***Route can change subject to client’s interest

Today’s full day discovery of Hanoi starts at 08:30.  Begin with a visit to the sixth-century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda, on the shores of serene West Lake.

Next, take a short drive to visit the famed Temple of Literature. In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam - Vietnam's first university, also referred to as Van Mieu, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite, for an incredible 800-years. 

Following, chose a museum option (to be discussed on the actual day of the tour): 

Option 1: Vietnam Women’s Museum.  Highly acclaimed, the museum displays highlights of Vietnam’s vast cultural diversity and the significant role women play in Vietnamese society. 

Option 2: The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (closed Mondays) is a must-visit for anyone interested in learning about the rich cultural diversity of Vietnam. The museum houses a vast collection of interactive exhibits that showcase the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.

Continuing on foot past the Mausoleum (viewed from outside) to learn about the life and legacy of the nation’s founder. Continue to the ‘house on stilts’ where ‘Bac Ho’ resided from 1958 to 1969 (closed on Monday and Friday). Stroll around the tranquil grounds before completing the circuit at the One Pillar pagoda; built in 1049, the symbol of Hanoi is a unique representation of the city.

Mid-late afternoon, continue the exploration with a stroll through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. A maze of alleyways and hidden treasures, learn about local life in the ‘36-guilds’ as you weave through the frenetic streets on foot.

To conclude the day, step back in time to the 11th century and experience the ancient art of water puppetry at the famed Thang Long Water Puppet Theater.

Following the introduction to Hanoi’s highlights transfer back to your hotel or your next destination.

Overnight        : Hanoi

Meal               : Breakfast

Hanoi – Sapa : 6 hour drive

Breakfast at the hotel before the drive to Sapa, a former French hill station town, along the Chinese border. Here, rice terraced hills and ethnic hill tribes villages rest below the stunning Hoang Lien Son National Park and Indochina's highest peak, Mt. Fansipan, which stands at just over 3, 000m. En-route, a simple local meal will be taken.

Arrive Sapa in the late afternoon, then check into the hotel then free at leisure.

Overnight        : Sapa

Meal               : Breakfast

Following breakfast at the hotel, depart at 0830 for a 6-km trek (see note below) from Sapa town to Black H’Mong hill tribe village of Hang Da. 

First transfer down the Muong Hoa Valley, admiring the views along the way. Leave the vehicle for a relatively light walk leading through the surrounding area. Weather permitting, enjoy spectacular views over the mountainous and valley beyond. Continue on foot gradually downhill through the stunning valley of Sa Seng, passing through several H’mong hamlets.

A typical H’mong village comprises wooden roofed houses surrounded by rock walls where pot-bellied pigs, chickens and water buffaloes can be seen. Visit a local house in the villae to learn more about the fascinating culture of the H’mong people. Continue on foot to another hamlet at the bottom of the valley, where the vehicle  awaits for the transfer back to Sapa town.  

Overnight        : Sapa  

Meal               : Breakfast

This morning after breakfast, leave Sapa for the 30-minute transfer through the mountains to Ban Khoang Valley. En-route, enjoy breathtaking views (weather permitting) of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range.

On arrival at the village, join a footpath for the walk to a Red Dao hill tribe hamlet. The tradition of weaving and skill here is remarkable, see embroidery on their traditional costumes.

For centuries, the people here still maintain their culture of rice planting, animal farming such as  buffalos, chickens and pot belly pigs in order to maintain a self-sufficient system for their families and community. 

Leave Ban Khoang and transfer back to Hanoi.

Overnight        : Hanoi  

Meal               : Breakfast

Hanoi – Halong : 3 hour drive

The perfect way to see the UNESCO World Heritage areas of Halong and Lan Ha Bay is to spend a night aboard a charming boat. The mystical scenery, where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into wonderous shapes covered in lush flora is truly breathtaking.  

Following breakfast leave Hanoi at 09:00 for the 2.5hours drive to Halong City. Arrive at the pier around noon and proceed with check-in formalities.

After the welcome onboard and checking into the cabin, lunch will be served whilst cruising. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits or activities (depending on the boat’s set itinerary). Towards the end of the afternoon the boat will anchor for the night surrounded by karst formations.

Enjoy a sunset cocktail on the deck followed by dinner, then retiring for the evening.

Overnight        : on board

Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Hanoi – Danang : 1 hour & 20 min flight

Wake up to the fresh morning amidst the bay and have breakfast (brunch on some boats) while leisurely immersing in the serene setting of the spectacular rock formations. Proceed to checkout as the cruise arrives towards port. Upon disembarkation, be met by the driver for a transfer to Noi Bai Airport for a flight to Danang.

On arrival in Danang, transfer to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries known for its architecture and former merchants’ homes, colourful communal halls, narrow lanes lined with traditional houses and the iconic Japanese Bridge.

Overnight        : Hoian

Meal               : Breakfast | Brunch

Today’s tour will begin at 08:00. Spend a day immersed in the rich history of Central Vietnam.

After around 1-hour driving from central Hoi An, arrive at the cultural highlight of Central Vietnam, the temple complex at My Son (pronounced Me Sern). Granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999, the tower temples were the seat of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence between the 4th and 13th centuries.

Wander around the crumbling ruins, hearing about the Cham culture, its rulers and their impressive reign. Take a moment to soak up the serene atmosphere and imagine what My Son was like in its heyday.

After this glimpse into Central Vietnam’s ancient history, return to Hoi An.

The afternoon will be spent walking Hoi An’s old town to learn about its illustrious past as a trading port. See the remarkably well-preserved traditional houses that have withstood hundreds of years of weather and war.

Start at the Japanese Bridge which spans a small waterway and was built more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. Admire the carvings and paintings inside the bridge, learning about their symbolism and cultural significance.

Continue to a Chinese communal hall, a colorful mélange of bright gates, dragon statues and elaborate rooftops. Additionally, explore smaller laneways and local neighborhoods, gaining a better appreciation of Hoi An’s endless charm. After this insightful glimpse of Hoi An,  return to the hotel or your next destination.

Overnight        : Hoian

Meal               : Breakfast

Hoian – Hue : 3 hour drive

After breakfast, leave Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Its mesmerizing tombs and mausoleums of the last emperors of Vietnam reveal fascinating insights into the lives of the imperial families and their subjects. The ancient Citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern. The Royal Citadel was badly damaged in the latter stages of the war but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today. 

Arrive at a local family house for a short break before embarking on a local wooden fishing boat. Experience some of the traditional fishing techniques on the lagoon such as lifting large fishing nets and crabs cages.

Reach the family’s fishing station built on stilts in the middle of the lagoon. Climb back on top of the fishing station and share a delicious seafood lunch with your hosts. Your guide helps you to interact with them to learn about their daily life. Take a rest after lunch and soak in the amazing landscape all around before getting back onshore where your vehicle awaits you for your ongoing adventures.

Overnight        : Hue  

Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

***Route can change subject to client’s interest

Today’s tour will begin at 08:00 (or alternatively at 14:00). Move off the beaten track for a look at the imperial city’s hidden gems during this half day tour. Climb onto a cyclo for a ride through Dai Noi ‘Old City to a tranquil lake, where king’s once rested during the hot summer months, before arriving at a private museum featuring a magnificent collection of royal possessions. 

From here, continue by vehicle to the  Tiger Arena, a unique relic built in the early 19th century. The Tiger Arena was used for tiger - elephant battles as a form of entertainment for the emperor and his court. This is the only place in the world where this form of entertainment existed.

Continue further to the outskirts of Hue, to a place where time seems to have stood still. Here, explore a tranquil pagoda set in the woods and the incredible tombs of eunuchs.

Continue to An Dinh Palace, the former private residence of Emperors Khai Dinh and Bao Dai. Built in 1917 and decorated with both Roman-style motifs and traditional Vietnamese motifs, the former palace offers a reminder of the power and wealth of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors, as well as the turbulent history of Vietnam in the 20th century.

Conclude with a visit to a place of both pain and hope, a hilltop sacred to the Vietnamese people, but also scarred by the American-Vietnam war. Overlooking the revered Perfume River, this area is a place of peace and reflection for those who visit.

Return to your hotel around 12:00 (or alternatively at 18:00).

Overnight        : Hue  

Meal               : Breakfast

Hue – Ho Chi Minh : 1 hour & 20 min flight

Transfer to Hue Airport after breakfast for the short flight to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by the locals.

Meet with a local guide and start with a walking tour (depending on the season, this order might be changed) through the historic city center and CBD. See the architecturally splendid City Hall, historic Dong Khoi Street, the Continental Hotel and the Saigon Opera House.

Then step off the main road into a historic building revolutionized by the city’s youth. Here, locally owned retail stores, coffee shops and art spaces offer a glimpse into the city’s creative generation. If time allows, sit for a coffee at one of the building’s cafe’s.

Continue on foot to the Central Post Office. Here, you can also glimpse the former CIA building, where one of the last helicopter evacuations took place in 1975.  

Stroll through lovely 30 April Park to perhaps the city’s most famous landmark - the Reunification Palace. Now preserved in a time warp, the ‘war rooms’ in the basement plus the opulent display are fascinating. 

Finish up the day at another historic site, the Ben Thanh Market. Still functioning as a local neighborhood market, the central location also welcomes travelers with a variety of stalls.

Having gained greater understanding of Saigon's culture and history, return to the hotel.

Overnight        : Ho Chi Minh  

Meal               : Breakfast

Ho Chi Minh – Mekong delta: 2 hour drive 

Today’s tour starts at 08:00 with a pick up from the hotel in the city center. Leave the busy streets and modern buildings of Ho Chi Minh City behind to drive 2-hours south of the city to the verdant Mekong Delta.

On arrival, board a local boat for a first glimpse of life on the Mekong Delta’s maze of waterways. See the life of locals and how they make their living on floating fish farms as the boat winds through the maze of canals.

En-route visit a small factory producing handicrafts made of coconut – a material found in abundance in the Mekong region. See a traditional folklore performance while relishing in some of the freshest tropical fruits the region has to offer.

As an option, switch gears and hop on a motor-tricycle, once the iconic vehicle and main means of transportation in southern Vietnam in the 1960s (Please note: motor-tricycle to be requested in advance). Explore the riverside promenade and narrow lanes to a lush garden. Taste the honey that is harvested by the residents and famous throughout Vietnam.

Get a closer look at delta life on a sampan boat, rowed through a hidden maze of small, waterpalm draped canals. Then, kick back and enjoy a delicious lunch featuring the unique flavours of Mekong Delta cuisine.

Before returning to the big city, stop at Vinh Trang Pagoda. This massive Buddhist pagoda boasts impressive architecture and an incredible collection of statues, including a life-size jade image.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City late this afternoon, filled with fantastic memories of a day in the Delta.

Overnight        : Ho Chi Minh  

Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

Departure day. At leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for onward flight.

Meal               : Breakfast