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. We end our tour at a local coffee shop and enjoy sips of coffee dripping from the filter. Transfer back to your hotel. Evening is free at leisure.

Breakfast, Lunch

Today we drive to visit traditional villages around Hanoi and watch people preparing for Tet. We will visit Tranh Khuc Village located approximately 50 kilometer from Hanoi. The village is famous for making the delicious banh chung ( square sticky rice cakes), popular in the northern region and banh tet (round sticky rice cakes) traditional in southern Vietnam. We will hear the legendary story why banh chung is considered an essential and well preserved tradition of Tet. Learn all the steps and ingredients that go in to making the famous “banh chung”.
We continue driving to Tay Ho District to visit the bustling Nhat Tan and Quang Ba flower gardens, famous for the myriad of pretty peach trees and kumquat trees used for decorating during the Tet holidays. These are days of relaxation, happiness and joyful family celebrations. Return to hotel.
Evening, we have dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy banh chung cakes. Then go for a walk in the Old Quarter where people buy and sell cakes, sweets, flowers and decorations for the Tet holidays.
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, Dinner

Take a scenic drive to Halong. You will be transferred by tender to the Cruise located on Tuan Chau Island. Onboard, you will be welcomed with a refreshing drink and given a safety briefing before we set sail towards Lan Ha Bay. During the cruise, passengers will enjoy a delicious lunch while enjoying the stunning views of Lan Ha Bay. Our first stop will be at Tra Bau, an open and sparsely populated area known for its unspoiled natural beauty and attractive seascape. Here, you can enjoy kayaking and swimming in the green emerald waters. Later, we’ll return to Cruises to admire the sunset on Ha Long Bay, which is perfect for photography enthusiasts to capture stunning moments. You can also join the cooking demonstration and enjoy a romantic dinner at the restaurant on Cruise. After dinner, relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape of the bay on the top deck while sipping drinks from the bar. Finally, you can join us for squid fishing or watch a movie before retiring for the night.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you will be transferred to a day-cruise to explore Lan Ha Bay. The first visit to Viet Hai village – take a bike or tram along the trails, through vast rice fields to explore a peaceful village. Meet local people on the way to learn about their lifestyle. Return to the day cruise. Lunch will be served on board. Continue cruising to the pristine white sand beach where you are free to swim or kayak. Late afternoon, back to the cruise. Don’t miss out to see the spectacular sunset view while sipping a cocktail on the top deck. Dinner will be served at a restaurant on the cruise. After dinner, simply relax or join cruise activities.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

To fully experience the beauty of the bay, it is advised to wake up early and join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we will travel by bus to Trung Trang cave, situated right in the heart of the Cat Ba National Park. The cave is a true marvel of nature, with its unique formations and intricate passageways. Upon returning to the cruise, proceed with the checkout process, while enjoying a delicious brunch. The cruise will then make its way back, providing us with ample time to relax and soak in the breathtaking scenery. Disembark at Tuan Chau at 11:45am. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Breakfast

Immerse yourself in the culture of Cam Thanh Village with a scenic biking tour showcasing traditional rice production methods and picturesque rice paddy fields. Be amazed by the unique coconut houses and handcrafted furniture made from water-coconut and bamboo. The friendly locals will make you feel at home as you learn about their culture and way of life.

Enjoy traditional net fishing and experience paddling in a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat. Savor a delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant before embarking on a walking tour of Hoi An’s waterfront. Admire the Japanese Covered Bridge, the ancient house Tan Ky, and the ornate Fu Kien Chinese Temple. End the day on a creative note with a silk lantern class where you can make your lantern to take home. Finally, indulge in an authentic Vietnamese dinner at a charming local restaurant by the Thu Bon River. This unforgettable experience will give you a deeper appreciation of Vietnam’s rich culture.

In the evening, enjoy an authentic Vietnamese dinner at a charming local restaurant by the Thu Bon River.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we depart for Hue. On the way, we stop at Danang to visit the Cham Sculpture Museum. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as we travel over the spectacular Hai Van Pass. Lunch at local restaurant. Check into hotel and free at leisure. In the afternoon, we visit the former Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tonight, a warm welcome awaits you at the Tuyet Nguyen home, hosted by the family of royal lineage. Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony before dining on an authentic Vietnamese dinner. These special treats give you a unique opportunity to spend time and learn 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. Observe the locals’ preparations for Tet as they purchase carp fish, flowers, peanut candies, and fruit to honor “Ông Táo”, the Kitchen God. 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. 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 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. 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

Morning, transfer to the airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Saigon.

Breakfast

Today, we will be driving to the rural town of Cai Be, where we will take a small boat to visit local villages with traditional workshops doing Tet preparations, such as pop-rice, rice paper, coconut candy, and other special sweets. As we venture deeper into the countryside via smaller canals, our destination will be the charming Tan Phong Island. Here, we are fully immersed in the local culture and marvel at the impressive craftsmanship of those who make stunning country cottage roofs from coconut palm leaves and export various products, including baskets, bags, hats, and wallets made from water hyacinth. We get the chance to explore the island on foot or by bike. Back to our boat continue across one of the Mekong River, to come to An Bình Island. We will be delighted with Southern Vietnamese folk music and enjoy a special menu prepared for celebrating the New Year at a local house. After lunch, check-in at the homestay. Afternoon, we will have a chance to learn how to make the Southern Vietnamese rice cake, “banh tet” (a special cake for Lunar New Year).  Then, have a fresh shower before joining with the host family to cook authentic Southern Vietnamese dishes. Enjoy dinner and overnight at homestay. 

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning, we take a small boat to visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. Back to our boat to come back to Vinh Long town. Take a walking tour to the fascinating Vinh Long Market. Then, journey to Sa Dec and be amazed by the beauty of all types of flowers and bonsai in one of the flower centers of Southern Vietnam. These blooms are then shipped to Saigon and other provinces to showcase their splendor during the Tet Holiday. Immerse yourself in the friendly culture of Sa Dec Central Market before driving to Can Tho where we stay overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we visit Cai Rang Floating Market, the biggest floating market in the Mekong Delta. All shops and stalls at the market are boats and barges of different sizes. It is a most interesting sight showcasing highlights of the abundant, colorful and bustling river life in the Delta. Transfer back to Saigon. Have lunch at a local restaurant on route. Arrive in Saigon, enjoy a Body Massage (90 minutes) at the boutique Sả Spa. Relieve pain with aromatherapy, hot stone and herbal pouches. Check-in hotel. Overnight in Saigon.

Breakfast, Lunch

Join us for a glimpse of local life in Chinatown during the Tet festival, followed by a visit to the Colonial Quarter, Opera House, City Hall, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office in the downtown area of Saigon. 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

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