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

Highlight experience: Grabbing a coffee at the Old Quarter

Pu Luong trekking: Hang village – Eo Ken – Kho Muong

• Transfer from Mai Chau to Ban Hang passing through Co Luong with beautiful hill road
• Start to trek with 2 sections. The first section is hard with some steep climbs and stream crossings. The second one is glorious with beautiful views of the valley, rice terraces, rich rainforests and meandering streams
• Picnic lunch will be served on the way at Eo Ken village
• Arrive in Kho Muong village is always special as the setting of the village is perhaps the most beautiful in Northwest of Vietnam, nestled between steep karst mountains with rice terraces in the afternoon

Highlight experience: Escape the crowd and relax in Mai Chau rural village

• After morning breakfast, we start to hike to Hieu village. The hike is a little bit up and down and the scenery changes from mountain and jungle to rice terraces fields
• Nothing is more refreshing than dunking part in some of the fun of stream bathing
• Picnic lunch will be served and have a little relaxation
• Continue to Hieu Village

Highlight experience: Breakfast in breathtaking surroundings

From Hanoi, travel to the Trang An – 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 Trang An 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.

Highlight experience: Voyage through “Halong bay on land” and visit the Kong Movie shooting site
 

Cast off into Lan Ha Bay: the less travelled, but still astoundingly beautiful southern portion of Ha Long Bay. Explore the bay on a traditional Vietnamese junk boat through a maze of karst towers.

• Admire the fascinating formations of the bay through a maze of karst towers
• Kayak around Dark and Bright cave area which located in the most beautiful lagoon in the Bay
• Relish the taste of skillfully prepared local seafood.
• Settle into your cabin while the boat anchors for a night’s rest.

Highlight experience: Retreat to Lan Ha Bay – the marvellous landscape less travelled by

• Delight in breakfast with an astonishingly enchanting view under the morning sun.
• Get up close to a small beautiful lagoon dotted with some floating houses, learn their daily life and fishing culture. With local fisherman and follow their instruction, you will take a hands-on experience in fish catching by using net.
• 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

Highlight experience: 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
• Visit Mr. Bamboo who turns everything around him into bamboo
• Kayaking through water palm forest to enjoy amazing landscapes and the moment of the sunset
• Have a dinner with a local family and lovely stories will bring you much emotion and great feelings that you’ll never forget. A small bamboo gift before leaving will remind you of all the lovely things you’ve experienced on the trip.

Highlight experience: Have your sweet escape at Hoian’s Old Town

• 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

Highlight experience: Explore the many faces of Hoian

Leave Hoian to plunge into the wilderness of Bach Ma National Park which has atmospheric jungle and interesting flora and fauna but also spectacular views over the beautiful coastal beaches and lagoons.

• Get the knowledge of the ecological system of the National Park at Bach Ma’s information Center
• Driving up winding mountain road to check-in at a villa on top of the park
• Walk up to Bach Ma summit at the height of 1.450m above sea level to admire the spectacular sunset and the panorama view the coast including Tam Giang Lagoon and Lang Co beach.
• Exploring a tunnel which is constructed since Vietnam War which the VC using to hide to attack the US helicopter on the peak of Back Ma
• Join the camp-fire (if weather permits) and be enchanted by the sounds of Mother Nature

Highlight experience: Conquer Bach Ma marvellous mountain top

Commence another delightful day by getting lost in the jungle

• Trek along the trails to Ngu Ho (Five Lakes), relaxing and swimming in natural “infinity pool”
• Immersed in nature then keep trekking through jungle to Do Quyen – Rhododendron waterfalls (at a height of 300m)
• Wrap up your natural connection experience to head to Hue.

Highlight experience: Trek through Bach Ma National Park

The cultural and geographical centre of Vietnam, Hue has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the ancient relics, historical monuments, and fine continuation of imperial traditions.

• 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

Highlight experience: Discover Hue, Vietnam’s former capital, built by the Nguyen Dynasty

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.

Highlight experience: Create your very own Vietnamese dish

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

Highlight experience: Discover Saigon’s diversity through history, religions and 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

Highlight experience: Voyage through Mekong Delta on sampan

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

• Journey to the colourful 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.

Highlight experience: Immerse in South Vietnam’s local life

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