Welcome to Vietnam. On arrival in Hanoi, you will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel, where your room is available from 2:00 PM onwards.

The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy this energetic capital at your own pace. Shaped by a blend of Chinese, French, and Southeast Asian influences, Hanoi rewards slow exploration: wander the Old Quarter, do some shopping, taste local street food, or catch a water puppet show on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.

This morning, enjoy a walking tour to one of Hanoi’s most vibrant markets, Hang Be Market, tucked into the heart of the Old Quarter and offering an intimate look at daily life there.

Continue to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De (544-548). The Buddhist shrine has changed several times over the years, most notably when Emperor Le Huy Tong renamed it from An Quoc to Tran Quoc, meaning protecting the country, in the 17th century. Next, visit the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam.

In the afternoon, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday and Friday) and his traditional stilt house. Then enjoy a 1-hour cyclo ride around the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, followed by a traditional water puppet show. The cyclo ride is a feast for the senses, letting you catch scenes of daily city life, traders, small restaurants, and busy sidewalks up close.

Transfer to a restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Hanoi.

Depart Hanoi at around 6:00-6:30 AM by shared limousine to Sapa, a charming mountain town in the Hoang Lien Son Range. The journey of approximately 5.5-6 hours follows a modern expressway past scenic countryside, lush valleys, and terraced rice fields.

On arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (at your own expense) before beginning your exploration of the region’s landscapes and ethnic minority culture. In the afternoon, set out with your guide on a scenic walk south of Sapa to Cat Cat Village, then continue through the winding valleys towards Y Linh Ho, where terraced fields spill down the hillsides and a deep gorge reveals a rushing river below. Trek along gentle slopes and pause to watch local children casting their nets in the water.

Further on, you reach the terraced hamlets of the Black H’mong community, where you can stroll at your own pace, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and take in the surrounding scenery before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon. Meals are at your own arrangement. Overnight in Sapa.

This morning, your guide escorts you to the cable car station, where you board the Muong Hoa funicular train from Sapa town to the departure point. From there, a scenic 20-minute cable car ride offers panoramic views over the mountains and valleys.

On reaching an altitude of around 2,800 metres, you have time to explore the area, visit the pagodas and spiritual sites, and take photos. Reaching the summit of Fansipan (3,143m, the Roof of Indochina) involves walking up approximately 600 steps; for those who prefer not to walk, a short mountain train is available on site at your own expense. Afterwards, return by cable car and funicular train to Sapa town.

Check out of your hotel. The limousine collects you at around 2:00 PM for the drive back to Hanoi (about 5.5-6 hours, with two short breaks on the road). Check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. Meals are on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.

Today is a free day to explore Hanoi at your own pace. Meals are on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Some suggestions for your day: start with a peaceful walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of the city, where you can visit Ngoc Son Temple, take photographs, or simply watch life go by from the lakeside.

Wander through the bustling Old Quarter, famous for its narrow streets, local shops, and traditional architecture, where each street specialises in a particular trade and is perfect for souvenir hunting. Continue to Dong Xuan Market, one of the oldest and largest markets in Hanoi and a good spot for clothes, fabrics, accessories, and local snacks at reasonable prices.

Stop by a local restaurant to try Hanoi’s authentic flavours such as pho, bun cha, or egg coffee. Charming cafes and eateries are scattered throughout the Old Quarter.

Leave Hanoi in the morning for Halong Bay, arriving around noon. Board a traditional junk for a spectacular five-hour day cruise of the bay, with a fresh seafood lunch served on board.

Take in the aquamarine waters and limestone formations that have made Halong Bay one of Southeast Asia’s premier destinations, visit a few of its most famous caves, and watch the sunset over the bay. Return to the harbour and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.

At 8:00 AM, your guide collects you from the hotel for the drive to Ninh Binh province, about 120 km from Hanoi.

At around 10:30 AM, visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the first capital of Vietnam. Here you learn why the capital was later moved to Hanoi, and step inside the temples of King Dinh and King Le, the first and second emperors of ancient Vietnam, built in the 17th century. At 11:30 AM, spend 45 minutes cycling around the village to discover the life of local people, followed by lunch at a restaurant serving a range of local dishes at 12:30 PM.

From about 1:30 PM, visit Trang An, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2014 and chosen as a filming location for Kong: Skull Island in 2016. A boat trip takes you through its remarkable tunnel cave system, including Sang Cave (Light Cave), Toi Cave (Dark Cave), and Nau Ruou Cave (Wine-Making Cave), along a green river framed by natural karst scenery.

At 4:00 PM, continue to Mua Cave (Dancing Cave), where almost 500 steps lead to the top of Lying Dragon Mountain and an amazing panoramic view over Tam Coc. Depart at 5:30 PM and arrive back in Hanoi at around 7:30 PM for drop-off at your hotel. Please note that your guide may adjust the order of the itinerary depending on weather conditions.

After breakfast, enjoy free time until your driver transfers you to Noi Bai International Airport for your domestic flight to Da Nang.

On arrival at Da Nang International Airport, you are met by your driver and transferred to your hotel for check-in (standard check-in time: 2:00 PM). The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or explore the coastal city at your own pace. You may unwind on My Khe Beach, visit charming cafes, stroll along the Han River, browse local shopping areas, or sample Da Nang’s famous local cuisine. In the evening, admire the city’s illuminated bridges or enjoy fresh seafood at one of the many beachfront restaurants. Overnight in Da Nang.

Optional Tour (Supplement): Marble Mountain – Am Phu Cave – Monkey Mountain Sunset Tour

You are collected from your hotel between 2:00 and 2:30 PM. At 2:40 PM, the van takes you to Monkey Mountain, where a giant Lady Buddha statue stands against a beautiful backdrop of mountains and a large bonsai garden; enjoy a gentle walk through this peaceful area while listening to interesting stories and feeling the fresh sea breeze. At 3:40 PM, discover the Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son), a group of five limestone and marble hills resembling five fingers lying close to the sea, with a stop to see the local stone sculpture workshops. Climb to the top (an elevator is optional) to explore the caves, pagodas, stairways, and viewpoints, home to Buddhist sanctuaries and Hindu grottoes. Continue to Am Phu Cave, the largest and most fascinating cave in the complex, where you learn about Buddhist philosophy and photograph its remarkable natural formations. At 5:45 PM, return to the van, and at 6:00 PM you are dropped off at your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, you are collected at 8:00 AM and head out to Ba Na Hills. Enjoy a scenic ride on one of the most modern cable car systems in Southeast Asia, stopping at Dream Stream Cable Car Station to admire the breathtaking views over Da Nang’s coastline.

After the first cable car ride, visit the Golden Bridge, famous for its striking design and recognised by The Guardian as one of the world’s most prominent pedestrian bridges, followed by Le Jardin D’amour (a series of nine themed gardens) and Linh Ung Pagoda. Take the second cable car up to the French Village, where you can enjoy street music, admire art statues, the Campanile, the Nine-Floor Goddess Shrine, and Tombstone Temple, watch carnival performances, and explore Square Du Dome.

Enjoy a buffet lunch at a restaurant on site. Afterwards, ride the Lava Train from Sun Kingdom to discover attractions such as Helios Waterfall, Time Gate, and the Moon Kingdom. Then join Fantasy Park, walking through the Fairy Forest, Dinosaur Park, and Jurassic Park, and trying rides and games including 5D Wild West, the 4D Death Race, 3D Mega 360 Degrees, Journey into the Underground, the Freefall Tower, and the Horror House, along with more than 90 free games.

At 3:00 PM, return to the cable car to leave Ba Na Hills, and at 5:00 PM the minivan brings you back to your hotel. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Da Nang.

The morning is free at leisure. At around 12:30 PM, the van and your guide collect you from your hotel in the Da Nang area.

Start your adventure at Cam Thanh Coconut Village, where you can immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of the water coconut forest on a relaxing boat trip, learn to paddle the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat, and watch a lively basket-boat performance.

At around 2:30 PM, continue to Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its timeless charm and rich cultural heritage. Enjoy a traditional art performance at the Hoi An Traditional Performing Arts House, offering an authentic glimpse into local folklore and music. Your walking tour continues to the Museum of Trade Ceramics, which showcases the town’s long history as a major trading port; the beautifully preserved Tan Ky Ancient House, a 200-year-old merchant residence blending Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architecture; and the historic Cantonese Assembly Hall, admired for its intricate carvings and vibrant colours. Stop by the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, one of Hoi An’s most recognisable landmarks.

As evening falls, enjoy free time at the Hoi An Night Market, soaking in the lantern-lit atmosphere and shopping for local handicrafts. Dinner is served featuring Hoi An specialty food. At 6:30 PM, enjoy a boat ride on the Hoai River and release flower lanterns to pray for good luck for you and your family. The tour finishes in Hoi An at 7:00 PM, and you are dropped off at your hotel in Da Nang at around 8:30 PM. Overnight in Da Nang.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time until your driver transfers you to Da Nang International Airport for your domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

On arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you are welcomed by your driver and transferred to your hotel for check-in (standard check-in time: 2:00 PM). The remainder of the day is free for you to explore Vietnam’s vibrant southern metropolis at your own pace. You may stroll along Nguyen Hue Walking Street, visit Ben Thanh Market for shopping and local snacks, relax at a cafe, or discover the city’s lively dining and nightlife scene. Ho Chi Minh City offers a blend of colonial architecture, modern skyscrapers, and authentic Vietnamese street life. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

This morning, leave the city by private vehicle to visit the remarkable tunnel network of Cu Chi. This incredible system, covering almost 250 km in length, sheltered over 16,000 Viet Cong guerrillas during the wars. Begun in 1948 against French air and ground sweeps, the network later served as communication routes, storage facilities, hospitals, and living quarters throughout the American war. If you wish, you can even descend into the tunnels to understand the harsh conditions faced by those who lived here. Return to the city centre afterwards.

In the afternoon, tour the former capital of French Indochina. Historic landmarks include the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Opera House. Continue to the Reunification Palace, once the headquarters of the Saigon government during the American war in the 1960s. Round off your day with a visit to the Jade Emperor Pagoda and Ben Thanh Market. Meals are on your own. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

On arrival at Ben Tre Pier, board a boat and travel the Ben Tre River, one of the tributaries of the Mekong, following mangrove-lined banks from town out into the countryside. Watch the lively morning activity on the water, from fishing boats to coconut cargo barges.

Stop at a traditional brickworks to see how bricks are made by hand. Turn onto Cai Son Canal, winding through the coconut jungle, and visit a coconut workshop to follow the stages of processing, from husking to prizing out and peeling by hand. Continue along a small waterway and stop at a rice paper workshop and a coconut candy workshop, where you can watch the candy being made by hand, taste some sweets, enjoy fresh fruit, and listen to local music. Travel on by boat and walk to a farmer’s house where sleeping mats are woven.

Ride a tuk-tuk through the coconut grove, then continue by row boat along a shady palm-lined canal and stop for lunch at Xu Dua riverside restaurant. Return to Ben Tre Pier by motorboat and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and free time at leisure until your scheduled transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight.

We hope you have enjoyed your memorable journey through Vietnam and wish you a pleasant onward journey. End of services.