Highlights
- Tour Hanoi's highlights and visit ancient temples in Ninh Binh
- Hike around rice fields in Sapa and visit ethnic hill tribe villages
- Relax on a cruise as you sail along the jade waters of Ha Long Bay
- Take a cooking class in Ho Chi Minh City and venture into the Mekong Delta
- Explore the ruins at Angkor, one of the world's largest archaeological sites
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Hanoi, Guided City Tour | Hanoi |
| Day 2 | Day Trip To Ninh Binh, Temples & Mountains | Hanoi |
| Day 3 | Pottery Experience & Hanoi Food Tour | Hanoi |
| Day 4 | Hanoi Free Day, Overnight Train to Lao Cai | Lao Cai |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Sapa, Visit Hill Tribe Villages | Sapa |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Mount Fansipan & Heaven's Gate | Sapa |
| Day 7 | Countryside & Market Tour, Overnight Train to Hanoi | Hanoi |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise | Ha Long Bay |
| Day 9 | Morning Cruise, Fly to Ho Chi Minh City | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 10 | Day Trip to the Mekong Delta | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 11 | Market Visit & Cooking Class | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 12 | Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia) | Siem Reap |
| Day 13 | Day Trip to Angkor Wat | Siem Reap |
| Day 14 | Depart Siem Reap |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, Guided City Tour
Welcome to Vietnam! You couldn't pick a more evocative country for your grand introduction to Southeast Asia. It contains immense natural beauty, thousands of years of settled history, and a captivating culture known in part for world-class cuisine. You'll experience all this and more in the nation's epicenter, Hanoi.
Upon arrival in Vietnam's capital, a driver will pick you up at the terminal for the ride to your hotel in the city. Then, meet up with another guide for a full-day city tour. It begins at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where Vietnam's revered revolutionary leader, Ho Chi Minh, lies embalmed in a mausoleum. Amble through the peaceful grounds to see the humble wooden stilt house where he once lived and the ornate One Pillar Pagoda, which sits in the middle of a lake and resembles Vietnam's national flower, the lotus.
After lunch, visit the fascinating Museum of Ethnology, which houses an expansive collection of artifacts from Vietnam's 54 ethnic minority groups. Next up is the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university, built in the late 11th century. Finish the tour in the historic Old Quarter on the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake, where locals come to socialize, practice tai chi, and pray at Ngoc Son, an island temple.
Day 2: Day Trip To Ninh Binh, Temples & Mountains
Leave in the morning with your guide for the two-hour transfer south to Ninh Binh, a region famed for its towering karst mountains and patchwork rice paddies bisected by snaking rivers. Your first stop is Hoa Lu, Vietnam's capital in the 10th and 11th centuries. Its many highlights include decorative temples built in honor of former emperors like Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty.
Afterward, stop at a market and restaurant for lunch before heading to the harbor in the village of Tam Coc. Here, you'll board a wooden sampan (flat-bottomed boat), which your driver will row with their feet, local style. Float through limestone grottoes amid the dramatic karst scenery and spot ancient spiritual sites like Dia Linh Mountain. End the day tour with a trip to Mua Cave, where you can hike up nearly 500 steps for a panoramic view over Tam Coc. Later, return to the car and transfer back to Hanoi.
Day 3: Pottery Experience & Hanoi Food Tour
Today, you'll visit Bat Trang Pottery Village, a short drive from Hanoi, to learn about the traditional handicrafts of the Red River Delta. Your guide will take you through the village, where you can peruse its many pottery shops. Stop for a workshop where you'll learn to make a piece of pottery yourself, from turning the clay on a wheel to drying and decorating. You can take away your masterpiece as a souvenir.
As dusk falls, meet your guide and head back to Hanoi's Old Quarter for a delicious evening of culinary exploration. Stroll through the historic district's hidden lanes, savoring the city's best street food. Try local favorites like pho sot vang (noodle soup with pork and herbs), banh beo (steamed rice cakes), and of course, the famous banh mi sandwich. Wash it all down with some sugar cane juice or perhaps a local rice wine. Afterward, head back to your hotel.
Day 4: Hanoi Free Day, Overnight Train to Lao Cai
This evening, you'll board a train for the overnight trip to Vietnam's mystical north, famous for its soaring mountains, river valleys, and terraced rice fields. In the meantime, you'll have plenty of time to kill. It's a great opportunity to enjoy a self-guided city tour.
Explore the maze of narrow streets in Hanoi's Old Quarter at your own pace, or take a ride in one of the city's traditional three-wheeled bicycle taxis. For lunch, head to Bun Cha Huong Lien to try the beloved Hanoian meal of bun cha (noodle soup with grilled pork). This restaurant is so famous that it's served guests like Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain. Wrap up your time in Hanoi in style with a cocktail at the rooftop bar of the Pan Pacific Hotel as you enjoy prime views over West Lake.
At the appropriate time, transfer to the station, where you'll board an overnight train bound for Lao Cai. This northern region is known for its beautiful mountain landscapes, diverse ethnic cultures, and its role as a gateway to the famous town of Sapa with its iconic terraced rice fields. Upon arrival, you'll transfer to your hotel.
Day 5: Transfer to Sapa, Visit Hill Tribe Villages
Upon arrival at Lao Cai station, you'll meet a local guide/driver and have breakfast. Then hop in a car for the scenic drive up to the highland town of Sapa. During the drive, you'll pass winding rivers and gorgeous mountain valleys dotted with rice and cornfields, gardens, bamboo forests, and humble villages populated by Vietnam's ethnic minorities.
After checking into your hotel and freshening up, you'll head out for a day tour of the countryside to meet its residents. At the village of Lao Chai, for example, you'll witness the daily life of the Black Hmong, who are renowned for their handicrafts and traditional dress—colorful garments that they make by hand. From here, you'll enjoy sweeping views of Muong Hoa, the largest valley in Vietnam, which contains some of the country's most breathtaking rice fields.
Continue hiking along terraced rice paddies to Ta Van, a village home to the Giay people. They're known for their rich culture and traditional wooden stilt homes rising above the rice fields. This area marks the actual start of the expansive Muong Hoa Valley, and from a high point on the main road, you'll be treated to panoramic views of the villages and soaring mountains surrounding them. At the end of the afternoon, you'll transfer back to Sapa.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Day Trip to Mount Fansipan & Heaven's Gate
Start the day with a cable car ride to the top of Mount Fansipan, Vietnam's tallest mountain, nicknamed the "Roof of Indochina." The cable car ends at a garden complex dotted with pagodas and Buddha statues, from which you can either hike or take a funicular train journey to the top of the mountain. From the 10,212-foot (3,134 m) peak, you'll enjoy 360-degree views of cloud-topped mountains and can see across the border into China.
Afterward, meet your driver and continue to the O Quy Ho Mountain Pass in the Hoang Lien Son range. Also known as Heaven's Gate, it's the highest mountain pass in Vietnam at 6,676 feet (2,035 m) and contains some of the north's most epic scenery. During the ride, you'll make several stops to take photos and admire sweeping views of Fansipan and the Sin Chai Valley. The area is often shrouded in blankets of mist and clouds, which complements the dramatic scenery. Later, you'll transfer back to Sapa
Day 7: Countryside & Market Tour, Overnight Train to Hanoi
Day 8: Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise
As your train pulls into Hanoi this morning, meet your driver for the three-hour ride north to the marina at Ha Long Bay. Located on the Gulf of Tonkin, over 1,000 karst islets rise above jade waters and resemble the spine of some mythological creature ("ha long" actually translates to "descending dragon"). The unique beauty of this region is unlike anywhere else and thus has been bestowed with UNESCO World Heritage status.
Upon arrival at the marina, you'll board a multilevel cruise ship for an overnight tour. After settling into your cabin, head up to the deck, where a delicious lunch awaits. Then you can spend hours relaxing on the sun deck as the ship sails across glassy emerald waters to the most secluded corners of the bay. Later that afternoon, you'll stop at a secret cove for a swim and a kayak trip to explore hidden beaches and grottoes. Return to the boat for dinner, then spend the rest of the evening relaxing, or head out on a small boat for a bit of night fishing with the locals.
Day 9: Morning Cruise, Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
If you have the energy, wake at dawn and head to the sundeck for an early morning tai chi session. It's a great excuse to watch the sunrise over the karts towers of the bay. Later, as you enjoy a light breakfast and coffee, the ship will begin making its way back to the port in Ha Long. Depending on your arrival time, lunch will be served on board the ship or at a restaurant in the city of Ha Long.
At the port, you'll hop in a vehicle for the three-hour ride back to Hanoi and the airport, where you'll catch a two-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City. The former Saigon is a fascinating city in that it has managed to preserve its cultural roots and traditions in the face of a communist revolution, a devastating war, and ever-encroaching modernity. Upon arrival, a driver will transfer you to your hotel.
Day 10: Day Trip to the Mekong Delta
You're in for a treat, as this morning you'll leave on a full-day tour of the famed Mekong Delta. It begins with a transfer south of Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho. This river city is located in Tien Giang province at the doorstep of the Mekong. Your full-day tour of the beautiful riverine landscapes begins with a boat ride down the Mekong River. During the scenic trip, you'll pass tranquil islands as you sip on fresh coconut juice (the Mekong is famous for its coconut groves). The boat tour ends with a visit to one of the area's massive floating markets, where hundreds of boats ply the waters selling fresh produce.
At the end of the tour, you'll visit Thoi Son Island. Stretch your legs on a leisurely stroll down the backroads here as you pass orchards, sample tropical fruits, and listen to traditional music coming from the village homes. After stopping at a honeybee farm, you'll visit a shrine dedicated to the Coconut Monk, a local religious cult leader who, back in the day, preached adherence to peace, harmony—and coconuts. Afterward, return to Ho Chi Minh City, stopping en route at Vinh Trang Pagoda, the largest Buddhist temple in the province.
Day 11: Market Visit & Cooking Class
Like the country itself, Ho Chi Minh City is a foodie's dream. You'll dive right into its culinary heritage this morning on a combined market visit and cooking class. First, meet your group at the historic Ben Thanh Market, which was established during the French colonial period in 1912. Your guide will lead you around this massive complex, which is home to hundreds of stalls and vendors, as you shop for fresh produce.
Once you have the requisite ingredients, you'll begin the cooking class in the midmorning. Learn tips and techniques under the guidance of a pro chef as you prepare some of Vietnam's traditional and tasty dishes. All told, you'll cook a three-course meal, which should be ready by lunchtime. Then everyone will sit down and enjoy their delicious creations.
Day 12: Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia)
Day 13: Day Trip to Angkor Wat
It's time to see the star of the show. After breakfast, meet your guide and head out to visit one of the most famous temples in the world: Angkor Wat. This 12th-century complex covers a whopping 200 acres (81 ha), and its five towers are so iconic they're emblazoned on the Cambodian flag. On this walking tour, you'll immerse yourself in the ruins as you stroll through its galleries, libraries, pavilions, and courtyards.
The tour continues in Angkor Thom (literally "Great City"), once the most impressive royal city of Cambodia's Angkor period, home to the standout Bayon Temple. Comprised of 54 Gothic towers, Jayavarman VII commissioned it in the 12th century, and his smiling face and glaring eyes are represented in its 216 stone sculptures. Other structures you'll visit include the Terrace of the Elephants (featuring sculptures and bas-reliefs of elephants), Phimeanakas (a three-tiered pyramid), and the Terrace of the Leper King, known for its carvings of demons and mythological figures.
End the day with a visit to Ta Prohm, a 12th-century Buddhist temple whose crumbling towers have been all but absorbed by the surrounding jungle. Here, you'll receive a blessing from a Buddhist monk wishing you prosperity, happiness, and a safe trip. Afterward, you'll return to Siem Reap.
Day 14: Depart Siem Reap
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