Hanoi is well known for its history, architecture, charm, tranquility and cuisine. Our first visit is to the most well respected site of the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square, an important point of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese. The area surrounding the complex is a traffic-free zone filled with botanical gardens, monuments, memorials and pagodas, and includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Then visit the 11th century Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first University. From here, continue to Bun Cha Huong Lien, the famous local spot where President Barack Obama dined with Anthony Bourdain.

Afternoon, we drive approximately 25minutes to the Ethnology Museum. The museum provides an insightful glimpse into the country’s lengthy history, with more than 15,000 photos and 10,000 objects and artifacts depicting a historical perspective of the lives, activities, customs, and habits of the 54 recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam.

End your day at a by walking through the Hanoi Old Quarter. The streets of this district are bustling with scooters, bicycles, cyclos, and cars zipping around pedestrians. The best way to enjoy the charming colonial architecture is to wander with your guide at a leisurely pace and be sure to stop for a cup of Vietnamese coffee or a local snack from one of the many tantalizing street vendors.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

13.30PM: Our tour guide will welcome you at the hotel then heading to Bat Trang Ceramic Village – 13km from Hanoi center.

Bat Trang, a small village in the north of Vietnam, is about 13 kilometers south east of Hanoi center, on the other side of Chuong Duong bridge. Why is its name popular to most tourists to northern Vietnam? The answer is its ever famous ceramic and pottery products of high quality. If you have known about Vietnam, you may not be surprised that Bat Trang’s vases, bowls, dishes, and many other kinds of ceramic products have been exported worldwide.

Should you would like to contemplate workers making ceramic products by hand, just come here! What’s more, you can also try it yourself! Take 1-2 hours to discover the village before travel back on the same way.

We return to the center Hanoi for some time at leisure before our exciting overnight train journey to Lao Cai.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight on Train

We arrive in Lao Cai around 5 am and met by our transport for a spectacular hour’s journey up the impressive mountains to Sapa.

Seeing is believing! The imagination could not visualize, nor appreciate the beauty of the stunning vistas and breathtaking mountainous rice terraces until you observe in true form.

Upon arrival in Sapa, we check into the hotel for a little rest and relaxation before our exploration this afternoon.

In the early afternoon we commence our exciting trek downhill from Sapa town to Cat Cat Village. Our 2 hour walk takes us through rice paddies passing by different ethnic minority villages hard at work and flower and vegetable gardens until we reach a magnificent waterfall set within the lush mountains.

We take a rest and continue to Cat Cat villages of Black Hmong tribe. Enjoy the waterfall in Cat Cat and beautiful scenery along the way.

After a welcoming and a rest, we stroll around the village, learning about the traditional way of life of the Black Hmong. We observe the fascinating demonstration of traditional fiber processing including; Weaving, Dying hemp cloth, Peeling bark from the dried hemp stalks, Tying stripped bark ribbons to form bundles and with the locals strongly encouraging  us to try our hand in perfect their art….they certainly get a lot of laughs watching us!

We say goodbye to the village and drive back to Sapa.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

After breakfast you will check out and leave your luggage in the hotel, get ready for the trip. We are picked up by our vehicle and transferred to Lao Chai. Trek down to visit the Tay and Day tribes then keep going along the bottom of the Sapa valley to get to Ta Van village which is supposed to be the most beautiful one in the area.

The interaction and closeness we experience with the local minority groups is an absolutely incredible experience.

We return to Sapa for some free time before our transfer to Lao Cai for our overnight train to Hanoi.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight on Train

Your Vietnam Beach vacation begins with trip to Halong Bay, a collection of almost 2000 islands and jungle-clad limestone pillars in the Tonkin Gulf. Called “Bay of Descending Dragons” in Vietnamese, the archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a world-famous travel destination.

Leave hotel and go ahead Halong with pass through wonderful scenery en route for tranquil villages and buffalo on fields.

Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink and a delicious freshly caught seafood lunch whilst sailing out of the Bay passing amazing shaped mountains. Enjoy the seascape from the sundeck or even in your private cabin through glass window. Take swimming, kayaking and visit caves on the island to get more experience. In the late afternoon, we take part in a Vietnamese cooking demonstration from the on board chefs and enjoy the seafood feast for dinner as stars emerge from behind those jungle-clad limestone pillars.

Spending night on board in elegant cabin and handicraft wooden interiors with air-conditioning. Or there is an option of night fishing before an overnight stay aboard.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Cruise in Halong Bay

Rise early to catch sunrise over Sung Sot Cave while taking part in a Tai Chi class with the boat’s Tai Chi guru.

Enjoy a light breakfast and sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breathtaking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay. Then, you can explore Sung Sot Cave, swim and relax. Cruise back to the jetty while brunch is served as you are cruising through the bay and observing more fascinating rock formations.

Return to Hanoi, with time to relax or grab a last minute bargain before our late afternoon flight to Hue. Arrival Hue, you will transfer to hotel for check-in.

Meals included: Breakfast, Brunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Today we visit Hues oldest 19th Century Pagoda, ‘Thien Mu (Heavenly Lady) Pagoda, which is famous for it’s Buddhist Centre teachings.

Boarding our dragon boat from the base of the Pagoda, we cruise down the Perfume River, watching local fisherman, whilst passing through the banks of Hue’s town.

Continue we visit the Hue Citadel, Vietnam’s former imperial capital and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will discover the history of Vietnam during this period of time, as well as the daily life of the Royal family and the typical architecture of this Imperial construction.

Being the former royal capital, Hue's surrounding countryside contains several of the tombs of the former Nguyen Emperors where you will get to see the Minh Mang Tomb.

Before returning to your hotel, stop at the Dong Ba Market for some shopping.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

After a relaxing morning we set out on our spectacular drive to Hoi An.

We pass through Lang Co fishing village, set within beautiful blue lagoons, before heading up and over the spectacular Hai Van Pass, where we stop at the highest point to immerse ourselves and gaze at the spectacular scenery at 980 meters above sea level

Arrival in Hoi An town - the historic and quaint nature of UNESCO World Heritage Site Hoi An is perfect for exploring.

The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure for you to enjoy the peaceful ambience of this quaint ancient town or spend some time with the skillful tailors, treating yourself to tailor made clothes, which Hoi An is renowned for.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Today, you will have free time to further explore Hoi An Ancient Town.

You may want to visit Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200- year old Tam Ky ancestral house, and the Japanese Bridge, followed by relaxing at a local pub, shopping or visiting the local tailors who make quality clothes in a flash. Or, you can take a boat trip to Cu Lao Cham, visit its fishing villages and do some snorkeling before enjoying a Vietnamese seafood lunch at a Cham jungle restaurant.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Today, we have great privilege of being able to spend today at a local family home within a small farming village, just outside of Hoi An town.

Biking from hotel to Tra Que village. Upon arrival, we are welcomed by the family and enjoy a traditional herbal drink, before setting out on our guided walk through the local farmland. We learn about the history of the village, observe the processes of harvesting, and discover the many traditional uses, in both cooking and Vietnamese medicines, with the herbs and vegetables grown.

For those who have a ‘green finger’, you have the opportunity to join the farmers in preparing the land, seeding, watering, and picking the crops.

After trying your hand in harvesting a crop, what better way than to take a rest, freshen up and soak your feet in a traditional lemongrass and rose petal foot bath, before sitting down for a delicious lunch of local delicacies, using the fresh herbs and vegetables from the garden.

The family also love showing off their skills in whipping up your lunch, giving you a very creative cooking demonstration.

In the early afternoon we bid farewell to the family and head back to town.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

This morning we take a short flight to Nha Trang.

We check into our hotel with a day of leisure for you to explore the town and enjoy the picturesque turquoise waters of the South China Sea, with its many restaurants and café’s dotted along the white sandy beach, sheltered by coconut trees.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Nha Trang

In these days you will have free time at leisure in Nha Trang for explore the town and enjoy the picturesque turquoise waters of the South China Sea, with its many restaurants and café’s dotted along the white sandy beach, sheltered by coconut trees or relaxing and unwinding at the resort overlooking beautiful Bay. Snorkel or dive among the coral reefs in crystal blue waters, hike nature trails, cool off in your private plunge pool, indulge in spa treatments or just relax on the white sand beach and admire the unspoiled mountain and sea views.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Nha Trang

After a relaxing morning we take a flight to Saigon.

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, you will be met by Tour guide and Driver and transferred to hotel for check-in

Tonight is free at leisure to explore this bustling city of Saigon

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

We set out this morning to explore Saigon City, from Central Saigon to Chinatown, providing a general overview of this fascinating city with its history and culture.

We explore the historical sights of the Reunification Palace, the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, The War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral (built in 1877) and the City’s Post Office.

In the afternoon, you will explore colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street, the city's main shopping boulevard with shops selling clothes and accessories by new Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and housewares.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

We set out this morning for our 100km spectacular drive to Tay Ninh, The Great Temple of Caodaism (a famous local religion).

The Temple was built on nine levels that represent nine steps to heaven at which you will see a prayer session at noon with beautiful music prayer with Vietnamese folk instrument in a very spiritual environment.

We have some lunch in this great little local town before our 30 km journey, heading back towards Ho Chi Minh City, to visit Cu Chi Tunnels.

The famous Cu Chi Tunnel system was created to assist the Vietnamese Revolutionists against the French in 1948. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers etc and in certain areas, housed up to 10,000 people, who virtually lived underground for years.

After a video introduction and a guided tour through the grounds, you will have the opportunity to take part in the unique experience of guerillas living underground during the war, with a crawl through 20/30/50 meters of the tunnel system.

We return to Ho Chi Minh City late afternoon

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Today we head to Cai Be floating market, to explore the typical Vietnamese life of the Mekong Delta.

Upon arrival at Cai Be land market and go to rice factories in An Cu Village for visiting and go to Dong Hoa Hiep to visit the ancient house. After that you will go straight to Cai Be floating market and handicraft workshop by boat. After leaving these places you will be straight to Tan Phong Island to take the rowing boats along the small canals. Passing through Mekong Ecolodge in order to take a short break and then you will take the bicycles to start exploring and taking in some activities with the local people on the island.

You will be straight to the local family to learn how to make jack leaves cakes which is known as the specialty on this island. You will join hands to make cakes and enjoy them. You will be freely to lie down on the hammocks under the shades of 200-year old milk fruit tree to enjoy the atmosphere there. You will also have experience of going over the Monkey bridge which is popular in the Southwest of Vietnam. Surely, you will have unforgettable memories here.

Say goodbye to the local people you will keep going to them to learn how to knit water hyacinth. You can use water hyacinth to knit a beautiful hat by yourself with the guidance of them. Have lunch at the local restaurant.

Late afternoon participating in cooking class and diner with what you’ve cooked 

In the late afternoon, the family would love showing off their skills in whipping up your dinner, giving you a very creative cooking demonstration. Enjoy the dinner what you have just cooked

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Mekong Ecolodge

After breakfast, we take a cycling walking through the traditional villages with many ancient traditional houses, set amongst a peaceful atmosphere and fruit trees, bonsai garden and witness the unusual yet fascinating process of coconut candy, the bang conical hat and rice paper in the making.

 It is the typical and cultural lifestyle of South – Western region.

Cycle back to the Mekong Ecolodge for check-out and freshen up before our return journey back to Saigon.

We return to Saigon by the mid afternoon and enjoy your free time.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

All good things must come to an ends, you have free time until transfer to airport for a departure flight with a bid farewell (Late checkout is exclusive and subject to availability)

Meals included: Breakfast

Trip ends.