Vietnam Heart & Soul Itinerary

Your driver will be waiting at Noi Bai International Airport to transfer you to your hotel. After checking in and freshening up, take some time to explore the lively Old Quarter.

• Hotel: 3-star – Contact us to upgrade
• Transfer: Private airport transfer

‍

Experience the city from a unique perspective: on a Hanoi Vespa tour through the bustling streets. Explore hidden alleys and iconic landmarks as your local guide takes you to the Red River island, where floating houses and lush farms await. Discover the historic Long Bien Bridge and West Lake's Tay Ho Temple and Van Nien Pagoda.

You’ll also get to check out Hanoi Train Street, complete with charming cafes, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Dress comfortably for this immersive adventure through Hanoi's past and present.

• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
• Hotel: 3-star – Contact us to upgrade
• Activities: Hanoi Vespa tour
• Transfer: Pick up at hotel

‍

Leave the city and set sail on a 2-day cruise through Ha Long Bay. Experience the beauty of both Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay’s limestone karsts from the comfort of your boat with activities like Tai Chi sessions at sunrise, squid fishing under the stars and kayaking on the serene waters. Delicious meals are included during your cruise, too.

When you’re back on land, your driver will drop you off at your Hanoi hotel in the afternoon. You’ll then have a few hours to rest or do some souvenir shopping before your private transfer to the train station, where you’ll set off for an overnight journey to Sapa.

• Meals: Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2 & Dinner (limited drinks included)
• Hotel: 3-star cruise – Contact us to upgrade
• Activities: Halong Bay cruise‍
• Transfer: Shared car from hotel to harbour & back, private transfer to train station, train ticket to Sapa

Upon arriving at the train station in Lao Chai, you'll be driven to your hotel in Sapa. While check-in won't be available immediately, you can freshen up and enjoy breakfast (not included in tour price). Then it’s time to meet your guide and begin your trek!

Your day starts with a scenic hike through the stunning landscapes of Sapa valley. Begin along the road descending from Cau May Street (6 km), marvelling at the mist-shrouded rice terraces – a breathtaking sight that’s likely to use up plenty of camera space already!

Crossing the Muong Hoa River, you’ll pass pretty rice terraces en route to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai, then onwards to the Giay village of Ta Van. Further along the Muong Hoa River, you’ll cross a small suspension bridge (about 2km from the village) to discover intriguing rock carvings depicting stilt houses and decorative patterns.

Enjoy lunch in a local home in Ta Van village before trekking through a bamboo forest to reach Giang Ta Chai: a village of the Red Dao ethnic minority. Rest or have a refreshing waterfall swim before climbing uphill to meet your car, which will transport you back to Sapa.

Approximate duration: 1-hour drive / 4 hours trekking / 1-hour lunch

• Meals: Lunch
• Hotel: 3-star – Contact us to upgrade
• Activities: Lao Chai – Ta Van – Giang Ta Cha Tour‍
• Transfer: Train to Sapa & tour transfers

This afternoon, our bus driver will collect you at the hotel and transfer you back to Hanoi. The journey takes around 6 hours, depending on current traffic. You’ll have the rest of the evening to relax, or to wander the streets of Hanoi city.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Hotel: 3-star – Contact us to upgrade‍
• Transfer: Bus from Sapa to Hanoi

Our driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport (which takes around 1 hour), for your flight to Dong Hoi. When you land, another driver will take you to your hotel in Phong Nha, a 40-minute drive away. You’ll then have the afternoon and evening free to enjoy the relaxing riverside vibes and great food options around town.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Hotel: 3-star – Contact us to upgrade‍
• Transfer: Airport transfers, domestic flight from Hanoi to Dong Hoi

Your local guide will meet you bright and early so you can explore two stunning caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, known as "The Cave Kingdom". Discover Phong Nha Cave, significant for its natural beauty and historical ties to the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Get snap-happy in Paradise Cave, renowned for its glass-like crystal stalactites and stalagmites. (It’s also Asia's longest dry cave, at 31.4 km.) This tour includes a peaceful boat ride along the length of the cave before you can explore its grottos by foot.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Hotel: 3-star – Contact us to upgrade
• Activities: Phong Nha day tour & entrance tickets‍
• Transfer: Private transfer

After breakfast, our driver will pick you up to begin the 4-hour road journey to the historic city of Hue.

Hue is a peaceful central city with a fascinating history – from its ancient Cham origins, to becoming the capital of Vietnam until 1945, and as the site of one of the bloodiest and longest battles of the Vietnam War, in 1968. Today, Hue is known as the cultural and spiritual capital of the country and has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Hotel: 3-star – Contact us to upgrade‍
• Transfer: Private transfer to Hue City

Your local guide and driver will meet you at your hotel for a safety briefing. Our skilled motorbike drivers are experts in navigating gently through Hue’s bustling streets, ensuring a comfortable ride for even the most tentative passengers – with speeds kept at 40km/hr or less.

Explore narrow laneways, glide beside serene canals…and, once you’re back on your feet, wander through local markets, discovering Hue's rich history along the way. Visit a king’s tomb, a pagoda and local handicraft workshops before immersing yourselves in Vietnam’s captivating history at Hue Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. After all of that exploration, you’ll have surely worked up an appetite…fortunately, lunch awaits! Enjoy a delicious traditional Buddhist banquet served at a serene pagoda.

This action-packed day promises a blend of scenery, history, culture and cuisine – and, for those who’d like extra comfort, this tour is also available by private, air-conditioned vehicle.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Hotel: 3-star – Contact us to upgrade
• Activities: Hue motorbike tour‍
• Transfer: Private driver

Departing from Hue, our driver will take you on a scenic, 160km journey to Hoi An. Cross coastal rice paddies and visit the charming fishing village of Lang Co. Experience the breathtaking Hai Van Pass, climbing to 496m (1,627ft) on a road famously described in Top Gear as "a deserted ribbon of perfection – one of the best coastal roads in the world." Along the way, explore Marble Mountain before reaching the oh-so-special town of Hoi An.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Hotel: 3-star – Contact us to upgrade
• Activities: Hai Van Pass and Marble Mountain‍
• Transfer: Private Transfer

Enjoy a two-day adventure in Hoi An, Vietnam, where you'll have the freedom to explore at your own pace on the first day. Wander through ancient streets lined with lantern-lit shops and visit historic sites. On the second day, immerse yourself in a hands-on cooking class, discovering the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine with a local chef. Learn to prepare traditional dishes using fresh ingredients from local markets, and savor the flavours of your creations.

• Meals: 2 x breakfasts, 1 x lunch
• Hotel: 3-star – Contact us to upgrade‍
• Activities: Hoi An cooking class

You’ll be transferred to Da Nang airport for your domestic flight to Da Lat. Enjoy a restful evening, checking out the wonderful street food options around its night market.

The next day, our guide will meet you at your hotel in Dalat to begin your day tour. Start with panoramic views of the city and pine-forested valleys from RoBin Hill's Cable Car Station. You could also take a cable car ride to Tuyen Lam Lake, surrounded by yet more pine forests and home to Truc Lam Zen Monastery.

Continue south to Datanla Waterfall for an adventurous ride down a roller coaster…yep, you heard us! Visit Bao Dai King’s Summer Palace and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before exploring Da Lat Flower Garden, strolling around bonsai parks, and visiting the towering Sakyamuni Buddha statue.

Finish your tour with a visit to the Gothic-style Cock Church (yes, again, you heard us! It’s called Con Ga church, too), and Dalat’s Specialties Showroom for artichoke tea and jams.

• Meals: 2 x breakfasts, 1 x lunch
• Hotel: 3-star – Contact us to upgrade
• Activities: Dalat city tour‍
• Transfer: Airport transfers, domestic flight Da Nang to Da Lat

Our driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Dalat airport for your 1.5-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. This vibrant city combines luxurious sky bars, fine dining and bustling street food scenes, with a dash of unique Vietnamese charm. Take it all in, on your private transfer from the airport to your hotel and during your free evening in the city.

The next morning, our guide and driver will pick you up for a 90-minute car ride to Ben Duoc tunnels. Experience a brief documentary on the Cu Chi tunnels before exploring their camouflaged entrances and crawling through sections used by guerrilla fighters (this part is optional). Discover underground kitchens, living quarters and meeting rooms and learn about the traps and weapons made by Viet Cong soldiers. If you like, you can try shooting at a range with an AK-47 (bullets not included). After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your Saigon hotel.

Upgrade option: Experience the tour by luxury speedboat with lunch included.

• Meals: 2 x breakfasts
• Hotel: 3-star – Contact us to upgrade
• Activities: Cu Chi Tunnels tour‍
• Transfer: Airport transfers, domestic flight Dalat to Saigon

You’ll be picked up from your hotel for the 90-minute journey to the airport.  Be sure not to pack any batteries or valuables in your checked-in luggage.

It’s time to say goodbye to Vietnam – but hopefully, now that you’ve finished your 18-day Vietnam itinerary, you’ve seen the top sights of the country…and you’ll be back again before too long.

‍