Delightful Vietnam - 13 Days

Your Vietnam adventure kicks off upon your arrival in Hanoi. Our private driver will greet you at the airport, holding a sign with your name, and transfer you to your centrally located accommodation.

Positioned right in the city's heart, you have the captivating Old Quarter just a stone's throw away. You may choose to explore the bustling streets at your leisure or simply unwind at the hotel following your flight.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel before our experienced English-speaking guide takes you to Ba Vi, a rural area on the outskirts of Hanoi. Upon arrival at Ri Village, enjoy a welcome drink and snacks as you meet your first host, Mr. Duoc, a Vietnam War veteran and tea farm owner.

Listen to Mr. Duoc's wartime experiences while savouring your drink, and then explore his tea plantation. You'll learn how to select the best tea leaves to create Vietnam’s renowned beverage.

Continue to Mr. Duoc's small workshop to witness the largely manual tea production process. Next, a short drive takes us to Moc Village, where you'll meet your next host, Mrs. Chin. She will guide you through preparing traditional Vietnamese dishes, which you'll then enjoy for lunch in a picturesque tropical garden.

After lunch, take a brief rest before joining Mrs. Chin for a walk around the village. Visit local families to gain insight into rural life and observe the making of tofu, conical hats, and other local crafts. Then, embark on a cycling tour through scenic paddy fields.

Conclude your countryside experience with a traditional herbal foot soak, using age-old Muong minority recipes, to rejuvenate after your cycling adventure. Later, you’ll be transferred back to your accommodation in Hanoi, where you'll spend the night.

In the morning, we'll check out of the hotel and be collected by the Cruise team. Our journey to Halong Bay takes us along the most scenic route, passing through the Red River Delta, known for its vast, emerald green rice paddies.

Upon arrival at the pier, we'll board our cruise, where we'll be treated to stunning views of limestone formations and karst grottoes. Enjoy a delightful seafood lunch on the sundeck as we begin our exploration of the Bay.

The cruise will pause at a secluded spot, allowing us the opportunity to kayak or swim and experience the karst grottoes up close. As evening approaches, we'll return to the boat for an early dinner. You’ll then have some free time to either participate in onboard activities or simply unwind.

Begin your day early to experience the breathtaking sunrise, accompanied by breakfast in the dining room. We will then explore the limestone cave, marvelling at its impressive stalagmites and stalactites. After our visit, we'll return to the boat, check out, and savour a brunch as the cruise sails back to the harbour.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to a meeting point in Hanoi (accommodation is not included). In the evening, from 20:30 to 21:00, you'll be collected from your hotel and taken to the railway station for an overnight train to Sapa, departing at 21:50 and arriving at 06:30. Enjoy your journey on the train, where you'll spend the night en route to Sapa.

We will meet you at Lao Cai railway station and transfer you to Sapa, where a welcoming breakfast and a brief rest await you. Accommodation is available for day use only. After checking out, you can leave your luggage at the hotel, as we will embark on a trek without vehicle support and you will spend the night in a local homestay.

Our 12 km trek takes us along small paths through the stunning Muong Hoa Valley towards the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai. This route offers some of Asia's most breathtaking terraced field views.

Continuing to the valley's base, we reach the Dzay tribe village of Ta Van. Here, you'll immerse yourself in local culture by joining a family in their cottage for dinner and an overnight stay. Enjoy an authentic experience at a homestay.

Rise early to explore village life at your leisure and enjoy breakfast. Afterwards, we set off on a trek to Giang Ta Chai village, home of the Red Dzao tribe. Here, you'll discover the distinctive lifestyles of Sapa's diverse tribes.

Our trek continues along stunning paths, leading us to a picturesque waterfall. We'll pause for a picnic lunch and some rest before heading to the main road. There, a bus will collect us for our return to Sapa.

After breakfast, we will embark on a 4-kilometre walk southwest of Sapa to explore Cat Cat village, home to the Black H’mong minority. Here, you can unwind by the picturesque waterfall and discover the remnants of a hydroelectric power station built during the French colonial period.

We will then enjoy a picnic lunch by the river before continuing our trek for 6 kilometres to Sin Chai, a village nestled at the base of Fansipan Mountain, known as the "Roof of Vietnam and Indochina." Absorb the breathtaking landscapes and then begin a climb to meet our transport. You will then travel back to Hanoi by limousine bus, where you will spend the night.

Enjoy your final moments in Hanoi before your private driver escorts you to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival at Da Nang Airport, another driver will meet you and take you to your accommodation in Hoi An. The remainder of the day is yours to explore at your leisure.

Our day begins as we meet our guide between 7:45 and 8:15 am for a journey to the My Son Sanctuary. This remarkable site once housed over 70 temple towers, constructed between the 4th and 13th centuries by the Champa kingdoms. Influenced heavily by Indian culture, these temples exhibit unique architectural styles and mostly face east, a direction revered by the Champa as the dwelling of the gods.

During our two-hour visit, we will stroll through this fascinating landscape, uncovering the rich history with insights from our guide, and enjoy traditional Champa performances.

After this cultural immersion, we return to the minivan and proceed to a local house, where you can learn the art of making rice paper and sample your creations. We’ll then savour a meal in another local home.

In the afternoon, we embark on a boat trip along the Thu Bon River, Central Vietnam's largest. Enjoy the cool breeze and scenic views as we sail back to Hoi An, arriving around 14:00.

Enjoy your final moments in Hoi An before your private driver takes you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you will be greeted by your driver and taken to your accommodation. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure.

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast before setting off for the Mekong Delta. Our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby between 7:15 and 7:30 am to start our journey to My Tho, on the left bank of the Mekong River.

Upon arrival, we will board a sampan and navigate the river, passing by the scenic islands of Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise. At Unicorn Island, stroll the country lanes and explore the orchards. Enjoy visits to fruit plantations where you can savour tropical fruits while listening to traditional folk songs performed by locals.

We will then take a hand-rowed sampan through the Thoi Son canal, offering an immersive glimpse into the stunning countryside. Visit family-run workshops and a honey-bee farm, where you can sample honey tea and coconut candies.

A traditional Vietnamese lunch will be served to refresh us, followed by an optional cycling tour around Tan Thach village. Here, you can meet locals and experience daily life in the Mekong Delta. Alternatively, you might prefer to simply relax in a hammock and enjoy the cool breeze.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before we set off for the Cu Chi Tunnels, a journey of approximately 90 minutes. On arrival, we'll watch a short film introducing the construction of this remarkable underground network and explaining how its inhabitants endured the wartime conditions.

You'll then have the opportunity to explore the remaining sections of these tunnels. Discover living quarters, kitchens, and bedrooms that functioned alongside martial facilities such as storage areas, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centres. These were essential for meeting the basic needs of those who lived underground.

As you navigate this maze-like complex, notice the hidden trap doors and security measures used during the conflict. After exploring, we'll taste special tea and cassava, staples for guerrillas during the war.

On the final day of your journey through Thailand and Vietnam, start with a nourishing breakfast. After checking out of your hotel, enjoy some free time to explore the local markets—ideal for picking up souvenirs for friends and family. Later, a private driver will take you to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!