Colorful Vietnam – 16 Days 15 Nights

Ranked among the world's best destinations, Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam with more than 1000 years of history and culture. Hanoi is also well-known for its beautiful lakes with the image of local Tai Chi in the early morning, tree-line boulevards, flowers on bicycles and delicious dishes.

08:00: Pick up and transfer to visit the Museum of Ethnology - an insight into the 54 different ethnic groups living in Vietnam. It is here you will learn about the cultural diversity of different ethnic groups from religious events to the symbolic rituals as well as display of a variety of Vietnamese homes as full-scale replicas outside.

Continue to the Temple of Literature which is the first university in Vietnam. It was constructed in 1070, first to honor Confucius and nowadays to celebrate the doctorates and ranked scholars of Vietnam.

Have lunch at local restaurant.

Then, you will have an amazing trip to the Train Street (best time to be there is around 2pm as there is a train leaving at 02:30pm and another arrival at 03:30pm) to take fantastic pictures of incoming train as well as see how locals live on both sides of the railway. A little bit far from the hustle, bustle and narrow old streets, Train street is where the trains just hurl through the residential area in mere feed away from local lives. Enjoy a cup of coffee at Train Track Coffee Shop while watching the trains pass.

Next, visit Ho Chi Minh complex with first stop at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside) –a large memorial pays homage to the national hero - President Ho Chi Minh who led the country to independence and reunification. The Mausoleum is located at Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh President read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945 establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Then take a short walk to the Presidential Palace and house on stilts.

Near from Ho Chi Minh complex, we visit to the One Pillar Pagoda (special with unique architecture of lotus flower) - a must-see place for tourists to Hanoi.

Finally, take a cyclo ride around the Old Quarter to observe the daily life of Hanoian, as well as see how locals manage in the incredible traffic. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast at hotel, you will transfer to Pu Luong Natural Reserve. (05 hours’ drive)

You enter Pu Luong Nature Reserve by road via a breathtaking mountain pass giving you a panoramic view of the whole valley. You arrive at your accommodation in time for a delicious lunch, followed by free time to explore the beautiful retreat, with its captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting.

PM: You have the chance to get close to village life and interact with locals living in the hills above the Retreat. Glimpse at daily life, walk around working farmland and rice fields, and get to know more about the local culture.

Walking back the retreat for nice dinner.

5 km easy walk – 2,5 hours

AM: This is a common and easy walk around the most beautiful valley of rice terraces  in front of the Retreat. We start to descend into the beautiful valley facing the Retreat where you walk around tumbling rice terraces. Then we will walk through small paths shrouded in vegetation to slowly reveal a picturesque Uoi village sitting at the base of a towering mountain. Your camera will not be able to sit still when you see the panorama view of the village from above.

Continue walk down hill to a local home, where you can take rest then take a cycle to go cycling around Lan village. If time permits, we will visit a local family where we can learn about their traditional brocade weaving (not guaranteed). Cycling through the rice paddies and village to village, bridge to brigde to explore more the scenic landscapes surround. You will end up at Hieu Village (the stunning village in the area), you will have a good chance to enjoy the Hieu waterfall, the sole one in the reserve. Ride back to the local home, where the car pick-up point. You will be transferred back to Puluong retreat for dinner.

5 km walking combine with 3 hours cycling.

Breakfast at the retreat. You will then transfer down to Ninh Binh – 3 hours’ drive.

Upon arrival, check in hotel and free time.

In the afternoon, you will Visit Tam Coc by 1.5 hours by bamboo boat. During the boat trip, you will be surprised by the charming beauty here with paddy field, river, water, cloud,sky and stunning cave system. All make a masterpiece which Vietnamese people called “Halong Bay on land”. Free time and overnight in Ninh Binh.

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to the Tho Ha Village in Nho Quan to begin a leisurely 5-15km (3-10mi) biking trip passing by sleepy villages and picturesque countryside landscapes. Continue to Dong Tam Hamlet to participate in some engaging agricultural activities such as catching crabs, fishing and transplanting, and watering vegetables. After an hour or so, return to the hamlet in time for a cooking class and lunch with a local family where sweet potato cakes and grilled fish are on the menu. After lunch, board a rowboat at the Nha Le Pier and enjoy a trip to the 900m (2,953ft)-deep Galaxy Grotto, so named for the sea of stalactites growing from the ceiling above, like so many stars. The grotto is also home to a large bat colony that nests near the end of the grotto. Return to Hanoi in the afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at hotel.

This morning you will start early (7h30) to transfer to Halong bay – 4 hours drive.

On arrival in Halong Bay, This UNESCO World Heritage site boasts a wild beauty of clustered limestone islets and crescent beaches. Then board your deluxe junk, settle into your cabin and prepare your appetite for an enjoyable lunch on deck. Settle on board your main boat to begin a 2 day/1 night cruise through the spectacular Halong Bay. Afterwards, take an exhilarating kayak trip through the lagoon, have a refreshing swim or simply relax on board and enjoy the sunset.

Overnight on junk.

Wake up early and take a position on the upper deck to witness the sun rise over the bay, a cup of hot tea in hand. Early morning is truly a magical time on the bay as the limestone karsts appear all around you in different shapes, sizes and colours. Continue sailing through magnificent Halong Bay. Enjoy a brunch on board before arriving at Halong City Pier at noon where transportation will be waiting for and drive back to Hanoi airport for flight to Danang.

Upon arrival at Danang airport, our tour guide & driver will pick you up at Danang airport and transfer to Hoi An. Check in and free at leisure. Overnight in a Hoi An hotel.

Breakfast at hotel.

Start your adventure with Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle and spend your time enjoying the peaceful, green space of Coconut Forest and enjoying basket boat rowing.

Then Hoi An Ancient town welcomes you to visit Phuc Kien Pagoda, Phung Hung Ancient House, the Japanese Bridge, the Museum ... Shopping at Hoi An Central Market. Walk around the historic old town and be amazed by the influences from China, Japan, and Vietnam.

Enjoy your time to making lantern at lantern workshop. You will immerse yourself in the fanciful space of the lantern street.

In evening, you will enjoy Hoi An Memories Show – the most beautiful show in the world. It’s a great way to learn about the history of Hoi An and its people, and it’s an event that’s sure to be remembered for years to come. you'll then be transferred back to your hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.

Hoi An Ancient Town - highlight of any Vietnam Honeymoon Vacation that no Vietnam Tours maker would skip, is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.

Day free to cycle through rice paddies in the countryside of Hoi An ancient town, shop for souvenirs among the antique shops and art galleries, or just sit at sidewalk cafes and soak up the atmosphere of this quaint town. Or relax on the white sandy beach of the famous Danang Beach. Overnight in a Hoi An hotel.

After breakfast, we drive to Hue. Along the way, stop in Danang to visit the Cham Museum which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. Then you will go through Hai Van Pass to Hue. Overnight in Hue.

Once the imperial capital of the Nguyen Lords from the 17th to the 19th centuries, Hue’s splendid emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas and the remains of the Citadel contribute to its undeniable royal charm.

Explore the Imperial Citadel at the centre of the Complex of Hue Monuments inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Enter through the towering main gate and appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains the events and the intrigue surrounding the former royal court. Despite being heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, there are some incredibly well-preserved sections intact and others which are being carefully restored. Drive to the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. Built in 1601, the seven-storied tower pagoda, perched on top of on a hill overlooking the Perfume River, is one of Vietnam’s most recognisable icons. In the afternoon, visit the elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb. Its architecture showcases elements of Eastern art and Western design. Notice the tomb’s blackened concrete exterior and colourful mosaic interior. Continue to the Tu Duc Royal Tomb, the most impressive of all the royal mausoleums, built by Emperor Tu Duc between 1864 and 1867. Transfer back to your hotel with an optional stop en route at an incense stick making house.

After breakfast, we drive to Hue airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, check in and free at leisure in afternoon.

Evening you will join Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh by vintage vespa

Immerse yourself into the cosmopolitan nightlife of this busy city by night.  Soak up the energy of this urban metropolis at a top ranking stylish venue of Saigon in central city location where we sip on our first drinks and try out some tasty snacks while watching the sunset Saigon. Your expert driver will then zoom through the busy streets of Saigon as you check out some of the famous highlights in this bustling city.  Feel like a local as we feast on authentic, fresh seafood dishes, eating streetside and then enjoy the local favourite that is the delicious Banh Xeo, a traditional Vietnamese savoury pancake. We then ride off into the night again to experience live music at a live music venue where a new generation of Vietnamese flaunt their style. Bring a healthy appetite and a sense of adventure as our guides show you their city by night. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Today you will enjoy a half-day private excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The Cu Chi Tunnels consist of more than 200 km of underground tunnels, connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels including innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers, and kitchens.

Today, the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life was like during the U.S.-Vietnam War. You will be able to discover the tunnel systems and learn about this part of Vietnam's past.

In the afternoon, you will take a half-day city tour to visit outside of Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica (is renovating until 2022), a neo-Roman cathedral built by the colonial French with materials entirely imported from Marseilles, Saigon Central Post Office, which was designed and constructed in the early 20th Century by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel. Then, visit the War Remnants Museum, which features an extensive collection of exhibits including weaponry, photos and documentation on Vietnam’s wars with the French and Americans. You also have free time to go shopping at Ben Thanh Market. Overnight in Hochiminh

Around 08:00 Tour guide pick you up in your hotel lobby, then driving to Vinh Long.  The boat will take you at the new boat station, downstream on Mekong River seeing many floating cages for farming fish. Stop to visit Vinhlong market in the town. This is the best choice for you to take pictures of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, vegetables...

Then, stop to visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. Next visit the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice... Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea.

Then, we’ll walk to visit the orchard & traditional house of Ut Trinh family. The optional lunch can be served at this local house. Biking can be made for a leisure! It will be so amazing to do cycling on village paths to see the daily life of the rural people.

The cruise will go back VinhLong city for transfer back to Ho Chi Minh. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Free time at leisure until our private car will see you off at the airport. We hope that you have enjoyed your Vietnam vacation. We say goodbye and see you again!!!

We hope you have had a memorable trip and wish you pleasant onward travels!