Vietnam Off the Beaten Path - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, Explore Vietnam's Ancient Capital

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival at Hanoi's airport, you'll transfer to your hotel by private vehicle, where you can relax or set off on a walk to stretch your legs and get your bearings. Dating to 3,000 BCE, Hanoi is one of the most ancient capitals in the world, defined by the contradictions of a rapidly developing yet deeply traditional society. Glimmering office buildings sit alongside the French colonial Old Quarter, and the kinetic energy of its motorbike-packed streets spills over into the outdoor markets, silk shops, curbside banh mi vendors, and eclectic nightlife scene. 

Start your walk on the streets of the Old Quarter, visiting markets and street vendors (or braving the famously narrow "Train Street"), then take in some local history and mythology with a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake. Cross the arched red bridge leading to Jade Island and the Temple of the Jade Mountain, and admire the 18th-century structure built to honor Tran Hung Dao, a military commander who repelled two Mongol invasions. Stick around the Old Quarter for dinner—there's no shortage of incredible eateries in this neighborhood that run the gamut from street food to fine dining to trendy fusion restaurants.

Day 2: Full-Day Hanoi City Tour: Monuments, Museums & Street Food

After breakfast, you'll have the entire day to discover Hanoi with the help of a local guide. The tour begins with a stop at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of the eponymous revolutionary leader. Looming over Ba Dinh Square and featuring a gray block design and stone colonnades, it's an impressive (and imposing) example of brutalist architecture. Next up is the stylistically opposite Presidential Palace, a hallmark of colonial architecture built at the turn of the 20th century.

After the palace, you'll see the Temple of Literature, built in the 11th century and dedicated to Confucius. This temple was the first university in Vietnam, and it's still a place where students burn incense and pray at the altars for academic success. Head a bit farther north in the city to the Cau Giay district and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, a massive museum complex that preserves the cultural heritage of Vietnam's 54 different ethnic groups. Some highlight exhibits include full-scale replicas of traditional homes, plus ancient artifacts like traditional jewelry and wedding/funeral clothing.

You'll cap the tour with a guided stroll around Hanoi's Old Quarter as your guide sheds light on the various landmarks and interesting sights. Naturally, no tour of the Old Quarter is complete without indulging in the famous street food culture. It's a great introduction to the gastronomy of the country, and beyond the bun cha and bahn mi vendors, you'll also try some delicious Vietnamese beverages like the famous "egg coffee"—perfect for those who like their daily caffeine jolt combined with a decadent dessert.

Day 3: Transfer to the Muong Lo Valley, Visit a Tea Plantation

Leave Hanoi behind (for now) as you meet your driver and transfer about four hours northwest toward the Muong Lo Valley, trading the bustle of the city for the traditional culture of the Vietnamese countryside. This rural region is home to 17 ethnic minorities, most of whom live in small towns and villages. Your ultimate destination is one such town: Nghia Lo, which is home to a majority Thai ethnic population.

Along the drive, you'll pass the scenic provinces of Ha Tay, Phu Tho, and Yen Bai, which abound with green fields and tea plantations, and break up the drive with a stop at the Thu Cuc Tea Plantation to see firsthand how Vietnamese tea is produced. Meet the owner and his family to learn about traditional planting techniques, tea harvesting, and even the drying process. At the end of the experience, you'll sit down and taste some delicious local tea. 

After the tea break, continue on to Muong Lo and Nghia Lo, situated within the second-largest rice field in northwest Vietnam. Thai migrants first came to this area 700 years ago to grow rice, building traditional wooden houses of iron and bamboo. On a one-hour walking tour around the village, you'll meet with members of this ethnic group and observe their rich culture and daily routine before settling in for the evening at a local guesthouse.

Day 4: Bus to Mu Cang Chai, Rice Terraces Hike & Picnic

Depart Muong Lo this morning by bus, following roads that skirt the Hoang Lien Son mountains until you arrive at the rural district of Mu Cang Chai and its principal town of the same name. This area is known for its terraced rice paddies, which shine brilliant shades of green and gold during harvest season, and its extensive network of hiking trails that run through the rice paddies, cornfields, and tea plantations.

These routes have been used by locals for years to travel between villages, and today you'll embark on an easy six-hour country trek down these paths. The hike kicks off on a trail leading through a forest to the village of La Pan Tan, which is considered to have the most beautiful rice terraces in the entire region. From there, you'll walk along the terraces to three villages populated by the Hmong ethnic group. After a picnic lunch, a car will pick you up for a transfer to a local guesthouse, where you'll have dinner and spend the night.

Day 5: Morning Hike in Mu Cang Chai, Transfer to Sapa via Tram Ton Pass

Start today with a short transfer by vehicle to the nearby town of Nga Ba Kim, where you'll embark on a three-hour morning hike through rice terraces and cornfields to more traditional Hmong villages. Then, you'll hop back in the car for a two-hour drive over the famous Tram Ton Pass, which at 6,715 feet (2,047 m) is the highest mountain pass in Vietnam.

Stop for photo opportunities and enjoy the fresh mountain air along the way—the views certainly don't disappoint, as from the pass you can see all the way out to the 10,311-foot (3,143 m) Mount Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak. After another two hours, you'll arrive in Sapa, considered one of the most beautiful mountain towns in the country. Surrounded by steep slopes and terraced rice paddies, the town itself is full of colorful markets and elegant buildings that serve as historic remnants of the French colonial era. After checking into your hotel, you'll have the remainder of the day free to explore.

Day 6: Hike Between Sapa's Country Villages

Wake up early for another half-day of trekking, this time heading deeper into emerald landscapes around Sapa. From town, you'll hike down the mountain for about 6 miles (10 km) on a road passing terraced rice paddies and green hills shrouded in early-morning mist. Continue along a narrow trail amid the terraced fields and cross the Muong Hoa River on your way to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai.

After skirting the river for a while, you'll cross a suspension bridge and arrive at another village, Ta Van Giay. Here you'll visit a fascinating collection of ancient rock carvings depicting everything from images of humans to decorative patterns. Later in the afternoon, you'll return to your hotel in Sapa. But the day isn't over yet: from town, you'll hike up Ham Rong, Sapa's famous mountain that's said to resemble a dragon's head. Once you reach the top, you'll be treated to far-reaching views before you make your ascent and choose a spot for dinner in town. 

Day 7: Transfer to Bac Ha, Afternoon Countryside Hike

After breakfast, a driver will meet you at your hotel for the three-hour transfer east to Bac Ha, located in the culturally and ethnically diverse Lao Cai province. This otherwise tranquil village comes alive once a week during its Sunday market, the largest ethnic minority market in the region. Comprising these groups are the Flower Hmong, Dao, Tay, Phu La, and Nung peoples. They live a peaceful life steeped in rural farming traditions that stretch back 200 years, raising crops like maize, rice, cassava, and growing fruit trees on the mountain slopes. 

Upon arrival in Bac Ha, you'll check into your hotel. Then, get the blood pumping and gain a sense of the local culture with an easy two-hour hike past rural countryside and ethnic minority villages. A highlight of the route is the trail from the village of Thai Giang Pho, which passes through a fertile valley and flourishing vegetable gardens, cornfields, and rice terraces. After the hike, you'll make the short transfer by vehicle back to Bac Ha and get settled at your hotel.

Day 8: Visit the Bac Ha Market, Transfer to Hanoi

Today, you'll visit the highlight of Bac Ha: its massive Sunday market. More than a marketplace, it's also a social gathering for the various ethnic minorities living in these remote highland villages. Here, they meet up, swap stories, and enjoy a few drinks while trading their goods. All in all, it's a lively and colorful atmosphere.

Of course, there's the chance your travel itinerary won't put you in Bac Ha on a Sunday, in which case, there are other nearby markets on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Regardless, after experiencing some convivial local culture, you'll hop in a car and put your feet up for the six-hour drive back to Hanoi. Once you've checked into your hotel, you'll have the remainder of the evening free.

Day 9: Transfer to Lan Ha Bay, Cruise to Cat Ba Island

Switch gears today and transfer two hours east to Lan Ha Bay, located on the Gulf of Tonkin. A southern extension of the more well-known Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha is smaller and quieter, though its jade waters and otherworldly karst islets are just as beautiful. Upon arrival at the pier, you'll board an overnight cruiser, where you'll sip a welcome cocktail followed by a safety briefing before you cast off.

Sit down to lunch on board as you cruise toward one of the famous floating villages of the region. Here you'll disembark and have a chance to learn about the life of the residents, which naturally revolves around the fishing trade. This is followed by an optional water activity like a traditional bamboo boat ride or kayak excursion. As the boat continues toward Cat Ba, the largest island in the entire archipelago, take in a colorful sunset and enjoy dinner on deck before retiring to your comfortable cabin.

Day 10: Transfer to Hanoi, Fly to Da Nang, Transfer to Hoi An

Wake up early and head to the upper deck to witness one of the bay's famous golden sunrises, then join a tai chi class followed by a late breakfast as the boat cruises back to the pier. When you disembark, a driver will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi, dropping you at the airport in time to catch a 1.5-hour flight south to Da Nang. This waterfront city isn't your final destination, however. You'll then transfer another 30 minutes south down the central coast to Hoi An, one of the most well-preserved ancient cities in the country.

Check into your hotel, then spend the remainder of the day exploring the UNESCO-listed river town on foot. With a history stretching back over 2,000 years, Hoi An's heyday occurred between the seventh and 10th centuries, when it was a major player in the spice trade with Indonesia. By the 1600s, it was a thriving international port, and you'll see remnants of this in its Chinese temples, Japanese merchant homes, and covered bridges. Follow lantern-lit streets along narrow canals, and stop by street food vendors to sample local dishes like banh beo (steamed rice cakes) and my quang (flavorful rice noodles).

Day 11: Countryside Cycling & Organic Farm Tour

Get ready for a special eco-tour around Hoi An. In the morning, a driver will pick you up at your hotel for a quick 30-minute drive to the countryside village of Vong Nhi. Here, you and your guide will hop on bicycles and embark on a 4-mile (6 km) ride. During the trip, you'll pass varied landscapes that range from tranquil countryside to green rice paddies, coconut forests lining the riverbanks, and even fish and shrimp farms.

Eventually, you'll arrive at Thanh Dong, a 3-acre (1.2 ha) organic farm that sustains 11 local families. The farm is unique in that it uses no chemicals—only all-natural materials. On a tour, you'll hear the inspirational stories of the families, learn about their traditional farming methods, and even join in some gardening activities like preparing organic fertilizer, raking the ground, sowing herb seeds, and picking vegetables.

Next, it's time to trade your bike for a traditional basket bike, floating down the Do River for 30 minutes to reach a waterfront restaurant. Enjoy a short demonstration and fun cooking class here before sitting down to a freshly prepared lunch. A driver will be waiting afterward to take you back to Hoi An, where you'll have the remainder of the day free to continue exploring the town. 

Day 12: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Free Time to Explore

The final leg of your Vietnam adventure begins with a transfer to Da Nang, where you'll catch a 1.5-hour flight south to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Despite a communist revolution and devastating war, the city has retained much of its rich cultural mix of Asian and Western traditions, and you'll find colonial-era Art Deco buildings, Buddhist temples, hidden alleyway eateries, outdoor night markets, Chinese pagodas, 21st-century skyscrapers, and hotels and restaurants to accommodate every budget. 

The biggest change to Ho Chi Minh City over the last few decades is that it's only gotten bigger and busier. The streets here swell with mopeds as the sidewalks overflow with vendors selling everything from delicious street food to golden lucky cats. It's a great place to explore, and after transferring from the airport to your hotel and checking in, you can head out and do just that. 

Historic landmarks you'll want to visit include the 19th-century Gothic-Renaissance Saigon Central Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral (built in the late 19th century with materials imported from France), and the Opera House, which was built in 1897. You could also visit Reunification Palace, the former home of the president of South Vietnam, which was taken over when Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese in 1975. End the day with a visit to the Buddhist Thien Hau Temple and some souvenir shopping at the Ben Thanh Market.

Day 13: Mekong Delta Day Trip: Boats, Bikes & Local Farms

Venture south of the city today for an immersive look at life along the Mekong Delta. Your day trip starts with a two-hour transfer south to the waterfront province of Ben Tre, where you'll hop in a boat for a scenic cruise down a tributary of the Mekong River. As you travel among the thick mangrove forests of this waterway, you'll navigate the morning traffic of fishing boats and coconut cargo ships, and stop by a traditional brickworks to see how local workers still make the bricks by hand.

After that, pause in My Long, a village famous for the tasty rice cakes made by its residents. While the recipe is secret, you'll get to watch the process as the villagers make the cakes from rice paper (plus sample the finished products). Other stops include a coconut workshop, where you'll see the various stages of coconut processing, and a honey bee garden, where you'll sip honey tea accompanied by local music. Continue to a local candy mill for some sweet treats, then visit the country home of an artisan who makes traditional sleeping mats.

See more of the surrounding countryside when you swap the boat for two wheels and set off on a bike ride (or motorized scooter trip) through the coconut groves and vegetable gardens around the river. Then, take a sampan rowboat along a tranquil canal shaded by palm fronds to a riverside restaurant where you'll stop for lunch. Afterward, you'll return to the Ben Tre pier by motorboat and transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City by car. 

Day 14: Depart Ho Chi Minh City

Take the morning to enjoy one last stroll around Ho Chi Minh City. At the appropriate time, you'll transfer to the airport to catch your flight home. This concludes your grand Vietnam adventure. Safe travels!

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Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Vietnam? Check out these other Vietnam itineraries, explore different ways to spend two weeks in Vietnam, or discover the best time to visit Vietnam. 

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