Vietnam Romantic Discovery 12 Days: Iconic Highlights & Cultural Journey

• Arrival – Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), your professional guide will warmly welcome you, holding a sign with your name and company logo for easy recognition.
• Transfer – Enjoy a private transfer to your luxury accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s vibrant economic and cultural hub known for its dynamic energy and colonial charm.
• Afternoon / Leisure time – Check in and relax after your flight, or take time to explore the city center at your own pace, with easy access to cafés, shopping streets, and local attractions.
  Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Start point: Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), Truong Son Street, Ho Chi Minh City

• Morning – Depart from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho, a peaceful riverside town located along the Mekong River, known as the gateway to the Mekong Delta.
• Mid-morning – Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, a historic 19th-century temple blending Vietnamese, Chinese, and Khmer architectural styles.
• Late morning – Board a sampan boat and cruise along the Mekong River, passing the four famous islets: Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise Islands, each offering unique local experiences.
• Midday – Stop at Unicorn Island, walk through lush orchards, enjoy fresh tropical fruits, and listen to traditional folk music performed by local artists.
• Early afternoon – Continue with a hand-rowed sampan ride through Thoi Son Canal, offering an up-close view of the tranquil countryside. Visit a local family workshop, a honey-bee farm, and a coconut candy factory, where you can taste honey tea and local specialties.
• Lunch – Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant.
• Afternoon – Experience cycling around Tan Thach Village, interacting with locals and discovering authentic rural life in the Mekong Delta. Alternatively, relax in a hammock and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
• Late afternoon – Return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• Evening – Embark on a unique open-air Jeep tour through Ho Chi Minh City, offering a fresh perspective of the city once the crowds fade and temperatures cool.
• Night exploration (2.5 hours) – Discover the vibrant nightlife of Saigon, passing by iconic landmarks and hidden corners, where the city reveals its dynamic and authentic evening atmosphere.
• City highlights – Drive past famous attractions, beautifully illuminated at night, providing a completely different charm compared to daytime visits.
• Skybar experience – Conclude the evening at a rooftop skybar, where you can enjoy a drink while taking in panoramic views of Saigon’s skyline, creating a memorable and romantic moment.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

• Morning – Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend your remaining time in Ho Chi Minh City, a vibrant metropolis known for its dynamic lifestyle and rich history.
• Late morning / Transfer – Your private driver will escort you to the airport for a domestic flight to Da Nang.
• Arrival & Transfer – Upon arrival, continue with a scenic drive to Hoi An, a charming ancient town famous for its well-preserved architecture and peaceful riverside setting.
• Afternoon / Leisure time – Check in to your hotel near the beach or Old Town and enjoy free time to relax, stroll around, or unwind after your journey.

Overnight in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast

• Morning – Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before starting your countryside adventure.
• Mid-morning / Cycling – Meet your local host and begin a scenic ride through Hoi An countryside, where quiet village roads, rice paddies, and lush landscapes offer an authentic glimpse of rural Vietnam. Along the way, observe local farmers and water buffalo, capturing memorable moments of daily life.
• Late morning – Arrive at Tra Que Vegetable Village, an organic farming community famous for its fresh herbs and traditional cultivation methods. Receive a warm welcome with herbal tea and learn about local farming practices.
• Hands-on experience – Join local farmers in gardening activities, such as planting and tending vegetables using traditional techniques, offering a fun and immersive cultural experience.
• Midday – Enjoy a relaxing herbal foot massage, followed by a cooking class where you will learn to prepare a traditional Hoi An specialty, including the famous local pancake.
• Lunch – Savor a home-cooked Vietnamese meal made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
• Afternoon / Leisure time – Relax in the peaceful village setting, unwind on a hammock, or enjoy free time before cycling back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• Morning – Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and prepare for a cultural exploration in Hoi An.
• Late morning / Walking tour – Discover Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO-listed heritage site known for its well-preserved architecture and rich trading history dating back to the 17th century. Visit highlights including:
  • Museum of Folk Culture – Showcasing traditional Vietnamese life through artifacts and exhibits.
  • Tan Ky Old House – A beautifully preserved merchant house reflecting a blend of Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese architecture.
  • Japanese Covered Bridge – An iconic 400-year-old symbol of Hoi An with unique historical significance.
  • Fujian Assembly Hall – An ornate temple dedicated to sea goddess worship, featuring intricate carvings and vibrant colors.
• Afternoon / Lantern making class – Join a hands-on lantern-making workshop, where you will create your own handcrafted lantern, a meaningful souvenir symbolizing luck, happiness, and prosperity in local culture. No prior experience is required—just enjoy the creative process.
• Evening – Attend the spectacular Hoi An Memory Show, an outdoor performance combining music, dance, and storytelling to bring the town’s history and cultural heritage to life.

Overnight in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast

• Morning – Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend your remaining time in Hoi An, a peaceful ancient town known for its lantern-lit streets and riverside charm.
• Late morning / Transfer – Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi.
• Arrival & Transfer – Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Hanoi, the capital city celebrated for its unique blend of traditional heritage and modern lifestyle.
• Afternoon / Leisure time – Enjoy free time to relax or explore Hanoi, often regarded as one of the most livable cities, with its tree-lined boulevards, historic quarters, and vibrant culture.

Overnight in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast

• Morning (08:00 AM) – Your guide and driver will pick you up for a comfortable journey to Ninh Binh, a region known for its rich history and dramatic limestone landscapes. Along the way, enjoy scenic views of the Red River Delta, famous for its fertile countryside and rural life.

• Mid-morning – Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the political center of Vietnam in the 10th–11th centuries, surrounded by natural limestone mountains. Explore the temples of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang and Emperor Le Dai Hanh, honoring two important figures in Vietnam’s early independence.
• Lunch – Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant.
• Afternoon – Head to Tam Coc, often referred to as “Halong Bay on Land” for its stunning karst formations and river scenery. Take a private sampan boat ride (approx. 90 minutes) along the Ngo Dong River, passing through rice fields and natural caves.
• Late afternoon – Visit Mua Cave (Hang Mua), famous for its panoramic viewpoints. Climb approximately 500 stone steps to reach the summit, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views over Tam Coc and the surrounding countryside.
• Evening / Leisure time – Return to Hanoi and enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace.

Overnight in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• Morning (07:30 – 08:00) – After breakfast at the hotel, depart from Hanoi by shared shuttle or private transfer to Mai Chau Valley, a peaceful countryside destination surrounded by lush mountains and rice fields.

• Mid-morning (10:00) – Take a short break en route to enjoy the fresh mountain air and scenic landscapes. Stop at Thung Khe Pass, famous for its panoramic views over the valleys, and visit a local market of the Muong ethnic people, offering a glimpse into local highland culture.
• Midday (12:00 – 12:30) – Arrive in Mai Chau Valley and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch served in a local stilt house, experiencing authentic rural hospitality.
• Afternoon – Explore the peaceful countryside by cycling through local villages, where you will:
  • Visit traditional Thai ethnic stilt houses
  • Observe rice fields and rural farming life
  • Discover local handicrafts and daily village activities
• Late afternoon (16:00) – Depart Mai Chau and return to Hanoi by shuttle bus.
• Evening (18:30 – 19:30) – Arrive and drop off at your hotel in Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• Morning (after breakfast) – Your guide will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you by shared limousine to Halong Bay, with a scenic drive of approximately 2.5 hours. Along the way, enjoy peaceful views of the Red River Delta, passing through countryside landscapes, farmlands, and rural villages.

• Midday (around 12:00) – Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina and board your luxury cruise. You will be welcomed with a refreshing drink and attend a short briefing from the captain and crew.
• Check-in & Lunch – Check into your cabin and relax as the cruise begins sailing through the stunning seascape. Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch served either in the dining room or outdoor dining area while admiring the limestone formations of the bay.
• Afternoon activities – Visit Surprising Cave, one of the most impressive caves in the region. Continue to the Titop Island area, where you can swim, snorkel, or hike to the summit for a panoramic view of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
• Evening – Enjoy a sunset party on the sundeck, taking in the golden scenery while socializing and tasting Vietnamese delicacies.
• Night onboard – After dinner, relax at leisure with cocktails, games, movies, reading, or try night squid fishing for a unique local experience.

Overnight on cruise.

Note: In case of adverse weather conditions preventing cruise departure, the itinerary may be adjusted, cancelled, or refunded depending on the situation.

• Early morning (06:30) – For early risers, join a peaceful Tai Chi session on the sundeck, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and calm atmosphere of Lan Ha Bay.
• Morning (after breakfast) – Enjoy breakfast while cruising through the breathtaking scenery of emerald waters and limestone karsts as the ship moves towards Luon Cave (Hang Luon).
• Mid-morning – Experience Luon Cave, where you can choose to explore by kayak or by a traditional bamboo boat rowed by local fishermen, offering a closer look at the natural beauty of the bay.
• Late morning – Participate in a cooking demonstration class, where you will learn how to prepare traditional Vietnamese spring rolls.
• Lunch – Enjoy an early lunch onboard while continuing to admire the stunning seascape.
• Afternoon – Return to the harbor and bid farewell to the cruise crew. Then, transfer by shared limousine back to Hanoi.
• Evening – Arrive in Hanoi and check in at your hotel in the Old Quarter for relaxation.

Overnight in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12: Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh Departure – Trip Ends

• Morning – Enjoy a nourishing breakfast at the hotel and take some time to relax or reflect on your journey.
• Check-out – Complete hotel check-out procedures and prepare for departure.
• Transfer – You will be picked up by a private transfer service and escorted to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) for your onward flight.
• Departure – Your driver will assist with luggage and ensure a smooth and comfortable transfer to the airport.

Your memorable journey concludes here. Thank you for traveling with us—safe travels and we look forward to welcoming you again on your next adventure.

Trip ends.