Vietnam Heritage

Upon arriving in Hanoi, our tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to your hotel. You will then visit the city’s largest covered market, Dong Xuan. Your expert English-speaking local guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture including details on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes. We eat as we go, trying seasonal fruits and local street food.

Today with Vietnam Heritage Tour, we will visit Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – the World Cultural Heritage recognized by UNESCO in 2010, 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.

After lunch, we back to the center of Hanoi to visit Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake: The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the Hoan Kiem Lake, its history dating back to the 13th century. The temple is reached by crossing the The Huc Bridge which literally means the ‘Place Touched by Morning Sunbeams’. The Hoan Kiem Lake is the local point of the city and the source of many legends. One hour Cyclo Tour through the Old Quarter: Also known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally each of the 36 s names’ was related to the products being sold there. It’s a great place to explore on foot with numerous photo opportunities.

After breakfast, Vietnam Heritage Tour introduce to you Bai Dinh pagoda complexes, the largest pagoda, not only in Vietnam but also in Southeast of Asia. Scenically set on the foot hill of Dinh Mountain surrounded by amazing views of the exquisite river valley below and dotted and the limestone karsts dotted around which will take your breath away.

After lunch, leave for the Trang An Grottoes, an out-standing natural beauty of majestic limestone massif at 20 square kilometer rise dramatically out from rice paddy fields.Deep into the linked chains of towering mountain are pristine places of mystical valleys, numerous fresh water ponds, and jungle.

Embark on a traditional sampan gently rowed down the exquisite river through numerous caves: Hang Toi (Dack) cave, 320 meter long, Sang (light) cave, 90 meter long, and Hang Nau Ruou (Cooking wine) cave, 250 meter long… Every passages bring new surprise of mystery hidden inside isolated valleys of tranquility that likely transformed to the other world and time. The fauna and flora is rich and a scene of a goat jumping from one cliff to the other is a common sight.

Leisure cycling on rural roads alongside the extensive canal network and through small villages with back drop of a maze of limestone mountains.

After breakfast, Vietnam Heritage Tour designates to depart for Halong Bay – designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site since 1994. Travelling through the scenic fertile Red River Delta countryside, we get to Ha Long Bay by noon. The natural world heritage site Halong Bay is truly one of the most impressive scenery that should not be missed if someone ever come to the north. Upon arrival at Ha Long, we embark on a junk for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting hours cruise passing by the evocatively shaped islets will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands and islets rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. Enjoy a Sea food lunch while you cruising through the bay.

Here the limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches. You then explore the Surprising Sung Sot cave which still reserve much of the amazing original stalactites and stalagmites. By summer, there is always some chance to leisurely swim in a secluded cove of the bay. Dinner will be served on board and stay overnight on Cruise.

Wake up in the morning to the calming sound of the waves crashing on the nearby islands. Enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning and relax. Sitting on the upper deck, you can enjoy the breath – taking beauty of the rocky Islands rising from the crystal-clear waters of the Bay. The quiet is almost eerie; in summer you can hear birds singing, even that cicadas chirping ashore and the gentle lapping of the waves against our boat, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and gentle breeze. Our boat start cruising back and brunch buffet will be served on the way. Check out and arrive at the harbor by 11:30. You get back on our car and head back to Hanoi for overnight train to Dong Hoi Station.

Arriving at Dong Hoi station, you will be picked up and taken to a local restaurant. After breakfast, Vietnam Heritage Tour introduces Phong Nha Cave to you on this day. You will then take a 25 minute ride to the cave via traditional dragon boat. This cave is called a water cave as it exhibits an underground river. After going into the cave by boat, you will explore 300 meters into the cave on foot. Then, you will be taken back by boat. This cave is famous for its spectacular rock formations. It has been given names such as the “Lion”, the “Fairy Caves”, the “Royal Court”, and the “Buddha”. You will be driven to Phong Nha Village.

After breakfast, Our car and tour guide will drive you to Paradise cave – the longest dry cave in Asia (located in Phong Nha – Ke bang National Park’s core zone).
You will then be taken by golf cart (1.6km) from the main gate through the jungle, to where you will then climb to the mouth of the cave; a climb that boasts spectacular views of the mountainous region around the cave.
Lunch at Dark cave restaurant. Here you will enjoy a traditional Vietnamese dish.
In the afternoon, you will visit Dark cave (located in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park). Participate in the many adventure activities: mud bath, ziplining, swimming, kayaking, adventure course, caving etc.
Depart back to Dong Hoi

Leave Dong Hoi for Hue – to the old imperial city (150 km). In 1993 Hue was made part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. From here the 13 emperors of the Nguyen dynasty ruled the country and erected splendid palaces, temples and tombs. After check-in we go on a boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in the city. We go on to see the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang.

Today, Vietnam Heritage Tour introduces Hue to you as classic style. After breakfast, you will visit the Citadel – The palaces of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), the last dynasty of Vietnam – Noon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Imperial Ancestral Temple and Hue Royal Antiques Museum then Khai Dinh Tomb which represents a fusion of traditional Vietnamese style and modern influence. The tomb is almost entirely made of concrete and includes many European architectural details.
Before lunch, go to Conical hat village, Incense stick village.

In the afternoon, we will leave Hue for Hoi An. Stop en-route to see Lang Co beach and the fascinating Cham Museum, the famous China Beach on the way to charming Hoi An.

Hoi An will be visited today with Vietnam Heritage Tour and guide. After breakfast, we depart for the ancient Cham ruins of My Son. Once there, visit the Tra Kieu capital which was the former administration center of Champa Kingdom. Discover the majestic ancient ruins at My Son including ancient towers which were built from the fourth century. The guide will explain the unique architecture of the Champa towers and how the ancient people built the towers, and special reasons why UNESCO recognises My Son as a World heritage. Back to Hoi An for lunch.

Enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarters to see the town’s landmarks of Japanese Covered Bridge, ancient Assembly Hall, Phuc Kien Temple and then we take a river trip and you will enjoy the scenery along the Thu Bon River and the general view of Hoi An Ancient Town.

Free at your leisure all day.

This day, you are free at leisure until transferring to Danang airport to take the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, you are met by our guide and transferred to your hotel. You will then walk around district 1 to visit some famous and specialized – food families or stall/ local restaurant and taste some popular authentic food by yourself in hidden alleys and sidewalks that you never imagine.

Today, Vietnam Heritage Tour introduces briefly Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon). In the morning, you will be privately transferred by your guide and driver to northwest of Saigon to visit the Cu Chi tunnels. The tunnels were constructed during the “American war” and used by the Viet Cong. Today, some of the remaining tunnels have been opened to tourists, offering a unique insight into what underground life must have been like during the war.

Upon arrival at the historical site of Cu Chi you will watch a brief introductory documentary and then begin our sightseeing, walking on the dirt paths through the bush. You will also have the chance to crawl through some of the tunnels if you wish. Then come back to Saigon for lunch.

In the afternoon, you will have an exploration of this Metropolitan City. You will visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Rex Hotel, City Hall, the Opera House, the colonial Post Office, renowned for its architecture, and the Ben Thanh Market. Later stop at the Reunification Palace and the moving War Remnants Museum to learn more of Vietnam’s turbulent past.

End your day at the Jade Emperor Pagoda before returning to your hotel.

Today, Vietnam Heritage Tour brings you to Mekong Delta – the must see area in the south. Your private guide and driver will take you out of Ho Chi Minh City in a private vehicle and onto some beautiful country roads to Ben Tre Town, the heart of the Mekong Delta, popularly known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam, and is famous for its vast rice fields, numerous waterways and beautiful landscapes.

Arriving at Ben Tre town you will embark on a motorized boat trip around the scenic Bến Tre River, viewing various local industries along the way. During the boat ride you will stop to visit the local workshops to see how bricks & sleeping mats are made. You also take a motor cart (xe lôi) passing rice and vegetable fields.

Return to Ben Tre town for lunch, after which you will be driven two hours back to your hotel.

The rest of your day is free.

Today is your final day. You are free to chill out and relax. Depending on your departure flight, your private driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your outbound flight home. They will ensure you are the correct gate. End of service.