Essential of Vietnam with Hue

Upon arrival at the airport of Ho Chi Minh City, you will be greeted by your guide and escorted to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the time to refresh and relax on your own.

Things to do for today: Cu Chi Tunnels , War Remnants , Reunification Palace , Old Saigon Post Office , Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat) , Ben Thanh Market

After breakfast, explore the amazing underground Cu Chi Tunnels, once a combat commanding center during the Vietnam War. Afterward, drive back downtown to visit the Ben Thanh Market, War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace (the former Presidential Palace), and Old Saigon Post Office. You may also have a leisure stroll around Dong Khoi Street.

Things to do for today: One day Mekong Delta tour (My Tho)

After breakfast, set out for a full-day Mekong Delta (My Tho) tour to visit villages and markets. Drive about 1.5 hours to reach the river tributaries of Mekong Delta. In My Tho, you will visit a local wholesale fruit market, and take a short cruise around four lovely islets on Tien River. Later, pass by fishing villages, taste fruits and honey tea, take a rowing boat along the water palm canals, ride a horse-cart, and have lunch of delicious Mekong specialties. Afterward, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City with a stopover at Vinh Trang Pagoda.

After breakfast, take a flight to Hue. On arrival, you will be escorted by your local guide to your hotel. After check-in, enjoy the rest of the time at leisure, such as simply relaxing or exploring the locality around your hotel.

Things to do for today: Royal Tomb of King Minh Mang , Perfume River , Thien Mu Pagoda , Imperial Citadel , Forbidden Purple City , Dong Ba Market

After breakfast, visit the majestic Royal Tomb of King Minh Mang, and then sail the Perfume River by Royal Dragon Boat to visit the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda. Proceed to the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Afterward, explore the bustling Dong Ba Market.

Things to do for today: Hai Van Pass , Non Nuoc Beach , Marble Mountains , Cham Museum

After breakfast, drive toward Hoi An via Hai Van Pass. En route, make stopovers at Cham Museum, Marble Mountains, and Non Nuoc Beach. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Upon arrival in Hoi An in the afternoon, check in to your hotel and enjoy some free time on your own.

Things to do for today: My Son-Holy Land , Japanese Bridge , Chinese Temple , Vietnamese former merchants house

After breakfast, head to My Son Holy Land to explore the remains of Kingdom of Champa, known as "Angkor of Vietnam" but older than Angkor. After lunch, return back to Hoi An for a city tour, including the Japanese Bridge, Chinese Temple, and former Vietnamese merchants' houses. The rest of the day is left free for you to spend at leisure, such as taking a leisurely walk to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.

Things to do for today: Cooking class

After breakfast, ride a bicycle to visit a colorful market in downtown Hoi An with your guide, where you can interact with local sellers and know more about fresh ingredients. Later, bike to Tra Que vegetable village. After a welcome drink, stroll through the vegetable gardens, where you may see local farmers working in very traditional ways.

Afterward, you will take a cooking class with a chef to learn the traditional ways of cooking Vietnamese food. The recipes may contain Banh Xeo, papaya salad shrimp, Hoi An spring rolls, and fish grilled banana leaves. After the class, enjoy what you've cooked.

Finally, say goodbye to the host and ride back to your hotel.

Things to do for today: Presidential Palace , Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts , One Pillar Pagoda , Old Quarter of Hanoi (by Rickshaw) , Hoan Kiem Lake , Water Puppet Show

After breakfast, be transferred to Danang airport for a morning flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your local guide and escorted to enjoy a city tour, including the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, and One Pillar Pagoda. Later, tour the Old Quarter by rickshaw for a glance at another side of Hanoi behind modern buildings. Afterward, wander around the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake and admire a traditional water puppet show at a nearby theater.

Things to do for today: Halong Bay Cruise

After breakfast, be escorted to Halong Bay to board a Halong Bay cruise. After lunch on board, visit the Vung Vieng Floating Fishing Village by kayaking. The cruise will be a real ocean adventure as you can choose from a variety of optional activities like kayaking, swimming and diving, and admire the breathtaking scenery with nearly 2,000 limestone islands dotting the sea.

Things to do for today: Halong Bay Cruise

Practice Tai Chi on the open deck before having light breakfast on board. Later, explore Thien Canh Son Cave with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. After brunch on board, disembark from the cruise, and be escorted by your guide and driver to your hotel in Hanoi (around 3 hours' drive).

You will be transferred to the airport for your homebound flight.