Discover the Gems of Vietnam in 14 Days

Upon arrival, you will be met outside the baggage claim area by your friendly driver who will escort you to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to downtown with a brief introduction en route. 

Your driver will be holding a welcome signboard with the Sun Getaways Travel Logo & your name. We’ll get you to your hotel and see that you’re comfortable, plus we’ll give you an introduction to the city at the same time. Then the rest of the day is yours to settle in, relax, and explore the area.

Night 1: Overnight in hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast at your hotel. At about 8:00 am, our friendly tour guide will pick you up at your hotel and then visit the capital of Vietnam, a city that celebrated 1.000 years in 2010 and has countless fascinating cultural and historic sites and our day tour will visit the highlights.

Firstly visit Tran Quoc pagoda then go to visit Ho Chi Minh Complex; Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum is closed on Monday and Friday and from 15th June to 2nd Oct, you can view it from outside). This used to be the residence of the Governor of Indochina. After 1954 it was named the Presidential Palace and became the place where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked until he passed away in 1969. On the way out visit the One Pillar Pagoda. The pagoda was constructed in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong according to his dream of Bodhisattva sitting on a lotus flower and leading him to the pagoda. In 1954, the pagoda was destroyed by the French before their withdrawal. 

Arrive at the Temple of Literature. This is the combination of the Confucius Temple which was built in 1070 and the first Royal National University in Vietnam built 6 years later in 1076. Considered as ‘an escape’ from the bustling city, this temple and its beautiful garden provide an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent times. Enjoy a delicious lunch in a local restaurant with traditional local Vietnamese Cuisine. After lunch, continue to visit more interesting museums. 

There are some options that you can choose from such as the Ethnology Museum (Close on Monday), the Museum of Vietnamese History the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, and the Women’s Museum. Located west of the city centre, all of the museums offer informative and well-documented displays of the country’s heritage. Visit Hoan Kiem Lake (Restored Sword Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple. Situated in the heart of Hanoi, the lake got its name according to a national legend. In the 15th century during the Ming Chinese invasion, General Le Loi was presented with a holy sword. With the help of this sword, he expelled the Chinese from Thang Long, Hanoi and proclaimed himself King Le Thai To. One day, when the king was sailing on the lake, suddenly a golden turtle emerged from the water and claimed back the sword which had been believed to have been given to him by God. Since then, the lake has been known as Ho Hoan Kiem or the lake of the Restored Sword. On an island in the northern part of the lake stands Ngoc Son or Jade Mountain temple, one of the most beautiful and important religious sites in the capital. The temple was established by a Mandarin named Nguyen Van Sieu and is dedicated to the spirits of the soil, medicine, literature, and also to Tran Hung Dao, the general who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century.

In the afternoon, you will explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter by Cyclo to visit the bustling Old Quarter. At the end of the day, experience the magic of a water puppet show at a traditional theater in Hanoi. Gain fascinating insight into the origin of water puppetry from your guide then take a seat to witness a 50-minute performance that offers a unique glimpse into traditional Vietnamese culture. We will return to your hotel. You will have free time and overnight at hotel in Hanoi. 

Night 2: Overnight in hotel in Hanoi

Following breakfast at the hotel, Sun Getaways Travel will come to pick you up around 08h00 am with our shuttle bus to start the 3-hour-and-a-half drive to Halong Bay through the paddy fields in the Red River Delta.

Arrive at Tuan Chau Island – Take a break and a Welcome drink at the Cruise Lounge.

Welcome drink – receive cruise briefing, safety instructions and check-in. Start cruising and explore Halong Bay – one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Enjoy a buffet lunch with Vietnamese dishes served while cruising through the bay, passing the most beautiful and quiet areas, such as Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock, Soi Sim Beach, and Coconut Three Island.

Visiting the Tung Gau area is covered by leaping rocks and cultured pearl fishery. You can watch the process of the jewel, from culturing to harvesting and sculpting, Moreover, you have a chance to do kayaking based on your preference. Enjoy a busy space with a pearl maker, you can experience the completion of a pearl.

Visiting the beautiful Ti Top beach for swimming (if the weather permits), Ti Top Beach is especially famous for its fresh atmosphere, clean water, and smooth white sand that create a great ambiance for tourists to relax or passengers can take steps to reach on the top of  Ti Top beach to have a whole panorama view of Halong Bay. Back to the boat and free time while sailing to the Luon Bo area, and anchor overnight.

Attend the Cooking class on sundeck – How to make Vietnamese spring rolls – traditional Vietnamese food. Then enjoy Happy Hour (Buy one drink-get one free). It is time for relaxing. Watch the magnificent sunset over Halong Bay. 

Dinner – Deluxe Vietnamese BBQ Set Menu Dinner

Evening activities include Leisure time to enjoy a chat around the bar, watching movies and many sorts of Vietnam cultural films, relaxing and spending a romantic night on Pelican Halong Cruise’s music, playing cards, chess are available, reading magazines in the room and dining room. You may also try your luck at squid fishing & fishing from the boat. End of Program for Day One. 

Night 3: Overnight on Cruise

The day starts early onboard with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi also called Tai chi chuan, combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements. Coffee, tea and pastries for breakfast are served in the dining room with a morning view of the 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. Visit Sung Sot Cave, one of the most biggest cave in Halong Bay with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Return to the boat by tender. Proper shoes are highly recommended.

Back to Cruise. Check out and 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 while approaching the wharf.

Disembark to Tuan Chau Wharf. Say goodbye to the crew.

Return to Hanoi by minivan. Stop over the middle to visit a traditional workshop and refreshment about 30 minutes. Arrive in Hanoi.

Our driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport by private car for a short flight to Hue. Meet your guide upon arrival and heading to your hotel.

Night 4: Overnight at hotel in Hue

In the morning, arrive in Hue, the guide will pick you up and bring you breakfast, and then you’ll begin your day in Hue with a visit to the ruins of the Imperial Citadel, the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. 

Then take a bicycle trip through the Old City to Tinh Tam Lake, the ancient gardens of the emperors. In the afternoon you can head to the Mu Pagoda, overlooking the emerald Perfume River. 

Your last stop will be to explore Khai Dinh’s Tomb, a traditional Vietnamese temple with a European touch, making it a particularly unique tomb among the ancestral ruins of ancient Hue. Then Free time for visiting the city. 

Night 5: Overnight in Hue

Breakfast at your hotel. Pick you up and transfer to Hoian. You can stop to visit Lang Co Beach. 

Drive through the Pass of Ocean Clouds for a stunning panoramic view of the mountains and sea. Arrive in Hoian, check-in and free time. 

Night 6: Overnight in Hoi An

Option 1 – Cooking class:

Your cooking class today will begin with a visit to a colorful local market, buying all the necessary ingredients and heading back to prepare. Your chef will demonstrate how to cook some typical Vietnam cuisine, you will then start cooking yourself and enjoy what you have cooked.

In the afternoon, explore the enchanting time-capsule town of Old Hoi An on a walking tour with your guide. Hoi An was a major seaport in Asia and it resulted in a fusion of style and culture that has been perfectly preserved. Wander traditional Chinese shops, luxurious French homes, and an ancient Japanese bridge. The town is home to silk markets, Vietnamese food stalls, and talented street performers– all of which are sure to charm you. 

Option 2 – Vegetable village:

Breakfast at your hotel and then it’s time for a little bit of exercise and riding a bike to Tra Que Village and a visit to a local farm. This is a very special involvement in true Vietnamese rural life. You will learn about the history of the village and then be shown the daily practices of growing vegetables. You will learn how vegetables are used in traditional Vietnamese medicine. 

You will join in the activities of the farmers – collecting seaweed fertilizer, sowing, raking, watering and picking. Your cultural immersion continues as you join the family to prepare and eat the lunch you have helped grow. You will also taste other local specialties such as Tam huu (spring roll) and Banh xeo (pancake). 

Of course, you must also join in the after-lunch nap before returning to the field to learn how to harvest and wrap the produce. Mid-afternoon we wave goodbye to your new friends and go back to Hoian to visit Hoian Old Quarter. Return to your hotel for relaxing 

Option 3 – Countryside biking or motor riding:

Our guide will pick you up at the hotel by motorbike, ride to Tra Que village and then ride back to the river for aboard a local ferry to  Kim Bong Village. This village is not only famous for wood carving but weaving sleeping mats as well, so we will stop at a family to see how they weaved the mat for everyday use in the old times before having today’s popular mattresses. 

Visit a local family making the famous local noodle – Mi Quang is another chance to learn the local life. You also have a chance to make and eat the perfect banh dap (rice cracker). Riding into a Cam Thanh village. Have lunch at Cam Thanh homestay. Back to town for a walking tour and free in the evening. 

Note: If you prefer biking than scooter tour, we can be flexible to modify the route, matching with your ability. 

Evening: Take the night train to Nha Trang. Overnight on night train (shared cabin of 4 berth, air-conditioning)

Night 7: Overnight on the train

Arrive in Nha Trang in morning. Our driver pick up at Nha Trang train station and transfer to hotel in Nha Trang. Free time in Nha Trang.

Check in hotel after 14h00.

Night 8: Overnight in hotel in Nha Trang

Have breakfast at hotel in Nha Trang.

07h45 – 08h15: Pick-up in town by Van to the port.

09h00: Boat depart to Coral Reef for some activities:

• Snorkeling to explore ocean world (1 hour).
• Especially with floating crazy party (happy hour).

11h30: Arrived Fishing Village for lunch time with Vietnamese dishes

12h30: Arrived Tranh Beach

• Relax on the beach, swim or play volleyball, football
• Play water sports: jetski, parasailing….(Excluded)

15h00: Back to the port and stay

Night 9: Overnight in hotel in Nha Trang

You have the day in Nha Trang to spend as you choose – you can head to the beach for a day by the sea or take part in water sports, go to the spa and mud baths, or explore the markets.

Night 10: Overnight in hotel in Nha Trang

Breakfast at your hotel, free time until transfer to the airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. Free time.

Night 11: Overnight hotel in Ho Chi Minh

We’ll pick you up in the morning and take you to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a major part of the Vietnam-American War and a fascinating day trip, explore the mysterious tunnels, and find hidden doors and once-deadly traps. 

After lunch, we’ll go back to Ho Chi Minh City and spend the afternoon either visiting the War Remnants Museum or the Reunification Palace Palace, whichever you prefer. Then stroll around the city’s colonial streets in the evening to the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. 

Night 12: Overnight in hotel in Ho Chi Minh

From Ho Chi Minh we’ll take a short drive through lush green rice fields into the Mekong Delta and the town of My Tho. We’ll stop to visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda and take a hand-rowed sampan boat down the mighty Mekong, drifting under the shade of coconut trees through the river’s natural canals. You’ll get to see wooden stilt houses, aromatic fruit plantations, and traditional fishing villages built along the banks. 

At Tortoise Islet we’ll stop to have lunch in an orchard garden, then continue down the river to An Khang. If you’d like, we can take a short bicycle tour (you can apply for a private tour if time permits) and enjoy seasonal fruit, honey, and tea to the beautiful sounds of southern Vietnamese folk music performed by local musicians. In one of the small river villages, you can taste delicious, hand-made coconut candies while you experience the idyllic rural lifestyle. After lunch, you will have some time to relax before taking a van back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Night 13: Overnight in hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Your time will be your own until your private car and driver arrive to take you to the airport for your flight to your next destination. 

Note: Check-in time- 2.00 pm and check-out time- 12.00 pm

Finish an unforgettable Vietnam Tour with Sun Getaways Travel. Goodbye & see you the next time!