Vietnam Private Tour Explore Ethnic Culture and Nature in 15 Days

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Hanoi (Welcome to Hanoi, enjoy a walking tour in the old quarter)
4 stops
1
Start with a small pagoda named Ba Da quietly located in a small alley - only few steps from the Hanoi Great Cathedral, built by French colonialism since the 19th century.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Your tour guide also takes you to typical streets of Hanoi such as Lan Ong Street selling traditional medicine, Lo Ren Street where metal items are produced ...
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
Dong Xuan Market
Stop to visit the Dong Xuan central market - the largest in Hanoi.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
4
Continue walking to the famous area for night activities and street food - Ta Hien street, where you can see the vibrant streets with a lot of the amazing local foods and drinks. Trying to taste some for an unforgettable experience.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Hanoi (Visit Van Mieu, the Museum of Ethnology, the French Quarter, and Hanoi’s Old Quarter.)
4 stops
5
Temple of Literature & National University
9:00 AM: The Temple of Literature which was built under the Ly dynasty in 11th century for worshipping Confucius and teaching Royal children. Enjoy a walk in the garden to the city’s symbol Khue Van Cac. You will then visit the World Heritage "stone steles” which shows the name of outstanding students. Continue to explore the Quoc Tu Giam which is considered as the first national university of Vietnam.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
6
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
The Ethnology Museum (closed every Monday) which offers a deep insight into Vietnamese culture through traditional costumes, tools, musical instruments and traditional houses of many ethnic groups. To fully explore this interesting museum, it takes you around two hours.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
7
One Pillar Pagoda
The French Quarter – it is a “little Paris” in Hanoi with tree-lined boulevards, government head offices and a big square. Visit (outside) Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum before having a leisurely walk in the botanical gardens to visit the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live and work. Towards the unique One – pillar pagoda which is one of the city’s symbols. It takes us from 1 to 2 hours to explore this complex, depending on the number of traveler.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
8
Thang Long Water Puppet
Enjoying the water puppet shows that is the unique performances, first appeared in the 11th century. In these shows, the daily life, culture and belief of Vietnamese people are described by puppets on water. The show usually integrates a traditional music performance as well.
50 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Hanoi - Mai Chau (Visit a Muong village, enjoy scenic views from Thung Khe Pass, explore Thai culture, local homestay.)
2 stops
9
8:00 Am: Meet tour guide and driver then depart to Mai Chau. On the way, visit a Muong village. Continue to Thung Khe pass where you can view magnificent panoramic views of the valley before arriving in Mai Chau town. Mai Chau is a beautiful valley located 145 km away from Hanoi. It is great place with harmonious landscapes, green mountain ranges, rice terraces and White Thai ethnic villages.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
10
Explore Mai Hich village by bike (optional) or walk along the trails and concrete roads. You will be seduced by the gorgeous landscapes as the villages, rice fields, mountains and streams are in perfect harmony with one another. Do not miss the opportunity to communicate with the friendly local people who are always willing to welcome you into their house to enjoy a cup of tea.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Mai Chau - Pu Luong (Enjoy an excursion through Muong homeland in Eo Ken-Ban Hang, Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Chieng Lau.)
2 stops
11
Depart from Mai Hich directly to Eo Ken, 30km away, where the Muong ethnics live. Walk down the slope and enjoy the spectacular view of Pu Luong Nature reserve, rice field terraces and mountains. Visit a Muong ethnic family in Eo Kenvillage and discover their authentic life. Continue walking through this beautiful landscape and cross a stream to reach HangVillage.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
12
Head to Chieng Lau, a picturesque area renowned for its lush rice fields and bamboo water wheels. Here, embark on a scenic walk, allowing you to engage with local residents and catch a glimpse of the bamboo water wheels used for irrigation.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Pu Luong - Ninh Binh (Trek through rice terraces and explore Thai culture in Chom Uoi and Lan Ngoai villages.)
1 stop
13
8:00 Am: Start your day by hiking down into the beautiful valley from your accommodation, passing through spectacular rice fields and follow small paths to slowly reach Chom Uoi and Chom Lan villages. Your camera will help you capture these unforgettable moments. During the hike, you will witness the changing landscapes of rice terraces intermingled with villages, fields, ponds, streams and mountains. Continue walking to Pho Doan to have lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to Ninh Binh, a scenic drive that takes approximately 4 hours. Along the way, you'll pass through rural landscapes and peaceful villages, offering a glimpse into the daily life of the Vietnamese countryside. The route is a blend of winding mountain roads and flat terrains, making for a picturesque journey.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Ninh Binh - Hanoi (Bike to Thung La Temple, enjoy a boat trip in Van Long Nature Reserve, and try embroidery.)
2 stops
14
8:00 Am: You can choose to embark on a 10 km bike ride (one way) or a 20 km ride (round trip) along the dyke, offering stunning views of rice fields, a river, and limestone mountains. Take optional stops along the way for picturesque photos and interactions with locals. Continue your exploration by visiting Thung La Temple, which dates back to the 11th century. Don't miss the opportunity to experience traditional musical instruments that are integral to the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
15
Take a sampan boat trip along the stream and among the limestone mountains to discover the beauty of Van Long nature reserve. If lucky, you might get to see white monkeys and egrets on the cliffs. After the boat trip, visit an embroidery village and take part in an embroidery workshop under the instruction of local craftswoman, Mrs Lam. She will proudly explain the techniques of her traditional craft. This will be a good opportunity for you to practice on fabric like a real craftsman. Travel from Ninh Binh to Hanoi, enjoying the scenic views of the Red River Delta along the way. You can opt for a rest stop to stretch your legs or take photos of daily life. Upon arrival in Hanoi, you'll be dropped off at your accommodation.
5 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 7
Hanoi - Bai Tu Long Bay (Travel to Halong City, embark, and cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay.)
2 stops
16
8:00 – 8:30 AM: If transport is included, our driver will pick you up from your hotel in the heart of Hanoi. From there, we’ll begin our journey to Halong City, enjoying a scenic drive through the picturesque Red River Delta. The trip takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, with a convenient stop along the way for restrooms if needed. 11:45: Arrive at Sunworld International Harbor, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City. 12:15: Transfer to the Garden Bay Cruise boat by tender (5-10 minutes). 12:30: Enjoy a welcome drink, followed by a safety briefing, and then check into your cabin.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
17
Bai Tu Long Bay
13:00: Cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay while enjoying a set-menu lunch. 15:30: Kayak to explore the lagoons, swim, or relax on the beach at Cap La. 17:30: Relax and enjoy the sunset party during Happy Hour (from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM), while the boat cruises to the Cong Dong - Cong Do area, where it will anchor for the night. 19:00: Savor a BBQ dinner (on the sundeck if weather permits, otherwise in the restaurant). 21:00: Free time for evening activities, such as board games, squid fishing, playing guitar, watching movies, or karaoke (upon request). You can also visit our luxury sky bar (drinks are chargeable) and choose from a wide variety of wines, cocktails, brandy, and juices.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 8
Bai Tu Long Bay - Hoi An (Cruise Halong Bay, disembark, return to Hanoi, fly to Da Nang, transfer to Hoi An.)
3 stops
18
Bai Tu Long Bay
06:30: Start your day with a peaceful Tai Chi session on the deck. 07:00: Enjoy a light breakfast while the boat cruises toward the Vung Vieng area (approx. 45 minutes). 07:45: Explore Vung Vieng Fishing Village by bamboo boat, and experience the daily life of the local fishing community. 09:00: Return to the main boat for some relaxation and packing. 09:30: Check out of your cabin and unwind on the sundeck. 10:30: Savor your last view of Halong Bay over lunch as the boat heads back to shore. 11:30: Disembark and relax at the café lounge. Our driver will greet you at the Cruise Waiting Lounge and transfer you to Hanoi. The journey takes approximately 2.5-3 hours, with a restroom stop available along the way (optional).
9 hours • Admission ticket included
19
Noi Bai International Airport
Our driver will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel in Hanoi and take you to Noi Bai Airport. The drive takes approximately 45 minutes.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
20
Da Nang
Upon your arrival at Da Nang Airport, our local guide and driver will greet you and transfer you to your accommodation in Da Nang, a journey of approximately 30 minutes. Once you reach your hotel, you’ll have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy at your leisure.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 9
Hoi An (Discover Hoi An’s countryside by bike and explore the city on foot.)
7 stops
21
8:00 AM:Cam Pho - one of the oldest communal houses in Hoi An. It was built in the shape of Chinese character means the country for worshipping and trading business and cultural exchange between locality and Chinese, Japanese traders.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
22
Japanese Covered Bridge
The Hoi An city’s symbol - the Chua Cau or the Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 17th century to allow the Japanese quarter to be accessible from the Chinese neighborhoods. The bridge’s original style has been carefully preserved for the last 400 years.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
23
Quan Thang ancient house - one of the most authentic old houses in Hoi An with the lively and fine architecture and sculptures were made by craftsmen of famous Kim Bong carpentry village in the oriental style. The house offers a good look of Hoi An family's daily life.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
24
Kim Bong village. On the boat, you will immerse yourselves into the comfortable fresh air and enjoy the idyllic landscapes on both sides of the river. This village has long been known for its wood carving. At first, the artisans inherited the techniques from the northern Vietnamese. Later, from business exchange, they could successfully adopt the know-how of Chinese and Japanese sculptures and cultivate their own style. Bike around the village to understand their daily life and visit a carpenter's workshop to admire their talent. It is possible to buy some wood products as souvenirs.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
25
Transfer to Tra Nhieu village. Immerse into the countryside in the center of Vietnam. The trip will allow some unprecedented meetings for instance, Ms Duoc with the mat weaving, Mr Kha with the bamboo sampan basket making and Mr Huynh Ri with his craftsman shipyard. A countryside landscape of palm and rice fields, buffaloes and farmers in the fields will surround you along the way.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
26
Transfer to Cam Thanh village. Along the way the landscapes of fishing farms and water palmtrees will accompany you. Arrive in Cam Thanh, take a little rest in the house of fisherman (Mr. Phong) enjoy green tea and foot massage with medicinal herbs that planted in the family garden.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
27
Tra Que Vegetable Village
Then prepare vegetables and herbs from Tra Que village, small practice of cooking the dishes: crispy pancake (meat, shrimp, beansprouts…), spring rolls of Hoi An, Tam Huu, grilled fish in banana leaf… Enjoy the dishes that you made. In the afternoon, embark a small round bamboo sampan basket boat to the water palm trees forest. This is a relaxing moment after hours of biking.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 10
Hoi An - Hue (Travel to Hue, visit the Cham Sculpture Museum, Hai Van Pass, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Hue Citadel.)
5 stops
28
Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture
8:00 AM: Travel to Hue by passing Da Nang along the sea road. Once you arrive in Da Nang, stop to visit the Cham Museum which preserves the most important Cham culture collections in the world.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
29
My Khe Beach
Then, walk to My Khe beach where you can enjoy the view of giant Goodness of Mercy statues in the Linh Ung Pagoda. Take photos of fishermen by the beach then continue driving along the coastline to Hue ancient capital.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
30
Hai Van Pass
Make a stop at top of the Hai Van pass to enjoy the breathtaking view of the ocean.
Admission ticket free
31
Thien Mu Pagoda
Visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Hue, dating back to 1601. This is the spiritual highlight of the city and well known for its majestic octagon tower and beautiful view of the Perfume River.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
32
Hue Imperial City (The Citadel)
Visit the most important sites in city - Hue Citadel, the only vestige symbol for what was once the imperial city of Vietnam. It is inspired by the fortification of Vauban. The city is composed of three parts: Kinh Thanh (the Capital city), Hoang Thanh (the Imperial city) and Cam Thanh (the Forbidden City). The most beautiful sites in Hue are concentrated in this area including the flag tower, the South gate, the palace of supreme Harmony, the Dynasty temple area and the settlement area.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 11
Hue - Ho Chi Minh City (Enjoy a boat trip on the Perfume River, visit Sinh villages, Khai Dinh Tomb. Then fly to HCMC.)
5 stops
33
Perfume River
8:00 AM: Transfer to the Huong River (or Perfume River) to embark a Royal boat trip to the villages in the East of the city. This is an opportunity to discover the local life on the both sides of this poetic river. Upon arrival in Tien Non village, disembark for a bike ride in the countryside through three villages: Tien Non, Thanh Tien and Sinh village. During the trip, you will be immersed into the daily rhythm of life in the villages.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
34
In Tien Non village, meet the villagers working on the fields and vegetable gardens. Then, visit a family worship house in the village.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
35
Next, reach Thanh Tien village, an artificial paper flower village dating back 400 years. Besides the rural works, they make paper flowers for the New Year festival to offer their ancestors the best wishes. Visit Mr. Hieu’s family, one of the well-known artisans in the village to learn how to make paper flowers under his instruction.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
36
Keep going to Sinh village, a cradle of 400 year folklore prints in Hue. Meet Mr. Phuoc who will explain the techniques of traditional prints. You will find beautiful souvenirs on this trip. Finally, you'll head back to your hotel.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
37
Tomb of Khai Dinh
Khai Dinh King's tomb, built in 11 years (1920 – 1931) on Chau Tru hill. Khai Dinh King's tomb is distinguished from other emperor's tombs by the mixture of oriental and western styles. A hundred-step climb will take you to the worship palace at the top. You will discover the amazing decoration with delightful porcelain fragments, a giant painting on the ceiling and a small royal objects museum next door. Finally, the descent offers a panoramic view to the tomb and surrounding area. Upon your arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, our local guide and driver will warmly welcome you at the pickup area. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel in the city.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 12
Saigon (Saigon’s highlights: Independence Palace, Binh Tay Market, Chinatown, Quan Am Pagoda, and the FITO Museum.)
6 stops
38
The Independence Palace
9:00 AM: The Independence Palace, once used as the home - office of the Presidents of South Vietnam. Our visit includes the North Vietnamese tank which effectively attacked the palace in 1975 to bring the controversial Vietnam War to an end and the five-story palace with its rooms have been preserved in their late 1960s, 1970s style and a bunker basement.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
39
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
The Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, originally built between 1863 and 1880, evidently reflects the French colonist influences. It’s a picturesque spot in the city.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
40
Central Post Office
The Saigon Central Post Office is a stunning building, designed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. It is an actually working post office with beautiful indoor decorations.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
41
Binh Tay Market
Have a visit to Binh Tay Market, located in Saigon’s Chinatown area with hundreds of stalls, the biggest market in city actually contributes a hub for many of Saigon’s demands including clothing, souvenir and food items. There is also a food court where visitors can sample local delicacies and street food.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
42
Visit Quan Am Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in city and dedicated to Guan Yin, elements of Taoism, and the folk worship of the "Queen of Heaven".
1 hour • Admission ticket included
43
Visit the Traditional Medicine Museum (FITO) where the medicinal herb recipes, magic potions and special antique tools are preserved.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 13
Saigon - Cai Be - Can Tho (Explore the Mekong River by boat and bike, and visit Phu Chau Pagoda.)
3 stops
44
Meet our tour guide and driver for your transfer to Cai Be. Visit Cao Dai temple on route. On arrival, experience the rhythm of life on the legendary Mekong River by visiting the canals lined with orchards.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
45
Visiting craft workshops of rice popcorn, coconut caramel and rice cake…Go biking or walking on the village paths to discover the ancient and beautiful Phu Chau pagoda where the serenity reigns and meet the local people. Enjoy lunch in an open air restaurant where you can taste a famous local specialty, the elephant ear fish. Finally, enjoy tasting delicious fruits while rowing a small rowboat in the canals, shaded by the fruit trees.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
46
Can Tho
Continue your boat trip to Vinh Long and meet the driver at the pier for a transfer to Can Tho. Arrive in Can Tho in the late afternoon. Check in your hotel and relax. Enjoy free time on your own to discover the city located on the Mekong River side.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 14
Can Tho - Saigon (Cai Rang floating market, fruit garden visit, and Binh Thuy ancient house.)
3 stops
47
Cai Rang Floating Market
Have breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the pier for a boat trip to visit Cai Rang floating market, the largest and most lively market in the Mekong Delta. There are so many colors and smells in the bubbling atmosphere where hundreds of sampans are filled with goods such as rice, fruits, and craft products. Everything is shown to sell from the early morning.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
48
Leave the market and continue the boat trip through the canals and visit a fruit garden. Head back to An Binh Market which is full of fish, fruits and vegetables.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
49
Binh Thuy Ancient House
Stop at Binh Thuy ancient house which contains the orchid garden where “The Lover” was filmed. Transfer back to Saigon and arrive in the late afternoon.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 15
Ho Chi Minh City (Departure from Ho Chi Minh city)
1 stop
50
Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and take you to Tan Son Nhat Airport.
1 hour • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

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