Travel Style
Culture - History
Destinations
Mekong Delta, Duong Lam Ancient Village, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Hoi An, Hanoi
Highlights Itinerary Accommodation Inclusions/Exclusions
One of our best affordable Vietnam culture and history tours recommending highlighted destinations and awe-inspiring excursions offering unique experiences for your insightful understand. This itinerary of 13 day Vietnam travel package showcases charming Vietnam travel with scenic landscape of captivating Halong Bay, cultural city Hanoi, Royal Citadel Hue, the ancient town Halong Bay and historical Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, you will have day trips to Duong Lam ancient village disclosing the culture in northern Vietnam, DMZ site in central Vietnam and Cu Chi tunnels 58km (36 miles) from Saigon where are a remarkable spots of Vietnam history; and a day trip to Mekong Delta revealing water lifestyle in southern Vietnam.
Travelers who are looking for a Vietnam itinerary 2 weeks will love this package, among authentic Vietnam tours revealing Vietnam best places to visit and crucial inputs of cultural and historical destinations.
Welcome to Hanoi, the starting point of your stunning Vietnam culture and history tours! Being the second largest and the capital city in Vietnam, Hanoi is a heartening place with prominent economic development but also the cradle of Red River Delta culture. Hanoi city also characterizes French colonial buildings scattering around the city, the road of huge trees, delectable gastronomy and vibrant life pace.
Upon your arrival, your driver and local tour guide will welcome and transfer from airport to Hanoi City. Check-in hotel and have relaxing time till rest of the day.
Embark on a full day city touring Hanoi with cultural and historical attractions in the city. You will begin with Tran Quoc Pagoda which is the oldest one in Hanoi constructed in 6th century. Originally located on a dyke that the flood caused its relocation to an ideal penisula on West Lake nowadays making Tran Quoc a photogenic spot in Hanoi. It's optional to use car or take 15 minute walk from Tran Quoc Pagoda to Ba Dinh Square where situating iconic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. There is the resting place of Vietnam's greatest president Ho Chi Minh where housing his embalmed body. Sightsee the mausoleum from front, you then have a pleasant stroll and visit the Presidential Palace, the accommodations of Ho Chi Minh President and One Pillar Pagoda.
After lunch at local restaurant, you will pay a visit to the Temple of Literature in Hanoi renown as the first university of Vietnam. This is an attraction showcases Vietnamese culture and beliefs; and still be a crucial part of local culture these days. Afterward, you will have a relaxing cyclo ride for glimpse of Hanoi’s corners and admire the iconic colonial buildings such as Legend Metropole Hanoi, Hanoi Opera House, The State Bank, Saint Joseph Church and likewise. Farewell cyclo rider at Hanoi Old Quarter for your exploration of this vibrant corner, a unique and busy commercial place as well as to intermingle with lively local lifestyle. Finish the walking tour at Hoan Kiem Lake renown as the heart of Hanoi, you will enjoy Water Puppet Show whose invention was over a thousand year. Originating as a hobby for the peasants, later developed to the royal entertainment, the show depicts daily life and legends of Vietnamese farmers following with traditional and lively music.
This morning, you will travel to Duong Lam ancient village with some houses up to 400 years-old. After walking around the village with ancient houses of big yard with huge vases of soya bean sauce and beautiful small gardens, you will hop on the bicycle and traverse around this tranquil village of curve sided roofs and laterite blocks. Have sumptuous lunch in the cozy atmosphere of the ancient house. Stop to explore temples of Phung Hung and Ngo Quyen generals, the Mia Pagoda since 15th century. After this energetic cycling trip, you will travel back to Hanoi center. On the way back, stop by to see Tay Phuong Pagoda, one of the most significantly religious symbol of Buddhism in northern Vietnam. Tay Phuong Pagoda situated on Cau Lau Hill is an ancient pagoda since the 6th - 7th century of Vietnam which has been repaired many times. It’s one of the most impressive pagodas in Vietnam. Walking up 239 mossy stone stairs, you will find this pagoda of a harmony combination between Vietnamese tradition and culture. Tay Phuong Pagoda construction represents the typical Vietnamese fine art during the late Le Dynasty from 17th to 18th century. There are 64 Buddha statues which have existed for hundreds of years; and impressive wooden reliefs that reveal a lot about Vietnamese culture.
Today, you’ll travel 2.5 hours from Hanoi to Halong Bay for the overnight boat cruising on the stunning bay including 1,969 islands and islets of giant rock forming. While the boat set sails toward Halong Bay core area, you will have lunch at the boat's restaurant. Afternoon, you will get to the islands on Halong Bay to go hiking to Halong Bay cave, do kayaking in calm area or taking local wooden boat if you can not ride the kayak. Return boat when the sun set; you shall enjoy the tea-break as well as chilling on boat before dinner. Remarks: The activities order might be slightly different depending on crew's schedule.
In the morning, there is a Tai Chi lesson available on top deck for you to participate to enjoy the freshness on Halong Bay. After breakfast, you will make stop on other islands on Halong Bay for further expedition and enjoy the nature. The boat then sail toward the mainland in a different route for your further admiration of Halong Bay scenes. Leaving the boat at noon; you will meet up with your driver and head to the airport for your flight to Hue, the former capital in central Vietnam.
Upon arriving in Hue, you will see your local tour guide and have transfer from Phu Bai Airport to hotel in Hue City for check-in.
After breakfast at hotel, you will begin your full day tour in Hue with a visit to The Imperial Citadel, an unmissable of your historical tours Vietnam. Hue become Vietnam's capital in 1802 when Gia Long King successfully took control of all over Vietnam after the country civil war between two main clans of Trinh and Nguyen as well as the rebellions of previous dynasties. Lasting for nearly 150 years, Nguyen Dynasty ended when Vietnam officially became a colony of French; and left with fanciful Royal relics, cultural etiquette, sophisticated ornamental and so on. Afterward, you will reach Phu Mong tranquil village in Hue for a nice walk in the countryside area; and visit Xuan Vien Tieu Cung ancient house. Most of garden ancient houses in Hue were properties of mandarin families or royal members in the past that can be found via the house materials of rare woods, architecture, mother-of-pearl inlaid interiors, etc.
After lunch, you will travel to Thien Mu Pagoda on Ha Khe Hill. It's an iconic pagoda of Hue located nearby Perfume River. Lastly, you will visit Tu Duc King's tomb which is one of the nicest tombs in Hue. The king designed the tomb himself and had it ready before his decease. Well-known as a king passionated with poem creating, Tu Duc king's tomb was constructed with a romantic pond and pavillion for the king to drink wine and compose literature.
In the morning, you will travel 2.5 hours to the demilitarized zone from Hue and visit the Vinh Moc tunnel where was the bombing target during Vietnam War. Descend to the three-floor tunnels, an underground village which shelter the people from bombing. Next, stop at Hien Luong Bridge and Doc Mieu Base which is the American base located closest to the DMZ. After your trip, you will return Hue city. Rest of the day will be free & easy.
Leaving Hue in the morning for Hoi An old town, you will travel along a stunning path passing pristine Lang Co Beach, the Hai Van Pass where the ocean meets the cloud. You can stop on the way and cast the view toward the picturesque scenes; and tentatively arrive in Hoi An at noon.
In the afternoon, you will explore and enjoy the atmospheric Hoi An old town when meandering through tiny alleys with Chinese houses of over two centuries, the Japanese old bridge, the Tan Ky house which once belong to a rich merchants. Hoi An town is the place of cultural blend when the Asian and Western traders came over regularly and constructed their own houses in this town. The evening will be free on your own to enjoy the night time in the Hoi An town with colorful lanterns, plentiful options of local street food and explore the night market.
This morning, you will hop on your bicycle and travel through the lush countryside of Hoi An toward Tra Que Village. Participate with local people, you will learn how villagers plant vegetables and herbs. Afterward, try on making one of Vietnamese best dishes - Banh Xeo or sizzling cake; following with a lunch. After lunch, you can have a rest before carry on the cycling to Cam Thanh Village crossing the floodplain, rice fields and enjoy the scenic countryside as well as the villagers. From here, board the local boat at the mouth of Thu Bon River and initiate to the local fishing styles and catching fish. The bamboo basket boat then will take you into mangrove forest. Have a break before returning to Hoi An town by land transfer.
Have pleasant time on your own till good time, you will get transfer from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City - the next stop of your tour exploring Vietnamese culture and history. Upon your arrival, you will see your local tour guide and travel to city center. Late evening, you will travel to the Saigon River pier and have dinner on a river cruise with stunning view from top deck for 2-hour dinner of delicious Vietnamese gastronomy.
Ho Chi Minh City, undeniably is the most modern and vibrant city of Vietnam that make it one of the best things to see and do in Vietnam; also a city to fulfill your understanding of Vietnam history. This morning, you will head to Cu Chi Tunnels, a must-visit of historical tours Vietnam. The underground systems were digged by the Vietnamese Resistance force during war against French; and then extended further during Vietnam War. Exploring the tunnels 3 to 4 meters (9 - 13 feet) under the ground, you could imagine how the war went on at the time. Afterward, you shall return Ho Chi Minh City center for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will explore historical sites of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the War Remnants Museum and learn more about Vietnam War with the exhibitions of US weapons, photos of the war consequences, details of chemical weapons and so on. Then admire the buildings since French colonial buildings like the old Post Office, close-by Notre Dame Cathedral and the walking Dong Khoi Street.
This morning, you will travel to Mekong Delta region in the southern Vietnam and enjoy a pleasant day trip in the countryside area. Mekong Delta is the last piece fullfiling your best Vietnam itinerary. Arriving at Cai Be pier, you will board local boat and cruise toward Vinh Long for a tropical hideaway. Make stops to taste the fruits from orchards of local villagers and learn of some handicraft works. Have lunch at a local house; afterward you will head back to Cai Be by boat and return Ho Chi Minh city by late afternoon.
Have free time on your own till the transfer to airport for your flight to next destination.
Please note: Hotel standard check-out time is 12:00pm
Inclusions:
Accommodation in double/twin sharing basic
Daily breakfast at hotel and meals as indicated in the program
Private air-conditioned transfer
Excellent English-speaking guide (other language on request)
Entrance fee, boat trip, cycling for sightseeing as mentioned
2 bottles of water per person per day
Exclusions:
International and domestic flights
Vietnam Visa (if any)
Tips and gratuities for guide, driver, etc.
Personal expenses and services not mentioned
Please note: The tour rate is based on a group of 4 persons accommodated in excellent 3-star properties. If your group size or hotel preferences are different, please inform us of the most precise rate.
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