9 Days Northern & Southern Vietnam

Around 08:00 AM:  Join our guided Hanoi City Tour. Our tour guide and bus will wait and pick you up from your hotel.

08:45 AM: Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you'll visit the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh and see the two houses where he lived and worked. 

Next, we'll visit the One Pillar Pagoda, a unique pagoda worshipping the Goddess of Mercy.

- When visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, temples, and pagodas include dressing modestly by covering from shoulders to knees.

- While Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays, visitors can still appreciate the beauty of the area by taking pictures and exploring their surroundings.

- Mausoleum is closed for annual maintenance for at least two months every year, from June 15th to August 15th. 

10:15 AM: Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the diverse cultures of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups.
Special Note: On Mondays, we'll visit the Vietnamese Women’s Museum instead.

12:30 AM - 12:45 AM: Enjoy lunch at our restaurant, where you'll have the opportunity to savor delicious Vietnamese cuisine, including vegetarian options. 

1:30 PM: Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda on Golden Fish Island in West Lake, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi built in the 6th century. 

2:30 PM: Continue to visit Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam), the first university of Vietnam and a popular tourist destination in Northern Vietnam. It was established in 1070 and has since been one of the most attractive spots in the region.

3:30 PM: Keep going to visit Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the "Hanoi Hilton," which served as a prison during the French colonial period and the Vietnam War. 

4:30 PM: Return to the hotel by bus, concluding the Hanoi tour for the day.

7:00 AM: our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel for a Ninh Binh Tour, located about 120 km from Hanoi. 

9:00 AM: Have a brief break for 20 minutes to relax

10:30 AM: Head to our first destination, Hoa Lu ancient capital. Here, you'll explore the temples of King Dinh and King Le, the first and second emperors of ancient Vietnam, dating back to the 17th century. Take in the ancient atmosphere and learn about the history of Vietnam's first capital.

11:30 AM: Embark on a 45-minute cycling tour around the village to experience the local way of life

12:30 AM: Enjoy a buffet lunch at a restaurant, featuring a variety of local dishes including goat meat and fried rice, with vegetarian options available.

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Visit Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning tunnel cave system. Hop on a boat for a scenic tour of the area, including visits to caves such as Sang Cave, Toi Cave, and Nau Ruou Cave, as well as views of the green river and natural landscapes.

4:00 PM: Journey to Mua Cave, also known as Dancing Cave, where you can climb about 500 steps to reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain. From here, you'll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Tam Coc.

5:30 PM: Board the bus and return to Hanoi

7:30 PM: Arrive to Hanoi & get drop off at the Hotel. The Ninh Binh day tour end!

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the Old Quarter, and we'll board a bus to Halong Bay. Along the way, you'll enjoy scenic views of the countryside, farmlands, and the Red River Delta.

11:30 AM: Arrive at the check-in lounge for the Crown Legend Cruise. 

12:15 AM: After refreshing ourselves, we'll be escorted to the cruise ship, where we'll check in and receive a briefing from the Cruise Manager. Start your Halong Bay cruise tour!
1:00 PM:  Indulge in a delicious buffet lunch while cruising towards the southeast of Halong Bay, passing by iconic landmarks like the Fighting Roosters and Finger Islets.

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Marvel at the stunning limestone islets as we sail towards Luon Cave. You can explore the cave by kayak or bamboo boat, rowed by locals. 

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Continue your Halong Bay tour by visiting either Titov Island or Trinh Nu Cave. 

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Back on board, you can enjoy a sunset party with Happy Hour at the Crown Legend Bar or Sundeck. Happy Hour is buy-two-get-one-free on drinks and runs from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.

6:00 PM: There will be a cooking demonstration where the chef will showcase how to make spring rolls. 

7:15 PM: Dinner will be served, accompanied by a shimmering atmosphere under the stars.

8:30 PM: Relax with karaoke with fellow travelers or enjoy the drink at Crown Legend Bar or free squid fishing tools at reception.

10:00 PM: Retire to your air-conditioned room with a private washroom for an overnight stay on the boat.

06:00 AM: Begin with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck of the cruise ship, offering a picturesque view of the sunrise over Halong Bay. While sunrise photo-hunting is an unforgettable experience, it's optional, and guests can choose to relax in bed instead.

07:00 AM - 07:30 AM: A light breakfast is served.

07:30 AM – 08:30 AM: Explore the magnificent Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest caves in Halong Bay, adorned with beautiful stalactites.

08:30 AM – 09:30 AM: After returning to the ship, guests will settle their bills, check-out, and head back to Tuan Chau Island.

09:45 AM – 10:45 AM: Brunch will be served as the boat heads back to the harbor.

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM: Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina and return to Hanoi.

3:00 PM  – 4:00 PM: Arrive in Hanoi. End of your Halong Bay overnight cruise tour!
Spend the night in Hanoi.

Dinner on your own.

You'll have free time until it's time for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

You'll arrange your own flight. 

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. Check-in or drop off your luggage, and then you'll have the rest of the day free. Stay overnight there.

Please note: The hotel check-in time is typically at 14:00, and early check-in is subject to availability.  
Meals on your own.

Around 07:30 AM: Start with a morning Ho Chi Minh tour to visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, a prominent landmark in Ho Chi Minh City. Designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu, it stands on the site of the former Norodom Palace. You'll then explore other French Colonial structures such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. The Ho Chi Minh city tour continues with a visit to the War Remnants Museum, showcasing artifacts from the Indochina wars.

Lunch will be served and enjoyed at a local restaurant.

Departing for Cu Chi Tunnels, the journey takes approximately one and a half hours by bus. Upon arrival, there will be a short introduction and video about the construction of the tunnels and the survival techniques used during the war. You'll have the opportunity to explore the tunnel systems, including living areas, kitchens, and weapons factories.

Afterward, enjoying special tea and cassava, the guerillas' food during the war. There will be a break for relaxation or for those interested, a chance to try shooting a real gun (additional cost). 

The Vietnam tour package concludes with a return to Saigon.

Please take notes: 

• The Notre Dame Cathedral has been under restoration, so the visitors just visit outside.
• Due to traffic and weather conditions, drop-off times may vary.

Around 07:30 AM: Leave Ho Chi Minh City for My Tho, a town situated on the left side of the Mekong River. Upon arrival, you'll visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, dating back to the late 19th century. Then, you'll board a sampan and cruise along the river, passing by the Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands.

A stopover at Unicorn Island offers a chance to stroll along country lanes, visit orchards, and enjoy tropical fruits while listening to local folk songs. You'll also visit a fruit plantation and take a hand-rowed sampan ride through Thoi Son canal, immersing yourself in the beauty of the countryside.

Additionally, there will be visits to a family business, a honeybee farm, and a workshop to enjoy honey tea and coconut candy.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, followed by a break.

In the afternoon, you'll have the chance to cycle around Tan Thach village, to meet the local villagers and experience their daily life in the Mekong Delta. For those who prefer a more relaxed time, there will be hammocks available to enjoy the cool breeze.

Your tour ends with a return to Ho Chi Minh City. 

Please note: The drop-off times may vary due to traffic and weather conditions.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you'll have free time to explore Ho Chi Minh City at your leisure. Take this opportunity to purchase souvenirs for your loved ones or simply wander around the city, capturing memorable photos to cherish.

Your hotel room will be available for your use until 12:00 noon. When it's time for your departure, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. It marks the end of your Vietnam cultural holidays with Vietnam Travels!

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