NOTE
- This itinerary is a privately guided tour, designed just to show you what is possible.
- We can tailor this trip, its inclusions and the accommodations, to meet your requirements, budget, and interests.
DETAIL ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi - Evening street food tour (D)
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. After freshening up you’ll meet with your guide in the hotel lobby.
Tonight your guide will take you on a culinary adventure, sampling street food in the Old Quarter. It’s a great opportunity to try all those weird and wonderful foods you see but just aren’t sure what they are! Start your Hanoi Street Eats tour at Bia Hoi corner to try the local brew, a draft beer that traces its roots to Eastern Europe. Do as the locals do and pull up a stool and enjoy a drink while watching the world go by.
Continue through the old quarter’s narrow streets as your guide points out a range of tasty noodles, breads and snacks. At night the sidewalks are packed with locals perched on stools, amongst sizzling woks and bubbling pots. These small pop up restaurants are a nightly feature that all but disappear during the day. Sit down and enjoy a flame grilled Vietnamese barbecue of beef, chicken, tofu and vegetables on skewers. End the night with dessert from Hanoi’s best-known ice-cream parlour before getting a good night’s rest.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Street food tour in the Old Quarter
Day 2: Hanoi city tour – Overnight train to Sapa (B,L)
Today, start your journey to the highlights and hidden gems of Hanoi at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing structure housing the remains of the revered former president, Ho Chi Minh, who led Vietnam’s campaign for independence from colonial rule. Next, head onward to the Temple of Literature, an ancient collection of courtyards, gardens and architecture built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius. Considered the oldest university in Vietnam, the Temple of Literature dates back nearly one thousand years!
For lunch, sit down for a traditional Vietnamese meal with a contemporary twist at Home Restaurant, a boutique eatery in the serene settings of the Truc Bach Lake area. The yellow walls and rustic décor here hark back to Hanoi’s former life as a French colony.
Follow your guide’s lead while you weave through some of Old Quarter’s 36 streets, each named for the products historically sold there. Along the way, pass by some of the only remaining streets that continue selling the goods of their namesake, including Tin and Bamboo street. Head through labyrinthine back alleys well off the tourist trail and see Hanoi at its authentic best. Peer into temples and traditional houses, hear the stories of the ancient city and meet the people who call this fascinating city home. Enjoy a strong Vietnamese coffee at a café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake - an important symbol of Vietnamese folklore - then head to a tiny island on the lake for a visit to charming Ngoc Son Temple.
Wrap up your guided walk at a nearby water puppet show for a look at traditional performance art in Vietnam, then head back to your hotel. After a brief refresh, your guide will then meet you back at your hotel and transfer you to the train station for your night-train ride to Sapa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight train Hanoi – Lao Cai, in an air-conditioned cabin with soft sleeper berth
Day 3: Lao Cai - Sapa - Trekking to Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai – H’mong Homestay (B,L,D)
Meet your guide at Lao Cai train station, travel by private van to Sapa town. Enjoy breakfast and freshen up at a hotel. When you are ready, meet up with our guide, take a walk south of Sapa towards the busy village of Cat Cat. Traverse through some of the most picturesque valleys in the region along a route that allows you to explore Sapa off-the-beaten-path.
Make your way along a gentle incline, through emerald-green paddy fields above a deep river gorge, before arriving at the river bank. Take a rest, dip your toes in the cool mountain waters and watch local children fishing with nets, before continuing deeper through the villages and terraces of the Black H’mong ethnic community. Walk at your own pace and take in some of the best panoramas Vietnam has to offer. Enjoy lunch with a view at a local village restaurant before continuing through the valley towards the village of Lao Chai.
Take a well-earned rest and enjoy a soothing cup of tea before learning the art of batik painting. The beautiful textiles of the Black H’mong are world famous for their intricate batik patterns and embroidery. The practice, which is an integral part of the culture, is under threat from modernization and now only practiced by a handful of villagers. Join a hands-on master class led by a local expert to uphold their tradition and then take your creation home! You will be supporting a sustainable tourism project that supports local women and ensures this amazing art form is handed down to the next generation.
Afterwards, head to the home of Ms. Moo and her family, where you will sleep for the night. Watch as the sun sets over the rice terraces and enjoy a traditional H’mong herbal foot bath before tucking in to a delicious H’mong-style dinner. See how food is prepared over an open fire, listen to the sounds of the countryside and learn all about H’mong life and culture with your amazing hosts.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Private room at H’mong homestay
Trekking through the rice terrace with our local guide
Day 4: Ta Van Village - Train to Hanoi (B,L)
Wake up early to enjoy the view of the sun rising over the surrounding rice terraces. After a tasty breakfast, say farewell to Ms. Moo and her family and set out along the Muong Hoa Valley towards Ta Van Village. Trek along the high road and take in the unforgettable views of the surrounding valley. After your scenic hike, arrive in the village of the Giay ethnic people, where you will be picked up and transferred back to Sapa town for some free time discovering. Take a photo in front of the old Stone Church, wandering around, there are many shops selling tobacco, trekking clothes and souvenir crafts from the hill tribes or just treat yourself a good massage! At a good time, your guide will pick you up and head to the train station for the overnight train back to Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight train Lao Cai - Hanoi, in an air-conditioned cabin with soft sleeper berth
Day 5: Hanoi – Overnight Cruise in Halong Bay (B,L,D)
Depart from Hanoi and travel about four hours to the port of Halong Bay by shuttle bus. Take a small tender boat to meet your traditional junk boat, which is anchored just offshore. After a short safety briefing, set sail to the outer reaches of Bai Tu Long Bay, passing by stunning limestone karst formations jutting out of the jade waters. Later, take a kayak out and get an up-close look at the incredible jungle-clad karst formations for which Halong Bay is so famous.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Private cabin on a deluxe overnight cruise in Halong Bay
Cruise on the World Heritage Halong Bay
Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B,L)
Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the aquamarine waters of the bay at its best. After some tea/coffee and pastries, the boat will continue to cruise quietly through the spectacular limestone formations of Halong Bay. Enjoy this more isolated section of the bay’s breathtaking and unique islands. Then, as the boat makes it way to the Halong harbor, enjoy a delicious brunch served on board before arriving back on land at around 11.00. You will disembark and then return to Hanoi passing vast expanses of rice fields in the Red River Delta along the way.
Spend your final night in Hanoi relaxing, or head out on the town to discover some fun nightlife spots.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi - Fly to Hue (B,L)
After breakfast your driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival, a guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure. Walk around the town, exploring its quaint charm or just relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Day 8: Hue city tour (B,L)
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a day of exploring Hue’s famous royal tombs and the illustrious examples of grand dynasties past, the garden houses.
Begin your day by floating down the peaceful Perfume River by boat, taking in the endless surrounding greenery. At the end of your hour-long boat trip, hop off at the pier and transfer to the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh. Admire the unusual combination of architecture that blends a traditional Chinese past with a modern Western future. Then, continue to Minh Mang Tomb to explore the opulent and exotic resting place laid out in formal Chinese style.
For lunch, feast on a vegetarian meal prepared by nuns at Dong Thuyen Pagoda, a temple located on the top of a hill with a fantastic view. Visit the kitchen to see how your meal is prepared in a wood burning stove, then dig into your food in the company of the nuns who made it. Take the opportunity to learn about Buddhism or just get to know your friendly hosts.
Next, make your way to Thanh Tien Village, well-known for over 300 years of crafting paper flowers. Meet one of the local villagers and learn how to make your own ornate paper flower. You can be sure that your visit is backing a good cause as it is supported by Backstreet Academy, a social enterprise providing struggling artists, craftsmen and home-based workers with additional income and recognition.
Finally, visit An Hien Garden House and its owner. Explore the traditional 19th century Hue residence and listen to the host's stories of her royal heritage before returning to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Khai Dinh Tomb, Hue
Day 9: Essence of Hue (B,L)
In the morning, enjoy a 40km drive out of the city centre and into the scenic countryside. Arrive at Phuoc Tich Village, an untouched residential area dotted with 27 ‘Nha Ruong’ - Hue’s traditional houses - and unique gardens. Take a walk through the peaceful streets, admiring the historical sites nestled within the scenery, and pay a visit to one of the traditional homes. Try making ‘banh gai it’, one of the most famous traditional cakes in Hue, with your welcoming host, Mrs Kieu. Part of your tour fee will be directly contributed towards Mrs Kieu, helping her to earn an income as a home-based chef.
After trying your hand at baking, hop on a bicycle and take a 30km ride from Thanh Toan to Tam Giang lagoon. Wind through the countryside, watching the daily life of the local people and the peaceful atmosphere of the ancient villages. On your way, stop at Quang Cong Village, known locally as the ‘City of Ghosts’, and behold the increasingly lavish and elaborate tombs that the villagers build for their ancestors.
Upon arrival at Tam Giang lagoon, enjoy a lunch of fresh seafood and take a boat trip on the lagoon. Float past local families living on the riverbank, stopping to meet some of them on your way. Finally, transfer back to your hotel in the late afternoon with plenty of time to enjoy your evening as you please.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Kids playing on Tam Giang Lagoon
Day 10: Hue – Danang - Hoi An via Hai Van Pass (B,L)
Depart from the hotel in Hue in the morning and continue south to the riverside town of Hoi An. The five hour trip hugs the coastline along the South China Sea with breath-taking views, particularly as the road winds its way up Hai Van Pass (“Pass of the Clouds”), one of the most scenic stretches of road in Vietnam.
As you pass through the city of Danang, stop at the Cham Museum. The Cham civilization ruled central Vietnam from the 2nd - 13th centuries and was considered extremely important for religion and learning. Upon arrival in Hoi An, check-in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day free at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 11: Fisherman’s farming life - Hoi An’s hidden corners (B,L)
After breakfast, we depart your hotel for a discovery around Hoi An. On arrival at Cua Dai pier, embark for a boat ride to the mouth of Thu Bon River to enjoy the daily activities of fishers such as throwing fishing net and trading their products. Your boat then continues cruising for about half an hour to a fishing village. Changing to smaller bamboo boat (a coracle) to discover a distinctive mangrove forest and try your hand on fishing crabs. Under the blurry sunlight inside the forest, you might feel a mysterious atmosphere covering this whole area. This excursion also gives you a chance to admire skillful fishermen who are working in the forest. Enjoy a delicious BBQ seafood meal at a lovely local house.
Return to the Hoi an ancient town center and take a stroll to visit this recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its unusually well preserved ancient streets and homes. Set out to explore the quaint cobblestone streets of the town with the more than two-century- old Chinese houses. Sites include the Japanese Bridge, the Chinese Temple, and Phung Hung Chinese-trading house. After the visit, free to wander around, our guide is happy to suggest some best tailor shops in town for you. Or if you are looking for a relaxing end, try out a cup of tea or coffee at “Reaching Out Tea House” - a very special and unique ancient house that offers fabulous drinks served by impaired staff. The rest of day is then free at your leisure. Enjoy your last evening in Hoi An with a stroll along the river, being sure to float a lantern for good luck.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Farming & fishing tour in Hoi An countryside
Day 12: Danang - Fly to Nha Trang (B,L)
After breakfast your driver will meet you to the airport for your flight to Nha Trang. Upon arrival, our driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. After freshening up, take a stroll to the beach where you can enjoy a bit of sand and sun before tucking in for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Nha Trang
Day 13: Free day in Nha Trang (B)
After breakfast today, enjoy the tropical delights of Nha Trang at your leisure. Hop on a boat and head to some of the gorgeous surrounding islands, relax on some of the pleasant mainland beaches, or take a daytrip to some of the surrounding attractions such as Long Son Pagoda, Po Nagar, or Vinpearl Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Nha Trang
Nha Trang City
Day 14: Nha Trang – Scenic drive to Dalat (B,L)
Your guide will meet you at your hotel after breakfast and transfer you to Dalat, a scenic drive of about four hours. After arriving at your hotel, head out for a leisurely stroll around the town and discover why it’s known as the “City of Eternal Spring’’. Stroll from Xuan Huong Lake to Da Lat market where you can see hundreds different kind of highland vegetable, fruits, artichoke tea, coffee and packaged highland fruit jams. We get back to hotel via the Old Catholic church of Da Lat. The rest of day is then free at your leisure, simply relax and enjoy the view from the comfort of your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Dalat
Beautiful Dalat's french houses
Day 15: Free day in Dalat (B)
Famous for its charming mountainous scenery, pine forests, lakes and waterfalls, Dalat is the perfect place to unwind. It is for this reason that the French developed the area as a retreat during the early 1900’s. Spend today at your leisure as you discover why the area has been known for over a century as a refreshing respite from the rest of Vietnam.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Dalat
Optional tours: If you are an adventure seeker, we highly recommend the Canyoning tour in Tiger Cave Waterfalls (only USD52 per person) combining some adventure thrilled activities:
• Abseil at a dried cliff (25m), Two Waterfalls (11 and 13m high) and the biggest waterfall (30m)
- Take free jumps at high cliffs.
- Enjoy picnic lunch on the top of nice waterfall.
- Experience Trekking and swimming together and slide forward or backward and even sexy water sliding....
We also offer some amazing tours around Dalat such as:
- White Water Rafting through fantastic forests, countryside and the least explored areas of the highlands in Vietnam
- Mountain Biking tour through beautiful pine forest with fantastic views, there will be no tourists, no traffic, just you, the guide and the nature around you.
- Trek on Langbian Mountain learn some more about the flora and fauna in Viet Nam’s central highland, enjoys breathtaking views of plantations, evergreen pine forests, mountains, lovely valleys and the beautiful Golden lake from Langbian’s three peaks.
Day 16: Dalat - Fly to Ho Chi Minh city – Story of Saigon (B,L)
After a rejuvenating time in Dalat, your driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City – formerly known as Saigon. Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel to leave the luggage.
Start your story of Saigon with a visit to the War Remnants Museum. Here, your guide will tell the story of the city’s darkest and most tragic hours during the Vietnam War. The museum contains displays of military aircraft, weaponry and a collection of harrowing photographs taken during the war. Although many of Vietnam’s 90 million people are now too young to remember the war, its legacy is still felt strongly across Vietnamese society.
Next, visit the Reunification Palace, once a symbol of the South Vietnamese Government. It was here on 30 April 1975, that the war ended when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates. See the war room, the banquet hall and the presidential office with the unusual gifts which have been received. Then, continue to the Central Post Office, designed and constructed by the renowned architect Gustave Eiffel, and take a moment to send a postcard! Just behind the post office is the Notre Dame Cathedral, an iconic Saigon landmark built in neo-Romanesque style by the French between 1863 and 1880. Today it’s a favoured backdrop for Vietnamese wedding photographs.
Next, stroll down follow Dong Khoi Street, which figured prominently in Graham Greene’s famous Vietnam novel, The Quiet American. The walk ends at the Saigon Opera House. From a bomb shelter to housing the parliamentary Lower House, the Opera House has had an interesting history. Return to your hotel later this afternoon. Dinner is on your own.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Optional activity: A O Show at USD+38 per person
Also at Saigon Opera House, you could see the unforgettable A O Show, which is a spectacular showcase of Vietnamese culture and performance art combining beautifully precise elements of both old and new. Featuring Vietnam’s most talented performance artists, traditional musicians and circus-like choreography, A O Show explores the lives of the Vietnamese people through its ensemble creations. Using props made of little more than bamboo and wood, performers recreate the peaceful serenity of the Vietnamese countryside, the ebb and flow of the coastal waves or the frenetic traffic in Hanoi and Saigon. It’s one of the most memorable experiences to be had in the city.
Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi tunnels by speedboat on Saigon River (B,L)
Depart from Ho Chi Minh City pier and begin your speedboat journey on the Saigon River. As the city fades into the background, observe life along the river and the many new ‘weekend’ homes being built by the Saigonese.
The cramped tunnels were central to a few of the war’s strategic operations, including the famous 1968 Tet Offensive, and they didn’t escape damage. American B52 bombers dropped hundreds of missiles leaving huge tell-tale craters behind. The tunnels also have “mantraps” - large camouflaged holes dug deep into the ground that ensnared enemy soldiers by bamboo spikes. But don’t worry, you won’t step in one! You’ll also discover the remains of an American tank that was destroyed by a landmine which you can climb on for great photos. The Cu Chi experience can be emotionally draining for some visitors, but it offers fascinating windows into the hardship and traumas of war.
Next, it’s a short drive through the countryside to visit a cricket farm. Some Vietnamese consider crickets a delicacy, and local lore says that hungry soldiers ate them to beef up their nutrient-poor diets. At the farm you’ll see crickets in various stages of growth. You’ll also have a chance to sample crickets wrapped up in tasty spring rolls. Make sure you snap a photograph so that your friends will believe your unusual tale! Stop for a traditional Vietnamese lunch - it won’t include cricket - en route to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving mid -afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City by Saigon River
Day 18: Ho Chi Minh City - Into Mekong Delta (B,L)
Today you will travel from Ho Chi Minh City to explore Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta (130km - 2.5 hour travel time). From Phong Nam pier you will board a boat and cruise along the Chet Say river (a branch of the Mekong) and stop off at various local workplaces to give you a picture of how the local economy works, including a coconut activated charcoal factory where coconut shell is put into a high heat kiln to produce coconut charcoal; a coconut processing workshop, where you can sample fresh coconut and see how every single part of this versatile nut is turned into food and other products. Then the boat will cruise through the small canal offering an opportunity to discover the local sights and sounds. Eventually the boat will stop at a quiet village where you can have a short walk to experience real Delta village life, visit a mat weaving house, where straw mats are woven using a hand loom – you can even have a go at weaving yourself before boarding your xe loi (a kind of motorized rickshaw) or biking into the village where you can see a farm, rice fields and vegetable plantings before stopping at a local house for a delicious and filling lunch, featuring such local specialties as elephant-ear fish and river shrimp, washed down with some cold drinks or beers.
After lunch, it’s time to board a sampan for a relaxing trip along narrow canals and back to the pier. From there it’s back to the main road for the trip return to your hotel in Saigon. Spend the evening free at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Boat trip on Mekong Delta small canals, through the mangrove forest
Day 19: Goodbye Ho Chi Minh City (B)
At a good time, our driver will pick you up at our hotel’s lobby and take you to the airport for your flight back home.
Meals: Breakfast
End of services.