Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll land in Hanoi and get picked up at the airport, then settle into your hotel for the afternoon. Later in the evening, your local guide takes you out through the Old Quarter for street food. The tour hits various stalls and hidden spots where you'll try Banh Cuon, grilled meats, fresh fruit desserts, and the famous egg coffee that Hanoi's known for.
- Meals
- Dinner (Street food tour - multiple stops including Banh Cuon, grilled meats, fruit desserts, and Egg Coffee or beer)
Included Activities
- Hanoi by Night street food walking tour with English-speaking local guide
- Sample Banh Cuon at local eatery with chef demonstration
- Outdoor barbecue stalls - meat, vegetable, and bread specialties
- Fresh fruit dessert with crushed ice and condensed milk
- Hidden street food restaurant tasting - top ten Hanoi street foods, Vietnamese Rice Wine, and Egg Coffee
Landmarks/POIs Hanoi Old Quarter - Day 2
Hanoi
The morning's free for you to rest up. In the afternoon, you'll do a half-day city tour hitting Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (viewed from outside), the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature which was Vietnam's first university, and Hoa Lo prison. After that you'll have time to relax before heading to the train station for an overnight train to Sapa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (outside visit)
- One Pillar Pagoda
- Temple of Literature (Van Mieu)
- Hoa Lo prison
Landmarks/POIs Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum One Pillar Pagoda Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) Hoa Lo Prison - Day 3
Sapa
You arrive at Lao Cai Train Station early, around 5:30 to 6:00 AM, then transfer to Sapa. After breakfast and some rest, you'll meet your guide and trek about 6 km through Muong Hoa valley. The route takes you through Y Linh Ho village of the Black H'mong people, Lao Chai village past terraced rice fields, and Ta Van village of the Dzay minority. You'll learn about local farming and daily life, then have lunch at a family home.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local family home), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek 6 km along Muong Hoa valley south east of Sapa
- Visit Y Linh Ho village - Black H'mong people
- Trek 2 km through terraced rice fields to Lao Chai village
- Visit Ta Van village - Dzay minority people
- Learn about local agriculture and daily lifestyle
- Lunch at local family home with opportunity to learn about local house architecture and customs
- Overnight stay at Dzay local family homestay
Optional Activities
- Early check-in upon arrival (surcharge applicable)
Landmarks/POIs Muong Hoa Valley Y Linh Ho Village Lao Chai Village Ta Van Village - Day 4
Sapa
Your host family makes pancakes to start the day. From there you continue trekking to reach Giang Ta Chai and Su Pan villages where the Red Dzao minority live. After a picnic lunch, the hike continues to Ban Ho village in a beautiful valley where the Tay people live in traditional stilt houses. You'll stay overnight here.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Pancakes made by host family), Lunch (Picnic lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- Pancake breakfast made by host family
- Visit Giang Ta Chai village - Red Dzao minority
- Visit Su Pan village - Red Dzao minority
- Picnic lunch
- Hike to Ban Ho village - Tay minority
- Visit traditional stilt houses of Tay people
- Overnight stay at Tay family homestay
Landmarks/POIs Giang Ta Chai Village Su Pan Village Ban Ho Village - Day 5
Sapa to Hanoi
You walk 2 km to Lavie waterfall, a spot the French discovered and named during colonial times. There's time for swimming before you hike up to Nam Toong, a small hamlet of the Red Dzao people. Later you'll head back to Ban Ho, shower, then catch a bus back to Hanoi, arriving in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- 2 km walk to Lavie waterfall
- Swimming at waterfall
- Visit Nam Toong hamlet - Red Dzao people
- Return to Ban Ho
- Transfer by car from Sapa back to Hanoi
Landmarks/POIs Lavie Waterfall Nam Toong Hamlet - Day 6
Hanoi to Halong Bay
Pick up happens at 8:00 AM and you'll drive through Red River Delta paddy fields toward Halong City. There's a stop for refreshments along the way, then you reach Tuan Chau wharf for a break. After boarding the cruise and getting a welcome drink, lunch comes while cruising. Next you visit Cua Van fishing village to see traditional fishermen's culture, then kayak or swim. Evening includes dinner on the boat, and you can hang out at the bar or try night fishing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch served while cruising through the bay), Dinner (Dinner served on board)
Included Activities
- Drive through Red River Delta paddy fields
- Board Halong Bay cruise
- Welcome drink upon boarding
- Lunch while cruising
- Visit Cua Van fishing village - traditional culture and customs of fishermen
- Kayaking or swimming (weather permitting)
- Dinner on board
- Night fishing or leisure bar time
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay Cua Van Fishing Village - Day 7
Halong Bay to Hue
Morning starts with coffee and tea service while you continue cruising. You'll visit Sung Sot Cave, then the cruise passes Dinh Huong Island, fishing villages, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, and Sail Island. Buffet brunch happens while cruising back to the pier, where you arrive at 11:30 AM. From there it's back to Hanoi around 5:00 PM, shower at a small hotel, then transfer to the station for an overnight train to Hue.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Coffee and tea service), Lunch (Buffet brunch (breakfast/lunch) while cruising back through Halong Bay)
Included Activities
- Coffee and tea service
- Continue cruising Halong Bay
- Visit Sung Sot Cave
- Cruise passing Dinh Huong Island, fishing villages, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, and Sail Island
- Buffet brunch while cruising back
Landmarks/POIs Sung Sot Cave Dinh Huong Island Ga Choi Island Dog Island Sail Island - Day 8
Hue
You arrive in Hue at 10:00 AM for a full day touring the city. The tour covers the Old Imperial City, Flag Tower, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Royal Tombs of Minh Mang and Khai Dinh. After that you'll explore Dong Ba bustling market on your own and have free time for personal activities.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Old Imperial City
- Flag Tower
- Thien Mu Pagoda
- Royal Tombs of Minh Mang
- Royal Tombs of Khai Dinh
- Self-exploration of Dong Ba market
Landmarks/POIs Old Imperial City of Hue Flag Tower Thien Mu Pagoda Royal Tomb of Minh Mang Royal Tomb of Khai Dinh Dong Ba Market - Day 9
Hue to Hoian
This morning is free in Hue. In the afternoon you'll transfer to the train station for a day train to Hoi An. The route offers scenic views of Hai Van Pass. You arrive late afternoon and transfer to your hotel with the rest of the evening free to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Day train to Hoi An with scenic Hai Van Pass views
Landmarks/POIs Hai Van Pass - Day 10
Hoian
Hotel pickup at 7:50 AM to visit My Son, one of Southeast Asia's most important Hindu temple complexes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site has over 20 structures still standing even after damage in the 1960s. After exploring the area, you'll take a boat trip on Thu Bon river to see local life and river views. You arrive in Hoian early afternoon with free time to check out the ancient town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit My Son temple complex - UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Boat trip on Thu Bon river - local life experience and scenic views
- Transfer to Hoian
Landmarks/POIs My Son Temple Complex Thu Bon River - Day 11
Hoian
This day is free and easy in Hoian. You can spend time shopping and swimming while relaxing at your own pace and soaking in the local atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Shopping in Hoian
- Swimming at Hoian beaches
- Day 12
Hoian to Nha Trang
You'll take a day train from Hoian to Nha Trang, watching scenic views along the way. Arrival is late afternoon and then you transfer to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Day train from Hoian to Nha Trang - scenic journey
- Day 13
Nha Trang
Another free and easy day in Nha Trang for you to enjoy shopping and swimming at the beach. Relax and explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Shopping in Nha Trang
- Swimming at Nha Trang beach
Landmarks/POIs Nha Trang Beach - Day 14
Nha Trang to Saigon
Free day until it's time to head to the train station. The train gets you to Saigon in the evening, and you'll transfer to your hotel upon arrival.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Train from Nha Trang to Saigon
- Day 15
Saigon
Hotel pickup at 7:40 AM for the Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground network that stretches about 200 kilometers built by the Viet Minh and expanded by the Viet Cong. The tunnels held hospitals, living quarters, schools, and served as a military base near Saigon. Late afternoon you transfer back to Saigon for a half-day city tour hitting the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, and architectural sites like Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post Office. The tour ends with free time at Ben Thanh Market for shopping.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Cu Chi Tunnels - extensive underground network with hospitals, accommodation, and schools
- Reunification Palace
- War Remnants Museum
- French colonial Notre Dame Cathedral
- Post Office
Optional Activities
- Shopping at Ben Thanh Market
Landmarks/POIs Cu Chi Tunnels Reunification Palace War Remnants Museum Notre Dame Cathedral Saigon Central Post Office Ben Thanh Market - Day 16
Saigon to Mekong Delta (Cai Be)
Departure is 6:30 AM heading to Cai Be via Trung Luong Express Highway with a photo stop in Tan An town overlooking rice fields. You arrive at 9:30 AM and set off by motorboat to Cai Be floating market watching locals trade fruit and goods. Next is a stop at a small family business to see coconut candy and crispy rice popcorn being made. You'll wander through villages, orchards, and fruit plantations with traditional folk music. At 11:30 AM you reach Tan Phong island for a cooking class where you learn to prepare Vietnamese dishes, eat what you make, and relax in hammocks. Afternoon includes cycling through village paths past orchards and bonsai gardens, meeting local islanders to learn about Mekong Delta life. Late afternoon transfer to island homestay for overnight stay and you'll prepare your own Vietnamese dinner with host help.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Food cooked by yourself and fresh river food served in heart of garden), Dinner (Prepare your own Vietnamese dinner with help from host)
Included Activities
- Drive to Cai Be via Trung Luong Express Highway
- Stop in Tan An town - photo opportunity
- Visit Cai Be floating market by motorboat
- Watch locals trading fruit and commodities
- Visit family business - coconut candy and crispy rice popcorn making demonstration
- Wander through villages, orchards, and fruit plantations with traditional folk music
- Cooking class on Tan Phong island - learn to prepare Vietnamese dishes
- Lunch with self-cooked food and fresh river food in garden setting
- Relax on hammocks
- Bicycle around village paths - orchards and bonsai gardens
- Meet local islanders - learn about local daily life
- Overnight homestay with local hosts
- Prepare own Vietnamese dinner with host assistance
Landmarks/POIs Cai Be Floating Market Tan Phong Island - Day 17
Mekong Delta (Cai Be) to Saigon
After breakfast you visit Mr Ba Duc's ancient house, a unique blend of Vietnamese and French colonial architecture. Then you see a rice husking mill to learn rice production procedures. Traditional Mekong Delta crafts follow, including 'Cham La' (coconut leaf weaving for roofs) and brick making. Lunch comes at a local restaurant with traditional cuisine. Late afternoon you transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City by van or bus, arriving around 4:30 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant serving Mekong Delta cuisine)
Included Activities
- Visit Mr Ba Duc's ancient house - Vietnamese and French architectural styles
- Visit rice husking mill - learn rice production procedures
- See 'Cham La' coconut leaf weaving for roof making
- See brick making
- Lunch at local restaurant serving Mekong Delta cuisine
- Transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City
Landmarks/POIs Ba Duc's Ancient House - Day 18
Saigon
Free day until airport transfer for your departure flight. The trip ends here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
