Vietnam at Glance

Meet your tour guide at hotel in the afternoon, your guide will make brief about your trip from north to South Vietnam. Then take a walk around the narrow and crowded streets of the Old Quarter, discovering the busy nightlife of Hanoi people.
 

The morning city tour begins with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum that the leader liberated the county from French. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda and the Presidential Palace. Then to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the apex of regional political power for more than a millennium where research and excavation is still underway, and then head to another 11th century relic, the Temple of Literature, which was built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius.

In the afternoon, spend 1 hour to wander through Hoa Lo Prison, and then visit the Ngoc Son temple. Ngoc Son Temple was built in the 18th century on Jade Island in the center of the 'Lake of the Returned Sword' or Hoan Kiem Lake. Take a breezy cyclo ride through the Old Quarter’s 36 streets, named after the products that were sold from their shops. Today, vendors on Bamboo Streets still sell the same wares. End you day with a delightful water puppet show, a traditional art that is still being performed today.
 

Take a morning flight to Hue. On arrival in Hue, transfer to the Imperial Citadel, situated along the Perfume River. Your walking will take takes you inside this walled fortress: within the citadel, just past Hien Nhan Gate, lie the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City. You’ll enjoy a walking tour of this massive enclosure. Hue used to be the home of Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945, whose palaces and tombs provide fascinating glimpses into the luxurious and secretive world of the court. Visit the ancient royal tombs of Emperor Khai Dinh and Tu Duc for a better understanding of Hue’s imperial history. Drive to hotel for check in. Enjoy Royal diner- Emperor's Royal Banquet.

In the morning, private vehicle will drive you to rural village for a half day biking explore beautiful countryside, rice paddy field, and duck farms to Cau Ngoi Thanh Toan. Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge is an ancient architecture relic with historic and cultural values. Be met locals here for a talk and have some photo taken before you carry on this ride through lush green village, stop at the small markets in countryside, experience  authentic local' living. Transfer to the handicraft villages; visit on of the most well-know the Sinh village that is the home to the 400-year-old folk painting craft. This is a chance to meet the oldest artisan in the village who will show you how to create your own piece of folk painting. Then visit a neighboring village which famous for its traditional paper flower making. You will have great opportunity to try creating your own paper lotus flower under the guidance of the artisan. After lunch at selected restaurant, drive to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, then enjoy Dragon boat ride on Perfume River.

After 2 days exploring the beautiful countryside and Purple city, we leave it for Hoi An. Shuttle to Thuan An beach for easy exciting off the beaten track, through a picturesque lane from Thuan An beach to Vinh Loc shaded by coconut palms along the peninsula. The scenic route passes through the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co before climbing over the “Pass of Ocean Clouds.” If you really love to challenge Hai Van Pass! We will visit the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. We then have a transfer to outskirt of Hoi An for the afternoon combine activities; cycle through peaceful villages with much of vegetable farms. Then we continue cross Thu Bon River to Cam Thanh village, enjoy local basket boat paddling on Small River, and meet local people at fishing village.

After your breakfast, a transfer drives you to countryside for a half day bicycle ride. Today we spend the morning cycling to  My Son Sanctuary. The Hindu tower temples of the My Son Sanctuary are located within a well-protected property with clearly defined boundaries. Eight groups of 71 standing monuments exist as well as extensive buried archaeology representing the complete historic sequence of construction of tower temples at the site, covering the entire period of the existence of the Champa Kingdom. Spend your own leisure time exploring Hoi An ancient town by your own in the afternoon.

Meet your guide at the hotel, take a walk to Hoi An’s colorful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. We then boarding on Red Bridge boat, enjoy a leisurely cruise along the river to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is the great way to view life of locals and fisherman along river bank. On arrival, walk through the herb garden, learn some kinds of herb, vegetable from tropical climate and be ready for a 2 hour cooking lesson. Enjoy your delicious lunch cooked by you with the chefs cooking team. Enjoy a guided walking tour to explore Hoi An ancient town in the afternoon.

After breakfast, be met at hotel and transferred to Da Nang for domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh. On arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, meet Vietnam Backroads’ team, drive to city center to check in hotel. After lunch at Cuc Gach restaurant, spend the afternoon to visit War Remnant Museum, Independent Palace, General Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedrals. Walk down to Dong Khoi Street; admire a beautiful Opera House and City Halls before doing some shopping at Ben Thanh market.

Travel to Cu Chi tunnel by speed boat is a truly unique way to observe a different side of Vietnam as you head to the famed tunnel complex where you’ll see an enormous network of underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War. It's also a great way to witness the real life of locals along River bank. Have an early breakfast for speed ride to Cu Chi tunnel. Depart at 7:00 am, after you are met at hotel, shuttle to Bach Dang pier. Watch a short documentary about Cu Chi during the war, explore the 3 levels of tunnel underground, stop at shooting range, have lunch at local restaurant by river before returning to Saigon. 

Depart from Ho Chi Minh City at 08.00am. It takes two hours driving to get to Cai Be' countryside. Board on Mekong boat to cruise along Mekong River, you'll stop to sample some of the fresh tropical fruit and visit some cottage industries in the area. Visit some family workshop produce candies, local snacks before a sampan rowing boat through beautiful Tan Phong Island. Then you get back to Mekong boat and continue crossing Mekong River to An Binh Island. Enjoy lunch- local special lunch at the home of local.

After lunch, we take a nap on hammock until the temperature drop down for leisurely afternoon bicycle ride. Explore an amazing bike ride through the lush land, rich with orange, papaya, grapefruit, and mango trees. Experience daily life of locals through quaint villages, and vibrant rivers network which criss-cross An Binh Island. Your ride today ends when you cross Mekong River to Vinh Long city. Your private vehicle dropped you in Cai Be this morning and has wait for you here in town. Get on vehicle for a 45 minute transfer to Can Tho city in late afternoon.

Can Tho is the capital of Mekong Delta and famous for it' Cai Rang floating market. This market is open all day and the best time from sunrise to about 9:00am. The main items sold here are farm products. Many big boats are loaded with plenty of seasonal fruit; mango, bananas, papaya, pineapple, longan, grapefruits, water melons....when small boats with long tail engines moving through to find a good dealer. Besides this, many coffee bars and grocery boats are also approaching for business. This is the truly unique floating market and can't be missed if you travelling to Mekong Delta region. 

After breakfast, do check out and get on boat by the pier in front for your hotel. Great time for sunrise photos, watch the morning activities on water way to real floating market. Then we disembark from your boat at An Binh land market and spend time experience people activities here. We start our ride to Binh Thuy rural Dist of Can Tho city. Pedal across small rivers, tropical fruit orchards, peaceful villages and number of lively local markets on countryside paths. End up your cycling at Binh Thuy- ancient house. Pay a visit to this ancient house- Old house featuring French colonial architecture and serene gardens. This was set on the movie "The Love". Enjoy lunch at cozy restaurants on the way back to Ho Chi Minh.

After your breakfast, free time to do shopping until a transfer to airport for home. Tour End!