Arrive Hanoi

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

Hanoi, also known as the “River-bound City,” is Vietnam’s capital with a rich history dating back to 1010. The city is renowned for its captivating beauty, featuring unique cultural relics, ancient streets lined with antique houses, elegant French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and romantic lakes. This blend of historical charm and natural scenery makes Hanoi one of Asia’s most enchanting cities.

No meals included
Overnight stay at a 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. This journey immerses you in the nostalgic atmosphere of an area that perfectly captures the timeless charm of Vietnam. Developed during the French colonial era in the 20th century, the French Quarter is planned like a chessboard, making it uniquely structured. The buildings and architecture, designed by French architects, blend colonial style with the Vietnamese climate. This ride offers a great introduction to Hanoi, showcasing its grand structures along tree-lined boulevards, modest buildings hidden in small alleys, and a mix of renovated and timeworn architecture. Many decades after the French left, these buildings remain important heritage sites, contributing to the distinct atmosphere and charm of the capital.

Afterward, visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square to pay your respects to the nation’s founder. Explore the simple cottage on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked during his early years as a revolutionary. Next, visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, which features an extraordinary tribute to his life. Gain insight into the prewar history of the country at the Governor’s Residence, also known as the Presidential Palace. This classical French architectural gem is where Ho Chi Minh chose not to live, opting instead for a traditional Vietnamese stilt house on the grounds. Stop by the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, a unique structure reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond, and learn about its legendary construction. Return to your hotel for some leisure time.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. Then, your guide and driver will take you to Chợ Hôm market, primarily known as a fabric market where you can buy fabric by the meter for custom-made clothing. The 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 finishing the city tour, visit a unique café hidden in a small alley in the Old Quarter. With about 95% of its furniture and decorations made from recycled materials, the café’s owner aims to protect the environment and raise community awareness. Using the principles of “reduce – reuse – recycle,” scraps are transformed into tables, chairs, decorative lights, and drinking cups.

In the evening, enjoy a Water Puppet show, one of Vietnam’s unique traditional arts. This style of theater, known as “Roi Nuoc” in Vietnamese, originated from rural festivals and features artists standing waist-deep in water to manipulate puppets. The puppets move, talk, laugh, and dance on the water’s surface, depicting typical Vietnamese stories like farmers working in the paddy fields, water buffalo bathing, courtship scenes, and martial arts displays, delighting the audience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight stay at a hotel in Hanoi

Hanoi – Mai Chau (Drive)

In the morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel before transferring to Mai Chau. The drive takes about 4 hours and offers spectacular views as the road winds through meandering valleys. Upon arrival in Mai Chau, check into your hotel and enjoy some leisure time.

In the afternoon, embark on a half-day trekking tour.

Trekking Details:

• Route: 10km
• Level: Easy
• Transfer: Up to 40 minutes
• Altitude: 200m up/200m down

This easy trekking tour allows you to explore the harmonious blend of Mai Chau’s architecture and landscape at a relaxed pace. A short transfer will take you to a collection of charming Thai villages, starting at the peaceful village of Sam Pa. From here, you will hike across Pu Poc Mountain, following a trail suitable for everyone. Along the way, you’ll be treated to views of rice terraces, traditional villages, and shaded jungle paths. The trek eventually leads to a local village, where you can interact with the locals and learn about their history of cassava and corn farming.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight stay at a hotel in Mai Chau

Mai Chau – Pu Luong (Drive)

In the morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel. You have two options depending on the day of the week:

Option 1: Weekdays (Monday to Saturday) – Half-Day Trekking Tour in Mai Chau Valley

Embark on a half-day nature trail in Mai Chau Valley, the perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors. These nature trails are designed for travelers to appreciate the scenery, biodiversity, and tropical rainforest ecosystem of Vietnam. During your trek, you may encounter various forms of flora and fauna. Enjoy observing them in their natural habitat, but please take care not to harm or disturb them.

Option 2: Sundays – Visit to Pa Co Market

• Tour Duration: 3.5 – 4 hours
• Available: Sunday morning
• Hiking Distance: 3km (45 minutes)
• Transfer: 1.5 hours

On Sundays, visit the vibrant Pa Co Market in the northern highlands of Mai Chau, where several communities of the H’mong ethnic group gather. This weekly market is a hub for the H’mong to share their handicrafts, food, and livestock. The market is known for its lively atmosphere, with joyous drinking and long-awaited reunions. After exploring the market, enjoy an easy hike around Pa Co village, where H’mong families live in humble houses surrounded by vibrant plum gardens.

In the afternoon, transfer to Pu Luong, a drive that takes just over an hour. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy some leisure time.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight stay at a hotel in Pu Luong

Pu Luong – Hanoi (Drive)

Hanoi – Halong Overnight on Boat

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

Wake up to the soothing sounds of the ocean coming to life and start your day with breakfast. If you’re an early riser, you can take a Tai Chi class and watch the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, visit a stunning limestone grotto and then head back to the junk for a final cruise through Ha Long Bay.

Disembark at the Cruise Café Lounge, where you will meet your private car for a transfer back to Hanoi Airport to catch your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival at Da Nang Airport, our guide will greet you and transfer you to Hoi An town, a 45-minute drive away. Once you check in to your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Meals: Brunch
Overnight stay at a hotel in Hoi An

Hoi An – Half day city tour & Cooking Class

In the morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a half-day cooking class and a half-day Hoi An town tour.

Half-Day Cooking Class Tour (Joining with others) Our guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby and transfer you to Hai Café for a welcome drink.

Start with a visit to Hoi An’s colorful market, where you’ll experience the vibrant sights, sounds, and aromas. You’ll have the chance to interact with local sellers and learn about the ingredients you’ll use in your cooking lesson.

Next, board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely 25-minute cruise along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. Make sure to have your camera ready to capture local river life.

Upon arrival, explore the cooking school’s herb garden before diving into a cooking lesson featuring some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s most famous dishes. The lesson lasts about 2 hours, during which Red Bridge chefs will demonstrate each dish before you prepare it yourself. The class also includes a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving for plate decoration. After the lesson, enjoy the dishes you’ve cooked.

Feel free to bring your swimsuit to relax and enjoy free use of the 20-meter swimming pool after the cooking tour. Towels and showers are provided.

Recipes:

• Rice paper (making)
• Fresh Rice Paper Rolls of Shrimp
• Crispy Hoi An Pancakes with Shrimp, Herbs, Bean Sprouts & Peanut Sauce
• Seafood Salad with mixed Vietnamese Herbs served in Half a Pineapple
• Quang Nam Style Fresh Noodles with Chicken
• Food Decoration – Pineapple Boat, 3 Colored Flowers & Vietnamese Hand Fan

Half-Day Hoi An Walking Tour Take a walking tour around Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once a bustling maritime commercial port from the 15th to the 19th centuries, Hoi An is now a peaceful town known for its well-preserved architecture, lifestyles, and traditions. The town showcases a fascinating fusion of cultures from Vietnam and beyond, including influences from China, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Your sightseeing will include:

• The iconic 400-year-old Covered Bridge with a small temple attached to one side, a prime example of Japanese architecture.
• The Museum of Trade Ceramics, an elegant Vietnamese-style wooden house built in 1858 showcasing antique ceramic artifacts.
• The 200-year-old Tan Ky House, an ancient Chinese merchant residence.
• Ong Temple, built in 1653 by Chinese settlers to worship Guan Yu, an ancient Chinese general known for loyalty, bravery, and justice.
• The local market, vibrant with colors and activities.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight stay at a hotel in Hoi An

Hoi An – Hue (Drive)

In the morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to Hue. On the way, you’ll stop to visit the French Bunker, a concrete structure built at the Hai Van Pass near Da Nang. The French military constructed this bunker during their struggle against Viet Minh guerrillas from 1945 to 1954. Later, U.S. troops occupied the same position and others nearby during the Vietnam War.

Early in the afternoon, you will arrive in Hue and check into your hotel. Later in the afternoon, take a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River, allowing you to enjoy the open view of the river and the beautiful landscape along its banks. Along the way, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery overlooking the river from a vantage point, with origins dating back to 1601.

Next, transfer by car to the Minh Mang Tomb, where the second emperor of the Nguyen dynasty is buried. Finally, stop for shopping at Dong Ba Market, the city’s traditional commercial center, offering a variety of local goods and souvenirs.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight stay at a hotel in Hue

Hue – Half day Local Village & Half Day Citadel Tour

Start your day with a half-day tour of Hue City, the former Imperial Capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 and the last refuge of Vietnamese feudalism. The city’s charm lies in its scenic landscape and rich historical relics.

Begin with a visit to the Hue Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 520-hectare fortress-like complex, built in the early 1800s, features three enclosures separated by heavy ramparts: Kinh Thanh Hue (Civic City) as the outer, Hoang Thanh (Royal City) as the middle, and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden City) as the inner.

Next, visit Khai Dinh Tomb, the burial site of Vietnam’s second-to-last king. This tomb is the most elaborate among the royal tombs, showcasing a vivid European influence in its architecture despite its Asian style.

In the afternoon, discover the vicinity of Hue. Start with a 40-minute drive out of the city center into the scenic countryside to Phuoc Tich Village. This commune is famous for its pottery and attracts visitors with 27 ‘Nha Ruong’ (Hue’s traditional houses) and unique gardens. Walk through the peaceful streets, admire the historical sites, visit one of the traditional homes, a pottery factory, and the special Cay Thi temple, which is about 700 years old and retains harmonizing aspects of Vietnamese and Cham architecture, including Linga and Yoni relics.

Continue your journey through the countryside towards Pha Tam Giang, observing the daily life of local people and the tranquil atmosphere of ancient villages. Stop at Quang Cong Village, known as the ‘City of Ghosts,’ to see the increasingly lavish and elaborate tombs built by villagers for their ancestors.

Once you arrive at Tam Giang Lagoon, take a boat trip on the lagoon. Float past local families living on the riverbank, stopping to meet some of them along the way. Finally, transfer back to your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight stay at a hotel in Hue

Hue – Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) (By Flight) Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – UT Trinh Home Stay

Ut Trinh – Ho Chi Minh (Drive)

The day begins with a visit to the Cai Be floating market, where you’ll see bustling trade activities on the river. On the way, we’ll make stops to observe local crafts, including making rice-nets for spring rolls, sewing coconut leaves for cottage roofs, and weaving dried water hyacinth into products like baskets, bags, hats, wallets, and shoes.

A rowboat will then take you deeper into the countryside along smaller canals, allowing you to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Lunch will be served at Ba Kiet or Muoi Huong. Afterward, 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 artisans create beautiful pottery from clay. As the boat goes along the floating village, you’ll observe catfish farming on the Mekong River.

Next, visit Vinh Long market in the town, an ideal spot for taking pictures of various seafood, tropical fruits, vegetables, and more. The cruise will end at Vinh Long City around 10:00 AM.

In the later afternoon, transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City, check in to your hotel, and enjoy the evening at your leisure.

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

Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnel

In the morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel before setting off for a half-day tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels.

You’ll transfer to Cu Chi, the northernmost suburban district of Ho Chi Minh City, to discover the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels were a major underground hideout and resistance base for Viet Cong forces during the wars against the French and Americans. Entirely hand-dug, the tunnels formed an intricate network of interlinked multilevel passageways that stretched as far as the Cambodian border, totaling over 120 km in length. The complex network included meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches, and emergency exits, all designed for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and strong enough to withstand destructive bombings and self-contained enough to endure prolonged sieges.

Activities in Cu Chi Tunnels:

• Watch a documentary film introducing the history and significance of the Cu Chi Tunnels.
• Crawl short distances through the tunnels used by guerrilla fighters during the Vietnam War. You’ll see a kitchen, living quarters, and a meeting room along the way. The tunnels have been enlarged for visitors, but you can still imagine what it was like before.
• Learn about the different types of booby traps, a symbol of guerrilla warfare, and how they were created and set up.
• Visit the weapons room to see how the ingenious Viet Cong soldiers made their weapons.
• For the adventurous, head to the shooting range to fire a real AK-47 (note: the cost of bullets is not included in the tour price).

In the afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City, check in to your hotel, and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast Overnight stay at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh

In the morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a half-day city tour that offers a unique perspective of Saigon, showcasing its endearingly ordinary moments and hidden gems.

Morning Itinerary:

1. Special Market Visit:

   • Our guide and car will pick you up from the hotel for a 25-minute drive to a special market in the heart of the bustling city. This market, less known to travelers and frequented by locals, is a haven for poor gardeners from the Mekong Delta provinces. These people live on makeshift boats, selling seasonal fruits to the Saigonese. Walk along the wooden boat-line road, interact with fruit vendors, and learn about their lives and challenges.

2. Wholesale Flower Market:

   • Next, visit the wholesale flower market. Navigate through narrow alleys filled with vibrant flower stalls. Witness the blurred line between commercial and residential life as you see flower-filled balconies above the market stalls. The market is a bustling, colorful scene with roses, lilies, orchids, and daisies in every color. Observe the daily life of the residents and the business of flower selling.

3. Oldest Café in Saigon:

   • Step back in time at the oldest café in Saigon for a taste of traditional Vietnamese coffee, known as cà phê vợt. This tiny café, hidden in an alley, has been serving coffee for over eighty years using a cloth filter, charcoal stove, and traditional clay pot. Enjoy a cup of coffee and listen to old stories told by the owner.

4. War Remnants Museum:

   • The impact of the Vietnam War is evident throughout the country, and a visit to the War Remnants Museum is a must for history buffs. With your private driver and English-speaking guide, explore the museum’s comprehensive collection of war machinery, weapons, and photos. The museum includes tributes to journalists, civilians, and soldiers, and provides a critical look at biological warfare and global peace movements.

5. Reunification Palace:

   • Visit the Reunification Palace, also known as the Independence Palace. This was the residence of the President of South Vietnam until the end of the Vietnam War in April 1975. It was here that the war ended when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through the gates, leading to the reunification of Vietnam.

Afternoon Itinerary:

1. American Embassy and Thich Quang Duc Memorial:

   • Drive past the former American Embassy and the site where the famous Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc self-immolated in June 1963. His self-immolation sparked widespread protest against the Diem regime, leading to significant political changes in Vietnam.

2. Ben Thanh Market:

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

Meals: Breakfast Overnight stay at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Leave Ho Chi Minh

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, check out and prepare for your departure. You will be transferred to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) Airport to board your flight back home. Safe travels!

Meals: Breakfast