TRAVEL SERVICE & RESERVATION – Dale Hunter

Day 1 – 01 Nov: Hanoi (Arrival)

Please be ready around 2.5 to 3 hours at the airport before your departure time to check – in your flight. Take a flight to Singapore (depart at 06:40 AM – SQ 224). And take connecting flight to Hanoi (depart at 15:05 PM – SQ 194).

Arrival at the airport in Hanoi at 17:35 PM, our driver welcomes and transfers you to hotel.

Rest of the day is your leisure time to explore the city on your own.

• Overnight at La Nueva Boutique Hotel in Hanoi.
• N/A

Day 2 – 02 Nov: Hanoi (Cooking class)

Breakfast at your hotel.

Your leisure time to explore the city. Around 14:50 – 15:15 PM, pick up you from your hotel for cooking class (4,5 hours)

• Walk through the local market to buy ingredients
• Get a fascinating glimpse into local culture with the guidance and sharing by our chefs
• Arrive at Rose Kitchen 
• Enjoy welcome drink made of 100% natural herbs by Rose Kitchen’s recipe
• Learn how to cook the real Vietnamese traditional food under the guidance of professional chefs
• Enjoy your own cooking creation and numerous food 
• Taste unique and special local wines
• Cooking Class ends and get dropped off at your hotel 

MENU 

Our Sample Menu with the 4 iconic dishes that almost everybody would like to try in Hanoi (More dishes or Vegan/Vegetarian are available):

• Nộm Hoa Chuối/Banana Flower Salad: 

A special appetizer from fresh Banana flowers, vegetables, and herbs.

• Bún Chả/ Obama Noodles – BBQ (Pork) with Dipping Sauce: 

Sweet and sour dipping sauce with flavorsome marinated pork, Chef Anthony Bourdain and the Former President of the USA – Mr. Barack Obama enjoyed them!

• Nem/ Vietnamese Fried Spring-rolls: 

Nem and Bun Cha will be the best combination for you to feel the sound of crispy rolls and taste the full flavor of fresh meat or tofu, mushrooms, vegetables dipped in sweet and sour sauce.

• Cafe Trứng/ Egg Coffee (or Chocolate): 

Egg yolks, condensed milk, honey – altogether in creamy custard floating on Vietnamese black coffee/ chocolate. (or another dessert for vegan)

Please specify any special requests/ food allergies/ dietary restrictions so that we can adjust an appropriate menu. Some other Vietnamese dishes can be customized in the menu: Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup; Chả cá (Grilled fish with dill and onion); Banh xeo (Vietnamese rice pancake); Green Mango/Green Papaya salad (Seasonal)… 

After that they will drop you off at hotel.

• Overnight at La Nueva Boutique Hotel in Hanoi.
• B,D

Day 3 – 03 Nov: Hanoi (Leisure)

Enjoy breakfast at hotel.

Your leisure time to explore Hanoi Old Quarter. You can try local cuisine and shopping.

• Overnight at La Nueva Boutique Hotel in Hanoi.
• B

Day 4 – 04 Nov: Hanoi → Halong bay

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 Halong bay trip as you will be back to this hotel to stay more.

08:00: Pick up at Old Quarter area and transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay (if the package is included transfer service).

11:30: Arriving at the Lily Cruise check-in lounge. You will have time to refresh yourself after the long drive from Hanoi and wait for check-in.

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

13:00: You will have time to savor your delicious buffet lunch and enjoy the stunning views as the boat cruises towards the southeast of Halong Bay, passing Fighting- Cock and Finger Islet.

14:30 – 16:00: The group is transported to Luon Cave via boat. By kayak or bamboo boat, you may explore this location’s uniqueness (optional)

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 with HAPPY HOUR (from 17:30 – 19:00) – buy 2 get 1 free on drinks at Lily Thalassius Bar or Sundeck.

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 Thalassius Bar. Besides, we provide free for squid fishing tools at reception

• Stay overnight on Lily Cruise in Ha Long bay.
• B,L,D

Day 5 – 05 Nov: Halong bay → Hanoi

• 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.
• 14:00 – 14:30 PM – drop off your hotel.

Rest of the day is your leisure time.

• Overnight at La Nueva Boutique Hotel in Hanoi.
• B,L

Day 6 – 06 Nov: Hanoi (City tour)

Breakfast at your hotel.

Around 08:00 – 08:30 AM, 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

• Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, temples, pagodas…

• Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays.

• Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed at least 2 months (15thJune -15thAugust) for the annual maintaining but still can take picture Mausoleum and visit around that area

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

Special Note: we will visit Women Museum instead of Ethnology Museum closed on Mondays

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”

• Overnight at La Nueva Boutique Hotel in Hanoi.
• B,L

Day 7 – 07 Nov: Hanoi → Hoi An

Breakfast at your hotel.

Your leisure time until our driver transfer you to airport for flight to Da Nang. Arrival at airport in Da Nang, we transfer you to hotel in Hoi An for your stay. Rest of the day is your leisure time to explore the old town or go shopping.

• Overnight at La Charm Hotel & Spa in Hoi An.
• B

Day 8 – 08 Nov: Hoi An (Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary)

Breakfast at hotel.

07:30 – 08:00 AM, Our guide picks you up at hotel and leave Hoi An for visiting My Son Holly Land – the ruins of Cham people and was an imperial city during Cham dynasty. Here you can have more chance to explore and understand of technique of Old Cham people in making red bricks to build Tower which still now a secret to everyone, you can see a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 65 architectural works. It also surprises for those who are curious with architectural art. In 1999, UNESCO labeled the Cham architecture in My Son as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon, 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 La Charm Hotel & Spa in Hoi An.
• B,L

Day 9 – 09 Nov: Hoi An (Leisure)

Breakfast at hotel.

You’re free at leisure in Hoi An for walking around to explore the ancient town on your own and shopping.

• Overnight at La Charm Hotel & Spa in Hoi An.
• B

Day 10 – 10 Nov: Hoi An → Phu Quoc

Morning, have breakfast at your hotel.

Your leisure time until our driver transfer you to Danang airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh and take connecting flight to Phu Quoc island.

Arrival at Phu Quoc airport, Amarin Resort Phu Quoc’s staffs will welcome at exit door and transfer you to the hotel. Rest of the day is your leisure time for relaxation at beach in Phu Quoc.

• Overnight at Amarin Resort Phu Quoc in Phu Quoc
• B

Day 11 – 11 Nov: Phu Quoc (Leisure)

Breakfast at hotel. Spend your day at beach for relaxtion.

• Overnight at Amarin Resort Phu Quoc in Phu Quoc.
• B

Day 12 – 12 Nov: Phu Quoc (Leisure)

Breakfast at hotel. Spend your day at beach for relaxtion one more day.

• Overnight at Amarin Resort Phu Quoc in Phu Quoc.
• B

Day 13 – 13 Nov: Phu Quoc → Ho Chi Minh

Morning, enjoy breakfast at hotel.

Your leisure time in resort until get transfered to airport by Amarin Resort Phu Quoc’s staff for flight to Ho Chi Minh.

Arrival airport in Ho Chi Minh, you will be taken to hotel in Ho Chi Minh for check-in. Rest of the day is your leisure time to explore the city on your own.

• Overnight at Harmony Saigon Hotel & Spa in Ho Chi Minh.
• B

Day 14 – 14 Nov: Ho Chi Minh (City tour & Cu Chi tunnels)

Breakfast will be served at your hotel.

Around 07:30 – 07:45 AM, Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served. 

Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun. Have lunch at restaurant in HCM city. 

In the afternoon, visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, 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, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars. 

Back to the hotel. End trip.

• Overnight at Harmony Saigon Hotel & Spa in Ho Chi Minh city.
• B,L

Day 15 – 15 Nov: Ho Chi Minh (visit Mekong Delta)

Breakfast at hotel.

Around 07:30 – 07:45 AM, Pick up guests at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and depart for My Tho Port. Boat cruise on the Tien River to view the four islets: Long, Lan, Quy, Phung. The boat passes by floating fish farms along the Tien River, offering a view of Rach Mieu Bridge. 

Arrive at Thoi Son islet: Stroll through village paths, visit fruit orchards, enjoy seasonal fruits, and listen to traditional Southern Vietnamese music. 

Rowing boat through small canals: Enjoy the peaceful riverine scenery, visit a honey bee farm, and taste honey tea and banana wine. 

Continue down the Tien River to Tan Thach Canal (Ben Tre): Visit a coconut candy workshop, and explore traditional handicrafts. 

Motorboat excursion on Tan Thach canal: Discover the daily life of local people, have lunch at a local restaurant. The eco-restaurant features crocodile, porcupine farms, frog, and snake farming models, hammocks for relaxing, and bicycles for exploring fruit orchards, coconut groves, and rice fields. 

Horse-drawn carriage tour through village paths: Learn about the everyday life of local residents. 

Return to My Tho Port then back to Ho Chi Minh.

• Overnight at Harmony Saigon Hotel & Spa in Ho Chi Minh city.
• B,L

Day 16 – 16 Nov: Ho Chi Minh (Leisure)

Morning, enjoy breakfast at hotel.

Your leisure time to explore Ho Chi Minh city, you can also try local cuisine or shopping.

• Overnight at Harmony Saigon Hotel & Spa in Ho Chi Minh city.
• B

Day 17 – 17 Nov: Ho Chi Minh (Departure)

Morning, enjoy breakfast at hotel. Please check out the hotel before 12:00 PM.

Spend your leisure time for relaxation or take a walk around the city and explore the city on your own until 16:00 PM our driver transfer you to airport for flight to Singapore (depart at 19:50 PM – SQ 185) then take connecting flight to Perth (depart at 00:25 AM – SQ 225).

• N/A
• B

End of service!