Discover the Best of Vietnam - 12 Days

Highlights

• Let a local guide you on a street food tour in Hanoi's colorful Old Quarter
• Explore the scenic highlands in Mai Chau and Pu Luong Nature Reserve
• Board an overnight cruise to see the karst landscape of Bai Tu Long Bay
• Spend two evenings walking around Hoi An's beautiful Ancient Town
• Visit the historic Cu Chi Tunnels and take a day trip to the Mekong Delta

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, Street Food Tour

Xin chào! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam's bustling capital. A private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Drop your bags and refresh before venturing out to explore its tree-shaded avenues lined with a mix of centuries-old architecture, from ancient temples to French colonial buildings. While there are newer parts of Hanoi, most visitors are drawn to the charms of the Old Quarter, where you can stop for a Vietnamese coffee and watch roving local vendors go about their day.

It's in the Old Quarter that you'll find plenty of fantastic street food, and this afternoon you'll explore the best stalls with a guide. Your local food expert will lead you to both famous and hidden family-owned restaurants to taste traditional street food dishes, such as bahn mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), phở Bò (beef noodle soup), bun chả (rice noodles with barbeque meat), and banh cuon (rice rolls). Watch as the locals cook up these fragrant plates right before your eyes. You'll end the street food tour with a taste of sweet soup (chè) and egg coffee.

Day 2: Full-Day Hanoi Culture & Walking Tour

After breakfast, you'll spend the whole day discovering the best parts of Hanoi with a local guide. The morning begins at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of the revolutionary leader. This brutalist building looms over Ba Dinh Square. Contrast that with the Presidential Palace, a canary yellow 20th-century French colonial building, and then drop by the 11th-century Temple of Literature, which is dedicated to Confucius and was the first university in Vietnam. Students still flock here to burn incense and pray for academic success.

Next, you'll drive north to the Cau Giay district and the Vietnam Museum Of Ethnology, where you'll discover the 54 different ethnic groups in Vietnam. Then, enter the Old Quarter for a guided walking tour, visiting local landmarks as you learn about the 2,000-year history of this district. While in the Old Quarter, you'll also stop to try the famous egg coffee again, which turns your daily caffeine hit into a decadent dessert.

Day 3: Transfer to Mai Chau, Free Afternoon

Enjoy a steaming bowl of pho for breakfast, then pack your bags for the 3.5-hour transfer northwest to Mai Chau. Take in the rapidly changing scenery as the cityscape gives way to a variety of landscapes. After passing Hoa Binh, the van will enter the mountainous areas and homeland of the Muong minority and White Thai people. This rural area is filled with lush rice paddies and traditional stilt houses surrounded by mountains and forests. Here the locals live a traditional way of life, and the region is a calm breath of fresh air after the buzz of Hanoi.

The afternoon is yours to relax and slow down. You could borrow bikes and cycle around the rice paddies, stopping for an iced drink at a little café. Or seek out beautiful fabrics made from the White Thai people—look for looms out the front of shops where you'll see locals weaving.

Day 4: Transfer to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Afternoon Village Hike

After breakfast, a private driver will transfer you two hours south to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, a natural park with primeval forests, cascading waterfalls, cool caves, and terraced rice fields. You'll drive via a breathtaking mountain pass, offering a panoramic view of the whole valley, and stop at Co Luong to visit a bamboo chopstick factory en route. Finally, in Pu Luong you'll enter the village of Ban Hang to kick off your afternoon hike and connect with nature and peaceful local life of ethnic minorities in the nature reserve.

Over the next two hours you'll trek through some local villages within the reserve, such as Eo Ken village, which is on the lands of ethnic hill tribes who still live in autarky and remaining faithful to the traditional way of life. The people here are ethnic Thai and still live in traditional houses on stilts. After your walk, a transfer will take you to your lodge for the night where you can relax.

Day 5: Transfer to Ninh Binh, Explore Hoa Lu, Tam Coc Boat Trip

Early this morning a private transfer will take you three hours east toward Ninh Binh, one of the natural wonders of Vietnam and a place that is often called "Ha Long Bay on Land." Set on the Red River Delta, this lush area offers both natural beauty and rich historic sights. Along the drive stop at the suspension bridge over the Cham River and take a short walk to see water wheels. Then, head straight to Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam. On arrival, visit two temples—one dedicated to Emperor Dinh, and the other in memory of Emperor Le—and the remains of the Old Palace.

After lunch at a local restaurant, spend the afternoon exploring Tam Coc, which means "three caves" in English. Once you arrive at this natural park you'll board a small rowing boat and a local will paddle you (using their feet!) across the karst waterscape. You'll travel along the Ngo Dong River over the next 90 minutes between rice paddy fields and beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of all sizes. After the boat trip to Tam Coc, you'll visit Bich Dong Pagoda before checking into a local hotel.

Day 6: Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Board Overnight Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise

Finally, it's time to venture toward the coast. This morning a transfer will take you three hours east where you'll board a cruise on Ha Long Bay. Here you'll float among thousands of spectacular limestone islands that make up this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll drive via Thai Binh and Nam Dinh, passing a peaceful countryside typical of the Red River Delta with endless rice fields and winding rivers. After arriving at Ha Long’s tourist wharf around noon, you'll board the cruise.

Relax and tuck into a lunch of fresh, local seafood while cruising around Bai Tu Long Bay. The karst rock formations that rise out of the water are incredible, and each little bay that makes up the greater Ha Long Bay area houses different views. Later, you'll have the chance to kayak around Cap La fishing village. After, the boat will cruise to Cong Do where you can dive in for a swim, or stay on deck and watch the sunset. Finally, sit down for dinner on board and soak up the scene as day turns to night.

Day 7: Disembark Cruise, Transfer to Hanoi, Fly to Da Nang, Transfer to Hoi An

Wake early to enjoy the cool morning air of Bai Tu Long Bay at sunrise. Enjoy breakfast on board, then squeeze in one last adventure. You could jump in a small rowboat with the local people and discover their way of life, or visit the cave in Bai Tu Long Bay. Back on board, sit down for brunch as you cruise back to port and disembark. A transfer will take you 3.5 hours to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Here you'll catch a 90-minute flight to Da Nang in Central Vietnam where another driver will take you to Hoi An, a former trading port with an incredible historic center.

On the 45-minute drive, look out for the Marble Mountains, a cluster of marble and limestone hills named after the five elements of earth, fire, water, metal and wood. Finally, arrive in Hoi An where you'll check into your accommodation and have free time to explore this charming town that's famous for its many tailor shops. Stroll through the local market, then head down to the river at dusk and watch the town light up with lanterns.

Day 8: Boat Tour of Cam Thanh Coconut Village, Hoi An Ancient Town

Venture down to the pier this morning where you'll take a boat out to Cam Thanh Coconut Village. Once at this famous village, sit back and enjoy a casting net display by the local fishermen, and learn how to throw the nets yourself. After, you'll take a basket boat ride along the water coconut river. Along the way you'll learn how to catch the small local crabs, and watch the creative fishermen put on a fun and fast-paced performance using these unique round and lightweight boats.

The afternoon is yours to explore Hoi An's Ancient Town. This was once one of the largest trading ports in Southeast Asia, and there are buildings dating between the 15th and the 19th century. Stroll through the narrow and winding streets of the yellow-washed old quarter with a guide. They'll lead you to the Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Hall, 200-year-old Tam Ky Ancestral House, and the Japanese Bridge. You'll quickly see why this is a top destination to see in Vietnam.

Day 9: Transfer to Da Nang, Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Rise early to stroll through the historic center during the more quiet hours, and sit down for a bowl of steaming pho at breakfast time (just like the locals). Soon it will be time to take a 50-minute private transfer back to Da Nang for your 80-minute flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City might not be the capital but it is the most populated city in Vietnam, with around 10 million people calling it home. On arrival, take a transfer to your accommodation in the center.

With the rest of the afternoon you could delve into the city's past at the War Remnants Museum, where poignant exhibits offer a glimpse into Vietnam's wartime history. Then head to Nguyen Hue Walking Street around sunset. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare is lined with cafes, bars, and shops, and locals gather here to relax and people watch.

Day 10: Cu Chi Tunnel Tour, Ho Chi Minh City Tour

This morning you'll drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, situated 44 miles (70 km) from the city, with a local guide. These tunnels were created in 1948 to assist the Viet Minh in their combat against French occupiers. Construction continued during American bombings, resulting in an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon factories and field hospitals. The Cu Chi Tunnels could house up to 10,000 people who lived underground for years, getting married and raising children. Two sections of the tunnels are open for visitors to crawl through and better understand the war.

In the afternoon, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City for a city tour. Start at the General Post Office, then continue along Dong Khoi Street to see the 800-seat Opera House, which served as the home of the Lower House Assembly of South Vietnam after 1956, and the People’s Committee Building, built in 1897 by the French architect Ferret Eugene. Visit the Reunification Palace, formerly known as the Presidential Palace, and check out the Thien Hau Pagoda in the heart of Chinatown. Finally visit Ben Thanh Market, where you'll barter for everything from fabric to souvenirs.

Day 11: Day Trip to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta

This morning a guide will drive you out two hours to Ben Tre, a peaceful part of the Mekong Delta known for its lush coconut groves. Arrive at Hung Vuong Pier where you'll board a cruise on the Ben Tre River, one of the tributaries of the Mekong River. The boat will cruise along the Ham Luong River (a branch of the Mekong), stopping off at various workshops to show you how the local economy works. You'll stop at a coconut processing workshop, where you can sample fresh coconut and see how every single part of this versatile nut is turned into food and other products.

You'll also see a mat weaving house, where straw mats are woven using a hand loom. You can give it a try yourself! For lunch, the boat will drop you off at a quiet village where you can explore on foot and see traditional Delta village life. After eating at a local restaurant, you can jump in a row boat and explore canals. Finally, return to the car and make the two-hour drive back to Ho Chi Minh City for your final evening in Vietnam.

Day 12: Depart Ho Chi Minh City

It's your final morning in Vietnam! If you have time (and luggage space) pop out for some last-minute souvenir shopping, and enjoy a traditional breakfast. When the time is right, a private transfer will collect you for the drive to the airport in time for your departing flight home or onwards. Safe travels!

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