Offbeat Vietnam Tour: 12 Days of Unique Discoveries

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival – Hanoi City Tour

Arrive in Hanoi and check in your hotel. Today is about exploring Hanoi Downtown with visit the Temple of Literature and the Museum of Ethnology. Free at the rest of the day. Meals are on your own and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 : Hanoi – Duong Lam Village (B, L)

This morning, drive west of Hanoi to Duong Lam Village, which is the first ancient village in Vietnam regarded as a national relic. The excursion allows you to trace back the original of Vietnamese culture and have chance to see the ancient homes built 100 years ago. Take time to listen to old villagers’ stories and enjoy great tea. Lunch will be served in an ancient house before we return to Hanoi. Dinner is on your own and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3 : Hanoi – Mai Chau Sightseeing – Homestay With Local People (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you will depart to Mai Chau in Hoa Binh province (about 135km from Hanoi). The region is covered by beautiful rice fields, green mountains and many ethnic villages of White Thai people. After travelling along Cun Slope, 12 km from Cao Phong district, we will reach Mai Chau Valley which offers great views of green valley and stilt houses. Enjoy lunch in a local family and taste the finest rice wine. After lunch, join a biking trip to rustic village and explore locals’ daily life. Dinner and overnight in a homestay in Mai Chau.

Day 4 : Mai Chau – Ninh Binh – Trang An Scenic Landscape – Ninh Binh (B, L)

This morning, you have a memorable journey from Mai Chau to Ninh Binh which features stunning views of limestone caves and natural stones sculptures. At first, you come to visit Dinh and Le temples and then check in your hotel for a short break. After lunch, continue to get on a rowing boat to Trang An Scenic Landscape complex with many beautiful sites including Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, and Nau Ruou so that you can understand why Ninh Binh is dubbed ‘Halong on land’. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Day 5 : Ninh Binh – Van Long Natural Reserve – Hanoi (B, L)

Check out your hotel, you will start a visit to Bai Dinh pagoda, the largest pagoda complex in Vietnam. After lunch, continue a boat trip sailing to Van Long floating village to see Van Long Natural Reserve and then take a biking trip to discover the village. Back to your hotel in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Dinner is on your own.

Day 6 : Hanoi – Halong (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we will transfer you to Halong Bay for an interesting cruise trip. Lunch included onboard while the cruise sails through many beautiful sceneries including the Duck and Thumb islet then Coconut Island – the only soil island in the World Heritage Site. From there, you can enjoy kayaking or simply relax over the spectacular sunset view from board. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 7 : Halong – Hanoi (B, L)

You wake up early in the morning for a great sunrise and uninterrupted views of Halong Bay. Take time to visit Surprising Cave – the most beautiful cave of the bay. A wholesome lunch is included while the cruise passes through Fighting Cocks, Incense Burner, and Stone Dogs. Reach the pier at around noon. You will then transfer back to Hanoi. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 8 : Hanoi – Fly to Danang – Transfer to Hoian (B)

This morning is free for your leisure until flight time to Danang. Upon arrival, you will be then transferred to your hotel in Hoian. The whole afternoon is for a walking tour to discover Hoian ancient town. Dinner on your own and overnight in Hoian.

Day 9 : Hoian Free Day (B)
Free day in Hoian. Meals are on your own. Overnight in Hoian

Day 10 : Hoi An – Danang – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City – Sightseeing (B)

This moring, leave Hoian to Saigon where you are going to join a city tour to the Reunification Palace, Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, War Museum and Ben Thanh Market. Try a fresh experience of bargaining like locals. Meals are on your own and overnight in Saigon.

Day 11 : Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta Day Trip (Ben Tre) – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)

Depart from Saigon to Ben Tre via the impressive Rach Mieu Cable stayed Bridge then get on a small boat to visit small brick factories, a coconut processing workshop and a local mat-weaving house. You can also try “xe loi” (motorized trishaw), a popular mode of transport in the region. After lunch, join a biking trip through surrounding fields and then take a sampan along the picturesque canals. Back to the port to visit Ben Tre local market. Return to Saigon. Dinner is on your own and overnight in Saigon.

Day 12 : Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

Today is free at your leisure for last minute shopping or sight-seeing before driving to the airport to catch your departure flight home by our driver. End of service.