Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll arrive in Hanoi and meet your Odynovo representative for a private transfer to your downtown hotel. Your guide shares information about the capital as you get settled in. For dinner, try a French-inspired Vietnamese meal at a local restaurant.
Optional Activities
- Dinner at La Terrasse Du Metropole
- Day 2
Hanoi
Start at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where you'll see locals paying their respects. From there, visit Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts, the Presidential Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda. After lunch, head to the Temple of Literature, which dates back to feudal times. The day wraps up with a traditional cyclo ride through the Old Quarter's busy streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Authentic Vietnamese meal)
Included Activities
- Visit Ho Chi Mihn Mausoleum
- Visit Ho Chi Mihn's House on Stilts
- Visit Presidential Palace
- Visit One Pillar Pagoda
- Lunch with authentic Vietnamese meal
- Visit Temple of Literature
- Traditional cyclo ride through Old Quarter
Landmarks/POIs Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts Presidential Palace One Pillar Pagoda Temple of Literature - Day 3
Hanoi
You'll experience water puppetry in a local village and learn about the craft from the artisans who create it. A private performance follows, then lunch with the puppeteers themselves. Later, meet with Mr. My, a Vietnam War veteran and former pilot, for historical perspective. Your evening is free, though an optional street food tour is available if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with water puppeteers)
Included Activities
- Water puppet artisan workshop and demonstration
- Private water puppet performance
- Lunch with water puppeteers
- Discussion with Vietnam War veteran and former pilot Mr. My
Optional Activities
- Personalized street food tour
- Day 4
Hanoi to Halong Bay
Drive about three hours to Halong Bay and check into your cruise ship cabin. Spend the day on activities like kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling. By evening, you'll watch the islands turn golden as the sun sets over the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic drive to Halong Bay
- Kayaking on Halong Bay
- Swimming on Halong Bay
- Snorkeling on Halong Bay
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay - Day 5
Halong Bay to Hoi An
Continue your cruise until noon, with an optional Tai Chi class on deck for early risers. After breakfast, explore a hidden cave and spend leisure time on board. You'll head back to Hanoi for a flight to Da Nang, then transfer to Hoi An for a river cruise on the Thu Bon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Tai Chi class on cruise deck
- Explore hidden cave
- Boat cruise along Thu Bon River
Landmarks/POIs Thu Bon River - Day 6
Hoi An
Start with a morning bike ride to nearby villages and see rural life firsthand. Participate in farming activities like watering crops or rice planting with local guidance, or try an optional buffalo ride. In the afternoon, wander through the ancient city at your own pace and check out the Japanese Bridge. Prime Steakhouse is an option for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Morning bike ride to nearby villages
- Participation in crop watering or rice planting activities
- Exploration of ancient Hoi An
Optional Activities
- Buffalo ride
- Visit Japanese Bridge
- Dinner at Prime Steakhouse
Landmarks/POIs Japanese Bridge - Day 7
Hoi An
Go to Hoi An market with your guide to talk with local vendors. Take a bamboo basket boat to the Nipa palm forest and try crab fishing using traditional techniques. Participate in a cooking class in Coconut Village where you'll prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes with a chef, then eat what you've made and have free time before heading back.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Vietnamese dishes prepared during cooking class)
Included Activities
- Visit Hoi An market with guide interaction
- Bamboo basket boat to Nipa palm forest
- Traditional crab fishing experience
- Cooking class in Coconut Village with Vietnamese cuisine
- Leisure time in Coconut Village
Landmarks/POIs Hoi An Market Nipa Palm Forest - Day 8
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
Travel to Ho Chi Minh City and take a guided tour of historic landmarks including the Opera House, City Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Central Post Office. In the evening, go on a food tour via Vespa scooters to find authentic street food and experience local nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Ho Chi Minh City
- Visit Opera House
- Visit City Hall
- Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
- Visit Central Post Office
- Food Tour on Vespa Scooters with street food and nightlife
Landmarks/POIs Opera House City Hall Notre Dame Cathedral Central Post Office - Day 9
Ho Chi Minh City
Head out early to the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the underground network from the war. You can walk through a portion of the tunnels if you want. In the afternoon, visit the War Remnants Museum to understand more about the Indochina and Vietnam Wars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Morning excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels
- Exploration of tunnels on foot
- Visit War Remnants Museum
Landmarks/POIs Cu Chi Tunnels War Remnants Museum - Day 10
Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho
Travel to the Mekong Delta for family-friendly activities. Glide through waterways surrounded by forest, check out floating markets, or take a countryside bike ride. You'll spend the evening relaxing in Can Tho.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Gliding through forest-fringed waterways
- Explore floating markets
- Countryside bike ride
Landmarks/POIs Mekong Delta - Day 11
Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City
Wake early to see the energy of Can Tho's floating markets, especially Cai Rang Floating Market. Watch vendors buying and selling fresh produce and try local-style bargaining. In the afternoon, head back to Ho Chi Minh City and have free time to yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Cai Rang Floating Market
- Local-style bargaining experience
Landmarks/POIs Cai Rang Floating Market - Day 12
Ho Chi Minh City
You'll have some free time before your guide takes you to the airport. Depart Vietnam with memories from your trip and best wishes for where you're headed next.
- Meals
- Breakfast
