What to Expect:
Hanoi: The Enchanting Capital
Begin your adventure in Hanoi, Vietnam's bustling capital filled with colonial charm and cultural heritage. Wander through the Old Quarter’s narrow streets, explore the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and enjoy a rickshaw ride. Delve into Vietnam’s past at the Temple of Literature and marvel at the ancient pagodas nestled among serene lakes.
Halong Bay: A Dreamlike Seascape
Sail through the mystical limestone karsts of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a luxury cruise surrounded by emerald waters, hidden caves, and islands. Participate in Tai Chi, explore floating villages, or simply relax on deck as you witness the magnificent sunrise and sunset over this natural wonder.
Hoi An: A Timeless Ancient Town
Step back in time in the charming town of Hoi An, where history is alive in every corner. Explore the quaint streets lined with lanterns, visit the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and immerse yourself in the riverside ambiance. Venture to My Son Holy Land, a centuries-old temple complex rich with history from the Champa Kingdom.
Hue: The Imperial City
Experience the grandeur of Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital. Tour the majestic Imperial Citadel and take a dragon boat along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda. Discover the royal tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty, showcasing the finest examples of imperial architecture amidst lush landscapes.
Ho Chi Minh City: The Dynamic Metropolis
Delve into the energetic atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City. From the colonial Notre-Dame Cathedral to the war history preserved at the Reunification Palace and Cu Chi Tunnels, you’ll uncover the city’s fascinating past and vibrant present. Savor the local culture in the lively markets and enjoy a contrast of old and new.
Mekong Delta: The Heart of Vietnam’s Waterways
Experience the tranquil and colorful life of the Mekong Delta. Cruise along the Mekong River, visiting floating markets, local villages, and lush orchards. Enjoy traditional Mekong hospitality with home-cooked meals and explore the rural charm of Vietnam’s "rice bowl."
Yangon: Myanmar’s Spiritual Capital
Cross into Myanmar and discover the colonial charm and spiritual richness of Yangon. Explore the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda, a 2,500-year-old marvel and one of the world’s most stunning religious monuments. Stroll through bustling markets, see the unique reclining Buddha at Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, and soak up the city’s serene yet lively atmosphere.
Bagan: The Land of a Thousand Temples
Witness the breathtaking temple-studded plains of Bagan, one of Myanmar’s most awe-inspiring destinations. Visit the golden Shwezigon Pagoda, explore traditional lacquerware workshops, and take in the grandeur of temples like Ananda and Dhammayangyi. Capture the magical sunset from atop a temple and enjoy a peaceful river cruise along the Irrawaddy River.
Inle Lake: A Tranquil Water Wonderland
Travel to the picturesque Inle Lake, where stilted villages, floating gardens, and leg-rowing fishermen create a serene, unforgettable experience. Visit local workshops, pagodas, and the bustling lakeside markets. Observe traditional ways of life as you glide across the lake’s shimmering waters.
Mandalay: The Cultural Heart of Myanmar
End your journey in Mandalay, Myanmar’s cultural hub. Explore ancient cities like Amarapura and Ava, stroll along the 200-year-old U Bein Bridge, and visit the famous Mahamuni Pagoda. Admire the exquisite woodcarvings at Shwenandaw Monastery and end your journey with a panoramic sunset view from Mandalay Hill, overlooking the mighty Irrawaddy River.
Expect to be captivated by:
- The stunning contrast of Vietnam’s dynamic cities, tranquil countryside, and breathtaking bays.
- The spiritual and historical depth of Myanmar’s ancient pagodas, royal cities, and sacred rivers.
- A diverse range of cultural experiences, from bustling markets to serene temples.
- Warm hospitality, unforgettable scenery, and authentic local interactions throughout your journey.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
✈️ Flight Arrival | ��� Car Transfer
Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital. Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, your guide and driver will meet you and assist with the transfer to your hotel. After check-in, relax or explore the surrounding area at your own pace.
Overnight: Hanoi
Day 2: Full-Day Hanoi City Tour (B)
��� Car Tour
Explore Hanoi, where ancient traditions meet French-colonial elegance. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and his humble stilt house, reflecting the lifestyle of Vietnam’s national hero. Continue to the One Pillar Pagoda and the peaceful Tran Quoc Pagoda by West Lake.
End the morning with a visit to the Museum of Ethnology, showcasing the diverse cultures of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. In the afternoon, explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university dedicated to Confucian scholars. Take a leisurely stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple.
Conclude your day with a rickshaw ride through the bustling Old Quarter and enjoy a traditional water puppet show.
Overnight: Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi to Halong Bay (B/L/D)
��� Car Transfer | ��� Cruise
Depart at 8:00 A.M. for a scenic drive through the Red River Delta to Halong Bay. Along the way, enjoy picturesque views of rice paddies and charming villages. Upon arrival, board a traditional junk boat for an unforgettable cruise on the emerald waters of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Enjoy a seafood lunch on board as you cruise past stunning limestone karsts. In the afternoon, take part in optional activities such as kayaking or swimming, or relax on the sundeck. As the sun sets, savor a delightful dinner on board and enjoy stargazing from the deck.
Overnight: Onboard Halong Bay cruise
Day 4: Halong Bay – Hoi An (B/L)
��� Cruise | ✈️ Flight to Da Nang | ��� Car Transfer
Begin your day with Tai Chi on the deck as the sun rises over Halong Bay. After a light breakfast, explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the boat for brunch while cruising back to the pier.
Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, your guide will escort you to the ancient town of Hoi An for check-in and an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Hoi An
Day 5: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An (B)
��� Car Tour
After breakfast, drive to My Son, an ancient religious site and the former spiritual capital of the Champa Kingdom. Explore the Hindu temple ruins, nestled in a lush valley and dating back to the 4th century.
In the afternoon, return to Hoi An and explore the town’s highlights, including the Japanese Covered Bridge, ancient merchant houses, Phuc Kien Pagoda, and the lively riverside market. Enjoy free time to wander through the quaint streets or relax by the river.
Overnight: Hoi An
Day 6: Free Day in Hoi An (B)
��� Optional Activities
Spend the day at your own pace. You can cycle through rice paddies, browse antique shops and galleries, or relax on the white sands of Cua Dai Beach. The peaceful charm of Hoi An is yours to enjoy.
Overnight: Hoi An
Day 7: Hoi An – Danang – Hue (B)
��� Car Tour
After breakfast, drive to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. En route, stop at Da Nang Beach and visit the Cham Museum, home to an exceptional collection of Cham sculptures.
Upon arrival in Hue, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city.
Overnight: Hue
Day 8: Full-Day Hue City Tour (B)
��� Car Tour | ��� Boat Tour
Discover Hue’s imperial heritage on a full-day tour. Visit the Imperial Citadel, once the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, and take a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue’s most iconic landmarks.
In the afternoon, explore the royal tombs of King Minh Mang and King Khai Dinh, both architectural masterpieces set amidst the tranquil countryside.
Overnight: Hue
Day 9: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City (B)
✈️ Flight to Ho Chi Minh City | ��� Car Transfer
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Upon arrival, your guide will assist with hotel check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore or relax.
Optional: Vespa City Tour through Saigon’s vibrant streets.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City Tour – Cu Chi Tunnels (B)
��� Car Tour
In the morning, drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast network of underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Explore sections of the tunnels and gain insights into the history and ingenuity behind them.
In the afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City for a tour of the city's landmarks, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Reunification Palace, and the War Remnants Museum. End the day at the bustling Ben Thanh Market, where you can shop for souvenirs and sample local delicacies.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta (B/L)
��� Car | ��� Boat Tour
Travel to the lush Mekong Delta, known as the “Rice Bowl of Vietnam.” Upon arrival in Cai Be, embark on a scenic boat cruise to explore the vibrant floating market, where locals trade goods directly from their boats. Cruise through small canals to visit local villages and traditional workshops, observing artisans at work.
Enjoy a delicious riverside lunch before crossing the river by bicycle to explore fluvial islands. As you pedal along scenic paths, pass through charming villages and experience the laid-back rural life.
Overnight: Can Tho
Day 12: Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City (B)
��� Car | ��� Boat Tour
Begin the day with a visit to Cai Rang Floating Market, the largest and most bustling market in the Mekong Delta. Witness the lively trading activity as vendors sell their goods from boats.
Continue your exploration of the countryside, passing traditional wooden houses and palm-leaf huts. After lunch, return to Ho Chi Minh City for your final night in Vietnam.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City – Yangon (B)
✈️ Flight to Yangon | ��� Car Transfer
Bid farewell to Vietnam and transfer to the airport for your flight to Yangon, Myanmar. Upon arrival, your guide will greet you and assist with your hotel check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to relax or explore the city.
Overnight: Yangon
Day 14: Yangon City Tour (B)
��� Car Tour
Discover the rich history and culture of Yangon. Visit the Sule Pagoda, a 2,200-year-old temple nestled in the city center. Stroll through Mahabandoola Park and admire the colonial architecture of City Hall.
Explore the bustling Bogyoke Market, where you can shop for traditional handicrafts and souvenirs. In the afternoon, visit the serene Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a reclining Buddha statue adorned with jewels. End the day at the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda, where you can witness the sunset over the golden stupa.
Overnight: Yangon
Day 15: Yangon – Bagan (B)
✈️ Flight to Bagan | ��� Car Tour
Fly to Bagan, the ancient city of temples. Begin your tour with a panoramic view from an elevated temple over the temple-strewn plains. Visit the Shwezigon Pagoda, Gubyaukgyi Temple, and Htilominlo Temple to explore Bagan’s architectural splendor.
In the afternoon, visit a lacquerware workshop to see artisans at work before heading to the Ananda Temple and Dhammayangyi Temple by horse cart. Enjoy a magical sunset over Bagan’s plains.
Overnight: Bagan
Day 16: Bagan Discovery (B)
��� Car Tour | ��� Boat Tour
After breakfast, explore the lively Nyaung U Market, where locals trade fresh produce and goods. Continue to Myinkaba village to explore the temples of Manuha and Nan Paya.
In the afternoon, embark on a leisurely boat cruise along the Irrawaddy River, observing riverside life and the temples of Bagan from the water. Relax and enjoy the scenic beauty of the surroundings.
Overnight: Bagan
Day 17: Bagan – Heho – Inle Lake (B)
✈️ Flight to Heho | ��� Car Transfer | ��� Boat Tour
Fly to Heho and transfer to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake. Upon arrival, board a private motorboat to explore the lake’s stilted villages and floating gardens.
Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, home to ancient Buddha statues covered in gold leaf. Stop at local craft workshops and explore the charming Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, known for its unique teak architecture.
Overnight: Inle Lake
Day 18: Inle Lake – Mandalay (B)
✈️ Flight to Mandalay | ��� Car Tour
Fly to Mandalay, Myanmar’s cultural hub. Start your day with a visit to Amarapura, the “City of Immortality.” Explore the Mahagandayon Monastery, home to thousands of monks, and stroll across U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest teak bridge.
In the afternoon, visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, housing one of the most revered Buddha statues in Myanmar. Continue to the Shwenandaw Monastery, known for its intricate wood carvings, and visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the World’s Largest Book for its 729 marble slabs. End the day with a sunset view from Mandalay Hill.
Overnight: Mandalay
Day 19: Mandalay – Mingun – Sagaing (B)
��� Car Tour | ��� Boat Tour
Take a boat ride to Mingun to explore the Mingun Pagoda and see the world’s largest uncracked bell. Continue to Sagaing, a spiritual hub dotted with white and gold pagodas.
Explore the ancient city of Ava by horse cart, visiting the Bagaya Monastery and Nanmyin Tower. In Sagaing, visit the Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin Pagoda and U Min Thonze Pagoda, known for their Buddha statues arranged in a crescent formation.
Overnight: Mandalay
Day 20: Mandalay Departure (B)
��� Car Transfer | ✈️ Flight Departure
Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel before your transfer to Mandalay International Airport for your onward flight. Farewell and safe travels!