Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll arrive in Hanoi and check into your hotel. A welcome meeting happens at 6pm in the reception area, with optional dinner if you want to join. The rest of your first day is open, so if you land early, there's time for a quiet walk around Hoan Kiem Lake to get your bearings.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Nesta Hotel, Hanoi), Hotel (Nesta Hotel, Hanoi (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Walking around Hoan Kiem Lake
- Dinner with tour group
Landmarks Hoan Kiem Lake Noi Bai International Airport - Day 2
Hanoi
This morning covers Hanoi's key sights like the One-Pillar Pagoda and Presidential Palace. After that, you'll wander through the Old Quarter's narrow lanes at your own pace. The streets have names tied to traditional crafts, so you'll walk past Paper Street and Silk Street with their tube shops, sampling street food as you go.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Nesta Hotel, Hanoi), Hotel (Nesta Hotel, Hanoi (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Hanoi's main sights including One-Pillar Pagoda and Presidential Palace
- Solo exploration of Old Quarter narrow lanes
Landmarks One-Pillar Pagoda Presidential Palace Hanoi Old Quarter - Day 3
Hanoi to Halong Bay
You'll drive to Halong Bay where thousands of limestone islands jut up from the water. There's a grotto to explore beneath towering cliffs and a beach where kayaking is available if you want. Lunch with fresh seafood is included, then you'll board your overnight boat with a twin-share cabin.
- Meals
- Lunch (Fresh seafood lunch)
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Halong Bay Junk), Berth / Cabin (Halong Bay Junk (or similar))
Included Activities
- Boat journey to Halong Bay
- Visit to grotto beneath cliffs
- Beach time
- Lunch featuring fresh seafood
Optional Activities
- Kayaking at beach
Landmarks Halong Bay - Day 4
Halong Bay
Your full day on the Halong Bay cruise includes visits to a cave island or Three Peaches Beach, depending on weather and tides. Sea kayaking through limestone scenery is optional but included with equipment and instruction provided. In the afternoon, local boats take you to Cua Van floating fishing village before you return to the overnight boat for dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner onboard boat)
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Halong Bay Junk), Berth / Cabin (Halong Bay Junk (or similar))
Included Activities
- Full-day Halong Bay cruise
- Cave island or Three Peaches Beach visit
- Sea kayaking through limestone scenery with equipment and instruction
- Visit to Cua Van floating fishing village
- Dinner onboard
Landmarks Three Peaches Beach Cua Van Floating Fishing Village - Day 5
Halong Bay to Hanoi to Hue
You'll travel through Bai Tu Long Bay by local rowing boats with included brunch, passing Bai Tho mountains and Halong market. After visiting Hang Luon caves, you head back to Hanoi and use day-rooms to freshen up. Later, you board the overnight sleeper train to Hue in soft sleeper four-berth cabins.
- Meals
- Brunch (Brunch onboard rowing boat)
- Accommodation
- Sleeper Train (Overnight train from Hanoi to Hue), Sleeper Train (Overnight train from Hanoi to Hue (or similar))
Included Activities
- Local rowing boat cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay
- Brunch onboard
- Visit to Hang Luon caves
- Overnight sleeper train to Hue
Landmarks Bai Tu Long Bay Bai Tho Mountains Halong Market Hang Luon Caves - Day 6
Hue
You'll arrive in Hue around 10:15am and check into your hotel. A boat trip on the Perfume River takes you to Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest temple in the city and an important symbol. You'll explore the pagoda and monastery before heading back.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Thanh Lich 2 Hotel), Hotel (Thanh Lich 2 Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Boat trip on Perfume River
- Visit to Thien Mu Pagoda
- Visit to monastery
Landmarks Perfume River Thien Mu Pagoda - Day 7
Hue
The Imperial Citadel on the left bank of the Perfume River comes first, built by the Nguyen dynasty emperors. You'll see the Imperial Museum and Tu Duc's tomb. The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace, whether that's hiring a bike to check out Dong Ba market, visiting the Imperial Tombs, or joining optional temple excursions.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Thanh Lich 2 Hotel), Hotel (Thanh Lich 2 Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit to Imperial Citadel
- Visit to Imperial Museum
- Visit to Tomb of Tu Duc
Optional Activities
- Bike rental to visit Dong Ba market
- Visit to Imperial Tombs
- Optional temple excursions in and around Hue
Landmarks Imperial Citadel Imperial Museum Tomb of Tu Duc Dong Ba Market - Day 8
Hue to Hoi An
You'll drive over Hai Van Pass with sweeping sea views and rural scenery showing thatched wooden houses and rice paddies. The Marble Mountains come next, five peaks representing the elements with Buddhist sanctuaries in natural grottoes. A short rest at My Khe Beach, then arrival in Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage town.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Thanh Binh Central Hotel), Hotel (Thanh Binh Central Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Scenic drive over Hai Van Pass
- Exploration of Marble Mountains
- Beach time at My Khe Beach
Landmarks Hai Van Pass Marble Mountains My Khe Beach - Day 9
Hoi An
My Son Sanctuary gets your attention first, a UNESCO complex of tower temples in a secluded valley. Then you'll explore Hoi An's historic coastal town with its Chinese shophouses, French colonial buildings, and Vietnamese tube houses. The rest of your day is free for solo exploring, with options like a cookery class or lantern-making workshop.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Thanh Binh Central Hotel), Hotel (Thanh Binh Central Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit to My Son Sanctuary UNESCO World Heritage Site
Optional Activities
- Solo exploration of Hoi An streets
- Cookery class at Hoi An restaurant
- Lantern-making workshop
Landmarks My Son Sanctuary Hoi An Ancient Town - Day 10
Hoi An
You have the full day to explore Hoi An however you'd like. Renting a bicycle lets you discover the countryside or nearby beaches. The town's famous for craft and tailor shops if you want to browse. Optional activities include visiting Quang Ngai's My Lai Massacre Memorial or taking a traditional fishing trip on Thu Bon River Delta using cast nets and bamboo winches from a Vietnamese basket boat.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Thanh Binh Central Hotel), Hotel (Thanh Binh Central Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Bicycle rental to explore countryside
- Beach visits
- Shopping at craft and tailor shops
- Visit to My Lai Massacre Memorial in Quang Ngai
- Fishing trip to Thu Bon River Delta with traditional cast net fishing and basket boat experience
Landmarks My Lai Massacre Memorial Thu Bon River Delta - Day 11
Hoi An to Kon Tum
An eight-hour drive takes you inland through Central Highlands mountains to Kon Tum, a market town. You'll travel through lush scenery spotting traditional villages among rolling hills. Multiple comfort breaks are built into the journey.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Indochine Hotel), Hotel (Indochine Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Drive through Central Highlands to Kon Tum
Landmarks Central Highlands - Day 12
Kon Tum
An easy-to-moderate five-hour walk gets you to Kon Ko Tu, a Bahnar tribal village. You'll pass through cassava and sugar plantations and stilted villages. Included picnic lunch by the riverside offers scenic views. Dugout canoes take you back down the river. That evening, you visit a traditional Rong House and have traditional dinner there.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch by riverside), Dinner (Traditional dinner at Rong House)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Indochine Hotel), Hotel (Indochine Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Walk to Kon Ko Tu Bahnar tribal village
- Picnic lunch by riverside
- Return by dugout canoe
- Visit to traditional Rong House
- Traditional dinner at Rong House
Landmarks Kon Ko Tu Village - Day 13
Kon Tum to Buon Me Thuot
A long scenic drive south through the Central Highlands takes you to Buon Me Thuot, passing through Pleiku and Ham Rong Mountains. Rolling hills, plains, rubber and coffee plantations come into view, areas of major Vietnam War battles. On arrival, a 20-minute boat tour of the island happens before checking into your lakeview camp on Lake Lak shores. Free time lets you explore by foot, bicycle or kayak. Evening brings a Gong Chieng traditional gong performance and dinner at Y Lak restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at Y Lak restaurant with Gong Chieng traditional gong performance)
- Accommodation
- Camping (Lak Tented Camp), Camping (Lak Tented Camp (or similar))
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Central Highlands
- 20-minute boat tour of lake island
- Gong Chieng traditional gong performance
- Dinner at Y Lak restaurant
Optional Activities
- Exploration by foot, bicycle or kayak
Landmarks Ham Rong Mountains Lake Lak - Day 14
Lake Lak to Nha Trang
Early morning boat on Lake Lak catches the sunrise, then you walk to Yang Tao village to see local pottery production and cacao harvesting. A bus takes you south, descending toward coastal plains and the fishing town beach resort of Nha Trang. Impressive Cham towers come into view on the town's outskirts when you arrive.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tran Vien Dong Hotel), Hotel (Tran Vien Dong Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Sunrise boat tour on Lake Lak
- Walk to Yang Tao village
- Visit to pottery production site
- Visit to cacao harvest site
- Bus journey to Nha Trang
Landmarks Yang Tao Village Cham Towers - Day 15
Nha Trang
You'll spend time in this seaside town known for clear warm water, fresh seafood, and white sand beaches. A boat trip to outlying islands includes swimming and snorkeling (weather-dependent). Optional seafood lunch is available before returning to Nha Trang for a relaxed afternoon.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tran Vien Dong Hotel), Hotel (Tran Vien Dong Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Boat trip to outlying islands
Optional Activities
- Swimming
- Snorkeling
- Optional seafood lunch
Landmarks Nha Trang Beach - Day 16
Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City
An early morning flight takes you to Ho Chi Minh City. You'll explore Old Saigon's sights including Notre Dame Cathedral, the GPO building, and old French colonial hotels like The Rex. Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum follow. Walking through Old Saigon's back alleys shows you markets, shopfronts, and local life. Traditional Vietnamese coffee and a Banh Mi sandwich provide a lunch break. The day finishes at Saigon's Secret Weapons Bunker, a hidden basement beneath a tube house with decommissioned weapons and wartime items from the 1968 Tet Offensive.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alagon Central Hotel), Hotel (Alagon Central Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Old Saigon sights including Notre Dame Cathedral and GPO building
- Visit to Independence Palace (Reunification Hall)
- Visit to War Remnants Museum
- Walk through Old Saigon back alleys
- Visit to Secret Weapons Bunker
Optional Activities
- Traditional Vietnamese coffee and Banh Mi tasting
Landmarks Notre Dame Cathedral General Post Office The Rex Hotel Independence Palace War Remnants Museum - Day 17
Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta
You'll drive to Sa Dec, a peaceful town in the Mekong Delta. Walking through narrow streets lined with centuries-old houses and Chinese temples shows local life. A specially chartered river boat takes you on backwater travel. Before lunch, you stop at Tan Qui Dong's floating flower gardens. Included lunch onboard features local delicacies like elephant ear fish. Ut Trinh Homestay is your accommodation, set among manicured gardens with twin rooms and en-suite facilities. You'll help hosts prepare local dishes for dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch onboard river boat featuring local delicacies such as elephant ear fish and locally sourced produce), Dinner (Traditional local dinner prepared with homestay hosts)
- Accommodation
- Home-stay (Ut Trinh & Ut Quynh Homestay), Home-stay (Ut Trinh & Ut Quynh Homestay (or similar))
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Sa Dec's narrow streets
- River boat journey through Mekong Delta backwaters
- Stop at Tan Qui Dong floating flower gardens
- Lunch onboard featuring local delicacies
- Dinner preparation with homestay hosts
Landmarks Sa Dec Tan Qui Dong Floating Flower Gardens Mekong Delta - Day 18
Mekong Delta
After a hearty breakfast, your delta cruise continues. You'll stop at My An to meet traditional brick makers using kilns for generations. Hoa Tinh village shows locals weaving baskets and crafting bamboo tools. Included lunch is served onboard as you voyage through narrow canals watching local life. You cross lower tributaries and head to Can Tho, the Mekong Delta's bustling capital where farmers, fishermen and tradespeople gather at markets, many floating on the water with busy river intersections.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast), Lunch (Lunch onboard as voyage through Cai Ca canal)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Van Phat Riverside), Hotel (Van Phat Riverside (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit to My An traditional brick makers
- Visit to Hoa Tinh village basket weavers
- River voyage through Cai Ca canal
- Boat journey to Can Tho
- Lunch onboard
Landmarks My An Village Hoa Tinh Village Cai Ca Canal Can Tho - Day 19
Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City
You'll explore Cai Rang, one of the biggest floating markets around. Lively morning trade lets you try bartering for fresh fruit like jackfruit, sweet mango, dragon fruit, and the infamous pungent durian. After disembarking, you drive back to Ho Chi Minh City where the rest of your day is free.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alagon Central Hotel), Hotel (Alagon Central Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit to Cai Rang floating market
- Morning market trading experience
Optional Activities
- Bartering for fresh fruit at market
Landmarks Cai Rang Floating Market - Day 20
Ho Chi Minh City
A short 90-minute drive takes you to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground command base and major part of the 1968 Tet Offensive. Those willing to experience it can crawl through a small specially adapted tunnel section. You'll return to Ho Chi Minh City with the afternoon free for shopping or trying Vietnamese cuisine.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alagon Central Hotel), Hotel (Alagon Central Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit to Cu Chi Tunnels
Optional Activities
- Crawling through adapted tunnel section
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 21
Ho Chi Minh City
Your tour ends after breakfast at the hotel. There are no activities scheduled. You can leave Ho Chi Minh City anytime. If your flight departs later, luggage storage is available at the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Tan Son Nhat International Airport
