Itinerary
This trip is ideal for people who are short on time as the Vietnam Express Tour helps you discover three regions in 8 days all the way from Ho Chi Minh city upto Hanoi. Come join us as we explore the Mekong delta, Hoian ancient town and halong bay.
Day 1: Arrival Ho Chi Minh
Arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, the tour tour guide will pick you up and transfer us to hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh – Caibe – Vinh Long (B/L/D)
Best departure time from Saigon: at 07:00AM to get the full view of Cai Be floating market
Leaving busy Ho Chi Minh City we drive to Cai Be, boat through the busy floating market for seeing how people of lower Mekong Delta do business on the water. We then cruise through the lush green vegetation of the canals to an orchard, where we are treated to a delicious lunch complete with tropical fruits. After lunch we keep on cruising along river to see peaceful tranquil life of villagers, admire marvelous natural setting of Mekong Delta region. About 03:00PM, the boat will arrive at Vinh Long Market, walking around to explore Vinh Long Market. On the way back to Ho Chi Minh we will stop at Bonsai Garden. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh – Danang – Hoian Old Quarter (B/L)
Having breakfast before the tour guide will transfer you to the airport for the flight to Danang, arrival Danang, the tour guide will transfer you to Hoian on the way we will visit Marble Mountain & Cham Museum, arrival Hoian, check in hotel and relax. In the afternoon we will start our walking tour around the ancient town to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoian, the temples and pagodas of Chinese appearance. Overnight in Hoian
Day 4: Hoian – Hue City Tour (B/L)
After breakfast at the hotel, we travel by vehicle to Hue along scenic highway 1A. Along the way we will stop to contemplate the stunning views north to Hai Van Pass, My Khe Beach
Arrival Hue, check in hotel then we have lunch before visiting Hue Imperial City. We will take the boat on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda then we will visit Tomb of Tu Duc King. Overnight in Hue
Day 5: Hue – Hanoi City Tour (B/D)
Today we will take the flight to Hanoi. Arrival Hanoi, the tour guide will meet and trasnfer us to visit Temple of Literature then we have lunch. In the afternoon, we visit Museum of Ethnology then we take cyclo to visit Hanoi Old Quarter. Finally we watch a Water Puppet Show and back to hotel. In the evening, we have dinner at a fine restaurant in the city. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)
08h00: Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi. Drive to Halong City through the paddy fields in the Red River Delta.
10H00: Stopover on the way for refreshments
12h00: Arrive at Tuan Chau Wharf – Break and photo opportunities
12h30: Board Glory Cruises for departure. A welcome drink will be served
13h00: Lunch is served while cruising through the bay
15h30: Visit exciting Cua Van fishing village, the village is free from busy roads and streets, electric lights, houses and high rise buildings. Instead, there are only herds of little boats and rafts. You will have the chance to discover the traditional culture and customs of the fishermen.
Enjoy kayaking or swimming (if the weather permits).
16h30-17h00: Return to the boat and join cooking class by Glory Cruise’s Chef.
19h00: Dinner is served.
21h00: Leisure time to enjoy a chat around the bar or enjoy night fishing.
Relax and spend a romantic night on Glory Cruise
Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B/Br)
06h30: Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served in the dining room.
7h00: Enjoy Tai Chi instruction on the sundeck (duration about 30 minutes).
08h15: Visit splendid Sung Sot Cave
09h00: Check out and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay, passing Dinh Huong Island, fishing villages, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island and Sail Island.
09.30: Buffet brunch (breakfast/lunch) while cruising back through Halong Bay to the pier
11h30: Arrive at the pier. Time to say goodbye to the crew
12h00: Drive from Halong to Hanoi.
14h00: Stopover in Dong Trieu town to visit a Ceramics workshop.
16.00: Arrive in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi City Tour (B/L)
We start our one day city tour from the lobby of the hotel at 8:30am with our tour guide & driver pick -up. We will drive to Ho Chi Minh Complex, where we will spend a couple of hour to visit: Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his Former Stilt-house Residence, the Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda. Keep going to see the Temple of Literature: Originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society placed then and now on education. Lunch will be at a fine local restaurant in Hanoi.
In the afternoon, we will visit one of the most interesting museums in Vietnam, Museum of Ethnology, which is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority people. Following by that we will wander around the city by car to see the real life of Hanoi as well as the difference parts the city.
After that we get back to city center where we take one-hour cyclo around the Old Quarter, known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Before we go back to hotel, we will have chance to enjoy the unique Water Puppet show to hear to know Vietnamese traditional instruments and singing from the live musicians who play throughout the show. Overnight in Hanoi
Notes:
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opening time: Open from Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 8am to 11pm. Closed on Mondays and Fridays. The mausoleum is closed for two months of the year, usually October and November, when Ho Chi Minh’s body is maintenance. Ethnology Museum is closed on Mondays.
Day 9: Hanoi Departure (B)
Today we are free time to relax before the tour guide will transfer us to airport for the flight to Hanoi. End of services!
