From Saigon to Hanoi: Vietnam Off the beaten Track | Authentic Tour - 21 Days

Landing at the Tan Son Nhat airport, you are welcomed by professional tour guide and driver at the pickup lobby. On the 30-minute driving from the airport to the city center, your tour guide will introduce you about the highlights of the city, and share the experiences of eating and drinking, traffic, culture....

On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Note: Hotel check in time at 14.00

9:00 AM: Pick up from your hotel to the Independence Palace, once used as the home - office of the Presidents of South Vietnam. Our visit includes the North Vietnamese tank which effectively attacked the palace in 1975 to bring the controversial Vietnam War to an end and the five-story palace with its rooms have been preserved in their late 1960s, 1970s style and a bunker basement.

Continue by a leisurely waking tour. Head to the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, originally built between 1863 and 1880, evidently reflects the French colonist influences. It’s a picturesque spot in the city.

Toward to Nguyen Hue walking street, you take a few walks to the unmissable city's famous landmark. The Saigon Central Post Office is a stunning building, designed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. It is an actually working post office with beautiful indoor decorations.

Pick up by car then short drive to have a visit to Binh Tay Market, located in Saigon’s Chinatown area with hundreds of stalls, the biggest market in city actually contributes a hub for many of Saigon’s demands including clothing, souvenir and food items. There is also a food court where visitors can sample local delicacies and street food.

Continue visit Quan Am Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in city and dedicated to Guan Yin, elements of Taoism, and the folk worship of the "Queen of Heaven".

Finally visit the Traditional Medicine Museum (FITO) where the medicinal herb recipes, magic potions and special antique tools are preserved.

8:00 AM: Pick up at your hotel for your transfer to Ben Tre, a beautiful region in the Mekong Delta River, famous for making coconut candy.

Arrive at Hung Vuong pier, take a boat trip on the Ben Tre River to discover the daily local life. Continue your boat trip on a canal to Nhon Thanh Village. This will be an opportunity to taste the fresh fruits. Take a bike ride (or tuk tuk) on a small path through the villages and enjoy views of the coconut ranges, rice fields and vegetable gardens.

A lunch with elephant ear fish is served in the village. A short walk will help you to discover the local life in depth. This is followed by a boat ride on the small canal shaded by the wild palm trees. Disembark Ben Tre for a 1-hour transfer to Cai Lay. Upon your arrival, get warmly welcomed by the host of homestay. Take part in making Banh Xeo Nam Bo (a traditional dish in the region) with your host.

Have dinner and stay overnight in Cai Lay.

Have breakfast at the homestay and enjoy a bike ride (1-1.5 hours) on the path from Dong Hoa to Tam Binh, passing the durian gardens, sapota gardens, and longan gardens. Encounter with the local people then visit the local village market. Return to the homestay for refreshments. (Extension: Go for a 1 hour walk along the trail with a local and cycle to Ngu Hiep Island where the alluvium of the Mekong River has formed a fertile garden. These are unusual excursions in a luxuriant and authentic place.) For those who do not wish to ride a bike, it is possible to ask our tour guide for a motorbike and ride pillion.

Transfer to Long Xuyen via Sa Dec where we can visit Kien An Cung pagoda and Huynh Thuy Le's house from the novel by Marguerite Duras  'L’Amant – the Lover'. Discover the local market in Sa Dec which is rich in fruits, vegetables, and fish. Continue to Long Xuyen and visit Cao Dai temple and a crocodile farm on route. Stay overnight at a hotel in Long Xuyen.  

In the morning, transfer to the floating market and floating village in Long Xuyen which are animated and authentic on a small tributary of the Mekong River. Discover the daily activities of people living by the river. Enjoy a boat trip to Cu Lao Ong Ho where there is a small museum about our famous president Ton Duc Thang. Take a bike ride on the island and enjoy the beauty of the peaceful landscapes.

Take the road back to Saigon and check in your hotel in late afternoon. 

8:00 AM: Leave from your hotel to visit the most striking place in the history of the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Cu Chi is a real underground city made up of a large network of tunnels covering an area of over 250km long where the Viet Cong conducted the war of resistance against American troops. All of the tunnels were dug over a period of twenty years using only pickaxes and shovels. The tour includes special entering some part of tunnels. You will also have a chance to visit Ben Duoc memorial temple nearby but far less touristic built in 1993 in memory of the Vietnamese killed at Cu Chi.

Continue to visit one of the most sacred attractions in Vietnam - the Cao Dai Temple. Caodaism is a uniquely Vietnamese religion that is influenced by elements of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism and even Roman Catholicism. On a visit, you can attend the midday mass.

Landing at Da Nang airport you are welcomed by professional tour guide and driver at the pickup lobby.

On the about 30 - 45 minute driving from the airport to your accommodation, your tour guide will introduce you about the city’s highlights and share the experiences of eating and drinking, traffic, culture....

Drive along the beautiful coastline to your hotel, check in and relax.

8:00 AM: Pick up from hotel to Hoi An town center. Our first stop is Cam Pho - one of the oldest communal houses in Hoi An. It was built in the shape of Chinese character means the country for worshipping and trading business and cultural exchange between locality and Chinese, Japanese traders.

Leisurely walk to the Hoi An city’s symbol - the Chua Cau or the Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 17th century to allow the Japanese quarter to be accessible from the Chinese neighborhoods. The bridge’s original style has been carefully preserved for the last 400 years.

Immersing into the life of town, walk through the town to Quan Thang ancient house - one of the most authentic old houses in Hoi An with the lively and fine architecture and sculptures were made by craftsmen of famous Kim Bong carpentry village in the oriental style. The house offers a good look of Hoi An family's daily life. 

Next stop is the Phuc Kien or Fujian Assembly Hall before embark on the ferry crossing the Thu Bon river to Kim Bong village. On the boat, you will immerse yourselves into the comfortable fresh air and enjoy the idyllic landscapes on both sides of the river.

This village has long been known for its wood carving. At first, the artisans inherited the techniques from the northern Vietnamese. Later, from business exchange, they could successfully adopt the know-how of Chinese and Japanese sculptures and cultivate their own style. Bike around the village to understand their daily life and visit a carpenter's workshop to admire their talent. It is possible to buy some wood products as souvenirs.

Continue cycling on the trails to Tra Nhieu village. Immerse into the countryside in the center of Vietnam. The trip will allow some unprecedented meetings for instance, Ms Duoc with the mat weaving, Mr Kha with the bamboo sampan basket making and Mr Huynh Ri with his craftsman shipyard. A countryside landscape of palm and rice fields, buffaloes and farmers in the fields will surround you along the way.

From Tra Nhieu, set off on a boat trip on the Thu Bon River to Cam Thanh village. Along the way the landscapes of fishing farms and water palmtrees will accompany you.

Arrive in Cam Thanh, take a little rest in the house of fisherman (Mr. Phong) enjoy green tea and foot massage with medicinal herbs that planted in the family garden. Then prepare vegetables and herbs from Tra Que village, small practice of cooking the dishes: crispy pancake (meat, shrimp, beansprouts…), spring rolls of Hoi An, Tam Huu, grilled fish in banana leaf… Enjoy the dishes that you made.

In the afternoon, embark a small round bamboo sampan basket boat to the water palm trees forest. This is a relaxing moment after hours of biking.

8:00 AM: Pick up by tour guide and driver from your hotel. Spend a half day for an excursion to the sacred valley of the Champa Kingdom. Located 40km from Hoi An Town, My Son was once the most important intellectual and religious center of the kingdom of Champa and may also have served as a burial place for Cham monarchs.

Recognized as a World Culture Heritage site by UNESCO, the site preserves the 70 ruined architecture works of bricks and stones built between the 7th and 13th century. Your tour guide will explain to you all the cultural, historical and architecture values as you leisurely visit each relic. Tour also enrich with an attending to the traditional Champa dancing show before leaving the sanctuary.

8:00 AM: Pick up from hotel then travel to Hue by passing Da Nang along the sea road. Once you arrive in Da Nang, stop to visit the Cham Museum which preserves the most important Cham culture collections in the world. Then, walk to My Khe beach where you can enjoy the view of giant Goodness of Mercy statues in the Linh Ung Pagoda. Take photos of fishermen by the beach then continue driving along the coastline to Hue ancient capital. Make a stop at top of the Hai Van pass to enjoy the breathtaking view of the ocean. 

Arrival in Hue, enjoy lunch then visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Hue, dating back to 1601. This is the spiritual highlight of the city and well known for its majestic octagon tower and beautiful view of the Perfume River.  

Keep your tour visit the most important sites in city - Hue Citadel, the only vestige symbol for what was once the imperial city of Vietnam. It is inspired by the fortification of Vauban. The city is composed of three parts: Kinh Thanh (the Capital city), Hoang Thanh (the Imperial city) and Cam Thanh (the Forbidden City). The most beautiful sites in Hue are concentrated in this area including the flag tower, the South gate, the palace of supreme Harmony, the Dynasty temple area and the settlement area.

8:00 AM: Transfer to the Huong River (or Perfume River) to embark a Royal boat trip to the villages in the East of the city. This is an opportunity to discover the local life on the both sides of this poetic river. Upon arrival in Tien Non village, disembark for a bike ride in the countryside through three villages: Tien Non, Thanh Tien and Sinh village. During the trip, you will be immersed into the daily rhythm of life in the villages.

In Tien Non village, meet the villagers working on the fields and vegetable gardens. Then, visit a family worship house in the village. Next, reach Thanh Tien village, an artificial paper flower village dating back 400 years. Besides the rural works, they make paper flowers for the New Year festival to offer their ancestors the best wishes. Visit Mr. Hieu’s family, one of the well-known artisans in the village to learn how to make paper flowers under his instruction. Keep going to Sinh village, a cradle of 400 year folklore prints in Hue. Meet Mr. Phuoc who will explain the techniques of traditional prints. You will find beautiful souvenirs on this trip. Later, take the boat back to the city.

In the afternoon, drive to Khai Dinh King's tomb, built in 11 years (1920 – 1931) on Chau Tru hill. Khai Dinh King's tomb is distinguished from other emperor's tombs by the mixture of oriental and western styles. A hundred-step climb will take you to the worship palace at the top. You will discover the amazing decoration with delightful porcelain fragments, a giant painting on the ceiling and a small royal objects museum next door. Finally, the descent offers a panoramic view to the tomb and surrounding area.

Arrive to Hanoi railway station, get pick up by tour guide and driver. Enjoy local breakfast and rest before transfer to the Temple of Literature which was built under the Ly dynasty in 11th century for worshipping Confucius and teaching Royal children. Enjoy a walk in the garden to the city’s symbol Khue Van Cac. You will then visit the World Heritage "stone steles” which shows the name of outstanding students. Continue to explore the Quoc Tu Giam which is considered as the first national university of Vietnam.

Next stop at the Ethnology Museum (closed every Monday) which offers a deep insight into Vietnamese culture through traditional costumes, tools, musical instruments and traditional houses of many ethnic groups. To fully explore this interesting museum, it takes you around two hours. 

In the afternoon you visit the French Quarter – it is a “little Paris” in Hanoi with tree-lined boulevards, government head offices and a big square. Visit (outside) Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum before having a leisurely walk in the botanical gardens to visit the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live and work. Towards the unique One – pillar pagoda which is one of the city’s symbols. It takes us from 1 to 2 hours to explore this complex, depending on the number of traveler.

Start with a small pagoda named Ba Da quietly located in a small alley - only few steps from the Hanoi Great Cathedral, built by French colonialism since the 19th century. Your tour guide also takes you to typical streets of Hanoi such as Lan Ong Street selling traditional medicine, Lo Ren Street where metal items are produced ... Stop to visit the Dong Xuan central market - the largest in Hanoi. Continue walking to the famous area for night activities and street food - Ta Hien street, where you can see the vibrant streets with a lot of the amazing local foods and drinks. Trying to taste some for an unforgettable experience.

Finally enjoying the water puppet shows that is the unique performances, first appeared in the 11th century. In these shows, the daily life, culture and belief of Vietnamese people are described by puppets on water. The show usually integrates a traditional music performance as well.

8:00 AM: Meet tour guide and driver at your hotel in Hanoi and transfer to Muong Lo via Thanh Son. Muong Lo is known as one of the four most important fertile valleys of the Northwest (Muong Thanh in Dien Bien Phu, Muong Tac in Phu Yen and Muong Than in Than Uyen) in which the Thai ethnic group predominates. The village consists of hundreds of houses on wooden stilts and Thai people cultivate the water rice. Drive to the national road number 32 along the black river (Da River) one of the most important rivers in the Northwest.

In Thanh Son, we will make a stop to visit the green tea plantation hill then walk through the stilt-house villages. It belongs to the Muong ethnic group, considered as Authentic Viet. The Muong ethnic group is one of few northern communities that is immune to Chinese influence.

Arrive in Nghia Lo, walk or bike around the Thai village to discover the beautiful rice field valleys and hamlets that still preserve the authentic houses on stilts and meet the friendly locals.

Enjoy breakfast then visit a local market in Nghia Lo then transfer to Mu Cang Chai via Tu Le. Mu Cang Chai is well known for its marvelous rice terrace widely considered as the most beautiful in the world. In 2007, Che Cu Nha, De Su Phinh and La Pan Tan were recognized as outdoor masterpieces on the list of national heritage.

At the exit of Nghia Lo, you will cross the hilly region populated by the Dao ethnic group on the hills. Stop for a chance to take photos and meet the local people on the way.

Arrive in Tu Le. It is possible to trek to the valley where Thai people live in houses on stilts and have some unusual encounters that allow you to immerse yourself into the authentic local life. In the afternoon, continue to Khau Pha pass which offers you a splendid panoramic view of the valley of rice terraces.

Then the car will take you to La Pan Tan which is a legendary route for photographers. You will admire the gorgeous rice terrace masterpieces created by the Hmong peasant artists from generation to generation. Enjoy the majestic landscape and follow the route from La Pan Tan to Mam Xoi. End of the day, check in your accommodation. 

Depart for a trekking day to the villages of Che Cu Nha, Kim Noi and De Xu Phinh. It is a great opportunity to admire the most magnificent rice terrace in Mu Cang Chai, including the communes of Che Cu Nha and De Xu Phinh, recognized as a national nature heritage in 2007. This is one of the most exciting itineraries, highly appreciated by photographers.

Visit the H'mong village located in the high altitude of 800 – 1500m. The hard work from generation to generation has left thousands of hectares of rice terraces. This makes the remote Mu Cang Chai region one of the most attractive regions in the world. Besides their cultivation, they also have many crafts such as blacksmiths and weavers. A day filled with warm encounters, together with gorgeous landscapes of the famous rice terrace in Mu Cang Chai will give you an unforgettable trekking trip. 

After breakfast, transfer to Than Uyen, one of the Thai rice valleys. The splendid landscape of rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai will follow you along the way to Than Uyen. Before turning right to Sapa, we will make a stop to visit Na Tam Village where the Laotian and Lu people live. This is a beautiful, tranquil landscape. Traditionally, the local women are distinguished by black teeth and indigo colored clothing encrusted with silver pieces. Take a 2 hour hike through the river, villages, rice fields, and hills and meet the locals.

Meet our driver for a transfer to Sapa, crossing Hoang Lien Son pass (O Quy Ho pass). This is the longest and highest pass in Vietnam, 54km in length and 2047m in height. Stop to relax at the top of the pass and soak up the grandiose landscape. This is also a great place for photos. Arrive in Sapa, a town discovered by the French in 1903, in the afternoon. With a temperate climate, Sapa became an attraction for holidaymakers because of its beautiful rice valley, splendid mountain range and the diversity of minority tribes such as Black Hmong, Red Dao and the Dzay ethnics.  

8:00 AM: Depart to Sau Chua hamlet to start off the beaten trek of 15km up-downhill that is your challenge but the reward is worth it. Towards a hill-tribe village of Sa Seng where you will be able to see the authentic lifestyle of the Black H’Mong people who originated from China since and have been in Vietnam from the 11th century.

Enjoy a picnic lunch or a meal at a local restaurant before trekking uphill along the side of mountain to get the most wonderful views of the Muong Hoa valley at the elevation of 1,800m. Descend into the valley on a trek to the Hau Thao village, consisting of only a few houses and church scattered on a rocky point. You will get the best scenery in the area with rice terraces, small villages nestled on the huge Hoang Lien mountain range and even the peak of Indochina, Fansipan peak (when the weather permits). Keep trekking down the trail to Muong Hoa valley.

Travel on a less touristic road to the isolated up-hill Ban Khoang village. Today we will take an off the beaten track of 12 km up and downhill on a new trail to explore the primitive culture of the Red Dao who is well-known for the most beautiful attire in Sapa.

After a picnic lunch (or early lunch at a local restaurant) in the village, follow a small hill path, trek through the corn–farm to a rainforest with amazing views of rice terraces, and on season, you may see local people and buffalos work on the field. Stop to visit orchid gardens that supply even the biggest of cities' demands for the New Year decorations. As you walk towards the Ta Phin village, be greeted as family members by villagers. Explore the unique culture and daily life of the Red Dao people who immigrated to this mountain from China, even have a special traditional herb bath.

Pick up by driver then transfer back to Bac Ha. Located at an altitude of 1000m, Bac Ha is home to several ethnic groups such as the colorful Hmong, Phu La and Tay. Bac Ha region is well known for its weekly, colorful markets surrounded by wild and beautiful scenery. The markets are not only for the exchange of goods but also for the cultural exchange of the ethnic groups for centuries.  

7:00 AM: Start to explore Bac Ha, it is possible to visit a colorful, ethnic market ( Bac Ha market is on Sunday. Otherwise we can visit Coc Ly market on Tuesday, Can Cau market on Saturday instead). Enjoy the striking atmosphere with so many goods such as vegetables, poultry, horses and buffalos while capturing many minority groups in their best colorful clothing of the week. After visiting the market, take a walk through some idyllic ethnic villages, which is a typical Bac Ha landscape, interspersed with corn fields, cassava hills and clay houses, plum gardens adorned by H'Mong women and their colorful dresses will accompany you throughout the trip.

8:00 AM: Pick up at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter). Enjoy three hour drive from Hanoi to Bai Tu Long Bay. Your journey will pass the series of villages and rice fields in the Red River Delta. Have a stop for drink and restroom. Continue your driving, arrive at the harbor around noon, get warmly welcomed at cruise reception.

12:45: Warmest welcome drinks from our staffs. Listen to a brief of safety on board then check in your cabin

13:30: Enjoying delicious Vietnamese dishes for lunch while leisurely cruising to the core of Bai Tu Long Bay. 

15:00: Leave the cruise to discover Cap La Island- the beautiful area in Bai Tu Long bay. Enjoy kayaking through the karst and breathtaking nature, swimming and relaxing

17:30: Get back to the boat and enjoy Sunset Time (enjoy tea and fresh fruits). This time is regarded as “Happy Hour” – “buy two get one free” while our cruise is sailing to the overnight anchorage. In addition, cooking class is also organized by our guide at this time. You have a chance to make Vietnamese cuisine by yourself. 

19:00: Sumptuous set-dinner on board.

20:30: Free time for relaxing on the sundeck, listening to music, you may also try your luck with squid fishing. 

If you want to join in karaoke activity, please inform our tour guide to be supported

Overnight on board on Bai Tu Long bay

06:30: Freshen up your new day with doing Tai Chi 

07:00: Breakfast will be served in Western style and furthermore with Vietnamese traditional food. Tea and coffee is available

08:00: Explore Thien Canh Son cave. Your guide will explain the history of Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay and this Cave, made by Mother Nature

09:30: Back to your boat by tender then finish packing.   

Please remove all of your belongings from your cabin, you may leave heavy luggage outside of the cabin (staff will transfer directly to the pier).

10:30: Join in and show your creativity in fruit carving activity

11:00: Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch.

12:00: Disembark in Hon Gai pier

Welcome by driver at the harbor then enjoy travel back to Hanoi. Have a rest at the middle of the way. Drop off at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter).

Private driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby (Hanoi Old Quarter) for about 45 minutes to Noi Bai airport (international or domestic hall according to your request). Thanks for the visit to our city.

Note: International flights require you to be at the airport 3 hours and domestic is 2 hours before departure time.