Vietnam Explorer 11 Days

Upon arrival in Saigon, the largest city in Vietnam, you will be greeted by our guide and driver at the airport who will transfer you to your hotel. Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh City, is a vibrant city with a mix of temples and modern skyscrapers, known for its commerce and culture. After checking in, you will have the afternoon to explore the city at your leisure. Meals will be on your own. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, your guide will collect you for a tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels. These historic tunnels were used by Vietnamese soldiers during wartime and stretch over 250 km. They gained legendary status during the 1960s as they played a crucial role in the American War, allowing the Viet Cong to control a large rural area near Ho Chi Minh City. These tunnels were like functioning underground cities, complete with hospitals, schools, meeting rooms, kitchens, and sleeping quarters.

Once you emerge from the tunnels, your guide will take you on a guided tour of Saigon. You will visit the Opera House, Town Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Reunification Palace, among other highlights of the city. The tour will also include a visit to the vibrant Ben Thanh Market, the most famous market in Saigon.

Dinner will be on your own, and you will spend the night at the hotel.

In the morning, your private car will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival at Hung Vuong Pier, you will embark on a boat ride along the Ben Tre River, which is one of the tributaries of the Mekong River. You will witness the lively activities of the morning, such as fishing and coconut cargo boats passing by. You will also stop at a traditional brickwork to observe the process of making bricks by hand.

Continuing on the Cai Son Canal, which winds through the coconut jungle, you will visit a coconut workshop to see the various stages of coconut processing, from husk removal to peeling by hand. You will then proceed to a local house to see how rice paper is made and enjoy some rice cakes. Next, you will visit a coconut candy workshop to see the candy-making process by hand, try some sweets, and enjoy fruits and honey tea while listening to local music. You will also have the opportunity to visit a farmer’s house where sleep mats are made.

You can choose to cycle on rural tracks or ride a tuktuk through the coconut groves and vegetable plains, where crops like cucumber and bitter melon are grown. You will then continue by rowboat along a shady palm tree canal and stop for lunch at a riverside restaurant. After lunch, you will return to Hung Vuong Pier by motorboat and be transferred back to Ho Chi Minh City by private car.

Dinner will be on your own, and you will spend the night at the hotel.

Following breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival at Danang Airport, our guide will meet you and transfer you to Hoi An. After checking in at your hotel, take a leisurely stroll around the picturesque Ancient Village of Hoi An, known for its well-preserved ancient buildings and charming atmosphere. In the evening, enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in the area, known for their delicious local cuisine. Overnight at the hotel, where you can rest and prepare for the next day’s adventures.

Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and accompany you to the designated meeting point. From there, we will embark on a cycling journey through serene green rice paddies, making our way to the local market known as Ba Le market. Here, our knowledgeable guide will show you where the ingredients for the cooking course come from and provide insights on how the markets function. You will also have the opportunity to do some shopping on your own.

After the market visit, we will proceed to the restaurant where the chef and the cooking course await. Before starting the cooking class, you will have a refreshing break with a Vietnamese coffee to cool down and relax. Following the break, you will enjoy a thrilling bamboo basket boat ride through small creeks in the water coconut fields, along with experiencing the folk game “bit mat dap noi”.

Once the boat ride is complete, you will begin the cooking class, during which our experienced Chef and Tour Guide will provide instructions and assistance. You will have the chance to cook a variety of local dishes, as per the menu provided below. After the cooking session, you will savor the fruits of your labor as you enjoy the dishes during a delicious lunch.

Following lunch, we will leisurely cruise back to Hoi An Ancient Town on a boat, allowing you to relish the scenic views and observe the local life of fishermen along the riverside. Finally, we will return to your hotel, where you can enjoy dinner at your own leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Duration: 5 – 7 hours
Menu: (vegetarian menu available upon request)

– Fresh Spring Rolls
– Rice pancake
– Papaya Salad with Shrimp and Pork
– Braised Chicken with Chili and Lemongrass

You have the entire day to yourself, allowing you to indulge in activities of your choice. You can choose to unwind and relax on the stunning An Bang Beach, taking a dip in the warm sea, or explore the historic Ancient Village of Hoi An. You can wander around the ancient streets, marvel at the well-preserved architecture, and soak in the rich cultural heritage of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Meals will be on your own, giving you the flexibility to choose where and what you would like to eat. You will spend the night at your hotel in Hoi An, enjoying a comfortable overnight stay.

Following breakfast at your hotel in Hoi An, you will be transferred to Danang Airport for a short flight to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Upon your arrival at the airport in Hanoi, our guide and driver will be waiting to meet you and escort you to your hotel for check-in.

Meals for the day will be at your own. You will spend the night at your hotel in Hanoi.

In the morning, we will visit the outside area of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the revered President Ho Chi Minh rests in peace. We will also visit his traditional stilt house and the unique One-Pillar Pagoda, known for its distinctive structure. From there, we will transfer to the Temple of Literature, which is over a thousand years old and renowned as the first university in Vietnam. You will notice that this is a popular spot for Vietnamese students to take commemorative photographs upon graduating.

After a short break and lunch at your own expense, we will visit the Vietnamese Ethnology Museum. Here, you can gain a deeper understanding of the lives of various ethnic groups in Vietnam throughout history. As the day comes to a close, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Show, a unique form of Vietnamese folk entertainment performed after sunset.

We will then transfer back to your hotel for the evening. Dinner will be at your own expense, and you will spend the night at your hotel in Hanoi, ready for more exciting experiences in the days to come.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will embark on a journey to Halong Bay, a renowned gem in northern Vietnam. The drive will take you through picturesque paddy fields and majestic mountains of the Red River Delta, showcasing the natural beauty of the region. Upon arriving at the bay, you will be captivated by the breathtaking scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At the harbor, you will board our boutique junk boat, which will take you on a cruise among the numerous limestone karst formations rising from the emerald waters of Halong Bay. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to visit a grotto filled with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, and also anchor for a refreshing swim in a hidden cave.

Please note that we recommend bringing an overnight bag with you to keep your necessary luggage, as there may not be enough space on board to store all the luggage of every passenger. After spending the night on the boat, you will return to the same hotel in Hanoi, so you can be assured that your remaining luggage will be kept safe.

Wake up to the mesmerizing sight of sunrise over the cliffs of Halong Bay. After breakfast, you can spend some time capturing more photos of the stunning scenery or simply relax in the warm sun with a good book. Indulge in the tranquil ambiance of the bay and savor the moment.

Later, after lunch on board the boat, you will board the bus for the return journey back to Hanoi. Reflect on the memories and experiences of Halong Bay as you travel back to the city. In the evening, you will have the option to enjoy dinner on your own at a local restaurant, where you can sample delicious Vietnamese cuisine. Overnight at your hotel in Hanoi.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel in Hanoi, you have the rest of the morning to relax and unwind at your leisure. Take your time to pack and prepare for your departure. Your transport will arrive to transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. Please note that the room will be at your disposal until noon time, allowing you to freshen up and gather your belongings. Meals on your own

As your tour comes to an end, cherish the memories of your journey through Vietnam, from the bustling streets of Hanoi to the serene beauty of Halong Bay, the historic city of Hoi An, and the cultural richness of Hue. We hope you had a memorable experience and wish you a safe and pleasant journey back home. Thank you for choosing our tour services.