Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll get picked up at the airport and head to your hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to spend however you'd like. There's an optional Hanoi Vespa AfterDark tour if you're interested, which takes you around on a scooter tasting 6-8 different street foods while passing by landmarks like the Hanoi Flag Tower, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Train Street, and West Lake.
Optional Activities
- Hanoi Vespa AfterDark: Street food tasting tour (6-8 different street foods & drinks) passing Hanoi Flag Tower, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Train Street, and West Lake
Landmarks/POIs Hanoi Flag Tower Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Train Street West Lake - Day 2
Hanoi to Halong Bay
Your hotel picks you up in the morning for a scenic 3.5-hour drive to Halong Bay with a quick stop for refreshments along the way. Around noon you'll board your cruise at Tuan Chau Harbor and enjoy seafood lunch while cruising past limestone karsts. Later you'll explore the Pearl Farm, try kayaking, visit Titop Island for swimming or climbing. An optional cooking class and BBQ seafood dinner happen on board in the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Fresh seafood lunch (vegetarian options available) on cruise), Dinner (BBQ seafood dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Seafood lunch on cruise (vegetarian options available)
- Explore local Pearl Farm with kayaking through floating village
- Visit Titop Island - swimming or summit climb for panoramic views
- BBQ seafood dinner on board
- Overnight accommodation on cruise
Optional Activities
- Hands-on cooking class - learn to make traditional Vietnamese spring rolls
- Evening entertainment: chess, cards, karaoke, or night squid fishing
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay Tuan Chau Harbor Titop Island - Day 3
Halong Bay to Hanoi
The day starts early on the sundeck with hot tea or coffee while you watch the sunrise. You can join an optional Tai Chi session if that interests you. After that you'll disembark to check out Sung Sot Cave, the largest cavern in Halong Bay with impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations. Back on the cruise for a leisurely lunch while sailing, then a rest stop in Hai Duong province before returning to Hanoi around 4:00-4:30 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Leisurely lunch on cruise)
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing from sundeck
- Explore Sung Sot Cave - Halong's largest cavern with stalactite and stalagmite formations
- Lunch on cruise while sailing back to Halong City
Optional Activities
- Tai Chi session at dawn
Landmarks/POIs Sung Sot Cave - Day 4
Hanoi to Da Nang
Spend the day wandering through Hanoi's Old Quarter at your own pace, checking out narrow streets with shops, cafes, and restaurants. Later you'll catch a traditional water puppet show before heading to Hanoi Train Station for your overnight soft-sleeper train to Da Nang. The train travels south along the Vietnamese coastline, and you'll arrive at Da Nang station around 10:30 AM the next morning.
Included Activities
- Explore Hanoi Old Quarter
Optional Activities
- Traditional water puppet show
Landmarks/POIs Hanoi Old Quarter - Day 5
Da Nang to Hoi An
After arriving at Da Nang train station you'll get picked up and transferred to Hoi An Ancient Town. Once at your hotel and checked in, you'll start exploring this charming historic trading center. It was once known as 'Faifo' to early Western traders and served as an important port for Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and other Far Eastern merchant vessels.
Optional Activities
- Explore Hoi An Ancient Town
Landmarks/POIs Hoi An Ancient Town - Day 6
Hoi An
Your hotel picks you up in the morning for a full day of activities. You'll visit My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site, spending about 2 hours exploring ancient Champa ruins and watching a traditional Cham dance performance. After that you'll learn about rice paper making at a local family home and have traditional lunch in a peaceful garden. A boat trip follows on Thu Bon River, then an afternoon walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town covers Assembly Halls, ancient houses, and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Your evening includes dinner with local specialties, a lantern boat ride on Hoai River, and time at the Night Market.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local lunch at family home with Vietnamese dishes, cold herbal tea in peaceful garden setting), Dinner (Dinner featuring Hoi An specialties)
Included Activities
- My Son Sanctuary UNESCO World Heritage site exploration (approximately 2 hours) - walk through lush valley of ancient Champa ruins, learn history and architecture from English-speaking guide, enjoy traditional Cham dance performance
- Rice Paper Making Experience at local family home
- Local lunch at family home with Vietnamese dishes and herbal tea in peaceful garden
- Boat trip on Thu Bon River
- Walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town - visit Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Phung Hung & Tan Ky Ancient Houses, Hoi An Traditional Performing Arts House, Japanese Covered Bridge
- Browse local handicraft shops and art galleries
- Dinner featuring Hoi An specialties
- Lantern boat ride on Hoai River with flower lantern release
Landmarks/POIs My Son Sanctuary Thu Bon River Phuc Kien Assembly Hall Japanese Covered Bridge Hoi An Night Market Hoai River - Day 7
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast at your hotel you'll have free time until your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. You could check out Independence Palace, the Nguyen Hue walking road, Ben Thanh market, the General Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, City Hall, or the Municipal Theater if you want. Once you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll stay in the most touristic area where you can relax or explore further.
Optional Activities
- Visit Independence Palace (40,000 VND/person)
- Explore Nguyen Hue walking road
- Browse Ben Thanh market
- Visit General Post Office
- Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
- Explore City Hall
- Visit Municipal Theater
Landmarks/POIs Independence Palace Nguyen Hue Walking Street Ben Thanh Market General Post Office Notre Dame Cathedral Ho Chi Minh City Hall Municipal Theater - Day 8
Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta
Your hotel picks you up at 8:00 AM for a 2-hour scenic drive to the Mekong Delta port. A leisurely boat cruise explores four charming islets named after mythical animals: Dragon, Kirin, Tortoise, and Phoenix. You'll visit a local bee farm for honey tea and tropical fruits, discover traditional coconut candy making, and listen to a live UNESCO-recognized Đờn Ca Tài Tử folk music performance. Later you'll row through a mangrove palm canal in a bamboo rowboat, take a 19th-century horse-drawn carriage ride through a peaceful village, and visit Vinh Trang Pagoda in My Tho Town. You'll return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Included Activities
- Boat cruise on Tien River exploring four islets (Dragon, Kirin, Tortoise, Phoenix)
- Visit local bee farm - refreshing honey tea with lemon and tropical fruit sampling
- Traditional coconut candy workshop visit - observe crafting and sample fresh candy
- Live performance of Đờn Ca Tài Tử - traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage)
- Bamboo rowboat ride through mangrove palm canal
- Horse-drawn carriage ride through peaceful village
- Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda - largest and most famous Buddhist temple in Southern Vietnam
Optional Activities
- Photo opportunity with pythons at bee farm
Landmarks/POIs Tien River Vinh Trang Pagoda - Day 9
Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels
Your hotel arranges a pickup for a scenic 60 km drive, taking about 1.5 hours to reach the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, a remarkable underground system from the Vietnam War. You'll watch a short documentary first, then explore the underground network including kitchens, bedrooms, storage spaces, weapons workshops, field hospitals, and command centers. You'll see a recreated underground town and learn about handmade traps and secret trapdoors. At a local rice paper workshop you can taste guerrilla-style wartime food like boiled tapioca and hot tea before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
- Meals
- Snack (Guerrilla-style wartime food - boiled tapioca and hot tea)
Included Activities
- Documentary film about Cu Chi Tunnels history and construction
- Explore underground network - kitchens, bedrooms, storage spaces, weapons workshops, field hospitals, command centers
- Discover recreated underground town
- Learn about handmade traps, secret trapdoors, and defense mechanisms
- Visit rice paper workshop - observe traditional production techniques
- Taste guerrilla-style wartime food - boiled tapioca and hot tea
Landmarks/POIs Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 10
Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
A bus journey starts at 7:00 AM heading towards Moc Bai border gate, your gateway to Cambodia. The 6-7 hour ride offers scenic views of the Cambodian countryside. At the border the bus crew can help you with a visa-on-arrival if needed. Once in Phnom Penh you'll discover why it's called the 'Pearl in Asia', a former French colonial jewel with surviving colonial architecture along grand boulevards. The city features the Royal Palace, National Museum with ancient Khmer artifacts, and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, plus vibrant markets and street food culture.
Optional Activities
- Explore French colonial architecture along city boulevards
- Visit Royal Palace
- Explore National Museum - collection of ancient Khmer artifacts
- Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
- Experience vibrant markets and street food
Landmarks/POIs Moc Bai Border Gate Royal Palace National Museum of Cambodia Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - Day 11
Phnom Penh
After breakfast you'll take a guided tour of Phnom Penh's key landmarks, starting at Wat Phnom, a sacred temple on a hill in the city center. You'll visit the iconic Royal Palace and the exquisite Silver Pagoda with its floor covered in silver tiles. The National Museum shows an extensive collection of pre and post-Angkor artifacts. In the afternoon the tour moves to Tuol Sleng Museum, once a school but used as a prison and torture center during the Khmer Rouge regime, and Choeung Ek Killing Field where thousands were executed. The day ends with free time at the bustling Russian Market to explore souvenirs, handicrafts, and local cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Wat Phnom - sacred temple on hill in city center
- Visit Royal Palace - iconic landmark
- Visit Silver Pagoda - known for exquisite silver tiles covering temple floor
- Explore National Museum - extensive collection of pre and post-Angkor artifacts
- Visit Tuol Sleng Museum - former school used as prison during Khmer Rouge regime
- Visit Choeung Ek Killing Field - site of mass executions with mass graves
Optional Activities
- Free time at Russian Market - browse souvenirs, handicrafts, and local cuisine
Landmarks/POIs Wat Phnom Royal Palace Silver Pagoda National Museum of Cambodia Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Choeung Ek Killing Field Russian Market - Day 12
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
After breakfast you'll head to the bus station for approximately a 314 km journey to Siem Reap, around 6 hours of travel. Upon arrival you'll transfer to your hotel for check-in. You'll stop in front of the King's Residence to see the Main Shrine where locals worship, featuring Yeay Teap's statue and Preah Ang Chek and Preah Ang Chorm statues. Later you'll visit Chantiers Ecoles providing training in ancient Khmer stone carving and wood sculpting traditions, with handcrafted souvenirs available. You can browse the lively Psar Chars 'Old Market', then visit Wat Bo, an 18th-century pagoda with unique wall paintings from the late 19th century. The day ends with a blessing ceremony by Buddhist monks at Wat Bo for prosperity, happiness, and safety.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stop at King's Residence Main Shrine
- Visit Chantiers Ecoles - Les Artisans d'Angkor for traditional Khmer stone carving and wood sculpting training
- Browse Psar Chars 'Old Market'
- Visit Wat Bo - 18th-century pagoda with unique wall paintings
- Blessing ceremony by Buddhist monks at Wat Bo
Optional Activities
- Browse handcrafted souvenirs at Chantiers Ecoles
Landmarks/POIs King's Residence Main Shrine Chantiers Ecoles - Les Artisans d'Angkor Psar Chars Wat Bo - Day 13
Siem Reap
A full-day excursion explores Angkor Thom and temples, starting with the Great City including the Southern Gate and the famous Bayon Temple with 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara on 54 towers. You'll see Baphuon Temple representing Mount Meru, the Terrace of Elephants used as a giant reviewing stand for ceremonies, and the Terrace of Leper King, a 7m high platform. Traditional Khmer lunch happens near Sras Srang Royal Pool with relaxation time. The afternoon features magnificent Angkor Wat, one of seven greatest architectural wonders with a central tower surrounded by four smaller towers, 2 km-long bas-reliefs, and an 81-hectare complex. You'll visit Phnom Bakheng Temple in late afternoon for sunset views of Angkor Wat in the jungle. Evening includes a buffet dinner with a traditional Cambodian Cultural Performance featuring an Apsara Show.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Khmer feast at local restaurant near Sras Srang Royal Pool), Dinner (Buffet dinner with traditional Cambodian Cultural Performance featuring Apsara Show)
Included Activities
- Visit Angkor Thom - Southern Gate entrance
- Visit Bayon Temple - 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara on 54 towers
- Visit Baphuon Temple - pyramidal representation of Mount Meru
- Explore Terrace of Elephants - giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies
- Explore Terrace of Leper King - 7m high platform with emerald-green moss
- Traditional Khmer lunch near Sras Srang Royal Pool
- Visit Angkor Wat - one of seven greatest architectural wonders with 2 km-long bas-reliefs
- Visit Phnom Bakheng Temple - built by King Yacovarman I in first half of 9th century
- Sunset viewing of Angkor Wat from Phnom Bakheng
- Buffet dinner with traditional Cambodian Cultural Performance featuring Apsara Show
Landmarks/POIs Angkor Thom Bayon Temple Baphuon Temple Terrace of Elephants Terrace of Leper King Sras Srang Angkor Wat Phnom Bakheng Temple - Day 14
Siem Reap
After breakfast at your hotel you'll have the rest of the time to explore or shop for souvenirs in Siem Reap before heading to the airport for your international flight home or to your next destination. This marks the end of your Southeast Asia journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Siem Reap
- Shopping for souvenirs
