Vietnam: From North to South

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel in central Hanoi.

After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to relax and recover from your journey.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, meet your guide and driver at the hotel and travel around 30 minutes from central Hanoi to Dong Ngac Ancient Village, one of the city’s historic villages known for its communal house, ancestral worship traditions and long-standing cultural heritage.

Begin with a leisurely bicycle ride along quiet rural lanes through neighboring villages toward Lien Mac, an area filled with carefully cultivated vegetable fields and flower gardens. Along the way, stop to observe local farming life, take in the colorful countryside scenery and meet residents tending their crops.

Continue back toward Dong Ngac by a different route and visit a local family that produces tofu. Learn about the traditional tofu-making process and enjoy a taste of freshly made tofu before returning to Hanoi by vehicle.

For lunch, enjoy Bun Cha, one of Hanoi’s signature dishes, at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, home to an extensive collection of traditional costumes, household objects and cultural artifacts representing Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. The museum offers valuable insight into the country’s cultural diversity and traditional ways of life.

Later, enjoy a cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where many streets still carry names linked to the goods and crafts historically traded there.

End the day with a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as the “Lake of the Returned Sword”, and hear the legend behind its name while learning more about the history and character of Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, meet your guide and driver at the hotel and depart Hanoi for Tu Le.

Along the way, stop in Nghia Lo for lunch before continuing through the mountainous landscapes of northwestern Vietnam. After approximately 5.5 hours of driving, arrive in Tu Le.

Set among dramatic mountain ranges and sweeping terraced rice fields, Tu Le Valley offers a peaceful contrast to the bustle of Hanoi. The area has long been home to ethnic communities including the Thai and H’mong, whose traditions continue to shape the cultural character of the valley.

After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to relax at the resort. You may enjoy a swim or unwind with a Japanese-style onsen hot spring experience.

Overnight in Tu Le.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Start the morning at a relaxed pace with time to enjoy the swimming pool, mountain views or onsen before breakfast.

Afterwards, meet your guide and continue towards Mu Cang Chai, crossing the spectacular Khau Pha Pass, one of the most scenic mountain routes in northwestern Vietnam.

Spend the day exploring the region’s famous terraced rice fields, with trekking routes leading across mountain slopes and through villages inhabited by local ethnic communities. Along the way, enjoy sweeping views of the terraces and gain a closer insight into everyday highland life.

The landscapes of Mu Cang Chai change beautifully with the seasons, from fresh green fields to golden rice terraces during the harvest period.

Visit some of the area’s most scenic villages, including La Pan Tan, Nam Khat and Lim Mong, each offering a different perspective on the region’s mountain scenery and local culture.

Overnight at Mu Cang Chai Lodge.

Day 5: Mu Cang Chai - Than Uyen - Y Ty

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, depart Mu Cang Chai for Y Ty, travelling through Than Uyen and Sa Pa along one of the most scenic routes in northwestern Vietnam.

During the journey, admire a constantly changing landscape of terraced rice fields, rolling tea hills and mountain villages inhabited by ethnic communities such as the Tay, H’mong and Dao.

Stop for lunch along the way before continuing deeper into the highlands.

The route then crosses Tram Ton Pass, a dramatic mountain pass offering sweeping views over the surrounding peaks and valleys, before reaching Y Ty, a remote border area known for its peaceful atmosphere, cloud-covered mountains and traditional ethnic villages.

Compared with more popular mountain destinations, Y Ty remains relatively quiet and offers a more secluded glimpse into highland life.

Overnight in Y Ty.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before setting out to explore the remote highlands of Y Ty, located around 70 km north of Sa Pa and approximately 2,000 meters above sea level. Surrounded by rugged mountains, the area is home to diverse ethnic communities including the H’mong, Dao, Giay and Ha Nhi.

In the morning, visit Choan Then Village, one of the oldest settlements in the area, established more than 300 years ago and now home to around 50 Ha Nhi households. Continue to Ngai Thau Village, a scenic mountain village overlooking a wide valley and inhabited mainly by H’mong families.

Enjoy lunch at a local home for a closer glimpse into everyday highland life.

In the afternoon, continue to Lao Chai Village, where you can see the distinctive traditional houses of the Ha Nhi people, built with thick earthen walls and thatched roofs, surrounded by terraced rice fields.

The journey then continues to Den Sang and Sang Ma Sao, two picturesque mountain villages known for their dramatic landscapes and Green H’mong communities.

Return to Y Ty for the evening.

Overnight in Y Ty.

Seasonal Note

The terraced fields are especially beautiful from late August to early September, when the rice begins to turn golden. The broader harvest period usually continues through September and October, attracting many travelers and trekkers to the highlands.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at the lodge, meet your guide and driver for the journey to Muong Hum Market, located around 37 km from Y Ty.

Held every Sunday, this lively highland market brings together ethnic communities from surrounding villages. Wander through the busy market and admire the colorful traditional clothing worn by local people as they gather to trade produce, handicrafts and everyday goods.

For many young people in the region, the market is also an important social meeting place, where friends gather and new relationships may begin alongside the weekly trading activities.

After exploring the market, visit a nearby ethnic village for a closer look at local life before continuing by road to Sa Pa.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant along the way or upon arrival.

Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure in Sa Pa.

Overnight in Sa Pa.

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy some free time to stroll around Sa Pa Town, relax at a café or explore the local streets before the journey back to Hanoi.

For travelers who would like to make the most of the morning, an optional half-day visit to Fansipan Mountain can be arranged independently.

Take the cable car to the upper station and continue on foot for approximately 20-30 minutes, climbing around 600 steps to reach the summit of Fansipan, known as the “Roof of Indochina.” Along the way, you can also explore the spiritual and landscaped attractions within the Fansipan complex, including Bamboo Garden, Bao An Thien Tu and Bich Van Thien.

Cable car tickets should be purchased directly at the station on the day of travel.

In the early afternoon, board the bus for the journey back to Hanoi. Arrive in the evening and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, meet your driver and guide at the hotel and depart Hanoi for Lan Ha Bay, a spectacular seascape where limestone islands and hidden grottoes rise from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.

After approximately 2 hours of driving, arrive at the pier and complete the check-in procedures before boarding the cruise.

Enjoy a welcome drink, followed by a cruise briefing and safety instructions, then settle into your cabin.

As the cruise begins its journey through Lan Ha Bay, enjoy lunch on board while passing dramatic limestone formations, floating villages and quiet beaches.

In the afternoon, visit the Light and Dark Cave area, where you can explore the peaceful surroundings by kayak or bamboo boat rowed by local people.

Continue to a nearby floating fishing village for a glimpse into local life on the water. Depending on the schedule and weather conditions, there may also be time for swimming or relaxing on the sundeck.

In the evening, the cruise anchors in a quiet overnight area. Enjoy dinner on board and unwind amid the tranquil scenery of the bay.

Overnight on board.

Note

The cruise itinerary may be adjusted depending on weather conditions, local regulations and the ship’s operational schedule or availability.

Meals: Breakfast, Brunch

Wake up early to welcome the new day on Lan Ha Bay. Join a gentle Tai Chi session on the sundeck or simply relax and enjoy the morning scenery as the cruise glides through the calm waters.

Have a light breakfast on board before continuing the morning program.

Afterwards, disembark at Gia Luan Pier and take a short bus ride of around 20 minutes across Cat Ba Island. Along the way, enjoy the fresh natural landscapes of Cat Ba National Park before visiting a local cave on the island.

Return to the cruise and enjoy brunch on board while sailing back toward the pier.

Disembark around midday, where your driver will meet you for the transfer back to Hanoi.

Enjoy some free time in the city before transferring to the railway station for the overnight train journey to Dong Hoi, Quang Binh.

Overnight on the train in a shared air-conditioned cabin with 4 soft berths.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Arrive in Dong Hoi in the morning, where your guide and driver will meet you at the railway station and transfer you to a local restaurant for breakfast. Enjoy a simple local-style meal and begin the day the way residents of Quang Binh do.

After breakfast, continue to Paradise Cave (Thien Duong Cave), an extraordinary limestone cave estimated to have formed around 400 million years ago. From the entrance area, take an electric buggy for approximately 2 km to reach the cave.

Known for its vast chambers and remarkable limestone formations, Paradise Cave is regarded as one of the most impressive dry caves in the region. Inside, admire spectacular stalactites and stalagmites in an extraordinary variety of shapes, from crystal-like columns to formations that resemble flowers, gardens and familiar scenes from everyday life.

With carefully placed lighting revealing the scale and detail of the cave, the underground landscape often feels more like a natural work of art than a conventional cavern.

After exploring Paradise Cave, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue to Phong Nha Cave. Board a boat and cruise along the Son River, passing peaceful villages, green fields and limestone mountains along the way.

After approximately 25 minutes by boat, arrive at the entrance of Phong Nha Cave and begin exploring this famous water cave. Admire its striking rock formations, many of which have been given imaginative names such as the Lion, Fairy Caves, Royal Court and Buddha.

After the visit, return to Dong Hoi and check in at your hotel.

Overnight in Dong Hoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, depart Quang Binh for Hue.

Along the way, travel through Quang Tri and pass the historic 17th Parallel, once part of the Demilitarized Zone that divided North and South Vietnam during the war. Your guide will provide background on the significance of this area as you continue south.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant before arriving in Hue.

In the afternoon, visit the Hue Imperial Citadel, the former political and royal center of the Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled Vietnam from 1802 to 1945.

Walk through the complex of palaces, pavilions, gates and ceremonial spaces while learning about court life, royal rituals and key events that shaped Vietnam’s last imperial dynasty.

Take time to admire the distinctive architecture and atmosphere of the former royal capital before returning to your hotel.

Overnight in Hue.

Meal: Breakfast

Begin the morning with a leisurely cycling trip through the countryside surrounding Hue, combining local life, traditional craftsmanship and some of the city’s most distinctive cultural landmarks.

Stop at a local village and spend time with residents as they go about their daily activities. Learn how traditional rice crackers are made, then try making your own with guidance from the host. Enjoy tasting the result while chatting with the family and gaining a closer look at everyday life in the area.

Continue to a century-old garden house, where the host will introduce you to the architecture and lifestyle associated with mandarins and members of the Nguyen royal family. The visit offers insight into the refined residential traditions of historic Hue.

Next, visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, before boarding a boat for a relaxing journey downstream along the Perfume River back toward central Hue.

Later, depart for Hoi An by road, travelling over the scenic Hai Van Pass. Stop along the way to enjoy panoramic views across the central coastline from the mountain pass.

Arrive in Hoi An in the late afternoon and check in at your hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, set out on a leisurely walking tour through Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its well-preserved architecture, historic trading heritage and atmospheric streets.

Walk along narrow lanes lined with old merchant houses that reflect a distinctive blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences. Visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, originally built in the late 16th century to connect the Japanese and Chinese quarters of the town.

Continue to the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation, known for its elaborate wood carvings and decorative details.

As you explore, wander through quiet alleys and mustard-colored streets that reveal both Hoi An’s architectural charm and scenes of everyday local life, offering plenty of opportunities for photography along the way.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

The rest of the day is at leisure to continue exploring Hoi An at your own pace.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, followed by some free time at your leisure.

Later, your driver will transfer you to the airport for the flight to Can Tho. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and driver for the transfer to your hotel.

In the afternoon, set out on a leisurely 6-12 km cycling journey through the peaceful countryside surrounding Can Tho. Ride past rice fields, fruit orchards and quiet village lanes, far removed from the bustle of the city.

Along the way, stop at a local home for tea and conversation with the host, offering a closer look at everyday life in the Mekong Delta. The route also includes crossing traditional wooden bridges and taking a local ferry alongside residents travelling through the area.

Despite its proximity to central Can Tho, the countryside here still retains the gentle, rural character for which the Mekong Delta is known.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Start the day with a short transfer, or walk if your hotel is nearby, to the pier and board a motorboat for an early-morning cruise along the Hau River.

Visit the famous Cai Rang Floating Market, where boats gather to trade fresh produce and local goods. Observe the lively river traffic and everyday routines that have long shaped life in the Mekong Delta.

Return to the hotel for breakfast before checking out and continuing by road toward Chau Doc.

Along the way, stop at Tra Su Cajuput Forest, a distinctive flooded wetland ecosystem known for its dense cajuput trees and rich birdlife. Explore the forest by traditional sampan, rowed and guided by local women, as you glide quietly through narrow waterways beneath the green canopy.

Your local rower will point out the surrounding flora and fauna and, when possible, help you spot birds hidden among the trees. Continue deeper into the forest to experience its tranquil landscape of tall cajuput trees, waterways and lush vegetation.

If timing allows, visit in the late afternoon when the softer light creates one of the most atmospheric moments of the journey.

After the visit, continue approximately 30 km to Chau Doc.

Overnight in Chau Doc.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at the hotel, begin the day with a visit to a Cham village in Chau Doc, home to one of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic communities.

Explore the village and learn more about local Cham culture, including traditional weaving, distinctive stilt houses and the Islamic faith practiced by many families in the community. Visit a local mosque and take time to observe the architecture, daily life and traditions that give the village its unique character.

Afterwards, depart Chau Doc for Ho Chi Minh City, with a stop in Sa Dec, a peaceful riverside town in the Mekong Delta.

Sa Dec is closely associated with French writer Marguerite Duras, who spent part of her childhood here and later drew inspiration from her experiences for the novel The Lover.

Visit Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House, linked to the story that inspired the book, and learn more about the town’s colonial-era history. Continue to the local school associated with Duras’ family, then explore Sa Dec Market and the town’s well-known flower-growing village.

After the visit, continue the journey to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meal: Breakfast

Today, discover Ho Chi Minh City through a combination of walking and cyclo experiences, tracing its colonial architecture, modern history, local art and Chinese heritage.

Begin your walking tour around the city center at City Hall and the Saigon Opera House, then continue along the historic Rue Catinat area. Along the way, pass several of the city’s best-known landmarks, including the former CIA Building, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and the Reunification Palace.

Stop at Maison Marou to learn more about Vietnam’s artisanal chocolate scene and enjoy a chocolate tasting at your own expense.

Continue to the Fine Arts Museum, housed in an elegant French colonial building dating from the late 1920s. Afterwards, stroll through the nearby antique streets close to Ben Thanh Market, where old shopfronts and specialist stores reveal another side of the city.

In the afternoon, head to Chinatown for a deeper look at the cultural life of Saigon’s Chinese community. Walk through the colorful Soi Kinh Lam Textile Market, then visit a historic Catholic church connected with former President Ngo Dinh Diem.

Continue with a one-hour cyclo ride through local streets and quieter alleys, offering a closer look at everyday life, traditional businesses and neighborhood culture.

The final stop is a well-known Chinese temple, where you can observe local worship traditions and, if you wish, write a personal wish on a small card and attach it to an incense coil in accordance with local custom.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meal: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend the remaining time at your leisure.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may relax at the hotel, take a final walk around the city or pick up a few last-minute souvenirs.

At the appropriate time, your driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

End of VIFA Travel services.