Grand Vietnam Discovery – 21 Days / 20 Nights

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI

Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of unified Vietnam and one of the most charming cities in Southeast Asia, with its authenticity, large shady avenues, numerous lakes, manicured gardens, and well-preserved architecture.
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by your local guide and driver, then transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Free time for a stroll around the city.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight at a hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOUR (B/L)

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your local guide at 08:30 and start your city tour with a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university (1076). Known locally as Quoc Tu Giam, this place of learning was established inside a temple to educate Vietnam’s nobles, scholars, and society’s elites. Its well-preserved architecture and tranquil gardens offer intriguing glimpses into Vietnam’s past.
Later on, take a walk around the Old Quarter (“the 36 streets”), Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ngoc Son (Jade) Temple.
Visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral and emerge in the serene atmosphere of Pagoda Ba Da, hidden in a very quiet corner just steps from the cathedral.

In the afternoon, discover different neighborhoods of Hanoi on the back of a Russian Minsk motorcycle. First stop at a local restaurant in Ba Dinh District to taste city specialties like “pho” (rolled, stirred, fried). Head to a hidden farmland on the Red River bank to see countryside life on the edge of Hanoi, then stop at the historic Long Bien Bridge (1898–1902, designed by Gustave Eiffel).
Continue to Hanoi’s largest open-air second-hand market (Hai Ba Trung). Explore narrow residential alleys, then a wet market to learn about daily ingredients and taste tropical fruits.
Move on to Dong Da District, the city’s most populated area. Stop at the train street, then visit a local house with a separate kitchen and bathroom that recalls Hanoi in the 1960s. Conclude with a Hanoian egg coffee at an old coffee shop.
Return to your hotel at around 16:30.
Overnight in Ha Noi.

DAY 3: HANOI – TU LE (B/L)

Ha Noi – Tu Le: 270 km ~ 5.5 hours
Depart Hanoi at 08:00 for Yen Bai, a province of ethnic diversity where mountains are sculpted into magnificent rice terraces (national heritage).
Reach Nghia Lo at noon and have lunch in a Black Thai village in the Muong Lo Valley, one of Northern Vietnam’s main rice granaries. Enjoy a short walk or bike ride through peaceful hamlets of Thai and Hmong minorities.
In the afternoon, continue to Tu Le for a hike through Thai villages nestled at the foot of Khau Pa Pass. Stroll the rice fields of this scenic valley.
Overnight in Tu Le.

DAY 4: TU LE – MU CANG CHAI (B)

Tu Le – Mu Cang Chai: 36 km ~ 1 hour
Leave at 08:00 for Mu Cang Chai over the famous Khau Pha Pass, enjoying superb valley views. Spend a full hiking day in La Pan Tan and Mang Mu to admire the area’s iconic terraced rice fields.
Overnight in Mu Cang Chai.

DAY 5: MU CANG CHAI – BAC HA (B)

Mu Cang Chai – Bac Ha: 210 km ~ 5.5 hours
After breakfast, depart at 08:00 for a half-day trek in Pung Luong commune, passing bamboo forests and terraces.
In the afternoon, take a long but beautiful drive to Bac Ha.
Arrive late afternoon.
Overnight in Bac Ha.

DAY 6: BAC HA – HA GIANG (B)

Bac Ha – Ha Giang: 150 km ~ 4 hours
Visit the weekly Bac Ha Market, one of the most colorful in northeastern Vietnam, where Flower H’Mong, Phu La, and Dao Tuyen groups gather every Sunday morning to trade homemade products.
Continue to Ha Giang City. Visit Thon Tha Village (Tay ethnic).
Overnight in Ha Giang.

DAY 7: HA GIANG – QUAN BA – DONG VAN (B)

Ha Giang – Dong Van: 145 km ~ 4 hours
Leave Ha Giang at 08:00 along National Road 4C with several scenic stops in the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark: Quan Ba Heaven Gate; short walk to Co Tien Mountain for views of Quan Ba Valley; stroll Lung Tam linen weaving village (Hmong). Lunch break in Yen Minh town.
After lunch, continue to Sa Phin to visit the historic Vuong (H’Mong King) Palace.
Overnight in Dong Van.

DAY 8: DONG VAN – MEO VAC (B)

Dong Van – Lung Cu: 25 km ~ 1 hour | Lung Cu – Meo Vac: 56 km ~ 2 hours
Walk around Thien Huong village (Tay). Continue to the northernmost point of Vietnam to visit the Lung Cu Flag Tower and enjoy views across the Chinese border.
In the afternoon, drive to Meo Vac via the majestic Ma Pi Leng Pass. Stop for panoramic photos, then take a boat trip on the Nho Que River to admire the dramatic gorge landscapes.
Overnight in Meo Vac.

DAY 9: MEO VAC – BAO LAC – CAO BANG (B)

Meo Vac – Bao Lac: 72 km ~ 2 hours | Bao Lac – Cao Bang: 105 km ~ 3 hours
Depart at 08:00 for Cao Bang city across landscapes inhabited mostly by the Nung people. Near Bao Lac, visit Khuoi Khon village (Lo Lo ethnic).
Continue toward Cao Bang and stop to view the winding Me Pia Pass (14 slopes).
Overnight in Cao Bang City.

DAY 10: CAO BANG – BAN GIOC – CAO BANG (B)

Cao Bang – Ban Gioc: 85 km ~ 2 hours | Thang Hen Lake – Cao Bang: 29 km ~ 45 minutes
Discover highlights of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark. Drive to the Chinese border to visit the majestic Ban Gioc Waterfalls and the limestone Nguom Ngao (Tiger) Cave.
Return toward Cao Bang via Thang Hen Lake and Nui Thung Mountain, passing Ma Phuc Pass.
Overnight in Cao Bang City.

DAY 11: CAO BANG – BA BE LAKE (B)

Cao Bang – Ba Be Lake: 125 km ~ 3h15’
After breakfast, depart for Ba Be Lake National Park.
In the afternoon, take a boat trip on Ba Be Lake. Visit An Ma Temple (short walk to the viewpoint). Continue along the Nang River to the natural wonder of Puong Cave. On the return, pass by the Widow’s Island.
Overnight at Ba Be.

DAY 12: BA BE LAKE – HA NOI (B)

Ba Be – Ha Noi: 235 km ~ 5 hours
Depart at 08:30 for the drive back to Hanoi. En route, stop in Thai Nguyen to visit the Museum of Vietnam’s Ethnic Cultures (closed Mondays) for insights into northern ethnic groups during the Indochina War.
Arrive in Hanoi around 15:00; time at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 13: HA NOI – HA LONG (B/L/D)

Ha Noi – Ha Long: 150 km ~ 3 hours
After breakfast, depart at 08:30 through the Red River Delta to Tuan Chau Pier to board your overnight cruise on Lan Ha Bay. Lunch served as the vessel cruises among limestone islets.
Join activities such as kayaking or swimming, or relax on the sundeck and enjoy the scenery. Dinner with fresh seafood and overnight on the cruise.

Alternatively, embark at Ha Long International Port for an overnight cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay. After the safety briefing, lunch is served while cruising among thousands of limestone islets. Activities may include kayaking, cave exploring, and floating village visits. Dinner and overnight on the cruise.
Note: Itinerary is subject to change due to weather and operating conditions without prior notice.

DAY 14: HA LONG – HA NOI – FLIGHT TO HUE (B)

Enjoy sunrise over the bay, followed by a light breakfast. As the cruise sails back to the pier, enjoy brunch on board while admiring the limestone formations.
Disembark and transfer to Noi Bai (Domestic) for a short flight to Hue. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Hue.

DAY 15: HUE (B)

Depart at 08:30 for a full-day visit of Hue, former imperial capital (1802–1945), UNESCO-listed since 1993. Visit the Imperial Citadel, inspired by Vauban, comprising Kinh Thanh (Capital City), Hoang Thanh (Imperial City), and Cam Thanh (Forbidden City). Continue to the Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady).
In the afternoon, visit Tu Duc’s Mausoleum, the Thuy Xuan incense-making village, and Khai Dinh’s Mausoleum, blending Nguyen and European styles.
Overnight in Hue.

DAY 16: HUE – HOI AN (B)

Hue – Hoi An: 125 km ~ 3 hours
After breakfast, meet your guide at 08:30 and drive the scenic Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. Stroll the narrow streets of atmospheric Hoi An Ancient Town (UNESCO), visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall, and former merchant houses.
Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 17: HOI AN – MY SON SANCTUARY – HOI AN (B)

Meet your guide at 08:30 and drive southwest to My Son Sanctuary (UNESCO), former capital and religious center of the Cham people. Explore impressive red-brick towers and sanctuaries nestled in a lush valley. Return to Hoi An around lunchtime; time at leisure for relaxing or shopping.
Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 18: HOI AN – DA NANG – FLIGHT TO CAN THO (B)

Breakfast and time at leisure until transfer to Da Nang Airport for a short flight to Can Tho. On arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Can Tho.

DAY 19: CAN THO – BEN TRE (B/D)

Can Tho – Ben Tre: 125 km ~ 3 hours
Rise early for a cruise to the colorful Cai Rang Floating Market aboard the Mystic Sampan. Enjoy breakfast onboard while observing river life. Cruise into the heart of the market among boats laden with produce. Visit a local workshop to learn how “Hu Tieu” (rice noodles) are made.
Lunch at your own arrangement, then depart for Ben Tre, the coconut kingdom. Arrive at a charming village shaded by coconut palms. Welcome to Mekong Home, a family property with bungalows in a tropical riverside garden. Enjoy fresh coconut juice and check in. Take a short break, then head out with a family member for an introduction to local fishing techniques.
In the evening, join a cooking class to make Bánh xèo (Vietnamese pancakes). Dinner is served with local dishes (caramelized pork, fish soup, spring rolls, etc.). After dinner, relax with a lemongrass & ginger foot bath—a local therapeutic method to relieve leg fatigue.
Overnight in Ben Tre.

DAY 20: BEN TRE – HO CHI MINH CITY (B/L)

Ben Tre – Ho Chi Minh City: 90 km ~ 2 hours
After breakfast, depart for Ham Luong pier and take a boat trip to explore local life and family businesses along the Ben Tre River, a Mekong tributary. Stop at a brick kiln, then a coconut workshop to see how every part of the coconut (shell, meat, water) becomes products like milk, candy, oil, mats, and charcoal. Visit a sleeping-mat workshop to learn weaving techniques and enjoy fresh fruits and tea. Later, ride a xe lôi (motor cart) or bicycle along shady rural paths, passing rice fields and vegetable plots.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with specialties such as elephant-ear fish and river shrimp.
In the afternoon, take a rowing boat through coconut-shaded canals to Hung Vuong Pier, where your driver transfers you back to Ho Chi Minh City (arrival ~17:00).
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 21: HO CHI MINH CITY – DEPARTURE FLIGHT (B)

Depart at 08:30 to explore Ho Chi Minh City through its market, pagoda, and historical buildings. Start at Bàn Cờ Market (District 3) to see fresh produce, second-hand clothes, and street food in narrow alleys. Walk to Nguyen Thien Thuat apartment buildings for daily-life scenes.
Visit the FITO Museum (Traditional Vietnamese Medicine) with ~3,000 objects related to remedies, some dating to the Stone Age.
Continue to Đỗ Phủ Café, once an operational base of the Liberation Army of South Vietnam. Discover the secret weapon bunker used in the 1968 offensive on the Independence Palace and the old car used to transport weapons to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Enjoy coffee in this historic house, then head to the hidden Van Phat Pagoda on Jewelry Street in Chinatown (District 5), famed for its vibrant Chinese architecture and ten thousand Buddha statues. Learn how Vietnamese families preserve cremation urns at the pagoda.
Proceed to the French Quarter (District 1) to visit the Saigon Central Post Office, a key colonial landmark.

Time at leisure until your driver transfers you to the airport for your departure flight.