Hanoi| Halong Bay| Ho Chi Minh

Day wise itinerary: 2N Hanoi|1N Halong Bay|3N Ho Chi Minh City

Day 1: Hanoi arrival – city tour

Welcome to Hanoi! – the capital of Vietnam, is a bustling metropolis with a rich history and culture.
We will pick you up at Noi Bai Airport and transfer you to the hotel. You will have free time to
relax after long flight.
In the afternoon, we will visit Ba Dinh Square, the largest square in Hanoi. This is where all of the city’s
biggest cultural and political events take place. We will take some photos of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum from
the outside. Then we continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university.
The temple was built in 1070, and the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse
into Vietnam’s past.
After visiting the temple, we will walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, a picturesque lake in the heart of Hanoi.
The lake is home to a number of temples and pagodas, and it is a popular spot for locals and tourists
alike. We will then take a leisurely walk around the Old Quarter of Hanoi, a fascinating network of
narrow alleys and shophouses. The Old Quarter is also known as “The 36 Streets,” as each street is
named after the merchandise that was traditionally sold there. Overnight in Hanoi.
Please note: Normal check-in time at hotel is 14:00/15:00. Early check-in is not included.

Day 2: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Hanoi (B, L) SIC Tour

Have breakfast at hotel. At 07:30 – 08:00 am, you will be picked up at your hotel.
Get on the bus for your journey to Ninh Binh, the ancient capital of Vietnam. The 90-kilometer drive
south will take you through stunning countryside, where rice paddies stretch to the horizon and
sometimes seeing water buffalo graze in the fields. In Ninh Binh, you’ll visit Hoa Lu, the site of the Dinh
and Le temples. These temples were built in the 10th century to honor the Dinh and Le kings of
Vietnam. They are famous for their beautiful wooden carvings. Lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you’ll take a boat trip through Tam Coc, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This stunning
landscape is home to towering limestone karsts that rise up from the lush green rice paddies. It’s been
called the “Halong Bay on Land,” and it’s easy to see why. Leisure cycling on rural roads alongside the
extensive canal network and through small villages with back drop of a maze of limestone mountains.
After your boat trip, you’ll drive back to Hanoi. Arrives at your hotel around 18:30-19:00. Overnight in
Hanoi.
Please note: The guest will self-transfer to the pick-up point if your hotel is outside the Old Quarters.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong bay – Overnight on cruise (B, L, D) – Shuttle Bus

Breakfast at the hotel, then check out. At around 8:00 am, you will be picked up at your hotel in Hanoi
Old Quarters and transferred to Ha Long Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as
recognized by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006.
Upon arrival at the Cruise Port, you will enjoy a warm welcome from cruise staff and complete the
check-in procedure for the overnight cruise to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending
Dragon” bay, created by thousands of odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch on
board, we can visit the Grottos, stop for swimming or kayaking, pass floating houses, and approach
islets to enjoy their beauty in close proximity. Later in the afternoon, go back to the cruise and enjoy
the cooking demonstration before having dinner. In the evening, attend activities on the boat or relax
at your own leisure. Overnight on the cruise.

Day 4: Halong – Hanoi – Flight after 18:00 to Ho Chi Minh (Br) – Shuttle Bus

You should wake up early to enjoy the dawn on the sea in the early morning. The Vietnamese call the “East
Sea” by a point-oriented name “Eastern Sea”, so you may guess how miraculous seeing the sunrise over the
islets of the Bay. After breakfast our boat will continue to cruise in marvelous areas, where almost each islet
has its own name, adopting its shape or reminiscent like Sail Island, Fisherman’s head rock, Butterfly rock or
Turtle islet etc. Check out your room and have brunch on board while the cruise coming back the pier.
Disembark from the cruise, return to Hanoi by shuttle bus. Then your driver picks you up from Hanoi and
transfer to Noi Bai airport (without tour guide) for your flight to Ho Chi Minh city (air tickets excluded), also
called as Saigon, the most dynamic city in Vietnam. Upon arrival, welcomed by the local tour guide and
transfer to the down town. Check in your hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City tour – Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L) – SIC Tour

Breakfast at the hotel. You will be picked up from pick-up point in District 1 at 07:30-08:00 am. Take the
morning city tour to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, a witness to the fierce
Vietnam War that ended in 1975. The grand building today is a Museum and Hall for official receptions.
Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral
(view from outside only) built between 1877 and 1883, the historic Central Post Office – one of the city’s major
landmarks. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum, one of the most famous historical
attractions in Ho Chi Minh. Coming to the War Remnants Museum, you can learn a part of how Vietnamese
struggled and fought for their independence, freedom, and peace of the nation, as well as the locals’
perspective of the Vietnam War. Have lunch with Vietnamese food at local restaurant. Afternoon drive to Cu
Chi Tunnels: the network of over 200 km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the
war. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities, including numerous trap doors,
specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers, and
kitchens. After a short introduction video showing how the tunnels were constructed, you will have a chance
to crawl into a short section of the tunnels to feel the oppressive narrowness and heat inside. Experience the
thrill of firing an M15, AK-47, and carbine rifle (at guests own extra cost). Return to Ho Chi Minh later in the
day. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – My Tho – Ho Chi Minh (B, L) – SIC Tour

Breakfast at hotel. You will be picked up from pick-up point in District 1 at 07:30-08:00 am. Leaving the hustle
and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and start your trip to depart for My Tho, the town lies on the left side of the
Mekong River. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda which sated back to the late 19th century. Then boarding
the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix
and Tortoise islands. Stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking around country lane and seeing orchards, enjoy
tropical fruits, folk song music which performed by the local people. Visit the fruit plantation. Riding a hand
rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and treat yourself in the beauty of the countryside, visit the family
business, visit honey-bee farm, enjoy honey tea and coconut candy workshop. Have lunch at local restaurant.
Time for relaxing. In the afternoon, time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meet the local villagers to
experience the local daily life in the Mekong delta. Hammock relaxing and enjoy cool breeze for those can’t
join the cycling trip. Return to Ho Chi Minh City late in the afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Time at leisure or shopping until check out time and transfer to the airport with driver
only (no guide) for the departure flight back to your sweet home.