Tour Code: VTL 03
Tour Route: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An town (Charming World Heritage site) Saigon - Ho Chi Minh city, Mekong Delta
Tour Duration: 15 Days15 Days - Discover Vietnam's Highlights Tour Map
Dates: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
Starts/Ends: Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh City
Tour Type: Landscape and Nature, Cruise Holidays, and Folk Arts
Activity Level: Regular itinerary, moderate walking
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)

BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 1 Arrival Hanoi
Day 2 Hanoi City tour
Day 3 Hanoi Halong Bay
Day 4 Halong bay - Hanoi
Day 5 Hanoi fly to Hue
Day 6 Hue
Day 7 Hue - Hoi An
Day 8 Hoi An
Day 9 Hoi An
Day 10 Hoi An - Da Nang fly to Saigon
Day 11 Ho Chi Minh tour
Day 12 Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi - Cao Dai
Day 13 Ho Chi Minh - Mekong
Day 14 Mekong - Ho Chi Minh
Day 15 Departure

Vietnam's cuisine reflects its geography and history. Geographically, it consists of two great river deltas separated by a belt of mountains. Vietnamese people describe  their country as two great rice baskets hung on either end of a carrying pole. The Red River Delta surrounding Hanoi provides rice for the residents of North Vietnam. The fertile Mekong Delta is centered by Saigon (presently Ho Chi Minh City) produces rice plus a wide variety of fruits and vegetables for itself and the Central strip of the country whose principal city is the former imperial capital, Hue… This trip will teach you much about Vietnamese Cuisine.

Day 1: SAIGON ARRIVAL (D)
Pick up upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City by Binhtours Transfer to the hotel for check-in. Free at leisure. Stay overnight in Saigon

Day 2: SAIGON COOKING COURSE – CITY TOUR (B, L, D)
Morning discussion of Vietnamese cuisine with the hotel chef, followed by hands-on cooking class. Enjoy your creations for lunch.

Afternoon tour of Saigon’s historic landmarks including the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, former Presidential Palace.  Visit Ben Thanh market to see the abundance of spices, fruits, and foods used in Vietnamese cooking. Dinner and O/N Saigon.  

Day 3: SAIGON – MY THO (B, L, D)
Heading out of the town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's largest rice bowl. On arrival in My Tho we embark on a boat navigating around the intricate small canals in the delta region, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands. The exciting excursion will pass the lush green vegetation before arriving at the famous Unicorn Island. Here we have opportunities to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and enjoy wonderful traditional music. The next stop of our trip is Ben Tre Province to visit some fascinating local industries. After feasting on a huge lunch we return to Saigon, stopping off along the way to see the beautiful Ving Trang Pagoda. Dinner and O/N Saigon.

Day 4: SAIGON – DANANG - HOIAN (B, L, D)
An early morning transfer to airport for a flight to Danang. On arrival we are greeted and driven a short distance to Hoi An which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. There are plenty to see in this tranquil and delightful town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda and the vibrant market. We visit these sights on an enchanting walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past.

Day 5: HOIAN COOKING CLASS (B, L)

We start the day at 8.45 am with a drink at Hai Scout Cafe - our meeting point. Visit Hoi An's colourful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later.  We board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy. On arrival, we have a chance to explore the cooking school's herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An's and Vietnam's well-known dishes. The cooking class is an interesting and fun way to learn about the local cuisine - the class runs for about an hour and 15 minutes, and includes demonstrations from the school's chefs as well as the chance for us to help prepare some dishes. Included in the demonstration is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the cooking class, you will be free at leisure. Stay overnight in Hoi An. Dinner at your own arrangement for more flexibility.

Day 6: HOIAN – HUE via DANANG (B, L, D)
Morning depart Hoi An for Hue, the capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty of emperors from 1802 till 1945. The scenic route passes through Danang before climbing over the Mountain, dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co located on a sand dune line. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch in Lang Co village before continuing driving to Hue. Upon arrival check in your hotel. Afternoon , take city tours to visit Imperial Citadel, Forbidden city and Royal Place. Free walking to visit Dong Ba market. Dinner and Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: HUE COOKING Tour (B, L, D)

At 7:30 in the morning, we follow Mrs. Cuc, the owner of Y Thao Garden House to Dong Ba central market, where she gives an instruction on how to choose food for our cooking lesson at 9:30 at Y Thao Garden House. Lunch is the food we prepare. In the afternoon, travel by Dragon Boat on the romantically named Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda standing on the riverbank with its seven-storey tower. Dinner and overnight in Hue. 

Day 8: HUE - HANOI (B, L, D)
After breakfast we explore Hue on our own until transferring to the airport for a short flight north. Ha Noi, Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia ‘s most striking colonial architecture. The relaxing atmosphere is also a highlight of Hanoi. After checking into hotel, we have time visiting the beautiful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple, the picturesque West Lake and the Dong Xuan Market. A perfect way to finish the day is to enjoy a short cyclo excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. Dinner and O/N Hanoi.

Day 9: HANOI COOKING CLASS - Half day city tours (B, L, D)

Morning market tours with the hotel chef and cooking demonstration at Hotel. Enjoy the lunch of what you have cooked.
Afternoon city tours to visit the city’s landmarks such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Once Pillar Pagoda, The Temple of Literature, 1 hour cyclo tours around Hanoi old quarters and enjoy the traditional water puppetry show. Dinner and O/N Hanoi.

Day 10: HANOI – HALONG BAY – HANOI (B, L)
Morning drive to Halong, 180 km east of Hanoi. On arrival, boarding your private boat. Discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea“ as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Halong Bay has more than 3,000 limestone islets rising from the clear emerald water, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. Enjoy lunch of fresh seafood on boat.

After 5 hour cruise, we come back to the boat station and transfer back to Hanoi. Evening at leisure for your own activities and dinner. O/N Hanoi.

Day 11: HANOI DEPARTURE (B)
Free at leisure until transferring to the airport for departure flight. End of services.

INCLUDE:
+ English-speaking tour guides of Binhtours.
+ Double/Twin-shared accommodation at Standard 3-star hotels
+ Meals as mentioned in the program.
+ Transfer as transportation by A/C vehicle as per program.
+ Domestic air tickets: Saigon – Danang; Hue - Hanoi and airport tax.
+ All Boat trips as mentioned in the program.
+ Admission fees to tourist sights as per program.
+ Mineral water and wet tissue (Bottle of 500ml/person/day)

EXCLUDE:
+ International flights to/from Vietnam and airport tax.
+ Visa arrangement.
+ Drinks and personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, tips, emergency transfer, etc).