Day 1
day 1 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City – Half Day City Tour
Xin Chao! Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. You are met by your guide upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport and being transferred to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
This afternoon, we begin our sightseeing around Vietnam's largest and busiest city with a visit to the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1886 and 1890, and the French-style Central Post Office.
We continue to the Reunification Palace. This was the scene for the final stages of the American War in Vietnam when a North Vietnamese tank bulldozed through the gates and the tank commander ran to the fourth floor of the palace to raise a North Vietnamese flag from its rooftop, being directed on the way by the recently appointed President of South Vietnam.
Later, we will drive to Ben Thanh Market where we will have some free time to enjoy some bargain hunting!
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2
day 2 Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City
Following a delightful breakfast, embark on your adventure as you journey to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. Upon reaching Ham Luong Pier, board a boat along the Ben Tre River, a tributary of the Mekong, meandering through mangrove-lined waterways. Observe the bustling activities of the town market on land and the bustling traffic of fishing boats and coconut cargo boats on the water.
Pause at a traditional brickwork site to witness the manual brick-making process. Navigate through the winding Cai Son canal, passing through the coconut jungle, and visit a coconut workshop to observe the various stages of coconut processing, from husking to peeling by hand. Continue along small waterways, stopping at a coconut candy workshop to watch the candy-making process, sample some sweets, indulge in fresh fruits, and immerse yourself in local music.
Disembark and take a brief stroll to a farmer's house where sleep mats are crafted. Hop onto a tuktuk to traverse the coconut groves, delving deep into the rural coconut jungle, and halt for lunch at a local restaurant. Relax and continue your journey by rowing boat along the shady palm tree-lined canal.
Conclude the tour at a local market or An Thạnh pier, where our vehicle will transport you back to Saigon.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3
day 3 Ho Chi Minh City at Leisure
Full day at leisure for your own activities or join one of our wonderful optional tours in and around Saigon.
Located 70 kilometers northwest of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels stand as a significant historical site from the Vietnamese revolution. This unique architectural marvel comprises a labyrinthine network of underground passageways stretching over 200 kilometers. It encompasses multiple layers, turns, and chambers serving as meeting areas, living quarters, and strategic points for combat.
Upon visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, guests are greeted with a brief introductory video detailing the construction techniques of these tunnels. Following the video presentation, visitors can explore various displays, including mantraps, the remnants of an American tank, and numerous bomb craters left by 500-pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers.
Dedicating approximately an hour to navigate through the intricate maze of tunnels, visitors gain insight into how the Viet Cong communists ingeniously utilized this underground network for survival and strategic advantage.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 4
day 4 Ho Chi Minh City – Fly to Da Nang – Hoi An
You have some free time before your unaccompanied transfer to Saigon airport for your brief flight to Da Nang. Once you arrive at Da Nang airport, our guide will be there to greet you and provide transportation to your hotel in Hoi An.
Day 5
day 5 Hoi An at Leisure
Enjoy a full day at your leisure to pursue your own activities, or opt to join one of our fantastic optional tours in and around Hoi An.
Embark on a 3.5 to 4-hour journey from your accommodation in Hoi An to reach Hue. Upon reaching Hue, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Tomb of Minh Mang. Emperor Minh Mang, who reigned during the Nguyen Dynasty from 1820 to 1840, commissioned this elaborate complex, which consists of nearly 40 monuments set amidst lush gardens and serene pools, rendering it one of Vietnam's most picturesque tombs. Next, proceed to visit the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built exclusively for the Imperial family, concubines, and eunuchs, the Forbidden Purple City is undergoing extensive restoration efforts due to damage sustained during the American War from street fighting and bombings. Additionally, admire the tile-roofed Thanh Toan Bridge, a 17-meter-long and 4-meter-wide arched wooden span renowned for its rarity and beauty in Vietnam. The bridge is flanked by wooden platforms on both sides. Finally, return to Hoi An following your exploration.
Day 6
day 6 Hoi An at Leisure
You have a full day to enjoy leisure activities of your choice or opt to join one of our fantastic optional tours in and around Hoi An.
Day 7
day 7 Hoi An at Leisure
You have a day of leisure ahead, and you're free to spend it however you like.
Day 8
day 8 Hoi An at Leisure
Day will be at leisure and you are free to spend it the way you want.
Day 9
day 9 Da Nang – Hoi An – Fly to Hanoi – Half Day City Tour
This morning, you will be transferred to Da Nang airport without a guide for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you'll meet our guide and be transferred to your hotel before embarking on a city tour this afternoon.
During the afternoon tour, we will start by visiting the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, established by the government to preserve and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the country's 54 ethnic groups. Vietnam's diversity is reflected in its multitude of ethnic traditions and languages, which we will explore.
Following this, we will proceed to the Old Quarter for a walking tour, immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of this historic area. Our stroll will include a visit to Ngoc Son Temple situated on Hoan Kiem Lake.
In the evening, we will be treated to a performance of the renowned Water Puppets. These traditional Vietnamese Water Puppets have a storied history, originating thousands of years ago in the Red River Delta region near Hanoi. They were ingeniously created by farmers to entertain themselves during the flooding of their rice paddy fields.
Day 10
day 10 Hanoi – Halong Bay
09:00 Embark on a 2.5-hour picturesque journey from Hanoi to Halong Bay.
12:00 Arrive at the Cruise Center situated within the Tuan Chau International Marina.
12:45 Step aboard and inspect your cabin before heading to the restaurant for a safety briefing. Enjoy a welcome drink while acquainting yourself with the Cruise Manager and the crew.
13:00 Relish an array of Vietnamese delicacies during a buffet lunch as the cruise begins its voyage towards the southeast of Halong Bay, passing by Trong Mai Islet, Ngon Tay Islet, Con Coc Islet, and the Cua Van Floating Culture Center.
15:00 Embark on a kayaking adventure to Trinh Nu Cave, renowned for its expansive 2,000m2 area adorned with breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites.
15:45 Unwind with a swim or bask in the sun on Trinh Nu Cave’s pristine private beach.
17:00 Return to the cruise and freshen up for the evening’s activities. The bar opens for Happy Hour, offering a buy one get one free deal on a selection of drinks accompanied by complimentary snacks.
17:30 Engage in the exhilarating Master Chef “Halong Bay Edition” Competition and fruit carving demonstration on the sundeck (or in the restaurant, contingent upon weather). Showcase your culinary skills in crafting authentic Vietnamese dishes, with the winner receiving exciting gifts. Don’t miss the opportunity to admire the sunset over the enchanting Halong Bay.
19:30 Indulge in a delectable set menu dinner served in the restaurant.
21:00 Relish leisure time to enjoy a drink at the bar or gaze at the stars from the sundeck.
Day 11
day 11 Halong Bay
06:15 Start your day with a rejuvenating Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck offering a refreshing experience as the sun rises.
07:00 Breakfast awaits you in the restaurant as you sail towards the heart of the World Heritage Site.
08:45 Transition to Bhaya Spirit, a wooden junk featuring a lounge, dining room, and sundeck, for excursions.
10:00 Embark on a kayaking adventure at Ba Ham Lake (or Ang Du Area, contingent upon weather conditions).
12:15 Indulge in a delectable lunch aboard the Bhaya Spirit while the ship navigates towards Cua Van Area.
14:00 Explore the renowned Cua Van Floating Culture Center, nestled in the heart of Halong Bay, via kayak or traditional rowing boat. This area has been acclaimed as one of the world's most breathtaking destinations by Travel & Leisure Magazine.
15:00 Return to Bhaya Classic and take some leisure time to unwind or pamper yourself with the onboard spa facilities.
17:00 Delight in complimentary snacks at the bar and take advantage of the Happy Hour promotion offering "buy one get one free" on selected drinks.
19:30 Savor the exotic flavors of the set menu dinner, marking the final night of cruising in Halong.
21:00 Enjoy some free time to unwind on the sundeck or relax in the cozy comfort of your cabin.
Day 12
day 12 Halong Bay – Hanoi
06:15 Don’t miss out the sunrise Tai Chi lesson this morning as complimentary tea and coffee is served.
07:00 A light breakfast is served in the restaurant while Bhaya Classic cruises towards the center of Halong Bay.
07:30 Explore Sung Sot Cave, the largest cave inside Halong Bay with 10,000 square meters of space hold thousands of stalactites and stalagmites and are threaded by a 500-meter paved passageway.
08:30 Return to Bhaya Classic and prepare to check out.
09:30 Enjoy the brunch buffet as Bhaya Classic cruises back to the port, passing Lom
Bo Island, Trong Mai Islet and Ba Hang Fishermen Village.
10:30 Disembark from Bhaya Classic at Tuan Chau International Marina. Hẹn Gặp Lại!
Day 13
day 13 Departure
Following breakfast this morning, embark on a journey to explore the Ho Chi Minh complex. Commence with an exterior view of the President’s Mausoleum, then proceed to his modest "house on stilts". Explore the French colonial Presidential Palace and the historic 11th-century One-Pillar Pagoda. Later, transfer to Hanoi Airport for your onward flight.
