Itinerary
- Day 1
Ho Chi Minh City
You'll arrive in Ho Chi Minh City where your private guide meets you for the transfer to your hotel. After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to relax and get oriented to the city.
- Start point
- Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City)
- Day 2
Ho Chi Minh City
Start with the Cu Chi Tunnels, walking through the intricate network that guerrillas used during the war. Back in the city, you'll see the Reunification Palace, Saigon Central Post Office, and Ben Thanh Market. Evening brings a Vespa scooter tour through local streets where you'll try authentic snacks and soak in the neighborhood atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cu Chi Tunnels visit and tunnel exploration
- Reunification Palace visit
- Saigon Central Post Office visit
- Ben Thanh Market visit
- Vespa scooter tour of Saigon
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels Reunification Palace Saigon Central Post Office Ben Thanh Market - Day 3
Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho
Head into the Mekong Delta to check out the Wholesale Fruit Thanh Tri Market, then ride a horse cart through an island village. Later you'll cruise narrow canals lined with palm trees and visit Vinh Trang Pagoda with its ornate blend of architectural styles. Travel to Can Tho for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Wholesale Fruit Thanh Tri Market visit
- Horse cart ride in island village
- Canal cruise
- Vinh Trang Pagoda visit
Landmarks Wholesale Fruit Thanh Tri Market Vinh Trang Pagoda - Day 4
Can Tho to Hue
Get an early start at Cai Rang Floating Market around 6:30 am to see the peak activity with numerous boats and vendors. After browsing and sampling exotic flavors, you'll return to Ho Chi Minh City, then fly to Hue where your guide takes you to your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cai Rang Floating Market visit
Landmarks Cai Rang Floating Market - Day 5
Hue
Explore the Imperial Citadel learning about the Nguyen dynasty through its palaces and pavilions. See Thien Mu Pagoda and take a dragon boat down Perfume River to Emperor Tu Duc's Tomb. In the evening, you have the option of a home-hosted dinner at Princess Ngoc Son's garden home for insight into royal life.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Imperial Citadel visit
- Thien Mu Pagoda visit
- Dragon boat ride along Perfume River
- Emperor Tu Duc's Tomb visit
Optional Activities
- Home-hosted dinner at Princess Ngoc Son's garden home
Landmarks Imperial Citadel Thien Mu Pagoda Emperor Tu Duc's Tomb Perfume River - Day 6
Hue to Hoi An
Drive for about 3 hours through coastal and mountainous terrain toward Hoi An, stopping at a fishing village for a boat tour of traditional fishing techniques and local lunch. You'll pass through Hai Van Pass before arriving at your hotel in Hoi An.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local lunch at fishing village)
Included Activities
- Fishing village boat tour
- Hai Van Pass stop
Landmarks Hai Van Pass - Day 7
Hoi An
Cycle to Hoi An's vibrant market and talk with locals about fresh ingredients, then head to Tra Que vegetable village to see rural life. You'll prepare and eat authentic Vietnamese dishes for lunch, then the afternoon and evening are free to wander Hoi An on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Authentic Vietnamese lunch prepared during cooking class)
Included Activities
- Cycling to Hoi An market
- Tra Que vegetable village visit
- Vietnamese cooking class with lunch
Landmarks Tra Que Vegetable Village - Day 8
Hoi An
Spend the day exploring Hoi An's UNESCO heritage by walking narrow streets, crafting a traditional bamboo lantern, or trying local food. If you prefer, you can instead visit My Son Sanctuary to explore this ancient historical site.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stroll Hoi An's narrow streets
- Craft traditional bamboo lantern
- Local cuisine dining
- My Son Sanctuary visit
Landmarks My Son Sanctuary - Day 9
Hoi An to Hanoi
Leave Hoi An and fly to Hanoi, Vietnam's busy capital. Take a half-day city tour that includes the Stilt House and a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. Settle at your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Stilt House visit
- Cyclo ride through Hanoi Old Quarter
Landmarks Stilt House Hanoi Old Quarter - Day 10
Hanoi to Halong Bay
Drive about 3 hours to Halong Bay and board a traditional junk boat for the day. You can kayak around limestone islets, take a cooking lesson, use the sauna, or join others fishing for squid. Sleep aboard the boat overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Junk boat cruise in Halong Bay
Optional Activities
- Kayaking
- Vietnamese cooking lesson
- Sauna
- Squid fishing
Landmarks Halong Bay - Day 11
Halong Bay to Hanoi
Watch the sunrise over Halong Bay and practice Tai Chi on deck. Walk through Thien Canh Son Cave to see its natural formations. After brunch, head back to Hanoi for your final night.
- Meals
- Brunch
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing
- Tai Chi on deck
- Thien Canh Son Cave exploration
Landmarks Thien Canh Son Cave - Day 12
Hanoi
Pack up and head to the airport for your flight home. Wishing you safe travels and a great trip.
- End point
- Vietnam (Hanoi)
- Meals
- Breakfast
