GAV'S PLAN: VIETNAM ITINERARY 8D7N IN NORTH & SOUTH

Get picked up by our driver from the airport. Leave your luggage at the hotel and meet Jenny.

17:00: Starting the trip to explore Hanoi old quarter with your local friend. Visiting Hanoi 36

streets, hidden gems, the places which is only locals know…

Check in train street famous place you can’t miss when visiting Hanoi. Along the trip Jenny will take you to local places to enjoy our Hanoi authentic street foods:

She is taking you to Hoan Kiem Lake where you will find the greatest “bánh mì” place in town. After that, you will visit to one of the original egg coffee based in Hanoi from 1946.

The next stop is an ancient cuisine alley where you can try the truly authentic version of “bún chả” and spring rolls – Hanoian specialties.

Later on, you will pass by few interesting streets in the old quarters which are still devoted to their original trades to get to try Hanoian savory pan cake and Vietnamese steamed rice rolls.

Overnight in Ha Noi

Have a breakfast. Hotel check out! Wait for the bus pick up at hotel lobby.

11:30 – 12:00: Bus picks up to Ninh Binh. Transfer to Ninh Binh about 2 hours 20 minutes.

 Overnight in Tam Coc

08:30: Picked up by local guide at your hotel in Ninh Binh. Starting your day to explore Ninh Binh where we called “Ha Long Bay on land”

First, visit Mua cave. The place attracts visitors with its many interesting stories. Climb 500 stone steps, here you can see all the way to Tam Coc, enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and Ngo Dong River.

After that, take a traditional boat rower on Ngo Dong River to visit Tam Coc natural wet cave systems. Tam means “Three” and Coc means “Caves”. You are visiting three wet caves on the river. Boat trip takes around 1 hour 30 minutes.

At noon, having lunch at local restaurant with Vietnamese lunch.

After lunch, you are going to visit Hoa Lu temples where we worship two very first kings of Viet Nam. This place is the first capital of Vietnam. Come to visit Hoa Lu, you will learn about why the capital was moved to Hanoi nowadays. You are impressed on an outstanding architecture when entering temples of King Dinh and King Le, the first and second emperors of ancient Vietnam, built in the 17th century. Try to feel ancient atmospheres in Hoa Lu ancient capital.

15:00: Bus picks up to get back to Ha Noi.

Overnight in Ha Noi.

Check out hotel in Ha Noi.

Transfer to the airport.

Driver picks up at Tan Son Nhat airport and drop off at the hotel in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

Having a private Street Food Tour in Saigon, on scooter (3.5 – 4 hours)

Pickup Time: between 17:30 and finish around 21:00

We’ll pick you up at your hotel, and you’ll travel with English-speaking guide on motorbike.

Your first stop will be at a famous local food house, specializing in Bún Thịt Nướng – Rice noodles with grilled pork, one of the most popular dishes in southern of Vietnam.

Next up, we enjoy Bánh Xèo – Pancake and Bánh Khọt – mini-Pancake (in South and Coastal area) served with a basket of vegetables and see how to make a perfect one from the local chef.

After that, ride to “the biggest flower market” which is opened 24/7, and take a short walk to see beautiful bouquets at the shop, get a secret gift from your local guides. Go deeper to alleyways to see “street food market” and see how local live and eat. And enjoy more and more foods (Vietnamese Pizza – Bánh Tráng Nướng, Grilled Beef with Lemongrass – Bò Nướng Sả,…).

Venture into district 10, where the city’s street food scene really thrives. Reward your taste buds with a heavenly dish of coconut ice cream and Beef stew – Bò Kho at a shop established in 1975. Passing to shopping night market to see how local go shopping at night.

End the trip, we will drop you off at the hotel.

We will be flexible with the dishes if you have tried them before.

Your menu can be changed subject to the restaurant’s opening hours or guests’ special request like vegetarian food or food allergies.

Overnight in Sai Gon.

IN THE MORNING

Get picked-up at your accommodation in the city center and drive to Cu Chi, around 65km. On the way to the Cu Chi Tunnels, visit the handicapped handicraft workshop.

Watch a documentary film about the Vietnam War. Discover special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals and command centers helping whoever lives inside Cu Chi tunnels meet their basic needs.

Discover many hidden lefts behind trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels and learning more about the handmade weapon and traps used during the Vietnam War. Seeing huge bomb craters and the mere 10–13 feet thick level of upper soil can support the bearing weight of a 55-ton tank and the explosive damage of bombs left from the war.

Break at the shooting range to shoot some real guns with Ak47, M16, M30, M60 (shooting fee is paid separately from the trip).

Highlight of the trip is to crawl and experience the underground town of Cu Chi Tunnels. This is the best part of the trip when you crawl into it to feel how it was like in the war. Guests who have claustrophobia be not afraid of crawling inside, you still can see it from above the ground.

Taste the pandan tea and tapioca (guerilla’s food during the war) before heading back to Saigon.

IN THE AFTERNOON

1. THE HIDDEN WEAPON BUNKER:

Vietcong soldier’s hidden bunker located in the heart of Saigon.

2. WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM:

Vietnam War storytelling from the other side.

3. NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL SAIGON: The pride of Saigon culture.
4. CENTRAL POST OFFICE:

The everlasting architecture of the French influence.

5. THE LAST HELICOPTER:

Remarking the fall of Saigon. Just to see, can’t enter it legally.

Overnight in Sai Gon.

Hotel check out.

Driver picks up to the airport.

Fly to Ha Noi.

Overnight in Ha Noi.

Having a free day to explore Ha Noi on your own.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Have your breakfast.

Check out hotel.

Note: Driver picks up 3,5 hours before your departure time.

Trip ends. See you next time!

Thank you for travelling with Jenny From The Blog!!!