VIETNAM PREMIER TOUR 10 DAYS

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at your hotel. We will discover the colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes, Hanoi is full of charm. Start the tour at the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed every Monday & Friday, all afternoons and from early September until mid November). Behind the Mausoleum, you can see Ho Chi Minh's House. The simple house where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked is made of wood and enjoyed a tranquil setting, with a view of a lotus pond. Ho Chi Minh’s belongings are on display and you can walk up the steps of his house to see his bedroom.

A short walk from the mausoleum is the lotus shaped One Pillar Pagoda – resting on a single stone pillar emerging from the water. Wind your way afterwards to the Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins, for an overview about Hanoian culture and appreciation for ancient Vietnamese architecture. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Have dinner at Nineteen 11 restaurant.

Located within the grounds of the historic Opera House - built in 1911 - the Nineteen 11 has authentic colonial ambiance with the flair of a fine dining restaurant. Nineteen 11 provides intimate corners for couples, special functions for small to medium sized groups, and hosts many visiting celebrities. Its wine cellar is also an ideal place to hang out after dinner for a digestif or two.

Buffet breakfast at hotel. Free your time at leisure

Afternoon. Enjoying a cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as “36 streets.” This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around you. We will travel around the famous Hoan Kiem lake (Lake of the Restored Sword.) - The heart of Hanoi capital.

Start your evening with a traditional water puppet performance (Roi Nuoc). The stage is actually a large container of water where the characters (carved wooden puppets} “act” out the story. Most of the stories are whimsical and fun, and the puppeteers stand in waist deep water behind a screen controlling the puppets with rods that mostly are under the water.

Dining at Bobby Chinn restaurant

The blend of open tables, robed cubbyholes and curtained-off partitions give this richly decorated lounge bar and restaurant a distinctly boudoir-feel. Operated by world-famous chef Bobby Chinn, the menu features an innovative fusion of Western and Asian dishes, blending Californian, French and Vietnamese flavours.

Buffet breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to Gia Lam Heliport. Board the seaplane for a short flight to Halong Bay. It takes only 30 minutes from Hanoi to Halong Bay by seaplane. Viewing Halong Bay from a seaplane is a great way to get a panoramic view of the mystical seascape.

Landing on Halong Bay, you are pick-up by the tender to Halong Habour. Free time at Paradise Café on Tuan Chau Island. Welcome on board of a duluxe boat and set sail through bay while lunch is served. Sail into the magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waves like dragons’ teeth.

After lunch, take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay dotted with Chinese junk boat golden sails, go swimming on a quite beach or sunbathing on the sundeck.

Later this afternoon, visit an interesting fishing village with opportunity to interact with fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. At sunset you have the choice of kayaking, taking a simple bamboo row boat to discover a water tunnel with many coral reefs in a scenic lagoon or relax on deck or have a massage.

Back on board, enjoy cocktails while watching sunset and later unwind at the main restaurant for dinner. Enjoy the elegant five courses set menu.

Evening activities: relax at leisure, enjoy movie night, board games, or beauty spa services. Overnight in Halong Bay.

Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi exercise with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. Sitting on the upper desk we can enjoy the breath - taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the crystal-clear water of the bay. We can hear the birds singing, cicadas chirping ashore and the gentle lapping of the waves against our boat, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and gentle breeze.

International brunch buffet served in the restaurant. Check-out on board and disembarkation at boat port, Halong city.

Our tour guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to Hanoi airport to take a flight to Da Nang. Your guide will transfer you to Hoi An then to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Accommodation: The Nam Hai / Villa 1 Bedroom

Breakfast at hotel. Free your time at leisure.

Afternoon: We drive to Hoi An historic town. Soaking up the atmosphere. Exploring the many Chinese assembly halls and fascinating ancestral homes, some of which have been occupied by the same family for fifteen generations. One of the most spectacular Assembly Halls is the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, built in 1690. The pagoda inside contains intricate statues and artwork, in part dedicated to Thien Hau Than Mau, the Goddess of the Sea and protector of fishermen. Walking tour of the ancient town center takes us to the sites of former merchants’ homes, the 400-year old Japanese Covered bridge - The symbol of Hoian. The Japanese Covered bridge was the first bridge in Hoian and was constructed in 1593. It was built by the Japanese community of Hoian to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream.

We will enjoy Amazing Sunset Cocktail cruise on Thu Bon river. Admire a glorious sunset while enjoying cocktails with family and friends. A perfect way to start the evening. The sun is low in the sky and the wind is gentle. Excellent calm water cruising. A complimentary cocktail is served upon boarding, having some snack and setting the scene for the unforgettable evening ahead.

Have your dinner at Brother’s Café in Hoi An

Brother's Café is the town's top choice for cuisine and atmosphere. A bland street-side facade gives way to the lush, garden sanctuary formed by this grand U-shape colonial by the river. Indoor seating is upscale Indochina of a bygone era, and the courtyard is dotted with canvas umbrellas to while away a balmy afternoon or enjoy a candlelit evening riverside. The fare is gourmet Vietnamese at its finest, with great specials; it's a good place to try local items like the white rose, a light Vietnamese ravioli, or cao lao noodles.

Transfer back to the Nam Hai.

Buffet breakfast at hotel. A short transfer to Hoian town, we will visit the market with the Red Bridge chefs to purchase your ingredients for cooking your own lunch. Enjoy a boat transfer along the river from the town to Red Bridge restaurant.

Upon arrival guests will enjoy a welcome drink followed by a walk through the herb garden with the chefs. Now the cooking class begins. The class will be part participation and part demonstration and you will see different methods for creating each dish. You will personally prepare most of the dishes you will eat. In this session there is time to ask questions about Vietnamese cuisine.

v A market tour to show you how to select good fresh ingredients

v Boat transfer from Hoi An to Red Bridge

v Cooking demonstration and class

v Dine on the dishes you have prepared for lunch

Rest of afternoon free at leisure

Buffet breakfast at hotel. Free your time at leisure until our guide and driver pick you up and transfer to the airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon). You are welcome at the airport then transfer to your hotel for check in.

This afternoon discover the contrasts of bustling Ho Chi Minh City, you will see colourful markets selling everything from chillies to French bread and, of course, an endless stream of bicycles, cyclos and motorbikes. You will depart your hotel in Vietnam’s traditional form of transport – the cyclo – and by cycled at a leisurely pace to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a Neo-classical structure dating back to the 19th century, with the beautiful Post Office building opposite. Continue by cyclo to thePresidential Palace and their underground war rooms. Thereafter continue by coach to the Central Market (Ben Thanh Market) where you will wander the colourful stalls and stands of this central area of trade and commerce.

After the market, stroll down Le Loi Street to the Russian Market and then onto Dong Khoi, ‘The’ shopping street in Saigon.

Transfer to Bon Sai cruise by private bus. You will wear Vietnamese traditional dress. Boarding and enjoy 02 hour cocktail party. Then, we will enjoy International buffet dinner on boat, cruise along Saigon river, enjoy your dishes and listening to traditional folk music, sing and dance. You will have relaxation-time to catch the over view of the city, people working at Saigon port. Along both sides of the river are mansions, life of the civilians…..Free your time to explore Saigon nightlife. Overnight in Saigon.

Accommodation: Park Hyatt Saigon / Park Deluxe Room

Breakfast at hotel. We’ll take a scenic early morning drive to Vinh Long (140 km), stop for photos at Tan An town over the flat rice fields. Upon embarkation on Cai Be Princess boat (Victoria cruise), you are welcomed with fresh cotton towels & seasonal fresh fruits.

The tour will start with the visit of Cai Be colorful floating market, cruising among local sampans coming from all provinces of the delta full of fruits and vegetables. Your sampan will proceed to Dong Hoa Hiep island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. During a 40 minutes cruise, you will be able to discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong delta rural life. These evergreen islands among the Mekong river still remain unknown to many people.

We will visit an ancient mandarin house dating from the 19 century where the family will welcome you with a cup of honey tea. Back on board, we will lead to you to observe the activity of the biggest rice stock market. Further, others stops will allow you to see a traditional bricks and tiles factory and how locals are using palm leaves for houses. Cruising 20 minutes further to Phu An hamlet passing by Cai Be beautiful church, we will have a visit at some interesting home factories to see how rice paste is made, but also rice cookies, coco candies, as well as longan fruits drying process.

Lunch will await you at Le Longanier restaurant, a superb indochine villa located in a lush tropical garden by the river, surrounded by fruit orchards. You will have a chance to enjoy the famous dish “Fried Mekong Elephant Ear Fish”.

After a short walk along a beautiful canal, the excursion will end at approx. 3.30pm at Ba Bon bridge - where our driver will meet you. Transfer back to Saigon.

Tonight we enjoy farewell dine at Mandarin restaurant.

Dress up for a table at Mandarin, where you can find authentic Vietnamese dishes in a refined, traditional setting. Housed in a large, tastefully-restored colonial villa, this upmarket eatery is perfect for discerning diners in search of authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

Breakfast at hotel. Free your time to discover Saigon streets or shopping at Ben Thanh market - the symbol of Ho Chi Minh city until you are transferred to the Tan Son Nhat airport for your departure flight.