Explore the Best of Vietnam in 15 Days: Culture, Nature & Cuisine

Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport. Around 10:00–12:00, your tour guide and driver will meet you outside the baggage claim area and transfer you to your hotel in the city center for check-in and a short rest.

At 14:00, meet your group in the hotel lobby for an orientation walk through some of Hanoi’s highlights, including the Opera House, the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Ngoc Son Temple.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon to freshen up.

At 18:30, enjoy a welcome dinner of authentic Vietnamese cuisine at a local restaurant.

Meals included: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

08:00 – Start a full-day tour exploring Vietnam’s charming capital with its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes, and ancient oriental pagodas. Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone.

Morning visits:

The Ho Chi Minh Complex (including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Stilt House)

The nearby One Pillar Pagoda

The Presidential Palace

The Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first National University and Confucius worship site

12:30 – Lunch at a local restaurant (own arrangement or included, depending on your program).

17:00 – Visit the Water Puppet Theatre and enjoy a performance about the daily life of Vietnamese people in the countryside – a show traditionally performed in lakes or ponds in villages.

18:30 – Hanoi Street Food Tour – Authentic Experiences!

Walk through the bustling small alleys of the Old Quarter and local markets. Taste famous dishes such as Nem Rán (Hanoi spring rolls), Bánh Cuốn (rice steam cakes), Bún Chả (pork barbecue with fresh noodles), Bánh Mì (Vietnamese baguette), fresh salads, and try local Egg Coffee or Bia Hơi (draught beer). Travel like locals, eat like locals!

21:00 – Transfer to Hanoi Train Station for the overnight train to Sapa.

Meals included: Breakfast, street food (Dinner)

Accommodation: Sleeping on the train (First Class with 4 soft berths A/C Cabin).

05:30 – The train arrives at Lao Cai Railway Station in the early morning.

06:00 – Meet your driver for a scenic 40 km drive (approx. 1 hour) to Sapa – Northwest Vietnam’s premier travel destination with stunning mountain and terraced scenery.

07:30 – Upon arrival in Sapa, enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant, then transfer to your hotel for a short rest (early check-in subject to availability).

10:00 – Begin your adventure in this beautiful mountain landscape, home to many minority hill tribespeople. Your guide will take you on a two-hour trek through the terraced rice fields to visit the villages of Cat Cat and Sin Chai. Learn about local traditions, daily life and enjoy the haunting natural beauty.

13:00 – Return to the hotel for lunch (own arrangement or included depending on program).

Afternoon – Free at leisure to wander around Sapa town, shop for handicrafts, or simply relax.

Evening – You may want to visit the night market and Sapa’s Stone Church to experience local life after dark.

Meals included: Breakfast on the train
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

07:00 – Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Pack lightly with only what you need for trekking. Your main luggage will stay at the hotel.

08:00 – Set out on a full day’s trek to explore Sapa’s cultural diversity and haunting natural beauty. Follow your guide through yawning valleys decorated with incredibly beautiful terraced rice fields, passing through remote hill tribe villages where we’ll have chances to interact with local people.

Trekking options:

Soft trek (~3 km)

Medium trek (~6 km)

Long trek (~12 km)

Trekking is an excellent way to explore daily life and get to know the cultures of the Hmong, Dzao, and Dzay peoples who populate the region.

12:00 – Picnic lunch at a hill tribe village

13:00–16:00 – Continue hiking through villages and rice terraces according to the trekking option chosen.

Late afternoon (around 16:30) – Arrive at our homestay. Enjoy time to relax and get to know the host family.

19:00 – Dinner at the local home with the family hosts – a unique and memorable experience!

Special Information for Homestay: Tonight, we’ll stay with a H’mong family in a traditional stilt house. Accommodation is shared in one large room with individual beds, clean linen, blankets, mosquito nets, towels, hot showers, and sandals provided.

Please bring trekking shoes, sunscreen, and mosquito spray.

Relax and enjoy this authentic local experience!

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:  Homestay

07:00 – Enjoy breakfast at the homestay. Say goodbye to your host family.

08:00 – Walk with your guide to a nearby village where a bus will be waiting. Board the bus back to Sapa, taking in the last moments of the fresh mountain air and sublime scenery.

09:00 – Arrive in Sapa town. Time for a short rest or last-minute shopping.

10:00 – Depart Sapa by bus to Hanoi. This is a great way to see the beautiful and peaceful countryside on the way!

14:30–15:30 – Arrive back in Hanoi city. Transfer to your hotel and check in.

Evening – Enjoy a free evening in Hanoi’s colonial capital. You can wander the Old Quarter, relax at Hoan Kiem Lake, or explore local cafés and street food until your heart’s content.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

07:00 – Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 – Depart Hanoi by private vehicle for Halong Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage Site (approx. 2.5 hours). On the way, enjoy views of the Red River Delta countryside with rice paddies and small villages.

11:30–12:00 – Arrive at the jetty in Halong City and complete cruise check-in formalities.

12:30 – Board your traditional wooden junk or modern cruise boat. Enjoy a welcome drink while receiving a short briefing about the cruise.

13:00 – Lunch is served on board as the boat begins cruising into the heart of Halong Bay, where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into bizarre shapes – truly an iconic image of Vietnam.

Afternoon (14:30–16:30) – Depending on the boat’s itinerary, enjoy activities such as:

Swimming or kayaking (may be extra cost if not included in your cruise package)

Visiting one of Halong’s famous caves

Or simply relax on the sundeck and take in the scenery

17:00–17:30 – Join a cooking class on board to learn how to prepare a famous Vietnamese dish (if offered on your cruise).

18:00 – The boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations.

19:00 – Dinner is served on board. After dinner, relax on the sundeck, join optional squid fishing, or enjoy the tranquility of the bay at night.

Note: Cruise itineraries may vary depending on the vessel. For full details, please check the cruise’s website or contact your travel consultant.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on a cruise in Halong Bay

06:00 – Wake up early to watch the sun rise over Halong Bay.

06:30 – A light breakfast is served on board (some cruises also offer brunch while sailing back to shore). Take advantage of the sundeck to admire the incredible rock formations as you navigate back to Halong City.

09:30–10:00 – Disembark at the dock in Halong City. Meet your driver and transfer by private vehicle to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi (approx. 2.5–3 hours).

Early Afternoon – Arrive at Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Hue.

Upon arrival in Hue, meet your local guide and driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy free time to rest or explore at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

08:00 – Meet your drivers and guides for the “Top Gear” Motorbike Tour. Sit on the back of a motorbike driven by experienced local riders and head out to the peaceful Hue countryside.

Morning (08:00–11:30) – Enjoy the scenic ride through local markets, conical hat–making and incense–making villages, the old Tiger Arena, and romantic hillsides leading down to the Perfume River.

11:30–12:30 – Lunch at a local restaurant (own arrangement or included depending on program).

Afternoon (13:00–16:30) – Continue the motorbike tour to visit Hue’s must-sees:

The Kings’ Tombs

The Imperial Citadel – home to the Imperial City and Forbidden Purple City, created in the 19th century and modeled on Beijing’s Forbidden City. Inside the Imperial Enclosure, you will find many palaces and temples.

Thien Mu Pagoda – Hue’s oldest and most iconic pagoda.

Late afternoon (around 17:00) – Return by bus to the hotel for some well-deserved relaxation.

Special Information: Experience Vietnam’s countryside and real local life on a fun, safe motorbike tour. You’ll ride pillion with a professional driver—just relax and enjoy the peaceful scenery.

This tour is safety-checked, but please make sure your travel insurance covers pillion riding up to 125 cc. If you’d rather not join the motorbike ride, let your Tour Leader know and a car will be arranged at no extra cost.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Romance Hotel, Hue

08:00 – Depart Hue for Hoi An by private vehicle (approx. 3 hours). On the way:

Stop at Lang Co Beach for a short photo break.

Continue over the spectacular Hai Van Pass (500 m high) with stunning scenery of mountains and sea.

Weather permitting, stop at Da Nang to visit the handicraft village at the foot of Marble Mountain.

11:30–12:00 – Arrive in Hoi An and check in at your hotel.

13:30 – After settling in, start exploring with a guided sightseeing walk through the Old Town to visit Hoi An’s major attractions.

You’ll also be given a Hoi An Sightseeing Pass (valid for 3 days – please always bring it with you when in town) so you can further explore select attractions at your leisure.

Evening – Free time to enjoy the charm of Hoi An. The town offers many cafés, restaurants, and bars, as well as shops and tailor shops if you’d like to have clothes made to order.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Morning (07:00–12:00) – Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then spend a relaxing morning immersing yourself in the tranquility and charm of this sleepy riverside town. From the 15th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international port frequented by Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese, and Arab traders who came to buy the high-quality silk still produced here.

Take the opportunity to order tailor-made clothes, shop for souvenirs and jewelry, and explore the beautiful night market stocked with unique colorful lanterns. If shopping isn’t your thing, take the weight off your feet in one of Hoi An’s many cafés and restaurants, enjoy a massage, or relax on Cua Dai or An Bang Beach.

13:00–15:30 – Continue enjoying free time in Hoi An at your own pace.

16:00 – Meet for a Vietnamese Cooking Class. This includes:

A trip to the local market to pick up fresh ingredients.

Return to the restaurant and learn to cook authentic Vietnamese cuisine under the guidance of an expert chef.

18:00–19:00 – Sit down together to enjoy the delicious meal you’ve prepared.

Evening – Free at leisure to enjoy Hoi An’s nightlife or return to your hotel for relaxation.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Vinh Hung Riverside Resort, Hoi An. 

07:00 – Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Prepare for a half-day Easy Rider Tour.

08:00 – Meet your local guide and begin cycling from the hotel into the countryside surrounding Hoi An. See local farmers at work in nearby villages and stop along the way to chat with the people.

09:00 – Continue biking to meet the friendly water buffalo. You’ll have the opportunity to take a short ride on this magnificent animal — a memorable photo opportunity!

10:00 – Head to the coconut forest and enjoy floating through the waterways in large round bamboo basket boats — a unique and fun experience.

11:30 – Cycle a little further to the river pier and board a boat for a relaxing river cruise back to the Ancient Town.

12:30 – Arrive back in Hoi An. Free afternoon and evening to explore on your own. This is your last chance to pick up some souvenirs or collect your tailor-made clothes.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

05:30–06:00 – Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel. Say goodbye to Hoi An.

06:30 – Transfer to Da Nang Airport for your early flight to Vietnam’s biggest commercial hub: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Morning – Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, meet your local guide and driver. Travel directly outside the city (about 1.5 hours) to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels – “Iron Land”. This underground labyrinth of passageways was used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War (called the “American War” locally) as protection against air raids. Those who wish may crawl through sections of the tunnels to better understand what life was like for Vietnamese soldiers during wartime.

12:30–13:30 – Enjoy lunch at a restaurant near the tunnels or back in downtown Ho Chi Minh City (own arrangement unless otherwise specified).

14:00 – Return to Ho Chi Minh City and check in at your hotel. Take a short rest.

15:30–17:30 – Set out on a guided walking tour of key city sites:

Reunification Palace

Notre Dame Cathedral

Central Post Office

Ben Thanh Market

Evening – The rest of the day is yours to explore freely. You can stroll along Nguyen Hue Walking Street, enjoy rooftop cafés, or sample street food.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Northern Saigon Hotel

06:30–07:00 – Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Check out and depart Ho Chi Minh City for the Mekong River Delta – Vietnam’s “rice basket.”

09:30 – Arrive at the pier on the Tiền River. Board a motorboat and cruise past green rice fields toward the islets.

View the Dragon, Phoenix, and Unicorn Islets

Walk into a local village, visit a fruit garden, and enjoy seasonal tropical fruits while listening to traditional folk music performed by local people

11:00 – Continue the cruise to Bến Tre Province, known as the “land of coconuts.”

Visit a coconut candy workshop and a bee house

Enjoy honey tea and take photos with a (non-venomous) snake

12:30 – Lunch at a local riverside restaurant (own arrangement unless specified).

13:30 – After lunch, enjoy an exciting ride by motor cart or electric car through the countryside lanes of Bến Tre.

14:30 – Board a small rowing sampan for a peaceful trip along narrow canals shaded by water coconut trees – an iconic Delta experience.

15:30–16:00 – Disembark at Vĩnh Long Pier. Meet your driver and travel to Cần Thơ City, the heart of the Mekong Delta (about 1.5–2 hours).

Evening – Arrive in Cần Thơ, check in at your hotel. Free evening to explore the poetic city by the Hậu River; you may stroll along the riverside, try local food, or take a short night boat ride (optional).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho 

04:45–05:00 – Wake up early, get ready, and have a quick breakfast at the hotel (or take a breakfast box).

05:00–05:15 – Transfer to the pier and board a motorized boat to the Cai Rang Floating Market.

05:15–06:30 – Cruise through the bustling market at its busiest time. Watch vendors trading fruit and produce directly from boat to boat.

06:30–08:30 – Continue your boat trip along the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong River:

Visit a workshop where rice noodles and rice paper for fresh spring rolls are made.

Stroll around a local village, meet friendly residents, and cross a traditional “Monkey Bridge” made of bamboo.

08:30–09:30 – Stop at a fruit orchard to sample fresh tropical fruit right in the garden.

10:00–11:00 – Return to the hotel to collect your luggage.

11:00–14:00 – Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City (approximately 3 hours).

Late Afternoon – Arrive in Saigon, check in at your hotel. The rest of the day is free to discover this vibrant city at your own pace.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and a free morning to relax or explore Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace. Depending on your flight schedule, your driver will transfer you to Tan Son Nhat Airport to catch your flight home or onward to your next adventure.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A