An Unforgettable 17-Day Journey from North to South Vietnam

Today will be dedicated to exploring the most notable cultural and historical monuments in Hanoi. Your city tour will include the following highlights:

• The Temple of Literature, a symbol of feudal education and one of Hanoi's emblems.
• Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in the city, located on the edge of West Lake.
• Ba Dinh Square, where you will find the former governor's palace of Indochina, the mausoleum, and Ho Chi Minh's house.
• You will also discover the colonial heritage with French concessions, including the Grand Theater, the Metropole Hotel, the State Bank, the University of Indochina, and the old Paul Doumer Bridge.
• The Ethnographic Museum, where you can explore a collection of 25,000 ancient and contemporary objects that bear witness to the history of local populations.

In the evening, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a water puppet show, a unique art form that is characteristic of Vietnamese culture and recognized as an intangible heritage by UNESCO.

You will spend the night at your hotel.

After breakfast, you will embark on a beautiful journey to Mai Chau, a region known for its natural beauty and the presence of Thai and Muong ethnic minorities. Along the way, you will stop at the village of Giang Mo, known for its stilt houses. You will have a chance to walk through the village and interact with the Muong people, who are known for their slash-and-burn agriculture.

Continuing the journey, you will arrive in Mai Chau, a picturesque green valley populated by Thai minorities. You will stop at a hilltop viewpoint that offers panoramic views of rice fields, traditional houses, and bamboo forests. Upon arrival, you will have the opportunity to walk or bike through the rice fields and Thai villages, gaining insight into their culture and daily life. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner with a local Thai family and taste "Ruou Can," a local wine made from fermented glutinous rice.

You will spend the night in a traditional stilt house.

After breakfast, you will take a walk through green rice fields dotted with stilt houses, encountering Thai people working in the fields. In the afternoon, you will bid farewell to the Thais and continue your journey to Ninh Binh, often referred to as the terrestrial Halong Bay.
Upon arrival, you will visit Bai Dinh, the largest pagoda in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, which houses numerous statues and holds several Guinness World Records.

You will spend the night at a hotel in Ninh Binh.

Today, you will explore the picturesque landscapes of Ninh Binh, known for its limestone rocks, sugarloaf hills, and rice fields. Your itinerary for the day includes:

• A boat trip on the Ngo Dong River to discover Tam Coc, where you will pass through three caves and enjoy the magnificent scenery of rice fields and limestone peaks. Local rowers will guide your boat through these enchanting landscapes.
• Disembarkation for a bike ride and relaxation, allowing you to explore the region and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
• A visit to Mua Mountain in Ninh Xuan, where you can climb a staircase of 486 stone steps to the top and enjoy a panoramic view of the Tam Coc region, often called the Halong Bay on land.

Mua Caves (Hang Múa in Vietnamese) or Dancing Cave stands out for its elegant natural beauty, because of which Mua Cave has been regarded as “The Great Wall of Vietnam” or “Tam Coc’s Muse”. This is also considered the most beautiful viewpoint in Ninh Binh, Vietnam.

• A visit to Hoa Lu, the ancient imperial capital of Vietnam, where you will explore the temples of Kings Dinh and Le nestled among rice fields and sugarloaf hills.

You will spend the night at a hotel in Ninh Binh.

After breakfast, you will depart from Ninh Binh and make your way to Halong Bay, renowned as one of the most beautiful bays in Vietnam and a truly enchanting destination in Asia. Upon arrival, you will board a traditional junk boat and be warmly welcomed by the crew. Set off a magnificent cruise through the bay, specifically exploring Bai Tu Long, the northern part of Halong Bay. During the cruise, you will have the opportunity to:

• Marvel at the picturesque islands and islets that dot the bay, each with its unique shape and name such as the Veil, Dog, Rooster, and Incense Islands.
• Choose between a boat ride or kayak excursion to discover the fishing village of Vung Vieng, where you may have the chance to interact with the local residents.
• Enjoy leisure time on the upper deck of the junk, taking in the breathtaking scenery.
• Participate in an onboard cooking demonstration where you can learn to make traditional spring rolls or "nems."
• Indulge in delicious seafood lunches and dinners prepared by the onboard chefs.
• In the evening, you can relax and engage in activities such as card games, night fishing, or simply unwind.

You will spend the night on the junk boat, surrounded by the beauty of Halong Bay.

Wake up early to witness the captivating sunrise over the thousands of sugarloaf hills in Halong Bay. Experience a moment of tranquility and participate in a Tai Chi session on the terrace of the junk boat. Continue the cruise, exploring more of the lesser-known parts of Halong Bay. Visit the magnificent caves of Halong Bay, including Thien Canh Son, home to stunning stalagmites and stalactites that have formed over thousands of years.

Enjoy lunch on the junk boat before disembarking and returning to Hanoi. In the evening, you will take a night flight to Hue, the ancient imperial city located in the central region of Vietnam. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a local driver and transferred to your hotel in Hue.

Spend the night in Hue, immersing yourself in the history and charm of this former imperial capital.

Begin a city tour of Hue, the last imperial capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. The highlights of the day include:

• Exploring the Imperial City, the residence and workplace of the Nguyen dynasty's 13 kings for 143 years. Discover the grandeur and architectural beauty of this historical site.
• Visiting the picturesque mausoleums of the Nguyen kings, such as the Gia Long Mausoleum or the Minh Mang Mausoleum, known for their impressive architecture and serene surroundings.
• Exploring the Thien Mu Pagoda, the most beautiful and visited pagoda in Hue, or the tranquil Tu Hieu Pagoda, which houses the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty's eunuchs.
• Exploring Dong Ba Market, the largest and oldest market in Hue, where you can find local specialties such as conical hats and traditional tunics.

Return to your hotel in Hue for the night, where you can relax and reflect on the rich history and cultural heritage of the city.

Start a scenic drive from Hue to Hoi An, a charming ancient town located south of Hue. Follow the off-the-beaten-path route along the wild coast of the East Sea, passing by picturesque bays with turquoise waters and the breathtaking Col des Nuages. Arrive in Hoi An around noon and check-in at your hotel.

In the afternoon, soak yourself in the beauty of Hoi An's Old Town. Visit key attractions such as the Fujian sanctuary, the iconic Japanese Bridge, and explore the vibrant alleyways filled with old wooden houses, silk shops, and lantern stores.

Enjoy the evening at your leisure. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Begin a captivating full-day cycling excursion to explore the serene countryside surrounding Hoi An. Commence your day by visiting the Van Lang fishing village and the enchanting Bay Mau coconut forest. Navigate through picturesque rice fields, cornfields, and orchards, encountering amiable locals and observing traditional boat construction workshops.

Delight in a leisurely round basket boat ride along rivers lined with coconut trees, try your hand at shrimp fishing, and experience the warm hospitality of a local family. In the afternoon, extend your biking adventure to the Tra Que village, renowned for its organic vegetable cultivation. Engage in agricultural activities and connect with local farmers.

Later in the day, return to your hotel and savor the remaining hours at your own pace.

Relish an overnight stay in Hoi An.

Explore the iconic Ben Thanh Market, a symbol of the city.

• Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, both structured by Gustave Eiffel.
• Discover the People's Committee headquarters of Ho Chi Minh City, the former Marie Centrale, renowned as the city's most beautiful colonial building.
• Soak yourself in the history of Saigon during the American-Vietnamese War (1954-1975) at the War Museum.
• Uncover the ancient art of traditional Vietnamese medicine at the Museum of Traditional Medicine of Vietnam, with a history spanning over 3000 years.
• Stroll through Cho Lon Chinatown and visit the Temple of the Heavenly Lady Thien Hau.

Conclude the day with a comfortable night in a hotel.

Begin your journey to the Mekong Delta, a distinctive region where land and water coalesce in the southernmost part of the country.

Upon reaching Ben Tre, a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the northern arms of the river, take a boat ride along the rivers to reach Mo Cay. This less-explored rural area is renowned for its coconut trade and the production of various coconut products such as coconut, coconut floss, and coconut activated carbon.

You can choose a bike ride or a Xe loi (motorized cycle) on the green island, lush with coconut plantations. Navigate through off-the-beaten-path routes shaded by coconut trees, creating a poetic landscape. Make stops at local farms to witness the crafting of sweets and coconut brooms.

Continue the exploration with a ride in a small rowboat through streams surrounded by water palms, offering a glimpse into the daily life of the delta. Visit Mr. Van's traditional house and indulge in the tasting of local specialties prepared by his wife, including coconut jam, tea with honey and pollen. Engage in meaningful encounters with the local population.

In the afternoon, transfer to Vinh Long and arrive at An Binh ("peace") island situated in the heart of the Mekong. Settle into Madame Thuy's tranquil guest house, surrounded by a beautiful garden. Enjoy free time to relax in the serene and peaceful environment.

As the night draws to a close, participate in the preparation of the meal and dine with the locals, creating a memorable and immersive experience.

Night at a local's house.

Wake up early, greet the hosts, and then continue your journey to Can Tho, the capital of the delta, located on the right bank of the southern arm of the Mekong. Upon arrival, board a boat for a trip along the Mekong. Explore the Cai Rang floating market, a vibrant show featuring numerous boats loaded with fruits and vegetables.

After the boat journey, visit the An Binh land market located in front of Cai Rang.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City, and the rest of the day is free for your relaxation.

Enjoy a night at the hotel.

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before heading to Mui Ne, renowned for its stunning white sandy beaches fringed with coconut trees and captivating orange sand dunes. Check in at a seaside hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. 

Relax and unwind in the tranquil surroundings of Mui Ne.

Overnight stay in Mui Ne.

Savor two full days at your own pace in Mui Ne. Take pleasure in the fine sandy beaches and immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters of the East Sea.

Indulge in leisurely strolls along the orange sand dunes by the sea, reminiscent of "North Africa in Vietnam."

Explore exciting water sports activities such as jet skiing, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, and windsurfing.

Night in Mui Ne.

Enjoy a leisurely morning for relaxation before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon for your departure flight.