Vietnam 12 Day Tour with Cooking Class and Cultural Icons

Welcome to Hanoi City, Vietnam’s bustling largest city! When you arrive, our friendly driver will be waiting to greet you at the airport and take you straight to your hotel for check-in. Your room will be ready for you from 2:00 PM onwards, so you can relax and settle in comfortably.

Bánh Mì Hands-On Cooking Class: 2 Hours In a cozy local home kitchen, your host chef will guide you step by step through the entire bánh mì process. Start by kneading and shaping dough to understand the foundation of a good Vietnamese baguette. Then move on to preparing traditional fillings: lemongrass-marinated pork, tender chicken, or tofu for vegetarian guests. Learn to pickle carrots and daikon for the signature crunch, and create classic sauces that balance tangy, savory, and umami notes. Vietnamese Coffee Workshop: 30 Minutes In this session, learn how locals prepare iconic drinks such as egg coffee, coconut coffee, or salted coffee. You’ll prepare your chosen coffee step by step, using traditional techniques, and gain the skills to recreate this Hanoian ritual at home. Enjoy Your Creations with Free & Unlimited Homemade Rice Wine: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

7:15 - 7:30: Our limousine bus and Tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and transfer to Incense Village Quang Phu Cau. There, you can see the process that the artisans make the incense with beautiful color and dry them under the sun and making the best photos ever.

11:15: Arrive at Train Street and get ready to capture photos or videos of the train passing by this unique, narrow residential street – a true highlight of the trip.

13:30 - 14:00: Visit Hoa Lo Prison. It is also known as Maison Centrale in Hanoi or the ‘Hanoi Hilton.” This historical site once housed Vietnamese revolutionaries and American POWs during the Vietnam War.

15:00: Visit the Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university, founded in the 11th century. Discover more about Confucianism and Vietnam’s traditional education system while admiring Khue Van Pavilion and the Doctor Steles placed on stone turtles’ backs.

15:45: Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (visit the outside of the mausoleum), where Vietnamese people honor him as a national hero. Continue to Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh declared the independence of Vietnam on September 2, 1945. Visit Tran Quoc pagoda which was built in 528 to understand about Buddhism in Vietnam.

16:30: Enjoy a cup of Vietnamese special Egg coffee – a perfect treat to refresh yourself.

17:30: Transfer back to your hotel. Tour ends.

7:00 – Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi. We’ll begin the journey to Ninh Binh Province, located approximately 120 km south of the city. 9:00 – Take a short 20-minute break along the way to relax and stretch your legs.

10:30 – Our first destination is the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the very first capital of Vietnam. Here, you'll discover the fascinating history of why the capital was later moved to Hanoi.

Explore the beautifully preserved temples of King Dinh and King Le, built in the 17th century, and admire their impressive architecture. Feel the atmosphere of ancient Vietnam as you walk through this historical site.

11:30 – Enjoy a 45-minute cycling tour around a peaceful local village, where you can observe everyday rural life and the scenic countryside.

13:30 – 15:00 – Visit Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. Known for its stunning tunnel cave system and dramatic landscapes, Trang An was chosen as a filming location for the 2016 movie Kong: Skull Island. Enjoy a peaceful boat trip through this breathtaking area, passing through caves such as Sang (Light Cave), Toi (Dark Cave), and Nau Ruou (Wine Brewing Cave), along a crystal-clear river surrounded by lush greenery.

16:00 – Continue to Mua Cave (Dancing Cave). Climb nearly 500 stone steps to the top of Lying Dragon Mountain, where you’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable panoramic view over Tam Coc and the surrounding landscape.

08:00: Our tour guide and Shuttle Bus pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi old quarter. 08:45: Depart to Halong Bay for 2.5 Hours. 10:30: Arrive in Hai Duong province, and have 20-minute short break.

11:30 – 12:00: Arrive to Tuan Chau harbor. 12:00 – 12:30: Welcome to Dragon Bay Cruise and enjoy Welcome drink, meet the captain, crew to get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Complete check-in procedure.

13:00: Enjoy Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian lunch, while cruising in the magnificent Halong – Lan Ha Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay. Continue cruising through Con Vit islet (Duck Islet), Thumb islet and Gia Luan Harbor where belonged to Cat Ba area. Discover lagoon natural area belonged to Lan Ha bay. Drop anchor for swimming or just simply sunbathe on our cruise (private, wild and fresh air). 15:45: You will do kayaking under our tour guide’s instructions in so many beautiful spots, then Swimming or just simply sunbathe on our cruise (private, wild and fresh air). Heading back toward the sleeping area. 18.00: Come back to our Dragon Bay Cruise and participate in our Sunset party. Take photos and relax. 19:00: Time for dinner enjoying special seafood and Vietnamese typical food on the cruise. 21:00: Evening entertainments: play game on the cruise: cards game, chess, squid fishing, relaxing with massage service and overnight on cruise

7:00-7:45: Have breakfast. Morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. 08:00: Mingling yourself in the stunning views of the Bay and it’s dramatic limestone islets Tourists visit the famous Frog Pond. Here you can freely kayak and explore the landscape, or swim... 09:15: Back to your cabin, take relax and check carefully all the luggage before leaving your cabin. 9:30: Check-out from the private cabin and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay for room service. Complete check-out procedure and enjoy your last lunch at cruise.

11:30: Cruise are landing Tuan Chau Harbor, tourist say goodbye to sailors and finish the cruise.

12:00 – 12:30: Return to Hanoi by the Bus

15:00 – 15:30: Arrive in Hanoi. Dinner is on your own. Overnight at the hotel

Pickup from your hotel to the airport. Ready to fly to Danang

Pickup from Danang Airport. Drop-off at your hotel in Danang

8:00 AM: The driver and tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Danang.

The first stop is the Son Tra peninsula, nicknamed "Monkey Mountain" by American troops. The national park stands 693 meters above sea level, and its location on a peninsula affords breathtaking views of the surrounding sea.

While there, Linh Ung Pagoda, home to the tallest statue of the Goddess of Mercy in Southeast Asia, will be one of your unforgettable memories. The 67-meter-tall statue is located on top of a lotus-shaped platform and features 21 miniature Buddha sculptures.

Next, you'll be impressed by the Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave. Admire beautiful caves and historic Buddhist pagodas, spend time exploring and absorbing knowledge about religions, and gain insight into the differences between Buddhism and Hinduism.

1:00 PM: Continue your adventure with Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle and spend your time enjoying the peaceful, green space of Coconut Forest and the hands-on experience of round net and cast net fishing, especially basket boat rowing.

2:15 PM Then Hoi An Ancient Town welcomes you to visit Phuc Kien Pagoda, Phung Hung Ancient House, the Japanese Bridge, the Museum, etc. Shopping at Hoi An Central Market. Walk around the historic old town and be amazed by the influences from China, Japan, and Vietnam. Have dinner with special food in Hoi An.

6:00 – 6.30 PM: Enjoy your time with the boat ride on the 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.

6.45 PM: Finally, you'll be transferred back to your hotel. End of services

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM: Pick-up from your hotel lobby by our minivan and tour guide. Begin your journey to Ba Na Hills via cable car.

Experience Southeast Asia’s most modern cable car, starting at Dream Stream Cable Car Station, and take in the stunning views of Da Nang’s coastline.

After the first cable car ride, visit The Golden Bridge — famous for its unique design and recognized by The Guardian newspaper as one of the world’s most iconic pedestrian bridges. Explore Le Jardin D’amour, a collection of nine themed gardens, and Linh Ung Pagoda. Board the second cable car to reach the French Village, where you can enjoy street performances, view artistic statues, visit Campanile bell tower, the Nine-Floor Goddess Shrine, Tombstone Temple, and watch the Carnival Performance Show at Square Du Dome.

Hop on the Lava Train from Sun Kingdom to explore new attractions like Helios Waterfall, Time Gate, and Moon Kingdom. Enter Fantasy Park to stroll through Fairy Forest, discover Dinosaur Park, play 5D Wild West, experience the 4D Death Race, watch a 3D Mega 360-degree show, journey underground, explore Jurassic Park, challenge the Freefall Tower, enjoy Horror House adventures, and play over 90 free games.

3:00 PM: Return to the cable car station after your Ba Na Hills adventure.

5:00 PM: Transfer back to your hotel by minivan. Tour concludes.

Today is your free day to explore Da Nang on your own. You may want to have a time with the sea. Meals on your own. Overnight at your hotel.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast before making your way to Danang International airport for a quick flight to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), the largest city in Vietnam. Our driver will come to pick you up and transfer to Danang Airport

Once you land, our friendly driver will be waiting for you at the airport. They will assist you with your luggage and transfer you to your hotel for check-in, making sure you arrive safely and comfortably. Kindly be informed that at Ho Chi Minh Airport, the designated parking areas for vehicles are situated approximately 150 meters from the arrival gate. Our guide will be readily available to assist you to our vehicles. We appreciate your understanding regarding the short walk involved in this process.

06:45-07:00 - Morning pickup from your Ho Chi Minh City hotel (Exact time depends on your hotel location) Morning: Historic Cu Chi Tunnels 07:00-08:30 - Scenic drive to Cu Chi district

08:30-09:00 - Introductory documentary about tunnel construction 09:00-11:30 - Tunnel exploration featuring: Underground living quarters (kitchens, bedrooms) Military facilities (field hospitals, command centers) Hidden trap doors and defensive systems War-era snacks: tapioca & herbal tea tasting

Afternoon: Mekong Delta Experience 13:00-16:30 - My Tho river adventure: Scenic boat cruise on Tien River (Dragon/Unicorn/Phoenix/Tortoise islands) Traditional sampan ride through narrow canals Village bicycle tour (optional) Visit coconut candy workshop Seasonal fruit tasting with honey tea Southern Vietnamese folk music performance

17:00-19:00 - Comfortable transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City Evening - Free time for dinner & exploration. Overnight at your hotel

On this day, you are free at your leisure until being picked up and transferred to the airport (without guide) for the departure flight. Meals on your own. End of services.