Heritage Tour - 8 Days

On your arrival, you will meet local guide and driver who will take you to hotel. If time is permitted, you will take an orientation tour of Hanoi and take a cyclo ride (pedicab) around the ancient quarter of Hanoi. It absolutely is a fascinating way to get the first look of this peaceful and beautiful city. Evening we enjoy the water puppet show, a unique northern Vietnamese art performance that we cannot be missed on our schedule for today. 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

UNESCO World Cultural Heritage: Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

Heritage Theme: Dynasty, Scholarship & National Identity

Today is dedicated to Hanoi’s political, intellectual and spiritual heritage.

Begin at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the Mausoleum area and Ho Chi Minh’s traditional stilt house. Continue to the historic One Pillar Pagoda, one of Hanoi’s most distinctive Buddhist monuments.

Proceed to the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. Vietnam’s first national academy was established here in 1076, making the complex an enduring symbol of the country’s long respect for scholarship and education.

Walk through its ceremonial gateways, courtyards and gardens and discover the historic doctoral stelae, recording the names of scholars who succeeded in the royal examinations.

After lunch, continue to the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Established as a center of royal power in the 11th century, Thang Long remained at the heart of successive Vietnamese dynasties for centuries. Archaeological remains and surviving structures reveal layers of political and cultural history extending from imperial Vietnam into the modern era.

Complete the day with a visit to a historical museum for further insight into the more recent chapters of Vietnam’s history.

Return to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Uncle Ho’s house

One Pillar Pagoda

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

World Cultural Heritage Site of Thang Long Imperial Citadel

UNESCO World Natural Heritage: Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago

Leave Hanoi and travel toward the Gulf of Tonkin to discover one of Vietnam’s greatest natural treasures.

Arrive at Ha Long Bay, part of the UNESCO World Heritage property of Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago. Thousands of limestone towers and islands rise dramatically from the water, creating one of Southeast Asia’s most extraordinary seascapes.

At midday, board your overnight cruise and enjoy a welcome drink before settling into your cabin.

Lunch is served while the vessel begins cruising through the remarkable limestone landscape.

Depending on the cruise program and weather conditions, afternoon activities may include exploring a limestone cave, kayaking through sheltered waters, swimming or climbing to a viewpoint for panoramic views across the bay.

Beyond its spectacular beauty, Ha Long tells a geological story extending over hundreds of millions of years. The interaction of limestone, tropical climate, erosion and geological processes has created an exceptional marine karst landscape.

As evening approaches, return to the vessel and relax on deck.

Dinner and overnight aboard the cruise.

Ha Long, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site (Source: Collected)

Wake early to the tranquility of Ha Long Bay.

Those who wish may join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck before breakfast while the vessel continues cruising through the limestone landscape.

Depending on the cruise itinerary, visit a cave or another natural attraction before returning to the vessel.

Check out of your cabin and enjoy brunch as the cruise makes its way back toward the harbor.

After disembarkation, continue by road to Ninh Binh, where dramatic limestone formations, river valleys, ancient temples and rice fields form one of northern Vietnam’s most distinctive cultural landscapes.

Check in at your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Sung Sot cave

UNESCO World Cultural & Natural Heritage: Trang An Landscape Complex

Heritage Theme: Ancient Capital & Sacred Landscape

Today we explore the extraordinary Trang An Landscape Complex, where natural beauty and human history have developed together over thousands of years.

Begin at Hoa Lu, the ancient capital associated with the Dinh and Early Le dynasties in the 10th century. Visit temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang and Emperor Le Dai Hanh while learning about the establishment and consolidation of an independent Vietnamese state.

Continue into the spectacular karst landscape for a traditional rowing boat journey.

Glide peacefully along waterways framed by limestone mountains, rice fields and vegetation, passing through natural caves and valleys. The experience reveals why this remarkable landscape is often described as “Ha Long Bay on land.”

Continue to Bich Dong Pagoda, a historic Buddhist complex built into the limestone landscape of Ngu Nhac Mountain. Its three levels—Lower, Middle and Upper Pagodas—demonstrate the close relationship between Vietnamese religious architecture and the natural environment.

Complete the experience with an introduction to the Buddhist heritage of the area before transfering to Noi Bai Airport for a short flight  to Hue.

Overnight in Hue.

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex

UNESCO World Cultural Heritage: Complex of Hue Monuments

Intangible Cultural Heritage: Nhã Nhạc – Vietnamese Court Music

 Hue, enter a very different chapter of Vietnamese history.

Situated along the Perfume River, Hue served as the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Its Citadel, temples, royal residences, tombs, gardens and religious monuments preserve one of Vietnam’s richest cultural landscapes.

Begin with a boat journey along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue’s most recognizable religious landmarks.

Continuing to the magnificent Imperial City, once the political, administrative and ceremonial heart of the Nguyen court. Walk through monumental gates, courtyards, temples and surviving palace structures while learning about imperial ceremonies and court life.

Continuing to one of Hue’s distinctive royal tombs, where architecture, landscape, philosophy and imperial symbolism were carefully combined.

Where performance schedules permit, experience Nhã Nhạc – Vietnamese Court Music, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Traditionally associated with royal ceremonies, Nhã Nhạc represents one of Vietnam’s most refined court traditions.

Return to your hotel.

Huong River to Thien Mu pagoda

 Imperial and Forbidden City of Hue

UNESCO World Cultural Heritage: Hoi An

Depart Hue and travel south along one of Central Vietnam’s most scenic routes.

Pass Lang Co Lagoon before ascending the spectacular Hai Van Pass, where mountains descend dramatically toward the sea. From the summit, enjoy panoramic views over the coastline before continuing to Hoi An.

Situated on the Thu Bon River, Hoi An flourished as an international trading port, attracting merchants from China, Japan and other parts of Asia and beyond. Centuries of commercial and cultural exchange created the distinctive architectural character that survives today.

Explore the historic quarter on foot, beginning with the Fujian Assembly Hall, associated with the Chinese merchant community and the worship of the sea goddess Mazu.

Continue to Tan Ky Ancient House, where generations of a merchant family have preserved a remarkable traditional residence combining Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese architectural influences.

Walk onward to the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, one of the best-known symbols of Hoi An and a reminder of the Japanese community that once lived and traded here.

The walk continues through narrow streets lined with historic merchant houses, family chapels, temples, traditional shops and local markets.

The afternoon is deliberately left more relaxed, allowing time to experience Hoi An as a living heritage town rather than simply a collection of monuments.

Browse traditional craft shops, visit the market, enjoy Vietnamese coffee beside the river or take a leisurely boat journey along the Thu Bon River.

When available, experience Bài Chòi, a traditional Central Vietnamese art form combining music, poetry, acting and folk games and recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Tam Giang Lagoon

Hoi An old town

There is no activity until for departure flight.
Check out the hotel, then you are transferred to Da Nang International Airport for your flight.
This tour can be easily extended to following destinations for few days:

- Ho Chi Minh City
- Phu Quoc Island
- Nha Trang