North and Central Vietnam Tour

Welcome to Hanoi!

You will be met at the airport and transferred to hotel in Hanoi. The rest of the day at leisure. If you are feeling energetic, head out to explore the city on foot.

Dating to 3,000 BCE, Hanoi is one of the most ancient capitals in the world. Today, it is a mix of the old and the new, a city defined by the contradictions of a rapidly developing yet deeply traditional society. Walk around the French colonial Old Quarter, absorb the energy of Hanoi's motorbike-packed streets, browse through outdoor markets, and silk shops, and try bánh mì from a street food vendor. Then go for a stroll around Hoàn Kiếm Lake. At the north end of the lake is an arched red bridge leading to Jade Island and the Temple of the Jade Mountain.

In the morning, you will take part in a guided tour of Hanoi, first with a stop at Hang Be Market. Located in the heart of the old town, just a five-minute walk from Hoàn Kiếm Lake, this municipal market has been open for more than 100 years. Then, we will head north to West Lake (Hồ Tây) and the Trấn Quốc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi.

Next, you will head to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. This huge museum complex preserves cultural heritage by offering information on the 54 different ethnic groups in Vietnam. Some prominent exhibits include large-scale replicas of town houses and ancient artifacts such as traditional jewellery and wedding clothing.

We will continue our tour at Ba Dinh Square and visit the exterior of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the dominant structure that serves as the final resting place for the revolutionary leader. This is followed by a stop at the nearby One Pillar Pagoda, one of the most iconic Buddhist temples in the city. Then we will arrive at the Temple of Literature, which was built in the 11th century and is dedicated to Confucius.

Then, it is time to sample the local cuisine on a delicious street food tour of the old town. Your guide will lead you through a maze of historic streets as you sample seasonal fruits from produce stalls and tasty French-inspired snacks from street carts. Famous northern Vietnamese dishes you will try including bún chả (a dish of grilled pork and noodles) and bánh cuốn (rice noodles filled with ground pork). The next stops are at outdoor barbecue stalls, where you will sit down with the locals and sample various grilled meats. Finish the tour with something sweet: a famous Vietnamese egg coffee, which is made with egg yolks, sugar, and condensed milk. You can also try some local rice wine before heading back to your hotel to relax.

Your destination today is the Hạ Long Bay coastal refuge and fishing community. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the true natural wonders of the world. At this sweet spot where land meets the Gulf of Tonkin, more than 1,000 karst islets rise above emerald waters.

Upon arrival, you will board a boat that will depart from the port for an unforgettable tour of the bay. Not only will you enjoy fresh seafood for lunch and dinner, but you will also spend the night aboard the ship. This will give you the opportunity to watch the sunset over the water.

We will wake up contemplating the aurora in the bay from the boat. We will have breakfast on board while we sail for a short time inside the bay before returning to the dock. From here, you will return to Hanoi by bus, then to the airport, where you will take a short flight to Da Nang, located on the coast of central Vietnam.

Upon arrival in Da Nang, you will transfer to nearby Hội An and check into your hotel. This colourful city is located on the central coast of Vietnam at the entrance to the Thu Bồn River and has a long history. You will perceive it as you stroll through its ancient streets along the seafront. Feel free to spend the evening relaxing and enjoying dinner in town.

After breakfast, you will meet a local guide at your hotel and hop on a bike for a 15-minute ride along the banks of the Thu Bồn River. Your first stop is Kim Bong's Woodworking Village. This small town, quietly hidden from the hustle and bustle of Hội An, is home to a community of artisans who spend their days in their workshops.

Then continue down the river to the Tra Nihau, an ecological village that has retained its traditional roots. This 148-acre community is situated in the Duy Xuyen District of Quang Nam Province. The locals earn their living in several ways, including fishing, mat-weaving, palm-leaf braiding, and making handicrafts. Your next stop is nearby Tra Que. This small village, home to just a few hundred residents, is famous for its organic vegetables. The farmers here grow many types of herbs and vegetables without the use of pesticides or chemicals.

Later, relax and soak your feet in a local herbal water solution - it is guaranteed to soothe. You will take a hands-on approach to lunch as you prepare a meal with a local family and learn how to make traditional dishes like tam hữu (spring rolls wrapped in herbs) and bánh xèo (crispy Vietnamese pancakes). Enjoy lunch with the family before heading back to Hội An.

Today you will have the freedom to enjoy Hội An. To learn more about the history of the city, you can visit the Hội An Museum, which houses a number of fascinating artifacts dating from the early dynasties to the colonial period. Or enjoy cheeky fun in the sun with a trip to An Bang Beach, with its white sands and sky-blue waters. When the sun goes down, Hội An really comes to life. Go for an evening stroll, as the boardwalk is particularly romantic after dark when the river lights up as coloured lanterns and floating candles light up the night sky. You may even be inspired to visit Hội An Lantern Market to buy a traditional lantern and take it home.

Back Home

In the morning, you will leave Hội An for the short drive north to Da Nang airport for a short flight to Hanoi. Your Vietnam adventure ends here.