19 Days Viet Nam Insight Tour

Day 1: Hanoi – Evening street food tour (D)

Welcome all of you guys to Vietnam! Upon arrival, you will be met by a driver and taken to hotel in the city. After checking in your accomodation and freshening up, you’ll meet with your guide in the hotel lobby.

Tonight, you will take on a culinary adventure by sampling street food in the Old Quarter with your tour guide. It is such a unique experience to try all those  wonderful Vietnamese foods, which are all available on Ha Noi Walking Street food! Start your Hanoi Street Eats tour at Bia Hoi corner to try the local brew, a draft beer that traces its roots to Eastern Europe.

Continue the way of exploring Ha Noi cuisine, you will find a range of tasty noodles, breads and snacks, which is also Vietnamese traditional food, is displayed. Specially, when coming to nearly midnight, the sidewalks are packed with local street restaurants, which is a nightly feature. Let’s sit down and enjoy a flame grilled Vietnamese barbecue of beef, chicken, tofu and vegetables on skewers. Then, you will end your first night with dessert from Hanoi’s best-known ice-cream parlour before getting a good night’s rest.

Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: dinner

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B,L)

Ha Noi – the capital of Viet Nam is also one of the most attractive destinations for domestic and foreign tourists in Vietnam because of its ancient appearance, quiet, elegant and hidden beauty in this thousand-year-old city of civilization!

In the morning, you will visit with:

• Tran Quoc Pagoda – located on an island east of West Lake (Tay Ho district). The pagoda has a history of nearly 1500 years, considered the oldest in Thang Long – Hanoi. Its architecture has a harmonious combination of majesty and antiquity with an elegant landscape amidst the quiet background of a vast lake. 

• Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum relic site, the resting place of President Ho Chi Minh who leds Vietnam to independence from French colonial rule. His preserved body has been an important landmark in the capital city since 1975, and a perfect place to learn more about Vietnam’s history.

• Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam, which is considered the first university in Vietnam. It is an ancient architecture, built on a fairly large scale, built in October 1073 and exists to this day. The Temple of Literature was built to worship Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, and Chu Van An – principal of Quoc Tu Giam – represents the high moral philosophy of Vietnamese education.

Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 3: Essence of Hanoi (B,L)

Go deeper in Ha Noi, tourists will explore insight this city to find out HaNoi’ s living style, whether it is hustle and bustle, or a calm and charmful city. In day 3, you will:

• Have time relaxing at your accomodation, enjoy fresh air in early morning of the capital. 

• Start your exploration in the afternoon with “cyclo” – the traditional vehicle, which moves at a slow pace that is perfect for leisure-moving sightseeing.

• Visit Hoa Lo Prison – built by the French in 1886, the prison is famous because it was the place where many great Vietnamese revolutionaries during the Indochina War and American pilots during the War were detained.

• Visit Quan Thanh Temple – one of the oldest and most meaningful temple, built in the 11th Century. 

• Discover Chau Long Market – where to get a closer look at a local market to explore Ha Noi cultures and lifestyle. There, you will have chance trying some Vietnamese culture food displayed. 

• Enjoy Ha Noi cuisines along the tours like: Pho, Wedding cakes, Traditional Vietnamese coffee, street desserts,… 

Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 4: Hanoi – Cruising in Halong Bay (B,L,D)

After having breakfast and depart from your hotel at Ha Noi, you will continue your trip to Ha Long – a must-visit destination to discover the stunning beauty of the World Natural Heritage Site.

• After a welcome on board, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay. In the afternoon, let’s enjoy Ha Long’s stunning sightseeing, on-board activities or just spend some time relaxing.

• Or else, you can spend time going on Tuan Chau Harbor, get on the boat to start the excursion discovering the beauty of the world heritage site. Here are some images of Tuan Chau Harbor that visitors experienced: 

Overnight: on board
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B,L)

Enjoy a memorable morning in the middle of Halong Bay. Early risers can catch a stunning sunrise and breakfast will be served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly back towards port. Then you will get back to Ha Noi and take a deep relax. 

Overnight: Hanoi
Meal: breakfast, brunch

Day 6: Fly to Hue (B)

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival, a guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure.

Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: breakfast

Day 7: Hue Sightseeing (B,L)

Start the 7th day, let’s enjoy breakfast at your hotel before exploring Hue’s famous citadel and the illustrious examples of grand dynasties past. Specifically, coming to Hue, tourists will visit:

• Royal Tomb of King Ming Mang – the second ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty, governed southern and central Vietnam from 1820 to 1840. This majestic tomb is renowned for its architecture and sublime forest setting.

• Peaceful Perfume River, taking in the endless surrounding greenery. Hop of at the pier and visit to the seven-storeys Thien Mu Pagoda, considered by many as the unofficial symbol of Hue.

• Hue’s Imperial Citadel, the capital city of a reunified Vietnam in 1802 until 1945 under the reign of the Nguyễn dynasty. It was the cultural, spiritual and political heart of the country during this time, has a circumference of 10 kilometers with the height of 6.6 meters and 21 meters thick with forts being meanderingly arranged, accompanied by cannons, artilleries and ammunitions, which can be divided into two main parts: The Citadel and the Forbidden purple city.

• Absorb the energy, sounds and odors of the bustling Dong Ba Market before drive back to your hotel.

Overnight: Hue
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 8: Essence of Hue (B,L)

To explore more about Hue ancient city, you will go deeper outside the city centre and into the scenic countryside, finding out more stunning natural landscape. Specifically, tourists will visit:

• Visit Phuoc Tich Village, an untouched residential area dotted with 27 ‘Nha Ruong’ – Hue’s traditional houses and unique gardens. Then take a walk through the peaceful streets to admire the historical sites nestled within the scenery, and pay a visit to one of the traditional homes. 

• Try making “Banh gai it” – one of the well-known traditional cakes in Hue, where you are welcomed by every hosts of each traditional home. Here, part of your tour fee will be directly contributed towards the hosts, helping them to earn an invome as a home-based chef. 

                                              Phuoc Tich village and experience of making “Banh Gai it”

• Taking a boat trip and exploring people’ lifestyles on the riverbank, where you can talk and find out the ways that local people here earn for lifes. 

Overnight: Hue
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 9: Hoi An street food tour (B,L)

Departing from the hotel in Hue in the morning , then you will drive to Hoi An by Hai Van Pass (“Pass of the Clouds”) – the longest and highest mountain pass road in Viet Nam with a length of 21km. Along the way, you will:

• Stop by Hai Van Quan, which sits at the top of its namesake mountain pass in central Vietnam, separating Da Nang City and Thua Thien Hue Province.

• Stop at the Cham museum, the Cham civilization ruled central Vietnam from the 2nd – 13th centuries and was considered extremely important for religion and learning.

Then you will have lunch at Danang local restaurant before going to Hoi An town. After that, you will arrive to Hoi An by private car in the afternoon, check in hotel and have some free time on your own.

Afterwards, set off on a culinary adventure in Hoi An to discover the flavours and dishes that make this coastal town and its cuisine so unique. Alongside an expert local guide, your journey introduces you to the stories behind Hoi An’s most iconic dishes at the town’s most famous eateries. In Hoi An, you will have chance to:

• Visit a local restaurant famous for white rose dumplings, found exclusively in Hoi An. Sit back and enjoy the wonder of the locals working here, who churn out up to 6000 of these dumplings every day! Your visit here includes a chance to try making a few of your own dumplings before sampling a few.

• Try another local specialty: banh can crackers. Served with quail eggs, pork and a tasty salad, this dish is a highlight of Hoi An street food culture and a must-try for every visitor.

• Pull up a street-side stool and enjoy it with your guide. As visiting inside the town, tourists will explore more about the traditional culture of this ancient city. 

• Sample grilled pork satay and spring rolls at a local restaurant. Next up is fried wonton – lovingly referred to as a “Hoi An pizza” – and finally try the famous Cao Lau noodle or chicken rice.

• Stop at Sky Coffee Bar, a local favourite within the Hoi An Museum. Here, you will have an overview of all the landscape in Hoi An when coming to the rooftop. 

                                                        Some experiences in Hoi An in images

Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10: Hoi An city tour (B,L)

In the 10th day, you will continue experiencing Hoi An with some must-try activities like:

• Visit My Son Sanctuary – the remains of Kingdom of Champa, a remarkable architectural ensemble that developed over a period of ten centuries. It presents a vivid picture of spiritual and political life in an important phase of the history of South-East Asia

• Visit Phuc Kien Assembly Hall to see the Jinshang Temple which is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors. 

• Visit Thu Bon river. Here, sitting on a boat, you will be attracted by the bustle of craft villages along the river’s bank such as Thanh Ha for pottery, Phuoc Kieu for bronze casting, Tra Que for vegetables, Ma Chau for silk and Phu Chiem for rice paper. Besides, visitors also can enjoy some local markets to experience deeply the rural life and friendly people here.

                                                            Tourists’ experiences in Thu Bon river

Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 11: Essence of Hoi An (B,L)

Tourists will have insight view about peaceful Hoi An in the 11th day, where tourists will experience:

• Hop on a bicycle for a picturesque half-day tour of the countryside surrounding Hoi An. Then you can feel a taste of local life when passing though rice paddy fields on the way to Cam Thanh Village. Once a shelter for locals and soldiers during the war, the village is now famous for its roof cottages, woven from water coconut leaves of the region. Spending  some time with a local family, you will explore more about the villagers’ way of life.

• Board a bamboo basket boat and learn how to catch crabs alongside local experts.

• Cycling on to Ha Linh for a lantern workshop. There, you’ll learn how to make these delicate creations in a hands-on master class. With your hand-made lantern in hand, enjoy the charming scenery as you cycle back to Hoi An and return back to your hotel.

• Enjoy your last evening in Hoi An with a stroll along the river, being sure to float a lantern for good luck.

Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 12: Fly to Nha Trang (B)

After breakfast, let’s say goodbye to peaceful Hoi An, and your guide will pick you to the airport for your flight to Nha Trang. Upon arrival and being transfered by tour guide, let’s check-in and freshen up at your hotel, then take a stroll to the beach where you can enjoy a bit of sand and sun before tucking in for the evening.

Overnight: Nha Trang
Meals: breakfast

                                                                      Stunning Beaches in Nha Trang

Day 13: Nha Trang City tour

Nha Trang is known as the city with the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam with an endless coastline. To explore and experience this stunning Tour, let’s find out within 1 day of Nha Trang city tour. You will explore:

• Explore Hon Mun island to swim to see coral or scuba dive according to pre-registered package

• Pass Hang Yen + Robinson (Hon Tre island), where you can learn about bird life, eat and drink, have live music, swim, sunbathe, relax, participate in a wine party, watch a mini street magic circus, Kayaking,…

                                                             Scuba diving to explore corals and marine

• Pass Hon Mot Island, where you can explore more about life, development and activities of the fishermen here.

• Visit Fishing Village (Hon Mieu Island) to find out the lives of local fishermen, learn about the traditional shipbuilding village, how people raise swiftlets, and play basket boat rowing.

Day 14: Transfer to Dalat (B)

Your guide will meet you at your hotel after breakfast and transfer you to Dalat, a scenic drive of about four hours. After arriving at your hotel, head out for a leisurely stroll around the town and discover why it’s known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” or simply relax and enjoy the view from the comfort of your hotel.

Overnight: Da Lat
Meals: breakfast

Day 15: Free day in Dalat (B)

Famous for its charming mountainous scenery, pine forests, lakes and waterfalls, Dalat is the perfect place to unwind. It is for this reason that the French developed the area as a retreat during the early 1900’s. Spend today at your leisure as you discover why the area has been known for over a century as a refreshing respite from the rest of Vietnam.

                                                                           Sightseeing in Da Lat

Overnight: Da Lat
Meals: breakfast

Day 16: Fly to Ho Chi Minh city – Evening street food tour (B,D)

After a retreating time in Dalat, your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City – formerly known as Saigon. Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant and dynamic metropolis full of contrasts, where street vendors and old pagodas stand alongside modern business and shopping centers. In the first evening in Sai Gon, tourists will experience:

• Taste the culture of Saigon. Set off on a culinary adventure in the heart of the city where locals eat.

• Try all those weird and wonderful foods and see how they’re made. Begin with a unique rice paper pizza, then enjoy some banh beo or water from cakes, try some fresh snail dishes, and savour a Vietnamese pancake known as banh xeo.

• End the night with dessert from one of Saigon’s little sweet soup places. Then head back to your hotel for some rest or head out and explore some of the city’s vibrant nightlife.

                                                                               Sai Gon’s street food

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh
Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh city tour (B,L)

Start the 2nd days exploring Sai Gon, tourists will find out in details of well-known destinations like:

• Reunification Palace, here on April 30th 1975 the war officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was, at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.

• War Remnants Museum, this popular museum gathers a comprehensive collection of the war machinery, weapons, artifacts, documentation as well as a touching photographs exhibition dedicated to both foreign and Vietnamese journalists.

• Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Central Post Office, two of the best examples of classical old Saigon architecture.

• Saigon’s Chinatown, trading center of the Vietnamese and Chinese communities in Saigon. This place also preserves the intact architectural value of the Chinese people from hundreds of years ago.

                                                                       China Town in Sai Gon

• Thien Hau Pagoda: also known as Ba Cho Lon Pagoda, is one of the pagodas with the oldest history of Chinese people in Ho Chi Minh City. Besides the value of architectural art, sculpture, and ancient artifacts, this place also has another value, which is not only a place to meet religious needs but also a place to gather and support each other.

• City Post Office: an indispensable sightseeing destination for tourists when coming to Ho Chi Minh City, an ancient architectural work, more than 120 years old.

                                                              Tourists explore stunning Ho Chi Minh city

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: breakfast

Day 18: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)

Depart from your hotel in the morning and drive approximately two hours to Ben Tre, here you will start experience more about life and cultures in the South area of Viet Nam. You will:

• Explore Mekong Delta – where you will board a small boat to start your sightseeing around the waterways of this delta. Well – known also as the rice bowl of Vietnam because of its large rice production, the area has also diversified into activities related to aquaculture, rearing of animals, cash crops and fruit trees.

                                                          Some experiences of visitors when exploring Mekong Delta

• Stop at a small homemade coconut processing plant to see how coconuts have been turned into oil, candy and woven mats that are later sold in the market.

• Have a short walk to a local village to see mat weavers at work, before jumping on the Delta’s version of a tuk tuk (xe-lôi) and travelling down country roads to reach a nice local riverside restaurant for lunch.

• Take a short cycling tour to explore the surrounding fields before boarding a sampan for a tranquil trip along the picturesque canals.

• Visit Ben Tre local market before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving late in the afternoon. Enjoy one last night out on the town exploring the famous nightlife of Saigon and your final taste of Vietnam.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Meal: breakfast, lunch

Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City, Departure (B)

You will have free time till your guide escorts you to airport for your flight to next destination, ending 15 days Viet Nam Tour. 

Meals: breakfast