Authentic Adventuring Trail Across Vietnam – 14 Days

Welcome to Hanoi, the Capital city of Vietnam! On arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, we will be warmly-welcomed by your personal drivers (no guides) and transfer to our city hotel for check-in and relaxation.

Duong Lam is the first ancient village to be recognized as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture and  Information in Vietnam. It has a history of about 1,200 years with many houses dating back up to 400  years. Apart from its historical and tourism values, Duong Lam is an important place for scientists to study resident communities in ancient agriculture. The village gate, banyan, well, communal house are important factors in classifying Duong Lam ancient village. One special thing about the village is that most of the buildings here are made of laterite and mud taken from the local ponds. 

This morning, be warmly greeted by your personal tour guide and driver at your hotel’s lobby then we will transfer 60 km to the west of Hanoi to visit Duong Lam Ancient Village. Upon arrival, we will walk along the many tiny and long alleys, meet and talk with the locals over a  cup of green tea in their old houses. Laterite is used on house walls, gates, wells, temple walls,  and so forth. We will take our bikes and start cycling to Mia Pagoda which was built in 15th  Century containing 287 statues of different sizes. Along the tour, we will also get to visit the lacquer painting workshop opened by famous Vietnamese artist Nguyen Tan Phat. See how  this old traditional art of Vietnam is celebrated and kept alive by younger artists.

At lunch time, we will make stop at a local house and enjoy a home-hosted meal with traditional local cuisine of the North. Enjoy lunch in true Vietnamese family style, have a short break then we will return to Hanoi for an afternoon exploration around the city. In Hanoi, we will go on a 1-hour cyclo tour of the French-inspired “old quarter”, you will be driven through the busy streets, passing by notable locations of the city such as the St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hoan Kiem Lake and Sunbeam Bridge (The Huc) to Jade Mountain Temple (Ngoc  Son Temple). We will then sit down to enjoy a performance of the city’s famous Water Puppets Show, a traditional art form of Vietnam with Hanoi heritage.

Afterwards, we will join in with the locals in the walking street around Hoan Kiem Lake (only on weekends). Walk around and immerse yourself in the local life here. We will then have some free time for shopping in the old quarter ranging from markets, especially Dong Xuan Market to designer boutique stores to amazing contemporary art galleries. Last but not least is our happy ending at a hidden coffee in the Old Quarters where you can  recharge your energy with the city’s most famous drinks such as coffee with condensed milk (Bac  Xiu) or egg coffee. After the tour, you will be escorted safely back to your hotel stay.

Time will be on your own! If you like shopping, the Silk Street in the Old Quarter is a good place for art,  embroidery, lacquer ware, silver articles, and jewelry; Hang Than Street where you will find delicious local  snacks: Flan cake, Coconut Jelly or Mixed fresh fruit served with crushed ice and condensed milk.

This morning, enjoy breakfast at hotel and check-out then at 8.30AM, be warmly greeted by your  personal guide at your hotel’s lobby. We will depart for Ninh Binh province (approx. 2 – 2.5 hours  driving). Upon arrival in Ninh Binh, we will proceed to visit Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel and explore the historic capital of Vietnam where you can visit the famous ancient temples of Le and the Dinh Dynasties. Then, visit Bai Dinh Spiritual and Cultural Complex. Here, see Bai Dinh Pagoda, the  biggest pagoda in Vietnam with 500 La Han statues, biggest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam  with 10 meters in height, 100 tons in weight. We will also get to visit the Buddha Prayer place.

After lunch, we will Tam Coc (Three Grottoes) with a sampan boat ride (approx. 1.5 hours), rowed by a local. We will get the chance for sightseeing along Ngo Dong River in Tam Coc which is known as “Halong Bay on the land”. Visiting the three caves Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba (Tam Coc). Our journey will be blessed with the peaceful scenery of special karst mountain surrounded with rice paddy and the sight of some ancient temples along the way. If traveling during harvest season, we might get lucky and see the ripe yellow/green rice paddy field.

Then, we will proceed to visit Hang Mua – Dancing Cave, where you can get the impressive panoramic views of Tam Coc and Ninh Binh city, see the amazing scenery of rice fields and river  canals when you reach the top of Ngoa Long Mountain (about 500 stone steps).  After the tour, you will be escorted safely to your hotel stay in Ninh Binh for check-in and relaxation.

Suggested evening activities: 

– Stroll to Hoa Lu Ancient Town (Tran Hung Dao Street) to see fine handicraft products.
– Immerse in the locals’ nightlife at Ninh Binh Night Walking Street (Dao Duy Tu Street) or Ninh Binh Night Market (Tran Quang Dieu Street)
– Visit “Ward 8” (Cu Chinh Lan Street) to enjoy various delicious local snacks and street food – there are so many restaurants and stores or karaoke bars catering to the needs of visitors. 

After breakfast, our car will bring us to Cuc Phuong National Park – the oldest national parks in  Vietnam established since 1962. The park boasts an engaging cultural, wildlife heritage, and enchanting scenery. Covered in a dense forest,  this landscape forms the habitat for some of Asia’s rarest animal and plant species. The ancient forest harbors over 2234 vascular and non-vascular plants, 122 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 135  mammals. There are also an incredible 308 documented bird species. Visitors in April and May should be  blessed with the chance to see literally thousands of vibrant butterflies.

Upon arrival, we will visit the Cave of Prehistoric Man, and reentering the Stone Age through  our exploration (approx. 0.3km walk). The rocky outcrops of Cuc Phuong formed the site of  valuable pale ontological and anthropological vestiges, including the remains of prehistoric  people who lived in the forest some 7500 years ago are also to be found in numerous mountain  caves. Then, we will drive another 2km from the cave to the starting point of our 9-km hike (loop  trail with some small rocky slopes) to visit the Big Ancient Tree before sitting down to enjoy a  picnic lunch in the forest. Finally, we visit some Dinosaur Fossil of up to 200 – 230 million years  old before walking/cycling back to the main road (total approx. 4km walk). After the tour, we will return to our vehicle be escorted to our hotel in Ninh Binh for relaxation.

This morning, enjoy breakfast at hotel and check-out then we will head out for a drive to Halong  Bay. Our schedule for the day will go as follows:

8:00 – 8:50: Our car will pick you up at your hotel in the Old Quarter area, Opera House, or our office at 16 Thi Sach, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi. (There is an additional charge if booking)
12:00 – 12:30: Check in at Halong International Cruise Port and be greeted with a welcome drink.
13:15: You will enjoy lunch at the onboard restaurant and admire the famous beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay – one of the most beautiful bays in the world voted by the Association of the World’s  Most Beautiful Bays Club.
15:30: Visit Vung Vieng, a floating fishing village, one of the largest villages in Halong Bay. You will have the opportunity to learn about the life of fishermen and participate in optional activities  such as canoeing or kayaking.
17:30 – 18:30: Soak up the beautiful sunset over the bay and join the “Happy Hour”. There is also a cooking class with spring rolls, a specialty of Vietnamese cuisine for you to join.
19:30: Dinner will be served at the restaurant on board the Lily Cruise.
21:00 – 22:00: Experience the nightlife on Bai Tu Long Bay from the deck, and relax with music and drinks at the bar. If you want to participate in a night squid fishing activity, please contact  the management for assistance in providing the necessary equipment. Otherwise, more mini games will be prepared for you.

Note: Due to cruising conditions, itineraries may change without prior notice // Wi-Fi is available, but  internet connectivity is limited due to being in open water area // 

Morning
6:00: Start your day energized with a Tai Chi workout and enjoy the sunrise behind the horizon.
6:45 – 7:15: A light breakfast will be served in the onboard restaurant. (Breakfast time is adjustable  depending on the actual schedule)
7:30 – 12:00: Transfer to a day boat to explore the pristine area of Cong Dam. Kayaking by yourself to explore the breathtaking scenery.
12:00: Return to the cruise to enjoy lunch on board for the day. When the cruise departs towards  Bai Tu Long – the hidden gem of Ha Long Complex, immerse yourself in the splendor of the  scenery here.

Afternoon
15:00: Head back to Lily Cruise to relax.
17:30 – 19:00: Soak up the beautiful sunset over the bay and join the “Happy Hour”. You also can join a cooking class with spring rolls, a specialty of Vietnamese cuisine.

Evening
19:30: Dinner will be served at the restaurant on board the Lily Cruise.
21:00 – 22:00: Experience the nightlife on Bai Tu Long Bay from the deck, and relax with music and drinks at the bar. If you want to participate in a night squid fishing activity, please contact  the management for assistance in providing the necessary equipment. Otherwise, more games will be prepared for you.

6:00: Start your day energized with a Tai Chi workout and enjoy the sunrise behind the horizon.
6:45 – 7:15: A light breakfast will be served in the onboard restaurant. (Breakfast time is adjustable  depending on the actual schedule)
7:30 – 9:00: Explore Thien Canh Son Cave, located on the top of the mountain, with a long history,  geological significance, and natural beauty. We recommend bringing a camera and climbing in  sneakers.
9:00 – 9:30: Return to the cruise to relax and check out at the front desk. Please place your luggage outside the door, the cabin crew will help you carry it.
9:45: A light lunch will be served in the restaurant while the boat returns to the harbor.
10:30 – 11:00: Disembark from Lily Cruise and move back to Halong International Cruise Port. Relax and wait to collect your luggage.
11:30 – 12:00: Arrive at Ha Long International Cruise Port, relax inside the pier building. From here, the cruise’s shuttle bus will escort you safely back to your hotel stay in Hanoi for check-in  and relaxation.

This morning, time will be free for you to do as you wish until your personal driver (no guide) arrives to escort you to the airport in good time for your flight to Danang today. On arrival in Danang, greet our local guide and driver and we will transfer to your hotel stay in  Hoi An (approx. 1 – 1.5 hours driving) for check-in and relaxation.

This morning, time will be free for you do as you wish: strolling to town, lazing by the pool or go  shopping. If you are looking to buy customized silk clothing, there is no better place than Hoi An!

In the afternoon, time will be free for you to do as you wish. At Mulberry Collection Silk Village, you can  also sign up with the receptionist and join a 45-minute tour around their Silk Village complex where  you will find sophisticated silk textiles and products for sales and learn the Silkworm Life Cycle. Along this  educational tour, find yourself immerse in the local ancient techniques of silk-making, all from the stage of  nourishing the silkworms, then spinning and making silk cocoons to the last stage of drying the silk. Tour  is scheduled daily at 9AM and 3PM, Free-of-charge for clients staying at Mulberry Silk Village.

At 12 PM, we will be picked up by our guide and driver then venture out to explore the two  UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites.

First, we will visit My Son Sanctuary, known as the Holyland of My Son. We will explore the site  by walking through the landscape, hear your guide talk about the local histories and stories of  the Champa Kingdom. Get the chance to enjoy Champa’s traditional Aspara Dance performance. The afternoon show starts at 2 PM or 3.30 PM. The morning show starts at 10 AM and 10:45 AM.

Afterwards, return to Hoi An Ancient Town for our afternoon walking tour. We will start our  walking tour around the ancient town of Hoi An to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery  Museum, Tan Ky’s old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, and the  temples, and pagodas of Chinese appearance. This afternoon, walk through the night market here where you can shop for cheap souvenirs, customized clothing, silk and lanterns. We will also take rowing boats along the Thu Bon River to release paper lanterns onto the water to make wishes as local still do today. Enjoy the sight of hundred lanterns with different shapes, sizes, colors lighting the old town up at night.

Today, time will be free for you to do as you wish before your personal driver and guide arrives  to pick you up and take you to the Airport (approx. 1 hour driving) in good time for your flight to  Ho Chi Minh City today. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, be warmly greeted by your local guide and driver then we  will transfer to our hotel for check-in and relaxation.

This morning, be warmly greeted by your driver and guide at your hotel/stay in Ho Chi Minh  City then we will go on a drive to Vinh Long province. We will transfer to the new Vinhlong  boat station and proceed to board our boat for a cruise downstream the Mekong River. Along the way, gets to see many floating cages for farming fish. Then, make stop for a quick  visit to the local Vinh Long market. Stroll through the busy market and take pictures of fish,  shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, vegetables… After, we will visit the  brick kilns where you can observe locals making beautiful potteries from clay.

Our journey will take us to the local workshops to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy,  pop-rice… Enjoy some sweets by a cup of hot tea then walk to visit the orchard and traditional  house of a local host family. A warm local lunch will be served by the friendly hosts. In the afternoon, we can take a bike or a walk along the village paths to see the daily life of people living in the Mekong: orchard, school, church, pagoda, traditional houses… The excursion will end at Vinh Long and your guide will escort you safely back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. We will arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon.

This morning, time will be free for you to spend at your own leisure. At your check-out time,  your personal driver and guide arrives at your hotel and escort you out for a drive to Vung Tau  City (approx. 2-2.5 hours driving). On arrival in Vung Tau, we will first visit the spectacular Jesus  Statue for a panoramic view of the city and shoreline. Built in 1972, this statue is standing in Nui  Nho (Nho Mount) with 32 metres high and 18.3 metres long arms. Take nearly 900 steps to the  top; we will enjoy a breathtaking view of Vung Tau City.

Afterwards, we proceed our journey to Ho Tram – one of the most popular beach destinations in  the South of Vietnam. Stretching 10 km with fine sand and calm waters, Ho Tram beach is where  visitors can freely swim, stroll and take beautiful photos. At around 16:00, we reach  InterContinental Grand Ho Tram and check-in to our hotel rooms for rest and relaxation.

Note: Hotel check-in time is 16:00, early check-in has surcharge and subject to room availability.

Enjoy the rest of day free at your own leisure and explore this tranquil destination with clear blue  sky, crystal water, and white sandy beaches, white sand stretching, and pristine scenery.

This morning, time will be free for you to do as you wish: lazing on the beach, strolling to town  to do some shopping and get the freshest seafood or just relaxing by the windy beach. At your check-out time, your personal driver and guide arrives at your hotel and escort you back  to your hotel stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

The day is for you to spend at your own leisure. Explore the bustling nightlife of the city that  never sleeps of Vietnam, you can enjoy the night market with food stalls opening till as late as  3AM. Discover why this was deemed the national busiest city!

Time will be free for you to spend at your leisure before 8 PM when our personal driver (no guide) arrives to escort you to Tan Son Nhat Airport in good time for our departure flight back home. Thanks for traveling with Vietnam local tour operator!

Have a safe flight!