Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll touch down in Hanoi whenever your flight arrives. A driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel for check-in. From there, the day is completely yours—rest up from travel or start wandering around to get a feel for the city.
Optional Activities
- Explore Hanoi city on your own
- Day 2
Hanoi to Sapa
Early pickup at 6:30-7:00 am for the drive to Sapa. Around 10:00 am you'll pass through Lao Cai City and see the colorful traditional clothes of the H'mong, Dzao, and Tay people. After a welcome drink and lunch, you'll hike downhill in the afternoon through Muong Hoa Valley to Cat Cat village, checking out traditional stilt houses and the waterfall. Evening includes dinner and time at Sapa Market before you stay overnight.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local Vietnamese dishes), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike downhill to Cat Cat village
- Visit Black H'mong traditional stilt houses
- View Cat Cat Waterfall
- Welcome drink upon arrival in Sapa
- Lunch at local Vietnamese restaurant
- Dinner in Sapa town
Optional Activities
- Explore Sapa Market and town after dinner
Landmarks/POIs Cat Cat Village Cat Cat Waterfall Muong Hoa Valley Fansipan Mountain - Day 3
Sapa to Hanoi
Breakfast at 7:30 am, then trekking through rice terraces and Muong Hoa Valley starting at 8:00 am. You'll reach Lao Chai village to learn about Black H'mong life, and then visit Ta Van village around 10:30 am. By 1:30 pm you're back in Sapa with free time to freshen up. The 2:15 pm bus takes you back to Hanoi, arriving between 8:45-9:15 pm for an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek through Muong Hoa Valley and rice terraces
- Visit Lao Chai village
- Learn about Black H'mong culture and daily life
- Visit Ta Van village of Tay minority
- Breakfast at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Lao Chai Village Ta Van Village Muong Hoa Valley - Day 4
Hanoi
After breakfast, a guide picks you up to see Hanoi's main sites. First is Tran Quoc Pagoda on Golden Fish Island in West Lake, built back in the 6th century. Then the Ho Chi Minh complex to see his preserved body and the two houses where he lived from 1954-1969, plus the One Pillar Pagoda. The Vietnam Ethnology Museum comes next to learn about the country's 54 ethnic groups. Lunch at a local restaurant features Vietnamese dishes. After that you'll visit the Temple of Literature from the 11th century and Hoa Lo Prison. Return to your hotel for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Vietnamese cuisine at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda
- Explore Ho Chi Minh complex and mausoleum
- View Ho Chi Minh's two former residences
- Visit One Pillar Pagoda
- Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum (or Women's Museum if Monday)
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Visit Temple of Literature
- Visit Hoa Lo Prison
Landmarks/POIs Tran Quoc Pagoda Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum One Pillar Pagoda Vietnam Ethnology Museum Temple of Literature Hoa Lo Prison - Day 5
Hanoi to Halong Bay
After breakfast, a mini-van picks you up between 8:30-9:00 am for the 3.5-hour drive to Halong City. You'll pass countryside and rice paddies along the way. At the port, you board a traditional Chinese junk and cruise through Halong Bay. Fresh seafood lunch is served on board, and you'll visit an impressive cave, swim in the water, then anchor for the night. Dinner, sunset viewing, and your choice of activities round out the evening—swimming in phosphorescent water, relaxing in your cabin, or sleeping on deck.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Fresh seafood selection on board), Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Halong Bay
- Visit 'the Amazing cave'
- Swim in Halong Bay waters
- Lunch on board (fresh seafood)
- Dinner on board
Optional Activities
- Swim in phosphorescent water at night
- Sleep on top deck under the stars
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay - Day 6
Halong Bay to Hoi An
Wake early to catch the sunrise over the water. Breakfast happens on the boat as you cruise through thousands of islands—perfect for photos. A stop at a floating fishing village gives you insight into how fishermen live. Lunch is on board as you head back to Halong City pier, arriving around 3:30-4:00 pm. A driver transfers you to the airport for your flight to Hoi An. After landing, staff pick you up and take you to your hotel. You'll have time to wander the ancient town, browse the streets, try local food, or shop before staying overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing on Halong Bay
- Cruise through Halong Bay islands
- Visit floating fishing village
- Lunch on board
- Transfer to airport in Hanoi
- Airport transfer in Hoi An
Optional Activities
- Explore Hoi An Ancient Town
- Stroll picturesque streets
- Try local delicacies
- Shop for souvenirs
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay Hoi An Ancient Town - Day 7
Hoi An
Explore Hoi An, a historic trading port once called 'Faifo' by early Western traders. Start with a temple visit in the center featuring gilded statues showing Chinese and Japanese influences. Check out a pagoda from the 1700s dedicated to sailors. The Sa Huynh Museum near the famous Japanese Covered Bridge shows the town's earliest history. After that, boat on the Thu Bon River to Kim Bong Village to see woodworkers and shipbuilders keeping traditions alive. Finish with free time to wander Hoi An Ancient Town before staying overnight.
Included Activities
- Visit temple in central Hoi An
- Visit pagoda dedicated to sailors and fishermen
- Visit Sa Huynh Museum
- Boat trip on Thu Bon River
- Visit Kim Bong Village on Cam Kim Island
- Observe traditional woodworkers and shipbuilders
Optional Activities
- Leisurely explore Hoi An Ancient Town in evening
Landmarks/POIs Hoi An Ancient Town Japanese Covered Bridge Sa Huynh Museum Kim Bong Village Thu Bon River - Day 8
Hoi An to My Son and return
After breakfast, leave at 8:00 am heading to My Son, a UNESCO site 50 km southwest. Red brick towers and sanctuaries from the 7th to 13th centuries sit in a lush valley. You'll learn about Cham civilization while seeing intricate carvings on the temples. Back in Hoi An by 1:00 pm, grab lunch on your own. Spend the afternoon shopping around town—Hoi An has nice lanterns, tailor-made clothes, and handcrafted items. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit My Son UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Explore lush valley
- Learn about Cham civilization and beliefs
- Admire temple carvings and sculptures
- Breakfast at hotel
Optional Activities
- Lunch on your own in Hoi An
- Shopping in Hoi An
- Explore Hoi An at own pace
Landmarks/POIs My Son Hoi An Ancient Town - Day 9
Hoi An to Hue
After breakfast, your driver picks you up at 9:00 am for the drive to Hue City. You'll stop at the Cham Museum and Ngu Hanh Son Mountain in Da Nang (you'll buy your own tickets). Going through Hai Van Pass offers great views of Son Tra Peninsula. A brief stop at Lang Co Beach happens before you arrive in Hue in the afternoon. Check in at your hotel and have free time to explore the imperial city before staying overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stop at Hai Van Pass to view Son Tra Peninsula
- Short break at Lang Co Beach
- Breakfast at hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Cham Museum in Da Nang (tickets purchased separately)
- Visit Ngu Hanh Son Mountain in Da Nang (tickets purchased separately)
- Explore Hue City in afternoon on own
Landmarks/POIs Cham Museum Ngu Hanh Son Mountain Hai Van Pass Lang Co Beach - Day 10
Hue
After breakfast, take a boat trip along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest and most significant site in Hue. Your guide explains the pagoda's history and importance. Next, visit the mausoleums of Emperor Khai Dinh and Tu Duc, both major landmarks. Lunch at a local restaurant features traditional Vietnamese food. The afternoon brings time at the Imperial Citadel and the Purple Forbidden City. Stop by Thuy Xuan incense-making village to see traditional production, then head to Dong Ba market for souvenirs and local goods. Return to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Vietnamese cuisine at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Boat trip on Perfume River
- Visit Thien Mu Pagoda
- Visit Emperor Khai Dinh mausoleum
- Visit Emperor Tu Duc mausoleum
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Visit Imperial Citadel
- Explore Purple Forbidden City
- Visit Thuy Xuan incense-making village
- Visit Dong Ba market
- Breakfast at hotel
Optional Activities
- Shop for souvenirs, handicrafts, and local specialties at Dong Ba market
Landmarks/POIs Thien Mu Pagoda Khai Dinh Mausoleum Tu Duc Mausoleum Imperial Citadel of Hue Purple Forbidden City Thuy Xuan Incense-making Village Dong Ba Market Perfume River - Day 11
Hue to Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast in Hue, you have free time to explore the city at your own pace until you transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. When you land, staff pick you up and take you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is open for relaxation or exploring the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City before staying overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
- Airport transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport
- Hotel transfer in Ho Chi Minh City
Optional Activities
- Explore Hue City at leisure before departure
- Explore Ho Chi Minh City
Landmarks/POIs Ho Chi Minh City - Day 12
Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, your guide shows you Ho Chi Minh City's highlights. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, a beautiful neo-Romanesque building from the 19th century. Stop at the historic Central Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel, with great interior designs and arched windows. Check out Reunification Palace, the former South Vietnamese presidential palace and a symbol of the country's complex history. After lunch, head to Cu Chi Tunnels about 75 km away (roughly 1.5 hours). These tunnels span over 200 km and were crucial during the Vietnam War—they contained trap doors, living areas, storage, weapon factories, hospitals, command centers, and kitchens. You'll learn how they were built, explore inside, see war artifacts, try traditional food, and experience the complex firsthand. Return to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
- Visit Central Post Office
- Visit Reunification Palace
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Visit Cu Chi Tunnels
- Learn about tunnel construction and history
- Explore tunnels and war remnants
- Sample traditional tunnel cuisine
- Breakfast at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Notre Dame Cathedral Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office Reunification Palace Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 13
Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho and return
After breakfast, your guide picks you up at 8:00 am heading to My Tho, capital of Tien Giang Province. It sits on the Mekong River about 75 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City and is known for lush orchards and rice fields. You'll visit one or two islands that make traditional handcrafts like coconut candy and operate bee farms. By boat, head to Vinh Trang Pagoda, the oldest in the Mekong Delta, surrounded by beautiful gardens with intricate architecture. After your My Tho tour, return to Ho Chi Minh City, check in at your hotel, and stay overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit one or two islands producing traditional handcrafts
- Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda
- Boat trip on Mekong River
- Explore Mekong Delta islands and gardens
- Breakfast at hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit coconut candy producers
- Visit bee farms
Landmarks/POIs My Tho Vinh Trang Pagoda Mekong River - Day 14
Ho Chi Minh City Departure
Have breakfast at your hotel before heading to the airport for your international flight. A driver transfers you to the airport for a smooth departure from Ho Chi Minh City.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
- Airport transfer from hotel
