15 Days / 14 Nights
15 Days / 14 Nights
Arrive in Hanoi airport, receive a warm welcome from our guide and private transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner will be served at the local restaurant.
Dinner
In the morning, we drive to one of the biggest markets in Hanoi – Chau Long Market, an impressive market experience. From here we walk to Truc Bach Lake, stop at a famous restaurant specializing in Hanoi’s famous dish, Pho Cuon – flat rolled noodles with grilled beef and vegetables. Drive back to the old town, visiting Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature and enjoy a traditional cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. We stop to visit the Bach Ma temple. It is a sacred temple in town which dates back to the 11th century. Don’t forget to savor Banh Cuon– Vietnamese rolled flour cakes served with Cha Que (sausage with cinnamon) Dip them in fish sauce. Our Hanoi street food tour is not complete without Nem and Bun Cha, the best choice for lunch. Enjoy Nem which are the special seafood spring rolls voted by CNN as a top culinary favorite. Bun Cha is grilled pork served with rice noodles and vegetables. Then, visit “Hoa Lo” Prison also called “Hanoi Hilton”. To observe the daily lives of the locals, we stop at a popular local coffee shop and enjoy Vietnamese coffee drippingfrom the filter. Afterward, we will transfer back to your hotel, and the evening will be yours to enjoy at leisure
Breakfast, Lunch
Join us today on a journey to discover the charm of traditional villages surrounding Hanoi and witness the excitement and preparations for Tet. Our first destination is Tranh Khuc Village, located just 50 kilometers from Hanoi, famous for its mouthwatering banh chung and banh tet. We will delve deep into the legend behind the banh chung and the intricate process of creating these delicious cakes. Moving on, we will visit the stunning Nhat Tan and Quang Ba flower gardens, a sight to behold during the festive season. The joy, relaxation, and family celebrations at this time are truly inspiring. Then, you have the chance to visit the residence of the talented artist Phan Thanh Liem, who is a descendant of the renowned artist Phan Van Huyen. The latter was widely recognized for his impressive skills in traditional water puppetry. By visiting Phan Thanh Liem’s residence, you will be able to delve into the intricacies of creating water puppet shows. You will even have the chance to witness a performance in their intimate “mini home theater.” This unique experience is a remarkable opportunity to spend time with a local family and gain invaluable insight into their rich and fascinating culture. Finally, we will conclude our day with a delectable dinner consisting of banh chung cakes and a stroll around the Old Quarter. Here, we will witness the hustle and bustle of people buying and selling cakes, sweets, flowers, and decorations for the upcoming Tet festivities. Join us on this journey and experience the magic of Tet!
Note: Similar to pine trees used for the Christmas holidays in the West, Vietnamese people use many kinds of flowers and plants to decorate their houses during this very special time. In Vietnam, there are 3 kinds of plants that are essential during the Tet holidays and represent the joy and love of the people at this time of year. The delicate pink peach blossoms signal spring in the North and represent vitality. In the South, the beautiful yellow apricot blossoms are a sign of wealth and love, and the kumquat tree with their bright orange golf ball sized fruit are a symbol of wealth and happiness.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Pick up at your hotel. Take a scenic drive to Halong and check-in procedures at the lounge while having a welcoming special tea. Transfer by speedboat to the Nostalgia Cruise at Tuan Chau Island. Onboard the Cruise enjoy a refreshing welcome drink. You will have a cruise briefing with safety instructions. A special lunch will be served. We then set sail for Lan Ha Bay. Visit Ao Ech – a little paradise isolated from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Kayaking at Ao Ech in Lan Ha Bay offers a peaceful and awe-inspiring experience, as if you’re exploring a secret world hidden within pristine nature. Return to Nostalgia Cruise. Admire a sunset on Lan Ha Bay. It is an ideal time for photography enthusiasts to capture the stunning moment of sunset at Lan Ha Bay. As the sun sets, indulge in Happy Hour (buy one, get one free) at the bar, Join the cooking demonstration, where our chef will teach you how to prepare notable Vietnamese dishes. Enjoy dinner at the restaurant on Cruise. After dinner, enjoy the landscape of the bay up on the top deck. Relax while enjoying drinks from the bar. Join squid fishing at night or watch a movie.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The day starts early onboard Nostalgia Cruises with Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Breakfast is served in the dining room with morning view of the bay’s landscape. Transfer to the day boat to visit Viet Hai village. You will take a bicycle trip along the village path and go through rain forests and dark tunnel. Optional electric car service is available (at an extra cost). Enjoy stunning scenery of Vietnamese farmers’ rice fields on the way. Stop at the village to relax. Visit an ancient local house, made from straw, mud, bamboo…Dip your feet into a lake with garra rufa fish which eats away all your daily stress,… See the lives of local people. Back to day boat for visiting Lan Ha Bay. Lunch served on day boat. Visit Ba Men Temple a peaceful peaceful body of water has beautiful scenery, making it the perfect place for scenic kayaking or relaxing on a sandy beach. Return to Nostalgia Cruises. Enjoying swimming at the untouched area. Then, you will join a traditional cooking class. Our chef will instruct you in the making of some Vietnam dishes. Watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. In the early evening the boat has its Happy Hour deal. Dinner will be served at a restaurant on cruise. Enjoy the landscape of the bay at night up on the top deck. Relax whilst enjoying drinks from the bar. You may want to try your luck with squid fishing or play some board games in the restaurant. Overnight on board.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rise early to witness the bay at its very best while enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck. After breakfast we progress by bus to Trung Trang cave which is located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park. The cave is 300m long through the mountain, possessing a mysterious beauty due to the geological tectonics in million years along with many historical vestiges. Return to the cruise for checkout procedures. While cruising back you can enjoy a delightful brunch. Disembark at 11:45am at Tuan Chau. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Breakfast
In the morning, we explore the former Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will then visit Thanh Tien Village to observe the creation of colorful paper flowers for Tet. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will head to a small pagoda to join the nuns in preparing kudzu root powder and traditional sweet rice cakes decorated with exquisite imprinted seals, a true Tet delicacy. We will enjoy these scrumptious cakes and sip on local tea while engaging in delightful conversations with the nuns. In the evening, we visit the Tuyet Nguyen family and enjoy an authentic Vietnamese dinner while learning more about the culture and traditional customs.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join us for a full day tour where we will explore the beautiful countryside, passing by peaceful streams and lush rice paddies, until we arrive at the charming village of Thanh Toan. Here, you can learn about agriculture’s important role and explore the village, stopping by the picturesque Thanh Toan covered bridge or enjoying a cup of Vietnamese coffee at the local café. Explore Luc Bo Cultural Space and experience the art of crafting the traditional Vietnamese conical hat. Visit An Hien Garden House. Have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we will visit Tu Hieu Pagoda, which is known as the resting place of the Nguyen Dynasty’s eunuchs. The Tu Hieu Pagoda is renowned for its beauty and fascinating stories of the eunuchs. You will get to experience the unique architecture of this historical place and admire its intricate details. Visit Dong Ba market, stop for “chè Huế” ( special sweet soups of Hue). Observe the locals’ preparations for Tet as they purchase carp fish, flowers, peanut candies, and fruit to honor “Ông Táo”, the Kitchen God. As the day ends, we will relish a delectable dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a stroll around the town’s charming streets.
Note: The Kitchen God serves as the intermediary between heaven and earth, assessing each household’s worthiness for happiness and prosperity in the upcoming year.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Hoi An. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as we travel over the spectacular Hai Van Pass. We stop at Danang to visit the Cham Sculpture Museum. Afternoon, take a walking tour along Hoi An’s waterfront from the Japanese Covered Bridge to the main market. Stop at the ancient house Tan Ky, the ornate Fu Kien Chinese Temple and continue down to the Hoian local market. Evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, take a moment to explore the charming streets of Hoi An. Experience the lantern-releasing ceremony, also known as “Hoa Dang,” a tradition that symbolizes the ancient town’s culture and showcases the spiritual beauty of its people. This ceremony expresses wishes for health, peace, and prosperity for oneself and one’s family. Allow the beauty of this moment to inspire you and fill your heart with joy.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, drive to Cam Thanh Village, where you will engage with local fishermen and participate in a hands-on traditional net fishing experience. You will also have the opportunity to paddle the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boats, creating unforgettable memories. Next, enjoy a biking tour to Tra Que Village. As you ride past rice paddy fields, you will learn about rice production
methods. You’ll be fascinated by the characteristic coconut houses and furniture crafted from water coconut and bamboo. Along the way, you will experience the warmth and friendliness of the local people as they greet you. (Note: A car is available if you prefer not to bike.)
Following this, visit a local farmers’ market at a Tra Que vegetable farm. You will be introduced to the village’s history, learn about its vegetable cultivation techniques, and discover how these vegetables are utilized in traditional Vietnamese medicine. You will have the chance to immerse yourself in farming by preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the local lake using time-honored methods. Lunch will be provided by the chef at Tra Que Restaurant. To conclude your day, relax with a foot massage, a traditional health treatment using medicinal herbs, before returning to your hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch
Private transfer to Airport for flight to Can Tho. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Have dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Can Tho.
Breakfast, Dinner
Today, drive to Vinh Long. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Long Central Traditional Market. We will take a small boat across one of the Mekong River, to come to An Bình Island. Visit local villages with traditional workshops doing Tet preparations, such as pop-rice, rice paper, coconut candy, and other special sweets. We get the chance to explore the island on foot or by bike. Take part in making the traditional sticky rice cake for Tet. Then take the Sampan ride which take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals and to enjoy the peaceful time. We will be delighted with Southern Vietnamese folk music and enjoy a special menu prepared for celebrating the New Year at a local house. Finally, make our way back to Vinh Long
town by boat. Drive back to Can Tho.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Experience the vibrant river-life of the Mekong Delta as you visit the largest floating market in the early morning. Witness the fascinating sight of shops and stalls on boats and barges of various sizes. Feel the abundant and colorful energy of this bustling market. Drive back to Saigon. Upon arrival, as part of the Vietnamese tradition, we will visit calligraphers at the Youth Cultural House and request personalized New Year’s greetings. May the words we receive bring happiness, health, wealth, and longevity in the coming year.
Breakfast, Lunch
Morning, we have a tour around downtown Saigon visiting Central Post Office, pass by the Colonial Quarter’s Opera House and City Hall also known as Hotel de Ville. Join us for a glimpse of local life in Chinatown during the Tet festival.
Late afternoon, you have a journey to taste the best local food and and immersing in the local lifestyle. First, we head to Tan Dinh market, a bustling market known for its fabrics & clothing, plus food stalls serving noodles & seafood. Walking to old market to get a full view of the daily lives of food-stall sellers, and local people on busy street. Visit Tan Dinh Church. It’s still in service Catholic church and one of the most important in the city, built almost 150 years ago by French Priest. We then drop by a famous local restaurant which quite well known among local people to try Vietnamese “Pan cake”. Continue
drive to Ben Thanh market, walking through alleys tasting some snacks and tropical fruits. It is time to enjoy cold Saigon beer or sips of Vietnamese coffee dripping from the filter while seeing the hustle-bustle of the city and following by a farewell dinner at Ngon Restaurant. This tour was designed for the traveler who wants to experience the sights and sounds Saigon by night.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, you can enjoy leisure time or walk along Nguyen Hue Street to appreciate the Annual Nguyen Hue Street Flower Festival. Every year, Nguyen Hue Flower Street transforms into a vibrant and artistic space, showcasing Vietnam’s cultural identity and the city’s history from its founding to its reconstruction. The installations range from tranquil countryside scenes to colorful boats sailing the seas, representing a harmonious integration with the world.
Check out of hotel at noon. Transfer to the airport for flight home.
Breakfast
