Essence of Vietnam: Stories in Every Step

Pick up at your hotels in Ho Chi Minh City. The trip to Cu Chi will take you an approximately one and a half-hour bus drive. Before exploring the tunnels, you will watch an introductory video about how the tunnels were made and how Vietnamese people survived in the harsh conditions of the wartime. Then, spend your time exploring the remaining areas and tunnel system which include special living areas with kitchens and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for the security purpose during the war. Afterwards, special tea and cassava (guerrillas’ food during the war) will be served. Break time. Have lunch at the local restaurant. Continue to visit My Tho city. With a boat trip on Tien River, you will be excited by the light breeze from the river and the natural beauty of four beautiful islands such as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise along the riverside. Cruise through the small canal by sampan, treating yourself to the beauty of the countryside, and taking a short cycling around the village which will certainly be an unforgettable experience when participating in the Mekong Delta tour. Visit the coconut candy workshop, and enjoy seasonal delicious fruits & honey tea. Get a chance to listen to Southern Vietnamese folk music which is performed by local people. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Trip ends.

This morning, check out from your hotel. Later on you will be transferred to the Ho Chi Minh Airport to catch your flight to Da Nang. Upon your arrival at Da Nang airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Check-in and relax for some time. Rest of the day is free to explore Da Nang on your own.

Leave the bustle of Da Nang for a day and escape to the mountainous serenity of the Ba Na Hills. After visiting the Linh Ung Pagoda, take a cable car to the top of Nui Chua Mountain and grab lunch in a local restaurant. Spend the rest of your afternoon captivated by the attractions at Fantasy Park. Your morning begins with pickup from your hotel. A friendly guide drives you out of the city to Ba Na Hills, a resort founded in the 1920s by French colonists. On the way there, stop at Linh Ung Pagoda to marvel at a 220-foot (67-m) statue of a Bodhisattva. Pass by old French villas and a historic wine cellar, learning about the French occupation of Vietnam from your guide. Once in the mountains, board a cable car and ride to the summit of Nui Chua Mountain. Make the easy trek to Nghinh Phong Peak and enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding region, and then stop in a restaurant for a tasty lunch of Vietnamese cuisine. Later, venture to BaNa Hills Fantasy Park, an indoor entertainment zone with thrilling games for the whole family. Following an afternoon of adventure, make your way back to Da Nang with your guide.

ITINERARY 14:00: Car and tour guide pick up at HOTEL in Danang city 14:45 pm: Paddling through Thu Bon river by the basket boat and explore Bay Mau Coconut Forest with many interesting activities: - Enjoy the beauty of Bay Mau Coconut Forest - Watch basket boat performance spin around - Have a chance to try paddling basket boat - See how to traditionally throw a fishing net. 17:00 pm: Come back to Hoian ancient town, admire Hoi An at night flickering in multi – colored lanterns and have dinner at a local restaurant. 20:00-20:30 pm: Take 10-15 minute boat trip on Hoai River and join the lantern-release activity 21:00 pm: Depart to Da Nang City. Send – off to the Hotel.

This morning check-out from your hotel. You will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight back to Hanoi. On arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, our local representative will be waiting outside the customs area to welcome you and to take you to your hotel (Check-in time is 3.00 pm). Rest of the day is free for you to explore Hanoi Town on your own.

We will pick you up in the hotel in the central Old Quarter. Then visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Learn more about Ho Chi Minh's biography and his very important role of forming this country nowadays. Visit Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda (one of the oldest pagoda in Vietnam). Visit Bat Trang pottery village (applied on Mon, Wed & Fri) or equivalent program. Later we visited the Ethnology Museum (applied on Tue, Thus, Sat & Sun) or equivalent program to have an overview of Vietnamese Ethnology and its differences. Stop by the first university in Vietnam, Temple of Literature. Back to Old Quarter to go through short and tiny 36 main streets and learn about its unique name origin. You can feel what makes Hanoi different; as it combines between the past and the present. Tour ends around 5.00pm

A 90km drive south of Hanoi will lead you to Ninh Binh, the site of the one capital city of ancient Vietnam before Hanoi took its leading role in 11th century. The area is featured by lots of well-known sceneries, which include Tam Coc Caves and Hoa Lu ancient capital with the old temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le reigned in 10th century. The visit in Ninh Binh starts by a boat trip in Tam Coc where spectacular limestone karsts jut out from the green paddy fields reminding about Guilin (China) and Halong Bay of Vietnam, which gives this scenery the name “Halong-bay-on-land”. Further discovery in Ninh Binh will be continued in the site that used to be the king's‟ palace in 10th century and now famous for the wooden relieves of the shady Dinh and Le temples. Late afternoon back to Hanoi.

Early departure for Halong Bay, a World Heritage as designated by Unesco in 1994 with nearly 3,000 rocky islets. The drive may take you more than three to four hours utmost depending on the high or low seasons‟ traffic, and will pass the Red River Delta, one of the two granaries of Vietnam. Upon arriving in Halong, we will sail our boat round its natural rocky gardens whilst a tasty seafood lunch is waiting on board. Most of the islets here are not for living due to the lack of fresh water, but are excellent for cruising to contemplate their miraculous draws on the horizon. Many of them have great names from their inspirational shapes, including the Surprising cave, Pelican Grotto, Chopstick rock, Butterfly rock, Turtle rock, the island of Fishman‟s Head, the Fighting Cocks, the Sail, the Urn, or the Sea Dog! We can wander to visit grottos, go swimming, or just lazily relax on the sundeck with our drinks. The boat will be back to the Wharf late afternoon where we take our car or coach to return to Hanoi. Trip finished at your hotel in Hanoi.

After breakfast, check-out from your hotel. Later in the day you will be transferred to the airport to catch your return flight back home.