Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam. You are greeted by your guide and driver at Noi Bai International airport for your transfer to the hotel.
The rest of day is at leisure
Overnight in Hanoi
Option: Wake up early, grab your cameras and head out to Hanoi’s biggest flower market in Quang Ba. Enter Quang Ba Flower Market to see and smell many beautiful and exotic flowers. This is a fantastic spot for photographers to catch some exceptional and colourful scenes. On your way back to the old centre you visit the banks of Truc Bach Lake. Every morning, the local people gather at Truc Bach Lake to practice Tai Chi, do their daily fitness exercises or play badminton. It is the perfect opportunity to encounter real life in Hanoi. You can join in or simply observe this oasis of peace and serenity in the middle of the city centre. Skip breakfast at the hotel this morning and join the locals in the streets for a bowl of Pho. This aromatic beef noodle soup is without a doubt Vietnam’s most famous dish.
Start with a visit to The Presidential Palace (formerly Palace of the Governor-General of French Indochina), Ho Chi Minh’s house-on-stilt and nearby One Pillar Pagoda.
Continue visit to the Temple of Literature – dedicated to Confucius, was built in the 11th century. It was the first university in Vietnam and students still come here to burn incense. You will find a peaceful atmosphere tinged with incense smoke, and sunken lotus ponds populated by fish and turtles.
Lunch is served at KOTO restaurant (Know One, Teach One), is a non-profit center where disadvantaged youths are given job training. Enjoy Vietnamese cuisine
Visit the home of a water puppet artist, the descendant of a family of water puppet performers. This Vietnamese traditional performance art has roots dating back to the 10th century. You will have a chance to talk with the artist, participate in the process of making the puppets, and enjoy a private water puppet show.
From here, drive to the city center for Old Quarter Walking tour. This Hanoi walk provides us a chance to witness Hanoi's rich cultural and artistic history.
Spend the rest of your day at Sword Lake. Located at the heart of the city, Sword Lake or Hoan Kiem is a historical site and one of the symbols of Hanoi, with Tortoise Tower and Ngoc Son Temple on the lake's two islands. Take a rest and watch the local life goes by.
Overnight in Hanoi
Located in Tu Ne commune, Tan Lac District, Hoa Binh Province, Vietnam, the Tu Ne Community Based Tourism Project has developed an environmental and cultural tourism group focusing on the traditions of local Muong people. Tu Ne attracts responsible travel, wild nature, authentic culture and wild & new destination seekers
This insider guided tour provides you the opportunity to truly experience traditional Muong culture and participate in meaningful activities.
This morning, drive to Hoa Binh and continue to Muong Khen, Tu Ne. On arrival, you are greeted by the friendly local. Our enthusiastic local guide will show you his beautiful village and share informative talks about the local people and Muong folklore. Stop at any place that interest you to see picturesque rice terraces, people weaving, making honey or just visit one house-on-stilt and have a close interaction with locals. The very friendly Muong people will give you the warm welcome, invite you “Cun” tea – this countryside specific herb tea, and try smoke local tobacco from a special pipe.
Join the local host to prepare dinner, the traditional fire place is in the main hall of the house where you sleep, eat and rest. After dinner, you will enjoy traditional Muong music performance and join the locals the song and dance, even learn gongs instrument.
Overnight at your homestay
Early morning wake up and enjoy the fresh air and rural atmosphere in the countryside. You might interest in feeding the livestock, watering the plant or helping the host to prepare the breakfast. After breakfast, you bid farewell to the all the community and thanks for their hospitality. Enjoy a walking foray of the rural villages and endless rice field, It is very interesting to see how farmers get water to their rice field in a traditional way.
The walk concluded at Vietnam’s Largest Banyan Tree, a true wonder of nature at the end of the journey. Standing since the17th century and reaching a height of 36m, this magnificent tree has acquired considerable cultural significance.
Your vehicle will pick you up and go for lunch at local restaurant. Transfer to Ninh Binh in the late afternoon and free to spend your leisure day at your own pace
Overnight in Ninh Binh
After breakfast you start with Van Long Nature Reserve. Take a rowing boat trip through picturesque karst landscapes. The surroundings are so calm and quiet that you can hear the sounds of the oars rowing, the fishes swimming and the birds singing. If you are lucky, you can see some kinds of waterbirds and the white-breeched langur.
Continue your visit to Hoa Lu, which was the capital under the Dinh and Early Le dynasties in Vietnam in the 10th and 11th century. It's palaces, pagodas, tombs and pavilions, built by different dynasties, still carry the features of an ancient imperial capital.
Overnight in Ninh Binh
Breakfast at hotel before heading out to Lan Ha Bay, part of UNESCO World Heritage area of Halong Bay. In Lan Ha Bay you board luxury Vietnamese cruise vessel for an overnight journey amongst 3,000+ limestone islands and rocks rising majestically from the turquoise water.
Your luxurious floating home sets sail around noontime. Enjoy a welcome drink upon boarding while being acquainted with the facilities on board during the welcome briefing. We start our unique journey of exploring one of the new wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay.
We enjoy lunch in Ginger’s light-flooded dining room offering panoramic views of the passing scenery. Along the cruise we can see an ancient lighthouse, built by the French over 100 years ago. We head deeper and further south into the maze of Lan Ha Bay. Lan Ha Bay is actually a part of Halong Bay which was just recently opened to the public. Relax on the sun deck and soak in the aura of the fascinating scenery that emanates from the surreal seascape. During this cruising time there is enough time to enjoy our onboard activities. Take a plunge in the pool or let us pamper you with a selection of fine treatments and massages in our large Lady Ginger spa.
We reach the landing spot of Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island where we hop on bikes (electric car available) for an active tour along small paved roads towards a village nestled in a valley. Meet and greet local inhabitants doing their daily work, see their homes and the village school.
Back on board, our chef is ready and prepared for an interactive cooking class in the open kitchen at the restaurant. Learn about local ingredients, preparation and cooking of particular dishes to imitate easily at home. We arrive at a tranquil anchor spot for the night. A hidden place to reminisce on the day’s adventures and enjoy cocktails under the stars.
Dinner is served in the dining room. You may like to hang out at our bar after with a digestif or pay a visit to the evening cinema which is set up in the dining area. Kick back with your favourite drink in probably the most unusual cinema you have ever visited. Or - have some fun with our team joining them for squid fishing before retiring to your room.
Overnight on board
Wake up early and join our Tai Chi session on the sun deck to ease mind and muscles with the first rays of the sun touching the water. Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries await you in the dining room to start the new day.
Ginger anchors up and we cruise to Frog Lake, a secluded spot which is perfect for our morning excursion. In kayaks or swimming we enjoy a close encounter and discovery of the bay. Paddling through the dreamlike landscape with tree-topped islands, you will feel a sense of freedom and harmony with nature that you have never experienced before. Back on board a hearty breakfast is served in the dining room as we cruise back to the pier where we arrive around 11 o’clock in the morning. Savor the last cruise moments of this unique journey relaxing on comfy sun beds on the terrace deck. We hope you enjoyed cruising with us in the Hidden World of Lan Ha Bay.
Transfer to airport for flight to Hue in central Vietnam.
Overnight in Hue
Today is your insider day trip to Hue Imperial Citadel, recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. Explore the Imperial Citadel, closely modeled along the lines of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Passing Ngo Mon Gate, you enter to the Purple Forbidden City, reserved for the Nguyen royal family from the 18th century until the mid-1900s.
In the afternoon, you visit an over 100-year-old An Hien house, a house of an descendant of a great mandarin under the time of Gia Long King. The housekeeper will provide you more information about the house and local culture
Then head out to Thien Mu Pagoda, a nicely located pagoda overlooking the Perfume River and the beautiful landscape beyond. If you are lucky, you could observe the Pagoda’s praying ceremony and experience local religious life. Also, do not miss the stunning sunset on Perfume River.
The rest of the day is free at leisure: you might want to explore Dong Ba Market, or board on a cyclo or simple have a rest at the hotel
Overnight in Hue
Head out to Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, the country’s fifth World Heritage Site listed by UNESCO in 2003. En-route, you first pay a visit to Vinh Moc Tunnel, one of the famous sites in ‘De-militarized Zone’, better known as the DMZ, where an entire village lived for two and a half years in war time. The Tunnels were constructed by residents of Vinh Moc and served as an underground village during the Vietnam War. The underground network consists of three levels and served all the community's needs, with a school, hospital, etc.
Continue your way to Phong Nha and Chay Lap - the community-owned village adjacent to Phong Nha. Although just a small village, you can enjoy yourself for a full day here, trekking, cycling, kayaking or caving.
Overnight at Chay Lap homestay
Rustic Chay Lap is made possible by cooperation between the people of Phuc Trach,the Bo Trach District People's Committee, INGO Counterpart International; and is supported, strengthened & developed by the Quang Binh Greater Mekong Sub-region Sustainable Tourism Development Project
By staying with Chay Lap, guests directly support conservation of an important World Natural Heritage Site, while driving employment opportunities and income for the families of Chay Lap Village and its surrounding areas.
Cycling the Wild Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is an incredible experience. The sounds of primates echo among the stunning limestone cliffs as you pass through one of Vietnam’s most important conservation areas, just off the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Enjoy the fresh air and wildlife of Phong Nha Ke Bang Park. With luck, you may see some of the primates the park is famous for, as well as its wide variety of birds.
Phong Nha Cave itself, which lends its name to the whole system, is a beautiful one containing many fascinating rock formations. Visitors are enchanted with the formations' evocative names such as Lion, Fairy Caves, Royal Court and Buddha.
Return to your homestay and free at leisure to explore the village on foot or by bicycle. You are invited to prepare the dinner with the host.
Overnight at Chay Lap homestay
Leaving Chay Lap in the early morning, you return Hue and explore The tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. Tu Duc began planning his tomb long before his death in 1883. The major portions of the tomb complex were completed from 1864-1867, along with future temple buildings that served as a palatial retreat for Tu Duc and his many wives during his lifetime.
Overnight in Hue
Follow the scenic drive via fishing village of Lang Co to Hoi An, a World Heritage site designated by UNESCO in 1999.
On arrival, you have time to enjoy relaxing shower before joining walking tour of Hoi An, the most appealing towns in Southeast Asia. The ancient streets of Hoi An, lined with Chinese traders’ homes and wooden houses reincarnated as restaurants, cafés, and outlets for local artists, craftsmen and tailors. Explore the beautiful 16th century Japanese Bridge. Hoi An's unique fusion of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture is well displayed here, in what is arguably Vietnam's most tourist-friendly town.
Enjoy dinner at Streets Restaurant Café – part of the innovative social enterprise initiative of Streets International with the purpose to develop and operate sustainable programs for street kids and disadvantaged youth. All trainees spend part of each week at the restaurant, applying what they have learned in their classes. All the restaurant revenue goes towards supporting the comprehensive program.
Overnight in Hoi An
Your day fills up with very interesting activities. Fantastic experience visit local farming and fishing communities. Jump on your bicycles and take a beautiful scenic route through the rice paddies of outside Hoi An. Share in the daily work of local farmers - maybe hoeing in the fields, harvesting the crops, or even riding a water buffalo. A boating along calming river leads us to a peaceful fishing village and encounter you fun hands-on experience of fishing net making and particularly paddling the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat while exploring coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war and hear of the extreme conditions endured by soldiers on both sides
Back to Hoi An in the afternoon. Spend your relaxing time at the Pool, or by the Beach or enjoy shopping moments in Hoi An.
Overnight in Hoi An
Today, you will learn more about Vietnam culinary. You'll stop by the local village market for other ingredients, then arrive at Red Bridge Cooking School and begin your class. Working with the Red Bridge Chef, you'll prepare 4 famous dishes, including ‘Pho’. After the class you'll sit down and savour the dishes you have prepared, then enjoy a leisurely 25 minute cruise along the Hoi An River back to central Hoi An. Bring your swimsuit, after the cooking tour has finished you can enjoy free use of our 20 metre swimming pool.
Visit My Son Holy Land of the Cham, one of the most important examples of Hindu influence in Southeast Asia. Although largely in a state of ruin today, My Son is often compared with other historical temple complexes in Southeast Asia, such as Angkor Wat of Cambodia or Ayutthaya of Thailand. You'll be given a brief introduction to the history, culture and Hindu influence on the Cham Kingdom, and then will visit the remains of the carefully-crafted red brick temples with beautiful monuments and epitaphs.
Overnight in Hoi An
After an early breakfast at the hotel, you drive to Da Nang for your short flight to Saigon. On arrival, our waiting guide and driver will transfer to the most dynamic city of Vietnam - Saigon
In the afternoon, the walking tour following the Graham Greene’s Trail takes you on a journey from colonial to modern Saigon. The Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883, most materials for Saigon's Notre Dame Cathedral were imported from France. Neo-Romanesque in form, it is a major centre of Catholicism in modern Vietnam, and one of the city’s major landmarks. Next to the cathedral stands the Saigon Post Office, a classic French colonial structure, is still a functioning post office today and features huge ceilings, a giant portrait of Uncle Ho, and many beautiful details. Continue along the former Rue Catinat to the Hotel Continental – famous from the ‘Quiet American’ novel and film. Your final stop is at Caravelle Hotel. This hotel and its bar were home to many foreign reporters and secret agents during the Vietnam War.
Overnight in Saigon
Drive to Ben Tre, which is famous for its coconut production and quiet, peaceful waterways. On arrival, board on your boat and set out on a boat trip on channels winding through coconut. You will enjoy lunch at a local riverbank restaurant, and cycle rural tracks through rice fields and coconut groves. Visit a tapioca cake workshop and a local Cao Dai Temple, then wander through a local market, catch some photos in a flower & bonsai village, and enjoy some of the many local fruits before heading to your homestay for the night.
Homestay in Ben Tre
After breakfast, you will bike around the village, stopping to visit a nursery garden and a rambutan orchard where you can enjoy freshly picked fruit. Drop by the local market and pay a visit to the Cai Nhum Cathedral, built around the same time as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon.
Transfer back to Saigon. The rest of day is at leisure
Overnight in Saigon
Free at leisure till we transfer you to the Tan Son Nhat Airport for your onward flight or flight home.
End of service.
