Your Itinerary
Xin chào, and welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam's vibrant capital city! Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by a local guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of your day is at your leisure to get settled and begin exploring your surroundings.
Special Information
Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-night accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.
After breakfast, your journey begins with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, and his stilt house, set in serene gardens. Nearby, you'll see the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, a significant symbol of Hanoi. You'll then continue to the Tran Quoc Pagoda by the West Lake, admiring its intricate design.
This afternoon, stop at the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, before enjoying a walk through the bustling streets of the Old Quarter. You'll pause for a coffee at a hidden local cafe before returning to your hotel. The evening is at your leisure
Inspiring Highlights
Ho Chi Minh Complex
One Pillar Pagoda
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Temple of Literature
Hanoi's Old Quarter
Day 3 - Hanoi [Bus] Pu Luong
After breakfast and checking out, you'll travel to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, a hidden gem nestled in the mountains of Thanh Hoa province. The scenic drive takes you through winding roads and charming villages, transitioning from the city's bustle to a peaceful world of terraced rice fields and lush forests.
Upon arrival, you'll be ready for a beautiful walk. A short drive will take you to the starting point in Dong Dieng Village. From there, you'll walk down through picturesque terraced fields to Kho Muong Village. Observe the local guide as they identify various plants and herbs. Afterwards, head to a traditional stilt house in Kho Muong village to see how herbs are prepared for a traditional foot bath. Enjoy the sunset over the mountains before heading back to your retreat for the night.
Inspiring Highlights
Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Walking through Dong Dieng and Kho Muong villages
Herbal foot bath
Special Information
Your travel time today is approximately 5 hours.
Pu Luong walk: Pu Luong is known for its gentle terrain and scenic beauty. Rolling hills, terraced rice fields, limestone ridges, and open valleys offer easy walks through ethnic villages, bamboo forests, and cool streams—perfect for soft adventures without the need for advanced hiking skills. The walk route is 3.5 – 4km approx.
Enjoy a free day to relax and explore Pu Luong at your own pace. You might spend time unwinding amidst the tranquil natural surroundings or choose an optional tour to discover more of the local culture and landscape.
If you choose to explore on your own, you could take a walk to discover more of the beautiful rice terraces. Pu Luong is a place to slow down, so you may simply want to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of your accommodation, or find a spot to sit and observe local life.
Day 5 - Pu Luong [Bus] Ninh Binh
After breakfast and checking out, you'll travel to Ninh Binh, a land of striking limestone karsts and tranquil rivers often called "Halong Bay on land." The scenic drive offers a peaceful transition from the mountains to the timeless charm of northern Vietnam's countryside. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel, and the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the area.
Consider a walk around the area to admire the beautiful limestone landscapes, or find a local cafe to relax and enjoy the serene atmosphere. The surrounding countryside is perfect for leisurely exploration.
Special Information
Your travel time today is approximately 3 hours.
Day 6 - Ninh Binh [Bus] Ha Long/Lan Ha Bay [Ship]
After breakfast and checking out, you'll journey to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred by tender boat to an overnight cruise. Check into your private cabin, and enjoy a sumptuous lunch on board as you sail among the breathtaking scenery of thousands of limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After lunch, you will have time to rest before joining activities like swimming or kayaking. Later in the afternoon, return to the cruise for a cooking demonstration before dinner.
Inspiring Highlights
Overnight cruise
Cooking demonstration
Special Information
Your travel time today is approximately 3 hours.
The cruise itinerary is subject to change without prior notice and depends on weather conditionsThe tour guide will not escort you on board. There will be an English-speaking cruise manager who will take care of all passengers during the trip in Ha Long, accompanied by his staff.
Day 7 - Ha Long/Lan Ha Bay [Bus] Hanoi [Train]
Wake up to a beautiful sunrise over the bay's islets. The boat will take you past some of the most marvelous areas, where each islet has its own unique name, like the Fisherman’s Head, the Turtle, or the Cock Fighting Rocks. You will then return to the wharf and travel back to Hanoi.At the appointed time, you will be transferred to the train station to board your overnight train to Dong Hoi at around 7 pm.Special InformationYour travel time today from Ha Long to Hanoi is approx. 4 hours.Your train documentation will be given to you on tour by your tour guide. Each guest is allowed one piece of luggage up to 20kg and one small carry-on bag of around 5kg.You will be accommodated in a shared 4-berth train cabin. An upgrade to a private cabin is available, subject to availability—please refer to the fine print for details. Please note, shared or private, there is no ensuite bathroom, and the toilets are shared.Instead of travelling by overnight train, you may choose to fly between Hanoi to Dong Hoi. You will spend an extra night in Hanoi (free time) and re-join the group in Dong Hoi. An additional fee applies, please refer to the Add-Ons, Upgrades And Room Configuration section if this trip notes.
Day 8 - [Train] Dong Hoi [Bus] Phong Nha
A light breakfast will be served on the train before arriving in Dong Hoi. Upon arrival in Dong Hoi (around 6am), you will be met by a guide and transferred to your hotel in Phong Nha to drop off your luggage. The rest of the day is at your leisure to get settled and explore the area until check-in time.
You could take a relaxed walk to admire the peaceful surroundings or find a local spot for lunch. The village has a serene atmosphere, perfect for a quiet afternoon.
Special Information
Your travel time today is approximately 1hr.
Day 9 - Phong Nha [Bus] Dong Ha [Bus] Hue
After breakfast, you will depart for Dong Ha town to explore key historical sites within the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a significant battleground from the Vietnam War. You will visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels, where villagers lived underground to survive heavy bombings, and the Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River, which once divided North and South Vietnam. You'll follow the Ho Chi Minh Trail and conclude your journey at the Khe Sanh Combat Base, now a museum with war relics and bunkers. Afterwards, you will head to Hue.
The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Inspiring Highlights
Vinh Moc Tunnels
Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River
Ho Chi Minh Trail
Khe Sanh Combat Base
Special Information
Your travel time today is approximately 5 hours.
After breakfast, you will discover the charm of Hue, beginning with the Royal Citadel and Forbidden City. You will visit the Hue Royal Museum and the Tombs of King Tu Duc, a well-preserved monument showcasing the dynasty's architecture and culture.
In the afternoon, you'll head to the Tam Giang pier and take a boat to explore the beautiful Tam Giang Lagoon. You'll experience the daily life of local fishermen and enjoy the fresh air and peaceful atmosphere. Afterwards, you'll visit Rú Chá, a small mangrove islet, before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Inspiring Highlights
Royal Citadel
Forbidden City
Hue Royal Museum
Tombs of King Tu Duc
Boat trip on Tam Giang Lagoon
Visit to Rú Chá
Day 11 - Hue [Bus] Hoi An
After breakfast and check out, you will travel to Hoi An, an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port. Upon arrival, you'll explore the ancient town on foot, walking over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge and visiting the Chinese Assembly Halls, old houses, and pagodas.
You'll then have the remainder of the evening to wander through the market by the Thu Bon River, where you can shop for lanterns or silk.
Inspiring Highlights
Hoi An Ancient Town
Special Information
Your travel time today is approximately 3.5 hours.
Today is at your leisure to enjoy Hoi An at your own pace. You could explore the charming streets, find a local coffee shop to relax in, or visit the nearby beaches. Hoi An is a great place to simply wander and absorb the atmosphere. The local tailors are renowned, so this could be an opportunity to have a custom-made outfit created.
Day 13 - Hoi An [Bus] Da Nang
Enjoy your final breakfast and some free time this morning. It's the perfect opportunity to do some last-minute souvenir shopping or revisit a favorite spot. At the appointed time, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight, filled with wonderful memories of your journey through Vietnam.
Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience.
Special Information
Your travel time today is approximately 1hr.
Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.
If you choose to extend your stay (e.g., departing after the final tour date) and have booked your additional accommodation independently, this included service will be forfeited and no refund will be issued.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
