An authentic journey through Vietnam

hanoi

Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, you’ll be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel in the city center. After check-in, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Hanoi, Vietnam’s thousand-year-old capital, is famous for its serene lakes, French colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards, colorful temples, and bustling Old Quarter.

hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi highlight & evening street food tour

Start your day in Hanoi with a delicious buffet breakfast and Vietnamese coffee. At 8 am, meet your guide for a city tour, visiting the Ho Chi Minh Complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Presidential Palace, Ba Dinh Square, the Temple of Literature, and Ngoc Son Temple.

Enjoy free time until 6 pm when your street food adventure begins. Explore Hanoi’s vibrant Old Quarter, sampling iconic local dishes like Banh Cuon, Banh My, and egg coffee while learning about Vietnamese culinary traditions.

End the night with more food or a local drink before returning to your hotel for the night.

hanoi - Mai Chau - Pu Luong

Day 3: Scenic views & traditional crafts

After a hearty breakfast, leave Hanoi for a scenic drive to Mai Chau via Hoa Binh Province, stopping at Ba Khan to admire Da River views (often called the “mountain Halong Bay”).

Visit Thung Khe Pass, one of Vietnam’s most stunning mountain passes for the best views. Then, enjoy a traditional lunch before biking through rice fields and villages like Pom Coong, Lac, and Na Phon.

Learn about Thai ethnic culture, including a visit to Mrs. Mang’s family to see traditional embroidery and weaving.

In the afternoon, transfer to Pu Luong Nature Reserve for check-in and relaxation.

Pu Luong

Day 4: Explore Pu Luong & traditional water wheels

Start your day with a breakfast buffet at the retreat before embarking on a 5 km trek through palm forests and local villages.

Arrive at Bam Village to admire panoramic views and rice terraces, then enjoy a relaxing herbal foot bath and tea.

Continue with a 2 km walk to Don Village to see stunning terraces, followed by a visit to Hieu Village and its famous waterfalls. Here, you’ll enjoy a BBQ lunch and time to swim.

In the afternoon, explore Chieng Lau and Sat Villages, visit traditional water wheels at Cham Stream, and return to Pu Luong Retreat to relax.

Pu Luong - hanoi

Day 5: Back to the city life of Hanoi

Following breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel and transfer back to Hanoi. Spend the rest of your day at leisure or exploring on your own.

hanoi - halong Bay

Day 6: Lan Ha Bay cruise & cave explorations

Today, depart Hanoi for a scenic 3-hour drive to the stunning Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its limestone islands and emerald waters.

Arrive at Tuan Chau Harbor and board the luxury Sena Cruise. Enjoy a welcome drink, cabin check-in, and a delicious lunch as the cruise sails into the quieter Lan Ha Bay.

In the afternoon, explore Dark and Bright Cave by bamboo boat or swim in the bay. Return for a sunset party, Vietnamese spring roll cooking class, and a deluxe dinner. Later, enjoy evening activities like squid fishing or karaoke before retiring to your cabin for the night.

halong Bay - hanoi

Day 7: A day on the water

Begin your day with a peaceful Tai Chi session on the sundeck at sunrise, followed by a light breakfast as the cruise sails past majestic limestone karsts.

In the morning, explore the stunning Tra Bau area that is known for the film Kong: Skull Island. Here, you can kayak and swim to your heart's content.

Return to the boat for check-out and enjoy a farewell lunch while cruising back to the harbor. Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina around noon and transfer back to Hanoi.

hanoi - Dong Hoi - Phong Nha

Day 8: Arrival in Dong Hoi

Today, you'll be transferred to the airport for a flight to Dong Hoi. Upon arrival, a driver will take you to Tu Lan Lodge, located along the mountainside in Tan Hoa commune, Quang Binh province, about 70 km from Phong Nha.

This unique, weather-adaptive lodge is specially designed for the local environment, which experiences seasonal flooding in October, sometimes reaching 6–8 meters.

Phong Nha

Day 9: Underground cave systems

Begin your Hang Tien Endeavor adventure with a morning pick-up from Phong Nha and transfer to Tan Hoa Commune for a safety briefing and gear check.

Start your trek through rocky terrain and hills to reach Fun Cave to explore a maze-like underground river system by swimming and caving.

Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch by a stream before continuing to the majestic Ho Tien Cave, known for its unique formations.

End the day at the Hang Tien campsite by a beautiful emerald lake (ideal for a swim) followed by a hearty dinner and a restful night in your tent.

Phong Nha

Day 10: Trek to Hang Tien 1 & 2

After breakfast at camp, continue trekking through jungle and rocky terrain to reach Hang Tien 1 where you’ll be awed by its vast entrance, towering calcite formations, and circular dome ceiling.

Inside, climb a 10-meter ladder to exit the cave, then trek to Hang Tien 2. Enter through a narrow opening into a massive chamber filled with cave pearls, terraces, and stunning formations.

After exploring, enjoy lunch and begin the return trek, ending with a final steep ascent. Back in Tan Hoa, check in to a Rural Homestay before enjoying dinner with a local family and a restful night.

Phong Nha

Day 11: Explore Tan Hoa village

After an early start, enjoy the peaceful morning in Tan Hoa. Take a bike ride through the village to witness the sunrise over the paddy or corn fields before breakfast at the Tu Lan Lodge Restaurant.

Additional stays or activities can be arranged through your consultant or at the front desk.

Be sure to inform your local expert of your departure details in advance for smooth transfer arrangements.

Phong Nha - Hoian

Day 12: Hoi An Old Town

In the morning, you'll be transferred to Hoi An by private car on a scenic 6-hour drive. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to relax or explore this charming town.

Hoian

Day 13: Hoi An Old Town & sunset boat trip

Start your day with a guided tour of Hoi An’s Ancient Town, exploring historical sites such as the Hoi An Museum, traditional Ancient Houses, Chinese Assembly Halls, local workshops, and the iconic Japanese Bridge.

Then, visit a local lantern craftsman’s home for a hands-on workshop where you’ll create your own traditional lantern to take home.

In the late afternoon, transfer to the pier for a luxurious 2-hour sunset dinner cruise on the Thu Bon River. Enjoy cocktails, a live-cooked 5-course meal, music, and stunning river views.

After the cruise, return to your hotel for your overnight stay in Hoi An.

Hoian

Day 14: Cycling tour to Cam Kim Island

In the morning, embark on a scenic bicycle ride from Hoi An to Kim Bong Carpentry Village. There, you’ll visit skilled artisans crafting unique wooden products.

Continue cycling through the peaceful countryside, passing bamboo groves and areca palms, while learning about local history from your guide.

Visit a local family to discover how traditional rice products are made (e.g. wine, paper, noodles, and mats) and try rowing a traditional bamboo boat.

Enjoy a delicious bowl of Quang noodles in Cam Kim before taking a relaxing boat trip back to Hoi An. The rest of the day is free at your leisure.

Hoian - Saigon

Day 15: Evening foodie tour on a vintage Vespa

This morning, depart Hoi An for Danang to catch a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest and most vibrant city. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel to check in and relax.

At 6 pm, hop on vintage Vespas for an exciting night tour of Saigon’s nightlife. Start with drinks at a rooftop bar overlooking the city skyline, then weave through bustling streets and alleys, soaking in the sights, sounds, and smells.

Enjoy stops at two popular local restaurants to sample beloved dishes, a Vietnamese-style cafe with live music, and a lively music bar to dance with the locals. All food and drinks are included, so just bring your appetite and sense of adventure!

Saigon

Day 16: Goodbye, Saigon

Every great journey must come to an end, but the memories you’ve made will stay with you. Today, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your departure flight home. Safe travels!