Highlights and the Northern National Parks of Vietnam 16 days

Begin the journey by unraveling Vietnamese culture, history, and religion in the capital of Vietnam with Hanoi’s highlights:

• Ho Chi Minh complex which includes the mausoleum for the nation’s hero-Ho Chi Minh, his modest former residence, the Presidential Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda
• The Temple of Literature, a fine example of traditional Vietnamese architecture founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, and dedicated to Confucius to honor literary scholars. Vietnam’s first university was also established here in 1076
• The museum of your choice either the National Fine Arts Museum, the Ethnology Museum, or the Vietnamese Women Museum
• A ride of exploration through the lively ‘Old Quarter’ (over 1000 years old) by traditional cyclo

Escape the hustle city to a greenery Pu Luong National Reserve    

Today’s trek will be through the stunningly beautiful Pu Luong Valley with its steep ascents and relaxing downhill trails, until we reach the scenic village of Kho Muong, nestled between steep limestone outcrops and lush verdant hillsides. If you have enough energy left we will take a short walk to a nearby cave for some exploring.

Today’s trek: 18kms, 6-8hrs.

Overnight in a home-stay at Kho Muong.

This morning starts with a slightly challenging downhill trek to the only market in the Nature Reserve. The mountain people of the district converge here and bring their produce and goods to sell or exchange among themselves. After our visit here we continue walking to the Nua Village eco-lodge and its glorious surrounds.

Today’s trek: 18kms, 6-7hrs.

Overnight in Nua Village.

The last morning of your journey will take you from mountains and paddy fields into the Tom village where you will be met and begin the transfer back to Hanoi. Arriving late in the afternoon for some time to relax and freshen up, before a goodbye dinner at a restaurant serving delightful Vietnamese cuisine.

Today’s trek 11km, 4-5hrs.

Overnight in Kho Muong

Travel to the Tam Coc – a UNESCO World Heritage site of both cultural and natural significance.

• Visit Hoa Lu, the site of the country’s first capital, which covered almost three sq km.
• Board a sampan and navigate Ngo Dong River where limestone towers rise above rice fields.
• Bike towards Bich Dong Pagoda where you may access the pagoda by climbing the stairs carved into rock walls.
• If timing allows, continue biking through the countryside to the Thai Vi temple in Tam Coc.
• Acquaint yourself with your homestay host and settle yourself into their daily routine.

Transfer to go sail the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site seascape: Halong Bay. Your cruise will navigate to Bai Tu Long Bay, a well-selected route beyond the main tourist circuit. Get ready to experience the bay’s treasures.

• Admire the fascinating formations of the bay.
• Adventure within the fantastically formed Thien Canh Son cave.
• Retreat to the white-sand beach of Hon Co Island and participate in activities such as kayaking or swimming.
• Relish the taste of skillfully prepared local seafood.
• Settle into your cabin while the boat anchors for a night’s rest.

For the final day in the bay, you will adventure through activities that become memories:

• Delight in breakfast with an astonishingly enchanting view under the morning sun
• Help the local people replace the soft float by plastic float to protect the environment in Halong Bay
• Visit the Vung Vieng fishing and pearl farm via a rustic row-boat
• Dive and dip into the refreshing bay
• Indulge in lunch and appreciate the local ingredients used to craft the dish
• Return to the port in the early afternoon to travel back to Hanoi

Settle into an evening flight from Hanoi to Hoian. Arrive and be welcomed by our guide and be transferred to your arranged accommodation.

Take in the breath of fresh air that is the riverside port town of Hoian:

• Stroll through the delightful trading port and see the remaining century-old buildings in Hoian
• Appreciate Hoian’s narrow alleys, charming homes with wooden balconies, fascinating architectural features, beautiful temples, and the famous covered Japanese Bridge
• Visit a lantern factory where you can make your own lantern
• Discover the historic port of Hoian, that is lit up at dusk by hundreds of beautifully colored lanterns that create spectacular photo opportunities

• Enjoy free time to wander the Hoian ancient town or leisurely lounge on the An Bang beach

• Relaxed and rejuvenated, you will fly to Saigon to experience the expanding cosmopolitan city

Take a drive to Hoian via the Hai Van Pass, known as “the pass in the clouds”, which offers spectacular views.
The cultural and geographical center of Vietnam, Hue has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the ancient relics, historical monuments, and fine continuation of imperial traditions. Discover Hue, Vietnam’s former capital, built by the Nguyen Dynasty:
Stroll through the Imperial Citadel
Visit Thanh Tien village – a village that has been crafting paper flowers for 400 years
Experience a conical hat and incense-making village
Have a look at the mausoleum of Khai Dinh, the final emperor’s resting place
Explore the Thien Mu pagoda – the symbol of Hue city
Admire the garden-style homes at An Hien

After breakfast, a transfer from your hotel to Toa Kham wharf for a cruise on the legendary Perfume River.

• Buy fresh ingredients for the cooking class at Dong Ba in the packed open-air market.
• Embark on a traditional dragon boat heading for Thien Mu pagoda – the symbol of Hue city.

Continue cruising the picturesque Perfume River, surrounded by rural scenery, before reaching Thuy Bieu Village:

• Go for an adventurous amble or bicycle ride to visit the garden-house styled homes, ancestral temple, and the village.
• Prepare traditional Hue cuisine carefully with the chef and tuck into your “achievement” afterward.
• Relax by dipping your feet in medicinal herb water – a traditional therapeutic practice – and unwind with an excellent massage by a visually-impaired masseuse.

Settle into an evening flight from Hanoi to Saigon. Arrive and be welcomed by our guide and be transferred to your arranged accommodation.

Saigon (currently Ho Chi Minh city) varies from the rest of Vietnam due to its modern flair. Various cultures mesh together to create a colorful city with foreign influences:

• Built by the Cantonese congregation, Thien Hau Temple and the Binh Tay Market both reside in the Cholon district, which is presently the largest community of Chinese
• The War Remnants Museum houses a 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
• The Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Saigon Post Office are both magnificent displays of French architecture

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

• Wind along 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 by road to Can Tho, the largest town and trading center in the Mekong Delta

Start the eventful final day in the Mekong Delta full of vibrant opportunities:

• Journey to the colorful Cai Rang floating market and Ba Cong fruit orchard to taste their fresh products
• Visit the 100-year-old Binh Thuy Ancient House to appreciate the historic workmanship and architecture
• Admire the lush vegetation and active life of the local people along the riverbanks
• Close the Mekong Delta trip by wandering Can Tho’s bright market.

On the return journey to Saigon visit either the Vinh Trang Pagoda or Cao Dai Temple.

Arrive in Saigon in the late afternoon.

Free time until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight