TRAVEL SERVICE & RESERVATION

Day 1 – 18 Mar: Australia → Hanoi

Arrival at 10:05 AM – VN208 at Noi Bai Airport, our driver welcomes and transfer to your hotel for night stay.

Enjoy your free time at your hotel on your own.

• Overnight at Pan Pacific Hotel in Hanoi
• N/A

Day 2 – 19 Mar: 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.

Around 07.40 – 7.50 AM – Pick-up from your hotel/location (if you have reserved our transfer service).

09:00 – Departure to Halong Bay, with a journey of approximately 2.5 hours.

10:30 – Arrive in Hai Duong province for a 10-20 minute break for restroom facilities and snacks.

11:30 – 12:00 – Arrival at the Rita Cruise waiting lounge at Tuan Chau Harbor.

12:00 – 12:30 – Transfer by tender to the Rita Cruise mother boat. Enjoy a welcome drink as you meet the captain and crew, followed by a brief introduction to the cruise and safety guidelines. Check-in to your cabin.

13:00 – 13:30 – Savor a Vietnamese seafood buffet or set menu lunch while cruising through the magnificent Halong Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations. The cruise continues through Con Vit Islet (Duck Islet), Thumb Islet, and Gia Luan Harbor in the Cat Ba area.

15:00 – Immerse yourself in the stunning views of the bay and its dramatic limestone islets as we sail through the calm emerald waters toward Dark & Bright Cave (Hang Sang & Toi). You can participate in outdoor activities, choosing between kayaking or a bamboo boat ride for approximately 1 hour.

16:00 – The ship moves to Tra Bau Beach. Here, you are free to swim around the cruise for approximately 45 minutes.

17:30 – 18:30 – Enjoy an Afternoon Tea Party with freshly prepared snacks, fruit, and your choice of drinks while waiting for the sunset over Lan Ha Bay. Take advantage of the Happy Hour “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” drink program at the Mimosa Cafe Lounge and the Sky Bar on the 5th floor.

18:30 – 19:10 – Join a cooking class guided by the Chef or Cruise Manager of Rita Cruise. You will have the opportunity to practice making traditional Vietnamese dishes such as spring rolls or other famous Vietnamese cuisine.

19:10 – 19:30 – Dinner will be served in the restaurant.

• Overnight on Rita Cruise in Ha Long Bay
• B,L,D

Day 3 – 20 Mar: Halong bay → Hanoi

06:30 – 07:00 – Optional Tai Chi exercise on the 5th floor sundeck to welcome the new day.

07:00 – 07:45 – Enjoy the morning view of the bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee, followed by breakfast at our restaurant.

08:00 – The ship will move to visit Frog Pond, the filming location of the Hollywood blockbuster movie “King Kong.” Guests can enjoy sea swimming or kayaking for approximately 45 minutes.

09:30 – Return to your cabin to relax and ensure all luggage is packed before leaving. Check out of your private cabin and complete the check-out procedure.

10:00 – Savor a buffet brunch on the cruise while heading back towards the port.

11:00 – 11:20 – Return to the Rita Cruise waiting lounge at Tuan Chau Harbor by tender boat. Farewell.11:30 – 12:00 – Our transfer service will pick you up and take you back to your hotel/location (if you reserved our transfer).

Leisure time on your own.

• Overnight at Pan Pacific Hotel in Hanoi
• B,L

Day 4 – 21 Mar: Hanoi (City tour)→ Hoi An

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.

At 08:30 AM, Get picked up by our friendly guide and start to explore Hanoi City.

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.

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 (15th June -15th August) for the annual maintaining but still can take picture Mausoleum and visit around that area

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

Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine with 8 delicious dishes.

Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11 century.

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, back to hotel.

After the tour, at 16:30 PM our driver transfers you to airport for flight to Da Nang. (Depart at 19:10 PM – VN197)

Upon Da Nang airport at 20:35 PM, our driver picks up and transfers you to hotel in Hoi An.

• Overnight at Bel Marina Hoi An Resort in Hoi An
• B,L

Day 5 – 22 Mar: Hoi An [visit My Son Sanctuary]

Breakfast at hotel.

At 08:30 AM, our guide will pick you up at your hotel and depart from Hoi An to visit My Son Holy Land – the ancient ruins of the Cham people, once the imperial city during the Cham dynasty. Here, you will have the opportunity to explore and learn about the unique techniques the ancient Cham people used to make red bricks for constructing their towers, a mystery still unsolved. The site features a large complex of religious relics with over 70 architectural works, making it a fascinating destination for those curious about architectural art. In 1999, UNESCO recognized the Cham architecture at My Son as a World Cultural Heritage Site. 

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. 

After lunch, Enjoy a three-hour walking tour of Hoi An Old Town, renowned for its charming blend of Chinese, Japanese, and European architecture. This ancient town was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. 

During the tour, you will visit iconic landmarks including the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the Japanese Bridge—constructed in the 16th century and famous for being the only covered bridge that features a pagoda—the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, and the Museum of Trade Ceramics. You’ll also explore several other historical sites throughout the old town. 

Afterward, you will have free time to continue discovering the charming streets of the old town or to shop for special souvenirs. 

The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the city on your own.

• Overnight at Bel Marina Hoi An Resort in Hoi An
• B,L

Day 6 – 23 Mar: Hoi An [Leisure]

Breakfast at hotel.

Your leisure time for walking around the Old Town for shopping and relax in Hoi An.

• Overnight at Bel Marina Hoi An Resort in Hoi An
• B

Day 7 – 24 Mar: Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh

Morning, breakfast at hotel.

At 10:00 AM, Our driver transfer you to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh. (Depart at 12:35 PM – VJ1629)

Arrival Ho Chi Minh airport at 14:00 PM, our driver welcomes and transfers you to hotel.

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

• Overnight at Nikko Sai Gon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
• B

Day 8 – 25 Mar: Ho Chi Minh [visit Cu Chi]

Breakfast at hotel.

At 8:00 AM, our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel and depart for Cu Chi Tunnels, 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.

• Overnight at Nikko Sai Gon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
• B,L

Day 9 – 26 Mar: Ho Chi Minh [Mekong delta]

Breakfast at your hotel.

At 08:30: 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 Ho Chi Minh City. End trip

• Overnight at Nikko Sai Gon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
• B,L

Day 10 – 27 Mar: Ho Chi Minh → Australia

Morning, enjoy breakfast at hotel. Check out time is 12:00 PM.

Your leisure time until 12:30 PM, our driver transfers you from hotel lobby to the airport for flight back home (Depart 16:00 PM – VN791).

• N/A
• B

End of service!