Vietnam Cutural Highlights 15 Days - Viet International Travel and Trade Co., Ltd

You will be welcomed by ViTravel’s tour guide and driver at Noi Bai International Airport and be transferred to the city center for check-in at your hotel. Free at your own leisure to explore the bustling Old Quarter (Pho Co).

Overnight in Hanoi. 

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

After breakfast, check out the hotel but leave your luggage, we will firstly take a visit to the outside of the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum then stroll through the garden to the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until he passed away in 1969. This simple two-room dwelling has been preserved in the same condition as during his life and can be viewed through the windows. Continue to the special architecture 11th century One Pillar Pagoda which was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954.

Secondly, visit the Temple of Literature – The first royal academy in the country.

The Temple of Literature has a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, and this monument is one of the best-preserved examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam’s first university. In one courtyard, giant stone tortoises bear steles on their backs, listing the accomplishments of graduating scholars.

Break for lunch at a local restaurant.

Thirdly, visit the Museum of Ethnology (Hoa Lo Prison if you visit on Monday) – one of the 25 most attractive museums in Asia. The museum was opened in 1997 to preserve and introduce most of the richest cultures, and traditions of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. It is a place which is combined with a very green and tranquil garden behind where you can see and learn more about some of the very popular architectures as the King people’s traditional house, the Ede tribe’s longhouse, the Bana tribe’s communal house, Stilt house of Tay tribe…

Hanoi is a blend of long-established traditions and modern imprints of Western colonization. Tree-lined boulevards and colonial buildings give the city a touch of Western elegance, while crowded blocks of tiny old houses and narrow lanes full of daily life bear the charms of the past centuries. Take 45 minutes Cyclo Tour through the Old Quarter: Also known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally each of the 36s names’ was related to the products being sold there. It’s a great place to explore on foot with numerous photo opportunities. Before coming back to your hotel, we will watch a water puppet show. Dinner is on your own arrangement. Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

08.00 AM: After breakfast at your hotel, meet our tour guide and we will depart for Pu Luong.

Pu Luong offers you a great amount of different beautiful sights. All are attainable by car or stunning treks. The region is quite unknown among most tourists, but that does not make it less worth visiting. Pu Luong may attract you thanks to its beautiful nature, breathtaking mountain passes and traditional villages of ethnic minorities who still retain their unique cultural heritage and way of living.

In the morning, enter Pu Luong Nature Reserve by road via a breathtaking mountain pass giving you a panoramic view of the whole valley. You arrive at your accommodation in time for a delicious lunch, followed by free time to explore the beautiful retreat, with its captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting.

In the afternoon, transfer to a suspension bridge over the Cham River, where you begin your walk in search of stunning water wheels. Get up close to each wheel and discover how water is moved from river to handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple constructions of all sizes.

Arriving at a local fisherman’s house, you have a short rest to gear up for the bamboo river rafting with Dinh and his team. Float along the calm river and enjoy the views, in between learning how to paddle and steer your handcrafted rafts.

Arriving at the scenic Tan Lap bridge, you disembark to be transferred back to Pu Luong Retreat for dinner.

After breakfast, meet our tour guide.

Start early to descend into the beautiful valley facing the Retreat where you walk around tumbling rice terraces. Trek through small paths shrouded in vegetation to slowly reveal a picturesque village sitting at the base of a towering mountain. Your camera will not be able to sit still!

Continuing to the base of the valley, you weave between roads and farmland, villages and wild fields, ponds and rivers, mountains and open land.

Savour the ever-changing scenery as you trek to a beautiful spot to enjoy a picnic lunch.

In the afternoon, free time to explore the refreshing water of the nearby river, before moving to our pick-up point to be transferred back to the Retreat. Dinner is served at the Retreat. Overnight in Pu Luong.

Early morning, we leave Pu Luong for Ninh Binh.

After 3 hour drive, arrive in Hoa Lu which is the former capital of Vietnam (968 – 1009) under Dinh and Le dynasties. Visit Dinh temple, Le temple and surroundings.

Lunch at a restaurant with local food.

Take the amazing boat trip to visit Trang An grottoes which is a gathering of 31 valleys, 50 cross-water caves, and home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna, many of them in the Red Book of Vietnam. While rowing through Trang An grotto in the quiet, fresh air of the highlands, with only the sound of birds and the oars stirring the clear water and surrounded by magnificent forested mountains upon which graze white goats, visitors enjoy a heaven on earth.

Then drive to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free at your leisure. Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

Morning, our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Ninh Binh and transfer you to Halong Bay.

We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay. Revel in the fantastic views of this UNESCO Heritage-listed site. While on board, we will be served a fresh seafood lunch followed by swimming and exploring some of the limestone caves in the area. Witness the sunset onboard followed by dinner.  The captain then will anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  In the evening, there is the option for some night fishing or just sitting out on the deck and relaxing under the stars. We promise that this is a truly unforgettable experience.

**Remark: The cruise's itineraries are samples and subject to change.

Waking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the bay, we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching the sunrise on the 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 Noi Bai airport for a flight to Hue.

Upon arrival at Hue airport, our driver will meet and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, starting with a boat trip on the Perfume River to reach the picturesque Thien Mu otherwise known as Heavenly Lady Pagoda. One of the most poignant displays here is the car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. We then disembark the boat for a visit to the elaborate tomb of former emperor Tu Duc, which was built between 1864 and 1867 by 3000 soldiers and workers. It includes fifty monuments surrounded by a 1500m long wall covering.

We then head back to Hue for your lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we visit Hue Imperial City, the last royal city of Vietnam with various beautiful structures including the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden City or Tu Cam Thanh. Built-in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. We then do the walking and shopping in Dong Ba Market to enjoy the speciality of Hue city. Overnight at a hotel in Hue.

After breakfast at the hotel, we bid Hue farewell and continue our southbound journey to the old trading town of Hoian via Danang. Along the way, we will stop at Lang Co beach for refreshments. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city.

Upon arrival in Hoian, we take a walking tour to Hoi An Ancient Town – an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. We start our day with the Japanese Covered Bridge – one of Vietnam’s most iconic attractions. Created by the Japanese living in Hoian in the 1590s as a way to reach the Chinese quarter across the water, the bridge is a beautiful historical piece of Japanese architecture. It would be a shortcoming without a visit to Tan Ky House - one of the many ancient houses that make up Hoian Ancient Town. Built two centuries ago with both Japanese and Chinese influences on architecture, this house has been preserved through seven generations. While walking, we will encounter pretty houses of Chinese merchants. Another must-see destination is Phuc Kiem Assembly Hall - an excellent work of architecture considered a heritage of historical significance. Built-in 1690, this Assembly Hall is in fact a temple dedicated to the sea goddess Thien Hau. Back to your hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Hoian.

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

08.00 AM: Our local guide picks up you at the hotel lobby, you enjoy a cycling trip along country lanes at a peaceful pace viewing local life and pausing to see farmers toiling in their rice fields using centuries of farming practices. Peddle your way through palm forests, across bridges, and fields of water buffalo. Riding along country lanes at a peaceful pace viewing local life and stopping over to see farmers (If you can't cycle, we will arrange a car or minivan as an alternative)

9:00 AM: Take a short break with a local family at Cam Thanh Village before enjoying a 1.5-hour ride on Traditional Basket Boat (round boat) in the Water Coconut Palm Forest. Learn how to sail the basket boat and spend your time catching fish and “purple crabs” in the Canal.

10:30 AM: Continue to drive to Tra Que Organic Vegetable Village where a large variety of vegetables are produced for the local community. At the village, you will be shown the environmentally sustainable practices which the local villagers have used for centuries and are still being used extensively today.

11:30 AM: Visit a local family and after a short, informative and fun cooking lesson, we sit down for a delicious lunch. Be back in town central your hotel for relaxing.

Overnight in Hoian.

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

Today you are free at leisure on your own such as walking/cycling around the ancient town or book a fishing/ snorkelling on Cham Island (on your request).

Overnight in Hoian.

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

Today, you are free at leisure until being picked up and transferred to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh city.

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh, meet our driver and we transfer to the hotel. Check-in and relax (We can arrange a Saigon jeep tour by night or a scooter evening tour… on your request). Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

8:00 AM: Our guide & driver pick you up at the hotel.

A half-day tour to Cu Chi, located about 70 km from Saigon, where you will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, the former stronghold of the Viet Cong with a network of tunnels three levels deep stretching over 200 km.

Cu Chi tunnels played a vital part in the U.S.-Vietnam War in that they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area only 30 to 40 km from former Saigon.

At its height, the tunnel system stretched from Saigon to the Cambodian border. The network, parts of which were several levels deep, included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens.

Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and feel of what underground life during the war must have been like.

The tunnels have been widened for our benefit (otherwise we would not be able to enter them!) For those interested, there's even the opportunity to try an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. (At your own cost).

Your lunch will be served at a local restaurant en route.

Your afternoon begins with the exploration of Ho Chi Minh City, including the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975. Then, continuing our trip visited the War Remnants Museum that is formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes. This is a poignant display of the futility of war. Close to the museum, we go to visit the Central Post Office which is the country’s largest post office that was built in 1891. It is a fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam's largest post office. Back to your hotel and free on your own. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

08:00 AM: our guide and driver pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the “Capital” of Coconut – Ben Tre. It takes about 2-2.5 hours to transfer on the way to Ben Tre.

On arrival in Hung Vuong Pier (Ben Tre town). Take a boat on the Ben Tre river – one of the tributaries of the Mekong river, Sightseeing lively activities along the river as fishing, and water transferring... Stop at brickwork to see how to make bricks in handy traditional style by printing and baking. Visit one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along the Cái Sơn canal. Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to Nhon Thanh village. Take a walk to the family workshop making sleep mats and enjoy some fruits.

Take a tuk-tuk or ride on shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on real life and find out about tropical culture from Peasants. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon -  Take a rowing boat along water palm creek and a boat along Cai Coi creek back to Hung Vuong Pier where our driver awaits for you to transfer back to Ho Chi Minh.

You are free in the evening and overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

Free morning at your own leisure until the transfer to the airport for your flight departure.

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