Day 1: Hanoi Arrival in Hanoi, the vibrant capital of Vietnam. Our friendly and professional tour guides will welcome you at the airport and will be at your disposal throughout your trip. We will take care of all transportation matters and ensure a smooth check-in at your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where you can immerse yourself in Vietnamese cuisine on your first day. Day 2: Hanoi City Tour Hanoi is known for its tree-lined streets and French colonial mansions. Familiarize yourself with the city by taking a traditional cyclo for a slow Ride and visit the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, drive to Dao Thu village, home to the unique folk art of water puppetry, unique to Vietnam. Meet an artisan who has mastered this ancient craft and learn how he and his family carry on the tradition. Then enjoy a 30-minute outdoor water puppet show on a village pond, accompanied by a live traditional music performance. Day 3 : Hanoi - Ninh Binh | Exploring Van Long Nature Reserve. Depart Hanoi on a 2-hour drive to Ninh Binh, a province known for its spectacular scenery of rice fields and limestone karst. Visit the ancient Dich Long cave and pagoda, a remarkable series of temples and Community houses that are hundreds of years old. Afterwards, enjoy a scenic boat ride through the wetlands of Van Long Reserve with spectacular views of its 32 stunning grottoes. This area has recently become famous as one of the filming locations for the blockbuster "Kong: Skull Island". Day 4: Ninh Binh - Hanoi | Experience Life in the Countryside Experience life in the countryside on a leisurely 7km bike ride through picturesque villages and agricultural fields. Stop along the way to chat with the Locals and observe their way of life. Cycle to a farm where you will spend the afternoon with a local family. Take a tour of the farm and hear about the family's daily chores and duties. Enjoy a home-cooked meal for lunch and have a lively conversation with the family. Day 5: HANOI - HALONG BAY Cruise The landscape of Halong Bay, where thousands of limestone islands rise from the emerald sea in bizarre shapes, is truly an icon for Vietnam. An overnight boat trip is the best way to enjoy this Vietnamese must-see. After breakfast, depart Hanoi for a 3-hour, 30-minute drive to Halong Bay, making a brief stop along the way. Around noon, you will reach the pier in Halong City and complete the check-in formalities. After a welcome on board, lunch will be served as you sail towards the bay itself. Sail through the stunning limestone karsts, visit hidden caves, and engage in exciting activities such as kayaking or swimming in the emerald waters. Our experienced guides will make sure to make the most of your experience in Halong Bay. In the afternoon, you can do some sightseeing and/or activities (depending on each ship's itinerary) or just relax on board. Towards the end of the day, the boat will anchor for the night amidst the karst formations. Dinner will be served on board and you can spend the night in the bay. Day 6: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue Continue your cruise in the morning to explore more natural wonders of Halong Bay. After disembarkation, we will arrange a smooth transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue, the former imperial city. Rest at your hotel knowing that our team has already taken care of all the travel arrangements for you. Day 7: Hue City Tour Discover the cultural and historical sights of Hue with our expert guides. Explore the UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site with its sights such as Hue Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City and the ornate Royal Tombs. Gain insight into the history of the Nguyen Dynasty and marvel at the sophisticated architecture. Our guides will provide you with in-depth knowledge and ensure an unforgettable experience. Day 8: Hue - Hoi An You will depart Hue and enjoy a scenic drive over the picturesque Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. Our team will take care of all the logistics, including comfortable transportation and, of course, pre-arranged hotel check-in. Explore the well-preserved ancient city of Hoi An, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with our knowledgeable guides and hear stories about the city's rich trading history and cultural significance. Day 9: Cycling through the countryside of Hoi An Embark on a delightful bike tour through the picturesque countryside around Hoi An. Our experienced guides will take you off the beaten path to rural villages, rice paddies and picturesque landscapes. Interact with friendly locals (with translator, of course, unless they speak fluent Vietnamese), learn about their traditional way of life, and soak in the quiet beauty of the countryside. Day 10 : Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, where our team will ensure a smooth transfer to your hotel. Our expert guides will be on hand to make recommendations and assist you with any additional arrangements you may need. Explore the city's vibrant streets, famous landmarks and lively markets. April 30, 1975, is going around the world as tanks stormed the gates and Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese. Hear the echoes of the time as you walk through this historic site in the city center. Then take a walk through Ho Chi Minh City's colonial district, passing by Scenes of daily life along the way. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, City Hall and the old Saigon Post Office. Learn about the glory days of French Indochina and how that era influences modern Vietnamese culture. At the War Remnants Museum, you'll get an insightful, if somber, look at Vietnam's military history. View exhibits featuring images from the French and American wars, learn about the country's struggle for independence, and hear stories about the resilience of the Vietnamese people. Get off the tourist trail and visit a Vietnamese cafe one last time on this Ho Chi Minh City tour, sit down and taste the coffee like the locals. After this enlightening visit, return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City. Day 11: Cu Chi Tunnel Embark on a fascinating excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, where our guides will give you detailed explanations about the historical significance of the tunnels and the resilience of the Vietnamese people during the Vietnam War. You can crawl through the tunnels yourself to gain a deeper understanding of this drastic aspect of Vietnamese history. Day 12: Mekong Delta Day Trip Embark on a fascinating day trip to the Mekong Delta, also known as the "rice bowl" of Vietnam. Our experienced guides will accompany you as you travel the winding waterways in a traditional boat. You will pass through lush green landscapes and observe the way of life of local people. Visit lively floating markets where locals sell a variety of fresh produce as well as local handicrafts from their boats. Taste tropical fruits, see traditional handicrafts being made and enjoy a traditional lunch in the Mekong Delta. Immerse yourself in the unique culture of the region and gain insight into the importance of the Mekong Delta's agricultural economy to all of Vietnam. Day 13 Can Tho : Embark on a cruise to Ba Long Lake. Here you will disembark and cycle 7-14 km (depending on your condition) through a tranquil landscape on a local bicycle. The highlight of this trip is riding the local shuttle ferry and crossing the wooden bridges. You will see rice fields, orchards and daily life. Stop at a local's house for a cup of tea and talk with your host. Cycle back to Ba Lang pier, return the bike and head to Ninh Kieu pier. You will spend the night in Can Tho. Day 14 . Can Tho Half-day floating market and city tour in Can Tho. In the early morning, experience a motorboat ride to Cai Rung, the largest floating market in the Delta; see boats loaded with fruits, vegetables, and fish; vendors advertise their wares by shouting across the water or tying their wares to a pole so they can be seen from afar. Next, disembark the ship for a city tour. Visit the Can Tho Museum, which houses more than 5,000 Mekong objects and relics; learn about agricultural life along the river; see how ethnic Vietnamese, Chinese and Khmer people live together; head to Binh Thuy Ancient House, which features French architecture and valuable antiques. Day 15: Ho Chi Minh City Exploration. Enjoy a full day to explore Ho Chi Minh City at your leisure. Our team can provide personalized recommendations for additional attractions, shopping destinations, or cultural experiences based on your interests. Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of the city, sample the diverse cuisine, and explore the hidden treasures that make Ho Chi Minh City unique. Day 16: Departure On the last day of your trip, you can use the time until your departure to relax and do some last explorations in Ho Chi Minh City. Afterwards we will bring you back to the airport and you can say goodbye to Vietnam and its unique culture until next time.