Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll arrive in Hanoi and depending on when you get there, check out the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake on your own. Later you'll meet your tour leader and other travelers for an orientation walk through the main spots in the city.
- Start point
- Phố Nguyễn Trường Tộ, Trúc Bạch, 11100, Ba Đình, Hanoi, Vietnam (Tours start at Hong Ngoc Cocochinechine Hotel, Hanoi - Check in is from 2pm, the welcome meeting and orientation walk is at 6pm. )
Included Activities
- Hanoi Orientation tour
Optional Activities
- Explore Old Quarter streets
- Visit Hoan Kiem Lake
Landmarks/POIs Hoan Kiem Lake Old Quarter 
- Day 2
Hanoi
This day is yours to explore Hanoi at your own pace. Walk through centuries-old pagodas and wander the busy street markets. If you're into food, try meals at the historic Restaurant 69 or sample street food from local vendors around the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit ancient pagodas
- Browse street markets
- Dine at Restaurant 69
- Sample street food
Landmarks/POIs Restaurant 69 - Day 3
Hanoi to Ninh Binh
You'll head to Ninh Binh and get into a traditional canoe to paddle through Trang An Grottoes. The karst mountains rise around you with caves carved into them, and the whole area is surrounded by rice paddies and calm waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Glide through Trang An Grottoes by canoe
- Explore caves in the mountains
Landmarks/POIs Trang An Grottoes - Day 4
Ninh Binh to Halong Bay
Next you're traveling to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll board an overnight boat cruise that takes you through emerald waters past the iconic limestone pillars and small islets covered in forest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Overnight boat cruise in Halong Bay
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay - Day 5
Halong Bay to Hanoi
Wake up on the boat and spend the morning exploring Halong Bay. After that, you'll head back to the mainland and travel to Hanoi, then board an overnight train heading to Phong Nha Ke National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning exploration of Halong Bay
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay - Day 6
Phong Nha Ke National Park
You arrive in Phong Nha and start exploring the pristine rivers and caves throughout the national park. Visit Thien Duong Cave with its glittering limestone walls, stalagmites, and stalactites. There's also an optional guided tour of Dark Cave where you can explore with a headlamp, go mud sliding, and swim in the river.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
- Visit Thien Duong Cave
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Dark Cave with head torch exploration
- Swim in the river
- Kayak on pristine rivers
- Refreshing dip in river
Landmarks/POIs Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Thien Duong Cave Dark Cave - Day 7
Phong Nha to Hue
You'll leave Phong Nha and travel to Hue, which sits on the Perfume River surrounded by rolling hills. The city is Vietnam's cultural and spiritual center and was once home to Vietnamese emperors.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Perfume River - Day 8
Hue
Take a motorbike tour around Hue visiting ornate temples, pagodas, and the seven-storied Thien Mu Pagoda. You'll see the intricate Citadel and Forbidden Purple City, ride through quiet villages and rice paddies, cross the Japanese covered bridge, meet a local fortune teller, make incense sticks, learn about rice at the Rice Museum, visit a conical hat maker's home, and tour an Emperor's Tomb.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Motorbike tour around Hue
- Visit Thien Mu Pagoda
- Explore Citadel and Forbidden Purple City
- Tour villages and rice paddies
- Visit Japanese covered bridge
- Fortune telling session with local
- Make incense sticks
- Learn rice growing at Rice Museum
- Visit conical hat maker's home
- Explore Emperor's Tomb
Landmarks/POIs Thien Mu Pagoda Citadel Forbidden Purple City Japanese covered bridge Rice Museum - Day 9
Hue to Hoi An
Travel to Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage town with beautifully restored French Colonial buildings. The streets have trendy bars, great restaurants, art galleries, shops, and numerous tailor shops. Nearby are excellent beaches for nightlife and trying local food.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Discover Hoi An with orientation walk and free exploration
Optional Activities
- Visit beaches
- Explore bars and restaurants
- Browse art galleries
- Shop at tailor shops
- Try local nightlife
Landmarks/POIs Hoi An 
- Days 10 - 11
Hoi An
You have two days here to soak in Hoi An's character. When darkness falls, paper and fabric lanterns light up the streets in warm colors across the old Colonial architecture. Take sunset walks through town and taste local dishes like the White Rose, a rose-shaped dumpling filled with shrimp or pork from a family recipe.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Sunset stroll through old town
- Try White Rose dumplings
- Explore evening street life
Landmarks/POIs Hoi An Old Town - Day 12
Hoi An to Bai Xep
Leave Hoi An and travel to the fishing village of Bai Xep. Along the way, stop at the My Lai Memorial which honors an important event from the American War. Bai Xep is a quiet village with white sand beaches that doesn't see many tourists, and the locals here are genuinely welcoming.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit My Lai Memorial
Landmarks/POIs My Lai Memorial Bai Xep - Day 13
Bai Xep
This is a free day to do as you like. Swim, snorkel, or take long walks on the beach. You can learn to paddle a traditional round boat, go fishing and cook your catch for tea, or just relax at your seaside guesthouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Swim in the sea
- Snorkel
- Take beach walks
- Learn to paddle traditional round boat
- Go fishing
- Cook your catch for dinner
- Relax at guesthouse
Landmarks/POIs Bai Xep Beach - Day 14
Bai Xep
Another full day at the beach. Wander around the village and connect with the friendly people here or grab cocktails at your accommodation and take in the coastal views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Beach time
- Explore village
- Meet local residents
- Enjoy cocktails at accommodation
Landmarks/POIs Bai Xep - Day 15
Bai Xep to Quy Nhon
Enjoy your last morning strolling through Bai Xep and saying goodbye to the locals. Make the most of the beach before heading to Quy Nhon to board the overnight train to Ho Chi Minh City.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Final beach time
- Village stroll
Landmarks/POIs Bai Xep 
- Day 16
Ho Chi Minh City
You arrive in Ho Chi Minh City. Check out the War Remnant Museum, visit the French Colonial Saigon Opera House, browse shopping centers, or catch a cultural performance. You can also see Notre Dame Cathedral or take a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels with over 200km of tunnel networks. This evening, enjoy a traditional performance at the Water Puppet Theatre or eat street food around the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Ho Chi Minh City attractions
Optional Activities
- Visit War Remnant Museum
- See Saigon Opera House
- Browse shopping plazas
- Watch cultural show
- Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
- Tour Cu Chi Tunnels
- Attend Water Puppet Theatre performance
- Dine at local restaurants and bars
Landmarks/POIs War Remnant Museum Saigon Opera House Notre Dame Cathedral Ho Chi Minh City Cu Chi Tunnels Water Puppet Theatre - Day 17
Departure
Your time with Stray comes to an end. Whether you're staying longer in Vietnam or heading somewhere else, take time to think back on everything you've done, the people you've met, and all the memories from this Vietnam journey.
