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18-Day History and Nature from North to South

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Overview

This is a private tour offering you the chance to get to the heart of life in Vietnam.

Your Vietnam itinerary goes from north to south, you'll get acquainted with the long history of the country whilst falling in love with nature and the activities that Vietnam has to offer, such as like trekking, kayaking, biking and cooking.

Starting in Hanoi, you'll see the iconic Halong Bay while also having the chance to go to the not so well-known Pu Luong for your first chance to immerse yourself in Vietnam raw natural habitat.

Gradually, you'll make your way south, stopping off in the glorious Ninh Binh and Hue, for an in-depth history lesson before making your way to the touristic, yet still rural Hoi An, where you'll journey by boat to the remote villages that surround it.

You'll eventually find yourself in Ho Chi Minh City, far from the quiet nature you have just embraced, however, the Mekong provides a completely different side to Vietnam's natural landscape. Once you've engaged in the history of the South, you'll discover what life along the mighty Mekong river is like!

This tour allows you to learn about Vietnam while embracing the natural landscape that it is so famous for - over 18 days, you'll be able to embrace all aspects of Vietnam in an itinerary from north to south.
Outdoors & Nature
Culture & Arts
Sightseeing
Food & Drink
Hiking & Trekking
Adventure
Wellness

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Hanoi

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Arrive in Hanoi

Your guide and driver will welcome you at the airport then transfer you to the hotel to check in. Once settled in the hotel you'll have time to explore the city at your own pace or relax and rejuvenate in your hotel after a long flight.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Angel Palace Hotel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hanoi Old Quarter

    Hanoi Street Food Walking TourOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Noi Bai International Airport to Hanoi

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hoàn Kiếm

    Hanoi

    Dong Da

Day 2

Hanoi City Tour

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Hanoi City Tour

Today, you'll start with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder, Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts. This place has a deep significance to the secular and spiritual nature of many Vietnamese who come in large groups to honour and respect the father of their independent nation. The complex also comprises the One Pillar Pagoda and the water puppet show venue.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Angel Palace Hotel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House

    Temple of Literature

    Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

    Water Puppet Show

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Hanoi Food Culture

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hoàn Kiếm

    Hanoi

    Cầu Giấy

Day 3

Drive to Hoa Lu and Tam Coc

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Drive to Hoa Lu and Tam Coc

You'll drive to Hoa Lu, the Ancient Capital of Viet Nam, and visit the temples of two dynasties, Dinh and Le with very unique old-time architecture. After lunch, board the sampan boats (2 people share a boat) in Tam Coc and drift down the river among the villages, mountains and lush rice fields. You'll pass through 3 caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai, Hang Ba. These early caves will leave you feeling a little strange.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Tam Coc Bungalow3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

    Tam Coc Boat Ride

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hanoi to Hoa Lư

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hoàn Kiếm

    Ninh Bình Province

    Hoa Lư District

Day 4

Ninh Binh to Pu Luong

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Ninh Binh to Pu Luong

After breakfast drive to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, on the way, you can stop to visit local people. Once you arrive, you'll settle in the Retreat where you'll be staying for the next few days and meet your hosts. After lunch, you'll venture out into the village to learn about farm life and the irrigation systems used here.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Pu Luong Retreat3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Suspension Bridge Pu Luong

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Pu Luong Retreat

    Pu Luong Retreat

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Drive to Pu Long

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hoa Lư District

    Thanh Hoa

Day 5

Pu Luong Retreat Activities

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Pu Luong Retreat Activities

Trek to villages and visit local people to get to know what daily life is like in Pu Luong. You'll be in awe at the magnificent mountain ranges, stunning rice terrace fields, scenic rivers and waterfalls that surround the small villages, and have plenty opportunities to photograph them.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Pu Luong Retreat3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Pu Luong Retreat Hike

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Pu Luong Retreat

    Pu Luong Retreat

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thanh Hoa

Day 6

Drive Back to Hanoi

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Drive Back to Hanoi

You'll have breakfast at the retreat and have time to relax in the morning before you transfer back to Hanoi city. Once checked back into Angel Palace, you'll have time to explore parts of the city you missed previously.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Angel Palace Hotel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Pu Luong Community Village Life

    Hanoi Old Quarter

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Pu Luong Retreat

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Pu Luong Retreat to Hanoi

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thanh Hoa

    Hoàn Kiếm

    Hanoi

Day 7

Drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay

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Drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay

You'll rise early to hop onto the shuttle bus at your hotel and be transferred to the pier on Halong Bay. Board your cruise and get ready for your 24-hour journey through the iconic limestone karsts. Lunch will be served while cruising to Surprise Cave. You'll have time to explore the cave before having an evening to relax on the cruise.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    V'Spirit Cruises3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Surprise Cave

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    V'Spirit Cruises

    V'Spirit Cruises

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Hanoi to Halong Bay

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hoàn Kiếm

    Thành phố Hạ Long

    Cẩm Phả

    Haiphong

Day 8

Halong Bay to Hanoi

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Halong Bay to Hanoi

Start the day with Tai Chi as the sun rises over the bay. After breakfast, enjoy kayaking to Titop Island and have a swim in the warm waters on a beach that Ho Chi Minh once visited. You'll have a quick photo stop and then return to the boat for your return journey. You'll return to the pier by midday for your journey back to Hanoi.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Angel Palace Hotel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tai Chi

    Kayaking on Halong Bay

    Titov Island

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    V'Spirit Cruises

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Hạ Long Bay to Hanoi

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thành phố Hạ Long

    Cẩm Phả

    Hanoi

Day 9

Flight to Hue

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Flight to Hue

After breakfast, transfer to Hanoi airport for a flight to Hue. Located in Central Vietnam, Hue was the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty and the national capital from 1802 to 1945. A major attraction is its vast, 19th-century Đại Nội Citadel, surrounded by a moat and thick stone walls. It encompasses the Imperial City, with palaces and shrines; the Forbidden Purple City (Tử cấm thành), once the emperor’s home; and a replica of the Royal Theatre.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    ÊMM Hotel Hue3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    HueOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Hanoi to Noi Bai International Airport

    Plane from Hanoi to Hue

    Minivan from Phu Bai Airport to Hue

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hanoi

    Thua Thien Hue

Day 10

Hue City Tour

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Hue City Tour

Today you will visit the Imperial Citadel: The home of Vietnam’s last royal dynasty, the Nguyen Dynasty. The royal Antiques Museum, Minh Mang tomb; the conical hat village where see and learn how the locals this iconic hat and to an incense stick making village.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    ÊMM Hotel Hue3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hue Imperial City

    Tomb of Minh Mang

    Conical Hat-Making Village

    Incense Stick Making Village

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thua Thien Hue

    Hương Trà

Day 11

Drive to Hoi An

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Drive to Hoi An

After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Hoi An. On the way, stop at Lăng Cô, a small stunning village, the Hải Vân Pass, made famous by the TV show, Top Gear and Marble Mountain where you'll have spectacular views of Da Nang from ancient caves and temples. When you arrive in Hoi An you can relax for the remainder of the day.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hoi An TNT Villa3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hai Van Pass

    Marble Mountains

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hue to Hội An

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thua Thien Hue

    Ngũ Hành Sơn

    Hội An

Day 12

Cooking Class and Hoi An City Tour

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Cooking Class and Hoi An City Tour

Today you will join a cooking class. The first stop is the market, where you'll shop for all your ingredients and then start cooking. Once you have finished you can then enjoy your own creation. In the afternoon, you'll go to Hoi An Ancient Town and visit the Temple Kwan, Phuc Kien Temple, Tan Ky Ancient House, Phung Hung house, the Japanese covered bridge.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hoi An TNT Villa3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hoi An Cooking Class

    Hoi An Ancient Town

    Phuc Kien Assembly Hall

    Japanese Covered Bridge

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hội An

Day 13

Visit Tra Nhieu Fishing Village

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Visit Tra Nhieu Fishing Village

Tra Nhieu, a village of Duy Vinh commune, is located on Thu Bon river bank. This is a peaceful, romantic area where you still find typical traditional Vietnamese houses that are home to families to are professionals in their craft, be it making boats, mats or hats.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hoi An TNT Villa3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tran Nhieu Fishing Village

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hội An

Day 14

Vietnam Itinerary Goes North to South

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Vietnam Itinerary Goes North to South

Today, your Vietnam itinerary goes north to south - or central to south! You'll have breakfast at the hotel before you are driven to Danang for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. You'll arrive early afternoon, check into the hotel and then have free time to explore at your own pace.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Beautiful Saigon Boutique Hotel2 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ho Chi Minh City

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Hội An to Da Nang International Airport

    Plane from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hội An

    Ho Chi Minh

Day 15

Cu Chi Tunnel and Ho Chi Minh City Tour

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Cu Chi Tunnel and Ho Chi Minh City Tour

In the morning visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. After lunch, visit the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace (the former Presidential Palace), then to Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office and finish on Dong Khoi Street. One of the oldest parts of the city that is home to the stunning Opera House.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Beautiful Saigon Boutique Hotel2 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cu Chi Tunnels

    War Remnants Museum

    Independence Palace

    Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

    Saigon Central Post Office

    Nguyen Hue

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Beautiful Saigon Boutique Hotel

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ho Chi Minh

Day 16

Can Tho

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Can Tho

Leave Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy the scenic journey along the national highway bordered by green rice fields. When you arrive in Can Tho, you'll visit Vinh Trang pagoda and then take a leisurely boat ride along the river to see everyday activities along the Mekong as well as the stilt houses that people live in.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Muong Thanh Luxury Hotel5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Vinh Trang Pagoda

    Can Tho River Cruise

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Beautiful Saigon Boutique Hotel

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ho Chi Minh

    Cần Thơ

    Mỹ Tho

Day 17

Cai Rang Floating Market and Ho Chi Minh City

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Cai Rang Floating Market and Ho Chi Minh City

Early morning, making your way Cai Rang Floating Market, you'll be impressed by the bustle of more than 300 small and big boats with locals buying and selling their wares. Early afternoon, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. You'll have the rest of the day free to explore the city at your own pace.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Beautiful Saigon Boutique Hotel2 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cai Rang Floating Market

    Ho Chi Minh City

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Cần Thơ to Ho Chi Minh City

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Cần Thơ

    Ho Chi Minh

Day 18

Departure

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Departure

Transfer to the airport for your departing flight.

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Beautiful Saigon Boutique Hotel

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Beautiful Saigon Boutique Hotel to Tan Son Nhat International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ho Chi Minh

Included in Price

  • 17 nights accommodation
  • 33 activities
  • 17 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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