NORTH AND CENTRAL VIETNAM TOUR – 12 DAYS

Xin chào! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city. On arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for refreshment (standard check-in time 2:00 PM).

Around 17:00, join a foodie walking tour through the maze of streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Sample the city’s most famous street food, including bun cha, nom bo kho, banh cuon and Vietnamese fried spring rolls, at small local eateries, then stop at a bia hoi (draft beer) corner to try the local brew.

Around 21:00 your guide will say farewell and the rest of the evening is yours. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, take an in-depth tour of Hanoi’s most interesting sights: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Ethnology Museum, the Temple of Literature and Ngoc Son Temple. The tour continues with an in-depth walk through the Old Quarter, finishing with an hour-long water puppet show before returning to your hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, then check out. Around 8:30 AM you will be picked up and driven along a countryside road through paddy fields to Ha Long Bay, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

On arrival at the harbour, board a traditional wooden boat and sail among the limestone islands. Enjoy a seafood lunch on board, then take a sampan ride to a traditional fishing village. Back on the boat, join a short cooking class, relax on the upper deck at sunset and enjoy dinner.

Rise early for Tai Chi on the top deck and a light breakfast, then disembark to explore a nearby cave. Return to the boat, check out, and enjoy brunch while sailing back to shore, where your vehicle transfers you to Hanoi.

You will arrive at your Hanoi hotel around 14:30–15:00, with the afternoon free. Around 20:30 you will be transferred to Hanoi railway station for the overnight train to Lao Cai.

On arrival at Lao Cai station, you will be met and transferred to Sapa town for breakfast at a local restaurant.

Afterwards, drive to the Silver Waterfall for a photo stop, then continue to Tram Ton Pass — Heaven’s Gate — with sweeping views of Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina.

From here, begin a gentle downhill trek through the bamboo forest of Hoang Lien National Park, with lunch served riverside, continuing on to Sin Chai village, home to the Black Hmong community. In the late afternoon you will be driven back to your hotel in Sapa for the night.

Breakfast at the hotel, then check out. This morning, visit one of the region’s hill-tribe markets — vivid gathering points where ethnic communities trade produce and enjoy food amid a swirl of colourful traditional dress (the specific market depends on your arrival date).

After the market, you will be transferred for a comfortable limousine ride back to Hanoi, arriving in the evening. Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast box provided. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Hue.

On arrival, meet your local guide and visit the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang and Thien Mu Pagoda, with a stop at Thuy Xuan incense-making village if time allows. Continue to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Hue.

A gentle day of cycling, farming and cooking through the countryside around Hue, at a comfortable pace throughout.

Cycle to Thanh Toan village, passing a morning market and rice fields, and visit the tile-roofed bridge and Agricultural Museum. Join a local boatman on the Nhu Y River to learn traditional fishing methods, then enjoy a cooking class of Hue specialities followed by lunch.

In the afternoon, visit the Hue Citadel, home to the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Hue.

Breakfast, then transfer along the coastal road toward Hoi An. Climb the Hai Van Pass, stopping at the summit for the view over Da Nang Bay, before descending to Nam O Bridge and Red Beach II.

Continue to the Museum of Cham Sculpture and on to Hoi An Ancient Town, stopping at Marble Mountain en route. Check in to your hotel.

After breakfast, drive to My Son Sanctuary. On arrival, transfer by electric cart to the ruins for a closer look and photographs, and enjoy a traditional performance by Cham artists. Drive back to Hoi An.

In the afternoon, take an in-depth walking tour of Hoi An’s historic centre, including the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Chinese Assembly Halls and Tan Ky Ancient House. Overnight in Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel, then visit a local market. Transfer to the pier for a basket-boat ride through the Cam Thanh coconut forest, watching local fishermen at work before returning to shore.

In the afternoon, visit Tra Que Village and the home of your host, Mr Tuan, for a welcome drink of fresh fruit, a walk through the organic herb gardens, and the chance to try a herbal foot massage and prepare Vietnamese specialities before a home-style meal together. Overnight in Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel, then free time until your transfer to Da Nang Airport for your onward flight. End of trip.