MEKONG RIVER (SAI GON) TO RED RIVER DELTA (HA NOI) 8 DAYS

Upon arrival, please go to custom desk as your first point of entry into the country and

present these documents for visa upon arrival. After collect visa and luggage, meet driver at the airport and transfer to hotel for check in and take a rest.

Time: start 07:45AM - 8.00AM – return 17.30 – 18:00

Itinerary:

Start from Ho Chi Minh City and depart to My Tho. Continue on to the harbor, where you’ll board a boat to explore the Delta region. During the cruise on the Tien River you’ll see the Phoenix, Unicorn, Dragon and Tortoise islands, and fishing villages, stilt houses and fruit plantations along the river. Stop at one of the islets for lunch in an orchard garden.

Afterwards, you’ll continue on your sightseeing tour of the attractions of Ben Tre. A sampan ride will take you along the natural canals in the shadows of water coconut trees. You’ll get a real sense of the charm and tranquility of the area. Stop to visit a coconut fudge family business, taste some of their products and buy your favorite candies in the workshop. Savor fresh fruits as you sip honey tea and enjoy Southern Vietnamese folk music performed by locals.

Take the bus and back Ho chi Minh City.

We start the trip by visiting Reunification Palace, whose former name was Norodom Palace. Ngo Viet Thu is exactly the architect who designed this stunning palace. Later, other next destinations consist of Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and especially War Remnants Museum, where exhibits on Vietnam War and Indochina Wars are displayed. After enjoying lunch at the local restaurant, you will be taken to Cu Chi Tunnels. Before entering allotted areas of Cu Chi Tunnels, watch an introductory video which is an overview of the tunnel system’s history and Vietnamese’s life during the hard time of war.

Climb down small tunnels to get amazing experiences and blow your mind when special constructed living areas and martial facilities of Viet Cong appear in front of your eyes. It will be great to know the system of tunnels – a subterranean village where there are bedrooms, kitchens, field hospitals, command centers, weapons factories, and storage. Moreover, taste special tea and cassava – the common food of Vietnamese guerillas in the past. Take your break time to try the real shooting gun or just relax as you wish.

Return to Saigon and end the trip.

Please take notes: the Notre Dame Cathedral have been being restored (UNTIL 2022), so the guests just visit outside

Have breakfast at the hotel, have a free leisure time until there will be a private cab transfer you to the airport, and ready for the next flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

The colonial capital city Hanoi is a unique Asian city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental pagodas and temples dating back thousand years ago.

AM: 7.45 – 8.15: Free pick up at your hotel. Then visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts and lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 - the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Then continue on to the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda at West lake (In the pagoda’s garden stands a Bồ Đề (Bodhi) tree, which is attached to a past story. In 1959, on one visit to Vietnam, Indian Prime Minister Razendia Prasat offered the Pagoda a bodhi tree as a gift. The plant was grafted from the holy bodhi tree where Sakyamuni sat in zen (meditation) position and achieved enlightenment in India 25 centuries ago)

Lunch at local restaurant.

PM: After lunch proceed to visit the Ethnology Museum (apply on Sun, Tue, Thu &Sat), the Literature Temple, see Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 1070 - it’s gardens and well-preserved architecture will offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Take you past Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful waters, and the beauty of Ngoc Son temple. At the end, journey through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where you’ll then have a chance for some shopping and exploration.

Then enjoy traditional Water Puppet Show

Back to your hotel for overnight stay

- 7:45 - 8:30: Our guide will meet you at your hotel. The shuttle bus or private car pick up. Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta.

- 12:00 – 12:30 Arriving Tuan Chau Marina .Welcome aboard the cruise. Meet the captain, crew and join us for welcome drink as we tell you about life onboard.

- Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind.

- Served a delectable lunch while cruising ahead to Ha Long Bay

Afternoon Activities:

- Explore the Surprising Cave – the most beautiful cave in Ha long Bay. It is one of the widest grottoes in Ha Long Bay with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.

- Back to the APRICOT Cruise, We will take you to visit the Titop Island – swimming

- Climbing up to the Top of the Island – take the best view of Halong Bay in the Summer time.

- Continue cruising to the quiet area while enjoy beautiful seascape on the way.

- After that, come back to the boat, enjoy the Sunset Party on sundeck (free wine & fresh fruits).

Evening Relaxing:

Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests, take part in board games, fish for squid, or just laze around.

Overnight on board: Clean air – conditioned rooms with private washroom

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Morning in the bay:

- 6:30 – 6:45 Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt

- 7:00 am: Have breakfast on board while the boat starts cruising to the Natural Preservation Zone.

- DO KAYAKING in 30-45 minutes.

- 9:30am: We board the cruise again .Take time to refresh and relax before checking out. Bags can be left in luggage store.

- Continue your cruise pass through the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more…

- Join in the Cooking Class, teaching you how to make our specifically (Spring rolls) before an early lunch is served.

- 11: 30 – 12:00 Disembark at the harbor, Tuan Chau Marina.

- Transfer to minibus or private and return to Hanoi

- Arrival back at your hotel approximately 16:30/17:00

Note: The itinerary above maybe changes by the effect of weather or different seasons

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip. Complete the hotel check-out formalities after which you can visit the local markets and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later, proceed for departure and board your flight back home. Trip Ends.