Day 1 –  Departure to Ho Chi Minh City

Our guide and driver will meet and greet you at the airport and transfer to the city center for half day city tour.

Visit War museum which primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War, and is a major tourist attraction. Visit Reunification Palace which was the workplace of the President of South Vietnam & was then known as Independence Palace. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, the spiritual and cultural crucible of the French presence in the Orient & the General Post Office, the ancient & with French colonial architecture style.

Have lunch at local restaurant. Check in hotel. Free of leisure in the afternoon.

18:30PM Our Vespa team will pick you up at hotel to discover Saigon by night (join in small group). Take an orientation ride around Saigon downtown, passing by the must-see sights, stop at city sky bar/café to enjoy a welcome drink & the view of the city that never stops moving from above then it is time to enjoy one of the best local club sandwiches in town at the 45 years opens through family business. Continue to the local night flower market which opens the door to local life & culture in the less known area then coming back to our excited traffic for a short ride before we enjoy 2nd meal at the most popular street style seafood restaurant. We will extend the joy by wrapping up the evening at a live music bar where the new generation of Vietnamese chill out and unveil their styles.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

• Board Includes:
• Lunch

Day 2 – Cu Chi Tunnels

In the morning, pick up at your hotel and proceed to Cu Chi tunnels to visit the massive “underground village”. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a “Free Target Zone”. You can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed before entering the tunnels and chance to try shooting with real guns then returning to the city center.

Have lunch at local restaurant, you can also visit the owner’s vegetable garden and see how they grown mushroom.

Finally, shopping at Ben Thanh market which is always loaded with varieties of goods, such as consumer goods, cakes and candies, food and foodstuff, and particularly high-quality fruit and vegetables.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 3 – Ho Chi Minh – Vinh Long

The Mekong Delta is the southernmost region of Viet Nam and marks the end of a 4,500 km journey as the Mekong River travels through 6 countries. It is often referred to as the rice bowl of Vietnam as it produces 3 harvests per year. The fertile delta is also famous for its tropical fruits and flowers. Traditional local transport is by boat along a vast network of canals and channels. Boating along these canals always proves to be a fascinating and rewarding experience for all visitors.

The program will start with a visit of Vinh Long market in the town. This is the best choice for you to take pictures of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, vegetables…Mekong Travel boat will take you to have an optional lunch at the local house.

After lunch, we come to visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. Then, visit of the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice… Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea. Then, we’ll walk to check in at homestay

Have a fresh shower before cooking some special dishes with the members of local family. We’ll enjoy dinner & enjoy traditional music after dinner.

Overnight at homestay.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 4 – Cai Be – Da Nang – Hoi An

Have breakfast at homestay. Check-out & be on boat to go across one of the longest rivers in the world, Mekong River.

Then, the rowboat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time. Also, we’ll come to Tan Phong island for biking on village paths to see the local daily life: orchard, school, church, pagoda, traditional houses… On the way, we can make some stops to see how they make rice-net for spring-rolls, sewing coconut-leaves for cottage roof and specially see how they wave the dried water-hyacynth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, shoes…

The cruise will end at Cai Be pier. We will then return to Ho Chi Minh City for evening flight to Da Nang city, and then transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 5- Hoi An → Tra Que → Ancient Town

Today, we will visit Tra Que vegetable village far from Hoi An ancient town 3km. Driving through peaceful villages and enjoy the beauty of the countryside surrounding Hoi An. A short stroll will take you around the vegetable garden and then you can join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the local lake. Following steps are raking the ground, sowing, watering, picking vegetables and many other gardening activities. After all these activities, you will take a short rest and enjoy foot bath.

Have lunch at an organic vegetable garden restaurant (Vietnamese menu).

In the afternoon, visit the Marble Mountains – A masterpiece of nature presents to Da Nang. From here, amazing and fabulous fairylands appear in front of your eyes. There are a lot of ancient and sacred pagodas with great architecture. A lot of amazing Buddha statues in wonderful caves from the 4th century.

Head to Hoi An ancient town. Enjoy a walking tour of this enchanting town visiting an old merchant house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese Assembly Hall and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Also explore its many craft and silk shops and the colorful fish and produce market.

Overnight in Hoi An

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 6: Hoi An → My Son → Ky Uc Hoi An

Enjoy a day trip to explore two world heritage sites recognised by UNESCO in 1999. First, transfer to travel on rural roads to My Son (55km), where architectural treasures and sculptures of Cham culture dating from the 7th to the 13th century can be discovered.

Have lunch at local restaurant, then come back to hotel. Free time in the afternoon.

17:00 PM: Tour guide will pick you up for Hoi An Memories show.

Overnight in Hoi An.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 7- Hoi An → Hue

Today, drive along one of Vietnam’s most beautiful stretches of road, the Hai Van Pass and on to the former imperial capital of Hue. Hai Van Pass has spectacular panoramic views of the coastline can be viewed, especially from the summit. We make a stop at Lang Co Fishing Village, located on a sand dune line that presents great photo opportunities.

Upon arrival, visit Citadel and Imperial City. Hue was the Vietnamese capital during the Nguyen Dynasty, 1802-1945, and ruins of the city’s regal past can still be seen inside the Citadel. Created in the 19^th century, the Imperial City was modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing and holds many palaces and temples inside its giant walls. Many of the buildings were damaged, first by French aerial bombing, and then during the Tet Offensive in 1968. Now it is gradually being restored thanks to generous funding by UNESCO.

Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Take a boat trip along the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. Then take a breezy cyclo ride around the outside of the Citadel and through the streets of Hue.

Dinner is on your own account.

Overnight in Hue.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 8 – Hue → Cycling Thuy Bieu Village- Jeep Tour

This morning, we will cycle to explore the countryside in Hue. Thuy Bieu village, located near the famous Perfume river is one of the oldest and most unique villages in Hue. Be shuttled 4km to see this interesting village and the surrounding area. Take a bicycle trip, passing by family temples, orchard gardens and paddy or corn fields before visiting a local home where the family members have been making incense sticks for generations. Engage in a casual talk with them to get a glimpse of their everyday daily lives and effort to keep the traditional craft alive. Continue your bicycle trip to Voi Re Temple and Tiger arena where your guide will explain how the Emperors in Nguyen dynasty were entertained.

Have lunch with local family house.

In the afternoon, our jeep continues to take you to Huyen Tran Princess Temple (about 6kms from Hue center) and the 9 bunkers Jail Area (pass by). This temple was built to respect to the peace princess of Vietnam and is surrounded by an endless pine forest, which is a very suitable and nice place for a jeep tour. Continue you to discover Gia Long tomb. The tomb is a complex of architectural works covering 42 mountains and hills. Gia Long Tomb is a wonderful blend of ancient architecture and the nature, creating a poetic and quiet space.

Transfer back to Hue city.

Overnight in Hue.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 9 – Hue → Hanoi

Transfer to the airport in Hue for your flight to Hanoi. Take a transfer to Ninh Binh province, stay overnight in Ninh Binh.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Days 10: Ninh Binh → Trang An

This morning, enjoy Trang An landscape complex recognized as the World Heritage Site in June 2014. It is a spectacular landscape of limestone karts peaks permeated with valleys, some of which are submerged, and surrounded by vertical cliffs. Take a boat trip through the caves for beautiful landscape.

Visit Bich Dong pagoda nearby and climb up the mountain to have a wonderful perspective view of the Bich Dong and Tam Coc.

Then, visit Hoa Lu ancient capital. It was the first centralized feudal state in Vietnam at the end of the 10th century. The ravages of time have destroyed the ancient citadel but some vestiges including King Dinh and King Le worship temples still stand to this day among the rice paddies and are a worthwhile visit to get a glimpse of the ancient Vietnamese past.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 11 – Ninh Binh → Pu Luong

Leave Ninh Binh and transfer to Pu Luong. Check in Pu Luong in the afternoon.

Overnight in Pu Luong.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 12 –  Pu Luong

Pick up the van to go to Cham stream (15Kms). Start your trek to visit the Tom, Ba, Chieng Lau villages and cross the hanging bridge to discover the giant waterwheels, and duck farm to learn about Local agriculture system.

Take the Bamboo Raft for a relaxing cruise on Cham stream (25mins) to go back to the main road to pick up the van to go back to the lodge.

Overnight in Pu Luong.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 13: Pu Luong → Hanoi

Today, we go back to Hanoi. On the way, visit Mai Chau. Walking to discover Lat village one of Thai community in the north west of Việt Nam. Lunch in Thai’s home. Then transfer to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 14: Hanoi Full Day City Tour

Begin the morning with a visit to the area surrounding the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Here, you will hear about the man who led Vietnam’s campaign for independence from French colonial rule. After dedicating his life to the liberation of his country from foreign rule, Ho Chi Minh died in 1969 and his body was preserved for posterity. Every October the mausoleum is closed for a month and Uncle Ho is given a bit of a spruce up!

Hear the legend of the One-Pillar Pagoda built by an emperor to honour the goddess of mercy. This small pagoda is built over a pretty lotus pond and is rumoured to have healing powers. Next, visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the apex of regional political power for more than a millennium where research and excavation is still underway.

And then, head to an 11th century relic, the Temple of Literature, which was built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius. At almost 1,000 years old, it’s one of the few remaining examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture still standing in Hanoi.

In the afternoon, visit Ngoc Son temple set on a tiny island on the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. The temple is reached by crossing the Huc Bridge which literally means the ‘Place Touched by Morning Sunbeams’. Hear the legend of an emperor, a magic sword and a giant turtle, and how the lake took its name.

Stroll around the Old Quarter’s 36 streets, a place where Hanoians buy everything from noodles to light fixtures to Buddha statues. The quarter’s 36 streets were named for the products that were sold from their shops. Today, vendors on Tin and Bamboo Streets still sell the same wares.

Overnight in Hanoi.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 15: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Lan Ha Bay → Viet Hai Village

After breakfast, transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long bay by shuttle bus offered by the cruise (no guide on the way).

Embark on a unique journey, meeting at Heritage Line’s lounge at Tuan Chau Marina. A short speedboat transfer takes you to your luxurious floating home, the starting point for exploring the wonders of Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island. Lunch is served in the almost 360-, light-flooded, elegant dining room during we sail deeper into the bay. Unwind on the terrace deck or private balcony, soaking in the surreal seascape.

Mooring close to Cat Ba Island, we explore a floating fishing village with 70 houses and about 200 residents. including a stop at a family home. Afterwards we step on land heading to Viet Hai Village, nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by jungle-cladded mountains. Cycling through this valley offers wonderful insights into the isolated life of the local inhabitants. The community, surrounded by thick forests and mountains, and only accessible by sea, is self-sufficient, cultivating vegetables, fruits, and fishing on the bay. Returning to the ship, we sail to our overnight anchorage spot in Lan Ha Bay. The ship’s chef invites you to a hands-on cooking class in the dining room, showcasing local ingredients and the preparation of classic Vietnamese dishes.

Extend the evening by unwinding at the bar with a digestif, or joining the team for some funny squid fishing before retiring to your suite.

Overnight on cruise.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 16: Lan Ha Bay → Hanoi

Wake up early for a Tai Chi session on the terrace deck. Traditional Vietnamese coffee, tea and breakfast pastries await in the dining room for a first bite. The ship sails to a place called “Frog Lake”, a secluded area which is perfect for an energetic morning excursion by kayak. Explore this captivating marine landscape with cliffs stretching vertically out of the water and you feel a sense of freedom while paddling through a labyrinth of jade-green water, rocks and vivid tree-topped islets.

Back on board, we serve a hearty breakfast or brunch while cruising back to the disembarkation spot, from where we transfer you back to the pier by speedboat. Savour the last moments of this unique journey while relaxing on the terrace deck.

Our driver will pick you up and transfer to Noi Bai airport for evening flight to Siem Reap (no guide on the way).

Upon arrival, driver and tour guide in Siem Reap will pick you up from the airport, transfer to hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Day 17: Hanoi → Quang Phu Cau Incense Making Village

This morning, we will try a cup of Vietnamese coffee at the Train Street. It is the narrow alley where the train pass to buildings on either side of the tracks. The alley is so narrow that local residents must remove their personal belongings, including bicycles and children, before the train passes. Locals often sit on the tracks, drinking tea and playing checkers.

Then we start to visit Quang Phu Cau incense making village. The village has existed for more than 100 years, this place preserves the traditional incense making profession and is a beautiful check-in place, attracting many domestic and international tourists to visit. Arriving in Quang Phu Cau Village, by this time, the villagers have already set out incense to dry in various formations, and we’ll get pictures of people working among this sea of red. We’ll have time to capture a variety of shots of the workers in action. We also venture further into the village workshops, shooting images of the incense-making process, including bamboo chopping, dipping the sticks in dye, and the creation of incense paste. We’ll take more pictures of the friendly locals who have worked on producing incense in this village for generations.

Then we will come back to Hanoi city center for lunch with “Cha ca La Vong”, a specialty of Hanoian.

Free of leisure until driver pick you up to Noi Bai airport for flight back to your country.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch