Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam! Upon your arrival, your guide will meet you and take you by private car to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to relax. Overnight at your hotel in Hanoi.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi or Similar
Day 2: Hanoi City tour
Spend a full day exploring Hanoi, starting with morning visits to the Ho Chi Minh Complex and the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, visit the Ethnology Museum. Afterwards, enjoy a one-hour Xich Lo ride through the Old Quarter, with stops at Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Conclude the day with a Water Puppet show. Overnight at your hotel in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi or Similar
Day 3: Ninh Binh Karst landscape
Depart from central Hanoi for a 1.5-hour drive to Ninh Binh province. Visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital, including temples dedicated to the national heroes and kings of the Dinh and Early Le Dynasties, and explore Ma Yen Mountain. Afterward, enjoy a bicycle ride along country roads, passing through rice paddies, villages, and mountains on your way to Tam Coc. Afternoon take a serene boat ride along the stream, surrounded by the striking karst formations of Tam Coc. Later, visit the Bich Dong Pagoda to complete your day of exploration. Drive back Hanoi. Free to discover nightlife in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ha Noi or Similar
Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay cruise (joined tour)
Arrive in Hanoi early in the morning, around 5:30 AM. Enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant (a day room at a hotel is available for an additional cost). At 8:30 AM, you’ll be picked up from the hotel and depart Hanoi for a drive to Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. Upon arrival around noon, check in on board your cruise. Afternoon: Kayak through the karsts and take in the stunning natural scenery, or enjoy a swim at one of the beaches. In the evening, join a sunset party on board. Dinner and overnight stay on board, surrounded by the islands and beneath a starry sky.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, Lunch & Dinner on board
Accommodation: Overnight on board – Private ensuite cabin or Similar
Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi (joined tour) – Night train to Dong Hoi
Wake up early to catch the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, take a rowing boat tour to visit a floating village, followed by a cruise through another part of Halong Bay. Disembark around midday (between 11:00 and 11:30, depending on the boat and tide) and drive back to Hanoi. Arrive back at your hotel around 14:30, with free time to explore the city and have dinner at your leisure. At 16:30, transfer to the train station for your overnight train to Dong Hoi. The train departs at 19:25 and arrives in Dong Hoi the next morning at 05:18. You’ll spend the night on board in a comfortable air-conditioned soft sleeper compartment.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch/Brunch on board
Accommodation: Overnight in private cabin on train or Similar
Day 6: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
Arrive early in Dong Hoi and head to a local restaurant for a simple breakfast. Afterward, transfer to Paradise Cave in Phong Nha National Park, where you’ll spend a rewarding two hours exploring the cave system. Following your visit to Paradise Cave, transfer 7 km to the Dark Cave. Continue your adventure by visiting the Chay River and Dark Cave. Enjoy kayaking on the Chay River and exploring the Dark Cave. Later, experience a natural mud bath, swim across Thuy Tien Lake or Bong Lai Lake, and try the zip line aerial trapeze. In the late afternoon, transfer to Chay Lap Farmstay for your overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Phong Nha or Similar
Day 7: Dong Hoi – DMZ – Hue
Cross the Ben Hai River and visit the Quang Tri Citadel, followed by a stop at the La Vang Cathedral. Arrive in Hue in the late afternoon. Overnight at your hotel in Hue.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue or Similar
Day 8: Hue Royal Citadel & Forbidden City
Start with a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda. Then, continue to explore the Imperial Citadel and the Mausoleum of Tu Duc. Alternatively, visit Khai Dinh’s Tomb, known for its unique blend of traditional Vietnamese design with European influences, setting it apart from other tombs in Hue. Return to Hue in the mid-afternoon to explore the lively Dong Ba Market, where you can also sample the local specialty, “Banh Khoai.”
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue or Similar
Day 9: Hue – Bana Hill and the Golden bridge – Transfer to Hoi An
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to Ba Na Hills Station. Upon arrival, take a 15-minute walk to the Giant Hand Golden Bridge. Then, explore the Flower Garden, Hiking Train, Debay Wine Cellar, and Linh Ung Pagoda. Afterward, take the second cable car to the top, which is about a 10-minute ride. At the top of Nui Chua National Park, visit Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple, Linh Phong Tu Tower, the Belfry, Beer House, Tru Vu Teahouse, Linh Phong Thien Tu, and the Fantasy Park. At 3:00 PM, return to the cable car station and drive back to Hoi An. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at the cooking class
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An or Similar
Day 10: Hoi An countryside experience
Begin your day with an exciting bicycle tour through the Hoi An countryside, cycling along hidden alleys, passing through rustic villages and lush green farmlands. Later, enjoy a bamboo boat rowing trip through the water coconut forest. Continue your journey with a visit to Tra Que village, where you’ll participate in a cooking class to learn and prepare some local specialties. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the charming town of Hoi An at your leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at the cooking class
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An or Similar
Day 11: Hoi An – Free and easy
Today, you have a free day to stroll around Hoi An and explore the town’s notable sights at your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An or Similar
Day 12: Hoi An – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City – Afternoon sightseeing Cu Chi Tunnels
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up by our driver and transferred to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. In the late afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City or Similar
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta
Upon arrival in My Tho city, embark on a boat cruise along the mighty Mekong River. Visit local cottage industries and enjoy a motor cart ride around the islands of Ben Tre province. Experience a serene sampan rowing trip through the mangroves of the Mekong Delta. Afterward, board the larger boat to return to My Tho harbor, followed by a bus drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City or Similar
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City – Vung Tau beach break
Begin your day with a short visit to the War Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Ben Thanh Market. Afterward, depart for Vung Tau city for a relaxing beach break at Melia Ho Tram Vung Tau. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vung Tau or Similar
Day 15: Vung Tau beach break
Free at your leisure and enjoy beach relax
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vung Tau or Similar
Day 16: Vung Tau beach break
Free at your leisure and enjoy beach relax
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vung Tau or Similar
Day 17: Vung Tau – Ho Chi Minh City – Departure
Check out hotel Vung Tau and transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to the airport for your flight off. Safe travels!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
