Compare Explore Vietnam by G Adventures vs Hello Vietnam in style 12 days by Insight Asia Travel

Day 1 Hanoi

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

Day 2 HANOI/MAI CHAU VALLEY

Travel to the verdant Mai Chau Valley, a patchwork of rice paddies, emerald hills, and charming traditional villages. Opt to take a kayak out on the scenic Hoa Binh reservoir, the largest reservoir in Vietnam, or pedal through the countryside on a bike, enjoying the lush scenery and getting a glimpse of local life.

Day 3 MAI CHAU VALLEY

Spend the day exploring the picturesque valley. Set out on a walk through the peaceful countryside, learning about the local tribes and customs, and visit a rural market for a fruit tasting. Choose to enjoy an authentic country lunch at a village home.

Day 4 MAI CHAU VALLEY/HANOI

Return to Hanoi and discover the bustling Vietnamese capital on a guided tour. Visit the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, one of Vietnam’s most influential political leaders, and learn more about his life at the Presidential Palace, a French colonial-style building that was designed to be his official residence. Gain insights into the Vietnam War at the Hoa Lo Prison, known by American POWs as the Hanoi Hilton; then jump on a cyclo, a three-wheel bicycle taxi, for a fun-filled ride through Hanoi’s colourful Old Quarter.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is open until 11:00am and closed on Monday and Friday. Entry is dependent on what time the group arrives in Hanoi.

Day 5 HANOI/HA LONG BAY

Begin the day with breakfast at Hoa Sua, a non-profit training restaurant for underprivileged Hanoi youth. Afterward, transfer to Ha Long Bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from serene, turquoise waters. Settle into your cabin on a traditional-style wooden junk boat, where we’ll spend the night, and embark on a cruise of Bai Tu Long Bay, a more secluded section of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Glide around the bay’s stunning karst formations, and explore the fascinating Me Cung cave with our local guide.

This traditional wooden sailing boat offers a unique way of navigating the lime karsts of Ha Long Bay with all the comforts of a motorized, floating hotel. The boat crew will prepare an included seafood lunch and dinner. All cabins are twin share and have an en-suite bathroom. The boat features an enclosed dining and sitting area and of course plenty of outside deck space to enjoy your beautiful surroundings.

On rare occasion Halong Bay is closed to tourist vessels by the government authorities due to extreme weather conditions. Should this occur, an alternate activity will be provided.

Day 6 HA LONG BAY/HUE

Enjoy an early lunch on board before returning to land and heading back to Hanoi to catch a short flight to Hue. A former imperial capital of Vietnam, this World Heritage-listed city boasts many architectural treasures; it was also the site of one of the Vietnam War’s most dramatic battles.

Day 7 HUE

Set out on a guided tour of Hue’s imposing walled citadel, discovering lavish palaces, gardens, and courtyards. Visit the Forbidden Purple City, which served as the private quarters of the imperial family; then venture into the countryside to the magnificent tombs of Vietnam’s emperors, located along the banks of the Perfume River. Visit a Buddhist nunnery and enjoy a leisurely lunch following the traditions of vegetarian cuisine.

Hue is the gateway to the treasures of Vietnam's royal past and remains one of Vietnam's major tourist attractions. This quiet city is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its citadel, royal tombs, pagodas, and temples built under the Nguyen dynasty on the lush banks of the Perfume River.

Day 8 HUE/HOI AN

Drive to Hoi An this morning, a remarkably well-preserved river port and UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll the narrow, winding streets of the atmospheric old town, lined with quaint merchants’ homes and decorated with colourful silk lanterns. Then try your hand at crafting a lantern of your own—a symbol of luck, wealth, and happiness—and leave with a beautiful souvenir. This afternoon, opt to visit a local tailor and be fitted for a custom-made shirt.

The journey to Hoi An, via the Hai Van Pass, is an incredibly scenic and mountainous stretch of highway with spectacular views of Lang Co Beach.

Day 9 Hoi An

Delve into a local market this morning with guides from Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures–supported program that trains local youth in the culinary arts. Taste dozens of varieties of noodles and pick out fresh ingredients at the market; then take your groceries to the Oodles of Noodles training kitchen, where you’ll learn to prepare mouthwatering noodle dishes and enjoy your creations for lunch.

Day 10 Hoi An

The day is yours to explore enchanting Hoi An and its environs. Choose to take a day trip to World Heritage-listed My Son, a cluster of moss-covered Hindu temples dating between the 4th and 13th centuries. Alternatively, head to the nearby Cua Dai beach, or relax at your hotel by the pool.

Day 11 Hoi An/Ho Chi Minh City

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Immerse yourself in this vibrant metropolis—Vietnam’s economic hub—on a variety of optional activities. Discover the city on a cyclo tour, taking in iconic sites like the Notre Dame Cathedral and the ornate Central Post Office and City Hall. Visit the War Remnants Museum, a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed during the Vietnam War; or take a tour of the Reunification Palace, the site which marked the end of the war.

Day 12 Ho Chi Minh City

Venture to the legendary Cu Chi tunnels, a network of underground passageways that provided a base for Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War. Visit subterranean hospitals and ammunition stores, and learn about the vital role that the tunnels played in the eventual victory of the North.

Day 13 Ho Chi Minh City

Depart at any time.

Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi

Meal: Dinner

Overnight: Hanoi

Warm welcome upon your arrival in Hanoi by your local guide.  Private transfer to your hotel located in the downtown.  Enjoy a cyclo riding around Hanoi Old Quarter with last stop at the famous Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre for a Water Puppet Show – a unique art performance. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Hanoi Free Choice Sightseeing - Free Choice Dining

Overnight: Hanoi

Widely acknowledged as one of the loveliest cities in Asia, this one-thousand-year old city offer you its unique images that totally different from other Asian cities. Hanoi still retains a small-town provincial charm and unique intermingle with a French legacy wide, tree-lined boulevards, parks, grand villas and an artistic, café society.

Different people, different interests and tastes. The following Free Choice Sightseeing, Free Choice Street Food and Free Choice Dining will offer you the best things that Hanoi has to offer and satisfy you with a personalize discovery and authentic experience. Please select one choice from the below three Free Choice and enjoy the day in Hanoi.

Free Choice Sightseeing – Hanoi city

Full-day Hanoi city tour

Half-day Hanoi city tour & One of Hanoi Surroundings.

Free Choice Hanoi Surroundings

Bat Trang pottery villages

Van Phuc silk village.

Duong Lam Ancient village.

Dong Ho painting village

Hanoi Free Choice Street Food – Authentic experiences

 “ Pho Hanoi “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/soft drink

 “ Banh Cuon “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/soft drink

 “ Bun Cha Hanoi “followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/soft drink4.

 “ Bo kho – Beef Stew ” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/soft drink

Hanoi Free Choice Dining:

 Cha Ca Hanoi “ in Hanoi Old Quarter area at local restaurant.

Vegetarian set-menu at local restaurant

Vietnamese set-menu at French building restaurant

Vietnamese cuisine a-la-carte at Ngon restaurant

KOTO restaurant. Know One Teach One unique restaurant.

Free Choice Sightseeing – Hanoi city in details

Half-day city tour (Maximum 4 places) | Full-day city tour  ( Maximum 7 places)

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

One Pillar Pagoda

Quan Thanh Temple

Temple of Literature

Bach Ma Temple

Hanoi Ancient House

Tran Quoc pagoda

Ngoc Son Temple

Vietnam Military History Museum

Vietnam National Museum of History

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Vietnamese Women’s Museum

Note: Museums closed on Monday. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closed on Monday and Friday and every afternoon

Free Choice Hanoi Surrounding in details

Bat Trang pottery village

About 13 kilometers south east of Hanoi center, Bat Trang village, established in 14th or 15th century, is famous for ceramic and pottery products of high quality such as vases, bowls, dishes, and many other kinds of ceramic products which have been exported worldwide.

Van Phuc silk village:

About 8 km southwest of Ha Noi, Van Phuc silk village is well known for its traditional sericulture, weaving, and silk products for a long-lasting history of more than two thousand years. The village makes more than 2 million meters of silk per year and is an ideal place for silk products & souvenirs

Duong Lam Ancient village.

Duong Lam ancient village, some 60km to the west of Hanoi, has a history of about 1,200 years with many houses dating back up to 400 years. One special thing about the village is that most of the buildings here are made of laterite and mud, two materials that are abundant in the area. The village also has its prestige as two of Vietnam’s kings, Phung Hung (761-802) and Ngo Quyen (896-944) were born in here.

Dong Ho paintings village

Dong Ho paintings village, 30 km to the East of Hanoi, or Vietnamese woodblock prints is a distinct Vietnamese folk art. Dong Ho paintings reflect people’s innermost feelings. Dong Ho paintings is made of  of bark of a tree called “Dzo. Colours of the painting are refined from various kinds of tree leaves that people can easily find in Vietnam. Dong Ho paintings have about 300 years of history in the north of Vietnam. It is always considered a symbol of traditional culture and aesthetic value of Vietnam.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Traditional Junk

In the morning you leave Hanoi for Halong Bay via the Red River Delta. Enjoy welcome drink onboard then start cruising through Bai Tu Long Bay while lunch is served. Stop to visit and explore Vung Vieng fishing village by bamboo boat or you can have a kayak around Vung Vieng area. Time to relax, sunbath or swimming at Ban Chan Beach. Back to the junk to enjoy the sunset cocktail while the boat is cruising to Cong Do area docking for overnight.  BBQ dinner followed by some activities of board games or squid fishing.

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Overnight: Hanoi

Early bird with exercises with Tai chi on the sundeck then enjoy a light breakfast.Explore Thien Canh Son Cave. Watching fruits carving demonstration. Enjoy Ha Long Bay scenery while the junk boat cruising back to shore. Rejoin your car for journey back to Hanoi.  Enjoy one of the below Free Choice before back to your hotel for relax and at leisure.

Free Choice Activities

Some glasses of “Bia hoi Hanoi ” at local pub.

Foot massage.

Day 5: Fly to Hue

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Overnight: Hue

Enjoy your free time until transfer to airport for flight to Hue. Located in central Vietnam, the World Cultural Heritage Site Hue used to be the Citadel of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945. Your local guide meet you at the airport for a transfer to hotel.  At leisure.  Evening you meet your guide again for a Hue Royal style dinner, taste some Royal cuisines at local restaurant.

Day 6: Hue Free Choice Sightseeing - Free Choice Dining

Overnight: Hue

Besides Hue citadel and tombs, Hue still has a lot to offer you. Hue Sightseeing Freedom of Choice and Meal options will satisfy you. Please select one of the Hue city options and one of the Hue Surroundings options to explore Hue by your own way.

Free Choice Sightseeing – Hue City:

Full-day Hue city tour

Half-day Hue city tour & One of Hue Surroundings

Free Choice Hue Surroundings

Phuoc Tich ancient village

Thanh Toan village

Hue Street Food Tour (Joined group )

Hue Free Choice Street Food  – Authentic experiences

 “ Bun bo Hue” “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

 “ Banh khoai “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

 “ Cơm Hến “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

 “ Nem lụi Hue “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

Hue Free Choice Dining

Hue vegetarian food at local restaurant

Vietnamese set-menu at local restaurant

Dinner with Vietnamese traditional songs on the dragon boat.

Hue Free Choice Sightseeing in details

Half-day city tour (Maximum 4 places) | Full-day city tour  ( Maximum 7 places)

Dragon boat to visit the Thien Mu pagoda

King Minh Mang’s tomb

King Tu Duc’s tomb

King Khai Dinh’s tomb

King Gia Long’s tomb

Hue Citadel Complex

Notre Dame Cathedral

Tu Hieu pagoda

Dong Ba market – a paradise for snapshots of daily activities.

Free Choice Hue Surroundings in details

Phuoc Tich ancient village

Located on the bank of leisurely O Lau River, about 30 kilometers from center of Hue city, Phuoc Tich village, built in 1470, is the symbol of architecture of the central region and famous for traditional pottery.  Trip to Phuoc Tich village offers you a view of Centre Vietnam countryside, too.

Thanh Toan village

This is one of the most beautiful villages in Hue. The village, 8km east of Hue, is famous for its beautiful roads, peaceful rural landscape, particularly the tile-roofed bridge,  communal houses, clan worshiping houses, traditional festivals, farming practices and local people’s daily activities. You also can join in the village market and taste some local culinary specialties like Hen rice, fish-pancakes, and a wide variety of rice noodles.

Hue Street Food Tour (Joined group )

This 4-hours cyclo riding offers you to taste many kinds of Hue street food learn about the culinary and the culture of Hue, explore the daily life of Hue as well as good opportunities to take pictures.

Day 7: Hue – Hoi An

Meal: Breakfast and Dinner

Overnight: Hoi An

Today you leave Hue for Hoi An, another World Heritage site in the Central Vietnam. Hoi An is one of the oldest towns in south-east Asia and characterized by a rich blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and European architecture. Formerly known as Faifo, the ancient riverside town of Hoi An was a major trading port from the 16th to the 19th century. Journey to Hoi An is travelling over the Hai Van pass where you have a stop for a panoramic view over the Lang Co beach.

On the way to Hoi An you may like to stop at one of the interesting places:

Linh Ung pagoda (White Lady Buddha )

Museum of Cham Sculpture

Marble Mountains and Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village

Day 8: Hoi An Free Choice Sightseeing - Free Choice Dining

Overnight: Hoi An

Your stay in the Hoi An Ancient town will be full of interesting. Please select two of the Free Choice Sightseeing – Hoi An  & Surroundings to start your interesting day in Hoi An.

Free Choice Sightseeing – Hoi An  & Surroundings.

Walking in Hoi An Ancient town

Walking tour to explore the town with old houses, narrow streets and stop to visit the lantern makers, Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, Handicraft workshop.

Tra Que Vegetable village by bicycle

Where you can join with gardening activities as preparing the land and fertilizing  with seaweed from the local lake, prepare food and join lunch with a local family. It is also good time to relax and learn more about the Vietnamese village.

Kim Bong Carpentry village by boat

Formed in the 15 th century by Vietnameses from the Northern Vietnam, Kim Bong carpentry developed vigorously and the occupational village was established with three groups: Ancient architectural construction, civil wooden furniture and shipbuilding. Many carpenters from this village worlked to build Hue Citadel

My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary dates from the 4th to the 13th centuries. It was a unique culture on the coast of contemporary Vietnam, owing its spiritual origins to the Hinduism of India. This is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower temples in a dramatic site that was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence. The My Son Sanctuary is a remarkable architectural ensemble that developed over a period of ten centuries. It presents a vivid picture of spiritual and political life in an important phase of the history of South-East Asia.

Free Choice Hoi An Street Food – Authentic experiences

 “ Rice & Chicken”

 “ Banh Xeo Hoi An “

 “ Cao Lau Hoi An”

 “ Mi Quang ”

Hoi An Free Choice Dining:

Hoi An cuisine set-menu at local restaurant.

Dinner on the beach at local restaurant.

BBQ fresh seafood on the beach at local restaurant.

Relaxing Dinner Cruise on the Hoai river and the Thu Bon river

Day 9: Fly to Ho Chi Minh city | Free Choice Sightseeing

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh

Again you take an one-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh city. This is a city full of surprises. The city’s core is still adorned with wide elegant boulevards and historic French colonial buildings and offers plenty of reasons to visit, from its blend of historic, attractions to vibrant shopping, dining and nightlife. HCMC Sightseeing Freedom of Choice will show you more about this city. You have dinner on the Lady Hau cruises on the Saigon river.

Free Choice Sightseeings – HCMC ( Maximum 4 places)

The Reunification Palace

Municipal Theatre – City Post Office – Notre-Dame Cathedral

War Remnants Museum

Vinh Nghiem pagoda

Hoang De pagoda

Ben Thanh market

Day 10: HCMC Free Choice Surroundings

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight: HCMC

You have a whole day to explore the HCMC surroundings. Please select two of the below Free Choice Surroundings ( one of you select Full-day Cao Dai Holysee temple & Cu Chi tunnels) to spend the day in the most dynamic city in Vietnam.

Free Choice HCMC Surroundings

Half-day Cu Chi tunnels

Around 70 kilometers northwest of HCMC, Cu Chi Tunnel is right near the so-called “Iron Triangle” of Southern Vietnam. This underground complex is a must-see when you are in HCMC.  You are invited to crawl around in the safer parts of the tunnel system or try a shooting range where you can fire a number of assault rifles, such as the M16 rifle or AK-47, as well as a light machine gun like the M60.

Half-day China town & Thien Hau pagoda

The western part of the city is dominated by Cholon (Chinatown), a thickly settled district rife with teahouses and pagodas and the famous Binh Tay Market. Visit the Thien Hau pagoda which features interesting Chinese-Buddhist style architecture and interiors with pagodas, courtyards, altars and paintings. Chinatown is also home to the Cholon Mosque and Cha Tam, a small Catholic cathedral.

Full-day Cao Dai Holysee temple & Cu Chi tunnels

In the morning you drive to visit Cao Dai Temples in Tay Ninh and observe the midday service. This temple is the cathedral of the Cao Daism religion and home of the Divine Eye, the official symbol of this unique religion. Cao Dai followers worship Jesus Christ, Confucius, Taoism, and Buddha. On the way back you stop to visit Cu Chi Tunnels. Very famous in the wartime with its smart and complicated.

Free Choice Street Food – Authentic experiences

 “ Banh mi” “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/soft drink

“ Hu tieu Saigon “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/

“ Banh canh ” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/soft drink

“ Banh xeo  ” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/soft drink

“ Com tam” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/soft drink

HCMC Free Choice Dining :

Vegetarian set-menu at local restaurant

Vietnamese set-menu at French building restaurant

South Vietnamese buffet at local restaurant

Day 11: Mekong Delta Excursion

Meal: Breakfast and Lunch

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh

Today you have am excursion to the Mekong Delta. Surrounded by thousands of crisscrossed canals, life in the Mekong Delta revolves much around the river, most of the villages are often accessible by rivers and canals rather than by road. Upon arrival you take a motor-boat to explore the Thoi Son islet, one of the four famous islets ( Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise, Phoenix). Following a village path passing local houses to visit some family-run coconut candy mills then you take a horse-cart from village to village. Enjoy lunch with local special dishes followed by the “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, a very common art activity in the Mekong Delta performed by local people.  Back to HCMC. At leisure.

Day 12: Departure Ho Chi Minh

Meal: Breakfast

Today is the last day of your trip. Enjoy your free time at your hotel or you can do last minute souvenir shopping before meeting your guide for transfer to airport for your flight home. Have a nice journey. Thanks for joining us.