Highlights of Vietnam: North to South - 16 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, Evening Street Food Tour

Xin chao! Welcome to the capital of Vietnam! You've landed in Hanoi where 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—just don't fill up before your food tour this evening!

Meet your local food expert at the Thanh Ha Market, where you'll try local delicacies and learn about Vietnamese food culture. Next visit the Dong Xuan Market, famed for its noodle shops. Sample pho sot vang (noodle soup with pork and herbs) and bun dau (tofu in soup with rice noodles and fermented shrimp paste). Then, explore the Old Quarter where you'll learn about traditional celebrations, stop at ceremonial cake stalls, and taste a French-influenced dessert. Wander along Hang Cot Street, known for its preserved fruits, and end at a café to sip coffee or a sweet iced drink.

Day 5: Hike to Local Villages: Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai & Ta Van

After breakfast, change into something comfortable and lace up your walking shoes. You'll spend the whole day exploring various villages around the Sapa region, starting with Y Linh Ho. Along with your guide, set off for a hike that journeys down to Y Linh Ho village near the Muong Hoa River. From there, you'll continue on foot to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai, walking through picturesque rice fields.

Day 6: Visit Fansipan & the Roof of Indochina, Transfer to Hanoi

On your final morning in Sapa, you'll climb to Fansipan Peak, the so-called Roof of Indochina, the highest in the region. It used to take two days to hike to the peak, but now you can travel most of the way by cable car. After breakfast, a guide will transfer you to the cable car station for the 25-minute ride to the next station, at around 9,800 feet (3,000 m). Enjoy the view of Sin Chai Valley, Fansipan Peak, and Hoang Lien National Park as your cabin crosses the landscape.

Once on the mountain, you'll trek for 40 minutes up stone steps to the top high above the hills with views of the mountainous landscape. After this experience, you'll return to the base for your 5.5-hour transfer back to Hanoi, leaving early afternoon and arriving in the city by dinner. Check into your hotel for the night and relax.

Day 7: Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise

It's time to venture toward the coast! This morning a transfer will take you 2.5 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. This special place is where the land meets the Gulf of Tonkin and more than 1,000 karst islets rise above emerald waters. Part of it resembles the spine of a giant reptile, gaining it the name Ha Long, which means "descending dragon."

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 past numerous islands and limestone structures rising from sea. This afternoon you'll choose from either kayaking or jumping in a bamboo rowboat to visit a cave. Return to relax on deck until it's time for dinner. Sit down to a delicious meat at sunset then settle into your private cabin for the night.

Day 8: Disembark Cruise, Transfer to Hanoi, Fly to Hue

Wake early to enjoy the cool morning air of Ha Long Bay at sunrise. Enjoy breakfast on board, then squeeze in one last swim. This morning you'll cruise around the bay, exploring another magnificent limestone sea cave and towering karst islets before returning to the port. A transfer will take you 3.5 hours to the airport in Hanoi, where you'll board a flight to Hue, Vietnam's Imperial Citadel.

Hue was created in the 19th century for the Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty and it was the capital from 1802 until 1945. On arrival at Hue airport, take a private transfer to your hotel. Tomorrow you'll explore the city's sights, so this evening you can rest. If you have energy, take a sunset cruise on the Perfume River or visit a night market and try local street food or dishes, such as bun bo (beef noodle soup).

Day 9: Full-Day Imperial Capital Sightseeing Tour

Hue's citadel is one of the most important structures of the Nguyen Dynasty, and it holds memories of a powerful feudal era in Vietnam. Today you'll explore the past with a local guide. Start your full-day tour with a boat trip along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hue. Then visit the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Here you'll also visit the Royal Antiques Museum. After, pop into the bustling Dong Ba Market to see the daily life of local people before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you'll visit the elegant Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, whose architecture combines the elements of Eastern art and Western design. The small tomb is very flamboyant, with giant dragons forming the side walls, a blackened concrete exterior, and colorful mosaic interior with elegant murals. Then continue to Tu Duc Royal Tomb, the most impressive of all the royal mausoleums built by Emperor Tu Duc between 1864 and 1867. No one actually knows where King Tu Duc is buried, as all the servants who buried the king were beheaded to keep his final resting place a secret. 

Day 10: Transfer to Hoi An, Half-Day Sightseeing Tour

This morning a private driver will transfer you 2.5 hours south to from Hue to Hoi An, a former trading port with an incredible historic center. The drive will pass through one of the most spectacular routes in Vietnam, the Mandarin Road. You'll also take the Hai Van Pass (Ocean Cloud Pass) and pause in Da Nang to take in panoramic views over China Beach. Finally, arrive in Hoi An, where you'll check into your accommodation and get ready for an afternoon tour.

Hoi An was once one of Southeast Asia's largest trading ports, and in the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town the buildings date between the 15th and 19th centuries. Stroll through the narrow and winding streets of the yellow-washed old quarter with a guide who'll lead you to the Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tam Ky Ancestral House, the Japanese Bridge, and the local fish market. Hoi An is also famous for its tailor shops, and they'll be able to recommend spots where you can have custom-made clothing done within a day or two.

Day 11: Full-Day Hoi An Countryside Tour: Biking & Fishing

After you've experienced the charming old center of Hoi An, it's time to venture into the surrounding countryside. This morning you'll meet a local guide and cycle out of the town, through rice paddies and countryside to beautiful Tra Que vegetable village. The route is flat and easy, so in no time you'll be in the fertile fields seeing how the locals plant and grow vegetables. Walk around the little village and snap some pictures before jumping back on two wheels.

Pedal over to Cam Thanh fishing village, where you'll swap to a unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat and paddle down the waterways of a coconut palm paradise. While in the bamboo boat, watch a casting net display by the local fishermen, and learn how to throw the nets yourself. Watch the creative fishermen put on a fun and fast-paced performance using these round and lightweight boats. Then hop on the bike and cycle back to your hotel.

Day 12: Hands-On Vietnamese Cooking Class

Today you'll dive deep into Vietnamese cuisine with a hands-on cooking class at Vy's Market Restaurant, one of the best classes in Hoi An. A local chef will lead your small group around Hoi An's colorful Central Market by boat. Learn about buying different types of fresh noodles, how to choose fresh fish, the differences between fresh and dried spices and herbs, and taste exotic fruits. After the market, head to Vy's Market Restaurant by boat. This unique restaurant is a like a mini street food market, with various counters where you can interact with the chefs.

Here you can see, smell, hear, taste, and try many different food-making processes. You'll sample more than 10 different delicacies, watch how the rice paper is made from ground rice and water, and see noodles made by hand. Don't get too relaxed—it's time to cook. Over the next 2.5 hours you'll prepare a handful of traditional Vietnamese dishes before sitting down to sample them for a late lunch. At the end you'll receive a copy of the recipes and a Vietnamese cooking utensil to take home.

Day 13: Transfer to Da Nang, Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Evening Food Tour

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 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 city center.

Once you're settled, join a street food adventure on two wheels. This city is home to five million scooters, and this evening you'll hold onto a local as they zip you around the city on the back of a moped. Take in the landmarks and squeeze down small alleyways as you hop between street food stalls and local dining spots. At the first stop you'll taste local specialties such as Vietnamese pancakes and spring rolls, continue to a seafood restaurant, and end at an acoustic music café for dessert and Vietnamese singers. Finally pop by a bar for rock music or jazz. 

Day 14: Cu Chi Tunnels & 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 15: 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, mangroves, sugar cane plantations, and waterlogged paddies. Arrive at Hung Vuong Pier where you'll board a cruise on the Ben Tre River. You'll stop off at various workshops to show you how the local economy works, including a coconut processing workshop, where you can sample fresh coconut and see how every single part of this versatile nut is turned into coconut candy and other products.

You'll also see a brick workshop and a honey bee farm before stopping for a cup of tea with a local family that makes hand-woven rush mats. For lunch, the boat will drop you off at a quiet village where you can explore the village by bike or xe loi (motor cart) to observe daily life. You'll pass lime-green rice fields, vegetable farms, and exotic fruit orchards, and can try rowing along a creek. Finally, return to the car and make the two-hour drive back to Ho Chi Minh City for your final evening in Vietnam.

Day 16: 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 onward. Safe travels!

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