Vietnam Discovery From Hong Kong

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Hong Kong

  Welcome to Hong Kong! After going through customs, meet your friendly local driver and proceed to your hotel for check-in. For the remainder of the day, you are free to explore Hong Kong on your own, perhaps go street food hunting and tantalize your taste buds with a plethora of delicacies including the smooth tofu pudding topped with sugar and rice noodle rolls coated in various sauces. Have fun!

  • Hong Kong

• Day 2: Hong Kong, Victoria Peak

  Be ready for a day packed with fascinating explorations! With your knowledgeable guide by your side, take the Peak Tram, which is a ten-minute funicular railway ride, to one of Hong Kong Island's most renowned landmarks, Victoria Peak. Soak up a sweeping view of Hong Kong's skyline from here before moving on to your next destination, Repulse Bay. Learn about the unique feng shui principles that influenced the design of the high rises here and soak up the laid-back vibe. Next up is Aberdeen, where you will get close to the unique lifestyle of local fishing families still living on houseboats while cruising in a sampan boat. Afterward, weave through the narrow lanes crammed with shops and stalls selling a myriad of goods from clothes and toys to crafts and souvenirs at the open-air Stanley Market, and perhaps pick up a nice bargain as a memento of your trip!

  This afternoon, drive back to Central and visit Tai Kwun, an impressive art and culture complex born from century-old colonial-era architecture. The beautiful heritage buildings and the vibrant artistic vibe will leave you mesmerized. Move on to the nearby Man Mo Temple, find a moment of peace and quietness, and gain insight into the local's beliefs. A wonderful day comes to an end at the Golden Bauhinia Square, a place boasting gorgeous views of Victoria Habor.

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  • Hong Kong

• Day 3: Hong Kong, Kowloon Peninsula

  Another day dedicated to discovering Hong Kong's charms! Head to Kowloon with your private guide and start an amazing day from the Avenue of Stars, where Hong Kong's superstars and celebrities have left their mark in handprints or statues. Be sure to take a selca with the Bruce Lee statue here and soak up an unobstructed view of the harbor! Walk for a few minutes and you will arrive at another landmark of the city - the Clock Tower. This century-old structure is the only part left of the original Kowloon Station and stands as a witness to the city's dramatic changes.

  Next up is Wong Tai Sin Temple, a Taoist temple. Watch locals and visitors alike offer their prayers at this temple known especially for answering wishes and gain insight into this unique kind of folk belief and its origins. Your Kowloon discovery then takes you to the Hong Kong Palace Museum for a fascinating encounter with Chinese traditional arts and crafts. Prepare to be dazzled by almost 1,000 pieces of priceless treasures originally housed in the Palace Museum, including a gold stupa dating back to 1746 during the Qing Dynasty and a three-panel screen adorned with elegant paintings tracing back to the same period.

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  • Hong Kong

• Day 4: Hong Kong - Hanoi

  Soak up Hong Kong's lively vibe for some more time before your private driver takes you to the airport for the flight to Hanoi, Vietnam's capital city. Touch down after around 2 hours in the air, meet your local guide and driver at the exit, and proceed to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is for you to relax in your hotel room or venture out to discover the surroundings under your own steam.

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  • Hanoi

• Day 5: Hanoi, City Tour

  Today you will sample some of Hanoi's must-eat local specialties during a morning food tour. Your tour guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to Hanoi's Old Quarter, a place not to be missed in any Hanoi tour, to enjoy the food experience. Visit one of the local markets to see all the different ingredients used in Vietnamese cuisine, savor a delicious bowl of Pho (rice noodles), a highlight of Vietnamese cuisine, and try more delectable snacks as you stroll along the bustling streets - banh chung (sticky rice cake), xoi (sticky rice with pork), and so much more!

  This afternoon's tour starts at the Presidential Palace. Once the official residence of the Governor-General of French Indochina. Next up is One Pillar Pagoda. Here you will be impressed by the Liên Hoa Đài, a temple built of wood on a single stone pillar resembling a lotus blossom. Proceed to Hoan Kiem Lake and then be treated to a traditional Water Puppet Show. This kind of folk art has a history of over a thousand years in Vietnam, with vividly colored puppets masterfully controlled by hidden puppeteers recreating scenes of traditional rural life - farming, fishing, herding, and more - all on a stage of water.

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  • Hanoi

• Day 6: Hanoi - Halong Bay

  After breakfast, embark on a 3-hour land journey to Halong Bay for a relaxing overnight cruise. Around noon, head to the cruise by tender boat. Enjoy a welcome drink once you are onboard and after a safety briefing, be treated to a sumptuous lunch while immersing yourself in the gorgeous scenery and famous sights of limestone peaks. In the afternoon, join in the activities provided by the cruise to discover mysterious limestone caves by tender boat, wash off the heat by taking a dip in the cool, turquoise waters, relax on the beach, or go climbing on one of the islands.

  Return to the cruise and take in the splendid sunset as you enjoy some freshly prepared snacks and drinks. A cooking demonstration of traditional Vietnamese dishes then follows, providing a window for you to gain an insight into the local culinary traditions and habits. Sit down and treat your stomach to a delectable meal of fusion food as darkness falls upon the bay. Afterward, choose from a range of activities to have a fun evening: films, mini-games, squid fishing, massage (at your own expense)...

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  • Halong Bay

• Day 7: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Da Nang - Hoi An

  Wake up to the giggle of the waves and start a new day. If you get up early enough, join the others in a Tai Chi demonstration on the sun deck. After a light breakfast, follow the guide on board to discover another cave by kayaking or a traditional bamboo boat (with a small fee). The scenery is nothing short of breathtaking - towering limestone peaks coated in lush greenery, and unique rock formations in different shapes and sizes as if floating on the water... all of which remind you of the magnificence of nature.

  Come back to the cruise, take some time to rest, and enjoy a brunch buffet at the restaurant. Immerse in the splendid scenery one more time before heading back to the harbor by tender boat. Your private guide and driver will be waiting for you at the harbor and ready to take you to Hanoi airport for the flight to Da Nang. Arrive after around one and a half hours in the air, meet your local guide and driver at the arrival hall, and head to Hoi An in a comfortable private car (one-hour drive).

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  • Hoi An

• Day 8: Hoi An, Japanese Bridge & Making Lantern

  Dedicate this day to discovering Hoi An's highlights! Built-in the 16th century, the Japanese Covered Bridge is a landmark of Hoi An and a symbol of the town's fusion of cultures. Crossing the serene Thu Bon River, the 18-meter-long, wood-and-brick bridge combines Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese architectural elements. Then, visit the Chinese Assembly Hall & Temples. Appreciate the elaborate wood carvings, paintings, and sculptures and delve into Hoi An's fascinating past. You will also visit former Vietnamese merchants' houses to gain insight into the unique lifestyle of the old times.

  In the afternoon, visit the house of a local craftsman in the old street, where you will discover the daily life of Hoi An people and see how they make a lantern. The lantern has become a symbol of Hoi An, first brought to the town by Chinese and Japanese merchants in the 14th century, now it bears the meaning of good fortune and love in the local culture. You will have the chance to experience lantern making and bring it home as a lovely souvenir of an unforgettable trip!

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  • Hoi An

• Day 9: Experience the Rural Life

  Start this fun-filled experience by hopping on a two-wheel and cycling to Tra Que Vegetable Village with your private guide by your side. As you ride along countryside roads, take in idyllic views of rural Hoi An - rice paddies, quaint villages, water buffaloes, and farmers planting the rice. Upon arrival, take a stroll around to see the local houses. Feel refreshed after a glass of E (basil seeds) packed with nutrition, then get to know the history of this village.
  
  After that, put on a conical hat and walk to the vegetable gardens, where you will learn how to plant vegetables from the locals who have been in farming for decades. From hoeing soil and planting to watering and harvesting vegetables, get hands-on and experience the rural life here. Have a foot massage after getting back to the house, then learn how to cook some local dishes, including the savory Banh xeo (rice pancake folded in half and filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts) and six more dishes. Enjoy what you have cooked as lunch and wrap up a wonderful day with a bike ride back to Hoi An. The remainder of the day is for you to explore Hoi An on your own, perhaps visiting art galleries and studios to discover the town's burgeoning art scene, or taking a seat at a cafe by the river and watching the time pass by with a cup of iced coffee in hand.

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  • Hoi An

• Day 10: Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City

  Take a private transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, your guide will greet you and take you on a half-day city tour. Located in central Ho Chi Minh City, the century-old Ben Thanh Market is a hub of activities - vendors peddling all kinds of local produce, residents making their daily purchases and haggling with the vendors for a better deal... weave through the lanes crammed with shops and stalls to get a feel of authentic local life. Then proceed to the War Remnants Museum to gain an insight into an important chapter in the country's history - the Vietnam War. The museum's absorbing exhibits - armored vehicles, artillery pieces, infantry weapons, images, and stories from victims, will leave an indelible impression.

  Afterward, visit the Reunification Palace (also called the Independence Palace). Once the residence and office of South Vietnam's President Nguyen Van Thieu, this grand architecture featuring hundreds of rooms and ornate decorations is now a symbol of Vietnam's peace and unity. Admire Old Saigon Post Office's charming mixture of Gothic, Renaissance, and French architectural elements, and roam around Dong Khoi Street, a 630-meter-long avenue that saw 150 years of vicissitudes and with beautiful colonial-style architectures lining both sides.

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  • Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong River Delta

  Head to Ben Tre by private car for a full-day tour discovering the charms of the Mekong River Delta. You will first take a seat on a small boat to cruise along Ben Tre River, one of the tributaries of the Mekong. Enjoy the cool shades cast down by mangrove trees, watch the fishing boats and coconut cargo boats pass by, and relax in the laid-back vibe. Stop at a traditional brickwork workshop to see how bricks are made by hand, then visit a coconut workshop to get to know the procedures of coconut processing. The boat then meanders along the narrow waterway and stops at a coconut candy workshop. Coconut candy (keo dua in Vietnamese) is a specialty of Southern Vietnam and Ben Tre is known for producing some of the best coconut candies in Vietnam. Get to know how this snack is made by hand, try some for yourself, enjoy some fresh fruits, and relax in the local music.

  Step ashore after the boat ride and walk to a farmer's house where the locals still make sleep mats the traditional way. Afterward, hop on a bike and cycle through the coconut grove, basking in the sunshine and soaking up the gorgeous views. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing the boat ride along the canals shaded by palm trees. Head back to Ho Chi Minh City after a day full of fun and get some rest upon arriving at the hotel.

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  • Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels

  Drive about two hours out of the city to discover the underground tunnel system of Cu Chi Tunnels. Originally constructed during the Indochina War to connect the tunnels among hamlets, the tunnels were later expanded and used as a hiding spot and supply line for Communist guerrilla troops during the Vietnam War. It also served as the base of operations for the Tet Offensive in 1968. The Tunnels is now an outdoor war memorial with a range of fascinating activities for visitors to join in.

  After the tour, head back to Ho Chi Minh City by private car and the remainder of the day is for you to discover the charms of this city on your own. You can head to Bitexco Financial Tower and take in a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the city's beautiful skyline from its Saigon Skydeck observation on the 49th floor, step into Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts to admire more than 22,000 pieces of art from both ancient and modern periods, or sit down at a cafe and do some people-watching - for the more adventurous, try egg coffee and be surprised by its frothy egg mixture on top of a strong shot of espresso.

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  • Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City, Exit

  Savor the lively vibe of Ho Chi Minh City for some more time before heading to the airport by private car for your flight home/to the next destination. Goodbye, Vietnam!

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