Day 1: Arrival Ha Noi (Dinner)
Welcome to Hanoi!
The capital city of Hanoi, the picturesque old town still
holds the landmarks of colonial time as the capital of French Indochina,
surround with beautiful boulevards, narrow streets and historical colonial
architecture can be seen everywhere.
Pick up and transfer to hotel. You’ll stay in the city's atmospheric old
town near the central Lake, Hoan Kiem. Check in and refreshment.
In the late afternoon, a new adventure on Cyclo
(Rickshaw) that rides you around the
36-street old quarter, exploring the countless streets and alleys. A true sense
of bombardment of sound, scent and color. Welcome dinner at local restaurant .
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2: Ha Noi – Phuc Am Village (Breakfast, lunch)
Enjoy your breakfast at hotel and ready for your new
adventure!
Heading South of Hanoi by coach, new discovery of tradition
craftsmanship in the Red River Delta at Phuc Am village where there’re
many businesses privately set up that carrying on the spiritual products of
making votive offerings.
The village is busiest during the full moon in July (lunar
calendar) and prior to Tết Festivals. In the old days, traditional offerings of
joss paper goods such as paper servants, horses were popular.
However, they slowly have fallen out of used and be replaced
with modern items like luxury cars, big villas, fancy mopeds, to paper iPads
and iPhones, “Hell bank notes” that imitate US and EU currency, credit cards,
or tradition “ghost money” found in Chinese communities are in demand of modern
markets, some places even got creative with business cards that included email
address and mobile numbers of Steve Jobs so that their deceased in the other
world could contact the Apple’s CEO for any troubles with their devices. Back
to downtown of City Capital, another great experience in this morning will be a
visit an old apartment in the old French building to understand the local life
of Ha Noi people in 70-80s.
In the afternoon, we continue to Back to downtown of City
Capital, another great experience in this morning will be at the beautiful Temple
of Literature, built in honor of the Chinese philosopher Kungfutse. A
well-preserved gem. The temple complex was Vietnam's first university for sons
of the country's elite. Today, it is no longer actively used as an educational
institution, but you can still meet young students who come before or after
their exams, as it is said to be lucky when rubbing one of the turtles on his
head
We also see the sanctuary One-pillar Pagoda, shaped
like a lotus flower rising from the Sea of Sorrow, which has great symbolic
significance for the Vietnamese as it is built in honor of the Goddess of
Mercy.
Let walk to the nearby central lake Hoan Kiem,
beautiful surrounding and good atmosphere, where the locals meet from early
morning to late evening, doing morning gymnastics and tai-chi, philosophized
and read… Spend the rest of the day exploring the charming old quarter on your
own or walk with the tour guide to discover the colorful Dong Xuan Market.
Lunch at local restaurants Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Ha Noi – Ha Long (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Enjoy your breakfast and check out hotel.
Leaving Hanoi for Ha Long by bus. 11:30 Arrive Tuan Chau
Marina Harbor.
Start cruising to Da Chong islet, where you can see a
lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. Enjoy International Buffet
Lunch while passing via the islets of Con Vit area. These amazing limestone
karst formations rise up out of the sea in an impressive manner. Enjoy swimming
at Tra Bau. Back to the cruise and enjoy the magnificent sunset over the
Gulf of Tonkin. Onboard, you may join a traditional cooking class.
Our chef will guide you how to prepare some Vietnamese popular dishes while
enjoy Happy Hour Deal. Lunch and dinner on board.
Day 4: Ha Long – Ha Noi /Can Tho (Brunch, Dinner)
Enjoy sunrise on Halong Bay. Why not rise early to
witness the bay at its very best whilst enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi
session on the sundeck; after which we serve light breakfast. Upon completing
breakfast continue our journey and cruise the route via the Cat Ba Island -
Thoi Quyt area - Coc Ngoi islet - through Gia Luan area where is belong to
Cat Ba National Park.
Another adventure that takes you to Trung Trang Cave
by bus which is located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park with Kim Giao
Forest around the cave. After exploring the cave, we head back to the cruise
for brunch.
11:00 Get back to the mainland then coach transfer to Noi
Bai Airport for departure to Can Tho.
Can Tho is a city in southern Vietnam’s Mekong Delta
region. Set on the southern bank of the Hau River, it’s known for its canal
network and nearby floating markets, the busy Ninh Kieu waterfront is a hub for
boat trips on surrounding water ways. On arrival to Tra Noc - Can Tho Airport,
collect your bags and transfer to hotel. Check in hotel and refresh A small
orientation walks pleasantly to restaurant for diner. Overnight in Can Tho
Day 5: Cai Rang floating market – Bassac cruise (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Wake up early and take a boat trip to Cai Rang floating
market – The largest floating market in Mekong Delta. Typical market
culture on grid crossing waterways.
Cần Thơ, on the first cruise day at noon – Bassac River
Cruise
11:45 Boarding at Can Tho at Ninh Kieu pier. Welcome drink,
introduction to the ship and crew, check into the cabins.
Departure downstream of the Hau river. Lunch on board while
en route.
Turning into Nicolai canal, towards the Mang Thit and Co
Chien rivers. Rest on the upper deck in a scenery of rice fields, sugar
cane, woods on the near banks.
By mid-afternoon, the Bassac casts anchor for a visit on
shore: past the first tree line, quiet discovery of the peaceful life in the
delta's countryside, of rice fields, fruit trees and the welcoming inhabitants,
or, at your option, short cycling tour of the surrounding area.
Boarding back, complimentary drink as a welcome back on
board. Rest on the deck or around the bar enjoying the sunset. The crew will
serve dinner while the Bassac is cruising Mang Thit river.
The Bassac sets anchor for the night on Mang Thit river.
Day 6: Cai Be – Saigon (Breakfast, lunch)
The boat departs at 6:00AM then cruises towards Cai Be.
Breakfast is available at 7:00AM.
The Bassac crosses Co Chien river then branches into Cho
Lach canal for 30 minutes through the traffic of sand and rice barges, in a
scenery of fruit drying facilities and wooden ship building yards.
Arrival in Cai Be, check-out and transfer to a rowing boat
for a quiet visit through a small canal if the tide allows.
Rendezvous with a local boat, which will take you to shore
for a visit of Cai Be's handicraft.
End of services by mid-morning on shore at Cái Bè.
Please note you will leave the Bassac for good upon boarding
the small boat for the last visit, typically about 8:00.
The details of the program and the visits may vary depending
on logistics or technical constraints.
Enjoy lunch at local restaurant then take a coach ride
heading to Saigon
On the way, stop by to visit the Kimmy chocolate factory.
Check in hotel on arrival and enjoy your free time Overnight in Saigon.
Day 7: Saigon & Cu Chi Tunnel (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Enjoy breakfast at hotel and ready for new day’s adventure.
In the morning we head Northwest of Saigon towards Cu Chi
Tunnels. Built by local fighters during the Indochina conflict, the Cu Chi
tunnels served as a base for the Viet Cong, the National Liberation Front. It
included almost everything needed for the life of the Viet Cong, where the
local soldiers and residents used to eat, sleep, work, cook and even go to
school.
Started in 1948 as a hiding place from French air attacks,
by 1965, the tunnel was estimated to consist of an astounding 200km long of
tunnels within a larger tunnel system. An unforgettable experience as you
explore the underground tunnels and get to know what life was like for the Viet
Cong soldiers! In the afternoon, we cruise you around downtown center for the
iconic landmarks of colonial time:
- Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, officially
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Established by French
Colonists who initially named it the Church of Saigon. The Cathedral was
constructed between 1863 and 1880.
- The GPO, Saigon Central Post Office was built between
1886 – 1891 and depicts the classic elements of Gothic, Renaissance and French
colonial design.
- The Saigon Opera House, built in late 19th Century
following the style of the French 3rd Republic. Explore the culture of “hẻm”
(alleys) in Saigon.
Farewell dinner on cruise.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 8: Saigon departure (Breakfast)
Free & easy until transfer to Tan Son Nhat International
Airport for departure.
End of services.