10 days Relaxing Vietnam – Phu Quoc Island and Halong Bay

Day 1: HO CHI MINH CITY ARRIVAL (No meals)

On arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, our car picks you up at the airport and drives to Ho Chi Minh City’s center. You have free time for leisure.
Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City. # Phu Quoc Island

Day 2: MEMORIAL DAY TO CU CHI TUNNELS AND HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR (B/L/-)

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart to visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, which was built on the site of the former Norodom palace. The Independence Palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. It was the sight of the end of the Vietnam/American war in 1975, as a North Vietnamese army tank crashed through the gates. The tank has been still being displayed at the Independence Palaces’ property recently.
Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office, followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum. The museum has a vast display of both wars in Indochina. In the museum building, each floor will represent a separate theme of the war and the war crimes committed towards the Vietnamese people. Lunch at a local restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City then we drive for 60 km to Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi is now considered a heroic district for its role during the war in Vietnam. It is legendary for its tunnel system of over 220 km and is a popular spot for both Vietnamese and foreigners.
The peaceful rural rice paddy scenery contains ducks and water buffalos swimming along the rivers along the side of the road. You will find it hard to imagine the past destruction, damage and defoliation all over the area, caused by bombing and mines, when Cu Chi was “A Free Target Zone “. The remnants you will see that Cu Chi still has her evidence to prove the fierce battle ground that took place there. Ever wonder what it feels like to fire an AK-47? Visit Cu chi tunnels, you have a chance to find out! Back to Ho Chi Minh City for an overnight stay.

Day 3: EXCURSION TO  MEKONG DELTA (MY THO – BEN TRE) (B/L/-)

An unforgettable way of seeing the Mekong Delta is to drive along the provincial roads down on the Southern region of Vietnam through paddy rice fields, pine-apple plantations, orchards and small hamlets.
Upon arrival in My Tho, you will ride on a local motor boat along Dragon Island, Unicorn Island, Phoenix Island, Turtle Island and stop at the famous Unicorn Island. There you will take a short trek and go for a rowing sampan trip. You will also enjoy tropical fruits in an orchard, natural pure honey at a bee farm and traditional music.
From there, you will continue the boat trip to Ben Tre province to visit a family-run workshop of handmade coconut candies. Then change to a smaller motor boat and travel along the lush, green canals, and stop at Mien Tay restaurant to enjoy Vietnamese lunch. Spend time biking around the village until the time for driving to Can Tho city. Overnight stay in Can Tho.

Day 4: CAN THO – CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET – RACH GIA (B/L/-)

After breakfast, take the morning boat trip to visit the Phong Dien floating market which is at its busiest at this time of day. Keep cruising through the small channels system and visit a rice noodle making village. Experience the “Monkey Bridge” in the Delta. Visit a second floating market (Cai Rang). Break for lunch then drive to Rach Gia, where you are free to enjoy the peaceful landscapes in Rach Gia. # Phu Quoc Island
Dinner and overnight stay in Rach Gia

Day 5: HYDROFOIL FROM RACH GIA TO PHU QUOC ISLAND (B/L/D)

8:00 AM :  Hydrofoil from Rach Gia ferry to Phu Quoc island.
10:30 AM : Arrived at Phu Quoc ferry, transfer to the hotel for check-in.
After lunch, start the tour to the East of Phu Quoc island:
-Pepper garden, be captivated by word of “itsy-bitsy teeny weeny peppercorns” of patient growers
-Ham Ninh ancient village, enjoy fresh seafood (at surcharge)
-Tranh Stream: the most beautiful waterfall in Phú Quốc.
-Hung Long/ Phap Quang Pagoda located on high hill, overlooking to the town
-Back to Duong Dong town, stop at a Sim wine distillery, taste the local wine
-Dinh Cau Temple, the savior of local fishermen
Dinner and overnight stay in Phu Quoc.

Day 6: SAO BEACH OR SNORKELING TOUR (B/L/-)

After breakfast, start to explore:
Option 1: Excursion tour
8.000 AM: transfer to the South of the island and visit a fish sauce workshop, where you will learn about the fish sauce production and enjoy the unique aromatic flavor of Phu Quoc fish sauce.
Then continue to coconut prison, which was built in 1949-1950 by the French colonists to jail those considered especially dangerous to the colonial government.
End the tour at Sao beach – one of the most beautiful beaches in the South East of Phu Quoc island. Relax and swim,and enjoy lunch there.

Option 2: Snorkeling tour
8.00 AM : transfer to the South of the island and on arrival at the pier, get on board for snorkeling and fishing boat trip. The snorkeling set is ready for you to enjoy the colorful life of coral reefs and of marine life. After lunch on the island, transfer to Sao beach – one of the most beautiful beaches on Phu Quoc island.

On the way back to the hotel, stop for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Phu Quoc.

Day 7: PHU QUOC – HANOI (B/L/-)

Breakfast at the hotel then free until being transferred to Phu Quoc airport for the flight to Hanoi.
Arrive in Hanoi, our driver will transfer you to the hotel in the center of Hanoi so that you will have more time for sightseeing the fantastic landscape nearby. Some places recommended are Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ancient Quarter of Hanoi, night market and Water Puppet Show.

Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Day 8: HANOI – HA LONG BAY (B/L/-)

Breakfast at the hotel then be ready at the lobby.

07.45 – 08.15 approx. our guide will pick you up for a 2 day cruise on Halong Bay. Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River Delta. You just get your camera ready to take photos. Comfort break. The time from Hanoi to Halong bay is approximately 3 ½ hours.
12.00 Noon: Arriving at Tuan Chau Marina’s Pier. Welcome onboard the cruise. Refresh with our welcome drink during the cruise briefing by our captain. Check in your cabin and the time for refreshing and having seafood lunch while the cruise starts sailing. In the afternoon, stop over at Surprising Cave (Hang Sửng Sốt), explore the cave and find out how the cave was named a Surprising. Head for the Titop island area where the cruise drops anchor in the calm water surrounded by beautiful islets. Visit Titop island for swimming and snorkeling or do the short trek on the top of the island to admire the overview of Halong bay.
Back to the cruise. In the early evening, guests can summit on the sundeck watching the sunset, and enjoy Sunset party. It’s an ideal time to make acquaintances with new friends, sharing your traveling experience. Dinner onboard is served with an authentic Vietnamese menu. After dinner, reward yourself with a large selection of cocktails at our bar, or take part in one of our onboard activities: book reading, games, movies, and squid fishing…

Day 9: HALONG BAY– HANOI (B/L/-)

For the early risers, join us for a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai Chi helps focus the mind and condition the body, joining Tai Chi sessions will fully charge your energy for the day.
While having breakfast, mingling yourself in the stunning views of the Bay and its dramatic limestone islets as we sail through the calm emerald waters heading to Luon Cave (Hang Luồn). Take your option either exploring the cave yourself on a kayak or comfortably on a bamboo boat rowed by the locals.
Check out the cabins, at your leisure while our cruise takes you past other beautiful highlights in the bay. Awaiting on the deck for cruising back to the land, you will join our short class of Cooking demonstration, how to make spring rolls before an early lunch is served.
12.00 noon:Disembark from the cruise as our crew says farewell. Transfer to Hanoi. Arrive at your hotel at approximately 16:30. Dinner and overnight stay in Hanoi.

Day 10:  HA NOI DEPARTURE (B)

Breakfast at hotel, free time for leisure until being transferred to the airport for departure. End of the services!