From the scenic trails of Pu Luong to the tranquil beaches of Phu Quoc, this 18-day journey connects the breathtaking landscapes of Vietnam with the people who call them home. Following initial discoveries in Hanoi, you trek amidst terraced rice paddies and traditional stilt houses, share a homestay dinner with a local family, and encounter the limestone peaks of Ninh Binh and Bai Tu Long Bay.
Your route continues through the garden houses of Hue, the market-gardening hamlets of Tra Que, and the artisan lantern workshops of Hoi An. Further south, Saigon and Cu Chi precede an immersive journey along the tropical waterways of Ben Tre. A day at leisure in Hoi An and two full days on Phu Quoc offer dedicated space for your personal desires, balancing guided explorations with restorative time for yourself.
Upon arrival in Hanoi, your French-speaking guide welcomes you and accompanies you to your hotel. Discovering the capital is organized according to your flight schedule, with check-in available from 2:00 PM.
From Ly Thai To Square, stroll toward picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and views of Turtle Islet. In the Old Quarter, historic guild streets and the traditional tube house on Ma May Street reveal Hanoi's architectural heritage: narrow facades, inner courtyards, and open-front storefronts.
A relaxing cyclo ride offers a leisurely perspective on Hanoi, taking in the Opera House, the Metropole, the State Bank, and the Central Post Office. Your guide tailors this first walk to your arrival timing and rest preferences.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi. Sightseeing tailored to arrival schedule.
The morning begins at the venerable Temple of Literature. Walking among its shaded courtyards, gateways, and stone steles, your guide shares insights into Confucian scholarship in Vietnamese history. The tour continues to Ba Dinh Square, taking in the Governor's Palace, the Mausoleum, and Ho Chi Minh's stilt house, subject to site access schedules.
At the Museum of Ethnology, everyday artifacts, tribal textiles, and full-scale traditional houses offer meaningful context for understanding Vietnam's diverse communities, preparing you for upcoming visits to Pu Luong villages.
In the evening, enjoy a delightful performance at the water puppet theater. Carved wooden puppets dance across a pool of water, moved by puppeteers concealed behind screens, presenting a vibrant folk tradition of northern Vietnam.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Leave Hanoi along the Ho Chi Minh Highway toward Pu Luong Nature Reserve. In Lac Son, a stop at a sugarcane market provides a glimpse into local trade in this Muong-inhabited region. Gradually, fertile plains give way to forested limestone mountains and cultivated valleys.
In the afternoon, reach Ban Hieu and its cascading waterfall. A refreshing swim is possible if weather and trail conditions allow. Continue on foot toward Lac village, walking between stepped rice terraces, mountain streams, and bamboo waterwheels.
At the end of the walk, a welcoming Thai family greets you in their traditional wooden stilt house. After settling in and strolling through the village, share a home-cooked dinner with your hosts. This simple, rustic homestay offers a memorable experience of local hospitality.
Driving time: approx. 5 hours (200 km). Dinner and homestay overnight in Pu Luong.
Following breakfast, bid farewell to your hosts for a full day of trekking across Pu Luong Nature Reserve. The trail crosses wooded hillsides shaded by bamboo groves, teak trees, and banana plants, against a backdrop of limestone peaks.
Descending into the valleys, the landscape unfolds into green rice paddies and small rivers spanned by rustic wooden footbridges. Giant bamboo waterwheels (norias) dot the waterways. Walking through the hamlets of Long, Uoi, Lan Trong, and Lan Ngoai with their fish ponds and livestock offers insight into traditional mountain village life.
Arrive in Don late in the afternoon and check in to your ecolodge. Following the day's trek, the evening is yours to unwind gazing across the valley.
Full-day trek on undulating paths. Overnight at lodge in Don, Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
In the morning, a peaceful walk around Don offers a final look over Pu Luong Valley. From hillside paths, take in terraced fields and stilt houses nestled against the slopes. This shorter morning walk allows for relaxed exploration before hitting the road.
In the afternoon, journey toward Ninh Binh, often described as terrestrial Halong Bay. Here, sheer limestone peaks emerge dramatically from lowland plains and rural villages. Upon arrival, a leisurely bicycle ride introduces you to the countryside along quiet lanes, setting the stage for boat trips and walks the following day.
Driving time: approx. 3 hours (150 km). Overnight in Ninh Binh.
In Tam Coc, board a small wooden sampan to glide along the gentle Ngo Dong River. Limestone walls flank the emerald waterway, opening out onto rice fields as the boat glides beneath three low river caves hollowed through karst massifs. From the water, the scenery reveals itself at the slow pace of oars.
Returning ashore, a bike ride through surrounding hamlets extends your rural exploration. Next, head to Hang Mua: the ascent up stone steps requires some effort, rewarded by sweeping panoramic views over the valley and the winding bends of Tam Coc.
Conclude the day at Hoa Lu, Vietnam's ancient 10th-century capital. Temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le beneath karst cliffs connect the day's landscapes with the beginnings of independent Vietnamese history.
Overnight in Ninh Binh. Sturdy footwear recommended for Hang Mua steps.
Drive toward the coast to board a traditional wooden junk in the Halong area. Following a warm welcome from the crew, your cruise sails into tranquil Bai Tu Long Bay, where limestone islands sculpt the maritime horizon. Lunch is served on board.
The itinerary includes visiting Thien Canh Son Cave, followed by Cap La for kayaking and swimming when conditions permit. Ports of call are confirmed with the selected vessel and remain subject to weather and maritime approvals.
In the late afternoon, relax on the sundeck before a cooking demonstration highlighting spring rolls. A seafood dinner is served under evening skies, followed by optional squid fishing from the boat.
Driving time: approx. 3h30 (180 km). Lunch, dinner, and overnight aboard the junk.
Early risers can greet the day on the upper deck with a gentle Tai Chi session as morning light illuminates the karst peaks. Enjoy this final stretch of sailing through the bay before returning to shore.
A rowboat or kayak excursion explores the Vung Vieng floating fishing village, per vessel scheduling. Enjoy brunch on board before disembarking and driving back to Hanoi.
In the evening, a short domestic flight takes you to Hue. Following this travel day from North to Central Vietnam, transfer to your hotel to rest before exploring the former imperial capital the next morning.
Approx. 4 hours driving to Hanoi, then 1-hour flight. Brunch on board. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Exploring Hue begins at the Imperial Citadel. Monumental gates, courtyards, and restored palace pavilions of the Nguyen Dynasty provide the backdrop as your guide recounts courtly life. At the Mausoleum of Minh Mang, discover an imperial tomb complex where classical symmetry dialogues with lotus ponds and wooded hills.
Discover a more intimate heritage in Phu Mong, renowned for its historic garden houses. Depending on the itinerary, a stop at Thien Mu Pagoda or Tu Hieu Pagoda completes the cultural visits.
At Dong Ba Market, lively stalls and workshops introduce you to modern Hue: local snacks, conical hats, and daily wares fill the aisles, contrasting imperial grandeur with everyday merchant bustle.
Overnight at hotel in Hue.
The scenic drive toward Hoi An traces the Central coastline. Stops around Thuan An and Lang Co Lagoon offer picturesque views of sandy beaches, coastal waters, and fish farms, turning this transfer into an enjoyable day of exploration.
At the Hai Van Pass (Ocean Cloud Pass), the road climbs high above the coast. Depending on visibility, panoramas sweep over Lang Co Bay and Da Nang. Along the way, observe ornate ancestral tombs characteristic of the central littoral, displaying colorful sculpted decorations.
Arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon and check in to your hotel. The late afternoon is free to get your bearings and relax.
Driving time: approx. 3h30 (150 km) excluding sightseeing stops. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Set off by bicycle this morning into the rural countryside of Hoi An. Trails wind through hamlets where aquaculture and carpentry accompany farming life. Stops allow you to observe local crafts and interact with artisans.
In Tra Que, a local farming family welcomes you. Walk along lush vegetable beds, learning traditional planting, watering, and soil-care techniques. At midday, join in preparing lunch before enjoying the dishes cooked together, connecting cuisine directly with agriculture.
In the afternoon, head to Cam Chau to visit a lantern workshop. From bamboo frames to silk covering, see each step before trying your hand at crafting your own lantern. Return to Hoi An after an enriching day dedicated to local crafts.
Lunch prepared with hosts in Tra Que. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
This day is entirely at leisure, with no scheduled guided tours. You can spend the morning wandering the pedestrian streets of Hoi An, visiting boutique craft shops, or exploring silk tailoring studios at your own rhythm.
As dusk falls, the ancient town becomes an enchanting wonderland illuminated by hundreds of floating lanterns on the Thu Bon River. Savor rare tea in a restored heritage merchant residence of dark timber.
Throughout the day, enjoy peaceful pauses and genuine connections that highlight the warmth of Vietnamese hospitality.
Transfer to Da Nang Airport for your scheduled flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, an orientation tour introduces downtown Saigon's landmark architecture: the exterior of Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the historic City Hall (People's Committee Building).
In the afternoon, travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The historical site illustrates underground guerrilla warfare, featuring meeting areas, kitchens, and medical bunkers. Narrow tunnel sections are optional; exploring underground chambers is tailored to your comfort.
Return to Saigon in the late afternoon. This day combines flight travel, city landmarks, and historical excursion; timing is adjusted to your confirmed arrival flight.
Transfer Hoi An to airport: approx. 1 hour. Domestic flight per booking. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Drive south toward Ben Tre in the lush Mekong Delta. Board a boat toward Nhon Thanh, where coconuts form the heart of the local economy. Stop at an artisan brick kiln to see traditional firing techniques, then enjoy seasonal fruits and honey tea in a shady garden.
Board a xe loi motorized cart to travel along peaceful village roads through coconut groves. Stops showcase coconut candy production and straw mat weaving. A hand-rowed wooden sampan then carries you through narrow canals shaded by water palms.
In the afternoon, arrive in Giong Trom and check in to your lodge along the Ham Luong River. Following a restful pause, gather in the kitchen to prepare banh xeo (crispy Vietnamese savory pancakes) before savoring them at dinner.
Driving time: approx. 3 hours (150 km) excluding boat rides. Dinner and overnight at lodge in Giong Trom.
After breakfast, a pleasant bicycle ride takes you toward Oc Island on the Ham Luong River. Narrow paths connect fruit orchards, coconut groves, and rural homes. Visiting a village market and a coconut husking workshop highlights another dimension of delta life.
Return to the lodge to relax and enjoy the swimming pool (depending on confirmed property) before checking out at noon. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City to catch your flight to tropical Phu Quoc Island.
Upon arrival, transfer to your beach resort. The journey shifts pace: the coming days are free of early alarms and scheduled excursions.
Drive to Ho Chi Minh City: approx. 3h30 (150 km), then flight to Phu Quoc. Overnight at hotel in Phu Quoc.
Following your journey across Vietnam, two full days belong entirely to you on Phu Quoc. Enjoy your resort, walk along white sandy shores, or alternate between refreshing sea swims and quiet reading under the palm trees.
Under sea breezes rustling coconut palms, time slows into quiet reflection. A soothing haven to conclude your journey immersed in untouched nature.
Throughout these days, savor authentic freedom and peaceful moments that showcase the natural beauty of the island.
Depending on your domestic flight schedule, transfer from your hotel to Phu Quoc Airport for your return flight to Ho Chi Minh City, concluding your grand journey from northern valleys to southern shores.
Under sea breezes rustling coconut palms, time slows into quiet reflection. A soothing haven to conclude your journey immersed in untouched nature.
Throughout this final day, enjoy smooth transfers connecting onward to your international flight home.
Travel Log
Selected moments to experience the landscapes, encounters, and rhythm of this itinerary.
Originaire de Nam Dinh, berceau de traditions au cœur du delta du fleuve Rouge, j’ai grandi avec un amour viscéral pour le Vietnam : pour la poésie de ses paysages — des pitons karstiques du Nord aux méandres fertiles du Mékong —, mais surtout pour l’infinie bonté, le sourire et la résilience de son peuple.
Du souffle majestueux des pitons calcaires du Tonkin à la douceur nonchalante des arroyos du Mékong, le Vietnam est une terre de contrastes poétiques. Mon bonheur est de vous ouvrir les portes de nos adresses confidentielles et de dessiner pour vous un itinéraire fluide, vivant et profondément humain.
Designing together
A simple and transparent process to design your dream journey together, step by step.
By clicking "Request a quote", you will access a detailed form. Provide us with all the necessary details to design a tailor-made itinerary.
Upon receiving your request, your local expert will carefully study your wishes and suggest an itinerary tailored to your preferences.
Even with an established program, you can make adjustments. Your travel designer will always be on hand to offer relevant advice.
Your advisor accompanies you from preparation until the end of your trip on site. They will remain fully available to assist you whenever needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about this tour here.
The journey traverses Vietnam's three great regions and includes four domestic flights, so it is an active, exploratory circuit. However, two-night stays in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Hue prevent changing hotels daily. In Pu Luong, two nights are split between an authentic homestay and an ecolodge. Three nights in Hoi An (with a free day) and three nights in Phu Quoc provide time to slow down. Days 13 and 15 involve the most travel, aligned with confirmed flight schedules.
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