Vietnam Highlights with Day Cruise

Touch down at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, where a welcoming Cox and Kings representative awaits to escort you to your centrally located hotel. As you glide into the city, watch how old colonial facades and glassy towers share the same skyline, a visual introduction to Vietnam’s past and present. After a smooth check-in, take a little time to refresh and let the tropical warmth settle in.

Begin your journey with a guided exploration of the city’s hallmark landmarks. The red-bricked Notre Dame Cathedral and the Saigon Central Post Office stand like postcards from the French Indochina era, while the People’s Committee Hall rises in perfect symmetry. After lunch, step through the corridors of the Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum, each offering a sobering lens into the history of the Vietnamese.

Later, stroll through the colourful aisles of Ben Thanh Market, where spices, textiles, and chatter swirl together in a lively tapestry. Indulge in a satisfying dinner, with Indian cuisine and local specialities before returning to your hotel. Retreat for the evening and settle into your comfortable room for a restful night.

After a wholesome breakfast, journey toward the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels. Descend into a labyrinth carved beneath the earth, a network built by ingenuity and necessity. Hear stories of strategy, survival, and determination as you walk through preserved sections of this wartime stronghold.

Continue onward into the lush waterways of the Mekong Delta. Board a boat that weaves through tranquil canals lined with coconut palms, stopping at orchards and family-run workshops where sweets are made with recipes passed through generations. Enjoy a local lunch, savoring the flavors of the region!

Next, experience a serene sampan ride, where the gentle paddling replaces the city’s rush with peace. The late afternoon is yours to take in Ho Chi Minh City, perhaps explore shopping streets or simply relax. Relish a warm Indian dinner before returning to your hotel and settling in for the night.

After fueling up with a hearty breakfast, continue northward on a short flight to Danang, a beautiful coastal city. A friendly escort guides you into the heart of the city and the adventure begins with visits to its architectural icons. Witness the Han Bridge spanning the river gracefully, while the Dragon Bridge coils, fire-breathing on special evenings standing there like a myth brought to life.

After a warm lunch, wander through the corridors of Han Market, where vendors present piles of fresh produce, handmade goods, and fragrant spices. At Linh Ung Pagoda, watch the towering Lady Buddha stand sentinel over the sea, a symbol of protection and peace, while My Khe Beach stretches in fine, pale sand…

Later, marvel at the famed Marble Mountains, five hills named after natural elements and filled with caves, pagodas, and viewpoints carved in stone. After sightseeing, arrive at your Danang hotel and unwind at leisure. Let the day’s sights sink in as you enjoy your dinner before retiring to the comfort of your room.

Start with a delicious breakfast before ascending into the clouds on a scenic cable car ride to Ba Na Hills. Arrive at the Golden Bridge, with its giant stone hands lifting visitors above valleys of fog. Wander through French-inspired gardens, heritage villas, and the whimsical Fantasy Park before enjoying an Indian buffet lunch with panoramic views.

In the afternoon, travel to Cam Thanh’s Coconut Village and step aboard traditional basket boats carved from bamboo. Locals guide you gently through the bamboo, sharing stories, laughter, and the quiet aquatic secrets of the region.

As dusk approaches, Hoi An comes alive. Stroll its UNESCO-listed Ancient Town, where lanterns sway like constellations suspended just above the river. Pause for a lantern boat ride as soft reflections ripple over the water. After an evening of magic, return to Danang, enjoy a warm dinner and relax in your hotel room for a peaceful night’s rest.

After a fine breakfast featuring local delicacies, board your flight to the capital, Hanoi. A warm representative escorts you to your hotel, and you’ll have the afternoon at leisure, perhaps explore its serene parks, sip Vietnamese coffee, or simply relax in the rhythm of northern Vietnam.

As evening falls, step into an art form uniquely born from rice paddies: the traditional water puppet show. Puppeteers skillfully manipulate lacquered figures over water, recreating myths, harvest scenes, and folktales that have delighted generations. The music of drums and flutes becomes a bridge between the stage and the soul.

After this delightful immersion in culture, return to your hotel for dinner and a restful overnight stay. Let Hanoi’s gentle night air lull you into a good night’s sleep.

Begin your day with a nourishing breakfast before journeying through the Red River Delta, rice paddies glisten in rows while farmers cycle past, waving as if greeting old friends. Soon, the emerald waters of Halong Bay come into sight, and your deluxe cruise awaits. Board the vessel and set sail past towering karst formations that look sculpted by wind and time.

Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch onboard as cliffs glide past your window. The boat pauses at iconic sites: Surprise Cave, an immense cavern adorned with natural chandeliers, then emerald bays where you may choose kayaking or floating aboard a bamboo vessel. The water mirrors limestone spires while local guides explain tales of dragons and celestial guardians.

As afternoon light softens, the cruise returns to the harbor. Back in Hanoi, treat yourself to a flavourful authentic dinner and savor the city’s culinary flavours; whether steaming pho or fragrant stir-fries. Retreat to your hotel for the night and settle in with Halong Bay’s landscapes still vivid in your thoughts.

After one last breakfast in Vietnam, check-out and set off on a guided exploration through Hanoi’s icons. Admire the grandeur of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before walking the halls of the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university and a tribute to scholars and Confucian wisdom. 

Continue to Tran Quoc Pagoda, poised elegantly on West Lake, its peach-red façade shimmering in reflection. Circle Hoan Kiem Lake, and step into Ngoc Son Temple resting on a small island. Then weave through the Old Quarter’s maze-like streets and cap the journey at Train Street, sipping coffee as locomotives glide inches away... With a basket full of experiences, you’ll be escorted to the airport for a smooth departure.

Great journeys never end, they aspire to inspire the next. Until next time…

Expertly yours.