Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
Your driver will be waiting to pick you up and take you directly to your hotel by private car. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to rest and get settled into Hanoi.
- Start point
- Noi Bai International Airport, Sóc Sơn, Hanoi, 12200, Vietnam (Noi Bai International Airport Pick Up )
- Day 2
Hanoi
Starting early, you'll head to Tran Quoc Pagoda on Golden Fish Island, then continue to the Ho Chi Minh Complex to see his mausoleum and former residences. After that, you'll check out One Pillar Pagoda, the Vietnam Ethnology Museum (or Vietnamese Women's Museum as a backup option), Temple of Literature, and Hoa Lo Prison. Lunch at a local restaurant includes both Vietnamese cuisine and vegetarian choices, so there's something for everyone.
- Meals
- Lunch (Vietnamese cuisine at local restaurant. Vegetarian foods available.)
Included Activities
- Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda on Golden Fish Island
- Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex including mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh's residences
- Visit One Pillar Pagoda
- Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum or Vietnamese Women's Museum
- Visit Temple of Literature
- Visit Hoa Lo Prison
Landmarks/POIs Tran Quoc Pagoda Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum One Pillar Pagoda Vietnam Ethnology Museum Vietnamese Women's Museum Temple of Literature Hoa Lo Prison - Day 3
Hanoi to Sapa
An early departure gets you on the coach heading toward Sapa. During the roughly 3-hour drive, you'll pass through the northwest mountains with views of terraced fields. There's a short 30-minute break along the way. By the time you arrive in Sapa and check into your hotel, the afternoon is free to wander around and explore on your own.
- Day 4
Sapa
Today you'll trek 12 km through the northwest mountains, visiting Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages where H'mong people live. After lunch at a local family home or riverside shop in Lao Chai, the hiking continues to Ta Van village. You'll spend the night at a local family's home in Ta Van, experiencing how the Dzay people live day-to-day.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local family in Lao Chai or in a drinking shop nearby the river bank), Dinner (Dinner at homestay with local family in Ta Van village)
Included Activities
- Trek 12 km through Y Linh Ho village
- Trek to Lao Chai village of the H'mong minority
- Trek to Ta Van village of the Dzay minority
- Overnight stay with local family in Ta Van village
- Experience local daily life and customs
Landmarks/POIs Y Linh Ho village Lao Chai village Ta Van village - Day 5
Sapa to Hanoi
Breakfast arrives around 8 am at the homestay. Trekking picks up again at 9:30 am with an 8 km walk through two villages of the Red Dzao and H'mong peoples. You'll see a waterfall and cross a rattan bridge while hiking through bamboo forest. By 3 pm, a jeep brings you back to Sapa to finish the trek, then a shuttle bus takes you back to Hanoi for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the homestay at approximately 8 am)
Included Activities
- Trek 8 km visiting Red Dzao villages (Giang Ta Chai and Su Pan)
- Trek visiting H'mong villages
- Visit waterfall
- Cross rattan bridge
- Trek through bamboo forest
Landmarks/POIs Giang Ta Chai village Su Pan village - Day 6
Hanoi to Ninh Binh
This day trip heads 120 km south to Ninh Binh province. You'll explore Hoa Lu, Vietnam's first capital, walking through temples built for King Dinh and King Le in the 17th century. After a buffet lunch with local specialties, a 1.5-hour bamboo boat cruise takes you through Tam Coc with its karst landscape. Then you'll cycle for 45 minutes around the village to see local life before heading back to Hanoi by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Buffet lunch with local foods including goat meat and fried rice. Vegetarian food available.)
Included Activities
- Visit Hoa Lu ancient capital
- Visit temples of King Dinh and King Le
- Bamboo boat cruise through Tam Coc (1.5 hours)
- Cycling around village (45 minutes)
Landmarks/POIs Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Tam Coc 
- Day 7
Hanoi to Halong Bay
After breakfast, check out and head toward Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The cruise team meets you at your hotel between 8 and 9 am. You'll arrive at the jetty around noon, board your cruise, and go through check-in. Lunch happens while you're already cruising through hundreds of islets. The afternoon might include swimming, kayaking, or cave visits depending on your boat, then you'll watch the sunset before dinner and spend the night on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch served while cruising through Halong Bay), Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Halong Bay islets
- Swimming activity
- Kayaking activity
- Cave visits (activity depends on boat itinerary)
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay 
- Day 8
Halong Bay to Hoi An
Watch the sunrise over Halong Bay from the cruise. Breakfast is served as the boat heads back toward port. After an early lunch, you'll disembark and transfer to Hanoi airport for your flight to Hoi An. Your driver meets you upon arrival and takes you to your hotel for check-in. The afternoon is free to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast served on board), Lunch (Early lunch before disembarking)
- Day 9
Hoi An
Today is completely yours to explore Hoi An however you like. Rent a bicycle at the hotel and ride toward the riverside or beach. Spend time at beachside cafes with fresh fruit drinks and take a swim in the warm water. Pop into tailor shops if you want something custom made like clothes, bags, or shoes. As evening comes, head to the Old Town and watch the lanterns light up while street performers are out.
Optional Activities
- Bicycle rental and cycling around Hoi An
- Swimming at the beach
- Visit tailor shops for custom clothing
- Evening walk through Old Town
Landmarks/POIs Hoi An Old Town - Day 10
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
Your private driver picks you up for the ride to the airport. After flying to Ho Chi Minh City, you'll land at Tan Son Nhat Airport where your driver is waiting. From there, it's a transfer to your accommodation in the city centre. The afternoon is free to settle in and rest.
- Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City
In the morning, you'll visit Independence Palace (Reunification Palace), a major Ho Chi Minh City landmark designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu, then check out French Colonial structures including Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office. The War Remnants Museum comes next with its displays from the Indochina wars. Lunch follows at a local restaurant. That afternoon, you'll drive about 1.5 hours to Cu Chi Tunnels, watch an introductory video about how they were built, then explore the tunnels themselves including living areas, kitchens, bedrooms, weapons factories, hospitals, and command centers. You'll see hidden trap doors and security traps before having tea and cassava served. Optional shooting is available if interested. Then it's back to the city.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Independence Palace (Reunification Palace)
- Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
- Visit Central Post Office
- Visit War Remnants Museum
- Explore Cu Chi Tunnel systems
- Watch introductory video about tunnel construction
- Tour living areas, kitchens, bedrooms, and martial facilities in tunnels
- Sample special tea and cassava
Optional Activities
- Gun shooting experience
Landmarks/POIs Independence Palace Notre Dame Cathedral Central Post Office War Remnants Museum Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 12
Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta
Heading out to My Tho on the left side of the Mekong River, you'll first visit Vinh Trang Pagoda built in the late 19th century. Next comes a sampan cruise around four islands named Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise. You'll walk on Unicorn Island through country lanes and see orchards, taste tropical fruits, and listen to folk music performances. A fruit plantation visit follows, then a hand-rowed sampan takes you through Thoi Son canal where you'll visit a family business and honey-bee farm, with honey tea and coconut candy workshop included. Lunch happens at a local restaurant with a break after. In the afternoon, cycling around Tan Thach village lets you meet local villagers and see daily Mekong Delta life (hammocks are available for those who'd rather relax). You'll return to Ho Chi Minh City by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda
- Sampan cruise around Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands
- Walk around Unicorn Island country lanes
- Visit orchards and enjoy tropical fruits
- Enjoy folk song music performances
- Visit fruit plantation
- Hand-row sampan through Thoi Son canal
- Visit family business and honey-bee farm
- Enjoy honey tea and coconut candy workshop
- Cycling around Tan Thach village
- Meet local villagers
Optional Activities
- Hammock relaxing for those not cycling
Landmarks/POIs Vinh Trang Pagoda Mekong River My Tho Thoi Son Canal Tan Thach Village - Day 13
Ho Chi Minh City Departure
Start with a healthy breakfast, then complete your hotel check-out. Stop at local markets to pick up souvenirs for people back home. Your private driver then takes you to the airport for your flight home. The tour ends here.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Healthy breakfast)
Optional Activities
- Visit local markets to buy souvenirs
