ITINERARY OVERVIEW:

Day 1 (9-Feb) HANOI ARRIVAL - CITY TOUR
‍Arrivals in Hanoi / morning
Welcome to Hanoi - the charming capital city of Vietnam!Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), you will be warmly welcomed by the tour guide and transfer to your hotel (check-in time at 14:00) option to leave luggage. We transfer to visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Then take a cyclo tour around the Old Quarters of Hanoi. We visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offering a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past.Later, transfer to visit Tran Quoc pagoda - the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi, which is located on a small peninsula on the East side of Hanoi West Lake. The Tran Quoc Pagoda is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Hanoi. It is also the best time to take the stunning photos of the island with the pagoda. Transfer back to check-in at the hotel and the rest of day is at your leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

Please note!
- Hotel check-in time is around 14.00
- Depending on your arrival time, the program will be adjusted accordingly.

Day 2 (10-Feb) HANOI – NINH BINH – HANOI
After breakfast, a 90km drive south of Hanoi will lead us to Ninh Binh – the perfect place to relax and unwind while soaking up the landscape of Vietnam. Drive to Hoa Lu thru tranquil villages to enjoy the daily life of people in Ninh Binh. Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam for 41 years (968 – 1009), of which 12 years was under the Dinh dynasty – King Dinh Tien Hoang, and 29 years later was under the Le dynasty – King Le Dai Hanh. In Hoa Lu now, 2 temples have been built on the ground of the old royal palace, one is dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang, and the otheris to King Le Dai Hanh. The visit offers a chance to know more about part of feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history.Transfer to Tam Coc, we start the 2 hour-boat trip to visit Tam Coc. Known as “Halong Bay on land”, Tam Coc are three limestone caves stretching along Ngo Dong river. The boat trip is a nice journey along the river with peaceful scenery of Limestone Mountains, rice paddy and the site of some temples along the way from Hang Ca (first cave) to Hang Hai (second cave) and Hang Ba (third cave). We discover Hang Mua, which was constructed following the model of “miniature Great Wall” in China with nearly 500 steps up to mountains to conquer. It takes us around 30 minutes to trek to the top point of Ngoa Long mountain, but worth our efforts for an impressive panoramic view over the mountain, water and paddy field.Late afternoon, we return to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3 (11-Feb) HANOI – HALONG – OVERNIGHT ON BOARD (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast and check out of the hotel. We journey east to Halong Bay, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO since 1994 and 2006.Please note! This below 3day-2night cruise program belongs to Venus Halong Cruise. The itinerary is subject to change upon weather and tide conditions.Cruise program day 1: HA LONG – LAN HA – TRA BAU (Lunch/ Dinner)12:00 – 12:30: Guests will be picked up from Tuan Chau International port and deliver to Venus Cruises on tenders. Lunch will be served at Panorama restaurant while the boat is sailing through Ha Long Bay and getting in to Lan Ha Bay. After lunch time, guests will have a short break before joining the first activity of the tour. Cruise anchors at Tra Bau area. Guests are free to choose doing Kayak and Swimming around the boat. This will be a very particular experience when your feet are around 20m above land. Talent Chef will present you how a famous Vietnamese spring roll is made. You can try to make one or more for your own or partners. Specially, enjoy Sunset Party with free seasonal fruits and snack. In the meantime Happy hour (drink cost on your own). Watch the sunset over the sea.Delicious dinner is flexible between set menu and buffet.Free time, Guests can try spa, squid fishing or reading, lying under thousand stars and yoga/meditation session.

Day 4 (12-Feb) HALONG – OVERNIGHT ON BOARD (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Cruise program day 2: LAN HA – VIET HAI VILLAGE (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)05:30 – 06:00: Greets first light of the Day on Sundeck, warming up your body with Tai Chi lesson, yoga/meditation or enjoy leisure time in your room.Breakfast is served at Panorama restaurant. It can be either buffet style or set menuduring the trip.8:30 – 14:30: Guests will be taken to Viet Hai village. You will have 6 hours to discover the 100 year old village with options for cycling around paddy fields, trying a fish massage and tasting local dishes while lunch is served whether at the Village or on board.14:30 – 15:30: Swimming and kayaking time at one of the most beautiful beaches of Lan Ha Bay – Ba Trai Dao Beach. Guests can also do some volleyball at the beach.16:30 – 17:15: Return to main boat and leisure till dinner.20:00: Dinner and Free time, Guests can try spa, squid fishing or reading, lying under thousand stars sky or join the yoga/meditation session.

Day 5 (13-Feb) HALONG – HANOI
Cruise program day 3: DAY3: BRIGHT CAVE (Light Breakfast/Brunch)05:30 – 6:00: Greets first light of the Day on Sundeck, warming up your body with Tai Chi lesson or, yoga or meditation session or enjoy leisure time in your room.6:00 – 06:30: Light breakfast will be served in our restaurant (pastries, tea, coffee).6:40 – 08:30: Enjoy the last stage of your trip to Bright grotto and islets by local rowing boatswhich is a wild and mysterious beauty in the middle of the World Heritage.9:00 – 10:30: Check out of your cabin as we draw closer to the mainland. Enjoy a brunch before saying goodbye to crew team at 10:30. You will board our tender and head back to the wharf where you will be met by your return trip vehicle to transfer you to Hanoi.11:15 – 11:30: Bus back to Hanoi.Arrive in Hanoi around 14h30 -15h00, we check-in and relax for the rest of the day. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6 (14-Feb) HANOI – FLY TO SAIGON – CITY TOUR (Breakfast)
Breakfast at hotel then visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, inclusive of Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (outside), as well as his private residence from 1954 until 1969. The wooden ethnic minority style house, which was built on stilts, is surrounded by lovely peaceful gardens. In the same complex, you will see the One Pillar Pagoda founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Transfer to airport for our flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, you will be privately transferred to your hotel in Saigon.This afternoon, begin our city tour at the Reunification Palace. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate City Hall (Hotel De Ville), the old Opera House (both may only be viewed from the outside), and pay a quick visit outside to the neo-Romanesque Notredame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Visit Emperor Jade Pagoda, also known as Tortoise Pagoda, is one of the five most important shrines in Saigon. End our tour at the central Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 7 (15-Feb) SAIGON – BEN TRE MEKONG DELTA – SAIGON (Breakfast/Lunch)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning, pick up at hotel in Saigon and transfer to Ben Tre (86km from Saigon by car / van via Trung Luong highway). On arrival in Ham luong Pier, boating on Ben Tre river – one of tributaries of Mekong river- go along mangrove trees growing up ashore of waterway. Witness lively activities of town market on land and transfering on waterway as fishing boats, coconut cargo boats. Stop at traditional brickwork to see how to make bricks by hand. Turn on Cai Son canal winding through a coconut jungle, visit a coconut workshop. Go on small waterway and stop at a coconut candy workshop, have a look them making candy by hand, try some sweets, enjoy some fruits and listen to local music as well. Go on by boatand step ashore and take a short walk to a farmhouse where they make sleep-mats. Hop on a tuk-tuk and travel through a coconut grove. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Relax and keep going by row boat on a shady palm tree canal.Return back to Saigon later in the afternoon. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 8 (16-Feb) SAIGON – MUI NE (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel. From Saigon, we transfer to Mui Ne (220km ~ 4 hours driving)Arrive in Mui Ne, check-in the hotel/resort. The rest of day is at your leisure, with the option of a yoga session ending with a short meditation. Overnight in Mui Ne.

Day 9 (17-Feb) MUI NE – SAND DUNES JEEP TOUR – MUI NE (Breakfast)
Breakfast at hotel. Sand Dunes Jeep tour (4 hours)- Sunrise tour pick up at 4:30am (Duration from 04:30am - 08:30am)- Sunset tour pick up at 1:30pm (Duration from 1:30pm - 6:00pm)View the sunrise/sunset at the sand dunes overlooking Hon Rom beach. On the way to White Lake (Lotus pond), you will go through Suoi Nuoc beach and see the Tortoise island on the beach side.Mui Ne sand dunes tour gives you once in a lifetime opportunity to ride an ostridge, or sand sliding at the white and red sand dunes. Experience quad biking cruising up and down the white sand dunes. (Extra fee for ATV rental, riding the Ostrich and hiring sand boards.)Highlight:- White sand dunes (white lake)- Red sand dunes- Fairy stream- Fishing villageNoted: The Jeep will stop at parking car on White sand dunes, then you can walking to the hills or rent ATV or jeep up to the hills (on your own account).Included: English speaking guide, Transfer by Jeep, spring water, entrance fee.The rest of day is at your leisure. Optional Yoga and/or meditation session. Overnight in Mui Ne.

Day 10 (18-Feb) MUI NE – (Breakfast)
‍Breakfast at the hotel. Optional yoga/meditation session. The whole day is at your leisure. Overnight in Mui Ne.

Day 11 (19-Feb) MUI NE – (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel. The whole day is at your leisure.Optional yin yoga with etheric healing oils/shamanic energy cleansing. Overnight in Mui Ne.

Day 12 (20-Feb) MUI NE - SAIGON – DEPARTURE
(Breakfast)Via departure flight (extra cost based on price the time you book)Breakfast at the hotel. From Mui Ne, transfer directly to Saigon – Tan Son Nhat international airport (220km ~ 4 hours driving) for flight home. (Flight cost on your own)