Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s thousand-year-old capital. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your English-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel in the city center (check-in available from 2:00 p.m.). Depending on your flight schedule, you may begin your exploration with a brief city tour:

• King Ly Thai To Square: Learn about the rich millennium-long history of Vietnam’s capital at this symbolic site.

• Hoan Kiem Lake: Enjoy a stroll around this iconic lake, home to Turtle Tower and the serene Ngoc Son Temple.

• Old Quarter Walking Tour: Wander through the bustling 36 streets and step inside a traditional “tube house” on Ma May Street.

• Cyclo Tour of Colonial Landmarks: Ride a rickshaw through Hanoi’s French Quarter, passing notable sites like the Grand Opera House and the historic Sofitel Legend Metropole.

• Unwind with a rejuvenating massage before settling in for the night at the Sofitel Métropole Hotel.

This marks the beginning of your 14-day Luxury Vietnam Tour, promising the perfect blend of culture, history, and natural beauty—all in refined comfort and style.

Explore Hanoi’s Most Iconic Cultural and Historical Landmarks:

• The Temple of Literature: A revered symbol of Vietnam’s ancient scholarly traditions and one of Hanoi’s most iconic heritage sites.

• Ba Dinh Square: Visit the historic political heart of Vietnam, home to the former Governor’s Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, and his stilt house residence.

• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: Discover an impressive collection of over 25,000 artifacts that showcase the rich traditions and everyday life of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.

In the evening, attend a performance at the Water Puppet Theater, a unique and captivating art form deeply rooted in Vietnamese folklore.

Overnight stay at your hotel.

After breakfast, meet your English-speaking guide to set off for Sapa, a hidden treasure nestled in Vietnam’s northern highlands. Renowned for its spectacular scenery, terraced rice fields, and rich cultural diversity, Sapa promises an authentic and unforgettable experience.

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the beauty of Muong Hoa Valley:

• Lao Chai Village: Explore this settlement of the Black Hmong people, wandering along quaint trails that weave through stunning rice paddies.

• Ta Van Village: Visit the Dzay community, where local women traditionally wear black trousers paired with brightly colored shirts in shades of blue, green, or pink.

This journey offers a chance to engage with villagers tending the fields and to gain insight into their everyday lives and cultural traditions.

Later, check in to Topas Ecolodge, an environmentally conscious retreat boasting breathtaking mountain views. Enjoy an overnight stay at the ecolodge.

Start your day with breakfast before setting out for an exhilarating trek into the heart of Hoang Lien National Park, beginning near Sin Chai Village. Take in the stunning scenery of towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and lush valleys. Along the way, you will visit:

• Nậm Nhìu Village: A traditional settlement of the Red Dao ethnic group. Connect with the villagers, listen to their stories, and discover their unique cultural heritage.

• Continue your trek through verdant valleys and terraced rice fields until you arrive at Nậm Cang Village, one of the most secluded communities in Sapa. Here, enjoy lunch at a local eatery before exploring the village, renowned for its Red Dao inhabitants who are famous for their vibrant clothing, herbal traditions, and exquisite silver jewelry.

Return to the ecolodge for rest and leisure time. Overnight at the ecolodge.

Enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel, where you can unwind with a relaxing massage or take a peaceful bike ride through the scenic surroundings.

For those who love hiking, explore Hang Da and Sa Seng, two stunning highland areas east of Sapa. These pristine landscapes feature lush green valleys and diverse crops such as rice, indigo, hemp, and vegetables, preserving their traditional character.

As you trek through the karst limestone formations of Hang Da, pass by small villages where local farming life thrives. You might meet Hmong women tending indigo gardens and practicing the ancient craft of indigo dyeing. Learn about the traditional hemp cultivation and weaving, a heritage skill still practiced by the Hmong, one of the few ethnic groups in Asia to use natural plants for textile dyeing.

Continue your hike to Sa Seng, a long valley embraced by mountain ridges. The trail leads through dense forests, flowing rivers, and vibrant fields, offering plenty of photo opportunities of terraced rice paddies, tomato and cabbage patches, and charming traditional houses nestled within the landscape.

In the afternoon, return to Hanoi for your overnight stay.

Rise early to experience the breathtaking sunrise over Halong Bay. After breakfast, explore Thien Canh Son Cave, famed for its impressive stalactites and stalagmites shaped over millennia.

Following lunch aboard the junk, disembark and travel to Ninh Binh, often referred to as “Halong Bay on land” due to its dramatic limestone karsts. The evening is at your leisure to relax or explore the area independently. Overnight stay in Ninh Binh.

Start your day with a peaceful boat ride along the Ngo Dong River, exploring the breathtaking scenery of Tam Coc. As the river winds through lush rice paddies and towering limestone karsts—often called “sugar loaves”—you’ll pass through three natural caves carved at the base of these majestic formations, revealing the serene beauty of the countryside.

After the boat trip, enjoy a gentle bike ride through charming villages and vibrant fields. This scenic ride offers an intimate way to experience the tranquility and authentic rural life of the region.

Next, transfer to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam from 960 to 1009. Visit the temples dedicated to the Dinh and Le kings, nestled in a valley framed by rice fields and limestone peaks. Immerse yourself in the rich history of Vietnam, learning about the legendary battles between Vietnamese and Chinese forces and the pivotal role of these kings as the country’s first unifiers and heroes.

In the afternoon, return to Hanoi and transfer directly to the airport for your evening flight to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam.

Overnight at the Ancient Hue Garden House, a stylish and poetic retreat that offers charm and tranquility.

Start your day with a city tour of Hue, the last imperial capital of Vietnam (1802–1945), steeped in history and culture:

• The Imperial City: Wander through the former residence and administrative center of 13 Nguyen emperors, who ruled for nearly a century and a half, preserving the majestic heritage of Vietnam’s monarchy.

• Minh Mang Mausoleum: Visit the elaborate tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, renowned for having fathered 142 children with 43 consorts.

• Phu Mong Village: Explore traditional garden houses that showcase Hue’s unique imperial architectural style, blending natural beauty with elegant design.

• Thien Mu Pagoda: Admire Hue’s most iconic and picturesque pagoda, or alternatively, visit the serene Tu Hieu Pagoda, resting place of Nguyen dynasty eunuchs. If time permits, observe a prayer ceremony conducted by the resident monks.

• Dong Ba Market: Dive into the bustling ambiance of Hue’s oldest and largest market, perfect for browsing local handicrafts such as conical hats and Ao Dai dresses.

In the evening, treat yourself to a royal dinner complete with traditional costumes. Savor authentic imperial recipes while enjoying performances of royal music and classical dances, reliving the elegance of Vietnam’s royal era.

Overnight stay at Ancient Hue Garden House, a charming and poetic retreat offering peace and sophistication.

Travel by road to Hoi An, a charming ancient town situated 150 km south of Hue. Along the route, you’ll stop at several picturesque spots:

• Thuan An and Lang Co Beaches: Take in the stunning views of these long, pristine beaches, which remain largely untouched by mass tourism. Nearby, observe expansive lagoons where local communities operate traditional fish farms.

• Hai Van Pass (Col des Nuages): Experience this dramatic mountain pass—the highest in central Vietnam—acting as a natural climate divide between North and South. From the summit, enjoy sweeping panoramic vistas of Lang Co Bay and Da Nang Bay stretching toward the horizon.

• “Ghost Town” Graveyards: Pass by intriguing clusters of tomb-castles carved in elaborate Asian architectural styles. These “Ghost Towns” resemble miniature cities and stand out strikingly along the roadside.

Continue your journey to Hoi An, arriving in the afternoon. Check into your hotel and enjoy an overnight stay.

Begin your morning with a tranquil bike ride through Hoi An’s peaceful countryside. After breakfast, head to Van Lang Fishing Village and the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, an area crisscrossed by winding canals and dense water coconut groves that have preserved their traditional charm. Along the way, cycle past vibrant rice paddies, cornfields, vegetable gardens, and friendly villages, with plenty of opportunities to stop for photos and visit local craftsmen in boat-building workshops and artisan studios.

Upon reaching Van Lang Village, enjoy a unique round basket boat ride through the coconut-lined waterways. Take in the picturesque surroundings, relax, and learn shrimp fishing techniques from experienced local fishermen.

Afterward, share a delicious lunch with a local family, savoring authentic home-cooked dishes and experiencing the genuine warmth and hospitality of the region.

In the afternoon, return to Hoi An for a walking tour of its enchanting Old Quarter, often hailed as “Vietnam’s most charming town.” Discover highlights such as:

• Fujian Shrine, honoring the patron goddess of fishermen and sailors.

• Phuc Thanh Pagoda, Hoi An’s oldest pagoda, dating back to 1454.

• The famous Japanese Bridge, built in 1593, linking the former Chinese and Japanese quarters.

Wander through narrow ancient alleys, visit museums, and admire centuries-old wooden houses that have stood the test of time. Conclude your day browsing silk and lantern shops, where you can commission tailor-made clothing crafted by skilled local artisans.

Overnight at your hotel.

Enjoy two full days unwinding on the peaceful shores of Cua Dai and An Bang beaches, basking in the warm sun in these quiet, uncrowded coastal retreats. For a change of pace, take gentle bike rides to nearby villages known for their traditional crafts, including vegetable farming, pottery, and woodworking. Overnight stays at your beachfront hotel.

Spend some leisure time in Hoi An before transferring to Da Nang airport for your flight back to Hanoi, where you will connect to your international departure. This concludes your 14-day luxury journey through Vietnam.