You fly to Hanoi.

Today you reach Hanoi, Vietnam’s lively capital on the Red River. You are met individually at the airport and taken to your hotel. There, your tour guide or a welcome host is on hand to help you settle in and inform you about the rest of the day. Depending on your flight time, an early check-in is recommended so that you can move straight into your room and freshen up at your leisure (optional, bookable in advance). Your start in Hanoi is deliberately flexible: if you arrive early, you can gather first impressions of everyday life in Hanoi in the morning on an orientation walk around the hotel and through a local market. Over a shared lunch at a local restaurant afterwards, you get to know the first facets of Vietnamese cuisine with the traditional pho soup. In the afternoon, the whole group meets and you discover the city’s highlights together: you stroll through the lively Old Quarter with its narrow lanes and visit Hoan Kiem Lake with the Ngoc Son Temple, among other places. This way – depending on your arrival time – you can spend your first day flexibly and start your travel experience without any idle time. 1 night in Hanoi. (L) (Distance: approx. 30 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Lestar Hotel is located in the heart of Hanoi and offers you an excellent location for exploring the city with ease. Numerous sights such as Hoan Kiem Lake and the famous night market are close by and easy to reach on foot. The Lestar Hotel impresses with its modern, stylish furnishings and a high level of hospitality. The rooms are bright and modern and offer every comfort for a relaxing retreat where you will feel at home. Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a TV are just some of the standard amenities.

In the morning, you explore Hanoi’s most important sights. These include the house and the mausoleum of the famous revolutionary Ho Chi Minh, who is still very popular in Vietnam (exterior visit). You then experience the unusual architecture of the One Pillar Pagoda. After these visits, you return to the hotel and check out. You then continue your programme with a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national academy. In the late afternoon, you are taken to West Lake, where you can stroll along the shore and enjoy the atmosphere. Depending on your appetite, you can have dinner at a local restaurant or a street food stall here. Back in the centre, you visit the famous Train Street, where you are invited to a refreshing beer or soft drink. At the appropriate time, you go straight to the station and start your overnight train journey to Sapa, the impressive mountain region in northern Vietnam. Make yourself comfortable in your sleeper car and let the steady rattle of the train lull you to sleep. You stay in shared sleeping compartments for up to 4 people; private compartments can be booked for a surcharge (optional, bookable in advance). 1 night on the train. (B) (Train journey time: approx. 8 hrs)

After arriving in Lao Cai early in the morning, your driver is waiting for you and takes you to Sapa. Here you first fortify yourself with a steaming cup of coffee and a relaxed local breakfast. You then stretch your legs and discover the idyllic surroundings on a hike through picturesque rice terraces (easy, approx. 5 km, walking time approx. 2 hrs). Surrounded by untouched mountains and forests, you hike through the Muong Hoa Valley, famous and popular with travellers for its remarkable scenery. You pass through Cat Cat village, home of the H’Mong ethnic minority, just a short distance from the town of Sapa. The village is known for its picturesque waterfall and traditional ethnic heritage. From here, you continue hiking towards the village of Y Linh Ho. After the hike, you are picked up and taken to your hotel, set in a beautiful, idyllic mountain landscape. The afternoon is at your leisure: make yourself comfortable on the terrace and enjoy the wonderful view and the fresh mountain air. 2 nights in Sapa. (B) (Distance: approx. 30 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Sapa Jade Hill Resort welcomes you in a quiet location amid rolling hills and offers a breathtaking view of the Hoang Lien Son mountains. Relax by the indoor pool, whose glass roof can be opened in good weather, or treat yourself to a soothing spa treatment with a wonderful view of the Muong Hoa Valley. The hotel restaurant serves traditional and international dishes. The rustic villas and bungalows offer plenty of privacy and modern facilities with private bathroom and seating area.

After resting yesterday afternoon, one of Vietnam’s most beautiful regions is waiting for you to explore it in more depth today. You continue your hike through this unique mountain landscape, discover true natural treasures and gain an impression of the lives of the mountain peoples who live here (moderate, approx. 8–10 km, approx. 3–4 hrs). Get to know the lives of the Black Hmong in Lao Chai and the Red Dao in Giang Ta Chai, passing rice fields, waterfalls and bamboo forests along the way. At lunch with a local family, you are treated to local delicacies and learn first-hand about the culture and traditions of the ethnic minorities of northern Vietnam. Look forward to freshly prepared regional dishes such as fresh local vegetables, spring rolls, soup and chicken and pork prepared in the regional style. You are then picked up and taken back to your accommodation, where you can relax in the afternoon and enjoy the amenities. If you still feel like doing something in the evening, you can optionally visit the local night market with your tour guide (optional, approx. USD 20 per person, bookable locally). Your guide leads you around the night market and explains the food and specialities on offer. If you like, your guide will then show you local restaurants popular with Vietnamese people, where you can have dinner in an authentic atmosphere (at your own expense). (B/L)

In the morning, you leave your idyllic hotel in Sapa and head back to Hanoi – this time by bus. On the way, you make one last stop in the region and visit the Silver Waterfall and the Love Waterfall in the Ham Rong mountain range. Take a short walk through nature and enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way. Afterwards, you can stop at a local restaurant for lunch at your own discretion before continuing the drive back to Hanoi. 1 night in Hanoi. (B) (Distance: approx. 500 km; driving time: approx. 5–5.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Lestar Hotel is located in the heart of Hanoi and offers you an excellent location for exploring the city with ease. Numerous sights such as Hoan Kiem Lake and the famous night market are close by and easy to reach on foot. The Lestar Hotel impresses with its modern, stylish furnishings and a high level of hospitality. The rooms are bright and modern and offer every comfort for a relaxing retreat where you will feel at home. Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a TV are just some of the standard amenities.

This morning, you continue your Vietnam tour towards Halong Bay. You stop in a traditional village outside Hanoi. You watch a water puppet show, an art form with a long tradition here that depicts the daily life of the farmers in the delta: rice growing, buffalo keeping, fishing, singing and dancing to celebrate a rich harvest. After the performance, you have some time to explore the village on foot and gain an insight into rural life and local crafts. After a lunch of regional delicacies prepared by a local family, you continue to Halong. You drive past rice fields and, depending on the season, can see farmers working the fields with their water buffaloes. 1 night in Halong. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 200 km; driving time: approx. 4 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast Your hotel, the “D’Lecia Ha Long”, is located in Halong’s popular Bai Chay district. Just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel you will find various hotspots of the city, such as the Cai Dam seafood market, the Sun World amusement park and picturesque Bai Chay Beach, which stands out above all for its turquoise water. Your hotel has everything you need for a perfect stay: in the D’Lusso Lounge you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail or a delicious coffee in a cosy, relaxed atmosphere. In the hotel’s “Chopsticks Restaurant”, you can enjoy various Vietnamese specialities prepared at live cooking stations. The rooms are cosily furnished and impress with beautiful wood tones. Room facilities include air conditioning, a smart TV and free Wi-Fi.

Early in the morning, you go on board a ship and it’s “cast off”! Glide through the legendary landscape of Halong Bay with its mighty islands and rock formations rising up to 330 metres into the sky. Relax during the cruise and enjoy the breathtaking sight of the unique limestone landscape from on board. Since 1994, the area with more than 1,000 rocks, grottoes and islands has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, the ship anchors so that you can visit individual caves (subject to change). During the cruise of just under 4 to 5 hours, lunch is also served on board. In the afternoon, the ship returns to Halong, where you disembark and drive to the airport in Hanoi. From here, you fly on to the old imperial city of Hue in the evening. Once at your hotel, you can let this eventful day come to a relaxed end. 2 nights in Hue. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 215 km; driving time: approx. 4.5–5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Cherish Hue Hotel is a charming, modern hotel in the heart of Hue! It is ideally located near the Perfume River and the famous Citadel and is the perfect base for exploring the historic city. In the spa you can treat yourself to massages and spa treatments, or work out in the fitness centre, which has all the equipment you need. There is also a pool to cool off in. The restaurant serves Vietnamese and international dishes, and in the wine bar you can round off the evening with a delicious drink. The Cherish Hue Hotel offers first-class comfort and warm hospitality. The standard rooms are stylish and cosy and offer the ideal retreat after an eventful day. They have a private bath or shower/WC.

Today you take a tour of the imperial city of Hue (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) and experience the glorious past of the Nguyen dynasty. Around 40% of all Vietnamese still bear this family name today. After breakfast, you visit the Citadel with the Imperial Palace, which was built on the model of the “Forbidden City” in Beijing. You then visit an old mandarin house built in Hue’s traditional style. During a short tea break with snacks, you meet the hosts and hear many interesting stories about the culture and life of the people of Hue. Now sit back, relax and let the atmosphere of the city sink in on a cyclo ride. During the ride, enjoy the charming, hilly landscape around Hue until you reach the Thien Mu Pagoda. As one of Hue’s landmarks, the famous seven-storey pagoda stands on a small hill and is dedicated to the Heavenly Lady. To round off the day, you visit the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh and enjoy the evening atmosphere at sunset. (B)

In the morning, you visit the Tu Hieu Pagoda, set in a secluded forest, and the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. You then continue your journey towards Hoi An. During an extended break at Lang Co Lagoon, you can stretch your legs on the beach and enjoy a lunch of fresh seafood. Through picturesque landscapes, you next reach the Hai Van Pass (Cloud Pass), the natural border between northern and southern Vietnam, and in the Marble Mountains you visit some natural grottoes in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. Finally, you reach today’s destination, enchanting Hoi An. 2 nights there. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 150 km; driving time: approx. 3.5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Ancient House Resort is located in the picturesque port town of Hoi An and offers you an authentic stay, as the hotel has been family-run for five generations. It is also located on the doorstep of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic centre of Hoi An. The combination of traditional Vietnamese and modern style makes this hotel particularly unique. The traditional rooms have a private balcony overlooking the garden or the pool, free Wi-Fi and toiletries. The outdoor pool is available for relaxation.

This morning, on a walking tour, you discover the diversity of the historic town of Hoi An (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) and have the unique opportunity to gain an insight into the local craft of lantern making. In a lantern workshop, you learn how the colourful lanterns are made and can make your own lantern as a unique souvenir. Around midday, you take an excursion to a herb village outside the town that is known for its organic farming methods. Villages like this in the area are usually non-profit farming cooperatives whose members receive land free of charge as long as they farm it organically. Learn about the herbs native to the area, which also play an important role in medicine. Look forward to a freshly prepared lunch of local specialities, which you can help to prepare, followed by a relaxing herbal foot massage. Back in Hoi An, you can spend the evening entirely as you wish. For example, explore more of the Old Town when, at nightfall, countless colourful lanterns light up the narrow lanes, try the culinary delights of the local restaurants or simply relax at the hotel. (B/L)

Early in the morning, a transfer takes you to Danang airport, from where you continue your tour south. You reach your next destination, the metropolis of Saigon, after a short domestic flight. Experience the modern metropolis and watch the armies of mopeds and cyclos that are everywhere in Ho Chi Minh City, as Saigon is officially called. Worshippers pray in quiet backyards, young people meet in noodle restaurants and many locals relax with walks and exercise in one of the many parks. Marvel at the city’s architectural diversity as you explore it past modern skyscrapers, colonial buildings and traditional temples. Sights such as the Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the City Hall, the Opera House (all exterior visits) and the Post Office are on the programme. In between, you take a short break at one of your tour guide’s favourite cafés and try a local coffee speciality. Whether “egg coffee”, Hanoi’s speciality, the latest trendy drink “salted coffee” or the classic Vietnamese “drip coffee” with sweetened condensed milk – you are sure to broaden your coffee horizons here. You then continue to Chinatown to visit the Binh Tay market hall and the Chinese Thien Hau Temple. You also see the old St Francis Church and the “medicine street” before heading back towards the centre. 2 nights in Saigon. (B) (Distance Hoi An – Danang airport: approx. 30 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Happy Life Grand Hotel is centrally located in the heart of Saigon, just a few minutes’ walk from the city’s main sights. Besides its prime location, the hotel impresses with its modern and elegant architecture. Every room has a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this 4-star hotel, whose large outdoor pool, rooftop bar and fitness centre contribute to your well-being. Treat yourself to culinary delights at the in-house restaurant, which offers a selection of international dishes and local specialities. The hotel offers you the perfect balance between exploring and relaxing.

Early today, you leave the city behind and immerse yourself in Vietnam’s unique nature, as an exciting day trip takes you into the mighty river delta of the Mekong. Also known as Vietnam’s “rice bowl”, several million tonnes of rice are produced here every year. The flat land you cross is dotted with green rice fields, and gradually you cross more and more bridges over the branches of the Mekong. In Ben Tre, a boat trip takes you into the tropical “garden” where many families live scattered across the land. By boat, you reach ever smaller arms of the Mekong and then partly switch to a xe loi, a vehicle similar to a tuk-tuk, which takes you to various local manufacturers, craft workshops and orchards. Rice paper, coconut sweets, woven mats and bricks, for example, are made here according to old traditions, and on your visits you can learn more about the local products. For lunch, you are a guest at a family-run restaurant where food is freshly cooked for you. A variety of local delicacies is served family-style, so you can try the traditional dishes of the delta’s inhabitants to your heart’s content and experience Vietnamese hospitality. You then return to the bustle of city life and enjoy a sundowner in the evening at a trendy rooftop bar. Feel the pulsating metropolis around you and at your feet, high above the city’s rooftops, and look back on your unique travel experiences together with your fellow travellers. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 200 km; driving time: approx. 5 hrs)

Today it’s time to say goodbye. At the appropriate time, you transfer to the airport and fly back home. Have you opted for a beach extension? Then we wish you a relaxing stay at your beach hotel! (B) (Distance: approx. 10 km; driving time: approx. 30 min) Day 15: You arrive back in your home country with wonderful memories.