Vietnam Highlights 12 Days / 11 Nights

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, look for a welcome sign displaying your name. Your private driver will meet you and transfer you comfortably to Classyc Hotel in Hanoi. Check in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Inclusion: Hotel and airport transfer.

Begin with a special Vietnamese coffee class and learn how to prepare salted coffee, creamy coffee and Hanoi’s famous egg coffee. Continue by cyclo through the Old Quarter, admiring its French, Chinese and modern architecture. Visit the preserved 19th-century Ancient House at 87 Ma May Street, then cross the red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake. Explore Dong Xuan Market and visit Train Street, where the railway passes between narrow homes and cafés. In the evening, join an authentic street-food walk through the Old Quarter, sampling local dishes and discovering the flavours of northern Vietnam. Inclusion: Transfer, hotel, breakfast, dinner, guide and entrance fees.

Travel to Thung Nham Bird Park, a peaceful nature reserve of rivers, caves and lush vegetation. Take a relaxing 45–60 minute boat journey through the reserve, discover secluded corners and watch thousands of birds above the wetlands. Continue to Hang Mua Viewpoint and climb approximately 486 steps for an unforgettable panorama over Hoa Lu Valley, rice fields and dramatic limestone mountains. Overnight at Pullman Ninh Binh. Inclusion: Transfer, hotel, breakfast, guide and entrance fees.

Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, Vietnam’s largest Buddhist temple complex. Walk along peaceful corridors lined with 500 Arhat statues and admire the monumental 10-metre Buddha statue, weighing approximately 100 tons. Allow around 2–2.5 hours to experience the site’s history and spiritual atmosphere. Continue to the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex for an approximately three-hour traditional boat journey past limestone cliffs, green mountains, tranquil waterways and hidden caves. Inclusion: Transfer, hotel, breakfast, guide and entrance fees.

Drive to Ha Long Marina and check in for Mon Chéri Cruise. Transfer by tender to the main vessel and enjoy lunch while sailing into Lan Ha Bay. At approximately 15:30, visit the unspoiled Tra Bau area for kayaking among limestone islands or relax in the cruise’s Jacuzzi pool. From 17:30, join a Vietnamese spring-roll cooking demonstration, admire sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin and enjoy Happy Hour at the bar. Dinner is served at 19:30. Later, relax at the sky bar, book an optional spa treatment or try squid fishing from the main deck. Inclusion: Transfer, onboard guide, entrance fees, all meals, kayak and overnight cruise.

Begin at 06:00 with Tai Chi on the sundeck as the sun rises over the bay. Breakfast is served from approximately 06:45 while cruising toward Gia Luan Jetty. From 07:30, transfer to Cat Ba World Biosphere Reserve and visit Trung Trang Cave, known for its impressive stalactites and distinctive cave ecosystem. Return to the ship at approximately 09:30, check out of your cabin and enjoy brunch. Disembark Mon Chéri Cruise between 10:30 and 11:00 at Tuan Chau Marina. Your private driver will then transfer you to Hanoi Airport for the flight to Central Vietnam. On arrival, continue to Royal Hoi An Hotel. Inclusion: Transfer, breakfast, brunch and hotel. Domestic flight is excluded.

Ride one of the world’s longest cable-car systems above forests and mountain valleys to Ba Na Hills. Stroll through Le Jardin d’Amour, photograph the famous Golden Bridge held by giant stone hands and continue to Chua Mountain Peak, Linh Chua Temple and the French Village Square. After descending by cable car, travel to Hoi An Ancient Town. Walk through its atmospheric streets, see the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, visit Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and explore colourful local markets. Comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sun protection are recommended. Inclusion: Transfer, hotel, breakfast, guide, entrance fees and buffet lunch.

Begin at a colourful local market, where your guide introduces the ingredients used in Vietnamese cooking and shares tips for selecting fresh fruit, herbs and spices. Continue to Bay Mau Coconut Village for a ride in a traditional round bamboo basket boat. Observe village life, meet local fishermen and join some of their daily activities. Finish with a hands-on cooking class, preparing classic Vietnamese dishes before enjoying the meal you created. Inclusion: Transfer, hotel, breakfast, guide, entrance fees and lunch.

After breakfast, meet your driver at the hotel and transfer to Da Nang Airport according to your flight schedule. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, look for a welcome sign displaying your name. Your private driver will transfer you to La Siesta Premium Saigon Hotel for check-in and relaxation. Inclusion: Airport transfers, breakfast and hotel. Domestic flight is excluded.

Discover Ho Chi Minh City from an open Jeep, enjoying unobstructed views of the streets and local culture. Visit the Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. Pass the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the former United States Embassy building before continuing to bustling Ben Thanh Market and the elegant Saigon Opera House. Inclusion: Jeep, guide, entrance fees, breakfast, hotel and lunch.

Drive approximately 1.5 hours from Saigon to Unicorn Island in the Mekong Delta. Travel by electric cart to Coconut Garden to learn about coconut cultivation and drink fresh coconut water. Walk along rural paths to Mrs. Tu’s House, experience local life and visit a carp farm, where you may feed the fish. Continue by electric cart to a riverside venue for seasonal fruit, hot tea and a live performance of traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music. Board a rowing boat for a peaceful journey through narrow canals shaded by water coconut palms, then take a larger boat along the Mekong River with a refreshing breeze and light snacks before returning to Saigon. Inclusion: Transfer, guide, local boats, breakfast and hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and free time for shopping. At the appropriate time, your private driver will meet you in the hotel lobby and transfer you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your flight home. Your 12-day Vietnam journey ends with wonderful memories. Thank you for travelling with ECR Travel. Inclusion: Airport transfer and breakfast.