10-Day Best of Vietnam with Mekong Delta: A Taste of Authentic Life

After a fresh coffee and breakfast, you will be on the way to Halong Bay. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the bay has all it takes for a relaxing journey: a stunning natural landscape, catering services onboard, an outlook over a waterfront lifestyle, and interesting activities, such as kayaking, swimming, and diving. Itineraries differ for each cruise, but you will probably visit: Cua Van Fishing Village, Vung Vieng Fishing Village, Me Cung Caves, Virgin Cave, and Surprise Cave, as well as passing some small islets, such as Flight Cock Islet, Human Head Islet, and Toad Islet and etc. Some cruises also include a cooking class at night and a taichi lesson in the morning.

Relaxing time on Halong Bay

Your cruising journey comes to a perfect ending and the cruise company will have a shuttle transfer taking you back to Hanoi. Meet your tour guide again and transfer to the airport. Onward flight to Danang and 40-minute car drive to Hoi An.

Immerse yourself in the cultural ancient town of Hoi An, your tour guide will lead you to some key sites including Japanese Covered Bridge, Fujian Assembly Hall and Old House of Tan Ky.
Situated on the maritime Silk Road, some exquisite traditional skills dated between 15th and 16th century has survived in the small single-craft villages that surround present-day Hoi An. Among them there is a pottery village. Enjoy a 40-minute scenic boat ride on the Thu Bon River to the pottery village. Here you will explore its zigzagging alleyways, chat with the villagers and make your own handicraft.

Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An

Transfer to Danang for an onward flight in the morning to Ho Chi Minh City. The private transfer with tour guide are included in both cities. Check-in upon arrival and spend the leisure time as you wish.

Despite its modernity, Ho Chi Minh City (once known as Saigon) oozes with nostalgic charm among its colonial-era buildings, street-side cafés and shady boulevards. Take a stroll downtown, where you will see the General Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the former Presidential Palace.
Continue on to the War Remnants Museum for a vivid perspective of the War through the eyes of the Vietnamese. The museum provides an audio device as your tour guide will not accompany you inside. (This part of the history may trigger some emotions due to the sensitivity and nature of that period.).
Experience Saigon’s famed coffee street culture, a brief language lesson with your guide, as well insights into the daily life of a Saigonese before returning to your hotel.

Notre Dame Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh City

Depart in the morning for a two-hour drive to Vinh Long in the Mekong Delta. Visit the vibrant Vinh Long Market to see the Delta’s bounty including river fish from the waterways, the rice fields, and various produce from local farmers.
Board a local boat and cruise to a home restaurant for lunch on An Binh Island. In the afternoon, visit a local pottery kiln where clay is used for both pottery and bricks.
Explore the narrow waterways of the Delta by row boat, past traditional wooden houses with thatched palm roofs and see how locals farm and fish as they have for centuries. Transfer to Can Tho.

Boat trip in Vinh Long, Mekong Delta

Enjoy an early morning local motorboat trip to the Cai Rang floating market where dozens of boats are laden with local vegetables, fruit, and fish from all over the Delta. Some small boats sell meals and refreshments.
Return to shore for a city tour of Can Tho, beginning with a visit to the Can Tho Museum. The museum showcases the agriculture and river life of the Mekong Delta as well as how the Vietnamese, Chinese and Khmer ethnic groups came to peacefully co-exist. Afterwards drive to Binh Thuy Ancient House, originally a place to worship their ancestors.

Chaotic floating market of Cai Be