12Days Homestay Vietnam Tour
Price from: $3399 per person on twin sharing basis + domestic flights $340 per person
Hanoi - Ky Son - Mai Chau - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Saigon - Mekong - Saigon
Experience the culture of Vietnam in its rawest form by living in a Vietnamese homestay setting. Here, you can learn more about the simple way of life of the locals, try new cuisines, and explore the rich history of the country by visiting significant monuments and temples. Dive into the customs and traditions of the local Vietnamese people in the villages of Ky Son and Mai Chau, along with undertaking the once-in-a-lifetime experience of taking a Junk cruise around Ha Long Bay. Stopping off in Ho Chi Minh City will provide an opportunity to grasp the hustle and bustle of the capital city, while allowing time to explore the dark yet intriguing history of Vietnam.
Day 1: Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to the hotel. This afternoon, you will be taken for an hour’s ride on Cyclo through the Old Quarter of "36 streets and 36 wares" where artisans still ply their century-old trades. This is followed by an entertaining water puppet show, Vietnam's most famous performing art form. See puppets come to life performing traditional folklore, legends, and historical tale, directed by puppet masters who stand submerged in the water behind a screen and direct the puppets through the use of long sticks. Traditional musical instruments are used to accompany the story.
Day 2: Hanoi (B)
In the morning, you will be taken for a brief walking tour of the fascinating Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, followed by a visit some historical sites, including Ho Chi Minh complex containing his mausoleum, former residence and the One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh’s house. Also visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 3: Hanoi – Ky Son (Walking – Cycling) (B/L/D)
Drive to Ky Son Village in the morning. Take a pleasant walk around the village to delve into the northern countryside lifestyle of Vietnam before joining your homestay host in lunch preparation. Have your lunch and learn more about the Vietnamese cultural characters through conversations with locals. In the afternoon, you will then set out on a bike ride along dust trails with stops for taking pictures; picking herbs and vegetables; chatting with children and farmers; and shopping at the village market, and then soak up the pastoral atmosphere and divine tranquillity. Return to the homestay for a relaxing traditional herbal bath before dinnertime. Before sleeping, soak your feet in a traditional herbal basin.
Day 4: Ky Son – Mai Chau (B/L/D)
The serene morning will inspire you and the host to practice Yi Jin Jing, a series of exercises coordinated with specific breathing techniques and mental concentration. Leave Ky Son and depart for Mai Chau. On arrival, you will check-in and have lunch at the Thai minority village. Drive to Xam Khoe Village. You will set off on a walking tour to Buoc Village (populated by the Thai ethnic minority). Drive back to Thai village with a stop enroute to explore the magnificent Van Mai Valley. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the homestay.
Day 5: Mai Chau – Hanoi (B/L)
After breakfast, you will then take delight in biking through rice paddies to the Mai Chau Valley which is dotted with stilt houses. The ride provides opportunities for taking photos, visiting families, and interacting with locals. On the return to the Mai Chau Lodge, we pass by the Vang Village of Mai Chau Town. Lunch before returning to Hanoi.
Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)
In the early morning, transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Arriving in Halong, board a sailing Junk to discover this World Heritage site, known as the 'land of 3000 islands'. Rising from the sea the islands offer a wealth of opportunity for the local people. Your visit includes exploring the beauty of this area up close.
A fantastic cruise this afternoon visiting Long Bay, visit Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, visit Sung Sot cave and a swim at Titov beach.
The voyage continues with the arrival at the Cua Van Fishing Village, the biggest and oldest floating fishing village in Halong Bay. The village is explored via a pleasant boat ride. You will pass through this ancient village which comprises fishing boats and floating houses.
Overnight on board your Junk in Halong Bay
Day 7: Halong Bay to Hanoi (Brunch)
Enjoy the sunrise on your junk. Tea and Coffee is served before you board small bamboo boats to visit Luon Cave and then cruise to pass so that tourists can have a look Man’s head island, Tortoise Island from the Junks.
Enjoy a good breakfast on board before returning back to Halong before noon. Disembark at the pier and return back to Hanoi.
Day 8 Hanoi – Saigon (B)
Morning transfer to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, you will be taken for a city tour of Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) - a fast paced city with a unique mix of French colonial architecture, Chinese influences, a modern entrepreneurial spirit and numerous temples. On this tour, you will take in the highlights of Ho Chi Minh starting with an exploration of Saigon's turbulent past with visits to the Reunification Palace and the War Museum (caution: graphic displays).
The tour continues to Ho Chi Minh's finest examples of French colonial architecture with a visit to the Notre Dame cathedral and Post Office. Your Ho Chi Minh tour continues with a visit to Giac Lam Pagoda, the Cholon Chinese district. Tour concludes at the Ben Thanh market where you can try your bargaining skills for clothes, shoes, bags,sunglasses and souvenirs.
Day 9: Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels (B)
This morning, proceed for an excursion to the remarkable Cu Chi tunnels outside of Saigon. During the Vietnam – American war the Vietnamese guerrillas built a labyrinth of narrow tunnels using them to hide during bombing raids and stage surprise attacks. The tunnel system was commenced in the 1940's. During the US War, at one time the tunnels spread out for 350kms and were up to 7 metres deep. They served as shelter, storage facilities and a secret means of communication for the guerrilla army. An ingenious system of concealed entrances kept the occupants safe despite air attacks and many efforts to penetrate the tunnel complex.
In the afternoon visit a family of local musicians. Learn about traditional Vietnamese instruments through conversations with the artists and hear performances from each family member. Guests then have the chance to try the instruments for themselves – a memorable if somewhat noisy experience!
Day 10: Saigon – Mekong (B/L/D)
Morning drive to Ben Tre – an island province well-known for its vast coconut groves. You will board a local boat to cruise to a quiet creek where a sampan will take you to a farmer house. Start the excursion with a stroll to mingle with Mekong Delta’s simple life characterized by generosity and straightforwardness before joining a lunch preparation with your host. After lunch, your day will continue with a motorbike-drawn cart ride to a sedge mat weaving house where you learn the weaving techniques and savour local tropical fruits. Embark and cruise back to the pier with stops enroute to delve into the local specialties such as coconut fibre, powder salt and brick making. You also have a closer look at how coconut candies, coconut products are made in a family run workshop before driving to Phu Tuc village. On arrival you will take a delight in visiting the orchard, fishing in a pond, and rambling to neighbouring villages to interact with locals. Your homestay host will assist you in preparing dinner before relishing a short Mekong traditional music performance.
Day 11: Mekong – Saigon (B/L)
Drive to Cai Be and take a boat to visit the floating market. Continue by river to see family-run business producing a local version of popcorn and rice paper. Lunch is in a local house. Afternoon continue to Binh Hoa Phuoc islet for a sampan ride before disembark in Vinh Long. Drive to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 12: Saigon
Morning free for shopping before being transferred to airport for departure flight
Private program - can start any day of the week; can be cutomised
Included: Accommodation in a mix of Homestay & 4* Hotels, meals as shown above, transfers & sightseeing using air-conditioned private car, local English speaking guides, entrance fees at monuments, current taxes, 24-hours local contact number for emergencies.
Note: Please contact us if you require more information on different Hotel categories.
Prices quoted are valid till 30 September 2022. Cost above is indicative, based on Low Season in NZ Dollars and subject to change due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Please read T&C before booking. Call 09 410 5060 or 0508 EXOTIC (0508 396 842) or email info@exotic.net.nz for more information.