DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Meals: Not available

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Welcome to Vietnam!
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, your driver and guide will meet you and they will transfer you to your hotel in the downtown. Check-in and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
- Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is characterized by a fascinating blend of old and new, East and West. The huge number of people rushing about their daily lives in Vietnam's largest city gives it a dynamic atmosphere and the French influence is evident in the excellent baguettes and coffee on offer.

DAY 2: TOUR OF SAIGON AND CU CHI TUNNELS

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

After the first night relaxing, today you will be ready for your Vietnam Tour with a full day to visit the featured sites of Saigon and the famous underground tunnel network in Cu Chi.
In the morning, 8:00 a.m. Start with 1.5 hour drive to Cu Chi tunnels. Get the overview of Cu Chi by watching a documentary. Your guide walks you around to witness the traps, bunkers, trenches and experience crawling a piece of the underground tunnels. Drive back to the city for a set menu lunch at a restaurant.
In the afternoon, Continue on visiting the War Remnants Museum; Ngoc Hoang Pagoda; The former Presidential Palace; The Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Old Post Office. Spend the second night in Saigon.

DAY 3: HO CHI MINH CITY - MEKONG DELTA

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho City

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Today you'll travel south by private bus (approximately 2.5 hours) to explore the Mekong Delta. When you arrive, you’ll board a boat and explore the intricate waterways of the Mekong Delta. Often referred to as ‘the rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile delta is where rice, tropical fruit, and flowers are grown for the whole country.
Upon arrival in Ben Tre, embark on a motorized boat trip along the scenic Ben Tre River, viewing various local industries along the way. Have some stops to visit local workshops: making bricks by the kilns; Making coconut candy; Sleeping straw mats. Take a motor cart passing fruit and vegetable fields. Ride a short sampan boat on a small creek of water coconut trees. Lunch at a garden restaurant.
In the afternoon, drive to Can Tho City which is considered as the capital of the Delta. Check-in your hotel for staying overnight.​

DAY 4: MEKONG DELTA - SAIGON - HUE

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

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Have you heard about A Floating Market in the Mekong? The watery world of the Mekong Delta is home to many bustling floating markets. This day is when you can feast your eyes on many interesting things on the water at Cai Rang Floating Market. In the morning, have breakfast at your hotel and check out. 08:00 - Get to Ninh Kieu quay where you board a motorized boat to meandering through the market. Followed by a short ride to Ba Cong village to pay a visit to a family who specializes in making rice paper and noodles. Cruise back to the quay and make your way back to HCMC. Lunch is served on the way. In the afternoon, Keep driving toward Saigon and heading to the airport for you to catch a late-afternoon flight to Hue, in Central Vietnam. Get picked up and check into your hotel for the night.

DAY 5: HISTORICAL TOUR OF HUE

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

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- Hue is one of the main cultural, religious and educational centers of Vietnam. So far, Hue remains to be the only originally historical vestige city in Vietnam. Many of Hue’s attractions are found along the banks of the romantically named Perfume River
In the morning, breakfast in the hotel as usual. Drive to visit King Minh Mang's tomb & King Khai Dinh tomb.
Return to the city for lunch at a restaurant.
In the afternoon, discover the Ancient Citadel. The walk through the complex is very interesting and informative.
Followed by a short transfer to visit the charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda). Setting on the bank of rivers, it gives you a great view of the Perfume River and the surrounding area.
Ending the day by boarding on a private boat, cruising on the romantic Perfume River back to the city center.

DAY 6: DRIVE TO HOI AN

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

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Ancient and peaceful, Hoi An has to these days well preserved its most sacred treasure, the centuries-old architecture. The town used to harbor foreign traders back in the 17-18th, and once is an important heavily-frequented trading port in Southeast Asia. ​ In the morning, the morning drive to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass will occupy half of your day. There are a few stops for photo opportunities such as at Lang Co Beach, Hai Van Pass you may want to take. Arrive at Hoi An ancient town. Check into your hotel for a short rest, then go for lunch at a nice restaurant. In the afternoon, embark on a walking tour to visit feature sites of Hoi An Old Quarter: Hoi An wet market; Japanese Covered Bridge; Phuoc Kien, a Chinese Assembly; Tan Ky ancient house; Watch the art of handicraft making at a Hoi An workshop.

DAY 7: HALF-DAY TOUR OF THE RUSTIC HOIAN

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

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The morning is yours for leisure on Cua Dai Beach or doing your own things.
In the afternoon, take a bicycling tour to the nearby countryside: Pedaling the country lane-ways to reach some of the villages that are dotted throughout the region, stopping to talk to the locals and learn about life in this part of Vietnam. You will be passing emerald rice paddies, snaking waterways and plenty of waving children. Following your guide to the bank of the Thu Bon River and take a boat trip and discover the waterway before going back to Hoi An.
Approach the dock and walk to the hotel.

DAY 8: HOI AN - AFTERNOON FLY TO HANOI

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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This morning, it is easy for you to relax on the beach or doing some shopping in the Old Quarter of Hoi An.
Check out your hotel by noontime.
In the afternoon, say goodbye to Hoi An and transfer to Da Nang airport to take a short flight to Hanoi.
Arrive at Noi Bai airport, get picked up and make your way to the city center. The remainder of the day is for your relaxation or getting out on your own discovery.

DAY 9: HANOI CITY TOUR​

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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Hanoi, located on the banks of the Red River, is one of the most ancient capitals in the world, where travelers can find well-preserved colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, and unique museums within the city center.
In the morning, breakfast at the hotel. Start the city tour with Ba Dinh Square, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, view of the Presidential Palace, Uncle Ho's house-on-stilts, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university.
Set menu lunch at a restaurant in the city.
The afternoon visits include Hoa Lu Prison, Women's Museum, Ngoc Son Temple and Water puppet show, a typical northern Vietnamese art form.

DAY 10: HANOI - CAT BA ISLAND - LAN HA BAY

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on a private boat

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At 8:00 a.m. take the morning drive to Hai Phong city where you will take a ferry to Cat Ba Island. Keep traveling on the Island to the other side where you will embark on a private boat at Beo Tourist Wharf.
After the welcome drink, the cruise starts heading to the bay. The smooth move on the green water absolutely amazes you with the views of fishing villages, limestone islands, and little beaches. After the first hour when you are inside the bay and surrounded by hundreds of beautiful karst islands, the anchor is dropped for lunch.
In the afternoon, the boat keeps winding in between the rock formations for you to enjoy the Unesco Heritage. Arrive at a beach where you will get off to do kayaking around and discover some hidden lagoons. Back on the boat and go for the night place. Dinner on boat.

DAY 11: LAN HA BAY - HANOI - LUANG PRABANG

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

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Get up early to enjoy the sunrise and fresh air on the top deck if you wish, otherwise, you are able to remain in your cozy cabin until breakfast time.
This morning, the boat will take you to a jetty of Cat Ba national park where your scenic bicycle ride starts. The ride on a small concrete road takes you to Viet Hai village, located right inside the national park area. In the village, your tour guide will help you learn about the villagers' daily life and their cultures. Pedal the same way back to the dock. The boat is heading back to Beo Wharf. The lunch is saved early today as the disembarkation is at 11:45.
Drive back Hanoi in the afternoon and onward to the airport where you will take the early-evening flight to Luang Prabang in Northern Laos. Get picked up on arrival and check-in the hotel for the first night in Laos.

DAY 12: CITY TOUR & PAK OU CAVES

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

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Breakfast at the hotel, meet your tour guide and driver again and set out for the whole day to explore Luang Prabang and its surroundings.
This morning, you will tour the ancient town of Luang Prabang. The first place is Phousi Hill where you will take a hike up to its summit for admiring the panoramic view over the city. Followed by Wat Mai, a beautiful Buddhist temple and might be the most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang. After that, you will move on to the Royal Palace Museum. The next stop is the magnificent temple of Wat Xiengthong. With its classical Laotian style, it is the oldest one in the city.
Lunch is served at a restaurant.
In the afternoon, take a long-tailed boat for a 2-hour upstream ride on Mekong River to visit Pak Ou Caves. The caves are located in sheer limestone cliffs, these include two large caves and both of them repositories for thousands of Buddha images. Along the boat ride, you will enjoy peaceful countryside scenery with villages and gardens on the banks. Before ending the day, make a stop at Ban Xanghai village to witness how Lao’s traditional rice wine distilled. You may want to try a sip and feel.
The evening is on your own discovery.

DAY 13: RURAL EXPERIENCE & KUANG SI WATERFALLS

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Having breakfast at your hotel and get ready for another day out.
Get picked up and drive to the Living Land Farm. This is a working community farm. Here, you are able to experience real farming life like a farmer, from selecting seeds to sowing, plowing, transplanting, harvesting, threshing, and cooking. Have a hearty local meal with organic ingredients on the farm.
The afternoon, transfer to the Kuang Si Waterfall. The waterfall has 3 tiers leading to a 50-meter drop into shallow pools, before flowing downstream. You can swim in the topaz pool of the waterfall, (please remember to bring your swim gear with you for this activity). From here, you also can walk along the forest trails and visit the Bear Sanctuary. On the way back to Luang Prabang, take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour. This is also one of the best spots to admire the sunset in Luang Prabang.

DAY 14: DEPARTURE FROM LUANG PRABANG

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Not available

Your last breakfast is served at the hotel as usual. Enjoy your free time until the airport transfer. Get picked up to the airport for your onward destinations with Custom Asia Travel or just heading home.