The Allure of Vietnam

Upon your arrival at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi - the capital of Vietnam, our private tour guide will meet you with a welcome signboard and will escort you to your selected hotel in the downtown. 

Check in your hotel and the rest of the day is on your own leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

** Please note that the standard check in time at the hotel is 14:00. If your arrival time is earlier, an early check in at the hotel will be subject to the availability **

Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of Hanoi's morning. Your private tour guide will escort you on a day of exploring Hanoi, including a visit to the Ho Chi Minh complex on the site where he declared Vietnam’s independence in 1945. Nearby, we will visit House 54, Stilt House, Presidential Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Continue our visit to the Museum of Ethnology to learn about the cultural diversity of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. Established in 1997 by the Vietnamese government, the museum offers a fascinating insight into the diverse cultures, customs and lifestyles of the 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam.

We will have lunch at a local Pho restaurant where we will enjoy Pho Bo, a popular dish in Vietnam, known for its flavorful broth, tender beef and fresh herbs. 

** Please note: The evening street food tour is one of our featured activities, so be sure to keep your stomach full for this special tour **

In the afternoon, we visit the Temple of Literature. Originally built in honor of Confucius by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in 1070, a university was added to the grounds six years later. The university provided education for the royal family and the children of the nobility, also known as "mandarins. The university remained here until Emperor Gia Long moved the capital from Hanoi to Hue in the 18th century.

15:00. Return to the hotel to rest before starting to explore local cuisine in the evening.

17:00-20:30. We start our walking tour at Hanoi’s largest covered market, Dong Xuan. Along the market, dozens of street vendors sell a variety of products, from fresh seafood to specialty fruits and spices. Your private tour guide will provide you with an insight into the complexities and traditions of Vietnamese culinary culture, including detailed information on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes.

Strolling through the bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we will try Hanoi's famous "Banh Cuon" at a local eatery. Watch and be amazed as skilled chefs show you how to prepare this delicious dish. Continuing into the Old Quarter, we pass through street stalls and quiet residential streets where you can observe local life that has remained largely unchanged since Hanoi was founded over 1,000 years ago.

Our next stop is a Banh My (French Baguette) shop, a small eatery with a few typical Vietnamese stools on the sidewalk, where we enjoy delicious and fresh baguettes while taking in the view of the neighborhood.

Head to a local restaurant where we will sample Bun Cha consisting of rice noodles, herbs and grilled pork. At a local coffee shop, we will watch a barista demonstration before having a cup of egg coffee, a delicious local specialty.

Continue to other eateries in some other streets of the Old Quarter where we can try some dishes such as Che (Vietnamese sweet soup) and Nom (Papaya salad with beef).

Then it's time for dessert as we head down a small alley to indulge in the tradition of enjoying fresh fruit served in a cup and topped with shaved ice – a must try.

Back to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

** Please note:

1, The city tour program is flexible. Our tour guide will be more than happy to adjust the itinerary at your needs. You can skip one site or add another if you wish.
2, The food tour is not exclusively for vegetarians.

08:30. Your private driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi and travel to Tuan Chau Harbor in Halong city (without tour guide)

12:00. The crew members of Peony Cruises will welcome you at No.34, Tuan Chau Marina, Quang Ninh. 

12:30. You will be taken aboard our support vessel and travel from the wharf via the bay to board our luxurious craft, Peony Cruises. Itinerary briefing is announced during this time.

13.00. Welcome fresh drinks, wet towels and a special lunch of fresh food and an assortment of appetizing delicacies will be served. You will be enchanted when decadently dining on our luxury junk. Life just doesn't get better than this! We then set sail for Lan Ha Bay - A member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays.

Enjoy the delicious luncheon of fresh seafood and an assortment of appetizing delicacies while cruising along Lan Ha bay with the breathtaking scenery.

15:30. Visiting Tra Bau area where has known as an area famous for its unspoiled, poetic natural beauty and attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. This is the best time for kayaking to discover the truest beauty of the limestone islands.

Immerse yourself in the emerald green water of the bay or enjoy the Jacuzzi pool on the Peony Cruises.

17:30-18:30. Joining us for Cooking demonstration to learn how to make one of the most famous Vietnamese cuisines, the spring rolls. Or reach the top deck of cruise where the guests can admire the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Enjoy a Happy Hour time – BUY ONE GET ONE FREE at the bar. It is an ideal time for photography enthusiasts to capture the greatest moment of sunset over Lan Ha Bay.

19.30. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served by our skillful chef. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting.

21:00-22.00. Relax and sip the exotic cocktails and drinks at the sky bar (with surcharge). Indulge yourself with spa service (optional) or simply relax on the top deck just under the cover of a brightly illuminated sky.

Or try to get your luck at the squid fishing on the main deck.

Overnight on board.

** Please note the itinerary is subject to change without notice, in accordance with the weather and other operating conditions **

06:00. Begin the day full of energy with the Tai Chi session and enjoy the sun just rising up beyond the horizon.

06:45-07:15. Breakfast is served while cruising back to Gia Luan jetty. (Breakfast time may be adjusted and follow the real itinerary)

07:30-09:00. You will join the tour of Cat Ba World Biosphere by transshipment. It takes 30 minutes to transfer from Gia Luan to Trung Trang – one of the most impressive caves in Cat Ba island, Vietnam. The limestone cave has thousands of talactites in various shapes, offering geological values with a typical cave ecosystem.

09:30. Return to the main boat from the cave and the guests will do the cabin check out. Luggage is placed outside of the cabin.

Lunch is served at the restaurant. Settle the bar bill by the desk at the restaurant (if any)

10:30-11:00. Disembark the Peony Cruises and transferred back to Block 34, Big Bay group terminal, Tuan Chau Marina. Relax and wait for the luggage.

Meet your private driver for a private transfer to Ninh Binh province, a destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

Upon arrival, check in your hotel for leisure time.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

09:00. Meet your private tour guide at the hotel lobby and travel on your private vehicle to Tam Coc pier. Embark on a two-hour excursion by small boat along the Ngo Dong River, beginning at the village of Van Lam and proceeding through a scenic landscape dominated by rice fields and karst towers. The route includes floating through Tam Coc - the three natural grottos (Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba), the largest of which is 125m long with its ceiling about 2m high above the water. The boats are typically rowed by one or two local women who also sell embroidered goods.

Return to the dock and head to visit the nearby site - Bich Dong pagoda, a cave pagoda, built in the 15th century. There are 03 main pagodas here called Chua Ha, Chua Trung and Chua Thuong. Start a walking tour across a stone bridge and hike up the mountains on some stone steps passing through the dark cave. After that find yourselves on top of the mountains with private view of the surroundings.

Have lunch at a local restaurant

In the afternoon, transfer to Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone. Get on a small sampan to discover its ancient cave network known as a “Tropical Symphony” such as But (Fairy), Tien Ca (Mermaid), Ba Co (Three Ladies), Thuy Cung (Water Palace)… to admire diversified-shaped stalactites and listen to the legends on the foundation of the caves.

Leave the boat to visit the thousand-year streblus tree grown completely on a large rock. Its shape and posture are considered as incomparable one in Viet Nam. Especially, you should not miss the ‘moving’ millennia-old banyan tree in Goi Dai Temple. The banyan tree is called "the moving tree" by locals because it has changed its structure thrice since the temple was built under it. According to researchers, this banya tree has been around for thousands of years and changes its structure every 300 years or so. 

Get lost in a flower valley, an orchard with variety of typical tropical fruits such as guava, apple, star fruit, mango, custard… and a primeval forest with diversified ecosystem which is the habitat of hundreds of flora and fauna species.

In the late afternoon, stop by the bird-park to witness the fascinating sight from the observation tower when flocks of white storks and various other birds return to perch on the top of trees and bamboo after a hunting day for food. The scene of thousands of birds flying in the twilight will be a wonder to behold.

Leave the bird-park and be back to your hotel for a check in.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

After breakfast at hotel, take a private transfer to Mua Cave, one of the most beautiful place to enjoy panoramic views. You can see the city far from the standing in front of, Tam Coc in back and the limestone mountain along to the south of Vietnam. After climbing up 500 stone steps, you are on the top of the mountain where you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and wonderful Ngo Dong River.

Climb down the mountain and have lunch at a local restaurant.

Return to Hanoi by private vehicle. Check in your selected hotel for leisure time.

Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast at hotel, take a private transfer to Danang airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon).

Upon arrival, your private tour guide in Ho Chi Minh City will escort you to your selected hotel in the downtown for a check in.

Free to explore the surrounding on your own arrangement.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

In the morning, your private tour guide will come to your hotel and pick you up for a private excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels - one of the most famous battlegrounds of the Vietnam War. The network of Tunnels included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today, the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction, giving you a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War must have been like.

In the afternoon, join in a city sightseeing to the War Remnants Museum and the former Presidential Palace. From there, take a short walk to the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, Continental Saigon Hotel and the Saigon Opera House. Stop in front of the Ho Chi Minh City Hall, an iconic landmark in Saigon, to have some photos.

Return to your hotel for a relaxing time.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Have breakfast at the hotel then travel on your private vehicle along pretty country roads to the Mekong Delta region. This area is popularly known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam, famous for its vast rice fields, orchard farms, coconut trees and numerous waterways...

After approximately 2 hours driving, your will arrive at My Tho. From here, board a motorized boat and sail down the river passing by Dragon Island, Phoenix Island, and Turtle Island. Stop at the famous Unicorn Island to visit a natural beekeeping farm where you can taste the local honey and some local wines as well. Take a walk through the village and row along the coconut canal to see daily local life in the Mekong Delta.

Continue your motor boat trip to Ben Tre province to visit a handmade coconut candy workshop. Switch to a smaller motor boat to travel along the lush, green canals.

Stop at a local Vietnamese restaurant for some traditional food. Later on, enjoy various types of tropical fruits at the orchard garden and listen to traditional music. 

At the end of the tour, our local boat will take you back to My Tho. 

Travel on your private vehicle back to Saigon.

Upon arrival, check in your hotel for a relaxing time.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

After breakfast at hotel, take a private transfer to the airport for a flight to Danang, a coastal city in central Vietnam.

Upon arrival, your private tour guide in Danang will escort you to your selected hotel for a check in.

Free to explore the surrounding on your own arrangement.

Overnight in Danang.

In the morning, meet your private tour guide at the hotel lobby, and take a private transfer to Hoi An, an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. 

Get to Van Lang fisherman village to visit Bay Mau coconut water forest, home to a rich and diverse ecosystem featuring birds, fish, crabs... Visit a local house comprising a 3 generation family to taste a cup of green tea and stroll through the village. Take a basket boat to explore the natural beauty and tranquility of Bay Mau coconut forest. And learn about the locals' techniques of balancing their basket boats on the water and traditional fishery.

Back to the local house for a foot bath with medicinal herbs and traditional therapeutic foot massage before preparing lunch with the host family. Lunch will feature many local delicacies, such as Tam Huu spring rolls, Banh Xeo local pancakes, grilled fish in banana leaf and others.

After lunch, take a private transfer to Hoi An ancient town. Embark on a 2-hour walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient town, visiting the Tan Ky house, the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation and the markets.

Visit to the home of a local lantern maker. You will get a brief introduction about the history, shape, and color of lanterns and the many stages of making them. You will then be shown how to decorate and make your own lantern which you can keep as a souvenir.

Return to your hotel in Danang for a relaxing time.

Overnight in Danang.

After breakfast at hotel, meet your private tour guide at the hotel lobby and take a visit to the beautiful Ba Na Hills, a hill station and resort located in the Truong Son Mountain region of central Vietnam. Travel to the top of Ba Na Hills by the cable car which holds 4 of the World Records. See the fascinating Linh Ung Pagoda and marvel at its exquisite architectural design. Stand before the massive 30-meter tall statue of Buddha towering in the clouds then head to the lovely Tinh Tam Garden, Nghinh Phong Peak and Vong Nguyet Hill for some spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding region.

Visit Golden Bridge, a 150-meter long pedestrian bridge with two giant stone hands supporting the structure. Get a scenic overlook and enjoy the view of the beautiful landscape of nature comfortably and smoothly.

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, explore the French Village, a replica of classical and romantic France in the fantasy, through a string of peculiar architectural clusters: the square, cathedral, town, village and inns. Enjoy the show of European and American artists.

Return to the cable station and go down the mountain.

Back to your hotel for leisure time.

Overnight in Danang.

Have breakfast and enjoy your whole free day at the hotel or on the beach.

Overnight in Danang.

Have breakfast and enjoy your whole free day at the hotel or on the beach.

Overnight in Danang.

Hotel breakfast is included. Check out time is 11:00 am. 

Free time until your private driver arrives to take you to the airport for your departure flight. 

End of services.