Vietnamese Whirl: a Journey of Urban and Rural Discovery | September 06, 2022

12 days
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Savour traditional street food, immerse yourself in rural village life and marvel at diverse tropical scenery on this action-packed journey through Vietnam. Starting in the capital, Hanoi, you’ll make the unforgettable trip to Mai Chau – a rural valley lined with paddies between forested mountains. After cruising through the dreamlike seascapes of Lan Ha Bay ...
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Enjoy Vietnamese street food at a night market in Hanoi
    • Visit the picturesque Mai Chau Valley and experience the local culture
    • Sail through Lan Ha Bay on a classy junk-style ship
    • Swim, kayak and take a tai chi class among spectacular seascapes
    • Discover the Imperial City of Hue and cruise along the Perfume River
    • Explore the eclectic architecture and canals of Hoi An

What's this trip about?

    Savour traditional street food, immerse yourself in rural village life and marvel at diverse tropical scenery on this action-packed journey through Vietnam. Starting in the capital, Hanoi, you’ll make the unforgettable trip to Mai Chau – a rural valley lined with paddies between forested mountains. After cruising through the dreamlike seascapes of Lan Ha Bay on a junk ship, continue south by overnight train to Hue, where the Imperial City offers a fascinating window into the country’s past. Wrap up your trip in Hoi An, soaking up the atmosphere of its lantern-lit streets and charming canals.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 18 people
Age range25 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityHanoi
End CityHoi An

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • High Adventure

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Vietnam

Attractions

  • Hanoi
  • Hoi An

Activities

  • Cooking
  • Culture
  • Educational/ learning
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Kayaking
  • Nature
  • Short Cruise
  • Swimming

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 18

Trip includes

    • Nine nights premium hotel accommodation
    • One night junk-boat cruise cabin
    • One night on a sleeper train
    • Private and local transport (including airport transfers)
    • 11 breakfasts, six lunches, four dinners
    • Local Insider
    • Return airport transfers
    • Hanoi street food tour
    • Hanoi walking tour
    • Mai Chau farm tour experience
    • Mai Chau walking tour
    • White Thai village visit
    • Bamboo weaving class
    • Halong to Lan Ha Bay cruise
    • Cua Van village visit
    • Jasmine Cruise cooking demonstration
    • Tai chi class
    • Swimming and kayaking in Lan Ha Bay
    • Hue cyclo food tour
    • Hue market visit and cooking masterclass
    • Hue Citadel visit
    • Perfume River boat transfer
    • Royal tea ceremony
    • XQ Hand Embroidery Art Museum visit
    • Qigong session
    • Hoi An walking tour and sightseeing

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Accommodation: La Siesta Classic Ma May

Activities Included: Street food tour

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you’ll be transferred to the hotel where our Local Insider will help you check in. They will accompany the group throughout the trip. Feel free to explor...

Day 2: Venture into the heart of Hanoi on foot

Accommodation: La Siesta Classic Ma May

Activities Included: Hanoi walking tour

Optional Activities: Cafe tour experience

After breakfast, set out on a walking tour of Hanoi. You’ll start at Ba Dinh Square, where president Ho Chi Minh read the Ind...

Day 3: Experience rural farm life in Mai Chau

Accommodation: Mai Chau Ecolodge

Activities Included: Farm experience

Today, you’ll swap the bustle of Hanoi for the tranquility of the Mai Chau, a lush valley 140km (87mi) southwest of the capital, inhabited by several ethnic minority groups in the moun...

Day 4: Hike through the countryside and visit Na Chao village

Accommodation: La Siesta Classic Ma May

Activities Included: Walking tour, White Thai village visit, Bamboo-weaving class

This morning, you’ll take a short transfer to Bao La commune and continue from there to reach Na Chao village. Get a deeper feel for...

Day 5: Embark on an overnight cruise to Lan Ha Bay

ACCOMMODATION: Jasmine Cruise

Activities Included: Halong to Lan Ha Bay cruise, Tien Ong cave visit, Cua Van village visit, Cooking demonstration

Arrive at Hon Gai pier in Halong where you’ll set sail for Lan Ha Bay – a quieter, lesser-known alternative ...

Day 6: Swim, kayak and try tai chi in Lan Ha Bay

Accommodation: Overnight train from Hanoi to Hue

Activities Included: Lan Ha Bay to Halong cruise, Tai chi class, Kayaking, Swimming

Start the day by focusing the mind and body with a tai chi class on deck. After, a tender boat will take you to a pristin...

Day 7: Arrive in Hue and join a street food tour

Accommodation: Eldora Hotel

Activities Included: Hue cyclo food tour

Wake up in Hue, the capital between 1802 and 1945. After arriving at the station, check into the hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure. In the evening, you’ll join a street food tour...

Day 8: Attend a cooking class and explore the ancient Hue Citadel

Accommodation: Eldora Hotel

Activities Included: Market visit, Cooking masterclass, Hue Citadel visit, Perfume River boat transfer, Royal tea ceremony, XQ Hand Embroidery Art Museum visit

Now you’re familiar with Hue’s food scene, it’s time to learn abou...

Day 9: Learn qigong in a Zen house and arrive in Hoi An

Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa

Activities Included: Qigong session

This morning, you’ll attend a traditional qigong session in a Zen house, learning about this ancient Chinese meditative practice before tucking into a healthy breakfast, w...

Day 10: Kick back and explore Hoi An

Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa

Optional Activities: Cham Islands day trip

Fancy taking it easy today? Feel free to do so. But if you’re keen for an adventure, take a private speedboat to the Cham Islands, an archipelago consisting of eigh...

Day 11: Take a guided walking tour of Hoi An

Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa

Activities Included: Walking tour and sightseeing, Farewell dinner

Optional Activities: Treasure hunt by bicycle

The final full day of the trip will begin with a guided walking tour of Hoi An. Soak up...

Day 12: Depart from Hoi An

After one last breakfast, it’s time to pack your bags and checkout of the hotel. Bid farewell to your fellow travellers at midday and make your way to Da Nang International Airport via an included transfer to catch your flight home – or extend your stay in Vietnam.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,609
Price per day$134
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Culture Trip.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

La Siesta Classic Ma May , Hanoi

This luxury boutique hotel offers spacious, air-conditioned rooms in the heart of Hanoi’s lively Old Quarter. Sip a cold beer at the rooftop Moonlight Sky Bar and watch the sun go down with spectacular views of the city.

Mai Chau Ecolodge , Hoa Binh

Sustainability is central to this rural hideaway surrounded by paddies, mountains and tropical forests. All 43 rooms were built using naturally sourced materials and are powered by renewable energy. Unwind by the pool or treat yourself to a massage at the spa.

Jasmine Cruise Heritage Line , Lan Ha Bay

Set sail across one of the most breathtaking seascapes in the world on board this classy junk-style ship. Expect wood-panelled cabins, sumptuous buffet meals and a sun deck where you can sit back and admire the scenery with a cocktail in hand.

Overnight train , Hanoi to Hue

See a different side to Vietnam as you pass along the rugged coastline on this 700km (435mi) southward journey by train. The sleeper cabins may not be the height of luxury (there are no showers), but it’s all part of the experience.

Eldora Hotel , Hue

French colonial-style decor characterises this elegant boutique hotel in Hue. Inside, you’ll find lavish rooms, a large indoor swimming pool and a rooftop bar with panoramic city views. Enjoy a nightcap in the piano bar under glittering chandeliers.

La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa , Hoi An

Two palm tree-flanked pools (one freshwater, one saltwater) are a highlight at this tranquil resort in Hoi An. Sunbathe on a private section of An Nang beach, before tucking into sizzling street food at the on-site Red Bean restaurant.

Cancellation policy
  • The world of travel is changing – and that's why we’re offering flexible booking conditions, to take the stress out of booking in times of uncertainty.
  • Our Ultimate Covid Booking Guarantee means that if Covid-19 changes your plans, we'll rebook you for free. If we cannot rebook you we'll refund your trip.
  • You can get a full refund should you need to postpone or cancel your trip up to 35 days prior to departure. Or you can simply transfer your deposit and any funds paid to a different date without incurring any additional fees.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

11 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches & 4 Dinners

Age Requirements
25 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
cultur2-VieAdvCul

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