Day 1: Hanoi arrival (-/-/-)

Hanoi - Airport: 30km, ~40min drive

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, meet our guide and driver who then escort you to the city center. After making sure of your successful hotel check-in, they will be pleased to leave you free time for your own lunch and leisure to recover after the long flight.

Meals Included: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi City (B/L/-)

After breakfast at hotel, we start the day trip with a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site compromises Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum. We then visit the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which was served as the first University of Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigid exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat. Lunch will be served at a nice local restaurant. 

In the afternoon, we visit Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative is the History Museum) dedicated to Vietnam's 54 officially recognized ethnic groups with both indoor and outdoor sections. While the in-housed exhibition is particularly informative, the outdoor display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. We then enjoy a 45-minute-cyclo tour to the Old Quarter where you can see streets with century-aged trees and French Colonial buildings. We then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century, and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike. 

In the evening you enjoy the water puppet show, the unique Vietnamese traditional art. This art is originated from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists-men and women-stand waist-deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move, talk and laugh and even dance on the surface of the water.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Trang An (B/L/-)

Hanoi - Ninh Binh: 106km, ~1h50min drive

Breakfast is served at hotel. 8:00am: Our guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby for a journey to Ninh Binh province located south of the Northern Delta, between the Red River and Ma River. The old city of Ninh Binh is one of many famous historic sites in Vietnam. The provincial town of Ninh Binh has diverse landscapes because of its proximity to the mountains of Non Nuoc and Canh Dieu. About 10:30am, we will arrive at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and visit 2 Temples of 2 Kings (Dinh Bo Linh and Le Hoan).

After lunch, we take a 3-hour boat trip to explore the Trang An Eco Tourist Area. It’s time for us to enjoy peaceful moments with clear water, fresh air and spectacular views of mountainous areas. Trang An Landscape Complex is a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, many of them partly submerged and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs. This area was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh

Day 4: Ninh Binh – Halong Overnight on Boat (B/L/D)

Ninh Binh - Halong: 200km, ~4h drive 

After breakfast at hotel, we start a 3-hour driving through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay to enjoy a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone this World Heritage Site. While being on board, we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by swimming and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. Try the feeling of witnessing the sunset on boat is really great. Dinner on board. The captain then will anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  In the evening, there is the option for night fishing or just sit out on the deck and relax under the stars.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on Junk

Day 5: Halong Boat Trip - Hanoi - Flight to Hue (Br/-/-)

Hanoi - Hue: 770km, ~1h flight

Waking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the bay, we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. The cruise continues to move around the bay for us to discover more secluded areas, we then take kayaking and swimming in the stunning bay. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a backup vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival Hue, our driver will meet and transfer you to hotel for check-in.

Meals Included: Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Day 6: Hue - Thuy Bieu Eco-village (B/L/-)

After breakfast at hotel, we start the day with a leisurely boat trip on the poetic Perfume River. There will be a stop at Dong Ba Market to buy ingredients for the evening cooking class. En route you will visit Thanh Tien village where paper flower are produced, Van Mieu Temple and Thien Mu Pagoda also known as “Heavenly Lady Pagoda”, the symbol of Hue city. 

We will then continue the cruise towards Thuy Bieu eco-village, an ancient village situated on the bank of the Perfume River. Arrival here, we will take part in a cooking class to prepare typical Hue dishes with the instructions from our chef, then enjoy your creations in the open air riverside restaurant surrounded by luxuriant trees.

The afternoon is reserved for cycling through the peaceful village, visiting several communal houses, ancient temples and the highlight: the garden- house, a typical and unique feature of Hue. Soaking your feet in medicinal herb water followed by an excellent massage by blind people will refresh you after a day of sightseeing.

If time permits, we visit Hue Imperial City, the last royal city of Vietnam with various beautiful structures including the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden City or Tu Cam Thanh. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Day 7: Hue - Danang - Hoi An (B/L/-)

Hue - Hoi An: 140km, ~2h30m drive

After breakfast at hotel, we bid Hue farewell and continue our south bound journey to the old trading town of Hoian. Along the way we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshment. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Upon arrival Hoian, we take a walking tour to Hoi An Ancient Town – an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15^th to the 19^th century. We start our day with the Japanese Covered Bridge – one of Vietnam’s most iconic attractions. Created by the Japanese living in Hoian in the 1590s as a way to reach the Chinese quarter across the water, the bridge is a beautiful historical piece of Japanese architecture. It would be a shortcoming without a visit to Tan Ky House – one of the many ancient houses that making up Hoian Ancient Town. Built two centuries ago with both Japanese and Chinese influences on architecture, this house has been preserved through seven generations. While walking, we will encounter pretty houses of Chinese merchants. Another must-see destination is Phuc Kiem Assembly Hall – an excellent work of architecture considered as a heritage of historical significance. Built in 1690, this Assembly Hall is in fact a temple dedicated to the sea goddess Thien Hau.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Day 8: Hoi An - Danang - Flight to Saigon (B/L/-)

Danang - Saigon: ~850km, 2h flight

After breakfast at hotel, our driver will meet and transfer you to Danang Airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, meet our guide and driver who then escort you to the hotel in city center for check-in. You will then have time for your own lunch and relaxation.

In the afternoon, we take a half day to visit all famous sites of this bustling city. The first destination is the now-demolished wartime American Embassy. After that, we head to the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975 when the North Vietnamese tanks came crashing through the front gates, bringing the U.S.-Vietnam War to a dramatic end; followed by some French colonial structures including the Old Saigon Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883, and the stones used to create it were exported in its entirety from France. Apart from the religious meaning, the even more special captivating point of this Cathedral is its special neo-Romanesque style of architecture. Next to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office, finished in 1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam's largest post office. After visiting the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is a fantastic place for bargains of every kind! There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers guests many freshly delicious dishes. You also can find any goods for daily use as well as variety of eye-catching local handicrafts, souvenirs here.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 9: Saigon - Ben Tre - Can Tho (B/L/-)

Saigon - Ben Tre: 107 km, ~2h drive

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave the bustling city of Saigon behind us and depart for the Mekong Delta known to local as ‘Vietnam’s biggest rice basket’. Upon arrival at Hung Vuong pier in Ben Tre, we embark a boat to cruise along Ben Tre River, a tribute to the Mekong. With stops at the brickfield to see how bricks are made by hand and a coconut candy home factory located along the canal where we witness how to make these local delicacy. You will then have the opportunity to taste bee honey tea at a local honey farm and a variety of tropical fruit that grow abundantly in the orchards of the Mekong Delta. You can then walk or cycle through the coconut groves and green rice paddies to soak up and relax in the tranquil countryside atmosphere.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we will take a trip on small rowing boats through a maze of waterways lined by two rows of palm trees. We cruise back to the pier and disembark for a drive Can Tho.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho

Day 10: Can Tho - Rach Gia - Speedboat to Phu Quoc (B/-/-)

Saigon - Ben Tre: 125 km, 2h40min drive; Rach Gia - Phu Quoc: 170km, 2h20min by speedboat

Rising early to the sounds of the Delta coming to life for another day, we have breakfast and start our trip with a boat cruise on sparking streams along the endless waterway of Mighty Mekong River to Cai Rang floating market, the biggest and most famous floating market in the Mekong Delta where hundreds of boats are packed with mango, bananas, papaya and pineapple…  for selling, buying and exchanging. We visit the lush orchards and are treated to a delicious tropical fruits. After having lunch at the good local restaurant, we drive Rach Gia to catch a speedboat to Phu Quoc island.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Phu Quoc

Day 11: Phu Quoc Island - Free (B/-/-)

Relax and enjoy your Phu Quoc sandy beach: swim, sunbathe and take in the delights of this beautiful holiday resort. Optional sightseeing or visit to offshore islands, scuba diving and other water sports. or just relax and enjoy the resort facility.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Phu Quoc

Day 12: Phu Quoc Island - Free (B/-/-)

Relax and enjoy your Phu Quoc sandy beach: swim, sunbathe and take in the delights of this beautiful holiday resort. Optional sightseeing or visit to offshore islands, scuba diving and other water sports. or just relax and enjoy the resort facility.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Phu Quoc

Day 13: Phu Quoc Island - Free (B/-/-)

Relax and enjoy your Phu Quoc sandy beach: swim, sunbathe and take in the delights of this beautiful holiday resort. Optional sightseeing or visit to offshore islands, scuba diving and other water sports. or just relax and enjoy the resort facility.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Phu Quoc

Day 14: Phu Quoc - Saigon - Departure (B/-/-)

After breakfast at hotel, time is free until our driver meet and transfer you to airport for flight to Saigon to connect your departure flight.

Meals Included: Breakfast