Itinerary
- Day 1
Ho Chi Minh City
You'll arrive at Ho Chi Minh City airport whenever works best for you, and a driver will be waiting to pick you up and take you to your hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to relax at the hotel or wander around the city and get a sense of the local culture and atmosphere.
Optional Activities
- Explore Ho Chi Minh City on your own
- Day 2
Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
Breakfast comes first at your hotel, then you'll head out to see Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office, which was designed by Gustave Eiffel. The Reunification Palace is next on the list. After grabbing lunch at a local restaurant, you'll take a 1.5-hour drive about 75 km away to the Cu Chi Tunnels. You'll walk through the underground tunnel system, learn about its history during the Vietnam War, and try some local food. Back to your hotel by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
- Visit Central Post Office
- Visit Reunification Palace
- Explore Cu Chi Tunnels
- Sample local cuisine at Cu Chi Tunnels
Landmarks/POIs Notre Dame Cathedral Central Post Office Reunification Palace Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 3
Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An
Breakfast at your hotel, then you have flexibility for the day. You can either explore Ho Chi Minh City on your own, or join an optional full-day Mekong Delta excursion for 55 USD per person. If you choose the tour, pickup is at 8:00 am to visit My Tho, explore islands known for handicrafts, take a boat on the Mekong River, and see Vinh Trang Pagoda. Later you'll head to the airport for your flight to Hoi An via Da Nang, arriving at Da Nang where you'll be transferred to your Hoi An hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Flight to Hoi An (via Da Nang)
Optional Activities
- Full-day Mekong Delta/River Boat Trip - 55 USD per person
- Explore islands producing coconut candy and bee farms
- Boat trip on the Mekong River
- Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda
Landmarks/POIs My Tho Vinh Trang Pagoda - Day 4
Hoi An
After breakfast at your hotel, you can explore Hoi An on your own or book an optional full-day excursion. The tour includes visiting a central temple with gilded statues showing Chinese and Japanese influences, a pagoda for sailors and fishermen, and an 1700s chapel. You'll also check out the Sa Huynh Museum near the Japanese Covered Bridge, then take a boat on the Thu Bon River to Kim Bong Village to watch woodworkers and shipbuilders. The evening is free to walk around Hoi An Ancient Town at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Optional Activities
- Full-day Hoi An excursion
- Visit temple in central Hoi An
- Visit pagoda dedicated to sailors and fishermen
- Visit chapel from the 1700s
- Visit Sa Huynh Museum
- Boat trip on Thu Bon River to Kim Bong Village
- Explore Kim Bong Village on Cam Kim Island to watch woodworkers and shipbuilders
- Leisurely explore Hoi An Ancient Town
- Cycling Tra Que Village - Cooking Class - 59 USD per person
Landmarks/POIs Japanese Covered Bridge Sa Huynh Museum Kim Bong Village Thu Bon River Hoi An Ancient Town - Day 5
Hoi An to Hanoi
You'll have breakfast at your hotel, and the morning is free to check out Hoi An's Old Town, shop, or just relax. At 10:00 am, you'll leave for Da Nang City. An overnight sleeper train departs around 12:00 pm heading to Hanoi. Your cabin has bunk beds and clean linens, and you'll spend the night traveling through the Vietnamese countryside by train.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Sleeper train from Da Nang to Hanoi
Optional Activities
- Explore Hoi An's Old Town
- Shopping in Hoi An
- Day 6
Hanoi to Mai Chau
You'll pull into Hanoi Train Station around 5:30 am and transfer to your hotel. Grab breakfast on your own, then at 8:30 am you'll head out on a scenic drive through country roads to Ba Khan Village, going through Hoa Binh City. There's a short break at 10:30 am for tea or coffee. Lunch happens at noon at Ba Khan Village Restaurant, then you'll check in. In the afternoon around 3:00 pm, you'll walk around Muong Village and West Hill to see valley views. Dinner is at 7:00 pm followed by a traditional dance performance from 8:00 to 9:00 pm.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Ba Khan Village Restaurant), Dinner (Dinner at Ba Khan Restaurant)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive to Ba Khan Village via Hoa Binh City
- Afternoon walk around Muong Village of Khan Ha
- Afternoon walk to West Hill
- Traditional dance performance
Landmarks/POIs Ba Khan Village Hoa Binh City Muong Village of Khan Ha - Day 7
Mai Chau to Hanoi
Your trek on the East Mountain route starts at 9:00 am, and it's accessible for all fitness levels with nice valley views. You're back at the resort by 11:00 am to rest and relax before checking out. Lunch is at 12:00 pm at the resort, then you'll depart Mai Chau at 1:30 pm heading back to Hanoi, pulling into the Old Quarter around 5:00 pm. The evening is open for exploring on your own and checking out the city's nightlife and cultural spots.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at the resort)
Included Activities
- East Mountain trek
Optional Activities
- Explore Hanoi Old Quarter
Landmarks/POIs East Mountain Hanoi Old Quarter - Day 8
Hanoi
Breakfast at your hotel comes first, then your van picks you up at 8:00 am. You'll visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to learn about Uncle Ho, the Presidential Palace, and his residential place. Next is the Temple of Literature from the 12th century, site of Vietnam's first university, where you'll hear about Confucian ideas and enjoy a traditional music performance. After authentic Hanoi Pho at a local restaurant, the afternoon is for checking out museums and temples like the Museum of Ethnology or Quan Thanh Temple. Later, take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and browse the Old Quarter for shops and street food. You can optionally catch the Water Puppet Show for about 6 USD.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Authentic Hanoi Pho at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Visit Presidential Palace
- Visit Ho Chi Minh's residential place
- Visit Temple of Literature
- Traditional music performance at Temple of Literature
- Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake
- Explore Hanoi Old Quarter
Optional Activities
- Visit Museum of Ethnology
- Visit Women's Museum
- Visit History Museum
- Visit Quan Thanh Temple
- Water Puppet Show - approximately 6 USD per ticket
Landmarks/POIs Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Presidential Palace Temple of Literature Museum of Ethnology Women's Museum History Museum Quan Thanh Temple Hoan Kiem Lake - Day 9
Hanoi to Halong Bay
After breakfast at your hotel, a van or bus picks you up between 8:30 and 9:00 am for the 3.5-hour drive to Halong City. You'll see countryside and rice paddies along the way. At the port, you'll board an authentic Chinese Junk and cruise through Halong Bay, a World Heritage Site. Fresh seafood lunch is served on board. You'll visit a cave and swim in the waters, then cruise to a quiet spot to anchor for the night. Dinner happens as the sun sets, and afterward you can swim in phosphorescent water, relax in your cabin, or sleep under the stars on deck.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Lunch on board with selection of fresh seafood), Dinner (Dinner on board as the sun sets over the bay)
Included Activities
- Halong Bay cruise on Chinese Junk
- Visit amazing cave
- Swim in Halong Bay waters
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay - Day 10
Halong Bay to Hanoi
Wake up early to catch the sunrise and take in the fresh ocean air. Breakfast is on the boat while you cruise leisurely through thousands of islands. You can photograph the scenery around you. Later you'll visit a floating fishing village and hear stories about the fishermen's daily life. Lunch is served on board as you cruise back to Halong City pier. You'll arrive back in Hanoi around 3:30 to 4:00 pm, check in at your hotel, and have free time to explore the Old Quarter on your own, try local street food, or shop for souvenirs.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on the boat), Lunch (Lunch on the boat during return cruise)
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing
- Cruise through Halong Bay islands
- Visit floating fishing village
Optional Activities
- Explore Hanoi Old Quarter
- Try local street food
- Browse shops for souvenirs
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay Hanoi Old Quarter - Day 11
Departure from Hanoi
You'll have breakfast at your hotel before heading to the airport for your international flight home or to your next destination. The team will make sure your departure from Hanoi goes smoothly and without hassle.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
