Hanoi to Saigon Tour

In the morning, enjoy a walking tour to one of our most vibrant market - Hang Be Market, nestled smack in the heart of the Old Quarter of Hanoi, 5 minutes’ walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. The market offers all a market in Vietnam kinds of goods that might be of need by the people of the Old Quarter of Hanoi, be it uncooked meat, cooked meat, fruits, dry food, worshiping items... It will bring you an interesting approach to the life of the people in the Old Quarter of Hanoi.

Afterwards, we transfer to Tran Quoc Pagoda - the oldest of its kind in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty (544 - 548). The Buddhist shrine has undergone several changes throughout the years, particularly its renaming from An Quoc to Tran Quoc (protecting the country) by Emperor Le Huy Tong in the 17th century.

Then, we will visit Vietnamese Ethnology Museum. Here, you can deeply explore the life of Vietnamese ethnic groups through history. 

Continue to visit move to Ho Chi Minh Complex where the great President Ho Chi Minh rests in peace. We will visit the traditional stilt house and the respected One-Pillar Pagoda, the special pagoda with particular structure. 

In the afternoon, visit Temple of Literature - famous for being the first university of Vietnam. You will recognize that this is a popular place for Vietnamese students to take commemorative photographs when graduating.

Afterwards, our tour guide will take you around the Old Quarter for street food tour tonight. Eat as you go, walking through the maze of bustling streets, trying seasonal fruit and sampling tasty French-inspired snacks from a street cart. Try the famed Hanoi dishes such as Bun Cha Ta (a grilled pork and noodle dish) and Banh Cuon at a local eatery and watch as the skilled chefs demonstrate how this tasty dish is put together.

The next two snack stops are at outdoor BBQ stalls. Sit down with the Hanoi locals and sample various meat, vegetable and bread specialties that are flame grilled over hot coals for extra flavor.  It’s now time for dessert!

Your local guide will then take you to one of Hanoi’s best kept secrets - Banh My Hanoi - a hidden street food restaurant where you can taste the top street foods in Hanoi including Vietnamese Rice Wine and the famous Egg Coffee. This hard-to-find café is one of the few left in the narrow street inside the old quarter of Hanoi.  Back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Please note: If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know so that we can accommodate your needs and wishes.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken to another fascinating land – the gem in the north of Vietnam – Halong Bay by cruise’s shuttle bus. The drive takes you through the beautiful rice paddy fields and mountains of the Red River Delta. On your arrival in Halong Bay you will realize why this area has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be ferried a short distance from the harbor aboard a tender boat to board the Junk Boat for a cruise among the numerous limestone karsts rising from the emerald water. After lunch of a great selection of fresh seafood on board, the Tender will once again take you to visit a grotto of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, stopping en route for a relaxing swim in the warm waters of Halong Bay & a kayak back from the beach to the floating island to enjoy a close up view of the bay and islands. In the late afternoon, the ship will drop anchor for an overnight stay on board.

You are recommended to wake up early in the morning on this day because that is the most wonderful time for you to contemplate aquamarine water of the bay at its best. Once satisfied with the lunch on the boat, you will continue the excursion through impressive limestone surrounding the bay. 

Back to the pier, the cruise’s shuttle bus will transfer you back to Hanoi.

Then, our driver will pick you up to transfer to the airport to take your domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh. 

On arrival in Ho Chi Minh, meet your local guide and then drive to your hotel for check-in. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Take the morning trip to visit Cu Chi Tunnels – the historic site where Vietnamese soldiers used as a shelter during wartime. This fantastic network stretches over 250 km and is the shelter of Vietnamese soldiers during the wars. The system was served as communication routes, storage facilities, hospitals and living areas for Vietnamese fighters throughout the war. Take your time to descend into the tunnels to discover the wonderful tunnels and the harsh conditions of Vietcong guerrillas. 

In the afternoon, we will come back to the city to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Then, we will visit Ben Thanh market – one of the largest market in Ho Chi Minh to see the local life here. Back to the hotel. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Today we transfer from your hotel to Ben Tre. 

On arrival in Hung Vuong Pier, boating on Ben Tre River – one of the tributaries of Mekong river- is along mangrove tree from town to country. Witness lively activities in morning as fishing, coconut cargo boats carrying on river.... Stop at traditional brickwork to see how to make bricks by hand. Go on by boat to My Long village, walking to hamlet to see making rice paper and enjoy some rice cake. Turn on Cai Son canal winding through coconut jungle, visit coconut workshop, have a look stage of coconut processing from husk off, prize out to peel out by hand. Go on a small waterway and stop at a bee garden, enjoy some fruits, honey tea and listen to local music as well. Visit candy mill and enjoy some sweet by the way. Continue short walking to visit farmer house who making sleep mats.

Cycle rural tracks or drive tuktuk through coconut grove, vegetable plains (cucumber, bitter melon...). Keep going by rowing boat on shady palm tree canal and stop for lunch at Green Garden riverside restaurant. Boating back Hung Vuong pier by motorboat. 

Then we transfer back Ho Chi Minh City with the remainder of day freely at your leisure.

On this day, you are free at your leisure until being picked up and transferred to the airport (without guide) for the departure flight. Room is at your disposal until noon. Meals on your own. End of services.