Vietnam Discovery 12 Days

Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide who will escort you to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to downtown with a brief introduction en route. Your guide will be holding a welcome signboard with the ASIA TOUR ADVISOR LOGO & your name. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the tree-lined boulevards, French Indochinese architecture and tranquil lakes of this unique city.

Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city and home to seven million people. Traditional and refined with French colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards, scenic lakes and a bustling Old Quarter, Hanoi has a sophisticated charm. Observe locals practicing Tai Chi by the lake, with barbers and food vendors plying their sidewalk trade.

Notes:
+ Hotel check-in time is from 14:00/ early check-in subject to room availability
+ We’re flexible to switch the itinerary if you want to start/finish your trip in another city

The capital of Vietnam, a city that celebrated 1.000 years in 2010 has countless fascinating cultural and historic sites and our days' tour will visit the highlights. See the grand and solemn mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov), the 'icon of Hanoi' - The One Pillar Pagoda, the beautiful Temple of Literature, West Lake's Tran Quoc temple and Quan Thanh pagoda as well as the fascinating Ethnology Museum, the bustling Old Quarter and at the end of the day - a water puppet performance.

We'll pick you up at hotel and drive through the verdant Red River Delta to make our way to the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Halong Bay. You'll board a luxury junk ship for an overnight cruise-- while you relax on-board you can marvel at the incredible limestone karsts that jut out of the sea and the thousands of jungle-covered islands that seem to float on the waves. The turquoise waters of the Gulf of Tonkin swirl around hidden grottoes and ancient caves to create an enchanting, timeless world.

We'll serve you a fresh seafood lunch while you sit back and relax as you enjoy the incredible view with a drink in your hand. We'll take you to a traditional fishing village where the locals have created an entire town on the decks of their boats, then you can explore Tien Ong Cave before returning to the cruise for cocktails, canapés, and a spectacular sunset. End your day with a romantic, candlelit dinner.

Begin the day with a Tai Chi class on deck in the early morning mist or just admire the beautiful scenery as the sun rises over the azure waters. Choose between an excursions to a secluded island with a sandy beach for a swim or join the chef for a cooking demonstration to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine. Enjoy a leisurely brunch while your junk cruises Halong Bay, passing islets and caves as you make your way back to the dock.

Your driver will meet you when you disembark and transfer you straight to the airport for a short flight to Danang. Meet your guide upon arrival and heading to your hotel
Hoi An was a prosperous port from the 16th to 19th centuries trading with merchants from China, Japan, India, Indonesia and Europe who came to buy silk, spices and porcelain. Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Quarter is beautifully preserved with ornate pagodas, antique trading houses and old tile-roofed shops. It is a rich architectural fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European styles. Many of the historic buildings lining the canals and pedestrian streets have been converted into art galleries, boutique restaurants, bars and cafes. Hoi An is surrounded by attractive countryside with traditional farming and fishing, and by sandy beaches with modern seaside resorts.
Note: The cruise itinerary is subject to change according to weather conditions & different cruise operators

Option 1 – Cooking class:
Your cooking class today will begin with a visit to a colorful local markets, buying all the necessary ingredients and head back to prepare. Your cheft will demonstrate how to cook some typical Vietnam cruisine, you will then start cooking yourself and enjoy what you have cooked 
In the afternoon, exploring the enchanting time-capsule town of Old Hoi An on a walking tour with your guide. Hoi An was a major sea port in Asia and it resulted in a fusion of style and culture that has been perfectly preserved. Wander traditional Chinese shops, luxurious French homes, and an ancient Japanese bridge. The town is home to silk markets, Vietnamese food stalls, and talented street performers-- all of which are sure to charm you.

Option 2 – Vegetable village:
Breakfast at your hotel and then it’s time for a little bit of exercise and a bike ride to Tra Que Vilage and a visit to a local farm. This is a very special involvement in true Vietnamese rural life. You will learn about the history of the village and then be shown the daily practices of growing vegetables. You will learn how the vegetables are used in traditional Vietnamese medicine. You will join in the activities of the farmers – collecting seaweed fertilizer, sowing, raking, watering and picking. Your cultural immersion continues as you join the family to prepare and eat the lunch you have helped grow. You will also taste other local specialties such a Tam huu (spring roll) and Bahn xeo (pancake). Of course you must also join in the after lunch nap before returning to the fiel to learn how to harvest and wrap the produce. Mid-afternoon we wave goodbye to your new friends and go back to Hoian for visiting Hoian Old Quarter. Return to your hotel for relaxing

Option 3 – Countryside biking or motor riding:

Our guide will pick you up at the hotel by motobike, riding to Tra Que village and then ride back to the river for aboard a local ferry to Kim Bong Village. This village is not only famous for wood carving but weaving sleeping mat as well, so we will stop at a family to see how they weave the mat for every day use in the old time before having today popular mattresses. Visit a local family making the famous local noodle - Mi Quang is the other chance to learn the local life. You also have a chance to make make and eat the perfect banh dap (rice cracker). Riding into a small village , gearing up for an adrenalin pumping 300 metre bamboo bridge river crossing to the opposing landscape of the sea-board side of the island making our way to Duy Hai market and harbour. Here, the local ferry crossing takes guests to the water coconut palm fringed Cam Thanh village. Have lunch at Cam Thanh homestay. Back your hotel by motobike.

Note: If you prefer biking than scooter tour, we can be flexible to modify the route, matching with your ability.

You'll have the morning for a leisure breakfast before we come to collect you and take you to Danang to catch a flight to Buon Me Thuot. When you arrive at the airport, you will be met and transferred directly to your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, visit Lak Lake, have an ride elephant to cross Lak Lake (1 hour), do dug-out canoe on Lak Lake (30’) + sight seeings. Have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit villages of M’lieng, Le and Jun. Discover the culture of the M’nong R’lam. Enjoy Gongs Show or go fishing with local people by dug-out canoe (optional). Visit plantations of pepper/rubber/coffee.

Today, start to visit D’ray Nur Fall (chance of swimming in good season), Ako D’hong Village (Ede people), Trung Nguyen Coffee Village. Have lunch at a local restaurant.

If time permits, enjoy a local coffee & ready for the flight to Saigon.
When you arrive at the airport, you will be met and transferred directly to your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

We'll pick you up in the morning and take you to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a major part of the Vietnam-American War and a fascinating day trip-- explore the mysterious tunnels, find hidden doors and once-deadly traps.

After lunch we'll go back to HCMC and spend the afternoon either visiting the War Remnants Museum or the Presidential Palace, whichever you prefer. Then stroll around the city's colonial streets in the evening to the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall.

Leave your hotel this morning, heading to visit Mekong Delta. On arrival in Hàm Luông pier. Cruse on Bến Tre river exploring the lively activities along river as fishing, water transferring…….see brick making in handy traditional style by printing and baking. Visit one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along canal. Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village. Take a walk to family workshop making sleepmats and enjoying some fruits and tea.

Riding a motor cart (xe lôi) or bike on shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on real life and find out about tropical culture from Peasants. Lunch at Hai Hồ house.
Afternoon - riding a sampan along canal, before boat back to Ham Luông pier. End you touring, heading to Can Tho for overnight

Take a leisurely boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river ( Bassac River), then proceed to visit Cai Răng floating market which are the liveliest in the whole religion. Have you ever tasted Vietnamese vermicelli soup? Well, now go and see how it is made.

Then wander around the village and meet the friendly local people and experience how to cross a "Monkey bridge" which is built by only o¬ne stem of bamboo. Visit the orchard garden. Stop for lunch. On the way back to HCM city by bus the last stop is to see how incense sticks are made.

NOTE: Please note the floating market nowadays is not as busy as in some pictures since there are more new road access & traders have more choices of transport than they did before (by boat only). But, this could be the last chances to see the market before it disappears, so it’s still worth a visit.

Your time will be your own until your private car and driver arrives to take you to the airport for your flight back home or to your next destinations. Tour ends

This is the end your trip with Asia Tour Advisor. We thank you for joining us on this incredible experience to explore all the wonders of Vietnam. Goodbye, and we hope to see you again next time! Asia Tour Advisor can also arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations, please do share your thoughts with our travel experts.