Glorious Vietnam Holiday for Shailesh

Day 1 (18 Sep): Arrival at Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta Tour

• Upon reaching Ho Chi Minh, complete the immigration and visa on arrival process at the airport.
• Meet our representative at the airport and board your transfers to reach the pre-booked hotel.
• Complete the check-in procedure at the hotel and rest for some time.
• Have a hearty breakfast at the hotel and get ready by around 8 to 8:30 am to begin an interesting day of this tour.
• Board your transfer to My Tho city, after which you will be starting the one-and-a-half-hour bus ride that will take you through the lush green landscapes of the rice paddies.
• Later, embark on a boat ride along the Mekong River as it is the only means of transportation to explore this region.
• Watch the fisherman fishing using the fish cages from their unique floating houses on the river.
• The boat will further take you through a small canal to one of the two islands in the region famous for producing the local specialties like coconut candy, coconut handicrafts, etc.
• You can also visit the bee farms to try the freshly made honey and taste the honey wine.
• Stop by and listen to Vietnamese traditional music as performed by the villagers (Đàn Ca Tài Tử – A folk art form from Southern Vietnam accredited by UNESCO in 2013 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity).
• Click some postcard-perfect pictures of the surrounding vistas before heading to a local restaurant for lunch.
• Re-energize yourself by having a special Vietnamese lunch prepared by the locals in a natural setting under the shade of the trees.
• During this tour, you will also visit the Vinh Trang pagoda, the biggest pagoda in the Mekong delta.
• The rest of the time is at leisure for you to relax and take walk around.
• Later, start your journey back to the city and where you can spend the rest of the evening at leisure.
• Return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Stay: Alagon Saigon Hotel & Spa or Similar

Meals: Breakfast, Local Lunch & Dinner 

Day 2 (19 Sep): Cu Chi Tunnels - Fly to Danang

• Wake up and have a delicious breakfast at the hotel.
• Get ready to visit one of the most interesting places related to the Vietnam War period - the Cu Chi Tunnels.
• Located 60 km from Ho Chi Minh, Cu Chi is a network of over 200km of tunnels that were functioning as underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens.
• Watch a short introductory video on how the tunnels were constructed before heading the explore these tunnels.
• There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a “Free Target Zone”.
• After exploring the tunnels for an hour, head back to Ho Chi Minh city.
• Reach the Ho Chi Minh airport, and board a direct flight to Da Nang.
• Upon reaching, Da Nang get picked up from the airport to the hotel.
• Complete the check-in formalities at the hotel and rest for some time.
• Overnight stay at the hotel in Da Nang.

Stay: Hadana Boutique Hotel Danang or Similar

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 (20 Sep): Visit to Coconut Jungle - Hoi An City - Boat ride & release flower lantern

• 12:00 – 12:15 The van and tour guide will pick you up at your hotel (Da Nang area)
• 13:00 Start your adventure with Cam Thanh Coconut for being a fisherman at Cam Thanh Coconut Village, you will experience about learning traditional fishing techniques and how to row unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boats while exploring the tranquil coconut palm waterways of the past war. On this tour, we provide authentic social and cultural insight into the local way of life in Vietnam. Furthermore, you will take part in some hands-on activities which are fun, safe, and interested are suitable for everybody.
• 15:00 Our tour guide will take you to the Hoi An Old Town. – Go to the PhucKien Chinese Assembly Hall, a colourful mélange of bright gates, dragon statues, and elaborate rooftops. Get an introduction to ancestor worship while visiting the family altar and watching local devotees making offerings. – You will see remarkably well-preserved old houses Phung Hung Ancient House or Tan Ky Ancient House – That have withstood 200 years of weather and war. Learn about the prosperous merchants who used to live in these homes, trading with buyers from all around the world. Museum of Folklore in Hoi An – A display of artifacts depicting ancient local daily life in a 150-year-old Chinese merchant house. - Make a stop at the Japanese Bridge. The bridge spans a small waterway and was constructed more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. Admire the carvings and paintings inside the bridge, learning about their symbolism and cultural significance. – Additionally, visit some of Hoi An’s well-known handicraft shops and artwork galleries. Discover smaller laneways and local neighbourhoods gaining a better appreciation of Hoi An’s endless charm.
• Dinner with Hoi An specialty food.
• 18:30 – Enjoy your time with the boat ride on Hoai River and release the flower lanterns to pray for good luck for you and your family. You will immerse yourself in the fanciful space of the lantern street. Free your time with the night market and enjoy the shimmering space of Hoi An.
• Overnight stay in Danang

Stay: Hadana Boutique Hotel Danang or Similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4 (21 Sep): Bana hills - Golden Bridge 

• Wake up and have a hearty breakfast to energize yourself for an exciting day on this Vietnam tour (Pickup - 8 am).
• Get ready and board the transfer that will take you to Ba Na Hills (literally translates to - King Mountain).
• Reach Ba Na Hills approx. by 10:30 am and stop at Dream Stream Cable car Station.
• Admire the high rolling hills by the most modem cable car system in Southeast Asia.
• Reach the first station and visit a French Vine cellar and Linh Ung pagoda to see a mesmerizing panorama of Da Nang city.
• Have a buffet lunch at the restaurant on the peak and later spend a fun time at Fantasy Park.
• Explore King peak and get varied vistas of Hana Hills and Quang Nam.
• Reach on top of the mountain to visit Linh Tu pagoda and take a walk on the 150-meter long GOLDEN BRIDGE.
• Take a walk on this beautiful bridge situated at a height of 1400M, between a sea of clouds supported by giant hands just like in the movies.
• After admiring the views and capturing the memories, start your journey back to Da Nang.
• Upon reaching, spend the rest of the evening at leisure on a beach.
• Return back for an overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay: Hadana Boutique Hotel Danang or Similar

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 5 (22 Sep): Fly to Hanoi 

• Have a delicious breakfast at the hotel and board your transfer to Danang airport.
• Upon reaching airport, board your flight to Hanoi, a city in North Vietnam 
• Meet our representative at the airport and board your transfers to reach the pre-booked hotel.
• Complete the check-in procedure at the hotel and rest for some time.
• The rest of the day is free for leisure for you to explore around where you can choose to explore the old quarter which houses beautiful colonial buildings.
• You can go for a walk around the Hoan Kiem lake (symbol of Hanoi) or explore the night market and walking street (open only on weekends).
• Return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Stay: Golden Silk Boutique Hotel & Spa 

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 (23 Sep): Hanoi - Ha long Bay 

• 08:00 Shutter bus will  pick up at hotel to Ha long bay
• 11:30 – Your first stop on arrival at Tuan Chau Island is the Aquamarine check-in lounge. You will have time to refresh yourself after the long drive from Hanoi and wait for checking-in.
• 12:15 – After taken to Aquamarine Cruise, you will be checked-in. While enjoying welcome drink, you will be introduced the itinerary and safety briefing by Cruise Manager.
• 13:00 – You will have a delicious lunch and enjoy the stunning views when the boat cruises towards the southeast of Halong Bay, passing Fighting-Cock and Finger Islet.
• 14:45 – Visiting Luon Cave or Pearl Farm area by bamboo boat or kayaking.
• 16:00 – You are going to Titov Island – where you can go swimming or hiking to the top for another stunning, panoramic view of the Bay
• 17:30 – Back on board, you can enjoy Sunset party with HAPPY HOUR (from 17:30 – 19:00) – buy 2 get 1 free at bar.
• 18:30 – If you are interested in Vietnamese cuisines, please join our traditional Vietnamese cooking class on sundeck under the experienced Chef’s guiding (or in the restaurant in case of inclement weather).
• 19:00 – Delight in the shimmering atmosphere of thousands of stars while eating a fantastic, expertly prepared dinner.
• 20:30 – This is the perfect time for you to relax with spa treatments or enjoy a cocktail. Besides, we provide free for squid fishing tools at reception.
• Overnight on Aquamarine Cruises.​ 

Stay: Aquamarine Cruise or Similar

Room Category: First Floor

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 (24 Sep) : Halong - Hanoi 

• 07:00 – Light breakfast is served at the restaurant.
• 08:00 – Your next stop is the magnificent Sung Sot Cave, one of the biggest caves in Halong Bay with beautiful stalactites. You will be surprised by the breath taking panoramic view across the Bay once you exit the cave as well as the stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years which have taken on fascinating shapes.
• 09:30 – Back on board, check-out and return to Tuan Chau Island
• 10:00 – Brunch is served at the restaurant and payment
• 10:45 – Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina, return to Hanoi.
• 12:00 – 12:30: Arrival back at your Hanoi. Ending the cruise on the bay, the car will take you back to Hanoi Hotel
• Note: The schedule may change depending on weather conditions, water conditions, operating conditions, regulations of local authorities. 
• Rest of the day is at leisure 
• Overnight stay in Hanoi 

Stay: Golden Silk Boutique Hotel & Spa 

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 (25 Sep): Bai Dinh - Trang An - Mua Cave Tour 

• 0730 – 0800: Get picked up by our friendly guide then depart for Ninh Binh province
• 0915: Have a short break for 15 – 20 minutes to relax
• 1030: Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda – the most famous & biggest Pagoda in Southeast Asia with many records set such as 500 Stone - Arhat Statues, 36 ton-bronze Bell, 100 ton-Budhha Statue
• 1100: Have lunch in the restaurant with a lot of local foods such as goat meat, fish, chicken, fried rice…. Vegetarian foods are always available in the buffet lunch
• 1300: Visit Tràng An which was recognized by UNESCO as A World Heritage Site in 2014. Trang An has a wonderful tunnel cave system so Kong’s Movie Group chose this place for the New Version of Kong in 2016 – “Skull Island”. With 2.5 hours for the boat trip, you will be persuaded by the beauty here.
• 1530: Get back to Limousine Bus then leave for Mua Cave (Dancing Cave). Walk up almost 500 steps, you can reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain & have an amazing panoramic view of Tam Coc from here
• 1700: Get on the bus to return to Hanoi
• 1900: Get dropped off at Hotel in Hanoi

Stay: Golden Silk Boutique Hotel & Spa 

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 9 (26 Sep): Hanoi – Bac Kan – Ba be lake 

• Wake up to a pleasant morning in Cambodia and have a hearty breakfast to energize yourself for the day.
• Post breakfast, board your transfer to the Bac Kan province.
• Your first stopover is Ba Be National Park. Upon there, feast yourself on authentic Vietnamese foods for lunch at a local restaurant (chargeable) before taking a kayak trip to explore Ba Be Lake where you can immerse in the tranquil ambiance while cruising around the emerald water.
• Return to the homestay in the late afternoon and enjoy a local meal for dinner. 
• Overnight at a homestay in Ba Be.

Stay: Homestay in Ba Be or Similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 10 (27 Sep): Ba Be – Cao Bang – Ban Gioc Waterfall 

• Depart from Ba Be to Cao Bang after a tasty breakfast in the early morning, say goodbye to the host then drive up to Cao Bang for a morning sightseeing at Ban Gioc Waterfall in Trung Khanh district which is one of the most beautiful and magnificent waterfalls in Vietnam sharing a part of the border with China.
• Indulge in the fresh and cool water then return to Cao Bang.
• Stop at Nguom Ngao cave along the way to visit and admire the amazing stalactites for the rest afternoon.
• Dinner and Over night at homestay in Nguom Ngao

Stay: Homestay in Nguom Ngao or Similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 11 (28 Sep): Cao Bang – Hanoi & Departure

• Enjoy breakfast and go to Cao Bang before coming back to Hanoi. The last journey to the picturesque vertiginous rice paddies or remote villages will be a memorable trip to Cao Bang. You can take photo on the way and return to Hanoi.
• Arrival in Hanoi about 18:00. 
• Free at leisure until your private vehicle & guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Hanoi airport for departure flight.
• Your amazing Vietnam Cambodia Tour ends as you get dropped at the airport.

Meals: Breakfast