Compare Vietnam & Cambodia Real Food Adventure by Intrepid Travel vs Luxury of Cambodia and Vietnam 22 days by Insight Asia Travel

Day 1 Hanoi

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in the country’s capital – Hanoi. If you arrive early, maybe grab an iconic coffee – typically served with condensed milk, or for the more adventurous, egg! You’ll meet your group and leader for an important welcome meeting at 5 pm, then head out for your first introduction to Vietnam’s lively culinary scene. Your leader will take you on a street food tour around the streets, as the sun goes down and the city comes alive at night. You might sink your teeth into bun cha (a grilled pork and noodle dish that’s loved in Hanoi) or try some banh cuon (steamed rice paper rolls) and lau (Vietnamese hot pot).

Day 2 Halong Bay

This morning, hit the road for the spectacular World Heritage-listed site of Ha Long Bay. The harbour, with approximately 2000 limestone islands rising from the turquoise waters of Bac Bo Gulf, spans an area of about 1500 square km and is dotted with beaches and grottos. When you arrive, you’ll set sail on the emerald-green waters, gliding between limestone karsts to take in the incredible scenery from the best outlook of them all – the water! Then, you’ll explore Surprise Cave, one of the most striking caves in the bay, covering an area of more than 12,000 square m. In the afternoon, you’ll return to your boat and enjoy a delicious feast prepared by an onboard chef. Tonight’s stay is something special as you’ll be sleeping on the traditional boat, letting the water lull you to sleep and really taking in the beauty of the surrounding bay.

Day 3 Overnight Train

You’d be forgiven for thinking you were still dreaming when you wake up on the bay this morning. If you’re an early riser, you might like to organise an optional kayak experience before you head back to Hanoi this morning. When you arrive, you’ll board an overnight train bound for Hue. Although conditions are basic, overnight trains are a rewarding experience. It's an efficient way to travel long distances and a great way to get a sense of the country. Most trains have a dining carriage serving simple food, but maybe ask your leader for advice on which local salty and sweet snacks to stock up on before departure.

Day 4 Hue

Arrive in Hue this morning – Vietnam’s former royal capital, where the cuisine is considered by many as the best in the country. The food is influenced by its imperial heritage (small dishes and a focus on aesthetic presentation) and its strong Buddhist heritage, reflected in the high proportion of vegetarian restaurants. After leaving your luggage at your hotel, embark on a tour of the city’s imperial monuments from the back of a motorbike. Stop past Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery since 1601, where you'll see a car that belonged to one of the self-immolating monks of the 1963 protests. After some time exploring, it's time to eat! You’ll enjoy a plant-based Buddhist meal specially prepared for you by a chef who is a descendant of the royal family, in the garden of their family home. After, visit the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, then visit the Imperial Citadel, which includes the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost totally destroyed during the Vietnam War's Tet Offensive, but the foliage-covered ruins are still atmospheric, and the gaping holes left by bombs give an idea of the destruction wreaked upon the country during the war. Tonight, maybe ask your leader for the best place to try imperial street specialties like banh hue (rice flour cakes stuffed with shrimp, pork and spices).

Day 5 Hoi An

After a local breakfast of bun bo hue (a spiced beef noodle soup), you’ll go to a local coffee house where three generations of Hue locals are living together. Admire the traditional house and gardens before meeting your host, Mr Khoa. Learn about his passion for coffee with a demonstration of how to make Hue’s traditional salt coffee, from the bean roasting process to the secret ingredients. Maybe even have a go at making it yourself! After, head south by bus through coastal rice paddies and the mountainous Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. This beautifully restored city retains the feel of centuries past, making it the sort of place that grows on you the more you explore. After some time to settle into your hotel, you’ll make your way to a special beachside restaurant for a seafood hotpot dinner with your group. This is a particularly popular meal amongst the locals in Hoi An!

Day 6 Hoi An

Today, you’ll really get to know Hoi An – first up, your leader will take you on an orientation walk around the Ancient Town. Then, you’ll discover Reaching Out Tea House – a non-government organisation that supports the local deaf and mute community by providing employment and vocational training. The peace and quiet of this café stands in stark contrast to the bustling streets outside. While here, you’ll sip delicious teas in total silence – a tranquil experience you won’t soon forget. After a little time to relax, you’ll get ready for a cooking class with a local chef this afternoon. You’ll be escorted to a local market to shop for fresh ingredients and then taken through a culinary journey with hands-on demonstrations. Your local chef will even share the stories behind the yin and yang elements, unveiling the secret of home-cooked Vietnamese meals. Feast on your delicious creations, dishes that highlight the cooking of the Pho Hoi people.

Day 7 Quy Nhon

This morning after breakfast, you’ll visit a village to see the production process of Vietnamese rice whiskey (made from plain boiled rice). Learn about the history of this traditional practise and see how it's made, with a sample or two as you learn. Then, you’ll be treated to a home-cooked lunch in the village – a great opportunity to learn more about the locals. Head on to Quy Nhon – a coastal city flanked by super clear waters, traditional fishing boats and sandy beaches. Tonight, maybe watch the sunset at Ky Co Beach or ask your leader for the best dinner spots.

Day 8 Overnight Train

Early this morning, you’ll visit the local market with your trip leader for a wander around and a fruit tasting of some local produce. Then, walk to Bun Ram Thuy where you'll try the region's popular crab noodle soup. Follow that up with a caffeine hit (or a cold drink to ease the morning heat). After, you’ll have free time and the use of a day room to rest, relax or explore at your own pace. Tonight, you’ll hop on an overnight train to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 9 Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City this morning, then join a walking tour to get a feel for the city's frenetic, fascinating blend of old and new, East and West. You’ll notice a strong French influence here, which means excellent coffee and baguettes! Stop past the General Post Office and Notre Dame, then visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the city’s sobering past. For lunch, you’ll take part in a cooking class where you'll learn some contemporary twists on traditional Vietnamese dishes with a passionate chef. Sit down and enjoy the delicious feast you've prepared over lunch and then enjoy a free afternoon to continue your explorations.

Day 10 Mekong Delta

After breakfast this morning, kiss Ho Chi Minh City goodbye and make your way to the Mekong Delta. The delta is known as ‘Vietnam’s rice bowl’ for its abundance of rice paddies, fruit and flower orchards. When you arrive, you’ll hit the water and cruise up this mighty river, stopping at tropical fruit gardens and local cottage industries to sample honey, coconut candy and fruit, right at the source. Enjoy being paddled slowly along the quieter backwaters in a sampan, one of the most common forms of transport in these parts. Continue to your homestay for this evening. Meet your hosts and take some time to wander the garden, relax or lend a hand with dinner preparations. Enjoy a southern Vietnamese feast on the wide veranda overlooking the garden as the sun goes down.

Day 11 Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy the freshest fruit of the Mekong Delta for breakfast, then head back to Ho Chi Minh City. When you arrive, take a guided walk around one of Vietnam’s most pulsing markets – Ben Thanh. This is the perfect place to pick up any last-minute snacks, cooking utensils, ingredients, or presents for friends and family. Then, stop for a delicious crispy pork banh mi for lunch. The rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace. Tonight, you might like to get together with your group and toast to a great trip over a farewell dinner.

Day 12 Phnom Penh

Check out of your hotel this morning and transfer to the airport for an unaccompanied flight to Phnom Penh. The flight will take around 50 minutes, after which you'll be met by another transfer driver who will take you to your hotel. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your new leader and fellow travellers. The Cambodian cooking pot combines an eclectic mix of local and international influences and has a flavour all its own. Kick off this food adventure with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant after your meeting. Later, maybe go for a drink or stroll along the famous Sisowath Quay.

Day 13 Kampot

Before you leave Phnom Penh this morning, confront Cambodia's tragic past on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, in a former high school that served as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) for the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979. See the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, which represent the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. After, you’ll drive south by private vehicle, towards Kampot – one of Cambodia's most attractive old towns. Famous for its pepper, Kampot supplied most French restaurants for many years during colonial rule. Today, the region is also renowned for its durian (a spiky, pungent fruit that you’ll either love or hate). Tonight, maybe ask your leader about the sunset river cruises here and watch the gorgeous nightly display of colour, looking out for the resident fireflies.

Day 14 Kampot

This morning you’ll have breakfast at Epic Café – a social enterprise that provides employment for local people living with disabilities. After, visit the salt fields which stretch across much of Kampot’s coastline. After learning a bit about the salt production here, head to Phnom Chhngok – a Hindu cave temple built in the 7th century, dedicated to Shiva. Then it’s onto the Kampot Pepper Project. Grown in Cambodia for centuries, Kampot pepper is considered the world’s finest. Today, pepper is also seen as an important symbol of Cambodian regeneration. You’ll taste some pepper ice cream here before heading to Kep Beach for lunch – the nearby Kep markets serve fresh crab cooked to perfection – and eat on the pier overlooking the ocean. After lunch, walk along the coastline and explore the old oceanfront buildings. Kep was once Cambodia's most popular and prestigious beach town, but the Khmer Rouge destroyed many of Kep's mansions and villas. The ghostly remains now stand as a silent reminder.

Day 15 Phnom Penh

If you’re a morning person, you might like to rise early and see the fishing boats arrive at the port with their daily catch. Then, maybe find a good spot for breakfast and enjoy a leisurely morning. After, you’ll return to Phnom Penh. When you arrive, meet with a passionate chef for a guided tour of the markets, learning about the building blocks of Khmer cuisine. Enjoy a hands-on cooking class and master Khmer staples such as samlor machou yuon (sour soup with fresh fish and tamarind) or bok svay (pounded green mango salad, usually served with dried fish or prawns). Feast on your creations over dinner.

Day 16 Battambang

Travel by private bus to Battambang (pronounced battambong)– Cambodia's second-largest city. Battambang is a pretty riverside town of French influence, friendly Khmer people and beautifully preserved colonial architecture. The city is famous for its many statues of animals and divinities that decorate the streets and buildings. It also lacks the traffic of Phnom Penh and the visitor numbers of Siem Reap, so it’s a great place to get a real slice of Cambodia. Your leader can recommend activities for your free afternoon. Perhaps join a local Battambang foodie for a home-cooked meal, tasting local dishes such as amok, Khmer curry and fried spicy chicken with homemade rice noodles.

Day 17 Siem Reap

Take a bicycle ride into the countryside. The ride is easy and takes mostly shady roads through local villages. Along the way, stop to experience rice paper making, fruit drying and preparation, production of the famous prahok (fish paste) and rice wine making at local homes. Finish up at the best Kralan (sticky rice in bamboo) stall in the district. After, you’ll head to Siem Reap via private vehicle. When you arrive, head out for a street food tour with your local leader, tasting local dishes such as grilled fish or spicy fried chicken. Enjoy the atmosphere along the riverbank as the sun goes down, then head to a cocktail class and tasting. As you taste local liqueurs and snacks made with Cambodian herbs, mango and ginger, you’ll also learn how to make three popular cocktails. Later, maybe ask your leader for the spots to keep the party going.

Day 18 Siem Reap

After, head to the village of Preah Dak for a traditional breakfast of homemade num banh chok (a popular Khmer noodle dish). This village is famous for its lifestyle, language, spirituality, culture and of course, its food! You’ll see how the local families make the noodles as their ancestors made them, learn about this dish’s history and then end your experience with some seasonal fruits. Then it's time to explore more of the Angkor complex, built between the 9th and 13th centuries when the Khmer Empire was the pre-eminent influence in South East Asia. See the Bayon temple and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm. In the evening, enjoy a final dinner at a plant-based restaurant celebrating contemporary flavours. Using fresh produce from their own gardens, you’ll tuck into dishes like grilled eggplant, creamy pumpkin soup, vegetable curry and homemade lime pie.

Day 19 Siem Reap

Your adventure comes to an end this morning. There are no activities planned for today and you’re free to leave at any time. If you’re keen to continue your exploration of the Angkor complex, please speak with your leader about extending the length of your access pass.

Day 1: Welcome to Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Overnight: Sieam Reap

Warm welcome upon your arrival in Siem Reap, one of the major tourist hub in Cambodia and the gateway to the world famous temples of Angkor.  Meet your local guide for transfer to hotel.  Free time to relax, then you explore the city by Tuk Tuk riding around the suburb of Siem Reap followed by a blessing ceremony by Buddhist monks for happiness, prosperity and safety. Tonight you enjoy dinner with Apsara Dance show at the local restaurant.

Day 2: Angkor Wat Sunrise & Angkor Complex

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Overnight: Sieam Reap

Early wake up in the morning  to enjoy the sunrise over the Angkor Temple  then you discover the Angkor Wat, a temple complex built for king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. Continue to explore the ruins including the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the Preah Khan temple. In the afternoon you explore the fabulous Ta Prohm temple which embraced by fig and silk-cotton trees puncture the roofs of Ta Prohm’s towers. End of the day you enjoy the sunset at the Preah Rup temple.

Day 3: Fly to Ho Chi Minh city

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Overnight: HCMC

In the morning you have a drive to the Phnom Kulen Mountain. Climb up the hill to visit the Srah Damrey, Damreay Krab and Ang Prochiev temple followed by a nice trail of Kulen mountain to reach a special stream with thousands lingas in the water.  Short break before transfer to Siem Reap airport for flight to HCMC. Your guide will meet you at the airport for a transfer to your hotel located in the downtown.  After check in you will have free time to relax, then your guide see you again for a welcome dinner at the river cruises on the Saigon river.

Day 4: HCMC Free Choice: Sightseeing - Street Food - Dinning

Overnight: HCMC

HCMC is a city full of surprises. The city’s core is still adorned with wide elegant boulevards and historic French colonial buildings and offers plenty of reasons to visit, from its blend of historic, attractions to vibrant shopping, dining and nightlife. You have a whole day to explore the HCMC and its Surroundings. Please select two of the below options ( one choice if you select “Full-day Cao Dai Holysee temple & Cu Chi tunnels” ) to spend your day in the most dynamic city in Vietnam.

Free Choice Sightseeings – HCMC | Maximum 4 places

1. Reunification Palace

2. Municipal Theatre – City Post Office – Notre-Dame Cathedral

3. War Remnants Museum

4. Vinh Nghiem pagoda

5. Hoang De pagoda

6. Ben Thanh market

Half-day China town & Thien Hau pagoda

The western part of the city is dominated by Cholon (Chinatown), a thickly settled district rife with teahouses and pagodas and the famous Binh Tay Market. Visit the Thien Hau pagoda which features interesting Chinese-Buddhist style architecture and interiors with pagodas, courtyards, altars and paintings. Chinatown is also home to the Cholon Mosque and Cha Tam, a small Catholic cathedral.

Free Choice Street Food – Authentic experiences

1. “ Banh mi” “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

2. “ Hu tieu Saigon “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/

1. “ Banh canh ” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

3. “ Banh xeo ” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

4. “ Com tam” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

Free Choice Dining

1. Vegetarian set-menu at local restaurant

2. Vietnamese set-menu at French building restaurant

3. South Vietnamese buffet at local restaurant

Day 5: Free Choice HCMC Surroundings | Meal: B | Overnight: HCMC

You have a whole day today to learn more about HCMC and the Southern Vietnam. Below is the Free Choice HCMC Surroundings:

1. Half-day Cu Chi tunnels

Around 70 kilometers northwest of HCMC, Cu Chi Tunnel is right near the so-called “Iron Triangle” of Southern Vietnam. This underground complex is a must-see when you are in HCMC. You are invited to crawl around in the safer parts of the tunnel system or try a shooting range where you can fire a number of assault rifles, such as the M16 rifle or AK-47, as well as a light machine gun like the M60.

2. Full-day Cao Dai Holysee temple & Cu Chi tunnels

In the morning you drive to visit Cao Dai Temples in Tay Ninh and observe the midday service. This temple is the cathedral of the Cao Daism religion and home of the Divine Eye, the official symbol of this unique religion. Cao Dai followers worship Jesus Christ, Confucius, Taoism, and Buddha. On the way back you stop to visit Cu Chi Tunnels. Very famous in the wartime with its smart and complicated system including underground meeting room, kitchen, food, weapon caches, hospital. This underground complex is a must-see when you are in HCMC. You are invited to crawl around in the safer parts of the tunnel system or try a shooting range where you can fire a number of assault rifles, such as the M16 rifle or AK-47, as well as a light machine gun like the M60. Back to HCMC. Rest of the day is your free time.

Day 6: HCMC – My Tho – Can Tho | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Can Tho

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today you leave HCMC for the Mekong Delta. Surrounded by thousands of crisscrossed canals, life in the Mekong Delta revolves much around the river, most of the villages are often accessible by rivers and canals rather than by road. Upon arrival you take a motor-boat to explore the Thoi Son islet. Following a village path passing local houses to visit some family-run coconut candy mills then you take a horse-cart from village to village. Enjoy lunch with local special dishes followed by the “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, a very common art activity in the Mekong Delta performed by local people.  Rejoin your car for a drive to Can Tho.

Day 7: Floating market – Villages biking – HCMC | Meal: B-L | Overnight: HCMC

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Early wake up today to join in the Cai Rang floating market, one of the most exciting activities you should do when you are in this area. Take a motorized boat to join the market and experience how people exchange goods, fruit and many other commodities on their vessels. You also find floating restaurants, floating bars, floating gas stations, and many other floating shops. Back to the shore and take a bike cycling from village to village on path, over monkey bridges, get in touch with local people. Lunch is at local restaurant before driving back to HCMC.

Day 8: Fly to Nha Trang

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Nha Trang

Today you leave HCMC for Nha Trang. Voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Nha Trang boasts a six-mile stretch of fine white sand, quiet and warm waters, and stunning archipelagos. Have free time until transfer to airport for flight to Nha Trang to start your beach vacations.

Day 9 - 10: Nha Trang - Free & Easy

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Nha Trang

Your  free time for relax and enjoy the facilities offered by the resort. Try some water sports like snorkeling or diving among the coral reefs in crystal blue waters, hike nature trails, cool off in your private plunge pool, indulge in spa treatments or just relax on the white sand beach and admire the unspoiled mountain and sea views before retiring for the evening.

Day 11: Fly to Danang - Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Overnight: Hoi An

Enjoy your free time until transfer to airport for flight to Danang. Your guide and driver will meet you at the Danang airport for a transfer to your hotel in Hoi An. Hoi An used to be an international trade center by sea on the east area in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was the busiest trading port during the reign of Nguyen as merchants from Japan, China, Portugal, Spain, Holland stopped over to exchange and purchase commodities. At leisure then you enjoy dinner at local restaurant.

Day 12: Hoi An Free Choice: Sightseeing - Street Food - Dining

Overnight: Hoi An

Your stay in the Hoi An Ancient town will be full of interesting. Please select two of the Free Choice Sightseeing – Hoi An & Surroundings to start your interesting day in Hoi An.

1. Half-day Walking in Hoi An Ancient town

Walking tour to explore the town with old houses, narrow streets and stop to visit the lantern makers, Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, Handicraft workshop.

2. Half-day Tra Que Vegetable village by bicycle

Where you can join with gardening activities as preparing the land and fertilizing with seaweed from the local lake, prepare food and join lunch with a local family. It is also good time to relax and learn more about the Vietnamese village.

3. Half-day Kim Bong Carpentry village by boat

Formed in the 15 th century by Vietnameses from the Northern Vietnam, Kim Bong carpentry developed vigorously and the occupational village was established with three groups: Ancient architectural construction, civil wooden furniture and shipbuilding. Many carpenters from this village worlked to build Hue Citadel

4. Half-day My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary dates from the 4th to the 13th centuries. It was a unique culture on the coast of contemporary Vietnam, owing its spiritual origins to the Hinduism of India. This is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower temples in a dramatic site that was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence. The My Son Sanctuary is a remarkable architectural ensemble that developed over a period of ten centuries. It presents a vivid picture of spiritual and political life in an important phase of the history of South-East Asia.

Free Choice Street Food – Authentic experiences

1. “ Rice & Chicken” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

2. “ Banh Xeo Hoi An “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

3. “ Cao Lau Hoi An” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

4. “ Mi Quang ” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

Free Choice Dining:

1. Hoi An cuisine set-menu at local restaurant.

2. Dinner on the beach at local restaurant.

3. BBQ fresh seafood on the beach at local restaurant.

4. Relaxing Dinner Cruise on the Hoai river and the Thu Bon river

Day 13: Hoin An Free Choice Activities | Meal: B | Overnight: Hoi An

More offer today for a truly authentic experience when you are in Hoi An.

1. Red Bridge Cooking Class (Joined group)

Begins with a with a drink at Hai Scout Café followed by a visit the Hoi An colorful market. It is time to get in touch with local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients for your own cooking lesson. Boat trip cruising along the Hoi An river to the cooking school. On arrival, you explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden. Learn about some of Hoi An and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The 2-hour cooking lesson includes a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving. Try some dishes yourselves. Lunch is served included what you have cooked.

2. Hoi An ” Fish & Farm”

You take a bike along country roads to experience Vietnamese rural life and get in touch with local farmers and enjoy a sampan sailing on the Thu Bon River to meet local fishermen, try their traditional net fishing, experience paddling the bamboo basket boat. Biking back to the town to relax at a local pub, do some shopping or visit the local tailors who make quality clothes in a flash.

Free Choice Dining

1. Hoi An cuisine set-menu at local restaurant.

2. Dinner on the beach at local restaurant.

3. BBQ fresh seafood on the beach at local restaurant.

4. Relaxing Dinner Cruise on the Hoai river and the Thu Bon river

Day 14: Hoi An – Free & Easy

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Hoi An

Today you have a free  day for relaxation at the resort , water sports, diving, snorkeling, sunset watching or take a bicycle to discover the other sides of Hoi An, visiting some handicraft village nearby or  experience the bespoke clothing tailoring or relax with a cup of coffee in a local street pub are worth to try.

Day 15: Hoi An – Hue

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Overnight: Hue

Today you leave Hoi An for Hue. Located in central Vietnam, the World Cultural Heritage Site Hue used to be the Citadel of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945. Journey to Hue is travelling over the Hai Van pass where you have a stop for a panoramic view over the Lang Co beach.  Evening meeting with your guide again for a Hue Royal style dinner, taste some Royal cuisines at local restaurant.

Day 16: Hue Free Choice: Sightseeing - Street Food – Dinning

Overnight: Hue

Besides Hue citadel and tombs, Hue still has a lot to offer you. Hue Sightseeing Freedom of Choices and Meal options will satisfy you. All you have to do is to select one of the Hue city options and one of the Hue Surroundings to explore Hue by your own way.

Free Choice Sightseeing – Hue city

1. Full-day Hue city tour

2. Half-day Hue city tour & One of Hue Surroundings

Half-day city tour (Maximum 4 places) | Full-day city tour ( Maximum 7 places)

1. Dragon boat to visit the Thien Mu pagoda

2. King Minh Mang’s tomb

3. King Tu Duc’s tomb

4. King Khai Dinh’s tomb

5. King Gia Long’s tomb

6. Hue Citadel Complex

7. Notre Dame Cathedral

8. Tu Hieu pagoda

9. Dong Ba market – a paradise for snapshots of daily activities.

Hue Free Choice Surroundings

1. Phuoc Tich ancient village

Located on the bank of leisurely O Lau River, about 30 kilometers from center of Hue city, Phuoc Tich village, built in 1470, is the symbol of architecture of the central region and famous for traditional pottery. Trip to Phuoc Tich village offers you a view of Centre Vietnam countryside, too.

2. Thanh Toan village

This is one of the most beautiful villages in Hue. The village, 8km east of Hue, is famous for its beautiful roads, peaceful rural landscape, particularly the tile-roofed bridge, communal houses, clan worshiping houses, traditional festivals, farming practices and local people’s daily activities. You also can join in the village market and taste some local culinary specialties like Hen rice, fish-pancakes, and a wide variety of rice noodles.

Free Choice Hue Street Food – Authentic experiences

1. “ Bun bo Hue” “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

2. “ Banh khoai “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

3. “ Cơm Hến “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

4. “ Nem lụi Hue “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

Free Choice Dining

1. Hue vegetarian food at local restaurant

2. Vietnamese set-menu at local restaurant

3. Dinner with Vietnamese traditional songs on the dragon boat.

Day 17: Fly to Hanoi

Meal: Breakfast and Dinner

Overnight: Hanoi

Again you take a one-hour flight to Hanoi, the one-thousand-year old city and the capital of Vietnam. Your guide will meet you at the airport for a transfer to your hotel located in the  downtown.  Free time to relax, then your guide  see you again for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Your first day in Hanoi is completed by a water puppet show – a unique art performance in Vietnam.

Day 18: Hanoi Free Choice: Sightseeing - Street Food - Dinning | Overnight: Hanoi

Widely acknowledged as one of the loveliest cities in Asia, this one-thousand-year old city offer you its unique images that totally different from other Asian cities. Hanoi still retains a small-town provincial charm and unique intermingle with a French legacy wide, tree-lined boulevards, parks, grand villas and an artistic, café society.

Different people, different interests and tastes. Hanoi Free Choice Sightseeing – Street Food – Dinning offers you the best things that Hanoi has to offer and satisfy you with a personalize discovery and authentic experience. Please select your interesting places of Hanoi city and one of the Hanoi Surroundings to enjoy the day in Hanoi.

Free Choice Sightseeing – Half-day Hanoi  ( Maximum 4 places)

1. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

2. One Pillar Pagoda

3. Quan Thanh Temple

4. Temple of Literature

5. Bach Ma Temple

6. Hanoi Ancient House

7. Tran Quoc pagoda

8. Sword Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

9. Vietnam Military History Museum

10. Vietnam National Museum of History

11. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

12. Vietnamese Women’s Museum

Free Choice Hanoi Surroundings

1. Bat Trang pottery villages

About 13 kilometers south east of Hanoi center, Bat Trang village, established in 14th or 15th century, is famous for ceramic and pottery products of high quality such as vases, bowls, dishes, and many other kinds of ceramic products which have been exported worldwide.

2. Van Phuc silk village

About 8 km southwest of Ha Noi, Van Phuc silk village is well known for its traditional sericulture, weaving, and silk products for a long-lasting history of more than two thousand years. The village makes more than 2 million meters of silk per year and is an ideal place for silk products & souvenirs

3. Duong Lam Ancient village.

Duong Lam ancient village, some 60km to the west of Hanoi, has a history of about 1,200 years with many houses dating back up to 400 years. One special thing about the village is that most of the buildings here are made of laterite and mud, two materials that are abundant in the area. The village also has its prestige as two of Vietnam’s kings, Phung Hung (761-802) and Ngo Quyen (896-944) were born in here.

4. Dong Ho painting village

Dong Ho painting village, 30 km to the East of Hanoi, or Vietnamese woodblock prints is a distinct Vietnamese folk art. Dong Ho paintings reflect people’s innermost feelings. Dong Ho paintings is made of of bark of a tree called “Dzo. Colors of the painting are refined from various kinds of tree leaves that people can easily find in Vietnam. Dong Ho paintings have about 300 years of history in the north of Vietnam. It is always considered a symbol of traditional culture and aesthetic value of Vietnam.

Free Choice Street Food – Authentic experiences

1. “ Pho Hanoi “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

2. “ Banh Cuon “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

3. “ Bun Cha Hanoi “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

4. “ Bo kho – Beef Stew ” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

Free Choice Dining

1. “ Cha Ca Hanoi “ in Hanoi Old Quarter area at local restaurant.

2. Vegetarian set-menu at local restaurant

3. Vietnamese set-menu at French building restaurant

4. Vietnamese cuisine a-la-carte at Ngon restaurant

5. KOTO restaurant. Know One Teach One unique restaurant.

Day 19: Hanoi - Halong Bay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Traditional Junk

You leave Hanoi for HalongBay via the Red River Delta. Welcome on board and set out on a junk cruise on the bay while seafood lunch is served. After lunch there is a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay followed by swimming on a quiet beach or sunbathing on the sundeck. Afternoon you take a bamboo boat rowing to visit a fishing village. You also take a kayak to discover a water tunnel with many coral reefs in a scenic lagoon. Back on board to enjoy a peaceful sunset, join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration and later unwind at a restaurant.

Day 20: Halong Bay - Ninh Binh

Meals: Dinner

Overnight: Ninh Binh

Early birds can attend a Tai Chi demonstration on the sundeck at the break of dawn. Start the day enjoying some Paradise delights with a colourful buffet breakfast. Continue exploring Halong Bay sailing across its 2000 islets and visiting some of its major highlights on the way back to the shore. Rejoin your car for a private transfer to Ninh Binh. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 21: Ninh Binh biking

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Ninh Binh

In the morning you drive to visit Bai Dinh pagoda, the largest pagoda in Vietnam. From here you start cycling along the countryside road, headed to the ancient Hoa Lu Citadel  and visit the temples of King Dinh and King Le. Continue riding through the limestone peaks to Tam Coc area, passing the rice paddies of Red River Delta. Enjoy lunch with some local dishes at local restaurant then you have a 3-hour sampan trip sailing along the Boi river to visit the Tam Coc caves. Continue biking to visit Bich Dong pagoda before rejoin car back to hotel.

Day 22: Ninh Binh - Hanoi departure

Meals: Breakfast

Today is the last day of your trip. Enjoy your free time at your hotel or you can do your last minute souvenir shopping before transfer from Ninh Binh to Hanoi airport for your flight home. Have a good journey and thanks for joining us.