DAY 1: WELCOME TO VIETNAM - HANOI ARRIVAL

Your trip begins with the arrival in Vietnam. Your private driver will meet and greet you at the airport. You will be escorted to the hotel by private transportation. Check-in to the hotel and get over the jet lag.

You can mooch through the streets of the city. Historic charm, architectural marvels, and products’ variety are splashed all over this area.

After enjoying the first day yourself and return to the hotel for a relaxing sleep.

Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 2: ESCAPE TO VIETNAM COUNTRYSIDE (B/L)

Have breakfast at the hotel then you will be escorted by an experienced English-speaking guide, a countryside located at the outskirt of Hanoi. The approximate travel time is one hour and 30 minutes.

Then arriving at Mr. Duoc’s house, you will be welcomed with fresh honey tea and green lentils or lotus seeds that made by his family.  Imagine a Vietnam in the old time of war through stories of Mr. Duoc, who is not only a veteran who lives during those hard times but also a green tea expert. You will visit his tea plantation which is one of the largest in Ri village and join with locals in green tea processing. Afterward, have a Vietnamese cooking demonstration with another local host and then enjoy a home-cooked lunch in a lovely garden.

After that, you will wander around the village and mingling with local people. You will visit the local craftsman who has been skilled at making conical hats from a very young age and other workshops in the village to see how people there make tofu or shell the rice.  As you meander through the countryside you will experience the friendliness of the local people greeting you along the way. Then join your guides for a leisurely cycling trip along the country roads. Observe traditional Vietnamese rural life as the local people work in the paddy fields. Along the way, watch out for a water buffalo plowing a paddy field while ducks swim across the top. Stop at another host family for foot bathing following the recipes of Muong ethnic group and relaxing time before embarking on your private boat for a trip along the Da river. Later, enjoy a transfer from Ba Vi to your accommodation in Hanoi 

Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 3: IMMERSE YOURSELF IN HANOI STREET FOOD - COMFORT SLEEP ON TRAIN TO SAPA (B/L)

Your expert English-speaking local guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture including details on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes. We eat as we go, trying seasonal fruits and sampling a tasty French-inspired snack from a street cart.

Walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we tempt our taste buds with the famed Hanoi dish such as Bun Cha Hanoi, Banh Cuon at a local eatery. Watch in awe as the skilled chefs demonstrate for you how this tasty dish is put together. Continuing into the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter, we wander past street stalls and quiet residential lanes where you can observe local life that has changed little since Hanoi was founded over 1000 years ago.

Our next two snack stops are at outdoor barbecue stalls. We sit down with the Hanoi locals and sample various meat, vegetable and bread specialties that are flame grilled over hot coals for extra flavor.  It’s then time for dessert as we venture down a small alley to join in the local tradition of feasting on fresh fruit served in a cup and smothered with crushed iced and condensed milk – this specialty is one not to be missed!

Your local guide will then take you to one of Hanoi’s best kept secrets, a hidden street food restaurant to taste top ten street foods in Hanoi is Banh My Hanoi, Vietnamese Rice Wine, and famous Egg Coffee. This hard-to-find café is one of the few left in the narrow street inside the old quarter of Hanoi. Or, if coffee is not your style, a cold beer awaits! At the end of the trip you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you with directions or a taxi back to your hotel.

20:30 - 21:00 Pick-up at the hotel. Transfer to the railway station for a night train to Sapa (schedule 21:50 - 06:30).

Overnight on train

DAY 4: TREKKING THROUGH THE COLOURFUL LAO CHAI VILLAGE (B/L/D)

Pick up at Lao Cai station transfer to Sapa for breakfast and check-in hotel (if available) 12 km of trekking, visit Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages of the H’ mong minority. after lunch at a local family in Lao Chai or in a drinking shop nearby the river bank, we keep on hiking to Ta Van village of the Dzay where we stay overnight in a local family. Here you have the opportunity to experience their daily life, work, and original custom. Home-stay at the Dzay local house.

Overnight in Sapa

DAY 5: WONDERFUL LAO CHAI - TA VAN SU PAN - NIGHT TRAIN BACK TO HA NOI (B/L)

Breakfast before start tour with 08 km walking to visit 2 villages of the red Dzao, the H’mong (Giang Ta Chai and Su Pan). Visit a beautiful waterfall and rattan bridge. Enjoy landscapes… through the bamboo forest on the way to the main road to get the Car to return to Sapa by bus. Free at your own program until 17:00. Overnight at the A/C soft sleeper cabin to Hanoi (schedule: 21:00 – 05:00)

Overnight on train

DAY 6: CRUISING TO THE SPECTACULAR HALONG BAY (B/L/D)

In the morning, check-out from the hotel and get pick-up by the Cruise. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see. On arrival at Halong, you get to enjoy a cruise on the Bay to better explore the limestone rocks and the karst grottoes.

After you are done with your exploration of the bay, it is time to enjoy an utterly delicious seafood lunch, after which a trip to the famous limestone cave in Ha Long Bay, you’ll get to spend some time here, kayaking or swimming, so that you can get closer to the floating villages and shops. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can opt to attend the activities taking part in the boat or relax for the day.

Overnight on cruise

DAY 7: WAKE UP WITH THE DRAGON IN THE BAY (B/L)

Rise early for Tai Chi lesson or just to enjoy a hearty breakfast. The boat will make its way back to the port stopping at the Limestone Cave, full of stalagmites and stalactites. From here, it’s clear sailing back to the main harbor and the return Hanoi around 17:00. Then, taking the flight to Hue. Check-in your hotel and free at your leisure time to get your energy back.

Overnight in Hue

DAY 8: WALK INTO ANOTHER UNIVERSE (B/L)

Pick you up at hotel in Hue city around 7:30 am and head to the Phong Nha Ke Bung National park. On the way, you could enjoy the surrounding views of Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai River, Dong Ha City and Vinh Moc Tunnels. Have a stopover at the ruins of La Vang church where blessed Virgin Mary was seen there in 1798. Then take a drive on famous Legendary Trails of Ho Chi Minh route.

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon enjoy a beautiful boat cruise on Son River, along the rustic village and Limestone Mountains. After discovering Phong Nha Cave by rowing boat and walking inside the cave for sightseeing amazing stalactites and stalagmites and other beautiful parts of nature along the river outside.

Return in Hue at about 20:00.

Overnight in Hue

DAY 9: TRAVEL FROM HUE TO HOI AN (B)

Morning: Having breakfast, you can go sightseeing at the Thuan An Beach, Garden House….or take some photos. Our guide will meet you at your hotel. After checking out, we will proceed to Hue by private car in 3 hours drive. Afternoon: After arriving in Hoi An, check-in hotel. Next, you are free to visit the city. For example, you can ride a bicycle to see landscapes around. Spend overnight in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An

DAY 10: BEING A LOCAL IN ONE DAY THEN TRANSFER TO HO CHI MINH CITY (B/L)

Start of the tour - 8:00 - 8:30, finish 12.00-12.30

Would you like to go fishing with the local fisherman? Why don't you have a fun experience with the funny basket boat? You shouldn't have any hesitance because the day will put a broaden smile at your face. It is very interesting to fish here on the river with the local fisherman as you catch your fish and we cook for you.  On the Fishermen & the Waterways of a Past War Tour, you will enjoy a wide range of experiences - from learning traditional fishing techniques to paddling the strange and unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boats while exploring the now tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war. On this tour, we provide an authentic social and cultural insight into the local Vietnamese way of life. As well you will take part in some hands-on activities that are fun, safe and interesting to people all of the ages.

Have some leisure time then transfer to Da Nang train station for a night train to Ho Chi Minh.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

DAY 11: DISCOVER THE PEARL OF THE ORIENT AND FASCINATING CU CHI TUNNELS (B/L)

Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by a video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the specially constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.

Break time to relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

DAY 12: EXPLORE THE "RICE BOWL OF VIETNAM" - MEKONG DELTA (B/L)

(start 7:20; return around 17.30)

7:20 am Pick up from the hotel.

Kick start your day with a hearty breakfast and a trip to Mekong Delta follows, depart for My Tho, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.

Stopover at Unicorn Island, go walking around country lane and seeing orchards, enjoy tropical fruits, folk song music which performed by the local people. Then visit the fruit plantation.

Ride a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and treat yourself in the beauty of the countryside, visit the family workshops and honey-bee farm, enjoy honey tea and coconut candies.

Have lunch at a local restaurant. Break time.

In the afternoon, time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong delta. Hammock relaxing and enjoy cool breeze for those can’t join the cycling trip. Return to Ho Chi Minh.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

DAY 13: TIME TO SAY GOODBYE - HO CHI MINH DEPARTURE (B)

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip. Complete the hotel check-out formalities after which you can visit the local markets and buy souvenirs for your loved ones.  Later, proceed for departure and board your flight back home. Trip Ends.