Vietnam Untouched
Custom Made trips all year round: 14 day trip from 1855 euro/pp (4 pax)
Custom Made trips all year round: 14 day trip from 1855 euro/pp (4 pax)
Enjoy the best of what Vietnam has to offer on a two-week expedition through the country’s three diverse regions. In the north, absorb the frenetic capital of Hanoi before marveling at the natural beauty of Ninh Binh and Lan Ha Bay. Let yourself be charmed by central Vietnam’s most engaging locations, regal Hue and atmospheric Hoi An, before ending your trip in the south’s laid-back Mekong Delta and vibrant Ho Chi Minh City.
Highlights:
Day 1: Welcome to the land of the ascending dragon: Welcome to Vietnam!
Upon arrival to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, your guide will welcome you to the capital before heading straight to your hotel in the heart of the city. The day is yours to spend at your leisure to discover Hanoi on your own, perhaps wandering the streets and alleys of the iconic Old Quarter and enjoying the evening promenade around Hoan Kiem Lake. You can of course speak to your guide for some tips on what to do.
Day 2: Hanoi (B - L)
Hanoi is home to Vietnam’s very best museums, covering everything from the military history of the nation to the colorful ethnic diversity. Choose from one of the three best: the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, the National Museum of Vietnamese History, or the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Then head to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s oldest university and still a place of worship, especially for students during exam season. Enjoy a local lunch before spending time strolling around the leafy gardens and ancient architecture of the Citadel, finishing the day with a beer in one of the local beer gardens.
Day 3: Ninh Binh (B - L)
After breakfast, we leave behind Hanoi on a 2-hour drive to Ninh Binh. Ninh Binh remains one of Vietnam’s most captivating locations, combining stunning natural splendor with an engrossing history. Investigate the remains of Hoa Lu, the capital of Vietnam under both the Dinh and Le dynasties and established a thousand years ago. The sights and smells still evoke the atmosphere of a lost kingdom with stunning temples, pagodas, and elaborate tombs. You’ll also uncover evidence of ancient palaces and royal pavilions that reference an ancient era, surrounded by towering karst outcrops. In the afternoon, grab a bicycle and peddle through the Trang A Nature Reserve to your boat location. Hop into a small sampan to discover what Ninh Binh is known for – its incredibly scenic boat rides. Keep your head low as your guide rows the boat with her feet through cave passages that lead to hidden temples and pagodas inaccessible by road. Distance and activities: 2.5h drive – 1.5h boat
Day 4: Sail Lan Ha Bay (B - L - D)
Have a leisurely breakfast this morning before leaving Ninh Binh on a 2-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Hai Phong. Upon arrival, board your new “home” for the next 2 days and check-in to your spacious cabin with large windows, perfect for gazing out at the beauty around you. Enjoy lunch in the dining room while the ship cruises to Cat Ba Island, the largest island of some 367 islands in Lan Ha Bay. Spend the afternoon deep within Cat Ba National Park, hiking through Trung Trang Valley to Trung Trang cave, a 2000-year-old cavern filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Then, have some downtime to swim and kayak in the isolated Tra Bau area. Return to the ship and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese cooking class and a delicious dinner onboard before retiring for the night in your comfy cabin. Distance and activities: 2h drive – Sightseeing walk
Day 5: Floating villages and kayaking through caves (B)
Explore a local floating fishing village this morning by kayak. Return to the ship for a light breakfast as the cruise makes its way to the Dark and Bright Cave, a popular attraction in Halong Bay experienced from a local bamboo boat. As the cruise makes its way back to Hai Phong, sit down for an early lunch before your 2-hour transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for a quick, domestic flight to central Vietnam’s Hue. Distance and activities: 1h kayaking – 2h transfer – 1h15’ flight
Day 6: Imperial Hue by bike and dragon boat (B - L)
Start your morning with a relaxed cycling tour down colonial Le Loi Head boulevard, looking out for colonial mansions before crossing the iconic Truong Tien bridge, built by none other than Gustave Eiffel (yes, of Eiffel Tower fame). Park your bike to roam the grand Hue Citadel, a grand walled city of parks and lakes as well as a traditional garden house where you can enjoy lunch. Spend the afternoon gliding down the Perfume River on a colorful dragon boat to two different tombs on UNESCO’s list for preservation due to their cultural and historical significance. First, explore the rural setting of Emperor Tu Duc’s mausoleum, with its spacious fields and lotus ponds. Then, wander the immaculately landscaped gardens and ornate temples of Emperor Minh Mang, the final resting place of one of the Nguyen Dynasty’s staunchest Confucians. Distance and activities: 2h cycling – 3h boat ride
Day 7: Drive Down the Ocean Cloud Pass | Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An (B - L)
Depart Hue today after a relaxed breakfast and head for the charm and beauty of Hoi An, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hue is connected to Hoi An along a stunning coastal road where you’ll glimpse lagoons, mountains, rice fields, and the vast ocean. Explore the gorgeous and colorful An Bang “ghost city” along the way, an example of how the Hue people venerate their ancestors, before continuing on, past the sunny beaches of Da Nang, finally ending at your hotel in Hoi An. You can then explore Hoi An on your own independently. Distance and activities: 2.5h drive
Day 8: Hoi An Half Day City Tour: Hoi An (B)
You’ll enjoy a morning guided tour of Hoi An, known as Faifo to early western traders, this was one of the region’s major trading ports during the 17th to 19th centuries. Today, this historic town is still graced with finely preserved homes built by Japanese, Indian, Dutch and Portuguese merchants. Your guided sightseeing also showcases ancient Chinese temples, art galleries and colorful local markets that give you a deeper insight of this old town. Then we take a short ride to visit an Organic Farm to see how the locals cultivate the fields before heading back to the hotel. In the afternoon, you are free to take the rest at the hotel and immerse yourself in the swimming pool or grab a bike to explore Hoi An countryside on your own. Distance and activities: 3 hours walking sightseeing
Highlights:
- Sailing Lan Ha Bay on a charming overnight cruise
- Discovering the landmark and historical sites of Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi
- Cycling through the natural beauty of the Mekong Delta
- Boating and temple hopping in Ninh Binh
- Independent exploration of picturesque Hoi An
- Absorbing the proud heritage of the Vietnamese in Hue and Hanoi
Day 1: Welcome to the land of the ascending dragon: Welcome to Vietnam!
Upon arrival to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, your guide will welcome you to the capital before heading straight to your hotel in the heart of the city. The day is yours to spend at your leisure to discover Hanoi on your own, perhaps wandering the streets and alleys of the iconic Old Quarter and enjoying the evening promenade around Hoan Kiem Lake. You can of course speak to your guide for some tips on what to do.
Day 2: Hanoi (B - L)
Hanoi is home to Vietnam’s very best museums, covering everything from the military history of the nation to the colorful ethnic diversity. Choose from one of the three best: the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, the National Museum of Vietnamese History, or the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Then head to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s oldest university and still a place of worship, especially for students during exam season. Enjoy a local lunch before spending time strolling around the leafy gardens and ancient architecture of the Citadel, finishing the day with a beer in one of the local beer gardens.
Day 3: Ninh Binh (B - L)
After breakfast, we leave behind Hanoi on a 2-hour drive to Ninh Binh. Ninh Binh remains one of Vietnam’s most captivating locations, combining stunning natural splendor with an engrossing history. Investigate the remains of Hoa Lu, the capital of Vietnam under both the Dinh and Le dynasties and established a thousand years ago. The sights and smells still evoke the atmosphere of a lost kingdom with stunning temples, pagodas, and elaborate tombs. You’ll also uncover evidence of ancient palaces and royal pavilions that reference an ancient era, surrounded by towering karst outcrops. In the afternoon, grab a bicycle and peddle through the Trang A Nature Reserve to your boat location. Hop into a small sampan to discover what Ninh Binh is known for – its incredibly scenic boat rides. Keep your head low as your guide rows the boat with her feet through cave passages that lead to hidden temples and pagodas inaccessible by road. Distance and activities: 2.5h drive – 1.5h boat
Day 4: Sail Lan Ha Bay (B - L - D)
Have a leisurely breakfast this morning before leaving Ninh Binh on a 2-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Hai Phong. Upon arrival, board your new “home” for the next 2 days and check-in to your spacious cabin with large windows, perfect for gazing out at the beauty around you. Enjoy lunch in the dining room while the ship cruises to Cat Ba Island, the largest island of some 367 islands in Lan Ha Bay. Spend the afternoon deep within Cat Ba National Park, hiking through Trung Trang Valley to Trung Trang cave, a 2000-year-old cavern filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Then, have some downtime to swim and kayak in the isolated Tra Bau area. Return to the ship and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese cooking class and a delicious dinner onboard before retiring for the night in your comfy cabin. Distance and activities: 2h drive – Sightseeing walk
Day 5: Floating villages and kayaking through caves (B)
Explore a local floating fishing village this morning by kayak. Return to the ship for a light breakfast as the cruise makes its way to the Dark and Bright Cave, a popular attraction in Halong Bay experienced from a local bamboo boat. As the cruise makes its way back to Hai Phong, sit down for an early lunch before your 2-hour transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for a quick, domestic flight to central Vietnam’s Hue. Distance and activities: 1h kayaking – 2h transfer – 1h15’ flight
Day 6: Imperial Hue by bike and dragon boat (B - L)
Start your morning with a relaxed cycling tour down colonial Le Loi Head boulevard, looking out for colonial mansions before crossing the iconic Truong Tien bridge, built by none other than Gustave Eiffel (yes, of Eiffel Tower fame). Park your bike to roam the grand Hue Citadel, a grand walled city of parks and lakes as well as a traditional garden house where you can enjoy lunch. Spend the afternoon gliding down the Perfume River on a colorful dragon boat to two different tombs on UNESCO’s list for preservation due to their cultural and historical significance. First, explore the rural setting of Emperor Tu Duc’s mausoleum, with its spacious fields and lotus ponds. Then, wander the immaculately landscaped gardens and ornate temples of Emperor Minh Mang, the final resting place of one of the Nguyen Dynasty’s staunchest Confucians. Distance and activities: 2h cycling – 3h boat ride
Day 7: Drive Down the Ocean Cloud Pass | Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An (B - L)
Depart Hue today after a relaxed breakfast and head for the charm and beauty of Hoi An, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hue is connected to Hoi An along a stunning coastal road where you’ll glimpse lagoons, mountains, rice fields, and the vast ocean. Explore the gorgeous and colorful An Bang “ghost city” along the way, an example of how the Hue people venerate their ancestors, before continuing on, past the sunny beaches of Da Nang, finally ending at your hotel in Hoi An. You can then explore Hoi An on your own independently. Distance and activities: 2.5h drive
Day 8: Hoi An Half Day City Tour: Hoi An (B)
You’ll enjoy a morning guided tour of Hoi An, known as Faifo to early western traders, this was one of the region’s major trading ports during the 17th to 19th centuries. Today, this historic town is still graced with finely preserved homes built by Japanese, Indian, Dutch and Portuguese merchants. Your guided sightseeing also showcases ancient Chinese temples, art galleries and colorful local markets that give you a deeper insight of this old town. Then we take a short ride to visit an Organic Farm to see how the locals cultivate the fields before heading back to the hotel. In the afternoon, you are free to take the rest at the hotel and immerse yourself in the swimming pool or grab a bike to explore Hoi An countryside on your own. Distance and activities: 3 hours walking sightseeing
Day 9: Explore Hoi An (B)
Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most charming towns, with beautiful old streets decorated with hanging lanterns. Enjoy the day, getting to know the restaurants, cafes and tailors of the Ancient Town, situated on the banks of the Thu Bon River. You may also like to head to one of the nearby beaches, some of which are lined with restaurants serving everything from local seafood to western cuisine.
Day 10: Hoi An - Da Nang – fly to Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Enjoy the day in Hoi An until an afternoon flight to the metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. After freshening up at your hotel, the rest of your day is yours to explore or relax. Distance and activities: 30’ transfer – 1h25’ flight – 45’ transfer
Day 11: Saigon History: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels (B - L)
Step into the past with a visit through the Cu Chi tunnels, a vital network of 200km of underground passages, chambers, and living quarters during the war with America and a fascinating piece of Vietnam’s history. Enjoy a local lunch nearby before returning to the center of HCM city. The afternoon consists of an easy walking tour, starting at the Reunification Palace and then finishing at the Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, two still-working colonial masterpieces. 3h round-trip transfer -3h tunnel tour – 3h sightseeing city tour
Day 12: Relax in the Mekong Delta: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta - Vung Liem (B - L)
Leave the city for a quiet escape to the fertile rice bowl of Vietnam: the Mekong Delta. This lush land of palm trees and great plains is home to some of the best fruit farms found anywhere in the world, and it’s all easily explored by bike. So, take your two wheels and peddle around the area, taking in the vibrant green rice paddies and stopping to enjoy the delicious fruit. Check-in to your riverside lodge, just in time to watch a traditional music show while enjoying a delicious dinner made from local ingredients from the area.
Distance and activities: 2h transfer – 2h cycling
Day 13: All about Coconuts: Vung Liem - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City (B - L)
Get an early start and discover more about one of the produce items that keeps this region in business: coconuts. Witness the boats piled high with coconuts destined for the factory – nothing goes to waste! After the coconuts are shelled, the fibers are removed from the husk and used to make rope and rugs. You can watch the whole process before returning to the lodge for a quick lunch before heading back to HCM City. Arrive back to your city hotel in the late afternoon, with the evening free to explore on your own.
Distance and activities: 2h transfer – 2h cycling
Day 14: Time to Say Good-bye - Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)
Enjoy the last day as you see fit before your transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for onward booked travel.
Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most charming towns, with beautiful old streets decorated with hanging lanterns. Enjoy the day, getting to know the restaurants, cafes and tailors of the Ancient Town, situated on the banks of the Thu Bon River. You may also like to head to one of the nearby beaches, some of which are lined with restaurants serving everything from local seafood to western cuisine.
Day 10: Hoi An - Da Nang – fly to Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Enjoy the day in Hoi An until an afternoon flight to the metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. After freshening up at your hotel, the rest of your day is yours to explore or relax. Distance and activities: 30’ transfer – 1h25’ flight – 45’ transfer
Day 11: Saigon History: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels (B - L)
Step into the past with a visit through the Cu Chi tunnels, a vital network of 200km of underground passages, chambers, and living quarters during the war with America and a fascinating piece of Vietnam’s history. Enjoy a local lunch nearby before returning to the center of HCM city. The afternoon consists of an easy walking tour, starting at the Reunification Palace and then finishing at the Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, two still-working colonial masterpieces. 3h round-trip transfer -3h tunnel tour – 3h sightseeing city tour
Day 12: Relax in the Mekong Delta: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta - Vung Liem (B - L)
Leave the city for a quiet escape to the fertile rice bowl of Vietnam: the Mekong Delta. This lush land of palm trees and great plains is home to some of the best fruit farms found anywhere in the world, and it’s all easily explored by bike. So, take your two wheels and peddle around the area, taking in the vibrant green rice paddies and stopping to enjoy the delicious fruit. Check-in to your riverside lodge, just in time to watch a traditional music show while enjoying a delicious dinner made from local ingredients from the area.
Distance and activities: 2h transfer – 2h cycling
Day 13: All about Coconuts: Vung Liem - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City (B - L)
Get an early start and discover more about one of the produce items that keeps this region in business: coconuts. Witness the boats piled high with coconuts destined for the factory – nothing goes to waste! After the coconuts are shelled, the fibers are removed from the husk and used to make rope and rugs. You can watch the whole process before returning to the lodge for a quick lunch before heading back to HCM City. Arrive back to your city hotel in the late afternoon, with the evening free to explore on your own.
Distance and activities: 2h transfer – 2h cycling
Day 14: Time to Say Good-bye - Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)
Enjoy the last day as you see fit before your transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for onward booked travel.
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What's included:
* 22 delicious meals * All transportation as mentioned * 13 nights stay at unique boutique hotels * All activities as mentioned in the program * 2 Domestic flights * All entrance tickets |
What's not included:
* International flights * Tourist visa (depends on country, some are free) * Travel insurance (medical/evacuation coverage required * Tips (for waiters, drivers, guides etc.) * Any expense of personal nature (souvenirs, laundry,...) * Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary |