R O M A N C E I N V I E T N A M

Sample Itinerary

ROMANCE IN VIETNAM | OVERVIEW

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ITINERARY OVERVIEW 12 Days / 11 NightsHanoi - Halong Bay - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Phu Quoc

FEATUREDEXPERIENCES

2 Nights HanoiHanoi City TourLunch for a Cause at KOTO RestaurantBehind the Scenes of Vietnam's Water PuppetsOvernight Cruise on Halong Bay2 Nights HueA Day Exploring Hue's Traditional Crafts2 Nights Hoi AnHoi An Walking TourLantern Making Experience3 Nights Ho Chi Minh CItyDiscover the Arts of SaigonTour the Cu Chi TunnelsHo Chi Minh City Tour

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ITINERARY

DAY 1 | HANOI Welcome to Vietnam. Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, blends old world charm with the dynamicbustle of new Asia. Its French colonial past is evident from the colonial architecture andenchanting lakes which contrast with the throng of thousands of motorbikes andcosmopolitan new restaurants and boutiques. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport by your guide for private transfer to yourhotel. The rest of your day is free at leisure.

WELCOME TO HANOI,

VIETNAM

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DAY 2 | HANOI Start your tour this morning at the mausoleum of the historic figure and father ofmodern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh. Then it’s on to a wooden ethnic minority style housewhich was his temporary residence from 1954 to 1969. In the same complex you will seethe One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 which has become animportant symbol for the people of Hanoi. Your next stop is the Temple of Literature,Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preservedarchitecture offer a glimpse into Vietnam’s past. This afternoon, stroll through the Old Quarter past the old east gate to Thanh Hamarket. Along the way try delicacies, strange food items and listen to an explanation ofVietnamese food practices. This busy, eclectic market is alive with the sights andsounds of Hanoi and is the essence of Vietnamese culture. Continue through the streets of the Old Quarter to Dong Xuan market to sample somelocal treats such as pho tiu and bun dau. Your guide will explain the routine of Vietnammeal times and indigenous/unusual ingredients eaten. See dried goods and aromatics,the essentials of Vietnamese cuisine.  Stroll up ‘food alley’ to see other dishes on offer. Walk down to Hang Than Street to view ceremonial cake stalls and taste a specialFrench influenced dessert. An explanation on traditions and food gifts for celebrationswill be given. Continue back into the Old Quarter via Hang Cot Street – check speciallytreated fruit which are dependable on the seasons and a common snack in Vietnam.Walk along Phung Hung Street through temporary market stalls where you can see thechanging market scene in Hanoi and how modernization is shaping tradition. At the endof the tour stop at one of the Old Quarter busiest (yet smallest) coffee shops for a well-earned sit down and coffee before transferring back to your hotel.

HANOI CITY TOUR 

STREET FOOD TOUR WITH A

LOCAL FOOD BLOGGER

ITINERARY

DAY 3 | HALONG BAY Transfer to Hai Phong (approx. 2.5hours) where you will board your boat for yourovernight trip through Halong Bay. Spectacular Halong Bay comprises around 2000karst limestone peaks jutting out of calm emerald waters. Designated as a WorldHeritage Site for its incredible natural beauty, the forested islands are dotted with cavesand home to a variety of birdlife. Whether cloaked in mist or bathed in sunshine, acruise through this beautiful bay is one of Vietnam’s highlights. Arrive late morning and be welcomed at the pier of your boat. Check-in and transfer toyour boat for the overnight journey into Halong Bay. Lunch is served on board as youcruise into the Bay. Cruise by rock formations with beautiful Lan Ha Bay and Ha Longbay. Towards the end of the day set anchor for the night as the sun sets followed bydinner.

HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT

CRUISE

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DAY 4 | HOI AN Today you will leave Hue for Hoi An taking the scenic route over the Hai Van Pass, alsoknown as the Pass of Ocean Clouds, and through the fishing village of Lang Co – a verypicturesque journey. Once you arrive the rest of your day is at leisure. Beautiful Hoi An is Vietnam’s most atmospheric town, with elegant architecture and alovely riverside setting. From the 15th to the late 19th Centuries it was one of Asia’smost important ports, drawing traders from Europe, America and from across the east,notably China and Japan. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site the Old Town buzzes withcharming restaurants, stylish bars and expert tailors set amid historic temples and shophouses. Surrounding the town are picturesque rice fields and sleepy back lanes, while afew miles to the east lies a glorious palm-fringed coastline.

TRAVEL HALONG BAY TO HOI

AN

ITINERARY

DAY 5 This morning, get ready for a fun-filled tour around Hoi An. Zipping off through thestreets of the old town riding pillion on the back of Vintage Vespa to a local café, theday’s itinerary will be revealed in more detail. Boarding a local bike ferry, the tour willthen head into Cam Kim Island’s buzzing fishing port, stopping at a traditional boatbuilder’s yard before venturing off to explore other local villages. Weaving through the rustic scenery of rice paddies and farmland, enjoy stops along theway to learn from friendly local families the art of mat weaving, farming and how tomake (and sample) the perfect “banh dap” (rice cracker). Arriving at a small village, apit-stop will be made at a local café to fuel up on local drip-coffee before conqueringthe bamboo bridge that spans the river to the opposite bank. Arrive at Duy Hai marketand harbour. Finally, the local ferry crosses the water to the coconut palm-fringed Cam Thanh, in timeto enjoy a delicious seafood lunch on the shores of the beautiful Ha My beach. This late afternoon, take a romantic sunset dinner on boat on Thu Bon river. The sunsettime is also ideal time of the day as the sun makes less light and we can watch itsshape before the night time.

MORNING HOI AN

COUNTRYSIDE BY VESPA &

ROMANTIC SUNSET DINNER

ON BOAT

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Today you will learn to cook a variety of different Vietnamese delicacies! Head off tothe colourful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of thisbusy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchasesome of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson. The cooking class is an interesting and fun way to learn about the local cuisine. Theclass runs for about 2 hours, and includes demonstrations from the chef, a chance tocook some dishes then enjoy lunch. Following your meal head back to your hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure to enjoy the colorful streets of Hoi An.

DAY 6 | HOI ANVIETNAMESE COOKING CLASS

ITINERARY

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Today you will transfer from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City. Commonly referred to asSaigon, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and undisputed commercial capital. Itis a dynamic city that is currently enjoying the fruits of Vietnam’s economic boom –lavish hotels, decadent restaurants and trendy nightspots are continually added to thecityscape. Yet against the backdrop of new-found confidence, frenetic development andurban bustle, the boutique charm of Ho Chi Minh City still lives on amongst the tree-lined boulevards, quaint wooden shops, old temples and colonial architecture. After the day at leisure, your evening begins hitting the buzzing streets of Ho Chi MinhCity. Tonight offers a chance to experience the nightlife of local Saigonese from theback of a vintage Vespa scooter. The city comes alive come sundown and peoplecongregate on sidewalks, parks and all over the city at the end of each day. The firststop on your culinary exploration will be to sample some light evening snacks. Continueto a traditional quan (bia hoi) for dinner and drinks, here a sampling of Saigon's bestauthentic street food will be eaten. An evening out in Ho Chi Minh City is not complete without a visit to a Vietnamese-stylecoffee shop. Continue and wrap up the evening at one of the many local clubs, wherethe new generation of Vietnamese unwind and flaunt their unique style.

DAY 8 | HO CHI MINH CITYHOI AN TO HO CHI MINH CITY

EVENING VESPA TOUR OF

SAIGON

Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels via speedboat. Travel down the Saigon River as you travelnorthwest to Cu Chi. En-route a light breakfast will be served. The Cu Chi Tunnelsconsist of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnameseresistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. Start thevisit with the Ben Dinh section of the tunnel. Here you can imagine what it was like to bea guerrilla complete with Russian Carbine rifles and AK 47’s. In the late morning headback to Ho Chi Minh City by speedboat, the journey will take 90-minutes and a picniclunch will be served en-route. Your vehicle will be waiting upon disembarkation and takeyou back to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 8 | HO CHI MINHCITYSPEEDBOAT TO CU CHI

TUNNELS

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Transfer to the airport for your flight to Phu Quoc. On arrival, you will transfer to yourhotel where the rest of your day is at leisure.

Enjoy a day at leisure absorbing the sunshine and relaxing island vibes of Phu Quoc. In the evening, enjoy a romantic dinner beachfront. With the sand in your toes, enjoyfresh seafood and champagne to celebrate the end of your holiday.

DAY 10 | PHU QUOCISLANDTRAVEL HO CHI MINH CITY TO

PHU QUOC

DAY 11 | PHU QUOCISLANDAT LEISURE, PHU QUOC

ROMANTIC SUNSET DINNER

ON THE BEACH

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.DAY 12 | DEPARTURETRAVEL FROM PHU QUOC

ONWARDS