The Vietnam Experience – 19 Days

Day 1: Ha Noi Arrival – Old Quarter Tour

Our driver and tour guide welcome you at Noi Bai Airport and escort you to your hotel. Check in and relax.
In the late afternoon, visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the “36 Streets.” Enjoy a walking tour through Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. The narrow streets are full of local shops, photogenic corners, and lively atmosphere. Return to your hotel.
Overnight in Ha Noi.
Meals: None.

Day 2: Ha Noi – City Tour

After breakfast, begin your city tour. Pass preserved colonial French residences now used as government offices.
Visit Ba Dinh Square and view the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, where Vietnam’s independence was declared in 1945. Continue to One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the Temple of Literature—Vietnam’s first university, functioning for 700 years.
Visit West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda. In the afternoon, explore the Ethnology Museum and Ngoc Son Temple at Hoan Kiem Lake. End with a 1-hour cyclo ride—an enjoyable way to experience Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Day 3: Ha Noi – Amazing Ninh Binh – Ha Noi

After breakfast, visit Van Lam village and sail in a bamboo boat rowed by a local villager through Tam Coc, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Cruise beneath limestone cliffs and pass through Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba caves while floating along lush rice paddies.
After lunch, climb 500 steps to Mua Caves for a panoramic view of Ngo Dong River and Tam Coc. Visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient royal capital, and admire historical architecture. Drive back to Hanoi.
Overnight in Ha Noi.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Day 4: Hanoi – Sapa – Love Waterfall

After early breakfast, depart for Sapa, the tribal city in Northwest Vietnam. Enjoy scenic rice paddies and natural beauty during the 5-hour drive, with refreshing stops. Enjoy local lunch.
Visit Tram Ton Pass (2,047m), the highest pass in Vietnam, with views over Hoang Lien National Park. Take a 30-minute walk through the forest, passing wildflowers and jungle plants. Walk beside the stream and climb natural steps to the beautiful Love Waterfall. Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Sa Pa.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Day 5: Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van – Fansipan

After breakfast, start a 4-hour walking tour through Lao Chai and Ta Van villages, home to unique local ethnic groups. Drive along terrace rice fields—excellent photography locations. Refreshing local drinks are available along the trek.
Return to Sapa for lunch, then explore Fansipan, the highest peak of the Indochina mountains and the easternmost part of the Himalayan range. Walk around the compound and visit the highest temple in Vietnam. Return to Sapa for a calm night in town.
Overnight in Sapa.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Day 6: Sapa – Sin Chai Village

After breakfast, depart to Sin Chai village near Sapa, located at the foot of Mount Fansipan. Set in a rainforest area protected by Hoang Lien National Park, this village is home to the Black H’mong people. Traditional wooden houses are scattered across the valley.
Free evening to explore the town.
Overnight in Sapa.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 7: Sapa – Ha Noi

Free time to discover Sapa during the day before driving back to Hanoi.
Free evening to explore Hanoi nightlife.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 8: Ha Noi – Ha Long Bay

After breakfast, depart to Ha Long Bay—one of the world’s greatest natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Upon arrival, board your cruise and enjoy a seafood lunch.
Sail among limestone islands and grottoes rising from emerald waters. Join water activities such as kayaking, swimming, or exploring caves. Relax on deck, enjoy dinner, and optionally join night fishing with locals.
Overnight on board.
Meals: All meals included.

Day 9: Ha Long Bay – Ha Noi – Flight to Hue

Wake up to sunrise views over Ha Long Bay. Enjoy a light breakfast while cruising among the islands. Join additional activities and check out. Early brunch is served before returning to the mainland.
Transfer to Hanoi airport for a flight to Hue. Free time on arrival.
Overnight in Hue.
Meals: Breakfast & Brunch.

Day 10: Hue – City Tour – Tam Giang Lagoon

Visit Tu Duc Tomb, one of the most beautifully designed Nguyen Dynasty tomb complexes. Continue to a conical hat and incense-stick making village.
Visit the Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda (Heavenly Lady), then depart to Tam Giang Lagoon. Cruise to Son Island and later transfer to a smaller boat to explore Sam and Chuon ponds—ideal for photography. Observe the changing light and daily life of the fishing community. Visit Cho House and join the activity “Be A Fisherman On The Lagoon.”
Return to Hue.
Overnight in Hue.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Day 11: Hue – Hoi An

Depart for Hoi An via a scenic coastal route. Stop at Hai Van Pass for beautiful views.
Arrive in Hoi An and enjoy free time to explore the night market, restaurants, and bars.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 12: Hoi An – Tra Que Village – Cooking Class – Boat Tour

Explore the countryside by car along narrow roads, rice paddies, temples, and water palm forests.
Enjoy Cam Thanh Coconut Forest and ride a bamboo basket boat on the river, learning local techniques and catching purple crabs. Continue to An My Paddy Field to see buffalo—symbol of Vietnamese countryside.
Arrive in Tra Que Village and enjoy a welcome drink. Join a cooking class, learn traditional rice milk making, and have lunch with a local family. Meet farmers and learn wet rice cultivation and daily rural life.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Day 13: Hoi An – Ba Na Hills – Hoi An – Flight to Da Lat

Travel to Da Nang to visit Ba Na Hills. Walk the trail of Dreaming Stream, explore Rainbow Waterfall, Suspension Bridge, and Golden Valley.
Take photos at the iconic Golden Bridge. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Lat.
Overnight in Da Lat.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 14: Da Lat – Countryside by Car – Waterfalls

Explore Da Lat countryside: flower plantations, coffee plantations, and a weasel coffee farm with panoramic views.
Visit a cricket farm and taste fried crickets with lemongrass and chilli sauce. Stop at a rice wine distillery, silk factory, and Elephant Waterfall (35m high, 40m wide). Visit Wind Cave with its dramatic caverns and roaring sound. Return to hotel.
Overnight in Da Lat.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 15: Da Lat – Crazy House – Datanla Waterfall – Nha Trang

Visit Crazy House, Da Lat’s most famous attraction—an artistic, dreamlike structure reminiscent of Wonderland.
Continue to Datanla Waterfall, an accessible waterfall under jungle canopy. Thrill seekers can try the mini roller-coaster ride.
Drive to Nha Trang with scenic views along the way.
Overnight in Nha Trang.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 16: Nha Trang – Countryside Experience

For groups of 1–14 travellers (Jeep Tour):
Pick up from hotel and stop at Dien Khanh local market. Enjoy Ca Phe Sua Da at “Co Thanh Cafe.” Visit Dien Khanh Citadel and Ha Dua Church. Drive through rice paddies, visit a rice paper workshop, enter the Raglai ethnic community, interact with local children, and enjoy a riverside picnic with time for swimming.
Meals: Breakfast.

For groups of 15–37 travellers (Luxury Day Cruise):
Board a five-star all-inclusive Emperor Cruises day cruise. Explore islands and fishing villages, swim and snorkel in secluded bays, and enjoy a blend of luxury, adventure, and fun on a fully crewed boat with inclusions.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 17: Nha Trang – Flight to Sai Gon – City Tour

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Visit War Museum, Reunification Hall (former Presidential Palace), Old Post Office, and Notre Dame Cathedral.
Free time in the evening to explore Saigon nightlife.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 18: Sai Gon – Mekong Delta – Sai Gon

Drive to Ben Tre and sail by taxi-boat on Ben Tre River. Observe local river life and activities. Visit a brick workshop, coconut processing workshop, taste tropical fruit and honey tea, and visit a family workshop making sleep mats.
Ride a motorised cart through villages and experience rural lifestyle. In the afternoon, enjoy a rowing boat ride through water palm creeks and return to the pier. Drive back to Saigon.
Overnight in Sai Gon.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Day 19: Sai Gon Departure

Free time until pick-up and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
End of services.