Essence of Vietnam 10 Days

Ha Noi is filled with modern energetic neighborhoods while also maintaining a connection to its traditions. Its streets surge with scooters vying for right of way amid the din of constantly blaring horns, and all around layers of history reveal periods of French and Chinese occupation – offering a glimpse into the resilience of ambitious, proud Hanoians. Dine on the wild and wonderful at every corner, sample market wares, uncover an evolving arts scene, then sleep soundly in luxury for very little cost. Meet the people, delve into the past and witness the awakening of a Hanoi on the move.
Welcome the city of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, a place that combines serenity and energy with ease. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and soon you are settled into your accommodation within the center of the city.
Meal: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Ha Noi

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay is scattered with more than 2000 floating islands of karstic rock. Legend has it that these floating islands were created by a family of dragons who were invoked by the Emperor to protect Vietnam against Chinese invaders. The dragons flew across the bay, spitting out jewels and jade, which magically turned
into scattered islands. Together, these islands linked to create a protective barrier, which can still be admired to this day.
This morning you find yourself on the banks of the world-renowned Ha Long Bay. The early mist is subtle and cool. It soon dissipates and is replaced by the rising sun. You can see the water glowing a faded emerald in the early light. Climb aboard your cruise and venture out onto the bay. You can’t miss the incredible karsts that protrude from the water. Some of the limestone is covered with lush greenery; other times you can see the dark gray boulders peeking into the sky. The collection of karsts that rise out of the water look like dragon’s teeth and gave way to the legend of the bay. Anchoring in the Cong Do area, a Vietnamese cooking demonstration will take place on the sundeck, followed by a sumptuous seafood dinner on board before you retire to your cabin for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on cruise

The morning stretches over the bay and makes the karsts glint in the light. In the early daylight hours, you can enjoy the view of the bay from the ship’s deck while partaking in a Tai Chi demonstration. Each movement is slow and controlled to help soothe the body and the mind. Then the cruise will tour around the bay until you disembark at the end of the morning. After that, you will then return to Hanoi on a road lined with typical rice fields of the Red River Delta. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure. Dinner on your own account. Overnight in hotel in Ha Noi.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ha Noi

The aroma of fresh drip Vietnamese coffee is enough to draw you from bed. The locals enjoy the rich and almost chocolaty flavor. In certain neighborhoods you can find people mixing the coffee with condensed milk to add a thick and sweet cream to the rich and dark drink. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and our guide will pick you up from hotel for Ha Noi exploration. There is an abundance of history and culture to see. One Pillar Pagoda is an historic Buddhist temple that was constructed in the 11th century. It hovers over the serene waters of a lotus pond. The temple is quaint but impressive. A stone staircase leads up to the sanctuary’s entrance. Its roofs slope and curve in a quintessential example of ancient Vietnamese architectural design. The surrounding trees rustle in the breeze. The lotus pond is quiet and perfectly still. It feels so far removed from the movement of the city even though you are in the city’s center. The Temple of Literature is nearby and is home to the university that was started in the 11th century. It is the oldest university in Vietnam. The old university and the temple, the pagodas and the courtyard have become an oasis in the large city, filled with tranquil atmosphere and pristine scenery. In the center of the Garden of the Stele you will find a walled pond known as the Well of Heavenly Clarity. Two halls border the well and contain 82 steles, each one sitting on the back of a tortoise. By the end of the trip, you will visit the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple on an island in the middle of the Sword Lake. To begin, take a walk across the majestic red wood bridge, officially named the Huc bridge (Bridge of the rising sun), to reach Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade mountain), standing on an enticing islet connected to the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake.
After the tour ends, our driver will transfer you to airport to take short flight to Da Nang. Then, you will get to hotel in Hoi An. Dinner on your own account.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

The ancient town of Hoi An, 30 km south of Da Nang, lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. The face of the Old Town has preserved its incredible legacy of tottering Japanese merchant houses, Chinese temples and ancient tea warehouses – though, of course, residents and rice fields have been gradually replaced by tourist businesses. Lounge bars, boutique hotels, travel agents and a glut of tailor shops are very much part of the scene here.

Our guide will pick you up from hotel in the morning. You will then explore the quiet Thu Bon River with the charm and elegance of history displayed in the soft sway of the Chinese lanterns which drape across the main streets. The city was once the center of trade for silk, porcelain, pepper, and cinnamon dating back to the 16th century. After breakfast your guide will take you through the streets that make the town feel more like an outdoor museum than a living, breathing, working city. The Japanese Covered Bridge has become an icon of the city. The structure reaches over the riverbed in a lovely artistry featuring sloping, tiled roofs and statues paired on either side of the entryways, monkeys on one and dogs on the other, both guarding the bridge from intruders and spirits. When visiting the Tan Ky House you will come to the quintessential building that stood during the heyday of the city’s trading. Constructed by a Vietnamese family over 200 years ago, you can still find Japanese and Chinese influence in its architecture, from the ceiling along the sitting area to the delicate Chinese poems inlaid on mother-of-pearl and hung from the various columns that support the roof. The back of the house faces the river and was once rented to merchants, allowing them access to the waterway which was once the most prosperous point of the city. Although the streets are filled with locals and visitors alike, the quaint buildings and lavish history create a charming atmosphere that is hard to ignore and impossible not to enjoy. Then, you will travel by boat on the Thu Bon river and arrive at the Kim Bong village ( or the “carpenter’s village”) and Thanh Ha pottery village. You will have the opportunity to learn about the local traditions and techniques from local workshop. Have soft lunch in local restaurant. Early in the afternoon, you will get back to Hoi An town.

After breakfast and check out hotel, about 8h00 to 8h30am.We will pick up by deluxe bus and transfer to Hue.You will have a short break on the way and arrive Hoi An in the early afternoon.You will have meals by yourself and free time.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Hue was once the Imperial capital and now listed as a World heritage site. Sitting on the Banks of the delightful Perfume River you will find amazing citadels, fabulous palaces and royal tombs. Many of the sites can be reached by river and this makes an excellent way to see the city.
Start your day with a take a Dragon boat along Perfume River for visiting Thien Mu Pagoda one of the most famous Vietnamese landmarks. Continue your journey to discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed wonder of the Citadel including the Forbidden Purple City. Continue on car to visit Imperial Citadel. Famously being one of Vietnam’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Imperial City of Hue has long been a must-see attraction for tourists visiting a hidden charm of Vietnam. The Imperial City of Hue was actually a walled fortress and palace belonged to the ancient city of Hue which was a capital city of the Nguyen Dynasty for 140 years date back from 1805 until 1945. Then visit Hue Royal Antiques Museum - A collection of ornaments from the Nguyen Dynasty. Then, you will pay a visit to Dong Ba market to see the daily lives of local people. Have lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, we visit Khai Dinh King’s Tomb - a blend of Western and Eastern, Minh Mang King’s Tomb, one is impressed by the majesty and symmetry of the architectural constructions. You will fishish day tour with Conical hat making village, incense stick making village. Late in the afternoon, back to your hotel. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Welcome to the once southern capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, where the streets are lively and the scents are enticing, from chili to garlic, ginger to coriander. You arrive at the airport and are met by your private transfer who will soon have you relaxing in the comforts of your hotel centrally located within the city. Vietnam’s center of commerce, the modern metropolis, wraps around the Saigon River bringing a vibrant skyline to the soothing waterway. Through a blend of tradition, modernity, colonial history, and reunification, the wonder of Vietnam has begun.
After checking out, our driver will transfer you to airport take short flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival, our driver will take you to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure. Meals on your own account. Overnight in hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Outside of Saigon the Mekong Delta rushes along the southwestern edges of the countryside. The river stretches from the Tibetan Plateau down to the South China Sea. Your guide escorts you to the riverbanks and you board a boat to discover the sensational culture of the waterway’s endless canals. Over the riverbanks the landscape is awash with paddy fields as far as the eye can see. Farmers stand knee deep in water and pick at the budding grains. Stop at brick work – coconut charcoal making and coconut husking. Visit one of the plenty of coconut processing workshops where coconut candies are made and have a chance to learn the coconut candies making process located along canals. Then, turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village. Take a walk to family making sleep mats. Afterward, being on a cart powered by a motorbike or biking and traveling through some tranquil villages where vegetables gardens to be able to touch on real life and find out about tropical culture from Peasants. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, take biking around the village, rowing-boat along water palm creek and boat to Hung Vuong Pier. Driving back to Ho Chi Minh. Late in the afternoon, you will be back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Your time will be your own until your private car and driver (No guide) arrives to take you to the airport for your flight to next destination. Finish unforgettable Vietnam Tour with AsiaTouradvisor.com. Good bye & see you in the next time! AsiaTouradvisor.com can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Latest hotel check out time: 12.00 p.m