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

Hanoi - Airport: 30km, ~40min drive

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, meet our guide and driver who then escort you to the city center. After making sure of your successful hotel check-in, we simply take 45-minutes cyclo tour to discover the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake surroundings where you can see streets with century-aged trees and French Colonial buildings. Finishing the trishaw tour, we will drop a visit to Ngoc Son Temple built on Jade Islet dedicated to Confucian and Taoist Spirits and the national hero, Tran Hung Dao, who defeated the Mongols in the 13^th century.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (outside visit, closed on Mondays & Fridays), his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda. The rest of the day is free for relaxation at your hotel.

Dinner tonight is served at a nice local restaurant.

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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

Morning after breakfast, we drive to 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. The clear, accurate, and concise explanatory signs allow us to learn a lot about these amazing and unknown peoples. Our next destination is 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.

After lunch at, we will participate in the game “Hidden Treasure Hunting”. This simple game can bring you to the opportunity to discover the Old Quarter of 36 Streets with narrow alleys, shops, temples and pagodas, etc.   

Dinner is served at a local restaurant

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B/L/D)

Hanoi - Halong: 170km, ~3h30min drive

After breakfast, we depart for Halong Bay, 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 is served 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 sitting on the deck and relaxing under the stars.

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

Day 4: Halong Bay - Ninh Binh (Br/-/D)

Halong - Ninh Binh: 200km, ~4h drive

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 drive to Ninh Binh. On the way, there’s a stop in Bo Duong village in Hai Duong province that is renowned for their expertise in making puppets. We then enjoy a walk in the village to meet with local and you watch a puppet show over the water, an ancient art, which tells the story of magical Vietnam in a funny way. Arrival in Ninh Binh late in the afternoon, we have dinner at local restaurant.

Meals Included: Brunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh

Day 5: Ninh Binh (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we embark a local boat amid rocky peaks in Thung Nham to discover a beautiful natural landscape less touristy than Tam Coc, followed by a bike ride through rice fields to discover the local life in the authentic Hai Nham village. We continue cycling to Bich Dong Pagoda where a fantastic view of “Halong Bay on land" awaits.

After lunch, we depart for Phat Diem Cathedral - one of the most beautiful and unique cathedral in Vietnam. The whole complex was built by stone between 1875-1899 and has been classified as a historic and cultural relic. The cathedral is the main focus of worship for Ninh Bình Province's 140,000 Roman Catholics.

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

Day 6: Ninh Binh - Mai Chau/Homestay (B/L/D)

Ninh Binh - Mai Chau: 180km, ~4h30min 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 the ethnic homestay, a house on stilts. After lunch with the locals, we spend time walking tour and cycling around the villages of Mai Chau and local crafts. The peaceful life and verdant landscapes, friendly and hospitable people of this site will leave you undoubtedly unforgettable memories.

Dinner with typical menus 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 Thai minority.

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

Day 7: Mai Chau - Hanoi - Overnight train to Hue (B/L/D)

Mai Chau - Hanoi: 160km, ~4h drive; Hanoi - Hue: 770km, ~13h on train

After breakfast at homestay, we invite you to participate in social or farming activities to help the locals. Activities vary depending on the dates of stay including:

• Pick up garbage in the village
• Repaint a local school
• Assist locals in their field work (planting/harvesting rice, vegetables, etc.)

After lunch with the locals, we drive back to Hanoi for an overnight train to Hue (sharing 4-berth cabin)

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

Day 8: Hue City (B/L/D)

Upon arrival in Hue, our guide will meet you at the station before taking you for breakfast at a typical restaurant. We then start our city tour with 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.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the picturesque Thien Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda. The fresh and peaceful atmosphere here at the pagoda will help you ease your mind from stresses of daily life. We then spend time to discover Kite game - very popular for local children in the garden of the Imperial City walking and shopping in Dong Ba Market to enjoy the specialty of Hue city. Dinner is served at a local restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Day 9: Hue (B/L/D)

After breakfast at hotel, we drive out to visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc, which was built between 1864 and 1867 by 3000 soldiers and workers. It includes 50 monuments surrounded by a 1500m long wall covering an area of 12ha. We then stop to discover the secrets of making conical hats and incense sticks.

In the afternoon, we visit Hue Orphanage to participate with children in manual work to change their daily lives. The organization hosts about thirty children from 4 to 18 years old. Our aim is to play with the kids, teach them English and offer them small gifts such as pens, books, candies and clothing (prepared by Tonkin travel) and share a great moment of happiness with them. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the hotel pool or for your personal discovery. Dinner is served at a local restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

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

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, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Day 11: Hoi An - Surrounding Villages (B/L/D)

After breakfast at hotel, we go for a bike ride in the countryside of Hoian. Passing rice fields, small villages, shrimp farms and vegetable gardens, we reach Tra Que village – 3km from the center of Hoian. Coming here, you can discover its history and introduction to local farming techniques. We then take a rest with herbal foot bath before joining a small local cooking class followed by lunch with specialty of the village.

In the afternoon, we walk to Thu Bon wharf on Bach Dang street and sail along Thu Bon River to Tra Nhieu village – 3km towards the southeast. Upon arrival, our guide will give you brief introduction to the history and traditional handicraft of the village such as: farming, fishing, poultry and livestock breeding, mattress making, etc. We get back to Hoian at the end of the day for dinner and overnight.

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

Day 12: Discovery of Cu Lao Cham (B/L/D)

After breakfast at hotel, we depart for a 30min speedboat from Cua Dai Harbor to the stunning island of Cu Lao Cham. Consisting of 8 islets 20km off the coast of Hoian, Cu Lao Cham Island is full of spectacular sandy beaches and lush forested hills, surrounded by pristine ocean waters. We spend the morning exploring the the landscape, visiting its marine protected area, its boat shelter, its Hai Tang pagoda, as well as a traditional fishing village. Around mid-morning, we head to one of the island's beautiful beaches and spend time swimming and snorkeling through the pristine ocean surrounding the island. A freshly caught seafood lunch is served at around 11:30a.m. We head back to your hotel in Hoian around 3p.m and time is free for your personal discovery.

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

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

Danang - Saigon: ~850km, 2h flight

After breakfast at hotel, the morning is free to enjoy the beach or the hotel pool. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. We then transfer to Danang airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival in Tan Son Nhat airport, meet our guide and driver who then escort you to hotel in city center for check-in. Dinner is served at a local restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 14: Saigon - Ben Tre - Can Tho (B/L/D)

Saigon - Ben Tre: 60 km, ~1h20min drive

Morning after breakfast at hotel, we leave the bustling city of Saigon for the Mekong Delta - Vietnam’s biggest rice basket. Upon arrival at Hung Vuong pier in Ben Tre, embark your boat to cruise along Ben Tre River, a tributary of the great Mekong, to explore the local lifestyle and the daily hustle and bustle. We will stop at the brickfield to see how bricks are made by hand in Vietnam and a coconut candy home factory located along the canal to witness the process of making this local candy and other souvenirs. We then have the opportunity to taste bee honey tea at a local honey farm and a variety of tropical fruit that grow amply in the orchards of the Mekong Delta. Our boat trip continues to Cai Son and Nhon Thanh where local families are specialized in manufacturing mats. We continue riding through the rice fields and vegetable crops.

After lunch with the locals, we take a 10-minute walk to embark a motor boat that will take you back to the bus for a drive towards Can Tho. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the hotel pool. Dinner is served at a local restaurant.

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

Day 15: Can Tho - Cai Rang - Saigon (B/L/D)

Can Tho - Saigon: 180km, ~4h drive 

Rising early to the sounds of the Delta coming to life for another day, we enjoy breakfast and start our trip with a boat cruise on sparking streams along the endless waterway of Mighty Mekong River to Cai Rang floating markets, 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 then drop a visit to Le Binh market – a superbly chaotic local market with plenty of the delta’s fish bounty on display alongside fruits and vegetables. We will roam through the village to visit a rice husking mill and a rice noodles making. After having lunch at a local restaurant, we drive back to Saigon for overnight.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

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

Saigon - Airport: 30km, ~40min drive

After breakfast at hotel, we spend our day to visit all famous sites of this bustling city starting with 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 Dong Khoi Street with its luxury shopping and entertainment, we move to Thien Hau Pagoda located in Cho Lon, the city’s Chinatown. This pagoda is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. The most impressive features of the structure are the intricate friezes and the carved tableaus towards the front of the pagoda. The impressive incense coils inside the pagoda also make for some great photos. Another site that cannot be missed 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. After dinner at a local restaurant, we drive to Tan Son Nhat airport for flight to next destination. Thank you very much for travelling with us!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner