Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival, meet by travel-to-nature Asia representative/guide and transfer to your hotel. Please look out for your name-card once you exit out of arrival area.

The rest of the day is at your leisure to recover from your long flight. Evening welcome dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.

Accommodation: La Siesta Ma May

We begin our day by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Complex. In here, you can see a lot of buildings like Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” may be viewed; Presidential Government; the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda. We’ll also see his nearby house, Quan Thanh Temple, the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and other museums.

Following lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a one-hour cyclo-ride around the Hanoi Old Quarter and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show before dinner.

Accommodation: La Siesta Ma May
Meal: Breakfast

Cat Ba archipelago is made up of 367 islands, the largest of which is Cat Ba, most of which is a national park. This island has made a name for itself as the adventure capital of Vietnam. The most stunning aspect of Cat Ba is the enthralling green carpet that covers much of the landscape. The never-ending hills and mountains also make it a trekker’s dream come true, including a 29km trail that rewards with stunning views over Ha Long Bay. Hailed as one of the most biodiverse areas in the country, Cat Ba is definitely one of Vietnam’s finest creations.

Depart Hanoi and drive about 2hrs to Hai Phong, the gateway to Halong Bay. Travel like a local; embark on a 30 min local ferry to Cat Ba Island. Another 45 min land transfer takes you to Cat Ba National Park. You will commence a nature trek through the park which possesses a unique variety of flora and fauna. Trek 6 km to Frog Lake to admire the magical landscape of submerged trees. Enjoy a picnic lunch in this serene setting. Continue Hiking for another 3 km to the scenic Viet Hai Village where you can see rice fields, fruit plantations, and experience local life. (Please wear appropriate footwear as this section of the trek is slippery due to walking on limestone).

Afterward, walk around the village for an up-close view. Board a wooden motorboat at Viet Hai Pier for a 1 hr cruise to the Beo Pier where you will transfer to your resort for dinner and overnight. Overnight in Cat Ba.

Accommodation: The Catba Island Resort & Spa
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Check out of the resort and drive 35mins to Gia Luan Pier where you will board a day boat and cruise approximately 1hr to the Ha Long Pier. Settle on board your main boat to begin a 2 day/1 night cruise through the spectacular Ha Long Bay. Enchanting, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most recognizable UNESCO sites.

The famous bay is composed of roughly 1,600 limestone karsts topped with vivid greenery jutting up from the emerald-green water and boasts a wild beauty of clustered limestone islets and crescent beaches. A boat cruise through Ha Long Bay is an absolute must while in Vietnam. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on board. Afterward, take an exhilarating kayak trip through the lagoon, have a refreshing swim or simply relax onboard and enjoy the sunset. Overnight on junk boat.

Accommodation: Glory Legend Cruise
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (also brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises are slowly back towards port. Disembark and afterward, take the 4-hour drive to your hotel in Ninh Binh.

Accommodation: Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trang An Landscape complex was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2014 and is a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, some of which are submerged, and surrounded by vertical cliffs.

Start the trip at Hoa Lu ancient capital. This was the capital of the first centralized feudal state in Vietnam at the end of the 10th century. The ravages of time have destroyed the ancient citadel but some vestiges including the temples of King Dinh and King Le still stand to this day among the rice paddies and are a worthwhile visit to get a glimpse of the ancient Vietnamese past.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Ninh Binh then continue on to Tam Coc – “Ha Long Bay on Land” for a 2-hour row-boat journey. Enjoy the beauty of the karsts formations as you pass along their base and row into several of the many caves carved through the limestone and paddy fields. (Boat is rowed by local workers). Overnight in Ninh Binh

Accommodation: Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel
Meal: Breakfast

This morning, enjoy a short drive to Tho Ha village in Nho Quan for a leisurely biking trip ranging from 5 km to 15 km (depending on your wish) passing by sleepy villages and picturesque countryside sceneries. Then head to Dong Tam hamlet to experience village life and to take part in some fun agricultural activities such as catching crab, fishing, transplanting and watering plants and more. After an hour or so, return back to the hamlet to join a cooking class and lunch with a local family where you learn how to prepare some local treats such as sweet potato cake and toasted fish.

After lunch, transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival HCMC, you will be escorted to your hotel in town for a two-night stay. You’ll enjoy a welcome dinner at a restaurant recommended by your Tour Leader. You’ll then have a relaxing overnight stay in HCMC. Overnight Saigon.

Accommodation: Paragon Saigon Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ben Tre is the best option for a day trip to the Mekong Delta from Saigon, since it is only around 2 hours away, and 15 minutes from My Tho. However, this wonderful destination retains an authenticity which has been somewhat lessened in nearby My Tho.

This picturesque and friendly Mekong Delta town has historically seen very few travellers, but the recent opening of a bridge connecting Ben Tre and My Tho has made it far easier for day trippers to visit from Saigon.

Our one-day cruise excursion starts at 8:00 am from the lobby of your hotel in Saigon with a drive to Ben Tre. While there, you can take a walk along the waterfront, lined with French era shops and houses, and you’ll see plenty of coconuts being unloaded from boats for dispatch around the country. Then, jump on a boat for a couple of hours of cruising on the Mekong River. You will enjoy your delicious lunch at a local restaurant or on board. The excursion will end at around 4:00 pm where the vehicle will await you for your transfer back to Saigon.

Accommodation: Paragon Saigon Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at hotel, we will drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, which consist of more than 200 km of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life was like during the US-Vietnam War.

After lunch we will embark on a city tour of Saigon, including the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office, the War Remnants Museum and bustling Ben Thanh Market. Overnight in HCMC.

Accommodation: Paragon Saigon Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Leave busy Saigon behind for the serenity of the lush forests of Cat Tien National Park, one of Vietnam’s top national parks. Those wanting to find out about Vietnam’s flora and fauna will find a trip to Nam Cat Tien National Park to be a rewarding experience. Located 160 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Nam Cat Tien is reported to have 600 varieties of plants, 240 types of birds and 50 species of mammals, including the one-horn Javan rhinoceros, one of several endangered mammals from Vietnam listed in the World Red Book. It is a four-hour drive to the national park from Ho Chi Minh City. After a local ferry to the other side of the Dong Nai River to your lodge.

After lunch transfer by the lodge buggy to the National Park Centre to begin your short trek through the jungle to observe wildlife up close. Return to the lodge for dinner before heading back to the National Park Centre where you’ll transfer to a car for an exciting night excursion deep into the park using a spotlight to see the nocturnal wildlife. Return to your lodge by buggy where you’ll enjoy a good night’s rest with the sounds of the jungle as nature’s soundtrack.

Nam Cat Tien National Park
This is probably the best site in Vietnam for seeing wildlife .It consists of two sectors : Cat Loc and Cat Tien, each about 35,000 ha and harbours the last remaining sizeable lowland forest in southern Vietnam comprising of a wide variety of habitats (primary and secondary).There are Diperocarpacae dominated tropical evergreen lowland forest, semi – evergreen lowland forest dominated by Lagerstroemia , bamboo and open grassland ,seasonal floodplains , flooded forest. While Cat Loc features the only few remaining individuals of Javan rhinos outside Java, Cat Tien is easy to access with good facilities and trail networks for wildlife watching. Bird watching (more than 300 recorded species) is best on the main road through the park to HQ to Dak Lua as well as forest trail heading off the road such as the Lagerstroemia, Crocodile Lake and Ecological Trails. At Crocodile Lake ( Bau Sau) , the ranger’s watchtower is like a tree house overlooking the rising mist. The forest walk to the lake passes through a volcanic rockfield with undisturbed lowland evergreen rainforest with strangling figs and giant trees with buttresses reaching beyond your head. To watch the park’s nocturnals animals hire a vehicle after dusk and drive with a spotlight southward following to the main road. Sambar Der, Barking Deer, Wild Pigs, Porcupines, and Common Palm Civets are commonly seen.Check out the beautiful well the paintings of Cat Tien’s ecosystem in the room next to the tourist reception .

Accommodation: Forest Lodge Floor
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, take the buggy to the National Park Centre followed by a 30 min drive through the forest to the starting point of our nature trek. We trek 5 km (3 mi) to the crocodile lake, stopping often to view the myriad varieties of birds and possibly larger mammals. The lake is home to the endangered Siamese crocodile and is one of the last places in the world where they can be seen in the wild. Enjoy a packed lunch along the way. Return to the lodge by buggy or trek your way back before settling in for a well-earned rest and dinner.

Accommodation: Forest Lodge Florr
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, be transferred by lodge buggy to the National Park Centre for a short trek around the Dao Tien Endangered Primate Species Centre, a rescue and rehabilitation centre for endangered primates including gibbons with the aim of returning them to the wild. Nam Cat Tien National Park is home to several species of gibbon, including the gold-cheeked and black-crested varieties. Return to the lodge by buggy around midday for lunch.

Take a local ferry ride to return to the other side of the river where your driver awaits to bring to Phan Thiet Beach today, where endless white dream beaches await you. Spend a dream holiday among palm trees, sun and sea for next couple of nights. After check-in at the resort, the rest of the day is yours to swim and relax.

Accommodation: Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort
Meal: Breakfast

The next two days we will be relaxing at the beach, pool or spa. Optionally, you can take part in various excursions, such as a visit to the sand hills and the pink river or a trip to the Ham Tien coconut forest and much more. For all adrenaline seekers, a wide variety of leisure sports activities are offered, such as surfing and kite surfing on the beach. Overnight in Phan Thiet Beach.

Phat Thiet: While Phan Thiet remains one of Vietnam’s busiest coastal towns, it maintains its unique attractions from the bustle of urban development, making it the perfect retreat from its nearby business epicenters, Hanoi and Saigon. Though it still receives the bulk of its income from fishery and fish product manufacturing, its beautiful beaches and resorts are slowly transforming it into Vietnam’s latest tourist attraction.

The area now known as Phan Thiet first existed under the rule of the ancient kingdom of Champa before eventually transferring to Vietnamese rule. In 1697, the area – then known as Binh Thuan – became its own district before officially being recognized as a “dao.” It would take two more centuries before it would become a province in 1825 under the reign of Emperor Minh Mang.

Accommodation: Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort
Meal: Breakfast

Today we will drive from Phan Thiet directly to Saigon Airport to catch our homeward-bound flight.

Meal: Breakfast