Vietnam and Magical Thailand

Meal provided: No

Welcome to Vietnam. Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, obtain your Vietnam visa, and then clear Immigration and Customs. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport to meet outside a local Guide. From the airport, you will be privately transferred to your lovely hotel.

Stay overnight in Hanoi

Meal provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start a day by visiting Ho Chi Minh Complex, an important place of pilgrimage. A traffic-free area of botanical gardens, monuments, memorials and pagodas, it’s usually crowded with groups of all ages, from all over the nation, who has come to pay their respects. Within the complex you can visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Closed by, the famous One Pillar Pagoda which is built of wood on a single stone pillar 1.25 m in diameter. It is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, which is a Buddhist symbol of purity, since a lotus blossoms in a muddy pond.

Continue to visit Temple of Literature which was built in 1070 in honor of Confucius, his followers and Chu Van An, a moral figure in Vietnamese education.

You’ll be greeted by our guide and drivers at your hotel for a safety briefing and detailed itinerary of your journey at 12 pm.

Our bike tours will take you through the winding labyrinth of back streets and alleys of the innermost parts of Hanoi, to the sprawling city landscapes and beautiful architecture that line the main streets.  Along the way our knowledgeable guides will tell you stories of the rich history and fun facts of all the must see landmarks of Hanoi. From the famous opera house, to the crashed remnants of a B-52 “Flying Fortress” bomber at reached its final resting place in a small lake.

Catch a glimpse into the lives of the locals and see the bustling markets full of life and vibrancy.  As we exit the city we pass the Long Bien Bridge, an iconic symbol of Vietnam’s capitol built during the French colonial time over 100 years ago.

As the tour takes you out of the hustle and bustle of the city, you’ll be welcomed into the more quiet and contemplative side of Hanoi.  Surrounded by green gardens with farmland stretching in all directions, you’ll enter the canopy of guava and banana trees as our tour leads you down dirt paths into the heart of Hanoi’s agricultural countryside- The Banana Island. Before you leave you’ll get to try a refreshing glass of Hanoi’s famous draft beer, Bia Hoi.

From there, the tour carries on, leading you along the shores of the West Lake as the cool breeze off the water cools you down before heading back to the narrow alleys leading to Huu Tiep lake and the legendary Reunification Train Track. On our trip we will visit a local family and has chance to talk to the owner who is a war veteran about his interesting stories of our country from his childhood to modern Vietnam and its legacy as well as learn more about Vietnamese culture and customs.

After that, save your appetite for this one!

The stop on our foodie tour is a family run eatery Hanoians claim is the best spot for Banh Cuon (steamed rolled cake) in town.  The skilled chef will demonstrate for us how the ingredients are put together as we get to experience a front row seat to the culinary process.

Our tour continues weaving through the streets bathed in the glow of colorful lanterns and decorative lights in the Old Quarter as we ride along the bank of the Red River to take in the views of Hanoi under the cover of night.

This leads us to our next stop, a local family eatery where you will get to enjoy Bun Cha (grilled pork with vermicelli noodle). And we will sample local favorite delicacies in a nearby neighborhood inludes: Banh Goi (pillow cake), Nem ran (traditional spring roll), Banh ran man, Banh ran Ngot (salty and sweet doughnut), Shrimp cake.

You’ll be taken on a ride over to West Lake to enjoy the scenery before arriving at Ngu Xa village to try Freshly grilled seafood and some local desert like Che xoai( Mango desert), Purple rice with yoghurt and other traditional fried Vietnamese dishes.

As our tour takes you away from the West Lake area and back into the heart of Hanoi, you will be taken past the Ho Chi Minh memorial where guards can be seen performing their nightly ceremonies.  Nothing captures the reverence and sanctity that the Vietnamese hold for Ho Chi Minh more than these nightly ceremonies.

Finally we will head back into the densely packed streets of Hanoi to the train tracks where locals cook, relax, and sell their wares.  It is a bustling alley full of locals going about their nightly lives, right next to active train tracks!

Get back to your hotel at 9 PM.

Stay overnigh in Hanoi

Meal provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

08:45 – 09:15 the luxury limousine picks you up at your hotel at Hanoi Old Quarter to travel to La Regina Private Lounge.

11:45 Arrive at Le Regina private lounge, enjoy welcome drink and express check-in before boarding.

12:30 Transferred by speed boat to La Regina Legend Cruises. Welcome aboard the cruise, refresh with our welcome drink while Cruise Manager briefing cruise orientation, activities & on board safety. The boat starts to cruising to Lan Ha Bay.

13:15 Delicious lunch is served in La Corona restaurant while the cruise is passing Chan Voi (Elephant Feet) and Tra Bau area.

14:30 Start your first off – board activity, taking bamboo boat row to discover the Dark & Light Cave

15:30 – 17:00 Cruise further to Van Boi – the most ideal paradise for swimming and kayaking

18:00 – 18:30 Indulge your time with the beautiful sunset cocktails and cooking demonstration on breezing sundeck

19:30 Enjoy BBQ (applied everyday if the number of guests reach 30pax and above) candlelight dinner on the sundeck. After dinner, it’s your choice for a fun squid fishing or relaxing

Stay overnight on cruise

Attention: According to Halong Bay Board Management, swimming activities need to be allowed to organize by Halong Bay Management Authority)

Meal provided: Breakfast, Lunch

06:00 Greet the new day with a Taichi session on the sundeck

06:30 Light breakfast is served

07:30 Transfer to La Regina Day Cruise to cruise further to Cai Beo ancient fishing village

08:30 Take a nice bus ride through lush green jungle to visit the hospital cave relic.

09:00 – 09:40 Visit Quan Y Hospital cave relic – old hospital built in Vietnamese – American wartime

10:00 The bus ride to Gia Luan to board La Regina Legend Cruise for a quick shower and following a buffet brunch on board

12:00 Disembark from the cruise as our crew sa farewell, back to Tuan Chau Marina by our speed boat

The shuttle bus will transfer and drop you off in Hanoi hotel.

Then, our driver (no guide) will pick you up at hotel lobby to tranfer you to the airport to catch late afternoon flight to Hue.

Arrive in Hue, move straight to your hotel to check in.

Stay overnight in Hue

Meal provided: Breakfast

This morning, transfer to visit the Royal Palace which has three perimeters of rampart, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh (Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel)

Capital Citadel: This construction started in 1805 under the reign of Emperor Gia Long and completed in 1832 under the reign of Emperor Ming Mang

Royal Citadel: The Imperial City is located in the centre of the Citadel where established highest offices of Viet Nam's feudalism and sanctums honoring the cult of decreased Emperors.

Forbidden Citadel: Located inside the Imperial City, behind the Throne Palace, the Forbidden Purple City is reserved for Emperor and his family.

Then, make a visit to The tomb of King Khai Dinh is located in Chau Chu mountain near Hue in Vietnam. It was built from 1920 to 1931 taking 11 years to complete. In comparison with those of the preceding emperors, Khai Dinh’s tomb is much smaller in surface but it is very elaborate. It is the result of the interminglement of many architectural trends: European and Asian, as well as ancient and modern.

Enjoy a private boat trip along Hue city in Perfume River, you'll deeply immerse in Hue's pure nature & famous cultural places. The boat will take you to Thien Mu pagoda, an ancient pagoda in Hue city, can’t be missed while being in Hue. Its pagoda has seven storeys and is the tallest one in Vietnam. The temple is often the subject of folk rhymes about Hue, such is its iconic status and association with the city.

Stay overnight in Hue

Meal provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Heading to Bach Ma National Park which has a large diversity of flora and fauna as well as natural beautiful landscapes to explore. In just one day in Bach Ma, you will trek and discover the highlights of this marvelous mountain. Another interesting sight is the old villas that remain in the jungle despite being damaged in the American War and reclaimed by nature. During the war, the American Army used the summit as a helicopter-base and the area saw a lot of heavy combat, unfortunately destroying some parts of the forest.

Once in Bach Ma, we will travel by car to the summit, on a sunny day, this is a great place for panoramic views of natural wonders including Cau Hai lagoon and Chan May port. Start hiking along to the path through the forest to the summit trail, which takes you a few kilometers past the Bach Ma Morin at the terminus of the park road. The trail continues to a pavilion with 360-degree views of the surrounding area, usually mist shrouded and above the clouds. Back to Do Quyen waterfall for trekking along a path through dense jungle (1,5km). If lucky, trekkers can see birds at close range along the foot trails. Get back to your hotel.

Stay overnight in Hue

Meal provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Start time: 8 AM – Finish time: approx 4.30 PM

This Scenic Coast route is simply the best way to transfer from Hue to Hoi An if you only have one day!

Leaving Hue in the morning our first stop is Elephant Springs where you can wade in the rock pools.

Next we stop for photos at Lang Co Beach before traveling over the Hai Van Pass. Hai Van means “Sea of Clouds” and when crossing the top of the Pass you are literally surrounded by clouds on one side with stunning ocean views on the other.

Next we travel through Danang to a stop at the famous My Khe with its fine white sand.

Marble Mountains our final stop are 5 marble outcrops topped with delicate pagodas.

Don’t worry about your luggage as our bikes are equipped to carry it.

But if you are traveling with hard suitcases or a large number of bags we can easily arrange for them to meet you in Hoi An.

Stay overnight in Hoi An

Meal provided: Breakfast, Lunch

You will be picked up by local tour guides at the hotel.

You will be driven to Hoi An Market (around half an hour), you can feel the bustle of the morning market, have an opportunity to have a direct contact with sellers.

You might also learn some tips of “bargaining” when going shopping

Our tour guides will introduce to you the necessary ingredients for cooking classes. Then you will have a sightseeing tour along the Thu Bon River and Cua Dai beat by boat. On the river, you have a chance to contemplate the river beauty in the countryside of Vietnam.

Next, you can get some loveable handmade souvenirs made from nipa palm leaves such as hats, watches, rings… When you do on bamboo basket boat. You will immersed natural beauty of the nipa palm forest.

Then be welcome in our restaurant. At here, after you use welcome drinking, you paint on bamboo Sieve by yourself

At the end, participate in cooking class with our chefs. Cooking class will take place within 2 hours, the chef will teach you how to cook Vietnamese cultural cuisine. Then you can enjoy Vietnamese food make by yourself. Finally, you come back to the hotel by car.

Coming to Ancient Town, spending the left of afternoon for a walking tour around this enchanting port town of Hoi an, follow the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures and visit its numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, the Tan Ky old house, the local market …

Stay overnight in Hoi An

Meal provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Picking up and dropping off guest at hotel by bicycle (In case of not being able to bike, van can be used to go as an option.

Starting biking to the countryside throughout the rice paddle, enjoy the fresh air with the nature

Meeting the local farmer, talking with them about their local farming daily life, having a cup of tea with them at the middle of the rice paddle field farm.

Wearing farming clothes before getting into muddy rice field like: Vietnamese authentic and traditional farmer clothes, conical hat, boost …etc …

Listening to the tour guide introduced and explained about the process of the wet rice how to grow it.

Starting the farming works to learn how to grow wet rice with water buffalo plough, use agricultural water system.

Transplanting baby wet rice at the rice paddle field

Enjoy riding with water buffalo at a small pond at the rice farm

Having a local meal with the local farmer at their house

Return hotel by private van.

Stay overnight in Hoi An

Meal provided: Breakfast

Today free at leisure in the morning.

You will be transferred to Da Nang Airport by private van for noon flight to Ho Chi Minh (no guide, only driver)

On arrival, welcome by our tour guide and driver. Transfer to the hotel in the city centre to check in.

Free at leisure for the rest day.

Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Meal provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Start our trip to visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. The Cu Chi Tunnel system had been created long time back, from 1948 to assist Viet Minh in the combat with French. And it was continuing built over 25 years later. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married, giving birth.

Return to the city, enjoy the sightseeing to Reunification Palace formerly known as Independence Palace, built on the site of the former Norodom Palace, a landmark in Hochiminh City.

Continue to visit Central Post Office which was constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the early 20th century. It has a neoclassical architectural style. It was designed and constructed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel in harmony with the surrounding area. Today, the building is a tourist attraction.

Right nearby, you can see Notre Dame Cathedral, a magnificent building located in the heart of the city and was established by French colonists. This cathedral was constructed between 1863 and 1880. It has two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters (190 feet).

Pay a visit at Ben Thanh market, one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and one of symbols of Hochiminh City, popular with tourists seeking local handicrafts, textiles, ao dai, and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine.

Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Meal provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Our private tour guide and driver will pick you at 7:30 am to head to Vinh Long province (about 110km from HO CHI MINH)

We will start with a visit of Vinh Long market in the town. This is the best choice for you to take pictures of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, vegetables...

Welcoming you by a fresh coconut, the boat of Mekong Travel will take you to visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. Then, visit of the local workshops where you can see how to make rice paper, coconut candy and pop-rice, pop-corn. Enjoy some kinds of candies with a cup of hot tea.

The rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals and to enjoy the peaceful time. It is so interesting to see traditional houses made of wood or palm tree leaves and see some activities of the local farmers with an opportunity to make contacts with them and see how they catch fish or pick up fruits by ancestral ways in Mekong Delta.

Then, we can walk in 15 minutes to visit the orchard & traditional house of Ut Trinh family and have local lunch nearby her house we will enjoy some kinds of fruits and tea when listening to the traditional music. Walk around the fruitful orchard to see a variety of tropical fruits…

One more thing to do in this trip is biking! It will be so amazing to bike on village paths to see the local farms, houses, monkey bridge, real life…

The cruise will end at Vinh Long city. Transfer to Can Tho (abour 1h30 driving).

Stay overnight in Can Tho

Meal provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Early morning at 5:30 AM, , take a boat trip to catch a glimpse into the lives of the locals and see the bustling markets full of life and vibrancy in Cai Rang floating market which is one of the three biggest in the Mekong Delta. The shops and stalls at the market are boat of different sizes. Cai Rang Floating Market is open all day but it is busiest from sunrise to about 9.00am. The main items sold there are farm products and specialties of Cai Rang Town, Chau Thanh District and neighboring areas. Every boat has a long upright pole at its bow on which samples of the goods for sale are hung. During the early morning market hours, larger sized boats anchor and create lanes that smaller boats weave in and out of. The waterway becomes a maze of hundreds of boats packed with mango, bananas, papaya, pineapple, and even smuggled goods like cigarettes.

Pick up randomly a “floating restaurant” to have a one-of-a-kind breakfast such as Pho, Snail Noodle, Crab Noodle right on the motor boat. This experience is verified by the renown Gordon Ramsay – the famous British Chef in his food adventure in Cai Rang Floating Market.

Transfer back and stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Meal provided: Breakfast

This morning, free for last minutes shopping and wander around Ho Chi Minh city. Later on, transfer to airport with our guide and driver and take the flight to Bangkok

Upon arrival at Bangkok airport, our tour guide will welcome and transfer you to your hotel in Bangkok. The glorious history of the capital of Thailand, Bangkok is closely linked to the Chakri dynasty that still reigns but does rule in Thailand. Check in and enjoy your free time at the hotel or wander to explore the city.

Stay overnight in Bangkok.

Meal provided: Breakfast

After breakfast, we visit the Grand Royal Palace dedicated to the ceremony of the royal family of Thailand. In the same compound is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew which is known for the Statue of the Emerald Buddha. After visiting this complex, we continue to visit Wat Pho, a giant house of the lying Buddha. Then, we visit the Wat Traimit which is well known as the Golden Buddha.

Afternoon, boarding on a long tail boat for an excursion along the Chao Phraya River and many bustling interior canals that offer fantastic views of local life close by. Along the way, we stop at Wat Arun, the temple of the Aube.

Return to the hotel and free time for relaxation.

Stay overnight in Bangkok.

Meal provided: Breakfast

Early in the morning, we drive southwest of Bangkok, visit the Maeklong railway market, take photo, and enjoy the local snack in the market before driving to Damnoen Saduak, a rural floating market. Stop for a motor boat trip along the waterway to the picturesque floating market of Damnoen Saduak. Enjoy your own lunch. In the afternoon we will transfer back to Bangkok.

On the way, stop at Patom Organic Village (on the weekend)

Patom Organic Village is where you can experience the traditional Thai way of life by learning about the journey of organic raw materials to Patom products. Our open factory will show you the work that goes into our bakery, supplement, and body care factory before the products make their way to Patom Organic Living stores. Immerse yourself in our concept of organic living and participate in our selective hands-on workshops.

Stay overnight in Bangkok.

Meal provided: Breakfast

The morning would be free to do whatever takes your fancy until you would be transferred to the airport for your flight to next destinations.

End of tour.