14 Days Heritage Journey North to South

Our walk begins in the heart of Hanoi, where some of the city’s finest French colonial buildings stand alongside the energy and bustle of everyday life. We start at the elegant Hanoi Opera House, completed in 1911 and inspired by the Opéra Garnier in Paris. From here, we leave the more familiar streets around Hoan Kiem Lake behind and head into the quieter southern neighborhoods, where tree-lined streets reveal a fascinating mix of French and Vietnamese architecture.

Continuing on foot, we pass the historic Hanoi University of Medicine and the small Pasteur Garden, with its statue of Louis Pasteur and beautifully preserved colonial buildings nearby. We then wander through local streets, following the rhythm of everyday Hanoi, before reaching a small lake and a temple dedicated to the Trung Sisters, two of Vietnam’s most celebrated historical figures.

After a short transfer by car. Our walk continues in the northern part of the city, the French-built Cua Bac Church and the North – Gate of Hanoi Citadel before following the leafy Phan Dinh Phung Street, famous for its ancient trees, elegant villas and historic buildings. We stop for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing towards the old French water tower and Long Bien Bridge. A short walk across the bridge offers a different perspective of Hanoi, with the Red River and the life along its banks opening up below.

To finish the afternoon, we take a 20-minute cyclo ride through some of the quieter and less-touristed corners of the Old Quarter, ending near St. Joseph’s Cathedral. From here, you are free to continue exploring the Old Quarter at your own pace or return to your hotel.

• Overnight: in Hanoi.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Accommodation: 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.

Start your day with Ba Dinh Square and visit the Presidential Palace (formerly the Palace of the Governor-General of French Indochina), Ho Chi Minh’s house-on-stilt, and the nearby One Pillar Pagoda.

Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university and a beautiful example of traditional Vietnamese architecture dedicated to Confucius.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then visit Hoa Lo Prison and relax at one of the cafés along Hanoi’s famous Train Street.

• Overnight: in Hanoi.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Accommodation: 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.

Departure in the morning from Ha Noi. We drive across the Red River delta and reach the coast a little before noon. We then embark on a beautifully crafted junk for an overnight cruise in the legendary seascape of Ha Long Bay.

Depending on the cruise you choose, you’ll explore different parts of the bay – Ha Long, Lan Ha, or Bai Tu Long – all of which are within the Ha Long Bay ecosystem. Once on board, we are served a delicious seafood-based lunch, while the surrounding limestone outcrops make for a truly magical setting.

In the afternoon, we reach a less travelled area where we will devote ourselves to pure relaxation. The program is not fixed and depends on the time of the year and weather, but there will be an opportunity to visit a cave as well as explore a floating village or do a little bit of kayaking over the course of these 2 days. We end the day on the sundeck as the sun sets on this magical seascape.

This evening, you can enjoy an aperitif or attend a cooking demonstration before dinner. Overnight in a comfortable private cabin with an en-suite bathroom.

Note: Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions. Swimming or kayaking excursions may be cancelled due to poor weather.

• Overnight: in Halong Bay.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel. Lunch & Dinner on board.
• Accommodation: 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.

For those early birds, start the day with a proposed Tai Chi session, while tea and coffee are served as the sun rises and illuminates the surrounding seascape. We then continue our exploration of the bay.

Upon returning to the boat, we enjoy brunch on board before we arrive at the wharf in the late morning and return to the dock, where you will be met and transferred back to Hanoi. Relaxing at day use room till pick up for the overnight train to Dong Hoi.

• Overnight: in on train (shared cabin of 4 soft berths with AC).
• Meal Included: Brunch on train.
• Accommodation: 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.

We arrive early in the morning at Dong Hoi Train Station and transfer to the beach for breakfast. Afterward, we hit the road and drive for about an hour to the doorstep of Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, a natural kingdom of lush jungle, blue lagoons, and the largest caves in the world. We drop our luggage at the charming cottage and begin our exploration of the first zone of Paradise Cave, a colossal cavern that stretches 31 kilometers in length and rises 72 meters high.

In the afternoon, we will relax by the lagoon with optional activities such as swimming, kayaking, ziplining into the blue waters, and exploring the wet Dark Cave. Bicycles will be available for us to use for commuting.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

• Overnight: in Phong Nha.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Accommodation: 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.
• Journey time: approximately 3.5 – 4 hours.

Today we leave Phong Nha to Tho Loc station and travel south to Hue by heritage train (Tho Loc 13:15 – Hue 17:25 (soft seat)), enjoying one of Central Vietnam’s most scenic railway journeys.

The landscape gradually changes from coastal plains to green countryside and forested mountains. Sit back and enjoy the passing scenery, watching local villages, rice fields and the rugged landscape of Central Vietnam along the way.

On arrival in Hue, transfer to the hotel. In the evening, savor the royal style dinner.

• Overnight: in Hue.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel. Savor the royal style Dinner.
• Accommodation: 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.
• Journey time: approximately 4 hours.

After breakfast, meet your local guide at the hotel and transfer to the boat station. Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue’s most iconic religious landmarks.

Continue to explore the Imperial Citadel and Long An Palace, gaining insights into the history and architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty. Visit Dong Ba Market, the city’s largest local market, for cultural souvenirs and local specialties.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Hue.

In the afternoon, visit Minh Mang Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb, renowned for their unique architecture and tranquil surroundings, reflecting the royal legacy of the Nguyen emperors.

• Overnight: in Hue.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Accommodation: 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.

Today, you will continue your journey south by another heritage train to Da Nang. Leaving Hue, the train follows the coast and countryside before climbing towards the Hai Van Pass, where mountains meet the sea. The slow journey offers wonderful views of the coastline, lagoons, fishing villages and forested mountains, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenery and take photos.

After crossing Hai Van Pass, we continue down towards Da Nang and arrive in the city, where our vehicle will meet us for the transfer to Museum of Cham Sculpture features extensive and diverse displays of Hindu-influenced Cham sculptures dating from the 7th to the 15th centuries. Designed in 1915 by two French architects, Delaval and Auclair, your visit will introduce you to the most common features of Cham towers and temples from throughout the region. Then, continue driving along My Khe Beach to Hoi An.

Free time for leisure at your hotel.

• Overnight: in Hoi An.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.
• Accommodation: 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.
• Train HĐ1: 07:45 AM – 10:35 AM (soft seat).
• Journey time: approximately 3 hours.

You will be picked up at the hotel in the morning and accompany the chef on an exciting cooking experience. First, we will visit the market to purchase the necessary ingredients, while the chef points out the various herbs and spices that shape the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. We will then transfer by boat to a beautiful villa set on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson and culinary experience and dine on the dishes you have prepared.

Stroll through the enchanting ancient streets of Hoi An Ancient Town, where centuries-old Chinese merchants’ houses and wooden shophouses have been beautifully transformed into charming cafés, art galleries, and tailor boutiques. Admire the town’s unique architectural harmony, reflecting a rich blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences that make Hoi An one of the most captivating destinations in Vietnam.

Discover the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, a timeless symbol of the town built in the early 17th century by Japanese craftsmen. Also known as Chua Cau (Pagoda Bridge), this historic landmark stands as a testament to Hoi An’s vibrant past as a thriving international trading port.

Enhance your experience with a hands-on lantern-making workshop, where you will learn traditional techniques and create your own colorful souvenir to take home.

• Overnight: in Hoi An.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Accommodation: 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.

Rest at your leisure before checking out and transferring to Da Nang International Airport for your onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is a place where wartime history, French colonial architecture, and modern life all sit side by side. The city carries the stories of Vietnam’s past while pushing forward as its economic heart.

Upon landing, you will be greeted by a local English-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax at the hotel or head out for a little urban exploration.

Note: Rooms available at 14:00. Early check-in is optional with a surcharge.

• Overnight: in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.
• Accommodation: 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and accompany you on an exploring the local life of this fascinating city. Prepare to travel back in time as we first head to District 3, where we will visit the oldest café in town, opened in 1938.

Enjoy a refreshment before immersing yourself in some genuine Saigon popular culture. Walk through a massive street market, gently elbow your way between conical hats and mobile street food vendors, then we exit at Chung Cu. Here, you will find yourself in the heart of Saigon’s working-class area, which has remained mostly unchanged since the 1960s. Marvel at the size of these old residential buildings as we walk through the Ho Thi Ky quarter – a place known for its spectacular flower market and maze of quiet, narrow streets. It is also surprisingly famous for its Khmer delicacies, dating back to the 1990s, and you will also have the chance to sample some of these traditional snacks. Continue deeper into District 10, a fantastic destination where every street corner holds a surprise and the chance to amaze you. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, embark on another walking tour to see the contrast between old Saigon and new Saigon. We begin at the Saigon Central Post Office, an elegant 19th-century colonial building that remains a working post office today. We then continue to Notre Dame Cathedral, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, before walking towards the impressive People’s Committee Building, formerly the Hôtel de Ville. Our walk continues to the historic Saigon Opera House, a fine example of French colonial architecture and an important cultural venue today.

Finally, we make our way to Ben Thanh Market, where we can experience the lively atmosphere of one of Saigon’s best-known markets and discover local food, handicrafts and everyday life. We will then return to the hotel.

• Overnight: in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Accommodation: 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.

Depart Ho Chi Minh City and drive south to Ben Tre province. On arrival, will see the marvelous green coconut plants along the Mo Cay River, visit workshops for processing these delicacies, hop on xe Lam (motor cart) through local villages then stop at local house to casual talk and learn how to make a brooms making, continue riding on the sampan along the canal and enjoy a homemade meal at a local family then drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

• Overnight: in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Accommodation: 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.

Transfer from your hotel to Ho Chi Minh City airport with guide for your flight to next destination.

We wish you a pleasant flight!

• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.