Day 1: Arrival in Saigon (-/-/-)

Saigon – Airport: 30km, ~40min drive

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, meet our guide & driver who then escort you to the city center. After making sure of your successful hotel check-in, he will be pleased to leave you free time for your own lunch and leisure to recover after the long flight.

Meals Included: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 2: Saigon City – Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L/-)

Saigon – Cu Chi: 50km, ~1h20m drive

07:30a.m, we depart for the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war. Upon arrival, we proceed to an underground hut to watch a short video and presentation about Cu Chi tunnels before having a real hand-on experience of what it took to live in the tunnels.

We return to Saigon for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we take a half day to visit all famous sites of this bustling city. The first destination is the Reunification Palace (outside visit) which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975 when North Vietnamese tanks came crashing through the front gates thus bringing the Vietnam War to a dramatic end. This will be followed by some French colonial structures including , the Notre Dame Cathedral & the Old Saigon Post Office. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883, and the stones used to create it were exported entirely from France. Apart from the religious meaning, the most captivating point of this Cathedral is its neo-Romanesque style of architecture. Next to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office, finished in1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam’s largest post office (still in operation !). After visiting the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is a fantastic place for bargains of every kind! There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers guests many delicious dishes. You also can find many goods for daily use as well as variety of eye-catching local crafts and souvenirs

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 3: Saigon – Mekong Rustic (B/L/D)

Saigon – Mekong Rustic Cai Be: 125km, ~3h drive

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave the bustling city of Saigon behind us and depart for the Mekong Delta known to local as ‘Vietnam’s biggest rice basket’.

Arriving early in the morning at around 11:00a.m, you will be visiting the first stop-over Cao Dai Temple in Cai Be which is symbolizing for the local unique religion and then Cai Be Cathedral.

After that, you will embark on a boat to visit Cai Be inland and floating market to observe the daily life of local people who live mostly based on the river sources. We can buy some fresh tropical fruits on the local seller’s boats and engage in the conversation with them.

Leaving the market, continue on boat to head to Mekong Rustic homestay on Tan Phong isles surrounded by lush tropical fruit gardens. There you check in, enjoy tea and welcome fruits and a Southern style Vietnamese lunch prepared by the host family.

After break time, get your self active by joining us catching the ditch fish on the canals for your dinner. After getting some fishes for your dinner, you can prepare and cook a family meal with the host in the late afternoon. Have a chill relaxing night in the Mekong Rustic garden while you have your own free time. Sleep overnight at Mekong Rustic private bungalow surrounded by tropical orchards in the host family  garden.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mekong Rustic Cai Be

Day 4: Mekong Rustic – Saigon (B/-/-) – Flight to Hue

Saigon – Hue: 935km, ~1h25min flight

After breakfast, we cycle around the peaceful Tan Phong Isles. Stop at a local farmer’s house to savour a cup of tea and local banana candies specialties. Enjoy your self-picked fruits at one of the most abundant orchards on Mekong river while listen to Don Ca Tai Tu – an Intangible Cultural Heritage recognized by UNESCO.

Keep cycling to the conical hat (nón bàng) workshop and maybe bring home some products made from dried water hyacinth as a souvenir. Have a short rest before saying goodbye to the friendly host, we check out at 11:30 and leave Tan Phong Isles. The ferry will take you back the wharf for a drive back to Tan Son Nhat airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival, our driver will meet and transfer you to hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Day 5: Hue Imperial City (B/L/-)

After breakfast at our hotel, we set out to explore Hue’s famous highlights, starting with a boat trip along the Perfume River to reach the picturesque Thien Mu otherwise known as the Heavenly Lady Pagoda. One of the most poignant displays here is the car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. We then disembark the boat for a visit the elaborate tomb of former emperor Tu Duc, which was built between 1864 and 1867 by 3000 soldiers and workers. It includes fifty monuments surrounded by a 1500m long wall covering. We then head back to Hue for lunch.

In the afternoon, we visit Hue Imperial City, the last royal city of Vietnam with beautiful structures including the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate and Nine Dynastic Urns to name a few. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. We then do some shopping at the Dong Ba Market to enjoy the specialities of Hue city..

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Day 6: Hue – Danang – Hoi An (B/-/-)

Hue – Hoi An: 140km, ~2h30m drive

After breakfast at hotel, we bid Hue farewell and continue our south bound journey to the old trading town of Hoian via Danang. Along the way, we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Upon arrival Hoian, we take a walking tour to Hoi An Ancient Town – an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15^th to the 19^th century. We start our day with the Japanese Covered Bridge – one of Vietnam’s most iconic attractions. Created by the Japanese living in Hoian in the 1590s as a way to reach the Chinese quarter across the water, the bridge is a beautiful historical piece of Japanese architecture. It would be a shortcoming without a visit to Tan Ky House – one of the many ancient houses that making up Hoian Ancient Town. Built two centuries ago with both Japanese and Chinese influences on architecture, this house has been preserved through seven generations. While walking, we will encounter pretty houses of Chinese merchants. Another must-see destination is Phuc Kien Assembly Hall – an excellent work of architecture considered as a heritage of historical significance. Built in 1690, this Assembly Hall is in fact a temple dedicated to the sea goddess Thien Hau.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Day 7: Hoi An – Cooking Class / Sharing Class (B/L/-)

After breakfast at hotel, we start the day at 8:45am with a drink at Hai Scout Cafe – our meeting point. Our guide will escort you to a colorful market where you can experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. We board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy. On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – each dish is first demonstrated by the Red Bridge chef’s, before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, we sit down and eat exactly what we have cooked.

Recipes:

1. Making fresh Rice paper
2. Fresh Rice Paper Rolls of Shrimp
3. Crispy Hoi An Pancakes with Shrimp, Herbs & a Peanut Sauce
4. Marinated Beef on a Sizzling Plate
5. Vietnamese Eggplant in Clay Pot
6. Food Decoration – Pineapple Boat, 3 Colored Flowers & Vietnamese Hand Fan
   Back your hotel & free after

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Day 8: Hoi An – Morning Free – Afternoon Flight to Hanoi (B/-/-)

Danang – Hanoi: 800km, ~1h20min flight

After breakfast at the hotel, the morning is free for your own exploration and shopping. This afternoon, you will be met by our driver for a drive to Danang airport for flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, another driver will meet and transfer you to hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 9: Hanoi City (B/-/D)

After a wholesome breakfast at hotel, we start the day trip with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site compromises Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Following this, we head to the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius. Otherwise known as the first university of Vietnam, the site also honours the eighty-two Vietnamese doctorates that each passed a number of rigid exams in the medieval ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are each engraved in headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat.

In the afternoon, we visit Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative is the History Museum) dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 officially recognized ethnic groups with both indoor and outdoor sections. While the in-housed exhibition is particularly informative, the outdoor display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. We then enjoy a 45-min-cyclo tour to the Old Quarter where you can see streets with century-aged trees and French Colonial buildings. We then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century, and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals.

At the end of the day, our guide will give you an insight into Hanoi’s unique food culture by a walking & street food tour. We eat as we go, trying seasonal fruits and sampling delicious food just like the local do on the street. The first dish to tempt our taste-buds is the famed Banh Cuon at a local eatery while watching how the skillful chefs making this tasty food. Walking through the maze of bustling streets to the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter, we encounter street stalls and quiet residential lanes where you can observe the real local life. We will enjoy our two snack stops at outdoor barbeque stalls with various meat, vegetable and bread specialties that are flame grilled over hot coals for extra flavor.  The dessert is followed as we venture down a small alley to join in the local tradition of feasting on fresh fruit served in a cup and smothered with crushed iced and condensed milk. You will be taken to one of Hanoi’s best kept secrets, a hidden street food restaurant to taste top ten street foods in Hanoi including Hanoi Bread, Vietnamese Rice Wine and famous Egg Coffee that can be replaced by a cold beer as you wish. At the end of the trip, you are free to continue exploring the area or our guide will assist you with directions or a taxi back to your hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Street Food Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 10: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Hanoi (B/L/-)

Hanoi – Ninh Binh: 95km, ~1h35min drive

After breakfast, we drive to Tam Coc also known as “Dry Halong Bay” in the Ninh Binh province. En route, we will stop for some photo opportunities and refreshments. Along the way, we drop into Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam during the 10th century.  Upon arrival at Tam Coc, we will embark a small rowing boat to discover an outstanding waterscape along the Ngo Dong River. Tam Coc is adorned with beautiful columns of various gemstone-like shapes. We then drive back to your hotel in Hanoi.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 11: Hanoi – Halong – Bai Tu Long Bay (B/L/D)

Ninh Binh – Halong: 200km, ~4h drive

After breakfast at hotel, we depart for Halong Bay, passing a peaceful countryside typical of Red River Delta with endless rice fields and winding rivers.

12.00 – 12.30: Embark at Halong Cruise Port.
12.30 – 13.00: Check-in, enjoy welcome drink & cruise briefing.
13.30 – 15.00: Have lunch while cruising to magnificent Bai Tu Long bay; admire the fascinating formations on the way.
15.15 – 15.40: Explore the well- hidden Thien Canh Son cave.
15.45 – 18:00: Enjoy relaxing on a white sandy beach at Hon Co island, swimming or kayaking.
18:00 – 19.00: Back to junk for refreshing before having dinner on board.
20.00 – 21.00: Relax, enjoy fresh air & overnight on board.

*Sample cruise itinerary, subject to change depending on the boat you select

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Red Dragon 5 Cabins

Day 12: Halong – Hanoi – Flight to Luang Prabang (B/L/-)

Hanoi – Luang Prabang: 870km, ~1h flight

07.30 – 08.00: Morning view of Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast in the fresh air.
08.30 – 09.30: Visit Vung Vieng fishing village by a rustic row-boat.
10.00: Check out of the cabin. Start cruising towards the harbor while an A la carte lunch is served.
At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Noi Bai Airport for flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, our driver will meet and transfer you to hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 13: Luang Prabang – City Tour – Kuang Si Waterfall (B/-/-)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual to saffron clad monks. This+ tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. Enjoy your UNESCO morning walk to understand insight of this charming town, stop and visit fresh local markets and back to hotel for breakfast

Enjoy a short drive to visit Vat Xieng Thong or Temple of the Royal City- one of the most important of Lao monasteries and remains a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art.

Afterwards, we head to Kuang Sy Falls a stunning turquoise waterfall. On the way, you will pass through rice fields and beautiful small villages dotted along country road. Make a stop at some of the villages before relaxing at the waterfall. Take a fresh swim to refresh yourself in many basins.

In the afternoon, we transfer back Luang Prabang and visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre located in a historical building preserved by UNESCO. The exhibition here consists of traditional clothing, religious artifacts and daily working tools of Lao minorities that will help you understand more about their lifestyle and traditions.

Then it’s time for sunset moment on the Phousi Mountain where you also can have a nice panorama of the city.

Leaving here, one the way back to hotel, we will stop to visit the H’mong Night Market where you can find a lot of souvenirs in traditional style of Laos. This is also a paradise for street food lover, and you can have dinner on your own. Our guide will suggest you a good place to enjoy Laos traditional food or hot pot on a nice restaurant at the river bank.  Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 14: Luang Prabang City – Pak Ou Cave (B/-/-)

Today set off your exploration with a visit to the Royal Palace also known as the National Museum to learn more about the long-lasting history and culture of the region.

Afterwards, pay a visit to Wat Mai, a beautiful temple located nearby Royal Palace and built in the 18th century. It is the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang.

Afterwards, transfer to the pier and take a long-tailed boat for an upstream cruise. During the cruise, you will be treated a stunning of nature along the river. From the distance you can see limestone cliffs where the hidden Pak Ou Caves are located. The cave is home to thousands of Buddha statues which make the region a revered one. Take your time to explore numerous images hidden in the cave.

Then, make your way back to the city. En-route, stop to visit Ban Xang Hai village to learn more about the making process of the traditional Lao rice whisky. It is a great chance to taste its unique flavor. Move onto Ban Xang Khong village- famous for its wood paper and Lao silk weaving.

Afterwards, we transfer back to hotel. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel..

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 15: Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng (B/-/-)

Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng: 185km, ~3h50min drive

After breakfast, we leave Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. Upon arrival, we transfer to visit the cave of Tham Jang, which was used in the early 19th century in defense against the Chinese invaders Tham Phoukham caves, where your breath will be taken away seeing the most beautiful and famous limestone cavern, surrounded by natural forests. Along the way, you have chance to explore the local cultures by greeting the local villagers and learning about their daily lifestyle. There is a small natural pool in front of the caves where you can take a swim to refresh yourself from the hot climate or you could explore the nearby area. From there, we can enjoy the panoramic view over Vang Vieng, nesting along the gentle Nam Song river.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng

Day 16: Vang Vieng – Vientiane (B/-/-)

Vang Vieng – Vientiane: 145km, ~3h15min drive

We leave Vangvieng for our scenic drive to Vientiane is capital of Laos, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with its limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. Along the way, we stop at the T-junction at Phoukhoun to visit the colorful market of hill tribe people. The panoramic view at the peak of Phou Phiengpha is what we never want to miss today.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

Day 17: Vientiane City Tour (B/-/-)

After breakfast you will visit full day sightseeing tour of Vientiane commences with a visit to Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple standing in Vientiane. This amazing structure features remarkable frescoes and Buddha statues. The following sight is the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaew, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit the imposing Patouxai Monument well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe before continuing to the great sacred structure and symbol of Laos, That Luang Stupa.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

Day 18: Vientiane – Departure (B/-/-)

After breakfast at hotel, time free until your driver meets and transfers you to the airport for your flight to another destination. We thank you for travelling with us!

Meals Included: Breakfast