Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (Own ticket)
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in 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.
Day 2: Hanoi alleys walk and sightseeing.
Transfer from your hotel to the meeting point where you with a tour guide explore through the little alley and discover the life of locals. First stop at ancient well coffee shop, you sit on a small chair in the special style of Hanoian to start a day by tasting a cup of Vietnamese coffee. After that, creep through the small alleys which are fitted for one person, and take your camera to catch interesting moments, The morning is always the busiest time at this corner with several vendors of food or vegetables gathered for sale. Step up on old wooden stairs to reach the second floor of an old French house, where you meet a 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 lunch at the Vietnamese subsidy-style restaurant to remind 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 of Hanoian culture and an 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
Day 4: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (~ 2.5-3 hours driving).
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, and tranquil beaches of the bay and take part in some cooking activities. Overnight on bay.
Day 5: Ha Long – Hanoi – Fly to Hue
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 Justravel Asia logo and your name. Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Hue by your private vehicle.
Day 6: Hue sightseeing – Kite flying
Hue served as an imperial capital to the Nguyen Lords, a feudal dynasty that 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 the 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
Day 7: Hue – Hoi An – Hoi An walking tour & lantern making
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 the 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 handicrafts are now an essential part of Hoi An culture. It has 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 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, the 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.
Day 8: Hoi An buffalo cart riding – Fishermen and waterway life
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 riverboat 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 upriver.
The rest of the day is free at leisure
Notes:
- Suggested Time: 08:00
- Duration: 4.5 hours.
Day 9: Hoi An – Da Nang – Fly to Saigon. Saigon sightseeing – English teaching for local poor children in pagoda.
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Saigon
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, transfer to Saigon downtown.
Formerly known as “Saigon” before 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” before 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.
Day 10: Mekong day trip
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 (2 mi) 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
Day 11: Saigon – Flight to Phu Quoc
Transfer to the airport to take the departure flight home or continue the extension to other destinations.
Upon arrival, transfer to your selected hotel in Phu Quoc. Overnight in Phu Quoc.
Day 12: Phu Quoc
Enjoy half-day snorkeling around the coral reef in North or South Island.
The rest of the time is at leisure to enjoy the beach.
Day 13: Phu Quoc
The entire day is at leisure to enjoy the beach.
Day 14: Phu Quoc – Saigon departure (Own tickets)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take the departure flight home or continue the extension to another destination.
End of services.
