Itinerary
- Day 1
Ho Chi Minh City
You'll get picked up at the airport and head to your hotel. At 6 pm, meet up with the group for a welcome meeting, then everyone heads out for dinner at a historic restaurant in a building that was once an opium refinery from 1861. The menu features classic Vietnamese dishes like pho and bun thit nuong.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at historic restaurant (originally an opium refinery built in 1861) featuring Vietnamese classics and southern Vietnamese favourites including pho and bun thit nuong)
Included Activities
- Private airport transfer
- Welcome meeting
- Welcome dinner at historic restaurant
- Day 2
Mekong Delta
Drive south to the Mekong Delta through Ben Tre. You'll board a private boat and cruise through the rivers and canals, stopping at coconut gardens to visit a local home and try tropical fruits and coconut jams. After that, row past stilt houses on sampans and take a tuk-tuk tour through the villages to learn about rural life and coconut production. Lunch happens at a local restaurant before you head back to Ho Chi Minh City for a free evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Drive to Mekong Delta via Ben Tre
- Private boat cruise of the delta
- Visit to coconut gardens and local home
- Sampling of tropical fruits and coconut jams
- Sampan rowing through delta waterways
- Tuk-tuk tour around villages
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks Mekong Delta Ben Tre 
- Day 3
Ho Chi Minh City
This morning, take a half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a 200 km underground network from the Vietnam War. A war veteran guide shares firsthand accounts while your leader covers the history and the 1968 Tet Offensive. You'll get to experience a widened tunnel section to see what underground life was like. Back in Ho Chi Minh City by afternoon, which is free. Luke Nguyen's Vietnam House Restaurant offers modern Vietnamese cuisine if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cu Chi Tunnels guided tour with war veteran
- Exploration of tunnel network and widened section
Optional Activities
- Dinner at Luke Nguyen's Vietnam House Restaurant
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 4
Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An
Explore Ho Chi Minh City this morning with a bus and walking tour led by a local guide. Visit the Reunification Palace to learn about the war's end, then the War Remnants Museum. Stop by Notre Dame Cathedral and walk through French-influenced streets, seeing the main post office and Ho Chi Minh City Hall modeled on Paris' Hotel de Ville. In the afternoon, fly to Hoi An, a riverside town in central Vietnam.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bus and walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City with local leader
- Visit to Reunification Palace
- Visit to War Remnants Museum
- Visit to Notre Dame Cathedral
- Walking tour of French colonial architecture including main post office and Ho Chi Minh City Hall
Landmarks Reunification Palace War Remnants Museum Notre Dame Cathedral Ho Chi Minh City Hall Ho Chi Minh City Post Office 
- Day 5
Hoi An
Your leader takes you on a walking tour this morning through Hoi An's heritage-listed ancient architecture and cultural influences. See an ornately decorated historic house from a prominent trader, cross the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, visit the Chinese Assembly Hall, and check out a local museum. You'll have lunch with the group, and the afternoon is yours to explore Hoi An and its surroundings at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Group lunch)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Hoi An's ancient architecture with local leader
- Visit to historic trader's house
- Cross Japanese Covered Bridge
- Visit to Chinese Assembly Hall
- Visit to local museum
- Group lunch
Landmarks Japanese Covered Bridge Chinese Assembly Hall - Day 6
Hoi An
Your leader guides you through My Son Sanctuary this morning, a collection of temples built by the Kings of Champa dating back to the 4th century. Learn about the ancient architecture at this UNESCO World Heritage site and see bomb craters from the American war. After exploring the temples, watch an Apsara dance performance with traditional costumes, panpipes and drums. Back in Hoi An, the afternoon is free to visit tailor shops for custom clothing or relax by the pool.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of My Son Sanctuary
- Apsara dance performance with traditional costumes, panpipes and drums
Optional Activities
- Visit to tailor shops for custom outfit
- Relax by the pool at hotel
Landmarks My Son Sanctuary - Day 7
Hoi An to Hue
Head to Hue this morning, the former imperial capital and center of Vietnam's historic past. On the way, pass through the scenic Hai Van Pass, a mountainous highway with views across Lang Co Beach. You'll arrive in Hue and see its mix of busy streets and peaceful areas. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City, largely destroyed during the Tet Offensive but still standing as a testament to its proud history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Hai Van Pass with views of Lang Co Beach
- Imperial Citadel half-day guided tour including Forbidden Purple City
Landmarks Hai Van Pass Lang Co Beach Imperial Citadel Forbidden Purple City - Day 8
Hue
Dive into Hue's food scene today. Start at a street food eatery for bun bo Hue, a spicy noodle soup typically made with beef and pig knuckles. Meet a local chef and explore the market, tasting the herbs and ingredients used in local dishes. After lunch, head to the chef's home to learn cooking techniques using fresh market ingredients. Later, visit Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery dating back to 1601, and Emperor Tu Duc's elaborate royal tomb with its beautiful lake, frangipani and pine trees.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Bun bo Hue at street food eatery), Lunch
Included Activities
- Bun bo Hue breakfast at street food eatery
- Market tour with local chef
- Cooking class at chef's home
- Visit to Thien Mu Pagoda
- Visit to royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
Landmarks Thien Mu Pagoda Emperor Tu Duc Tomb - Day 9
Hue to Hanoi
Fly from Hue to Hanoi today. Once you arrive, your leader walks you through the ancient 36 Streets, discovering shop-lined alleys selling souvenirs and silk clothing. In the afternoon, join the group for a private Hat Xam performance, a rare Northern Vietnamese art form from the Tran Dynasty that was originally performed by blind performers and is rarely seen today.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of ancient 36 Streets with local leader
- Private Hat Xam performance (traditional Northern Vietnamese art form)
Landmarks 36 Streets 
- Day 10
Hanoi to Mai Chau
Leave Hanoi this morning in a private coach heading to Mai Chau, a peaceful town in a valley surrounded by green mountains and home to friendly hill tribe communities. You'll take in the views, have lunch, and visit Vun Art, a social enterprise employing people with disabilities to create art pieces from recycled silk scraps. Learn about the vibrant Muong ethnic group at the Muong Museum. Check into your accommodation in the afternoon and enjoy free time to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Private coach transfer to Mai Chau
- Visit to Vun Art NGO
- Visit to Muong Museum
Landmarks Mai Chau - Day 11
Mai Chau
Your leader takes you walking through Mai Chau villages, passing terraced rice fields and traditional stilted houses. See traditional cotton textile making up close and hear from a local artisan about Thai garment craftsmanship. Learn how to make Ruou Can, a traditional fermented rice wine, and understand the cultural significance of each step. After lunch at a local family's home, the rest of the day is free to relax at your hotel or explore optional activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch hosted by local family)
Included Activities
- Guided walk through Mai Chau villages
- Observation of traditional cotton textile making
- Local artisan insights into Thai garment craftsmanship
- Traditional Ruou Can (fermented rice wine) making class with cultural explanation
- Lunch hosted by local family
Optional Activities
- Optional activities in the area (available upon request)
Landmarks Mai Chau villages - Day 12
Mai Chau to Hanoi
Head back to Hanoi this morning for a guided half-day tour with your leader covering the city's history. Visit the Temple of Literature, the One Pillar Pagoda, and Ho Chi Minh's former residence. Have lunch at KOTO restaurant, an Intrepid Foundation program teaching hospitality skills to disadvantaged youth. The evening is yours to explore the city, its many lakes and parks. West Lake, north of the main city, is perfect for meeting locals and relaxing by the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at KOTO restaurant (Intrepid Foundation-supported program teaching disadvantaged youth hospitality skills))
Included Activities
- Guided half-day tour of Hanoi with local leader
- Visit to Temple of Literature
- Visit to One Pillar Pagoda
- Visit to Ho Chi Minh former residence
- Lunch at KOTO restaurant (Intrepid Foundation-supported program)
Optional Activities
- Walking tours of the city and its lakes and parks
- Visit to West Lake
Landmarks Temple of Literature One Pillar Pagoda Ho Chi Minh former residence West Lake 
- Day 13
Hanoi to Halong Bay
Drive to Ha Long Bay today, a UNESCO World Heritage site where karsts and islets create a dramatic landscape. Your accommodation for the night is a traditional boat with modern amenities. You'll weave through limestone islets, karsts and caves, stopping at a fishing village or cave with your leader. Enjoy seafood lunch on board. In the afternoon, swim, kayak, or relax on the beach. Dinner happens on the boat's deck as you watch the sun go down.
- Meals
- Lunch (Seafood lunch on boat), Dinner (Dinner on boat deck with sunset view)
Included Activities
- Drive to Ha Long Bay
- Overnight boat cruise through Ha Long Bay
- Visit to fishing village or cave
- Seafood lunch on boat
- Swimming, kayaking, or beach relaxation
- Dinner on boat deck with sunset view
Landmarks Halong Bay 
- Day 14
Halong Bay to Hanoi
Enjoy breakfast on the boat this morning and maybe join optional Tai Chi. Sail back to the port and travel back to Hanoi. Once you're back in the capital, you have time to wander around and see attractions you might have missed earlier. Shop on Hang Gai Street or have afternoon tea at the Metropole Hotel. In the evening, join the group and your leader for a final farewell dinner where everyone shares stories and reflects on the highlights of the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board boat), Dinner (Farewell dinner in Hanoi restaurant)
Included Activities
- Breakfast on boat
- Sail back to port
- Return transfer to Hanoi
- Farewell dinner with group and leader
Optional Activities
- Tai Chi on boat
- Shopping on Hang Gai Street
- Afternoon tea at Metropole Hotel
Landmarks Hang Gai Street Metropole Hotel - Day 15
Hanoi
Your adventure ends after breakfast. If you want to stay longer in Hanoi, contact your booking agent ahead of time to arrange additional accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Additional accommodation in Hanoi (arrange with booking agent in advance)
