Essence of Vietnam 11 Days

Duration: 11 Days

Location: Ha Noi, Ha Long, Hue, Hoi An, Sai Gon

Available Seat: 5

Price: 6,650USD/person

Essence of Vietnam 11 Days is run by Hoi An Locals. It offers you the chance to visit the highlights of Vietnam. This comprehensive tour features Vietnam’s most popular cities, small towns, and scenic locations. Enjoy luxury hotels, an elegant overnight cruise, and touring with your own private guides.

Itinerary Overview – Essence of Vietnam 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

Hoi An Locals driver and tour guide will pick you up at Ha Noi Airport. Depart to hotel in city center. Check in and free explore Ha Noi by night.
Day 2: Hanoi

Full-day private city tour.

In the morning, depart to visit the city’s most important historical attractions. Visiting Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, the House on Stilts and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. Take an in-depth tour of Hanoi’s incredible Old Quarter. It’s where each street was historically dedicated to a specific trade or material. While touring the narrow streets, learn about the history of the Old Quarter and its traditional architecture. Seeing how it has transformed into a fashionable district with cafes, art galleries and boutiques featuring the finest Vietnamese design and style. Have lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, depart to explore Hoan Kiem Lake and leafy backstreets lined with beautiful French colonial-era buildings. Nowadays, many of which are now upscale restaurants.

In the evening, free to explore Ha Noi by night. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 3: Hanoi

Morning private market and culinary tour. Afternoon flexible private touring and shopping

In the morning, meet a culinary expert to tour one of Hanoi’s excellent markets and sample local street food specialties like bun cha (barbecued pork with noodles) and pho cuon (fresh herb and beef rolls). Continue to Dong Xuan Market for shopping and souvenirs.

In the evening, enjoy a performance of Hanoi’s renowned water puppet show at Thang Long Theater.
Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay

Private transfer to Halong Bay and luxury cruise for 1 night. Afternoon cruising in the bay

Continue to scenic Halong Bay for an overnight cruise on a luxurious, traditional junk-style boat. Sail among beautiful limestone islands, dine on fresh seafood, enjoy on-board activities such as tai chi at sunrise, and perhaps explore local caves, hike to a scenic overlook, go sea kayaking or visit a floating village.

08:00 – 08:30: Hue Private Taxi’s tour guide and driver will pick-up at hotel and start the 3 hour-and-a-half drive to Hong Gai Tourist Wharf. Check in Oriental Sails at private waiting hall – The OS Lounge.
12:30 – 13:00: Welcome and embark on Oriental Sails Cruise followed by cruise briefing.
13:00 – 15:30: Savor a delectable lunch as Oriental Sails cruises further along the limestone islands of Bai Tu Long Bay.
15:30 – 16:30: You are free to choose one of the below options:

Option 1: Fishing village visit

Those are interested in local daily life: Take a bamboo rowing boat trip (around 45 minutes) around Vung Vieng fishing village – one of the largest fishing villages in Halong Bay to see the life of local fishermen. The village is set in closed lagoon, surrounded by mountains, excellent settings for some good photos.

Option 2: Beach and kayaking

For those who like some water activities and beach. The tender shall take you to Ban Chan beach, where you can enjoy yourself on the beach, swimming or playing volleyball…, or try your hands in some kayaking in the magnificent setting for Halong Bay.

16:30 – 17:30: Return to Oriental Sails Cruise and have bath then relax as the sun starts to set.
17:30-19:00: Enjoy the Happy Hour at the bar and on the sun deck and take part in our cooking class with Oriental Sails Chef.
19:00: Dinner is served. Socialize and share your trip experience with other guests, night squid fishing or just laze around. Singing and dancing activities are available till 22:00. Overnight on board at Cong Do Area.
Day 5: Halong Bay – Hue

Sunrise cruise. Private transfer to Hanoi airport for flight to Hue. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights

06:30 – 07:00: Start your day with Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck.
07:00 – 09:00: Catch morning view of seascapes with a cup of tea or coffee, have breakfast while cruising toward Thien Canh Son Cave.
09:00 – 09:30: Visit Thien Canh Son Cave – the medium size and less visited cave in Bai Tu Long Bay.
09:30 – 10:00: Check-out room. Luggage can be delivered to the reception area.
10:00 – 11:00: Head back to the Harbor. Have early lunch on board. Disembark Oriental Sails Cruise at around 12:00.
12:00 – 16:30: Transfer back to Hanoi and reach Ha Noi Airport at around 17:30.

Take a flight to Hue. Upon arrival, check in hotel and free explore Hue by night.
Day 6: Hue

Full-day private tour

In the morning, 08:00am, Hoi An Locals tour guide and driver pick you up at hotel lobby. Depart to visit Hue City – An ancient capital of Viet Nam under the reign of Nguyen Dynasty. Firstly, we will visit Imperial Citadel – where 13 emperors of Nguyen Dynasty used to work and live. We will visit in turn of: Nine Holy Canon, Ngo Mon Gate, Court Yard, Thai Hoa Palace, The Temple, Forbidden Purple City, … You will spend about 2 hours here to visit the most important construction of the capital in the old day.

Leave Imperial Citadel, we continue to visit Thien Mu Pagoda – The oldest pagoda in Hue with more than 400 years old. Let’s take a walk to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere here and praying the lucky for yourself. Don’t forget to take some nice photos the pagoda which in top 10 most beautiful pagoda of Asia in 2015. Have lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, depart to visit Tu Duc Tomb – The palace in the life after life of the 4^th emperor of Nguyen Dynasty. Tu Duc Tomb is not only one of the most beautiful tombs but also a superb example of Nguyen Dynasty’s architecture. It will take you about 1 hour to visit here before we transfer to Khai Dinh Tomb.

Upon arrival Khai Dinh Tomb, you will conquer 127 steps to visit the courtyard flanking and stele house. Continue to entrance inside Khai Thanh Palace to admire the special architecture with the combination between Western Architecture and Oriental Architecture. Let’s pay your high attention to explore the emperor’s philosophy in each item. Transfer back to hotel in Hue!

Day 7: Hue – Hoi An

Private transfer to Hoi An resort for 2 nights, with touring en route.

In the morning, Hoi An Locals tour guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby in Hue. Depart to Hoi AnFirstly, we will stop to visit Cau Hai Lagoon – Tam Giang Lagoon. This lagoon system spans over 70km, making it the largest in all of Southeast Asia. Giving you the beautiful scenery to take some photographs. You should visit within 20 minutes for this point.

Then we transfer to one of the most beautiful beaches of Viet Nam – Lang Co Beach. Different with some beaches crowded people, Lang Co is famous for its peaceful beauty. So you can take a short rest here for enjoying the fresh air and walking along the seashore to massage your foots after a long time driving.

Hai Van Pass – Sea Cloudy Pass is the next attraction where is well known as one of the most spectacular view. There are some US bunkers on top of the pass. And don’t forget to enjoy a cup of hot coffee in here while stopping for rest at the cafeteria on this pass. The time for visiting is 30 minutes. In the winter, you can see the cloud climb over the mountain ranges. Especially, you can use your hand to touch the cloud. Don’t forget to take a panorama view of Da Nang City from 500m high above the sea level.

After enjoying the gorgeous natural scenery. We will visit an cultural attraction in Da Nang is Cham Museum where displays antiquities of Champa civilization. Cham Museum opens from 7 am to 5 pm, the time for visiting of our trip is about 45 minutes. The world of Hinduism God will open in front of your eyes. Let’s admire all wonderful sculpture artifacts of Cham People.

Continuing to visit Marble Mountains – The beautiful scenery with 5 mountains limestone with sacred pagodas, remnants of the Champa civilization, caves inside for spiritual retreat and pilgrimage. Then buying some wonderful sculptures made by marble stone at Stone Carving Village under mountain. This opens from 7 am to 5 pm, so which our trip you should visit with estimated time is 90 minutes.

Finally, we transfer to your hotel in Hoi An. Check in the hotel. Free to explore Hoi An by night.
Day 8: Hoi An

Full-day private tour

In the morning, 08:00am Hoi An Locals driver and tour guide will pick you up at hotel lobby in Hoi An. Depart to visit Hoi An Ancient Town – one of the biggest trade ports in Asia in 15 and 16 century. Starting Hoian to Myson Private Day Tour. We will have a chance to step back to the past when following up the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures. We will visit in turn of: Japanese Bridge, Tan Ky Ancient House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Hoi An Market. Have lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, depart to visit My Son Sanctuary – a sacred sanctuary of Cham People from 4^th century. Our tour guide will help you to get the deep knowledge about the culture, architecture, religion, … of Cham People. Let’s try to find out the best answer about the way to stick a brick with each other and how to keep the external surface of the tower-temple always clean.
Day 9: Hoi An – Saigon

Leave Hotel in Hoi An for Da Nang Airport. Take the flight to Sai Gon. Check in Hotel and take a rest.

In the afternoon, depart to visit Saigon – Vietnam’s most dynamic city. With an expert private guide and driver, learn about the city’s history while touring French colonial-era landmarks, as well as the mid-century Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. Visit interesting neighborhoods like Cholon (Saigon’s Chinatown) and explore busy markets and temples. Perhaps stop for a refreshing Vietnamese iced coffee, or snack on a typical Vietnamese banh mi (baguette sandwich).
Day 10: Saigon

Full-day private city tour or excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai Temple or to Mekong Delta

In the morning, our tour guide and driver pick you up from the hotel. Depart to visit Cu Chi Tunnels. This is an unique fight wonders with about 250 km tunnels spreading like cobwebs in the ground, with continuous projects. Continue to observe a colorful religious ceremony at the Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh. Cao Dai Temple includes 100 contructions with 12 gates. This is a special attraction that you shoudn’t igonre. Transfer back to hotel in Sai Gon.

Besides, we can take an excursion to the Mekong Delta instead of Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai Temple.
Day 11: Depart Saigon

Leave Hotel for Saigon Airport. End of Essence of Vietnam 11 Days.