Enchanting Vietnam Journey – 22 Days

Explore Hanoi’s cultural landmarks. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the Mausoleum (exterior), stilt house, Presidential Palace, and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Admire the iconic One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. After lunch, tour the Museum of Ethnology, showcasing Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, and the Hoa Lo Prison Museum (“Hanoi Hilton”). Conclude with a 1-hour cyclo tour through the French-inspired Old Quarter, with time for shopping at markets or boutiques. Overnight in Hanoi. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Note: Alternatives like the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, History Museum, or St. Joseph’s Cathedral available if preferred.

Drive 2 hours to Ninh Binh, visiting Hoa Lu, the 10th–11th-century ancient capital with King Dinh and Le temples amid rice fields and limestone peaks. After a local lunch, board a sampan on the Ngo Dong River to glide through Tam Coc’s three caves (Hang Ca, Hang Hai, Hang Ba), rowed by local women. Climb 500 steps to Hang Mua’s peak for panoramic views of Tam Coc and Ninh Binh. Return to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Drive 2.5 hours to Halong Bay and board the Sena Cruise. Savor lunch while sailing through UNESCO-listed Halong Bay’s limestone islands, passing Finger Islet and Candle Islet. Enter quieter Lan Ha Bay, kayaking through the Bright and Dark Cave area. Join a Vietnamese Lotus Tea ceremony and enjoy “Happy Hour” drinks. After dinner, relax with onboard activities like squid fishing or spa treatments. Overnight on board. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start with Tai Chi on the sundeck and breakfast amid Lan Ha Bay’s serene beauty. Transfer to a day boat, passing Ba Trai Dao (Three Peach Beach) and Hon Dua (Stick Islet). Kayak through a tunnel grotto to a lagoon (tide-dependent), swim, or snorkel among corals. Visit Cai Beo, the Gulf of Tonkin’s largest floating village, home to 300 households. Return to the cruise for a cocktail on the sundeck and dinner. Overnight on board. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Join a morning Tai Chi session and light breakfast as the cruise sails to Cat Ba Island. Explore Trung Trang Cave, a historic site in Cat Ba National Park. Optionally (weather/tide-dependent), cycle 30 minutes through Viet Hai village’s jungle and mountains. Enjoy brunch on board, then disembark and drive back to Hanoi. Relax at a hotel near the train station before boarding the night train to Lao Cai (Sapa) at 9:00 PM. Overnight on train. Meals: Breakfast, Brunch

Arrive at Lao Cai Station and drive 1 hour to Sapa for breakfast. Transfer to Cat Cat Village, trekking downhill past a waterfall and hydroelectric station. Continue through rice terraces to Y Linh Ho, a Black Hmong village, for lunch by the river. Trek through Muong Hoa Valley, visiting Lao Chai (Black Hmong) and Tavan (Giay minority) villages. Check into a homestay in Tavan for a cultural evening with locals. Overnight in Sapa homestay. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive to Fansipan Legend for a 20-minute cable car ride to Mount Fansipan (3,143m), the “Roof of Indochina.” Climb 636 steps to the summit for sweeping views. Return to Sapa for lunch, then board a bus to Hanoi (6 hours), arriving around 9:00 PM. Check into your hotel and relax. Overnight in Hanoi. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Fly to Hue (no guide on flight). Check into your hotel and explore the Imperial Citadel, the Nguyen Dynasty’s seat (1802–1945). Visit the Hue Royal Fine Art Museum in the former Dien Long An Palace and An Dinh Palace. After lunch at a garden house, browse Dong Ba Market, observing local life. Sample Hue specialties like bún bò Huế (beef noodle soup) or bánh khoái (crispy pancakes) in the evening (own expense). Overnight in Hue. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Board a Dragon Boat on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, a Buddhist symbol of Hue. Explore King Khai Dinh’s Tomb, known for its ornate architecture. Drive to Hoi An via Highway 1A, stopping at Lang Co Beach and Hai Van Pass for stunning coastal views. In Danang, visit the Cham Museum, China Beach, and Marble Mountains. Arrive in Hoi An by late afternoon and relax. Overnight in Hoi An. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Join the Farming & Fishing Eco-Tour at Tra Que Village, preparing soil, fertilizing with seaweed, and watering fields. Cycle through rural landscapes, observing local life. Board an eco-tour boat for a river cruise, meeting fishermen and trying traditional net fishing. Paddle a bamboo basket boat down coconut-lined waterways. Enjoy lunch with vegetables from Tra Que. In the afternoon, take a walking tour of Hoi An’s Ancient Town, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, Cantonese Congregation, and Chinese temples. Overnight in Hoi An. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a free day in Hoi An to shop for silk or lanterns, relax on Cua Dai Beach, or explore the town’s cafes and tailors. Overnight in Hoi An. Meals: Breakfast

Drive to Danang airport for a flight to Nha Trang (no guide on flight). Transfer to your beachfront hotel overlooking the bay. Spend the day at leisure, strolling the promenade or relaxing on the beach. Overnight in Nha Trang. Meals: Breakfast

Visit the Vietnam Oceanographic Institute to view marine species. Board a boat to Tri Nguyen Aquarium (exterior photo stop) and Mun Island for snorkeling. Explore Mieu fishing village via basket boat, observing local life. Enjoy a seafood lunch at Bamboo Island, with time for swimming and relaxation. Return to your hotel by 5:00 PM. Overnight in Nha Trang. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Spend a free day lounging on Nha Trang’s beaches, diving, or exploring local markets. Overnight in Nha Trang. Meals: Breakfast

Drive 3–4 hours to Dalat, transitioning from coastal plains to the cool Langbiang Plateau. Enjoy scenic views of mountains and forests. Check into your hotel and relax in the “City of Eternal Spring.” Overnight in Dalat. Meals: Breakfast

Explore Dalat’s highlights, starting at Robin Hill (1,650m) for panoramic views. Visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Vietnam’s largest, and Tuyen Lam Lake (cable car optional). Tour Bao Dai Summer Palace, the last emperor’s residence (1949–1954), and the whimsical Crazy House, a tree-inspired architectural marvel. After lunch, explore Dalat Railway Station with its vintage steam locomotive and take a 7-km train to Trai Mat, passing vegetable farms. Visit Linh Phuoc Pagoda, adorned with beer bottles and ceramics, and the Lat minority village. Overnight in Dalat. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (no guide on flight). Transfer to your hotel, then drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a Viet Cong stronghold. Watch an introductory video, explore the widened tunnels, and view mantraps, bomb craters, and an American tank. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for dinner and relax. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Tour Ho Chi Minh City’s landmarks: the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Old Post Office. Visit Cholon (Chinatown) and Thien Hau Temple, then shop at Ben Thanh Market. At 6:00 PM, join a Vespa Night Tour, starting at Café Zoom with drinks and snacks. Zip through streets, sampling seafood with local beer, and visit a bánh xèo street stall. End at a hidden coffee shop with live acoustic music or a rock bar (ice-cream stop for families). Return to your hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Vespa Tour)

Drive to Vinh Long, visiting a bustling market with exotic produce. Board a boat to explore brick kilns, where clay is transformed into pottery. Visit an orchard and traditional house, enjoying fruits, tea, and live music. Row through narrow canals in a sampan, observing rural life and traditional fishing. Cycle village paths, crossing “monkey bridges” and passing farms. Drive to Can Tho, the Mekong Delta’s heart, and check into your hotel. Overnight in Can Tho. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Take an early morning boat to Cai Rang Floating Market, the Mekong’s largest, witnessing vibrant trading from boats. Visit Binh Thuy Ancient House, a historic gem. Return to your hotel for leisure time until checkout. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City (3–4 hours), stopping for lunch en route. Check into your hotel and relax. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy free time until your transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight. Bid farewell to Vietnam’s enchanting journey. Meals: Breakfast