Day 1: Hanoi arrival (-/-/-)

Hanoi - Airport: 30km, ~40min drive

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, meet our guide and driver who then escort you to the city center. After making sure of your successful hotel check-in (check in time: 14.00), they will be pleased to leave you free time for your own lunch and leisure to recover after the long flight. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals Included: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi- Local Cooking Class (B/L/-)

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

Morning, you drive to the west of city. It is about 17 km from old quarter to my house and takes 40 minutes.

Upon arrival, the Host meet you at meeting point and show you a local market since Le King Dynasty. It is the most famous market in the region where many traditional items for sales. If on market days (two or three times per week, more crowded than others), people from all the surrounding villages would come to trade. People bring dogs, cats, pigs, chickens, ducks, and bamboo baskets to sell. Everyone is excited to meet each other on that day. You will be surprised about bustling and colorful market which is working under the canopy of old tree. You will see the old women chew betel and areca nut and blacksmiths work hard with his bright brazier.

If not on market days, market still opens and sells vegetable, meat, fruits…and very lovely.  Right next to the market place is a beautiful farm.

We take a tour around vegetable fields growing a variety of produce including: bitter melon, corn, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes, green peas, snake peas and corn, as well as fruit gardens with oranges, pomelo, papaya and more (depend on the season to grow different crops)., You will learn more about background of vegetable and you may have chance to help a farmer working on his field.

Then, we go to a local house for cooking delicious dishes. I will teach you how to cook some Vietnamese dishes by simple and traditional recipes. Enjoy local fresh vegetable, fruit, traditional cake and talk about Vietnamese families custom together. I can serve vegetarian food upon on request. The host offer free tea and local wine. Then, we transfer back to Hanoi city, visit Ho Chi Minh’s complex and Tran Quoc pagoda- one of the oldest pagodas in Hanoi city. If the sky is clear, you can watch the sunset in West lake.

The rest of day, you are free at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi city.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B/L/D)

Hanoi - Halong: 180km, ~3h30m drive

After breakfast, meet our driver at your hotel lobby and we depart for Halong Bay. Sit back and enjoy the peaceful countryside symbolic of the Red River Delta. We will arrive at Halong Bay’s wharf around noon and embark an elegant wooden junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay. Here we enjoy the striking scenery of this World Heritage Site. While being on board, we will be served fresh local seafood lunch followed by swimming and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. Witness one of the world’s best the sunsets before you sit down for a lush dinner. The captain then will anchor for the night nearby a remote island where you’ll have the option night fishing or just sit out on the deck and relax under the stars.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on cruise

Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Flight to Hue (Br/-/-)

Hanoi - Hue: 770km, 1h flight

After waking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the bay, we have time for an early morning dip. Then it’s time for breakfast whilst you watch the sun rise over Ha Long bay. The cruise continues to move around the bay for in order for us to discover more secluded areas; we then go kayaking and continue swimming around the bay. The boat will be near us at all times for those who prefer to relax on board. Around midday, we will return to the main harbour before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for the three-hour journey to Noi Bai airport for the flight to Hue.

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

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch or Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Day 5: Hue- City tour (B/L/-)

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

After breakfast at hotel, we set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, starting with a boat trip on 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 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 specialty of Hue city. Overnight at hotel in Hue.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Day 6: Hue- Danang- Hoian city tour (B/-/-)

Hue - Hoi An: 140km, ~2h30min drive

After breakfast at hotel, we bid Hue farewell and continue our south bound 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 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 making 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 as 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.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian

Day 7: Hoian- Countryside tour (B/L/-)

After breakfast, you will be  picked up at your hotel's lobby  around 8 AM by bike, then  escape the bustling city just about 20 minutes by cycling from Hoi An old quarter, you will enjoy a vegetable farming area with nice weather and lovely people, a green area called Tra Que vegetable village.

Upon arrival , you’ll take a stroll around the vegetable farm and then join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the river near by - as organic fertilizers. You’ll learn how to  raking the ground, sowing seed, watering, and planting vegetables, as well as many other gardening activities will make you have lots of fun and interesting moments when being in this village. This is a great way to see how locals here live and how they love their job.

After working in the vegetable farm we continue biking to Fishing village (it takes 20 minutes of biking)

When we arrive at Fishing Village, Meet a local fishing family, Learn about daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their custom and community

Leaving the village behind, you will board our boat and cruise to the mouth of the river where it meets the Cua Dai Sea. Then meeting and engage with local fishermen and enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. The local fisherman will show you the method of catching fish that is to throw a round net into the river from a small boat. After being taught how it is done it will be your turn.

The next part of our adventure is to fish by using a huge square net that is set on the river bed which is then winch up. With helps of another couple of local fisherman you will collect the fish inside that net through a hole at the bottom.

Following, you will learn to paddle the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket round boat through small and beautiful channel and join in a basket boat race. Then  head into the nipa palm forest where tourist have opportunities to catch small crabs by fishing rod for fun as well as some products from this tree was make by our staff for souvenir.

Then continue biking to my house in rice village (it takes 10 minutes of biking). Reach a local house, be welcome with a glass of passion fruit juice and wet tissues.

You will join a short rice pancake cooking class with my wife from rice flour - Last  step is : Enjoy the Lunch  with some specialties of our village : Tam Huu (three friends ), Deep Fried Spring Rolls(vegetarian style), Local rice pancake serve with fresh organic vegetable and fish sauce, Steamed rice, chicken' meat, shrimp, pork, Season fruits.

The whole tour will be finished around 2 -2:30 P.M. The rest of time you are free at leisure. Overnight in Hoian.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian

Day 8: Hoian- Free day (B/-/-)

After breakfast at the hotel, the rest of the day is free for your own exploration and shopping. Hoi An is home to the most skilled tailors in Vietnam. We highly recommend getting something custom made!

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian

Day 9: Hoi An - Danang - Flight To Ho Chi Minh (B/-/D)

Danang - Saigon: ~850km, 2h flight

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

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

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh, meet our driver and we transfer to hotel. Check in and relax.

Evening, our driver picks up and transfer you to harbor to enjoy dinner on cruise along Saigon river. After dinner, we come back to your hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner on cruise
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh- Cu Chi tunnels- City tour (B/-/-)

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

8:00 AM: In the morning, we 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. Upon arrival, we proceed to an underground hut to watch a short video and presentation about Cu Chi tunnels before having a real hand-on experience of what it took to live in the tunnels. And then we return to the Saigon City centre for lunch (on your own cost) and prepare for the sightseeing tour in the afternoon.

The first destination is the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975 when the North Vietnamese tanks came crashing through the front gates, bringing the U.S.-Vietnam War to a dramatic end. This will be followed by some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883 where the stones used to create it were exported entirely from France. Apart from the religious meaning, the most captivating point of this Cathedral is its special neo-Romanesque style of architecture. Adjacent to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office, finished in 1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam's largest post office. After visiting the War Remnants Museum, we head onward to Ben Thanh Market for collecting some cute souvernirs or tasting some Saigon specialities. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh- Vinh Long- Homestay (B/L/D)

At 07:30a.m, meet our tour guide at your hotel lobby and we depart to Cai Be.

Arrive in Vinh Long, we will start the tour with a visit of Vinhlong market in the town. This is the best choice for you to take pictures of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, vegetables...

Mekong Travel boat will take you to have a lunch at this local house. After lunch, we come to visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. Then, visit of the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice... Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea. Then, we’ll walk to check in at Út Trinh / Út Quỳnh / Út Bình homestay.

Have a fresh shower before cooking some special dishes with the members of local family. We’ll enjoy dinner & overnight at homestay.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay in Vinh Long

Day 12: Vinh Long- Ho Chi Minh (B/-/-)

Have breakfast at homestay. Check-out & be on boat to go across one of the longest river in the world, Mekong River. Come to visit Cai Be floating market.

Then, the rowboat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time. Also, we’ll come to Tân Phong island for biking on village paths to see the local daily life: orchard, school, church, pagoda, traditional houses and maybe the ancestral ways to pick up fruits in Mekong Delta... On the way, we can make some stops to see how they make rice-net for spring-rolls, sewing coconut-leaves for cottage roof and specially see how they wave the dried water-hyacynth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, shoes... The cruise will end at Cai Be pier in the town. We then transfer back to your hotel. Check in and relax in Ho Chi Minh city.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh- Departure (B/-/-)

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

Today, you are free at leisure until being picked up and transferred to airport for your flight to your country. End of services. We thank you for choosing Tonkin Voyage Travel

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: None (Check out time is before 12.00PM)