Áo Dài Tour
Overview
Áo Dài – Ao Dai Tour is ecological and spiritual healing trip, which brings certain income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally-owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and the support of other local enterprises. The trip will led by local guides we ‘tread lightly’ to minimize our impact on local resources and the environment.
Included/Exclude
- 7 places: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Hochiminh, Mekong Delta and Can Tho
- Accommodation: 12 nights
- Meals: 12 Breakfast, 0 Lunch, 0 Dinner
- Transportation: # Charter bus or Private car # Express coach
- Domestic Flight # Boat
- Single visa into Vietnam
- International Flight with airport taxes
- Gratuities for tour guides and drivers
- Single hotel room
- Travel insurances. We highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc. All other services not specified in the itinerary
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
Included Experiences
* Walking through the bustling Old quarter with thirty-six street
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the second-largest city in the country. This is also the starting point to explore the breathtaking scenery around Northern Vietnam. Visiting Hanoi, your tour leader will greet you and then take you all on a short‐oriented tour of the city, wandering through the bustling streets of the city's Old Quarter, where There are narrow streets named after many crafts and specialties of the city's artisans: Pho Giay, Pho Silk, Pho Basket, etc. This custom dates back to the 13th century when 36 guilds were gathered. The city's original pubs established themselves here, each establishing a street to distinguish them from their neighbors. The labyrinth of alleys and streets is a fascinating spot to explore on foot, and the area is known for its delightful 'tube' houses, where narrow facades give way to long, sprawling rooms from the street, where the sidewalks are dotted with food vendors who lure passers‐by with a variety of noodles, snacks, and favorite stir‐fries from pan‐bread vendors.
Meal provided: Welcome lunch or dinner
Accommodation: Lacasa Hotel 4* (or similar)
Included Experiences
* Visit the ancient Temple of Literature, Presidential Palace, Hanoi Opera House, History Museum
* Cycling tour around glorious West Lake and visit the pagodas and temples
* See a thousand-year-old unique Water Puppetry Show
Free time Add-ons
* Have lunch in Koto restaurant, a non-profit social enterprise in Hanoi
Your 1‐day exploration of Hanoi begins with the ancient. Temple of Literature, then the Presidential Palace, the famous One Pillar Pagoda, and the temples around West Lake. You'll stop at a local restaurant, KOTO (*on our recommendation) and enjoy your lunch. Afternoons continue with a visit to Vietnam History Museum, Hanoi Opera House, a beautiful colonial building, then walk to visit the Old Quarter. In the evening sit back and enjoy the unique thousands of years old Water Puppet show. Puppetry is a traditional art form dating back to the 11th century from the Red River Delta and closely associated with the long‐standing spiritual life of Vietnamese farmers.
(*) In Hanoi, you will have lunch at the suggested KOTO restaurant (Know One, Teach One), which is an non-profit social enterprise that provides positive, permanent change for at-risk and disadvantaged background youth of 16-22 year old in a two years course in hospitality vocation training and English and life skills. Students also receive accommodation, food, medical check-ups and treatment whilst they are being trained. Many of graduates have gone on to continue developing their careers at KOTO restaurants or have gained employment elsewhere with their training so this is a great initiative to support.
Meal provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lacasa Hotel 4* (or similar)
Included Experiences
* Spends time in more remote locations and Trang An, where groups explore by bike and boat or Bai Dinh Pagoda
* Visit Thung Nham natural bird park
The Ninh Binh region is just about 100 kilometer south of Hanoi and it takes about one hour and half by tourist bus/car or luxury minivan. With unspoiled nature, charming scenery, Ninh Binh is one of the famous tourism destinations of Northern Vietnam. Coming to Ninh Binh, you will have opportunity to visit the natural heritage and world cultural heritage are as Trang An, Bai Dinh pagoda, Tam Coc Bich Dong, Van Long nature reserve-lagoon or visit the ancient capital Hoa Lu, Cuc Phuong national forest and Thung Nham bird park.
Trang An boat trip and Bai Dinh Pagoda visit. In the morning time arriving in Ninh Binh, you go to Trang An wharf to board a boat along the stream in the middle of rice fields to visit Trang An tourist area – a world cultural and natural heritage with limestone ranges, valleys, natural caves and knitted river. They make a special fanciful, mysterious space. Then you will visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest temple in Vietnam with its campus has an area of 107 ha.
In the afternoon, you will visit Thung Nham bird park. You can choose ferry or special car to go to Thung Nham, the bird garden is home of more than natural 50,000 birds with 40 species of birds such as cauldrons, storks, herons, teals, fire warblers etc. and precious birds such as flamingos or phoenixes.
Meal provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tam Coc Nature Lodge or Le Clos Du Fil 3* (Ninh Binh)
After early breakfast, you can choose a half day trekking trip in Cuc Phuong national forest or Bich Dong biking trip. Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon.
Meal provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lacasa Hotel 4* (or similar)
Included Experiences
* Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Imperial Citadel
* Evening cruise along Perfume River
Free time Add-ons
* Discover the hidden charm of Hue on a local cyclo (rickshaw) ride
Once the capital of Vietnam and an inspiration for poets and artists alike for centuries, Hue is divided by the waters of the Perfume River, which separate the city's 19th‐century citadel from the suburbs that radiate from the eastern shore and, even today, its easy air of leisurely ambiance makes it one of the most engaging cities in the country to explore.
You will visit to the Imperial Palace. Located on the banks of the Perfume river, the Imperial Palace was designed with a unique royal art architecture. It was built from the early 19th century to the first half of the 20th century. This is the work symbolizing the authority of the central Nguyen dynasty for hundreds of years of ups and downs and sanctity in this ancient capital. This is one of the relics belonging to the Hue monuments complex, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site since 1993.
Next you will visit the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, home to the oldest monastery in the city, whose 21m high tower has become something of a symbol for Hue. Join in evening cruise along Perfume river to listen to court music and local folk songs.
Meal provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hue Riverside Boutique resort & Spa or Hue Riverside Villa 4* (Hue city
Free time Add-ons
* Cycling to explore the Old Citadel of Hue city
* Join in a cuisine cooking, yoga or meditation session
Spend all time to relax in the peaceful, quiet resort on the bank of the tranquil and picturesque Nhu Y and Perfume rivers. From the hotel’s windows and balconies, you will admire the rural landscape, fishermen's activity in the river and will have meals in their green biodynamic gardens. You maybe choose a cuisine cooking, yoga or meditation course
Meal provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hue Riverside Boutique resort & Spa or Hue Riverside Villa 4* (Hue city)
Included Experiences
* Exploration by bike riding through ancient little Hoi An town
After breakfast, you will go by charter bus from Hue to Danang in Central Vietnam. On the road, you crossing part of the Truong Son Mountains and travelling via the Hai Van (Sea Cloud) Pass. This stunningly scenic region once marked the boundary between Vietnam and the Champa Kingdom to the south. On arrival in Danang you continue an journey by car to Hoi An. On our way you pass the popular beach resorts of My Khe, better known as China Beach. Given the early hour of arrival at the hotel you might not be able to check in so your plan is to have lunch (optional fee) then embark on a walking tour of Hoi An. First colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, by the 17th and 18th centuries Hoi An had become one of the busiest international trading posts in Southeast Asia and, even today, it still retains the engaging charm of a medieval port, with many of its old buildings superbly preserved. Highlights include the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, a pagoda dedicated to the worship of Buddha originally built by the Vietnamese people in the 16th century and the 400 years old Japanese-covered bridge. You end at the colorful riverside market, a perfect setting for exploring, the rest of the day is free to enjoy as you wish.
Meal provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: An Bang Beachside Boutique resort or Hoi An Ecologe & Spa Hotel 3* Hoi An
Included Experiences
* Visit fish market organized by local people in the early morning
* Spend more deeply experience in Hoi An’s Old quarter
Free time Add-ons
* Must-try Cao Lau noodle maker, a bean sprout grower’s home and available in local market
* Visit the lantern workshop and learn to make flickering beacons
* Learn how to whip up fresh Vietnamese food with a Hoi An cooking class
* Visit the myriad of silk and tailor shops for making quick clothes
A well-preserved heritage site with unique architecture, a beguiling riverside position, white sandy beaches, and a tranquil village-like atmosphere. Hoi An is arguably Vietnam’s most tourist-friendly town.
You wander through the historic heart of this World Heritage Site at your leisure. An early morning visit to the fish market presents a riot of noise and color that is perfect for some great photo opportunities and some choice local interaction. You might also like to pay a visit to the Japanese bridge, Hoi An's emblematic symbol, believed to have been constructed to quell the violent rumblings of a restless monster, or perhaps explore the traditional wooden houses and Chinese temples that line the streets. A very worthy suggestion for your travelling days in Hoi An is there are numerous local tailor shops in Hoi An providing an incredibly cheap and quick service and almost all visitors have at least one item made before they depart. Hoi An is also a great place to hire a bicycle as the roads are relatively quiet. There's a nice beaches, Cua Dai and An Bang just a few kilometers from the town or alternatively why not set out to explore nearby villages. Cooking classes or try out traditional lantern making are yet another option available in this popular traveler’s hangout.
Meal provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: An Bang Beachside Boutique resort or Hoi An Ecologe & Spa Hotel 3* (Hoi An)
Included Experiences
* Early morning exploration of palm forest by local boat
* Visit of Tra Que vegetable village near Hoi An town, famed for its avenues of herbs
You will spend some hours exploring the Cam Thanh, the seven-acre palm forest near Hoi An Town by local small boat and Tra Que vegetable village nearby. To spend a real life in Tra Que vegetable village, In early the morning please go here, when the farmers just start watering vegetables in the morning and harvesting vegetables to bring to the market. Coming to Tra Que vegetable village is not only to see vegetables, you can interact with the farmers here, ask them to harvest together, try the experience of watering vegetables. In addition, walking, cycling or even trying to ride a buffalo, walking between the fragrant streets of vegetables is also very interesting.
Meal provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: An Bang Beachside Boutique resort or Hoi An Ecologe & Spa Hotel 3* (Hoi An)
Included Experiences
* View of the Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office, Reunification Palace and Opera House
Morning fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Still commonly referred to by locals as 'Saigon', Hochiminh city is the largest in Vietnam and the country's commercial hub. You will find an eclectic mix of the traditional and the new, where pagodas and markets compete alongside the trappings of Vietnam's newly discovered entrepreneurial spirit. In the morning, your tour will take in some of the central sights of the city, including the Reunification Palace, Opera House (formerly South Vietnam National Assembly), Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral and the impressive French style edifice that is the GPO building, Saigon Post Office.
Meal provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel or Alagon Hotel 3* (Hochiminh City)
Included Experiences
* Visit local fruit farms
Free time Add-ons
* An optional dinner in a cruise in Can Tho river
A full‐day excursion to the colorful Mekong Delta is also possible, to witness locals barter for fresh produce at a floating market and to take a sampan through the small narrow waterways of the Delta. This morning drive to Ben Tre, then My Tho, stopping on the way at the Thien Hau Pagoda, an intricately designed temple. On arrival in My Tho, you will board a boat for a cruise down the Mekong River, passing floating markets and local villages. Your boat will dock at Unicorn Island, giving you the chance to visit fruit farms and a coconut sweet workshop where you can sample these local delights. Visit a bee farm to enjoy traditional honey tea. Meander along palm-lined canals and barter for exotic fruits before a boat tour takes you to Can Tho for the night.
Meal provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Victoria Can Tho Resort or Can Tho Ecolodge 4* (Can Tho)
Included Experiences
* Visit Cai Rang famous floating market
Free time Add-ons
* Optional for spa relax, yoga or meditation session
Morning in Can Tho, you will begin with a gentle trip through the picturesque canals and waterways in a small boat, taking in the sultry scenery and daily activities of the small boat vendors of the floating markets who live along these Mekong canals, as well as stopping at the spectacular Cai Rang floating market, one of the most famous crowded floating markets in Mekong Delta river’s region. This is a wholesale market in buying and selling goods on the river, especially fresh vegetables, tubers and tropical fruits. Afternoon is the relax time for spa, yoga or meditation session.
Meal provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Victoria Can Tho Resort or Can Tho Ecolodge 4* (Can Tho)
Enjoy a final breakfast with the squad this morning before the trip wraps up. Domestic flight from Can Tho back to Hanoi or Hochiminh city, Vietnam's big and exciting cities you will have free time to carry on your explorations or shopping before departure.
Meal provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
13 days tour or similar is just the beginning of exploration journey in Vietnam. You continue on to your extension to share with us your private wishes for the rest of your holiday. We are here to fulfil your dream.
1. Luxury escape in the high-end resort on the white sandy beach? (Everywhere on 3,000-kilometer S-shape coastline in tropical climate zone)
2. Explore the world-recognized amazing caves? (Central Vietnam)
3. Find your inner self in the primary forest? (Highland region)
