Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Meal: None | Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi Arriving at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour
Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi In the morning, we head to 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, as well as the One Pillar Pagoda. After that, we visit the historical Temple of Literature—Vietnam's first university, established in 1070—before a lunch break.
In the afternoon, we drive to the Ethnology Museum for an overview of Vietnam's 54 distinct ethnic groups and enjoy a performance of traditional water puppetry at the museum's outdoor stage, offering a light-hearted introduction to rural Vietnamese culture.
As we return to the Old Quarter, you’ll take a cyclo ride around the Colonial and Old Quarters to discover the city’s architectural mixture of French colonial style, social realism (mostly public buildings designed or influenced by the USSR), pagodas and communal houses with many Chinese features, merchants’ residences, ‘tube’ dwellings, modern buildings, and vernacular houses.
Note: The day program includes a visit to religious architecture, so it is advisable to wear long trousers and a blouse that covers shoulders and knees.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Treasure Junk
7:45 – Pick up from your hotel to join the gorup tour.
8:00 – Depart Hanoi for a 3.5-hour drive to Halong City through the Red River Delta. Upon arrival, board the Treasure Junk and begin the cruise while enjoying a fresh seafood lunch (vegetarian and kids menus available).
After lunch, relax and enjoy the limestone rock formations as they parade around the bay for about two hours before our first stop. We reach the perfect spot where the waters of Halong and Bai Tu Long meet. You can explore the bay more closely with your own kayak and paddle.
Return to the Treasure Junk before sunset for refreshments and an aperitif on the sundeck. The boat cruises to its anchorage, and dinner is served either inside or outside depending on weather conditions. Overnight on board in a cozy, air-conditioned cabin with en-suite facilities.
Note: The transfer from Hanoi to Halong is by shuttle bus, with a stop along the way for food, beverages, and souvenirs. This is the only place where you may feel part of a tourist crowd, but it also provides clean toilets without any obligation to purchase.
Day 4: Halong – Hoian
Meal: Brunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian 6:30 – Coffee, tea, and cakes are served as you wake up to the peaceful misty bay. A 30-minute Tai Chi session is offered to energize your body and mind, or you can relax on the sun deck with a cup of coffee.
Around 7:45, hop on bamboo boats to visit a secluded floating village surrounded by mountains. Navigate between floating houses and small rowing boats that serve as daily transport, shops, fishing tools, and sometimes overnight shelters.
Return to the Treasure Junk before 9:00 and start cruising back to the pier. Brunch is served from 9:30. Take a last glance at the limestone rocks as you reach the pier around noon.
In the afternoon, transfer from Halong to Noi Bai Airport for a short flight to Danang. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Hoian. Overnight in Hoian.
Day 5: Hoian Countryside and Old Town Walking Tour
Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian Your guide picks you up at the hotel and transfers you to Bach Dang Port for a 15-minute boat ride on the Thu Bon River to Kim Bong Village. Begin a walking tour as the guide introduces the village and its history.
Admire the traditional shipbuilding area and stop at carpentry workshops where craftsmen create furniture, sculptures, and souvenirs. Then, hop on your bicycle for an hour exploring inner and outer Kim Bong, visiting temples, old houses, the Kim Buu Pagoda, mats weaving areas, coracle boats, and an old bamboo bridge. Enjoy refreshments and snacks at villagers’ homes before returning to your hotel.
In the afternoon, take a walking tour of Hoian Old Town. Explore narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French, and European architecture. Visit the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, and the local fish market. Around town, browse art galleries and tailor shops for made-to-order clothing.
Note: The cycling is very easy and the best way to explore the village, but it can be replaced by walking.
Overnight in Hoian.
Day 6: Hoian – My Son – Hoian
Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian After breakfast, drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site, My Son Sanctuary. Your guide explains the remains of the Cham towers, centuries-old structures whose origins and purpose are not fully understood. In the afternoon, return to your hotel for free time. Overnight in Hoian.
Day 7: Hoian – Danang – Ho Chi Minh City
Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City In the morning, drive to Danang Airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, transfer to your hotel in the city center. After check-in, enjoy a preliminary stroll around District 1.
In the afternoon, visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, the colonial General Post Office (1886), City Hall (headquarters of the People’s Committee), and Notre Dame Cathedral. Continue to the Reunification Palace, where the first Communist tanks entered Saigon on 30 April 1975.
Optional activities include a visit to the War Remnants Museum or Ben Thanh Market (or both, depending on time and guide arrangements).
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City 8:00 – 8:15 – Pick up from your hotel for a 2.5-hour drive to the Mekong Delta. Arrive at Cai Thia Pier around 10:30 and take a boat through the waterways to Hoa Loc village. Cycle through winding villages, visit local houses, learn about handicrafts, and enjoy tea and local snacks.
Later, board a bamboo sampan to explore the quieter canals of the Delta. In the afternoon, cruise toward Cai Be before taking a road trip back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City Departure
Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: None
Your time is free until your private car and driver arrive to take you to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your departure flight. If time permits, you may join an optional tour to the historical Cu Chi Tunnels.
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