Explore authentic Vietnam in 11 days

hanoi

Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi!

You'll land in Hanoi, the cultural heart of Vietnam. A personal guide will meet you at the airport with a bouquet of flowers as a welcome gift. You will then be driven to a hotel in Hanoi by luxury private car.

Enjoy the rest of the day exploring this beautiful city. If you are feeling adventurous, the Frenched-style buildings and Old Quarter are ready for you to explore. Traverse streets full of traditional vendors and artisans, and mingle with the locals as you soak up the atmosphere. Overnight in Hanoi.

hanoi

Day 2: Take a delectable street food tour of Hanoi

Today is dedicated to enjoying the magnificent cuisine of Hanoi, starting the local way with pho and coffee for breakfast.

Do you love local markets? Next up, you'll meet the stall holders and learn about the local food and delicacies, from banh cuon to bun cha - you'll even get to see the chefs put their excellent skills to work!

Coninue on to explore Hanoi's Old Quarter while enjoying the harmonious singing of birds. Past the market and Old Quarter, you'll encounter residential lanes and deep-dive into how the locals live. Meat-, vegetable-, and bread-based snacks will be available for you to sample at outdoor barbecue stalls. Excite your taste buds with fresh fruit smothered with milk, and finally, end the day with a coffee or beer at a café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake.

hanoi - Sapa

Day 3: Explore the villages of Nam Cang & Red Dao

Between 6.30-7am, you will be picked from your Hanoi hotel and taken to Tran Phu Bridge. You will then be transferred to Nam Cang village, where you'll check into your lodge and have lunch.

In the afternoon, visit the Red Dao village to interact with the villagers, among the most diverse ethnic groups of Vietnam. Observe the skills they have perfected in embroidery, making writing paper from rice, and silver jewellery-making.

If you wish, you could take a moment to enjoy a popular herbal bath, a refreshing experience allowing you to soak up the benefits of herbs handpicked from the jungle. Then, end the day with dinner on a terrace overlooking the river.

Sapa

Day 4: The beauty of the jungle

Start the morning by walking through the jungle of Sapa. On your adventure, you'll encounter the locals as they carry out their daily activities. Then, continue with a visit to the local homes of remote Red Dao minorities who live outside the forest. Take in the breathtaking view of the valley, stream, and lush forested hilltops.

You will then return to your lodge, where you can take a swim in the river before lunch. At around 2.40pm, check out and transfer by shuttle bus to your next accommodation, a warm and welcoming eco-lodge in Sapa. Get comfortable in your bungalow as you enjoy the aerial view of the mountain and unwind for the day.

Sapa - hanoi

Day 5: At leisure in your eco-lodge

Today, you're free to enjoy the various activities on offer at your eco-lodge. Love cycling? Take a mountain bike and set out to explore the surrounding areas. Alternatively, hop on a scheduled shuttle bus to visit the town of Sapa, or journey by cable car to enjoy views of Mount Fansipan's peak, the highest in Indochina. If all you wish to do is relax, simply stay at your eco-lodge to enjoy its spa facilities!

In the afternoon, you will depart for Hanoi using the Topas Mountain Express.

hanoi - Ha Long Bay

Day 6: Board a spectacular Ha Long Bay cruise

Start your day with a four-hour drive to Ha Long Bay - an awe-inspiring World Heritage Site, with 1,600 sand islets that together form a seascape of impressive limestone pillars. Have some coffee upon arrival and board the cruise ship for an overnight trip.

On board, savour delicious seafood for lunch as your ship sets sail. Itinerary highlights will include Sung Sot Cave, followed by the islands of Tuan Chau, Dinh Huong, Ga Choi, Dog and Sail. Enjoy a leisurely a swim and kayak off the beach on Ti Top Island.

Return to the ship for dinner with beautiful sunset views, then take the evening to relax, enjoy on-board entertainment, or catch a Vietnamese film. The night is yours to spend as you wish!

Ha Long Bay - hoi an

Day 7: Emerald-green waters & superb landscapes

If you're an early riser, take in beautiful morning views of the bay, as you sip on tea or coffee and enjoy fresh fruits. Marvel at the rocky islands and listen to the sound of the waves, singing birds and chirping cicadas, all while relaxing on the ship's upper deck.

Take the opportunity to dive or kayak in the emerald-green waters, or if you'd rather stay on the ship, why not enjoy a relaxing nap instead? You'll have brunch as the ship makes its way back to port, where you'll disembark and transfer to Hanoi's airport for a flight to Hoi An. On arrival there, journey to your hotel for check-in and an overnight stay.

hoi an - Ho Chi Minh City

Day 8: Cooking, cycling & fishing in Hoi An

Start your morning by cycling to the "vegetable village" of Tra Que, where you'll learn from a farmer all about the local produce and how it's grown. Try turning these vegetables into local delicacies with a hands-on cooking class, then sit down to feast on the fruits of your labour.

Next, you'll journey by boat along the Bach Dang River towards the Bay Mau nipa palm forest. Experience the vast forest in all its beauty; admire the low-roof houses made using nipa palm, and feel the pure air as you row down the canals - you could even enjoy a bit of fishing here!

Spend some time with the locals by visiting local villages, participating in coracle races, and playing traditional games. Sit down for a seafood meal on a boat, complete with views of the harbour at dusk, before cycling back to your hotel in Hoi An. There, you'll be transferred to the airport to catch a flight on to Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City - Cai Be

Day 9: Cruise down the wondrous Mekong Delta!

Today, head from Ho Chi Minh City into the town of Cai Be, where you will enjoy views of green paddy fields as your excursion begins: board an overnight cruise ship and sail out to visit a floating market, a wonderful feature that's unique to the Mekong Delta.

You'll then travel by rowboat through the canals and towards a vast orchard, to taste the many tropical fruits grown there and watch the locals carry out their daily lives. You'll have the opportunity to see the making of coconut candy, crispy rice cake, and ceramics. You'll also have a bicycle at your disposal to explore the surrounding area, as well as a hammock to rest in if you grow tired.

Later on, return to your cruise ship for refreshments as you enjoy the beautiful sunset from the top deck. Sit down for dinner followed by entertainment of your choice, before an overnight stay on board.

Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City's food & nightlife

Wake up to a beautiful morning on the Mekong River, and enjoy a breakfast of tea and fresh fruits. Cruise along the tributaries by motorboat to visit the floating market of Cai Rang and a village rice husking mill - enjoy soaking up the scenery and getting to know the locals!

Arrive back into Ho Chi Minh City to disembark and transfer to your hotel, where you can rest ahead of a buzzing nightlife and foodie tour. Hop onto a vintage Vespa scooter and head out to a Vespa-themed café, followed by local restaurants to try out a variety of flavour-packed food and drinks.

Zoom down busy streets and stop at a Vietnamese-style coffee shop to enjoy some special live music. The evening ends at an exciting rock music bar, where the locals get to unwind and present their unique musical styles. As part of this tour, enjoy free-flowing drinks and all you can eat, making for an unforgettable experience!

Ho Chi Minh City

Day 11: Adieu, Vietnam!

Today sadly marks the end of your 11-day adventure in Vietnam. Enjoy your final moments in Ho Chi Minh City, before transferring to the airport for your return flight home. Safe travels!