7 DAYS NORTH TO SOUTH OF VIETNAM OR VICE

Have breakfast at your hotel.

7.45-8.30: Pick-up at the hotel then travel to the spectacular World Heritage site of Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin (approximately four hours) with a short break on the way. The bay is dotted with sandy coves, grottoes and 1,600 limestone islands, which have been formed over millennia by wind and water erosion.

12.00 – 12.30: Embark on Lavender Cruise followed by a short cruise briefing and enjoy welcome-drink. Check in the cabin.

13.15: Enjoy lunch with sampling regional fresh seafood while cruising on exquisite water, passing Incense Burner island, Fighting Cock islet, Stone Dog… Lavender Cruise will bring you to explore Ha Long Bay on the most wonderful route where just a few cruises go through.

15.00-16.30 Do kayaking through the magnificent landscape with Limestone Mountains, visit Titov Island and swimming or just relaxing on the sun-deck for fantastic views at The Bay. After kayaking, you will be back to Lavender Cruises and join sunset party.

The cruise passes by Soi Sim Beach, “Rang Dua” Island to sleeping area near The Surprising cave.

Joining our Cooking Class in the restaurant. Let’s see how to make the fresh/fried spring rolls and mix fish-sauce.

19:30: Under the magnificent night sky, our set-menu dinner is served with a variety of Vietnamese and Asian foods.

Evening activities:

Join squid fishing on boat with our crews, playing card, karaoke or laze yourself with our happy-hour drinks at the bar. To end the day, spend a peaceful night aboard the boat beneath the night sky.

 

Overnight on Halong cruise

06:15: Morning exercises on the Sun-deck.

07:15: Have breakfast with Coffee, tea and Bakeries on board.

08:00: Visit the Surprising Cave (Hang Sung Sot) discovered by the French in 1901. Opened for tourists since 1936, now it is a must-to-see and a symbol for geology value of Halong.

09:30: Check out time. Then relax on the sun-deck or inside the restaurant to enjoy the bay’s scenery.

10h15: Enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch while cruising back to the pier.

12:00: Check out cruise. Our car will be at your disposal to pick you up then drive back to Hanoi.

16:30: Arrive in Hanoi. End of the trip!

Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

You will have a breakfast at the hotel then free and easy till our driver come to transfer you to the airport. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh, pick up from the airport to hotel. Then you have free of your own to experience the hustle and bustle of former Saigon and explore some of the city's more interesting sights.

 

Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Have breakfast at your hotel.

Today you will join a trip to Mekong Delta to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and the rich culture of the vibrant southern Delta region. Boating down the river to experience the local life, fishing port, fishing floating house, enjoy the local folk song music and seasonal fresh fruit.

7:30 - 8:30: 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. Break time.

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.

17:30: Drop off at your hotel. Trip ends.

Have breakfast at your hotel. 7:45-8:15: Our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and then start driving to Cu Chi which located 70 km from the Ho Chi Minh City Center to the Northwest. Cu Chi was known as the “area of steel” in the war time, and the tunnel systems were over 200km, which was considered the unbreakable underground village in the Vietnam-American war. It is legendary for its network of tunnels and is a popular destination for both Vietnamese and foreign visitors. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.

Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun

13:00: Return to Ho Chi Minh city. Have light lunch at the restaurant

14:30: Get transferred back to your hotel. Trip ends.

Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh