Explore Vietnam’s hidden gems in 15 days. From Hanoi to Mekong Delta, experience local life, stunning landscapes, and unique adventures.
HA NOI ARRIVAL - CYCLE TOUR - WATER PUPPET SHOW (-/-/D)
Hanoi - Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted by a driver from Luco Travel and transferred to the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Check into your hotel and enjoy some free time.
Thang Long Water Puppet - At 18:00, you will be picked up from your hotel by a “Xich Lo” and taken on a tour around Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Ngọc Sơn Temple for an hour before being dropped off at the Hanoi Water Puppet Show.
Enjoy the Water Puppet Show, which features traditional performances depicting the daily life of Vietnamese farmers, communal activities, and historical legends. This art form has captivated audiences for centuries.
Have dinner and return to the hotel.
HA NOI - HA LONG BAY - BAI TU LONG BAY - OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE (B/L/D)
Halong Bay - 07:30. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out.
08:00. Our driver and tour guide will pick you up from your hotel to depart for Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning karst landscapes.
On the way, we will take a short 20-minute break before arriving at Bai Chay, Hon Gai Harbor.
Bai Tu Long Bay - 12:00. Arrive at Hon Gai harbor and transfer to the cruise by tender.
12:45 Enjoy a welcome drink and check into your cabin.
13:30 Cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay while enjoying a set menu lunch on board.
15:30 Explore Vung Vieng Fishing Village by bamboo boat or kayak to experience the daily life of the local fishing communities.
17:30 Relax and enjoy the sunset as the boat cruises to the Cong Dong-Cong Do area for overnight anchorage.
18:00 Free time or join a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes (available upon request).
19:30 Enjoy a delicious dinner on the cruise.
21:00 Free evening to participate in activities such as board games, squid fishing, or karaoke (available upon request).
BAI TU LONG - THIEN CANH SON CAVE - HA NOI (B/L/-)
Thien Canh Son Cave - 07:00. Start your day with Tai Chi exercises.
07:30. Have breakfast on the cruise.
07:45 – 09:00 Enjoy the morning seascapes with a cup of tea or coffee while cruising towards Thien Canh Son Cave. Visit the cave, which is medium-sized and less frequented by tourists.
Halong Bay - 09:00 Return to the boat, relax on the sundeck, or watch a fruit carving demonstration.
09:30 Check out of your cabin as the boat heads back to the harbor.
10:00 Transfer by tender to the pier and relax in the pier building while waiting for return transportation.
10:30 Enjoy the final views of Ha Long Bay over lunch as the boat cruises back to shore.
Hanoi - 12:00: After lunch, board the tender to return to the wharf, where your vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Hanoi.
15:30 Arrive in Hanoi and check into your hotel.
HA NOI - HOA LU - TAM COC CAVE - NINH BINH (B/L/-)
Ninh Binh - 08:00 After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Hoa Lu - Tam Coc, enjoying the scenic rural landscapes along the way.
10:00 Arrive in Ninh Binh province and visit Hoa Lu, the ancient royal capital of Vietnam. Explore the Dinh and Le King temples from the 10th century and learn about their heroic histories during the Chinese Wars. Then, proceed to Tam Coc, located 10 km from Hoa Lu.
Have lunch at a local restaurant.
Tam Coc - After lunch, board a bamboo boat rowed by local people to visit Tam Coc (three caves). Pass through three large caves that offer a brief respite from the summer sun. The boat ride takes approximately two hours, during which you will see local fishermen, village life along the river, and the striking limestone karst formations that Tam Coc is famous for.
If you enjoy biking, you can take a one-hour bicycle ride to visit local villages and enjoy the amazing landscapes. Afterward, return to Hanoi by van. Dinner on your own.
Back to Hanoi. Free time until your driver picks you up and takes you to the train station. Dinner on your own.
Sapa - 20:30. Your driver will take you to the train station.
22:00 Take the train to Sapa.
SAPA - CAT CAT VILLAGE - LAO CHAI - TA VAN (B/L/D)
Cat Cat village - 06:00 Early morning arrival in Lao Cai, where your guide and driver will pick you up and take you to a local restaurant for breakfast.
After breakfast, drive for about 45 minutes to Sapa.
Begin trekking to Cat Cat village, inhabited by the Black H’mong tribe. Visit the hydroelectric power station built by the French in the 20th century and experience the tribal way of life while enjoying views of terraced rice fields and a waterfall.
Lao Chai - Have lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, check in at a homestay in Lao Chai Village.
15:00 Trek around Lao Chai – Ta Van Village, where you will be warmly welcomed by the hospitable locals. Interact with them and learn about their culture and customs.
Dinner at the homestay.
TREKKING LAO CHAI VILLAGE - FANSIPAN MOUNTAIN - HA NOI (B/L/-)
Ta Van - Wake up to the sounds of chickens or birds and have breakfast at the homestay.
Enjoy the fresh air, see terraced fields and streams, and visit some H’mong families in the village. The village is home to over 100 Black H’mong families, known for their hospitality.
12:00 Check out and have lunch at a restaurant.
Fansipan Mountain - 13:00 Transfer to Fansipan Mountain, the highest peak in Vietnam and the highest in the three Indochina countries, earning it the nickname “Indochinese crown.” Take a cable car ride to the Indochina Roof, 3,143 meters above sea level, and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful landscapes from the top.
Hanoi - 16:00. Take a limousine van back to Hanoi.
21:00 Arrive in Hanoi and check into your hotel. Free time.
HA NOI CITY TOUR - HUE (B/L/-)
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - Meet your Luco Travel tour guide and driver at the hotel. Visit the memorial complex for Ho Chi Minh, including the Presidential Palace, Uncle Ho’s house on stilts, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university built in 1076. Also visit the picturesque West Lake and the sixth-century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with special Vietnamese dishes. Check out of the hotel.
In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which serves as both a research center and a public museum showcasing the ethnic groups of Vietnam. The museum’s mission includes scientific research, collection, documentation, conservation, exhibition, and preservation of the cultural and historical heritage of the nation’s various ethnic groups.
Hoa Lo Prison - Next, visit Hoa Lo Prison, with exhibits focusing on its use up to the mid-1950s and the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France. The prison also has displays about American pilots incarcerated there during the American War.
Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street - Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, where a legendary turtle is preserved, and explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the ‘36 streets,’ offering plenty of photo opportunities.
Hue - Free time until your driver picks you up and takes you to the airport for your flight to Hue.
A Luco Travel tour guide and driver will meet you at Phu Bai Airport and take you to your hotel in Hue City.
HUE IMPERIAL CITY - HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN (B/L/-)
Hue Imperial City (The Citadel) - In the morning, at 8:00 am, your driver and tour guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby to visit the Imperial Citadel, where 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty lived and worked. Visit the Nine Holy Canons, Ngo Mon Gate, Court Yard, Thai Hoa Palace, The Temple, and the Forbidden Purple City.
Thien Mu Pagoda - After leaving the Imperial Citadel, drive along the romantic Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hue, over 400 years old.
Hoi An Ancient Town - Travel to Hoi An Ancient Town, stopping at Lang Co Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam, with over 10 km of white sand.
After checking into your hotel, take a walk around Hoi An Ancient Town to see the central market, former merchants’ houses, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall, and Hoi An Museum.
HOI AN - DA NANG - GOLDEN BRIDGE - MARBLE MOUNTAIN (B/L/-)
Ba Na Hills - 07:30 After breakfast at the hotel, your guide and driver will pick you up to visit Ba Na Hills, also known as King Mountain, the second DaLat/Sapa in Central Vietnam, known for its cool weather.
08:30 Ride the most modern cable car system in Southeast Asia to Dream Stream Cable Car Station. Visit and play games at Fantasy Park.
Golden Bridge - Explore King Peak at an altitude of 1,487 meters, offering panoramic views of Bana Hills and Quang Nam - Da Nang. Visit Linh Tu Pagoda and the famous Golden Bridge before returning to the hotel to relax.
Enjoy a buffet lunch at Bana Hill restaurant.
The Marble Mountains - Continue to visit the Marble Mountains, a famous site in Da Nang. This cluster of five limestone mountains features sacred pagodas and beautiful caves. Conquer 151 steps of Thuy Mountain, the highest mountain, and visit Linh Ung Pagoda, Xa Loi Tower, Van Thong Cave, Hoa Nghiem Cave, Huyen Khong Cave, and Tam Thai Pagoda.
Spend some time visiting the Stone Carving Village at the base of the mountains. Return to the hotel and relax.
MY SON SANCTUARY - HOI AN BEACH (B/L/-)
My Son Sanctuary - In the morning, at 08:00 am, your driver and tour guide will pick you up to visit My Son Sanctuary, a sacred site of the Cham People from the 4th century. Learn about their culture, architecture, and religion from your guide.
Discover the secrets of how the Cham People constructed their tower-temples and kept their surfaces clean.
Hoi An - Have lunch at a local restaurant and return to your hotel in Hoi An.
15:30 Head to Hoi An Beach to relax, swim, sunbathe, and enjoy your time.
18:00 Return to your hotel. Free time.
HOI AN - DA NANG - HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR (B/L/-)
Ho Chi Minh City - After breakfast, your guide will take you to Da Nang Airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (flight schedule dependent). Upon arrival, you will be met by a Luco Travel tour guide and driver and transferred to your hotel.
War Remnants Museum - Visit the War Remnants Museum, formerly known as the Museum of Vietnam War, which offers a poignant display of the futility of war. The ‘Requiem’ exhibit features touching black and white photography dedicated to journalists and photographers who perished during the conflict. The courtyard displays captured American military equipment.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral - Visit the former US Embassy, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Old Post Office, built between 1877 and 1883. These are prime examples of classical French colonial architecture, with materials shipped from France. The cathedral’s two 40-meter towers topped with iron spires dominate the skyline. The Old Post Office is the country’s largest post office.
The Independence Palace - Visit the Reunification Palace, where the ‘American War’ officially ended on April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates.
Return to the hotel. Free time.
CU CHI TUNNELS & STREET FOOD TOUR (B/L/D)
Cu Chi Tunnels - In the morning, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel to depart for the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of over 250 km of tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the war. The tunnels functioned as underground cities with living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers, and kitchens. Explore the tunnels and learn about their construction and use during the 1960s.
Try delicious manioc, the main food for guerrilla warriors in Cu Chi during the war.
Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon Street Food Tour On Scooter At Night.
At 18:00, meet your tour guide at the hotel and receive safety instructions for riding on the back of a bike. Experience Saigon’s rush hour from the back of a bike, riding through lit boulevards, back alleys, and busy streets.
First, enjoy Vietnamese pancakes (Bánh xèo) and spring rolls while learning about the food’s customs and background. Try making the dishes yourself and enjoy them while sitting on small plastic chairs in the alleys.
Nguyen Thien Thuat Apartment Buildings - Explore a Vietnamese residential building built long ago. Visit a hidden coffee shop and learn how to make coffee without a machine. Enjoy local activities, discover small alleys, and try Vietnamese pizza, a popular local snack.
End the tour with a famous Vietnamese dessert, sweet soup, sampling 3-5 kinds of sweet soup desserts.
Around 21:30, return to your hotel.
HO CHI MINH - MY THO - BEN TRE - CAN THO (B/L/-)
Mekong Delta - 08:00 am. Depart for the Mekong Delta, a 1.5-hour drive to My Tho town. Enjoy the scenic landscapes along the way, including green rice fields, the peaceful Vam Co Dong river, and the busy Long An town. Stop at Mekong rest stop to see the bonsai garden.
Vinh Trang Temple - Arrive in My Tho town and visit Vinh Trang pagoda, the oldest ancient pagoda in Southern Vietnam, known for its unique architecture influenced by Vietnamese, Khmer, and European cultures.
My Tho - Board a motorboat for a leisurely ride on the Tien river, passing stilt houses, fishing floating farms, and the four islands: Dragon, Phoenix, Tortoise, and Unicorn.
Arrive at Thoi Son Island, the largest of the four islands. Walk through the village, visit local homes and orchards, and enjoy seasonal fruits while listening to traditional Southern folk music. Take a hand-rowed boat through the creeks, wearing a traditional Vietnamese hat.
Ben Tre - Try rowing the boat yourself. Visit a bee-keeping farm and taste honey tea with lemon. See a python farm and take photos with pythons if you like.
Return to the motorboat and cruise to Ben Tre province. Visit a coconut candy workshop to see how candies are made by hand. Take a sightseeing tour through peaceful villages by horse cart. Visit Phoenix Island to see a crocodile farm and the remains of Coconut belief. Have lunch in an orchard garden.
After lunch, ride a bicycle through village paths to enjoy the fresh air and observe pastoral life. Walk through the village to return to the boat.
Can Tho - Return to the boat and then to the bus for the drive to Can Tho. Check into your hotel.
CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET - HO CHI MINH CITY (B/L/-)
Cai Rang Floating Market - After breakfast, take the bus to Ninh Kieu Wharf and visit Cai Rang Floating Market by boat. The market is about 6 km from Can Tho, a 30-minute boat ride. See life along the river, including painted boats, merchant vessels, and stilt houses.
At the market, boats sell various goods, mostly foodstuffs. Learn about water commerce in the Delta and interact with floating merchants. Look for hanging samples to identify what each boat is selling.
Can Tho Market - See how Vietnamese vermicelli noodles are made. Trek through the village to meet locals and cross a “monkey bridge” made of bamboo.
Visit Can Tho market and have lunch there. Then, return to Ho Chi Minh City by car. Check into your hotel. Free time.
THE COFFEE SHOP - “PHỞ” - HO CHI MINH DEPARTURE (B/L/-)
Ho Chi Minh City - Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy some free time for last-minute shopping or relaxing at the hotel.
Visit Trung Nguyen Legend Coffee G7, a famous Vietnamese coffee shop, and enjoy a cup of coffee. Buy some coffee as a souvenir for friends and family.
Return to the hotel, check out, and have lunch with Vietnamese Noodle Soup – “Phở” at a local restaurant that has been in business for over 50 years.
Your tour guide and driver will take you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Thank you for visiting Vietnam.
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- All airport pick up/drop off with private A/C cars
- 01 night on cruise in Ha Long Bay
- All domestic flights in Vietnam (Ha Noi – Hue, Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh)
- 01 night on train to Sapa
- 01 night at the Homestay in Sapa
- 11 nights hotel during Vietnam trip
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Fruits, Candy, Coconut Water
- Life jacket, raincoat, mineral water & tissue
- Luco Travel’s gift
- Cooking class on request
- Saigon street food tour
- All entrance fees as mentioned
- Sharing a tourist bus and cruise in Ha Long Bay (private cabin)
- English speaking Tour Guide (Hanoi, Hue, Saigon)
- Boat in Mekong Delta – Floating market
- Water Puppet Show
- Bicycle tour in Mekong Delta
- Visa & international flights in and out the country
- Other services & meals than mentioned
- Tips, bank transfer fee if any.
Discover the Authentic Vietnam! This 15-day tour is the ultimate gateway for those seeking a genuine Vietnamese experience. Immerse yourself in the heart of Vietnam, travel to where everyday life unfolds, and marvel at the country’s most breathtaking landscapes. Join us and explore Vietnam at its finest.
From Hanoi to the mountains of Sapa, down to the world-renowned Halong Bay, and the mesmerizing floating markets of the Mekong Delta, each day of the tour offers an extraordinary experience. Engage with local hill tribes in northwest Vietnam, row a boat through the stunning karst scenery of Ninh Binh, and enjoy a homestay in a Red River Delta village. On this tour, you won’t just see the typical tourist spots; Luco Travel will also unveil hidden gems, making your holiday a truly unique adventure.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.