12 Days Heritage and Traditions of Vietnam

Day 3

Breakfast at hotel

At 8:00 AM, the tour guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi. Setting off for Ninh Binh with a scenic two-hour drive offering picturesque roadside views. Upon reaching Ninh Binh city, explore Hoa Lu, the ancient Royal Capital of Vietnam. Visit the two temples, dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, and marvel at the distinctive architecture from ancient times.

We then proceed to the nearby Trang An Scenic Landscape complex, recently acknowledged as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Embark on a rowing boat, navigating along a small river amidst picturesque mountains and verdant fields. The boat journey takes us through the cave complex of Trang An, including Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, and Nau Ruou, unveiling a mysterious and pristine landscape reminiscent of Halong on the land of Ninh Binh.

Then, drive back to Hanoi.

Accommodation at your hotel in Ninh Binh.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 4

Breakfast at hotel

Check-out and transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue. Upon arrival, move to your hotel in Hue for check-in and take a rest.

Accommodation at your hotel in Hue.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 5

Breakfast at hotel

In the morning, our driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel in Hue city. Set off your beautiful day with a 45-minute cruise on the poetic Perfume River. Along the way, we will make a stop to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, which is famous for its beautiful and ancient architectural structures of worship. Built on a small hill overlooking the Perfume River, 4km southwest of the Citadel, this seven-storey pagoda is an icon of Vietnam and as potent a symbol of Hue as the Citadel.

Continue your sightseeing tour to visit the Imperial Citadel, the home of Vietnam's last royal dynasty, the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 - 1945). Take a walk in the Imperial city to explore its magnificent historical sites such as Noon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, the Forbidden city, Nine Urns, etc.

Continue your city exploration with a visit to Minh Mang Tomb, a reflection of the Chinese architectural concepts, recommended sightseeing by its monuments, statues, gardens and especially the bridge over a Lake of lotus flowers which gives access to the Imperial Minh Mang tomb.

Then, wrap up your day with The Nguyen Emperor Khai Dinh's Royal Tomb, a unique tomb among the royal tombs in Hue, Vietnam. Where other royal tombs are expansive and invite respectful reflection, Khai Dinh built his final resting place to be monumental in style and bombastic in execution.

05:30PM: our car will pick us up and transfer back to your hotel in Hue.

Accommodation at your hotel in Hue.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 6

Breakfast at hotel

In the morning, our driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel in Hue city. Then, head out to Thanh Tien Paper Flower village to observe first-hand the local villagers making a traditional local paper flower. The people here used to live with this job a few decades ago and that’s why it has become an indispensable part in their daily lives.

The flower papers here are dyed by saps and leaves instead of chemicals which help to retain lasting color. You could even join their activities and explore further their unique methods.

After that, transfer back to the city and relax.

In the afternoon, our car will pick us up for a drive to Tam Giang Lagoon. 

Located 8 kilometers from Hue City center to Thuan An Beach, we will make a stop at Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area at Duong No Village, Phu Vang District, Thua Thien Hue. Here you can learn more about his life when he still studied and lived with his family. Duong No communal house, Ben Da, Am Ba engaged in his neighborhood.

Continuing the drive for 4 kilometers further to Thuan An, we will make another stop at Ru Cha Mangrove Forest – the only remaining mangrove forest on Tam Giang Lagoon. Covering an area of around 4 ha, this special spot with a unique beauty is an amazing place to take in the natural landscapes and hunt some awe-inspiring picture. Take your time to soak up the tranquil vibe, you don’t even want to put your camera down.

As soon as we arrive in the pier of Chuon Lagoon – a part of Tam Giang Lagoon, start your sightseeing tour of one of the largest ecosystem in Southeast Asia.

Then, experience the enticing activities with the locals: catching fish, rowing boat on your own, kayaking, or simply enjoying the breathtaking views at sunset. A simple local meal will be served on board as you soak up in the breath-taking views of the landscape at sunset.

Late afternoon, return to the hotel.

Accommodation at your hotel in Hue.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 7

Breakfast at hotel

Check-out and transfer to Hoi An. Drive through the Hai Van Pass where you can enjoy one of the most beautiful coastline routes in the world. We start our walking tour to explore the ancient city of Hoi An highlights with Phuc Kien Communal House, Tan Ky Ancient Commercial House, Japanese covered Bridge, and Phung Hung Ancient Trading House.

You will also see a numerous art galleries and tailor shops, get some made-to-order clothes if you like.

Accommodation at your hotel in Hoi An.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 8

We start the day (8am) with a welcome drink at Hai Café.

Travel by minivan (10 minutes) to Tra Que Organic Village and walk through the market gardens where local farmers work their fields using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago - no electrical machinery here. We pick fresh saw-tooth coriander and Vietnamese mint for our cooking lesson later, before trying a special herbal drink at a local home.

To the local village market and with shopping list in hand we purchase a range of local ingredients, including star anise, cardamom, sesame rice paper, water spinach and banana flower.

Arriving at Red Bridge Cooking School we have a chance to freshen up before beginning our class. Working together with our Red Bridge Chef we learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food from scratch. Using the freshest ingredients and traditional Vietnamese utensils (still in use today) we cook 4 famous dishes, including the national dish ‘Pho’.

After the class we sit down and a chance to savour the dishes we have prepared.

Leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River back to central Hoi An.

Bring your swimsuit and after the cooking tour has finished relax and enjoy free use of our 20 metre swimming pool.

Accommodation at your hotel in Hoi An.

Meals included:

Breakfast onboard

Lunch at cooking class

Day 9

Breakfast at hotel

08.30 AM, the tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in Hoi An.

You 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 hours 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 a chance to enjoy the traditional Apsara dancing of Cham girls.

Then you will be transfer to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 10

In the morning, we'll pick you up from your hotel.

We'll head northwest of Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Cu Chi tunnels. These tunnels were a Vietcong base during the American war, a massive network that stretched over 200 kilometers. They had trapdoors, living spaces, storage areas, factories for weapons, hospitals, command centers, and kitchens.

You'll watch a short video showing how the tunnels were built. There are also displays of traps and the remains of an American tank, plus many craters made by big bombs. Then, we'll spend about an hour exploring the maze of tunnels to see firsthand how the Vietcong lived underground.

Next, we'll head to the Reunification Palace, which saw the end of the tough Vietnam War in 1975. Now, it's a museum and a place where important meetings happen. Nearby, you'll see the Notre Dame Cathedral (just from the outside) and the Central Post Office, both well-known places in the city.

Finally, late afternoon, we'll visit the lively Ben Thanh Market in District 1Accommodation at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hote

Day 11

Experience the local nightlife and enjoy tasty food and live music as we ride pillion on vintage Vespas along the busy streets of this vibrant city. See Saigon come alive at night on this after dark adventure!

Immerse yourself into the cosmopolitan nightlife of this busy city by night. Soak up the energy of this urban metropolis at a top ranking stylish venue of Saigon in the central city location where we sip on our first drinks and try out some tasty snacks while watching the sunset Saigon. Your expert driver will then zoom through the busy streets of Saigon as you check out some of the famous highlights in this bustling city. Feel like a local as we feast on authentic, fresh seafood dishes, eating streetside and then enjoy the local favorite that is the delicious Banh Xeo, a traditional Vietnamese savoury pancake. We then ride off into the night again to experience live music at a live music venue where a new generation of Vietnamese flaunt their style. Bring a healthy appetite and a sense of adventure as our guides show you their city by night.

Stops include: welcome drink at a high end bar, two local restaurants and a live music bar

Accommodation at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Dinner at local restaurants

Day 12

Enjoy your leisure time until pick up the airport for flight home.

Note: check-out time is at 12:00 hrs; late check-out is at surcharge and upon availability.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Price in US Dollar per full paying guest in twin/double sharing room in a party of

12 DAYS HERITAGE AND TRADITIONS OF VIETNAM

1

2-3

4-5

6-9

10-14

15-19

20 up

Single Supp

Package price for 3-star option

 $2,261

 $1,282

 $980

 $869

 $859

 $847

$853

$405