7-Day Vietnam Private Tour to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Cruise on Halong Bay

Upon your arrival at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport (NBA), your local guide and driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you.

Firstly, your guide will take you to visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, consisting of Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt houses. Chairman Ho Chi Minh led Vietnam to its independence from French colonial rule and devoted all his life to the liberation. You will know more about this Vietnam hero after visiting.

Next, you will be guided to visit the nearby One Pillar Pagoda, a historic Buddhist temple built in the 12th century. Its artful structures comprising a small temple situated at a stone pillar in the lake is definitely a wonder to the tourists.

Later, your guide will show you the 11th-century Temple of Literature which is Vietnam's first national university. You will enjoy its exquisite Chinese-style structures and learn about the history of Confucianism in this country.

After lunch, you will hear to The Ethnology Museum, the right place for you to know more about the history, culture, and people of Vietnam.

Next, you will have a guided exploration of the Old Quarter, where you will get close to the local lifestyle by discovering the shops and bars. You can take your time here for shopping and gourmet snacks.

At the end of today's tour, you will be taken to enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Show to be amazed by the colorful puppets, beautiful stage set, and the traditional culture of Vietnam.

You will be picked up in the lobby of your hotel and then driven approximately 3.5 hours to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay. Upon arrival, you will board the cruise around noon and have lunch while sailing into the mysterious bay. You will embark on an excursion to Cua Van Fishing Village. You have the option to go kayaking or take a small bamboo boat to visit the village. Then return to the cruise ship and take a brief break. Later, you can join a cooking class on the ship that teaches traditional Vietnamese food. The buffet dinner is scheduled for around 19:30. Afterwards, you will stay overnight on the cruise.

Wake up early in the morning and join Tai Chi class on the deck if you like. You will disembark for a walking tour excursion around 07:45. Then you will return to the cruise ship for a big brunch, while the ship sails back to Halong pier.

You will pack your luggage and check out around 11:00. Your guide will meet you onboard and transfer you to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport, where you will take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, your guide will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel.

Today's first destination is a Chinese-style temple, Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. You will learn the legendary story from your guide and enjoy the delicate figures of actors, demons, and animals.

You will then be taken to explore Ben Thanh Market, where you will see a variety of goods including food and everyday items. Take your time to search for something you like and have lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch and a break, you will continue to War Remnants Museum collecting lots of weapons and vehicles from the war. It is a great place for history buffs to explore.

After that, we will head to the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Opera House, as well as the Ho Chi Minh City Hall, which are located in the city center and very close to each other. These constructions are all built during the French colonial period, with strong French style.

A 2-hour drive in the morning will take you to Ben Tre, where you will board a private boat to experience the unique lifestyle of the Mekong Delta. The boat will stop at a quiet village where you will visit a local family house. You can also take a traditional tricycle or ride a bicycle to further explore the countryside. Today's lunch will be taken at a nice local restaurant. After lunch , you 'll return to the dock by sampan and sail back to Ben Tre where you will be driven to the hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Your guide and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby at the agreed upon time , based on your flight schedule, and escort you to the airport for your onward journey or flight back home.