Begin the journey by unravelling 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 honour 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
  Experience an overnight trip to Sapa on a night train that is equipped with private sleeper beds in clean, air-conditioned shared cabins of up to four people.

Highlight experience: Grab a coffee in the Old Quarter

You will arrive early in the morning at Lao Cai Train Station where your guide will welcome and transfer you to a hotel to rest and have breakfast before starting a new day of discovery:

• Hike within the village of Y Linh Ho in Muong Hoa valley among the terraced rice fields
• Trek to the village of the H’mong minority, Lao Chai
• Walk two km to Ta Van village, inhabited by the Giay ethnic tribe
• Continue through trails, forests, and gardens to the Black H’mong ethnic group’s village: Ma Tra

Highlight experience: Discover the fascinating landscape of the rice terraces

Transfer to Bac Ha where the relief from tourists is apparent.

• Tour to the H’mong Kings House that was built by the French in 1920
• Arrive at Ban Pho village and meet with the colourful Tay and H’mong members
  Continue to engage with local people by familiarizing yourself to your homestay.

Highlight experience: Meet and share with the locals

Held only on Sundays, the colourful and vibrant Bac Ha Market awaits your presence:

• Meet many ethnicities: Flower H’mong, Black Dzao, Tay, Dzay, Ha Nhi and Nung
• In the afternoon, visit Ban Pho village and the colourful Tay and H’mong inhabitants
  After a day of discovery and meetings, relax on the bus ride back to Hanoi.

Highlight experience: Meet the ethnicities and discover their way of life

Transfer by shuttle bus 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.

Highlight experience: Admire the wonderful landscape of the bay

Delight in breakfast with an astonishingly enchanting view under the morning sun.

• Visit the Vung Vieng fishing and pearl farm via a rustic row-boat.
• Dive into the refreshing waters of the bay.
• Indulge in lunch and appreciate the fresh 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 Hoi An. Arrive and be welcomed by our guide and be transferred to your arranged accommodation.

Highlight experience: Get on board into a rustic row-boat and visit the Vung Vieng village

Take in the literal “breathe of fresh air” that is the riverside port town of Hoian

Highlight experience: Have a walk in town

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, and imagine the brilliance of bygone days.
• Visit Thanh Tien village – a village that has been crafting paper flowers for 400 years.
• Experience a conical hat and incense-making village, a real microcosm of Vietnam as a whole!
• Peer into the magnificent mausoleum of Khai Dinh, the final emperor’s resting place.
• Admire the graceful garden-style homes at An Hien.

Highlight experience: Take a ride in the Hai Van pass

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.

Highlight experience: Get ready for the cooking class to learn more about Hue cuisine!

Settle into a morning flight from Hue to Saigon. Arrive and be welcomed by our guide at the airport and be transferred to your arranged accommodation.
Highlight experience: Get ready for your next exciting journey in Saigon

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

• Built by the Cantonese congregation, Thien Hau Temple and the Binh Tay Market both reside in the Cholon district
• 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

Highlight experience: Visit the War Remnants Museums to learn more about Vietnamese history

Leave Saigon behind 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 historical buildings.
• Visit local industries in Riverside homes, see the manufacture of regional specialities such as coconut candy, rice paste etc.
• Observe the floating market at Cai Be.
• Arrive in Sa Dec, a Venetian-style settlement with properties on the water.
• Tour the old neighbourhood with its colonial French and Chinese architectural influences.

Highlight experience: Discover people’s habits on the floating market

• An early breakfast will be served in order to approach the largest floating market in the Delta region at Cai Rang
• Landing at the pier in Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, you enjoy a stroll around the covered market before the journey back to Saigon

Highlight experience: Find your happiness in those traditional markets

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