Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll arrive in Hanoi and check into your hotel whenever works best for you. The rest of the day is yours to settle in and start getting a feel for the city at your own pace.
- Day 2
Hanoi
This morning you'll join a 4-hour walking tour through Hanoi's cultural center. Start at St. Joseph's Cathedral to see the Gothic architecture, then grab authentic Hanoian lunch before heading to Dream Bean Café for traditional Vietnamese drip coffee and a barista session. Later you'll check out Train Street where trains pass just inches from homes, walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, and browse Dong Xuan Market for souvenirs to take home.
- Meals
- Lunch (Authentic Hanoian cuisine)
Included Activities
- Visit St. Joseph's Cathedral
- Local lunch with authentic Hanoian cuisine
- Traditional Vietnamese drip coffee session at Dream Bean Café with barista-led learning
- Witness trains on Hanoi's Train Street
- Explore Hoan Kiem Lake area
- Browse Dong Xuan Market
Landmarks/POIs St. Joseph's Cathedral Dream Bean Café Hanoi Train Street Hoan Kiem Lake Dong Xuan Market - Day 3
Hanoi
You have the whole day free in Hanoi. Wander the streets, shop for souvenirs, or try local restaurants. If you want something more structured, there's an optional trip to Ninh Binh Nature where you can cycle through local villages and take a bamboo boat ride through Tam Coc.
Optional Activities
- Ninh Binh Nature Discover - bicycle ride to explore local life and bamboo boat ride through Tam Coc
- Day 4
Hanoi to Halong Bay
You'll transfer to Halong Bay and board a boutique cruise. From there, you'll sail through the limestone karsts, kayak into hidden lagoons, and spend the evening watching the sunset from the deck.
Included Activities
- Boutique cruise on Halong Bay
- Kayak into hidden lagoons
- Sunset on deck
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay 
- Day 5
Halong Bay to Hue
Early morning brings a Tai Chi session and breakfast on deck. After disembarking, you'll transfer back to Hanoi, then head to the airport for a late afternoon or evening flight to Hue. You'll reach your hotel there after arrival.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on the cruise)
Included Activities
- Sunrise Tai Chi session
- Breakfast on cruise
- Day 6
Hue
This morning you'll take a half-day cyclo ride through Hue's old imperial city. You'll glide through tree-lined streets and along the Perfume River, passing local neighborhoods around Doan Thi Diem, Tinh Tam Lake, and Phung Hung. The ride ends at the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO site that was home to the Nguyen Dynasty. You'll see the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns, and the Forbidden Purple City.
Included Activities
- Cyclo ride through Hue's streets and Perfume River banks
- Visit Imperial Citadel UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Explore Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns, and Forbidden Purple City
Landmarks/POIs Imperial Citadel of Hue Flag Tower of Hue Ngo Mon Gate Thai Hoa Palace Forbidden Purple City Perfume River Tinh Tam Lake - Day 7
Hue to Hoi An
You'll transfer from Hue to Hoi An today with several photo stops along the way. The route goes over Hai Van Pass, one of the most beautiful drives in the country with coastal and mountain views. You'll stop briefly at Lang Co Beach to photograph the shoreline before continuing to Hoi An.
Included Activities
- Scenic drive over Hai Van Pass
- Stop at Lang Co Beach
Landmarks/POIs Hai Van Pass Lang Co Beach 
- Day 8
Hoi An
Now in Hoi An, you'll wander through streets lined with lanterns and artisan shops. Check out Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, which honors the goddess of the sea, then see the architecture at Tan Ky and Phung Hung Ancient Houses with their Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences. Visit the Museum of Folk Culture, snap photos at the Japanese Covered Bridge, and take a boat ride on the Hoai River as evening comes. You'll release a lantern for good fortune and try street foods like banh mi and white rose dumplings.
- Meals
- Dinner (Variety of street foods including banh mi and banh bao white rose dumpling)
Included Activities
- Explore Hoi An's riverside setting and lantern-lit streets
- Visit Phuc Kien Assembly Hall
- View Tan Ky and Phung Hung Ancient Houses
- Explore Museum of Folk Culture
- Visit Japanese Covered Bridge
- Gentle boat ride on Hoai River
- Lantern release ritual
- Taste street foods including banh mi and banh bao
Landmarks/POIs Phuc Kien Assembly Hall Tan Ky Ancient House Phung Hung Ancient House Museum of Folk Culture Japanese Covered Bridge Hoai River - Day 9
Hoi An
Today is completely yours in Hoi An. Eat your way through the local food scene, have Vietnamese coffee at a café, or spend golden hour by the river photographing the colorful lanterns reflecting in the water. You set the schedule.
- Day 10
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
You'll head to Da Nang Airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. After landing, transfer to your hotel and take the rest of the day to relax and settle in.
- Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City
Today you'll take a motor-boat cruise on the Mekong River and see the Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, and Phoenix islands. You'll stop at a workshop to watch coconut candy being made, then visit a local family for music and conversation. Later you'll row a sampan, eat a Vietnamese 5-course meal, and explore Vinh Trang Pagoda with its ancient Buddha statues.
- Meals
- Lunch (Vietnamese 5-course meal)
Included Activities
- Motor-boat cruise on Mekong River
- Visit Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, and Phoenix islands
- Traditional coconut candy workshop
- Visit to local family for music and conversation
- Sampan rowing
- Vietnamese 5-course meal
- Explore Vinh Trang Pagoda
Landmarks/POIs Mekong River Vinh Trang Pagoda 
- Day 12
Ho Chi Minh City
You have a free day in Ho Chi Minh City. Hunt for souvenirs, check out trendy clothes at Café Apartment, relax in hipster cafes, or hang out at a rooftop bar to see the skyline. This day moves at whatever pace you want.
Landmarks/POIs Café Apartment - Day 13
Ho Chi Minh City Departure
Time to leave Vietnam. You'll check out of your hotel and head to the airport for your departure.
