Welcome to Hanoi, the starting point of your stunning Vietnam culture and history tours! Being the second largest and the capital city in Vietnam, Hanoi is a heartening place with prominent economic development but also the cradle of Red River Delta culture. Hanoi city is also characterized by French colonial buildings scattered around the city, the road of huge trees, delectable gastronomy, and a vibrant life pace. 

Upon your arrival, your driver and local tour guide will welcome you and transfer you from the airport to Hanoi City. Check-in hotel and have a relaxing time for the rest of the day.

Please note: Hotel standard check-in time is 2:00 pm. Earlier check-in is available upon room availability.

Embark on a full-day city touring Hanoi with cultural and historical attractions in the city. You will begin with Tran Quoc Pagoda which is the oldest one in Hanoi constructed in the 6th century. Originally located on a dyke that the flood caused its relocation to an ideal peninsula on West Lake nowadays making Tran Quoc a photogenic spot in Hanoi. It's optional to use a car or take a 15-minute walk from Tran Quoc Pagoda to Ba Dinh Square where you can see the iconic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. There is the resting place of Vietnam's greatest president Ho Chi Minh where housing his embalmed body. Sightseeing the mausoleum from the front, you then have a pleasant stroll and visit the Presidential Palace, the accommodations of Ho Chi Minh President, and One Pillar Pagoda. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will pay a visit to the Temple of Literature in Hanoi renowned as the first university of Vietnam. This is an attraction that showcases Vietnamese culture and beliefs; and still be a crucial part of local culture these days. Afterward, you will have a relaxing cyclo ride for a glimpse of Hanoi’s corners and admire the iconic colonial buildings such as Legend Metropole Hanoi, Hanoi Opera House, The State Bank, Saint Joseph Church, and likewise. Farewell cyclo rider at Hanoi Old Quarter for your exploration of this vibrant corner, a unique and busy commercial place as well as to intermingle with lively local lifestyle. Finish the walking tour at Hoan Kiem Lake renowned as the heart of Hanoi, you will enjoy the Water Puppet Show whose invention was over a thousand years ago. Originating as a hobby for the peasants, later developing into royal entertainment, the show depicts daily life and legends of Vietnamese farmers followed by traditional and lively music.

Today you will leave for Hoa Lu, one of the most renowned sites in the country for its lush nature and its breathtaking limestone peaks. At the so-called “land-based Halong Bay” you will discover the temples of kings Dinh and Le, built in the 10th century in the heart of the forest. In the afternoon, you will hop aboard a sampan for a boat excursion to the Tam Coc caves (the three lagoons), where you will be amazed at the aquatic landscape and towering rock formations that surround you. You will then return to your mini hotel in Hanoi (use 3 hours).

In the evening you will take the night train from Hanoi station to Lao Cai.

Accommodation: Overnight stay in train (with air-conditioned cabins with 4 berths per cabin – 4pax/cabin)

In the early morning, you will arrive at Lao Cai Station and depart for Sapa, which lies placidly at the base of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain range.

After freshening up and having breakfast, you will visit the Love Waterfall in Sapa.

Love Waterfall is located at an altitude of 1800 m above sea level, within the Hoang Lien Son National Park. To reach it, you have to cross a wild path. The waterfall is a suitable place for those who love nature and want to explore the mountains. It is one of Sapa's tourist attractions for those seeking grand natural views.

Next, you will walk to Y Linh Ho village, where you will be lucky enough to admire the colorful traditional clothes of the inhabitants. Your adventure will continue along sinuous paths that wind through the verdant rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley. You will head towards Lao Chai, and then end the excursion at Ta Van.

In the morning, you will travel to Ta Phin Village - a popular hill tribe village, approximately six miles north of Sapa. Ta Phin village regularly welcomes trekkers to experience a more traditional lifestyle in Vietnam's mountainous northwest. Here, Red Dao, Black Hmong, and Kinh ethnic groups live side by side and continue to adhere to their distinct cultures, visiting a unique opportunity to learn about their differences and spend time interacting with members of each ethnic group. The Hmong have unique marriage traditions; the red Dao are known for their expertise in herbal medicine and the use of earthly plants to cure many diseases. You will also see Ta Phin Cave Cave which goes very deep into the mountains and you will see women making brocade products to sell.

This afternoon, return to Hanoi by a comfortable 10-seater limousine. Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi around 7.30 pm - 8.00 pm. You will have free time to relax. 

Today, you’ll travel 2.5 hours from Hanoi to Halong Bay for the overnight boat cruising on the stunning bay including 1,969 islands and islets of giant rock forming. While the boat set sails toward the Halong Bay core area, you will have lunch at the boat's restaurant. Afternoon, you will get to the islands on Halong Bay to go hiking to Halong Bay cave, go kayaking in the calm area, or take a local wooden boat if you cannot ride the kayak. Return the boat when the sun sets; you shall enjoy the tea break as well as chilling on the boat before dinner. Remarks: The activities order might be slightly different depending on the crew's schedule. 

In the morning, there is a Tai Chi lesson available on top deck for you to participate to enjoy the freshness on Halong Bay. After breakfast, you will make a stop on other islands on Halong Bay for further expedition and enjoy nature. The boat then sails toward the mainland in a different route for your further admiration of Halong Bay scenes. Leaving the boat at noon; you will meet up with your driver and head to the airport for your flight to Hue, the former capital in central Vietnam. 
Upon arriving in Hue, you will see your local tour guide and have a transfer from Phu Bai Airport to the hotel in Hue City for check-in.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will begin your full-day tour in Hue with a visit to The Imperial Citadel, an unmissable of your historical tours in Vietnam. Hue became Vietnam's capital in 1802 when Gia Long King successfully took control of Vietnam after the country's civil war between the two main clans of Trinh and Nguyen as well as the rebellions of previous dynasties. Lasting for nearly 150 years, the Nguyen Dynasty ended when Vietnam officially became a colony of the French; and was left with fanciful Royal relics, cultural etiquette, sophisticated ornamental, and so on. Afterward, you will reach Phu Mong tranquil village in Hue for a nice walk in the countryside area; and visit Xuan Vien Tieu Cung ancient house. Most of garden ancient houses in Hue were properties of Mandarin families or royal members in the past that can be found via the house materials of rare woods, architecture, mother-of-pearl inlaid interiors, etc. 
After lunch, you will travel to Thien Mu Pagoda on Ha Khe Hill. It's an iconic pagoda of Hue located near the Perfume River. Lastly, you will visit Tu Duc King's tomb which is one of the nicest tombs in Hue. The king designed the tomb himself and had it ready before his decease. Well-known as a king passionate about poem creation, Tu Duc king's tomb was constructed with a romantic pond and pavilion for the king to drink wine and compose literature. 

Leaving Hue in the morning for Hoi An old town, you will travel along a stunning path passing pristine Lang Co Beach, the Hai Van Pass where the ocean meets the cloud. You can stop on the way and cast the view toward the picturesque scenes; and tentatively arrive in Hoi An at noon. 

In the afternoon, you will explore and enjoy the atmospheric Hoi An old town when meandering through tiny alleys with Chinese houses of over two centuries, the Japanese old bridge, and the Tan Ky house which once belonged to a rich merchant. Hoi An town is a place of cultural blend when the Asian and Western traders came over regularly and constructed their own houses in this town. The evening will be free on your own to enjoy the nighttime in Hoi An town with colorful lanterns, plentiful options of local street food, and explore the night market.

This morning, you will hop on your bicycle and travel through the lush countryside of Hoi An toward Tra Que Village. Participate with local people, you will learn how villagers plant vegetables and herbs. Afterward, try making one of Vietnamese best dishes - Banh Xeo or sizzling cake; followed with lunch. After lunch, you can have a rest before carrying on the cycling to Cam Thanh Village crossing the floodplain, and rice fields and enjoying the scenic countryside as well as the villagers. From here, board the local boat at the mouth of Thu Bon River and initiate the local fishing styles and catching fish. The bamboo basket boat then will take you into the mangrove forest. Have a break before returning to Hoi An town by land transfer.

Have a pleasant time on your own till a good time, you will get a transfer from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City - the next stop of your tour exploring Vietnamese culture and history. Upon your arrival, you will see your local tour guide and travel to the city center. 

Ho Chi Minh City undeniably is the most modern and vibrant city in Vietnam which makes it one of the best things to see and do in Vietnam; also, a city to fulfill your understanding of Vietnam's history. This morning, you will head to Cu Chi Tunnels, a must-visit of historical tours in Vietnam. The underground systems were dug by the Vietnamese Resistance force during the war against the French and then extended further during the Vietnam War. Exploring the tunnels 3 to 4 meters (9 to 13 feet) under the ground, you could imagine how the war went on at the time. Afterward, you shall return to Ho Chi Minh City center for lunch. 
In the afternoon, you will explore the historical sites of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the War Remnants Museum and learn more about the Vietnam War with the exhibitions of US weapons, photos of the war's consequences, details of chemical weapons, and so on. Then admire the buildings since French colonial buildings like the old Post Office, close-by Notre Dame Cathedral, and the walking Dong Khoi Street.

This morning, you will travel to the Mekong Delta region in southern Vietnam and enjoy a pleasant day trip in the countryside area. The Mekong Delta is the last piece fulfilling your best Vietnam itinerary. Arriving at Cai Be pier, you will board a local boat and cruise toward Vinh Long for a tropical hideaway. Make stops to taste the fruits from the orchards of local villagers and learn of some handicraft works. Have lunch at a local house; afterward, you will head back to Cai Be by boat and return to Ho Chi Minh City by late afternoon.

Have free time on your own till the transfer to the airport for your flight to the next destination.

Please note: Hotel standard check-out time is 12:00 pm