Vietnam Essential Discovery – 10 Days / 9 Nights

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HO CHI MINH CITY

On your arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, please look for our signboard which reads your name. Your guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel in the city center.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 2: HO CHI MINH CITY – CU CHI TUNNELS (B/-/-)

Meet your local guide at 08:00 and start exploring the different sides of Ho Chi Minh City with a visit to the colorful China Town in District 5, stopping at Ha Chuong Assembly Hall and Phung Hung Market. Don’t miss the chance to taste “racket coffee” at Ba Lù Cafe.
Head out to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels — an underground network with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon shops, field hospitals, and command centers, heavily bombarded during the war.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Saigon Central Post Office and Saigon Opera House, then stroll along Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi streets.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 3: HO CHI MINH CITY – BEN TRE (B/L/D)

Depart at 08:00 for Ben Tre — land of coconuts, fruit orchards, rice fields, and canals. From Ham Luong Pier, take a boat to explore local life: visit a brick kiln, family-run coconut workshops (milk, candy, oil, mats, charcoal), and a sleeping-mat workshop with fruit and tea tasting.
Later, ride a motor cart (xe lôi) or bicycle through shady countryside paths passing green rice fields and vegetable gardens.
Lunch at a local restaurant with specialties such as elephant-ear fish and river shrimp.
In the afternoon, take a rowing boat along small canals shaded by coconut palms to Hung Vuong Pier, then transfer to your homestay. In the evening, join a cooking class to make “bánh xèo”.
Dinner included.
Overnight in Ben Tre.

DAY 4: BEN TRE – HO CHI MINH CITY – FLIGHT TO HUE (B/-/-)

After breakfast, cycle for about two hours to Oc Island along a concrete path lined with coconut trees and fruit orchards. Cross a local ferry, visit a fish farm to learn about the region’s catfish species, and observe daily life along the Mekong.
Return to Mekong Home and relax until check-out (~12:00). Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City for a short flight to Hue.
Overnight in Hue.

DAY 5: HUE (B/-/-)

Full-day discovery of Hue — Vietnam’s former imperial capital (1802–1945) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Imperial Citadel (Kinh Thanh, Hoang Thanh, Cam Thanh) and the Thien Mu Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady.
In the afternoon, visit Tu Duc’s Mausoleum, Thuy Xuan Incense Village, and Khai Dinh’s Mausoleum — a fascinating blend of Nguyen and European architectural styles.
Overnight in Hue.

DAY 6: HUE – HOI AN (B/-/-)

After breakfast, take a scenic drive via Lang Co Lagoon and the panoramic Hai Van Pass to reach Hoi An.
Stroll through the narrow streets of Hoi An Ancient Town (UNESCO): the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, and merchant houses. Enjoy tea at the serene Reaching Out Tea House.
Return to your hotel around 16:30.
Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 7: HOI AN – DA NANG – FLIGHT TO HA NOI (B/L/-)

Meet at 08:00 for a cycling trip to Cam Thanh Village to observe daily life and traditional bamboo and coconut handicrafts. Explore the water coconut forest by basket boat and try cast-net fishing.
Lunch at a local family’s house.
Afterward, transfer to Da Nang Airport for a short flight to Ha Noi. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 8: HA NOI (B/L/-)

After breakfast, start your city tour at 08:30 with visits to the Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s first university, 1076), the Old Quarter (the “36 streets”), Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, and Ba Da Pagoda.
In the afternoon, explore the city’s neighborhoods on a Russian Minsk motorcycle: try pho in Ba Dinh, see Red River farmlands, cross Long Bien Bridge, visit Hai Ba Trung’s market and Train Street, and end with an egg coffee at a nostalgic cafe.
Lunch included.
Return to your hotel around 16:30.
Overnight in Ha Noi.

DAY 9: HA NOI – HA LONG (B/L/D)

Depart at 08:30 via the Red River Delta to Tuan Chau Pier and board your overnight Lan Ha Bay cruise.
Lunch served while cruising among limestone islets. Afternoon activities include kayaking, swimming, or relaxing on deck.
Dinner with fresh seafood and overnight on board.
Alternative: embarkation from Ha Long International Port for a Bai Tu Long Bay cruise with options for kayaking, cave visits, and floating villages.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Note: Itinerary subject to weather and cruise operations.

DAY 10: HA LONG – HA NOI – DEPARTURE (B/Brunch/-)

Enjoy a sunrise over the bay and light breakfast.
Brunch on board while cruising back to the pier.
Disembark and transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight.