Vietnam Impressive Classic (Hanoi to Saigon) (#102)

Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival (no meals), car only no guide!

Our driver welcomes you at the Noi Bai airport and then be transferred (no guide) to your hotel in the center of city.
Rest of time is free at leisure.
Hanoi: a city between the rivers, built from lowland. Hanoi has many scenic lakes and sometime is called “city of lakes”. Among its lakes, the most famous are Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Halair Lake, Bay Mau Lake…As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered to be the cultural centre of Vietnam, where every dynasty has left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike…
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B/L/D), no escort guide from Hanoi, guide on junk/cruise

Have breakfast at hotel

PROGRAM WITH GLORY CRUISE  
7.30 – 12.00: Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi. Drive to Halong City through the paddy fields in the Red River Delta.
12.00 – 13.00: Arrive in Tuan Chau Wharf – Breaking and taking photo at Glory Legend Private Lounge
13.00 – 15.30: Check in and enjoy welcome drink, receive cruise brief and safety instruction by crew member and  cruise manager
Enjoy set menu lunch while cruising to magnificent Halong Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay, admire the fascinating formations on the way. You will have opportunity to see the famous rocks such as: Perfume Rock, Fighting Cock, Lonely Rock, Saddle Rock…. before arrives to Vung Viêng village.
15.30 – 17.30:Visit Vung Viêng village by a rustic – row boat, meet the local people who will help you row the boat for sightseeing. Enjoy quiet space and fresh air, you will feel truly relaxing.
17.30 – 19.30: Back to the boat and free time for relaxing
Cooking class on sundeck – How to make spring rolls. Then enjoy spring rolls you make together and Happy Hour (buy one drink, get one free). It is time for chatting and relaxing.
19.30 – 23.00: Deluxe Vietnamese Dinner will be served
Evening activities include: Leisure time for chatting around the bar, watching many sorts of Vietnam cultural films.  Relaxing and spending a romantic night on Glory Legend Cruises’ music. Reading magazines in room and dining room. Passengers may also try their luck with squid fishing on the boat

Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu)

PROGRAM WITH PELICAN CRUISE
7.30 – 12.00: Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi. Drive to Halong City through the paddy fields in the Red River Delta
Stopover at Hai Duong province for refreshment about 20 – 30 minutes
12.00 – 13.00: Arrive in Tuan Chau Wharf – Breaking and taking photo at Pelican Privateb Lounge
Transfer by tender to the boat
13.00 – 15.30: Check in and enjoy Welcome Drink, receive cruise brief and safety instruction by crew member and  Cruise Manager
Enjoy buffet lunch while cruising to magnificent Halong Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay, admire the fascinating formations on the way. You will have opportunity to see the famous rocks such as: Perfume Rock, Fighting Cock, Lonely Rock, Saddle Rock…. before arrives to Vung Viêng village.
15.30 – 17.30: Visit Vung Viêng village by a rustic – row boat, meet the local people who will help you row the boat for sightseeing. Enjoy quiet space and fresh air, you will feel truly relaxing.
Free optional swimming and kayaking around many small and big islands at emerald Bai Tu Long water.
17.30 – 19.30: Back to the boat and free time for relax
Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu)
Cooking class on sundeck – How to make Vietnamese spring rolls. Then enjoy the spring rolls you make together and Happy Hour (buy one drink, get one free). It is time for chatting and relaxing.
19.30 – 23.00: Deluxe Vietnamese Dinner will be served

PROGRAM WITH STARLIGHT CRUISE

08:00: 08:30: Leave Hanoi for Halong City. Check in Oriental Sails JSC’s private waiting hall – The Oriental Sails Lounge in Hon Gai Tourist Wharf.

12:30 – 13:00: Embark Starlight Cruise. Enjoy welcome drink and get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Check-in your cabin.

13:15 – 16:00: Have lunch while cruising in the magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay.

16:00 – 17:00: Visit Thien Canh Son Cave – the most beautiful cave in Bai Tu Long Bay

17:00 – 17:30: Return to Starlight Cruise, Cruising to Cong Do Area, enjoy the sunset and relaxing with Jacuzzi

17:30 – 19:00: Try mini-golf on the top deck or take part in a cooking demonstration and food décor with our Chef. Happy hour with finger food is served.

19:00 – 21:00: Dinner is served. Private dinner is available on request.

21:00 – 22:00: Join squid fishing with the crew, sing karaoke or just laze around, relax in your cabin. Overnight on board at Cong Do Area

Day 3: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi, guide on junk/cruise, no escort guide back Hanoi.

PROGRAM WITH GLORY CRUISE (Brunch)
06.00 – 09.00: Taking part in Tai Chi class on the sundeck (duration about 30 minutes)
Coffee, tea and pastries… for breakfast are served in the dining room with morning view of bay’s landscape.
Transfer by tender to Sung Sot Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance. It takes approximately 45 minutes for cave visiting. Return to the boat by tender. Proper shoes are highly recommended.
09.00 – 11.30: Check out and make payment in reception area
Have a set menu brunch while cruising back to the Tuan Chau Wharf. Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as approaching the wharf.
11.30: Transfer by tender to Tuan Chau Wharf. Say goodbye  to the crew
12.00 – 16.30: Return from Halong to Hanoi by shuttle bus
Stop over the middle to visit a traditional workshop
16.30: Arrive in Hanoi.

PROGRAM WITH PELICAN CRUISE (Brunch)
06.00 – 09.00: Taking part in Tai Chi class on the sundeck (duration about 30 minutes)
Coffee, tea and pastries for breakfast are served in the dining room with morning view of bay’s landscape.
Transfer by tender to Sung Sot Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance. It takes approximately 45 minutes for cave visiting. Return to the boat by tender. Proper shoes are highly recommended.
09.00 – 11.30: Check out and make payment in reception area
Have a buffet brunch while cruising back to the Tuan Chau Wharf. Relaxing on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as approaching the wharf.
11.30: Transfer by tender to Tuan Chau Wharf. Say goodbye  to the crew
12.00 – 16.30: Return from Halong to Hanoi by shuttle bus
Stop over the middle to visit a traditional workshop
16.30: Arrive in Hanoi.

PROGRAM WITH STARLIGHT CRUISE (Brunch) 
06:30 – 7:00: Welcome a new day with amazing dawn on the Legendary Gulf of Tonkin. Refresh your body & soul by a Tai-chi lesson on sundeck.
07:00 – 08:00: Catch morning view of seascapes with a cup of tea or coffee, have breakfast while cruising toward Vung Vieng fishing village.
08:00 – 09:00: 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.
09:00 – 09:30: Return to Starlight Cruise for freshening up and checking out your cabin. Starlight Cruise weighs the anchor to continue roaming around the picturesque route toward Hon Gai harbor.
09:30 – 12:00: Have early lunch.
12:00 Disembark.
16.00 – 16.30:  Arrive and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4: Hanoi – Fullday sightseeing – fly to Danang – Hoian (B)

Breakfast at hotel.

08:00am: your local tour guide welcomes you at hotel & enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the impressive Ethnology Museum (closed on every Monday), dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. The beautiful West Lake and the History Museum (closed on Monday and Friday) with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history are also highlight of our trip. Visit these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with Ngoc Son temple.
Please note, you may as well visit Uncle Ho in his museum (Mondays and Fridays closed)
Directly transfer to the airport for afternoon flight to Danang.
Upon arrival, your driver pick-up you from the Danang airport, transfer (no guide) to your hotel in Hoian.
Overnight in Hoian.

Day 5: Half day visit My Son hollyland – half day visit Hoian ancient town (B)

Breakfast at hotel.
08:00am: your tour guide in the Center of Vietnam welcomes you at hotel, drive to visit My Son – one of the most stunning sights in the Hoi An area is My Son, Vietnam’s most important Cham site, and as of 2000 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the centuries when Tra Kieu (the known as Simhapura) served as the political capital of Champa, My Son was the site of the most important Cham intellectual and religious centre, and also may has served as burial place for Cham monarchs. My Son is considered to be Champa’s counterpart to the grand city of South-East Asia’s other Indian-influence civilisation: Angkor (Cambodia), Bagan (Myanmar), Ayuthaya (Thailand) and Borobudur (Java).
Back Hoian and explore Hoian charming town on foot.
Overnight in Hoian.

Day 6: Hoian – drive to Hue via Hai Van pass – Hue city (B)

Breakfast at hotel.
In the morning: The car will drive you to Hue. You travel through Hai Van pass, and Lang Co beach – one of the most beautiful beach of Vietnam. Check-in hotel.
In the afternoon: You will visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue, King Tu Duc’s tomb (Tu Duc is a king but also a poet, so his mausoleum is a poet garden), King Minh Mang tomb (typical formal oriental style designed).
Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: Half day visit Hue – fly to Saigon (B)

In the morning: Take a scenic boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda.
Transfer (no guide) to Hue airport to catch flight to Saigon
Upon arrival, your tour guide in the South of Vietnam welcomes you & transferred to check-in hotel.
Overnight in Saigon

Day 8: Saigon – Cu Chi tunnels – Tay Ninh – Saigon (B)

After your breakfast at hotel, drive a long way on the country side of Vietnam to Tay Ninh, 100 km from Ho Chi Minh city. On arrival to the head quarter of Cao Dai religious, you will have a chance to witness the daily ceremony at Cao Dai Holy See, and meet followers come to attend the ceremony wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity and Buddhism. Continue the trip to Cu Chi, visit the incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence.
Overnight in Saigon.

Day 9: Saigon – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B)

08.00 am: Pick up you at the hotel and depart to Mekong, Cai Be
10.30-11.00 am: Arrival at Cai Be dock, then visit the floating market, pop rice, coconut candy, rice paper…
12.30 – 13.00 pm: Get on boat to Mekong river & enjoy the sampan in the small canals & walking along the island through by tropical garden fruit trees.
14.00 – 14.30: Boat trip to An Binh island, you will have free time for lunch then cycling, roaming through the village
15.00: Boat trip to Vinh Long & visit Vinh Long Market
16.00 – 16.30 pm: Drive to Can Tho

Note: Cai Be floating market, a nice traditional business way in this Mekong Delta, nowaday has been changed alike city center, but you still can see some small supermarket boat, house boat, fruit boat… as a prove of those locals.
Overnight in Can Tho.

Day 10: Can Tho – Saigon (B)

07.30 am: Depart to visit Cai Rang floating market. Take in the beautiful scenery and the daily activities of the locals who lives along the Mekong canals and you will roam through the village to visit a rice husking mill and a rice noodles making shop. Visit An Binh local market and enjoy the daily activity of local people in the Mekong delta.
10.00 am: Back to hotel, relaxing a bit then check out.
11.00 am: Drive back to Sai Gon with a stop on the way for tea break
15.30 – 16.00 pm: Arrival at your hotel.
Overnight in Saigon.

Day 11: Saigon half day city – Departure (B)

Having breakfast at hotel.
In this largest city of Vietnam, you will see the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life everywhere and there is something invigorating about it all. Contrasting images of the exotic and mundane abound. There are the street markets, where bargains are struck and deals are done; the pavement cafes, where stereo speakers fill the surrounding streets with a melodious thumping beat; and the sleek new cafes and pubs, where tourists chat over beer, pretzels, coffee and croissants. A young office worker manoeuvres her Honda Dream through rush-hour traffic, long hair flowing, high heel working the break pedal. The sweating Chinese businessman chats on his cellular phone, cursing his necktie in the tropical heat.
AM: Enjoy your half day visit to Thien Hau pagoda, Notre Dame cathedral, former post office or former Presidential Palace or War Museum, China town with Ben Thanh market (if time permits)
PM: Free time for shopping or optional visit before transfer (no guide) to Tan Son Nhat Airport for departure.
Ends of trip!

Prices until 31.10.2025 (except public holidays)

Price is nett per person in US$, a half twin shared basis, tax, and service charge included in the party of

USD10–/per person off rate for traveling in summer: May, June, July, August

Price inclusive

• Breakfast and accommodation sharing a double room or twin cabin on Halong cruise
• Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above (Please note: pick-ups will be by a guide and driver or, where a guide is not necessary, a driver only. All unaccompanied drivers will be briefed in advance, and will carry a mobile phone to ensure smooth transfer arrangements)
• Boat cruises as specified in the programme. All Ha Long Bay boats will be fully licensed and comply with current safety regulations.
• Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver.
• The services of experienced English- speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary (please note: guides will be on hand from pick-up until guests’ return to their hotel or reaching their destination). Free days or part days will not include the services of a guide unless requested and included in the final itinerary.
• Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
• Meals on board as mentioned on cruise in Ha Long Bay.
• Kayaking on Halong Bay (2 people per kayak)
• Domestic flight tickets: Hanoi – Danang, Hue – Saigon including domestic airport taxes.
• VAT and other taxes

Price exclusive

• International flight tickets and airport tax.
• Visas
• Dinners, except as specified above.
• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Camera fees (if any)
• Diving fees
• Insurance.

Hotels used for Standard class or similar 

Hotels used for Superior class or similar 

Hotels used for First class or similar 

Hotels used for Deluxe class or similar