Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Hanoi
You'll arrive in Hanoi and connect with your private guide at the airport. A car takes you directly to The Lapis Hotel, where staff help with your luggage and get you checked in. Your tour includes a local SIM card with unlimited 5G data and international calling credits, so you're set for staying connected.
Included Activities
- Airport pickup and hotel transfer
- Complimentary local SIM card with unlimited 5G internet
- Day 2
Hanoi City Tour
Your guide takes you through Hanoi's key sites starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you'll see the Mausoleum, his stilt-house residence, and the One Pillar Pagoda. You'll also visit Hoa Lo Prison and the Temple of Literature, which dates back to 1070 as Vietnam's first university. After lunch, head to the Museum of Ethnology to learn about the country's 54 ethnic groups. Later, take a cyclo ride for about an hour through the Old Quarter streets, then catch the Vietnamese Water Puppets Show by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ho Chi Mihn Complex visit (Mausoleum, stilt-house residence)
- Hoa Lo Prison visit
- One Pillar Pagoda visit
- Temple of Literature visit
- Museum of Ethnology tour
- One-hour cyclo ride through Old Quarter
- Vietnamese Water Puppets Show
Landmarks Ho Chi Minh Complex Hoa Lo Prison One Pillar Pagoda Temple of Literature Museum of Ethnology Hanoi Old Quarter - Day 3
Hanoi to Halong Bay Cruise
You'll get a private transfer to Halong City, which takes roughly 3 hours. In the afternoon, board a traditional Vietnamese junk and start cruising Halong Bay to see limestone islets and caves. Watch the sunset from the water, then settle in for dinner onboard with all meals provided. Swimming, kayaking, and diving are optional if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Private transfer to Halong City
- Traditional Vietnamese junk cruise
- Halong Bay exploration (limestone islets and caves)
Optional Activities
- Swimming
- Kayaking
- Diving
Landmarks Halong Bay 
- Day 4
Halong Bay to Lao Cai Overnight Train
Wake early for a sunrise Tai Chi session on the sundeck. After that, continue exploring by kayak or traditional rowing boat to check out local water life. Around 10:30 am you'll head back to shore and start the 3-hour drive to Hanoi. Your guide helps you get to Hanoi Train Station in time for your overnight train to Lao Cai.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tai Chi lesson on sundeck
- Choice of kayaking or traditional rowing boat exploration
- Transfer from Tuan Chau International Passenger Port to Hanoi
- Transfer to Hanoi Train Station
- Day 5
Lao Cai to Sapa
The train arrives early morning in Lao Cai where your guide meets you for breakfast. You'll drive through Muong Khuong district passing terraced rice paddies, pine forests, and tea plantations. Stop at Cao Son Market where Red Dao, Tay, and Black H'Mong vendors sell handicrafts and silverware. Walk through Flower Hmong Village, then drive along the Chay River with photo stops for mountain and valley views. Take a local boat at Coc Ly Bridge and cruise to Trung Do village before arriving in Sapa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast in Lao Cai
- Visit Cao Son Market
- Walk through Flower Hmong Village
- Scenic drive along Chay River with photo stops
- Local boat cruise to Trung Do village
Landmarks Cao Son Market Flower Hmong Village Chay River Trung Do village 
- Day 6
Sapa Trekking and Market
After breakfast, do a morning walking tour of Sapa market for about 8km over 3 hours, where you'll see Red Dao, Black and Flower H'Mong, and Tay people selling silverware and handicrafts. Then drive to Lao Chai and Ta Van Village where Black H'Mong and Dao families live. Trek through rice terraces, visit local homes, and learn about their way of life. You'll return by car and have the rest of the day free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning walking tour of Sapa market (approximately 8km, 3 hours)
- Drive and trek to Lao Chai and Ta Van Village
- Terraced rice field trekking
- Local family visits
Landmarks Sapa Market Lao Chai Ta Van Village - Day 7
Sapa to Hanoi via Ta Phin Village
Your trek starts at Ma Tra Village and continues through rice terraces for around 3 hours until you reach Ta Phin Village where the Red Dao minority community is based. Have lunch in the village with local dishes, then drive back to Hanoi, which takes approximately 5 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek from Ma Tra Village to Ta Phin Village (approximately 3 hours)
- Local lunch in Ta Phin Village
- Drive from Sapa to Hanoi
Landmarks Ma Tra Village Ta Phin Village - Day 8
Hanoi to Hue
Your guide takes you to the airport for your flight to Hue. Once you land, your guide welcomes you and arranges a private transfer to Thanh Lich Royal Boutique hotel. Staff help with luggage and check-in when you arrive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to Hue
- Hotel check-in assistance
- Day 9
Hue Historical Tour
Start with a visit to Minh Mang Tomb to see its architecture set in a forest setting. Next, take a royal dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River to reach Thien Mu Pagoda, which is Vietnam's tallest at seven stories. Walk the cobbled paths through the Imperial Citadel to explore the Forbidden Purple City and its history. Finish the day with a walk through Dong Ba Market to see how locals shop and live.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Minh Mang Tomb visit
- Thien Mu Pagoda visit
- Royal dragon boat cruise on Perfume River
- Imperial Citadel tour and Forbidden Purple City exploration
- Dong Ba Market visit
Landmarks Minh Mang Tomb Thien Mu Pagoda Perfume River Imperial Citadel Forbidden Purple City Dong Ba Market - Day 10
Tam Giang Lagoon Half-Day Tour
Spend a half-day exploring Tam Giang Lagoon where you'll photograph the peaceful setting and learn about local fishermen's lives. Take a boat trip across the water and eat fresh seafood like fish, squid, clam, crab, or shrimp at a floating restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tam Giang Lagoon exploration
- Boat trip on lagoon
- Local fishermen lifestyle experience
- Fresh seafood meal at floating restaurant
Landmarks Tam Giang Lagoon - Day 11
Hue to Da Nang with Motorbike City Tour
Drive from Hue to Da Nang on a scenic route through rural areas, mountains, and coastal sections. Stop at Lap An Lagoon for relaxation and photos, then head through the famous Hai Van Pass. Once in Da Nang, join a motorbike tour with a professional female guide hitting the Dragon Bridge, Love Lock spot, Han River Bridges, the local night market, and Sun Wheel amusement park area. You'll see Da Nang Cathedral, grab a Vietnamese meal, and finish with a Han River cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic drive from Hue to Da Nang
- Lap An Lagoon visit and photos
- Hai Van Pass drive
- Motorbike city tour with professional female biker
- Dragon Bridge visit
- Love Lock visit
- Han River Bridges visit
- Local night market visit
- Sun Wheel Area amusement park area visit
- Da Nang Cathedral visit
- Vietnamese meal
Optional Activities
- Han River cruise (own expense for drinks)
Landmarks Lap An Lagoon Hai Van Pass Dragon Bridge Han River Bridges Da Nang Cathedral Han River 
- Day 12
Ba Na Hills and Monkey Mountain
Get picked up for the transfer to Ba Na Hills. Take a modern cable car for about 25 minutes to Dream Stream Cable Car Station with panoramic views along the way. Visit the Golden Bridge, wine cellar, and flower garden, plus Linh Ung pagoda. Board a second cable car to see the French Village, Tombstone Temple, and Linh Phong Monastery. Spend time in Fantasy Park walking through Fairy Forest, exploring Dinosaur Park, and playing 5D wild west games. Return by cable car for lunch at a local restaurant. After eating, head to Lady Buddha Statue on Monkey Mountain, Vietnam's tallest Buddha with great mountain and ocean views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Ba Na Hills
- First cable car to Dream Stream Cable Car Station (approximately 25 minutes)
- Golden Bridge visit
- Wine cellar visit
- Flower garden visit
- Linh Ung pagoda visit
- Second cable car to French Village
- Tombstone Temple visit
- Linh Phong Monastery visit
- Fantasy Park access (Fairy Forest, Dinosaur Park, 5D wild west)
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Lady Buddha Statue visit on Monkey Mountain
Landmarks Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge Linh Ung Pagoda Linh Phong Monastery Fantasy Park Monkey Mountain Lady Buddha Statue - Day 13
Da Nang to Hoi An via My Son Sanctuary
Transfer to Hoi An with a stop at My Son Sanctuary. Walk through this ancient Champa Kingdom site dating to the 3rd century, explore temples, and learn the history of this Hindu sanctuary. After checking in at your hotel, you'll have free time to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Hoi An
- My Son Sanctuary visit and exploration
Landmarks My Son Sanctuary 
- Day 14
Hoi An Historical Sites and Lantern Crafting
Check out historical sites in Hoi An including the Japanese Bridge, a Chinese Temple, and Vietnamese merchants' houses. Visit a craftsman's home to learn how to make a traditional lantern, which you'll keep as a souvenir. Explore rural areas to see authentic local life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Japanese Bridge visit
- Chinese Temple visit
- Vietnamese former merchants' houses visit
- Lantern-making workshop at craftsman's home
- Lantern souvenir to keep
Landmarks Japanese Bridge Hoi An Ancient Town - Day 15
Hoi An Countryside Bike Tour with Cooking Class
Bike through Tra Que vegetable village, known for fresh Vietnamese herbs and produce. Walk the gardens to see the greenery and watch traditional farming. Keep biking through rural areas to photograph rice paddies, water buffalo, and local people. Stop at a vibrant local market to chat with vendors. Bike to a mangrove palm jungle and ride a bamboo basket boat with locals through canals while trying to catch small crabs. At the restaurant, get a welcome drink and cold towels, then learn to prepare and cook authentic Vietnamese food. Finish by eating what you've cooked and take home recipe cookbooks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tra Que vegetable village bike tour
- Gardens walk and traditional farming methods observation
- Rural countryside biking with photo opportunities
- Local market visit
- Mangrove palm jungle biking
- Bamboo basket boat ride through canals
- Crab fishing experience
- Welcome drink and cold towels
- Authentic Vietnamese cooking class
- Cooking meal dining
- Recipe cookbook
Landmarks Tra Que Vegetable Village Mangrove Palm Jungle - Day 16
Hoi An to Nha Trang
Your guide arranges a private transfer to Da Nang for your flight to Nha Trang. When you land, your guide meets you and takes you to Liberty Central Nha Trang Hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and settle in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Private transfer to Da Nang Airport
- Hotel transfer and check-in assistance
- Day 17
Nha Trang at Leisure
The day is completely free. Relax at your hotel or wander the beach area at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 18
Nha Trang at Leisure
You have another free day in Nha Trang. Spend it relaxing at the hotel or exploring the beach and surrounding area however you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 19
Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City
You'll have free time until your guide picks you up for the airport and your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Your guide meets you upon arrival and transfers you to your hotel. The evening is at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer and escort
- Hotel transfer and check-in assistance
- Day 20
Ho Chi Minh City War and Heritage Sites
Spend the morning visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, which are underground passages with fascinating history. Return to Ho Chi Minh City and tour the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace, the former presidential residence. Take nice walks around Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office, and Dong Khoi Street, which was once called Rue Catinat during French times.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cu Chi Tunnels visit
- War Remnants Museum visit
- Reunification Palace visit
- Notre Dame Cathedral visit
- Old Saigon Post Office visit
- Dong Khoi Street stroll
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels War Remnants Museum Reunification Palace Notre Dame Cathedral Old Saigon Post Office Dong Khoi Street - Day 21
Mekong Delta Cruise and Island Exploration
Leave Ho Chi Minh City early and head to the Mekong Delta for a river cruise seeing Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, and Phoenix islands. Land on Unicorn Island for village walks, tropical fruit orchards, and bee farms where you'll try honey tea. Visit a typical Mekong house and a coconut candy workshop to taste fresh sweets. Enjoy tropical fruits and listen to Southern traditional music. Land on Dragon Island and take a cyclo or motorbike to a local home for a homemade lunch where you help cook Banh Xeo (Vietnamese crepes) and Spring Rolls. Return by boat to your hotel in Saigon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mekong Delta river cruise
- Dragon island, Unicorn island, Turtle island, Phoenix island sightseeing
- Unicorn Island village walk
- Tropical fruit orchard visit
- Bee-farm visit with honey-tea
- Typical Mekong Delta house visit
- Coconut candy workshop and tasting
- Tropical fruit tasting and Southern traditional music
- Dragon Island cyclo or motorbike transfer
- Local home homemade lunch
- Cooking experience (Banh Xeo and Spring Rolls)
Landmarks Mekong Delta - Day 22
Departure
Your guide escorts you to the airport for your onward flight.
Included Activities
- Airport transfer and escort
