Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and a must-see destination if you visit this beautiful country! When it became the capital city in 1010 it was called Thang Long – Land of the Ascending Dragon, which was later changed to Dong Do – Eastern Capital. In 1831, it was finally called Hanoi – City within the Rivers – due to the numerous waterways flowing through the city.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your tour guide and escorted to the hotel in the city center. Check-in and have a short break after your long journey. In the evening, attend Water Puppet Show – a great local culture introduction and then enjoy the welcome dinner in the romantic atmosphere of the peaceful garden restaurant.

Night 1: Overnight in hotel in Hanoi

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.” You’ll also experience the delicate beauty of the One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Temple, and Quan Thanh Pagoda.

Following a delicious lunch, you’ll venture to the Temple of Literature, a treasure trove of ancient Vietnamese relics. 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. Your day culminates with a unique water puppet show, showcasing the cultural richness of northern Vietnam.

Night 2: Overnight in hotel in Hanoi

08:30 Limousine car will pick you up at the central area of Hanoi’s Old Quarter for the journey to Halong Bay (for guests who have booked the Hanoi – Halong transfer service).
11:30 Arrive at the Tuần Châu International Cruise Port and complete the check-in procedure at the waiting lounge. Various pastries and tea will be served while waiting for the boarding time.
12:15 Welcome aboard the Orchid Cruise. Guest check in, enjoy welcome drinks at the restaurant and listen to the ship manager’s introduction to the itinerary and safety regulations.
13:00 Enjoy lunch and the scenic views as the cruise begins the exploration of Halong Bay, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
14:15 Visit Trung Trang Cave by bus, located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park with Kim Giao forest. Trung Trang Cave, situated in the Trung Trang valley, is 15 km northwest of Cat Ba town. The 300m-long cave passes through the mountain, displaying a mystical beauty shaped by geological processes over 2000 years, along with historical artifacts from nation-building and defense periods. The cave features various stalactites in different shapes, leaving visitors amazed and sparking their imagination.
17:00 Orchid Cruise moves to Tra Bau, an untouched area in Lan Ha Bay. Here, guests can immerse themselves in the crystal-clear emerald waters.
18:00 Return to the cruise, relax on the sundeck, enjoy sunset hunting, indulge in drinks with the Happy Hour (buy 1 get 1 free) or join the cooking class for some fun.
19:15 Delight in an elegant dinner with a menu combining Asian and European flavors, prepared from the freshest ingredients in the restaurant featuring a refined and cozy Indochinese style.
21:00 Admire the mystical beauty of the bay at night on the sundeck, unwind at the bar, listen to music, play cards, watch movies, go squid fishing, or treat yourself to a massage session.

Night 3: Overnight on Cruise

06:30 Ideal time for guests to immerse themselves in the tranquil beauty of the bay’s early morning, capturing beautiful moments or starting the day with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck.
07:00 Enjoy breakfast in the restaurant area while admiring the scenery as the cruise continues its journey.
08:45 Visit Cat Ba Island by ferry. Upon arrival, guests can cycle or take an electric car along winding coastal roads, weaving through limestone mountains covered with tropical greenery leading to Viet Hai fishing village, one of the oldest villages in the bay.

12:00 Return to the ferry, relax, and enjoy lunch as the ferry returns to Lan Ha Bay.
14:00 Visit Three Peach Beach, a peaceful area with breathtaking scenery, ideal for kayaking or relaxing on the pristine white sandy beaches.
17:00 Return to Orchid Cruise. Guests can relax with a cooking class on the sundeck, enjoy the Happy Hour program (Buy 1 Get 1 free), and capture beautiful moments as the sun gradually sets over the bay.
19:30 An exquisite dinner combining Asian and European flavors is ready to be served by the talented chefs of Orchid Cruise, using the freshest ingredients.
21:30 After dinner, guests can head to the sundeck to enjoy the sweet beauty of the bay at night, indulge at the bar, treat themselves to a massage session, and participate in evening activities such as listening to music, playing cards, watching movies, squid fishing, etc.

Night 4: Overnight on Cruise

Awaken on board to the magnificent vista of Halong Bay in the morning. Start your day with a Tai Chi class on the deck amidst the early morning mist or simply savor the beauty of the scenery as the sun gracefully rises over the azure waters. The boat continues its journey as you decide when it’s time to greet the day. A leisurely brunch is served on board before you disembark and head back to Halong City.

Arrive in Hanoi at around 15h00.

Meet the driver for the transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Danang, the largest city in Central Vietnam and one of the major port cities of the country.
On arrival, you will be greeted by the local tour guide and further drive to Hoian, 30 kilometers south of Danang. Check in to the hotel and relax then.

Night 5: Overnight in hotel in Hoian

The tour will begin at your hotel or tour office. Our tour guide will greet you and provide your bicycle for your trip. Cycling through the paddle fields and shrimp farm. After that we will head to Tra Que vegetable village, where you can relax and enjoy the peaceful countryside then stroll along the vegetable villages. As a special treat, you will be involved with digging, sowing, planting, and harvesting the vegetables with hundreds of years of rudimentary tools of the farmers. You will enjoy the E Water, a specialty of Tra Que vegetable village, you can feel the strong medicinal flavor of many kinds of vegetables. You could be a farmer with many interesting activities.
Finish your time in Tra Que vegetable village, you will ride your bicycle leisurely passing the rice fields, villages, to come to the art of making lanterns.
You will visit craftsmen with skillful hands, showing you how to create brightly colored lanterns.
Expertly guided you could make yourself a lantern as a gift to your family.
Finish your learning, the tour guide will take you back to your hotel, and finish your trip.

Night 6: Overnight in hotel in Hoi An

08:30: Local guide picks up at the hotel. Go to the market with our chef (about 30 minutes)
We will have a chance to see and experience the noise as well as directly contact to sellers. In addition to this, we will show the ingredients for using in our lesson.
09:15: Transfer to Cam Thanh village by car or boat on the way, you can explore the beautiful views of Vietnamese countryside, and see the water coconut trees growing together.

11:00: Enjoy welcome drink and take a rest at our restaurant, then join the cooking class. Our chef will teach you how to cook some local food. After the lesson, enjoy what you have cooked.
13:00: Return to the hotel

Night 7: Overnight in hotel in Hoi An

This morning is your free time. Then, transfer to Danang Airport for onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure or explore the city on your own.

Night 8: Overnight hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, which was built on the sight of the former Norodom Palace. The Independence Palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the historic Central Post Office.

Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars. Have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, continue the city tour by discovering the city’s Western side. Ride to Cho Lon (Big Market) and Thien Hau Pagoda which is located in Chinatown.

Back to hotel.

Night 9: Overnight in hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Today you leave Ho Chi Minh City and travel to the Mekong River Delta.

On arrival in Hàm Luông pier. Cruse  on Bến Tre river  exploring  the  lively activities along river as fishing, water transferring…….see  brick making in  handy traditional style by printing and baking. Visit one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along canal. Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village. Take a walk to family workshop making sleep mats and enjoying some fruits and tea.

Riding a motor cart (xe lôi) or bike  on shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on really life and find out  about tropical culture from Peasants. Lunch at Hai Hồ house.

Afternoon –  riding a sampan  along canal, before boat back to Ham Luông pier.  Transfer to Can Tho.

Night 10: Overnight in hotel in Can Tho

Have breakfast at the hotel. You can take a leisurely boat ride to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong River (Bassac River), then visit Cai Rang Floating Market, the most vibrant floating market in the area. This is a great opportunity to get fantastic photos of colorful boats laden with fruit and vegetables. Boats are filled with teetering piles of fruit and vegetables, from carefully balanced watermelons to bright flowers.

Afterward, take a short flight to Phu Quoc Island for your beach relaxation.

Night 11: Overnight in hotel in Phu Quoc

Continue for a free day to relax on the sandy beach or snorkel in clear crystal waters teeming with many species of marine life which are set against the colorful coral gardens. Off the beach, you can get on a bike to explore the nearby fishing village and have fun with waving kids on roadsides.

Night 12: Overnight in hotel in Phu Quoc

Today is your time for beach relaxation. An ideal way of spending your last afternoon in Phu Quoc is to relax in a bar by the beachfront while watching the sunset over the ocean.

Night 13: Overnight in hotel in Phu Quoc

Have breakfast at the hotel then enjoy a free morning before driving to the airport, fly back to HCMC and get ready for the departure flight.

This concludes our tour with Sun Getaways Travel. 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.