Itinerary

1. Day 01: Hanoi Arrival

   • Welcome to Hanoi, the starting point of your stunning Vietnam culture and history tours! As Vietnam's second largest capital city, Hanoi is heartening with prominent economic development and the cradle of Red River Delta culture. Hanoi is also characterised by French colonial buildings scattered around the city, the road of giant trees, delectable gastronomy and a vibrant life pace. 
   • Upon arrival, your driver and local tour guide will welcome and transfer you from the airport to Hanoi City. Check-in hotel and have a relaxing time for the rest of the day.

   Meals included: None

   Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
   Please note: Hotel standard check-in time is 14:00. Earlier check-in is available upon room availability.

2. Day 02: Hanoi

   • Embark on a full-day city tour of Hanoi with cultural and historical attractions. 
   • You will begin with Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi, constructed in the 6th century. Originally located on a dyke that the flood caused its relocation to an ideal peninsula on West Lake nowadays, making Tran Quoc a photogenic spot in Hanoi. It's optional to use a car or take a 15-minute walk from Tran Quoc Pagoda to Ba Dinh Square, where you can see the iconic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. There is the resting place of Vietnam's greatest president, Ho Chi Minh, who is housing his embalmed body. Sightseeing the mausoleum from the front, you then have a pleasant stroll and visit the Presidential Palace, the accommodations of Ho Chi Minh President and One Pillar Pagoda. 
   • After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, renowned as the first university in Vietnam. This attraction showcases Vietnamese culture and beliefs and is still a crucial part of local culture today. 
   • Afterwards, you will have a relaxing cyclo ride to glimpse Hanoi’s corners and admire the iconic colonial buildings such as Legend Metropole Hanoi, Hanoi Opera House, The State Bank, Saint Joseph Church and others. Farewell cyclo rider at Hanoi Old Quarter for your exploration of this vibrant corner, a unique and busy commercial place, and to intermingle with the lively local lifestyle. 
   • Finish the walking tour at Hoan Kiem Lake, renowned as the heart of Hanoi; you will enjoy the Water Puppet Show, invented over a thousand years ago. Originating as a hobby for the peasants and later developing into royal entertainment, the show depicts daily life and legends of Vietnamese farmers, followed by traditional and lively music.

   Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

   Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

   Tour duration: 8 hours

3. Day 03: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Train to Sapa

   • Today, you will leave for Hoa Lu, one of the most renowned sites in the country for its lush nature and breathtaking limestone peaks.
   • At the so-called “land-based Halong Bay”, you will discover the temples of kings Dinh and Le, built in the 10th century in the forest's heart. 
   • In the afternoon, you will hop aboard a sampan for a boat excursion to the Tam Coc caves (the three lagoons), where you will be amazed at the aquatic landscape and towering rock formations surrounding you. 
   • You will then return to your mini hotel in Hanoi (use 3 hours).
   • In the evening, you will take the night train from Hanoi station to Lao Cai.

   Meals included: breakfast, lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight stay in train (with air-conditioned cabins with four berths per cabin – 4pax/cabin)

4. Day 04: Sapa

   • In the early morning you will arrive at Lao Cai Station and depart for Sapa, which lies placidly at the base of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain range.
   • After freshening up and having breakfast, you will visit the Love Waterfall in Sapa.
   • Love Waterfall is located at an altitude of 1800 m above sea level within the Hoang Lien Son National Park. To reach it, you have to cross a wild path. The waterfall is suitable for those who love nature and want to explore the mountains. It is one of Sapa's tourist attractions for those seeking grand natural views.
   • Next, you will walk to Y Linh Ho village, where you will be lucky enough to admire the colourful traditional clothes of the inhabitants. Your adventure will continue along sinuous paths that wind through the verdant rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley. 
   • You will head towards Lao Chai and then end the excursion at Ta Van.

   Meals included breakfast, lunch in a local house or picnic

   Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

5. Day 05: Sapa – Hanoi

   • In the morning, you will travel to Ta Phin Village - a famous hill tribe village approximately six miles north of Sapa. Ta Phin village regularly welcomes trekkers to experience a more traditional lifestyle in Vietnam's mountainous northwest. Here, Red Dao, Black Hmong, and Kinh ethnic groups live side by side and continue to adhere to their distinct cultures, visiting a unique opportunity to learn about their differences and spend time interacting with members of each ethnic group. The Hmong have unique marriage traditions; the red Dao are known for their expertise in herbal medicine and using earthly plants to cure many diseases. You will also see Ta Phin Cave Cave, which goes very deep into the mountains, and you will see women making brocade products to sell.
   • This afternoon, return to Hanoi by a comfortable 10-seater limousine. Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi around 7.30 pm - 8.00 pm. You will have free time to relax.

   Meals included: breakfast, lunch

   Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

6. Day 06: Hanoi – Halong Bay

   • Today, you’ll travel 2.5 hours from Hanoi to Halong Bay for the overnight boat cruising on the stunning bay, which includes 1,969 islands and islets of giant rock formations.
   • You will have lunch at the boat's restaurant while the boat set sails toward the Halong Bay core area. 
   • In the afternoon, you will get to the islands on Halong Bay to hike, go to Halong Bay cave, kayak in the calm area, or take a local wooden boat if you cannot ride the kayak. 
   • Return to the boat when the sun sets; you shall enjoy the tea break and chilling on the boat before dinner. 

   Remarks: The activities order might differ slightly depending on the crew's schedule. 

   Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

   Accommodation: Overnight cruise on Halong Bay

   Driving distance: 170km (105 miles) – 2.5 hours

7. Day 07: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Hoi An

   • In the morning, a Tai Chi lesson is available on the top deck for you to participate in and enjoy the freshness of Halong Bay. 
   • After breakfast, you will stop at other islands on Halong Bay for further expeditions and enjoy nature. The boat then sails toward the mainland in a different route for your further admiration of Halong Bay scenes. 
   • Leaving the boat at noon, you will meet your driver and head to the airport for your flight to Hue, the former capital in central Vietnam.
   • Upon arriving in Hue, you will see your local tour guide and have a transfer from Da Nang Airport to the hotel in Hoi An for check-in.

   Meals included: Breakfast, lunch or brunch

   Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

   Driving distance: 170km (105 miles) – 2.5 hours

8. Day 08: Hoi An

   • This morning, you will hop on your bicycle and travel through the lush countryside of Hoi An toward Tra Que Village. 
   • Participate with local people. You will learn how villagers plant vegetables and herbs. 
   • Afterwards, try making one of the best Vietnamese dishes, Banh Xeo or sizzling cake, followed by lunch. 
   • After lunch, you can rest before cycling to Cam Thanh Village, crossing the floodplain and rice fields and enjoying the scenic countryside and the villagers. 
   • From here, board the local boat at the mouth of Thu Bon River and initiate the local fishing styles and catching fish. The bamboo basket boat will take you into the mangrove forest. 
   • Have a break before returning to Hoi An town by land transfer.

   Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

   Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

9. Day 09: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City

   • Have a pleasant time on your own till a good time; you will get a transfer from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City - the next stop of your tour exploring Vietnamese culture and history. 
   • Upon arrival, you will see your local tour guide and travel to the city center.

   Meals included: Breakfast

   Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

10. Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels

    • Ho Chi Minh City is undeniably the most modern and vibrant city in Vietnam, making it one of the best things to see and do in Vietnam; it is also a city to fulfil your understanding of Vietnam's history. 
    • This morning, you will head to Cu Chi Tunnels, a must-visit of historical tours in Vietnam. The Vietnamese Resistance force dug the underground systems during the war against the French and then extended further during the Vietnam War. Exploring the tunnels 3 to 4 meters (9 to 13 feet) under the ground, you could imagine how the war went at the time. 
    • Afterwards, you can return to the Ho Chi Minh City center for lunch.
    • In the afternoon, you will explore the historical sites of Ho Chi Minh City. 
    • Visit the War Remnants Museum and learn more about the Vietnam War with the exhibitions of US weapons, photos of the war's consequences, details of chemical weapons, and so on. 
    • Then, admire the French colonial buildings like the old Post Office, which is close to Notre Dame Cathedral, and the walking Dong Khoi Street.

    Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

    Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

11. Day 11: Day Trip to Mekong Delta

    • This morning, you will travel to the Mekong Delta region in southern Vietnam and enjoy a pleasant day in the countryside. The Mekong Delta is the last piece fulfilling your best Vietnam itinerary. 
    • Arriving at Cai Be pier, you will board a local boat and cruise toward Vinh Long for a tropical hideaway. 
    • Make stops to taste the fruits from the orchards of local villagers and learn of some handicraft works. 
    • Have lunch at a local house; afterwards, you will head back to Cai Be by boat and return to Ho Chi Minh City by late afternoon.

    Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

    Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

12. Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City Departure

    • Have free time on your own till the transfer to the airport for your flight to the next destination.

    Meals included: Breakfast

    Accommodation: None

    Please note: Hotel standard check-out time is 12:00 pm