Comprehensive Vietnam

Upon arrival in Hanoi you'll be met by your guide who will transfer you to your hotel. In the evening, you will enjoy street food with our tour guide.

Today you will discover some of Hanoi’s classic visits and hidden gems during a full-day tour of the capital. Start the morning off with a visit to one of Hanoi’s most iconic destinations: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. This grand, monumental structure houses the remains of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s first president and revered leader who liberated the country from colonialism. If there is time, pay a visit to the president’s former home before visiting another of Hanoi’s most classic attractions, the Temple of Literature. The country’s first university, the Temple of Literature is known for its striking courtyards, ancient architecture and deep historical roots dating back over 1,000 years. After the visit, enjoy a delicious local meal at one of our favorite nearby restaurants, serving up classic Hanoi delicacies. After lunch, continue to the iconic Old Quarter of Hanoi. Known for its maze of alleyways and lanes, this section of the city is divided into 36 streets, each which historically sold their own unique products and specialties. Alongside our local expert, discover just what makes this part of Hanoi so unique and charming. Reenergize with a delicious Vietnamese coffee at a local cafe which overlooks the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. After sipping the famously strong brew, head to Ngoc Son Temple at the lake’s heart, a must-see site for anyone touring Hanoi. Top off the day with one of northern Vietnam’s most classic forms of entertainment: a water puppet show. Transport will be provided back to the hotel after the performance.

After breakfast you’ll be transported out to Halong Bay (3-4 hour ride). One of Vietnam’s most beautiful destinations, Halong Bay, or the Bay of Descending Dragons, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its limestone karsts and pristine waterways. Upon arrival into Halong Bay (around noon), you’ll be assigned to your traditional “junk” cruise ship where you’ll be spending the evening & following day. Once on board, you’ll be served a delicious (and super-fresh) seafood lunch as the boat makes its way out into the mystical waters of the bay. In the early afternoon you will be brought to some of the region’s most famous sites including the Dinh Huong & Ga Choi Islands, Thien Cung, Dau Go & Sung Sot Caves (the region’s 3 largest) and a pristine white sand beach where you’ll have the chance to swim in the area’s placid waters (weather permitting). Back on board you’ll be able to catch an unforgettable sunset, enjoy another delicious local meal and watch the stars come out as they saturate the Halong night sky. Allow the lapping of water & the boat’s light rocking to soothe you to sleep in your private cabin.

Wake up early to catch the Halong sunrise (not to be missed!) and enjoy some Tai Chi on the top deck of the cruise boat to kick off your Day 6. Enjoy a light beverage before heading out to explore some nearby islands via rowboat. After a brief morning tour you’ll return to the junk for breakfast and have the chance to soak in some last minute limestone karsts along Bai Tu Long Bay. Before you disembark, you’ll be treated to a lovely brunch before our transport picks you up and brings you back to Hanoi where the afternoon is at leisure until your early evening transfer to the train station for your overnight train to Lao Cai.

Arrive early in the morning to Lao Cai where breakfast will be ready and waiting and a room is prepared for you to relax in. After refueling and freshening up from the overnight journey, hit the road for the drive to Can Cau market. Known for its melange of colors and offerings, ethnic groups from all over the north gather here to buy, sell, trade and socialize. From the Flower Hmong and Phu La to the Dao Tuyen and Tay peoples, a visit to this market is a veritable stroll through the region’s ethnic diversity. Continue the journey around 2.5 hours east of Sapa to the town of Bac Ha, which is just on the outskirts of the border with China. Enjoy the striking scenery and the variety of hill tribe villages that are passed during the drive out. Upon arrival to Bac Ha, check in to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Our guide will be accompanying you throughout, so you can enjoy walking through the nearby villages getting to know the different ethnic groups that call this region home. While most visitors only come out to this region for the Sunday market, you will get the chance to see beyond the standard tourist sights and discover what life is like in the region before the hawkers arrive.

Wake up early today to explore Bac Ha town and to discover the region’s main attraction, the colorful Sunday market. This market is extremely important for the nearby ethnic groups, not only for buying, selling and trading purposes, but also for socializing. People come in from near and far, often from extremely remote regions, and use this time to catch up on social happenings and important news and events. Visitors to the market can take advantage of the variety of handicrafts and textiles, which are a unique and memorable souvenir to bring home. After exploring the market, enjoy a local lunch before hitting the road for Sapa. Known as the Tonkinese Alps, this mountain town has become one of Vietnam’s most attractive destinations for both its natural beauty and its ethnic diversity. Make a stop along the way at Thai Rang Pho where you can visit a local Hmong school. Arrive into Sapa in the afternoon, check in to the hotel, and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Today we depart Sapa for the short drive to the day’s trekking trailhead. There will be ample time on the drive out to stop for some photo breaks along the way… of which there will be many! The Muong Hoa Valley is one of the area’s most picturesque regions, so make sure to have the camera ready! Begin the morning trek by passing through a region of forested mountains and tiered rice paddies that are seldom visited by tourists. Discover the hill tribe communities that call this area home and make a stop at a nearby Black Hmong village. Our guide knows the region extremely well and will be able to help you communicate with the locals in order for you to get a better sense of what life is like in the region. If you’re interested, a stop can also be arranged to visit a nearby school. The morning hike is divided into two different walks, both which total around 2.5 hours. After the hike is complete, transport will be provided back to the hotel and you will board the Topas Mountain Express for the drive south back to Hanoi. A comfortable mini bus, this 8-seater takes advantage of the newly opened highway connecting Hanoi and Sapa, offering travelers a much-appreciated alternative to the overnight train connecting both destinations. Arrive into Hanoi around 8PM where further transport will be provided to your hotel.

Morning transfer to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Hue, the former Imperial capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide who will transfer you to your hotel. In the afternoon, We drive to Thanh Toan Village where the famous “Thanh Toan Tiled Roof Bridge” is located. On the way, you can’t help surprising to catch the images of the bustling morning local market, the green rice fields, majestic family temples as well as the daily life of local people crossing the zigzag path of the village. Arrive Thanh Toan Tiled Roof Bridge, a truly unique ancient bridge in Vietnam, and visit Thanh Toan Museum with a wide variety of agricultural tools exhibited to explain the details of Vietnam life and culture. Row the boat with the villager on Nhu Y River to enjoy spectacular sceneries and explore how they catch the fish by using some old tools such as fishing trap, casting net, etc. After observing, you can join hand with them to catch your own fish. Get back to our “Eco Home” where you can learn how farmer grow the vegetables such as morning glory, Malabar spinach, gourd, fiber melon, so on and experience some farming activities together with them. Join cooking class to learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Hue specialties (3 dishes). After the lesson, enjoy what you have just cooked and some other dishes In the afternoon, Ride back to the city. End of your Eco trip to Thanh Toan village and see you again.

Today you’ll have the chance to explore Vietnam’s former royal capital. Once home to the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue is most famous for its Forbidden Purple City, or the Imperial Citadel (the Nguyen Dynasty’s private residence). Fashioned after China’s Forbidden City (back in the 19th century), this compounded fortress is home to a number of palaces, houses and temples that once were completely off limits to non-royalty. Our guide will bring you around this iconic site, explaining all the historical facts and destinations along the way. In the afternoon you’ll pay a visit to the Imperial Museum, Tu Hieu Pagoda and Hue’s Cho Dong Ba- the bustling riverside market.

The morning of Day 10 you’ll enjoy a private boat cruise down Hue’s romantic Perfume River. Your guide will bring you through the Thien Mu Pagoda (Lady Pagoda) and ornate tomb of Minh Mang, followed by a memorable lunch along the riverside (at one of our favorite local restaurants). After lunch you will begin your trip south to the Ancient Town of Hoi An, passing Da Nang City and the picturesque Hai Van Pass along the way (one of the country & world’s most beautiful coastal roads… featured in Jeremy Clarkson’s Top Gear!). Stopping off in Da Nang city, you’ll have the chance to visit the Cham Museum (the only of its kind in Asia) and some handicraft villages located at the base of the mythical Marble Mountains. Finally reaching Hoi An, you’ll be transported to your hotel (in the late afternoon), giving you some free time to explore the Ancient Town on your own.

Discover Hoi An’s variety of charms today as we highlight some classic visits as well as a few lesser known regions of the town. Passing by the iconic Tan Ky House, a well-preserved 200-year-old merchant’s home, make a stop at Hoi An’s most famous attraction, the covered Japanese Bridge. Continue along Tran Phu Street to the Reaching Out Tea House, which serves up delectable cups of local tea backed by a wonderful cause. Continue on to one of our favorite dining establishments for a delicious local lunch followed by a cooking demonstration, putting some of Hoi An’s most famous delicacies on display. Give the feet a break by hopping on a cyclo, a traditional mode of transport in Vietnam, and head for the countryside village of Cam Thanh. A small rural hamlet located on the outskirts of the town, Cam Thanh is known for its sprawling verdant rice paddies, tiny neighborhoods and friendly locals. Head to a local’s home where you can meet the residents and learn a bit about what life is like in the Hoi An countryside. Afterwards, board a classic, round bamboo basket boat and paddle into a nearby water coconut forest. Continue on a larger boat which will carry you back to the Thu Bon River, which leads right into Hoi An’s old town. Enjoy a sundowner at a rooftop bar just as the day’s colors begin to change. Now that the temperatures have cooled down, head back to the streets for an evening wander through the mango-colored buildings of Hoi An. Discover the 17th century Chinese-influenced Chua Ong Pagoda, nearby Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and the Jinshang Temple- three iconic structures in the ancient town. After the evening stroll, transport will be provided back to the hotel .

You are free & leisure in Hoi An.

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be transported back to Da Nang where you’ll board a domestic flight to the southern Vietnam city of Ho Chi Minh (formerly known as Saigon). Arriving late in the morning, you’ll have a chance to explore some of the iconic sites of Vietnam’s largest city as you make your way to your hotel (with private guide & transport). After check in, you’ll have lunch in a buzzing, local restaurant, followed by a fully guided tour through the southern city. Your visit will include the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral & Saigon Post Office, plus a number of other sites along the way. After your guided tour you have the evening to enjoy free time in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take a short bus ride out to the historic Cu Chi Tunnel Complex. An extensive maze of underground war tunnels, these subterranean hideouts were crucial to the Viet Cong during raids and bombings in the American War. For those who can brave the descent (and don’t mind some serious tight spaces!), you’ll have the opportunity to actually climb into and around the tunnels to see what life was like for Vietnamese soldiers during the wartime period. After visiting Cu Chi, we will visit Tay Ninh’s beautiful Cao Dai Temple (a stark contrast to the wartime tunnels!) where you can observe or take part in a noontime service. This temple practices Caodaism, a peaceful & hybrid religion that observes nearly all major religions (Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam & Hinduism). After taking lunch in Tay Ninh, you will be brought back to Ho Chi Minh City where you’ll have the afternoon free to explore.

Early morning transfer to Ben Tre where you will board your private traditional sampan; the type of boat that has been used on the delta waters for centuries. Your crew will consist of boat-driver, deckhand, and a local guide. After boarding, your journey will begin to Phong Nam village in Giong Trom, the cruise will stop to visit at the coconut processing workshop where you can see how the locals utilize every bit of the coconut, then back to your cruise and the cruise will stop at a brick making shop, where the locals still use centuries-old traditional methods to make the bricks by hand where you will start a Bicycle trip around Phong Nam village around 4km, enjoy a casual cycling trip that will take you to visit a local rice noodle factory which produces Hu Tieu noodles, one of the most popular dishes in the region. Living cabin After your visit take a short walk to Mrs. Huong’s house, who lives with her 3 children and grandson – they live on fishing, shrimp and fruit orchards. Enjoy fresh fruits and tea in her garden and then board a rowing sampan, taking you through a lush narrow canal, displaying the tranquil nature of the region. Then rowing you back to your Mango boat to enjoy the lunch before continuing to cruise to Sa Dec town.On the way stop at local village and begin cycling, enjoying the peaceful scenery and quiet road pathways. Get back to your boat, relax and enjoy your cruise then prepare for your cooking demonstration while enjoying your dinner. Overnight on board on the Upper river.

Breakfast will be served onboard and cruising towards the town of Sa Dec and you will start to explore this charming town, where it is the backdrop for the film ‘The Lover’, based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Marguerite Duras.The story is about a teenage French girl who falls in love with a wealthy Chinese man, Huynh Thuy Le. You will visit his old family home as well as the high school where Marguerite’s mother was a teacher. Then, you will continue with cycling through the village of Tan Qui Dong. For hundreds of years this village has provided Saigon with its daily flower supply. After that, meeting your driver on land then transfer to Can Tho Airport for the short flight to Phu Quoc.

You are free & leisure in Phu Quoc Island

You are free & leisure in Phu Quoc Island

Your day is at leisure until your transfer to Phu Quoc Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City to connect with your onward flight.