A local’s story: From South to North Vietnam

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam! Upon arrival to Tan Son Nhat Airport, AA Travel Vietnam’s driver and guide will meet you and they will transfer you to your hotel in the downtown. Check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in HoChiMinh city.

8:00 AM you will take a drive out of the bustling city for Cu Chi District, 70 km from Saigon. This is a beautiful green land with fruit gardens, rice paddies and rubber tree plantations. Cu Chi Tunnels consists of more than 200km of narrow underground tunnels that connecting half or total covered hideouts, shelters, fighting bunkers, hospital, school, living rooms and so on… All was built and used by Viet Cong for resistance against their enemy during the French and American war.
Transfer back to Saigon and have lunch at local restaurant. After that, you will visit the featured sites of the city, including the War Remnants Museum, the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Old Post Office.
Overnight in HCMC

Depart by private vehicle to the “rice basket” of Vietnam – the Mekong Delta. Today will be a full day of discovery as you explore the villages, farms, and intricate waterways that form the delta. Start the trip by a drive to Ben Tre, which on the way is green/yellow rice paddy fields stretching towards the horizon. On arrival, you will embark on a motorized boat trip around the scenic Ben Tre River. 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 passing fruit and vegetable fields. In the afternoon, you make your way to Can Tho City which is considered as the capital of the Delta.
Overnight at Can Tho.

The watery world of the Mekong Delta is home to many bustling floating markets. This day, you will embark on a motorized boat trip, exploring the vibrant floating market of Cai Rang, where the trading way is unique; each boat usually sells one particular item, whether it be pumpkins, pineapples, sugar canes. Cruising slowly around for you to watch the traditional trading and taking photographs.
Followed by a short ride to Ba Cong village to pay a visit to a family who specializes in making rice paper and noodle. After that, cruise back to the quay and make your way back to HCMC. Lunch is served on the way. Late in the afternoon, take a domestic flight to Hue. Get picked up on arrival.
Overnight in Hue.

Rising up in the ancient land, breakfast in hotel, we board on a private boat for cruising on the romantic Perfume River. This time we head out for the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. From here you will take a drive to visit King Minh Mang’s tomb & King Tu Duc tomb.
This afternoon you will embark on a tour of Hue’s Citadel. The walk through the complex is very interesting and informative.
Overnight in Hue.

The morning drive to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass will occupy half of your day. Arrive at Hoi An ancient town. Check into your hotel and then go for lunch at a nice restaurant. Nestled a few km from Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An is typified by the 16th century Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese architecture.
The afternoon walking tour offers you a chance to see how charmingly the Old Quarter area is. The sites include the Japanese Covered Bridge; Phuoc Kien Assembly; Tan Ky ancient house; Hoi An Culture and History Museum and Quan Cong temple.
Overnight in Hoi An.

The morning is yours for leisure on Cua Dai Beach or doing your own things. In the afternoon, follow country laneways to reach some of the villages that are dotted throughout the region by bicycle, stopping to talk to the locals and learn about life in this part of Vietnam. You will be passing emerald rice paddies, snaking waterways and plenty of waving children. Following your guide to the bank of the Thu Bon River and take a boat trip and discover the waterway and heading back to Hoi An. Approach the dock and walk to the hotel.
Overnight in Hoi An.

This morning is easy for you to relax on the beach for do some shopping at the Old Quarter. Check out your hotel by noon. In the afternoon, transfer to Da Nang airport for a short flight to Hanoi. Get picked up and rest for the remainder of the day.
Overnight in Hanoi.

The city tour of the capital city occupies the whole day. The sites include of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his house-on-stilts, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university.
In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to one of the following museum that you can pick the one you like. Followed by a short walk or a cyclo ride around the Old Quarter. End the day tour with a traditional Water Puppet show.
Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast at hotel, you will be picked up for the morning drive overland to Halong City, your entry point to the Bay of the World Heritage by UNESCO. Thousands of islands rise dramatically from the waters of Halong Bay and, to further their beauty, intricate cave systems naturally exist throughout these limestone karst formations. The traditional styled junk will cruise in between the towering islands, visit a limestone cave in the afternoon and do some kayaking and swimming. Your accommodation tonight is a truly special experience – sleeping on a boat surrounded by high limestone karsts.
Overnight on board.

Wake up early in the morning for sunrise and a view of Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. After the soft breakfast, the crews pull up the anchor for further cruise to other parts of the bay and visit a fishing village by a sampan boat, meet the local people and pass through the floating school and fish farms. After that, start cruising towards the harbor while an A la cart brunch is served. Disembark at noontime, meet the driver and drive back to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Today is free at leisure until get transferred to the airport for your flight off. End of services.