The wonders of Vietnam

Welcome to Vietnam! Your adventure begins in Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening. If you arrive early, wander around these beautiful streets and take in the sights. Tonight, perhaps gather your new group and see who's up for some food and a cool bia hoi at a street stall or watch the motorcycles whizz by. Hanoi is also a great place for local breweries and cocktail bars, so maybe dive into the nightlife and discover what this city has to offer after dark.

Today is a free day to explore Hanoi as you like. Perhaps admire your reflection in the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, stroll along the shaded boulevards or relax in a public park with delicious street food. As for museums, you could visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, make a stop at the serene Temple of Literature or appreciate the art at the city's Fine Arts Museum. Maybe go to KOTO for a delicious lunch: this organization is dedicated to developing careers in the hospitality sector for disadvantaged youth. Later, explore the centuries-old architecture as the sun sets.

Travel by bus and ferry to Cat Ba Island – the largest island in the Lan Ha Bay, connected to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. With thousands of small limestone islands scattered about, this area is one of those quintessential Vietnamese scenes where the bright green water is dotted with traditional junks and limestone pillars. Take a cruise around Lan Ha Bay and enjoy a seafood lunch prepared by your onboard chef. This afternoon, get off the boat to get closer to this otherworldly landscape by kayak. Paddle through serene waters and then watch the sunset over this breathtaking scenery.

This morning we take a ferry to return to the mainland and head towards the province of Ninh Binh – once the seat of Vietnam's capital in the 10th and 11th centuries, now a site protected as a UNESCO World Heritage. Join a local guide for a bicycle tour and visit the ancient citadel. This once stretched over 300 hectares of land, however, the passage of time has left few traces of the once glorious capital. You will visit the 17th-century temples built in honor of the Dinh and Le kings among other temples, pagodas, monuments, and gardens surrounded by mountains.

The day is free to explore the many other wonders of Ninh Binh. You might want to wear your hiking boots and venture towards the incredible Mua Cave, which is located at the base of a mountain: make sure to hike up to the top of the 500 steps to enjoy breathtaking views of Hoa Lu and the Ngo Dong river. Or you might want to get out on the water and take a boat tour passing between limestone peaks, caves, temples, and perhaps even the locations of a King Kong movie scene. Tonight we will take the overnight train to Hue.

We arrive by train at Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. You have the day free to do as you wish. You can spend a couple of hours exploring the massive fortified citadel of Hue and the Forbidden Imperial Palace within it. Perhaps board a dragon-shaped boat and enjoy a cruise on the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda. You might also visit the Dong Ba Market, which offers local produce, fresh and delicious street food. This is a good place to try the dish that Emperor Nguyen relished – the banh khoai, royal rice. If you like to cycle, you can pedal to one of the royal tombs, such as that of Emperor Tu Duc. In the evening, we will go to a local family's home and enjoy a freshly prepared dinner. In no time, you'll be chatting and laughing with chopsticks in hand!

We continue along the coast to Hoi An by private bus. Upon arrival, our guide will lead us on a walking tour of this unique city, influenced over the years by Europe, China, Vietnam, and Japan. The city has been an important trading port since the 17th century, and its old-style character is reflected everywhere in its architecture. Despite its size, it is quite lively. The tour will take you through streets that are being restored and look very much like they did 100 years ago, and then discover some quieter spots. Visit a historic house (once the residence of an important merchant), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall, and a museum. Later, you might play bingo with your guide in a downtown square – a very popular local pastime.

We start the day by cycling through the beautiful surroundings of Hoi An to the organic vegetable and herb gardens of a local cook. See, hear, and taste what makes Vietnamese cuisine so delicious. After touring the gardens, enjoy a freshly prepared lunch using some of the ingredients gathered during your visit. Most of the food waste here is composted, recycled, or reused. The rest of the afternoon is free for your personal explorations. You might stroll to the Central Market and admire paintings, woodwork, ceramics, and lanterns. Hoi An is also famous for its talented tailors, so if you've been wearing the same shirt every day, why not visit one of the tailors who can tailor-make something in a day and get yourself something new? In the evening, you can wander through the lantern-lit streets to take some great photographs.

This morning, your group will head to the train station for your second overnight train journey. If you didn't do it last night, you might want to get up early and grab some snacks for the trip. As you make your way towards Ho Chi Minh City, perhaps play some (or many) card games or dive into a good book. As the light changes outside, you can watch the ever-changing landscape passing by, offering you a glimpse into what rural life is like in Vietnam.

We arrive at dawn in Ho Chi Minh City, where we transfer to our hotel. Once known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a whirlwind of colors and sounds. The French legacy is still tangible in the baguette sandwiches and high-quality coffee. The food here is spicier, sweeter, and more varied compared to the north. We take advantage of the early morning hours to visit the markets and enjoy a bowl of pho with the local traders. Together, we explore a local market, where we have the opportunity to discover exotic street foods and perhaps taste some. Then, we savor Saigon's iconic cafe sua da (iced coffee with condensed milk) amidst the daily hustle of the market, while the local guide shares stories with us about life in Ho Chi Minh City. Tonight, why don't we gather for dinner and some drinks on Pham Ngu Lao Street?

Having no activities scheduled for today, your journey ends here in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam has a lot to offer – the Cu Chi tunnels are a fascinating excursion, and the city is an excellent starting point to explore the Mekong Delta or Phu Quoc Island. Do not hesitate to ask your group leader for more suggestions. If you wish to extend your stay here and need additional accommodations, speak with your booking agent.