Essential of Viet Nam is an extraordinary journey through our beloved country. It will leave you with many precious memories to last you a lifetime. It takes you from the great capital of Hanoi all the way to the trendy Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Over nice days we will explore the quintessential Viet Nam. Enjoy the wide, elegant, tree-lined boulevards and colonial charm of Hanoi, the historical legacy of Hue, the quaint fishing town of Hoian - a UNESCO World Heritage site - as well as the hustle and bustle of Viet Nam’s largest city – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

DAY 1 | ARRIVAL IN HANOI | DINNER

 

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be welcomed by our guide and then driven to your hotel for check in. In the afternoon, you will have a tour in the Old Quarter with a traditional cyclo to get acquainted with this fascinating part of the city.

Overnight in Hanoi.

​

​

DAY 2 | HANOI EXPLORATION | BREAKFAST ; LUNCH

 

After your breakfast, you will visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his lovely wooden house on stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda. Then you will discover the Temple of Literature; Vietnam’s first university. Your tour continues to the fascinating Museum of Ethnology where you will learn about the culture diversity of Vietnam. After that, you will return to the city center, with a stop at Hoa Lo prison, built by the French to house Vietnamese revolutionaries. Afterwards, you will walk to the Hoan Kiem lake, and enjoy a water puppet show - a unique traditional art.

Overnight in Hanoi.

​

DAY 3 | HALONG BAY CRUISE | BREAKFAST ; LUNCH ; DINNER

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1994 for it thousands of natural islands, Halong Bay (literally: the bay of descending Dragon bay) is a legendary world, and one of the most magnificent scenic destinations in Vietnam.
You will take a 3,5hrs drive to Halong city before boarding a wooden boat for your overnight cruise to explore the natural beauty of the bay. Discover the splendors of the bay aboard a wooden junk that combines classic beauty with modern comfort.  You will visit today a floating village for your unique stopover.
Overnight on board.

​

​

DAY 4 |       END OF THE CRUISE & FLIGHT TO HUE | BREAKFAST ; LUNCH

 

Wake up to the sun illuminating the spectacular rock formations. After the morning tea, you will discover one typical cave of the bay before a  wholesome brunch on board. Around 11.30am, you will arrive at the pier and go back to Hanoi. You will arrive in Hanoi at approximately 5:00pm and be transfer to the airport for an evening flight to Hue. 
Overnight in Hue.
 

​

DAY 5 | HUE EXPLORATION | BREAKFAST ; DINNER

 

This morning, you will explore the elaborate mausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, both extravagant complexes of pavilions, temples, courtyards and lakes. You will then reach the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most famous landmarks, with its distinctive seven-storey octagonal tower. Having explored the pagoda and its beautiful grounds you sail back down the Perfume River while observing the local riverside life. Before sunset, you will finally enjoy a traditional cyclo tour in the city center, discovering all its treasures and its unique ambiance.
Overnight in Hue.
 

​

DAY 6 | FROM HUE TO HOI AN | BREAKFAST 

 

Today, in the morning you will visit the grand Imperial Citadel and the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, before taking a 3hrs ride to the ancient capital Hoi An. You will love spectacular views of the Pass of the Ocean Clouds. On the way you will stop in Da Nang at the fascinating Cham Museum. This beautiful museum has an excellent collection of Cham minority artifacts. Upon arrival in Hoi An, you will have some free time to explore at your leisure.
Overnight in Hoi An.

​

​

DAY 7 | HOI AN & MY SON | BREAKFAST ; LUNCH

 

Today you will discover its low tiled houses of Chinese heritage, and the brightly painted temples and pagodas that make Hoi An one of Vietnam’s most delightful places. The Japanese covered bridge, the Tan Ky Old house, the Cantonese assembly hall, the market and shops - all this adds up to a town full of history and life. Then, you will reach My Son to visit the Cham Pa Ruins, a complex of ancient ruins that date back 1700 years. 
Overnight in Hoi An.

​

​

DAY 8 |       HO CHI MINH CITY EXPLORATION | BREAKFAST

 

After a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City, you will visit the War Remnants Museum, which contains exhibits about the American phase of the Vietnam War ; the Reunification Palace, also known as Independence Palace ; the ancient General Post Office with its French colonial architecture and admire the Notre Dame Cathedral under renovation ; the Ben Thanh market, which is always loaded with all manner of good from cakes and candies to fresh food and vegetables.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

​

​

DAY 9 | MEKONG DELTA EXPLORATION | BREAKFAST ; LUNCH

 

Today you will go to Cai Be port, to board your private boat for a journey through the town’s floating market. Experience the vibrancy of river life in the ‘rice basket’ of Southeast Asia. Then, you will disembark at Vinh Long pier to reach Can Tho to visit Can Tho Museum, which houses a fascinating collection of Khmer and Chinese cultural tools.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

​

​

DAY 10 | DEPARTURE FROM HO CHI MINH CITY | BREAKFAST

Enjoy your own free leisure time until it’s time to be transferred to Tan Son Nhat Airport for departure flight. End of the tour.

​