Contrast of Vietnam 7 Days 6 Nights

When you arrive at Noi Bai International airport in Hanoi, you'll be welcome by one of our representative and transferred to your hotel in the downtown to leave luggage. (Early check-in and breakfast are NOT included) In the afternoon, at 13.30 you'll start an afternoon city tour starting with visiting Ba Dinh Square, the Ho Chi Minh Complex including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (from outside only as it closes in the afternoon and all days on Monday + Friday), Ho Chi Minh’s house-on-stilts, his fishpond and the One-Pillar Pagoda. Then visit the Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. Later, take a cyclo ride for 1 hour touring through the narrow, chaotic streets of the Old Quarter and the Hoan Kiem Lake - a must for any visitor to Hanoi!

08.00: Pick up at your hotel and take you to Hoa Lu. On arrival, your guide will lead you through this ancient complex which formed the capital city of Vietnam under both the Dinh and Le Dynasties between 968 and 1009 AD. King Dinh Tien Hoang chose this mountain location as the water systems fed from the mountains were perfect for both agriculture and defense. Enjoy the sight of palaces, pagodas, tombs and pavilions built by different dynasties and visit the Dinh and Le Temples, the two remaining architectures of Hoa Lu. In the afternoon, take a 2-hour sampan ride along the waterways of Tam Coc. Known locally as the ‘Halong Bay of the land,’ this winding river way is dotted with gorgeous limestone karsts with endless photo opportunities. You will also visit Bich Dong Pagoda comprising three pagodas located at different levels on a green mountain and the setting of the French film ‘Indochine’. Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon.

At 08.00, you will be picked up at your hotel and start the scenic 3.5 hour drive to Halong Bay, one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas and the world's largest marine limestone 'karst' landscape. Enjoy the landscape of the Red River Delta countryside and have a short break en-route. Meet the crew upon boarding a cruise boat, then relax and enjoy lunch while the boat heads towards the secluded islands. Visit a fishing village by a rustic rowing-boat, meet the local people and pass through the floating school and pearl farms. Return to the boat refreshed and relax on sundeck with a drink to watch the sunset. Enjoy a freshly prepared seafood dinner under the stars. Overnight on a cruise boat in Halong Bay

Enjoy an early morning swim/Taichi (if weather permits) followed by breakfast. You will visit a famous ancient limestone cave in the middle of the bay where you’ll discover magnificent stalagmites and stalactites as you walk along the lit paths on a guided tour. Enjoy a tasty brunch while cruising back to the main harbor Pier where your private car will be waiting for you and transfer you back to Hanoi and then take a private transfer to Noi Bai airport for your late afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh, our driver and guide will smilingly met you and transferred you to hotel for overnight. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

After breakfast, you will drive to Cu Chi Tunnels where you will visit the amazing network of underground tunnels was used during the Vietnam War by the Viet Cong. This huge construction was a habitation for villagers in the war time. With 3 levels of depth, it was never discovered by the US during the Vietnam War despite its proximity to Saigon. Visit the fighting tunnel system with your local guide. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a guided city tour, starting with the Reunification Palace; the former South Vietnam Presidential Palace; the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office, as you get your camera working overtime peeking into the past of Vietnam's biggest, most energetically progressive city. You will also visit Ben Thanh Market with time for shopping. Return to your hotel at around 18.00. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

At 08.00 AM, you'll head south to My Tho pier to board a boat on the Mekong River for a sight-seeing of the four islands: Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, Phoenix and Rach Mieu bridge. Heading to Thoi Son (Unicorn Island, the biggest island in this area which is about 1.200 square hectare and about 11 km long) to see bee hives and enjoy honey tea at local house. Rowing small boat (sampan) along a beautiful natural canal and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere in the countryside. Returning to My Tho city and enjoy fresh coconut on the boat. Return to My Tho Pier where your private vehicle will take you back to Ho Chi Minh City with stop en-route to visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, one of an oldest in Southern Vietnam. The pagoda is also known as the largest pagoda and the most special architecture in Mekong Delta. Its architecture was influenced by Vietnamese culture and Khmer’s culture as well as European’s architecture. Return to your hotel at around 17.00. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Your time will be your own until being picked up to head to Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport for your onward journey or departure flight home.