Being Vietnamese

Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh City Arrival


Arrive in Ho Chi Minh on your flight. Your guide and private car will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. 

 

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.




Day 2 - Ho Chi Minh City tour by Vespa – Cu chi Tunnels half day (B, L)


After breakfast, Depart Ho Chi Minh City in the morning for the drive to Cu Chi Tunnels. An important role during the Vietnam resistance war, to gain independence and unify for Vietnam. Visitor will be amaze at this manual hand-done tunnel, starts in the early. 1940, Tunnel & Bunkers network of over 200km underground from 10 meter to 70 meter depth, levels with living quarters, armory, command post & hospital. Start the visit with the Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc sections of the tunnel. Here you can imagine what it was like to be a guerrilla complete with Russian Carbine rifles and AK 47’s. In the late afternoon drive back to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch at local restaurant.

 

Afternoon, Despite all the hustle and bustle, Saigon retains its connections with the past. Today, discover the real Saigon like a local on the back of an old style vintage Vespa. Enjoy a ride behind your driver passing by the city’s historic landmarks including the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. Cruising further, head to China town to visit Francis Xavier Church and the Thien Hau pagoda. Following your tour head back to your hotel.   

 

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.




Day 3 - Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)


Depart Saigon for 2 hour drive to the southwest to Cai Lay. Along the way, notice lush rice paddies and fruit farms emerging alongside the highway. Upon arrival, board a charming wooden boat to enjoy countryside scenery and river life. Then stretch your legs a bit and hop on a bicycle for a short ride of about 7km (over easy, level terrain) along narrow village lanes, past fruit orchards and local cottage industries. Locals will often greet you with a hello or “xin chao bao gia thiet ke quan cafe” as you pedal by. Arrive at the home of a tropical fruit farmer and have a walk around his orchard. Enjoy the opportunity to taste fresh fruits. Then relax while enjoying the view from a small sampan boat as you are paddled slowly along tropical canals. Disembark and walk through this Mekong village to a local home and enjoy a home-hosted lunch of Mekong Delta specialties. After lunch, a short walk takes you back to the car and your return trip to Saigon. 

 

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.




Day 4 - Ho Chi Minh City – Danang – Hoi An (B, L)


After breakfast transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for the short flight to the central port city of Danang. On arrival in Danang transfer to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. Then, take a walking tour around this enchanting port town. Follow the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures and visit its numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, the local fish market… Around the town we can see a numerous art galleries and tailor shops, get some made-to-order clothes if you like. The tour takes about 2 hours - Finish tour and check in Hotel.

 

Overnight in Hoi An.




Day 5 - Hoi An – Tra Que Biking – Cooking Class (B, L, D)


Breakfast at hotel, ride a bicycle to a local farm in Tra Que village. Introduction to the history of the village, the cultivation of the vegetables as well as discovering about the use of vegetables in traditional Vietnamese medicine. You will take a trip around the vegetable garden and join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the local lake. Continuing doing some next steps such as: raking the ground, sowing, watering greens, picking greens and many more gardening activities. Then spend the rest of the morning working the land in the time honored way, before breaking to prepare lunch with a local family. Your lunch will consist of many local delicacies including ‘tam huu’ spring roll, Banh xeo or local pancake of people's middle region. After your lunch and the exertions of the morning, take an even more traditional Vietnamese post-prandial nap before learning how to harvest and wrap the vegetables.

 

After that, Set in three acres of lush tropical gardens, Red Bridge cooking school is one of the highlights of the culinary scene in Hoi An. Meet up with your chef at Hai Café in the old town for a brief introduction and a welcome drink. Meander through Hoi An’s central market with your chef to enjoy the sights, sounds and aromas. This is your chance to learn about how to select fresh produce and ingredients essential for Vietnamese cuisine. Embark on a 20 minute boat trip to the school. Get your camera ready as the cruise offers glimpses of local river life. Upon arrival visit the school’s herb garden before enjoying a private hands-on cooking class. After the lesson, sit down and eat what you have created in the lovely restaurant overlooking the river.

 

Overnight in Hoi An.




Day 6 - Hoi An – Danang – Hue (B, L)


Depart from Hoi An in the early morning for Hue via the impressive Hai Van Pass where spectacular views can be enjoyed and the scenic fishing village of Lang Co.

 

In Hue, to discover Hue, former Imperial capital during Nguyen Dynasty. Take a boat for a cruise on the gentle Perfume River to the seven – storey Thien Mu Pagoda on the riverbank. Thien Mu – one of the most beautiful and ancient architectural structures of workship in Hue. Heading to visit Imperial Citadel.

 

Finish up the day at Khai Dinh’s Tomb which is traditional Vietnamese in design with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue.

 

Overnight in Hue. 




Day 7 - Hue – Hanoi (B, L)


Transfer to Hue Airport after breakfast for the short flight to Hanoi, and we have a full day city tour of Vietnam's capital. The mausoleum of the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh (closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov). Then it’s on to a wooden ethnic minority style house which was his temporary residence from 1954 – 1969. In the same complex you will see the One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Your next stop will be the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

 

Continue to West Lake and one of the oldest Buddhist pagodas in Hanoi, Tran Quoc, and the nearby Toaist temple of Quan Thanh which dates from the Ly Dynasty. Have lunch in local restaurant before taking a tour by cyclo, a chauffeur-pedalled tricycle, through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the ‘36 streets’. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore, especially by cyclo, with plenty of photo opportunities all around you. In the afternoon the Ethnology, Army or National Fine Arts Museum, will be visited next, time will only allow for one to be visited so decide which one you would most like to see.

 

Overnight Hanoi.




Day 8 - Hanoi – Halong (B, L, D)


Leave Hanoi by road for Halong Bay. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board the Huong Hai or Bai Tho traditional sailing junk. Whilst cruising the exquisite waters sample the regions fresh seafood. Visit the recently discovered Surprise Grotto with its great views, and on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Alternatively journey to Dau Go Cave and nearby see the famous stalagmites and stalactites of Thien Cung Cave. Enjoy a swim in the emerald waters of Halong Bay at any spot that you wish to visit. Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner.

 

Overnight on board junk. 




Day 9 - Halong – Hanoi (B, D)


Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City. En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even General de Gaulle’s nose! disembark at the dock at Halong City. Transfer back to Hanoi, check in hotel, refreshing before taking special night with Musician Family.

 

A MEAL HOSTED AT THE HOME OF A MUSICIAN FAMILY

Located in a quiet lane is the home of a musician couple. The husband is a flutist in the National Orchestra while the wife is a piano teacher. Enjoy the meal hosted in the cozy dining room to understand the important role meals at home play in Vietnam. Chat and share with them life experiences through their lovely family photo album. After the meal, enjoy a melodious performance of flute and piano entertained by the hosts themselves.

 

Overnight Hanoi.




Day 10 - Depart Hanoi (B)


Breakfast at hotel and free time at leisure until transfer back to airport for departure flight.




Tour Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Tour Destination: Vietnam

Our Services Include:

  • Hotel accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room with daily breakfast.
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
  • Tours and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicles.
  • English/France speaking local guide (for other languages supplements apply)
  • All entrance fees as indicated in itinerary.
  • Boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary.

 

Our Services do not Include:

  • Vietnam visa arrangements (a visa to Vietnam is compulsory for most nationalities).
  • International and domestic flights (quoted separately).
  • Meals other than mentioned above.
  • Camera/video entrance fees.
  • Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, tips – 03USD per person per day, etc).
  • Travel insurance.
  • Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above.
;


Being Vietnamese Tour Map



Untitled Document

twitter feed


 

FACEBOOK FEED