Overnight international flight to Hanoi.

As soon as you disembark, our Immigration Officer and guide will meet you at the end of the jet bridge holding a signboard with your name(s) on it. You will be escorted to clear immigration, customs formalities, while our representative collects your luggage from baggage claim. After completing all the necessary procedures, your luggage will be brought back to you and our representative will lead you through the exit gate to the arrival hall where your guide will be waiting to escort you to your vehicle to transfer to your hotel.

Check in to the hotel is at 3 pm. Early check-in may be available directly at the hotel subject to availability. You may store your luggage at the hotel until you are able to check in.

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Transfer from your hotel to our meeting point where you and your tour guide will explore the little alleys and discover the daily lives of locals. First stop at vintage coffee shop, where you sit on very small chairs as is the special style of Hanoi, to start a day by tasting a cup of Vietnamese coffee. This also offers a perfect opportunity for people-watching, to get a better idea of the daily activities of the locals. After that, we make our way through a small alley which is just big enough to fit through, so be sure to bring your camera along to capture the unique experience. Pass Hanoi Church to see a highlight of the regal architecture of Hanoi. Moving on from the busy street, you get to Nha Chung alley, where the morning is always the busiest time at this corner with several vendors of food or vegetables gather for sale. Going up an old wooden staircase to the second floor of old French house, is where you will meet a local who has a strong attachment to this house. Engage with him to discover more about the change of people, life and thoughts on the future of this remarkably old city. Finish this tour by having lunch at a vintage Vietnamese restaurant decked out in 70's decor that will take you back in time to a post-liberated Hanoi.

Half Day Afternoon Hanoi City Tour Temples and Pagodas
Tour the city of Hanoi, with its ochre-colored colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes. Visit the historic outside Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument of marble and granite built to house the preserved body of beloved revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, affectionately known to the Vietnamese as "Uncle Ho". Tour the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built in 1049 of wood in the shape of a lotus blossom and set on a single stone pillar, considered by many to be one of Vietnam's most iconic pagodas. Visit Ho Chi Minh's House nearby, a simple wooden house in a tranquil setting where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. Some of his belongings are on display and visitors can walk up the steps to see his bedroom. Continue to the 6th century Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, located on a small island in West Lake. Conclude the tour with a visit to the 11th century Taoist Quan Thanh Temple featuring a mix of architectural styles from the imperial era and highlighted by a large yard shaded by a giant banyan tree and a shrine that contains a famous bronze statue of Tran Vu, one of the principal deities in Taoism.

Street Eats After Dark
Eating on the street is a very typical activity for Hanoians and makes up an important part of the city's unique culture. Depart from your hotel at 18:00 for a leisurely walk with your tour guide to the Old Quarter. Chit-chat with your guide to get an insight of street food in Hanoi & the typical culinary habits. Make a first stop at a local coffee shop to try the local brew. Then walk a little further to taste some typical Hanoi snacks such as Pillow cake, fried sweet cakes. Next stroll through the streets lined with many food vendors and make your way to a steaming bowl of Pho Ga (Vietnamese noodle soup with chicken). This is practically Vietnam's national dish and is a dish enjoyed morning noon and night. Next move on to try Vietnam's 2nd most popular food - the Banh Mi Pate or baguette sandwich with pate at Banh My Lan Ong, one of the most famous shops in Hanoi. Later head to Dong Xuan night market which is well known for all types of goods including souvenirs. Try your hand at bargaining for a good deal before heading off to Beer Corner in the old corner to try a cold glass of Bia Hoi (fresh draft beer) like a local.
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Depart on a 2-hour drive to Hai Phong via the new highway and over the longest bridge in South East Asia.

A luxurious floating home, Ginger, sets sail around noontime. Enjoy a welcome drink upon boarding and become acquainted with the facilities on board during the welcome briefing. Then, begin a unique journey exploring one of the new wonders of nature, Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy lunch in Ginger's light-flooded dining room, offering panoramic views of the passing scenery. Along the way, pass an ancient lighthouse, built by the French over 100 years ago. Head deeper and further south into the karst maze of Lan Ha Bay. Lan Ha Bay is actually a part of Halong Bay that recently opened to the public. Relax on the sun deck and soak in the aura of the fascinating scenery- a surreal seascape.

During the cruise, there is leisure time to enjoy our onboard activities. Take a plunge in the pool or get pampered with a selection of treatments and massages in the Lady Ginger spa. Disembark at Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island where you'll hop on bikes (electric car available) for a tour along small paved roads towards a quiet village nestled in a valley. Meet and greet local villagers and see their daily routines at homes, school, and work.
Back on board, our chef will lead an interactive cooking class in the open kitchen at the restaurant. Learn about delicious local ingredients and how to prepare traditional Vietnamese recipes you can imitate at home. Then, arrive at a tranquil anchor location for the night; a hidden place to reminisce about the day's adventures and enjoy cocktails under the stars.

A delightful dinner is served in the dining room. After, guests are invited to enjoy time at the bar or pay a visit to the evening cinema for a movie. Nighttime is also the best time of the day for squid fishing. Join the Ginger crew for squid fishing before retiring to your room for the evening.
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Join the Ginger's early morning Tai Chi session on the spacious sundeck to ease mind and body into the day as the sun rises over the Mekong. Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries wait in the dining room to start the new day. Ginger begins cruising towards Tra Bau, a secluded spot that is perfect for the morning excursion. In kayaks or bamboo boats, drift along the waters of the bay for a closer look at the serene surroundings. Paddling through the dreamlike landscape with tree-topped islands, feel a sense of freedom and harmony with nature that you have never experienced before.

Back on board, a hearty breakfast is served in the dining room (or on request served to your room) before starting to journey back to the pier. Savouor the last moments of this unique journey by relaxing on comfy sun beds on the terrace deck.

Disembark at noon and transfer back to Hanoi airport for a flight to your next destination.

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport. Check-out at the hotel is at 12:00 pm. Late check-out may be available directly at the hotel subject to availability. You may store your luggage at the hotel until the time that you are ready to leave for the airport.

Domestic Flight from Hanoi to Hue

On arrival at the airport, (1.5 hours before flight time for domestic flights), a representative will collect your tickets, passport and luggage and proceed to get your boarding pass ready. Then the representative will hand over your ticket, passport and boarding pass, assist you with immigration and then lead you to the waiting area until the boarding time.

Reception at airport and transfer to your hotel.

Note: Check in to the hotel is at 3 pm. Early check in may be available directly at the hotel subject to availability. You may store your luggage at the hotel until you are able to check in.

Dinner at Ngoc Son Princess House
Princess Ngoc Son was a daughter of Emperor Dong Khanh - when she married, her father granted her the land to build a home. Today, it is one of the best garden houses and has been maintained largely in its original form. The house is a classic structure with three bays and two wings. The highlight is a small artificial rock garden. The present owner also has a fascinating collection of artifacts and mementos from the days of the former Royal Empire. Enjoy a dinner of traditional Hue specialties prepared by the family at their historical home while you unearth Hue's fascinating past.
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Half Day Biking Around Hue Countryside
Depart from Hue by car (4km/2mi) where you will begin a 15km (9mi) leisurely exploration of the Hue countryside by bicycle. Cycle towards the rustic village of Thuy Bieu which has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The village is famous for its mild, sweet Thanh Tra ("green tea") pomelo, a citrus fruit related to the grapefruit. Continue cycling past family temples and orchards of fruit and bamboo to a local workshop where you can observe people making necklaces from aloes wood. Then visit a local home where the family members have been making incense sticks for generations. Chat with them, perhaps over a few segments of Thanh Tra, for insights into everyday life in a typical countryside village as well as their efforts to keep the traditional craft alive. After visiting a traditional silk painting workshop, explore the Voi Re Temple, a royal temple where the kings' war elephants were buried and worshipped. Nearby is the Ho Quyen (Tiger Fighting Arena), built in 1830 by Emperor Minh Mang to house duels to the death between elephants and tigers, with the tigers declawed to provide the elephants with an advantage. After some time to explore, drive back to Hue.

Half day in a Life of a Buddhist Nun
Hue is the capital of Buddhism in Vietnam. Most Buddhists believe in an afterlife without suffering, and one must have a vegetarian diet to help reduce the Karma made from previous lives. This afternoon, pay a visit to Dieu Thanh pagoda. The pagoda was built in 19th century and is located nearby Tu Duc Tomb. Upon arrival, take a walk around the peaceful precinct before having a vegetarian lunch prepared by the nuns. Talk with these Buddhists to have a comprehensive knowledge of their belief, and to understand about the natural ingredients they usually use in vegetarian meals.

Private Half Day Imperial Citadel Tour with Lunch
Once the imperial capital of the Nguyen Lords from the 17th to the 19th centuries, Hue's splendid emperors' tombs, ancient pagodas and the remains of the Citadel contribute to its undeniable royal charm. Explore the Imperial Citadel at the center of the Complex of Hue Monuments inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Enter through the towering main gate and appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains the events and the intrigue surrounding the former royal court. Despite being heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, there are some incredibly well-preserved sections intact and others which are being carefully restored. Select one of two royal tombs to visit: (1) The Tu Duc Royal Tomb, the most impressive of all the royal mausoleums, built by Emperor Tu Duc between 1864 and 1867. Interestingly, Tu Duc had 104 wives and countless concubines but left no heirs to the throne. While the complex does include a tomb, together with pavilions and temples, no one knows exactly where Tu Duc was buried as all 200 servants who buried the king were beheaded to keep his final resting place a secret from grave robbers, or (2) the elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb whose architecture showcases elements of Eastern art and Western design. While smaller than many of the other tombs, the Khai Dinh Royal Tomb is more flamboyant, with the largest dragons in the country forming the side walls leading up to the tomb. Notice the tomb's blackened concrete exterior and colorful mosaic interior in the spacious main building decorated with murals of the Four Seasons, Eight Precious Objects and Eight Fairies.
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Private transfer from Hue to Hoi An.

Half Day Hoi An Walking Tour
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An known then as 'Faifo', was a prosperous trading port, attracting Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish ships amongst others. Today, this World Heritage ancient town is recognized for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets and distinctive local cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. Hoi An's narrow lanes are ideal for a guided walking tour of its many atmospheric sights including: the old merchant houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s by the Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with its intricate woodcarvings; and the colorful market with stalls brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two.
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Half Day Organic Farm Visit and Cooking Class
Cam Thanh Village is now an urban ward of Hoi An city. It is known for dense water coconut jungles and immense rice fields. During the Vietnam war, Cam Thanh was a shelter for local people and soldiers. Nowadays, this place supplies seafood, vegetables and rice for the area. This morning, meet your guide and transfer to the picturesque Co Co river for a bamboo basket-boat ride to Thanh Dong village which is the first and only organic farm in Hoi An. Get a glimpse about the history and customs of this charming village before venturing into the garden and getting your hands dirty! You may like to borrow the farmers' clothing provided by the villagers and learn how cultivate vegetables without chemicals before harvesting vegetables for your cooking class.

Continue a short bamboo basket-boat ride through the peaceful water coconut forest to a riverbank restaurant looking out rice fields. On arrival, enjoy a welcome drink, take part in traditional Vietnamese folk games as balance Bamboo Bridge, pot smashing then join in a hands-on cooking class. After the cooking class, savor the dishes you have prepared. Bid farewell to the chef before transferring back your hotel.
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You will be met at your hotel by a Yampu representative and transferred to the airport in Danang for your flight.

Flight from Danang to Saigon

On arrival at the airport, (1.5 hours before flight time for domestic flights), a representative will collect your tickets, passport and luggage and proceed to get your boarding pass ready. Then the representative will hand over your ticket, passport and boarding pass, assist you with immigration and then lead you to the waiting area until the boarding time.

Upon arrival at the Saigon Airport, clear all customs procedures and proceed to exit gate and look for your Yampu representative who will be waiting at the lobby.

Private Half Day Cu Chi Tunnels Tour with Lunch
From Saigon, take a 2hr drive northwest to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an immense network of connecting underground tunnels started in 1948 to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. The tunnels also served as living quarters, communication and supply routes, and housed hospitals, food and weapons caches. Touring the underground compounds will provide a better understanding of the history of the tunnels, the hardship of life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese resilience during combat. Return to Saigon.
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A Morning like a Saigonese
Wake up early this morning and start your day like a real Saigonese does! Your guide will show you things that make Saigon so different compared to other parts of Vietnam, from the morning crowded street coffee places to the lively local outdoor markets where people shop for their daily needs. Your first stop is a Vietnamese bread stall which is believed to be the first bread stall in Saigon. Sit down together with the local people inside a small alley to enjoy this simple, yet delicious breakfast. After breakfast, zig zag through the alleys and stop at a market for a cup of tea or coffee in Saigon's oldest cafe. This coffee shop, now in its 78th year of operation, is something of a Saigon landmark. Meet the owner for a talk to learn how she makes coffee with such a special yet traditional method, a kind of "stocking coffee" which was originally the method of Chinese coffee vendors and involved a long, stocking-like fabric filter, a charcoal stove and traditional clay pots.

Private Half Day City Tour with Lunch
wind your way through nearby street markets to see how people bargain for fresh vegetables, seafood and other local food. Carry on to the "flower alleys" - the biggest flower market in Saigon. Take the opportunity to see the colorful blossoms, and interact with the sellers. Stop at some vendors to try some favorite Saigonese snacks and desserts such as sponge cakes and sweet soups before heading to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France (entrance is only permitted when no services are being performed). Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. A short drive away is the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the War Remnants Museum for a vivid perspective of the American War through the eyes of the Vietnamese. (Please note that some of the displays are very graphic.). Return to your hotel.

Untold Food Stories of the Vintage Vespa Tour
The darker the night gets; the more vivid Saigon becomes! Get ready for a fascinating ride by vintage vespa tonight to discover busy Saigon after dark, together with mouth-watering street food tasting in the most authentic local restaurants. Make your first stop at a small yet popular Vietnamese bread stall, line up to get a fresh bread roll before heading to a vintage coffee shop tucked away in a back alley for a briefing. Keep on riding to a hidden boutique restaurant o taste the freshest local seafood courses.
Then continue to zig zag through the hustle and bustle of the streets, wandering around an old apartment complex which becomes extremely lively at night with hundreds of food and drinks stalls. Take a break at a 50-year-old dessert shop to try different hand-made sweet soups. End up your night at a cozy bar room tucked away in a quiet alley to taste some local beer or cocktail and have a chat with people here. Take a walk or catch a taxi to get back to your hotel.
Remark about traffic in Saigon: If you have never visited Saigon - the city on the move, then it is a good idea to be well prepared that the traffic moves in a different way that at home. The roads are filled with dense traffic - predominantly motorbikes, cars, taxis and buses. Traffic moves like water in a stream around a stone. The trick is not to do anything erratic - stopping is just as dangerous as moving too quickly. Vietnamese people are used to slowly moving around pedestrians so any unexpected movements may make things difficult for everyone. If you still aren't feeling confident, find a friendly local pedestrian and stick close. If you sit behind the Vespa or sidecar drivers, take it easy, they are the experts!
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Depart for the 1-hour drive from Saigon to Ben Tre, situated in the Mekong River Delta, exchanging city scenes for lush rice paddies and fruit farms. At the pier, embark on a fascinating motorboat excursion past stilt houses, fish farms and scenes of countryside living. Arrive at Turtle Island, and sample freshly picked fruit and coconut milk while interacting with a local farming family. Visit a family-run coconut candy workshop, utilizing Ben Tre's famous coconuts. Explore more of the Delta from a rowing sampan through a network of small canals. Enjoy country hospitality as you sip a cup of honey tea while taking in a traditional folk song performance. A local lunch will be served at the town of My Tho before continuing on a 2hr drive to your Can Tho hotel where you will have the evening free.
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Rise early and board a local boat to explore the famed Cai Rang floating market, where dozens of boats laden with fruits, vegetables and fish from all over the Delta jostle for trade. Notice the long poles with sample products for sale tied to the top. This vibrant wholesale market on the water makes for excellent photo opportunities as your boat navigates close to the action. Check out of your hotel and make the 3hr drive northwest towards Chau Doc. Situated on the border with Cambodia, Chau Doc enjoys a unique cultural mix of Vietnamese, Cham and Khmer ethnic groups. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and lunch. In the late afternoon, we drive 45mins Tra Su Nature Reserve. (Open year-round, breeding birds are most plentiful between July and Feb). The enchanting submerged forest is home to many unique water birds and colonies of bats and is best explored by motor boat and rowing sampan through spectacular living carpets of water plants. On the way to the nature reserve, we visit a Khmer village and witness how all parts of the palm tree are used by ethnic Cambodians to make palm juice, palm sugar and more. Return to your hotel in the early evening.
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After breakfast at the hotel, travel in a motor boat, a common form of local transportation, along the Chau Doc River (a tributary of the Mekong River) and observe peaceful river scenes including visits to floating fish farms and local houses. Our excursion also takes us to a Muslim Cham village, inhabited by descendants of the Kingdom of Champa, an empire that stretched from Hue in Central Vietnam to the southern Mekong Delta from the 7th to 18th centuries. Walk the village to see a mosque and notice the differences in Cham-style stilt homes and their modest yet colorful style of dress.

Return to your hotel for check-out and depart for the drive back to Saigon. Lunch is at a local restaurant en route.

On arrival at the airport, (2 hours before flight time for international flights), a representative will collect your tickets, passport and luggage and proceed to get your boarding pass ready. Then the representative will hand over your ticket, passport and boarding pass, assist you with immigration and then lead you to the waiting area until the boarding time.
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