Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll land in Hanoi and your private driver is waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel near the Old Quarter. After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to spend however you like. You might walk around the neighborhood, grab some food, or just rest up from your flight.
- Start point
- Noi Bai International Airport, Sóc Sơn, Hanoi, 12200, Vietnam (Noi Bai International Airport Pick Up )
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mina Hotel or similar), Hotel (Tirant Hotel or similar), Hotel (Apricot Hotel or similar)
Optional Activities
- Explore Hanoi Old Quarter at your own pace
Landmarks Hanoi Old Quarter 
- Day 2
Hanoi to Ninh Binh
This morning you'll head out on a guided group tour heading south to Ninh Binh province, about 120 km away. First stop is Hoa Lu where you'll check out ancient temples and learn about Vietnam's imperial past. After a buffet lunch featuring local dishes, you'll take a bamboo boat through Tam Coc's karst landscape for about an hour and a half. Later in the day, you'll cycle around local villages for 45 minutes before the group returns to Hanoi by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Buffet lunch with local foods including goat meat, fried rice, and vegetarian options)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mina Hotel or similar), Hotel (Tirant Hotel or similar), Hotel (Apricot Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Hoa Lu ancient capital - temples of King Dinh and King Le
- Buffet lunch with local foods including goat meat and fried rice
- Bamboo boat trip through Tam Coc for 1.5 hours
- Cycling around village to discover local life for 45 minutes
Landmarks Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Tam Coc 
- Day 3
Hanoi
An English-speaking local guide takes you on a street food tour through Hanoi's Old Quarter. You'll taste famous dishes like Bun Cha and Banh Cuon at outdoor barbecue stalls, try fresh fruit desserts with crushed ice, and work your way through the top ten street foods at a hidden restaurant, including Banh My Hanoi and Egg Coffee. By the time you're done eating, you'll have some free time to walk around or head back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Lunch (Street food tasting including Bun Cha, Banh Cuon, barbecue specialties, fresh fruit dessert, and top ten Hanoi street foods)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mina Hotel or similar), Hotel (Tirant Hotel or similar), Hotel (Apricot Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Guided street food tour through Hanoi Old Quarter
- Tasting of famous Hanoi dishes: Bun Cha and Banh Cuon at local eatery
- Outdoor barbecue stalls with meat, vegetable, and bread specialties
- Fresh fruit dessert with crushed ice and condensed milk
- Hidden street food restaurant tasting top ten street foods including Banh My Hanoi, Vietnamese Rice Wine, and Egg Coffee
Optional Activities
- Continue exploring the Old Quarter area after tour
- Cold beer at the end of tour (if coffee not preferred)
Landmarks Hanoi Old Quarter - Day 4
Hanoi to Sapa
You'll have an early breakfast, then check out of your hotel and board a limousine bus heading to Sapa. The drive takes about 6 hours through scenic mountain territory. Once you arrive, you'll transfer to your accommodation and have the afternoon and evening to yourself to get to know this charming hill station.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Panorama Hotel or similar), Hotel (Amazing Sapa Hotel or similar), Hotel (Silk Path Sapa Hotel or similar)
Optional Activities
- Explore Sapa town at your own pace
Landmarks Sapa 
- Day 5
Sapa
After breakfast at your hotel, your guide meets you at 9:30 am and you'll start trekking 12 km through mountain villages. You'll walk through Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai, villages of the Hmong minority, passing rice terraces and mountain peaks. Lunch happens at a local family's home or a nearby cafe. The day ends when you reach Ta Van village, where you'll stay overnight with a local family and experience their daily life and customs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local family in Lao Chai or cafe near the river), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Panorama Hotel or similar), Hotel (Amazing Sapa Hotel or similar), Hotel (Silk Path Sapa Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- 12 km trekking to Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages of Hmong minority
- Experience scenic rice terraces and mountain peaks
- Hiking to Ta Van village of Dzay people
- Overnight stay with local family experiencing daily life, traditions, and customs
Landmarks Y Linh Ho Lao Chai Ta Van - Day 6
Sapa
Starting around 9:30 am after breakfast at the homestay, you'll trek about 8 km through Giang Ta Chai and Su Pan villages of the red Dzao and Hmong minorities. Along the way you'll come across a waterfall and rattan bridge while walking through valley landscapes and bamboo forest. The trek ends at the main road where you'll catch a bus back to Sapa. You'll have time to explore the town before boarding a limousine bus back to Hanoi around 3:00 pm.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Local breakfast at homestay), Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mina Hotel or similar), Hotel (Tirant Hotel or similar), Hotel (Apricot Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Approximately 8 km trekking from Ta Van
- Visit Giang Ta Chai village of red Dzao people
- Visit Su Pan village of Hmong people
- See waterfall and rattan bridge
- Walk through bamboo forest
Optional Activities
- Explore Sapa town before departure
Landmarks Giang Ta Chai Su Pan - Day 7
Hanoi to Halong Bay
After breakfast, you'll check out and the cruise team will pick you up from your hotel lobby between 8:00 and 9:00 am for the drive to Halong Bay. You'll board your cruise around noon, enjoy lunch while passing hundreds of islets, and spend the afternoon swimming, kayaking, or exploring caves depending on your boat's schedule. You'll catch the sunset before dinner, then anchor overnight in a scenic spot.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch served while cruising through the islets), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Le Journey Cruise or similar), Berth / Cabin (La Pandora Cruise or similar), Berth / Cabin (Doris Cruise or similar)
Included Activities
- Welcome onboard and check-in
- Lunch while cruising through islets
- Swimming and kayaking activities
- Cave visits (depending on boat itinerary)
- Sunset viewing
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Relaxing time on board
Landmarks Halong Bay 
- Day 8
Halong Bay to Hoi An
You'll wake up early to watch the sunrise over Halong Bay, have breakfast while cruising back toward port, and finish with an early lunch before getting off the boat. From there, your driver takes you to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Hoi An. Once you land and check into your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to settle in and explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Early lunch before disembarking at port)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kim An Hotel or similar), Hotel (Silkotel Hoi An or similar), Resort (Palm Garden Hoi An or similar)
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Hoi An after check-in
Landmarks Hoi An 
- Day 9
Hoi An
Your English-speaking guide meets you around 8:00 am for a cycling trip through the countryside around Hoi An. You'll ride through Eco-Village Cam Thanh and take a paddle boat in a traditional bamboo basket boat through coconut palm waterways. Along the way, you'll meet local fishermen, try traditional net fishing, and get handmade gifts from nipa palm leaves. Lunch happens at a local restaurant before you cycle back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious lunch at restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kim An Hotel or similar), Hotel (Silkotel Hoi An or similar), Resort (Palm Garden Hoi An or similar)
Included Activities
- Cycle trip through countryside and rivers around Hoi An
- Eco-Village Cam Thanh exploration
- Paddle boat trip in bamboo basket boat through coconut palm waterways
- Meet and engage with local fishermen
- Hands-on traditional net fishing experience
- Receive handmade gifts from nipa palm leaves
- Lunch at restaurant
Landmarks Cam Thanh Eco-Village - Day 10
Hoi An to Hue
You'll have breakfast at your hotel and check out, then your driver takes you by private car from Hoi An to Hue. The drive goes through Hai Van Pass, considered one of the world's most beautiful roads, with great views of mountains and sea. After you arrive in Hue and check into your hotel, you'll have free time to walk around and get a feel for the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Cherish Hue Hotel or similar), Hotel (Eldora Hue Hotel or similar), Hotel (Silk Path Hue or similar)
Optional Activities
- Explore Hue area after check-in
Landmarks Hai Van Pass 
- Day 11
Hue
Your guide meets you at 8:00 or 8:30 am for a full tour of Hue, the ancient imperial city. At 11:00 am you'll visit Khai Dinh Tomb, then have lunch at 12:30 pm with local specialties. The afternoon takes you to the Imperial Citadel at 1:30 pm and Thien Mu Pagoda at 3:00 pm. You'll head back to your hotel by 4:00 or 5:00 pm, then your driver transfers you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious lunch with Hue-style dishes at local specialty restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Acnos Hotel or similar), Hotel (Alagon Sai Gon Hotel or similar), Hotel (The Myst Dong Khoi or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Khai Dinh Tomb
- Lunch with Hue-style specialties at local specialty restaurant
- Visit Imperial Citadel
- Explore Thien Mu Pagoda
Landmarks Khai Dinh Tomb Imperial Citadel Thien Mu Pagoda - Day 12
Ho Chi Minh
You'll be picked up from your hotel between 12:30 and 1:00 pm and travel by bus for about an hour and a half to reach Cu Chi Tunnels, located 70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. After an introduction and video about the tunnel systems, you'll explore the remaining areas including living quarters, kitchens, hospitals, and weapons factories. You'll see hidden trap doors and dangerous traps, try special tea and cassava (wartime guerrilla food), and have the option to try shooting if interested. Then it's back to the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Acnos Hotel or similar), Hotel (Alagon Sai Gon Hotel or similar), Hotel (The Myst Dong Khoi or similar)
Included Activities
- Introduction and introductory video about tunnel construction and wartime survival
- Explore tunnel systems including living areas, kitchens, bedrooms, martial facilities, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers
- Discover hidden trap doors and dangerous traps
- Special tea and cassava (guerrilla food) service
Optional Activities
- Real shooting gun experience during break time
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels 
- Day 13
Ho Chi Minh to Mekong Delta
You'll leave Ho Chi Minh City headed for My Tho on the Mekong River. First you'll visit Vinh Trang Pagoda from the late 19th century, then board a sampan to cruise around four islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise. You'll stop at Unicorn Island to walk through country lanes and orchards, ride a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son Canal, and visit family businesses and honey farms where you can try honey tea and watch coconut candy being made. Lunch is at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, cycling happens around Tan Thach village where you'll meet locals, or you can relax in hammocks if you prefer.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Acnos Hotel or similar), Hotel (Alagon Sai Gon Hotel or similar), Hotel (The Myst Dong Khoi or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda from late 19th century
- Sampan cruise around Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands
- Walking tour at Unicorn Island through country lanes and orchards
- Enjoy tropical fruits and folk song music from local people
- Visit fruit plantation
- Hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son Canal
- Visit family business and honey-bee farm
- Honey tea tasting and coconut candy workshop
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Cycling around Tan Thach village
Optional Activities
- Hammock relaxing for those unable to join cycling trip
Landmarks Vinh Trang Pagoda My Tho Tan Thach Village 
- Day 14
Ho Chi Minh
On your last morning, you'll have a healthy breakfast at your hotel and handle checkout. Before heading to the airport, you'll have time to visit local markets and pick up souvenirs for people back home. Your private driver will take you to the airport for your flight home, and your Vietnam adventure will wrap up.
- End point
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Trường Sơn, Ho Chi Minh City, 72100, Vietnam (Tan Son Nhat International Airport Drop Off)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit local markets to buy souvenirs
