VIETNAM

Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi plus Foodie & Craft Beer Tour 

Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

After transferring from the airport, you are checked in the hotel for a rest and get ready to explore the city. Hang out with local craft beer brewers from all over Hanoi on this tour. You’ll visit some of Hanoi’s better-known breweries and experience venues that not all visitors manage to find. Learn about Hanoi's growing craft beer scene over tasty beers and authentic Vietnamese finger food.

Day 2:  Explore Hanoi Like A Local

Rise early morning for a chance to experience life like a local. Stop at a famous local market, Dong Xuan, witnessing how people displaying variety of selling products. After your market visit, it's time to find a peaceful spot for your Tai Chi session. One great place for this is Hoan Kiem Lake, a beautiful lake in the heart of the city. Many locals gather here in the mornings to practice Tai Chi and other exercises. Before heading back to the hotel, grab a cup of Vietnamese coffee, a must try out traditional drink for pre breakfast.

Back to the hotel for breakfast and relaxation as you will start the city tour lately. This excursion will take you to some of the most iconic landmarks of Vietnam's capital. We'll start with a visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, known for its stunning architecture and serene atmosphere.Next, we'll head to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where you'll pay your respects to Vietnam's beloved former leader. This impressive marble structure is a must-see for any history enthusiast. After that, we'll explore the Temple of Literature, a complex of ancient buildings and beautiful gardens that served as Vietnam's first university. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the country's rich intellectual history while admiring the intricate carvings and traditional Vietnamese architecture.

At night, we will visit the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long is a complex of historic buildings associated with the history of Vietnam located in the centre of Hanoi, Vietnam. Its construction began in 1010 and was completed in early 1011 under the reign of Emperor Lý Thái Tổ of the Lý dynasty. There are many activities for you to enjoy depending on its schedule: Take photos with the palace maids and guards in ancient costumes, Enjoy live performances at a unique stage, right on the millennial archaeological remains, Join the game Decoding the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long with decryption cards with an impressive revealing laser show and meaningful gifts and so on"

Day 4: Yen Tu Mountain - Zen in Vietnam

Yen Tu Mountain is a stunning mountain located in Vietnams Quang Ninh Province. It is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty and for its rich spiritual history. It is home to the famous Yen Tu Zen Temple, a stunning and ancient Buddhist site.

Visitors to the mountain will find stunning natural landscapes, including pine forests and limestone cliffs. It is a great way to experience the spiritual peace and power of the Yen Tu Zen Temple and its surrounding area.

Day 5: Transfer to Ninh Binh 

Enjoy a full-day tour at Ninh Binh, including a boat trip to visit the Trang An cave complex and a Vietnamese lunch. Visit the Bich Dong pagoda and have a chance to challenge yourselves climbing 500 stair step to get the top of Mua Cave, and take in stunning panoramic views of the countryside and Ngo Dong River.

Enjoy the local specialties at dinner.

Day 6: Imperial Vietnam - Enter Hue 

Take a domestic flight to Hue at noon and  arrive to the former Imperial capital of Hue. Our local guide will greet and transfer to the hotel in the city.

This journey will take you on a serene and picturesque cruise along the Perfume River, offering stunning views of the city and its surrounding landscape. You have a chance to witness Tomb of Tuc Duc and listen to its hidden stories from our tour guide during this cruise trip, pass Vong Canh Hill,  peaceful and scenic spot that offers breathtaking views of the river and surrounding hills.

Enjoy the natural beauty of the area and capture some incredible photos. Last but not least, we will do a quick stop at Linh Mu Pagoda, a historic temple perched on a hill overlooking the river. This is the tallest and most iconic pagoda in Hue, with stunning architecture and beautiful gardens. On your way back to the pier, enjoy the seafood set menu along with Hue traditional live performance that will not make you forget.

Day 7: Heritage & Handicraft workshop 

In the morning, visit Hue Citadel, the former imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyễn dynasty. It contains the palaces that housed the imperial family, as well as shrines, gardens, and villas for mandarins. Next, stop at Tomb of Khai Dinh. It features a blend of Vietnamese architecture with Western styles.

In the afternoon, take a leisurely stroll around Bao Vinh town with its lively market selling typical commodities, its charming merchant houses inviting you over for a local-style tea break. Join the old ladies with palm leaf conical hats and aromatic vegetable baskets on a ferry ride to reach the handicraft villages, where you will cycle along the flower and rice fields. Visit a local artisan making colorful Thanh Tien paper flowers. After learning about the aesthetic and ritual aspects, try your hands crafting one and keep it for souvenir.

Your exploration is prolonged through authentic scenes of the countryside, households producing objects for offerings like votive paper, incense sticks, roasted kernels, etc. Arrive at a home workshop, where Mr.Ky heartily shares his whole-life journey preserving the art of xylographic printings, the nature-based coloring that Sinh village paintings are famous for. The last stop at a centuries-old village pagoda completes the insight into the local spiritual path for wellness.

Beside their worshipping practices, almost everyone needs to reside in Buddha’s teachings and blessings to gain a healthy life and to extricate from unpropitious fates. A dragon boat is waiting to slowly ride you back to modern life.

Have lunch @Garden House

Day 8: Bach Ma National Park Enroute To Hoi An

Only around 60 km from the city of Hue, Bach Ma National Park is a great escape to the wonders of nature, characterized by its lush green forest, rushing waterfalls and captivating mountain views. This trip includes a guided tour of the park, visiting some of the most popular spots in the area by car.

We take you to see spectacular panoramic views and iconic sites such as the Five Lakes or the soaring Doi Nguom summit, as well as visit historical sites like the French villas since this area was once home to many French colonists. We’ll end the day with a picnic lunch in the heart of nature before heading to Hoi An in the evening.

Don’t miss this exciting adventure to explore one of central Vietnam’s most impressive areas among the jungle-clad mountains!

Optional Tour: Replace Bach Ma with Ba Na Hills & Golden Hands Bridge

Welcome to Ba Na Hills, situated in central Vietnam. Located 22 km from Danang, sitting high atop the Truong Son Range of mountains, it’s a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. As you ascend the mountain, you will be thrilled by the cool air and majestic scenery of picturesque rice fields, majestic vineyards and lush forests. Upon arrival, you can explore the magnificent architectural wonders of Ba Na Hills, take an aerial cable car journey to the summit to experience breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Enjoy fun activities such as a stone bridge tour and outdoor adventure activities.

Explore the many Hidden French Villages, a stunning French-Vietnamese style theme park and partake in a unique cultural experience with its unique customs and festive celebrations. Ba Na Hills is truly an unforgettable experience.

Day 9: Instagram Tour of Hoi An & Surrounding Villages

This day trip of Hoi An and its surrounding villages by Honda Om (motorbike taxi) is the perfect way to explore the rich history and charm of this beautiful region. You will get to experience the area's diverse landscapes and gain insight into Vietnamese life in a traditional style. Your experienced tour guide will take you to iconic landmarks and share local stories and insights.

From the bustling streets of Hoi An, your journey will take you to some of the most scenic villages filled with lush countryside, temples and farms. You can take amazing Instagram photos of rice fields, fishermen boats, Chinese-style old houses, ancient attractions and more. Capture these breathtaking sights and make some incredible memories on this unique tour.

Day 10: Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels & Pho Tasting...

Take a domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the morning. Upon arrival, our friendly local guide will greet you and take you out to sample the city's signature Pho. Spend the afternoon getting a glimpse of history at Cu Chi Tunnels and then head back for check-in at your accommodation.

The remainder of the day is yours to explore this captivating city at your own pace.

Day 11: Mekong Delta Discovery 

We welcome guests at Bà Om Pond at 10am and offer them two modes of transportation to explore Khmer village - either tuk-tuk or bicycle. The painted walls along the street tell us stories about the Khmer culture and daily life in South Vietnam.

At 11am, we visit Sơn Hương family and see artworks such as hats and crowns and a variety of Khmer musical instruments. We continue our journey to Ms. Thone family, where we observe their amazing bamboo basket knitting skills. Then, we go to the Mr Sang family to learn how they make the traditional Khmer food prepared during full moons. Lunch is served at a local house afterwards.

At 2pm, we visit an ancient Buddhist monastery with newly uncovered Oc Eo artifacts from the 7th century AD. We then return to Bà Om pond for a delicious Khmer museum and a few dance performances by the family members before leaving for Can Tho or Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 12: Breakfast With The Locals

Our tour begins at 7:00 AM in the morning, when your guide and car driver will collect you from your hotel for the transfer to Ninh Kieu pier. You'll visit Cai Rang floating market, learning its history and trying the freshest pineapple on a floating boat. From there, you'll stop at a traditional noodle house, watching noodles being made right in front of you and sampling the signature noodle pizza.

Afterwards, you'll explore a tropical fruit garden to taste some fresh seasonal fruits. We will then take a peaceful sampan ride into small canals and back to the city, before heading towards Saigon. You'll have plenty of time to take in the beauty of the region's locals and waterways.