HOCHIMINH CITY – CU CHI TUNNELS – BINH TIEN FARMSTAY – MEKONG DELTA – HOI AN – HUE – HANOI – MAI CHAU – PU LUONG RESERVE – NINH BINH – HA LONG BAY 

(16 days/ 15 nights)

OVER VIEW:
The Vietnam Adventure tour is our most compact program that invites you to enjoy the beauty of nature, people and culture of Vietnam. Within 16 days, this tour will give you a moderate schedule enabling an in-depth visit at each site from The South to the North of Vietnam. Some short and easy treks or cycling around the countryside of Vietnam will bring you a good chance to meet and talk to local people and know more about their life

DAY 1 – ARRIVE IN HOCHIMINH CITY (SAIGON)
Included meals: No
Arrive in Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City – Formerly Saigon), you are meet and warm welcome. Transfer to the centrally located hotel for check-in and free at your leisure. Accommodation in Saigon

Note: Early check in is due to the availability of hotel. Normal check in time is at 14.00

DAY 2 – HOCHIMINH CITY VISITING AND CU CHI TUNNELS
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
You will have a full day tour to visit Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi Tunnels.
In the morning, we drive 70 kilometers North West to explore the underground tunnels in Cu Chi which system had been created long time back, from 1948 to assist Viet Cong in the combat with French. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years… getting married, giving birth.
Have lunch at local restaurants
In the afternoon, we will visit the War Remain Museum to know more about the strong history of Vietnam. The next stop is visiting Independence Palace that is the symbol of the Vietnamese’s Victory against the French colonial occupation. We will visit the outside of Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883 and one of the city’s major landmarks. In the other side of Notre Dame is Sai Gon Central Post Office. The building was constructed by the French colonists in early 20th century during French Indochina.
We then visit Cholon area which is Vietnam’s largest Chinatown with roots dating back to 1778 includes Thien Hau Pagoda.
In the end of day, we can explore the bustling Ben Thanh market to find something interesting to take home from Vietnam’s oldest and busiest market. Overnight in Saigon

DAY 3 – SAIGON/ BINH TIEN FARMSTAY
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Transfer to the cycling point (Mai Ba Huong Street, Le Minh Xuan Commune). Hop on your bike, we’ll begin pedaling for 7 km on quiet back-roads through peaceful  villages, seeing sceneries changing from small canals to big river, from the sugar cane field to green paddies, etc. Pause en-route to visit a family-run incense making workshop where you can observe the making process. We continue cycling passing Vam Co Tay River – the largest & most important river system of Long An Province. Take a rest, enjoy some fruits & relax your leg at a local pagoda along the way.
Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a motorboat ride through a canal to a wide lotus field grown by local farmers for living. Chill out, enjoy fresh coconut water picked up on spot by the boat rower. You can even try to collect lotus flower, seeds and roots yourself. The roots you pick up will be used to prepare for a delicious Vietnamese salad.
Return to land, we continue cycling and there you’ll have a chance to challenge yourself up over a high bridge. Pass the bridge, we will stop to visit a local primary school (we encourage to view from outside only to avoid distracting the kids from their lesson in class). Finish cycling, we continue take a transfer straight to Binh Tien Farmstay. You’ll arrive the farm at around 11:30 where the Host Family greets you with hospitality, lovely smiles and a homemade herbal drink! You are the only guests of honor today.

(Note 1: Cycling option can be replaced with motor-biking option.)
(Note 2: For cycling lovers, 25km cycling route straight to Binh Tien can be arranged)

After getting to know the Host Family, you can take a rest by the pond, watching ducks swinging and surfing over the water lily or go discover the luxuriant garden with many types of tropical fruit trees, vegetable and flowers. Have lunch. Your hostess will treat you with special dishes made of local fresh ingredients grew at the farm (you can even join the family preparing the food if you like.)
After meal, simply relax or take a nap on one of the hammocks that scattered around the farm or go fishing in peaceful atmosphere. Life couldn’t get much better!
Late this afternoon, we’ll cycle around the village. On the way, we’ll visit some vegetable farms to buy some fresh ingredients for dinner and a fish pole making workshop. We offer swimming in an international standard pool nearby. Return to the farm, we’ll help the hostess prepare for dinner. She will also show you how to cook the local dishes. Dinner is the best opportunity you’ll have to sit down with local people and talk about their lives over cups of rice wine. Going to bed, relax and enjoy the night! Overnight in Binh Tien Farmstay

DAY 4 – BINH TIEN/ MEKONG DELTA/ FLY TO DANANG/ HOI AN
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
After breakfast at farmstay and enjoy the peacful atmosphere in the local village, the morning drive takes you toward My Tho. Visit to the flood plains of the Mekong Delta, “the mystic serpent with nine tails.”  To Vietnamese, the river is Cuu Long, “The River of Nine Dragons,” referring to the number of mouths as the river empties into the sea.
Take a boat trip along Mekong River by motor-boat. During a boat cruise along Mekong River you will have a chance to see fish cages, floating house and the activities on the River. The boat take you to Xep canal, where is the place you totally escape from the busy town. The boat cruise in the coconut trees canal takes you to a small islet. We disembark and have a walk around the village. Stop at a local family to enjoy tropical fruit, taste honey tea, honey wine and listen to Vietnamese traditional music, performance by the villagers.
Continue walking on the village’s road and have a horse cart trip along village road. Get off for a rowing boat in the small canal to the motor-boat and then head to the restaurant on the other islet.
Get back to the pier and make your way back to Saigon and then going to airport t take a short flight to Danang City. On arrival, you are welcome and transfer to hotel in Hoi An Town for check in and leisure. Overnight in Hoi An

DAY 5 – HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN VISITING AND COUNTRYSIDE BIKING
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
Hoi An nestled on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Before the river silted up, Hoi An was one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia, and a Centre for East-West exchange and trade.
In the morning, you will enjoy a walking tour to visit Hoi An Ancient Town. Your visits include Japanese Bridge, Phuoc Kien Pagoda, Tan Ky House or Tran Phu 77 and one of the museum.
Have lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy bicycling tour to the countryside, reach some of the villages that are dotted throughout the region, stopping to talk to the locals and learn about life in this part of Vietnam. You will be passing emerald rice paddies, snaking waterways and plenty of waving children. Following your guide to the bank of the Thu Bon River and take a boat trip and discover the waterway before going back to Hoi An.
Approach the dock and walk to the hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 6 – HOI AN/ DANANG/ HUE
Included meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will depart for Hue. On the way, we stop to visit Mable Mountain, Cham Museum and Hai Van Pass.
Marble Mountain was one of four mountains located south of Da Nang that stretched from the coast inland (westward) for about three miles. These mountains are riddled with caves and tunnels.
Hai Van Pass, also known as “Sea Cloud” Pass crosses. This is the pass vehicles generally used to travel from Da Nang to Hue and vice versa. The pass goes through the highs and lows of the Truong Son Mountain Range and gives travellers a spectacular view of the shoreline. As the name says, during winters or raining days, the pass get misty and it makes you feel as though you are travelling on clouds.
Continue on to Hue and check in your hotel. Free time at your leisure. Accommodation in Hue

DAY 7 – HUE VISITING
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
Located in the center of Vietnam, Hue was the capital city of Vietnam for approximately 150 years during feudal time (1802–1945), and the royal lifestyle and customs have had a significant impact on the characteristics of the people of Hue, even long afterwards.
This morning, we will take cruise on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. Then, visit the impressive tombs of King Minh Mang and Khai Dinh and then take time to visit Hue’s Ancient Citadel and Imperial City. Created in the 19th century, inside the citadel was a forbidden city where only the emperors, concubines, and those close enough to them were granted access; the punishment for trespassing was death.
The rest of day is free to explore the crowded market of Dong Ba where you can bargain for anything from souvenirs and bronze goods, to Hue sesame sweetmeat and conical poem hats.

DAY 8 – HUE/ FLY TO HANOI/ ENJOY ADVENTURE ON VINTAGE MINSK
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch with local food
Breakfast at hotel and leisure until time transfer to Phu Bai Airport (Hue) to take a direct flight to Hanoi. On arrival, you are warm welcome and transfer to hotel for check in.

@12:30: Start the 4-hour Hanoi motorcycle tour to explore a hidden and different Hanoi. You will be greeted by our guide and driver at your hotel lobby or our meeting point for safety briefing, we then begin our adventure!
The first part of our Hanoi motorcycle tour, we expose you the REAL HANOI with a day in the life experiences, featured with the parts-unknown of the city with slices of life in the maze of backstreets, tiny alleyways, local homes, schools, random markets and black market, experiencing where and  how locals live, work and play. On our Tours’ journeys, not only do we show you the good but we also expose the bad and the weird of your destinations as it is what it is. For us, enjoying the Hanoi as locals is the true beauty and it brings you very special experience
The second part of our Tour, we pass by & stop at the  MUST-SEE places of our beautiful city such as Ho Chi Minh mausoleum-the Mecca of Vietnamese, The 1000 year-old Buddhist and Taoist temples of Tran Quoc, temple of Literature, the historical training track, the enchanting French Quarter, The hustling & bustling Old Quarter, the romantic lakes of Hoan Kiem, West lake , Hanoi Opera House & famous Long Bien bridge etc.
On the third part, we also take you to the poetic & peaceful villages and floating community along the Red river to enrich your experiences about the contrast in harmony of life between the city and the countryside of Hanoi.
The last part of our Hanoi motorcycle tour en route, you gonna stop at different AUTHENTIC restaurants, eateries and food-stalls. So you can savor the tastiest of the tasty dishes of Hanoi, including family heirloom and secret recipe dishes, local delicacies and specialties. Then drive back to your hotel in Hanoi  for overnight

DAY 9 – HANOI VISITING
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
This day tour is our first introduction to the history of Vietnam. We spend the morning visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and learn more about the historical and cultural events at the peaceful Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, we visit the Ethnologic museum, followed by an hour cyclo tour through the bustling Old Quarter. A walk through its exciting streets is a fascinating introduction to the different lifestyles of Vietnam, and an opportunity to shop for bargains. After that, we attend the performance of the unique water puppetry. Overnight in Hanoi

Tips: Hochiminh Mausoleum is closed on Monday and Friday and from  June to September 
Museums are closed on Mondays

DAY 10 – HANOI/ MAI CHAU
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
Depart from Hanoi at 8:00 a.m., the morning drive takes you toward Hoa Binh province. After the bustling city, your drive becomes more scenic as you are making the way through the countryside with views of villages, small towns and farms along the way. You’re able to make short stops for photo opportunities. Arrive at a village of White Thai people in Mai Chau Valley around noon. Have a Vietnamese lunch at the village.
In the afternoon, together with your guide, take a gentle trek to explore the surroundings with villages of stilt house, fruit and vegetable gardens and rice fields. This is a great chance for you to learn the daily life of the locals and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Check in hotel and leisure. Overnight in Mai Chau

DAY 11 – MAI CHAU/ PU LUONG RESERVE
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
Have breakfast before getting back on road. The ride today is toward Pu Luong Nature Reserve area, mostly on a small paved road but the scenery along the way is still stunning. You enter Pu Luong Nature Reserve by road via a breathtaking mountain pass giving you a panoramic view of the whole valley. You arrive at your accommodation in time for a delicious lunch, followed by free time to explore the beautiful retreat, with its captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting.
Then, you will be transferred to a suspension bridge over the Cham River, where you begin your walk in search of stunning water wheels. Get up close to each wheel and discover how water is moved from river to handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple constructions of all sizes. Arriving at a local fisherman’s house, you have a short rest to gear up for the bamboo river rafting. Float along the calm river and enjoy the views, in between learning how to paddle and steer your handcrafted rafts.
Arriving at scenic Tan Lap bridge, you disembark to be transferred back to Pu Luong for overnight.

DAY 12 – PU LUONG – NINH BINH
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
AM: Start early to descend into the beautiful valley facing the Retreat where you walk around tumbling rice terraces. Trek through small paths shrouded in vegetation to slowly reveal a picturesque village sitting at the base of a towering mountain. Your camera will not be able to sit still!
Continuing to the base of the valley, you weave between roads and farmland, villages and wild fields, ponds and rivers, mountains and open land. Savour the ever-changing scenery as you trek to a beautiful spot. Then you will be transferred back to Pu Luong Retreat for lunch.
After short break, take the private car to Ninh Binh. Check in hotel and free time at your leisure. Overnight in Ninh Binh

DAY 13 – NINH BINH (BOAT TRIP, CYCLING AND CLIMBING TO NGOA LONG MOUNTAIN)
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
After breakfast at hotel we will transfer to Trang An boat operation station, you will get on a small sampan boat and enjoy 3 hour row on a little river which goes through many small limestone caves. This is a very interesting discovery! The scenery is spectacular as you are rowing in between the towering karst formations of this newly recognized Unesco’s heritage.
After the row, your lunch is served at a local restaurant where you will enjoy a Vietnamese meal with the local specialties.
Then, we take a bicycle through picturesque landscapes of rice fields, Limestone Mountains and countryside’s villages in Ninh Binh to enjoy the beauty of rural of Vietnam. You will end of your day by climbing to Ngoa Long Mountain (500 steps) to enjoy a panorama view of the area.
Check in hotel n Ninh Binh and leisure. Overnight in Ninh Binh

 * Note: Climbing to Ngoa Long Mountain is worth but it’s not recommended on hot days or for the elders

DAY 14 – NINH BINH/ HA LONG BAY (OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE)
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
We will depart for Ha Long Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. Driving through the heart of the Red River Delta where you will see many farmers tilling their green fields, stop on route to admire the landscape picture, you might take picture of buffalo. Ha Long Bay means “Dragon descending to the sea” as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Ha Long bay has more than 1.000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes.  Arrive in Ha Long and board the cruise. You will have a full day activities on Ha Long Bay include visiting the floating village, nice cave, demonstration cooking class… Dinner and overnight on cruises.

Note: Each cruise will have the different itineraries. The itineraries of cruises may be changed due to the weather and the water condition

DAY 15 – HA LONG BAY – HANOI
Included meals: Breakfast/ Brunch (Early Lunch)
Weak up in early morning and you can enjoy in the Taichi Exercise. Han a light breakfast with cake, tea and maybe noodle. Continue to explore Ha Long Bay following the program of cruise. Back to cruise, check out and have brunch. Disembark the cruises and take the private car back to Hanoi. Have free time at your leisure to do some last shopping there. Accommodation in Hanoi

DAY 16 – DEPART FROM HANOI
Included meals: Breakfast
Free at your leisure until time transfer to airport to take your departure flight to your home. End of our service.

******* HAVE A NICE TRIP *******

HOTEL LIST:

Included:

– Accommodation at hotel basing twin/double/triple sharing as noted
– 01 night on overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay
– Kayak/ Rowing boat on the Bay
– Meals as indicated in program at local restaurants (excluding drinks)
– Modern transportation during your day tour.
– Boat cruises in Ha Long, Hue and Mekong Delta
– Entrance fees as stated in the tour program.
– Bike in Binh Tien, Hoi An, Mai Chau and Minh Binh
– Half day tour on Vintage Minsk in Hanoi
– Local good and experience English speaking guide in all your day tour
– Water on car

Excluded:

– International ticket in/ out Vietnam
– Domestic tickets Saigon – Danang// Hue – Hanoi
– Compulsory gala for Christmas (24 Dec) and New Year (31 Dec) – To be advised.
– Banking/ Credit card fees (if any)
– Any meals, drinks other than specified.
– Tip and personal expenses.