Heritage Tour - 11 Days

On your arrival, you are met local guide and driver who will take you to hotel. If time is permitted, you will take an orientation tour of Ha Noi and take a cyclo ride (pedicab) around the old quarter of Ha Noi. It is a fascinating way to get the first look of this peaceful and beautiful city.

In the evening, we enjoy the Water Puppet Show, a unique northern Vietnamese art performance.  We will have a chance to learn more about the rural life of Vietnamese peasants and national heroes via a series of history story which were beautifully demonstrated by the artists.

Water Puppet Show (Source: Collected)

Today, we visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Uncle Ho’s house on stilt where he lived and worked from 1958 -1969, his fishing pond and his garden.

We visit One Pillar Pagoda built in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong who ruled from 1028 to 1054. Continuing our excursion, we visit Van Mieu, the temple of literature dedicated to Confucius and his four best disciples built in 1076. This is also the first university in Vietnam to educate Vietnamese bureaucrats, nobles, royalty, and other members of the elites from 1076 to 1779. The interesting thing is the collection of steles of doctorates whose name, birthplace, year of the examination, and the rank of diploma, were engraved onto the marble stone stele placing on the top of the turtle. There are 1307 graduated doctor names on 82 steles in this place.

 One Pillar Pagoda built in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong

After visiting this wonderful place, we will have lunch at a local restaurant.

Later in the afternoon, we visit World Cultural Heritage Site, Thang Long Imperial Citadel which was built in 11th century by the Ly Dynasty. The Central Sector of Thang Long Imperial Citadel is the most important and the best-preserved of this heritage site.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel

An exciting new day waiting us to discover, we depart for Ha Long, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

There are a lot of photo opportunities on our way to Ha Long as we drive through the rural area, street markets, paddy fields, vegetable farms, poultry farms, and lotus farms. We take a rest stop at Hong Ngoc shop after a 2- hour drive for a coffee break, and then continue to Ha Long Bay.

At midday, we board the junk for an overnight cruise. Have a welcome drink on board, then enjoy a pleasant cruise. Seafood lunch is served on board while the junk is slowly going among the islands and islets.

Ha Long - UNESCO World Natural Heritage

There are some activities for us to join in this afternoon such as: visiting the cave, swimming at Ti Top beach, climbing up the top of Ti Top Island for panoramic view of the bay, kayaking, and joining squids finishing at night. The junk is anchored in a quiet bay for overnight. Dinner and overnight on board.

Morning, we just join the Tai Chi Class on sundeck for half an hour and then we will have breakfast. We visit Sung Sot cave, fantastic stalactites, and stalagmites on different sides and its beautiful natural color. Enjoy a pleasant cruise back to the pier for disembarkation then drive to Noi Bai Airport for a short flight to Da Nang, then proceed to Hoi An. Hoi An, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Hoi an, an exceptionally well-preserved example of traditional Asian trading port, is outstanding material manifestation of fusion of culture over time of international maritime commercial center in Southeast Asia.

Sung Sot cave

An exciting new day for us to discover the World Cultural Heritage site, Hoi An Old city. We just spend our day to stroll along the streets, talking to local people, visiting some local attraction sites; Thien Hau Temple, Japanese Bridge, and Tan Ky House.

Late in the afternoon, we take an hour boat ride on Thu Bon River, and this is a time for us just relaxing and enjoying the scenery.

Hoi An

Morning, we take a half day trip to a World Cultural Heritage site, My Son Sanctuary of Champa Kingdom, which was very powerful and prosperous Kingdom in Southeast Asia from 4th century to 11th century.

We drive 2 hours through rural areas, rivers, paddy fields, mountains to visit this fantastic monument of the Cham people. Enjoy Champa Traditional Dance show.

After visiting this site, we drive to Danang City for our lunch, and then visit Cham Museum which all artifacts were collected in My Son area.

We drive to the Marble Mountains to visit Huyen Khong Cave, which was used as the hospital during the American and Vietnam War. Continuing our way up the steps to Thien Phuoc Pagoda for a panoramic ocean view. Finishing our day at the stone carving village.

We drive back to our hotel and enjoy our free time.

My Son Sanctuary of Champa Kingdom

Today, we will enjoy the most beautiful distance in Central part of Vietnam from Hoi An to Hue. Hue City, a lovely and romantic city located on the bank of Huong (perfume) River, is the old capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. This city is famous for its Citadel, Imperial City, Forbidden City, and the Royal tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last feudal regime of Vietnam.

After checking in our hotel, we start our excursion by taking a boat trip to Thien Mu pagoda which was built in 17th century on the top of the hill overlooking Huong River and Truong Son Mountain range.

Thien Mu pagoda (Source: Collected)

Then we visit the Imperial and Forbidden City, most of the royal buildings were destroyed during the turmoil of the war but there is still the sense of grace and majestic of the rulers. Entertaining Vietnamese royal court music show that is considered World Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

We drive to the royal tombs of Nguyen Dynasty and visit King Tu Duc’s tomb and King Khai Dinh’s tomb.

King Khai Dinh’s tomb

Most of our time in this morning is free at leisure. At midday, we check out, then drive to Phu Bai airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam. 

On our arrival, we take an orientation tour around the town and visit some typical colonial buildings over hundreds of years; Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, the Opera House and City Hall.

Today, we will enjoy the beautiful scenery in Mekong Delta area with hundreds of canals and river system, the most productive farm in Vietnam. On arrival in Cai Be town, we take a boat ride to Cai Be floating market which is very interesting and popular in Mekong region. This floating market is usually very busy early in the morning and its function is as the wholesale market.

After visiting this market, we continue our boat trip to local village to learn how local people making coconut candy, rice–paper, popcorn, and crafts. We enjoy our lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch, we get on our boat for a short ride to Vinh Long town, then drive to Can Tho City, the fourth largest Cities in Vietnam and the biggest City in Mekong Delta area.

Early morning, we will take a boat trip to Cai Rang floating market. Just enjoy a beautiful buffet breakfast on board while we are cruising to the market.

At midday we check out the hotel, then drive to Ho Chi Minh City.

Suggestion: Join the afternoon tea at Caravel hotel or have a drink at Roof Top Garden Bar at Rex hotel

The day is free at leisure. Just enjoy your time until your departure flight home.