Arrival at Hanoi airport. Transfer to the hotel. Rest.
In the evening, we’ll begin our introduction to Hanoi. We’ll start with a walk through the Old Quarter, stroll along the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword), and uncover the story behind the sword—why it was gifted, and to whom it was returned. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner, where we’ll learn how to roll rice paper and taste the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine.

And if you think you already know what Vietnamese food is like, get ready: beyond the famous Pho Bo, there are exotic flavors and combinations to discover. With over a dozen types of rice and even more varieties of noodles, we’re in for many culinary surprises!

After breakfast, we’ll explore the capital of Vietnam by daylight. This won’t just be a sightseeing tour—it’s an express course in Vietnamese history. First, we’ll visit West Lake, home to the country’s oldest pagoda (dating back to the 6th century), which miraculously survived the Indochina Wars. Next, we’ll see the Hanoi Citadel, a palace complex from the 11th century that wasn’t as fortunate. The Flag Tower of the Citadel, built in the 18th century, withstood the French occupation and has since become one of Hanoi’s symbols.

We’ll descend into the underground bunker of the Supreme Command of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and then visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. We’ll also tour the entire memorial complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house and the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, a structure built based on the dream of a Vietnamese emperor over a thousand years ago.

After lunch, we’ll head back to the Old Quarter to visit the famous Train Street, where French-built railway tracks occupy almost the entire narrow street between two rows of houses. Locals often sit along the tracks, sipping tea and playing checkers, but twice a day, the train comes through, prompting a rush to clear the street of belongings and bicycles. Photographers from around the world gather to capture the sight of the train squeezing through the old alleyway.

We’ll witness this spectacle too and also enjoy a unique egg coffee—a recipe invented during the war. We’ll visit the Temple of the Jade Mountain, where skeptics can see mummified turtles that once gifted swords to national heroes, and the Museum of Ethnology, which showcases the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam. In the evening, we’ll have a celebratory dinner at a restaurant.

But the real excitement begins after dinner when we’ll head out into the city to see how the Vietnamese celebrate the Western New Year. During this time, many street vendors and small family-run restaurants hold their own impromptu celebrations, inviting musicians, singing, and dancing. We’ll join in on some of these local festivities!

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Today, we’ll head to Ninh Binh province, famous for its stunning landscapes. The local river valleys and rice fields nestled between forest-covered limestone cliffs are among the most beautiful places in Northern Vietnam and indeed, the entire world. It’s no surprise that the landscape complexes around the ancient city of Hoa Lu are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

We’ll visit Hoa Lu, which served as the capital in the 10th century when, after a series of internal conflicts, Vietnam became a unified state. But first, we’ll climb to the 100-meter pagoda of the Bai Dinh temple complex and embark on a magical boat journey through the Trang An Scenic Landscape Park, passing through caves adorned with colorful stalactites and stalagmites.

In the evening, we’ll have dinner in Hoa Lu and admire how the ancient city looks illuminated at night. We’ll stay overnight at a hotel near the Tam Coc National Park, which we’ll be exploring tomorrow.

Today is a day to immerse ourselves in nature. We’ll begin with a boat ride along the Ngo Dong River through Tam Coc, which translates to "three caves." The river has carved out three caves in the limestone cliffs, giving the area its name. One of these caves is known as the "Dancing Cave," and we’ll discover the reason for its name once we’re there. We’ll also climb to the peak of Hang Mua, whose viewing platform is considered the best in all of Vietnam. The panorama from here is indeed breathtaking, including a view of a giant white dragon resting on a nearby ridge.

After lunch, we’ll head to Thung Nham Bird Park, home to several dozen species of birds. We’ll observe them from a boat, as this allows us to get closer without startling them. It’s a rare opportunity to see cranes, kingfishers, and herons in their natural habitat, one of the main reasons tourists visit the park. We’ll also take the chance to photograph the park’s abundant flowers, which bloom year-round, ensuring there’s always something in full color.
In the evening, we’ll return to Hanoi.

A day of beautiful pagodas and incense: after breakfast, we’ll head to Tam Chuc—a vast religious complex covering 5,000 hectares. On our way, we’ll stop at the Quang Phu Cau incense village, where traditional aromatic sticks have been crafted for over a century. This place is famous not only for its fragrant aroma but also for its vibrant colors; most of the incense sticks are bright red (though other colors exist), and under the sun, their bundles look like colorful, whimsical bouquets.

Once we arrive at Tam Chuc, we’ll spend the entire day there. To fully immerse ourselves in the atmosphere, we’ll complete the last leg of our journey on a boat styled after ancient vessels, crossing the vast lake to reach the heart of the complex. There, we’ll have lunch and explore the grounds of Tam Chuc, visiting the Sutra Garden and the Tam Chuc Pagoda. We’ll also take a boat to the Perfume Pagoda, carved into a limestone cave.

In the evening, we’ll return to Hanoi.

This time, we’ll travel to Sapa—a small town near the border with China, home to Fansipan, the highest mountain in Indochina. However, Sapa is known not just for the mountain (though the views from the top are excellent, and there are two trains and a cable car to reach the viewpoint) but also for the rice terraces scattered across the surrounding slopes and its inhabitants: most of whom belong to the Hmong ethnic minority, one of the largest in the country.

In Sapa, we’ll enjoy coffee with a view of the clouds before heading out for lunch. Afterward, we’ll take a walk to the Heaven’s Gate, an original viewpoint at an elevation of 2,000 meters, and the picturesque Silver Waterfall. Then, we’ll visit the Hmong village of Cat Cat; today, it primarily caters to tourists, but the village remains quite authentic, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to see traditional Hmong life up close.

We’ll spend the night in a mountain hotel with a view of the clouds.

After breakfast, we will ascend Fansipan. First, we’ll take a train through the Valley of Flowers, passing blooming fields and rice terraces on the slopes. Then, we’ll rise above the valley on a cable car, and from there, we’ll board a mountain train that will take us to the very summit. After enjoying the views from the top, we’ll return to Sapa for lunch and then catch a train back to Hanoi.

We will embark on a cruise through Lan Ha Bay, among the 366 islands of the Cat Ba archipelago. This is one of the most beautiful bays in the world, perfect for various water activities, or simply relaxing on the deck and taking in the scenery. We’ll paddle to some caves and visit the ancient floating village of Cai Beo—a self-sufficient settlement on water where we can purchase fresh seafood for dinner.

But we won’t linger too long: upon returning to port, we’ll transfer to a specialized boat for a night of squid fishing in Ha Long Bay. This UNESCO World Heritage site boasts turquoise waters and countless limestone islands, making it an ideal spot to watch the sunset while enjoying our catch.

After our adventure, we’ll return to Hanoi.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight to Phu Quoc.

Once we arrive, we’ll head to the beach. Phu Quoc is Vietnam's largest island, located in the southern part of the country near the border with Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. It’s famous for its products—fish sauce and black pepper—as well as for being home to the notorious Coconut Prison, built by the French and later used by Southerners. The prison was closed fifty years ago, but the fish sauce and pepper are still available for purchase, and recently, a cable car and pearl farm have been established.

Now, the island is a true paradise for beach lovers and those seeking active water adventures. We’ll sunbathe, swim, and engage in snorkeling, diving, wake surfing, yacht outings, and jet skiing, while also enjoying leisurely walks and savoring fresh seafood.

We’ll spend the night in a hotel with a sea view.

A free day on the island. The most tireless will set off to explore the caves and waterfalls of Phu Quoc.

Transfer to the airport.