Vietnam beach break tour 13 days

Arrival at Noi Bai Airport, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Today is free at your leisure to rest or explore your own the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
It is very nice to walk in the "quarter of 36 corporations" and get lost in the innumerable alleys of old Hanoi!
The old quarter was name "quarter of the 36 guilds" because each of its streets was (or is still) a craft cooperative, or guild. There are, for example, Hang Gai (Hemp Street), Hang Ga (Chicken Street), Hang Bac (Silver and Gold treet) and so on. This place, full of history, is a place of trade and commerce unique in South East Asia.
Overnight at hotel.
 

Breakfast at hotel, start your journey to the highlights of Hanoi at the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh.
 
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum) is the centerpiece of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, consisting of the Mausoleum (closed every Monday and Friday), the Presidential Palace , the House on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda. On foot, you go from one site to another by passing over this imposing rectangular square which allows you to step back in front of the impressive mausoleum.
Note: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is usually closed for one month between September and December of each year when the remains of Ho Chi Minh are sent to Moscow for restoration. In this case, the visit of the Mausoleum of Uncle Ho is done only outside.
 
Next, head onward to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past.
For lunch, you are invited to discover one of the Hanoi specialties in a typical restaurant.
In the afternoon, you change the atmosphere by visiting the Museum of Ethnology (closed every Monday).
The Museum of Ethnology is certainly one of the most interesting in Vietnam. Created in November 1997 at the time of the Francophonie summit, it became a must-see attraction of Hanoi. Vietnam is a multi-nationality country with 54 ethnic groups. The Viet (Kinh) people account for 87% of the country’s population and mainly inhabit the Red River delta, the central coastal delta, the Mekong delta and major cities. The other 53 ethnic minority groups are scattered over mountain areas (covering two-thirds of the country’s territory) spreading from the North to the South.
 
We continue to visit the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple.
 
Relive Hanoi of the 50s with a cyclo tour (Duration about 1h00). Allow the rhythm of the pedals, discover the buzzing alleys of the ‘36 streets’ area - a place with unique charm and incessant activity: craftsmen, shopkeepers, tinsmiths, jewelers, calligraphers, carpenters, rattan or leather, notice also vendors of fans, votive objects, lacquers, silks, mats, paper, pipes, etc.
 
Enjoy a water puppet show for a look at traditional performance art in Vietnam
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
 

After an early breakfast at hotel, transfer to Halong passing through the beautiful landscapes of the Red River Delta.
Along the way, you will be able to observe Vietnamese country life: farmers working in the rice fields, buffaloes grazing along the road, bands of ducks, small towns with colorful houses and overloaded shops...
Arrival in Ha Long around noon. On board your junk. You will be in your air-conditioned cabin equipped with a private bathroom (hot water, cold water, toilet). A lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself.
 
Halong Bay includes 2000 limestone islands and islets. Most of them are uninhabited and pristine because of the stiffness of the peaks. This set creates a spectacular marine landscape to Halong Bay, which was listed on UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. According to Vietnamese legend, these peaks would have appeared after a dragon's tail beat in the sea to defend Vietnam against the Chinese invaders.
 
The cruise one night on board will be one of the unforgettable moments of your stay. You can swim from the boat and enjoy the meals prepared by the crew.
Overnight on board the boat in Halong Bay. We advise you to go to bed early to enjoy the magnificent scenery of sunrise over the Bay the next morning.

Depending on the season, you can enjoy an early morning bath before breakfast on board and admire the sunrise from the upper deck or from your cabin.
The vessel continue to cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards the port. A brunch will be served before disembarking your junk or lunch will be organized in a restaurant (depending on the program of the junk).
Return to Ha Noi. We transfer directly to the airport for flight to Hue.
Upon arrival at Phu Bai airport, the guide in Hue will pick you up, transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
 

After breakfast at hotel, depart for a day of exploring the imperial city of Hue.
Begin your journey at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945 - Duration: 2 hours.
The citadel was built for 30 years from 1804 under the command of the first Emperor Gia Long. It was a fortified town and consists of three parts: the capital city, the imperial city and the forbidden city, as well as more than 100 original architecture buildings spread over many sectors. The citadel was partially destroyed in 1968 during the Vietnam War, but many donations permitting nowadays to make revive this invaluable heritage.
For lunch, discover the traditional local cuisine
Afternoon, head onward to the tomb of the Emperor Tu Duc and the Tu Hieu pagoda.
 
The tomb of Emperor Tu Duc is located in a narrow valley, about 8 kms from the center of Hue. Its architecture is representative of traditional Vietnamese art. Not far from the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, about 5 km from the city center, there is the Tu Hieu pagoda. The Buddhist monk Nhat Dinh was at the origin of its construction in 1843. Even today, the pagoda hosts a very active community of monks that you will be invited to meet. In this calm and peaceful environment, you can discuss about serenity, search for peace and inner awakening. Hue is still one of the most important Buddhist centers of the country.
 
In the late afternoon, you will visit a factory of traditional conical hats of Vietnam, the "non ba tam".
Overnight at hotel in Hue
 

After breakfast at hotel, you will discover the surrounding countryside of Hue by a relaxing cycling or cyclo ride. En route, stop at Phu Mong village for a typical Hue garden home visit. You will next take a break at Thien Mu pagoda, one of the most well-known symbols of the city of Hue.
 
The morning ends with a visit to the tomb of the Emperor Minh Mang. You will have lunch in a local restaurant.
 
In the afternoon, we take the coastal road to Hoi An over the scenic Hai Van Pass, where fabulous views of the coastline await. (120 kms - Duration: 3,5h). At the top, the poetic landscape and the breathtaking view of the bay have already inspired many Vietnamese poets and writers.
Through Danang, you will visit the Cham Museum (1 hour) which contains the most beautiful collection of Cham sculptures in the world  - more than 300 original pieces dating from the 7th to the 15th century.
Arrival in Hue in the late afternoon, check-in hotel and relax.
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
 

Breakfast at hotel. You have a full day exploration of Hoian and its surroundings.
Begin with a bike ride to the villages of Tra Que and Cam Thanh. During the trip, you pass immense rice fields in the middle of nature, you will be put in contact with the local inhabitants.
You can participate in gardening activities such as raking the ground, sowing, watering, and tending greens.
Then the fishermen will take you to discovering their traditional fishing techniques and their coconut forests by a cruise in «Thung chai» - bamboo basket boat.
Enjoy lunch at a local family with the typical dishes. Before leaving the host family, relax a traditional therapeutic foot bath with medicinal herbs.
For the rest of the journey, you will visit the old town of Hoian, the charming town preserved by Unesco: Phuc Kien Assembly Hall which is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors, the Japanese bridge built in 1593, Tan Ky House - a 200 year old ancestral house, the market and its harbor which were very animated in the 15th century...
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight to dynamic Ho Chi Minh city.
Upon arrival, the guide in Ho Chi Minh city will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Ho Chi Minh City is the most modern, lively and westernized city in Vietnam. The city was marked by various occupations of the colonial era. Because of its ideal geographical position, close to the Mekong river delta, Cambodia and Laos, it has always been a very commercial city and hardly ever sleeps.
Your discovery of the capital of the South cannot be made without a visit of the colonial structures: the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall.
Then you go to the east of the city, where located the Chinatown of Cholon, to discover the area’s markets, shops and the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda - dedicated to the goddess of the Sea. Enjoy this unique, lively and colorful atmosphere.
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city
 

In the morning, depart from your hotel and drive approximately two hours to Vinh Long.
Vinh Long is one of the richest provinces of the Mekong Delta. Situated between the Tien and the Hau rivers, its rich alluvial soil makes it one of the  favorable region for rice and various fruit cultivation: mandarins, oranges, grapefruits, mangoes, rambutans and durians. During your visit to the Mekong Delta, you will have the opportunity to taste these exquisite and ripe exotic fruits in the fruit orchards, and you will understand why this region called the "rice granary" of Vietnam.
Arrival at Vinh Long around 10:30. You will visit the local market where you see a variety of agricultural products: fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, vegetable....
Next stop will be the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay.
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 and 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...
Have some fruits and tea when enjoying the traditional music at a farmer’s family.
Check in home-stay on An Binh Island.
One more option for you if you like biking! It will be so amazing to bike on village paths to see the local farms, houses, real life and the ancestral ways to pick up fruits in Mekong Delta.  Cooking some dishes with the owners. We enjoy diner & overnight at local house.

Have early breakfast and have a boat trip to Cai Be colorful floating market cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables.
Then, an optional stop can be made at local workshops where you can see how to make rice paper, coconut candy and pop-rice, pop-corn...
It is so interesting to visit the handicraft village where you can see how they make some special products: making rice-net for spring-rolls, fish sauce & soya sauce, sewing coconut-leaves for cottage roof...The cruise will end at Cai Be town.
Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City, we transfer directly to the airport for a short flight to Phu Quoc Island.
Arrival in Phu Quoc, welcome and transfer to the hotel by the sea. During the transfer across the island to your hotel you will pass by rubber plantations, pepper farms and the lush island interior while catching glimpses of the coastline in the distance.
Overnight at hotel on the beach
 

The next two full days are free to enjoy the beautiful white sand beach.
Phu Quoc Island  which was named Pearl Island, who is also the largest island in Viet Nam, located in the Gulf of Thailand. What makes guests amused and impressed when coming to Phu Quoc is warm blue sea waters, fine sand beaches and the mountains deep wilderness. The most appropriate time to travel Phu Quoc Island is from December to March with an average temperature between 25 and 27^oC.
Overnight at hotel
Optional :
For the more active, you can take a snorkelling and fishing trip.
 

Free time at your leisure or enjoy the beautiful white sand beach.
Overnight at hotel

Free time until transfer to the airport of Phu Quoc island for flight back to Ho Chi Minh city, then continue your onward fly.