Ultimate Vietnam Experience - 13 Days

Welcome to Vietnam! On arrival in Hanoi, our private driver will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign displaying your name. You'll be taken directly to your accommodation in the city centre, ideally situated near the vibrant Old Quarter. From here, explore the city at your leisure or unwind at the hotel after your flight.

Your cultural journey in Hanoi begins with our guide and driver collecting you from your hotel. We'll start at Tran Quoc Pagoda, a peaceful Buddhist sanctuary on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. As the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, built in the 6th century, it embodies Vietnam’s spiritual history.

Next, we'll visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you can view the final resting place of Vietnam’s beloved leader, Uncle Ho. Explore the serene gardens and the two houses where he resided and worked from 1954 to 1969. We'll then head to the One Pillar Pagoda, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, renowned for its unique architecture.

Important Notes: Please dress modestly, covering shoulders to knees, when visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, temples, and pagodas. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays; however, you can still take photographs and explore the surrounding grounds. The mausoleum is closed for maintenance from 15th June to 15th August.

Our next stop is the Vietnam Ethnology Museum, where we learn about the culture of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. On Mondays, this visit is substituted with the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, highlighting women's significant contributions to Vietnamese history.

At lunchtime, we'll savour authentic Vietnamese cuisine at our restaurant, with vegetarian options available. After lunch, we’ll explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1070.

We'll proceed to Hoa Lo Prison, constructed by the French between 1886 and 1901, during Vietnam's time as part of French Indochina. Known as Maison Centrale by the French, the prison was notorious for its harsh conditions and is now a war museum offering insights into the Vietnamese resistance against French colonial rule.

Finally, we’ll return you to your hotel, concluding the day's exploration.

Today, we embark on a comfortable drive from Hanoi to Sapa. As we leave the lively capital, the scenery shifts to rolling hills and lush landscapes. Along the way, you'll see the breathtaking terraced rice fields of northern Vietnam, which shimmer under the sun or blend into the morning mist—a sight reminiscent of a painting.

After a brief stop to rest, we continue our journey to Sapa. Arriving in the early afternoon, you'll be dropped off at your hotel. You have the rest of the day free to relax or explore the charming town of Sapa at your leisure.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel. At around 9:30 AM, we will meet our guide to embark on a 12 km trek through the stunning landscapes of Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages, home to the Hmong community. As we walk, take in the breathtaking views of terraced rice fields and towering mountain peaks.

We will pause for lunch, either with a local family in Lao Chai or at a nearby riverside cafe. Following lunch, our hike continues to Ta Van village, where the Dzay people reside. Here, you'll immerse yourself in their everyday life, observing their unique traditions and customs. We will spend the night at a homestay, offering an authentic cultural experience.

Notes around logistics: Please pack a small bag with clothes and essentials for the trek and homestay overnight. You can leave your main luggage at the Sapa hotel reception, ready for your return the following day before you transfer back to Hanoi.

Begin your day with a local breakfast at the homestay before setting off on a trekking adventure. We depart at 9:30 AM for an 8 km hike, exploring the villages of the Red Dzao and Hmong communities: Giang Ta Chai and Su Pan. Along the way, we'll visit a stunning waterfall and cross a traditional rattan bridge.

As we traverse the beautiful valley landscapes, we'll also wander through a serene bamboo forest. The hike concludes at the main road, where a bus awaits to transfer us to Sapa. You’ll have some free time to explore this charming town before departing for Hanoi at 3:00 PM on a limousine bus.

Your day begins at 7:30 AM, when our tour guide collects you from your Hanoi hotel. We head to Ninh Binh province, approximately 120 km away. After a scenic drive, we pause for a 20-minute break to stretch and relax before continuing.

Our first stop is Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital. Here, you can explore the historical city and discover why the capital eventually moved to Hanoi. Visit the well-preserved 17th-century temples of Kings Dinh and Le, where the impressive architecture offers a glimpse into Vietnam’s rich past.

Following our exploration of Hoa Lu, we savour a buffet lunch at a local restaurant. The menu features regional specialities like goat meat and fried rice, with vegetarian options available.

We then embark on a tranquil 1.5-hour bamboo boat ride through the stunning landscapes of Tam Coc, often referred to as "Halong Bay on land." You will be captivated by the views of rice fields, serene rivers, and majestic caves.

Next, a 45-minute cycling excursion takes us around the village, providing a chance to observe the daily life of the local people. As the day comes to a close, we return to Hanoi by shuttle bus, arriving back at your hotel around 6:30 PM.

Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural wonder, promises to leave you in awe. Prepare to enjoy some of the world's most stunning landscapes and a restful cruise with engaging activities included in our itinerary.

After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and depart from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Our cruise team will greet you in the hotel lobby between 8:00 and 9:00 AM; we'll confirm the exact time the day before. We'll reach the jetty around midday and board the cruise.

Upon arrival, you will receive a warm welcome and proceed with check-in. Enjoy lunch as we navigate through the bay’s iconic islets. In the afternoon, choose from activities like swimming, kayaking, or visiting caves, depending on the specific boat itinerary. Alternatively, you may simply relax on board and take in the views.

As the day concludes, we'll anchor in a picturesque location. Make sure you catch the sunset before dinner. We will spend the night on board.

Please note: In the event of adverse weather, the itinerary may be altered or cancelled if ships cannot leave the port. Should this occur, your travel consultant will arrange alternatives for you.

As dawn breaks over Halong Bay, we begin our day with breakfast on board as our vessel gently makes its way back to the port. After a leisurely early lunch, we disembark and head to the airport in Hanoi for your flight to Hoi An.

Once you arrive in Hoi An, our driver will meet you to take you to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to explore at your own pace.

Enjoy a leisurely day exploring Hoi An at your own pace. We suggest hiring a bicycle from your hotel to discover this picturesque town. Cycle along the riverside or head towards the beach, where you can unwind at one of the quaint cafes with a refreshing fruit drink after a swim in the warm, tranquil sea.

Consider visiting a local tailor, renowned for crafting custom clothing, bags, or shoes, often available by the next day.

As evening descends, wander through the Old Town, which transforms as lantern-lit shops create a truly enchanting atmosphere. Be sure to catch the vibrant street performances—they add a magical touch to the night.

Enjoy your remaining time 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, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your accommodation in the city centre. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure.

We begin our day in Ho Chi Minh City with a morning visit to the Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace. Constructed on the former site of Norodom Palace and designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu, this landmark is steeped in history.

We shall then explore notable French colonial architecture, including the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office. Next, we visit the War Remnants Museum, which offers extensive exhibits on the Indochina wars. Following our museum visit, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we depart by bus for the Cu Chi Tunnels, a journey of approximately one and a half hours. On arrival, an introductory video will provide context on the tunnels’ construction and the survival methods during wartime.

We then explore the remaining tunnels, including constructed living areas, kitchens, bedrooms, storages, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centres. The tour reveals hidden trap doors and traps, part of the tunnel’s ingenious security system.

After our exploration, we'll enjoy special tea and cassava, typical guerrilla fare during the war. For those interested, there will be an opportunity to try shooting real guns. Later, we return to Ho Chi Minh City.

We leave behind the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City and set off for My Tho, a charming town situated on the left bank of the Mekong River. Our first stop is the Vinh Trang Pagoda, a remarkable structure dating back to the late 19th century.

Next, we board a traditional sampan to explore the Mekong’s waters, passing the stunning Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise Islands. At Unicorn Island, we stroll through country lanes, visit lush orchards, and savour tropical fruits while enjoying traditional folk music performed by local artists.

We then ride a hand-rowed sampan through the serene Thoi Son Canal and visit a family-run business where we can sample honey tea and observe a coconut candy workshop. A visit to a honey-bee farm is also included. Lunch is provided at a local restaurant, followed by a short break.

In the afternoon, you have the choice to cycle around Tan Thach Village, where you can meet villagers and immerse yourself in daily life in the Mekong Delta. For those preferring a more relaxed pace, unwind in a hammock and enjoy the cool breeze. We then return to Ho Chi Minh City where our trip concludes.

Enjoy a healthy breakfast on the final day of your Vietnam adventure. After checking out of the hotel, you may visit the local markets to pick up souvenirs for loved ones. Later, your private driver will take you to the airport for your flight home.