23-Day Vietnam Off the Beaten Track Tour from Hanoi

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In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel then transferred to Ba Vi National Park on your tour from Hanoi You'll trek to Tan Vien Peak, one of three Ba Vi’s highest peaks. Here, you can capture the most breathtaking panoramic view of the Ba Vi Mountain Range. In the afternoon after lunch at a local restaurant, get ready for the hardest 2.5-kilometre trekking route. After your trek, you'll visit Ba Trai Village, a tea plantation, to learn how to make raw tea leaf products.

Today, you'll have breakfast and then leave on your 7.5-hour drive to Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge, a comfortable lodge in the mountains built without destroying the landscape as well as the impact on the natural and cultural environment. The materials used are still used by the Thai and H’mong ethnic groups. You'll have the rest of the day free to spend as you wish before you begin trekking in the morning.

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You'll start walking from the small village of H’mong which is named Hang Co Vua, then you walk on a small trail, follow the terraces fields and conquer the pine forest. You will enjoy the fresh air cool in the middle of nature and mountains. After two hours walking, you will encounter villages where people Hua Khat ethnic minority Hmong live, where you’ll discover extremely simple lives and many wild characters. When you arrive at the eco-lodge, you'll rest before dinner.

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This morning, you'll depart for a visit to the Thai village. From the eco-lodge, you will trek to Sang Village where the Hmong live. Then, you walk for two hours on the trail, it is also the border between two provinces of Yen Bai and Son La. The beautiful scenery here is considered an ideal destination for photographers and painters. After walking 17 kilometres, you'll return to the eco-lodge in the late afternoon to rest while waiting for dinner.

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You'll depart after breakfast to visit terraced fields are recorded as national heritage. You will go about 12 kilometres to reach the point of walking. All the beautiful things of Mu Cang Chai are waiting for you at the top. After a one-hour climb, you'll go through the Hmong people where you will meet innocent children and hardworking women. You'll continue on the trail until you see the whole terraced fields that have been recorded as national heritage. You'll then travel back to Hanoi.

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Today, you'll transfer to Halong Bay where a wonderful two-day cruise awaits you. Halong Bay is one of the most magnificent scenic spots in all of Vietnam and was recognised as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1994. Halong is a picturesque bay with almost 2,000 islets rising from the clear emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. You'll check into your cruise for two days in the tranquillity of Halong Bay.

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You can enjoy the morning view of the beautiful landscape with a cup of coffee or tea and have breakfast in the fresh air. You will visit the impressive Cave of Halong Bay – Surprising Cave (Sửng Sốt) with your tour guide, a truly awesome and amazing cave to experience. You'll then check out of your cabin and settle your bill as the boat begins cruising back to the harbour. Back on land, you'll jump in the car and make your way to the airport for your flight to Dong Hoi where you'll overnight.

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You’ll be picked up at your hotel at 7:30 am, before venturing off to the village of Tan Hoa, located 70 kilometres away. After a safety briefing and gear check, the trek begins with a 2.5-kilometre march across fields of peanut crops, giant water buffaloes, towering corn stalks, and down to the Rao Nan River. By midafternoon, Tu Lan campsite will be on the horizon, where swimming can be enjoyed in the beautiful waterfall. Sleep will come easy in comfortable hammocks or tents amongst the trees!

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The second day starts with a hearty breakfast and more cave exploration. Starting with a brief swim across the river into the heart of Tu Lan Cave System, you will break to enjoy the blue lagoon entrance before making your way 180 metres downstream through Tu Lan Cave entrance. A picnic lunch will be served next to a stunning waterfall by Hung Ton Cave mouth. Arrival in Tan Hoa is followed by a chance to take in the scenery with a cold drink in hand. You'll then travel back to Dong Hoi.

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Today, en route to Hue, you will visit the Ben Hai River which was the demarcation line between Northern and Southern Vietnam. The Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) spanned five kilometres north and south from the Ben Hai River. The Southern area of the DMZ was one of the bloodiest battlefields during the American war. The tour to the DMZ will take you to some of the famous war sites, including the Ben Hai River, Hien Luong Bridge, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Khe Sanh military base and Dong Ha Town.

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Located only seven kilometres from Hue’s centre, Thanh Toan is a peaceful countryside where the scents of an ancient village founded since the 17th century are still very much visible through the landscape, temples and way of life. Hop on a sampan and go fishing using traditional techniques. You will cycle a maximum of 17 kilometres on flat roads. Later, you'll have the rest of the day free to explore the Imperial Citadel of Hue and learn about its remarkable history.

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Today, you'll travel to Da Nang and Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass. The Hai Van Pass is located along the Hai Van mountain side, between Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang city. It is the highest and the most beautiful pass in Vietnam (about 500 metres above sea level) with stunning views. En route to Hoi An, you will visit the Marble Mountains and Non Nuoc village where you will ride the new twin glass elevators to the main area for a visit before continuing onto Hoi An.

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Located 40 kilometres from Hoi An, My Son is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilisation that ruled central Vietnam from the 2nd to 13th century. My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. The complex is comprised of 70 Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. Later on, you'll board a wooden boat for some magnificent sightseeing along the riverside countryside, water coconut forests and fishing villages at sunset.

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Hoi An was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the ancient town was a busy international trading port for the Chinese and Japanese. The ancient town of Hoi An is exceptionally well-preserved today and visiting gives travellers a chance to contemplate and admire the historical beauty of this town. Between the architectural vestigates, yellow merchants houses, the canal, the temples and riverside markets, there is lots to see and do in Hoi An.

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Today, you'll enjoy a morning at leisure where you can once again visit Hoi An before checking out. Then, you'll transfer to Danang to fly to Saigon. Upon arrival in Saigon, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel. You'll then have the rest of the day free to explore this wild yet intriguing and very fun city. Your guide and hotel can provide recommendations for things to do and see.

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Upon arrival at Cat Tien Jungle Lodge, you'll settle in and enjoy a welcome drink. Later on, you'll set off trekking into the rainforest in search of the Giant Tung trees. You'll have a picnic in the jungle and rest in a hammock. Later on in the afternoon, you'll visit the Bear and Wildlife Rescue Centre. Then, you'll set out on a biking tour around Nam Cat Tine village. In the evening, you'll have the option to go out animal spotting in the night.

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You'll start the day by boating down the Da Huoai River before returning to your jungle lodge for breakfast. Later on, after breakfast, you'll visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre before heading back to your lodge for some free time before you check out, have lunch and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and then have the evening free to spend as you wish.

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Upon arrival in Ben Tre from Ho Chi Minh City, you'll take a bike or hop onto a moto cart to Mr Sau Khanh’s house – a passionate local who has collected a lot of ancient ceramics, potteries like bowls, vases and sculptures originally from Asia. You'll then continue your insight into local lives and daily activities and ride through the village on paths. You'll visit a local candy workshop, a sleep mat workshop and a brick factory before jumping in the car and travelling to Can Tho.

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Today, you'll visit the famous Cai Rang Floating Market early in the morning. You'll see the bustling activities along Can Tho riverbanks. You'll see an interesting selling activity using a traditional “offering pole” - exchanging consumer goods hanging on the pole for Mekong fruit and vegetables with local sellers. You'll then travel to Chau Doc where you'll take a slow boat to visit the Floating Fish Farm and the Cham Village (Muslim Village) before checking into your hotel.

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The slow boat will bring you upstream of the Bassac River to Long Khanh Island and will make a turn to Dao canal and then to Tra Su Canal. On the way, you will be able to contemplate the wonderful landscapes on the riverside. The boat will arrive at Tra Su forest, where you'll have the chance to admire those living in harmony with the environment. In the afternoon, you'll make the return journey to Ho Chi Minh City.

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The largest metropolis in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City (locally known as Sai Gon) is a hub of excitement and activity. Through winding traffic, beeping horns and bright lights; the city never sleeps. The best way to take in the vibes of the city is on foot; along the way you'll find traces of colonial rule in the oldest part of the city - District 1. You'll have the day free to discover the treasures of this city.