Explore Vietnam South to North Tour

Welcome to Vietnam! Find a transfer to the hotel on your own accord and get settled after check-in. Explore if you have time before dinner, when you’ll meet your group and guide to eat at a local restaurant and get information on the two weeks ahead.

Enjoy breakfast and prepare for an intriguing morning visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, used during the Vietnam War. The enormity will astound you, reaching 200 kilometres at its largest and resembling an underground city. After the in-depth tour, you’ll taste a local Cu Chi dish of boiled cassava or khoai my luoc. After the tunnels, return to the chaotic city and begin a sightseeing walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Highlights include the impressive Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Dong Khoi Street lined with fancy shops inside French colonial buildings. You’ll be happy to return to the hotel to relax after this full day of activities.
Note: The Cu Chi Tunnels are not recommended for people with claustrophobia.

After breakfast, your group will receive a transfer to the airport to fly to Danang. By flying to Danang, you avoid about 17 hours of land travel! Meet your driver at the airport and head to the UNESCO-recognized city of Hoi An, a beautiful blend of Japanese, Chinese, French, and Vietnamese influences. There’s a photo opportunity around every corner! After checking in to your hotel, the group leaves for a gastronomic tour of the town. Tasty highlights such as the white-rose dumpling, cao lau noodle dish, bahn mi baguette sandwich, and green bean cake are sure to satisfy. Return to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Gather with your group for breakfast and fuel up for a day of cycling. Depart from the hotel through Old Town Hoi An, a car-free network of narrow roads and alleys, then continue towards the smaller villages on the outskirts of town. The day is filled with stops to view the handicrafts of local artisans like carpenters and weavers. Pedal further and hop on a short ferry to reach Tra Que Village, known for its plentiful agriculture. Stop here and enjoy a traditionally-prepared meal made from the freshest ingredients. Head back to Hoi An and enjoy a free afternoon and evening to explore on your own.

Say your bittersweet goodbyes to Hoi An and load into the van to keep going north. The drive is especially impressive as you wind over Hai Van Pass with incredible Pacific Ocean views below. After the drive, you’ll arrive at Bach Ma National Park and embark on a delightful journey through magnificent landscapes of misty peaks, lush flora, and hidden lagoons. Continue the fairy-tale hike to stop for a dip in a lake and to get up-close to Do Quyen Waterfall—spectacular in spring when the flowers are blooming. Exit the park and hop back into the van to reach Hue.

Hue holds a remarkable amount of history, and you’ll see this through all the sights visited today. After breakfast, begin the walking tour at the Imperial Citadel, built in 1804, in central Hue. A tranquil stop awaits as you continue to a typical Hue garden house constructed using geomancy principles. The afternoon includes visits to the Tu Duc mausoleum and the Tu Hieu pagoda, buzzing with monks to this day. Finally, head back to the hotel to relax for the evening after.

Once you’ve finished breakfast, an exciting day at Southeast Asia’s largest lagoon will begin. Tam Giang Lagoon epitomizes serenity, which you’ll note as soon as you pedal closer to it. Riding along its shores, soak in the peaceful vibes of this area, then stop in a village for a local lunch. In the afternoon, climb aboard a boat to explore the pristine waters and have a chance to partake in the traditional fishing technique used by fishermen here. Return to Hue after a full day exploring Tam Giang, and savour some free time in Hue.

Move on from Hue this morning and head north to the phenomenal area of Phong Nha. On the way, stop over at the Vinh Moc Tunnels in the demilitarized zone (DMZ). This tunnel system, inhabited during the Vietnam War, was occupied for two years by locals to escape the war. Process this visit as you continue to Phong Nha, reaching the hotel in the afternoon.

Wake up in Phong Nha, a town where you could imagine a dinosaur sauntering around a corner at any moment. After breakfast, the crew will head out for a cave expedition in Phong Nha Ka Bang National Park. This natural wonder is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which you’ll explore on foot and paddling in a kayak through its network of river systems within the mountain. Unforgettable! Return to the hotel for a free evening to relive the spelunking memories of the day.

Fill up on breakfast and ca phe sua da and set out to cycle the countryside. Today’s route runs through peanut plantations, a pertinent ingredient in local cuisine, then connects to the Ho Chi Minh Trail used by soldiers during the Vietnam War to transport supplies between the northern and southern battlefields. Pedal alongside stunning river landscapes, then return to Phong Nha for lunch. Before leaving Phong Nha, you’ll get another look at the caves during a short boat trip on the Son River. In the evening, pack up and head to the airport for a flight to Hanoi. A guide will meet you in Hanoi and accompany you to the hotel.

Hanoi stimulates all the senses in its harmonious chaos and calm. Begin the day with a visit to Vun Art, a local handicraft community, to discover their mission and see their wares from fabric painting to silk production. Head back to central Hanoi for lunch and commence the exhilarating sightseeing tour. First, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and explore the museum created from his old residence. Keep walking and find the Temple of Literature, renowned as Vietnam’s first university, built in 1070. Spend the later afternoon meandering the Old Quarter’s narrow alleyways and test out one (or many) of the unique coffee shops. Return to the hotel to sleep (if you’re not too buzzed from all the coffee sampling!).

Channel your inner captain and climb aboard a ship! You’ll spend a glorious day and night onboard floating in Lan Ha Bay, the lesser-known area but equally as breathtaking as the neighbouring Ha Long Bay. Indulge in freshly-caught seafood meals as you gaze at the remarkable limestone peaks jutting out from blue-green waters. Stay on the deck until the evening to view one of those wish-this-moment-would-never-end sunsets. Finally, get cozy in a sleeper cabin onboard and let the sea gently rock you to sleep.

Rise early to witness a fantastic sunrise while you sip your Vietnamese coffee. The captain will navigate through the pristine waters among the majestic peaks and head back to the mainland. Meet your driver at the pier and return to Hanoi. Spend your last evening in Vietnam browsing the streets for souvenirs or returning to your favourite coffee shop for one more drink. Fill up on the iconic street food before heading back to the hotel for rest.

Say your goodbyes to your guide and group during your final breakfast together. Organize your own transportation to the airport or the next stop on your journey.