• 15 Breakfast (B)
• 8 Lunch (L)
• 5 Dinner (D)

• Bangkok: A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
• Danang: Vietnam is wonderful to visit year-round. But the best time to visit depends on what you wanna do, and where in Vietnam you wanna go.Generally, April & May are thought to be the best months to visit Vietnam because of the beautifully bright weather. Between December and March is a slightly cooler period. So if hiking, or city-dwelling is what you want, that’s the best time to visit. And if you wanna avoid the crowds, off-season tends to be between April and June or September to November.
• Danang: The currency used in Vietnam (that can buy you a wholesome, delicious bowl of Pho) is the Vietnamese dong (?).
• Danang: Planning to visit Vietnam to taste all the wholesome flavours? Aren’t we all?You’ll find plenty of street food stop-offs, serving up freshly made gems including rice, noodle and battered pancake-based dishes, plus the world-famous Pho. Pork is a common feature of Vietnamese cuisine. Generally, Vietnamese food isn’t too spicy (except if your dish has fresh chillies in it!) Oh, and the best thing about the food here? It’s very very cheap.
• Danang: When you travel with Contiki, your accommodation, in-country transport and breakfasts are all included with the cost of your trip. So when it comes to budgeting, you only need to worry about your shopping! Luckily, Vietnam is heralded as an extremely affordable tourist destination too. As a rough guide, you should easily get by on US $50-80 a day.
• Danang: We’ll be visiting some traditional tourist hotspots – so don’t forget to keep your shoulders covered (it’s customary in Vietnam, and will probably be insisted). For all that beach exploration, it’s generally acceptable for tourists to dress in the swimwear of their choice.Vietnam tends to get very hot & humid, so make sure you pack lots of loose-fitting clothes made from a lightweight and breathable material. Big up the baggy shirts!
• Danang: Tipping is pretty common in Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality sectors. Usually you’ll pay 10% of the total bill, which will amount to roughly $1-5.
• Danang: On some days, the Free Time Add-Ons will be during different times. So you’ll be able to do them all! But on some days, you might have to pick just one. Don’t worry, your Trip Manager will do their best to manage all of this for you, and will be able to give you all the details you might need.
• Danang: You can bring one bag or suitcase of 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”), with a max weight of 20kg (44lbs) – plus one piece of hand luggage suitable as a carry-on for flights. Since our trips have included flights, your luggage needs to meet the weight & security restrictions imposed by airlines. On this trip, it’s necessary to use an overnight bag on the occasional nights when it’s not possible to access your luggage (overnight trips to Special Stays). It’s a good idea to bring an overnight bag, or hand luggage that’s big enough to double up as an overnighter when needed.
• Danang: Currently, the Golden Hands Bridge isn’t included on our itinerary. But that means, you get a free day to explore Hoi An – which you REALLY don’t wanna miss out on.The Bridge is part of a theme park called ‘Sun World Ba Na Hills’ and is about a 2-hour drive away from where we stay in Hoi An (and tends to be incredibly crowded!). But if you really wanna visit the bridge, you can always ask your Trip Manager who’ll sort it out for you!
• Ha Giang Loop: Nope. We explore Ha Giang in style and safety using mini-coaches, overnight buses, local boats, plus hikes and kayaking. This way, you still see all the epic scenery without the risks of riding a motorbike. It’s adventure, comfort, and peace of mind all in one.

• Mekong River Delta: Grab your buddies and take a shot at catching an elephant ear fish for dinner. FYI: it tastes better than it looks. 
• Mekong River Delta: Watch and learn as local craftspeople make rice wine, tea, sweets and more local delicacies. 
• Ho Chi Minh City: Brave this subterranean world. The hand-dug tunnels were built by the Viet Cong to hide out during the war. 
• Ho Chi Minh City: Tick off all of the landmarks on your bucket list – Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office and the Presidential Palace. 
• Ho Chi Minh City: A meaningful reminder of the atrocities of the Vietnam War and its impact on local people and wildlife. 
• Hoi An: This 15th century port and UNESCO site is best explored on two wheels with a local expert. Don’t forget your Go-Pro! 
• Da Nang: Next stop, Hanoi. But before we hit the streets, it’s time to hit the sky one more time.
• Hanoi: Step inside KOTO Restaurant  and enjoy a high-quality meal with a twist where you’re helping young, at-risk Vietnamese trainees sharpen their hospitality skills. KOTO (AKA  Know One, Teach One) is Vietnam’s first social enterprise, offering a 24-month free training program for disadvantaged youth, with a special focus on empowering women.  By eating here, you’re supporting more than just a meal. KOTO equips trainees with hospitality, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills, opening doors to long-term careers and breaking cycles of poverty. Each year, over 100 young people get a shot at realising their dreams—all while serving up delicious, expertly crafted dishes.
• Hanoi: Listen up culture-lovers. This shrine – dedicated to ancient philosopher Confucius – is known as ‘Vietnam’s first university’. 
• Hanoi: Take a look at the resting place of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh. This is where he, along with his party, declared the independence of Vietnam.
• Ninh Binh: Cool tropical breeze. Lush-green landscapes. And an unforgettable view of the sunrise over the shimmery silhouette.
• Halong Bay: Grab your new BFFs and hang out in this mini paradise. The powdery sand and turquoise waters will bless you with #islandvibes 
• Halong Bay: The best way to drift off into dreamy sleep? Drifting along the Gulf of Tonkin in a traditional Chinese-style Junk Boat, of course!
• Halong Bay: Yet another work of art from Mother Nature. These huge underground caves are made for exploring. But can you spot the ‘mammoth’?
• Ha Giang Loop: Check out the incredible views from Heaven Gate – a popular stop off on the Ha Giang loop.
• Ha Giang Loop: Stop by to get a view of the winding roads that resemble a massive snake making its way down the slope!
• Ha Giang Loop: Walk like a royal around this ancient palace that’s made with green pebbles, pine woods, terra-cotta tiles and even sugarcane! (Seriously.)
• Dong Van: Meet the incredible women at the Lung Tam Linen Cooperative who are working to preserve the craft of H’mong linen weaving. You’ll see all the complicated stages of weaving, learn how they make high-quality fabric here and support local communities too.
• Ma Pi Leng Peak: Lace up your boots! You’ll take a challenging but short trek towards the Ma Pi Leng peak, passing by H’mong villages on the way.
• Nho Que: Feast on a delicious lunch with incredible views of the Nho Que river. It’s a photo ops hotspot!
• Nho Que: Go with the flow on a local boat cruise as you check out one of South Asia’s largest canyons.
• Nho Que: Paddle through the turquoise waters of this beautiful river with views of scenic rice fields and mountains along the way.
• Dong Van: Ever heard of a Qeej? It’s a sacred instrument that was used to call the spirits (or at least that’s what the legends say!). Today’s your chance to witness a local man playing it.
• Dong Van: Ready? We’ll trek all the way up to ruins of the Lung Ho French Fort – a beautiful stone structure built during the French colonisation.
• Du Già: Cool off with a dip in crystal-clear waters surrounded by jungle greenery, with nothing but the sound of rushing falls and birdsong echoing through the valley. Stunning.

Lace up to trek the Sky Path along cliff-hugging trails above the Ma Pi Leng Pass. Crags and corn terraces tumble to the jade ribbon of the Nho Que River gorge far below.

The route reveals hardy mountain life—goatherds, stone-fenced fields, and upland hamlets—set against sculptural limestone ridges shaped by time and rain.

Grab a paddle and glide beneath limestone walls where the river narrows and eddies curl. Stroke by stroke, you trace the canyon’s bends across emerald currents with views of terraced slopes and sky-high escarpments.

Quiet coves reveal kingfishers and riverside gardens, while distant hamlets hint at highland life unfolding above the jade ribbon of the Nho Que.

Meet artisans at the Lung Tam Linen Cooperative to see hemp fibers spun, woven, and sun-dried along riverbanks. Learn how patterns emerge through natural indigo dyeing and beeswax batik techniques passed down through generations.

Purchases directly support families preserving H’Mong textile traditions, while demos reveal the labor, patience, and artistry woven into each panel of fabric.

Board a local boat to cruise the Nho Que River beneath towering walls of the Tu San Canyon, one of Southeast Asia’s deepest. Calm waters mirror cliffs veined with wild fig and fern.

As engines hush, hear birdsong echo through the gorge and watch fishermen cast lines along turquoise water. It’s a serene counterpoint to the region’s dramatic mountain roads.

Unzip your tent to a canyon view and riverside camping framed by jagged peaks. Gather for a shared feast where grilled local produce and warming broths meet laughter by the fire.

As night falls, enjoy dinner and music with your crew, the water whispering below and stars over the canyon stitching a luminous canopy overhead.

Meet a local musician to hear the resonant Qeej flute, a bamboo-reed instrument central to H’Mong ritual and storytelling. Notes rise and fall like mountain paths, carrying tales of migration and kinship.

This intimate performance connects you with ancestral melodies that echo across the valleys—an aural thread binding community, ceremony, and landscape.

Follow a stony path to hike to Lung Ho French Fort, a hilltop outpost overlooking switchback roads and patchwork fields. Weathered stone outpost walls hint at past surveillance over rugged borderlands.

From the crest, pause for photos and reflection on colonial chapters that shaped these highlands—where strategic ridges and river valleys still define daily life.

Walk a leafy track to swim at Du Gia waterfall, where clear pools brim beneath fern-draped rock. The cascade’s mist cools the air as dragonflies skim the surface.

Surrounded by jungle greenery and birdsong, this refreshing pause invites you to unwind ankles-deep or plunge into the cool mountain stream before the road calls again.

Join a hands-on cooking class to master Central Vietnamese favorites—fresh spring rolls, fragrant clay-pot dishes, and bright herb salads. Market-fresh ingredients and mortar-and-pestle prep reveal the balance of sweet, salty, sour, and heat.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Cook, plate, and taste your creations while hearing how family recipes and seasonal produce shape everyday meals.

Drift through Cam Thanh’s water palms as you ride a basket boat steered by local skippers. Learn a fisherman’s cast, watch crab traps lowered, and feel the boat spin gently on calm waterways.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. It’s a playful window into river life where nipa palms rustle and sunlight dapples the channels.

Hop on behind an experienced driver to weave through Hanoi after dark, from the neon bustle of the Old Quarter to breezy lakeside avenues. Sample curbside classics—steaming bowls and sizzling skewers—as the city hums.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. It spotlights Hanoi’s nocturnal rhythms, café culture, and headlights glinting on colonial balconies.

Pedal quiet lanes past rice paddies and limestone outcrops, then board a rowboat to sampan through Van Long Wetlands—often dubbed “Ha Long Bay on land”. Keep an eye out for herons and mirrored cliff reflections.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Guides share insights into local conservation and village life shaped by seasons and waterways.

Ride a record-breaking cable car into the Ba Na Hills for alpine views and the photogenic Golden Bridge, seemingly held aloft by giant stone hands. Wander landscaped gardens and the hilltop promenade at Sun World Ba Na Hills.

This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Expect cooler mountain air, playful architecture, and sweeping panoramas that contrast with the coast below.

Trace a hidden battlefield as you descend into the Cu Chi Tunnels, a hand-dug network that once stretched for hundreds of kilometers. See camouflaged hidden trapdoors, narrow passageways, and simple field kitchens that sustained guerrilla fighters.

Your guide unpacks the engineering and wartime ingenuity behind this subterranean world—air vents disguised as termite mounds, smoke-control tactics, and emergency hospitals—offering sober insight into Vietnam’s modern history amid red clay and shaded rubber trees.

Join a guided panoramic tour past colonial-era facades and buzzing boulevards to see Notre Dame Cathedral, the elegant Saigon Central Post Office, and the former Presidential (Reunification) Palace. Street scenes, scooter swarms, and café culture reveal the city’s kinetic pulse.

Continue to the War Remnants Museum for thought-provoking exhibits that chart the human and environmental impact of conflict. Photographs, aircraft, and personal testimonies provide crucial context to the stories embedded in Saigon’s historic core.

Pedal easy as you cycle the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town, where lantern-strung lanes lead to assembly halls and riverside markets. Pause to step inside a centuries-old merchant house and learn how Hoi An prospered on silk, tea, and ceramics.

Meet artisans to consult an expert tailor—choose fabrics, measure up, and see why bespoke craftsmanship thrives here. Cross the famed Japanese Covered Bridge and soak up facades painted in sun-baked ochres and blues.

Dine at KOTO (Know One, Teach One), where polished service and regional flavors meet a mission. Enjoy seasonal Vietnamese dishes while learning how this pioneering program empowers disadvantaged youth through hospitality training.

Your meal fuels real change: graduates gain skills, confidence, and pathways into careers. It’s a culinary encounter with purpose, where lacquered pork, fresh herbs, and vibrant salads accompany stories of opportunity and community.

Explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, with tranquil courtyards, turtle steles, and Confucian pavilions. Inscriptions and bonsai-framed gateways evoke centuries of scholarship and ceremony.

Continue to the solemn Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, centerpiece of Ba Dinh Square, where independence was proclaimed. Your visit reflects on national identity, leadership, and the era-defining events that shaped the capital’s broad boulevards and shaded lakes.

Rise to the challenge as you climb the 500 stone steps to the Hang Mua Viewpoint. Carved dragon statues crown the ridge while the Red River Delta unfolds below in patchworks of rice paddies and karst hills.

At the summit, pause for misty valley panoramas across the Tam Coc landscape—limestone spires, meandering waterways, and village lanes that shift hues with each season’s harvest.

Board a classic junk to sail among the karst towers of Ha Long Bay. Swim or stroll on Ti Top Island, then watch sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin before a fresh seafood dinner on deck under lantern glow.

By morning, explore Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, an airy cavern of stalactites and echoing chambers. The cruise weaves past hidden lagoons and forested islets, revealing the bay’s geology, legends, and serene, tide-polished shores.

Settle in for a camera-ready journey as you trace the Ha Giang Loop by van, winding past tea-green valleys and limestone bastions. Stop at Quan Ba Heaven Gate for sweeping views over the Twin Mountain (Fairy Bosom Hills).

Pause atop the Tham Ma Slope, where serpentine tarmac etches the mountainside. Local stories, seasonal crops, and H’Mong villages add human texture to these highland vistas.

Step into history at the Vuong Family Palace, a fortified mansion of stone, timber, and green slate tiles set amid cornfields and karst peaks. Courtyards, carvings, and storerooms tell of highland trade routes and clan prestige.

Built in the early 20th century during the opium trade era, the residence blends Chinese and local motifs—a rare architectural snapshot of power, culture, and mountain craftsmanship.

Contiki

Glide through palm-fringed canals as you cruise the Mekong Delta by traditional boat, stepping ashore to visit a family-run rice paper workshop and taste small-batch sweets and rice wine. Watch river life unfold—floating gardens, stilted homes, and fishermen poling through narrow waterways.

Meet local hosts for a home-cooked meal with local musicians, where southern flavors mingle with folk melodies. This experience captures the Delta’s slower rhythm and cool breezes over the waterways, revealing Vietnam’s agrarian heartland beyond the city rush.