TRAVEL SERVICE & RESERVATION – Loren Browman

Day 1 – 15 Mar: Hanoi (Arrival)

Arrival at the airport in Hanoi at 21:40 PM – KE 453, 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 Lotusama Hanoi Hotel in Hanoi.
• N/A

Day 2 – 16 Mar: 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 Lotusama Hanoi Hotel in Hanoi.
• B,D

Day 3 – 17 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 07:50 – 08:00 AM, our guide Pick you up at your hotel and go to Halong bay on a shuttle bus. Take a rest and enjoy local specialties after 2h.

• 12.00 – Meeting at TuanChau harbour. Check in Royal Palace Cruise and you are warmly welcomed by a professional and friendly crew.
• 13:00 – Check-in cabin and enjoy specially prepared lunch while cruising through most beautiful parts of the magical bay with thousands of amazing limestone islands emerging from emerald water. Sailing with Royal Palace Cruise in very tranquil route, exploring the exotic beauty of the legendary Bay, a feeling in paradise will come to you.
• 14:30 – Keep cruising to the most beautiful parts of Halong Bay. This is the best time to relax after lunch and enjoy your privacy, capturing stunning photos of the legendary bay.
• 15:30 – Small tender brings you to visit Titop island, hiking to the top of the island from where tourists can capture a panoramic view of Halong Bay.
• 16:30 – Kayaking & swimming 18:00 – Join the sunset party on the sundeck in a warm and romantic atmosphere, making friends with other members in the group, enjoy fresh local fruit, listening soft, light music, wearing traditional costumes for kings, queens, and mandarins.
• 19:00 – Enjoy the special dinner cooked by our professional chef.
• 20:30 – The moment you choose your own way to relax after dinner, listening to music, singing karaoke, relaxing on the sundeck, squid fishing available for entertainment during the night time.

• Stay overnight on Royal Palace Cruise on Halong.
• B,L,D

Day 4 – 18 Mar: Halong Bay → Hanoi

• 06:15 Enjoy the sunrise on the Bay. Morning Tai Chi session on sundeck
• 06:30 Light breakfast. Coffee, tea, and pastries served in the restaurant
• 07:20 Sung Sot cave excursion: Explore Sung Sot Cave – the biggest and most stunning cave in Halong Bay
• 09:15 Check-out of cabins & bill settlement. Start cruising back to the port
• 09:30 Buffet brunch served at the restaurant
• 10:45 – 11:00 Back to the port. Farewell and disembark
• 11:15 – 11:30 Get on the bus back to Hanoi.
• 14:30-14:45 Drop off your hotel.

At 18:00 PM, our guide will see you at the theatre 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 Lotusama Hanoi Hotel in Hanoi.
• B,L,D

Day 5 – 19 Mar: Hanoi (City tour)→ Hoi An

Breakfast at your hotel then check out your hotel, you can leave luggage at hotel (please note to hotel staff to keep for you). After city tour you will be back to this hotel to take luggage and wait for pick up to airport.

Around 08:00 – 8:15 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”

After the tour, drop you off the hotel.

At 16:15 PM we transfer you to airport for flight to Da Nang (depart at 19:10 PM – VN 197). Once arrived in Da Nang airport at 20:35 PM, you’ll be taken to Hoi An hotel for your stay.

• Overnight at Kim An Hoi An Hotel in Hoi An.
• B,L

Day 6 – 20 Mar: Hoi An (Visit My Son Sanctuary)

Breakfast at hotel.

Around 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.

Have lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon, free time. You can walk to 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 Kim An Hoi An Hotel in Hoi An.
• B,L

Day 7 – 21 Mar: Hoi An → Da Nang

Morning, enjoy breakfast at hotel. it’s your leisure time for walking around the Old Town for shopping and relax in Hoi An.

At 12:00 PM, we transfer you to Da Nang. Rest of the day is your leisure time at beach in Da Nang.

• Overnight at Crystal Hotel Da Nang in Da Nang.
• B

Day 8 – 22 Mar: Da Nang (Leisure)

Enjoy breakfast at hotel.

Spend your leisure time for relaxation at beach in Da Nang. You can also visit some famous places on your own and try local cuisine.

• Overnight at Crystal Hotel Da Nang in Da Nang.
• B

Day 9 – 23 Mar:  Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh

Morning, breakfast at hotel in Da Nang.

At 10:45 AM – We transfer you to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh (depart at 12:50 PM – QH 165). Once arrived in airport at 14:20 PM, you’ll be taken to hotel for your stay.

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

• Overnight at Prague Hotel Saigon in Ho Chi Minh.
• B

Day 10 – 24 Mar: Ho Chi Minh (City & 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 Prague Hotel Saigon in Ho Chi Minh.
• B,L

Day 11 – 25 Mar: Ho Chi Minh → Mekong Delta

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

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 to continue to Can Tho.

• Overnight at KP Hotel Can Tho in Can Tho.
• B,L

Day 12 – 26 Mar: Mekong Delta → Ho Chi Minh

Breakfast at the hotel.

Relaxing boat ride to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Hau River, followed by a visit to the bustling Cai Rang Floating Market. 

Visit a local noodle-making factory. Explore Munir Ansay Pagoda, a renowned Khmer pagoda with unique architecture. 

Then, proceed to Son Islet, visit fish farms, fruit orchards, and enjoy seasonal fruits. Lunch and return to Ho Chi Minh City, ending the tour.

• Overnight at Prague Hotel Saigon in Ho Chi Minh.
• B,L

Day 13 – 27 Mar: Ho Chi Minh (Leisure)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Your leisure time to explore the city on your own. You can also try local cuisine and shopping.

• Overnight at Prague Hotel Saigon in Ho Chi Minh.
• B

Day 14 – 28 Mar: Ho Chi Minh (Departure)

At 05:00 AM, we transfer you to the airport for departure flight (depart at 08:05 AM – KE 478).

• N/A
• N/A

End of service!