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 - Bat Trang (B/L/-)

After breakfast at hotel, you can surprise your children with an excursion to Bat Trang ceramic village, situated 13km from Hanoi. Nestled on the bank of Red River, Bat Trang is known as the ceramic and pottery centre of Vietnam. Here you can have fun making your own products and letting your children get creative. You will the ride a buffalo cart to visit the village and stop at one of the home factories for some shopping and more pottery practice. On the way back to Hanoi we will drop by Bo De Pagoda, home to orphaned and disadvantaged children.

Back to Hanoi, we head to 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.

In the evening, we 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 - Halong Overnight on Boat (B/L/D)

Hanoi - Halong: 180km, ~3h30min 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 4: 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, pick up & transfer to hotel in Hue.

Meals Included: Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Day 5: 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. Embarking on boat for cruise along the poetic Perfume River you can see a pavilion that the king and royal family used to have bath. You also experience the daily life of local people as well as contemplate the beauty of landscapes and fill your heart and mind with fresh air. Main destination of our journey is the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda (Heavenly Lady Pagoda) which was built in 1601-the symbol of Hue city.

Continuation by boat to the grapefruit village of Thuy Bieu, between the city center and tombs of Nguyen emperors. The ancient village is specialized in the plantation of grapefruits, famous for their quality. In the past, they were given to the royal family

Cradle of culture of Hue, Thuy Bieu is an old village currently developing eco-tourism. The village contains many centenarian houses lost between the fruits trees, especially the grapefruits trees. All of them are covered with a green color. The characteristics of these houses-gardens contribute to the preservation of the customs and traditions of the Vietnamese culture and architectural of the Nguyen Dynasty.

During the walk, some stops are prevised: to the old temple dedicated to the genius of the village, at school, and in a family which owns three of the older houses. These buildings are characterized by engravings and sculptures in wood: dragons, phoenix and other natural landscapes on columns, beams or rafters.

Continuation by bike all along the river of perfumes in the nature, among flowers and thousands of grapefruits.

Stop at the local market to buy ingredients for the midday cooking class.

Return by bike to the family house. Participate in the preparation of the lunch with the family: figs salad, lemongrass duck… After the lunch, rest with a foot massage with medicinal herbs. 

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 6: Hue - Danang - Hoi An (B/L/-)

Hue - Hoi An: 140km, ~2h30min drive

After breakfast at hotel, we set out for the exploration 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. We then visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc, which was built between 1864 and 1867 by 3000 soldiers and workers.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue our south bound journey to the old trading town of Hoi An. The scenery en route is very beautiful. We make a stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments before winding our way up the spectacular Hai Van Pass to admire the stunning views north to Lang Co beach and south to Danang City. Continue on our way down to the other side and head to Da Nang where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed Danang Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arrival in Hoi An, we check in the hotel.

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

Day 7: 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 airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will meet and escort you to hotel in city center for check-in.

After having lunch at a local restaurant, 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, which was the former residence of the President of Southern Vietnam until end of April 1975, followed by some French colonial structures including the Old Saigon Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral. Apart from the religious meaning, the even more special captivating point of this Cathedral is its special neo-Romanesque style of architecture. After visiting the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is firstly well-known as the place for real Vietnamese food. 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 8: Saigon - Ben Tre - Saigon (B/L/-)

Saigon - Ben Tre: 107 km, ~2h drive

After breakfast at hotel, we leave the bustling city of Saigon behind to depart for the Mekong Delta considered 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. 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. You will 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. You can then walk or cycle through the coconut groves and green rice paddies to soak up and relax in the tranquil countryside atmosphere. Lunch at a local restaurant by the river. In the afternoon, take rowing boat along water palm creek and a long Cai Coi creek. Stop to see rice workshop before back to Ben Tre town, where we  visit to Vinh Trang Pagoda before heading back to Saigon where you will arrive in the afternoon.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 9: Saigon - Mui Ne (B/-/-)

Saigon - Mui Ne: 218 km, ~4h25min drive

In the morning after breakfast, we drive to Mui Ne where you can unwind on soft white sand beaches considered amongst the best in Vietnam. Arrival here, after check-in hotel, time is free on your own to xplore quaint fishing villages and have fun sliding down red sand dunes.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mui Ne

Day 10: Mui Ne - Free (B/-/-)

After breakfast at hotel, time is free on your own to relax and play on the beach to explore Mui Ne’s vibrant lifestyle.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mui Ne

Day 11: Mui Ne - Free (B/-/-)

After breakfast at hotel, time is free on your own to relax and play on the beach to explore Mui Ne’s vibrant lifestyle.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mui Ne

Day 12: Mui Ne - Saigon - Departure (B/-/-)

After breakfast at hotel, time is free until you are met and transferred by our driver to Tan Son Nhat airport in Saigon for your flight to your next destination or back home.

Meals Included: Breakfast