Discover the very essence of Vietnam with our specialist small-group departures from Larnaca.  Take in the ancient history of Hanoi, experience an incredible overnight cruise on Halong Bay, travel to Da Nang to visit the caves of Cat Ba Island, explore the Old Quarter of Hoian and marvel at the beautiful French architecture of Saigon.

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We also take you to the visually stunning Mekong Delta visiting many local communities and markets on the way.

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Our Group will be fully escorted from Cyprus with a Greek/English speaking guide.

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Day 1 - Day 2: Larnaca - Dubai - Hanoi

Upon arrival, welcome by the local guide at Hanoi airport and check-in at the hotel. Note: Rooms are available from 2pm. Overnight in Hanoi.
 

Day 3: Hanoi - City Tour & Water puppet show

After breakfast, begin the day exploring the capital, first stop is visiting the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Then, transfer to the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Monday) which focuses on the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam.In the afternoon, have a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the remains of the national hero, the father of the nation rest (closed on Mondays and Fridays), and his former residence. Visit the Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House and the one-Pillar Pagoda, a historic Buddhist temple, built of wood on a single stone pillar. Then, visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, regarded as the most ancient pagoda of the city built in the 6th century and a cultural symbol of Vietnamese. Finally, enjoy a one-hour rickshaw tour of the capital and spend some time wandering in the old quarter and its antique shops, en route, visit Ngoc Son Temple beautifully situated on Hoan Kiem Lake, and which is reached by a charming wooden bridge. Early evening, enjoy a water puppet show, featuring sketches about the daily life and beliefs of the rural people. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.

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Day 4: Hanoi - Halong Bay (Cruise and Overnight Onboard)

After breakfast, transfer by highway (about 2 hours) to Tuan Chau Marina) to embark on the junk. Upon arrival on board, check – in and enjoy the welcome drink before cruising and exploring Halong Bay - one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Special lunch will be prepared upon aboard. Then depart to Dark and Bright cave famous for the pristine natural beauty and poetic, attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. Continue the journey and explore the bay and its dozens of karst rocks emerging from the emerald-coloured water. Return to the junk boat to enjoy the magnificent view over the Gulf of Tonkin. ThenEnjoy the nightlife of the bay from the top deck. Immerse yourself in music, enjoying a glass of cocktail from the bar, watching famous films and relaxing on the cruise. Otherwise, you can fish squid with the sailors or simply relax in the room and watch the bay from the balcony. Dinner and overnight on board the junk.
 

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Day 5: Hanoi - Danang (domestic flight) - Golden Bridge - Hoian

In the early morning, delight in new sunlight on the sundeck before breakfast. After breakfast, you will join the tour of Cat Ba World Biosphere by transshipment. It takes 30 minutes to transfer from Gia Luan to Trung Trang – one of the most impressive caves in Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. The limestone cave has thousands of stalactites in various shapes, offering geological values with a typical cave ecosystem. A brunch will be served before disembarking at the pier. Return to Hanoi (about 2 hours), then depart to airport for domestic flight to Danang. Upon arrival, picked up by local guide then transfer to hotel for check-in and spend rest of the day as leisure. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Hoi An.
 

Day 6: Hoian - City Tour

After breakfast, explore the famous Old Quarter of Hoi An. This is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. City tour among its narrow streets lined with traditional houses and its most significant monuments such as the Japanese bridge or Phuc Kien Pagoda. Discover a workshop where visitors can try their hand at the delicate task of making lanterns, a symbol of the city. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion by boat on the Thu Bon River with a stop, along the way, at a traditional ceramic and carpentry village. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the old city or the beach (if weather permits). Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Hoi An.
 

Day 7: Hoian - Saigon (domestic flight)

After breakfast, spend leisure at hotel then depart to airport for domestic flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, welcome by our local guide then depart visit the old colonial residential quarter, including the City Hall, built from 1902-1908 in a French colonial style, Opera House, built in 1897 by French Architect Eugene Ferret, the contemporary Independence Palace (inside) and the elegant 19th century Notre-Dame Cathedral. Then, stroll around the Central Post Office, neoclassical architectural style, built in the early 20th century by Eiffel. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Saigon.

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Day 8: Saigon - Guided Tour - Cuchi Tunnels

After breakfast, depart to Tay Ninh, the Holy See of Caodaism, about a hundred kilometres away from Ho Chi Minh City. The outstanding and colourful building integrates elements from all the religions it represents, turning out into a surprising and colourful mix, with a dominance of blue, red and yellow, which is the respective colours of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. Attending to one of the four daily masses is an interesting thing to do by the travellers. In the afternoon, drive to one of the most dramatic sites in the history of the Vietnam War: Cu Chi Tunnels. Visit the underground city, an immense network of connecting underground tunnels, and are part of a much larger network of tunnels that underlie much of the country. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces, and helped to counter the growing American military effort.Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon. Dinner at local restaurant.Overnight in Saigon
 

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Day 9: Saigon - Mekong Delta

After breakfast, depart towards Ben Tre province, in the Mekong Delta. On arrival, enjoy the photogenic visit of a rice paper making village and a brick factory located on the bank of the river. Embark a boat and start cruising on the Mekong River, in the middle of its activity and the never-ending cross cross of the sampans. Stop on the way for the visit of a coconut candy workshop and discovery of the processing of dried coconut. Boat to Cai Sơn and Nhon Thạnh creeks to see how people make mats. Lunch during trip. Take a “xe loi” along the local route through garden, vegetable & rice fields before transfer to the restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon, take rowing boat along water palm creek and along Cai Coi creek. Then, stop at a market gathering many regional produces. In the afternoon, return back to Ho Chi Minh City. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Saigon.
 

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Day 10 - Day 11: Saigon - Dubai - Larnaca

After breakfast, free time at leisure at hotel. Note: Rooms shall be released by 12pm (noon). Depending on the flight schedule, transfer to Saigon airport for the departure flight.