Welcome to Hanoi/Vietnam!

Meet & greet: Upon arrival at airport, you will be welcomed to Vietnam by a private guide, and then transferred to your hotel. 

Suggested evening Water Puppet show – A unique and captivating experience, showcasing ancient Vietnamese art through water puppetry shows accompanied by live music. With its imaginative designs, talented performers, and festive atmosphere, their performances are many brief episodes related to scenes of daily life.

Highlights: Arrival and welcome
None
Overnight in Hanoi at your selected hotel

Morning tour of Hanoi & cyclo tour of the Old Quarter: Start the tour of Hanoi with a visit to Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a relic complex associated with the history of Thang Long – Dong Kinh citadel and Hanoi province starting from the pre-Thang Long period (An Nam invaded in 17th century) through Dinh – Tien Le period. thriving under the Ly, Tran, Le dynasties and Hanoi citadel under the Nguyen dynasty.This is a huge architectural work, built by the kings in many historical periods and became the most important monument in the system of Vietnamese monuments. Following we will pass by the Soviet style Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh read out the declaration of the nation’s independence in 1945. Afterwards you will visit the ancient Temple of Literature which was built in the 11th century and was the first university established in Vietnam.

End the day by enjoying a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. The best way to explore the picturesque area of the Old Quarter is by “cyclo” (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi). Also known as the “36 Streets District”, it was once the thriving commercial centre of the city. Each of the 36 short lanes used to specialise in a particular trade represented by one of the guilds.  This is still reflected in the names of certain streets:  like Silk Street, Gold Street and Fish Street.  Among the ancient homes and attractive temples there is a multitude of tantalising souvenir shops.

Road journey from Hanoi to Mai Chau: Afternoon drive to Mai Chau, a journey of approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes passing fields of tapioca, sugar and rice paddies. The journey includes 1-2 short stops on way for drink and photo opportunities. Arrive in Mai Chau late afternoon. Mai Chau is an idyllic valley home to many hill tribes including the Dzao, Muong and Thai. Dinner is at the lodge.

Evening attends traditional Thai dance show (starts at 08.30pm & finish at 09.15pm): You may want to attend a traditional dance show at the lobby of the lodge. The Thai are well known for their folk dances in traditional costumes. Be mesmerized by the traditional dances performed by the Thai villagers. The dance reflects the love between a couple, their love with the home village, and the wishes for good rice harvest and happiness.

Highlights: Hanoi city and move to Mai Chau valley
Breakfasts and Dinner
Overnight in Mai Chau at your selected hotel

Guided trekking around Mai Chau: Today you have a guide at your disposal to do some trekking. There are many great trekking routes possible in the hills around Mai Chau and you can discuss what the right length and difficulty is for you with your guide (such as Hike to Mai Ha, Te, Khoe village), strolling through local villages and evergreen rice paddies. This nature work out will allow you to experience all that is going on in the fields as you pass by – from buffaloes ploughing to locals planting or harvesting the latest rice crop. Return back to Mai Chau Lodge for a refreshing shower and a hearty lunch.

Afternoon guided tour of Mai Chau valley: this afternoon, we will enjoy a leisurely two hours cycling tour on local bikes through the beautiful valley of Mai Chau. Through your guide, engage in a chat with local hill tribe people to learn about their daily lives such as planting rice, herding buffalos and building traditional houses. Dinner is at the lodge.

Highlights: Explore Mai Chau valley
Breakfasts, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight in Mai Chau at your selected hotel

Guided trekking around Mai Chau: Today you have a guide at your disposal to do some trekking. There are many great trekking routes possible in the hills around Mai Chau and you can discuss what the right length and difficulty is for you with your guide, strolling through local villages and evergreen rice paddies. Lunch and dinner are taken at your lodge.

Road journey from Mai Chau to Hanoi: at the approximated time, travel back by road back to Hanoi, a journey of approximately 3 hours.

Highlights: Drive back to Hanoi
Breakfast and Lunch
Overnight in Hanoi at your selected hotel

Road journey from Hanoi to Halong Bay: This morning (at approximate 08.00am to 08.30am) you will be met at your hotel by your private guide. Then You will be driven through the Red River delta to the coast and the Gulf of Tonkin, where the waters of Ha Long Bay are found, a journey of approximately 3 hours.

Overnight Ha Long cruise: You will arrive in Ha Long around midday, where you will board your deluxe junk where a welcome drink awaits. After a relaxing break, enjoy a delicious seafood lunch while cruising through the magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waters like dragons’ teeth. All activities arranged by the cruise are on a shared basis. After lunch you will explore some of Halong Bay’s famous caves and grottos. There will also be the opportunity for swimming on a quiet beach or sunbathing on the sundeck. In the late afternoon there will be an excursion to a local fishing village, and a water tunnel. Return to the boat in time for a pre-dinner drink as the sun is setting. Please note that the cruise itinerary is subject to alteration dependent on sailing conditions.

Highlights: Overnight on bay, swimming
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Sharing on your selected boat in Ha Long/Lan Ha Bay

Morning’s Cruise: Enjoy an early start with Tai Chi on the sundeck, otherwise sleep in until breakfast is served. This morning, you will visit Thien Canh Son Cave – the medium size and less visited cave in Bai Tu Long Bay. After seeing these amazing rock formations return to the quay at Hon Gai in the mid-morning, whilst brunch is served on board. Disembark the junk late this morning.

Road journey from Ha Long back to Hanoi: Travel back by road to Hanoi with sightseeing en route, a journey of approximately 3 hours. Continue to Hanoi airport in time to catch your onward flight to Hue.

Highlights: Tai Chi on board and fly to Hue
Brunch
Overnight in Hue at your selected hotel

Morning guided tour of Hue city: This morning, stroll around the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City nearby. It’s modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing by the Nguyen emperors in the early 19th century. Following, you will visit one of the Royal Mausoleums in Hue, the final resting places of the Nguyen Emperors. End the day with stop by Thien Mu Pagoda is the symbol of Hue and was founded in 1601, still a site of Buddhist worship. 

Road journey from Hue to Hoi An: This afternoon, you will be driven south, along Highway 1 to Hoi An, for approximately 3 hours. Soon the highway meets the Hai Van Pass. There are some spectacular vista points that you will witness en route. Arrive in Da Nang, you will continue drive to Hoi An and check in your hotel upon arrival.

This evening is at leisure to explore Hoi An town independently or attending Hoi An Memories Show. Extra tours and excursions can be arranged locally.

Highlights: Moving to Hoi An and walking tour
Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An at your selected hotel

Morning shared cooking class: Meet up with a chef at the cooking school in the old town for a brief introduction and welcome drinks. Meander through the local market with your chef to witness the sights, sounds, and smells of it. This can be a chance to learn how to select fresh produce and ingredients essential for Vietnamese cuisine. We will visit the school’s herb garden before enjoying a joining hands-on cooking class. After the lesson, sit down and eat what you have created in the lovely restaurant.

Mid afternoon Hoi An walking tour: After some time at leisure in the afternoon, you will enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town center including temples, old houses, pagodas and the Japanese-covered Bridge to introduce an insight of Hoi An architecture/ history as well as the restoration plan being implemented by UNESCO. Free on your own to explore this ancient town and the colorful market with its stalls brimming with tropical specialties. The market is a good place to buy silk, which can be made upon into fine garments, all within a day. End the day with a drink at a river café after which you will return to your hotel.

Highlights: Cooking class and walking tour
Breakfast and Lunch
Overnight in Hoi An at your selected hotel

Private transfer: This morning you will be met by your driver and transferred to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Saigon. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the city.

Afternoon guided tour of Saigon: This afternoon visit Saigon’s historic landmark including the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France. Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. A short drive away is the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the War Remnants Museum for a vivid perspective of the American War through the eyes of the Vietnamese. Experience Saigon’s famed street coffee culture while your guide provides a brief language lesson as well as insights into daily life of a Saigonese before returning to your hotel.

Highlights: Move to Saigon
Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An at your selected hotel

Private transfer: Morning check-out, the guide will pick you up at the hotel and then transfer to the Da Nang Airport for the flight to Saigon. Then you will go straight to a hotel in the city once on arrival. 

Full day tour to the Ben Tre/ Mekong Delta: This morning you will be met at your hotel and head one and a half hours southwest of Saigon. Upon arrival Ben Tre, you go on board a wooden boat sailing across the Mekong Rivers while enjoying coconut juice so that visiting local sites, handicraft villagers, and get lunch at a local restaurant offering Mekong Delta specialties. After the all exploration, re-embark your boat to ride back to the pier in Ben Tre for disembarkation and drive back to Saigon.

Highlights: Full day tour to Mekong Delta
Breakfast and Lunch
Overnight in Hoi An at your selected hotel

Morning at leisure: This morning is at leisure in Saigon to explore independently and hunt for souvenirs. You will have to check out of your room at noon time and then be transferred to the airport for your departure flight home.

Highlights: Ends of your trip in Vietnam
Breakfast

End of services in Saigon