Wonders of Vietnam — 15 Days

Dedicate this full day to an in-depth exploration of the capital's historical and cultural heritage. Visit the venerable Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), Vietnam's first university founded in 1070, with its stone turtle steles and tranquil courtyards.

Continue to the Ba Dinh historical complex, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which showcases the traditions, crafts, and architecture of the country's 54 ethnic groups. In the evening, attend a traditional water puppet theater performance.

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Depart the capital by private vehicle into the karst mountain ranges of the West. Cross Thung Khe Pass, enjoying breathtaking panoramic views over the vast valley below, before reaching Mai Chau.

Enjoy a gentle walk through the White Thai villages of Lac and Pom Coong amidst stilt houses and handloom weaving workshops. Continue into the lush wilderness of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, checking into a charming boutique ecolodge.

Drive: approx. 4 hours (170 km). Overnight at ecolodge in Pu Luong.

A full day of trekking amidst the unspoiled landscapes of Pu Luong. From the viewpoint hamlet of Bam Tren, set out on a scenic trail through spectacular terraced rice fields and bamboo groves.

Meet White Thai families, observing traditional hand-loom weaving and daily agricultural life. Arrive at a traditional wooden stilt house in a remote village for a warm family dinner prepared with fresh local mountain produce.

Hiking: approx. 3 to 4 hours. Dinner and overnight homestay in Pu Luong.

Start the day with an enjoyable bicycle ride along dirt paths skirting streams and giant bamboo norias (waterwheels), ingenious ancestral irrigation devices crafted by local ethnic farmers.

Take a peaceful walk through wild bamboo groves before boarding your private vehicle toward Ninh Binh province, celebrated as the terrestrial Halong Bay. Arrive amidst dramatic limestone karst peaks.

Drive: approx. 3 hours (130 km). Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh.

Board a small traditional hand-rowed sampan to glide peacefully along the Ngo Dong River in Tam Coc, passing beneath three spectacular natural caverns carved through the limestone cliffs.

Ascend the winding stone steps of Mount Mua for a dizzying 360-degree panoramic view over the karst towers and rice fields. In the afternoon, visit the 10th-century imperial sanctuaries of Hoa Lu, ancient capital of the Dinh and Le dynasties.

Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh.

Travel across the delta toward the Gulf of Tonkin to reach legendary Halong Bay. At the harbor, board an elegant traditional wooden junk for an exclusive cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay, the wild, serene sector of the bay.

Sail past towering limestone pillars while enjoying a fresh seafood lunch. In the afternoon, explore the illuminated stalactites of Thien Canh Son cave, followed by kayaking and swimming in an emerald cove. Savor dinner on deck under the stars.

Drive: approx. 3h30 (160 km). Overnight on board the junk in private air-conditioned cabin.

Wake at dawn to watch sunrise pierce the marine mist over the karst labyrinth, followed by an invigorating Tai Chi session on the upper deck. Visit Vung Vieng floating fishing village by local rowboat.

Enjoy brunch on board as the junk cruises back to port. Disembark at midday and transfer to Hanoi airport for your scheduled domestic flight to Hue. Welcomed upon arrival and check into your boutique hotel.

Transfer: 2h30; flight: 1h15. Overnight at hotel in Hue.

Dedicate this day to the treasures of the Nguyen Dynasty. Explore the majestic Imperial Citadel and the Purple Forbidden City, admiring the Supreme Harmony Palace and ancestral dynastic halls.

In the afternoon, board a dragon boat on the Perfume River to visit iconic Thien Mu Pagoda. Travel by road to the lakeside mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang, a masterpiece of landscape architecture, and explore bustling Dong Ba Market.

Overnight at hotel in Hue.

Drive south along the scenic coastal route bordering the East Sea. Stop for photographs at serene Lang Co Lagoon before winding up the spectacular Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean Clouds).

Enjoy plunging views over Da Nang Bay. Continue to the UNESCO-listed ancient port town of Hoi An. Check into your boutique hotel and take an initial evening stroll beneath thousands of glowing silk lanterns.

Drive: approx. 3h30 (140 km). Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Enjoy a full day of independent leisure to experience Hoi An at your own rhythm. Explore the preserved pedestrian streets: the 16th-century Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese assembly halls, and old merchant timber homes.

Alternatively, take a bicycle ride to Tra Que organic vegetable village, relax on the golden sands of An Bang Beach, or browse custom silk tailor shops.

Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Morning transfer to Da Nang airport for your scheduled domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Welcomed upon arrival by your southern French-speaking guide and driver.

In the afternoon, explore Saigon's French colonial architectural landmarks: Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and Opera House. Visit the vibrant Chinatown of Cho Lon, including Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Pagoda.

Flight: 1h20. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Leave the metropolis behind and journey into the lush Mekong Delta. Arriving in Ben Tre, the coconut capital, board a traditional wooden boat to cruise along broad river branches.

Disembark for a ride in a motorized xe loi or bicycle along village trails, visiting candy workshops and orchards. Board a hand-rowed sampan through shaded arroyos before settling into a riverside ecolodge. Join a Banh Xeo cooking workshop before dinner.

Drive: approx. 2h30 (90 km). Dinner and overnight at riverside lodge in Ben Tre.

Enjoy a peaceful breakfast by the water before cycling along the shaded paths of Oc Island, the largest island in the Ham Luong River, amidst orchards of pomelos, mangoes, and longans.

Enjoy leisure time by the lodge pool before driving back to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon. Settle into your hotel for a vibrant final evening in the southern metropolis.

Drive: approx. 2h30. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Enjoy a final morning at leisure according to your international flight schedule. Stroll along pedestrian Nguyen Hue Boulevard, savor a traditional Vietnamese iced coffee, or make last-minute purchases at Ben Thanh Market.

Private transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight, carrying unforgettable memories of Vietnam from North to South.

Airport transfer and end of our services.