Vietnam Culture Insight 11 Days

Begin the first full day with a meeting with Hanoian architect who shares with you about outstanding Hanoi’s architecture.

Continue with a visit to Vietnam’s first university, the Temple of Literature. Founded in 1076 Quoc Tu Giam was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Continue to the nearby mausoleum of the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside), and visit the former president’s house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. Afterwards, pay a visit the small but iconic One Pillar Pagoda before heading back to the hotel.

In the evening, enjoy the quintessence of Tonkin show which you will experience six aspects of the cultural Quintessence of Tonkin: Poetry, Buddhism, Nostalgia, Music & Painting, Joy & Festivities. Not only opening up the cultural space of the northern delta with people's daily life activities, the play also shows the audience the best of the water puppetry art with the story of the venerable monk Tu Dao Hanh and the history of the ancient Thang Long royal palace.

Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel. 

Leaving for Halong Bay, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site with its 3,000 islands of towering limestone dotting the bay and Gulf of Tonkin (180km – 3.5 - 4 hour driving). After arriving at noon, you will board a beautiful boat for an overnight cruise on Halong Bay with an excellent menu of fresh seafood. Lunch and dinner are served on boat. Overnight on board in the open air of Halong Bay.       

The Vietnamese call the “East Sea” by a point-oriented name “Eastern Sea”, so you may guess how miraculous it is seeing the sunrise over the islets of the Bay. The boat will take us to go about marvelous areas, where almost each islet has its own name, adopting its shape or reminiscent, including the Fisherman’s Head, Turtle, the Sail, the Incense Burner Rock, the cute Sea Dog Rock or Cock Fighting Rocks and so on. Overland to Hanoi Airport where you take onward flight to Hue. 

Pick up from the hotel by cyclo and head to Dai Noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake, the former holiday spot for the Emperors. Continue by cyclo to the local Tay Loc Market, situated in the northwest part Dai Noi (rarely visited by tourists.)

From Tay Loc, transfer by vehicle to a beautiful pagoda which dates back to 1843. One of the most interesting aspects of the pagoda are the eunuch tombs from the former Royal Court.

If the itinerary falls on Thursday or Sunday, there is a chance to see Buddhist monks and nuns who gather together to pray and read aloud scriptures. This is a fascinating visit and highly recommended. Head next to Ho Quyen, an arena where duels between elephants and tigers were once fought for the entertainment of former Kings.

At the end of the morning, visit the recently restored An Dinh Palace where magnificent murals can be seen, as well as the stunning façade where oriental and European designs are integrated.

Enjoy lunch in Hue at one of the city’s most renowned restaurants, Ancient Hue.

In the afternoon pay a visit to the tomb of the former emperor Minh Mang which is located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds. Journey on to Khai Dinh’s Tomb, which is traditional Vietnamese in design with a European flare, making it entirely unique from the other tombs in Hue.

At the end of the afternoon head back to the hotel.  Enjoy dinner at one of Hue’s most beautiful garden houses known locally as ‘nha vuon’.  These houses are traditional, privately owned, and set in large, attractive formal gardens. Some have connections with the old Royal Imperial Court and the house’s traditional architecture has long been associated with the natural environment and the ancient belief of ‘feng-shui’.

Drive from Hue to the ancient port town of Hoi An. Jeep will stop at spectacular Hai Van mountain pass and scenic fishing village, coastline and paddy fields for a close up touch. In spite of Hoi An’s passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the centre of the ancient city remains wholly untouched.  Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel. 

Begin your story of Hoi An, a former port that welcomed Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants between the 16th to 18th centuries. Today it is renowned for its old quarter lined with two-storey Chinese shops, with elaborate carved wooden facades and terracotta tile roofs. And not forgetting expert tailor shops and delicious food!

The tour includes stops at several famous landmarks. The first is Chua Ong Pagoda, dating back to 1653 and built in honor of the Chinese general Quan Cong, who is worshipped by many as a symbol of loyalty and justice. Next, pop into Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, to see the Jinshang Temple which is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors.  From there it’s a short walk to Tam Ky House, a 200 year old ancestral house and finally, stroll across the often photographed 17th century covered bridge built by Japanese craftsmen. The beautifully built bridge doubles as a temple and is a major landmark of Hoi An.

After a Vietnamese lunch, take a short boat trip down the river and visit a craft village where local artisans make ceramics. End your afternoon with a visit to the docks and see traditional fishing boats and the unusual round basket boats that ply the water. Dinner is on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Shuttle bus will pick you up around 8 am to 8: 30am at your Hoi An hotel.

Green Bamboo Cooking School in Hoi An offers a unique cookery class experience. Run by mutli-lingual Vietnamese chef Van, this class gives a fabulous insight into Vietnamese culinary skills in a friendly and relaxed setting.   Van opened the cooking school in 2010 as a natural extension of the hospitality she's been offering visitors to Hoi An for years, she had live in Sweden for 9 years, Van is the perfect hostess with a deep knowledge about Vietnam and what is most interesting to foreigners.  This wonderful course is suitable for both experienced cooks wanting to learn new techniques or amateur chefs who simply want a fun day out.

After that, drop by the private home of Mr. Nhan Do, a man with passion for Vietnamese Calligraphy and learn how to write beautifully under his guidance. Remainder of the afternoon is free at leisure to explore the ancient town or enjoy the modern facilities of your resort.

Free at your leisure till transfer to Danang Airport to take the midday flight to Saigon. You will be welcomed at the Tan Son Nhat airport and transfer to the hotel to check-in.  Spend the rest of the day free at your leisure. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel. 

Your army Jeep and guide will meet you at your hotel and drive for about two hours to Cu Chi Tunnels. Upon arrival, you will watch a short introductory video about the land and people of Cu Chi during the war. Visit various mantraps, the remains of an American tank and numerous bomb craters. (If you’d like to try out war-era guns, check them out at the shooting range at your own expense.)  Jump in the Jeep get back to the city. The trip ends at your hotel.

There is no activity planned for today so you are free to enjoy your free time souvenir shopping until transfer to the airport for your onward flight.