Compare Amazing Vietnam 16 days by Insight Asia Travel vs Vietnamese Whirl: a Journey of Urban and Rural Discovery | November 15, 2022 by Culture Trip

Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi

Meals: Dinner

Overnight: Hanoi

Warm welcome upon your arrival in Hanoi by your local guide.  Private transfer to your hotel located in the downtown.  Enjoy a cyclo ( trishaw) riding around Hanoi Old Quarter with last stop at the famous Thang Long Water Puppet Theater for a Water Puppet Show – a unique art performance. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Hanoi Free Choice: Sightseeing - Street Food - Dinning | Overnight: Hanoi

Widely acknowledged as one of the loveliest cities in Asia, this one-thousand-year old city offer you its unique images that totally different from other Asian cities. Hanoi still retains a small-town provincial charm and unique intermingle with a French legacy wide, tree-lined boulevards, parks, grand villas and an artistic, café society.

Different people, different interests and tastes. Hanoi Free Choice Sightseeing – Street Food – Dinning offers you the best things that Hanoi has to offer and satisfy you with a personalize discovery and authentic experience. Please select one of the Hanoi city options and one of the Hanoi Surroundings to enjoy the day in Hanoi.

Free Choice Sightseeing of Hanoi city & Surroundings

Full-day city tour ( Maximum 7 places)

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

One Pillar Pagoda

Quan Thanh Temple

Temple of Literature

Bach Ma Temple

Hanoi Ancient House

Tran Quoc pagoda

Sword Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Vietnam Military History Museum

Vietnam National Museum of History

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Vietnamese Women’s Museum

Half-day city tour ( Maximum 4 places & One of Free Choice Hanoi Surroundings

Free Choice Hanoi Surroundings

Bat Trang pottery villages

About 13 kilometers south east of Hanoi center, Bat Trang village, established in 14th or 15th century, is famous for ceramic and pottery products of high quality such as vases, bowls, dishes, and many other kinds of ceramic products which have been exported worldwide.

Van Phuc silk village:

About 8 km southwest of Ha Noi, Van Phuc silk village is well known for its traditional sericulture, weaving, and silk products for a long-lasting history of more than two thousand years. The village makes more than 2 million meters of silk per year and is an ideal place for silk products & souvenirs

Duong Lam Ancient village.

Duong Lam ancient village, some 60km to the west of Hanoi, has a history of about 1,200 years with many houses dating back up to 400 years. One special thing about the village is that most of the buildings here are made of laterite and mud, two materials that are abundant in the area. The village also has its prestige as two of Vietnam’s kings, Phung Hung (761-802) and Ngo Quyen (896-944) were born in here.

Dong Ho painting village

Dong Ho painting village, 30 km to the East of Hanoi, or Vietnamese woodblock prints is a distinct Vietnamese folk art. Dong Ho paintings reflect people’s innermost feelings. Dong Ho paintings is made of of bark of a tree called “Dzo. Colors of the painting are refined from various kinds of tree leaves that people can easily find in Vietnam. Dong Ho paintings have about 300 years of history in the north of Vietnam. It is always considered a symbol of traditional culture and aesthetic value of Vietnam.

Free Choice Street Food – Authentic experiences

 “ Pho Hanoi “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

 “ Banh Cuon “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

 “ Bun Cha Hanoi “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

 “ Bo kho – Beef Stew ” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

Free Choice Dining :

“Cha Ca Hanoi “ in Hanoi Old Quarter area at local restaurant.

Vegetarian set-menu at local restaurant

Vietnamese set-menu at French building restaurant

Vietnamese cuisine a-la-carte at Ngon restaurant

KOTO restaurant. Know One Teach One unique restaurant.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Traditional Junk

In the morning you leave Hanoi for Halong Bay via the Red River Delta.  Welcome on board. You will set out on a junk cruise on the bay passing by the island, islets: Hoa Cuong fishing village, Soi Sim beach, Ti Top Island, Tung Sau Pearl Farm, Me Cung Cave and to reach one of the largest floating village in Halong Bay “Cua Van Floating Village” while seafood lunch is served.Visit Cua Van Floating Village and experience one of the beautiful place in HaLong bay where you can enjoy kayaking or just seat on the traditional bamboo boat with local people. Enjoy swimming and kayaking in Tung Sau Pearl Farm Village. Back to the junk and enjoy cooking demonstration to discover the Vietnamese cuisine. Evening you enjoy the elegant Paradise dinner with a Traditional Bao Dai dress and photo shoot with captain and manager on board folowed by relax at leisure; enjoy Movie Night, Board Games, and Fishing or Beauty Spa services.

Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi

Meal : Brunch

Overnight: Hanoi

Early bird with exercises with Tai chi on the sundeck then enjoy a light breakfast. Explore Thien Canh Son Cave. Watching fruits carving demonstration. Enjoy Ha Long Bay scenery while the junk boat cruising back to shore. Rejoin your car for journey back to Hanoi.

Free Choice Activities

Enjoy some glasses of “Bia hoi Hanoi ” at local pub.

Foot massage

Day 5: Fly to Hue - Cyclo tour

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Overnight: Hue

Enjoy your free time until transfer to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue. Located in central Vietnam, the World Cultural Heritage Site Hue used to be the Citadel of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945.  Your local guide meets you at the Phu Bai airport for a transfer to hotel. At leisure. Evening meeting with your guide again for a Hue Royal-style dinner tasting some Royal cuisines at local restaurant.

Day 6: Hue Free Choice: Sightseeing - Street Food - Dinning

Overnight: Hue

Besides Hue citadel and tombs, Hue still has a lot to offer you. Hue Sightseeing Freedom of Choices and Meal options will satisfy you. All you have to do is to select one of the Hue city options and one of the Hue Surroundings to explore Hue by your own way.

Free Choice Sightseeing – Hue city

Full-day Hue city tour

Half-day Hue city tour & One of Hue Surroundings

Free Choice Sightseeing – Hue city in details

Half-day city tour (Maximum 4 places) | Full-day city tour ( Maximum 7 places)

Dragon boat to visit the Thien Mu pagoda

King Minh Mang’s tomb

King Tu Duc’s tomb

King Khai Dinh’s tomb

King Gia Long’s tomb

Hue Citadel Complex

Notre Dame Cathedral

Tu Hieu pagoda

Dong Ba market – a paradise for snapshots of daily activities.

Hue Free Choice Surroundings

Phuoc Tich ancient village

Located on the bank of leisurely O Lau River, about 30 kilometers from center of Hue city, Phuoc Tich village, built in 1470, is the symbol of architecture of the central region and famous for traditional pottery. Trip to Phuoc Tich village offers you a view of Centre Vietnam countryside, too.

Thanh Toan village

This is one of the most beautiful villages in Hue. The village, 8km east of Hue, is famous for its beautiful roads, peaceful rural landscape, particularly the tile-roofed bridge, communal houses, clan worshiping houses, traditional festivals, farming practices and local people’s daily activities. You also can join in the village market and taste some local culinary specialties like Hen rice, fish-pancakes, and a wide variety of rice noodles.

Free Choice Hue Street Food – Authentic experiences

“ Bun bo Hue” “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

“ Banh khoai “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese cof/tea/softdrink

“ Cơm Hến “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

“ Nem lụi Hue “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

Free Choice Dining

Hue vegetarian food at local restaurant

Vietnamese set-menu at local restaurant

Dinner with Vietnamese traditional songs on the dragon boat.

Day 7: Hue – Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Stay overnight: Hoi An

Today you leave Hue for Hoi An, another World Heritage site in the Central Vietnam. Hoi An is one of the oldest towns in south-east Asia and characterized by a rich blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and European architecture. Formerly known as Faifo, the ancient riverside town of Hoi An was a major trading port from the 16th to the 19th century. Journey to Hoi An is travelling over the Hai Van pass where you have a stop for a panoramic view over the Lang Co beach. On the way to Hoi An you may like to stop at one of the interesting places:

1. Museum of Cham Sculpture

2. Marble Mountains and Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village

Day 8: Hoi An & Cooking Class

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Overnight: Hoi An

You start the day with a walking tour to explore the Ancient town with old houses, narrow streets, moss-grown walls, lantern makers and visit Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, Handicraft workshop and enjoy traditional arts performance. Begin you cooking class by a visit the Hoi An colorful market to purchase some of the ingredients for your cooking lesson. Take the Red Bridge boat cruising along the Hoi An river to the cooking school.  On arrival, you explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden and learn about some of Hoi An and Vietnam’s well-known dishes.  The 2-hour cooking lesson includes  a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving . You also have a chance to try some dishes yourselves. Lunch is served included what you have cooked. Back to your hotel. At leisure.

Day 9: Free Choice Hoi An Surroundings - Street Food

Overnight: Hoi An

Today you have a half-day free day for relaxation at the resort, water sports, diving, snorkeling, sunset watching and spend half-day to explore the Hoi An Surroundings to one of its below interesting places:

1. Tra Que Vegetable village by bicycle

Where you can join with gardening activities as preparing the land and fertilizing with seaweed from the local lake, prepare food and join lunch with a local family. It is also good time to relax and learn more about the Vietnamese village.

2. Kim Bong Carpentry village by boat

Formed in the 15 th century by Vietnameses from the Northern Vietnam, Kim Bong carpentry developed vigorously and the occupational village was established with three groups: Ancient architectural construction, civil wooden furniture and shipbuilding. Many carpenters from this village worlked to build Hue Citadel

3. My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary dates from the 4th to the 13th centuries. It was a unique culture on the coast of contemporary Vietnam, owing its spiritual origins to the Hinduism of India. This is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower temples in a dramatic site that was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence. The My Son Sanctuary is a remarkable architectural ensemble that developed over a period of ten centuries. It presents a vivid picture of spiritual and political life in an important phase of the history of South-East Asia.

Day 10: Fly to Ho Chi Minh city | Free Choice Sightseeing

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Overnight: HCMC

Again you take an one-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh city. This is a city full of surprises. The city’s core is still adorned with wide elegant boulevards and historic French colonial buildings and offers plenty of reasons to visit, from its blend of historic, attractions to vibrant shopping, dining and nightlife. HCMC Free Choice Sightseeing offer you more about this city. You have dinner on the Lady Hau cruises on the Saigon river.

Free Choice Sightseeing | Maximum 4 places

1. Reunification Palace

2. Municipal Theatre – City Post Office – Notre-Dame Cathedral

3. War Remnants Museum

4. Vinh Nghiem pagoda

5. Hoang De pagoda

6. Ben Thanh market

Day 11: Mekong Delta Excursion - Free Choice Dinning

Meals: Breakfast, Launch and Dinner

Overnight: HCMC

Today you have am excursion to the Mekong Delta. Surrounded by thousands of crisscrossed canals, life in the Mekong Delta revolves much around the river, most of the villages are often accessible by rivers and canals rather than by road. Upon arrival you take a motor-boat to explore the Thoi Son islet, one of the four famous islets ( Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise, Phoenix). Following a village path passing local houses to visit some family-run coconut candy mills then you take a horse-cart from village to village. Enjoy lunch with local special dishes followed by the “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, a very common art activity in the Mekong Delta performed by local people. Back to HCMC and enjoy your dinner.

Free Choice Dining :

1. Vegetarian set-menu at local restaurant

2. Vietnamese set-menu at French building restaurant

3. South Vietnamese buffet at local restaurant

Day 12: Fly to Phu Quoc

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Phu Quoc Island

Today you have a short flight for Phu Quoc Island, where white sands and tropical waters entice beachgoers from all over the globe. Snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing are the most popular water sports here, though jet-skiing, wind sailing and squid fishing—yes,  squid fishing—are also at your vacationing fingertips. Joining in the early-morning Duong Dong Market for an authentic local experience.

Day 13 - 15 : Free & Easy

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Phu Quoc Island

Your  free time for relax and enjoy the facilities offered by the resort.  Try some water sports like Snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing or visit some local black pepper farms and high-quality fish sauce factories.

Day 16: Fly to HCMC - Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy your free time at your hotel or you can do last minute souvenir shopping before a transfer to Phu Quoc airport airport for flight to HCMC to connect your flight home. Have a nice journey. Thanks for joining us.

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Accommodation: La Siesta Classic Ma May

Activities Included: Street food tour

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you’ll be transferred to the hotel where our Local Insider will help you check in. They will accompany the group throughout the trip. Feel free to explore the area or grab a drink at the bar before meeting your fellow travellers at 5.15pm. Kick off the evening by heading out to a local night market for your first taste of Vietnamese street food. Try delicacies such as bun cha (meatballs with noodles and herbs), pho (noodle soup) or goi cuon (fresh spring rolls), washed down with a cold Hanoi beer.

Day 2: Venture into the heart of Hanoi on foot

Accommodation: La Siesta Classic Ma May

Activities Included: Hanoi walking tour

Optional Activities: Cafe tour experience

After breakfast, set out on a walking tour of Hanoi. You’ll start at Ba Dinh Square, where president Ho Chi Minh read the Independence Declaration on 2 September 1945. Take time to appreciate the imposing marble mausoleum built in his honour. Next, stop by the Temple of Literature, a picturesque complex housing the oldest university in Vietnam, dedicated to the ancient Chinese scholar, Confucius. In the afternoon, join an optional guided stroll through the lively Old Quarter, finishing up at a cafe where you’ll be able to try a creamy egg coffee – a Hanoi speciality.

Day 3: Experience rural farm life in Mai Chau

Accommodation: Mai Chau Ecolodge

Activities Included: Farm experience

Today, you’ll swap the bustle of Hanoi for the tranquility of the Mai Chau, a lush valley 140km (87mi) southwest of the capital, inhabited by several ethnic minority groups in the mountains of Hoa Binh province. Following a lunch of local delicacies, you’ll cycle through rice fields to a White Thai village and experience farm life – including collecting food for buffalos and feeding them. Enjoy fresh fruit and honey tea with the indigenous people while embracing their slower pace of life. Come nightfall, you’ll dine at a homestay.

Day 4: Hike through the countryside and visit Na Chao village

Accommodation: La Siesta Classic Ma May

Activities Included: Walking tour, White Thai village visit, Bamboo-weaving class

This morning, you’ll take a short transfer to Bao La commune and continue from there to reach Na Chao village. Get a deeper feel for the Mai Chau countryside by following a short hiking trail and glimpse inside the traditional stilt houses built and lived in by local families. You’ll learn all about the history and culture of the White Thai ethnic group, who live in the area, and attend a class on weaving bamboo baskets at a White Thai house before returning to Hanoi in the afternoon.

Day 5: Embark on an overnight cruise to Lan Ha Bay

ACCOMMODATION: Jasmine Cruise

Activities Included: Halong to Lan Ha Bay cruise, Tien Ong cave visit, Cua Van village visit, Cooking demonstration

Arrive at Hon Gai pier in Halong where you’ll set sail for Lan Ha Bay – a quieter, lesser-known alternative to neighbouring Halong Bay. Expect similarly awe-inspiring seascapes, characterised by dramatic limestone karsts jutting out of emerald waters. After a buffet lunch, you’ll get the chance to explore Tien Ong cave and the serene fishing village of Cua Van. Hop back on the boat and unwind with a cocktail as the sun sets. Conclude the day by watching the chef prepare a selection of Vietnamese dishes for dinner.

Day 6: Swim, kayak and try tai chi in Lan Ha Bay

Accommodation: Overnight train from Hanoi to Hue

Activities Included: Lan Ha Bay to Halong cruise, Tai chi class, Kayaking, Swimming

Start the day by focusing the mind and body with a tai chi class on deck. After, a tender boat will take you to a pristine sandy beach from which you can swim and kayak in calm, clear waters. If you’re up for a challenge, why not climb the nearby hilltop for a view across the bay? After reboarding the ship, you’ll cruise slowly back to Halong. It’s time to bid farewell to the crew and return to Hanoi to board an overnight train to Hue. Be prepared – there are no showers on sleeper trains in Vietnam.

Day 7: Arrive in Hue and join a street food tour

Accommodation: Eldora Hotel

Activities Included: Hue cyclo food tour

Wake up in Hue, the capital between 1802 and 1945. After arriving at the station, check into the hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure. In the evening, you’ll join a street food tour by cyclo – a rickshaw-style form of transport, popular in Vietnam – and get an authentic feel for the city, stopping at a number of restaurants, markets and hidden eateries to sample a variety of Hue specialities – noticeably distinct from typical Vietnamese cuisine. Bun ho hue (spicy beef noodle soup), nem lui (pork and lemongrass skewers) and banh beo (steamed rice cakes with shrimps) are among the local favourites.

Day 8: Attend a cooking class and explore the ancient Hue Citadel

Accommodation: Eldora Hotel

Activities Included: Market visit, Cooking masterclass, Hue Citadel visit, Perfume River boat transfer, Royal tea ceremony, XQ Hand Embroidery Art Museum visit

Now you’re familiar with Hue’s food scene, it’s time to learn about the flavours and techniques behind the local delicacies by visiting a market and attending a cooking masterclass with gastronomy artisan, Ms Huy. After enjoying the fruits of your labour, head to the ancient Hue Citadel, where you can admire the lavish architecture of the royal palaces in the Imperial City. You’ll then sail along the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda and experience a royal tea ceremony in the style of the Nguyen Dynasty, finally stopping at the XQ Hand Embroidery Art Museum on your way back to the hotel.

Day 9: Learn qigong in a Zen house and arrive in Hoi An

Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa

Activities Included: Qigong session

This morning, you’ll attend a traditional qigong session in a Zen house, learning about this ancient Chinese meditative practice before tucking into a healthy breakfast, which will include numerous local specialities. After, continue on to the final stop of your trip, Hoi An, an atmospheric coastal town featuring a colourful mix of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and French-colonial architecture, intersected by canals. The signature local dish, cao lau (spicy braised pork with rice noodles, bean sprouts and greens), is worth seeking out. There’s no shortage of excellent restaurants here.

Day 10: Kick back and explore Hoi An

Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa

Optional Activities: Cham Islands day trip

Fancy taking it easy today? Feel free to do so. But if you’re keen for an adventure, take a private speedboat to the Cham Islands, an archipelago consisting of eight granite outcrops 15km (9mi) off the Hoi An coast. A local fisherman, Mr Lau, will greet you on the main island (Hon Lao) and guide you around the biosphere reserve where you can snorkel and swim among flourishing coral reefs and marine life. Enjoy a seafood lunch and take a stroll through Bai Huong village before returning to the mainland.

Day 11: Take a guided walking tour of Hoi An

Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa

Activities Included: Walking tour and sightseeing, Farewell dinner

Optional Activities: Treasure hunt by bicycle

The final full day of the trip will begin with a guided walking tour of Hoi An. Soak up the ambience of the old centre as you meander the lantern-lit streets, passing striking historical landmarks such as the Chua Ong Pagoda, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and Japanese Covered Bridge. The latter was built to connect the Japanese and Chinese districts back when Hoi An was a major trading port between the 15th and 19th centuries. In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to join a treasure hunt by bicycle – a memorable way to cap off your Vietnamese adventure.

Day 12: Depart from Hoi An

After one last breakfast, it’s time to pack your bags and checkout of the hotel. Bid farewell to your fellow travellers at midday and make your way to Da Nang International Airport via an included transfer to catch your flight home – or extend your stay in Vietnam.