Real Vietnam

Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City  
Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm. After your welcome meeting, why not head into the Ben Thanh night market for a serving of pho or bun with your fellow travellers?        

Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta  
Today, head down to the Mekong Delta and visit Ben Tre, where the humble coconut is everything and anything. The fertile delta is famous for its abundant harvests of tropical fruits and flowers as well as boating along the canals. On arrival, board a private boat and cruise along the maze of waterways to visit some cottage industries, where you’ll have the chance to interact with locals of the area. In the evening, head to a guesthouse along the water and enjoy some time to relax.        

Day 3 Mekong Delta  
Rising early to the sounds of the delta coming alive, enjoy a simple breakfast before boarding a boat and catching a bus back to Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy some free time in Ho Chi Minh City to go check out a few more sites or some tasty street food snacks. Included for today is a local experience with uni students called Ca Phe Bet, which literally translates to ‘coffee on the flat ground’. Enjoy this city ritual of coffee and a snack in one of the many parks. Late this evening, board an overnight train bound for Hoi An – a historical town on the central coast. Although conditions are basic, overnight trains are all part of the experience and the best way to travel long distances with the locals.        

Day 4 Hoi An      
Arrive in Danang in the early afternoon and travel by minibus to Hoi An (approximately 1 hour). Recently declared a World Heritage-listed site, Hoi An is being beautifully restored and preserved. Hoi An has also become famous for its tailoring, with a great variety of tailors and fabrics to choose from. Bring your favourite piece of clothing or even just a picture, and you'll be able to have it copied. Included today is a walking tour of the Old Town, which finishes with a delicious banh mi for lunch. Afterwards, you’re free to explore Hoi An at your own pace.        

Day 5 Hoi An        
There's no better way to explore the peaceful countryside of Hoi An than by bike. For a true insight into country living in Vietnam, join your leader in cycling past green rice paddies, over small creeks and through rural villages. The afternoon is yours to do as you please.  

Day 6 Hoi An to Hue        
Departing Hoi An, cross the dramatic Hai Van Pass with a quick stop and photo opportunity before continuing on to Hue. As the former imperial capital of Vietnam, Hue holds the treasures of Vietnam's royal past and is a curious mix of bustling streets and tranquil settings. Your afternoon is free to go exploring.        

Day 7 Hue        
You’ve got the whole day to explore stunning Hue. Head with your group on a street food experience in the morning to pick up a market breakfast and pass by all the local traders. Later on, you may like to take a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River, and a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, considered by many to be the unofficial symbol of Hue. Otherwise, you’ll have the opportunity to embark on an optional motorbike tour, riding with a local guide around the sights.  

Day 8 Hue to Phong Nha    
Jump on the bus and make your way to Quang Tri. If you’re keen, it’s just a small fee to visit the Hien Luong Bridge and Vinh Moc tunnels. Hien Luong Bridge separated the North from the South during the war. The tunnels at Vinh Moc are an expansive network of limestone tunnels that locals used as shelters from the bombing. Travel onwards to Phong Nha and spend the afternoon exploring your surroundings. You'll stay just outside Phong Nha Town, which is near Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park: an amazing landscape full of caves and underground rivers.

Day 9 Phong Nha        
Enjoy a free day to explore Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. At 400 million years old, this World Heritage site is the oldest karst mountain range in Asia. Later today you'll head back to Dong Hoi and hop back on a sleeper train.      

Day 10 Hanoi        
Arrive in Hanoi very early (approximately 5.30 am) and transfer to your hotel. Then leave your gear in a day room at the hotel. The capital of Vietnam is a charming city with over six million people. Hanoi is known for its beautiful lakes, shaded boulevards, lush public parks and its thriving Old Quarter. You'll visit the Dong Xuan market, the biggest wholesale market in northern Vietnam, stroll through the ancient '36 streets' where you can discover an amazing selection of shops selling everything from souvenirs to exquisite silk clothing and beautifully embroidered tablecloths.        

Day 11 Hanoi to Da Bac      
Leave Hanoi after breakfast around 8 am and make the drive to Sung village (approximately 4 hours). There are around 70 families living at Sung Village and the majority are Dzao ‘Tien’ people. Enjoy lunch at your homestay then take an introductory walk around the village. After getting to know the village better, take a short trek (2 kilometres) to the alluring Sung Cave and visit a 100-year-old tea plantation.      

Day 12 Da Bac to Hanoi    
This morning, have an opportunity to take in more of the Vietnamese highlands on a 10 kilometre (6.2 mi) trek from Sung Village to Da Bia. Stop for lunch before enjoying a scenic 1.5-hour boat cruise on Hoa Binh hydropower reservoir. Arrive at Thung Nai then board a bus transfer to Hanoi (approximately 2 hours). Arrive in Hanoi at around 6 pm. This evening is free for you to explore this delightful city. Why not relax with a bia hoi (freshly brewed draught beer) at one of the microbars in the Old Quarter?    

Day 13 Hanoi to Cat Ba Island      
Travel by bus and ferry (approximately 3.5 hours) to Cat Ba Island, the largest island in the World Heritage-listed Halong Bay area. With thousands of limestone islands and formations scattered around, this is one of those quintessential Vietnamese scenes where bright green water is dotted with traditional junk boats. Take a boat around Lan Ha Bay with an included rice paper roll making class while you cruise, then get up close and personal with this other-worldly landscape by kayak. Stay overnight on Cat Ba Island and enjoy a dip at one of the beaches and a cold beer.        

Day 14 Cat Ba Island to Hanoi        
Wake up in paradise, maybe starting your morning with a refreshing swim. Ensure you soak up as much sun and sand as possible, as it's back to Hanoi later in the afternoon via ferry and bus.        

Day 15 Hanoi        
Depart at any time.