Begin your journey by unravelling Vietnamese culture and history in Hanoi – Vietnam’s capital.

• Discover Vietnam’s history by visiting Ho Chi Minh Complex – the resting place for the Great father of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
• Visit the Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university (1076) – to understand how the Vietnamese elite has been educated.
• Visit the Ethnology Museum, a fabulous collection relating to the Vietnamese ethnic minorities and understand the original culture of Vietnam.
• Grab a Vietnamese coffee while waiting for the train to pass by at the Train Street – where the train hurls through the narrow streets just a few steps away from local houses.
• See the famous Water Puppet Show. Get ready to be amazed by the traditional music and authentic Vietnamese operatic songs telling folktales and legends.

Highlight experience: Grab a coffee at the Train Street

Travel to the amazing “Halong Bay on land”.

• Tam Coc is home to the country’s first capital called Hoa Lu, making it an important stop on your trip in understanding the Vietnamese culture.
• Board a sampan and navigate Ngo Dong River where limestone towers rise above rice fields.
• Bike to the Bich Dong Pagoda and climb the stairs carved into the rock walls. The view from the top is breathtaking and with the climb.
• End the day at the cosy homestay with the Hiep family, where your host allows you to settle into their daily routine and live like a Vietnamese family.

Highlight experience: Stay with the Hiep family

Transfer to the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site, Halong Bay.

• Navigate to Bai Tu Long Bay, a well-selected route away from the main tourist circuit. Experience the bay’s treasures and enjoy your time away from the crowd on a traditional wooden boat.
• Adventure within the fantastically formed Thien Canh Son Cave and be fascinated by the formations of the bay.
• Participate in kayaking, swimming or relax on the white sand beach of Hon Co Island.
• Taste skillfully prepared local seafood and settle into your cabin while the boat anchors for the night.

Highlight experience: Escape the crowd and relax in the Bai Tu Long Bay

For the final day in the bay, you will have adventure activities that will stick to your memory.

• Start the morning with a delightful breakfast with an astonishing view under the morning sun.
• Sail in a rustic row-boat that the locals are using to Vung Vieng fishing and pearl farm.
• Take the last dive and dip into the refreshing bay before settle into an evening flight from Hanoi to Hoi An.

Highlight experience: Have breakfast in breathtaking surroundings

 
Stroll through the delightful trading port and see the remaining century-old buildings in Hoi An.

• Appreciate the narrow alleys, charming homes with wooden balconies, fascinating architectural features, beautiful temples, and the famous Japanese Bridge.
• Make your own lantern when visiting a lantern factory, which the city got famous for around the world.
• Discover the historic port lit up at dusk by hundreds of beautifully coloured lanterns creating spectacular photo opportunities.

Highlight experience: Experience how the Hoi An lanterns are created

Cruise down Thu Bon River to Cam Thanh to experience the life of the river.

• Cycle around the peaceful countryside of Cam Kim Island, with lush scenery of rice paddies and farmland. Stop at a local family in Duy Vinh and learn about their traditional sedge mattress weaving.
• Transfer to a local family. Enjoy organic homemade lunch in the garden while listening to the calm sound of the wind in the trees.
• Board a basket boat after lunch – a unique local way of getting a close look to the ecosystem of mangrove forest and daily work of the village fisherman.
• Visit a bamboo studio, where a talented craftsman will show and help create your own bamboo product to take home.

Highlight experience: Have a home-made lunch in a local family’s garden

Highlight experience: Enjoy free time to wander the Hoi An ancient town or leisurely lounge on the An Bang beach.

Transfer to Hue by train and experience stunning views and arrive in Hue, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• The most stunning view of the famous Hai Van Pass, known as “the pass in the clouds”. should be seen from the train to get the most spectacular view. On the one side you have the jungle and on the other the ocean.
• Go for dinner at a former villa of the ministry of justice at the court of Emperor Khai Dinh. Meet his grandson and taste the dishes the emperor has dined. The restaurant only host one table, making it a private and exciting experience.

Highlight experience: Have a private dinner like the royals in Vietnam during the 20th century.

Stroll through the Imperial Citadel and daydream about its former dynasty.

• Visit Thanh Tien village – a village that has been crafting paper flowers for 400 years.
• Explore the symbol of Hue city, the Thien Mu pagoda and admire the garden-style homes at An Hien.
• Glance at, and be bewitched by the Mausoleum of Khai Dinh, the final emperor’s bedazzling eternal resting place.
• After a tour around the city, experience a village which specialises in incense-making, and a true icon of Vietnam – conical hats!

Highlight experience: Visit the village of conical hats.

Wake up in Saigon (currently Ho Chi Minh City), the city that varies from the rest of Vietnam due to its modern flair.

• Start the day by visiting Thien Hau Temple and the Binh Tay Market, built by the Cantonese congregation.
• Visit the War Remnants Museum that is home to the history of locals’ perspectives of the American/Vietnam War.
• The old Presidential Palace is where victory was declared after years of fighting and is preserved as found with vehicles still in the garages.
• Jump on the back of a Vespa with a qualified driver and experience Saigon’s nightlife the way locals do. Try out the best authentic local food and listen to live music at a Vietnamese coffee shop.

Highlight experience: Experience Saigon’s nightlife from the back of a Vespa.

Move from Saigon and head for the rich, fertile lands of the Mekong Delta region and its extraordinarily busy inhabitants.

• Board the private boat and sail down narrow waterways on a local sampan and observe productive rice fields, fruit orchards, and historic buildings.
• Visit a rice popcorn factory and an ancient colonial house in Vinh Long.
  Travel to Can Tho, the largest town and trading centre in Mekong Delta.

Highlight experience: Experience the local life on the Mekong Delta and spend overnight on Song Xanh Sampan

Start the final day in the Mekong Delta with vibrant opportunities.

• Journey to the colourful Cai Rang floating market and Ba Cong fruit orchard, where you can taste their fresh products.
• Visit the 100-year-old Binh Thuy Ancient House to appreciate the historic workmanship and architecture and admire the lush vegetation and active life of the local people along the riverbanks.

Highlight experience: Learn about the local life on the Mekong Delta.

Last day of your 2 weeks in Vietnam. Free time to explore the last parts of Saigon until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.