Off-the-beaten-path Vietnam

Welcome to the land of dragons, Vietnam. Upon arrival to Noi Bai Airport, our driver will greet you and transfer you to the city center to your hotel. 

Enjoy the day free at leisure to acquaint yourself with the capital, immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter located just steps outside of your hotel until an evening street food tour via Vespa to try some of the best noodle shops, grilled meats, and sweet desserts in the chaotic Old Quarter.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Peridot Grand Hotel & Spa

Dive into the history of Hanoi by visiting the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, designed to resemble a blooming lotus flower, commissioned by the legendary King Ly Thai To in 1049. Just a stone’s throw away lies the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a monument and tribute to Ho Chi Minh, the “uncle” of modern Vietnam, as well as his preserved stilt house and a small museum dedicated to his life.

Pass by Vietnam’s first university, Quoc Tu Giam, otherwise known as the Temple of Literature. The grounds offer a quiet oasis in the center of Hanoi and will show you an interesting glimpse into the cultural elite’s past, dating back from 1076.

Have lunch at Koto Training Restaurant, a social enterprise dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty faced by many youths in the city, empowering them by training them in the culinary arts and hospitality training.

After lunch, peruse the carefully curated collections of tribal art, clothing, jewelry, and full-size replica houses at The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. All displays are clearly labeled in English, French, and Vietnamese, with guides available at the main entrance for those who want to hear more in-depth information.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy your evening free to discover Hanoi on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Peridot Grand Hotel & Spa

Leave the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and journey 4-hours west to the luscious valley of Mai Chau in Hoa Binh Province. Filled with chic ecolodges and rustic homestays, Mai Chau is the perfect introduction to the incredible scenery of Vietnam and the warm hospitality of the 54 different ethnic minority groups residing in the hills.

Upon arrival to Mai Chau, check-in to your homestay, free at leisure to hike or cycle through the mostly flat valley, rice fields, and quiet villages. As the sun begins to set, sit down for a home-cooked meal with your Black or White Thai ethnic minority family to learn more about their culture and traditions.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today trek to the small village of Mai Hich from Mai Chau after breakfast. A 30-minute transfer brings you to the start of the day-hike at Mai Ha Village, passing through Kha and Te Villages to stop in Buoc Village for lunch. Admire the hilly scenery with rice fields stretching as far as the eye can see. Continue on to Mai Hich Village and meet the local ethnic minorities, learning about the Thai people’s cultures and daily lives.

Return to your homestay in Mai Chau in the late afternoon, and see a traditional dance performance as dinner is served.

Say good-bye to your host family and continue on your off-the-beaten-path discovery of Vietnam 2-hours south through a breathtaking mountain pass to the incredible Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Upon arrival, check-in to your eco-friendly accommodation and take in the amazing panoramic views of the gorgeous scenery.

Visit the suspension bridge over the Cham River, in search of gigantic water wheels. Investigate each wheel to figure out how water is moved from the river to the handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple construction and innovation. Once you arrive to a local fisherman’s house, pause for tea before your river adventure on handcrafted wooden rafts.

Once you arrive to the rustic Tan Lap Bridge, leave your raft and return to your accommodation in Pu Luong.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Pu Luong Retreat

Explore the village life of the area with a day-trek into the beautiful valley of tumbling rice terraces. Trek through small paths overcome by lush vegetation and admire the picturesque villages along the mountain base. When you arrive to the village, see how men work the farms and rice fields and learn how women make rice wine and weave intricate, colourful textiles.

Return to your accommodation in the afternoon and enjoy some time free to discover the landscape independently on foot or by bicycle.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Pu Luong Retreat

A 3–hour journey east brings you to the bigger, charming countryside town of Ninh Binh. You may recognize some of the backdrop of the 2017 Hollywood blockbuster hit “Kong: Skull Island” as it was filmed here.

Start with an unusual row-boat ride in Van Long and enjoy the view of the romantic countryside as water buffalo graze, farmers work and children play.

Then cycle to Hang Mua, a picturesque mountainside spot with a cave and beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding area, dotted with karst mountains and sparkling rice fields.

In the evening after dinner, transfer to the Ninh Binh Train Station and board the overnight train to Dong Hoi. Get cozy in your simple cabin and let the sound of the railway tracks clacking lull you to sleep.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Night train

Wake up in the quiet sleepy town of Dong Hoi in the early morning and transfer 1-hour by car to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. Like Ninh Binh, it too has recently been featured in the Hollywood Blockbuster “Kong: Skull Island”.

Check-in to your hotel between the coast and mountains of central Vietnam and enjoy the day at leisure. This is a great time to use the onsite bicycles to explore the rice fields and beautiful countryside, a swimming pool to lounge away in after a busy first-week of adventure in Vietnam, and a billiards table to strike up conversations with other guests.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Phong Nha Lake House Resort

Embark on an overnight trek to one of the most beautiful and largest caves in the world, Hang En. Featured in National Geographic, it is the closest you can get at the most affordable price to Son Doong Cave, the recently discovered and largest cave in the world.

Hike up steep hills through the thick jungle and tread through river streams to the Ban Doong minority village, where a hot cup of tea welcomes you. A picnic lunch is provided and the hike continues until Hang En Cave comes into view in the early afternoon. Spend the afternoon exploring the cave until its breathtaking exit, which you might recognize from the 2015 film “Pan”.

Return to your camp along a beach within the cave through dry passages to the viewpoint high above camp, where you have the chance to see 300 million-year-old fossils. Then, relax during some much-deserved downtime while swimming in the natural pools.

*Note* Between September and late-December, this itinerary is not available and will be replaced with a different spelunking activity.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Phong Nha Lake House Resort

Depart camp after breakfast at 9:00 and say good-bye to Hang En. Continue trekking through Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, stopping for lunch before reaching the pick-up point between 2-4 pm. Upon arrival to Phong Nha, a transfer is arranged to bring you down the coast of Vietnam to the ancient and imperial capital of Hue.

Check into your comfortable accommodation and enjoy the simple luxuries at your hotel in the city center.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Eldora Hotel

Gain an in-depth insight into the history of Vietnam by visiting the Ancient Citadel, Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Emperor’s Private Residence. Then, board a boat and journey down the poetic Perfume River to visit the beautiful landscaped tombs of Emperor Tu Duc and Emperor Ming Mang and the official symbol of Hue, Thien Mu Pagoda.

Return to your hotel in the afternoon and enjoy some time free at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Eldora Hotel

Head south 2.5-hours along the incredible Hai Van Pass Ocean Road to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An Ancient Town. Join a walking tour of the very well-preserved town filled with quirky shops, antique teahouses, and amazing restaurants. Enjoy views of the Thu Bon River and the many canals found in the city as you learn about the history of the town and admire the interesting mix of Vietnamese, French, Chinese, and Japanese architecture.

The rest of your day is free at leisure to discover the city on your own by foot, kayak, or bicycle.

Meals: Breakfast

Take the day to explore Hoi An independently. Optional excursions include a half-day trip by jeep to the remnants of the Ancient Cham Kingdom, the My Son Ruins, a collection of ruined Hindu temples dedicated to the god Shiva, kayaking on the Thu Bon or Coco River, cycling through the countryside, creating beautiful dishes during a cooking class, or gazing at the many small art galleries scattered through the old town.

Don’t miss out on wandering the streets during twilight in Hoi An, as the city comes alive with glowing lanterns and the smells of street food wafting along the alleys. Snack on Banh bao vac, a type of secret recipe dumpling, or delicious and crispy Vietnamese wontons.

Your day is free until your transfer to Da Nang Airport to catch your onward planned travel arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast