Vietnam Like a Local - Private Tour 14 days

Upon your arrival in the bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still called “Saigon” by many locals, your guide will welcomed you at the airport and then transfer you to your hotel for check –in. Your room is at disposal from.

Check in time at hotel is at 2:00pm, and in case that you would like to secure an early-check in, an additional charge will be applied.

Optional: We introduce the one-of-a-kind traditional performances which are found nowhere else than in Vietnam: Water Puppet Show where puppets are performed on water stage with folk music, presenting ancient tales, folklores and daily life in Vietnamese countryside. If you're interested in the shows, please contact our travel consultants to book.

Note: Please be advised that both international and domestic might be crowded at sometimes during the day, so in case that you arrive and cannot find our representatives, please be presented at Pole No.10 (Outside the Terminal gate) and contact us, so we could easily search for you.

Enjoy the attraction of Ho Chi Minh City. Sightseeing examples of French colonial architecture and exploring the Vietnam’s turbulent in past at the War Remnants Museum. Our guide will show you the most interesting sights that Ho Chi Minh City has to offer. Depart from your hotel to the Reunification Palace; this beautifully preserved palace was the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. On April 30th 1975 the American War officially came to an end here. Afterward, we visit Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, which was built in 1880, and the Old Post Office, which was built sometime between 1886 and 1891. It is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Our last stop would be at a local Market where you can practice your bargaining skills while shopping for souvenirs. Discover local life and culture. You’ll find some of the friendliest, liveliest, most convivial people in the city in here.

Return your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Free time in the rest of day

After breakfast, you will be picked up at hotel at 08:00 then transfer to Cai Be.

On arrival, we will be warmly welcomed by our local guide and invited some fresh fruits before embarking on a boat to visit the floating market of rice in An Cu commune, Cai Be district – where is the rice trade largest exporter Southwest region of Vietnam.

The next destinations are the ancient village of Dong Hoa Hiep commune and Cai Be floating market. Leaving the floating market, we are transferring to Tan Phong islet and visit Hai Yen bee Farm with many activities here: visit big flower garden where bees produce honey, enjoy fresh honey tea and understand more about bees life, visit Linhzhi mushroom area, try to pull fish hooves, experience the monkey bridges.

We have another chance to visit the orchard of Ms. Hang and enjoy the fruits in the garden picked by yourselves and listen to Vietnamese folk music named "Tai Tu Music".

A rowing boat takes you along small canal before boating to Mekong Eco-lodge for checking in. Lunch will be served at the restaurant.

Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the fresh air and listen to the sound of chicken, birds and other countryside’s sound, stroll around the village and see the local farmer get busy with their morning work.

Back to our homestay and have breakfast before cycling around Tan Phong Island to visit traditional handicraft workshops and participate activities with local people: making rice paper, knit banana hammock, roof making from nipa leaves, and water hyacinth products, make jackfruit leaf cake and visit local school.

We then cycle back to the homestay, check out, say goodbye to our friendly host, and get on ferry to the Harbour where driver is waiting for us to transfer us directly to the airport to catch flight to Da Nang. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant on the way back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival at Da Nang airport, tour guide welcomes then take you to hotel in Hoi An.

Free time for relaxing on the first night in Hoi An

Evening Walking Foodie tour is perfect combination of discovering Hoi An cuisine and culture. Our tour starts around sunset, and will walk you through local cafes, food stalls, markets, and restaurants, giving you a filling food adventure for the memory books.

We start to go to local areas and wander around the food stalls to discover Hoi An traditional dishes, including: 

Banh Mi

You will have chance to taste the signature Vietnamese sandwich hand-made by royalty, the Banh Mi Queen.

Cao Lau

Perhaps the difference between Cao Lau and other noodle dishes is the texture. Cao lau noodles are firmer and chewier - very similar to Japanese Udon - than those found in typical Vietnamese noodle dishes such as pho. The best bet for finding authentic Cao Lau in Hoi An is to eat from street vendors who only serve Cao Lau or a small handful of local dishes

Banh Beo

We go through small alleys and stop at local business house and see how real Vietnamese life looks like. Here, we will discover a Vietnamese traditional cake: Banh Beo – a popular snack of Hoi An people.

Banh Khot

Banh Khot is one of popular Vietnamese street food, a round pancake made with rice flour, turmeric, coconut milk, quail egg and vegetables at a famous street vendor near Hoai Square.

Balut

One of the Top 10 weird foods in the world. Egg no more, duck not yet - It is not because of the taste but because of its appearance.

Local coffee

Enjoy a cup of authentic Vietnamese coffee, famous for its mix of strong drip coffee and sweet condensed milk, that's sure to re-energize you for the rest of the day before finishing your journey to make it more memorable.

Free at the Ancient Town or go back to hotel. 

Picking you up at your hotel start the day by cycling to Cam Thanh Ecological village. Here you are greeted by a local host and then you join with them how to grow wet rice with their family.

Starting farming work like plough and raking with buffalo, riding water buffalo, learning how to transplant rice, flooding farm, grinding rice, pounding rice. Then cruise down a local fishing village. You will go fishing with local fishermen.

Continue to visit water coconut palm jungle, enjoying the basket boat rowing.

Lunch will be served at local house before fishing this day trip.

Pick up at hotel in Hoi An, then transfer to hotel in Hue via Cloudy Pass. Land transportation by shuttle bus or private car will be used, with stop at some spots on the way for sightseeing and photoshoot (admission fee is not included).

After breakfast at hotel, tour guide picks you up then transfer to Toa Kham wharf for a boat trip on Perfume river. Stop for a visit to typical Thien Mu Pagoda which is a historic temple and the symbol of Hue romantic city then back to the boat for a scenic cruise to Hue Eco-lodge where local guide is ready to wait and welcome you to visit Thuy Bieu Eco-village, an authentically village in Hue representing the country with the clear notion "garden -home".

You will have chance to spend 2 hours to stroll or bike around quiet village to visit some handicraft families (the incense making family, the joss paper making family and the paper painting family) to learn more about the daily life of local people while they are working strenuously with joy and enthusiasm.

After that, we take time to join a special cooking class at Hue Eco-lodge by yourself under the instruction of Eco chief then taste the Hue traditional dishes that you have prepared.

Last but not least, you will have a great time to relax by steeping your foot in medicinal herb water - a traditional therapeutic practice and enjoy excellent massage by local people.

Following break, we continue our day trip to Tam Giang – Chuon Lagoon. Getting on sampan boat to Chuon Lagoon to explore the daily life of fishermen with activities such as: catching fishes as well as using fishing tools only in lagoon. You have opportunity to try your best luck to catch a fish with a local fisherman’s help. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant while watching the fascinating sunset on the lagoon. Driving back to town around 19:30.

Enjoy your free day in Hue.

Optional: We introduce some ways to explore the beauty of Hue. You can choose one of below options:

Option 1: Hue DMZ Full Day Tour: Discover the story behind battle sites like Hien Luong Bridge, the Vinh Moc Tunnels and the Khe Sanh Combat Base.

Price from $ US80/ person

Option 2: Explore Hue Countryside by Bicycle: Escape the hustle of Hue for the surrounding countryside, and gain a unique insight into local life during this relaxed biking tour. Discover the friendly locals and the real face of Vietnam while cycling through some of the country’s prettiest landscapes.

Price from $ US88/ person

Transfer to the Airport in Hue to take a flight to Hanoi.

Upon arrival, our driver will wait and transfer you to the hotel in the center of city. Check-in hotel and free at leisure to relax.

Guides meet you up at hotel to explore Hanoi. You will have chance to visit parts of Hanoi that you would be inaccessible by car and hard to find by walking. Let's experience fabulous tastes and sights and enjoy the streets of Hanoi like a local with motobikes.

1. Café Trứng (Egg Coffee) at Café Giảng on Yen Phu St.

It sounds a bit weird but the taste is amazing. Even if you are not a coffee-lover, it is still worth trying this creative mixing of coffee by Vietnamese people. While you enjoy your drink, we will talk about the day’s itinerary and destinations.

2. Long Bien Bridge/ Chuong Duong Bridge

Long Bien Bridge was the longest bridge in Asia when it was built from 1899 to 1902. Known as the oldest bridge in Hanoi that is still living and sharing the daily life with Hanoians silently. At this stop, while you can take some time to enjoy the view and take pictures, our tour guide will also introduce the history of the bridge as well as details about the life of locals from 2 sides of it.

After that, we will pass through the famous Chuong Duong Bridge - the four-lane, steel span bridge’s claim to fame is that it was the first sizeable bridge designed and built by Vietnamese workers, with no international assistance.

3. Nha Hat Lon (Hanoi Opera House)

Hanoi Opera House is a project built by the French government in the early years of the 20th century. While you’re enjoying the very famous Trang Tien’s Ice cream, we’ll tell you all about its unique structure with the outstanding values in terms of history, culture, architecture and art.

4. Ho Guom (Hoàn Kiếm Lake)

Located in the centre of Hanoi‘s historic district, Hoan Kiem Lake is a lovely, peaceful place with a fascinating history. In 1428, legend has it that Emperor Le Loi obtained a magical sword from the Dragon King to fight against Chinese oppressors. At this stop, we will have a chance to see “Ly Thai To Monument”. This is a cultural and architectural work which aims to honour King Ly Thai To (974 – 1028). He is the first king who found Capital Citadel of Thang Long (Hanoi today).

5. Nha Tho Lon (St. Joseph's Cathedral)

Next stop, Saint Joseph Cathedral, located at 40 Nha Chung street, Hanoi, is a Roman Catholic cathedral with neo- gothic style, which was built about 120 years ago. Construction began in 1886, with the architectural style described as resembling Notre Dame de Paris. The church was one of the first structures built by the French colonial government in Indochina when it opened in December 1886.

6. Hoa Lo Prison

Hỏa Lò Prison was a prison used by the French colonists in French Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. The French called it Maison Central, a generic name for a colonial prison. Whatever its name, the notorious prison housed a century of torture within its walls.

7. Ho Tay (West Lake)

West Lake is known as Hanoi’s largest freshwater lake. It’s a huge body of water – it has a circumference of 17km – and there are plenty of historic places of interest, five-star hotels, stylish restaurants, cafes, and nightlife venues that are worth exploring along the shoreline.
The West Lake is bordered by several significant pagodas. Vietnam’s oldest pagoda, Tran Quoc pagoda, was built in the 6th century and is located on an island in the middle of the West Lake.

8. Huu Tiep Lake and The B52

We will then have a quick visit to the B52 plane crash site. This is a remarkable victory of Vietnam soldiers during the Vietnam war. You will also get to visit a local market nearby to see daily activities of the Hanoians.

9. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, the most iconic and popular leader of Vietnam, known to his people as ‘Uncle Ho’. His body is preserved here in a glass case at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in central Hanoi. While you can take some time to see the attraction from outside and take pictures, our tour guide will fill you in with more stories about our Uncle Ho & the historical information.

10. Lunch at Old Street

The last stop to enjoy some delicious local Vietnamese food after a whole trip. After that, our driver will drop you off at your hotel in the old quarter.

Note: The above itinerary is subject to change, based on the day’s weather and traffic conditions.

After breakfast at hotel, driver picks up and transfer to Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty, known in Vietnamese as “Dragon descending to the sea”.

Upon arrival, the boat crew welcome you and check in then enjoy a cruise around Halong Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. You can also behold thousands of limestone islands and grottoes rising from the clear, emerald water.

Following break, depending on each cruise’s itinerary of the day, you’ll join some activities on boat to discover the beauty of the bay such as visit a cave, doing kayaking or enjoy swimming in the sea before getting back to the junk for relaxing and dinner. Overnight on board.

You might start your 2nd day in Halong with an early tai-chi class, or simply wake up and witness the amazing sunrise on the bay. After breakfast, cruise take you to explore the most stunning caves in Halong.

The early lunch will be served on the way getting back to the main dock for transferring to Hanoi.

You will have free time for visiting Hanoi Old Quarter and try Vietnamese street food by yourselves.

Have leisure time before your departure.

Please note that hotel check-out time is at 12:00. A late check-out can be arranged subject to room availability and a surcharge will be applied.

Transfer to the airport in Hanoi for your onward flight. Tour ends after arriving at the airport.