Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
Your driver and German-speaking guide meet you at Hanoi airport for the 35-minute drive to your hotel in the city center (35 km). On the way you'll notice the narrow houses, colonial architecture, and lively streets throughout the city. After checking in around 14:00, the rest of your day is yours to do as you like. Some people grab a massage to shake off travel fatigue, while others head right into the Old Town to wander the narrow streets and get a feel for the place.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hanoi's traditional food tasting at a local restaurant
- Tran Quoc Pagoda visit
- Quan Thanh Temple visit
Landmarks Tran Quoc Pagoda Quan Thanh Temple - Day 2
Hanoi
Today your German-speaking guide takes you through Hanoi's main sights. You'll visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex (mausoleum entry is optional), the Presidential Palace, the historic Stilt House, and One Pillar Pagoda. After that, head to the Temple of Literature and walk around Hoan Kiem Lake to see Ngoc Son Temple. A rickshaw ride through the Old Quarter lets you experience daily life in the bustling streets. By evening, you'll catch the Water Puppet Theatre performance, a traditional art form unique to Hanoi.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum visit (optional entry)
- Presidential Palace visit
- Historic Stilt House visit
- One Pillar Pagoda visit
- Temple of Literature visit
- Hoan Kiem Lake walk
- Ngoc Son Temple visit
- Rickshaw ride through Old Quarter
- Water Puppet Theatre performance
Optional Activities
- Egg coffee at Pho Co Café with views of Hoan Kiem Lake (approximately 3-4 EUR per person)
Landmarks Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Presidential Palace One Pillar Pagoda Temple of Literature Hoan Kiem Lake Ngoc Son Temple 
- Day 3
Halong Bay
You depart for Halong Bay, known as the 'Bay of the Descending Dragon' with nearly 2000 islands and limestone cliffs throughout the area. Once you board your junk boat, you'll settle into your overnight cabin. Spend your time taking in the landscape, eating fresh seafood for dinner, and watching the sunset from your private cabin over the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel in Hanoi), Lunch (Lunch on the cruise), Dinner (Seafood dinner on the cruise)
Included Activities
- Halong Bay cruise
Landmarks Halong Bay - Day 4
Halong Bay to Hue
The morning continues through Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you'll have breakfast on board. The cruise continues until midday, then you disembark and transfer to Hanoi airport for your afternoon flight to Hue. Your German-speaking guide meets you upon arrival and transfers you to your Hue hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on the cruise)
Included Activities
- Halong Bay cruise continuation
- UNESCO World Heritage Site viewing
Landmarks Halong Bay - Day 5
Hue
Start with a boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, which features the impressive Phuoc Duyen Tower, Vietnam's highest pagoda. From there, tour the legendary Imperial Palace and the venerable imperial city. Stop by Trang Tien Bridge and Dong Ba Market in the Old Town to see Vietnamese culture and local food. The afternoon takes you to Hue's famous royal tombs and garden houses. You'll head back to your hotel around 17:00, leaving the evening free to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Boat trip on the Perfume River (Huong River)
- Thien Mu Pagoda visit
- Imperial Palace visit
- Trang Tien Bridge visit
- Dong Ba Market visit
- Royal tombs visit
- Garden houses exploration
Optional Activities
- Dinner at Y Thao Garden Restaurant (traditional Hue dishes in a typical Hue Garden House with exhibition)
Landmarks Thien Mu Pagoda Phuoc Duyen Tower Imperial Palace Trang Tien Bridge Dong Ba Market - Day 6
Hue to Hoi An
Travel from Hue to Hoi An covers about 150 km over 3.5 hours with breaks included. You'll stop at Cloud Pass (496 m elevation), the weather divide between subtropical north and tropical south. Along the route, you pass the long beach of Lang Co and see the Marble Mountains in Danang. A hike up Marble Mountain (five limestone and marble hills with peaks, caves, tunnels, and temples) gives you panoramic views of Danang from the top. Then continue to Hoi An, a former trading port from the 16th-18th century known for its mixed architecture, tailor shops, and cafes. Check into your hotel with the rest of the day free.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Cloud Pass stop
- Marble Mountains hike
- Danang panoramic views
Landmarks Cloud Pass Lang Co Beach Marble Mountains 
- Day 7
Hoi An
Walk through the Old Quarter of Hoi An on foot, navigating the winding narrow streets and stopping at Chua Ong Pagoda or Phuc Kien Pagoda, the Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tam Ky House, and the covered Japanese Bridge. You'll attend a cultural show with traditional music and dance, then visit the Precious Heritage Museum to see Rehahn's permanent exhibition of portraits and stories. Next comes a bike tour to Tra Que village where you walk through vegetable gardens, learn about cultivation methods, and relax with a foot bath and massage. You'll prepare your own lunch there before returning to your hotel by van. Your evening in Hoi An is left free to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Lunch in Tra Que village)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Hoi An Old Quarter
- Chua Ong Pagoda or Phuc Kien Pagoda visit
- Assembly Hall visit
- Tam Ky House visit
- Japanese Bridge visit
- Cultural show with traditional music and dance
- Precious Heritage Museum visit
- Bike tour to Tra Que village
- Farm vegetable garden walk
- Foot bath and massage in Tra Que village
- Lunch preparation in Tra Que village
Landmarks Chua Ong Pagoda Phuc Kien Pagoda Assembly Hall Tam Ky House Japanese Bridge Precious Heritage Museum Tra Que Village - Day 8
Hoi An to Saigon
Spend your morning in Hoi An at your own pace, or join one of the optional special activity tours for closer time with locals if you prefer. In the afternoon, transfer to Danang airport and fly to Saigon. Your German-speaking guide meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. The rest of your evening is at leisure to settle in.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Optional Activities
- Red Bridge cooking class with boat tour in Hoi An (morning, English-guided) - includes market shopping tour and Vietnamese cooking lessons
- Hoi An Eco Tour at local fishing village (Cua Dai River, starting 13:30, 4 hours, English-guided) - fishing techniques and local culture
- My Son half-day trip - visit former Champa Kingdom administrative center Tra Kieu and majestic ruins of My Son
- Excursion to Ba Na Hills with visit to Golden Bridge (approximately 25 km from Danang) - includes Le Jardin Garden D'Amour, Luna Castle, Sun Palace, 150-meter Golden Bridge with giant hand supports, and tropical rainforest views
- Hoi An Kayak tours (private tours with English-speaking guide, minimum 2 people): 1) Sunrise paddle to local life 04:30-05:15 (EUR 40 per person), 2) Sunset paddle to Lantern Town 15:00-18:00 (EUR 34 per person), 3) Easy paddle along Cocopalm River 2 hours (EUR 31 per person), 4) Cocopalm Forest to Craft Village 08:00-11:30 (EUR 33 per person), 5) Old Town to Mangrove Forest 08:45-11:00 (EUR 40 per person). Includes transfer from/to hotel.
- Half-day tour to Cu Chi tunnels from Ho Chi Minh City (approximately 80 km, approximately 1.5 hours drive, minimum 2 people) - tunnel system from Vietnam War revealing Vietcong history. Includes private AC transfer, German-speaking guide, entrance fee. Morning flight Danang - Saigon booked for this option.
Landmarks My Son Tra Kieu Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 9
Saigon
Your German-speaking guide takes you through modern Saigon on a city tour. You'll see Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral (built 1863-1880 by French colonists), one of the famous Romanesque cathedrals in South Vietnam. The Saigon Post Office (built 1886-1891 by Gustave Eiffel) is one of the oldest buildings and busiest post offices where you can send postcards and shop for souvenirs. Tour the Reunification Palace (formerly Independence Palace), the historic building that survived wars, with paintings, weapons, and artifacts displayed in the basement. Visit Ngoc Hoang Pagoda (built 1909), filled with statues of Taoist deities and heroes. You'll stop at an authentic Vietnamese market with vendors selling seafood, vegetables, tools, and clothing at affordable prices. The tour ends in the afternoon back at your hotel. Arrange your own dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral visit
- Saigon Post Office visit
- Reunification Palace visit
- Ngoc Hoang Pagoda visit
- Authentic Vietnamese market visit
Optional Activities
- Dinner on the Indochina Junk Cruise (first-class buffet with entertainment program, magnificent view of Saigon nightlife and skyline, EUR 46 per person, minimum 2 people)
- Dark City Tour by Vespa (approximately 4 hours, English-guided) - part night walk, part Vespa tour with culinary delights including drink at Zoom Café, stops at Vietnamese restaurants and cookshops, nightclub with live music. Includes Vespa, driver, guide, food and drinks.
Landmarks Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral Saigon Post Office Reunification Palace Ngoc Hoang Pagoda - Day 10
Saigon to Ben Tre (Mekong Delta)
Travel to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta (about 90 km, 2 hours drive), a coastal province known as the 'coconut island' for its extensive fruit plantations and coconut groves. This is Vietnam's 'breadbasket' where rice for the whole country is grown. Take a boat trip on the Mekong River and stop at a small farm to sample local fruit and tea. A rickshaw takes you to a restaurant for lunch. Continue by small boat through narrow waterways before transferring back to Saigon.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Lunch in the Mekong Delta)
Included Activities
- Boat trip on the Mekong River
- Local farm visit with fruit and tea tasting
- Rickshaw ride to restaurant
- Lunch in the Mekong Delta
- Narrow waterway exploration by small boat
Landmarks Ben Tre Mekong Delta 
- Day 11
Saigon to Mui Ne
Your driver takes you to the beach resort in Mui Ne (approximately 200 km, 5 hours drive). You arrive around lunchtime and check into your beachfront resort. The rest of your day is yours to relax. Some guests enjoy checking out the small harbor with its colorful fishing boats, while others head straight to the white sandy beach. On the drive down, you'll pass large farms growing dragon fruit, a tasty local specialty worth trying if you haven't had it.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Optional Activities
- Harbor with colorful fishing boats viewing
- Beach time on white sandy beach
- Dragon fruit tasting
Landmarks Mui Ne Beach - Days 12 - 18
Mui Ne
Your days at the beach resort are completely free. Walk along the beach and enjoy the resort, or take an optional visit to the Cham Towers for coastal views and views of Phan Thiet town. The sand dunes let you try sand surfing or take action-packed rides on quads or dune buggies if you're looking for something more active.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Optional Activities
- Cham Towers visit with coastal views
- Sand surfing
- Quad or dune buggy rides
Landmarks Cham Towers Phan Thiet Mui Ne Sand Dunes - Day 19
Departure
Your Vietnam trip ends today. Check out of your hotel and transfer to Saigon Airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel in Mui Ne)
