Begin your journey with a full-day guided city tour of Hanoi, Vietnam’s historic capital. Start at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you’ll learn about the life and legacy of President Ho Chi Minh, the beloved father of modern Vietnam. Walk through Ba Dinh Square, visit the impressive Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the humble stilt house where Uncle Ho lived and worked during his final years. Next, admire the unique architecture of the One Pillar Pagoda, an iconic Buddhist temple dating back to the 11th century, built to resemble a lotus flower rising from the water – a symbol of purity in Vietnamese culture. Continue the cultural journey with a visit to one of Hanoi’s remarkable museums (based on your interest): Hoa Lo Prison Museum (a French colonial-era jail also known as the “Hanoi Hilton”), Vietnamese Women’s Museum, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, National Museum of Vietnamese History, or the Museum of the Revolution. In the afternoon, stroll around the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, where legend tells of a sacred sword returned to the Golden Turtle God. Cross the charming red wooden The Huc Bridge to visit Ngoc Son Temple, nestled on a small island in the lake. Wrap up your tour with an enchanting cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter – a bustling labyrinth of narrow streets that date back centuries, each named after the traditional craft or trade that once thrived there. This experience offers a glimpse into the soul of the city, where ancient traditions meet the rhythms of modern life.

Our tour guide will meet and pick you up at your hotel to transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in a private air-conditioned vehicle for your flight to Central Vietnam.

Upon arrival, our local tour guide will pick you up at Phu Bai International Airport (Hue) and transfer you to your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. Our guide will be on hand to assist you with the hotel check-in process, ensuring a smooth and comfortable transition to the imperial city.

Begin your cultural journey in Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital, with a peaceful dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River. Visit sacred sites such as the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Minh Mang tombs scattered along the riverside. Dive into the rich heritage of Vietnam at the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its historic architecture and regal atmosphere. Travel over the scenic Hai Van Pass, stopping for a refreshing break at the stunning Lang Co Beach, recognized as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. In Da Nang, explore the unique Cham Museum, home to ancient Hindu sculptures, and marvel at the dramatic Marble Mountains rising from the coastal plain. Capture photos on the famous Dragon Bridge, especially enchanting when lit at night. Your adventure ends in the enchanting town of Hoi An, where lantern-lit alleyways, riverside cafes, and centuries-old merchant houses evoke a timeless charm. Enjoy free time to wander through this romantic, heritage-rich destination at your own pace.

In the morning, meet our guide at your hotel and transfer about 40 km West of Hoi An to visit My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO-recognized world heritage. My Son Sanctuary is a cluster of abandoned and partially ruined Hindu temples in central Vietnam, constructed between the 4th and the 14th century by the Kings of Champa, an Indianized kingdom of the Cham people. During this period, the valley at My Son was a site of religious ceremony for kings of the ruling dynasties of Champa, as well as a burial place for Cham royalty and national heroes. Transfer back to Hoi An for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, discover the charm of Hoi An as a renowned World Heritage Site. Once a bustling maritime commercial port of Asia between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An is now a peaceful town of exceptionally well-preserved architecture, lifestyles, and traditions. The town exemplifies a fascinating fusion of cultures between Vietnam and the outside world including China, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines. Highlights for sightseeing include the town’s iconic 400-year-old Covered Bridge with a small temple attached to one side as a prominent example of Japanese architecture, the Museum of Trade Ceramics which is an elegant Vietnamese style wooden house built in 1858 showcasing antique ceramic artifacts, the 200-year-old Tan Ky House typifying an ancient Chinese merchant residence, and Ong Temple built in 1653 by Chinese settlers to worship Guan Yu, an ancient Chinese general whose character stands for loyalty, bravery, and justice.

In the morning, the driver will pick you up for your transfer to Da Nang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (approximately 1.5 hours). Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Ho Chi Minh City, formerly and still commonly known as Saigon, is the most populous city in Vietnam—vibrating with energy and innovation as the country’s economic heart. Then, take a half-day city tour to visit the very popular War Remnants Museum, which gathers a comprehensive collection of machinery, weapons, photographs, and documentation of the Vietnam wars, including exhibits like an F5A fighter and a UH1-Huey helicopter. Next, visit the century-old Reunification Palace, a witness to the historic events of old Saigon and famous for its unique architectural characteristics. It stood through the city’s growth during peacetime and throughout the Vietnam War until its historic conclusion in 1975.

In the morning, take a half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located 75 km Northwest of downtown Ho Chi Minh City. These tunnels were once a major underground hideout and resistance base for Viet Cong forces. Entirely hand-dug, they formed a highly intricate network of interlinked multilevel passageways totaling over 120 km in length, containing meeting rooms, kitchens, clinics, and schools designed for guerrilla warfare. After returning to the city, your afternoon tour continues with the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, a neo-Roman cathedral built with materials imported entirely from Marseilles. Next, visit the Central Post Office, one of the city’s oldest and most significant landmarks, designed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. Finally, explore the Cho Lon area (Chinatown) and the Jade Emperor Temple (Phuoc Hai), a rare and atmospheric Taoist structure built by the Cantonese community in 1909.

Today, meet at your hotel for a transfer of about 136 km to Vinh Long, a riverside town in the vast Mekong Delta, the world’s largest delta. Embark on a boat cruise to the lively Cai Be floating market, where sellers and buyers bargain and exchange goods directly from their boats. Proceed through a fascinating maze of shady canals to Hoa Binh Phuoc Island. The beautiful landscape of zigzag canals, lush vegetation, and peaceful villages offers a delightful glimpse into rural life. While on the island, visit local farmers’ homes to interact with warm-hearted hosts and learn about their traditional trades, including bonsai gardening, tile and ceramic production, and the making of rice paper and coconut candy.

In the morning, start a full-day city tour beginning with the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. This museum contains a rich collection of audio-visual documentation and more than 15,000 artifacts, including life-size traditional houses depicting the life, culture, and beliefs of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. Continue to the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 to honor Confucius and outstanding scholars. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which honors the life of the nation’s founder. Explore Ba Dinh Square, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the humble house on stilts where he lived and worked. Stop by the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th Century and designed to resemble a lotus blossom rising from a pond.

Next, visit a museum of your choice: the Hoa Lo Prison Museum (the “Hanoi Hilton”), the Museum of Fine Arts, the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, or the National Museum of History. Afterward, stroll by Hoan Kiem Lake to see Ngoc Son Temple, accessible by its famous red wooden bridge. Conclude the day with a cyclo ride through the bustling Old Quarter or relax with a coffee at a local café.

Our tour guide will meet and pick you up at your hotel to transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport on an air-conditioned vehicle for your departure flight.