Vietnam Discovery in Depth

Welcome! Upon your arrival at Hanoi airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional guide and driver and then be escorted to the hotel. According to your arrival time, some scenic spots of the capital city will be visited.

After you settle in, start off this in-depth tour with an appreciation of the landmark Opera House. Then visit the serene Ngoc Son Temple and lively Old Quarter. At the quarter, your guide will walk you through the maze of bustling streets where flocks of motorbikes whiz by - you will see Vietnam truly deserves the sobriquet, "Kingdom of Motorcycles." Each of the streets here has its specialized product and is full of local snacks. We recommend you try Vietnamese specialties like drip coffee or salt coffee, tasting salty and sweet, to lift your spirits. You’ll be surprised by the low living cost in Vietnam, with a cup of black coffee being about only VND 20,000-30,000 (USD 0.8-1.2).

At night, you’ll be treated to a big dinner at a popular restaurant to taste authentic Vietnamese cuisine, and get acquainted with your warm-hearted guide. During this 3 weeks Vietnam tour, you’ll find that Vietnamese dishes are generally light and on the sweet and sour side, and there’s significant diversity in different regions. Northern dishes, influenced by Chinese cuisine, represent the traditional flavors, which pho (rice noodle soup) and spring rolls will show you. Swayed by France, southern food tastes a little bit sweeter than other regions. Why not try the famous Vietnamese baguette and banh tet (sticky rice cake) to find out?

► Notes for This In-depth Vietnam Tour
Since this itinerary covers most regions of Vietnam from north to south, you need to make a proper packing list to deal with diverse climates in different regions. For the north, from April to September, it’s generally warm and you’re recommended to bring summer clothes; from October to March, it’s relatively cold and long sleeves and warm clothes would be good. Central and southern areas are hotter all year round, so wear breathable clothes. As this route involves hiking and beach time, don’t forget to take comfortable walking shoes, bathing suits and sandals. Other necessities include sunblock, raingear, mosquito repellent and medicine for motion sickness. Upon arrival, choose a SIM card with the most extensive coverage and high stability. We suggest Viettel’s 4G data plan that offers 2GB/day valid for 30 days, which costs around VND 120,000 (USD 5).

Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: May De Ville Lakeside Hotel-Premier City View Room (5 stars) or La Siesta Classic Ma May, Hanoi (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, travel to the historical Ba Dinh Square, which is in the heart of Hanoi. Upon arrival, your guide will show you around the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House, where Uncle Ho, the father of Vietnam, lived. If you see the luxurious yellow villa and think of it as Ho’s house, you’re way off! He lived a literal frugal life in the electrician's dormitory next to the villa and then in a simple two-story stilt house - no wonder he’s been highly revered by his people. Stroll along the mango road, where he used to walk and exercise to reach the stilt house. It’s worth mentioning that there are no mangoes in the north, and these mango trees were gifts to Ho by southern people in his time.

Next, visit the One Pillar Pagoda and head to the West Lake to appreciate the ancient Quan Thanh Temple or Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi aged nearly 1500. There is a sacred bodhi tree inside the latter and you can mingle with local people to make three circuits around it to pray for good luck! Then head southwards to visit the Temple of Literature, where Confucius and some Confucian sages are enshrined. After that, if time permits, one of the following museums will be visited. The National Museum of History showcases the rise and fall of Vietnamese dynasties and the history of the country being colonized by France. You can also glimpse the Vietnamese emperors’ imperial edicts and official documents. Besides, the Museum of Ethnology offers you an overview of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, and don’t miss stepping into the tribal houses to catch a firsthand experience of their daily lives.

At dusk, enjoy the 1,000-year-old national treasure, Water Puppet Show. During the show, puppeteers standing in mid-waist water behind the scenes tacitly work with musicians who play folk instruments and do voice dubbing. Through the show, you will get to learn about the lives of traditional rice farmers, historical stories and legends. Although the dubbing is in Vietnamese, the acting is easy to understand, and our guide will prepare some knowledge for you beforehand. It has to be noted that the puppet is small and difficult to see from the back seats, so please book the tour as early as possible so that we can book you a front seat.

Afterwards, take an overnight train we booked for you to Lao Cai. You will sleep on a meter-gauge train, a legacy of the colonial period, and arrive in 8 hours. It spares you the day drive for 4-5 hours which would reduce your time for sheer fun. The cabin has a limited space so the bed may be small (190*70 cm or 6.23*2.3 feet) and thus a little hard for you to stretch, but you will find the ride an exotic cultural experience itself. You can even stop by and guess about the tribal decorations each carriage enjoys. Besides, a pair of earplugs is highly advised to avoid the noise on the way.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight Soft Sleeper Train (Shared 4-berth Cabin with AC)

In the morning, your Lao Cai guide and driver will pick you up outside the train station on time, and after a 1-hour drive, you’ll arrive at the hotel in Sapa Town for breakfast and luggage storage. Then we’ll set out for a hike along the mountain trails to the vibrant Cat Cat Village, which is inhabited by the Hmong ethnic group. Walk down the stone path leading to the village, pass various stalls selling traditional adornments and local women in ethnic clothes weaving brocade fabrics, and we will reach the bottom of the valley. You’ll get an otherworldly view where a waterfall murmurs into a stream. If it’s in summer, lush rice terraces will stretch into infinity; while in the harvest season, a vast expanse of golden rice fields will make you marvel. Then continue to appreciate the undisturbed Sin Chai Village, home of the Red Dao ethnic group. There is a large temperature difference between day and night, so it’s recommended to wear a light coat. After that, reverse the trip back to the hotel in Sapa.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Silk Path Grand Resort & Spa-Classic Garden (5 stars) or Bamboo Sapa Hotel-Deluxe Mountain view (4 stars) or similar

Trekking is definitely a must-do in Sapa! After breakfast, your guide will accompany you to trek through picturesque valleys and visit the Hmong, Dzao and Dzay tribe villages to get close to the local people and their lives. There are three routes, which are 3 kilometers (2 miles), 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) and 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) separately, and you can choose any one according to your physical strength. Along the way, pass bamboo forests and streams to arrive before more rice terraces. Encounter water buffalo working on the terraces and plants used by local villagers to dye fabrics. Mountain trails, especially after rain, will be difficult to walk, so be sure to wear non-slip and durable walking shoes. If you like to take some handicrafts as souvenirs that locals sell along the way, be sure to ask for a deep discount. Try not to buy from kids, because if so, they’ll depend on tourists in the future and not be willing to go to school. This evening, you’ll be transferred to the railway station to catch the overnight train back to Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight Soft Sleeper Train (Shared 4-berth Cabin with AC)

This morning, you will be picked up at the railway station and then escorted to the UNESCO-preserved Ha Long Bay. Along the 2.5-hour drive, unwind with beautiful scenery of vast stretches of rice paddy fields, colorful traditional tube houses, and farmers with bamboo hats cultivating on the fields.

Upon arrival, embark on the luxury cruise ship we carefully selected to enjoy the scenery of Ha Long Bay, which is brimmed with nearly 2,000 karst islets. Local villagers give some of them nicknames like Fighting Cocks Stone and Incense Burner Peak according to their shapes. While introducing histories and interesting facts about the Bay, the guide on the cruise ship will remind you when you’re passing by key spots. You'll take a kayak to a wooded island and swim off the beach. If you’re on the Indochine Cruise, you’ll head to Lan Ha Bay to appreciate strange stalactites in a cave on the island; if you take the Signature Royal Cruise, it’ll escort you to Bai Tu Long Bay to see a local fishing village and learn about their life in the middle of the sea. Please note that the itinerary can be subject to the cruise companies. After the tour, go back on your cruise ship to either have a cozy rest or explore activities the ship offers.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Indochine Cruise-Junior Suite (5 stars) or Signature Royal Cruise-Junior Suite (4 stars) or similar

In the early morning, participate in the Tai Chi class on the sundeck and enjoy morning tea or coffee. Then have a few hours' land tour to get close to local people and taste home-made fruits and local wine. Afterwards, return back to the cruise and have a sumptuous brunch. You’ll arrive on the dock at around noon and your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel in Hanoi.

► Recommended Activity in Hanoi
After settling in, stretch your legs to Hanoi Train Street, which was built in the French colonial era, to have a unique experience of a train whistling past within inches of you! You’ll see the railway track is fence-less, stretching through a narrow street lined with old Vietnamese residential houses and specialty cafes. People roam on the railway before the train arrives, and you can mingle with them to hurriedly get out of the way as it comes honking. Please check the timetable in advance to avoid missing it.

Meal: Brunch
Accommodation: May De Ville Lakeside Hotel-Premier City View Room (5 stars) or La Siesta Classic Ma May, Hanoi (4 stars) or similar

This morning, your guide will pick you up at the hotel at the appointed time and then escort you to the airport for a 1-hour flight to Dong Hoi. After landing, you’ll be warmly welcomed by the local guide and then taken to the hotel to enjoy the rest of the day on your own. You can save energy for the coming national park trek or enjoy a leisurely stroll near the hotel.

Note: If it happens to be Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, and you are longing to linger longer in Hanoi, we’ll be glad to book a late afternoon flight and save the morning for you to explore the capital city on your own.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Muong Thanh Nhat Le-Deluxe (4.5 stars) or Phong Nha Lake House Resort-Bungalow Lake View, Dong Hoi (3 stars) or similar

The whole day will be devoted to the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, where you could see the oldest karst landscapes in Asia formed since the Paleozoic Era about 4 billion years ago. It’s also the shooting place of the famous movie "King Kong". The park has more than 300 karst caves, and is home to countless mammals, amphibians, birds and fish. If you're lucky, come across some rare native animals like hatinh langur, a black monkey with white cheeks and a particularly cute tapered hairstyle, and Saola, also called Asian unicorn, which is from the cow family but similar to antelope.

Under the company of your guide, explore the mysterious Phong Nha Cave, which is nearly 8 kilometers (5 miles) long. Floating on the underground river in a small boat, you’ll get a sense of adventure when passing by a jagged ceiling stretching into the recesses of the cave, stalactites and stalagmites named after distinctive shapes like a lion, kneeling elephant and Buddha. The cave is cool inside all year round, and the temperature in the hottest time in summer is only 17-19℃ (62.6-66°F). Then venture into the primitive underground world of Paradise Cave, the most beautiful cave here, where you will marvel at concisely-lit huge stalactites standing up to the sky and delicate stalagmites. Before night, you’ll be escorted back to the hotel for a good rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Muong Thanh Nhat Le-Deluxe (4.5 stars) or Phong Nha Lake House Resort-Bungalow Lake View, Dong Hoi (3 stars) or similar

After breakfast, we’ll first visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels, which were built by Vietnamese soldiers in the 1960s to ensure the safety of local people during the Vietnam War. Get inside this three-story tunnel escorted by your experienced guide and imagine the underground daily life of the whole town at that time. Explore the meeting rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, wells, living rooms and access to the sea, and even maternity room, as well as a small museum. Although with a small scale, twists and turns of the tunnel make it easy to get lost, so please follow your guide closely. Then head to the Hien Luong Bridge and overlook the scenic Ben Hai River. Afterwards, visit the Quang Tri Citadel, a red base with more than 200 years of history, and the La Vang, a major holy center for Vietnamese Catholics. After that, we’ll drive for around 1.5 hours to Hue and stay for 2 nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Indochina Palace-Palace Deluxe Room (5 stars) or White Lotus Hotel Hue-Deluxe River View Room (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, we’ll visit the Tomb of Minh Mang, the grandest among all royal tombs in Hue. Strolling around its symmetrical layout enlivened by lush vegetation everywhere, you’d exclaim it isn’t so much a mausoleum as a huge park! Next, our guide will accompany you to take a private dragon boat, unlike most other travel agencies’ taking a car ride, along the verdurous Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda. While sailing, snap a photo of the ancient pagoda standing beside the river. Then disembark to appreciate the iconic octagonal main tower. Afterward, cross a moat to admire the UNESCO-preserved Imperial City, which is a miniature version of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, as well as the Purple Forbidden City inside. From the elements like Chinese red walls and tiled roofs as well as French-style decorations, you’ll see the integration of Eastern and Western cultures. Finally, visit the Dong Ba Market, which supplies almost the entire city with food and clothing.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Indochina Palace-Palace Deluxe Room (5 stars) or White Lotus Hotel Hue-Deluxe River View Room (4 stars) or similar

Today, we’ll drive to Hoi An and along the way, stop by the beautiful Hai Van Pass and the Non Nuoc Beach, both with spectacular coastal sceneries. Then get off to visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture. Cham is an ancient ethnic group spread across Vietnam, Cambodia and other countries in Indochina. They share unified writing and language systems, and mainly believe in Hinduism and localized Islam. They once established the famous Kingdom of Champa, which flourished during 192-1802, in southern and central regions of Vietnam. Continue to the Marble Mountains to see its amazing natural limestone caves with Buddhists worshipped inside. As sunlight filters in through the holes of stalactite domes, you will find the Buddha statues sacredly illuminated. The paths are maze-like and the steps are steep, so please wear comfortable non-slip shoes as we will walk with a little effort. Upon arrival in Hoi An, check in at the hotel and have a good rest.

► Dinner Recommendation in Hoi An (at your own expense)
MET Hoi An is a high-ranked Vietnamese restaurant near Thu Bon River, where you can enjoy a nice dinner while watching the tranquil river lit by colorful lanterns. The cao lau (Hoi An dry rice noodles, dipped in soy sauce and served with sliced pork and fried crisps), banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake) and white rose (Hoi An dumplings) will definitely amaze you.
Average Cost per Person: VND 200,000 (USD 8)
Address: 72b D. Bach Dang, Phuong Minh An, Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa-Deluxe Balcony Room (5 stars) or Hadana Boutique Resort Hoi An-Deluxe Room (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, we’ll set out for a walking tour in Hoi An Ancient Town, once an important trading port in Southeast Asia frequented by Chinese, Japanese and even European traders, especially the former two, in the 17th century. Consequently, the authority allowed them to establish separate residential streets here, which gradually integrated into local Vietnamese culture. We’ll admire all these through a wander around the Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall and the Japanese Covered Bridge, as well as the Tan Ky Old House, a well-preserved merchant’s residence, nearly 300 years old, where 7 generations of Le family have lived. To protect the heritage, the builders cleverly used a pulley system to lift furniture from the rising water when flood happened.

In the afternoon, an eco-tour of the countryside awaits! Enjoy a fun time cycling to an organic vegetable village, where the delightful rural scene will definitely help you get rid of the hustle and bustle of the city. Have you ever come into close contact with a hardworking water buffalo? Today, seize your opportunity to enjoy a buffalo ride! Moreover, experiencing Hoi An’s unique bamboo basket boat is another highlight! Rev through lush coconut groves, be amazed by the boatman’s skillful spinning, and experience traditional fishing tools! After the tour, you’ll be driven back to the hotel.

► Recommended Activities at Night in Hoi An
When night falls, take a stroll around the town on your own, and you’ll see this colorful and lively town adorned with variegated lanterns everywhere - Hoi An’s iconic night view! Ask your guide to locate a street full of all kinds of lanterns, mostly in the shape of a water drop or a diamond. Choose a reliable boatman to guide you on a serene river journey. Light a lantern and gently set it adrift on the river for good luck.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa-Deluxe Balcony Room (5 stars) or Hadana Boutique Resort Hoi An-Deluxe Room (4 stars) or similar

In the morning, a cooking class will be arranged for a hands-on experience of Vietnamese food culture. Your guide and driver will pick you up to meet your teacher at Hai Scout Cafe. The teacher will take you to the Hoi An market to choose some local ingredients, and then take a boat to the cooking school. Upon arrival, visit the exotic vibrant herb garden, where we will pick some plants to spice up your dishes. In the next 1.5 hours, you’re formally learning the recipes of 4-6 Vietnamese dishes, like shrimp rice paper rolls, Quang Nam chicken noodles and Hoi An pancakes, as well as how to carve out tomato roses and Vietnamese fans. After class, enjoy the dishes you just made by yourself. When you're done, take the cruise back to meet your guide.

After lunch, delve into the Champa Empire in the My Son Sanctuary, which is a World Cultural Heritage site and known as the little Angkor Wat. It is the most important Hindu shrine left over from the once prosperous kingdom of Champa, dedicated mainly to the king and the god Shiva. More than 70 brick-and-stone Hindu temples and pagodas were built, from the 4th to the 13th century; however, due to wars, you can see only 20 ruins now. Your guide will take you to the era of the lost civilization in this open-air history museum and appreciate the skills and art of stone carving and the aesthetics of the Champa people. After the visit, return back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa-Deluxe Balcony Room (5 stars) or Hadana Boutique Resort Hoi An-Deluxe Room (4 stars) or similar

Hoi An is an ancient town worth a longer stay. Therefore, we’ll save some time for you to explore at your own pace. Riding a bicycle, leisurely travel through the streets and alleys, admire elegant buildings, and stop to take a look at the boutiques that appeal to you.

In the afternoon, we’ll drive for about 1.5 hours to Da Nang airport for your flight to Nha Trang. After landing, you’ll meet your local guide at the exit and then be escorted to the hotel and have a good rest. Besides, a browse around Nha Trang Night Market for local street food and straw souvenirs at your own expense is also a delight.

Please note: If you prefer to arrive in Nha Trang earlier, a flight via Ho Chi Minh City is available, and you’ll arrive at 14:00.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mia Luxury Collection Hotel-Garden View One-Bedroom (5 stars) or Premier Havana Nha Trang-Deluxe Ocean Room (4 stars) or similar

Today is free for you to enjoy the coastal charms of Nha Trang. Playing beach volleyball with friends or strangers, sunbathing, swimming and diving are all available here. You can consult the reception for a through ticket and go enjoy the beauty of the islands. Go dive in Hon Mun Island (Black Island), a mecca with a coral reserve for scuba enthusiasts. Don't worry if you can't dive, there will be a professional instructor to take you around. It would be rocky on the beach, so it’s better to wear beach shoes. Or head to the Mini Island, a more pristine one where you can leisurely soak up the sun, swim in the clear water, or join in a parasailing and banana boat ride.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mia Luxury Collection Hotel-Garden View One-Bedroom (5 stars) or Premier Havana Nha Trang-Deluxe Ocean Room (4 stars) or similar

Today is a free day as well. You can enjoy your time strolling around or riding along the coastline, or have an excursion to Ba Ho Waterfall, where a series of waterfalls cascade down and a river weaves along rocks, passing evergreen forests and forming three pools of different heights. Feel the excitement of climbing the rocks, kayaking and jumping into the pools. On your way back to the hotel, stop by the Hon Chong Promontory, one of whose rocks is imprinted with a giant five-fingered handprint. Stand on the protruding rocks that stretch out towards the sea and feel the crashing of the waves. Before heading back to the hotel, stroll around the diverse and authentic Dam Market to enjoy the hustle and bustle, which is filled with goods like dried produce, spices, and handmade purses, crochet hats, etc. Remember to put your bargaining skills to work!

If you’re a hiker, the hiking area Hoang Nguu Son can be another choice. Follow picturesque paths to trek through the jungle, then the overgrown meadows, and finally the rocks to get to the top of the mountain. When night falls, maybe round off your beach trip with a seafood feast.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mia Luxury Collection Hotel-Garden View One-Bedroom (5 stars) or Premier Havana Nha Trang-Deluxe Ocean Room (4 stars) or similar

In the morning, we’ll drive around 3 hours to Da Lat, a mountain city with an average annual temperature of around 20°C (68℉), making it see flowers blooming all year round. En route, get off to appreciate an idyllic countryside. If you come from December to January every even-numbered year, you may encounter the lively Da Lat Flower Festival. As the city has a large temperature difference between morning and night, it is recommended to bring a coat.

Upon arrival, your guide will help you check in at the hotel first. And then, your guide will accompany you to the Tanung Village. On the way there, we’ll go through aromatic flowers, verdant pine trees, and vast farmlands where rice wine, coffee beans, crickets, silk, pine trees, vegetables and flowers are well-nourished. Travel through lush plantations and forests to admire the imposing Elephant Waterfall, which has a 30-meter (98-foot) drop! Trekking up the steep paths, take in the thrilling feeling of crossing the primeval jungle and maybe encounter a marvelous rainbow! Please wear comfortable hiking shoes and be careful. You’ll also admire the Linh An Pagoda, a magnificent Buddhist temple featuring a seven-story Bodhisattva of Compassion statue. Stroll around to pray for good luck. Then walk up the stairs inside the statue to the top for a panorama of the surrounding forest, where the fall plunges off a cliff. After the visit, return full circle back to the hotel and have a good rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa-Villa Suite (5 stars) or Golf Valley Hotel-Superior City View Room (4 stars) or similar

Da Lat is a city that excels both in culture and natural scenery, and after breakfast, let’s kick off our tour in the Bao Dai Summer Palace, a French-style summer residence of Vietnam’s last emperor, Pau Dai (reigned 1926-1945). While you’re wandering around the well-furnished two-story villa, your guide will explain the history of the last feudal period and the love story of Pau Dai and Empress Nam Phuong. Imperial dressings for you to cosplay emperor or empress are available to rent on your own for photo-taking. Then, successively admire the Old Da Lat Railway Station, which combines architectural features of the French colonial period with local architectural elements; the Central Market, where the specialties like coffee beans, lily tea, dried fruits and preserved fruits are highly recommended; and the Lam Ty Ni Pagoda, a temple of rural charm where you can appreciate the artworks created by a monk.

Note: As Da Lat boasts numerous landmarks, feel free to discuss with our expert guide to plan your visits! If you’re an architectural enthusiast, the amazing Crazy House is waiting for your exploration; if you’re an embroidery lover, put XQ Embroidery Village on your list; for nature lovers, the Datanla Waterfalls won’t be missed...

After the visit, head to the airport to catch a 1-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up and escorted to the hotel.

► Dinner Recommendation in Ho Chi Minh City (at your own expense)
After settling in, drop by the Banana Mama Rooftop Bar & Kitchen Saigon for some moreish cuisines, a bird’s-eye view of the city and a stunning sunset. Soak up the lively vibe, and try a truffle cheeseburger or a flan. Have a sip of Mayan Mule cocktail or some drink they just invented.
Average Cost per Person: VND 200,000-300,000 (USD 8-12)
Address: 102 ABC, Cong Quynh, Phuong Pham Ngu Lao, Quan 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Saigon-Deluxe Room (5 stars) or Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel-Deluxe Room (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, follow your guide to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, which are much larger than the Vinh Moc Tunnels we visited in Dong Hoi. With a total length of 121 kilometers (75 miles), the underground tunnel complex with narrow space and poor conditions was an important base used by the Viet Cong guerrillas during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. The three-story structure functions as a large military barracks, containing rooms for hospital, meeting, sleeping, food storage, and military trap.

In the afternoon, continue to visit the War Remnants Museum, the only museum in Vietnam included in the UNESCO list of Peace Museums. In the outside area, relive history from the exhibited used-in-war planes, tanks and artillery weapons. Then go inside the museum and be awed by the sobering displays and photographs illustrating how the Vietnamese suffered during the war. After that, learn more about how this country finally got reunified in the Reunification Palace. Then, proceed to the Central Post Office, opposite which sits the city’s largest church - Notre Dame Cathedral, and stroll along Dong Khoi Street. These architectures are all located in the city center and could be visited on foot.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Saigon-Deluxe Room (5 stars) or Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel-Deluxe Room (4 stars) or similar

Today, a wonderful Mekong River cruise awaits you! In the morning, we’ll drive for around 2 hours to My Tho to board the cruise. In order to take you away from the heavily commercialized area and explore deep into the Mekong River, we’ve arranged for you to change to a hand-rowing boat before getting into the smaller waterway. Sailing through the river lined with water coconut trees, try on the boatman's bamboo hat as well as catch a glimpse of the stilted houses along the bank and local people fishing and trading goods on the river. Halfway through, you’ll go ashore to visit a rice paper factory and a coconut candy factory, where you’ll see the whole process of how traditional coconut candies are made - free sampling is around the corner! Today's lunch will be served on an island - you can eat dragon fruit with chili salt like the locals. After that, we’ll continue to drive to Can Tho.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Victoria Can Tho Resort-Superior Room (4 stars) or Victoria Can Tho Resort-Deluxe Room (4 stars) or similar

In the early morning, your guide will accompany you to take a boat to visit the life-buzzing Cai Rang Floating Market, which best embodies the water life of the people in the Mekong Delta. When arriving, enjoy the scene teeming with variegated boats loaded with fresh fruits like jackfruit, rambutan and durian, vegetables, various handicrafts and even breakfast like Vietnamese rice noodles, spring rolls and coffee! Why not try some? You’ll see that the boats have bamboo poles sticking out, hung with all kinds of offerings and acting like a menu. Lingering longer along the River, you’ll find some of the boats are actually family homes, where the boatman and his family are living and doing business for generations. In addition, you will also explore some tropical fruit orchards. Afterward, we’ll drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

★ Privilege of Our Guests:

The liveliest time of the floating market is around 07:00-08:00 and most travel agencies arrange the public shuttle boat which leaves at 04:00. Considering that you’ve been traveling for nearly three weeks and may feel a little bit tired, we specially arranged a private motorized boat for you to ensure that you can sleep more and leave with us at 06:00. You can return to the hotel for breakfast or just enjoy a unique breakfast at the floating market.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Saigon-Deluxe Room (5 stars) or Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel-Deluxe Room (4 stars) or similar

Your 3 weeks Vietnam tour itinerary will come to an end today. According to your flight schedule, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and escort you to the airport for your flight home. We hope you have had a great time with us in Vietnam and we’ll have another chance to serve you in other countries. Wish you a nice journey home.

► Recommended Activity for Late Departures
If time permits, you may take a stroll around the tree-lined Ho Chi Minh City Book Street. Browse through rows of bookstores, watch a sketcher drawing portraits of passers-by, fish out a rare out-of-print book, a doodle canvas bag or collect some Vietnamese cultural stamps and postcards… There are sometimes street lectures on exotic languages held here; if you encounter one, grab the chance to attend.

Meal:Breakfast