Serene Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi – Mai Chau – Halong: 9 days

• On arrival in Ho Chi Minh city, our guide & driver – Impress Travel Team will be there to meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.
• Have a lunch at local restaurant then Ho Chi Minh city tour ½ day:
• The Reunification Palace: Here on April 30th, 1975 the Vietnam War officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was, at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.
• War Remnants Museum: Formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes, this is a poignant display of the futility of war. Some of the black and white photography in the ‘Requiem’ exhibit is particularly touching, dedicated to both foreign and Vietnamese journalists and photographers who perished during the conflict. The courtyard outside contains the spoils of war, namely rusting jets, tanks and cannons captured from the American military machine.
• Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office: Built between 1877 and 1883 this is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Remarkably every stone used in its creation was shipped from France to Vietnam. Her two 40 m towers, topped with iron spires, dominate the city’s skyline. The Old Post Office is another example of French colonial architecture and is also the country’s largest post office.
• Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

 Inclusions: Transfer, tour guide, hotel in Ho Chi Minh city, lunch.

In the morning:

• After breakfast at your hotel, we drive you to Cu Chi Tunnels where you will experience the labyrinth of web-like tunnels stretching more than 124 miles
• Arrival, you’ll watch a short video which explains how the tunnels were used to succeed defeat American military forces in combat.
• The tour continues and the guide explains some traps that were placed in the jungles of Vietnam to either maim American soldiers or create panic amongst the ranks.
• From here, you can enter one of the tunnel entrances and crawl through the tunnels is a real experience to imagine how people could live there for an extended period!
• There is a shooting range where you can try to fire an automatic or semi-automatic weapons for a fee (this fee is not included)
• Take some rest at the end for a taste of Cu Chi boiled tapioca and think about what humans are capable of when having to defend their home.
• Transfer to Mekong then have lunch at Mekong Rest-stop.

In the afternoon:

• Upon arrival, we boarded a motorboat and cruise along a vast network of canals and channels to enjoy wonderful views of the Mekong River, including four famous islands “Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix”.
• Stop at one of the floating fish houses, in nets and wire baskets under their house, the villagers cultivate freshwater fish and shrimp – a major export product of the region.
• Cross the River to the other side, you will stop at a traditional workshop to witness a step-by-step process on how to make coconut candy, honey farming… while trying some yourself and listening to traditional music.
• Enjoy what local people offer by hand rowing a sampan along the shady, breezy canal. We will transfer to local transportation called Xe Loi to travel throughout the villages.
• We drive another 1,5 hours back to Ho Chi Minh city and drop you at your hotel or somewhere in District 1 on request.

Inclusions: Transfer, tour guide, hotel in HCM, breakfast, lunch, entrance fee (s), boat trip in My Tho.

In the morning:

• After breakfast at your hotel, we drive you to Tan San Nhat airport for domestic flight to Hanoi Capital.
• Check in the Hotel then free time to explore Hanoi city.
• Have lunch at a restaurant.

In the afternoon:

Tour guide and private car will take a sightseeing of you to explore Hanoi city private tour:

• Hanoi Temple of literature: Văn Miếu, literally translated as Temple of Literature, is a temple dedicated to Confucius in Hanoi, northern Vietnam. The temple was founded and first built in 1070 at the time of Emperor Lý Thánh Tông, and it hosted the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s first national university, from 1076 to 1779.
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex & one pillar pagoda: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex is an important place of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese. A traffic-free area of botanical gardens, monuments, memorials and pagodas, it’s usually crowded with groups of Vietnamese who come from far and wide to pay their respects to ‘Uncle Ho’. Within the complex are Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the Presidential Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda. (Just walking outside)
• Cyclo around the old quarter: Cyclo Tour 1 Hour. See the Opera House, Joseph Cathedral Church, Dong Xuan market, Old Quarter of Hanoi and more. Relax as your driver pedals you around the Old Quarter, home to many of Hanoi’s highlights and unique architecture from the French colonial times.
• Return to resort free time at leisure and stay overnight in resort in Hanoi.

Inclusions: breakfast, A/C land transfer, breakfast, lunch, local English-speaking tour guide, entrance fee, cyclo, domestic flight (HCM to HN) hotel in Hanoi

• Enjoy buffet breakfast at the hotel.
• 8 AM: Leaving Hanoi capital to Mai Chau valley.
• Lunch at Hoa Ban Restaurant.
• Arrive in the resort to leave your belongings at resort.
• This easy trekking tour unveils the beautiful marriage of Mai Chau’s architecture and landscape at a relaxed pace. A short transfer brings us to a collection of fabulous Thai villages, one of which, Sam Pa, acts as the peaceful starting point of our hike across Pu Poc Mountain. The trail here is suitable for everyone and is peppered with views of rice terraces, traditional villages and shaded jungle along its side. Eventually, our hike leads us to a local village, where we can talk with the locals to learn more about their history of cassava and corn farming.
• Return to the resort then to enjoy the atmosphere and have an enjoyable dinner.

Inclusions:  A/C land transfer, breakfast, lunch, dinner, local English-speaking tour guide, entrance fee, hotel in Mai Chau.

• Enjoy breakfast at resort.
• Then taking the morning easy cycling tour: The villages that have stood for centuries in the valley of Mai Chau display a vivid culture raised in the shadows of forested mountain ranges. This cycling tour will reveal the individuality of the Thai ethnic tribe amongst the ancient homes and under the leadership of a Thai tour guide, who will describe the intricate beliefs of the minority group and how they tie into architecture. 
• Check out the resort then enjoy lunch. Transfer to Ninh Binh.
• Check into the hotel in Ninh Binh.
• Feel free to explore Ninh Binh by yourself.

Inclusions:  A/C land transfer, breakfast, lunch, dinner, local English-speaking tour guide, entrance fee, easy biking, hotel in Ninh Binh.

• Breakfast is served at the hotel.
• 8:30 AM transfer to visit Hoa Lu Ancient capital.
• Then, take a local rowing boat to explore Tam Coc where you will take a 2-hour sampan boat ride on a small river. The row also takes you through tunnel-like caves.
  A Vietnamese lunch is served at a local restaurant.
• Afternoon 1.5-hour bicycle ride along the back roads through beautiful scenery of towering karsts on the ground of ponds, rice paddies and rural villages.
  Visit Bich Dong Pagoda, an important religious place for the locals in the region.
• Return to Hanoi then check in hotel.
• Free time at your own leisure to explore Hanoi at night.

Inclusions:  A/C land transfer, breakfast, lunch, local English-speaking tour guide, entrance fee, easy biking, & boat trip, hotel in Hanoi.

• 08:20 – 08:45: Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter
• 11:30: Arrive at Indochina Junk Office, take a rest at the Waiting Lounge before transferring to Cruise.
• 11:50 – 12:15: Go to the port by buggy, where the crew and staff will welcome you and assist with the check-in process onto the cruise ship.
• 12:30 – 13:00: After boarding the cruise ship, you will enjoy tea and listen to an introduction about the itinerary and safety information for the journey, as well as check-in to your cabin.
• 13:15: Have lunch at the onboard restaurant, featuring seafood dishes from Quang Ninh. The cruise ship will start its journey to explore Bai Tu Long Bay, passing through limestone islands and beautiful scenery along the bay.
• 14:30: The tour guide will take you to visit Thien Canh Son Cave, where you can explore the natural beauty of the cave with unique stalactites formed over thousands of years.
• 15:00: Relax on Hon Co Beach and join a kayaking excursion to discover the limestone islands in the bay before returning to the cruise ship.
• 16:15: Back to the cruise ship and enjoy a sunset cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay.
• 17:15: Join a Vietnamese cooking class.
• 19:00: Rest and have dinner in a quiet and romantic atmosphere on the bay.
• 20:00: Free time to relax and you can also join the experience of squid fishing. Spend the night on Bai Tu Long Bay

Inclusions: breakfast, A/C land transfer, breakfast, lunch, dinner, cooking class, local English-speaking tour guide, entrance fee, kayaking, private cabin.

• 07:00 – 07:15: Morning view of the Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Breakfast is served on the cruise ship.
• 07:45: Transfer by bamboo boat to visit Vung Vieng fishing village, where you can explore the unique way of life and the beautiful scenery of the fishing village amidst the natural heritage.
• 08:45: Back to the cruise ship for relaxation and leisure time.
• 09:45 – 10:00: Check-out and enjoy some leisure time to relax and capture memorable moments as the cruise ship journeys through the stunning limestone island area.
• 10:15: Enjoy a Set Menu Lunch while the cruise ship continues its journey on the bay.
• 11:30: The cruise returns to the International Port of Ha Long. Drive to Yen Duc village in Dong Trieu province for a short break in this typical Vietnamese agricultural village which is rich in culture and traditions.
• 13:00 – 13:45: Enjoy a water puppet show performed by local artists.
• 16:00: Arrive in Hanoi. Then free time and have dinner on your own.

Inclusions: A/C Transfer, breakfast, lunch, water puppet show, tour guide & entrance fee & bamboo boat, hotel in Hanoi.

• Enjoy your time at leisure.
• You will be transferred to the Noi Bai airport via your scheduled flight back home or continue seeing other cities in Vietnam.
• We hope you enjoyed your trip and see you again!
• Contact is at Tel: (+84) 9123 79189.

Inclusions: A/C land transfer, local English-speaking tour guide, meals (breakfast)