9-Day Hanoi – Halong Bay – Danang – Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Meals: Breakfast at hotel

Morning (8:00 AM): Drive to Ninh Binh

• Comfortable 2-hour drive through rural villages, green rice paddies & karst mountains.

• Stop at a local rest area or café if needed.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital:

• Visit Temple of King Dinh with stone carvings & dragon motifs.

• Visit Temple of King Le nestled against limestone cliffs.

• Learn about Vietnam’s first feudal dynasties and ancient military architecture.

Optional:

• Light hike up a short flight of stairs for panoramic views.

Local Lunch Recommendation (Not Included):

• Goat meat dishes (famous specialty)

• Crispy rice cakes (com chay)

Afternoon – Trang An Boat Ride:

• Board a traditional wooden sampan rowed by local villagers.

• Cruise through 8–10 limestone caves such as:

  • Hang Toi (Dark Cave)

  • Hang Sang (Bright Cave)

  • Hang Nau Ruou (Wine Cooking Cave)

• Spot lush greenery, mountains, and tranquil water surfaces.

• Visit film studio set of “Kong: Skull Island” (if open).

Return to Hanoi by 4:00–4:30 PM.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Morning:

• Breakfast, check-out.

• Drive 2.5 hours to Halong Bay via Expressway.

12:00 PM – Arrival at Tuan Chau Marina:

• Welcome drink & safety briefing.

• Check-in to your cabin.

Afternoon Onboard Activities:

• Lunch served as the cruise sails through legendary limestone formations:

  • Fighting Cock Islet

  • Stone Dog Islet

  • Incense Burner Islet

• Kayaking at Luon Cave – explore emerald water & limestone arches.

• Visit Titop Island, enjoy:

  • Swimming

  • Beach time

  • Hike 400 steps for a panoramic Halong Bay view.

Sunset & Evening:

• Sunset party: tea, coffee, fruits.

• Vietnamese cooking class on sundeck.

• Dinner with seafood & Vietnamese dishes.

• Free time: squid fishing, board games, music, night sky watching.

Overnight on Cruise.

Meals: Breakfast & Brunch on cruise

Early Morning:

• Tai Chi class on sundeck.

• Light tea/coffee service.

Morning Excursion:

• Visit the spectacular Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave – the largest cave in Halong Bay with multi-colored stalactites.

Return to Cruise:

• Pass Ba Hang Fishing Village.

• Cooking demonstration or fruit carving demonstration.

• Brunch served before disembarkation.

Noon:

• Arrive at the pier (11:00–11:30 AM).

• Drive back to Hanoi.

• Fly to Danang.

Evening:

• Arrive in Danang, transfer to hotel.

• Free at leisure.

Overnight in Danang.

Meals: Breakfast at hotel

Morning:

• Drive to Ba Na Hills (approx. 40 minutes).

• Take the world’s longest cable car system up the mountain.

At Ba Na Hills:

• Explore Le Jardin D’Amour Gardens (9 themed flower gardens).

• Visit Debay Wine Cellar (entrance excluded).

• Visit Linh Ung Pagoda with a massive Buddha statue.

Golden Bridge:

• Walk across the iconic Golden Bridge held by giant stone hands.

• Stunning views overlooking the Truong Son Mountains.

Afternoon:

• Explore French Village: chapels, squares, fountains, European-style buildings.

• Enjoy street performances & music shows.

• Free time at Fantasy Park for rides and games.

Evening:

• Take cable car down.

• Drive back to Danang.

Overnight in Danang.

Meals: Breakfast at hotel

Morning – Cam Thanh Coconut Village:

• Drive to Cam Thanh fishing community.

• Join a basket boat ride through coconut palm forests.

• Learn how to:

  • Catch crabs

  • Cast fishing nets

  • Spin the basket boat (optional & fun)

Interact with locals & enjoy refreshing coconut water.

Afternoon – Hoi An Ancient Town Walking Tour:

• Explore Japanese Covered Bridge (17th century).

• Visit Fujian Assembly Hall with ornate dragon fountains.

• Discover Tan Ky Old House – over 200 years old.

• Visit Sa Huynh Culture Museum.

• Walk through lantern-decorated streets & tailor shops.

Evening:

• Free time for shopping or riverside cafés.

• Return to Danang.

Overnight in Danang.

Meals: Breakfast at hotel

Morning:

• Transfer to Danang Airport.

• Flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

• Meet guide & continue to Cu Chi Tunnels.

Cu Chi Tunnel Experience:

• Watch documentary about the war era.

• Discover hidden trapdoors, ventilation shafts & tunnel entrances.

• Crawl inside widened tunnels (optional).

• See:

  • Hand-made traps

  • Remains of tanks

  • Bomb craters

• Taste boiled cassava & tea, the wartime staple.

• Optional shooting range (extra charge).

Return to HCMC.

Evening:

• Visit landmarks:

  • Notre Dame Cathedral (outside; under renovation sometimes)

  • Old Post Office (inside visit)

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals: Breakfast at hotel

Morning – Departure to My Tho:

• Drive 1.5 hours to the Mekong region.

• Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, featuring giant Buddha statues.

Mekong River Cruise:

• Board the boat & cruise past local floating homes.

• Visit Phoenix, Unicorn & Dragon Island areas.

• Explore:

  • Coconut candy workshop

  • Honeybee farm

  • Fruit orchards

• Enjoy tropical fruits & honey tea.

• Traditional "Don Ca Tai Tu" folk music.

Sampan Ride:

• Ride a small sampan through narrow palm-canopied canals.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City by late afternoon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals: Breakfast at hotel

Morning – Ho Chi Minh City Tour:

• Visit Reunification Palace (historical site of the Vietnam War’s end).

• Visit Notre Dame Cathedral & Old Post Office.

• Explore Ben Thanh Market for last-minute souvenirs.

Depending on flight time:

• Transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport.

Tour Ends.