Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel on your private vehicle.

The capital Hanoi is best known for its thriving contemporary arts scene and French architecture, visible by many colonial villas scattered throughout the city. Compared to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is more traditional and refined. As Hanoi is becoming more populated with people and automobiles, the city is experiencing more traffic congestion, particularly in the Old Quarter.

Transfer from your hotel to meeting point where you with tour guide explore through little alley and discover life of locals. First stop at ancient well coffee shop, you sit on small chair as the special style of Hanoian to start a day by tasting a cup of Vietnamese coffee. After that, creep through the small alleys which is fitted for one person, take your camera to catch interested moments, morning is always the busiest time at this corner with several vendors of food or vegetable gathers for sale. Step up on old wooden stair to reach second floor of old French house, where you meet local who has a strong attachment to this house. Engage with him to find out the change of people, life and the deposition in the heart of who has three generations live in this land. Finish this tour by having a lunch at the Vietnamese subsidy style restaurant to memorize you about an unforgettable time in Hanoi after liberation.

 After lunch, wind your way to the Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins, for an overview about Hanoian culture and appreciation for ancient Vietnamese architecture.

Drive back to central Hanoi for a walking tour through the Old Quarter to enjoy the bustling local life, then cap off the day with a show at the water puppet theatre – a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes of rural life and episodes of national history.

Notes:

• Suggested time: 08:00
• Duration: 8 hours

This one-of-a-kind activity allows you to escape the noises and crowds of Hanoi and discover the lives of the region’s inhabitants with a visit to the beautiful Muong Ethnic village in Ba Vi. Hydrate with a welcome drink in Moc Village before departing on a cycling journey through nearby rice fields and quaint villages, making stops along the way at the neighbourhood market. Take a boat trip down the Da River, passing mesmerising landscapes and local life on the riverside. After working up an appetite, we gather at the home of Mrs. Chin to join in a cooking class that will teach you how to make special bun cha and spring rolls, Hanoi style. With a full belly, say goodbye to the host family as we make our way to a 30-year-old tea plantation in Ri Village. Help the owners harvest the tea leaves and pick the best part of the tree to make the highest quality beverage. Spend time at Mr. Duoc’s house, the owner of the large tea farm, before departing for a scenic trip back to Hanoi city centre.

Notes:

• Departure: 08:00
• Duration: 8 hours 

Depart for a journey to Ha Long Bay. On arrival in Halong Bay, let the vacation begin with a lunch as the boat cruises towards South East Halong Bay. Then discover the mysterious caves, tranquil beaches of the bay and take part in some cooking activities. Overnight on bay.

Wake up early and partake in a Tai Chi demonstration which is held on the upper deck. Continue to cruise down some fishing villages around the bay. Check out in the afternoon for driving back to Noi Bai airport to take the flight to Hue.

Upon arrival at Hue airport, when you leave the airport terminal please look for a tour guide displaying a welcome signboard with the Lambda Vacations logo and your name. Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Hoi An by your private vehicle.

Hue served as an imperial capital to the Nguyen Lords, a feudal dynasty which reigned from the 17th to the 19th century. Drive from your hotel to visit the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO listed site. Enter through the towering main gate and you will appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains about the events and the intrigue of the former royal court. Continue to visit the serene Tu Duc Royal Tomb, designed to blend in with its natural surroundings and built on principles of Feng-Shui.

Among many places in the country, Hue is regarded as the most ideal venue for kite flying. Except on rainy days, hundreds of kites can be seen soaring in the sky over Imperial Citadel every afternoon. Kite flying is still an interesting game for all generations in this former Royal city.  Visit Mr. Cu’s private home, a 45-year-old kite craftsman. Have a chat with him to understand the history of this traditional pastime and share his passion. Then learn how to create a kite yourself. If the weather allows it, enjoy the excitement as your kite rises into the blue sky.

 Notes:

• Suggested time: 08:30
• Duration: 6-7 hours

This morning, you will be transferred to Hoi An passing Hai Van pass, known as Ocean Cloud Pass, a 12 mile stretch of roadway between the cities of Da Nang and Hue.

Check-into your hotel on arrival and enjoy Hoi An walking tour in the afternoon.

Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a prosperous trading port. The narrow lanes with historic houses and temples are ideal for a guided walking tour.

Silk lanterns, the simple of luck yet colorful handicraft is now an essential part of Hoi An culture. It has really made a comeback thanks to an experienced artist who was born in a traditional lantern making family. He inherits valuable skills in making lanterns from his father. Chat with him for a brief introduction to the history, shape, and color of the lanterns as well as the stages of production. Try creating your own lantern and take it home as a souvenir.

Notes:

• Suggested time: 14:00
• Duration: 3 hours
• The ticket is valid for entry to 5 sightseeing spots in Hoi An including merchant’s houses, Japanese bridge, Museum, Pagoda and Congregation Hall for 24 hours; however it is valid for entry to Hoi An town for as long as you are in Hoi An. It is a must you need to keep that entrance ticket at all times in case you’d like to visit Hoi An later in the evening or the next day in your own free time.

Discover Hoi An countryside by a fun buffalo cart ride passing by rice paddies and vegetable farms at Cam Thanh village. Upon arrival at the wharf, board a local river boat and start cruising down Hoi An River. When you reach a good spot, hop off the boat along the shore and try your hand at casting the Vietnamese fishing nets. Casting the nets takes practice, but the fisherman will offer their years of experience and advice. Then step into the unique round basket boats and learn how to paddle them. Later, re-board the larger boat and enjoy light grilled seafood dishes and a refreshing cool drink as you head back up river.

The rest of the day is free at leisure

Notes:

• Suggested Time: 08:00
• Duration: 4.5 hours

This morning, you will be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Saigon

Upon arrival Tan Son Nhat airport, take a 2-hour drive northwest of Saigon to the famous Cu Chi tunnels. The tunnel complex was initially started in 1948 to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. The tunnels also served as communication routes, storage facilities for food and weapon caches as well as hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the American war. A visit to the underground villages will provide a better understanding of the tunnels’ history, the hardship of life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese resilience during combat.

 Notes:

• Suggested time: 13:30
• Tour Duration: 5 hours.

Formerly known as “Saigon” prior to 1975, today the city is Vietnam’s commercial center. Although Saigon has rapidly developed into a modern city with skyscrapers and shopping centers, there are still remnants of its past visible in the historic landmarks and beautiful French colonial buildings dotted throughout the city.

This morning, drive to a local pagoda to meet local disadvantaged children to take part in an English class and help the local children with their pronunciation. Afterwards, meet the head of the pagoda to learn more about his project to support the local people, before enjoying a tasty vegetarian lunch amidst the pagoda’s peaceful atmosphere.

 Formerly known as “Saigon” prior to 1975, today the city is Vietnam’s commercial center. The city’s dynamic energy is apparent in the bustling street scenes with thousands of people on motorbikes constantly on the move.

In the afternoon, drive around to visit some of the beautiful French colonial-era buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century. Appreciate the splendidly restored exteriors of the Saigon Opera House and the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France (entrance is only permitted when no services are being performed). Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891.

Notes:

• Suggested time: 08:30
• Tour Duration: 7-8 hours.

Leave Saigon for a 1.5-hour drive to Ben Tre Province in the Mekong Delta, which is famous for its coconut products and tropical fruit orchards. Before boarding your private local boat to view river life, pay a visit to a brick factory to learn how bricks are made by hand using centuries-old traditions. A coconut workshop, which shows you how every part of the coconut can be used for candies and crafts, is one of the shore excursions. Visit a family-run mat shop where you can weave straw sleeping mats. Visit a fruit farmer’s home after a 3km (2mi) tuk-tuk or bicycle ride. After lunch, paddle a sampan through the Delta’s palm-lined rivers. Return to Saigon by car from Hung Vuong pier.

Notes:

• Suggested departure time: 08:30
• Tour duration: 8.5 hours

Transfer to the airport to take the departure flight home or continue the extension to other destinations.