Spend 12 days exploring ancient sites and learning about the cultures and traditions that have shaped the heritage of Vietnam today. Explore Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoa Lo Prison, and the bustling Old Quarter streets of Hanoi. Venture to Ninh Binh’s stunning karst landscapes, gliding through Tam Coc’s grottoes. Cruise Ha Long Bay’s UNESCO-listed waters on a traditional junk boat. Visit Thanh Chuong Viet Palace before flying to Da Nang to discover Hoi An’s ancient town and My Son Sanctuary. See firsthand the impressive Hue citadel and the damage it endured in the war. Learn about the dynasties and people groups that have helped to shape Vietnam throughout history and create the culture that exists today.
Highlights
Explore the ancient sites of Hanoi, a 1,000 year old city
Discover caves, beaches, and floating villages in Ha Long Bay
Visit Thanh Chuong Viet Palace, home to many historical artifacts
Peruse Ben Thanh Market where an array of fresh produce is sold
Discover My Son Sanctuary’s ancient Hindu temple ruins
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, where a local representative greets you with a welcome sign and assists with visa procedures and luggage collection. After clearing customs, meet your guide at the exit and transfer to your hotel. Settle in and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.
Optional: Fast-track arrival services are available. Contact your Trip Planner for more details.
Meet your guide and driver early in the morning and head to Hoan Kiem Lake to join locals practicing tai chi and aerobics, a common daily routine. Visit Ngoc Son Temple in the center of the lake, then stop at a traditional café to try ca phe sua da, Vietnam’s iced coffee, or sample egg coffee if you're curious. Continue to a street food stall to enjoy a freshly made banh mi filled with a mix of ingredients.
Move on to Hanoi’s Old Quarter to see French colonial architecture, including St. Joseph’s Cathedral, built in 1886. Walk to Hoa Lo Prison, once used to hold Vietnamese, French, and American prisoners. Visit Huu Tiep Lake, often called B-52 Lake, where the wreckage of a US bomber remains in the water.
Around noon, stop for a serving of bun cha, a Hanoi specialty made with grilled pork and rice noodles. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, built in 1076 as Vietnam’s first university. End the day at Hanoi’s railway street, where train tracks run just steps from residential doorways. Walk along the tracks with your guide and enjoy a glass of local draft beer at a bia hoi corner.
*Since there are opportunities during the tour to try various street and local specialties, it’s recommended to skip the hotel breakfast.
Start the day with a morning pickup from the hotel and travel south to Ninh Binh, a region known as the ‘Inland Ha Long Bay’ for its dramatic karst landscapes. Arrive in Tam Coc, where towering limestone mountains rise over winding rivers and lush rice paddies. Step aboard a traditional boat and glide along the serene waterways, passing through the Tam Coc grottoes while taking in the scenery.
After the boat ride, visit Thai Vi Temple, a historic site set among limestone formations. Then, hop on a bike and cycle through villages and mountain trails, experiencing the peaceful rural atmosphere. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant before exploring Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital during the Dinh and Le dynasties. If weather permits, hike up Ma Yen Mountain for views of the Sao Khe River and Truong Yen village. Return to Hanoi in the early evening, with the rest of the night free for your plans.
Set out for your journey to iconic Ha Long Bay this morning! After a 3.5-hour drive to the bay, board your vessel midday at Hon Gai Harbor and set sail to discover the magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay. See fascinating caves, pristine beaches, floating villages, and jagged limestone rock formations jutting out of the emerald water. Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the world’s largest marine limestone karst landscape. Once you arrive, board a traditional wooden junk, designed to resemble the old Vietnamese court vessels. Set sail through the stunning bay, exploring its breathtaking beauty and, weather permitting, engaging in various activities. Enjoy delicious meals onboard as you cruise through this remarkable natural wonder.
Overnight aboard the cruise.
*Note: This cruise operates on different ships, depending on the departure date. Contact us for more details.
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruise through the bay this morning as you make your way back to the pier. Along the way, you visit Vung Vieng fishing village by way of a rustic rowboat. Meet some of the local people and pass through the fish farms.
Disembark after an early lunch and set out towards Hanoi. En route, you stop to visit Thanh Chuong Viet Palace, the former residence and studio of Thanh Chuong, one of the most celebrated painters in contemporary Vietnamese art. In 2002, the palace became famous as a unique preservation resort and spiritual legacy of Vietnamese art and culture that attracts many local and foreign visitors. This palace house became part of his personal art collection and displays statues, paintings, and various historical artifacts from the Dinh, Ly, and Tran dynasties. Here you get an interesting look at the culture and architecture of Vietnam.
After the visit, transfer to the airport for your short flight south to Da Nang. Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Begin your day early with a visit to Hoi An Central Market, where you explore the vibrant market before the crowds arrive. Wander through bustling alleyways, interact with friendly vendors, and experience the authentic daily life of the locals. Visit local workshops, discover cultural sites, and witness the preparation of fresh produce. Take a break for a refreshing drink on a riverside veranda, enjoying views of fishing and tour boats. As you stroll through the ancient town, your guide shares fascinating stories and insights into Hoi An’s rich traditions. Next, cross the famous Japanese Covered Bridge before visiting a local family’s workshop. Learn the art of crafting your own handmade lantern, a cherished Hoi An tradition. End your morning with a meal at a local restaurant, savoring the distinctive flavors of cao lau, a noodle specialty.
After lunch, drive to the UNESCO-listed My Son Sanctuary. Explore the fascinating ruins of ancient Hindu temples, built between the 4th and 14th centuries by the Champa kings. Your guide shares the history of the site, its connection to the god Shiva, and the restoration efforts following damage during the Vietnam War.
Finish the day with free time to relax or further explore Hoi An at your leisure.
Start the day with breakfast, then check out from your hotel and meet your guide and driver for the journey to Da Nang. Visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture, established in 1915, before exploring the Marble Mountains. Known for their peaks, caves, tunnels, and temples, these mountains are a significant spiritual site, with Buddhist sanctuaries and pagodas scattered throughout. Don’t miss the unique circular cave with a chimney that leads to the summit, offering panoramic views.
The drive continues along National Highway 1, through the breathtaking Hai Van Pass. As the highest and longest pass in Vietnam, it forms a boundary between the kingdoms of Đại Việt and Champa. The pass also marks the transition between northern and southern Vietnam’s climates. Stop for a photo opportunity to capture the views of Lang Co Beach and the serene fishing village below.
Upon arrival at your Hue hotel, check in and enjoy the rest of the day on your own.
This morning set out to explore the countryside around Hue with your guide. Thuy Bieu is an ancient village long known as a symbol of transition and harmony. Ride a bicycle through the village to explore its preserved communal houses, traditional garden houses, and timeless wooden architecture, blending royal heritage with rustic charm. Discover monuments tied to the Nguyen dynasty, including the Roman amphitheater where tigers and elephants once fought, a temple cemetery honoring loyal elephants, and a historic bronze casting village.
Continue the tour with a cruise on the poetic Perfume River to visit the characteristic Thien Mu Pagoda and the Forbidden Purple City, constructed under Emperor Gia Long, in the early 19th century.
Enjoy the morning at leisure until you transfer to the airport for your flight south to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening to explore on your own.
Meet your local guide at your hotel and begin your day with a glimpse into the morning routines of Saigon locals at Tao Dan Park. Join them for a quick morning exercise session in the serene gardens before heading to the Bird Café, a popular hangout spot where you’ll enjoy iced coffee and mingle with the regulars, as they showcase their prized birds and engage in lively conversations.
Next, savor a traditional Vietnamese breakfast featuring a delicious noodle soup before your guide leads you through the bustling back alleyways and vibrant street markets of Cho Lon, Saigon’s historic Chinatown. With your guide’s insight, discover hidden treasures, including a secret bunker and the former Revolutionary Headquarters, tucked away in plain sight.
As you explore, your guide will take you to a local favorite for lunch, where you can taste the unique regional specialties of southern Vietnam. After lunch, walk with your guide through central Saigon, where you'll stop at The Café Apartment, a former apartment complex now home to eclectic coffee shops and boutiques. Here, relax with a cup of tea or coffee, enjoying the blend of local culture and modern style.
*Since there are opportunities during the tour to try various street and local specialties, it’s recommended to skip the hotel breakfast.
This morning, leave the bustling Ho Chi Minh for a two-hour drive towards the delta of the Mekong River and the town of Cai Be, where you board the Cai Be Princess sampan. Greeted with cold towels and a refreshing drink, settle in as the boat sets off on a leisurely cruise toward Tan Phong Islet. From the boat, enjoy a unique view of life along the river, passing boats of all sizes, locals tending to their fields, and vibrant landscapes of green.
Arrive at Tan Phong Islet and take a short bike ride through the village and fruit gardens, where you encounter the spiky, red rambutan—an island specialty. Stop at local cottage industries, where families produce rice paper, rice flour cakes, roof panels from water coconut fronds, and homeware made from water hyacinths. Continue your journey aboard a rowing sampan, navigating the peaceful, narrow canals back to the Cai Be Princess.
The boat then continues to Phu An village, where the cruise concludes at the Le Longanier Restaurant. Dine in a colonial-style villa nestled in a lush tropical garden by the river, evoking the lifestyle of the Indochina times. After lunch, take a short walk along the canal to Ba Bon Bridge, where your vehicle awaits to drive you back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a free evening to explore on your own and enjoy your last night in Vietnam.
Day 12: Return Home
1 Breakfast
Today is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure. Three hours before your departure time, your driver and guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 30% ($400 minimum) + Internal flight cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. Final payment by credit card may be subject to a surcharge or a maximum $20,000 charge
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, timely. They have made us feel very comfortable for our trip!
Gregg Chamberlain
2 weeks ago
We really enjoyed the guides and itinerary. Everything went very smoothly.
John K
4 months ago
Wonderful personal attention to detail and very helpful suggestions by experienced travel experts
John K
9 months ago
We have used All Adventure Life many times over the years and the team members have been amazing through all the planning processes! Jeff has been our planner for China last year and Vietnam next year, and he is very responsive and overall terrific!
Cindy Gordon
10 months ago
great service so far
Jennifer Szerb
10 months ago
Friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, timely. They have made us feel very comfortable for our trip!
Gregg Chamberlain
2 weeks ago
We really enjoyed the guides and itinerary. Everything went very smoothly.
John K
4 months ago
Wonderful personal attention to detail and very helpful suggestions by experienced travel experts
John K
9 months ago
We have used All Adventure Life many times over the years and the team members have been amazing through all the planning processes! Jeff has been our planner for China last year and Vietnam next year, and he is very responsive and overall terrific!
Cindy Gordon
10 months ago
great service so far
Jennifer Szerb
10 months ago
Friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, timely. They have made us feel very comfortable for our trip!
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