Mighty Mekong and Gorgeous Bai Tu Long Bay | Vietnam Authentic Tour - 09 Days

09 Days      
Saigon - Independence Palace
Saigon - Notre Dame Cathedral
Saigon - Post Office
Ben Tre
Tay Ninh - Cao Dai temple
Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Hanoi - Old Quarter
Hanoi - Temple of Literature
Hanoi - Vietnam Museum Of Ethnology
Ninh Binh - Van Long
Bai Tu Long Bay
Bai Tu Long Bay
Overview
mighty-mekong-and-gorgeous-bai-tu-long-bay-vietnam-authentic-tour.webp
  • Start/End: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)/Hanoi
  • Route: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - Ben Tre - Tay Ninh - Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Bai Tu Long Bay
  • Duration: 09 Days
  • Theme: Authentic
  • Tour type: Private tour
  • Tour schedule: Daily Departure
  • Tour guide in: English, Français, Español
Highlight

A unique path, less accessible by tourists. This tour brings you to the most authentic and exciting destinations. Start from the dynamic city of Ho Chi Minh, explore the vicinity and take an excursion to the famous Cu Chi tunnels and Mekong Delta. Also explore the most authentic aspects of the capital of Hanoi. Learn about its thousand year history and live a day in the life of a Red River Delta local in the Ninh Binh countryside. Finish the trip with a leisurely cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay - a hidden part of Ha Long Bay.

  • Bustling Hanoi Capital, dynamic Ho Chi Minh City
  • Excursion to Mekong Delta
  • Halong World Heritage site
  • History, culture, local life and stunning landscapes
  • Boating, biking, kayaking, cooking class
  • Less touristic
  • Authentic experience
Notes
  • Bring your shoes, hat, sunglasses, sun cream
  • Do not wear short inside temples and pagodas
Itinerary
Day by day itinerary Expand all days
  • Ho Chi Minh City arrival, welcome and transfer to hotel

    Upon your arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, our local guide and driver will warmly welcome you at the pickup area. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel in the city, a journey of approximately 45 - 60 minutes. Once you arrive, proceed with check-in* and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure—whether you choose to relax or begin exploring on your own.

    Included:
    English speaking guide
    Transportation
    02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
    Elios Hotel(Senior Superior Room)
    233 Pham Ngu Lao street, district 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Discovering Saigon city with the best highlights: Independence palace, Binh Tay market, China town, Quan Am pagoda and Fito Museum of traditional medicine

    9:00 AM: Pick up from your hotel to the Independence Palace, once used as the home - office of the Presidents of South Vietnam. Our visit includes the North Vietnamese tank which effectively attacked the palace in 1975 to bring the controversial Vietnam War to an end and the five-story palace with its rooms have been preserved in their late 1960s, 1970s style and a bunker basement.

    Continue by a leisurely waking tour. Head to the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, originally built between 1863 and 1880, evidently reflects the French colonist influences. It’s a picturesque spot in the city.

    Toward to Nguyen Hue walking street, walk to the unmissable city's famous landmark. The Saigon Central Post Office is a stunning building, designed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. It is an actually working post office with beautiful indoor decorations.

    Pick up by car then short drive to have a visit to Binh Tay Market, located in Saigon’s Chinatown area with hundreds of stalls, the biggest market in city actually contributes a hub for many of Saigon’s demands including clothing, souvenir and food items. There is also a food court where visitors can sample local delicacies and street food.

    Continue visit Quan Am Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in city and dedicated to Guan Yin, elements of Taoism, and the folk worship of the "Queen of Heaven".

    Finally, visit the Traditional Medicine Museum (FITO) where the medicinal herb recipes, magic potions and special antique tools are preserved.

    At the end of the day, driver drops you off at your hotel

    Included:
    English speaking guide
    Meal: B
    Transportation
    Entrance fees
    02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
    Elios Hotel(Senior Superior Room)
    233 Pham Ngu Lao street, district 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • From Saigon to Mekong discovery: Boat trip & biking in Ben Tre, visiting typical craft village, interact local people, garden tour. Back to Saigon in the afternoon.

    8:00 AM: Tour guide and driver welcome you at your hotel for your transfer to Ben Tre, a beautiful region in the Mekong Delta River, famous for making coconut candy. Arrive at Hung Vuong pier, take a boat trip on Ben Tre River to discover the daily local life. Continue your boat trip on a canal to Nhon Thanh Village. This will be an opportunity to taste the fresh fruits.

    Take a bike ride (or Tuk tuk) on a small path through the villages and enjoy views of the coconut ranges, rice fields and vegetable gardens. A lunch of elephant ear fish is served in the village. A short walk will help you to discover the local life in depth. This is followed by a boat ride on the small canal shaded by the wild palm trees.

    Transfer back to Saigon in the late afternoon.

    Included:
    English speaking guide
    Meal: B, L
    Boat: Ben Tre
    Transportation
    Bike: Ben Tre
    02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
    Elios Hotel(Senior Superior Room)
    233 Pham Ngu Lao street, district 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Special excursion to Cu Chi tunnels and then visiting Cao Dai temple, flying to Hanoi

    8:00 AM: Leave from your hotel to visit the most striking place in the history of the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi Tunnels.

    Cu Chi is a real underground city made up of a large network of tunnels covering an area of over 250km long where the Viet Cong conducted the war of resistance against American troops. All of the tunnels were dug over a period of twenty years using only pickaxes and shovels. The tour includes special entering some part of tunnels. 

    Continue to visit one of the most sacred attractions in Vietnam - the Cao Dai Temple. Caodaism is a uniquely Vietnamese religion that is influenced by elements of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism and even Roman Catholicism. On a visit, you can attend the midday mass.

    Have lunch at local restaurant then transfer back to city center. Take flight to Hanoi.

    Upon your arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you’ll be greeted by our guide and driver at the pickup lobby. You’ll then enjoy a 45-minute drive to the heart of Hanoi, passing over the Red River, where you can catch a glimpse of the city’s unique architecture and its famously bustling traffic.

    Included:
    English speaking guide
    Meal: B, L
    Transportation
    Entrance fees
    02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
    Flight :VN256 (SGN - HAN) - (Direct) / 20:45 - 22:50 - Vietnam Airlines - Economy / 02 tickets
    Conifer Grand Hotel(ROH Room)
    42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi City, Vietnam
  • Visiting the city's highlights, travelling to French Quarter, Ho Chi Minh complex. Discovering the old quarter

    9:00 AM: Get Pick up by tour guide to the Temple of Literature which was built under the Ly dynasty in 11th century for worshipping Confucius and teaching Royal children. Enjoy a walk in the garden to the city’s symbol Khue Van Cac. You will then visit the World Heritage "stone steles” which shows the name of outstanding students. Continue to explore the Quoc Tu Giam which is considered as the first national university of Vietnam.

    Next stop at the Ethnology Museum (closed every Monday) which offers a deep insight into Vietnamese culture through traditional costumes, tools, musical instruments and traditional houses of many ethnic groups. To fully explore this interesting museum, it takes you around two hours. 

    In the afternoon you visit the French Quarter – it is a “little Paris” in Hanoi with tree-lined boulevards, government head offices and a big square. Visit (outside) Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum before having a leisurely walk in the botanical gardens to visit the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live and work. Towards the unique One – pillar pagoda which is one of the city’s symbols. It takes us from 1 to 2 hours to explore this complex, depending on the number of traveler.

    Start with a small pagoda named Ba Da quietly located in a small alley - only few steps from the Hanoi Great Cathedral, built by French colonialism since the 19th century. Your tour guide also takes you to typical streets of Hanoi such as Lan Ong Street selling traditional medicine, Lo Ren Street where metal items are produced ... Stop to visit the Dong Xuan central market - the largest in Hanoi. Continue walking to the famous area for night activities and street food - Ta Hien street, where you can see the vibrant streets with a lot of the amazing local foods and drinks. Trying to taste some for an unforgettable experience.

    Finally enjoying the water puppet shows that is the unique performances, first appeared in the 11th century. In these shows, the daily life, culture and belief of Vietnamese people are described by puppets on water. The show usually integrates a traditional music performance as well.

    Come back to hotel. End of the day

    Included:
    English speaking guide
    Meal: B
    Transportation
    Entrance fees
    Leisure: Water puppet
    02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
    Conifer Grand Hotel(ROH Room)
    42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi City, Vietnam
  • From Hanoi to Ninh Binh, biking to Thung La temple and then a boat trip in Van Long Nature Reserve, embroidering experience

    8:00 AM: Transfer from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, driving through the picturesque countryside of the Red River Delta, painted by rice and vegetable fields.

    Take a 15km bike ride (optional) or walk through the villages. A journey along the dyke will offer you gorgeous landscapes of rice fields, a river and limestone mountains. There are several stops for you to take beautiful photos or encounter the locals then walk to discover Thung La temple, dating back to the 11th century. Meet Mr Tuong, the temple guardian, and enjoy an authentic conversation as well as a 20 minute drum show.

    Later, take a sampan boat trip along the stream and among the limestone mountains to discover the beauty of Van Long nature reserve. If lucky, you might get to see white monkeys and egrets on the cliffs. After the boat trip, visit an embroidery village and take part in an embroidery course under the instruction of local craftswoman, Mrs Lam. She will proudly explain the techniques of her traditional craft. This will be a good opportunity for you to practice on fabric like a real craftsman.

    Included:
    English speaking guide
    Meal: B, L
    Boat: Van Long
    Transportation
    Entrance fees
    Bike: Ninh Binh
    Leisure: Thung La temple music
    02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
    Conifer Grand Hotel(ROH Room)
    42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi City, Vietnam
  • Cruising in Bai Tu Long bay, exploring Cap La Island, cooking class and overnight on boat

    8:00 AM: Pick up at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter). Enjoy three hour drive from Hanoi to Bai Tu Long Bay. Your journey will pass the series of villages and rice fields in the Red River Delta. Have a stop for drink and restroom. Continue your driving, arrive at the harbor around noon, get warmly welcomed at cruise reception.

    11:30 - 11:45 AM: Arrive at our waiting lounge at Ha Long International Cruise Port. Take some time to relax while waiting for our captain to complete the registration process. Then, transfer by tender to our boat.

    12:00 - 12:15 PM: Enjoy a welcome drink and receive a brief safety briefing about activities onboard before checking into our cabins.

    13:00: Indulge in a delicious Vietnamese set menu lunch while leisurely cruising further into Bai Tu Long Bay.

    15:00: Arrive at the kayaking area – Cap La Island. Enjoy kayaking through the karst formations and breathtaking scenery, as well as swimming and relaxing.

    17:40: Return to the boat and enjoy our Sunset Party as our cruise sails to the overnight anchorage. Attend a Vietnamese cooking demonstration where you can learn to make a simple but delicious Vietnamese dish like Nem Cuon, or try your hand at fruit and vegetable carving.

    19:00: Delight in a sumptuous set dinner onboard.

    20:30 - 22:00: Enjoy free time to challenge yourself with Vietnamese puzzle games, gather your group/family for a board game, try your luck with squid fishing, or simply relax with a cocktail and soak in the quiet night on the bay.

    Included:
    Shuttle bus: Hanoi - Halong
    English speaking guide (on board)
    Meal: B, L, D
    Entrance fees
    Kayak: Halong
    Leisure: Swimming
    Cooking class: Halong (on board) - cooking demonstration
    02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
    Swan Cruise - 2D1N(Deluxe Cabin)
    3 Dang Thai Than street, Hoan Kien district, Ha Noi City, Vietnam
  • Visiting the charm of Thien Canh Son cave, stunning cruising and back to Hanoi

    06:30 AM: Participate in a sunrise Tai Chi session on the sundeck or enjoy the morning view of the stunning bay's landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.

    07:00: Breakfast will be served in a Western style to prepare you for another day of exploration.

    07:45 AM: Explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave.

    09:00 AM: Return to the boat and enjoy about 30 minutes to freshen up and finish packing.

    09:30 AM: Check out.

    10:00 AM: Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch on the boat.

    10:30 AM: Return to the harbor.

    11:15 - 11:30 AM: Disembark at Ha Long Cruise Port.

    Welcome by driver at the harbor then enjoy travel back to Hanoi. Have a rest at the middle of the way. Drop off at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter).

    Included:
    English speaking guide (on board)
    Meal: B, L
    Entrance fees
    Leisure: Morning Tai Chi
    02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
    Conifer Grand Hotel(ROH Room)
    42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi City, Vietnam
  • Transferring to airport for flights to next destinations

    Our driver will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel in Hanoi and take you to Noi Bai Airport. The drive takes approximately 45 minutes, whether you're heading to the international or domestic terminal, depending on your needs.

    Included:
    Meal: B
    Transportation
    02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Inclusions
  • English speaking tour guide following itinerary
  • All entrance fees and tickets mention on itinerary
  • Selected Accommodations with daily breakfast
  • Cruise: Swan Cruise - 2D1N
  • Boat: Ben Tre, Van Long
  • Transportation
  • Shuttle bus: Hanoi - Halong
  • Flight Ticket: VN256 SGN - HAN (Vietnam Airlines - Economy)
  • Meal: Breakfast: 08, Lunch: 05, Dinner: 01
  • Bike: Ben Tre, Ninh Binh
  • Kayak: Halong
  • Leisure: Water puppet, Thung La temple music, Swimming, Morning Tai Chi
  • Cooking class: Halong (on board) - cooking demonstration
  • Service charges and Taxes
Exclusions
  • International flight from/to your country
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Tipping and Gratuities
  • Other not mentioned in the program
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Price per person in US$
  • Adult in sharing Twin/double room$1,093
  • Adult in single room $1,365

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