Vietnam Nature & Heritage 12 Days

Arrive at Hanoi airport where our English-speaking guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to recover from your flight or begin exploring Vietnam’s capital city. Wander through the French Quarter with its tree-lined boulevards or sample some local cuisine at nearby restaurants.

Tour guide: English speaking tour guide

Meals: Breakfast

Your morning begins with visits to the Ho Chi Minh Complex including the Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda, architectural symbols of Vietnam’s independence. At the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university, you’ll walk through peaceful courtyards where scholars studied for over 700 years.

In the afternoon, your walking tour takes you through Hanoi’s most fascinating areas. See the serene West Lake with the John McCain Memorial, taste authentic street food at Truc Bach Lake, and experience the vibrant energy of Dong Xuan Market. The highlight for many travelers is the cyclo ride through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter, where you’ll witness daily life happening all around you among colonial buildings and bustling shops.

Tour guide: English speaking tour guide

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, at 8:00 am, our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel then we start out drive to Pu Luong – a “hidden gem” of North Central region of Vietnam. On the way, you will go through a breathtaking mountain pass giving you a panoramic view of the whole valley.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to a suspension bridge over the Cham River, where you begin your walk in search of stunning water wheels. Get up close to each wheel and discover how water is moved from river to handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple constructions of all sizes. After that, you have a short rest to gear up for the bamboo river rafting. Float along the calm river and enjoy the views, in between learning how to paddle and steer your handcrafted rafts.

Tour guide: English speaking tour guide

Meals: Breakfast

Today, you will have early breakfast at your logde. Then we start to descend into the beautiful valley facing the retreat where you walk around tumbling rice terraces. Trek through small paths shrouded in vegetation to slowly reveal a picturesque village sitting at the base of a towering mountain. Continuing to the base of the valley, you weave between roads and farmland, villages and wild fields, ponds and rivers, mountains and open land. Savour the ever-changing scenery as you trek to a beautiful spot.

At 12.00 pm, you will check-out and say good bye to Pu Luong. We move forward to Ninh Binh. After check-in at your hotel in Ninh Binh, you will have dinner at a local restaurant. Evening is at leisure and overnight in Ninh Binh.

Tour guide: English speaking tour guide

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you’ll spend 1 hour 30 mins on a Tam Coc ‘s private boat trip through a stunning landscape of limestone karsts and rice paddies. Local boatmen navigate narrow waterways, passing through three natural caves. The journey offers intimate views of rural life, with farmers working in fields and limestone formations rising dramatically from the water.

Lunch in a local restaurant. Next, you’ll climb the steps to the Mua Cave viewpoint, reaching a panoramic vista of the Tam Coc valley. The summit provides a breathtaking perspective of the surrounding landscape, with limestone mountains and green fields stretching to the horizon. Take time to explore the cave and surrounding area, capturing memorable photographs.

The afternoon bicycle tour through rural Thung Sen area brings you to the historic Thai Vy Temple and provides authentic interactions with local farmers. This day perfectly balances natural beauty with cultural insights.

Tour guide: English speaking tour guide

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to Halong Bay. After embarking on your cruise, enjoy a welcome drink as you settle into your cabin. While cruising through the emerald waters of Bai Tu Long Bay, enjoy lunch and marvel at the thousands of limestone islands rising dramatically from the sea.

Your afternoon includes kayaking through hidden lagoons, swimming in clear waters, and relaxing at Cap La Beach. As sunset colors the sky, enjoy a BBQ dinner onboard followed by evening activities like squid fishing or simply stargazing from the deck. This overnight cruise experience is consistently rated as a highlight by travelers to Vietnam.

Tour guide: English speaking guide on board

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin your day with optional Tai Chi on the sundeck as the morning light illuminates the bay. After a light breakfast, visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village by bamboo boat, where you’ll witness a traditional way of life that has changed little over generations. Return to the cruise for lunch while soaking in final views of this natural wonder.

After disembarking, transfer to Hanoi for your flight to Da Nang, followed by a short drive to your hotel in Hoi An. The evening is yours to get a first impression of this charming ancient town.

Tour guide: English Speaking guide on board

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Free day to explore Hoi An at your own pace. Alternatively, you can take the opportunity to join an optional tours below (not included).

Optional tours:

1. My Son Sanctuary & Walking tour ancient town: Start your day by visiting My Son Sanctuary then take a half-day walking tour Hoi An ancient town available to see the Chinese Embassy Halls, Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Pagoda, and Tan Ky House.

You are Hoi An’s highlights including the Chinese Embassy Halls with their ornate architecture, the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge connecting different cultural quarters, Phuc Kien Pagoda with its intricate woodwork, and Tan Ky House, a beautifully preserved merchant home showing the town’s trading history.

2. Ba Na Hill & Danang full day: Another option is a full-day tour to Da Nang’s Ba Na Hills to walk across the famous Golden Bridge supported by giant stone hands, explore Fantasy Park, and visit Linh Ung Pagoda with stunning mountain views. Breakfast included.

Tour guide: N/A

Meals: Breakfast.

Another full day at leisure to enjoy Hoi An. Explore the ancient town, relax on nearby beaches, or shop for custom-made clothing.

Tour guide: N/A

Meals: Breakfast.

Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest and most dynamic city. After checking in to your hotel, your afternoon city tour provides insight into Vietnam’s complex history. At the War Museum, powerful exhibits document the impact of the Vietnam War. The Reunification Palace offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in the country’s history. Nearby, see the French colonial influence in the historic Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral.

You may shop like a local at Ben Thanh Market, your last stop.

Tour guide: English speaking guide

Meals: Breakfast.

Central post office in Ho Chi Minh city

This morning, visit the remarkable Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground network stretching over 250 kilometers that served as living quarters, hospitals, and supply routes for Viet Cong soldiers. As you explore sections of these narrow tunnels, you’ll gain understanding of the determination and ingenuity that characterized the resistance efforts during the war.

The afternoon is free for last-minute shopping or further exploration of Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant districts.

Tour guide: English speaking guide

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy free time until your scheduled transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Take this opportunity for last-minute souvenir shopping or a final Vietnamese coffee before bidding farewell to this remarkable country.

Tour guide: N/A

Meals: Breakfast