For travelers short on time but big on adventure—this is for you. If you crave authentic experiences, genuine connections, and hidden gems far from the tourist crowds—all without breaking the bank—this 10-day small group journey is your perfect match. From Hanoi to Saigon, you'll cruise through Ha Long Bay’s dramatic limestone karsts, wander through the carm of ancient Hoi An, and dive deep into local life. Along the way, you'll share meals with welcoming families, savor truly authentic Vietnamese flavors, and soak in landscapes that will leave you speechless. Travel smart, experience more, and discover Vietnam like a local—without sacrificing comfort or adventure. 

WHAT'S INCLUDED 

Max 16 travellers per group 

All activities mentioned on the itinerary 

9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners 

Two domestic flights 

Hand-picked 3 star hotels 

Private minibus, train & day cruise 

Accommodation in twin rooms 

Experienced Fun Genie at each city. 

• Kayak Ha Long Bay's unspoiled and little-known spots

• Explore the wonderful streetfood of ancient Hanoi

• Cruising (and sleeping!) aboard a luxury boat through some of the less-visited sites of magnificent Halong Bay

• Seek out Saigon’s most authentic streetfood

• Food & culture & a tailored fit in Hoi An

• Explore Ancient Hoi An: Wander the lantern-lit streets and learn about the fascinating history of this UNESCO-listed town.

• Countryside Cycling in Hoi An: Pedal through peaceful villages and rice paddies for an authentic glimpse into local life.

Xin chào and welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital where rich history, timeless traditions, and mouthwatering cuisine come together to create an unforgettable experience.

Founded over a thousand years ago, Hanoi’s storied past is etched into its architecture, from the ancient walls of the Imperial Citadel to the charming streets of the Old Quarter. Once the heart of French Indochina, Hanoi blends colonial elegance with deep-rooted Vietnamese heritage. Wander through tree-lined boulevards, past lakeside pagodas, and lively markets, and you’ll feel the city's timeless charm.

The Hanoi Street Food Experience
No visit is complete without diving into Hanoi’s legendary street food scene. From sizzling bánh xèo (Vietnamese pancakes) to fragrant bowls of phở bò (beef noodle soup), every corner reveals culinary treasures. Stroll down narrow alleyways, where tiny stools spill onto sidewalks, inviting you to join locals in savoring authentic dishes that have been perfected over generations.

Accommodation:

La Sante Hotel or similar - https://hanoilasantehotel.com/

Meals:

Streetfood dinner

After breakfast, step out into the vibrant rhythm of Hanoi, a city where a thousand years of history hums through every street corner. Founded in the 11th century, this bustling capital is a living museum, its layers of dynasties, colonial influences, and modern flair coexisting in a dazzling mosaic.

Begin your morning wandering the Old Quarter, where narrow alleys brim with scooters, market stalls, and the mouthwatering aroma of sizzling street food. Here, each street has traditionally been devoted to a single trade—silk, silver, herbs—and the legacy remains visible today. Pause to sample a local delicacy from a vendor, perhaps a hot bánh cuốn or a crisp spring roll, while soaking in the lively chatter of daily life.

From here, uncover Hanoi’s colonial past with its leafy boulevards, pastel façades, and stately villas. Slip into a tucked-away café for the city’s most famous treat, cà phê trứng—egg coffee. Its frothy sweetness, served in a small porcelain cup, is best enjoyed slowly as you watch the world drift by.

The afternoon brings a guided walking tour that connects past and present. From the bustling Dong Xuan Market to the O Quan Chuong Gate, the mystical Bach Ma Temple, and the refined Kim Ngan Temple, each site tells a story. End at the Gothic spires of St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the scholarly Temple of Literature, a serene monument to Vietnam’s academic heritage.

Accommodation:

La Sante Hotel or similar - https://hanoilasantehotel.com/

Meals:

Breakfast, Snacks

Included Activities: Hanoi walking tour

Your journey to Halong Bay begins with a comfortable drive from Hanoi to Halong International Port. Upon arrival, you'll board a cruise that sails through the breathtaking waters of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

As the cruise glides past stunning limestone karsts and emerald waters, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch onboard. Explore the magnificent Sửng Sốt Cave (Surprise Cave), renowned for its impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Continue to Luon Cave, where you can paddle a kayak or relax on a bamboo boat as you drift through tranquil waters surrounded by towering cliffs.

Visit Titop Island for a refreshing swim or hike to its summit for a panoramic view of the bay. As the day winds down, unwind with a Sunset Party featuring tea, coffee, and Vietnamese snacks before returning to Hanoi with unforgettable memories.

As the day winds down, you’ll arrive back at the port between 6:15 – 6:30 PM, then board the bus for your return journey to Hanoi. You’ll arrive in the city around 8:30 – 9:00 PM. 

Accommodation:

La Sante Hotel or similar - https://hanoilasantehotel.com/

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities: 

Halong Bay day cruise

Kayak

Sunset party on the bay

After breakfast at your hotel, we will head to the airport to catch a flight to Huế. A quick yet breathtaking journey, offering a bird’s-eye view of Vietnam’s dramatic landscapes. As you descend, the Perfume River snakes through the lush countryside, hinting at the serene beauty waiting below.

Huế, the former imperial capital, welcomes you with its timeless charm—ancient pagodas, crumbling citadel walls, and poetic riverbanks. The air is thick with history, as echoes of emperors and dynasties linger in the Forbidden City’s weathered courtyards.

A stroll along the Perfume River at sunset reveals Huế’s soulful essence, where dragon boats glide past and locals gather for evening tea. The scent of incense drifts from ancient temples, blending with the rich aroma of sizzling bánh bèo and bún bò Huế from street vendors. 

Accommodation:

Mandarin Villa or similar - https://mandarinvilla.com/

Feature stay - these villas belonged to the Ton That family, a branch of the last royal family. Once favoured courtiers and a powerful family. The family has fallen on hard times and there are only vestiges of the old splendour. Today, her doors are opened to welcome visitors to what was once forbidden. Glimpse what might have been.

Meals:

Breakfast

Included Activities: 

Orientation walk

Transport: domestic flight to Hue

Start your day with a nourishing breakfast at your hotel before joining our guide for an exhilarating motorbike adventure through Huế, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. With the wind in your hair and the hum of engines beneath you, this is a thrilling way to uncover the city’s deep history and layered culture.

Your first stop is the awe-inspiring Forbidden City, a sprawling royal residence built in the early 1800s under the Nguyễn Dynasty. Spread across 520 hectares and encircled by massive stone walls, this citadel once safeguarded emperors, their families, mandarins, and royal guards. Step through ornate gates to discover an astonishing complex of palaces, shrines, gardens, and ceremonial halls—each echoing the elegance of traditional Vietnamese design. At the very heart lies the Forbidden Purple City, a private sanctuary once reserved exclusively for the emperor and his closest attendants, its air still thick with mystery.

The journey continues to the Tomb of Emperor Tự Đức, one of the most atmospheric mausoleums in Vietnam. Built during his lifetime, the complex reflects both grandeur and melancholy, with pavilions, lakes, and stone courtyards that reveal as much about the emperor’s indulgence as his artistry.

By midday, pause for a uniquely spiritual experience: lunch at a tranquil Buddhist pagoda, where resident monks prepare a wholesome vegetarian feast. The serene setting, filled with the scent of incense and the soft rustle of temple bells, offers a moment of peace—a perfect counterpoint to the city’s imperial grandeur.

Accommodation:

Mandarin Villa or similar - https://mandarinvilla.com/

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch

Included Activities: 

Hue motorbike tour

Forbidden City

Tu Duc Tomb

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel before setting off on one of Southeast Asia’s most picturesque train rides. Board the train from Hue to Da Nang, a memorable journey that winds through coastal cliffs, lush mountains, and charming fishing villages.

Bring some snacks and drinks to share with fellow travelers and embrace the slower pace of train travel. Watch rice paddies roll past your window and catch glimpses of local life unfolding in the countryside. Stay open to conversations — friendly locals may offer stories, smiles, or even a shared snack along the way.

Upon arrival in Da Nang, a driver will greet you and take you to your tranquil riverside accommodation in Hoi An.

Later, wander through Hoi An’s UNESCO-listed Old Quarter, where Japanese, Chinese, and European influences blend seamlessly in the town’s charming architecture. Immerse yourself in the timeless traditions of this historic trading port.

Accommodation:

Calm House or similar - https://www.facebook.com/CalmHouseHotelHoiAn/

Meals:

Breakfast, 

Included Activities: 

Explore the Old Quarter

Transport:

3 hour train from Hue to Da Nang. Pick up and drop off at your hotel.

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast at your hotel, then set off on a guided cycling adventure that takes you deep into Hội An’s peaceful countryside. After meeting your friendly guide, you’ll be fitted with a bike and helmet before pedaling away from the town’s bustle and onto the winding backroads that lead to Cẩm Kim Island.

The morning unfolds at an unhurried pace as you ride past lush rice paddies, tranquil canals, and sleepy hamlets. Here, life seems beautifully untouched by time. Step into the workshops of artisans weaving colorful straw mats, their hands moving in age-old patterns, or watch the rhythmic hammering of wooden boat builders who keep traditional craft alive. Along the way, you’ll see farmers leading their buffaloes through emerald-green fields, a timeless image of rural Vietnam.

A particularly engaging stop awaits at a local moonshine maker’s home, where the sweet, heady aroma of fermenting rice fills the air. Taste the fiery rice wine—paired with delicate local tea—as you hear stories of how this family craft is passed down through generations.

By midday, join a welcoming noodle-making family. Roll, stretch, and slice your own noodles, and try your hand at Bánh Đập, the fun-to-make “smashing rice cracker.” Sit down to savor a delicious home-cooked lunch before drifting back toward Hội An on a peaceful boat ride, the river breeze cooling your sun-kissed skin.Start your day with breakfast at your hotel before joining a guided cycling adventure through Hoi An’s peaceful countryside. After meeting your guide and being fitted with a bike and helmet, you’ll pedal along quiet backroads toward Cẩm Kim Island.

Accommodation:

Calm House or similar - https://www.facebook.com/CalmHouseHotelHoiAn/

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch

Included Activities: 

Hoi An countryside cycling

Optional excursions (contact our ground office 24 hours in advance):

-Kayak Hoi An river (weather dependent)

-Cooking class and learn Vietnamese popular recipes with a modern twist.

-The art of the perfect Vietnamese coffee

Welcome to Saigon, Vietnam’s most dynamic city and a dazzling fusion of cultures, flavors, and relentless energy. From sunrise to well past midnight, the streets hum with motorbikes, chatter, sizzling woks, and the sweet perfume of street-side coffee stalls. It’s a city that doesn’t simply invite you in—it sweeps you up in its rhythm. Prepare for a true feast of the senses.

But before we plunge into the present, let’s rewind. Formerly known as Gia Định, this city came under French control in the mid-19th century and remained so for nearly a century. During that time, Saigon earned the glamorous nickname, the “Pearl of the Orient”, its broad boulevards and ornate buildings drawing comparisons to Paris while still pulsing with Asian vitality. Today, those layers of history are still visible, tucked between glass towers and neon signs.

After checking into your hotel, take a moment to settle in—perhaps sipping a strong Vietnamese iced coffee to sharpen your senses. Soon, you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travelers, and together you’ll step out into the exhilarating urban fray. The city awaits: a glorious, tangled coil of sounds, sights, and flavors, ready to unravel before you.

Accommodation:

Chez Mimosa or similar - https://chezmimosa.com/

Meals:

Breakfast

Included Activities: 

Orientation walk

Transport:

Flight to Saigon.

Airport transfer to and from hotel

Today is yours to explore the vibrant chaos and charm of Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace. Begin your morning at the War Remnants Museum, where sobering exhibits and powerful photographs reveal one perspective of Vietnam’s turbulent past. Stepping back into the sunshine, the mood shifts as you stroll toward the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica and the Saigon Central Post Office. These French colonial landmarks rise gracefully from the city’s bustle, their red bricks and ornate details a reminder of Saigon’s layered history.

If art and culture call to you, the Fine Arts Museum and History Museum both offer treasures ranging from contemporary works to ancient relics. By now, the aromas of street kitchens beckon—why not pause for steaming pho, fragrant with star anise, or a crisp bánh mì, its baguette crust shattering with each bite?

In the afternoon, slip into the incense-filled hush of the Jade Emperor Pagoda, where candlelight flickers against carved deities, before wandering to Ben Thanh Market. Here, stalls brim with spices, silks, lacquerware, and chatter.

As evening falls, meet our guide at 5:30 for a street food adventure. From sizzling skewers to creamy coconut desserts, tonight you’ll taste the true soul of Saigon.

Accommodation:

Chez Mimosa or similar - https://chezmimosa.com/

Meals:

Breakfast, streetfood dinner

Included Activities: 

Walking tour

It's the end of your adventure. Enjoy your last shopping spree of travel gifts. Let your trip leader know of your travel plan so your transfer can be organised.
If you plan to spend more time in Vietnam, we'd love to help.

Check out time is at 12.

Hope to see you soon on another adventure with us.