Vietnam from Hanoi to the Mekong

Leave Hanoi by road for the green valley of Mai Chau. In the afternoon, follow quiet village lanes past stilt houses, fields and gardens. Your guide introduces everyday life in the valley, with time to meet residents and take photographs with their permission. Continue to your accommodation and enjoy a relaxed evening in the countryside.

Overnight: Mai Chau  |  Planned meals: Breakfast.

Photo credit (P02 – Stilt houses and fields, Mai Chau): Jos Dielis · CC BY 2.0 (resized for web) · Source & attribution · Original image

After breakfast, travel from Mai Chau to Ninh Binh. Board a small rowing boat at Tam Coc to admire limestone cliffs and countryside from the water. Guests who enjoy climbing steps can continue to the Mua Cave viewpoint, while others relax at the foot of the hill. Check in to your Ninh Binh accommodation at the end of the day.

Overnight: Ninh Binh  |  Planned meals: Breakfast.

Photo credit (P03 – Tam Coc landscape, Ninh Binh): Nomad Tales · CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized for web) · Source & attribution · Original image

Travel to the cruise harbour and settle into your cabin. Lunch is served as the vessel makes its way among the bay’s limestone islands. Join the afternoon activities offered by your selected cruise, with time between excursions to relax on deck. Enjoy dinner on board and spend the night surrounded by the scenery of the bay.

Overnight: Cruise vessel  |  Planned meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Photo credit (P04 – Ha Long Bay): Mustang Joe · CC0 · Source & attribution · Original image

Enjoy the morning scenery and the remaining cruise activities before checking out of your cabin. Your driver meets you at the harbour for the transfer towards Hanoi and your flight to Hue. On arrival, continue to your hotel and relax. The flight is scheduled with sufficient time after disembarkation and the road transfer.

Overnight: Hue  |  Planned meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Photo credit (P05 – Meridian Gate, Hue Imperial City): Supanut Arunoprayote · CC BY 4.0 (resized for web) · Source & attribution · Original image

Begin with the Imperial City, then continue towards Thien Mu Pagoda and the garden-house neighbourhood of Thuy Bieu. Join your prearranged cooking class, helping prepare a Hue-style lunch before enjoying the dishes together. In the afternoon, stroll along village lanes and discover local garden-house traditions. Return to your hotel; the order of visits follows the agreed collection schedule.

Overnight: Hue  |  Planned meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Photo credit (P06 – Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue): CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized for web) · Source & attribution · Original image

Leave Hue by road for Hoi An, including a visit to Ba Na Hills under the ticket package and visit duration selected for your trip. As this is a substantial travel day, roadside stops are chosen carefully to allow a comfortable arrival in Hoi An. Check in to your hotel and spend the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Hoi An  |  Planned meals: Breakfast.

Photo credit (P07 – Golden Bridge, Ba Na Hills): DvTor8303 · CC0 · Source & attribution · Original image

Explore Hoi An on foot, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge area, Phung Hung Ancient House and the market along your sightseeing route. Wander through narrow lanes and along the waterfront before a midday break. In the afternoon, head to the water-coconut area for your booked basket-boat experience. This evening, try local favourites such as cao lau or chicken rice independently.

Overnight: Hoi An  |  Planned meals: Breakfast.

Photo credit (P08 – Hoi An and the Thu Bon River): Omar David Sandoval Sida · CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized for web) · Source & attribution · Original image

Transfer to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. After checking in, visit the War Remnants Museum and Jade Emperor Pagoda if the flight schedule allows. Your guide introduces different perspectives on the city’s history and daily life. The order of visits is adjusted to your arrival time, and the evening is free.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City  |  Planned meals: Breakfast.

Photo credit (P09 – Central Post Office exterior, Ho Chi Minh City): Prenn · CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized for web) · Source & attribution · Original image

Travel to Ben Tre and enter the waterways of the Mekong Delta. Combine a boat trip with an introduction to local livelihoods and lunch in the area. In the afternoon, continue by road to Can Tho, check in and relax. The evening is free for a stroll and a meal at a place recommended by your guide.

Overnight: Can Tho  |  Planned meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Photo credit (P10 – Ben Tre River, Mekong Delta): Balon Greyjoy · CC0 · Source & attribution · Original image

After breakfast in Can Tho, pack your luggage and travel back to Ho Chi Minh City. Your driver takes you to the agreed finishing point, or to the airport when your flight timing suits the road journey. The tour ends after the transfer. Guests with late departures may arrange a day-use room or additional private services separately.

Overnight: Tour ends; no overnight stay  |  Planned meals: Breakfast.

Photo credit (P11 – River life at Cai Rang, Can Tho): Christophe95 · CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized for web) · Source & attribution · Original image