Amazing Vietnam escape with Ninh Binh & Halong Bay Cruise

Optional excursions

• The following excursion(s) can be added in the final booking process.*
   

• Day 9: Full-day private tour of Hoi An countryside and Old Town with lunch •

Set off on an easy bike ride through picturesque villages, passing by rice paddies and vegetable farms. After that, you’ll learn how to paddle the unique Vietnamese round basket boat and journey through the tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways towards Tra Que village, where the local farmers work on the organic fields and gardens using traditional methods that date back hundreds of years. Join your local host to prepare some tasty local dishes of Central Vietnam and feast on your creations.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour around Hoi An Ancient Town, which is recognized for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets and typical local cuisine. Make a stop at the iconic over 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, visit the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with its gorgeous woodcarvings and stop by a tailor shop where you can get some express made-to-order clothes. You’ll also have the chance to try out your choice of calligraphy or lantern making, the perfect opportunity to make a lovely souvenir with your own hands.

• Day 10: Full-day private tour of the Ba Na Hills •

Drive about 90 minutes from Hoi An to Ba Na Hills, a scenic mountain area with panoramic views from more than 1,400 meters (4,878 feet) above sea level. Visit the iconic Golden Bridge, a 150-metre-long pedestrian marvel held aloft by two giant stone hands. Suspended above lush mountains, this breathtaking bridge offers panoramic views and a seamless connection from the cable car station to the scenic gardens below. Beyond the Golden Bridge lies a charming French village reminiscent of Europe, with cobblestone streets, a Gothic-style cathedral, quaint French cafés, and beautifully-landscaped gardens. Explore more highlights of Ba Na Hills, including the serene Linh Ung Ba Na Pagoda, the Tinh Tam Garden and the elegant Le Jardin Garden, a complex of ancient French villas. Also on the itinerary are Nghinh Phong Peak, Luna Castle, Eclipse Square, and Vong Nguyet Hill, where you can take in sweeping views of the stunning landscape.

• Day 13: Mekong Delta (Ben Tre) excursion with lunch •

Set off towards Ben Tre province in the Mekong Delta, famed for its tropical fruit gardens and idyllic coconut groves. Upon arrival, board a wooden boat to take in the surrounding countryside from the river, before visiting a family-run workshop to learn about the time-honoured methods used to create the region’s famous coconut products. Later on, hop on a bike for a short ride along narrow village lanes past fruit orchards and cottages, stopping to chat with local farmers and sampling fresh fruits and local tea with honey. Next, board a traditional sampan boat to glide past the dreamy palm-fringed banks of the delta, and after feasting on local specialties for lunch, take a leisurely stroll through the orchard before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.