Tailor-made Vietnam nature escape

Arrive in Hanoi, where your private guide and driver greet you at the airport and transfer you to a comfortable hotel in the atmospheric Old Quarter.

Begin your Vietnam travel experience with a tailor-made welcome, allowing time to rest and recover from jet lag or enjoy a relaxed stroll to taste street coffee, sample local snacks, and explore narrow lanes alongside your guide.

Leave the crowds behind for a countryside journey to Ba Vi and Ri Village. Meet Mr Duoc, a war veteran and tea farmer, and enjoy a welcome drink as he introduces the art of leaf selection and hands-on tea processing in his small workshop.

Continue to nearby Moc Village for a cooking experience with Mrs Chin, enjoying lunch in a lush tropical garden.

Later, walk through the village to observe tofu making and the crafting of conical hats, cycle gently past rice paddies, and unwind with a soothing Muong herbal foot soak.

Travel from Hanoi to Pu Luong, one of the best places to visit in Vietnam for unspoiled nature and rural life. After a delicious lunch and time to unwind, take in the resort’s panoramic views and tranquil atmosphere.

Cross a suspension bridge over the Cham River to discover traditional water wheels and bamboo aqueducts, visit a local fisherman’s home, and glide along the river on bamboo rafts while learning to paddle and steer.

Continue to the scenic Tan Lap Bridge before returning to your resort for dinner.

Start early with a custom trek descending into Pu Luong’s cascading rice terraces. Follow narrow village paths past farmland, ponds, and rivers to a mountain-framed settlement, with your local guide adjusting the pace to suit you.

Pause to enjoy sweeping views and a simple picnic lunch in a peaceful setting. Afterward, cool off in the river or wander through the village before returning to your resort.

After breakfast, drive from Pu Luong to Ninh Binh and explore Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital, visiting the temples of King Dinh and King Le.

Continue to Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve and glide by rowing boat among dramatic limestone karsts for close-up views of the landscape and local wildlife.

The afternoon is at leisure to relax at the resort or cycle through Van Long Village to experience rural life at your own pace.

Enjoy breakfast in Ninh Binh before a scenic transfer to Ha Long Bay, with a cultural stop at the Tran Temples in Nam Dinh along the way. This memorable highlight of your Vietnam itinerary continues as you board your cruise and enjoy lunch while sailing through towering limestone karsts.

Spend the afternoon swimming and kayaking around secluded islands, then watch the sunset before joining a hands-on cooking demonstration and unwinding on the bar deck during happy hour.

Enjoy breakfast on board and take part in the final cruise activities before disembarking. Travel to Hanoi for lunch, followed by a guided walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, steeped in the legend of Emperor Le Thai To and the sacred sword returned to the lake’s mythical tortoise.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional water puppet performance before transferring to Hanoi railway station for the overnight train to Dong Hoi City in Quang Binh, near Phong Nha.

Arrive at Dong Hoi train station in the morning and meet your guide for a local breakfast. Continue by road to the Son River and board a boat to Phong Nha Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s longest river cave.

With the engine switched off, drift silently past dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, then step onto sandy riverbanks inside the cave. Return to your hotel in Phong Nha or Chay Lap Village to rest and relax.

Wake early in the countryside for a morning kayak or gentle cycle through rice paddies, followed by breakfast. Continue on a scenic drive to Hue, the former imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty.

En route, stop at the DMZ to explore the Vinh Moc underground tunnels, walk across Hien Luong Bridge, and visit the historic 17th parallel for a powerful insight into Vietnam’s past.

Enjoy lunch along the way, then arrive in Hue to browse Dong Ba Market for authentic crafts and local street food.

Cruise by boat along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, then explore the Imperial City of the Nguyen Dynasty. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the ornate tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and nearby artisan villages known for incense making and conical hats.

As the sun sets, travel to an ancient village for a gentle walk among fields and flower gardens. Visit local workshops or a hidden temple, then be welcomed into a traditional home to help prepare a family dinner and unwind with a soothing herbal footbath.

After breakfast, travel along the scenic Hai Van Pass, widely regarded as one of Asia’s most beautiful coastal roads, with sweeping views of mountains and sea. Stop in Danang to visit the Cham Museum and gain insight into the region’s ancient art and culture.

Continue to Hoi An and enjoy a guided walking tour of this historic trading port, including Hoi An Market, Tan Ky Old House, the Fukien Assembly Hall, and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.

Begin the day at Hoi An’s lively market to select fresh ingredients, followed by a short boat ride along the Hoi An River to a riverside cooking school.

Explore the herb and vegetable garden, watch chef demonstrations, and learn to prepare classic Vietnamese dishes and decorative plate carving before enjoying your creations.

In the afternoon, travel to Son Tra Mountain to meet a biodiversity expert working to protect the endangered red-shanked douc langurs, known as the Treasures of Son Tra.

Enjoy a healthy breakfast on your final morning in Hoi An, marking the close of your Vietnam trip. After checking out, wander local markets to browse handcrafted souvenirs and savor the final tastes of regional cuisine.

When the time comes, a private transfer will take you to the airport for your flight home.