Explore The Best Sights of Vietnam

Upon arrival to Ho Chi Minh City (commonly known as Saigon), your tour guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for checking in. You are free to explore Ho Chi Minh City, considered as Vietnam at its most dizzying: a high-octane city of commerce and culture that has driven the country forward with its pulsating energy.

In the late afternoon, embark Bonsai Cruise on Saigon River. Enjoy your delicious dinner and splendid Saigon at night.

After breakfast at the hotel, travel outside of Saigon to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. The Cu Chi Tunnels are an underground labyrinth of passageways, used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War (or “American War” as it’s referred to here) as protection against American air raids. Those inclined are invited to crawl through selections of the tunnels to better understand what life was like for the Vietnamese soldiers during wartime.

In the afternoon, you will visit such sites as the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office and Ben Thanh Market.

Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Today you will leave Saigon and travel to the Mekong River Delta. Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before driving to the riverside town, Cai Be. Along the way, stop at a candy factory and orchard garden, where you have an opportunity to listen to traditional music. Enjoy a relaxing lunch at a riverside restaurant, then cross the river by motorized boat to visit some fluvial islands and explore the countryside by bicycle.

The driver will meet you at Vinh Long pier and take you to Can Tho City for the night.

Wake early and leave the hotel to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market by motorized boat. This is a great opportunity to get fantastic photos of colourful boats laden with fruit and vegetables. Boats are filled with teetering piles of fruit and vegetables, from carefully balanced watermelons, to bright flowers. Then venture deeper into the country-side, passing traditional houses made of wood and palm leaves as you observe the activities of the local people, and sample the fresh, exotic fruit.

Return to Ninh Kieu quay in Can Tho around 10 A.M. Check out the hotel then drive back to Tan Son Nhat Airport to take a domestic flight to Danang.

In the afternoon, tour Danang's signature attractions that let you immerse yourself in the life of a typical dweller. Start with a visit to the Son Tra Peninsula, known as the "green lungs" of Danang, and get a closer look at the details of its many pagodas, including a giant Lady Buddha - the biggest Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Statue in Vietnam. Cross one of Vietnam's longest suspension bridges, Thuan Phuoc Bridge, while admiring the beautiful Han River and views of the landscapes below. Stop at Han Market, where you will be able to explore the amazing diversity of Vietnamese trade.

Enjoy free time at leisure for the rest of the day by pool or on the beach.

After being picked up from your hotel in Danang City by our private car, you'll head towards the Truong Son mountains, located approximately 45 minutes away. Here you'll enjoy a full day exploring Ba Na Hills, a former French holiday resort and a place of stunning natural beauty.

Check in at the ticket counter then walk to the Hoi An Station. You'll ascend the hill, which reaches nearly 5,000 feet (1,487m) above sea level, via one of the longest cable cars in the world, stretching over three and a half miles in length (5,771m). Admire the truly spectacular views of luscious dense jungle and beautiful waterfalls below you, and look up to the peak to the enormous stone hands holding the magnificent Golden Bridge (Cau Vang). What a 15 minute breathtaking journey by cable car!

On arrival at Marseille Station, it's time to enjoy amazing view from the mountain to the beach while strolling on the recent world-famous Golden Bridge with the length of 150m and at the height of 1,414m above sea level. After wandering through D’Amour flower garden and Debay Wine Cellar, experience the 1 minute and 30 second funicular ride that brings you to the stations of D'Amour and Ba Na.

Note:

- Ba Na Cable Cars, manufactured by Doppermayer, operated on five routes: Suoi Mo – Ba Na, Debay – Morin, Toc Tien Waterfall – L’Indochine, Hoi An – Marseille and Bordeaux – Louvre. Capacity 6,000 passengers/hour and open between 7:30 A.M and 9:00 P.M everyday.

- You may choose to begin your cable ride from Suoi Mo or Toc Tien Station. Activities will be as follows: French Village, Ba Na's spiritual attractions, funicular experience, D’Amour flower garden, Debay Wine Cellar, Linh Ung Pagoda and Golden Bridge (finishing destination is Hoi An Station). Please keep in mind that you should be be in good physical condition to climb many upstairs to the Toc Tien Station!

- Due to weather conditions, you may have to content yourself with a more atmospheric scene of the mountains wrapped in mist, but while it’s raining on the lower slopes, the summit may be above the clouds and enjoying brilliant sunshine.

Another cable car ride will get you reached the French Village, a replica of classical and romantic France in this fantasy, through a string of peculiar architectural clusters: the square, cathedral, town, village and inns… Don't forget to visit Ba Na's spiritual attractions such as Linh Ung Pagoda, Rain Sheltering Teahouse, Linh Phong Stupa, Holy Mother Shrine etc.

You will also have free time to enjoy games in Fantasy Park – The “Entertainment Paradise”, discover the ghost house and watch 4D films etc. before driving back to your hotel in Danang City.

(Cable car ride and round-trip transportation with air conditioner from Da Nang City included. If you stay in Hoian, additional surcharge of transportation will be applied - please check with our travel consultants!)

This morning you will experience the market & cooking class in Tra Que, a charming little village on the edge of Hoi An. The village is named after the sweet-scented vegetables that spice up the everyday meals of the Pho Hoi people. Here you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings while watching the farmers tending to their crops. The Cooking Class includes a visit to the market, the fun cooking class, followed by a sit-down lunch to enjoy the fruits of your labour!

In the afternoon, take a short walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient town centre, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tan Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge.

Today leave this ancient town, you continue your honeymoon trip to Vietnam’s another interesting destination, Vietnam’s charming colonial capital.

In the evening, your guide will take you out to explore Hanoi’s nightlife in the Old Quarter, the heart of Hanoi. The city comes alive in the evening. First, find yourself among hundreds of locals and expats sitting on plastic stools with a pint of "Bia Hoi" (draft beer) in hand, cheering and shouting “bottoms-up!” at Bia Hoi Junction, the corner of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets in the Hanoi Old Quarter. Do it as locals do and enjoy the new city with all your senses.

Then, walk through the Old Quarter’s narrow streets as your guide points out a range of tasty noodles, breads and snacks. At night the sidewalks become a stage where these small pop up restaurants feature lively, but they all disappear during the day. Sit down and enjoy a flame grilled Vietnamese barbecue of beef, chicken, tofu and vegetables on skewers.

Finish the exploration with a dessert from Hanoi’s best-known ice-cream shop by Hoan Kiem Lake before getting a good night’s rest.

Today is a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. Start with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. Follow it with one of the city's museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum).

In the afternoon, transfer to the Ba Dinh Square where stands the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh who led Vietnam to its independence from French colonial rule. This site has become an important city landmark and a perfect place to learn more about Vietnam’s rich history. From there, wander through the beautiful surrounding gardens toward the One Pillar Pagoda and Presidential Palace, where a replica of Ho Chi Minh’s simple working space is on display.

Later, hop on a cyclo, one of the most typical vehicles in Hanoi, is a human-powered transport with a seat at the front for passengers and the driver at the back. With this an hour leisurely ride, which is perfect chance for photos and slow-moving sightseeing, you will have a great local touch.

Finish the day with a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet – rice culture.

Evening is at leisure.

(The itinerary is a sample and it will be different between cruises. Our travel consultants will provide the exact schedule and program if you book other cruise such as Hera Cruise, Halong President Cruise, Emperor Cruise, Halong Violet, Halong Jasmine, Paradise Luxury Cruises, Orchid Cruise, Indochina Sails, Au Co Cruise, Starlight Cruise etc.)

Arrive in Hanoi in the early morning. Your guide and driver will meet you at the railway station and take you to a local restaurant for breakfast, before setting out on a 2.5 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay - a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as we sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands. Along the way visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the Tonkin Gulf (weather permitting). Pass the night on your junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.

Optional:

Vietnam Travel recommends the 25-minute scenic flight on the seaplane to those book an overnight cruise departing from Tuan Chau Habour. It will be a "love at first sight" as you admire Halong Bay's magnificent beauty from the top of view. Flights are scheduled at the most suitable and most beautiful time of the day for sightseeing above more than 1,900 magnificent islands and limestone pillars. Excitement like never before! (excluded in the tour package, contact your travel consultant to book with best offer!)

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea and light breakfast before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk and check-out of your cabin as you navigate back to Halong City. It’s time for you to take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of the bay. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier.

Your driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Noi Bai Airport of Hanoi for your in-country flight to Phu Quoc. On arrival, your tour guide and driver will transfer you to hotel in Phu Quoc, the approximate flight duration is 2 hours and 5 minutes. Private transfers between the airports and your hotels are provided.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel's pool and beach.

Begin your adventure with a hotel pick-up and travel to An Thoi Harbour. Then take a speedboat along crystalline waters to the first stop of the day - Hon Dua (Pineapple Island). Test out your fishing skills and try to catch a snapper, a fish, or even a large cobia.

Next journey towards Hon Mong Tay (Fingernail Island) and bask in the exotic ambiance of a tropical paradise where you can enjoy sunbathing or swimming in warm and clear waters.

Continue your dip in the ocean with an exciting snorkeling adventure on Hon Gham Ghi (also called Dam Ngang Island), home to beautiful coral reefs. Discover new depths underwater where marine life thrives in vibrant colors. You will be provided with diving equipment to see the colorful coral ecosystem here.

Dock on May Rut Trong Island and enjoy lunch that comprised of steamed shrimps, sauteed sweet and sour squid, fresh fruits, and more in a local restaurant! Make the most out of your free time and explore the privately-owned island famous for its genuine Vietnamese island life experience. May Rut Island is a famous check-in place with a vibe of Bali, especially for local tourists. Don't forget that the guide will be your assistant photographer, helping you to save great memories during the trip!

By 4:00 P.M, the discovery ends with a ride back to the harbor followed by a return to your hotel.

Today you are at leisure on beach. Obviously, the beaches around the island are pristine with clear crystal water. Further onshore, coconut palms and tropical forests feature a huge evergreen area. Apart from enjoying a complete relax in fine beach hotels and resorts, you can also cruise to the nearby islets for snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving or hiking along the dirt tracks and paths through the pepper and cashew plantations to explore the Island’s natural beauty of sun-drenched beaches, vivid marine life, tropical forests and verdant countryside.

Enjoy the full day at leisure on Phu Quoc.

JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay offers a vast range of In-House Enrichment or recreational activities during your stay. From snorkeling to hill trekking, follow-me kayaking to lantern making, and from bike tour to the historic Phu Quoc Prison to hatha yoga, there is something for everyone. Whatever your interests, the resort team is always available to ensure a uniquely enriching and memorable experience including:

+ 03 outdoor swimming pools with whirlpool.

+ Water sport center.

+ Department of Physical Education.

+ Pathfinder, Non La, Hydro Fit, Ikebana, Ride back in time, Vietnamese dance & costume, Boot Camp, Oenology, Thung Chai, etc....

You might like to take a day trip to the lush rainforest national park in the north of the island or explore the pearl farms and fishing villages of the south.

Complete your trip and return to Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport to catch your departure flight. A delicious early lunch will be served. We can drop you off at a hotel in the city or take you straight to the airport for your onwards flight. This is where your trip with us will end. We thank you kindly for joining Incredible Asia Journeys and we would love to be able to host you again in the future.