Itinerary
- Day 1
Ho Chi Minh City
You'll arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and meet up with your travel group. The evening is yours to explore at your own pace, so take time to wander around this historic city and get a feel for the place before everything kicks into gear tomorrow.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Vien Dong Hotel (or similar))
Landmarks Notre Dame Cathedral General Post Office Presidential Palace - Day 2
Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang
Start the day with a walking tour through Ho Chi Minh's main sights, then head to the War Remnants Museum to learn about the city's complex history. After that, you'll catch a flight to Nha Trang on the coast. Once you arrive, the afternoon is free to hit the beaches and enjoy the turquoise water at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Vien Dong Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Ho Chi Minh City walking tour
- War Remnants Museum visit
- Internal flight to Nha Trang
Landmarks War Remnants Museum 
- Day 3
Nha Trang
Spend your day in Nha Trang however you like, whether that's getting a massage, lounging on the beach, or signing up for an optional cruise. Later in the evening, you'll board an overnight train heading north. You'll sleep on the train and wake up in Hoi An ready to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Overnight Train)
Optional Activities
- Massage
- Optional cruise
- Day 4
Hoi An
Wake up in Hoi An, a 15th-century UNESCO port town with Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and European influences mixed throughout. Rent a bike and explore the town, visit an old house to see the architecture, and stop by a tailor shop for custom clothing. If you're interested, there's an optional Vietnamese cooking class in the evening where you'll prepare traditional dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Qualia De Hotel Hoi An (Previously Le Pavillon Paradise) (or similar))
Included Activities
- Bike riding through Hoi An
- Ancient house visit
- Custom-made clothing at tailor
Optional Activities
- Vietnamese cooking class (up to 4 traditional dishes)
- Day 5
Hoi An
The whole day is yours in Hoi An. Browse through galleries and the local markets, which are considered some of the best shopping in Vietnam. Try local food and snacks, then take a ride on traditional Vietnamese bamboo basket boats. You can also grab fresh coconut water straight from the tree.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Qualia De Hotel Hoi An (Previously Le Pavillon Paradise) (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Bamboo Basket Boat ride
- Gallery exploration
- Market stall browsing
- Fresh coconut water sampling
- Day 6
Hoi An - Da Nang to Hanoi
Have breakfast, then head to Da Nang and catch a flight to Hanoi. Once in the capital, go directly to KOTO restaurant, a social enterprise that supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Next, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The evening is free to explore the city on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (KOTO Restaurant - high-quality meal supporting disadvantaged youth training in hospitality)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hanoi Larosa Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Internal flight from Da Nang to Hanoi
- Meal at KOTO Restaurant
- Temple of Literature visit
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum visit
Landmarks Temple of Literature Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum 
- Day 7
Hanoi to Ninh Binh
You'll travel by army jeep toward Ninh Binh, heading into the heart of Vietnam's natural landscape. Spend the afternoon surrounded by lush green scenery and fresh mountain air. If you enjoy bird watching, bring your binoculars along because the area has plenty to see.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort (or similar))
Included Activities
- Army jeep drive through Ninh Binh
- Landscape exploration and scenic views
Optional Activities
- Bird-watching
- Day 8
Ninh Binh to Halong Bay
Wake up before sunrise and climb 500 steps to reach Mua Cave, where you'll catch the sunrise over the valley below. After that, take scenic drives through beautiful landscapes before boarding a traditional junk boat in Halong Bay. Spend the night drifting past limestone islands, hidden lagoons, and caves. Relax on Ti Top Island, then have fresh seafood for dinner and watch the sunset from your boat.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Fresh seafood dinner at sunset docking spot)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Junk Boat (Special Stay))
Included Activities
- Mua Cave sunrise trek (500 steps)
- Scenic drive through Ninh Binh
- Chinese-style junk boat stay
- Hidden lagoon exploration
- Ti Top Island visit
- Fresh seafood dinner
Landmarks Mua Cave Ti Top Island 
- Day 9
Halong Bay
Eat breakfast on the junk boat, then check out the Sung Sot Caves. After that, spend a relaxing day on the water taking in the views. In the evening, there's an optional dinner, and then you can head to Ta Hien in Hanoi for nightlife if you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hanoi Larosa Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Sung Sot Caves exploration
- Junk boat leisure time
Optional Activities
- Evening dinner
- Ta Hien nightlife
Landmarks Sung Sot Caves - Day 10
Hanoi
You have the day free to explore Hanoi however you want. Walk around different neighborhoods, check out local spots, or just take it easy. Later on, you'll board an overnight bus heading north, so settle in and try to get comfortable for the journey ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Overnight Bus)
- Day 11
Ha Giang Loop to Dong Van
After breakfast at the homestay, you'll hop in a van for the Ha Giang Loop drive. The route takes you through Heaven Gate, Twin Mountain, and up Tham Ma slope with mountain views the whole way. There's a stop at an old palace set in green valleys, and you'll get to meet local artisans who work with H'mong linen weaving. By evening after all that driving, dinner happens with your group before heading to the overnight bus for Dong Van.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Local food)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dong Van Homestay (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Heaven Gate
- View Twin Mountain
- Pass through Tham Ma slope
- Visit ancient palace
- Meet H'mong linen weavers at Lung Tam Linen Cooperative
Landmarks Heaven Gate Twin Mountain Tham Ma slope Ancient Palace (Ha Giang Loop) Lung Tam Linen Cooperative - Day 12
Ma Pi Leng Peak - Nho Que River
After eating, go on a challenging but fairly short trek with a local guide to Ma Pi Leng peak, passing through H'mong villages and cornfields. See dramatic limestone cliffs along the Sky Path. After lunch at a local spot, take a boat through Tu San Canyon before heading to your riverside tent campsite overlooking the Nho Que River. Have dinner and enjoy music with your group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious lunch with scenic views), Dinner (Dinner with music and crew)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Nho Que River Camping (or similar))
Included Activities
- Ma Pi Leng peak trek
- Sky Path hike with scenic views
- Lunch with scenic views
- Boat cruise to Tu San Canyon
- Riverside tent camping
Landmarks Ma Pi Leng Peak Tu San Canyon - Day 13
Nho Que River
Paddle by kayak along the turquoise Nho Que River in the morning with rice fields and mountains on both sides. Get back to your accommodation for breakfast, then take a boat ride back to the harbor. Have lunch at a local restaurant and meet a local H'mong musician playing the traditional Qeej flute. Drive through scenic viewpoints before finishing with dinner featuring local flavors.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local spot with incredible views of the Nho Que river - photo ops hotspot), Dinner (Dinner with local flavors)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Du Gia Panorama Ecolodge (or similar))
Included Activities
- Kayaking on Nho Que River
- Scenic rice fields and mountain views
- Local boat ride
- Lunch at local spot
- Traditional Qeej flute performance by local guide
- Viewpoint drives
- Local flavors dinner
Landmarks Nho Que River - Day 14
Ha Giang Loop to Hanoi
In the morning, hike to a small waterfall before packing up. Drive through terraced rice paddies and dramatic limestone rock formations with incredible views. Stop for lunch at a local place, then roll into Ha Giang. Board an overnight reclining bus back to Hanoi where your trip ends. Exchange contact info with your group before heading your separate ways.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local lunch)
Included Activities
- Du Gia waterfall visit
- Scenic drive through rice paddies and limestone karsts
- Local lunch
- Reclining overnight bus to Hanoi
Landmarks Du Gia Waterfall
