Day 1: Arrival in Saigon

Upon landing at Saigon's airport, you'll be greeted by a driver from Tonkin Voyage for a seamless transfer into the city, sans guide.

Check into your hotel (rooms ready by 1:30 PM), and then the rest of the day is yours to start discovering Saigon on your own. Meals are on your own, and you'll spend the night at the hotel.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, Meals: None

Early Arrival Options:

Immediate access to your room upon arrival.

A full day of exploring Saigon with a guide, including an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Cao Dai Temple at its headquarters in Tay Ninh.

A cooking class at a culinary center in Saigon.

An evening tour for a culinary discovery of the city by Vespa or Jeep.

Please contact us for pricing on these options.

Day 2: Exploring Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Start your day early with a visit to the Ho Thi Ky flower market in District 10. Situated along Ly Thai To street, this market is the floral hub of the city. It's best to arrive at dawn to experience the fresh scent of flowers cut the night before and see the vibrant colors in a setting that's quintessentially Vietnamese.

Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Then, take a walking tour to see the city's historic sites: the old Saigon Post Office, the centrally located Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the bustling Dong Khoi Street with its luxury shops.

In the afternoon, discover the Cholon (Chinatown) area, particularly the Thien Hau Pagoda followed by the vibrant Binh Tay Market where you can find nearly everything imaginable. Wrap up the afternoon with a visit to the beautifully ornate Ngoc Hoang Temple, dedicated to the Jade Emperor, featuring colorful sculptures, intricate mosaics, fragrant incense, and a serene garden.

Finish the day with a visit to Cafe Bờ Kè Thủ Thiêm on Đường Cây Bàng in Thu Thiem, Quận 2, for a stunning view of downtown Saigon from across the river.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Saigon – Ben Tre – Vinh Long - Vung Liem/Homestay

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide at 8:00 AM and set off for Ben Tre (90 km – about a 2-hour drive) to begin your exploration of the Mekong Delta, known as "the land of coconuts." Upon arrival, board a local boat to witness the daily activities of the residents, including the making of rice paper and coconut fiber.

Continue to the hamlets of Cai Son and Nhon Thanh, where local families specialize in mat weaving. Take a short break to enjoy seasonal fruits with the locals. Then, either cycle or ride in a xe-lôi (motorized rickshaw) through rice paddies and vegetable gardens.

Lunch on your own at a charming local restaurant, appreciating the hospitality of the Mekong people, before embarking on another boat trip to explore the Cai Coi creek.

After disembarking, continue to Vung Liem (35 km – about 1-hour drive). After crossing the Quoi Thien ferry, either bike or walk to your homestay (~2 km).

Explore the authentic life on Quoi Thien Island by bike or mototaxi. Located at the junction of the Ben Tre, Vinh Long, and Tra Vinh provinces, this hidden gem is seldom visited by tourists and is filled with vast orchards and small mangrove-bordered canals. Walk or bike with your host to greet their neighbors and family, discovering the timeless lifestyle and customs of the island. Return to the home to prepare dinner and enjoy the southern Vietnamese specialty "Banh xeo" that you've helped cook.

Overnight at the homestay in Vung Liem

Included: Private transport, Homestay accommodation, English-speaking guide, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Vung Liem – Sa Dec – Long Xuyen

After breakfast at the homestay, take a short walk or bike ride to the ferry to Vinh Long, where your driver will be waiting. On the way, you might stop to explore a local market and observe the daily lives and crafts of the Delta's residents, amidst lush vegetation.

Then, drive towards Long Xuyen via Sa Dec. About 150 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Sa Dec is famed for its association with French novelist Marguerite Duras and her family. The town also served as a backdrop for the film "The Lover," based on Duras' novel of the same name. Visit the house of Huynh Thuy Le, the lover in her novel, and several flower-growing villages.

Lunch on your own en route.

Continue to Long Xuyen, cross the river with locals by ferry, and check into your hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Floating Market - Cu Lao Ong Ho - Saigon - Flight to Danang/Hoi An

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before heading out to explore the city’s covered market. Then, embark on a boat tour to visit the Long Xuyen floating market, which remains one of the most authentic in the region, and far less touristy compared to the markets at Cai Rang and Phong Dien.

Watch hundreds of boats loaded with fruits and vegetables (mangoes, coconuts, durians, rambutans, bananas, dragon fruits, sugar canes, sweet potatoes) as they sell their produce wholesale to merchants who then sell these goods on land. Among these impressive boats, numerous vendors paddle long canoes, offering coffee and soups such as Bun Rieu, hu tieu nam vang, and bun mam—breakfast on the river.

Next, you will head to Cu Lao Ong Ho Island where you can bike through village paths to discover daily life, traditional crafts, and Khmer-style houses. Enjoy lunch at a local’s home before continuing back to Long Xuyen via ferry.

Take a scenic and wild backroad to Saigon to catch your evening flight to Danang. Upon arrival in Danang, a driver will transfer you to your hotel in Hoi An (approximately 30 km/40 min drive).

Check into your hotel in Hoi An.

Meals are on your own. Overnight in Hoi An.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Hoi An/Old Town - Artisan Villages by Bike

After breakfast at the hotel, start your exploration of Hoi An’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit key attractions like the Japanese Bridge built in 1593, the Folklore Museum, Tan Ky House, the Tran Family Chapel, and beautiful centuries-old merchant houses. Discover the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, constructed in 1690, which houses a pagoda dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau, the goddess of the sea and protector of sailors.

In the afternoon, ride a bicycle to one of Hoi An’s typical artisan villages along the Thu Bon River. Observe artisans manually crafting products at villages like Thanh Ha, known for its domestic-use pottery available in various shapes, colors, and durability, or Kim Bong where men work in shipbuilding, wood carving at Mr. Huynh Ri’s workshop, and mother-of-pearl and marquetry crafts at Mr. Phuc’s shop.

In the late afternoon, visit a lantern-making workshop in the heart of the Old Town where you can learn the technique of crafting your own lantern.

Meals are on your own. Overnight in Hoi An.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Hoi An - Free Time for Relaxation

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

You have a free day without a guide or driver. Relax at the beach if the weather permits or explore the Old Town and nearby villages on foot or by bike (expenses on your own).

Meals are on your own. Overnight in Hoi An.

Included: Accommodation, Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities:

Explore heritage sites in the Old Town such as the Japanese Bridge, Folklore Museum, Tan Ky House, Tran Family Chapel, Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall.

Excursions to rural villages: Tra Que, Tra Nhieu, Van Lang, etc.

Activities: Lantern-making workshop, snorkeling, custom tailoring, etc.

Day 8: Hoi An - Free Time for Relaxation

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel.

Another free day to relax at the beach if the weather allows, or explore the Old Town and surrounding villages on foot or by bike (expenses on your own).

Meals are on your own. Overnight in Hoi An.

Included: Accommodation, Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Hoi An – Danang (Hai Van Pass) – Hue/Imperial City

Start with breakfast at the hotel. Then, set off in the morning for Hue via Danang (120 km - about 3 hours' drive), passing through the Hai Van Pass, which offers a stunning panoramic view of the central coastline at its peak.

Upon arrival in Hue, check into your hotel.

In the afternoon, visit the Imperial City in Hue, which includes:

The Supreme Harmony Palace: Its roof, adorned with dragons, is supported by 80 gilded and lacquered limewood columns, at the center of which sits the imperial throne.

The Magnificent Temple of the Nguyen Dynasty: Here, you will find well-maintained altars for the 10 emperors.

The Pavilion of Splendor: Home to nine dynastic bronze urns.

The Forbidden Purple City: This area housed the emperor's family and was only accessible to eunuchs.

On the way back to the hotel, visit the Dong Ba Market to end the day, a vibrant place where you can feel the pulse of the city.

Dinner is on your own at a local restaurant, followed by an overnight stay in Hue.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Hue – Countryside Day on Bicycle and Cooking Class

After breakfast at the hotel, depart in a private vehicle to La Chu village, located 9 km north of downtown Hue. This village is known for its vegetable and aromatic herb cultivation (onions, chives, coriander, basil, etc.).

Start your visit at the village entrance and embark on a bicycle or mototaxi ride through the charming countryside of Hue. Explore a family-run factory making votive paper offerings—a strong and popular belief among Vietnamese—and a small daily local market.

Continue through the vegetable fields, where you can meet and chat with villagers. Visit a family specializing in making “Banh Loc,” a type of cake made from rice flour mixed with shrimp.

Around noon, enjoy a friendly cooking class followed by lunch in a family-owned restaurant amidst the rice fields.

After lunch, indulge in a medicinal herb foot bath while enjoying the picturesque scenery of the rice paddies.

Return to the city.

In the surroundings of Hue, visit the imperial tomb of Tu Duc, arguably the most beautiful and majestic. Seeking perfect harmony with nature, it is surrounded by lotus-planted ponds. The tomb is guarded by statues of lions, elephants, and mandarins. Also, stop to learn the secrets of making traditional conical hats in Hue.

Dinner is on your own, followed by an overnight stay at the hotel.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11: Hue – Flight to Hanoi/Free Time

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Hue airport in the morning to catch your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be met by a local driver and transferred to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free for you to rest or explore the bustling and charming old quarters of Hanoi, including the Dong Xuan night market.

Overnight at the hotel.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, Meals: Breakfast

Day 12: Hanoi - City tour - Night train to Lao Cai

Start with breakfast at the hotel, then visit a bustling local market in Hanoi to immerse yourself in the local rhythm.

Late in the morning, explore the Ethnography Museum, Hanoi’s most beautiful and interesting museum. It showcases the cultural richness of the country's diverse ethnic groups through an impressive collection of artifacts and informative exhibits.

In the early afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, also known as the Confucius Temple, a significant historical and cultural monument in Hanoi. This beautiful temple reflects the ancient culture of Vietnam and is one of the few remnants from the royal era still in good condition.

Next, head to Phung Hung Street, known for its artistic murals that depict ancient and contemporary images of the city on the 17 stone walls under the viaduct used by the famous Reunification train.

Stroll through Dong Xuan Market, the city’s largest market, and explore a smaller local market behind it—a place teeming with life and local interactions.

End your day with a walk across the Long Bien Bridge (formerly known as the Paul-Doumer Bridge), a relic from the French colonial era. Crossing the bridge, you'll enjoy views of the Red River and see the varied and often surprising loads carried by bikes, scooters, and the train.

In the evening, transfer to Hanoi's railway station to board the overnight train to Lao Cai. Have dinner on your own before boarding and spend the night in a non-private sleeping cabin.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Lao Cai - Bac Ha - Hiking Na Kim - Din Ngai - Na Lo / Homestay

Arrive at Lao Cai station around 6:00 AM and start with a hearty breakfast before setting off for Bac Ha (90 km, 1.5 hours drive).

Arrive in the village of Na Lo and settle into a welcoming family home.

Then, embark on a hike through terraced rice fields to the villages of Lung Phinh and Ta Cu Ty, where the Phu La and Flower Hmong, and Black Dao ethnicities live in harmony. Discover the adobe houses of the Flower Hmong and a village school. During the hike, enjoy stunning valley views and green cornfields. You'll also meet Flower Hmong women, smiling in their colorful traditional costumes adorned with silver and aluminum jewelry, as they maintain their traditional dress in daily life.

Enjoy a picnic lunch by a small river in Ta Chai Village.

Continue hiking on small trails down into a valley to the village of Ngai Phong Cho, home to the Phu Pa, Hmong, and Black Dao. The hike will last about 5 to 6 hours and covers an altitude of 1350 m, with 300 m ascending and 550 m descending.

Cross through lush gardens, cornfields, and terraced rice fields, perfect for sightseeing and photographing stunning landscapes. Climb a picturesque hill to reach the village of Na Lo, where you'll spend the night in a stilt house.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Bac Ha - Weekly Market - Sapa

Enjoy breakfast with your host family.

Early in the morning, visit the local weekly market, a lively and typical market attended by minority ethnic groups such as the Flower Hmong, Tay, Black Dzao, and Nung, who add color to the market with their distinctive ethnic tunics. This open-air market, surrounded by mountains, is primarily frequented by ethnic groups from the region who come to sell and stock up on various goods for the week: fabrics, simple wooden or bamboo crafts, loose tobacco, and kitchen utensils. There’s also a remarkable market for buffaloes and birds. The market serves as a social event where ethnic minorities catch up over rice alcohol and a bowl of soup.

Have lunch on your own at a local restaurant in Lao Cai before continuing to Sapa (38 km – 1 hour drive), where you arrive in the mid-afternoon. Check into your hotel.

Wander the streets of Sapa, visiting the central square, the stone cathedral, and the town market. Enjoy free time for personal exploration. Meals are on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Sapa.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast

Day 15: Sapa – Hiking: Suoi Ho – Ma Tra – Giang Tra – Sa Seng

After breakfast at the hotel, begin your hiking journey around 8:30 AM to the village of Suoi Ho, inhabited by the Black H’mongs. This 4-5 hour hike (you can adjust the length according to your preference) takes you through the stunning landscapes inhabited by the two dominant ethnic groups in the Sapa region: the Black Hmong and the Red Dao. The trail runs along dirt paths amidst terraced rice fields. You'll have the opportunity to visit a traditional wooden house in the hamlet of Ma Tra to delve deeper into the local culture. The hike continues through Cao Lanh village, offering magnificent views.

Lunch will be in Giang Tra village.

Then, descend into the Sa Seng Valley, locally known as "Ta Phin." You will enjoy breathtaking views of the splendid landscapes, a mix of mountains, rice fields, rivers, and small hamlets. You will meet Red Dao women in traditional attire, known for their intricate embroidery traditions.

At the end of the day, return to Sapa. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Sapa.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Distance: ~ 12km (4-5 hours hiking)

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Day 16: Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai San & Bus to Hanoi

Breakfast at the hotel.

Then transfer to Y Linh Ho village, located in the Muong Hoa Valley, home to mountain tribes including the Black H’mongs, Red Daos, and Dzays.

A small dirt path will take you across a beautiful river and a suspension bridge connecting the villages, including Lao Chai San where you'll observe stunning panoramas over the beautiful rice fields and the Muong Hoa River. Continue your walk amidst terraced rice fields to Lao Chai village, where you'll have the chance to meet and interact with local women.

By late morning, you'll head back to Sapa for lunch on your own.

In the afternoon (around 3:00 PM), a Limousine bus shuttle will pick you up from your hotel in Sapa to take you back to Hanoi via the highway.

You'll arrive in Hanoi in the early evening. Check into your hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight in Hanoi.

Distance: 6-7km

Duration: 2.5-3 hours hiking

Difficulty Level: Easy

Included: Private transport, English-speaking guide, Accommodation, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast

Day 17: Hanoi – Chuong/Vac Artisan Villages – Tam Coc

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart for a tour of one of the best-known artisan villages, Chuong Village (30km from downtown Hanoi, 30-minute drive), famous for its "nón," the iconic Vietnamese conical hat. Continue to Vac Village, known for its birdcage craftsmanship. Explore this fine skill, renowned for its precision and quality.

Then, head towards Ninh Binh, also known as the "Land-based Halong Bay" due to its limestone hills and lush vegetation, similar to those found in the famous Halong Bay.

Check into your hotel around noon.

In the early afternoon, enjoy a bicycle ride to visit Thai Vi Temple, nestled among rice fields and mountains. Along the way, observe local life and typical regional landscapes.

Continue to Hang Mua, climbing 486 stone steps to the top of a bell-shaped mountain near Tam Coc. At the summit, enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the "Land-based Halong Bay."

Return to your hotel to relax and enjoy the ambiance and the pool. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Tam Coc.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast

Day 18: Tam Coc "Land-based Halong Bay" & Surroundings

Breakfast at the hotel.

Early morning, to avoid mass tourism, embark on a sampan for a 1.45-hour ride among the rocky peaks of Tam Coc, discovering superb natural landscapes (an alternative less touristy option is Thung Nham).

Visit the magnificent Hoa Lu site to explore temples dedicated to the emperors Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh dynasty (968-80), and Le Dai Hanh of the Le dynasty (980-1009).

Then, climb Mount Truong Yen to discover the tomb of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang. From the top, enjoy a panoramic view of Truong Yen village and its surroundings, featuring ancient houses and limestone mountains surrounded by rice fields.

In the afternoon, visit Bich Dong Pagoda where a fantastic panorama of the "Land-based Halong Bay" awaits.

Finally, return to Van Lam village for a free exploration and discovery of local embroidery crafts. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Tam Coc.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfas

Day 19: Ninh Binh – Cat Ba – Lan Ha Bay / Cruise & Overnight on Board

After breakfast at the hotel, head to Hai Phong and board the ferry at Got port (15-minute ride). Upon arrival at Cai Vieng port, transfer by car to Ben Beo on Cat Ba Island (26km, approximately 40 minutes by road). From there, embark on a 24-hour cruise aboard a traditional boat. After a welcome drink, the junk will pass the first floating fishing village and glide into Lan Ha Bay. About an hour into the cruise, the Ba Trai Dao beaches will emerge in a magical setting, tempting you for a swim. Enjoy a seafood lunch, followed by relaxation on deck where you can lounge in the salon as the crew turns off the engine and sets sail through Ong Cam Bay. A boat ride to the Ca tunnel is next. Once through the tunnel, you will enter a lake completely surrounded by cliffs, which is home to protected species like the yellow and white-headed macaques. Your junk will move away from the tourist spots, and you will anchor for dinner and overnight in the bay.

Included: Private transport, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 20: Lan Ha – Cat Ba – Hai Phong - Hanoi & Departure

After breakfast, explore the beauty and charm of Lan Ha Bay, with its wild beaches and floating fishing villages. You will disembark at Viet Hai village where you will take a bicycle ride to meet the locals, who have lived there for generations, subsisting on fishing and foraging in the national park. The cruise will then continue to a fisherman’s house where you will visit a fish farm before having lunch in the Van Boi area.

Check out of your cabin around 10:00 AM. You will disembark on Cat Ba Island at 12:00 PM. Then, transfer to Hanoi airport for your departure flight.

Included: Private transport, English-speaking guide on board, Entry fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.