Shannon Plumstead
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
ARRIVE IN HANOI
Welcome at the airport by your local guide and transfer to your hotel for check in. After a short rest, drive to a local spa to enjoy a body massage treatment to assist your body in recovering from the long flight. The remainder of the afternoon is free at your leisure to relax and settle into your hotel.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at Ly Club restaurant where you will begin your exploration of the culinary delicacies of Vietnam and have a trip orientation.
Overnight Hotel de l'Opera Hanoi
Day 2
Hanoi
After breakfast, get ready to travel the streets of Hanoi is on a classic Vespa scooter. It’s a very special experience and brings us closer to the authentic Hanoi. The driver will take us to the must-see landmarks away from the usual tourist areas that only a true native Hanoian knows about. Some places to visit are the Big Church, Old Quarter and the Long Bien Bridge. Stop for street food treats and coffee.
Next stop is the Temple of Literature, where you will meet a master in calligraphy. Later today, go on a walking tour around the Old Quarter, stop at Hanoi’s largest covered market, Dong Xuan. Finish your tour with a hidden café with stunning views over the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. Then it’s back to your hotel to spend the evening free at leisure.
Overnight Hotel de l'Opera Hanoi
Day 3
HANOI – HALONG BAY
Leave Hanoi this morning and head straight to Halong Bay, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site with its 3,000 islands of towering limestone dotting the bay. After arriving at noon, you will board a beautiful boat for an overnight cruise on Halong Bay with an excellent menu of fresh seafood. Lunch and dinner are served on boat. Overnight on board.
Overnight The Legend Ha Long (private wooden junk)
Day 4
HA LONG – HANOI – HUE
Wake up in the morning to enjoy aquamarine water of the bay at its best. After tea break, the boat continue to cruise quietly through spectacular limestone formations of Halong Bay. Enjoy the more isolated and unique islands of the bay.
Return to Halong Harbor after a brunch for transfer to Noi Bai Airport for your onward flight to Hue. Stop en-route to visit a nice local “countryside” house, whose host has a collection of antique things, bonsai, and birds. Enjoy a home-meal lunch and chit chat time with the owner. Welcome by local guide on arrival in Hue and transfer to your hotel for check in.
Overnight La Residence Hotel & Spa
Day 5
Hue
The morning is devoted to visiting the handicraft villages in Hue. After visiting gracefully Thien Mu Pagoda, you board a local boat and go downstream the Perfume River. After about 30 minute cruising, arriving at the village of Tien Non where you take your bike to reach the village of Thanh Tien (about 30 minutes) where you’ll learn the craft of paper flower-making.
Take another walk of about 30 minutes to the Sinh village, well known as a centre for paintings on wood. Spend time to learn more about this traditional handicraft and you will also have the opportunity to interact with the hospitable family of a local craftsman. Return to city centre by private vehicle. After lunch break on your own, visit the impressive Imperial City and Citadel as well as Dong Ba Market. Spend your evening at leisure.
Overnight La Residence Hotel & Spa
Day 6
HUE – DANANG – HOI AN (CYCLING 40KM, EASY LEVEL, FLAT TERRAIN)
We start cycling from the hotel along the village road (14 km) from Ngoc Anh to the village of Vinh Ve for Chuon lagoon part of the famous Tam Giang Lagoon. Rural paths and the river take visitors through golden paddy fields, which extend to the Chuon Lagoon.
Take a break at the local coffee shop and enjoy the picturesque view and continues heading to Tu Hien Beach, passing by large roads and then creeping through village paths. The end of the route is the beautiful Tu Hien Beach, where we can take a wonderful swim and relax on the beach. We will have lunch with fresh seafood.
After that stop in paradise, ride more 16 km to Phuoc Tuong pass. From here, we will take a transfer by private vehicle to Hoi An. Upon arrival in Hoi An, spend the remainder of your day free at leisure.
Overnight Almanity Hoi An
Day 7
Hoi An
Today, enjoy an up-close and authentic experience of Vietnamese life in the countryside with an excursion in an open air Jeep. If you wish, you will be able to take a break under the shade of coconut trees, sip fruit juice and enjoy the country fresh air.
Come back to Hoi An town to start a walking tour. The small streets of Hoi An are ideal to wander along to explore the shops, houses and temples on foot or by bicycle. Cars and motorbikes are forbidden in the entire area, which allows you to peacefully enjoy some of most important sightseeing spots of Hoi An such as Chinese temples, traditional houses, and the famous Japanese bridge. The tour ends with a cup of coffee or tea at Reaching Out – a special teashop where all the waiters and waitresses are hearing impaired staff.
Overnight Almanity Hoi An
Day 8
HOI AN – DANANG – HO CHI MINH CITY
Depart to Danang via the scenic Hai Van Pass. On the way, we will pass by “Family 4 House” managed by a French non-profit organization Association Xuan that works with disadvantaged children. Depending on the schedule, we may be able to visit with the kids and enjoy a meal together.
Transfer to Danang Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, be welcomed at the airport and transfer to the city.
Overnight Majestic Sai Gon
Day 9
HO CHI MINH – DEPARTURE
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, pay visits to historic landmarks including the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the War Remnants Museum and Dong Khoi Street.
Then, as a final treat, you’re invited to discover traditional Vietnamese music in a warm and friendly home belonging to a couple of passionate artists: Dinh Linh and Tuyet Mai. These two virtuosos will provide for you a concert of traditional Vietnamese music, and will be delighted to help you discover and try out the many traditional music instruments they own. The rest of the day is at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
