Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ho Chi Minh, My Tho, Cu Chi, Mekong delta

After breakfast at our hotel, we set off for Ha Long Bay of Vietnam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a cruise on spectacular Halong Bay. With its clear, emerald waters and mountains draped in velvety cloaks of vegetation, “The bay of the descending dragon” is dotted with more than 3,000 mountain islands rising from the clear emerald waters of the Gulf Tonkin, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. Our vessel is of particular interest – we board a junk, a wooden sailboat in the traditional Vietnamese style.

We drop anchor at an island pierced with surreal grottoes, then enjoy lunch on board.

We resume our cruise in the afternoon and also enjoy dinner on our boat, where we will spend the night.

Rising early you may have a chance to see the sunrise in Halong Bay. We continue our cruise of beautiful Halong Bay this morning before returning to Hanoi.

After lunch at local restaurant, we visit the Museum of Ethnology, where we will learn about fascinating cultural diversity of the ancient land. This evening we enjoy a water puppet show at Thang Long theatre.

We enjoy a late dinner at local restaurant. 

After breakfast this morning, we start our tour of Hanoi with a visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the national leader whose memory is honored here.

We will also visit The House on stilts; see the distinctive One Pillar pagoda. Moving out to visit the Temple of Literature, where Vietnam’s first university was established here in 1076.

After lunch at local restaurant, we depart for Noi Bai airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, pick up and transfer to hotel for check in and refreshment.

This evening we dine together at a local restaurant.

After breakfast this morning, drive out to Cu Chi Tunnels, 70 km from Saigon to spend some time examining this 250 km long underground maze where thousands of fighters and villagers hid and fought during Vietnam war. The networks, parts of which were several stoves deep, included innumerable trap doors, constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories... After that, we return to Ho Chi Minh City in time for lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch, our city tour will be started with visits to Independent Palace, The Catholic Cathedral of Notre Dame. We also see the architecture of Central Post Office, City Hall, and Opera Theatre. Go shopping at Ben Thanh market.

Rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to discover Ho Chi Minh City at leisure.

Dinner tonight is on your own.

We have breakfast at our hotel and then depart for My Tho in the Mekong Delta, one of Vietnam’s scenic treasures. Upon arriving in My Tho, we board a boat for a cruise on the upper part of the Mekong River visiting the floating fish market. Then we’ll board a sampan to cruise a narrow canal that will take us to a small orchard and apiary where we can sample some of tropical fruits and honey-flavored sweets, coconut candy factory.

In the afternoon, travel back to Ho Chi Minh City for your own dinner.