Vietnam in 17 Days: Capturing the Essence

Your Vietnam adventure begins with your arrival in Hanoi. Your private driver will meet you at the airport, holding a signboard with your name. He will escort you to your accommodation right in the heart of the city, with the fascinating Old Quarter at your fingertips. You can easily explore the city at your own pace or relax at the hotel after the flight.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel then our experienced English-speaking guide escorts you on the trip to Ba Vi, a countryside located on the outskirt of Hanoi.

Arrive at Ri village, enjoy the welcome drink and snacks and meet your first host – Mr. Duoc, who is a Vietnam War veteran and tea-farm owner. Listen to the stories of Mr. Duoc’s life during the war while enjoying the drink and then visit his tea plantation. You will learn how to pick the best tea leaves to make the most wonderful beverage in Vietnam. Carry on with the tea production at his small workshop, where most of the work is manual.

Then have a short drive to Moc village, where you will meet your next host Mrs. Chin, who will teach you how to cook local Vietnamese dishes. Later have the meals you made for lunch in a beautiful tropical garden.

Have a short break after lunch, and join Mrs. Chin for a walk around the village. You will visit some local families to understand the rural lifestyle and learn how tofu, conical hats, and other local products are made. Then have a cycling trip through beautiful paddy fields.

Wrap up your countryside tour with traditional feet soak in warm water with herbs, following the traditional recipes of the Muong ethnic minority. It will relax you (and your feet) after cycling around the village.

Later, enjoy a transfer from Ba Vi back to your accommodation.

Overnight in Hanoi

Have an early breakfast at the hotel and complete the check-out formalities. Take the limousine bus to get to Sapa, the travel time will take around 6 hours. Upon arrival to Sapa, you will be transferred to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free to explore this charming town right in the middle of the mountains. 

Overnight in Sapa.

Have breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide around 9:30 am and start your 12 km trekking. You will visit Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages of the Hmong minorities. On the way admire the breathtaking landscapes of rice terraces and mountains.

Have lunch in Lao Chai village nearby the river. Continue your hike to Ta Van village of the Dzay people. Here you will stay overnight and have the opportunity to experience the daily life of and original customs of local people. 

Overnight at homestay.

Once you get energy for your last day trek by having a delicious breakfast, you leave for Giang Ta Chai village of the Red Dao minority. You will trek through a bamboo forest, which belongs to Hoang Lien National Park. On the way, you will pass by a waterfall and rattan bridge, where you will have time to take a rest and enjoy the surroundings. You will find a nice place to enjoy lunch.

After lunch, you continue toward Su Pan, a small village located by the road. From here you will start your journey back to Sapa by car. You will be transferred back to Hanoi by limousine bus. 

Overnight in Hanoi.

In the morning, check out of the hotel, and get picked up by the Cruise team. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see. 

On arrival at the pier, you will board the cruise and enjoy the fantastic views of limestone rocks and the karst grottoes. Have an utterly delicious seafood lunch and enjoy the time at the sundeck exploring the Bay. 

The cruise will stop in a secret place where you will spend time kayaking or swimming, so you can explore the karst grottoes closer. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities taking part on the boat or just relax.

Overnight on cruise

Note: In case of bad weather (the boat is not allowed to push off or not allowed to overnight in the sea), the Ha Long bay tour could be cancelled without notice. We will consider other replacement tours or the refund based on the specific circumstances.

Rise early today to view the sunrise at the wonder of nature with breakfast served in the dining room. A Tai Chi class on the sun deck will awake your mind and muscles.

Then head off to visit the limestone cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. After your exploration return to the boat to check out and enjoy the brunch while the cruise is sailing back to the harbor. Later you will be transferred to your accommodation in Hanoi. 

Overnight in Hanoi.

Relish the remaining moment in Hanoi before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Da Nang. When you arrive at Da Nang Airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in Hoi An. The rest of the time is free at leisure. 

Overnight in Hoi An.

Have a free day to explore Hoi An at your own pace. The best way to explore this charming town is to rent a bicycle at the hotel and cycle around the town towards the riverside or the beach.

At the beach, you will find many small cafes where you could relax with a fresh fruit drink after swimming. The water in the sea is warm and calm. Or take an optional tour. 

Overnight in Hoi An

(OPTIONAL TOUR: HOI AN ECO TOUR)

Today your English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel around 8:00 am and take you for a cycle trip to the countryside and rivers around Hoi An. As you meander through the countryside, you will experience the friendliness of the local people greeting you along the way and enjoy the beautiful views of the neighborhood.

After that, you will board a boat for a river cruise to meet and engage with local fishermen. Enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. Later, you will take a paddle boat trip in a unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat down the waterways of a coconut palm paradise.

After the boat trip, have delicious lunch and cycle back to your hotel.

Have breakfast at the hotel and get ready for the transfer from Hoi An to Hue by private car. You will drive through one of the most beautiful roads in the world – Hai Van Pass. You will be blown away by the stunning views of the mountains and the sea. Upon arrival in Hue check in the hotel and have free time to explore the surrounding area. 

Overnight in Hue.

Hue City is the cultural, political, and economic center of the Thua Thien Hue province, and used to be an old imperial city of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty. During this time, the most remarkable architectural monuments were constructed, which now are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel around 8:00-8:30 am. 

Start your exploration with the boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda, which is the oldest pagodas in Hue. Then visit the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Here you will also visit the Royal Antiques Museum to see the collection of ornaments from the Nguyen dynasty. Then head to the bustling Dong Ba market. 

Have delicious Vietnamese lunch. In the afternoon, we will head to Khai Dinh’s Tomb, which combines traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch, making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. Then explore Minh Mang’s Tomb, which represents the Confucian style. On the way, you will also visit conical hats and incense sticks villages. 

You will be back at your hotel around 16:00-17:00.

Overnight in Hue.

Relish the remaining moment in Hue before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Ho Chi Minh. When you arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in the city centre. The rest of the time is free at leisure. 

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and starting your trip to depart for My Tho, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, which dates back to the late 19th century. Then, boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.

Stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking around the country lane and see orchards, enjoy tropical fruits, and folk song music which is performed by the local people. Visit the fruit plantation.

Riding a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and treat yourself in the beauty of the countryside, visit the family business, visit honey-bee farm, enjoy honey tea and coconut candy workshop.

Have lunch at local restaurant. Break time.

In the afternoon, time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong delta. Hammock relaxing and enjoy cool breeze for those can’t join the cycling trip. Return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Have breakfast at the hotel and enjoy leisure time until our driver brings you to the airport. Take a flight from Ho Chi Minh airport to Phu Quoc. 

Overnight in Phu Quoc. 

Free at your leisure to discover Phu Quoc island by yourself. Phu Quoc, known as “pearl island” is very famous for watersport activities such as snorkelling and scuba diving. Or just relax on the beach with white sand and crystal clear water.

Overnight in Phu Quoc.

Beach time is never enough, enjoy one more day of relaxing at Phu Quoc beaches. 

Overnight in Phu Quoc.

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip to Vietnam. Complete the hotel check-out formalities, after which you can visit the local markets to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later your private driver will transfer you to the airport to take your flight back home.

Trip Ends.