Designed for discerning travelers, this Exclusive Vietnam journey offers a seamless blend of cultural depth, natural beauty, and refined comfort from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Over 14 thoughtfully curated days, you travel at an unhurried pace, staying in handpicked luxury hotels, boutique retreats, and a premium cruise in Lan Ha Bay, while enjoying private guided experiences and authentic encounters - from village life in Mai Chau to hands-on culinary moments and scenic coastal drives. Balancing iconic highlights with intimate, immersive experiences, this itinerary is crafted as a bespoke voyage through Vietnam, where elegance, authenticity, and effortless travel come together.
Meet your tour guide and driver, then depart for Mai Chau. Along the way, stop for a short walk to visit a Muong ethnic village, offering a first glimpse of rural life in northern Vietnam. Continue to Thung Khe Pass, where you pause to enjoy sweeping panoramic views over the valley before arriving in Mai Chau town around noon. Nestled among green mountain ranges and rice terraces, Mai Chau is a peaceful valley known for its harmonious landscapes and laid-back atmosphere.
In the afternoon, explore Mai Hich village and the surrounding hamlets by bicycle (optional) or on foot, following a quiet concrete path through the countryside. The serene scenery is captivating, with villages, rice fields, mountains, and streams blending seamlessly together. Take time to interact with the warm and welcoming locals, who are often happy to invite you into their home for a cup of tea and a friendly conversation.
Walking: approximately 6 km Cycling (optional): approximately 12 km
Transfer to Pa Co, approximately a 1-hour drive from Mai Chau. This remote mountain area is home to the Hmong ethnic group, who have traditionally lived at high elevations. In the past, poppy cultivation was common in the area; today, local families mainly grow maize, cassava, and groundnuts for their livelihoods.
Upon arrival, explore the village and observe daily life in this Hmong community. If your visit falls on a Sunday, you will have the opportunity to visit the weekly Pa Co Market, held every Sunday morning and attended by villagers from the surrounding areas. On other days, enjoy a leisurely walk from Pa Co to Hang Kia, another Hmong village nestled in the surrounding mountains.
Along the way, discover traditional houses, farming activities, and local customs. When possible, you may have the opportunity to visit a local family home and gain a deeper insight into authentic Hmong daily life.
After the visit, meet your vehicle and transfer back to Mai Chau.
Walking distance: approximately 3–5 km
Drive to Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
Starting from Ban Don village, walk through spectacular rice terraces and follow peaceful trails to Chom Lan village, renowned for its traditional Thai textiles. Along the way, enjoy the changing landscapes - lush rice paddies blending with quiet villages, vegetable gardens, and fish ponds.
Walking distance: approx. 5-6km
Transfer to Ninh Binh, a scenic drive that takes approximately 3 hours. Along the way, you'll pass through rural landscapes and peaceful villages, offering a glimpse into the daily life of the Vietnamese countryside. The route is a blend of winding mountain roads and flat terrains, making for a picturesque journey.
8:00 Am: you can choose to embark on a 10 km bike ride (one way) or a 20 km ride (round trip) along the dyke, offering stunning views of rice fields, a river, and limestone mountains. Take optional stops along the way for picturesque photos and interactions with locals. Continue your exploration by visiting Thung La Temple, which dates back to the 11th century. Don't miss the opportunity to experience traditional musical instruments that are integral to the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.
Note: Travellers who prefer not to ride a bicycle can either ride as a passenger on a scooter or reach the temple by car.
Continue to take a sampan boat trip along the stream and among the limestone mountains to discover the beauty of Van Long nature reserve. If lucky, you might get to see white monkeys and egrets on the cliffs. After the boat trip, visit an embroidery village and take part in an embroidery workshop under the instruction of local craftswoman, Mrs Lam. She will proudly explain the techniques of her traditional craft. This will be a good opportunity for you to practice on fabric like a real craftsman.
Upon your arrival at Tuan Chau Marina, a speedboat will be waiting to transport you to your luxurious cruise - the Heritage Line's Ginger.
Savor lunch in the elegant dining room, bathed in panoramic light as you sail deeper into the bay. Relax on the sun-drenched terrace deck or your private balcony, soaking in the surreal seascape.
As we approach Cat Ba Island, disembark and journey to Viet Hai Village, nestled in a picturesque valley embraced by verdant mountains. Cycle through this tranquil haven, gaining fascinating glimpses into the locals' life. This self-sufficient community, nestled amidst lush forests and accessible only by sea, cultivates vegetables, fruits, and fishes the bay. Returning to the ship, we cruise to our serene overnight anchorage in Lan Ha Bay.
The ship's culinary maestro invites you to an interactive cooking class in the dining room, where you'll discover local ingredients and learn to prepare classic Vietnamese dishes. Extend the evening by unwinding at the bar with a digestif, joining the crew for some fun squid fishing, or simply retiring to the comfort of your suite.
Start your day with a Tai Chi session on the terrace deck. Awaken your senses with traditional Vietnamese coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries in the dining room. As we cruise towards "Frog Lake," a secluded haven, the invigorating morning air beckons for a kayaking adventure. Explore this captivating marine landscape, with cliffs rising majestically and jade-green waters weaving through a labyrinth of rocks and verdant islets.
Back on board, enjoy a hearty breakfast or brunch while we sail back to the disembarkation point. From there, a speedboat whisks you back to the pier.
Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and take you to Tan Son Nhat Airport.
Traveling with more than 8 people? You can select a different group size in the next step.
Group Size 9+Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival in Vietnam and contain a minimum of two blank pages.
French citizens, as well as nationals of 12 other countries (including Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain), may enter Vietnam without a visa for stays of up to 45 days. If you plan to stay longer, or if your nationality is not eligible for this exemption, please check with the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate, or feel free to contact us for further information.
International flights are not included in the price of our tours. You are free to choose and book the flights that best suit your needs and schedule. If you wish, our travel consultants can assist you in finding the best available options.
Valid travel insurance is mandatory to participate in the tour. It must cover the following:
Before departure, please provide us with the following information:
Please check whether your credit card already provides coverage and consider purchasing additional insurance if necessary.
Spring (February to April) and autumn (September to December) are the most pleasant seasons to visit Vietnam, with mild weather and limited rainfall. However, the country stretches over more than 1,600 km, and weather conditions vary significantly. Vietnam can be visited year-round:
Please pack clothing suitable for each region according to your itinerary.
Vietnam operates on GMT+7 year-round. There is no seasonal time change.
The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). US dollars and euros are sometimes accepted in hotels, but this is not guaranteed.
Tip: Avoid using old, damaged, or torn banknotes, as they are often refused for payment.
If your tour includes domestic flights, the exact schedules, flight numbers, and relevant details will be provided in your travel documents.
Please arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure, bringing your passport and electronic ticket (or booking reference).
Baggage: Checked baggage allowance generally ranges between 20 kg and 23 kg, depending on the airline. Cabin baggage is usually limited to 7 kg.
Attention: Additional fees may apply if you exceed the permitted limits. We recommend checking the specific conditions of each airline (Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, etc.) before your flight.
Flight schedules are subject to change by the airline. We will keep you informed in case of any updates.
If you have a connecting domestic flight in Vietnam, please follow these steps upon arrival:
Airport staff are generally available to assist you if needed. Do not hesitate to ask for help.
Recommended connection time: minimum 2 hours 30 minutes
This allows sufficient time for possible flight delays, queues at immigration and customs, and transfers between terminals.
Practical tip: At major airports such as Hanoi (Noi Bai) or Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat), domestic and international terminals are not always located in the same building. Please allow ample time and follow the signs upon arrival.
No mandatory vaccinations are required to enter Vietnam.
However, health authorities recommend the following vaccinations, especially for long stays or travel in rural areas:
If you are undergoing regular medical treatment, please ensure you bring a sufficient supply of medication for the entire duration of your stay.
Do not forget to carry your prescription, preferably in English, to facilitate any checks or medical consultations on site.
The risk of malaria is very low in Vietnam’s main tourist areas, including Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Pu Luong, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and the tourist areas of the Mekong Delta. No malaria prophylaxis is generally recommended for these regions.
However, if you plan to travel to remote rural, forested, or mountainous areas (for example, Muong Te in Lai Chau, certain border or isolated areas of the northern highlands, or deep areas of the Mekong), you should consult a doctor or a travel medicine clinic to assess the need for preventive treatment.
Tips to protect yourself from mosquito bites
Upon your arrival in Vietnam, our driver will be waiting for you at the airport exit, holding a sign displaying: “IZITOUR – [Your name]”.
Please take a moment to carefully check the signs at the arrival exit. If you have any difficulty locating our driver, do not hesitate to contact our assistance team, available 24/7, at the following number:
+84 382 536 266 (direct call or WhatsApp available).
Practical tip: Make sure your phone is activated for international calls or internet access upon arrival to facilitate communication if needed.
Note: At some airports, several drivers may be waiting at the exit. If you do not immediately find our representative, please remain in the meeting area and contact us — we will assist you promptly.
Our small-group tours generally bring together between 4 and 7 participants. You will travel alongside people from diverse backgrounds, with different nationalities, cultures, and ages. This is a great opportunity to share experiences, exchange perspectives, and build meaningful connections throughout the journey.
To ensure that all planned activities run smoothly, punctuality is essential. Please respect the schedules communicated by your local guide to guarantee an enjoyable and seamless experience for the entire group.
For group tours, room allocation is based on the gender indicated on your passport. By default, you will share a twin room with a traveler of the same gender.
You will be accommodated in a single room in the following cases:
In both cases, a single supplement applies. Please contact your travel consultant to check availability and the exact supplement amount.
Note: This supplement does not apply to train cabins, which include four berths per compartment.
