8-Days Glimpse of Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An and Halong Bay

Your Vietnam adventure begins with your arrival in Ho Chi Minh. Your private driver will meet you at the airport, holding a signboard with your name. He will escort you to your accommodation right in the heart of the city. You can easily explore the city at your own pace or relax at the hotel after the flight. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Kickstart your day with a hearty breakfast, and a trip to Mekong Delta follows. The guide will meet you at the hotel lobby around 7:15-7:30 am, and you will head to My Tho, which lies on the left side of the Mekong River.

Upon arrival, board the sampan and cruise down the river around the four beautiful islands, known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands. Stop at Unicorn Island, walk around the country lanes and see the orchards. Visit fruit plantations and enjoy tropical fruits and folk song music performed by the local people.

Then take a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and immerse yourself in the beauty of the countryside. Visit family workshops and honey-bee farm, and taste some honey tea and coconut candies.

Refuel yourself with a traditional Vietnamese lunch, and later cycle around the Tan Thach village, and meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong Delta. If you are not keen on a cycling trip, enjoy a cool breeze and a relaxing time in a hammock.

Afterwards, you will get back to your accommodation. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Have breakfast at the hotel and depart for Cu Chi tunnels. The trip will take approximately one and a half hours drive. Upon arrival, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed, and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime.

Then, spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems, which included the living areas, kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. All this was to help people living inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterwards, special tea and cassava (guerilla food during the war) will be served.

Then you will return to Ho Chi Minh to take your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival at Da Nang airport our driver will transfer you to your accommodation in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An

Today you will spend a wonderful time in Hoi An's countryside, experiencing the local activities. The guide will pick you up around 8:30 am. Then you will visit the local food market, where you will buy the ingredients for your cooking lesson. Then head to the Cam Thanh eco-village to wander around and enjoy the tranquil nature and learn about farming life. Then you will cruise down the river through the coconut palm forest in the unique Vietnamese round basket boat. After the cruise, you will stop for a net fishing experience. Finally, get back to the village to learn to cook Vietnamese meals, which you will have for lunch. Have some rest after lunch and get back to your hotel around 13:00. Overnight in Hoi An

Relish the remaining moment in Hoi An before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Hanoi. When you arrive at the airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in the city center. The rest of the time is free for leisure. Overnight in Hanoi

In the morning, check out of the hotel, and get picked up by the Cruise team. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see.

On arrival at the pier, you will board the cruise and enjoy the fantastic views of limestone rocks and the karst grottoes. Have an utterly delicious seafood lunch and enjoy the time at the sundeck exploring the Bay. The cruise will stop in a secret place where you will spend time kayaking or swimming, so you can explore the karst grottoes closer. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities taking part on the boat or just relax. Overnight on cruise Note: In case of bad weather (the boat is not allowed to push off or not allowed to overnight in the sea), the Ha Long bay tour could be canceled without notice. We will consider other replacement tours or a refund based on the specific circumstances.

Rise early today to view the sunrise at the wonder of nature with breakfast served in the dining room. A Tai Chi class on the sun deck will awaken your mind and muscles. Then head off to visit the limestone cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. After your exploration return to the boat to check out and enjoy the brunch while the cruise is sailing back to the harbor.

Later you will be transferred to your accommodation in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip to Vietnam. Complete the hotel check-out formalities, after which you can visit the local markets to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later your private driver will transfer you to the airport to take your flight back home. Trip Ends.