Vietnam Culture and Wading Birdwatching Experience

Itinerary

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival

Upon arriving at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, our guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel. You’ll have the rest of the day to unwind after your trip.

Day 2: The Rhythm of Saigon

This morning, you will explore a charming, hidden coffee shop. Here you can sample various types of coffee, receive insights into their preparation, and have a go at making traditional Vietnamese coffee. You’ll also have the chance to chat and learn about the personal stories and unique perspectives of Saigon’s residents.

After, visit Tan Dinh Church (the Pink Church), famous for its striking colour and as one of the city’s oldest and most significant Roman Catholic sites. Afterward, we’ll stroll to Tan Dinh Market, where you can immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture and interact with locals.

Following this, you’ll have the chance to sample some local dishes in Saigon. You can choose from options such as “broken rice,” “noodle soup,” or “Banh Mi,” a beloved local specialty. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral (viewed from the outside), and the Old Central Post Office. You’ll then have the option to visit Ben Thanh Market or return to your hotel to relax.

✓ Breakfast, Street Food.

Day 3: Bird Watching

Today you will be picked up at 05:30am. You will depart for Tan Thanh in Go Cong, a small coastal area approximately a 2-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, for our bird-watching tour. Go Cong, particularly Tan Thanh Beach, is renowned as one of the top birding spots for migratory shorebirds in Southern Vietnam. This site is crucial for many migratory shorebirds along the East Asian Flyway. The intertidal mudflats here provide habitat for thousands of these birds, including the rare Spoon-billed Sandpiper, one of the world’s most endangered migrant species.

The highlights of today could include sightings such as the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Spot-billed Pelican, White-faced Plover, Far Eastern Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Great Knot, Curlew Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, and the Asian Dowitche. Telescopes are included.

✓ Breakfast Box and Lunch.

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An

After breakfast, you will have a flight to Danang. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to Hoi An. Upon reaching Hoi An, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Ancient Town.

✓ Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 5: Farmer to Fisherman and Lantern Making

Enjoy a bicycle ride along the narrow roads of the countryside, taking you through a local farming village. You’ll pass rice paddies, water buffalo, bamboo bridges, and see local farmers at work. You’ll have the chance to participate in their daily activities, such as hoeing soil, watering vegetables in an organic herb garden, and even riding a water buffalo in the fields.

Afterwards, you’ll board a boat and cruise to the mouth of the Thu Bon River, where it meets the Cua Dai Sea, observing the local fishermen and their coastal activities along the way.

After experiencing traditional fishing techniques in a ‘Thung Chai’ basket boat with local fishermen, you’ll drift through the water palm coconut canal. This area was used by Viet Cong soldiers during the American War as a strategic hiding spot from enemy attacks. Following a fascinating visit to a local fishing village, you’ll have time to relax and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch. You will then visit a local house where you’ll learn the art of making traditional Hoi An silk lanterns.

Next, you’ll head to Otta Cuisine. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by your guide, who will provide you with a conical hat and bag for your market visit. At the Hoi An market, you’ll interact with local vendors and select ingredients for your cooking class. Afterward, you’ll return to the restaurant to start your cooking lesson with our professional chefs. They will guide you through each step of the process, and once your meal is prepared, you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Please note: You are advised to bring spare clothes in case of the weather and/or the boating activity. Please also bring comfortable shoes that can be worn in mud.

✓ Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 6: Free Time in Hoi An

Enjoy some free time in this charming city.

✓ Breakfast.

Day 7: Hoi An to Hue

After breakfast, you’ll drive to Hue via the scenic Hai Van Pass. From the summit, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of Lang Co Beach and the lagoon below, with Hue visible to the north. Upon reaching Hue, you’ll explore the Ancient Citadel, which was the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty Emperors who ruled Vietnam from around 1800 to 1945.

Your visit will start with a walk around the area between the Citadel’s massive walls and the defensive moat, which is now adorned with blooming lotus flowers. You’ll then enter through the Noon Gate to explore the Thai Hoa Palace, the Pavilion housing, the Nine Urns of the Nguyen rulers, and the remains of the Royal Palaces.

✓ Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 8: Biking in Thuy Bieu village

After breakfast, you’ll drive to Thuy Bieu Village, an ancient settlement located on the southern bank of the Perfume River. This hidden gem, renowned for its untouched natural beauty and cultural heritage, is famous for its sweet Thanh Tra grapefruit. In Thuy Bieu, you’ll explore the village by bicycle, passing through vast grapefruit orchards that are a regional specialty. You’ll visit local families engaged in traditional crafts like incense making and paper painting, gaining
insight into their daily lives and the joyful, enthusiastic work they do.

Afterwards, you’ll return to the garden house where you’ll learn to cook two traditional Hue dishes with the help of your host. You’ll enjoy your culinary creations alongside other dishes prepared by your host. You can then unwind with a relaxing herbal foot bath.

You will then be transferred to Hue Airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, your guide will greet you and take you to your hotel.

✓ Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 9: Candle Making Workshop

After breakfast, enjoy a tour of central Hanoi. You’ll explore key attractions such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and the vibrant Old Quarter. The day will also feature a ‘Street Life’ experience, including a street food brunch. Choose from local favourites like Hanoi Pho (beef noodle soup), Nom (green papaya salad with seasoned beef), and Banh Goi (pillow-shaped rice pastry with minced pork and mushroom).

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a private candle making workshop. This includes a 2-hour workshop where you will be provided with an overview of the candle making process and be able to make a candle in Vietnamese traditional vessels.

✓ Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 10: Explore an Ethnic Village

Around 6:30 am, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Sapa via the new highway through Yen Bai and Lao Cai provinces. This scenic route takes you through the Red River Delta and up to Lao Cai City, near the border with China.

After lunch in Sapa and a brief check-in at your hotel, you’ll embark on a hike to visit the Red Dao ethnic minority community in Giang Ta Chai village. You’ll have the chance to admire thestunning mountain scenery and rice terraces while exploring the local way of life. Your day will conclude with a traditional Red Dao herb bath.

✓ Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 11: Handicraft Experience

In the morning, visit Ta Phin Village, renowned for its traditional customs and garment weaving. You will then begin with a 30-minute introductory session on weaving, followed by a hands-on experience. You will also participate in a 30-minute session on Black H’mong Batik, including an introduction to tools and techniques, with a hands-on component. After, learn about batik dyeing in a 30-minute session that includes a practical demonstration, before enjoying a 1.5
hour introduction to Hmong and Vietnamese cooking, covering traditional methods and ingredients.

After lunch, enjoy a trek from the handicraft workshop to a cave where locals seek blessings for children’s health recovery. You will then engage in a 2-hour embroidery session with both an introductory overview and hands-on practice. You will then be transferred to Lao Cai for your overnight train journey to Hanoi, where you’ll spend the night on board.

✓ Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 12: Bai Tu Long Bay

You will arrive at Hanoi train station around 05:30am. You will be taken to a mini hotel for breakfast.

A shuttle bus will then pick you up from your hotel and take you to Bai Tu Long Bay. Upon arrival, you’ll board a wooden junk and cruise through the picturesque Bai Tu Long Bay, admiring the striking limestone karsts along the way. After lunch, the cruise will take you to Thien Canh Son Cave in the Cong Do area. You’ll then can relax on the white sandy beach at Hon Co Island, where you can swim or kayak.

As the Dragon Legend Cruise heads to Tra San, you can unwind in the Mineral Seawater Pool, visit the Fitness Room, or enjoy Spa and Massage Services (note: Spa and Massage services are not included). The route is designed to avoid crowded areas, offering a tranquil setting in Tra San for your overnight stay.

✓ Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 13: Vung Vieng Fishing Village

You’ll wake up to the fresh air of the bay and begin your day with a Tai Chi session on the large sundeck. After breakfast, the cruise will continue to Vung Vieng fishing village, where you’ll explore by rustic rowboat, meet residents, and pass by the floating school and fish farms.

Following this visit, you’ll check out of your cabin and enjoy a buffet lunch as the boat heads back to the harbour. You’ll arrive at the dock around noon, where you’ll be transferred to Yen Duc Village. There, you’ll enjoy a traditional water puppet show performed by local artists.

After the show, you’ll be driven back to Hanoi, arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon.

✓ Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 14: Hanoi Departure

Enjoy free time until your departure flight.

✓ Breakfast