Culture, Cruise & River Life: Vietnam North to South

Arrival Flight: Guest’s own tickets

Xin Chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam.

A warm greeting awaits at Noi Bai International airport, your private guide and driver will meet you at EXIT GATE – COLUMN 10 and transfer you (45 minutes) to your hotel in city centre.

Please look for your tour guide who holds up your names on a welcome signboard. While every effort is made to have your room available upon arrival, check in time is at 02:00pm; your room may or may not be ready before this time. Your tour guide will provide additional details regarding your stay, and you will be able to ask any questions you may have. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Please note: Your travel documents contain a Vietnam eVisa (unless otherwise arranged). Please ensure to pack this in your carry-on luggage. Your Vietnam eVisa must be presented to Customs upon entry into the country.

Overnight in Hanoi. 

Included for the day:
Transfer: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Chalcedony Hotel or Similar

07:45 – 08:15: After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel by a shared van to begin your exploration of Hanoi.

Start with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed in the afternoons, Fridays, and Mondays), where you can learn about the architectural and historical significance of the final resting place of Vietnam’s revered leader. Nearby, discover Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, a simple yet meaningful residence reflecting his modest lifestyle. Just beside the complex stands the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 — a unique structure that has become a symbol of Hanoi.

Continue to Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest and most picturesque Buddhist pagodas in Vietnam, beautifully set along the shores of West Lake.

Depending on the day, you will then visit Bat Trang Pottery Village (operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), where you can observe traditional ceramic craftsmanship and explore the village’s artisanal heritage.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (operating on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays), offering fascinating insights into the diverse cultures of Vietnam’s ethnic groups. Continue to the Temple of Literature and Quoc Tu Giam, Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1070. Its tranquil gardens and well-presed architecture provide a peaceful glimpse into the country’s scholarly past.

Next, pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, the symbolic heart of Hanoi, and visit Ngoc Son Temple, gracefully set on a small island within the lake.

Conclude the day with a walk through Hanoi’s vibrant Old Quarter, where you will have time to explore its lively streets, browse local shops, and soak in the city’s unique atmosphere.

Tour ends around 15:30 – 16:00.

Overnight in Hanoi. 

Included for the day:
Transfer: Shared vehicle and driver with A/C
Tour guide: Shared English speaking tour guide
Entrance fees: To all sites stated in the itinerary
Accommodation: Chalcedony Hotel or Similar

A shared van will pick you up and transfer you to Quang Ninh Province. Enjoy the scenic journey through the Red River Delta, with its patchwork of rice fields, rivers, and local villages along the way to Ha Long Bay.

12:00: Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina (No.34), where the crew of Peony Cruises will warmly welcome you at the lounge.

12:30: You will be transferred by a support vessel from the pier to board your elegant cruise, Peony Cruises. A short itinerary briefing will be given during this time.

13:00: Enjoy a welcome drink and refreshing towels as you settle in. A special lunch featuring fresh seafood and a selection of Vietnamese delicacies will be served as the cruise begins its journey toward Lan Ha Bay — a member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays.

Savor your meal while admiring the bay’s stunning seascapes.

15:30: Arrive at the Tra Bau Area, renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty and tranquil waters. This is the perfect time to enjoy kayaking, allowing you to explore the hidden corners and limestone formations of Lan Ha Bay up close.Alternatively, relax and swim in the emerald waters or unwind in the Jacuzzi onboard.

17:30 – 18:30: Join a cooking demonstration and learn how to prepare one of Vietnam’s most iconic dishes — fresh spring rolls.Or head to the sundeck to admire a spectacular sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Enjoy Happy Hour (Buy 1 Get 1 Free) at the bar — an ideal moment for sunset photography and relaxation.

19:30: Indulge in a delicious dinner prepared by the cruise’s talented chef, served in an intimate and romantic setting.

21:00 – 22:00: Spend your evening at leisure. Relax with a drink at the sky bar (additional charge), enjoy a spa treatment (optional), or unwind on the sundeck under the star-lit sky.

You may also try your luck with squid fishing on the main deck.

Overnight on board the cruise.

Included for the day:
Transfer: Shared vehicle and driver with A/C, Shared cruise
Tour guide: English speaking tour guide
Entrance fees: To all sites stated in the itinerary
Accommodation: Peony Cruise or Similar

06:00: Begin your day with an energizing Tai Chi session on the sundeck as the sun gently rises over the horizon — a peaceful and refreshing start to the morning.

06:45 – 07:15: Breakfast is served on board while the cruise makes its way back toward Gia Luan Jetty.
(Please note: timing may be adjusted depending on the cruise itinerary.)

07:30 – 09:00: Transfer to Cat Ba Island for a visit to the Cat Ba World Biosphere Reserve. Continue to explore Trung Trang Cave, one of the island’s most impressive natural wonders. This limestone cave features thousands of stalactites in fascinating shapes, showcasing both geological beauty and a unique ecosystem.

09:30: Return to the main boat. Guests will proceed with cabin check-out, and luggage should be placed outside the cabin for collection.

Enjoy an early lunch served at the restaurant on board.

Please settle any personal expenses at the reception desk.

10:30 – 11:00: Disembark from Peony Cruises and transfer back to Tuan Chau Marina (Block #34, Big Bay Terminal). Relax while waiting for your luggage.

11:30 – 12:00: Your cruise comes to an end. Bid farewell to the crew and depart with wonderful memories of your time in Lan Ha Bay.

You will then be met by your private driver for the return journey to Hanoi, heading directly to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City—still fondly known as Saigon by locals—the vibrant southern hub of Vietnam, located near the Mekong Delta.

Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed by your private driver and English-speaking guide, who will escort you to your hotel in the city center for check-in.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Included for the day:
Transfer: Private vehicle and driver with A/C
Tour guide: Private English speaking guide in HCM City.
Accommodation: Aquari Hotel or Similar

A shared van will pick you up from your hotel for a morning city tour. Begin with a visit to the Independence Palace (Reunification Palace), built on the site of the former Norodom Palace and one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most iconic landmarks, designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu.

Continue to admire the elegant French colonial architecture, including the Notre Dame Cathedral (view from outside due to ongoing restoration) and the historic Central Post Office. Then visit the War Remnants Museum, which offers a powerful and thought-provoking insight into the Indochina wars through its extensive exhibits.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, depart for the Cu Chi Tunnels (approximately 1.5 hours by road). Upon arrival, watch a brief introductory video to understand how the tunnels were constructed and how people lived under wartime conditions. You will then explore sections of the tunnel system, including living areas, kitchens, storage rooms, field hospitals, and command centers. Discover hidden trapdoors and defensive mechanisms used during the war.

After the visit, enjoy a simple tasting of tea and cassava—once a staple food for guerrilla fighters. There will also be time to relax or, if you wish, try shooting activities (optional, at your own expense).

Return to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving at around 19:00. End of tour.

Notes:

• Notre Dame Cathedral can currently be viewed from the outside only due to restoration.
• Return time may vary depending on traffic and weather conditions.
• Pick-up and drop-off apply to centrally located hotels in District 1 only.

Overnight in HCM City. 

Included for the day:
Transfer: Shared vehicle and driver with A/C
Tour guide: Shared English speaking tour guide
Entrance fees: To all sites stated in the itinerary
Accommodation: Aquari Hotel or Similar

07:30 – 08:00 Leave the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City behind as you depart for My Tho, a peaceful town on the left bank of the Mekong River.

Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, a beautiful temple dating back to the late 19th century, known for its unique blend of architectural styles. Then board a traditional sampan and cruise along the Mekong, passing the four islets known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise.

Stop at Unicorn Island, where you’ll stroll along quiet country lanes, visit orchards, and enjoy fresh tropical fruits accompanied by traditional folk music performed by local artists. Continue to a fruit plantation to learn more about local agriculture.

Next, ride a hand-rowed sampan through the narrow canals of Thoi Son, taking in the tranquil beauty of the countryside. Visit a local family business, a honey-bee farm where you can taste honey tea, and a coconut candy workshop to see how this regional specialty is made.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a short break.

In the afternoon, take a leisurely bicycle ride around Tan Thach Village, meeting local residents and experiencing daily life in the Mekong Delta. For those who prefer to relax, unwind in a hammock and enjoy the gentle river breeze.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving at around 17:30. End of tour.

Notes:

• Return time may vary depending on traffic and weather conditions.
• Pick-up and drop-off apply to centrally located hotels in District 1 only.

Overnight in HCM City. 

Included for the day:
Transfer: Shared vehicle and driver with A/C, Shared boat
Tour guide: Shared English speaking tour guide
Entrance fees: To all sites stated in the itinerary
Accommodation: Aquari Hotel or Similar

Departure Flight: Guest’s own tickets

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before preparing for check-out. Your private car (without guide) will be waiting in the lobby to transfer you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight home.

Included for the day:
Transfer: Private vehicle and driver with A/C