LAURA'S PLAN: VIET NAM ITINERARY 22D21N IN NORTH, CENTRAL AND SOUTH

Welcome to Ha Noi – the capital of Viet Nam! Get picked up by our driver from the airport.

Hotel check in! Rest day.

Overnight in Ha Noi

Afternoon: 12:30 – 16:30

Overview

There are numerous ways to explore the city; and one of the best is to do so in an open-air war-time Jeep car. All you have to do in our special Jeep is sit back and relax. The tour will show you the true vibrant life of the locals, as well as passing Hanoi significant sightseeing.

Detailed Itinerary

Before the tour, our experienced guide will provide you a mini briefing on schedule & safety introduction then starting our adventures. Our tour will cover 4 parts of Hanoi as below:

1. Backstreet Ride: Get to know Hanoi’s lesser-known areas

We’ll drive through a maze of passageways only locals know about, make introductions, and learn about the behind-the-scenes stories:

– Riding through the labyrinth of zigzagging backstreets, narrow alleyways, and markets.

– Traveling with all of your senses on high alert: observing, hearing, touching, tasting, smelling.

– Experiencing various slides of life behind the scenes, the hidden part of the iceberg, and the unknown parts.

– Getting to know people where they live, work, study, and pray.

– Personal connections and cultural exchanges are being formed.

2. The French and Old Quarters: Highlights of the city & Classical Romance in Hanoi

From Hanoi’s thousands of years old to its present, travel through its historical timeline.

Cruising through the vivacious Hanoi Old Quarter and charming French Colonial Quarter.

Passing by some of Hanoi’s must-see attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, the Temple of Literature, the Tran Quoc Temple, West Lake, Truc Bach Lake, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Opera House, Saint Joseph Cathedral, and train tracks.

Crossing the storied and fabled Long Bien bridge while taking in the sunset.

3. The Great Westlake: Getting to know the new parts of Hanoi

Westlake, Hanoi’s largest lake, is known as the city’s “air conditioner”. Due to the lake’s unique “Feng shui” location, dozens of spiritual sites have been created all around it. Our knowledgeable tour guide will share interesting stories and take you around the city.

Zipping around the West Lake, passing through the city’s most peaceful areas, with ancient villages nestled around the West Lake, Truc Bach Lake.

A frantic Hanoi with thousands of skyscrapers in the city’s new areas.

In Hanoi, I was able to experience different aspects of life as well as the contrast in harmony.

4. Hanoi Cultural Food Experiences

Not only will we take you on an exciting journey through Hanoi traffic, but also introduce you to traditional Hanoian cuisine. “SPARE US YOUR HUNGRY BELLY” please (vegan and vegetarian options are available).

08:00: Pick up from hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter or Opera Theatre House

11:30 – 12:00: Arrive at Tuan Chau harbor, check in at the waiting room.

12:00 – 12:30: Get on Tender Boat to Cruise and enjoy Welcome drink, meet the captain, crew to get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Complete check-in procedure.

13:00 – 13:15: Enjoy Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian lunch, while cruising in the magnificent Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.

15:00: You can choose to relax on the sundeck or explore Ba Trai Dao – Tra Bau area and the natural lagoon of Lan Ha Bay and experience kayaking here.

17:30 – 18:00: Come back to our Cruise and participate in our Sunset party. Take photos and relax.

19:00:  Dinner is served at the restaurant.

After dinner, you can join the squid fishing program, relax on the sundeck, enjoy a glass of wine at the bar…

Overnight on Verdure Lotus Cruise.

06:15 – 07:00: Have breakfast. Morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.

07:00: Visitors Dark and Light Cave. Here you can freely kayak or bamboo boat to explore the

landscape or immerse yourself in the cool, clear blue water of this place.

09:30: Back to your cabin, take relax and check carefully all the luggage before leaving your cabin.

10:00: Check-out from the private cabin and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay for room service. Complete check-out procedure. Enjoy lunch at the restaurant while the cruise is returning to the harbour.

11:00: You take the high-speed canoe back to Tuan Chau port. Return to Hanoi

15:30 – 16:00: Back to Hanoi, end of the trip!

Special notes: Itinerary maybe changed due to bad weather, tidy or other issues. Timing on it same to be not absolutely fixed.

Overnight in Hanoi.

08:30: Driver picks you up at your hotel and head out of Hanoi by car,

10:00: Arriving in Quang Phu Cau. 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 images of the friendly locals who have worked on producing incense in this village for generations. We leave the village at noon, as the workers are preparing for lunch, and head back to Hanoi.

AFTERNOON: Discover Hanoi like a true local! Our Food Tour is not just about indulging in the city’s iconic dishes—it’s a journey through its culture, history, and hidden treasures that most tourists miss.

🌟 What’s on the Menu?

Savor Hanoi’s most beloved dishes, all carefully selected to showcase the city’s culinary excellence:

• Phở: Vietnam’s world-famous noodle soup.
• Bún Chả: Grilled pork and vermicelli, a dish that captivated even President Obama!
• Bánh Mì: A perfect blend of French and Vietnamese flavors in a crispy baguette.
• Nem Rán: Crispy spring rolls with delightful fillings.
• Cà Phê Trứng: Hanoi’s signature creamy egg coffee.
• 

Dessert: End with a choice of chè or fruit yogurt for a sweet finish.

🚂 Unique Highlight: Train Street Experience

Note: This street food menu can be adjusted to meet your own taste & interests.

Overnight in Ha Noi!

Having your Sapa tour that’s organized by yourseft.

Overnight in Sapa.

Having your Sapa tour that’s organized by yourseft.

Overnight in Hanoi.

08:00: Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel. We take you to Ninh Binh province which is far from Hanoi city about 120 km.

09:30: Have a short break for 20 minutes to relax.

10:30: The first destination in this trip is visit Hoa Lu ancient capital. This is the first capital of Vietnam. Come to visit Hoa Lu, you will learn about why the capital was moved to Hanoi nowadays. You are impressed on an outstanding architecture when entering temples of King Dinh and King Le, the first and second emperors of ancient Vietnam, built in the 17th century. Try to feel ancient atmospheres in Hoa Lu ancient capital.

11:45: Have Vietnamese buffet lunch at local restaurant.

13:00: Visit Trang An which was recognized by UNESCO as The world Heritage Site in 2014. Trang An has the wonderful tunnel cave system so that Kong’s Movie Group chose this place for New Version of Kong in 2016 – “Skull Island“. Boat trip to visit Trang An to see the amazing beauty of this landscape with many caves such as: Sang Cave (Light Cave), Toi Cave (Dark cave), Nau Ruou Cave (Cooking Wine), green river and natural view.

15:30: Keep going to go to Mua Cave (Dancing Cave). Walk up almost 500 steps, you can reach to the top of Lying Dragon Moutain, have an amazing panoramic view of Tam Coc from here.

16:30: Finish the trip.

Overnight in Tam Coc – Ninh Binh

Tam Coc free morning! Homestay check out!

Bus picks up to Ha Noi around noon.

Note: Catch a flight in the evening to Hue. Driver will pick up you at the last hotel you stay in Ha Noi.

Overnight in Hue.

08:00: Hotel check out! Tour guide picks up to Hue city tour.

First, visiting Hue imperial city – the palace of 13 Nguyen Kings with Ngo Mon Gate, Library, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns, etc.

You will visit the Khai Dinh Tomb, the tomb had elements of Eastern art mixed with Western designs.

12:00: Having a nice lunch with Hue cuisine and rest at beautiful restaurant

Next, Visiting Thien Mu pagoda associated with culture and history of Hue.

15:00 – 15:30: Finish the trip, heading to Hoi An.

17:30: Drop off at Hoi An hotel. Hotel check in. Having rest time.

14:30: Our guide will meet you at our hotel in Hoi An City Center and start the Hoi An City Tour.

Firstly, you’ll visit Hoi An Market which is always bustling. It offers an unmissable shopping experience. This market is full of sights, colors, sounds and smells.

Next to Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, a colorful mélange of bright gates, dragon statues and elaborate rooftops. Get an introduction to ancestor worship while visiting the family altar and watching local devotees making offerings.

You will see remarkably well-preserved old houses: Phung Hung Ancient House or Tan Ky Ancient House. That have withstood 200 years of weather and war. Learn about the prosperous merchants who used to live in these homes, trading with buyers from all around the world.

After that, going to Museum of Folk Culture in Hoi An, a display of artifacts depicts ancient local daily life in a 150-year-old Chinese merchant house. Especially, you will enjoy art shows at Hoi An Traditional Performing Arts House.

Make a stop at the Japanese Bridge. The bridge spans a small waterway and was constructed more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. Admire the carvings and paintings inside the bridge, learning about their symbolism and cultural significance.

Additionally, visit some of Hoi An’s well-known handicraft shops and artwork galleries. Discover smaller laneways and local neighborhoods gaining a better appreciation of Hoi An’s endless charm.

Enjoy your time with the boat ride and release the flower lantern to pray for the lucks to you and your family. You will immerse yourself in the fanciful space of the lantern street.

18:30: Finish Hoi An city tour

Our guide will take you back to your hotel in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

08:00: Local guide picks up at the hotel. Go to market with our chef (about 30 minutes). We will have a chance to see and experience the noise as well as directly contact sellers. In addition to this, we will show the ingredients for use in our lesson.

Transfer to Cam Thanh village by car or boat on the way, you can explore the beautiful views of the Vietnamese countryside and see the water and coconut trees growing together. Enjoy your time with basket boat rowing through the coconut jungle forest

12:00: Enjoy a welcome drink and take a rest at our restaurant, then join the cooking class. Our chef will teach you how to cook some local food. After the lesson, enjoy what you have cooked.

13:30: Return to hotel in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An

7:30-8:00: Our guide picks you up at your hotel and departs to My Son Sanctuary – The World Cultural Heritage.

9:30: Arrive at My Son and we’ll have 2 hours to discover the site by walking through the landscape, learning histories with our local English-speaking guide, and enjoying the Champa’s traditional performances.

11:45: Get back to the minivan and move to a local house to learn how to make rice paper, you will enjoy your own hand-making product later on!

12:30: Back to the van and have lunch at another local house, relax with cold herbal tea, nice food, and fresh air.

13:00: Take a boat trip to Hoi An with the nice and cool breeze onboard, and beautiful river scenery on the biggest river in Central Vietnam named Thu Bon River.

13:30: Arrive in Hoi An, we will drop you off at your hotel. Tour ends!

Overnight in Hoi An

MARBLE MOUNTAINS – MONKEY MOUNTAIN – AM PHU CAVE MORNING TOUR

07:30 – 08:00: We’ll pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to Da Nang city (around 30km).

08:30: Our van will transfer you to Monkey Mountain. A giant statue of Lady Buddha with a beautiful background such as mountains and a huge garden of bonsai would draw your attention. You will definitely get lost in the garden of heaven with gripping stories when gently walking and enjoying a fresh breeze.

09:30 – 10:00: Discovery the Marble Mountains and stop for a walk along the site to see local factories of stone sculptures – the most impressive handicrafts village in Da Nang. – Check in the Marble Mountains by climbing up to the top (elevator is optional). Here we will see beautiful pagodas which were made in the 19th century by the last dynasty of the Viet Nam monarchy, and visit Huyền Không or Tàng Chơn caves.

– Keep going to see the biggest fascinating cave named as Âm Phủ cave. You will learn interesting philosophies of Buddhism and take photos with amazing natural creations.

11:45: Have lunch at a local restaurant with local and authentic Vietnamese cuisines.

13:00: We will drop you at your hotel.

Overnight in Da Nang.

Have your breakfast. Check out hotel. Driver picks up you to the airport. Fly to Con Dao

Overnight in Con Dao

Having your 3 free days in Con Dao to explore this beautiful island. This is hidden gem with less tourist. Hope you will have a good time.

Overnight in Con Dao

Having your 3 free days in Con Dao to explore this beautiful island. This is hidden gem with less tourist. Hope you will have a good time.

Overnight in Con Dao

Having your 3 free days in Con Dao to explore this beautiful island. This is hidden gem with less tourist. Hope you will have a good time.

Overnight in Con Dao

Private Sai Gon “Foodie” By Night Motorbike Tour

Pick-up: 5:30-6:00 PM Drop-off: 8:30-9:00 PM

What you’ll do:

• Hop on motorbike and head to the seafood haven! Taste mouthwatering dishes with clams, squid, and scallops, spiced to perfection. Sip a cold beer or soda for an extra kick!
• Feel the wind as we pass iconic bridges like Bason Bridge and immerse yourself in the lively vibe of Ho Chi Minh City while riding to district 3 for a fresh Banh Mi!
• Enter Saigon’s hidden alleys for Banh Xeo or Banh Khot! Try sizzling cakes and mini pancakes. Pile on fresh veggies and dip in sweet and sour fish sauce for crunch and flavor!
• Take a leisurely walk and snap nice pics at Ho Thi Ky Market, a vibrant flower market.
• Satisfy your sweet tooth with creamy avocado cream, a delightful Vietnamese dessert. Don’t miss tasty Banh Trang Nuong (Vietnamese pizza) or Bo La Lot (Vietnamese Grilled Beef Wrapped in Betel Leaves)!
• Get back to the hotel with great memories of amazing flavors and unforgettable moments of our motorbike food tour!

Overnight in Sai Gon.

IN THE MORNING

Get picked-up at your accommodation in the city center and drive to Cu Chi, around 65km. On the way to the Cu Chi Tunnels, visit the handicapped handicraft workshop.

Watch a documentary film about the Vietnam War. Discover special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals and command centers helping whoever lives inside Cu Chi tunnels meet their basic needs.

Discover many hidden lefts behind trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels and learning more about the handmade weapon and traps used during the Vietnam War. Seeing huge bomb craters and the mere 10–13 feet thick level of upper soil can support the bearing weight of a 55-ton tank and the explosive damage of bombs left from the war.

Break at the shooting range to shoot some real guns with Ak47, M16, M30, M60 (shooting fee is paid separately from the trip).

Highlight of the trip is to crawl and experience the underground town of Cu Chi Tunnels. This is the best part of the trip when you crawl into it to feel how it was like in the war. Guests who have claustrophobia be not afraid of crawling inside, you still can see it from above the ground.

Taste the pandan tea and tapioca (guerilla’s food during the war) before heading back to Saigon.

IN THE AFTERNOON

1. THE HIDDEN WEAPON BUNKER:

Vietcong soldier’s hidden bunker located in the heart of Saigon.

2. WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM:

Vietnam War storytelling from the other side.

3. NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL SAIGON: The pride of Saigon culture.
4. CENTRAL POST OFFICE:

The everlasting architecture of the French influence.

5. THE LAST HELICOPTER:

Remarking the fall of Saigon. Just to see, can’t enter it legally.

Overnight in Sai Gon.

07:45: Get picked up from your hotel in center of Ho Chi Minh City and head to the Mekong Delta. During the 1.5 hour car ride, we will pass through by green rice fields before arriving at the beautiful rural My Tho.

The first stop is Vinh Trang pagoda. It is the biggest pagoda in the Mekong Delta region. You will be guided to explore the most beautiful, ancient and significant temple in the Mekong Delta.

This religious landmark dates back to the 19th century and features a harmonious fusion of Vietnamese, Khmer, and Chinese architectural styles.

Your trip continues from here by motorized boat on the Tien River to the Qui, the Dragon, Phoenix and Unicorn Islet. Walk into the village, where you can visit a local fruit garden and enjoy the tropical fruit while listening to Southern Vietnamese folk music performed by islanders.

Here you can join daily activities of the local people and take in the atmosphere of this beautiful natural countryside. Visit the bee house. Lunch will be served at orchard garden.

The boat cruises to Ben Tre province known as “The Land of Coconut”. Here you’ll visit the coconut candy-making shop. Next, enjoy a rowing boat trip on the small canal, fully covered by water coconut palms on both sides. After that, you will have time to relax on a hammock or bike around the village.

03:30: Head back to Ho Chi Minh city

05:30: Arrive at around Ho Chi Minh city

Overnight in Sai Gon.