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Discover the North and South

A package tour visiting the most popular destinations in the North and South of Vietnam. Start from Hanoi, the centre of culture, with a long history -  to the heart of the Red River Delta, Ninh Binh. Relax and admire the unique landscape of Ha Long Bay on an overnight cruise. Discover the dynamic Ho Chi Minh City and take a special excursions to the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta.
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  • Charming Hanoi capital
  • Visit Hoa Lu ancient capital, the amazing scenery of limestone mountains
  • Overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay
  • Ho Chi Minh City and vicinity: Cu Chi Tunnels, Cao Dai Temple, Mekong Delta
  • Biking, boating and interacting with locals

Introduction

Introduction

A package tour to visit the most popular destinations in the North and South of Vietnam. Start from Hanoi, the centre of culture, with a long history - to the heart of the Red River Delta - Ninh Binh. Relax and admire the unique landscape of Ha Long Bay on an overnight cruise. Discover the dynamic  Ho Chi Minh City and take special excursions to the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta.

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi, arrive
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B,L)
Day 3: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hanoi (B,L)
Day 4: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay (B,L,D)
Day 5: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)
Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City Tour (B,L)
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi Tunnels (B,L)
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (B,L)
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

Day by Day

 

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Welcome to Hanoi, enjoy a walking tour in the Old Quarter


Landing at Noi Bai Airport, you are welcomed by your tour guide and driver at the pickup lobby. Enjoy the 45 minute drive to the city centre (Hanoi Old Quarter) listening to a briefing about the most visited spots, the culture, traffic and cuisine. Arrive and check in to your hotel, relax and rest. 


Continue the day, your tour guide will escort you on a walk around the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake, to the Opera House, stopping at the statue of King Ly Thai To and Vietnamese Government Guest House and Sofitel Metropole Hanoi. Walk back to the Old town visiting some main streets before returning to your hotel.


Note: If your flight arrives late or you are jet lagged after a long flight, the walking tour will be moved to the city tour, next day.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B,L)

Visit the city's highlights, travelling to French Quarter, Ho Chi Minh Complex with a leisurely walk by the West Lake.


9:00 AM: Your tour guide collects you at your hotel and the tour begins with a visit to the Temple of Literature which was built under the Ly Dynasty in 11th century for worshipping Confucius and teaching the Royal children. Enjoy a walk in the garden to the city’s symbol, Khue Van Cac. You will then visit the World Heritage "Stone Steles” bearing the names of outstanding students. Continue,  exploring the Quoc Tu Giam which is considered as the first National University of Vietnam.


Next, you visit one of the city’s museums, (choose from the National History Museum, Hoa Lo, the Museum of Ethnology or the Fine Art Museum) before having a break for lunch and/or a drink.


In the afternoon, you visit the French Quarter – the “Little Paris” of Hanoi with tree lined boulevards, government head offices and a big square. Visit (outside) Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum before enjoying a leisurely walk in the Botanical Gardens to visit the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live and work. See the unique One Pillar Pagoda which is one of the city’s symbols. It takes us from 1 to 2 hours to explore this complex, depending on the number of travelers.
 

Continue on to the Quan Thanh Temple, dating back to the 11th century under Ly Thai To King, one of the four most important temples in the city for worshipping the Tran Vu gods, the principal deities in Taoism. Take a leisurely walk on a romantic road, crossing the West Lake with it's beautiful city views. Stop at the Tran Quoc Pagoda which dates back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty.


Finally, enjoy a unique performance of the Water Puppet Show, dating back to the 11th century. In these shows, the daily life, culture and beliefs of Vietnamese people are described by puppets on water. The show usually integrates a traditional music performance as well.
 

Return to your hotel. End of the day.

Day 3: Hanoi-Ninh Binh-Hanoi(B,L)

A full day to explore Ninh Binh at Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Bich Dong

8:00 AM: Meet your tour guide and driver at hotel then transfer to Ninh Binh, the awesome site is enriched with historical, cultural, religion and geographic wonders. On the journey passing the Red River delta, stop as you wish for pictures.

Travel to Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam from the 10 to the 11 century. The citadel is surrounded by limestone mountains and rivers naturally protecting it and making for an amazing picturesque setting.

On arrival at Hoa Lu, you will visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80), and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009) who played a vital role in gaining the country’s independence after it was ruled by China for a thousand years. Both temples were built in the 17th symbolizing a deep respect to the King’s contributions.

Keep your tour to the Bich Dong, a typical pagoda in the countryside of the Red River Delta, built in the 15th century. On arrival, you will cross a stone bridge to Chua Ha, from which over 100 steps lead to Chua Trung – the cave pagoda with unique clay statues. You will then hike up to Chua Thuong. You not only have the chance to learn about Buddhism but also get to experience incredible countryside views.

Enjoy lunch at local restaurant before transfer to Tam Coc which has been well-known as the “Halong Bay on land” and appeared in famous French movie “Indochina”. On arrival at the pier, you will take a private sampan boat for a ninety-minute cruise along Ngo Dong River. Pass through three caves and witness a stunning landscape interleaved by small communities, rice fields, cemetery and temples.

Drive back to Hanoi around 6:00 PM

Day 4: Hanoi-Halong Bay(B,L,D)

8:30 – 9:00 our local speaking English tour guide and ultra-Luxurious limousine van will welcome pick up at hotel, we are then depart travelling to the northeast of Vietnam along expressway to Tuan Chau Halong tourist wharf.

12.00: Arrive to Tuan Chau Maria Harbor, enjoy speed 20 minutes boat ride from the wharf to Gia Luan area where’s our main vessel anchor. We will be welcome on Sena crusie with fresh drinks while listening to safety brief, following by is checking in the cabin and beautiful lunch are being server in luxury restaurant while cruising pass so many rocks informations emerge from green emerald water

14.30: Arrival to Dark and Light cave area where we are going to experience the most stunning outdoor water activity is kayaking in to those tunnel grotto. With advantage of engine power we will arrival here at least 30 minute to an hour earlier before this place become busy

16.30: Complete kayaking, we are boarding back to our the Sena for shower and relaxing on top deck for a small sunset party and happy hour while the dark night is slowly coming over

19.00: This evening dinner is one of most expecting meal, fresh seafood BBQ will be serve on roof top restaurant. What else is better than enjoy fine dining and lovely romantic stories will be tell. Overnight in Sena Cruise

Day 5: Halong Bay-Hanoi-flight to Ho Chi Minh city(B,L)

6.00: Sea sound wake up call for another beautiful day by experiencing a typical oriental martial art Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck while cool wind blowing in and the sun is slowly rise from horizon, following then is nicely continental combining breakfast in the restaurant

7.30: Our tender will transfer you to boat wharf where we start 20 minutes cycling to the Viet Hai village, slowly paddling along curve village’s lane, short break for visiting a local family enjoy tea talk with veteran who come back from Vietnam war and undergone hard subsidies economic time of Vietnam

8.30: Farewell to our local host, we continue cycling back to the harbor, the tender men pick us up and transfer back to the main boat

9.30-10.00: Time to shower and change then check out

11.00: Last lunch will be server while our Sena is cruising back to the pier, another 20 minute speed boat ride back to the shore, disembark

12.00: boarding back on luxury van enjoy two and half hour ride on the same high express way back to Hanoi

3.00: Arrive back to Hanoi for the flight to go to Ho Chi Minh city

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City tour(B,L)

Saigon City full day tour to visit Independence palace, Walking tour, War Remnant museum, Ben Thanh market

9:00 AM: Pick up from your hotel to 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.

Continue by a leisurely waking tour. Heading to the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, originally built between 1863 and 1880, evidently reflects the French colonist influences. It’s a picturesque spot in the city.

Toward to Nguyen Hue walking street, walk to the unmissable city's famous landmark. The Saigon Central Post Office is a stunning building, designed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. It is an actually working post office with beautiful indoor decorations.

Have a break for lunch or drink (on your own account) then in the afternoon go to 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.

End of the day, visit 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.

Come back to your hotel. Free to discover city or just relax

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh-Cu Chi tunnel-Cao Dai temple(B,L)

Special excursion to Cu Chi tunnels and then visiting Cao Dai temple.

8:00 AM: Leave from your hotel to visit 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.

Continue to 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.

Have lunch at local restaurant then transfer back to hotel in the afternoon.

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh-Mekong Delta(B,L)

From Saigon to Mekong delta, visiting Cai Be, boat trip, biking, back to Saigon in the afternoon.

After breakfast at the hotel, meet our tour guide and driver for your transfer to Cai Be. Visit Cao Dai temple on route. On arrival, embark a small private boat for a cruise in a branch of the Mekong River. Experience the rhythm of life on the legendary Mekong River by visiting Cai Be floating market and the canals lined with orchards.

Visit craft workshops of rice popcorn, coconut caramel and rice cake…Go biking or walking on the village paths to discover the ancient and beautiful Phu Chau pagoda where the serenity reigns and meet the local people. Enjoy lunch in an open air restaurant where you can taste a famous local specialty, the elephant ear fish. Finally, enjoy tasty seasonal fruits while rowing a small rowboat in the canals, shaded by the fruit trees.

Back to Saigon in the late afternoon

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City departure(B)

Transferring to airport for flights to next destinations

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.

Rate & inclusions

($*) Prices are subject to change depend on season.

Please contact our Sales Department at info@vietnamexplorationbooking.com for detailed pricing information.

Inclusions

  • English speaking tour guide following itinerary
  • All entrance fees and tickets mention on itinerary
  • Selected Accommodations with daily breakfast
  • Cruise: Sena Cruise - 2D1N or Similer
  • Boat: Tam Coc sampan boat, Cai Be Boat
  • Private transportation following itinerary
  • Shuttle bus: Hanoi - Tuan Chau
  • Flight Ticket: VN259 HAN - SGN(Vietnam Airlines - Economy)
  • Meal: Breakfast: 08, Lunch: 05, Dinner: 01
  • Bike: Cai Be
  • Entertainment / Show: Water puppet show, Beach swimming, Squid fishing, Morning Tai Chi
  • Cooking class: Halong bay
  • 01 bottle of water per pax per day
  • Service charges and Taxes

Exclusions

  • International flight from/to your country
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Tipping and Gratuities
  • Other not mentioned in the program

Cancellation by Customer

  • Cancellation received before 60 days: FREE of charge
  • Cancellation received from 30 days to 59 days prior arrival date: 10% of total rate
  • Cancellation received from 15 days to 29 days prior arrival date: 30% of total rate
  • Cancellation received from 7 days to 14 days prior arrival date: 50% of total rate
  • Cancellation received less than 7 days prior arrival date or No show: 100% of total rate

Children Policy

  • The rate for children applicable for one child sharing a twin or double cabin with two adults
  • For infant (<04 years old): FOC except domestic ticket cost
  • 04 - 11 years old without bed: 50% adult rate
  • 04 - 11 years old with extra bed: 75% adult rate
  • 04 - 11 years old in twin share: 90% adult rate

Service & Travel Advise

Service Details During The Trip

We’ll immerse you in the diverse cultures of Vietnam & hilly area by showcasing the unique local flavors. And with the perfect balance of included sightseeing and free time, you can customize your dream vacation with the things you have always wanted to do.
Private Local Tour Guide: You will have legally licensed local tour guide in each destination, from welcome and farewell you at the airport. Your guide will guide, help, assist and taking care of you in order to make your tour worry-free. The good guide for you means we arrange the right guide. Vietnam Exploration Booking Tours will arrange tour guide base on the feature of the itinerary and consists of the group, to maximize your experiences in traveling.
Private Drivers & Vehicle: Safety is first priority for transportation. A well maintained good condition car with legal business licensed and an experienced driver to make sure you are in safe hands. To maximize your comfort and joyful experience with driving service, cold drinking water, cold towel and soft drink are provided in the car.​​​​​
Local Flavor Meals: Don’t worry about meals; we select both restaurants and menus for you. Vietnam Exploration Booking Tours will select clean and good environment restaurants for our customer. Menu is also carefully selected by us to ensure you try different food every meal.
We will recommend and arrange local cuisine since it is part of the cultural experience while traveling. We also recommend dinners are free on your own so you can choose your favorite food by yourself under necessary assistance of your local guide.
Well-Selected Accommodation: Comfort and good value is our priority for choosing Accommodation for our customers. Comfort of mattress and bedding, joyful decoration style, user friendly facilities, good service and good breakfast!

Things to bring:

Comfortable clothes for 2 hours seating on Van/Bus or Sampan and make you more active for cycling, walking, bring hat, cap, Suncream, sun glasses, insect repellent are also necessary  because the weather in your trip can be very hot in Sumer. It is normally hot in May, June, July, August, September and October.
You should take cash with you in vietnam Dong because banking system sometimes does not function well. Us Dollar, Euro, Australian Dolla are accepted in your trip
You shoule take medicine with you

Did we hit all the items on your travel bucket list for your holiday?

If not, don’t worry. We specialize in tailor-made tours and can customize this program to create your dream trip. Get in touch with your personal Travel Consultant to create your personalized program.

Don't want the fun to end?

Why not combine this tour with Cambodia tours, Laos tours, Myanmar tours or spend a few days in the tropical paradise that is the Viet Nam coast? We take care of everything from flights to transfers and accommodation so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday. Explore our other destinations or speak with your personal Travel Consultant for some expert advice on suitable combinations.

Are you planning to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar or Thailand? We are here to help you save time and money.

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