Compare Vietnam Foodie's Paradise in 10 Days by Realistic Asia vs Ghana - Budget 2021 by Rockjumper Birding

Day 1 Welcome to Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh Arrival

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.

Day 2 Ho Chi Minh Sightseeing and Food Tasting (B/L)

This morning your tour guide will meet you with a motorbike for a half-day tour of the city. Hop on the back and head through the city's lively streets, passing the many Vietnamese guitar makers’ stores, interesting eateries, and residential apartment buildings. The walking portion of your explorations starts from Nguyen Thien Thuat Street and ends at Ban Co Market, where you'll be invited to try chè (a Vietnamese dessert made of beans, sticky rice, and coconut milk). Continue to Districts 10 and 5 to witness the colors, smells, and sounds of typical Ho Chi Minh life as you pass shops and street food stands and dodge passing rickshaws. Stroll along the traditional medicine streets of China Town, then visit the Chinese Thien Hau Temple (dedicated to the worship of the Heavenly Queen). End your adventure at a local restaurant for a lunch of local favorites like com tam (broken rice) or bun bo (beef noodle soup). Afterward, your guide will take you back to your hotel by motorbike.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 3 Cruising on Mekong Delta (B/L)

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.

Day 4 Travel From Ho Chi Minh City To Hoi An (B)

Relish the remaining moment in Ho Chi Minh before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Da Nang. When you arrive at Da Nang Airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in Hoi An. The rest of the time is free at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 5 Immerse Yourself In Hoi An Cuisine (B/D)

This evening you will explore Hoi An's off-the-beaten-path highlights and taste the most remarkable dishes of this charming town. Your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to a local farming village about 2.5 miles (4 km) from the town center. Here you can learn more about the daily life of the local farmers before getting back to Hoi An and immersing yourself in a foodie's paradise with the flavorful local cuisine. Start your culinary exploration with a selection of well-known local dishes such as white rose dumplings, banh beo (steamed rice cakes), banh nam (rice dumplings) my quang (flavorful rice noodles), Hoi An pancakes, barbeque pork rolls, and the famous bahn mi sandwich. Wrap up your food tour with the best Vietnamese coffee before exploring more of Hoi An by night or heading back to your hotel.

Overnight In Hoi An.

Day 6 Greeting From The Capital (B)

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 Noi Bai International Airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in the Old Quarter. The rest of the time is free at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 7 A Taste Of Street Food In Hanoi (B/D)

The guide will meet you around 18:00 and take you outside of the Old Quarter to show you areas that most visitors haven’t got a chance to see on motorbikes like Hoan Kiem Lake, French Quarter & Opera House, and Long Bien Bridge. From this place, Long Bien – the first steel bridge crossing the Red River is awaiting you. It is the only bridge in Hanoi where all the riders have to go on the left–hand side. Crossing over the bridge, you will see the Local Food Market in Gia Lam. Before going back to Hanoi Old Quarter you can try some food and drink there too. And then, we will take you around the old quarter, to taste the most typical and famous street food in the Old Quarter like Pho, Grilled Fish, Egg Coffee, etc. At 21:30, we will drop you off at your accommodation. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 8 Discover The Natural Wonder Of The World (B/L) - Shared cruise

Check out of the hotel in the morning, 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.

Day 9 Ha Long Bay - Back To Hanoi (B/L)

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 awake 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.

Day 10 Biggest Farewell And Warmest Thank You - Hanoi Departure (B)

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip. Complete the hotel check-out formalities after which you can visit the local markets and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later, proceed for departure and board your flight back home.
Trip Ends.