Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll arrive in Hanoi and have most of the day free to get oriented. Wander through the old quarter, check out the local markets, and soak in the street life at your own pace. At 6pm, you'll meet the rest of the group for a briefing and your first meal together, which will be vegan.
Included Activities
- Pre-trip info meeting
- First vegan meal with tour group
Optional Activities
- Explore Old Quarter streets
- Visit local markets
- People-watching
- Museum visits
- Temple visits
- Tomb visits
Landmarks Old Quarter - Day 2
Hanoi
Start the morning at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum for a guided city tour. From there, you'll head to the Temple of Literature, which was Hanoi's first university and has a peaceful atmosphere. Grab an authentic vegan Vietnamese lunch, then move on to West Lake and the historic Tran Quoc Pagoda. The afternoon wraps up at the Ethnology Museum where you can learn about Vietnam's different ethnic groups.
- Meals
- Lunch (Vegan Vietnamese lunch featuring authentic Vietnamese dishes)
Included Activities
- City highlights tour
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum visit
- Temple of Literature visit
- Vegan Vietnamese lunch
- West Lake visit
- Tran Quoc Pagoda visit
- Ethnology Museum visit
Landmarks Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Temple of Literature West Lake Tran Quoc Pagoda Ethnology Museum - Day 3
Hanoi to Halong Bay
Travel to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its limestone islands rising from the water. You'll board a traditional junk boat that serves as your accommodation for the night. Spend the day exploring caves, swimming in the waters, and relaxing on deck. Dinner is served aboard the boat with local dishes.
- Meals
- Dinner (Local dinner aboard the boat)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Halong Bay
- Traditional junk boat accommodation
- Cave exploration
- Swimming
- Local dinner aboard boat
Landmarks Halong Bay - Day 4
Halong Bay to Hanoi
After waking on the boat, spend your morning swimming or relaxing while taking in the bay. Grab lunch on board, then head back to Hanoi by private minibus. Your evening is flexible, so wander the Old Quarter on your own, join the group for dinner if you'd like, or try one of the many bars in the area.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on board the junk boat)
Included Activities
- Morning swimming or relaxation on boat
- Lunch on board
- Private minibus transfer back to Hanoi
Optional Activities
- Group meal in Old Quarter
- Visit Old Quarter bars
- Day 5
Hanoi
This is your last full day in Hanoi and it's completely free. Walk over to Coffee Street in the Old Quarter and try vegan pho, or head across the red Huc Bridge to Jade Island to see Ngoc Son Temple. Tour leaders are around if you need recommendations or suggestions for what to do.
Optional Activities
- Visit Coffee Street
- Try vegan pho at recommended restaurants
- Cross red Huc Bridge to Jade Island
- Visit Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of Jade Mountain)
- Optional group meal with tour leaders
Landmarks Huc Bridge Jade Island Ngoc Son Temple - Day 6
Hanoi to Da Nang to Hoi An
You'll fly to Da Nang, then drive to Hoi An, a UNESCO Heritage site known for its colorful old town. Walk through the quaint streets lined with family-run shops, restaurants, and coffee shops. Whether you catch the sunset over the river or explore at your own pace, everything in Hoi An is within easy walking distance.
Included Activities
- Flight to Da Nang
- Drive to Hoi An
Optional Activities
- Explore Hoi An Old Town
- Watch sunset over the river
- Visit family-run shops and restaurants
Landmarks Hoi An Old Town - Day 7
Hoi An
Take a bike tour through the rice paddy fields, which ends at the beach. Later, explore Hoi An's famous tailors scattered throughout town. If you want something custom-made, bring a photo or pick from their brochures and they'll have it ready by the next day.
Included Activities
- Bike tour through rice paddy fields to beach
Optional Activities
- Visit tailors for custom clothing or shoes
- Day 8
Hoi An
Join a local markets tour in the morning, then attend a cooking class where you'll learn to make classic Vietnamese spring rolls and other dishes. You'll cook the meals yourself, focusing on vegan preparations, and then eat what you've made.
Included Activities
- Local markets tour
- Cooking class with market visit
- Learn to make Vietnamese spring rolls
- Cook Vietnamese vegan dishes
- Day 9
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
Fly south to Ho Chi Minh City and check into your hotel in the Old Quarter. Time permitting, you'll take an afternoon city walking tour that hits Ben Thanh Market, the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Post Office, Independence Palace, and the War Remnants Museum. The evening is optional, so join the group for dinner and local Beer Saigon if you like.
Included Activities
- Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
- Optional city walking tour
- Ben Thanh Market visit
- Opera House visit
- Notre Dame Cathedral visit
- Post Office visit
- Independence Palace visit
- War Remnants Museum visit
Optional Activities
- Group meal at tour leader's recommended restaurant
- Local Beer Saigon
Landmarks Ben Thanh Market Ho Chi Minh City Opera House Notre Dame Cathedral Saigon Central Post Office Independence Palace War Remnants Museum - Day 10
Ho Chi Minh City
Head out to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a preserved network that sheltered roughly 10,000 people during the war. The system stretches over 250 kilometers from Saigon toward the Cambodian border and goes three levels deep. Walk through living rooms, kitchens, hospitals, weapon factories, storage areas, and command centers to understand what daily life was like underground during the Vietnam War.
Included Activities
- Cu Chi Tunnels visit
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta
Take a full-day trip to the Mekong Delta, a key area of southern Vietnamese life. Cruise the river and stop at markets to try local produce and experience the atmosphere. The ecosystems and communities here are quite different from other parts of Vietnam. By evening, you'll stay at a riverside homestay where a local family cooks dinner and shares stories about life in Vietnam.
- Meals
- Dinner (Local family-cooked dinner at riverside homestay)
Included Activities
- Mekong Delta cruise
- Market visits
- Local family dinner at homestay
- Local stories and cultural exchange
Landmarks Mekong Delta - Day 12
Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh City
Wake up to river sounds and have a basic home-cooked breakfast. Cruise back along the Mekong and stop at a couple more places to meet local people and hear about their lives on the river. You'll return to Ho Chi Minh City and spend your final night there.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Basic home-cooked breakfast)
Included Activities
- Home-cooked breakfast
- Mekong Delta return cruise
- Local community visits
- Day 13
Ho Chi Minh City
Your last day in Vietnam is yours to do what you want. Relax at the hotel, explore any spots you missed, or search for souvenirs. Tour leaders are available all day if you need help or recommendations.
Optional Activities
- Relax at hotel
- Explore Ho Chi Minh City
- Shop for souvenirs
- Optional group meal with tour leaders
- Day 14
Departure
Your Vietnam trip ends today. Tour leaders are available throughout the day for any final questions. If arranging your own transport, check out at the scheduled time and luggage storage is available. If you've arranged a transfer, check out by your appointed time and have your luggage ready in the reception area about 4 hours before your international flight.
