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

Hanoi - Airport: 30km, ~40min drive

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, meet our guide and driver who then escort you to the city centre. 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: NoneAccommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (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. Following this, we head to the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius. Otherwise known as the first university of Vietnam, the site also honours the eighty-two Vietnamese doctorates that each passed a number of rigid exams in the medieval ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are each engraved in 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 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-min-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. 

Following this, we will enjoy a water puppet show, illustrating 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 - Mai Chau - Thai Dance (B/L/D)

Hanoi - Mai Chau: 160km, ~4h drive

After breakfast at hotel, we depart for Mai Chau, a picturesque valley, home to many hill tribes including the Dzao, Muong and Thai. Stop on the way to visit a Muong village in Thung Khe. Arrive in Mai Chau around noon, we check-in hotel (room available at around 1:30p.m). After lunch with the locals, we spend time walking tour and cycling around the villages of Mai Chau and local crafts. It’s a serene life complemented by verdant landscapes, friendly and hospitable people who live here will leave you unforgettable memories.

In late afternoon, you can watch the villagers play in a game of volleyball/soccer. Dinner will be prepared by the local family.

In the evening, you have chance to enjoy the friendliness of the people by participating in a traditional dance show of the ethnic Thais before driving back to hotel for overnight.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Mai Chau

Day 4: Mai Chau - Ninh Binh - Thung Chim (B/L/-)

8:30 a.m. With your tour guide, set off for a trek of about 3 hours to explore the surroundings and visit some villages, rice paddies and gardens. (Or you can choose to discover the area by bicycles with shorter time, let your me know at the booking time to arrange). Along the trek you will have chance to learn about the local life, their agriculture and beautiful handicrafts.

After lunch, we drive to Ninh Binh also known as “Dry Halong Bay” in the Ninh Binh province. 

Best time for the bird park in late afternoon, sit quietly on a boat and slowly paddle through Thung Chim (Thung Nham), discover the most features of this area with more than 4,000 birds of 40 species flying to inhabit every day. Your best chance to take nice photos and immerse yourself in the wild and nature

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

Day 5: Tam Coc - Hoa Lu - Hanoi (B/L/-)

After breakfast, we drive to Tam Coc also known as “Halong Bay on land”. Upon arrival at Tam Coc, we will embark a small rowing boat to discover an outstanding waterscape along the Ngo Dong River. Tam Coc is adorned with beautiful columns of various gemstone-like shapes.

After lunch served at a local riverside restaurant we make a short transfer down a peaceful countryside road to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital eleven centuries ago. Here, spend one hour visiting the Dinh and Le temples of the Ancient Capital Hoa Lu which are dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, the founders of the ancient capital during the 10th century.

We then return to Hanoi.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 6: Hanoi - Halong Bay overnight on boat (B/L/D)

Hanoi - Halong: 180km, ~3h30min drive

After breakfast at hotel, we depart for Halong Bay (without guide) passing a peaceful countryside typical of Red River Delta with endless rice fields and winding rivers.

We will arrive at Halong’s tourist wharf around noon and embark an elegant wooden 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 7: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B/L/-)

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 back to Hanoi.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 8: Hanoi - Flight to Hue (B/-/-)

Hanoi - Hue: 770km, 1h15min flight

After breakfast, time free until our driver meets and transfers you to airport in Hanoi for flight to Hue. Upon arrival, another driver will wait and transfer you to hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Day 9: Hue Imperial City (B/L/-)

After breakfast at our hotel, we set out to explore Hue's famous highlights, starting with a boat trip along the Perfume River to reach the picturesque Thien Mu otherwise known as the Heavenly Lady Pagoda. One of the most poignant displays here is the car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. We then disembark the boat for a visit the elaborate tomb of former emperor Tu Duc, which was built between 1864 and 1867 by 3000 soldiers and workers. It includes fifty monuments surrounded by a 1500m long wall covering. We then head back to Hue for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we visit Hue Imperial City, the last royal city of Vietnam with beautiful structures including the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate and Nine Dynastic Urns to name a few. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. We then do some shopping at the Dong Ba Market to enjoy the specialities of Hue city.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Day 10: Hue - Danang - Hoi An (B/-/-)

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 Hoi An via Danang. 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. Continuing on our way down the other side and into Da Nang, we will stop at the Museum of Cham Sculpture where the mix between French-colonial architecture and Cham elements set in picturesque surroundings. Founded during the colonial French rule in 1915, this museum preserves sculpture items featuring the cultural, spiritual and ritual lives of the Cham people. Our next destination is the Marble Mountains – a cluster of five marble and limestone hills located in Ngu Hanh Son District, south of Danang City. All of the mountains have cave entrances and numerous tunnels, and it is possible to climb to the summit of Mt. Thuy. Several Buddhist sanctuaries can also be found within the mountains, making this a famous destination.

Upon arrival in Hoi An, we transfer to your hotel for check-in and the rest of the day is free for your own exploration.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Day 11: Hoi An Ancient Town - Half-day walking tour (B/-/-)

Morning after breakfast at hotel, 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 Hoi An 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 Kien 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.

Interestingly, there will be visits to colorful riverside markets and workshops where artisans make Hoi An's famous lanterns. Here, you can learn how the lanterns are made then have a chance to create your own lanterns, from designing the frame to gluing the cloth.

The rest of the day is free for relaxation on the beach.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Day 12: Hoi An - Farming & Fishing Tour (B/L/-)

You will be  picked up at your hotel' lobby  around 08:00a.m by Bike, then escape the bustling city just about 20 minutes by cycling from Hoi An old quarter, you will enjoy a vegetable farming area with nice weather and lovely people, a green area called Tra Que vegetable village.

Upon arrival, you’ll take a stroll around the vegetable farm and then join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the river near by - as organic fertilizers. You’ll learn how to  raking the ground, sowing seed, watering, and planting vegetables, as well as many other gardening activities will make you have lots of fun and interesting moments when being in this village. This is a great way to see how locals here live and how they love their job.

After working in the vegetable farm we continue biking to Fishing village (it takes 20 minutes of biking)

When we arrive at Fishing Village, meet a local fishing family, Learn about daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their custom and community

Leaving the village behind, you will board our boat and cruise to the mouth of the river where it meets the Cua Dai Sea. Then meeting and engage with local fishermen and enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. The local fisherman will show you the method of catching fish that is to throw a round net into the river from a small boat. After being taught how it is done it will be your turn.

The next part of our adventure is to fish by using a huge square net that is set on the river bed which is then winch up. With helps of another couple of local fisherman you will collect the fish inside that net through a hole at the bottom.

Following, you will learn to paddle the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket round boat through small and beautiful channel and join in a basket boat race. Then  head into the nipa palm forest where tourist have opportunities to catch small crabs by fishing rod for fun as well as some products from this tree was make by our staff for souvenir.

Then continue biking to my house in rice village (it takes 10 minutes of biking). Reach my house, be welcome with a glass of passion fruit juice and wet tissues.

You will join a short rice pancake cooking class from rice flour - Last  step is: Enjoy the Lunch  with some specialties of our village: Tam Huu (three friends ), Deep Fried Spring Rolls(vegetarian style), Local rice pancake serve with fresh organic vegetable and fish sauce, Steamed rice, chicken' meat, shrimp, pork, Season fruits

The whole tour will be finished around 2 -2:30 P.M.

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

Day 13: Hoi An - Danang - Flight to Saigon (B/-/-)

Danang - Saigon: ~850km, 2h flight

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

Optional: Saigon Street Food Tour (~3h30min, starting at 18:30) - 40US$/person

Considered as the biggest city in Viet Nam base on the population, Saigon has the biggest chance to explore and experience street food. You can find classic and special street food from the regions around Vietnam in this city such as noodles, rolls, baguettes, pancake, etc.

You are able to hop on the back of our scooters with a local driver to explore Saigon’s street food in the unique way.

We will drive you through chaotic traffics, criss-cross small alleys around the area of district 1, 3, and 4; go to local yet hidden food stores to taste the most trendy street foods which are well known by locals, well loved by locals and well eaten by locals. Join us tonight to explore our best picks of Saigon street food such as Bánh Xèo - sizzling cake or Vietnamese pancake; fresh spring roll with grilled pork; grilled beef in Lot leaf; wonderful sweet soup as dessert; trendy street food of Saigon like “Vietnamese pizza”, sausage roll, and sugarcane juice; and steamed seafood with chili & lemongrass.

You can even have a chance to challenge yourself with Vietnamese special delicacy such as fried skin-off frog, or  balut. Once in Saigon, do as Saigonese do. This is your chance to witness and experience the real street food of Saigon.

This is time to step out of your comfort zone to join us in an adventure on the back of scooters. Seat back and enjoy the ride!!!

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 14: Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels - City (B/-/-)

Saigon - Cu Chi: 30km, ~50m drive 

After breakfast at hotel, we depart for the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war. Upon arrival, proceed to an underground hut to watch a short video and presentation about Cu Chi tunnels before having a real hand-on experience of what it took to live in the tunnels. We return to hotel Saigon in late afternoon for overnight.

In the afternoon, we take a half day to visit all famous sites of this bustling city including the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the War Remnant Museum. If time permits, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is a fantastic place for bargains of all kinds. There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers fresh local dishes. You also can find many goods for daily use as well as a variety of eye-catching souvenirs.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 15: Saigon - Ben Tre (Mekong Delta) - Saigon (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 back to Saigon.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 16: Saigon - Departure (B/-/-)

After breakfast at hotel, our driver meets and transfers you to the airport for your flight to next destination. Thank you very much for travelling with us!

Meals Included: Breakfast