Discover the Charms of Vietnam 8 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 Ha Noi, 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.

When morning washes over the city you can see the streets spring to life. 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. From 08.00 – 08.30, 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. Early in the afternoon, you will be back to your hotel in Ha Noi.

Hoa Lu Tam Coc Day Trip is like other days trip in from Hanoi. The tour starts with 8.00– 8.30am pickup in Hanoi’s Old Quarter by our local guide and bus, followed by a 2-hour drive from Hanoi to Hoa Lu through the lush countryside to Ninh Binh. Upon arrival, you will visit Hoa Lu - The Ancient Capital of Vietnam, and the remaining two temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le. You will learn more about the history of Vietnam dating back a thousand years, and why this area was chosen for the capital of Vietnam. Then, you will proceed to Tam Coc Caves (16km from Hoa Lu) where you will have a lavish buffet lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, Your will continue your Hoa Lu Tam Coc trip with a relaxing sampan boat in Tam Coc, famous as “Halong Bay on land”. The 90-minute boat ride offers you endless photo opportunities. On the rowing boat trip in Tam Coc, you will go through the Tam Coc Caves and pass the rice fields where you will have a chance to take the nice photos of nature and local people working on the riverside. When you return to the dock, take a short break before cycling for approximately 45 minutes along country lanes to enjoy the beautiful scenery of lush paddy fields and discover the real countryside of Vietnam. Afterwards, you get on the shuttle bus for the return from Tam Coc to Hanoi. Around 18.00 p.m, you will get back to hotel in Ha Noi. Dinner on your own account. Overnight in 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.

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.

Then our driver will transfer you to Hai Phong Airport to take flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure. Dinner on your own. Overnight in hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeingthe beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars. Have lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hour driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served. Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun. Late in the afternoon, you will get back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh city. Dinner on your own account.

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. After the tour, you will be back to Ho Chi Minh. Late in the afternoon, you will be back to your 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.