Vietnam Ethnic Discovery Trip 10 Days 9 Nights

On the second day of your Hanoi trip, you'll embark on a city tour visiting significant landmarks. First, you'll see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square, an important memorial where Ho Chi Minh declared independence in 1945.

Next, you'll visit Ho Chi Minh's stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda, a symbol of gratitude.

Then, you'll explore the Temple of Literature, the first national university in Vietnam.

Afterward, you'll have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you'll visit the Museum of Ethnology, showcasing Vietnam's ethnic groups, and Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as "Lake of the Returned Sword." Legend has it that Emperor Le Loi lost his magic sword in the lake.

The day will end with a traditional water puppet show.

Finally, you'll return to your hotel for the night. Dinner is not included.

Your day will begin with an 8am hotel pick-up and transfer to the picturesque area of Ninh Binh, which boasts a stunning landscape of hundreds of limestone mountains nestled among lush rice fields and gentle rivers that have carved out spectacular and enchanting caves over millions of years.

Upon arrival in Trang An, you will embark on a delightful two-hour sampan cruise through various waterways, where you can marvel at the stunning rural scenery of limestone cliffs. Trang An Grottoes is similar to Tam Coc, but with many more caves to explore. Unfortunately, some of the caves have been widened to allow boats to pass through, compromising their natural beauty.

After the cruise, enjoy a delicious lunch at a nearby local restaurant before continuing on to explore the majestic Bai Dinh Pagoda. Not only is this the largest pagoda in Vietnam, but it is also the largest in Southeast Asia. Situated on a hill at the back, with views overlooking a river at the front, its prime location has made it one of Ninh Binh's most impressive tourist attractions.

Finally, you will be transported to your hotel for the evening, with dinner on your own.

Overnight in Ninh Binh (or in a resort near Bai Dinh Pagoda)

Your day will begin with an 8am hotel pick-up and transfer to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam. Translating to "descending dragon" in Vietnamese, this stunning destination is a popular travel spot.

Upon arrival at Tuan Chau Port around 11:45am to 12:00pm, you will board our boat and receive a welcome drink and safety instructions during a cruise briefing. You will also be treated to a delicious deluxe Vietnamese Set Menu Lunch, with the option to book a massage service in advance to enjoy throughout the cruise.

As we cruise through the bay, you will have the opportunity to take in the most beautiful and peaceful areas, such as the Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock, and Finger Islet. Our next stop is the breathtaking Surprise Cave (Hang Sửng Sốt), one of the largest and most stunning grottoes in Halong Bay. To reach the mouth of the cave, we will climb approximately a hundred stone steps.

After exploring the Surprise Cave, we will sail for about 30 minutes to anchor overnight. During this time, guests can participate in a Fruit and Vegetable Carving Lesson led by our Head Chef. Our chef will demonstrate fruit and vegetable carving and teach guests how to decorate and make some traditional Vietnamese food.

A dinner of fresh seafood will be served in the evening, followed by a range of activities. Board games like cards or Parcheesi will be available, as well as massage services throughout the cruise. Everyone can also try their luck at squid fishing on the boat with the help of the crew.

Overnight on boat.

Should guests choose to wake up early at 6:30 am, they can enjoy a light breakfast and hot drinks in the dining room. However, it is not mandatory, and guests who prefer to sleep in can do so. For those interested, a 30-minute Tai Chi session will be held on the sundeck at 6:45 am.

After the session, guests will be taken by tender to Titov Island. There, they can choose to hike for approximately one hour to the peak to get a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Bay. An expansive viewing deck is also available halfway up the island for guests who do not wish to climb. After the climb, guests can unwind on the beach or take a swim.

Once guests return to the boat, they will have 30 minutes to freshen up and pack their belongings. All guests are requested to collect their belongings from the cabins and leave their heavy luggage outside. Our staff will transfer the luggage directly to the pier. A full breakfast will be served in the dining room, and guests can settle their bills after breakfast. As the boat approaches the pier, guests can relax on the sundeck or in the dining room and enjoy the beautiful bay scenery.

Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions, tide levels, and operational conditions, and the times provided are approximate and may vary.

At 12:00 PM, the cruise experience will end, and guests will be transferred to Ninh Binh. On the way, a stop will be made to savor the mouth-watering green cake, a popular local delicacy.

In the afternoon, guests will arrive in Hanoi and proceed to check-in at their hotel.

Dinner will be on their own.

Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your morning flight to Da Nang city. Upon arrival, a driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to Hoi An. En route, you will make a stop at Non Nuoc Marble village, located about 8km southeast of Da Nang City, which is also known as "Mountain and Water" in Vietnamese.

Next, you will continue your journey to the ancient town of Hoi An. This town was once an important trading port during the 17th and 18th centuries, and has been officially listed as a World Heritage site. After arriving, you will check into your hotel and have free time to explore the ancient town.

Meals on your own.

Overnight in Hoi An.

What a wonderful itinerary! You will have the opportunity to experience some of the most famous and beautiful sights in Hoi An, while also venturing out into the peaceful countryside for a day of cycling and cultural immersion.

The morning walk through the ancient town sounds like a great way to start the day, with visits to some of the most significant historical and cultural sites.

The Quan Cong temple and Phuc Kien pagoda will offer insight into the Chinese influence in Hoi An, while the Japanese Bridge and Tan Ky ancient house will showcase the town's diverse heritage.

Lunch at a local restaurant is a perfect opportunity to refuel before embarking on an afternoon of cycling through the picturesque countryside. It will be refreshing to get away from the busy city and enjoy some peaceful time in nature. The Van Lang fisherman village and Bay Mau water coconut forest sound like stunning destinations, full of history and natural beauty.

Meeting Mr. Han and his family will be an incredible opportunity to learn about the local culture and traditional way of life. The basket boat tour and foot bath with medicinal herbs are unique experiences that will surely be remembered for years to come. And of course, dinner with a local family is an excellent way to sample traditional Vietnamese cuisine and connect with the local community.

Overall, this itinerary offers a great balance of history, culture, nature, and food, making it an unforgettable experience for anyone visiting Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Following an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Da Nang Airport for your morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. This bustling metropolis was once known as Saigon, serving as the capital of the French colony of Cochin-China and later the independent republic of South Vietnam from 1955-75. On 2 July 1976, Saigon was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City, in honor of the Vietnamese communist revolutionary leader who served as prime minister (1945-1955) and president (1945-1969) of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam).

Upon arrival, you will embark on a tour of the city. First, you will visit the Opera House, which was constructed in 1900 and influenced by the architecture of the Opera Garnier in Paris. The facade of the opera is a replica of the Petit Palais in Paris. You will also visit Notre-Dame Cathedral, a renowned central Saigon Cathedral erected in 1877 with materials imported from France, and the Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will explore the Chinese quarter "Cho Lon" and its remarkable Binh Tay market. The day will conclude with a visit to a lacquer ware factory, where you will have the opportunity to witness the creation of traditional Vietnamese lacquer ware.

Following the tour, you will return to your hotel for some leisure time, with dinner on your own.

Overnight in Saigon (HCM city).

Embark on an immersive adventure into traditional Vietnamese life starting at 8:00 am, with a pickup from your hotel in Ben Tre, a quaint town situated in the Mekong Delta region renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and distinct local culture.

At 10:30 am, you will arrive at Hàm Luông pier in Ben Tre town and board a boat for a picturesque cruise on the Ben Tre River, one of the Mekong Delta's tributaries. Along the journey, witness the lively activities taking place along the river, such as fishing and water transfer, which are integral parts of the local people's daily routine.

Experience the traditional brick-making process by visiting the masonry and observing how bricks are printed and fired. Also, explore a coconut processing workshop located along the canal and visit a workshop where mats are made, and enjoy some tea and fruit.

Take a motor cart (xe lôi) or a bicycle ride through the lush green plains or rice fields, and witness the tropical culture of the peasants.

Savor a delicious lunch at the Hai Hồ family before taking a rowing boat to reach the pier and return to Ho Chi Minh City.

You will arrive in HCM City around 5:00 pm after a refreshing break.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Following your breakfast, you will have some leisure time before your scheduled airport transfer for your flight back home. Please note that meals during this time will be at your own discretion.

End of Trip (10 day tour in Vietnam)