Mrs. Karen – 21 days. Exploring North & Centrer of Vietnam

ITINERARY

Day 1 – April 19: Hanoi (arrival)

Welcome you arrives at Hanoi airport at 21:20pm . Our driver welcomes and transfers you to hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
N/A

Day 2 – April 20: Hanoi (Cyclo tour + Street food tour)

At 16:00 PM, Enjoy cyclo tour around Hoan Kiem lake and old quarter.

17:00 – Our guide will see you at the Hotel lobby and start your walkie
foodie night with Hanoi Street Food Tour. We will take you inside Hanoi Old Quarter and discover some of the lesser- known dishes of locals. From Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodle), Banh Cuon (Steamed rice rolls), “Banh Mi” (Vietnamese Baguette), etc…
Finish the tour with unique Ca Phe Trung (Egg Coffee) or Draft beer at beer corner, which will perfectly round off our Hanoi street food discovery.

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
B,D

Day 3 – April 21: Hanoi (Leisure)

It’s your leisure day to explore the city on your own, you can visit Hoan Kiem lake, old quarter, train street or visit West lake, do enjoy local food & drinks: Banh My, Bun Cha, Pho Bo, Pho ga, Pho cuon, Banh my chao, egg coffee, coconut coffee, salt coffee…

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
B

Day 4 – April 22: Ha Noi (City tour)

Breakfast at your hotel then check out your hotel, you can leave big luggage at hotel (please note to hotel staff to keep for you) and bring small bag for Hanoi city tour as you will be back to this hotel to go to the airport from your hotel.
At 08:30AM, Get picked up by our friendly guide and start to explore Hanoi City.
08.45: Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish IsLand in West Lake It is the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi built in the 6th century.
09.30: Visit Ho Chi Minh complex, you have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969 Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Godess of Mercy – It is the most
unique padoga in the world

11.15: Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam.

12.45: Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine with 8 delicious dishes.
14.00 – 14.15 : Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11 century.
15.15: Leave for Hoa Lo Prison Museum which originally used by the French colonists in Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. During this later period, it was known to American POWs as the “Hanoi
Hilton” After tour, drop you off at hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
B,L

Day 5 – April 23: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay

08:00 – 08:30 Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in the Old Quarter (A short break on route for refreshments about 20 minutes)

11:30 – 11:45 Arrive at Halong International Habor

12:15: After taken to the Lily Cruises, you will be checked-in. While enjoying welcome drinks, you will be introduced the itinerary and safety briefing by Cruise Manager.

16:00 – 17:00: Hike to the top of Ti Top Island for stunning panoramic views of the Bay. After your hike, go for a refreshing swim in Halong Bay’s emerald waters or sip from a coconut in the shade.

17:30 – 19:00: Back on board, you can enjoy sunset party on sundeck or HAPPY HOUR (from 17:30 – 19:00) – buy 2 get 1 free on drinks at Lily Cruises Thalassius.

19:15: Delight in the shimmering atmosphere of thousands of stars while eating a fantastic, expertly prepared dinner.

20:30: This is the perfect time to relax with karaoke or enjoy the drink at Lily Cruises Thalassius Bar. Besides, we provide free for squid fishing tools at reception.

Overnight on Lily cruise
B,L,D

Day 6 – April 24: Halong bay

06:00: Warm up your day with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck with a breathtaking view as the sun rises on Halong Bay.

07:00 – 07:30: Light breakfast is served at the restaurant.

8:15: Transfer to day boat at Titop Island.

08:30 – 09:30: Boat cruises through Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba National Park.

10:00: When you arrive at the Viet Hai dock, the tour guide will either take you by tram to the Viet Hai Ancient Fishing Village or you can opt to bike to the village of Co Viet Hai along the coast and into the interior of the island. Viet Hai is a historic village that is still remarkably serene despite being encircled by the sea and tall mountains. When you visit Viet Hai hamlet, you can pleasantly take in the landscape, learn about the native people’s way of life, see how they make wine, take use of their foot bath service for fish, and see historic dwellings and cultural landmarks.

11:30 – 12:30: After your morning excursions, re-energize yourself with a fresh and delicious lunch in the restaurant.

14:00: Start the voyage to kayak across the fish rafts in the Viet Hai port region or train at Vung Quay To be a Viet Hai fisherman (you can choose to swim at Ba Trai Dao).

15:30: Return to Halong Lily Cruise for relaxing.

17:30 – 19:00: Back on board, you can enjoy sunset party on sundeck or HAPPY HOUR (from 17:30 – 19:00) – buy 2 get 1 free on drinks at Lily Cruises Thalassius.

19:15: Delight in the shimmering atmosphere of thousands of stars while eating a fantastic, expertly prepared dinner.

20:30: This is the perfect time to relax with karaoke or enjoy the drink at Lily Cruises Thalassius Bar. Besides, we provide free for squid fishing tools at reception.

Overnight on Lily cruise
B,L,D

Day 7 – April 25: Halong bay → Ninh Binh

06:00: Warm up your day with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck with a breathtaking view as the sun rises on Halong Bay.

07:00 – 07:30: Light breakfast is served at the restaurant.

07:30 – 08:30: Your next stop is the magnificent Sung Sot Cave, one of the biggest caves in Ha Long Bay with beautiful stalactites. You will be surprised by the breathtaking panoramic view across the Bay once you exit the cave as well as the stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years which have taken on fascinating shapes.

08:30 – 09:30: Back on board, you settle your bill, check-out and return to Tuan Chau Island

09:45 – 10:45: Brunch is served at the restaurant while the boat heads back to the harbor.

10:45 – 11:00: Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina, return to Hanoi.

12:00: Get on the bus, we drive you to Ninh Binh

Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh
B,L

Day 8 – April 26: Ninh Binh (Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Mua cave)

09:00 am After breakfast

12:00 – Enjoy lunch at our restaurant with the great local cuisine.

13:30 – Boarding a small sampan to visit Tam Coc which means literally “three caves” (1.5 hour boat trip). With Halong bay type views of majestic limestone cliffs and mysterious caves, as well as countryside landscape like peaceful streams, rice paddies and deserted green fields, Tam Coc really has it all. You will feel the fresh air and peaceful moments, very good opportunities for photo lovers, freezing the special moments and scenery.

15:30 – Arrive at Mua Cave and start an amazing trek up to the top of Ngoa Long Mountain for watching the spectacular rice valley with specious view of the nature.

17:15 – End tour, transfer you back hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
B,L

Day 9 – April 27: Ninh Binh (Bai Dinh Pagoda – Trang An cave – Mua Cave)

07:00-07:45: Our tour guide and driver will pick up at your hotel in Hanoi city to depart for Ninh Binh province (120 Kms). Bai Dinh Trang day tour. 10.30 Tourist to visit
Bai Dinh – Arrive in Buddha Prayer place in Bai Dinh Pagoda, the biggest pagoda in Vietnam with 500 La Han statues, biggest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam with 10 meters in height, 100 tons in weight. Have lunch in a local restaurant with some local special dishes such as Goat meat with elderberry, pork storage vessel
13:00 Depart to visit Trang An tourist attraction, take a boat trip to visit cave complex: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou in mystery and wildness, see the scenery of mountain and rivers Halong Bay on the land of Ninh Binh.
15:30 Visit Mua Cave – the highlight attraction in Ninh binh, challenge yourself for 500 step up Cave mountain where you will have great panorama view of Tam Coc and rice field.

17: 00 – End tour, transfer you back hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh
B,L

Day 10 – April 28: Ninh Binh → Hanoi (airport) → Hue

Breakfast at hotel, your leisure time till our driver come transfer you to Hanoi airport flight to Hue.

Arrive Hue airport, our driver pick you up to hotel. Spend your leisure time in Hue

Overnight at hotel in Hue
B

Day 11 – April 29: Hue (City tour)

Your breakfast at hotel. Start a city tour in Hue.

Get a boat trip to Thien Mu Pagoda. We then continue our visit at the Citadel & Hue Royal Antiques museum. Visit Dong Ba Market and have lunch at a nearby restaurant. After lunch, visit tomb of King “Minh Mang” and Tomb of King “Khai Dinh”. Proceed our tour at a nearby village where people making incense stick and conical hat.

Overnight at hotel in Hue
B,L

Day 12 – April 30: Hue → Ba Na hill (Private tour no lunch) →Hoi An

After breakfast at hotel, we will have a visit to Ba Na Hills. Take Cable Car, which gains 5 world scores, to Ba Na hills station. We will have some stops to visit some famous places: Golden bridge, Vong Nguyet hills, Linh Ung pagoda, The Old Villas of French, Nginh Phong top, Le Nim Villas, Orchid Garden. Experience hill climbing train (first and unique funicular in Vietnam) and visit an old French cellar (Debay Ancient Wine Cellar), flower garden Le Jardin D’amour and Linh Ung Pagoda.

After lunch arrange on your own,

After lunch, explore the French village or join games at Fantasy Park, which is the third biggest indoor games zone in Vietnam. Afterwards, return to Da Nang city with a stop at Central Specialties Super Market for shopping.

After Bana hill tour, transfer you to your hotel in Hoi An.

(Private tour, time flexible)

Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
B

Day 13 – May 01: Hoi An (Coconut jungle – Basket boat – Cooking Clas)

Morning tour: 8:30 – 13:00 A unique experience through the coconut forest in the heart of Hoi An old town, enjoy & experience how to prepare special foods. This tour will give visitors a great experience, especially the short vacation tourists in Hoi An, this is a perfect choice. Highlight Attractions: Going to experience a local colorful market how to deal with the local sellers and know all ingredients for the meals. Take a paddle boat trip in a unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat down the waterways of a coconut palm paradise. Enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing and “Purple Crabs” in the canal. Welcome drink and join the cooking class. Our chef will teach you the differences about the ingredients and traditional methods how to cook 4 dishes of Vietnamese food. At the end of the course, we will provide you with recipes so you can cook Vietnamese food with your family and friends at your home. You learn 4 courses but enjoy 8 Vietnamese foods. After have lunch/dinner, our guide will drop you off back your hotel. After the lesson, you enjoy what you cooked and 4 prepared side dishes.

Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
B,L

Day 14 – May 02: Hoi An (Leisure day)

It’s your leisure day, your free time visit Hoi An town on foot: Hoi An’s Colorful Local Market, Old House of Tan Ky, Fu Jian Assembly Hall, and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge.

Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
B,