Amazing Vietnam Beach Vacation 12 Days

Welcome to Hanoi! As you step off the plane at Noi Bai International Airport, a warm and friendly reception awaits you. Look for our guide in the baggage claim area; they'll be holding a sign adorned with the distinctive Asia Tour Advisor logo and your name. Your comfort is our utmost priority, and during your transfer to your hotel, we'll provide you with an engaging introduction to this enchanting city. The remainder of the day is yours to settle in, relax, and soak up the local atmosphere.

Hanoi is a culinary paradise, boasting an array of exceptional dining establishments offering French, Vietnamese, and international cuisines. Don't hesitate to seek recommendations from your guide for personalized restaurant experiences.

Hanoi, Vietnam's captivating capital, is home to seven million people and exudes an air of tradition and refinement. With its French colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards, serene lakes, and the bustling Old Quarter, the city seamlessly blends the past with the present. Take a moment to witness locals practicing Tai Chi by the tranquil lakeside, while barbers and street food vendors ply their trade on lively sidewalks.

It is unmissable in terms of its pretty pagodas, ancient temples, enchanting French colonial quarter and cultural institutions. Just as fun, however, is darting down its winding lanes and discovering your own favourite hidden corners.

After a satisfying breakfast at your hotel, our local tour guide will pick you up to embark on an exploration of Vietnam's capital city, Hanoi. With over a thousand years of history, this city is rich with captivating cultural and historical sites. Your itinerary includes visits to the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, home to the preserved body of "Uncle Ho."  and his House on Stilts to observe how he lived and how his life unfolded to become one of modern history’s greatest names. 

You'll also experience the delicate beauty of the One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Temple are a spiritual and cultural symbol of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. With special features in its structure along with historical values, the temple will surely be a real eye-opener for tourists.

After lunch, continue to visit the millennia-old Temple of Literature and explore its role in the country’s past, as both a university and a Confucius temple. Next is Hoa Lo , a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. Prisoners of War.

To cap off your day, enjoy a one-hour cyclo tour through the bustling and lively Old Quarter, immersing yourself in the vibrant marketplace atmosphere.  Sample delicious dishes like Nom Du Du (green papaya salad), Banh Mi Pa Te (a sandwich that reflects Vietnam’s culinary heritage)

Our journey embarks from Hanoi where we'll pick you up for a scenic drive through the verdant landscapes of the Red River Delta. Our destination: the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay. Here, you'll embark on a luxurious cruise for an enchanting overnight cruise.

As you relax on board, you'll be captivated by the breathtaking limestone karsts that majestically emerge from the azure waters, surrounded by thousands of jungle-clad islands seemingly suspended on the gentle waves. The turquoise waters of the Gulf of Tonkin conceal hidden grottoes and ancient caves, creating a timeless and mesmerizing world.

Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch with breathtaking views and a refreshing drink. Our next destination is a charming fishing village, where locals have ingeniously turned their boats into a floating community. Meet fishermen, explore a stunning lagoon by kayak or rowboat, and unwind on deck as the sun sets. Spend a delightful overnight stay on board!

Kickstart your day with Tai Chi on the top deck or savor the sunrise over the bay. Sip on morning coffee or tea before setting out to explore nearby islands via rowboat.

Upon returning to the junk, witness a fruit carving demonstration and participate in a cooking class, learning to create traditional Vietnamese cuisine from scratch. Enjoy a Vietnamese lunch on board as you cruise back to Halong City. Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting at the dock to take you to Noi Bai Airport for your short flight to Danang.

Upon arrival in Danang, your tour guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel in Hoi An—a destination that seamlessly blends old-world charm with pristine beaches and luxurious resorts.

Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before embarking on an exciting adventure. Your local guide will lead you on a bicycle ride to Tra Que Village, located just 10 kilometers away. Upon arrival, immerse yourself in the daily activities of local farmers.

Continue your bicycle journey along the De Vong River to Hoi An Beach wharf. From there, board a boat to Cua Dai Sand Dune, where you'll enjoy a captivating casting net show and learn the art of casting a net from a local fisherman. Continue to Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village, where you'll receive a brief introduction to its history.

Embark on a basket boat adventure along the water coconut river, with fishermen teaching you how to catch crabs (two passengers per boat). Engage in a friendly competition as the group is divided into two teams for a thrilling basket boat race and crab-catching challenge, with a delightful prize awaiting the winners.

At 12:20 PM, board a boat and enjoy a folk songs show by local performers. Then, at 12:30 PM, savor special local delicacies, including pancakes, Tam Huu spring rolls, fried fish, and more. After lunch, learn to craft amusing tools from water coconut leaves.

At 2:00 PM, continue to the ancient town of Hoi An, where you'll experience the daily life of fishermen along the Thu Bon River. A walking tour of Hoi An's well-preserved ancient town center will transport you back in time to when it was a major trading port in Asia. Explore old shophouses, the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge, a Chinese communal hall, and the vibrant market. Conclude your day with free time to relax on Cua Dai Beach.

You'll have the morning for a leisure breakfast before we come to collect you and take you to Danang to catch a flight to Nha Trang. 

When you arrive at the airport, you will be met and transferred directly to your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. 

The Nha Trang area is home to some of Vietnam‘s best luxury beach escapes, set in hidden coves well away from the vibrant town itself. The weather here is famously good making this the perfect place to stop and relax for a few days.

Aside from relaxing at your resort, you can visit hot springs and mineral mud baths, experience underwater treasures while scuba diving in some of Vietnam’s best diving spots or simply enjoy the wonderful stretches of beach.

Breakfast at the hotel and be free at leisure until your flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Airport transfers will be arranged

After enjoying your breakfast, your private guide will meet you and accompany you on a drive to Cu Chi, a quaint community located 60km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Cu Chi is renowned for its extensive network of tunnels, which served as a strategic hideout and infiltration route for the Viet Cong during the latter stages of the Vietnam War.

Upon arrival, you'll have the opportunity to watch a brief introductory video from the era before delving into the tunnels themselves, widely recognized as one of the world's most significant battlegrounds. This hidden labyrinth of Viet Cong tunnels spans "hundreds of miles" in total length, featuring living quarters, storage facilities, makeshift hospitals, kitchens, and more. While some sections of the tunnels remain narrow as originally constructed, others have been widened to accommodate tourists like yourself, offering you the chance to explore a portion of this remarkable system.

Following your exploration of the Cu Chi Tunnels, you'll be transferred back to the city, where you'll enjoy a delicious lunch at Local restaurant.

As the afternoon unfolds, you'll embark on a journey to discover some of Ho Chi Minh City's most iconic landmarks.

Your itinerary may include a visit to the Independence Palace  or the War Remnants Museum, providing you with a profound and sobering insight into Vietnam's tumultuous military history.

Next, you'll explore the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon and Ben Thanh Market , where vendors display an array of goods and handicrafts, offering you a deeper understanding of local life.

Afterward, you'll return to your hotel. With some time left in the day, you're free to relax and unwind, or perhaps venture out to experience the vibrant nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City.

Ben Tre is one the best area of the Mekong Delta that seems to retain the feeling of being a complete backwater, to fascinatingly invite tourists to the untouched and natural landscapes to discover its rustic local life, beautiful canals and traditional activities

After breakfast, your private guide and driver will take you out of Ho Chi Minh City in a private vehicle and onto some beautiful country roads to Ben Tre Town in the Mekong Delta, famous for its vast rice fields, numerous waterways, and beautiful landscapes. Known as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, this region produces most of Vietnam’s fruit, rice, sugar cane, and coconuts.

After the two-hour drive through the lush farming land, you will arrive in Ben Tre where you will set out on a motorized boat trip on narrow channels winding through the coconut forest. During the boat ride, you will stop at the local cottage industries to see how the local people make bricks and weave sleeping mats by hand. Learn about their craft handed down through generations.

Take a leisure walk along the village lanes, visiting the local homes to try fresh fruits, taste delicious honey tea while enjoying a local Tai Tu music show. Continue to visit another workshop where the local delicacy of coconut candy is produced and a wide range of coconut husk and fiber products are skillfully handcrafted.

Next, take a small sampan through palm-fringed back canals, gliding peacefully along the hidden waterways surrounded by an immense variety of tropical plants. The quiet, rural setting is a welcome and restorative retreat to the frenetic buzz of HCM City which seems far, far away.

Enjoy sitting in the back a Motor Cart (xe lôi) passing local hamlets, rice fields, coconut groves, and lush orchard farms while meeting with local people.

After finishing your sightseeing tour your guide will take you to a riverside restaurant for lunch with local specialties then return to the pier and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

This evening you will be free to visit the night market to discover the authentic local cuisine .Overnight in Ho Chi MInh City

Early wake up to enjoy the peaceful countryside in the morning, and then have breakfast.

Bike to the local market, and shop for fresh vegetable and ingredients to later be prepared for your lunch. Visit to Hung Nghiem pagoda; it’s also a chance to learn how to make natural soy sauce by an in-house nun. Visit a small family’s business workplace producing raw material for coconut fiber.

Later, it’s time for cooking and enjoying lunch at the homestay.

After lunch, visit a local fruit plantation, enjoy some seasonal fresh fruit, and spend more enjoyable time on the rowboat through the natural canals. Treat yourself to a relaxing time to get a sense of the beautiful countryside. Embark on the sampan and return to the dock. Later return to the pier where a car will be waiting to return you back to Ho Chi Minh City.

You have the morning free to relax and explore at your own pace. Later, your private car will arrive to transfer you to the airport for your departing flight. This concludes our Flavor of Vietnam tour with Asia Tour Advisor. We extend our heartfelt thanks for joining us on this remarkable journey through the wonders of Vietnam. Goodbye, and we hope to welcome you back soon. If you're interested in exploring more of our beautiful country, consider our Vietnam tour for a variety of additional options and experiences.