Vietnam Tour 16 days: Reveal Vietnamese Rural Life

You will be warmly welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Hanoi

Meals : Na

Today, we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh (Close on Monday, Friday & November), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. 

In the afternoon, visit the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, several of which we will see on our forthcoming trekking.

Then we take a cyclo tour around the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Accommodation : At the hotel in Hanoi

Meals : Breakfast

After breakfast, we start our tour to visit Thay pagoda and Tay Phuong pagoda to learn about the Vietnamese traditional architectural style, the Vietnamese Buddhism religion. You can enjoy a splendid panorama on the pagoda, the village and the surrounding countryside. After about 2 hours of visit, transfer for half an hour to reach the ancient village of Duong Lam, a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red River delta where they still preserve many a-hundred-years-old houses, also the home village of 2 mighty kings (Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung). This is a unique experience as you walk along tiny ancient alleys, visiting Mong Phu temple in the Mong Phu communal house – the only communal house whose original village entrance gate remains intact, dedicated to national heroes. Here you will have some talks with the locals in their ancient houses by visiting the ancient houses.

Return to Hanoi at the end of the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Accommodation : At the hotel in Hanoi

Meals : Breakfast

After breakfast, our driver and tour guide will pick you up at your hotel and transfer to Nam Dinh. Upon arrival we start to discover Hong Quang Village – one of the most beautiful of water puppet making village in Vietnam, experience how to do the Puppet and enjoy how to play puppet in water. Have lunch with local food at Ecohost Hai Hau. In the afternoon we will cycle around the village and visit Pham Phao cathedral and traditional brass trumpet making village. On the way, you will also see the Tile-roofed Bridge built in 16th century with unique architecture. Explore of the daily life of local people and understand about the ancestor worship. Enjoy dinner with typical local foods. Overnight in Ecohost Hai Hau – living with enthusiastic of local people.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Hai Hau

Meals : Breakfast

06:00 Wake up to the tranquility of the countryside.

Visit a local market to experience the morning bustle. Guests will shop for fresh rice noodles and aromatic herbs before returning to Ecohost Truc Thang to join a cooking class with the host family and local chef, preparing Nam Dinh’s signature beef pho.

While the broth is simmering to perfection, take a stroll around the garden to hand-pick fresh herbs that will complete the rich, flavorful bowl of pho – a wholesome and energizing breakfast.

09:00 After breakfast, depart from Hai Hau and make a stop at Xuan Duc Village, home to a traditional sedge mat weaving craft that dates back nearly 200 years. Watch as each mat is meticulously woven by skilled artisans, using carefully selected sedge strands and time-honored techniques.

10:30 Bid farewell to Nam Dinh as the journey continues onward to Ninh Binh.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh

Today we start your first visit on a sampan boat rowed by a local for about 1.5 hours in Tam Coc. Known as “Halong Bay on land”, the boat trip is a nice journey along the river with the peaceful scenery of limestone mountains, rice paddy if traveling during harvest season. Enjoy a delicious lunch served at the restaurant with Vietnamese cuisine.

In the afternoon, get on a small sampan to visit Thung Nham bird reserve, discover the most features of this area with more than 50.000 birds of 40 species flying to inhabit every day.

Overnight in Ninh Binh

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh

Morning after breakfast, we will start to cycle to Mua Cave, one of the most alluring places to get the panorama view in Ninh Binh. Hiking up to the peak of Ngoa Long Mountain to take your amazing views of the Tam Coc, Ninh Binh area. Lunch will be served at local restaurant. In the afternoon continue your explorer to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, visit the temple of King Dinh. Under the introduction of our local guide, you will get to know more about the Vietnamese history. Finally we will transfer you back to Hanoi for your overnight.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Breakfast at the hotel and then start a 3-hour driving through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay to enjoy a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone this World Heritage Site. While being on board, we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by swimming and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. Try the feeling of witnessing the sunset on boat is really great. Dinner served on board. The captain then will anchor for the night nearby a remote island. In the evening, there is the option for night fishing or just sit out on the deck and relax under the stars. Overnight on Junk

Accommodation : On Ha Long Boat

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the bay, we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. The cruise continues to move around the bay for us to discover more secluded areas, we then take kayaking and swimming in the stunning bay. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a backup vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbour before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Hanoi Airport to take a flight to Hue. Overnight in Hue.

Note: 

- Due to operation or weather conditions, itineraries and food may change without prior notice.

- Itinerary in Halong Bay is difference between cruises

Accommodation : At the hotel in Hue

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

We then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, including a boat trip to visit the picturesque Thien Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda.

Built in 1601, it is one of the best know religious and must-see sites in Hue. Both landscape and monuments here are always in harmony and bring a feeling of peace for travelers.

Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc.

Stretching along the Perfume River, Tu Duc mausoleum is considered to be the most picturesque site of Hue. The tomb was designed by the Emperor Tu Duc himself and this is the largest architectural work of Nguyen Dynasty’s royal palaces and tombs.

In the afternoon we continue to visit the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City.

Built in the 19th century by Nguyen dynasty, the Citadel becomes the most important historical and cultural monument in Vietnam. It is a square 2 km wall encompassing 3 walled enclosures: the Citadel, the Yellow Imperial city, and the Forbidden Purple city.

If time permits, we continue to do the walking and shopping in Dong Ba Market to enjoy the specialty of Hue city. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Hue

Meals : Breakfast

08:00 Depart from your hotel, Embarking on boat for cruise along the poetic Perfume River you can see a pavilion that the king and royal family had used to have bath. You could also experience the daily life of local people as well as contemplate the beauty of landscapes and fill your heart and mind with fresh air. Main destination of our journey is the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda (Heavenly Lady Pagoda) which was built in 1601-the symbol of Hue city.

10:00 Continue your trip biking around the village which is located in the city center and the Nguyen Emperors’ tombs. Thuy Bieu is a wonderland of pomelo that possesses a very special taste and fragrance. Keep cycling toward Thuy Bieu Village along verdant paths; you can see local people’s daily life. Thuy Bieu Village has been well-known with its immense grapefruit gardens, which are really different from other species that you could see in Viet Nam.

It’s smaller but sweeter and known under the name of Thanh Tra people which was only provided for the Royal Family. Have a nice biking and walking tour around quiet Thuy Bieu Village, feeling the comfortable vibes in a friendly air of local life. While biking , taking short stop in schools, communal houses, ancient temples and especially the garden house - Its housing architecture is typical of Hue and the Nguyen dynasty with small cottages hidden in large luxuriant gardens, long gates and fences carved out of ornamental trees. Thuy Bieu is a hidden gem of untouched nature and culture in Vietnam.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

After having breakfast, we continue our south journey by road to Hoian.

The ancient town of Hoian is a small town in Central Vietnam. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoian was a busy international commercial port for foreign merchants. Today, Hoian is popular for its peaceful beauty, eclectic architecture, tailors and cafes.

The scenery en route is very beautiful. We make a stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments before winding our way up the spectacular Hai Van Pass to admire the stunning views north to Lang Co beach and south to Danang City. Continue on our way down to the other side and head to Da Nang where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arrival in Hoi An, we will have our first glimpse of this beautiful boutique town recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The tranquil and charm of Hoi An with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, and the colorful riverside market make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places.

Overnight at hotel in Hoian.

Meals: Breakfast

Accomadation: Hotel in Hoi An

Ecotour Cam Thanh

• Distance: ∼10km

• Transport: Bicycle

• Activities: Cycling, basket boat cruise, fishing, relaxing foot massage with medicinal herbs, cooking classes and lunch at local family house.

Spend a day leisurely cycling though the scenic and peaceful countryside of Vietnam, far away from the noise of the city. After passing through town, you will find yourself cycling amongst villages of rice fields on quiet roads, ending up in Van Lang fisherman village and Bay Mau water coconut forest - 7 hectares of mangrove forest, canals, and houses covered in water coconut leaf. This place played refuge to people and local soldiers during the Vietnam War, but nowadays it is famous for its abundance of seafood. On our journey to the village we will stop at Ba Le market, rice fields, cemeteries and schools...In the village you will be warmly welcomed with a green tea by Mr. Han and his family, the third generation of his family to live here. You are then free to stroll through the village, before rowing a basket boat with the help of skillful locals, learning their traditional fishing techniques in the water coconut forest. After returning to Mr. Han and his family, you will enjoy a traditional therapeutic foot bath with medicinal herbs, before helping to prepare lunch with a local family. Lunch will feature many local dishes, such as Tam Huu spring rolls, Banh Xeo local pancakes, grilled fish in banana leaf, among many other Vietnamese delicacies. Free time and the opportunity for a short rest will follow lunch, before we return to your hotel.

Menu:

Hoian nem

Hoian Crispy Pancakes

Tam Huu: Port, shrimp, herbs

Grilled fish with curcumas in banana leaf

Sautéed Vegetables with the garlic

Spinach Soup

Steamed Rice

Desert.

In the afternoon, we will pick up and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Saigon. Upon arrival pick up and drop off you at your hotel in Saigon.

Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning after having breakfast, depart for the famous Cu Chi Tunnels which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war. 

Afternoon, we take a half day of city tour to visit all famous sites of this bustling city. The first destination is the Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, followed by some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral. Apart from the religious meaning, the even more special captivating point of this Cathedral is its special neo-Romanesque style of architecture. Next, it is on to the Old Saigon Post Office. After visiting the Jade Emperor Pagoda, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is firstly well-known as the place for real Vietnamese food. There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offer guests many freshly delicious dishes. You also can find any goods for daily use as well as variety of eye-catching local handicrafts, souvenirs here. 

Overnight at the hotel in HCM city.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Saigon

Meals : Breakfast

Pick up at your hotel in Saigon and then move 2 hours to Cai Be. The program will start with a quick visit of Cai Be town & the ancient church from the boat. Then, we’ll come to Tân Phong Island for the rowing boat. They will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time under the shade of mangrove trees. Stop at local garden to enjoy some fruits with hot tea when listening to the traditional music.

Then, start the biking trip on village paths to see the local daily life: orchard, school, church, pagoda, traditional houses... On the way, we can make some stops to see how they wave the dried water-hyacinth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, shoes... (You can walk, but see less).

Back to our boat to go across one of the longest rivers in the world, Mekong River, to come to An Binh Island. Travel on the handmade canal to a local house & have lunch at this traditional house. After lunch, we can walk in the local village to visit the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice... Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea.

Visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. The cruise will end at the new boat station of Vinh Long city! From here we will pick up and transfer back to Saigon. Overnight at hotel in Saigon

Accommodation : At the hotel in Saigon

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

Depending on your flight schedule, we pick up and transfer you to the airport for your flight to your next destination. End of Asia King Travel!

Accommodation : N.A

Meals : Breakfast