Exploring The Best of Vietnam in 11 Days

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Then, you will be transferred to a very fascinating destination – the gem in the north of Vietnam – Halong Bay. After driving through the beautiful paddy fields and magnificent mountain ranges of the Red River Delta, we reach Ha Long Bay – the new wonder of the world recognized by UNESCO.

Embark on a Junk Boat for a cruise among hundreds of spectacular limestone karsts rising from the emerald water. After a sumptuous lunch with a great selection of fresh seafood on board, the tender will take you to visit a grotto of sublime stalactites and stalagmites. We also stop en route for a relaxing swim in the warm waters of Halong Bay. We spend this evening on board as the ship moor on the Bay.

Note: Our suggestion for this trip is that you only need to bring an overnight bag with you for the trip to Ha Long Bay. Because we will return to the hotel you stay in Hanoi after this trip so that you can leave your remaining luggage there.

Enjoy your morning in Ha Long Bay relaxing with a refreshing swim or simply contemplate the landscape. Lunch will be served on board and then we disembark from the ship to return to Hanoi. Arrive in the late afternoon.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Hue - the ancient Imperial City of Vietnam. Upon you arrival, our guide will pick you up and take you on an exploration of the magnificent Hue Citadel. But before that, we will check in at the hotel first. 

The complex is located on the northern bank of the Perfume River and consists of 3 walled enclosures: the Citadel, the Yellow Imperial City and the Purple City. The Forbidden Purple City – Tu Cam Thanh lies in the center of the complex where the King and his household live. With the rich history and the importance in Vietnamese culture, Hue Citadel has been recognized as the World Heritage Site.

Then, continue to visit Hue Royal Antiquities Museum which has preserved and displayed nearly 10,000 antiquities relating to the life during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945).

Then we will take a boat to Thien Mu pagoda and enjoy the peace here. 

At the end of the day, head back to your hotel to relax.

Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

In this morning, you check out hotel and transfer by bus to Hoian. The drive will take you through one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam – Lang Co beach with long white sandy beach.

Continue your trail through the scenic Hai Van Pass looking over the central coastline which offers you a unique chance to enjoy the amazing sceneries of Vietnam.

We will stop at Marble mountain - a cluster of five hills made from limestone and marble in Da Nang. It's also a well-known pilgrimage site with peaks, caves, tunnels, and temples all just waiting to be discovered.

Upon arrive in Hoian, you will check in the hotel, the room is at disposal from 14.00PM. The rest of the day is yours to explore the ancient town of Hoian or visit one of the many tailors to order a bespoke garment. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

We spend this day exploring the local life and the cuisine of Hoi An. The morning market is our first stop. Our guide will give you some advice on bargaining and the ingredients you need to prepare for the cooking class. 

Next, you can join in a real fun game of “bit mat dap nieu” or hop in a small basket boat to paddle along the creeks of Bay Mau Nipa Forest. 

Take a break and enjoy a nice cup of tea before your cooking class begins. A local chef will show you how to make some traditional Vietnamese foods which will then be served in your lunch. 

A relaxing cruise on Thu Bon river will end your tour today. You will be transferred back to the hotel at around 3pm.

You are free today to do whatever you like in Hoi An, whether bathing on the stunning beach or do some shopping in the ancient town. All creates great memories in your journey.  

This afternoon, you will be transferred to Da Nang for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Check in your hotel upon arrival. The evening is yours to explore some city’s highlights in which District 1 is a great idea. It also gathers many interesting shops, cafés, and restaurants.

Today, we make a stop at Cu Chi Tunnels – a complicated underground network of over 250km which is a crucial part in the Vietnam War. Started to build in 1948 to fight against the French, Cu Chi tunnel then continued to construct for the next 25 years until it becomes a massive subterranean city with all the necessary parts including living areas, kitchens, hospitals, weapon factories and so on. Thousands of people could live in these tunnels for years without getting on the ground. They were even got married and raised children here. During the American war, the tunnels were under heavy attacks. 

The tunnels are now open for tourists. This is a great chance to explore the life of Vietnamese people during the war. You can try to fire off the M16 and AK47 at the firing range with an additional cost.

Our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel, and drive 2,5 hours to Cai Be. We will stop along the way for refreshments and toilet. 

Upon arrival, we will visit a flea market before cruising along a vast network of canals and channels to enjoy wonderful views of the Mekong River. Stop by a house-boat at the floating market for having fresh fruits, and see how locals do their business on water.

In your visits to some local cottage industries you can see a coconut candy workshop, try some snake wine, learn how to make pop-rice, or witness the process of making rice paper. 

Cross to the other side of the Mekong River to a famous island named Tan Phong. Here we visit a tropical fruit garden, listen to Vietnamese traditional music, and slowly enjoy getting in touch with local life by taking a hand-rowing sampan.

Lunch will be served at a local house. Your host will show you a cooking demonstration and challenge yourself with cooking a traditional Vietnamese dish and enjoy your wonderful lunch afterwards. 

After that, we can choose to take a rest at the house or take a cycling tour about 30 minutes around the village, this will give you a fantastic way to experience local life. 

Get back to the house, say goodbye to your hosts and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. We drop you at your hotel.

Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, enjoy your last hours at Ho Chi Minh City before you are transferred to the airport for your flight.