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From Ethnic Highlands to Mekong Heartland

From the timeless craft villages of Hanoi to the floating world of the Mekong Delta, this journey unfolds the many layers of Vietnam. You’ll sail through the limestone giants of Halong Bay, trek across Sapa’s emerald terraces, and navigate the hidden caves of Ninh Binh’s riverlands. The adventure culminates in the dynamic energy of Ho Chi Minh City before immersing you in the soulful rhythm of delta life—its historic tunnels, spiritual temples, and warm, welcoming homestays where every meal tells a story.

OVERVIEW

  • ROUTE

    Hanoi - Halong Day boat - Bat Trang - Lao Cai (Sapa) - Ninh Binh - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (Tay Ninh - Cu Chi)

  • DURATION

    12 days

  • TRANSPORT

    Air-conditioned bus, 4 or 5 stars cruise, domestic flight (not included in the price)

  • LANGUAGE

    English (Other languages available: Spanish/Portuguese/Russian/France...for an additional fee)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Heritage & Craft Discovery in Hanoi: Explore ancient temples, the Ethnology Museum, and create your own pottery in Bát Tràng village.
  • Majestic Nature from North to South: Cruise Halong Bay’s limestone karsts, trek Sapa’s rice terraces, and drift through Ninh Binh’s river caves.
  • Deep Cultural Exchange & Hands-on Learning: Join cooking classes and indigo dyeing in Sapa and immerse in Mekong Delta family life and crafts.
  • Historical Journey Through Modern History: Visit Ho Chi Minh’s war sites and explore the vast Cu Chi Tunnels network.
  • Unique Spiritual & Local Encounters: Witness the colorful Cao Dai ceremony and experience bustling floating markets in the Mekong Delta.

100% Price Beat Guarantee

  • Shared Twin/ Double/ Triple room with AC and private bathroom (4-stars hotel or depending on selection)
  • Transfers and private tours with live-speaking guides in AC vehicles
  • Meals as per program
  • 2 bottles of mineral water per day on the bus
  • Entrance fees
  • 24/7 support
From 950USD/PERSON (group of 20 pax)
CONTACT US

ITINERARY

DAY 1: HANOI – ARRIVAL (-/-/)

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, our local guide will warmly welcome you and assist with hotel check-in (from 14:00 local time). Enjoy leisure time in Hanoi for an overnight stay

Hanoi to Halong Bay (160 km): 2.5 – 3.0hrs

Today, you will enjoy the journey drive of 2.5 – 3 hours from Hanoi to Halong Bay – a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty, you will experience a rural area dotted with villages, rice fields and farms providing the many parts of the nation with rice, fruits and vegetables. 

Arrive at the Halong Bay jetty around noon and embark then start a relaxing in a wonderful cruise through Halong Bay, passing bizarre rock formations. You will discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty, known in Vietnamese as “Dragon descending to the sea”. The picturesque Halong Bay has more than 3,000 limestone islets rising from the clear emerald water, many of them containing beautiful grottoes.

You will visit Thien Cung Cave situated on the south-west side of the bay, 4 km from the wharf outside of Halong City. The way to Thien Cung grotto is covered on both sides by thick forest. After entering narrow gate, the grotto’s 130-meter-long girth opens up. Getting in you will be more astonished in front of the very animated and splendid beauty which is made from the stalactites. On the east wall of the grotto, there is a grandiose and imposing picture with characters of tales. 

Going out of the Thien Cung grotto, you will have a sensation of just watching a unique, meticulous, interesting fine-art museum which is made by nature. This grotto is one of the most beautiful ones in Halong Bay. Legend has it, that beautiful young lady named May (cloud), caught the eye of the Dragon Prince and he fell in love with her. They were betrothed, and their wedding lasted seven days and seven nights in the very centre of the grotto. During the boat trip fresh seafood lunch will be served for your delights. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi. 

Dinner. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast at hotel, you will start the day with visit to The One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure is one of Vietnam’s smallest but most iconic temples. Close by is the Mausoleum of the historic Father Figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and the Former resident’s House on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary

(The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed Mondays & Fridays, afternoon and from Jun to Aug, you will view from the outside)

Then, visit Museum of Ethnology (Closed on Mondays) – It contains more than 10,000 objects, 15,000 black and white photos and hundreds of video tapes and cassettes which depict all aspects of life, activities, customs, and habits of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Depart from Hanoi and drive about 30-40 minutes to reach the centuries-old Bát Tràng Pottery Village, nestled along the Red River.

Learn about the 700-year history of Bát Tràng craftsmanship, admire curated collections of ancient and modern pottery, and discover the evolution of styles, techniques, and materials.

Walk through narrow alleys, see traditional kilns, local artisan shops, and watch skilled potters at work. Visit family-run ceramic workshops and get a behind-the-scenes look at their daily routines.

Under the guidance of a local artisan, try your hand at creating your own ceramic piece using a potter’s wheel. You’ll also get to paint or decorate your item. (Your creation can be fired and shipped later if needed – optional cost applies.)

Transfer back to Hanoi. Dinner at local restaurant.

Around 20:00 hrs you will be transferred to Hanoi Railway Station. Overnight train trip to Lao Cai in superior 4-berth compartments sharing with other passengers. Train departs at approximately 21:50 hrs. 

Notes: Train schedule is subject to change. Private compartments on request at surcharge. Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for – with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.

Early morning (approximately 06:30 hrs) arrival at Lao Cai, the border town to Yunnan, China. The journey starts with a 38 km drive on winding roads up the mountains to Sapa, located approx. 1,500 m above sea level. On clear days you can see the highest mountain of Vietnam, the Fansipan.  

After breakfast at homstay, drive to begin your adventure with a scenic trek through Hau Thao Village. Along the way, engage with ethnic families and learn about their daily lives and traditions.

In the afternoon, dive into the region’s rich cultural heritage by joining a hands-on indigo fabric dyeing workshop led by a local artisan. You’ll discover the secrets of this ancient technique and create your own indigo-dyed cloth. Lunch.

Transfer back to homestay. Join an authentic cooking class experience at a local homestay in Sapa. You’ll learn to prepare each dish step-by-step, using local herbs and a touch of fragrant black pepper to bring out the best flavors. After all the fun and effort, sit down and enjoy the delicious meal you’ve created with your own hands.

Overnight in homestay.

Dao ethnic group. Begin with a scenic drive into Hoang Lien National Park, reaching the trailhead near Sin Chai village. From here, trek through stunning mountain landscapes, waterfalls, and terraced valleys to Nam Nhiu village. Visit local homes and learn about traditional Red Dao farming life. Lunch.

Continue on a smaller trail with views of the valley and bamboo huts used during harvest season. Arrive in Nam Cang village for lunch, located at the far end of Sapa valley. Known for their colorful clothing and herbal remedies, the Red Dao people will welcome you to explore their traditional crafts such as embroidery, silverwork, and handmade rice paper.

Transfer back to homestay. Dinner with local people.

After a short rest (time permitting), transfer to Lao Cai railway Station where you will board the overnight train to Hanoi at around 20:15 hrs (shared sleeping compartments, sharing with other passengers in 2 lower & 2 upper berths per compartment).

Notes: Train schedule is subject to change. Private compartments on request at surcharge. Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for – with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.

Arrive in Hanoi early this morning, pick up from the train station and transfer to enjoy the breakfast & special Vietnamese coffee at local restaurant before proceeding to drive 2 hours through rural northern Vietnam to Tam Coc Town to enjoy a Vietnamese lunch.

After lunch board your private sampan though a winding stream through paddy fields instead of the sea. The boat gently slices through the water notice the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields giving rise to the area’s other name, ‘Halong bay on Land‘. Here you will visit Tam Coc – a mysterious grotto, you may feel like they had just disappeared from the real world to get lost in such a hidden fairy site. Return by sampan to Tam Coc town 

Should you feel adventurous, climb up to Bich Dong Pagoda on nearby Ngu Nhac Mountain, dating to 1428 and comprised of three structures: Ha, Trung, and Thuong Pagodas, in ascending order. 

Check in hotel in Ninh Binh and relax. Dinner. Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Enjoy an early morning cycling tour through Ninh Binh’s peaceful countryside, passing rice paddies, limestone mountains, and charming local villages.

We will stop on the way at Hang Mua and take on a challenging climb over 500 steps to reach the highest accessible viewpoint of the region. Our cycling ends in Tam Coc where we drop the bikes, have refreshments and transfer to the hotel. Relax and check out.

Lunch at local restaurant. Transfer directly to Noi Bai Airport for domestic flight to Hochiminh City.

All guests are warmly welcomed upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport by our local guide then transfer to check in the hotel. Dinner.

Overnight in Hochiminh

The cost of domestic airfare is not included in the current package. The final price for this airfare will be provided when you make your booking.

Morning, enjoy the journey of 100km to Tay Ninh. You will be able to admire the Cao Dai Temple, a unique architectural complex with a harmonious combination of Asian art and Western style. You can also learn more about Cao Dai religion, a local religion, and attend a prayer at 12:00 noon.

Then, transfer around 1 hour to Cu Chi Tunnels – a complex of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. Lunch.

There are more than 200 km of tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels. For a more “thrilling” experience, you can even test your shooting skills on original AK47s and other guns from past war times (subject to a surcharge). Transfer back to Hochiminh.

Dinner. Overnight in Hochiminh

Morning, transfer 3 hours to Cai Be, Mekong Delta.

The program will start at Cái Thia pier, pass by Cai Thia church. Boat to Mrs Năm to see how this old lady makes rice paper in the local house. We have one more option to see more about Mekong Delta if we have a biking trip in an hour to explore the famous village of Hoa Loc mango on the small beautiful roads. It is so interesting to see orchards, traditional houses, school in Mekong Delta. Come to a local and peaceful home, we can create some cakes (local donuts) and taste it with hot tea. After biking, we’ll come back Cai Thia village. Be on our boat and enjoy the best optional lunch on boat when the boat is towards to An Binh Island. 

Check in homestay, make friends with members of the family. Have a fresh shower before cooking pancakes with the family. We’ll enjoy dinner & overnight at homestay.

The cocks will wake you up for an exploring day. Have breakfast and boat trip to Phuoc Hau village. After that, do biking about 30 minutes, we will explore the local life, rice fields, green farms of the vegetables. Have time to have a cup of tea with the farmers to talk about this hard work. Biking back to our boat, the optional lunch can be served on board when we are towards to Long Hoa – Hoa Tinh – My An canals to discover The RED KINGDOM. 

On the way, we can stop at the local village to see how they wave bamboo trays, bamboo baskets… continue by boat to My An – Hoa Tinh canals where you can see many beautiful kilns. Optional biking or walking in Hoa Tinh village to get inside the old kilns to learn more about this special job & to take pictures with these heritages which full of hundreds brick kilns on both sides. Have tea break with some local cakes on boat. Stop at the potteries factory to see how they create the beautiful potteries from clay. Then, come back our homestay. Have a fresh shower. 

We’ll enjoy dinner. Overnight at the homestay.

Have breakfast, check-out and say goodbye to Út Trinh family. Boat takes us to Cái Bè town. Make a stop to see how they wave the dried water-hyacinth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, shoes… The rowing boat will take us deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time under the shade of mangrove trees. Have a quick visit of Cai Be town & the ancient church from the boat. 

The cruise will end at Cai Be town

Transfer back to Hochiminh.

End of day you will explore the famous Ben Thanh Market, where you can purchase souvenirs for your beloved ones. Dinner. Overnight in Hochiminh

Free at your own leisure time until transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your international flight home. We hope you had an exciting holiday with us. Making it an affair to remember!

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