16 Days Discovering Amazing Vietnam

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel in the city centre to check in (regular check-in time: 14:00; early check-in is not included). Rest and refresh after your long-haul flight. Overnight in Hanoi.

Drive from your hotel to visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, then explore Train Street, one of Hanoi's most iconic sights. Lunch is at your own expense. In the afternoon, visit Chuong Conical Hat Village, famous for its handwoven "non" hats, a timeless symbol of Vietnamese culture found in every corner of the country. In the evening, enjoy a Water Puppet show, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form said to have originated in the flooded rice fields of the Red River Delta.

Your driver picks you up from your hotel for a scenic drive to Ecopark, a green modern enclave and the starting point for today's biking adventure. Cycle around Ecopark town before continuing to Kim Lan Pottery Village, where you'll visit the communal museum and watch locals crafting and sun-drying pottery in quiet alleyways. Continue through the vibrant Xuan Quan Flower Village before pedaling on to Bat Trang, the historic pottery village of northern Vietnam, where you'll walk its narrow lanes and meet a war veteran who shares stories of the village's history. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before driving back to your hotel. In the late afternoon, you'll be warmly welcomed into a local family's home for tea and their story, followed by a traditional home-cooked dinner and a relaxed evening of green tea and conversation about life in Hanoi past and present.

After breakfast, your private car and guide pick you up for the journey to Cao Bang, a scenic 285 km (about 6 hours) drive through green hills, tea plantations and the local villages of Thai Nguyen and Bac Kan provinces. In the afternoon, arrive in Trung Khanh district and check in to Khuoi Ky Stone Village, a unique 400-year-old village of the Tay ethnic minority famous for its houses built entirely of river stone. Overnight in Ban Gioc.

After breakfast, visit Ban Gioc Waterfall in the morning, one of the most majestic cross-border waterfalls in the world. Board a private bamboo raft to get up close to the roaring cascades on the Quay Son River, then visit the stunning Nguom Ngao ("Tiger Cave"), a one-kilometre cave full of limestone formations shaped like sweeping boughs, tangled plants, spires and canopies. In the afternoon, head to Phong Nam Valley for the best time of day, as the golden sunset glows over the winding Quay Son River, bamboo groves and lush rice paddies framed by jagged limestone peaks. Enjoy a peaceful walk to capture breathtaking photos. Overnight in Ban Gioc.

After breakfast, drive through the scenic Trung Khanh valleys, famous for their vast chestnut groves, gaining a glimpse into the authentic rural life of the local ethnic communities. In the afternoon, arrive at Angel Eye Mountain (Mountain with a Hole) in the Nam Tra Valley, a geological wonder with a massive, perfectly round hole piercing through the heart of the mountain. The surrounding area is a vast, emerald-green meadow with natural lakes, wild horses and water buffaloes grazing freely, creating a fairytale landscape. Overnight in Cao Bang.

After breakfast, your private car and guide pick you up and drive back to Hanoi, about 285 km (roughly 6 hours). The rest of the day is free and easy in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

In the morning, check out and transfer to Ninh Binh. Check in and take a rest. Enjoy a peaceful sampan boat trip through Van Long Lagoon, one of Ninh Binh's most beautiful wetland nature reserves. Surrounded by limestone mountains and calm water, this area is also home to the rare Delacour's langur, one of the world's most endangered primates, and with a bit of luck you may spot these unique langurs resting or moving along the rocky cliffs, especially in the late afternoon. Overnight in Ninh Binh.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Mua Cave, one of the most impressive viewpoints in Ninh Binh. Climb around 500 steps to the summit of Mua Mountain for breathtaking panoramic views over the limestone karst landscape, rice fields and the winding Ngo Dong River. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (at your own expense). In the afternoon, continue to Thai Vi Temple, a historic temple nestled among the limestone mountains and rice fields; meet the temple keeper and hear stories about its history and its connection to the Tran Dynasty. Continue to Tam Coc Wharf to board a traditional sampan boat for a leisurely cruise along the Ngo Dong River, gliding between towering limestone karsts, lush rice fields and traditional villages, and through several natural caves, often described as "Ha Long Bay on land." Return to the hotel to rest and relax at leisure.

Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Ha Long. You'll be welcomed by the cruise's receptionists at the lounge, take a rest and be registered for the trip, then take a speedboat transfer to your cruise, the Genesis Regal, where you'll receive a warm welcome from the crew. Enjoy lunch in the restaurant as the cruise departs to discover the world's natural wonder. Check in to rest in your room or head to the roof to relax and hunt for beautiful photos of Lan Ha Bay. In the afternoon, a speedboat takes you to the Dark and Bright Caves, where you'll board a local rowing boat to see the beautiful caves, before the cruise moves to its overnight anchor point, where you can swim in the sea or pool, use the jacuzzi, relax on the roof, or enjoy the spa. Join the sunset party on the cruise's roof with music and drinks as the cruise moves to the Tra Bau area for the night, followed by dinner in the restaurant. In the evening, choose from movies, squid fishing or massage before the cruise anchors overnight in one of the bay's quietest corners.

Tai Chi exercise starts the day on the roof of the cruise, a wonderful moment to catch the sunrise over the bay, followed by a nutritious breakfast in the restaurant. A speedboat takes you to the Tra Bau floating house or Ba Dinh area for kayaking at your own pace, exploring the nooks and crannies of Lan Ha Bay, before returning to the cruise to rest and check out. Enjoy lunch as the cruise returns to the harbour, then transfer by speedboat to Tuan Chau Marina and prepare your luggage for the transfer to Hanoi. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang, then transfer to your hotel in Hoi An to check in and rest. Overnight in Hoi An. Please note a German-speaking guide joins the cruise to support your family.

Breakfast at the hotel, then visit My Son Sanctuary, "the spirit and art valley," a symbol of a brilliant period of the Champa kingdom recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1999. A special electric car takes you from the main gate to the temple towers, built for nearly 1,000 years and hidden in a discreet valley considered the Holy Land of ancient Champa culture. Your guide shares the legends and mysteries of the site before you return to the main gate by electric car. Back at the hotel to rest, then in the afternoon head to Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved architecture, colourful lanterns and charming riverside atmosphere. Begin your walking tour at the Japanese Covered Bridge, one of Hoi An's most iconic landmarks, then continue through narrow streets lined with historic yellow houses, Chinese assembly halls, local shops and tailor boutiques. Visit the Fujian Assembly Hall to admire its elaborate architecture and learn about the Chinese merchant communities who once settled here. Enjoy free time to browse handicrafts and souvenirs, with a stop for Vietnamese coffee at your own expense. As evening falls, stroll along the Thu Bon River as the lanterns light up, and release a wish lantern on the water.

Pick-up at your hotel by mini-van and transfer down to Phuoc Hai – Cua Dai Fishing Village to board a boat cruise on the Cua Dai River. Enjoy a thung chai (basket boat) demonstration by the local crew, then learn to paddle these unique bamboo basket boats yourself and join a fun basket boat race while exploring palm coconut canals once used during wartime, hearing stories of the hardships endured by soldiers on both sides. Try your hand at catching purple crabs, join local fishermen's daily life with hands-on cast-net fishing, and enjoy the folk music tradition of singing and rowing "Ba Trao" with local fishermen before visiting an islet for big-net fishing. Back on board, enjoy lunch with a cold beer or soft drink before returning to your hotel by mini-van. Rest of the day free at leisure.

Free time to explore Hoi An at your own pace. Check out and transfer to your hotel in the beach area. No guide today.

A full free day to relax on the beach, explore Hoi An further, or simply unwind at your own pace.

Free time, then transfer to airport for your flight home. Trip ends! End of services. We wish you a pleasant journey home and look forward to welcoming you back to Vietnam in the future!