lunch at a local Halal restaurant.
- Depart for the Cu Chi Tunnels, located approximately 70 km northwest of the city.
- Upon arrival, watch a brief introductory video and learn about the tunnel network used during the war.
- Explore the underground passages, living quarters, storage areas, field hospitals, and command centers.
- Conclude your visit with traditional tea and cassava, once a staple food of the guerrilla fighters.
- Guests may also have the opportunity to try shooting activities at the firing range (optional, at own expense).
- Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 7 Me Kong - Ben Tre - Can Tho (B/L/-)
- Morning: Sacred Temples & River Life
- At 08:00, your guide and private driver will pick you up from your hotel in downtown Ho Chi Minh City for a scenic 1.5-hour drive to the Mekong Delta, passing by lush green rice fields.
- Your first stop is the magnificent Vinh Trang Pagoda, one of the most celebrated and architecturally unique ancient temples in the region.
- Next, arrive in My Tho and board a motorized boat to cruise the Tien River, passing by the scenic Dragon, Phoenix, Unicorn, and Tortoise Islets.
- Step ashore to wander through a local orchard, where you will savor fresh tropical fruits while listening to Don Ca Tai Tu (Southern Vietnamese folk music) performed by the islanders.
- Afternoon: The Coconut Land & Journey to Can Tho
- Deepen your exploration by boarding a traditional hand-rowed sampan, gliding smoothly through narrow canals fully shaded by water coconut palms.
- The boat then cruises into Ben Tre province—affectionately known as "The Land of Coconut"—where you will visit a rustic workshop to see how traditional coconut candy is crafted.
- After a delightful lunch featuring regional delicacies at a local riverside restaurant, enjoy some downtime to relax on a hammock or take a leisurely bicycle ride around the peaceful village pathways.
- Later in the afternoon, transfer to Can Tho, the vibrant heart of the Mekong Delta.
- Check into your hotel and enjoy a free evening to explore the charming city and its night market at your own pace.
- Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 8 Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/-)
- Early Morning: Cai Rang Floating Market & Artisan Noodles
- Start your day early to experience the vibrant hours of the famous Cai Rang Floating Market.
- Board a private boat to witness the fascinating hustle and bustle of river commerce, where hundreds of boats display their fruits and vegetables on long bamboo poles.
- During the cruise, pull up alongside a local vendor boat to sample a hot bowl of traditional noodle soup or sip a morning coffee right on the water.
- Continue your boat journey to a traditional Rice Noodle Factory to observe the step-by-step process of making noodles by hand.
- Before heading back, take a stroll through a bustling mainland wet market filled with colorful stalls of fresh produce and spices.
- Can Tho Cultural Tour & Heritage House
- Return to your hotel to freshen up, enjoy a relaxed breakfast, and complete your check-out.
- Before bidding farewell to the Mekong Delta, embark on a curated city tour of Can Tho.
- Begin with a visit to the Can Tho Museum, which beautifully showcases the rich agriculture and vibrant river life of the region, as well as the historic, peaceful coexistence of the Vietnamese, Chinese, and Khmer ethnic groups.
- Next, head to the iconic Binh Thuy Ancient House. Originally built in 1870 as a sacred place of worship for the family ancestors, this beautifully preserved mansion features a stunning blend of French-colonial architecture and traditional Vietnamese design.
- Take a peaceful stroll through its historic rooms and lush gardens.
- Before heading back to the bustling city, indulge in a specialized riverside lunch featuring the Mekong’s most celebrated delicacy: Crispy Elephant Ear Fish.
- The fish is served upright, showcasing wonderfully crunchy scales and tender, sweet white meat.
- Guests will enjoy rolling the fish in delicate rice paper with fresh local herbs, creating a perfect harmony of textures and authentic flavors.
- Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 9 Ho Chi Minh City - Departure (B/-/-)
- After breakfast, you will have some free time to enjoy at your leisure.
- Your private tour guide will then pick you up and transfer you to the airport.
- Have a safe and pleasant flight home.
- We hope to welcome you back soon.
Stay & Meal Details
Hanoi
3 nights
Economy Serene Hanoi or Equivalent
Breakfast + Lunch Included
Halong Bay
1 night
Premium Le Journey cruise
All Meals included
Ho Chi Minh City
3 nights
Economy Elios Hotel Sai Gon or Equivalent
Breakfast + Lunch Included
Ben Tre
1 night
Economy Iris Can Tho or Equivalent
Breakfast + Lunch Included
$940
8% off
Package Policies
- Accommodation as described in the program
- Airport transfers
- Boat trips as described in the program
- Daily breakfast included in accommodation
- English-speaking private tour guide
- Entrance fees and excursions as per the tour program
- Meals as specified in the tour program (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner), Halal qualified
- Mineral water provided during excursions
- Private transfer in an air-conditioned car
- Travel insurance
- VAT included
- Airfare
- Vietnam E-visa
- Personal expenses and other services not mentioned above
- Other meals
- International bank transfer fees
- Tips for the driver and guide
- Cancellation requests must be sent via email at least 7 days in advance.
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Vietnam Highlights: 8-Night North and South Cultural Explorer Tour
Hanoi(3N) → Halong Bay(1N) → Ho Chi Minh City(3N) → Ben Tre(1N)
Sold By: Ideal Travel Asia
