Southbound Journey, 13 days

On arrival at Hanoi Airport, you are greeted  by our guide and taken to your hotel by private transfer. You will have some time free to relax or explore at your own leisure. The capital city of Vietnam, Hanoi is a fascinating blend of East and West, combining traditional Sino-Vietnamese motifs with French flair. The building boom has made Hanoi a rapidly developing city in Southeast Asia. However, it still retains an old charm brought from a thousand year of history, with many interesting cultural and historic monuments, beautiful lakes, shady parks, bustling street markets, funny shops and open air eating spots jostled in ancient houses, and historic temples adjoining colonial style structures. They offer both local and foreigner visitors an endless exploration. You might like to  stroll through the fascinating old quarter containing many vibrant streets which are named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. The lively atmosphere in Hanoi old quarter runs from the early hours until late at night  with many street vendors calling, horns honking, and chaotic traffic with waves of motorbikes you’ve never experienced.

Today, we start our exploration of Hanoi with a drive through diverse streets encompassing a millennium of the city culture and evolution to the Ba Dinh Square. This park setting contains the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (close on Mon. and Fri. and Oct. to Nov) and the Ho Chi Minh Residence. We queue up for a walk past silent sentries to pay a homage to Ho Chi Minh and continue to his residence, a simple stilt house set in a well-tended garden. He has lived and worked in this place until his final days. Nearby this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, of which the origins date back to the foundation of Hanoi City. We follow it with the Temple of Literature, which is now dedicated to the scholars of Confucius but was once the first university of Vietnam. The successful candidate records are still found in various stone steles set over giant stone turtles in the temple ground. We head towards the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (close on Mon.), where display in both outdoor and indoor sections, various documents, images and objects focusing on 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. Upon leaving this sight, we drive past various attractions, including Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, West Lake, Long Bien Bridge, and Opera House, and Hoan Kiem Lake. No stops planned , it is simply a glimpse of the cityscape. We finish a round of city tour  with a fantastic water puppet show followed by a pleasant walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, one of the major scenic spots in Hanoi.

The journey north begins as we leave Hanoi, being away from the vibrant streets to explore the stunning mountains, terrace rice fields and many hill tribe groups. There are many sleepy villages linking to the roads which are the main artery of trade between the northern western region and the capital city. This first glimpse of rural Vietnam will set the tone for our days ahead.  Along the way, we make stops near Hoa Binh Town, to see the Muong ethnic minorities, who have settled in this rugged mountainous region down centuries,  making for the main local population. The  mountains are spectacular, rising and falling endlessly in the distance. We continue driving  uphill on  Thung Khe Pass before dropping down to Mai Chau Valley,  homeland of  the White Thai people. This idyllic valley is nestled between two towering cliffs and  surrounded by emerald green paddies. We get our first biking experience while cycling along the village lanes and passing by many stilt houses. Along the way, we have some stops to  explore the life style of  local villagers. They  are very friendly and welcoming, and can teach us  their rich weaving techniques.  We spend this night on stilts house  as honored guests of a Thai family and  sample some of their homemade foods and  local rice whisky!  The homestay amenities are fairly basic, but you will be provided with clean and comfortable bedding, mosquito nets and a shared washroom facility.

Upon leaving Mai Chau Town, we make our way uphill to  Xa Linh. The high altitude offers  this mountainous region a pleasant climate throughout the year. On arrival at Xa Linh, we embark on an easy walk along the beaten track and pass by some rustic villages, fruit garden, tea plantation, and  corn fields where poppy may be grown in previous time. This easy walk lasts from two to three hours, depending on your physical conditions.  Along the way, we make stops as we please, to see the  local houses and meet with the Hmong ethnic minorities. They have many different names based on their decorative dress and live at isolated and introverted villages in high mountains. We may find some hemp and indigo cultivation as hemp fabric is still used by local villagers to make their traditional dress. This old age heritage is still alive although ready-made clothes are  easy to find  at cheap price.  We complete our trek and travel by road to Ninh Binh, a fascinating destination  where apart from an inspiring scenery, you have easy access to the most rural and authentic side Vietnam. The splendid scenery of flooded rice fields and  karst formations comes into view, make feels like we have stepped into a postcard. We visit  to HoaLu, which was once the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and the early Le Dynasties. However, they have left their legacy  in  the form of two small temples, each one nearly a thousand years old.

The booming construction has made Ninh Binh Town undergone a vast change. However, the fascination is not in the townscape but in the surrounding nature. They are right out of few movies set, including Indochine and King Kong. We start our day with a boat ride to explore the watery beauty of Tam Coc. This traditional sampan meanders in a flooded landscape of limestone outcrops, rice fields and  winding river, and passes through three tunnel caves. They are eroded through karst mountains and locally named Tam Coc. Along the boat trip, we may see  local people working in rice fields or setting fishing nets  and colorful kingfishers darted around catching small fish. Upon disembarking, we continue our exploration of this peaceful rural area as we ride the  local bike along  the  rural lanes to Bich Dong Pagodas built into the mountain. They still preserve the characteristic architecture with a combination of ironwood, limestone stone and traditional motifs. The local footpath leads from a low to middle and upper religious shrine where we can catch a panoramic view of rice fields and mountains in the far distance. We leave Ninh Binh this afternoon and travel by road  through  the Red River Delta to Halong Bay. The simple joy of travelling through this region is a pleasant view of the rice fields and the smiling faces of local people. This overland journey takes anything between three and four hours, depending on roads and traffic conditions.  On arrival in Halong City, we check in our hotel  and spend this evening at leisure. We can soak up the sea air and laze along  the beachside

Today, we board a traditional style junk to explore this  scenic bay on a four-hour trip out . The traditional boat zigzags itself in Halong Bay, giving us some fantastic views with a blend of  the sky and limestone islets rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. These rocky outcrops usually named by their distinctive shapes are littered with beautiful coves and tiny beaches.  We will anchor for an enjoyable visit to the Thien Cung Cave, one of the many beautiful sites hidden beneath towering cliffs. The grotto interior is naturally adorned with stalactites and stalagmites of various shapes and sizes. These stone columns change their color,  with the reflected light bringing bright green and even purple hues draping across the deep grotto. The boat excursion continues through the islet jungle back to Tuan Chau Harbour.  Along the way, we enjoy a huge lunch served on board and catch up some last images of Halong Bay. The  spectacular scenery will be left behind as we travel by road  back to Hanoi. Along the way we make stop, we have a stop to stretch our legs and see local villagers to make many crafts in traditional way. We arrive in Hanoi and   board a night train to Hue. The train conditions are basic; we travel in soft sleeper class which is compartment for up to four people, a communal environment. This train journey is in keeping with the adventure nature of our trips and allows you to experience a taste of the ‘ real Vietnam’. 

The train journey delivers passengers at Hue station by mid-morning. You are met by our guide and driven to hotel. The peaceful riverside Hue Town was flourished from 1802 to 1945 when it was the national capital under the Nguyen Dynasty. This ancient capital represents the outstanding demonstration of the vanished Vietnamese feudal empire, including royal citadel, mysterious pagodas, and striking mausoleums littered in surrounding hills. We spend this afternoon to visit the massive Hue Citadel, which contains the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but partly destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive; however, it is still fascinating to walk around and see many pavilions, bridges, libraries, and great halls. They have been restored to explain the legends of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors who have built the fortress and lived within its moated walls for nearly 150 years. Upon leaving this sight, we take a short drive to the vibrant Dong Ba Market and enjoy a walk around this flagship shopping destination in Hue. There are a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts, and also many fantastic eating spots, making an ideal place for visitors to try their  hand at bargaining and sample some local delicacies rarely found in different locations of Vietnam.

Today, we embark on a traditional boat for a relaxed trip on the Perfume River, giving a taste of the tranquil countryside and an interesting visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda. This iconic religious structure has a nice legend and a prominent architecture stretching from the river banks in seven successive tiers to monastic buildings and octagonal tower, regarded as a symbol of Hue. Upon leaving this sight, we continue our cruise towards the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang. This majestic complex of courtyards, pavilions, and temples, was built in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. The river scenery will be left behind as we travel by road through the rolling hills to the Khai Dinh Mausoleum, a synthesis of Vietnamese and European elements. We walk across the mandarin courtyard where are standing various statues of mandarins, horses, and soldiers. They make for a real scene of the ancient royal court. The most notable place is Thien Dinh Palace housing the bronze statues and the King steles. We leave for Hue this afternoon and  hug the coastline to Lang Co  Beach Resort before climbing up the  challenging Hai Van Pass, an obvious boundary between northern  and southern Vietnam. The panoramic view from this pass summit  is nothing short of spectacular, with a mixture of zigzag roads, turquoise sea, winding rail way behind the verdant forest and the waterfront.   We arrive in Hoi An and have time to catch our first glimpse of this delightful town.

The multiple style architecture, colorful shopping areas, diverse food tastes, beautiful countryside and pristine beaches make Hoi An one of the most delightful places in Vietnam. This ancient town was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced by a myriad of traders from various cultures between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries. We enjoy a morning walking tour to explore Hoi An Ancient Town where Japanese legacy, Vietnamese tube houses, ornate temples and Chinese shop houses are still standing to present the unique traditional townscape . We follow the narrow walking streets dotted with many shop houses to the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge . This structure was first constructed in 1590s by the Japanese traders to link them with the Chinese quarters. The ornamentation has remained relatively faithful to the original Japanese design over centuries. We continue onto the Museum of Trade Ceramics, a beautifully restored timber house where displays many relics of the bygone civilization and the origins of this port town. Upon leaving this museum, we head towards the typical Phung Hung House, a gem with a mixture of Japanese and Chinese architectural elements. This ancient house was built by a Vietnamese family two centuries ago and has been lovingly preserved through seven generations. We follow it with the Chua Ong Pagoda and the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. This colorful building is one of the five well-known halls in Hoi An. Today, we also have time to explore Cam Thanh Village which was once a shelter for local people and soldiers during the American War. The coconut forest ecosystem is a highlight of this village, attracting the attention of both local foreign tourists. We explore the authentic local life and try to ride bamboos basket boats to catch crabs and fish in the water coconut forest like local people.

The southbound journey continues to Ho Chi Minh via a short flight from Da Nang.  On arrival at Ho Chi Minh Airport, you are met by our guide and driven to hotel. This largest city of Vietnam was originally a fishing village built up on a vast swampland, however it has developed into  Saigon under the French domination. The architecture and lifestyle of Ho Chi Minh City  are a reconciliation among French, American and Chinese influence. We spend this afternoon to see some major sights of  Ho Chi Minh. The beautiful walking square of Nguyen Hue  is  always a live attraction, giving an interesting view from the bygone time to the new fashion of Ho Chi Minh. This pedestrian boulevard is fringed with exquisite colonial structures, nice restaurants and luxury shopping malls.  We have a quick visit to Nguyen Hue Street  before going to see the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. They boats some of the most striking colonial building in Ho Chi Minh Center. We drive past the Independence Palace and catch  an outside view of this historical landmark on our way to  the War Remnant Exhibit. This house contains a wealth of images and real objects reflecting the notorious Vietnam- American War and the first Indochina War involving the French colonialists.  We follow it with a walk around  the retail  Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts appealing to every taste!.

The incredible underground network of Cu Chi  was constructed by Vietnamese fighters during their long struggle for the independence. These extensive tunnels stretched nearly 200km from the South Vietnamese capital to the Cambodian border and were several stories deep in some places. They included countless trapdoors, constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens. We head out of Ho Chi Minh City  this morning, to  Cu Chi Area where we will see an exposition hall and a widened section of Cu Chi Tunnels to get a feel of the underground life. The adventurers may explore in depth the second and even third tunnel levels. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. We set for Tay Ninh, driving on the crammed roads that link Ho Chi Minh City and Cambodia. The rubber plantations go along our journey until Tay Ninh Town, the headquarters of Cao Dai Sect. This religion was founded in 1926 and now numbers  over 2 million members throughout Vietnam. We arrive in time to attend the fantastic mid-day service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes. These costumes are a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.  We also have a look at  the ornate Cao Dai Holy See of which the vaulted mosque and multicolored temple represent the many great spiritual figures of the Cao Dai religion, including Buddha, Mohammed, Joan of Arc, and Victor Hugo.

Heading out of the town, we travel by road to My Tho, a gateway to the Mekong Delta. This incredibly fertile region was formed by the mighty Mekong River, which winds its way from Tibet - China through  Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and finally into Vietnam. On arrival in My Tho, we board a private boat to explore the Mekong Delta. This river trip gives some fantastic views from the red water surface to floating fish farms and lush plantation backdrop. Along the way, we anchor on the Unicorn Island and stroll around with our guide to visit this large island, where village lanes are fringed with fishponds, fruit gardens and rice fields. We make some stops at local houses to taste seasonal fruits, listen to traditional music performed by a villager ensemble, and sample honey tea. The interlaced canals are truly a lifeblood of the Mekong Delta; however, many channels can be accessed only by small boats. We enjoy a short sampan trip rowing under the palm grove to venture into this maze of canals before we continue our motor boat to the coconut kingdom of Ben Tre. This luxuriant region offers various activities from bicycle ride to horse cart carriage and motorbike pulling cart. We take one of them to discover the traditional lifestyles, culture, and history of local people and  visit some industry cottages. They may be brick-kiln ceramics, coconut candy and coconut handicrafts,... We round off our excursion and drive back to Ho Chi Minh with stopover at the vibrant  China Town. This famous trade hub is crammed with  sacred temples and mysterious narrow lanes.

There are no activities planned on this final day. You may have free time to continue your exploration of Ho Chi Minh City, do your last shopping or simply look back upon your trip images . The holiday comes to an end with a transfer to Ho Chi Minh Airport for  your departure.