Vietnam World Heritage Road

Arrival in Hanoi, meet our guide and transfer to your hotel in downtown for checking in. Rest of your time is at your own leisure.

Hanoi Evening Street Food Tour: Begin the walking food tour to breathe in the aromatic scents wafting from street hawker stalls selling everything from exotic fruit to seafood. Our guide will tell you stories about the ingredients and history of Hanoi’s food culture and northern Vietnamese specialties.

Keep going around Hanoi Old Quarter, sample fruit, street snacks and visit some famous and specialized-food families or stalls, little local restaurants which run by authentic local chefs, certainly you will watch the chefs at work and taste some particular dishes (Your choice or our recommendations).

Morning depart your hotel for the journey east of Hanoi (approximately 3.5 hours) to Tuan Chau marina, the gateway to Halong Bay. En route stop for stretching your leg and snacks.

12.00 Arrival and get on aboard a traditional wooden junk. Lunch is served while cruising around this magnificent and legendary Halong bay and among thousands islands that jut out of the sea with its spectacular natural environment – you will also have the opportunity to stop to explore one of the many grottoes. The first stop on this four-hour cruise is Dong Thien Cung (Heaven Grotto), located on a remote island in the bay. As the name suggests, the cave adorned with fantastic stalactites and stalagmites. Colored lights transform the scene into a fairy-tale palace. Then sailing past some of the bay’s most iconic locations, including Thumb Island, Incense Island and Ba Hang floating village.

The rest of your time on the junk’s sun deck, we then continue cruising to the southern part of Halong Bay, where we will admire view of many strange-shaped islands, visit floating village of the local fishermen, have a swim or do kayaking to further remote area of the bay. Continue sailing back to Tuan Chau marina, get on car and return to Hanoi.

Hanoi City Tour starts at the world cultural heritage at Thang Long imperial citadel. The Imperial Citadel buildings and the remains in the 18 Hoang Dieu Archaeological Site reflect a unique South-East Asian culture at the crossroads between influences coming from China in the north and the ancient Kingdom of Champa in the south.

Continue on to Ho Chi Minh complex, visit to Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum. This imposing monument, was constructed from marble and granite and takes the form of a stylized lotus. Also visit nearby Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda, a symbol of Hanoi. Continue on to the ancient Taoist Temple of Quan Thanh, where lies the genie protector of the city (or Tran Quoc Pagoda located on the shores of Lake West). Next visit the Temple of Literature, a structure dedicated to Confucius, constructed in 1070, the compound soon became first Vietnam’s university.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with typical Hanoi food.

Afternoon visit to the renowned Museum of Ethnology, which houses an interesting collection of artifacts relating to the mosaic of ethnic groups that inhabit Vietnam.

Evening get on the train to Dong Hoi city. Overnight on train (air-conditioned sleeper cabin).

Early pick up at railway station in Dong Hoi city. Have breakfast at local restaurant and head out for Phong Nha – Ke Bang national park.

Arrive in Phong Nha, take a boat trip along Son River to explore the Phong Nha Cave system. Among 300 caves and grotto in Phong Nha Ke Bang national park, only 20 have been surveyed, notably, Phong Nha cave, is the most beautiful cave which holds several records for the highest and longest cave, the longest underground river, finest beaches inside and the most splendid stalagmites and stalactites. These amazing natural art works have been given beautiful names such as the “Lion”, the “Fairy Caves”, the “Royal Court”, or the “Buddha”…

After that drive back to Dong Hoi city. Check in your hotel for the night in Dong Hoi.

After breakfast our car will arrive to drive you to Hue (about 4 hours driving).

Arrive in Hue check in your hotel and relax.

Afternoon tour to visit Imperial Citadel of Hue with Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh).. and stopover at Dong Ba market for shopping and blend with real life of charming Hue people.

Dinner at restaurant and join a Royal traditional music performance on Dragon boat sailing along the Perfume River (Hue royal music also recognized as Cultural World Heritage).

Overnight in Hue.

A day of exploring Hue’s famous royal tombs and garden houses. Beginning on boat cruise down the peaceful Perfume River, taking in the endless surrounding greenery. Hop off at the pier to visit the Thien Mu pagoda, a tranquil pagoda on the banks of the Perfume River and transfer to the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh. Admire the unusual combination of architecture that blends a traditional Chinese past with a modern Western future. Then, continue to Minh Mang Tomb to explore the opulent and exotic resting place laid out in formal Chinese style.

For lunch, you will have chance to try a special vegetarian meal prepared by Buddhist nuns in Pagoda.

Then continue on to Thanh Tien Village, known for its 300-year history of crafting paper flowers. Meet one of the local villagers and learn how to make your own ornate paper flower. Finally, visit one of typical Garden House of the traditional 19th century Hue residence and listen to the stories of the owner’s royal heritage before returning to your hotel to enjoy the rest of your evening.

Overnight in Hue.

Morning check out your hotel and transfer Hue to Hoi An (3,5 hours driving). On the way to stop for sightseeing at the high mountain pass of Hai Van, Lang Co beach – the lagoon far below with Da Nang spread out.

In Da Nang, you will have a brief look at the remarkable Hindu statuary in the Cham Museum before leaving for Hoi An. Checking in your hotel and rest.

Hoi An is a former busy trading port between the 16th to 18th centuries. Today Hoi An is well-known for its restored architecture, homemade silk, expert tailors and delicious food. You will take a walking tour around to visit the former merchants’ homes – Hoi An old town, Chua Ong Pagoda, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Tan Ky House – a 200 year old ancestral house and stroll across 17th century covered bridge built by Japanese craftsmen and finally the colourful riverside market Hoi An. You also see a numerous art galleries and tailor shops, get some made-to-order clothes if you like.

Dinner suggested for a street food tour in Hoi An to discover the flavours and dishes that make this town and its cuisine so unique. Alongside an expert local guide, your journey introduces you to the stories behind Hoi An’s most iconic dishes at the town’s most famous eateries.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Depart from your hotel to My Son sanctuary which was once an imperial city during the Champa dynasty, between the 4th and the 8th centuries. My Son was the site of the most important Cham intellectuals and a religious center.

We travel about 50km to visit My Son sanctuary, visit the ruins towers of Cham people and learn about of architecture of Cham civilization. Spend about 1.5 hour to see a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 65 architectural works. In 1999, UNESCO labeled the Cham architecture in My Son as a World Cultural Heritage Site. You will also have chance to enjoy the traditional Apsara dancing of Cham girls.

Free afternoon in Hoi An. You might hop on a bike and ride to the Cua Dai beach or along the riverside to explore its lantern-lit charm under cover of night.

Our fantastic holiday comes to the end. Relax until transferring to Da Nang airport for your flight to next destination or departure.