Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel in the city.

At 16:30, you will meet the group again in the hotel lobby (for a trip briefing) and start a short walking around the Hoan Kiem Lake:
Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword), located at the heart of the city, is a symbol of the capital and also a center stage of the daily life of Hanoians. From morning to night, in all weather, the shores of the lake come alive and become a place for walking, gathering and meeting. People come here to do their morning exercises, chat with friends or fishing. Also called the Sword Lake, it is a place imprinted with legends. According to the most well known tale, King Le Loi received from the lake’s sacred turtle, a magical sword to chase the Chinese out of Vietnam. Once he completed the task, the giant turtle took back the sword to return it to its divine owners, hence the name “Lake of the Returned Sword”. You will also have time to visit the charming Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade mountain), standing on an enticing islet connected to the banks of the lake.

This evening, have welcome dinner in a Vietnamese Restaurant. The restaurant offers variable introductions to tranditional cuisine of Vietnam.

Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Note: Room is at your disposal from 14:00 

Early departure for Hai Phong to reach the ferry departure point for Cat Ba island. On arrival at Hai Phong, cross the Tan Vu - Lach Huyen bridge to Cat Hai island. From Cat Hai, take the local ferry to Cat Ba where your driver is waiting and you will be driven on the main road through the romantic island and stop in Quan Y cave. The cave is a miniature hospital in the heart of the mountain, built in 1963-1965 during the war, including 3 floors and 17 separate rooms with various functions. Continue the journey to visit Cat Ba National Park, from the park’s gate, you walk 800 meters into the forest, walk hundres stone steps and forest trail to the top Ngu Lam peak, Where you can see the majestic beauty of the primeval forest on the  islands (walking time about 2 hours). In the forest you will hear the symphony of the mountains: birds singing, the sound of insects, the call of animals such as: mink, squirrels, monkeys .....

After visit, transfer to your hotel in Cat Ba Town where you arrive late in the afternoon. At leisure or if you like, take a walk for 500 meters to Cat Co beach for a refreshing swim. 

Meals included : Breakfast, dinner (mandatory at hotel)

Accommodation : Hotel in Cat Ba

Distance:

Hanoi - Cat Ba: 300 kilometres - 5 hours (including waiting time for ferry crossings)

Distance and duration of hiking activity: 2 kilometers - 2hrs (including visits)

Note: dinner is excluded if staying in other hotels except Hung Long Cat Ba. 

In the early morning, you will head to Ben Beo landing stage and then begin your day exploring the shores of Cat Ba island while observing the daily life of fishermen and enjoying a relaxing swim. Your journey will take you to Lan Ha Bay where you will have the opportunity to go kayaking, visit the cave, Tay Keo lagoon and Van Boi beach

You will be back in Ben Beo in the middle of the afternoon and then return to your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch on the boat

Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel

Duration of Kayaking:  3 hours  

After check-out, departure for Ninh Binh where you will arrival at the beginning of the afternoon. 

In the afternoon, you will discover the area of Tam Coc ("the three lagoons") on a cycling trip, before stepping onto a sampan for a boat ride to its caves. Enjoy the aquatic landscape and gigantic rock formations before moving to your hotel.

Meals : Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: hotel in Ninh Binh

Cat Ba - Hai Phong by ferry: 2hrs 

Hai Phong - Ninh Binh: 140 kilometers - 3.5 hours 

Distance and duration of cycling activity: 12 kilometers - 1.5hrs

Leave early in the morning, you will travel to Cuc Phuong National Park. Cuc Phuong is the oldest nature reserve in Vietnam and also a rescue center for many natural species. Here you will see remarkable wildlife, and many rare trees and plants which are reserved and taken care of in this range.  The park is located between two limestone mountain ranges, and is home to the Muong minority people who still live in the few villages scattered around the park’s periphery.

Arrival in Cuc Phuong at around 10am and start walking in a trail of 8km to the Dang tree and have picnic lunch en route. 

After lunch, visit Endangered Primate Rescure Centre (this houses around 150 primates from endangered species) 

After the visit, travel by road to hotel in Ninh Binh town to spend the night at the hotel.

Meal included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh

Distance:

Cuc Phuong National Park - Ninh Binh: 56 kilometers - 1.5 hours driving

Distance and walking time: 10 kilometers - 3 hours

Level: 3

Terraine: Jungle trail

Begin your day early and capture the sunrise at Mua Cave, one of the most impressive viewpoints for the UNESCO Heritage Trang An Landscape Complex. Upon reaching the top, you will see the mazing surrounding scenery of the river, rice fields and mountains, which have protected and taken care of the local people since the beginning Duration: 1 hour. 

After that, your driver will drive you to the Van Long Nature Reserve, where you will set off on a bicycle ride to discover one of the most beautiful regions in Vietnam, in an eco-friendly manner. Nicknamed “terrestrial Halong Bay”, not only does Ninh Binh offer an incredible landscape of mountains overlooking the river, but also entire stretches of flooded rice fields, pagodas and temples scattered in nature and typical scenes of daily life. This bicycle ride will provide you with a good overview of the sublime landscapes and the locals’ way of life in this part of Vietnam.

Having lunch with the locals is always a unique and rewarding experience. It is all the more true when lunch takes place at the heart of a small village in the region of Ninh Binh, amongst the limestone peaks. A lovely family will welcome you into their home, ideally located beside a rice field and a lake where you may fish. Your hosts will lay for you a small, simple but very copious table in the outside courtyard, in the shade of an old tree. Then you will be able to savour this delicious meal of local specialities which have been prepared by the house’s cooking experts. This moment will be a true opportunity to meet a traditional Vietnamese family and to discuss with them the concept of family and daily pleasures.

After lunch, return to the hotel to relax by the swimming pool .

In the evening, transfer to the train station for the overnight train to Danang (scheduled departure time 21:39 - arrival 11:25 the next day)

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Overnight stay in the train (air-conditioned cabin with 4 soft bunks - 4 pax/cabin)

Duration of cycling: 20 kilometers - 2hrs. 

Notes :

- Day use room for refreshing before night train at supplement charge

- Trains in Vietnam are not very comfortable and journeys are noisy and hectic. In addition, the cabin air conditioning is not adjustable. It is therefore advisable to bring a sleeping bag or travel blanket for the train journey.
- There is no restaurant on the train, we recommend to have dinner in a restaurant nearby before

- Note: The stairs to the top of Hang Mua are really steep and too dangerous in and after rain. On some special days, Hang Mua can be packed with hundreds of people, especially domestic travelers.

Arrival in Danang train station at noon, where you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An.

In the afternoon: Sunset paddle to lantern town

After a briefing on paddle safety and the area you will be kayaking, we’ll set off to paddle along the cocopalm forest and local villages and up to the Lantern Town. Connect with nature, immerse ourselves in life on the river and enjoy amazing landscapes as we paddle into the sunset. Trip ends after 3-hours. You’ll have time for refreshment at a local cafe near the town center before getting a transfer back to your hotel.

Meals included: none
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Duration of SUP activity: 3 hours

Start your morning with a bicycle ride, crossing Cam Kim Bridge to reach the other side of Thu Bon River, and continue riding to a small village. After visiting an ancestral house to learn more about the genealogy of a traditional Vietnamese family, you will find yourself in the middle of lush greenery: rice, corn, sedge fields, areca nut trees and bamboo, all set in a peaceful atmosphere with fresh air. Upon arrival, you will have the chance to meet a local family and watch the techniques they use to weave sedge mats. You will continue your exploration by cycling on quiet village roads and shady paths. Take a break and enjoy fresh fruit and tea at a local house, before cruising back to the Old Town. Continue making your way along narrow streets and through the Old Town, you will head toward Tra Que Village. The charming little village of Tra Que is famous for many kinds of vegetables, but especially for its deliciously aromatic herbs. Pay a visit to a local host in Tra Que, who will provide a cozy space and a well-deserved foot massage with a lovely local meal.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi an

Level: 1
Distance & duration: 20 kilometers, around 3 hours
Terrain: Mainly paved roads passing through local villages
Transportation: Around 45 minutes by boat
Note: Cam Kim Bridge may be busy during rush hours (around 08:00 and 17:00)

Check out early today, at 5:45am the guide and driver will meet you from hotel, transfer to Danang airport for flight to Saigon (Suggested flight VN107 08:10 - 09:50). 

Arrival in Tan Son Nhat airport in Saigon, you will meet the other guide and travel to Cu Chi Tunnels located about 2 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. 

Originally dug by hand by the Viet Minh (Resistance Force) during the French-Indochina War, this network of underground tunnels was expanded during the Vietnam War. At its peak, it was 200 kilometers long, 3-to-4-meters deep, and was very well-equipped with meeting rooms, medical, and sanitary posts. Today, it is one of the most important historical sites of the Vietnam War. You will begin the visit by watching a documentary on the tunnels and the war in the 60s-70s, and then you can pass through various narrow underground ducts in order to discover the many rooms: offices, kitchens, bunk rooms, weapons stores, and even hospitals. At the end of the tour, you will have the chance to taste a culinary specialty of Cu Chi, khoai my luoc (boiled cassava), a Vietnamese dish eaten daily during the war.

After your visit, around 15:30 departure for Cai Be district where you will embark on a local boat and transfer along the tranquil waters to Mekong Lodge,

Arrive in Mekong Lodge at around 18:30, check-in bungalows and have the rest of your evening at leisure

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Mekong Lodge

Distance:

Saigon - Cu Chi: 75 kilometers - 2hrs

Ho Chi Minh City – Cai Be: 120 kilometers – 3 hours

Note: Cu Chi Tunnels: Not recommended for people with claustrophobia

This morning, take small rowing boat to small canal on the Tan Phong island (approx 30’) where you will hop on a bicycle to ride through the village paths, where you can observe the local life of the Mekong Delta, such as: making rice paper for spring rolls, sewing coconut leaves for a cottage roof, weaving dried water hyacinth to make various products like baskets, bags, hats, wallets, shoes…

After lunch at the lodge, you will depart by boat to visit Ba Dac rice market which is the largest rice market in the Mekong Delta. Visit a factory, where a guide will introduce the activities of rice production. Afterwards, guests will visit Ba Duc ancient house for sightseeing and enjoy some fruits. Continue to visit Cai Be market on land. The boat will dock for a visit to the market and to learn about local trading and the life of the local people. Back to the junk again and enjoy the amazing sunset (if the weather is nice), leaving you with memories of this unforgettable adventure!

Return to the lodge, you will have time to refresh for awhile as well as the chance to join a cooking demonstration before dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Mekong Lodge

Distance for cycling activity: 12 kilometers - 3hrs

This morning, you will say goodbye to your hosts before travelling by car to back to Ho Chi Minh City for your international flight.

Rooms available until midday only.

Meals : Breakfast

Distance: 135 kilometers – 3 hours 30 minutes