VIETNAM

Day 02 - Hanoi 

Start the tour at the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument lavishly built using marble and granite, and where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” resides. Next stop is the lotus shaped One Pillar Pagoda – resting on a single stone pillar emerging from the water. Then, visit to the Temple of Literature, the first university for the sons of Mandarins, for an overview about Hanoian culture and appreciation for ancient Vietnamese architecture. 

Walk the back-streets of Hanoi with your guide to see another part of city life; you may see street children, boys on the sidewalk polishing shoes or girls searching through garbage. Pay a visit to Birla Village where these poor, orphaned and disabled children are looked after and given an opportunity to make something out of their lives. You will have the opportunity to interact with the teachers and children to understand their challenges and learn how they are overcoming them. 

After that, enjoy a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter of “36 streets and 36 wares” to witness the vibrant life along the street sides. Cap off the day with a show at the water puppet theater - a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes of rural life and episodes of national history. 

Tonight enjoy a cosy welcome dinner at a local restaurant where street kids are offered hospitality training.

Day 03 - Hanoi 

After breakfast, visit Tho Ha village, a picturesque place that has remained unaffected by modern development. The families in this village make a living by producing rice paper and raising pigs. 

Move on to the nearby Van village, where the famous Van wine is produced. We will tour the village and try some Van wine before walking back to Hanoi. 

Day 04 - Hanoi / Halong Bay

After breakfast, embark on a 3.5 hour drive to Halong Bay. 
Board your deluxe junk where a welcome drinks awaits. After a relaxing break, enjoy a delicious lunch while cruising through the magical bay where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waters like dragon teeth. 

After lunch, take a sampan ride to visit a floating fishing village. Back on board for sunset and later unwind at the restaurant for dinner.

Day 05 - Halong Bay / Hai Phong / Danang via flight

Wake up early to catch the dramatic sunrise on the bay and enjoy a Tai Chi demonstration on the top deck of the junk and witness the sun rise over the bay. Visit a magnificent limestone grotto where stalactites are hanging from the high ceiling forming numerous designs and shapes. Return to the boat for brunch while cruising back to the dock station. Transfer (approx. 1,5 hours) to Hai Phong for flight to Danang.

Arrive in Danang, when you leave the airport terminal please look for a tour guide displaying a welcome signboard and your name and transfer (approx. 45mins) to your hotel in Hoi An for check-in and overnight in Hoi An.

Day 06 - Hoi An

Morning, enjoy a walking tour around Hoi An Ancient Town. Visit the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with outstanding wood carvings; and the colorful market with stalls brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two.

An optional stop, subject to availability, is the private home of Diep Dong Nguyen with a stunning collection of artefacts ranging from pottery, seals and paintings to money and old Hoi An photography.

In the afternoon, visit the Children’s Hope in Action (CHIA) which was set up in 2006 to provide medical sponsorship support to families of disadvantaged children, and is more than happy to organize a home visit. Return hotel and the remainder of the day is free at leisure.

Day 07 - Hoi An / Hue

After breakfast, visit the Cham Museum, which is home to the best collection of the Cham ruins dating back to the 2nd to 15th century. The objects on display represent the architecture and sculptures of the Hindu-influenced ancient civilization of Champa. Depart for a 2,5 hour drive over the Hai Van Pass and enjoy a spectacular panorama of the central coastline from its summit and continue your journey to Hue and check in to your hotel upon arrival. 

Day 08 - Hue

After breakfast, visit the serene Tu Duc Royal Tomb, designed to blend in with its natural surroundings and built on principles of feng-shui and the elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb. Its architecture showcases elements of eastern art and western design. Stop by at a local pagoda, which houses an orphanage, observe how the orphanage operates, interact with the head nun and founder of the pagoda, and observe orphans at the workshop doing wood carvings.

Then, participate in a ceremony during which you donate a small cow to a farmer together with the local authority and villagers as your witness. Chat with the family who received the gift to better understand their needs and future plans.  

For a change of scene, visit Phuong Duc bronze casting ward whose products have become national treasures, including the bronze cauldron inside Hue’s Citadel, and the nine ancient bronze canons in front of the old city. Learn about their efforts to the preserve this traditional craft for future generations.

Day 09 - Hue / Saigon via flight

Free at leisure until your transfer to the airport for the flight to Saigon. 

Then, visit to the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war, is a short drive away and reveals the history of Saigon during its turbulent recent past. From there, take a short walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris. Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel, before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower.

Stroll along Dong Khoi street, and appreciate the splendidly restored exteriors of the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville which are still two of the finest buildings in Saigon.

End of the day, visit Thien Hau temple and take time to make a wish, write it on a small card and attach it to one of the incense coils in the local custom. 

Day 10 - Saigon

Morning, enjoy a two hour drive northwest of Saigon to the famous Cu Chi tunnels which was initially protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps or as communication routes, storage facilities for food and weapon caches as well as hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the American war. 

Day 11 - A day trip to Mekong Delta

Depart from Saigon and head two hours to Mekong Delta, which will help you get closer to daily life and agricultural activities along the Mekong River. Visit the small Cai Be floating market, experience how people exchanging goods, fruit and many other commodities on their boats. 

Lunch will be served at an ancient Mandarin house where four generations of family members live together. After feasting on Mekong Delta specialties, you may wish to take a stroll around the orchard to see how fruit is cultivated. 

Day 12 - Saigon departure via flight

Check-out of your hotel no later than 12:00 noon and transfer (approx. 30mins) to the airport for your onward flight to next destination or returns your home.