Your itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Hanoi
Arrive at any time, and choose to kick back at the hostel, or head out to explore the city before meeting up with fellow Roamies in the evening. Ready to indulge your inner foodie? Head out for a walk through the back streets and markets of the city’s old quarter, sampling local favourites like “nem ran” and “banh goi.” Take a pit stop at a street-side bar then swing by Hanoi Food Culture restaurant, a G Values Fund Project, and try the city’s signature specialty coffee. Having fun yet? Of course you are!
Additional Information: The welcome moment begins at 17:00. Please ensure you arrive at the joining hotel by then to ensure you do not miss the meeting and the included activity afterwards.
ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don’t forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
ACTIVITY: Indulge your inner foodie with a street food tour through bustling Hanoi. Follow your guide through the back streets and markets of the city’s old quarter, sampling local fare along the way. Mingle with city natives and experienced street food artists alike, as you taste a variety of Hanoi faves like “nem ran” and “banh goi.” Stop at a streetside bar to savour a draught beer like Hanoians do. Cap off the tour at the Hanoi Food Culture restaurant, a G Values Fund Project, and try the city’s signature specialty coffee.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Day 2: Hanoi/Ninh Bình
Ready to hit the backroads? Let’s go! Start with a visit to Tam Chuc Pagoda, the largest in southeast Asia. Continue on to Ninh Binh and gaze in awe at the limestone cliffs rising up from the rice fields. No filters required as this landscape is already picture-perfect. Ready to chill? Enjoy some free time, you deserve it. Kick back at the hostel and meet some new friends over a cold one or rent a bike to explore off the beaten trail in the beautiful countryside. The choice is yours!
ACTIVITY: Visit Tam Chuc Pagoda on a CEO-guided tour then take some free time to explore on your own. Opened in 2019, Tam Chuc is the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia. It is a truly beautiful site with the sparkling lake in front and the rolling green mountains behind. Follow along with the many pilgrims who visit here for reflection and prayers.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Enjoy a free afternoon to do as much, or as little as your please.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3
Day 3: Ninh Bình
Today is yours–get out and explore! Go temple-hopping, biking or hike through rice fields. Feeling energetic? Trek up to Hang Mua Peak for ridiculous views of the surrounding countryside. Adventurous? Jump in a small boat to explore the Trang An Grottoes–small caves found along the canals and lakes only accessible by water. Lazy? No worries, chill out at the hostel and catch up on your social feeds. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to pack-up before heading out to catch the overnight sleeper train–All Aboard!
Additional Information: On the overnight train we use 4 x birth soft sleeper – Each soft sleeping-car has a corridor running down one side with seven 4-berth compartments opening off it, each of which can be securely locked from the inside. Each compartment has 4 berths, two upper and two lower. Each berth has an individual reading light and is supplied with pillow, sheet and duvet. By day you simply sit on the lower berths. You keep all your bags with you, there is luggage space beneath the bottom bunks and in the large recess above the compartment door. Compartments may be mixed gender.
TRANSPORT: Stretch out and get some well-earned rest en route to the next stop.
FREE TIME: You’ve got the whole day to do as you please. Bike, hike, boat or feet-up, the choice is yours!
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4
Day 4: Dong Hoi/Phong Nha
Are you ready to dive into local life even more? Of course you are! Let’s start at the expansive Dong Hoi fish market, a bustling collection of vendors selling all manner of seafood. Hungry? Stop by a stall for a traditional Vietnamese breakfast of Banh Mi–served on soft French baguettes, they are a fusion of French and Vietnamese cuisine. Now you’re fuelled up, hop on a bike and ride out into the gorgeous rural countryside. How ’bout some down time? It’s been a busy day so head to your hostel in Phong Nha to relax and share your adventures with your mates.
ACTIVITY: Explore the vibrant Dong Hoi wet/fish market with your CEO. The market is bustling in the early morning where locals come to buy and sell all manner of products including: seafood, vegetables, fruit, chickens, spices; even, frogs! After walking around the market we will grab a traditional Vietnamese breakfast of Banh Mi. The famed Banh mi sandwiches are a typical street food that originated in Saigon and are heavily influence by French cuisine. They are served on French baguettes with a French and Vietnamese fusion inside. Typically, they are mad up of pickled carrots, daikon, chiles, cucumber slices, cilantro, mayo, and (if you choose) a meat.
ACTIVITY: Hop on a bike and take a short cycling tour of Dong Hoi and the nearby villages. Gently peddle along through the countryside admiring the beautiful landscape and rural way of life including a stop at Bao Ninh fishing village.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5
Day 5: Phong Nha
Live it up with a full free day in Phong Nha–an adventure lovers paradise! Caving anyone? You can’t miss the chance to explore the world’s largest cave system. Don’t forget the waterproof case because these shots will make you the envy of your social feeds. Something else perhaps? Your CEO knows all the insiders for hiking and biking excursions throughout this stunning, vast wilderness. You must be thirsty by now? Then it’s time to chill out with the option to join an evening bar crawl with the gang-freedom never tasted so good!
FREE TIME: The day is yours with options for hiking and biking. We highly recommend the awe-inspiring caves of Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, where the oldest karst mountains and longest caves in Asia are found.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6
Day 6: Phong Nha/Huế
Ready to explore underground? Find out as you descend into the Vinh Moc tunnels (like the Cu Chi tunnels without the crowds), built by local villagers during the Vietnam War. After, find your way to Hue (pun intended) for a free afternoon. Feeling adventurous? Hop on the back of a motorbike for a thrilling ride around town. Curious? Visit the historic Citadel and Royal tombs. Chill? Kick back at the hostel or lounge at a riverside bar. Does it get any better than this? I think not.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
ACTIVITY: Built by local villagers to escape World War II bombings, take a guided tour of the Vinh Moc tunnels in a former Vietnamese demilitarized zone. Learn about the history of this complex underground tunnel system and its stories of human resilience.
FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Take some free time to explore Hua your way!
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7
Day 7: Huế/Hoi An
Ready for an epic day? Let’s jump into open-top jeeps for a thrilling drive across iconic Hai Van pass. First stop is the city of ghosts at the infamous An Bang cemetery. Need to cool down? Hit beautiful Lang Co Beach for a refreshing dip in the sea and traditional local lunch. Continue to fill your social feeds with shots from Da Nang bay, an abandoned French fort and Marble mountain pagoda. Seen enough? Of course you haven’t! Hoi An awaits with a walk through the old town ending at a lively riverside bar. How’s that for epic?
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
ACTIVITY: Step off the beaten path and visit An Bang Cemetery–one of the largest cemeteries in the country. Covering 250 hectares, it’s locally known as the City of Ghosts and is famous for its extravagant tombs for their deceased family members. Many stand two or three stories high and showcase elaborate ornate gold carvings often featuring dragons and other mythical creatures. Some of the larger tombs even include fully functional bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens reflecting loved ones strong belief of the afterlife, and the practice of honouring beloved ancestors.
ACTIVITY: Enjoy a stop at Beautiful Lang Co Beach. Walk along the palm lined white sand beach and take a dip in the calm turquoise coloured waters.
ACTIVITY: Drive through the spectacular Hai Van Pass, a 20km stretch of road that represents the division between northern and southern Vietnam, and is also one of the country’s highest points at 500m above sea level. In Vietnamese, Hai Van roughly translates to “sea of clouds” and it’s easy to see why. As your vehicle winds through the mountain roads, you’ll see misty peaks rise above the South China Sea, with glimpses of pristine beaches, forests and the cityscape of Da Nang along the way.
ACTIVITY: Join your CEO on a stroll through the winding streets of Hoi An’s Old Town and spot Chinese assembly halls, historic homes, and well-preserved pagodas along the way. (Entrance fee to Hoi An’s Old Town is not included)
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 8
Day 8: Hoi An
Ready to explore? Hoi An offers so much and you’ll have an entire free day to do as you choose. Discover the ancient old town by bike or boat, or go further afield on an excursion to My Son or the Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills. Don’t worry about the details, your CEO has all the right contacts. Later, meet up with your Roamies for dinner at one of the stylish restaurants in the ancient town of Hoi An. Hop out of your comfort zone and try Nem Rán, Gỏi Đu Đủ Bò Khô, or how about Cao Lầu; you’ll find all the local favourites here. Yummy!
FREE TIME: Enjoy a free day in Hoi An. You’ll have lots to choose from, just ask your CEO for options.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 9
Day 9: Hoi An/Qui Nhon
Ready for some noodles? Then let’s dig in! Start the day with a cooking class at the G Adventures–supported Oodles of Noodles training school, enjoying your creations for lunch. Afterwards, you’re free to do as much (or as little) as you choose. Feeling fancy? Get fitted for a custom suit. Creative? Learn to make Vietnamese lanterns. Thirsty? pull up a stool at one of the many river-side bars and cafes. Later, it’s all-aboard for the overnight train heading south. Settle into your sleeper cabin and catch some zzzzz’s.
Additional Information: On the overnight train we use 4 x berth soft sleeper – Each soft sleeping-car has a corridor running down one side with seven 4-berth compartments opening off it, each of which can be securely locked from the inside. Each compartment has 4 berths, two upper and two lower. Each berth has an individual reading light and is supplied with pillow, sheet and duvet. By day you simply sit on the lower berths. You keep all your bags with you, there is luggage space beneath the bottom bunks and in the large recess above the compartment door. Compartments may be mixed gender.
ACTIVITY: Try some of the oodles of noodles (more than 26 types!) available in the city in this tasty cooking class. Run by our G for Good partners, STREETS International, this class was developed exclusively for G Adventures. Former street youth that are part of this hospitality training program, will help you prepare and cook a number of different types of noodles. This program helps these youth practice their English, increasing their skill-set and opportunities available to them in the tourism industry. Enjoy your yummy creations while learning more about the local cuisine and this initiative which empowers street youth through skills and employment training.
FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Your afternoon is free to relax, explore or try optional activities like making traditional lanterns, and visiting the ruins of My Son. Your CEO has lots of ideas if you need them.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
TRANSPORT: Stretch out and get some well-earned rest en route to the next stop.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 10
Day 10: Qui Nhon
Jump off the train and head to Thap Doi to explore the imposing Cham temples. Hungry? You’ll stop by Eoi Gio for a local breakfast and walk along the gorgeous coastline. OK, enough is enough, are you ready to hit the beach? Of course you are! With it’s white sand and crystal blue water, Ky Co beach is exactly where you want to be. This remote spot is perfect to spend a chill afternoon. Later you’ll visit one of Qui Nhon’s best seafood restaurants for dinner. Try local favourites like Bun thit nuong, Banh Xeo, and banh beo chen–you’ll be bursting after this awesome feast!
ACTIVITY: Visit beautiful Ky Co beach (Bãi Kỳ Co) considered one of the best beaches in Vietnam (known as the “Maldives of Vietnam”). Walk along the white sand and dive in to the crystal-clear blue water.
ACTIVITY: The Quy Nhon province has the highest number of Champaera ruins in Vietnam. The Cham temples were built in the 11th century by Champa rulers and you will visit the ruins of Thap Doi towers. These ancient sandstone structures have very similar characteristics as the Angkor complex in Cambodia.
ACTIVITY: Take a walk to explore the beautiful Eo Gió (translated as “Windy Waist”) coastline. Admire the jagged cliffs, hidden caves, and deep blue water as it smashes into the massive rocks. Swimming is not allowed, but you can cool off your feet in the rushing waves and keep your eyes open for fish and marine wildlife.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 11
Day 11: Qui Nhon/Nha Trang
Settle in to your private ride for a bit of a drive today. Catch up on your feeds, take a nap but get ready for a gorgeous stop along the way. Gành Đá Dĩa, known as the Giant’s Causeway of Vietnam offers amazing views and angles for your pics–snap away! Next stop is the Mud Baths in the resort city of Nha Trang. Climb into the mud and mineral pools and soak away. The evening is then yours–ready to party? There are a gazillion options and your CEO will suggest the best of the best nightclubs and beach bars for your enjoyment. Really hope you had a nap on the bus.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
ACTIVITY: Stop at Gành Đá Dĩa, known as the “Giant’s Causeway of Vietnam.” This unique landscape is a result of volcanic activity millions of years ago where lava flows reached the sea, solidified and cracks formed the stunning basalt columns. Erosion over thousands of years did the rest, creating unique shapes and forms seen today.
ACTIVITY: Take a relaxing dip in the therapeutic mud baths of Nha Trang. Thought to possess healing properties, the mud baths are the perfect place to unwind.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12
Day 12: Nha Trang/Ho Chi Minh City
Freedom! The day is yours to enjoy Nha Trang’s many beach options. Find a spot and stretch out on your towel to catch some rays and play in the surf. Stroll the extensive promenade for shopping, bars and fun. Why not channel your inner child at the waterpark or jump on a boat for a snorkelling tour–the choice is yours! Tonight brush off the sand and hop back on the train for your overnight journey back to the big city.
Additional Information: On the overnight train we use 4 x birth soft sleeper – Each soft sleeping-car has a corridor running down one side with seven 4-berth compartments opening off it, each of which can be securely locked from the inside. Each compartment has 4 berths, two upper and two lower. Each berth has an individual reading light and is supplied with pillow, sheet and duvet. By day you simply sit on the lower berths. You keep all your bags with you, there is luggage space beneath the bottom bunks and in the large recess above the compartment door. Compartments may be mixed gender.
FREE TIME: Enjoy a full free day in Nha Trang. Choose to hit the beach, go snorkelling, or visit local shops, beach bars and markets.
TRANSPORT: Stretch out and get some well-earned rest en route to the next stop.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City–this thriving metropolis will not disappoint! Head out on a walking tour visiting bustling Ben Thanh market, Reunification Palace and the French quarter. Hungry? Your CEO will order up HCMC’s most famous dish; pho–the breakfast of champions. After slurping up your noodles, you are free–why not hop on a cyclo or motorbike tour, visit the infamous Cu Chi tunnels or head back to the hostel to relax. Whatever you do, don’t forget to warm up your vocal cords and throw on your most outrageous frock because it’s time for karaoke. You’ll have a farewell party like no other in one of the city’s top sing-along bars. Neon lights, blaring tunes and roaring crowds will entice you to the stage. Get ready–you’re next. Own it!
ACTIVITY: Walk to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, filled with everyday goods, handicrafts, clothing, souvenirs, and lively hawkers trying to win over a customer. Continue to the Reunification Palace and learn about the power struggle between Vietnam’s North and South regions. Continue to the French Quarter and admire its colonial architecture. See the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Central Post Office, City Hall and the Opera House, before ending the tour at the quirky Cafe Apartments.
ACTIVITY: Wander this bustling market for more insight into Ho Chi Minh City. Pick up souvenirs, sample local cuisine, and experience local living. Learn a little history along the way; Ben Thanh started as a cluster of street vendors selling wares by the Saigon River, and was formalized into a true market in 1859.
FREE TIME: AFTERNOON The afternoon is yours, get out and explore this bustling city.
ACTIVITY: Enjoy a night out at one of Ho Chi Minh Citys’ most popular karaoke bars!
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City
Say goodbye to your Roamies and depart at any time, or keep the adventure going by heading through the Mekong delta into Cambodia on the next leg of this epic adventure.
ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Meals Included
13 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
Group Size
Solo Travellers
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Meals
Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other’s company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. Included breakfasts will usually be asian style consisting of noodles or congee (rice porridge) or bread and eggs. Vegetarians will be able to find a range of different foods, although in some areas the choice maybe limited. While trekking in remote regions food is included, plentiful and made of fresh local ingredients. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.
Minimum Age
Minimum age of 18 years for this trip.
Local Dress
In Asia the dress standard is more conservative than it is back home. When packing try to pick loose, lightweight, long clothing that will keep you cool in the usually hot and humid climate of Asian summers. In predominately Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim countries we ask that you dress respectfully and avoid very short shorts/skirts and singlets/tanktops when visiting temples, mosques or other holy sites.
Important Notes
1. COMBO TRIP
Please note that this tour combines with other Roamies tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together on Roamies, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another tour, after your trip concludes.
2. ACCOMMODATION
In some major cities in Vietnam, many hotel rooms do not have windows.
Group Leader
All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it’s the best of both worlds.
About Accommodation
Accommodation will be primarily in multi-share hostels (typically 6-8 people per room), with a choice of mixed gender and female-only dorms as well as available upgrades to twin-share rooms (same gender).
Some rooming exceptions may apply due to the unique nature of the itineraries and of the hostels themselves, which have been specifically chosen to give local flavour to your trip. Please see the full itinerary description and the Rooming Exception section below for specific exceptions to the rooming that may apply to this tour.
What to Take
What you need to bring depends on the trip you have chosen and the countries or regions you are planning to visit. We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. As a rule we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10-15kg/22-30lb. Suitcases are not recommended for G Adventures trips! Most travellers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size (no XXL ones please!) as they need to fit under the beds when travelling on sleeper trains. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones. If your trip involves overnights in homestays, villages or camping then you usually have the opportunity to rent sleeping bags if need be instead of bringing them with you.
Spending Money
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Hoi An Old Town Walk & Dinner by the River
As twilight falls on day 7, stroll Hoi An’s Old Town with your CEO, tracing lantern-lit lanes past Chinese assembly halls, historic merchant houses and riverside quays. Learn how spice routes and silk traders shaped this UNESCO-listed port’s delicate wooden facades.
On day 8, reconvene for a sociable meal at a stylish spot in the ancient town. Sample central Vietnamese specialties by the lantern-lit riverside and swap stories with the group as boats glide along the Thu Bon. It’s a tasteful window into Hoi An’s convivial evening rhythm, with time afterward to enjoy a free evening.
G for Good: Oodles of Noodles Cooking Class
On day 9 in Hoi An, join the G for Good “Oodles of Noodles” class at a G Adventures–supported training kitchen. Learn the stories behind regional bowls like cao l?u and mì Qu?ng, pick herbs, and practice hand-cutting noodles before sitting down to sample your creations.
Your participation helps local youth build hospitality skills through a Planeterra project, preserving culinary traditions while opening doors to employment. Expect lively instruction, steam-scented broths, and plenty of tips to recreate Vietnam’s noodle culture back home.
Nha Trang Beach Day
Day 12 is yours to enjoy a free beach day along Nha Trang’s long curve of sand. Swim in clear water, rent a lounger, or wander the palm-lined promenade as the sea breeze stirs parasols and cafés hum to life.
Beyond the shoreline, island-dotted horizons and fishing coracles give a sense of place to this classic Vietnamese resort town. Choose how you spend the hours—active or easy—and enjoy a free afternoon at your own pace.
Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour & Ben Thanh Market
On day 13, join a guided walking tour of central Saigon. Weave through Ben Thanh Market before tracing boulevards to the Reunification Palace, Saigon’s modernist time capsule. Continue past the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office toward the Opera House and the quirky Café Apartments.
Hear how colonial-era planning, wartime upheaval and today’s creative energy shaped the city you see. Along the way, pause to sample snacks or simply enjoy a free afternoon exploring District 1’s lanes and landmarks.
Karaoke Night in Saigon
Turn it up on day 13 with a boisterous karaoke night in Ho Chi Minh City. Step into a neon-lit private room, flip through Vietnamese and international hits, and take the mic as friends cheer between snacks and clinking glasses.
Vietnam loves a singalong, and this spirited evening captures that playful, social side of the city. Warm up your vocal cords, embrace the spectacle, and celebrate your journey with a final group blowout.
Vietnam Sleeper Train Journeys
Experience classic rail travel on overnight sleeper trains connecting Ninh Binh–Dong Hoi (day 3), Hoi An (Da Nang)–Quy Nhon (day 9) and Nha Trang–Ho Chi Minh City (day 12). Settle into soft-sleeper berths, share stories with cabin-mates, and watch the night slip by to the rhythm of the rails.
Bring snacks, a playlist and curiosity: by dawn, palm groves, paddies and fishing villages roll past your window. It’s a practical, atmospheric way to cross the country and wake to a new city ready for the day’s adventures.
Hang Múa Peak Hike & Rice Field Trails (Ninh Binh)
Use your free time on day 3 to climb Hang Múa’s 500 steps to the dragon-topped ridge. From the summit, take in panoramic views over Tam C?c’s rice fields, sinuous rivers and karst towers that shift with the afternoon light.
Descend to wander dike paths among paddies where water buffalo graze and kingfishers dart. This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour; it’s a rewarding blend of effort and scenery with ample moments to pause for photos and reflection.
Trang An Sampan Caves Boat Ride
Drift through the UNESCO landscape of Ninh Binh on day 3 as you glide through Trang An by sampan. Your rower steers along mirror-calm rivers, under low caverns and past pagodas tucked beneath limestone cliffs.
Hear how water, stone and faith shaped this sacred valley’s temples and grottoes. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, offering a serene counterpoint to the region’s hikes and viewpoints.
Phong Nha Evening Bar Crawl
After a day in the jungle on day 5, regroup for a relaxed evening bar crawl through Phong Nha’s compact village. Follow your CEO to friendly spots for cold drinks, river views and easy conversation with locals and travellers.
Swap cave stories, watch the stars appear over the mountains and enjoy a free-spirited night in Vietnam’s adventure capital. This optional social outing is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Hoi An Lantern Workshop & Tailor Fitting
On day 8 or 9, step into a family studio to craft a silk lantern, choosing fabric and learning the frame’s elegant fold. Then visit a renowned atelier to meet a local tailor, browse fabrics and be measured for a shirt, dress or suit.
Hoi An’s craft and cloth traditions run deep, from Chinese guild halls to riverside trading posts. This hands-on cultural experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; many travellers return later to pick up a custom piece glowing with Old Town style.
Golden Bridge & Ba Na Hills
Ride a record-length cable car from Da Nang on day 8 and walk the Golden Bridge, cradled by giant stone hands above cloud forests. Explore gardens and French-inspired terraces in the cool Ba Na Hills air with sweeping coastal views.
It’s a striking mix of sculpture, engineering and mountain scenery—ideal for photographers chasing sunset over the hills. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Nha Trang Island Snorkelling Boat Trip
On day 12, trade the promenade for the bay and cruise to islands like Hòn Mun or Hòn Mót. Slip into clear water to snorkel above coral gardens alive with reef fish, then dry off on deck with sea views and fresh fruit.
Nha Trang’s offshore reefs and calm conditions make for easy, colorful swims. This half-day is at additional cost and bookable on tour, pairing well with a lazy afternoon on the sand.
Saigon Vespa Street-Food Night
On day 13, hop on the back of a scooter to ride pillion on a vintage Vespa through neon lanes and hidden districts. Nibble your way across the city—sample regional dishes, clink iced tea and hear stories at family-run stalls.
The rush of scooters, sizzling woks and laughter sets the soundtrack to Saigon at night. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, and it’s a flavour-packed complement to the morning’s landmarks.
Vinh Moc Tunnels Guided Visit (DMZ)
On day 6, travel to the former Demilitarized Zone and descend into the Vinh Moc tunnels, a network carved by villagers during the Vietnam (American) War. Walk through family chambers, meeting rooms and supply routes, and listen as your guide shares moving stories of resilience.
Emerging to the surf-washed coast, you’ll grasp how communities survived bombardment by going underground. The echoing passages and red earth walls speak to ingenuity under fire, adding depth to the landscapes you’ve crossed since central Vietnam.
Hai Van Pass Crossing: An Bang ‘City of Ghosts’, Lang Co Beach & Marble Mountains
Buckle up on day 7 to drive the Hai Van Pass, a serpentine ribbon between jungle-clad peaks and the sea. En route, step into the ornate An Bang “City of Ghosts” cemetery, cool your feet with a swim at Lang Co Beach, and gaze over Da Nang Bay from misty pullouts.
Continue to the Marble Mountains, a cluster of limestone outcrops sheltering pagodas and grottoes. Climb steps to breezy viewpoints, where bells tinkle and incense curls above the coast. This classic route blends misty mountain passes, sacred architecture and shoreline serenity before evening arrival in Hoi An.
Welcome Meeting & Hanoi Street Food Walk
Meet your crew on day 1 as you meet your CEO and group at 17:00 before heading into the back streets of the Old Quarter. Follow your guide past lantern-lit alleys and sizzling carts to taste local favourites like nem rán and bánh g?i, then pull up a tiny stool for a frosty draught beer (bia hoi).
Cap the evening at the Hanoi Food Culture restaurant, a community project, to try the city’s signature egg coffee. Along the way you’ll hear how French influence met Vietnamese ingenuity in the capital’s kitchens, and feel the rhythm of scooters, steam, and chatter around you. It’s the perfect introduction to Hanoi’s foodways and a chance to enjoy a free evening bonding with your fellow travellers.
Tam Chuc Pagoda Lakeside Visit
On day 2, travel south with your CEO to Tam Chuc Pagoda, a vast modern Buddhist complex framed by a mirror-still lake and rolling karst hills. Stroll avenues lined with stone reliefs, breathe in incense drifting from temple halls, and watch pilgrims arrive to pause for photos and reflection.
Opened in 2019 and often called the largest pagoda complex in Southeast Asia, Tam Chuc blends contemporary scale with timeless scenery. Learn how Vietnam’s Buddhist traditions adapt in the modern era, then return to Ninh Binh with time to enjoy a free afternoon among rice fields and limestone peaks.
Dong Hoi Market Breakfast & Countryside Cycling
Start day 4 early at the bustling Dong Hoi wet market, where boats unload glistening fish and vendors hawk herbs, spices and tropical fruit. Bite into a warm bánh mì and learn how French baguettes and Vietnamese pickles created an everyday classic.
Fueled up, hop on a bike and spin out to Bao Ninh fishing village. Pedal past palms, shrimp ponds and the sandy mouth of the Nh?t L? River, feeling the sea breeze as you glimpse daily coastal life. It’s a gentle ride with time to pause for photos and reflection before rolling back toward Phong Nha.
Quy Nhon Highlights: Tháp Ðôi Towers, Eo Gió Walk & K? Co Beach
Touch down on day 10 in Quy Nhon and explore Tháp Ðôi Cham towers, elegant 11th-century brick spires recalling Champa rule along Vietnam’s central coast. Then head for the headland to walk the Eo Gió coastline—“Windy Waist”—where waves surge against jagged cliffs.
Afterward, decamp to K? Co Beach, a crescent of pale sand and clear water ideal for a swim or a casual snorkel above coral and colorful fish. The day blends archaeology, sea air and beach time before a seafood feast back in town.
Gành Ðá Dia Basalt Columns & Nha Trang Mud Baths
On day 11, stop at Gành Ðá Dia, where ancient lava met the sea to form striking basalt columns—a honeycomb of pentagons perfect for photographers. Learn how cooling and erosion sculpted this natural wonder along Vietnam’s south-central shore.
Continue to Nha Trang and soak in mineral-rich mud baths, a local wellness tradition said to ease travel weariness. Warm pools, sea breezes and leafy gardens set a relaxed tone before you step back into the city’s lively beachfront scene.
Phong Nha–K? Bàng Cave Adventures
Make your free day on day 5 count with a journey underground to venture into Phong Nha–K? Bàng’s caverns. Choose ethereal Paradise Cave’s soaring chambers or zipline to Dark Cave for a playful mud bath and swim in an underground river.
Learn why these karst systems are among Asia’s oldest, with spectacular stalactites and underground rivers revealing millennia of geology. This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour; your CEO can suggest routes to match your pace and appetite for adventure.
Hu? Imperial Citadel & Royal Tombs
Use your free afternoon on day 6 to explore Hu?’s Imperial Citadel—moats, ramparts and the Forbidden Purple City—then continue to the serene Nguy?n emperors’ tombs set amid lotus ponds along the Perfume River.
From Confucian layouts to dragon-adorned roofs, each site reveals court rituals and the cosmology that guided imperial planning. This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour, offering a deep dive into central Vietnam’s royal heritage.
M? Son Sanctuary Half-Day
Venture inland from Hoi An on day 8 to journey to M? Son Sanctuary, a jungle-ringed valley of Champa brick towers. Wander temple groups dedicated to Shiva and learn how artisans fused sandstone, myth and sacred geometry.
This UNESCO site reveals a civilization that traded across the seas long before Hoi An’s heyday. The excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with a morning start to enjoy cooler air and quieter paths.
C? Chi Tunnels Half-Day
Extend your stay on day 13 or 14 to descend into the C? Chi tunnels, a vast wartime network northwest of the city. Crawl through widened sections, see hidden entrances and learn about guerrilla tactics and daily life underground.
Museum displays and crater-pocked forest bring the era into focus, framing the resilience and ingenuity that shaped Vietnam’s modern history. This excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
