Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
Your trip starts with a airport pickup and hotel transfer in Hanoi. If you land early, there's time to walk around the Old Quarter or check out the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum before the welcome meeting at 6 pm. You'll meet your trip leader and other travelers, then head to dinner at a traditional Vietnamese house-style restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at a restaurant decorated to resemble an old-fashioned Vietnamese house, featuring classic Vietnamese dishes made with fresh local ingredients)
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting with trip leader and fellow travellers
- Welcome dinner at traditional Vietnamese house-style restaurant
Optional Activities
- Explore Hanoi Old Quarter
- Visit Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum
Landmarks Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum Old Quarter 
- Day 2
Hanoi to Halong Bay
Head out from Hanoi toward Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll board a traditionally decorated junk boat with modern facilities and sail out to see the limestone karsts and islands scattered throughout the bay. Lunch is seafood served on board, and you'll have time to swim, kayak, or just relax on the beach. Later, watch the sunset from the deck and spend the evening stargazing.
- Meals
- Lunch (Seafood lunch on board the junk boat), Dinner (Dinner on deck)
Included Activities
- Travel to Ha Long Bay UNESCO World Heritage site
- Board overnight junk boat cruise
- Explore the bay with possible stops at caves and fishing villages
- Seafood lunch on board
- Swimming and kayaking opportunities
- Dinner on deck
Landmarks Ha Long Bay 
- Day 3
Halong Bay to Hanoi
Start with a quiet breakfast on the boat and optional Tai Chi before sailing back to Hanoi. This afternoon, you'll see a Hat Xam performance, a rare traditional Northern Vietnamese art form from the Tran Dynasty. The one-hour acoustic show happens at a private club house and might include some audience participation.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board the boat)
Included Activities
- Tai Chi on board boat
- Return to Hanoi from Halong Bay
- Exclusive Hat Xam traditional performance at private club house
Landmarks Ha Long Bay - Day 4
Hanoi to Hoi An
Join a half-day guided tour of Hanoi covering the Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo Prison (called the 'Hanoi Hilton'). Lunch is at KOTO restaurant, a social enterprise that trains disadvantaged youth with a creative Vietnamese menu. In the afternoon, fly south to Danang and drive to Hoi An. The rest of your day is free to explore or relax by the pool.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at KOTO restaurant, a social enterprise providing hospitality training to disadvantaged youth, featuring creative Vietnamese dishes made with local ingredients)
Included Activities
- Half-day Hanoi tour with trip leader
- Visit Temple of Literature
- Visit Hoa Lo Prison
- Lunch at KOTO restaurant
- Flight to Danang
- Transfer from Danang to Hoi An
Landmarks Temple of Literature Hoa Lo Prison 
- Day 5
Hoi An
Take a walking tour through Hoi An's Old Town to see its mix of traditional architecture and cultural influences from its trading port past. You'll visit a Chinese assembly hall, cross the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, walk through a historic trader's house, and check out a local museum. Your leader brings you to a coffee shop to try Vietnam's famous coffee. The afternoon is yours to wander around on your own.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Hoi An Old Town
- Visit Chinese assembly hall
- Cross Japanese Covered Bridge
- Visit historic trader's house
- Visit local museum
- Visit local coffee shop for Vietnamese coffee tasting
Landmarks Hoi An Old Town Japanese Covered Bridge - Day 6
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
Spend the morning however you like in Hoi An, shopping for silk at the market, visiting local tailors, or biking to a nearby beach. Your leader can point you toward good places to eat. After lunch, you'll transfer to Danang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Once you check in, explore the city including a visit to the War Remnants Museum. In the evening, walk through Ben Thanh Market to browse the food stalls with their sweet and savory offerings.
Included Activities
- Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
- Transfer from Danang to Ho Chi Minh City
- Tour of Ho Chi Minh City
- Visit War Remnants Museum
Optional Activities
- Browse market for silk and materials
- Visit local tailors
- Hire bicycle to ride to nearby beach
- Visit Ben Thanh Market food stalls
Landmarks War Remnants Museum Ben Thanh Market 
- Day 7
Ho Chi Minh City
Travel out to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground network originally used by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. Your leader takes you through widened tunnel sections and explains about the underground hospitals, living quarters, schools, and military operations. After that, visit the Lady Trieu Distillery nearby for a tour of their small batch gin production and try some cocktails. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a final group dinner at a local restaurant.
Included Activities
- Visit Cu Chi Tunnels
- Guided tour of Cu Chi Tunnels with leader
- Tour of Lady Trieu Distillery
- Gin cocktail tasting at Lady Trieu Distillery
Optional Activities
- Final dinner with fellow travellers at local restaurant
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels Lady Trieu Distillery - Day 8
Ho Chi Minh City
Your trip wraps up after breakfast. If you want to stay longer in Ho Chi Minh City, contact your booking agent to arrange extra nights, depending on what's available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Arrange additional accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City (contact booking agent)
