Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Meal: None | Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour
Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi In the morning, we visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including Ba Dinh Square and his modest stilt-house, which provide valuable insights into the life of one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. We also see the One Pillar Pagoda. Afterwards, we head to the Temple of Literature—Vietnam’s first university, established in 1070.
In the afternoon, we drive to the excellent Ethnology Museum for an overview of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic groups, and enjoy a performance of traditional Water Puppetry on the museum’s outdoor stage—a light-hearted introduction to rural Vietnamese culture.
Returning to the Old Quarter, you’ll take a cyclo ride through the Colonial and Old Quarters, exploring Hanoi’s unique architectural blend of French colonial style, Soviet-influenced public buildings, pagodas and communal houses with Chinese features, merchants’ residences, ‘tube’ dwellings, modern buildings, and vernacular houses.
Note: The day’s program includes visits to religious sites; it is advisable to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Treasure Junk 7:45 AM – Pick up from your hotel for tour check-in at the Handspan office. 8:00 AM – Depart Hanoi for a 3.5-hour drive to Halong City through the Red River Delta. Upon arrival, board the Treasure Junk and start the cruise in Halong Bay while enjoying a fresh seafood lunch (vegetarian and kids’ menus available).
After lunch, relax as limestone formations parade around you for approximately two hours before reaching the first stop. Explore the bay with your own kayak and paddle at a scenic spot where the waters of Halong and Bai Tu Long meet.
Return to the Treasure Junk before sunset for refreshment and an aperitif on the sundeck. Dinner will be served indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. Overnight in a cozy air-conditioned cabin with en-suite facilities.
Note: Transfer from Hanoi to Halong is by shuttle bus. En route, we stop at a location offering food, beverages, and souvenirs—the only stop where clean toilets are available without requiring any purchase.
Day 4: Halong – Ninh Binh
Meal: Brunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Hotel in Tam Coc 6:30 AM – Wake gently with coffee, tea, and cakes, enjoying the calm of the misty bay. A 30-minute Tai Chi session will be offered, or you can relax on the sun deck with a cup of coffee.
Around 7:45 AM, we board bamboo boats to visit a secluded floating village nestled among the mountains. Observe the floating houses and small boats used for daily life, trade, and fishing.
Back on the Treasure Junk by 9:00 AM, we cruise back to the pier. Brunch is served around 9:30 AM. Take a last glance at the striking rock formations as we disembark.
11:30 AM – Transfer from Halong to Ninh Binh (approx. 5 hours), arriving in Tam Coc in the late afternoon.
Day 5: Ninh Binh – Hanoi – Hue
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Hue In the morning, cycle at a gentle pace to the local pier and board a rowing sampan for about an hour along a quiet canal near Trang An, passing through caves and scenic natural landscapes.
Continue cycling through Tam Coc’s rural landscapes and villages, with opportunities to meet local farmers and participate in daily activities. Lunch will be served in a village house.
Return to the lodge to collect your luggage, then transfer back to Hanoi with a stop to visit the temples of the ancient imperial capital, Hoa Lu.
In the afternoon, continue to Noi Bai Airport for your evening flight to Hue. Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver for transfer to your hotel.
Note: The cycling route is easy and can be replaced with car transfer or walking.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 6: Hue City Tour
Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Hue In the morning, board a boat on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most famous landmarks. Legends tell how the pagoda was founded in 1601 by an old woman who instructed Lord Nguyen Hoang to build a city where the incense stick she lit stopped burning.
Visit the tombs of emperors Minh Mang and Tu Duc, each comprising a temple, a stele recording historical highlights, and the royal tomb itself.
In the afternoon, return to central Hue to explore Kinh Thanh, the Imperial Citadel. Built in 1805 by Emperor Gia Long, it includes the Imperial City, museums, lakes, and gardens in concentric circles. We also visit the Forbidden Purple City, initially reserved for the emperor’s private use, now home to the Royal Library and flourishing gardens.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 7: Hue – Hoi An
Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An Drive to Danang via the Hai Van Pass, enjoying panoramic views of Lang Co Beach, lagoon, and Danang.
Spend the afternoon on a walking tour of Hoi An’s charming port town. Explore narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French, and European architecture. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, and the local fish market. Discover art galleries and tailor shops for custom-made clothes.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An
Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An After breakfast, drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site, My Son Sanctuary. Explore the ancient Cham towers and learn about their origins and purpose, which remain partially mysterious. Return to Hoi An for leisure time in the afternoon.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: Hoi An – Danang – Ho Chi Minh City
Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City Transfer to Danang Airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in District 1 and enjoy free time to explore.
In the afternoon, visit Jade Emperor Pagoda, the colonial General Post Office (1886), City Hall, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Explore the Reunification Palace, site of Vietnam’s historic 1975 takeover.
Optional afternoon activities (included in the tour):
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War Remnants Museum, offering perspective on the “American War,” or
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Ben Thanh Market, for bustling local shopping. Both options are possible with guidance.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho 8:00 AM – Pick up from your hotel for a 2.5-hour drive to Cai Thia Pier. Explore the village of Hoa Loc by bicycle, visiting local houses and handicraft workshops, with tea and snack stops.
Continue by boat to a quieter area of the Mekong Delta, boarding bamboo sampans for an intimate experience along small canals. In the afternoon, cruise toward Vinh Long with additional stops at local workshops, then transfer to Can Tho for hotel check-in.
Note: The cycling route is short and easy (approx. 30 minutes). Longer routes can be arranged.
Day 11: Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City 6:00 AM – Early departure to witness Cai Rang Floating Market at its liveliest. Take photos, interact with vendors, and enjoy the colorful sights.
Return to the hotel for breakfast and check-out around 8:00 AM. Continue to Phong Dien, a rustic area of Can Tho, visiting a blacksmith family and fruit orchards on Nhan Ai Island.
After lunch, return to Ho Chi Minh City for overnight stay.
Note: Optional cycling tour of the village is available (1.5 hours).
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City
Departure Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Not included Your time is free until your private car arrives to transfer you to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your departure flight.
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