Arrive Hanoi

Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Hanoi, known as the “River-bound City,” is Vietnam’s capital, boasting a thousand-year-old history dating back to 1010. The city’s charm lies in its unique cultural relics, ancient streets lined with antique houses, elegant French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and romantic lakes, making it one of the most enchanting cities in Asia.

No meals included.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Full Day City Tour

Start your day with an hour-long cyclo ride around the French Quarter in the heart of Hanoi. Immerse yourself in the nostalgic atmosphere of this area, which perfectly captures the timelessness of Vietnam. Developed during the French colonial era in the 20th century, the French Quarter’s grid-like structure, elegant colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and hidden alleys have remained largely unchanged, making it a fascinating glimpse into the past.

Afterward, pay your respects to the nation’s founder at the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square, significant pilgrimage sites for the Vietnamese. Explore the simple cottage on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked during his early revolutionary days. Next, visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, which offers a comprehensive tribute to his life and legacy. Gain insights into Vietnam’s prewar history at the Governor’s Residence, also known as the Presidential Palace. Despite its grandeur, Ho Chi Minh chose not to live in this opulent structure, opting instead for a traditional Vietnamese stilt house on the grounds. Stop by the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, a unique structure resembling a lotus blossom rising from a pond, and learn about its storied history.

In the afternoon, continue your exploration at the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. Then, visit Chợ Hôm market, primarily known for its vast selection of fabrics. This bustling market also offers a variety of produce, meats, seafood, and traditional Vietnamese foods. Experience the market like a local and see how Hanoians shop for their daily needs.

After the city tour, visit a unique café hidden in a small alley in the Old Quarter. With 95% of its furniture and decorations made from recycled materials, the café promotes environmental protection and community awareness. Using the principles of “reduce – reuse – recycle,” the café creatively repurposes scraps into tables, chairs, decorative lights, and drinking cups.

In the evening, experience one of Vietnam’s unique traditional arts at a Water Puppet show. Originating from rural festivals, this style of theater features artists standing waist-deep in water, manipulating puppets to move, talk, laugh, and dance on the water’s surface. The performances depict typical Vietnamese stories, such as farmers working in paddy fields, water buffalo bathing, courtship scenes, and martial arts displays, delighting the audience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight stay at the hotel in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Sapa (Drive)

Our tour guide and private air-conditioned car will pick you up and transfer you from Hanoi to Sapa via the highway, a journey that takes approximately 5 hours. Upon arrival in Sapa, you will check in to your hotel and have some free time to relax.

Half Day Ma Tra & Ta Phin Tour:

Start your adventure with a 3km trek through the breathtaking landscape to the village of Suoi Ho, home to the Black Hmong ethnic minority people. As you approach the village, you’ll be greeted by lush hillside tea plantations and cardamom gardens. Take some time to observe the local life and nature before continuing your trek.

Following a narrow trail often trodden by buffalo, you will reach Ma Tra, a small, hospitable Black Hmong village nestled in a tranquil valley. This village is tucked away from civilization, offering a peaceful retreat. Continue walking through the scenic paddy fields, feeling refreshed by the serene environment. During your trek, visit a small local elementary school to see how Hmong children receive their education. Afterward, transfer back to Sapa by car.

Afternoon:

Spend the afternoon at your leisure, exploring Sapa town on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight stay at the hotel in Sapa.

Sapa – Full Day Lao Chai, Tavan & Giang Ta Chai

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel.

Morning:

Depart from Sapa town by car to Lao Chai village, following the road down the hill. Enjoy stunning views of the Muong Hoa Valley, surrounded by majestic mountains and terraced rice fields. Along the way, you’ll encounter people from various ethnic groups, including H’mong, Zay, and Red Dao, and find stalls offering tea, fruits, and sweets.

Upon arriving in the Black H’mong village of Lao Chai, experience the daily life of the villagers. Observe their traditional practices and immerse yourself in the local culture.

Midday:

Continue your trek for about 4 km to Ta Van village, where clusters of rural houses are nestled within the terraced paddy fields. This village is home to the Giay ethnic minority, a small group that only inhabits the Northern highlands of Vietnam. Take a break and enjoy a picnic lunch prepared by your local guide in a local house.

Afternoon:

After lunch, hike for 3 km over hills and through a bamboo forest. Pause at a waterfall to rest before entering Giang Ta Chai village, home to the Red Dao ethnic minority. Explore the village and observe the daily life activities of the villagers.

After your exploration, you will be picked up and returned to Sapa by car.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight stay at the hotel in Sapa.

Sapa – Hanoi (Drive)

Hanoi – Halong Bay Overnight on Boat

Depart from Hanoi at 08:30 for a scenic 3.5-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long Bay City. Along the way, you’ll stop for refreshments.

Upon arriving in Ha Long City, take a tender transfer to your junk boat and set sail through the bay while enjoying a delicious lunch. As you cruise through the magical bay, marvel at the thousands of sculpted limestone islands rising from the waves like dragons’ teeth.

Afternoon:

Later in the afternoon, visit a fishing village and interact with fishermen who have lived in the bay for almost three generations. This unique experience will give you a glimpse into their way of life.

Back on board, enjoy cocktails or participate in a cooking class while watching the sunset. In the evening, unwind with a lavish dinner at the onboard restaurant.

Evening:

After dinner, take part in evening activities such as a movie night, board games, or indulge in a beauty treatment.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included Overnight stay on the cruise.

Halong – Hanoi (Drive) & Hanoi – Danang (By Flight) & Danang – Hoi An (Drive)

Wake up to the sound of the ocean and enjoy breakfast on board. For early risers, there’s an option to take a Tai Chi class and watch the sunrise over the bay.

After breakfast, visit a beautiful limestone grotto and explore its natural wonders. Then, head back to the junk for a final cruise through Halong Bay as you make your way back to the dock.

Midday:

Disembark at the Cruise Café Lounge and rejoin your private car for the transfer to Hanoi Airport. Board your flight to Da Nang.

Afternoon:

Upon arrival at Da Nang Airport, you will be picked up by our guide and transferred to Hoi An, a 45-minute drive. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Meal: Brunch Included Overnight stay at the hotel in Hoi An.

Hoi An – Cam Thanh Local Village & Hoi An Walking Tour

Hoi An – Danang (Drive) & Danang – Ho Chi Minh (By Flight) Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – Overnight at Ut Trinh

Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh (Drive)

Start your day with a visit to the Cai Be floating market. This vibrant market is bustling with boats selling fruits, vegetables, and other goods directly on the river.

On the way, make several stops to observe traditional local crafts:

• Watch how rice-net for spring rolls is made.
• See how coconut leaves are sewn together for cottage roofs.
• Observe the weaving of dried water hyacinth into various products like baskets, bags, hats, wallets, and shoes.

Next, take a rowboat deeper into the countryside along smaller canals, enjoying the peaceful scenery.

Midday:

Lunch will be served at a local spot such as Ba Kiet or Muoi Huong.

Afternoon:

Visit a local workshop to see the production of rice paper, coconut candy, and pop-rice. Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea. Continue your boat trip to visit the brick kilns, where you can see how local people create beautiful pottery from clay.

Cruise along the floating village and observe catfish farming on the Mekong River.

Before the cruise ends at Vinh Long City around 10:00 AM, visit Vinh Long market in the town. This market is a great place to take pictures of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, and vegetables.

Late Afternoon:

Transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight stay at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel.

Half-Day City Tour:

Our guide and car will pick you up at the hotel for a 25-minute drive to a special market in the heart of the bustling city, known mostly to locals. This market, situated along a canal, serves as a shelter for poor people, mainly gardeners from the Mekong Delta provinces, who live on boats and sell seasonal fruits to the Saigonese. Walk along the wooden boat-line road and interact with fruit vendors to understand their life stories and challenges.

Next, visit the wholesale flower market. Navigate through narrow alleys filled with vibrant flower stalls. Observe the blend of commercial and residential life, with old buildings and flower-filled balconies above the market. Interact with locals and see how bouquets of flowers are packed on motorbikes.

Afterward, step back in time at the oldest café in Saigon, where you can experience traditional Vietnamese coffee, cà phê vợt. Learn about its unique brewing method using a cloth filter, charcoal stove, and traditional clay pot. Enjoy a cup of coffee and listen to stories from the café owner.

Late Morning:

Visit the War Remnants Museum to delve into Vietnam’s war history with the French and Americans. The museum features a comprehensive collection of war machinery, weapons, photos, and includes moving tributes to journalists, civilians, and soldiers lost during the war. The exhibits also critically examine biological warfare, weaponry, and global peace movements.

Continue to the Reunification Palace, also known as the Independence Palace. This historic building was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 1975, when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates, marking the end of the Vietnam War and the reunification of North and South Vietnam.

Afternoon:

Drive past the former American Embassy and visit the site where Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc self-immolated on June 11, 1963. His act of protest sparked a significant uprising that contributed to the fall of President Diem’s regime. Quang Duc’s heart, which did not burn during his self-immolation, is enshrined and treated as a sacred relic.

End your tour with a visit to the iconic Ben Thanh Market. This centrally located covered market offers ample opportunities to shop for souvenirs or relax with a cup of Vietnamese coffee.

Evening:

Return to your hotel and enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Meal: Breakfast Overnight stay at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Leave Ho Chi Minh

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel, then check out.

Afterward, you will be transferred to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) Airport to board your flight back home.

Safe travels!