Vietnam Overland

Arrival in Hanoi Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, your guide will present you with a welcome packet including all necessary documentation and vouchers and all contact information of your guide and local offices. Transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to your selected hotel (35KM) for overnight.

Full day Sightseeing in Hanoi Begin with an exploration of the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays – Alternative to visit Vietnamese Women's Museum). This museum showcases art, traditional clothing and reconstructions of traditional longhouses from 54 different ethnic groups. Afterwards head to the Temple of Literature with its walled courtyards and graceful gateways. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam's first university. In the afternoon, visit Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex where the Vietnamese people honor the country Great Father. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside only) which contains the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh; and Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until his final days in 1969. Preserved in the same condition as during his life, it may be viewed through the windows. Following by the miniature 11th century One Pillar Pagoda which was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954. In the late afternoon, visit Hoan Kiem Lake which contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda. Hanoi clings on tightly to its heritage, best seen in the Old Quarter – a maze of narrow alleyways that date back to the 13th century. Foodies afoot in Hanoi (3hrs) Enjoy a taste of local Hanoian life as you explore a local market and some of the city's best street food stalls. Start at the bustling Hom market, one of the biggest and most popular markets in Hanoi. Wander through the narrow alleyways passing colorful stalls piled high with a vast array of fruit, vegetables, sweets and elaborate temple offerings. Take photos of the vibrant colors and breathe in the aromas of the tropical fruits. If you're feeling brave, venture to the exotic section to see kicking frogs, silkworms and wriggling eels. The entire market is alive with the buzz and excitement of the locals bartering and haggling for the freshest ingredients at the best prices. Your guide will take you to popular street food stalls where you can sample some of the city's signature dishes. Stop at a local coffee shop to taste this rich and flavorful drink then continue your culinary exploration with a stroll through the maze of bustling streets that make up the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Join the locals and pull up a plastic stool at a pavement stall to try Vietnamese snacks and a cup of iced tea, followed by a sweet dessert of fresh fruit and condensed milk. End the tour with a cold draught beer at a sidewalk stall popular with locals. Overnight in Hanoi.

Start the day with the first sightseeing site, Hoa Lu, which was the initial capital of Vietnam. Visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-980), and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009). The ancient Hoa Lu Citadel (most of which has since been destroyed) once covered an area of three square kilometers. After a visit to Hoa Lu, depart for Tam Coc town, along the tour stops wherever guests wish to take photographs of local villages and the stunning landscape. On arrival in Tam Coc, board a private sampan. As the boat gently slices through the water, notice the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields giving rise to its other name, 'Halong on Land'. Excursion to Mua Cave Tucked away at the end of a road running between rice paddies, Mua Cave has its main attraction – the panoramic view from the peak above. A 500 steps stone staircase zigzags up the side of the karst to the top where there's a simple altar to Quan Am (Goddess of Mercy) with an unbroken view down to the Ngo Dong River winding through Tam Coc far below. Check in at the hotel in Ninh Binh for overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, set off by road to Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam's most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Surrounding by the hundreds of limestone karst mountains and rock formations rising dramatically from the emerald green water; Halong bay is listed as one of the must-see places in Vietnam. Let's spend a night on the cruise with the stunning view of this wonder. Arrive at the harbor at noon time and do the check in procedure on your boat. You will be welcome and served lunch while cruising towards the bay. In the afternoon, full of activities such as cave visit, floating farm, beach relax or simply enjoy the sunbathing on the sundeck (the program is varied depending on each boat cruise). Prepare your camera for the amazing photos of the bay, hundreds of boats or sunset. Dinner will be served on boat and enjoy the relaxing night while boat is anchoring at the quiet water area. Spend the night on board.

Wake up and enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay. Start your day by joining in a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck. Rejuvenate your body and mind with the slow movement of Tai Chi. Breakfast (or brunch) will be served on boat while cruising back to the port, passing the majestic peaks. Disembark from the cruise. Note: The program can be changed due to the weather condition, tide condition and local authorization. Take a return journey back to Hanoi then head to airport for flight to Hue (flight time TBA). Upon arrival in Hue, transfer and check in at your selected hotel for overnight.

Sightseeing in the Imperial Citadel & Tu Duc tomb Let's go back in time and bask in the beauty of the Nguyen dynasty. The 19th century Imperial Citadel is a city within a city. The striking Flag Tower and imposing Ngo Mon Gate lead into spacious courtyards, palaces, pavilions, reception halls and lotus ponds – providing a fascinating glimpse into court life. Out in the countryside we'll visit the Imperial Tomb of Tu Duc, a tranquil place with beautiful ponds and temples. Thuy Bieu village with cooking class Rumored to be haunted, a flashpoint for anti-government protests, and the site of a famous self-immolation by a monk. Thien Mu Pagoda will lure us in with its beauty, elegant architecture and evocative past. Continue by boat to Thuy Bieu Eco-village for a cooking class. But first, we need to stock up on ingredients from the local market. With help from the chef we'll then whip up some tasty and authentic Hue dishes. After eating our culinary creations, we'll work them off with a stroll or bike ride. Finally, we get to relax with a therapeutic massage by blind masseurs then transfer back to the hotel for overnight.

By vehicle from Hue to Hoi An with sightseeing in Danang Twisting winding curves, sudden bends, views that take your breath away – Welcome to the Hai Van Pass. We get to drive along this incredible mountain pass on the way to Danang. This city is home to beaches made famous by American soldiers during the Vietnam War, several quirky bridges, and the wonderful Cham Museum containing the best collection of Cham sculpture. We'll also stop at the Marble Mountains – a group of limestone and marble hills filled with caves. Check in at the hotel Hoi An for overnight.

Hoi An sightseeing The exquisitely preserved merchant town of Hoi An was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Its colorful shophouses and temples reflect a diverse heritage, dating back to the 16th and 17th century, when it was a major port for Western, Chinese and Japanese traders. Today it is a thriving center of traditional crafts and a shoppers’ paradise, best explored on foot. Wander through the cobbled streets, past low tile-roofed buildings, the bustling central MARKET and the small HARBOUR where colorfully painted boats are moored. The walking tour will include visits to a PRIVATE HOUSE, where members of the same family have lived continuously for centuries in a traditional setting; to one of the FAMILY CHAPELS built by prominent merchant or official families as centers for ancestor worship; and to a typical CHINESE-STYLE PAGODA or ASSEMBLY HALL. Finally, continue to the famous JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE, first constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. Lantern making experience Pause to visit a local workshop and try your hands to make a Hoi An lantern. Under instruction of local skillful master, you will experience how to fold the silk into a colorful lantern to create a unique souvenir to take home. Remainder of the day is free at leisure.

We start the day (8AM) with a welcome drink at Hai Café. Visit Hoi An’s colorful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. We board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy. On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – the Red Bridge chefs first demonstrate each dish before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, we sit down and eat what we have cooked. In the afternoon, depart Hoi An on a 3 KM leisurely boat ride along the Thu Bon River to Cam Kim Island. Exchange boat for bicycle and start cycling 10 KM through winding village roads while enjoying the idyllic countryside scenery. Visit the peaceful village of Tra Nhieu which has retained many typical features of Vietnamese livelihoods including farming, fishing, poultry and livestock breeding and mat weaving. Learn about the diversity of local plants and herbs and visit the homes of some local families to observe how they make rice wine, rice noodles and rice paper. Continue to a scenic water coconut forest and try your hand at rowing the unique Vietnamese round bamboo basket boats. Conclude the trip at a local restaurant for light dinner. Transfer back to the hotel in Hoi An for overnight.

Free day for your leisure at the resort or explore the city on your own.

At appointed time, you will be collected and transferred to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City (flight info TBA). On arrival, we're going underground – deep into the Cu Chi Tunnels! These hand-dug tunnels changed the course of the Vietnam War. The well-camouflaged entrance holes lead into a network of incredibly narrow tunnels that stretch for over 200KM connecting command posts, hospitals and shelters. We'll learn about the life of the Vietcong and venture into some of the tunnels. The deadly, bamboo-spiked booby traps are another must-see. Transfer back to the city and check in at your selected hotel for overnight.

Good Morning Saigon Get up and shine! Start your day with an early morning tour to enjoy the sights and sounds of Ho Chi Minh City. Stroll through the park to see people practice tai chi, jog or play badminton. In an old dim sum shop we sit among the locals and try the same breakfast that they enjoy every day – a selection of delicious dim sum with steamed dumplings, buns and rolls. The highlights of the day: local park, dim sum breakfast (2 hours) FD Sightseeing in Saigon with Chinatown Ever-vibrant, ever-changing – this is the buzzing city of Ho Chi Minh City, where sleek skyscrapers loom over incense-infused temples and motorcycles rules the roads. There are classic European-style landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, the ornate City Hall and the art-deco Post Office. Reminders of a recent past can be seen in the Reunification Palace, famously stormed by tanks in 1975. We'll head out to Cholon, the historic Chinatown district to discover colonial-era gems, Chinese temples and vivacious street life. Make sure you save some energy for browsing the stalls in the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Spend the night in Saigon.

From Saigon, drive into the heart of the Mekong Delta the small town of Cai Be with an elegant Neo-Romanesque Cathedral at the town center recalling the presence of the French colonialists back in the 19th century. Embark on one of the local boats and start with a quick visit of Cai Be floating market then explore the riverside village in which local families are running age-old cottage industries. Pay them a visit and see how the delta residents make traditional treats including dried longans, rice pancakes and puffed rice candies, a chance to sample these local delicacies. Continue the trip across a main flow of the mighty Mekong then follow narrow waterways through peaceful lush green orchards and also lively scenes of well inhabited canals. In the evening, join with your local host to prepare some Vietnamese dishes for dinner. End the night with traditional music performance. Spend the night in homestay.

Have a breakfast and check-out for a walk along the village to enjoy the fresh air in the morning & arrive the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice... Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea. Take a boat trip to visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. Our boat will go along the floating village. We will see how to farm catfish on Mekong River. Also, we can visit Vinh Long market in the town. This is the best choice for you to take pictures of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, vegetables... The cruise will end at Vinh Long city where your coach is waiting for you. Continue drive deeper in the Mekong region towards Can Tho.

Excursion by boat to Cai Rang Floating Market The merchants have a great way of showing off their wares at the Cai Rang Floating Market. They simply hang a sample off the top of a long pole! We'll explore by boat so we can get close up photos of the colorful boats piled high with seasonal vegetables and tropical fruits. And we can mingle among the merchants as they trade from boat to boat. Return to hotel for breakfast. Sightseeing in Can Tho We'll check out the riverside town of Can Tho to see the bustling local market, the distinctive Ong Temple and a beautifully preserved French. After the visit, take a 4-hour drive back to Saigon then head to airport for evening flight home (suggested for flights after 5PM) or extend your stay in Ho Chi Minh City.