Vietnam Cultural Discovery 14 days from Hanoi

Please note some tours do not mention the price to provide you with the flexibility to tailor-make your holiday according to your specific preferences and budget. This approach allows you the freedom to adjust various aspects of the tour, such as the hotel category, duration of stay, or addition of activities, without being constrained by pre-set prices. By not including prices upfront, you have the opportunity to create a personalized itinerary that perfectly aligns with your needs and desires.

Overview:

This 14-day cultural journey offers a richly layered experience that goes far beyond the typical route of pagodas, museums, and standard sightseeing. It’s an immersive itinerary that weaves together performing arts, visual arts, and hands-on cooking classes in each region, giving you genuine insight into Vietnamese daily life and traditions. The heart of this tour lies in meaningful connections — with locals, artisans, and cultural custodians — to deepen your understanding of Vietnam’s heritage.

The hotels used for this trip are handpicked with local characters and good locations from three to four-star with private, western style bathrooms, air-conditioning and some have swimming pools. The accommodations are our suggestions for your reference and can be tailored to your personal interests.

All road travels are in comfortable and airconditioned vehicles. We use a sedan or a crossover car for 1-2 travelers, a minivan of 16 seaters for 3-6 travellers or mid-sized buses of 29 seater bus for 7-11 travelers

This itinerary is suitable for travellers with an average level of fitness and independent mobility. The tour involves walking over uneven surfaces and climbing stairs in hot and humid conditions. There are two domestic flights and several small boats. You will need to be able to board and disembark boats independently, sometimes between muddy or slippery river banks. There are some long road journeys (up to four hours). By day you will walk through markets and villages, meet local people, and sample local food.

Please contact sales@travelmates.asia for prices and a customized itinerary to suit your needs and points of interest.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Hanoi - Arrival Transfer

Welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival, your friendly Travelmates guide will greet you at Noi Bai Airport and transfer you to your hotel in the heart of the city. Settle in, unwind, and get ready for your first delicious taste of Vietnam. Tonight, we’ll share dinner at a charming French colonial villa or a hidden gem family-run restaurant tucked away in the Old Quarter. Afterward, enjoy a magical Water Puppet performance – a traditional art form that brings ancient folklore to life over water.

Meals: Dinner
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 Hanoi’s Secret Art Stories

Today is all about discovering the soul of Vietnam through its art. We begin at the Fine Arts Museum, where you’ll trace the evolution of Vietnamese creativity – from ancient sculptures to revolutionary paintings. Then, explore a few hand-picked galleries and visit the private collection of musicians, a passionate guardian of traditional instruments and melodies. His live performance will open your heart to the sounds of old Vietnam.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Life in the Craft Villages

Leave the city behind for a cultural journey into the countryside. We’ll cycle along quiet village paths to Bat Trang pottery village and Dong Ho painting village – both keeping centuries-old crafts alive. Meet artisans, try your hand at their techniques, and enjoy a soul-soothing Quan Ho folk music performance, recognized as a UNESCO heritage.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 Hanoi - Market to Table

Time to dive into Vietnam’s culinary traditions! Begin your morning like a true local: shopping at a bustling market with your chef and learning to bargain like a pro. Back in the kitchen, you’ll be guided step-by-step through preparing your own Northern-style feast. A flavorful, fun, and unforgettable experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 Day cruise the Ha Long Bay

Today you’ll journey to one of Vietnam’s most iconic wonders – Ha Long Bay. Board a traditional wooden boat and cruise through a surreal seascape of towering limestone islands. Explore hidden grottoes, visit floating villages, and—if the weather allows—swim in the emerald waters. A freshly prepared seafood lunch will be served onboard. After a peaceful day at sea, we return to Hanoi by late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 Fly to Hue - Half day city tour

This morning, we fly south to Hue, the former imperial capital and cradle of royal culture. Dive into history with a guided tour of the majestic Imperial Citadel – once the seat of Nguyen dynasty emperors. We’ll also visit the Museum of Antiquities and the bustling Dong Ba Market, where Hue’s flavors and colors come to life.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: City tour and Cooking Class

Start your day with a tranquil boat ride along the Perfume River to visit the elegant Thien Mu Pagoda. Then we’ll explore the serene tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, known for its harmony with nature. In the afternoon, take part in a cooking class in a traditional garden house, where you'll learn the secrets of Hue’s delicate, royal-inspired dishes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Tombs and Traditions of Hue

Explore more of Hue’s imperial legacy with visits to the contrasting mausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Each reveals unique aspects of their reigns—from romantic lake gardens to intricate architecture. We’ll also venture into nearby artisan villages to see how locals keep their ancestral crafts alive.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Drive to Hoi An via Da Nang

Today’s journey is as stunning as the destination. We drive along the breathtaking Hai Van Pass, stopping to admire Lang Co Bay and Tam Giang Lagoon. In Da Nang, visit the Marble Mountains and a stone-carving village before continuing to the charming lantern-lit streets of Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10: Hoi An

Wander the enchanting streets of Hoi An’s Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a story behind every timber house and faded wall. Your guide will share insights into Hoi An’s fascinating multicultural history. After lunch, enjoy a peaceful boat ride on the Thu Bon River to visit traditional craft villages: Thanh Ha for pottery and Kim Bong for wood carving – both preserving age-old skills passed down through generations.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Say goodbye to the gentle rhythm of Hoi An and catch a flight to bustling Ho Chi Minh City.
The southern hub is full of contrasts, where modern skyscrapers rise beside colonial buildings and buzzing street food stalls. The evening is yours to explore — perhaps stroll along Nguyen Hue walking street or enjoy a cocktail with city views.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12: Discover the Spirit of Saigon

Dive into the vibrant soul of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the Fine Arts Museum and the historic Reunification Palace. Discover the mystique of the Jade Emperor Pagoda
In the afternoon, explore the Vietnamese Coffee culture. Start with a stroll through a buzzing local residential area and delve right into local life while browsing the street, watch people enjoying their coffee, reading their newspapers or chatting with each other.
Here, visit a 90-year-old coffee shop, the oldest in Saigon. Get to know the unique way of making coffee while listening to tales related to this trade.
As part of the tour, you will have a chance to visit a charmingly restored ‘shophouse’ located in the historic part of the city, which still operates as a trading area. Once there, discover the exquisite flavours of Vietnamese specialty coffee and learn how to prepare a delicious ‘caphe trung’, aka egg coffee.
Caffeine fueled, conclude the tour with a drive back to your hotel. Rest of the day and evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13: Discover Mekong Delta

Your guide will meet you for a full day tour to My Tho, the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Known as the "rice bowl" of Vietnam, the Delta is the most fertile region in the country, and the main producer of rice and tropical fruits. On the way, you will stop to visit a local Cao Dai temple. The Cao Dai religion was established in Southern Vietnam in 1926 and is a religious centre of worship unique to Vietnam that incorporates aspects of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Catholicism. Upon arrival into My Tho, you board your boat and travel to one of the islands located in the middle of the Mekong River. On the island visit a fruit orchard and sample some of the local produce, before boarding a smaller sampan that winds along narrow canals. You'll also have the opportunity to visit a local family's house and enjoy their hospitality and share with them some tea or rice wine. After lunch in My Tho return to Saigon by mid to late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14: Farewell Vietnam – Departure Day

Enjoy a slow morning with time for last-minute shopping or a quiet coffee in a colonial café. Then we’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight home. We hope your journey through Vietnam has left you inspired, connected, and full of stories to share.

Meals: Breakfast

General Inclusions

• Group airport transfers without guides
• Accommodation (twin/double share), check-in time: 14:00, check-out time: 12:00
• Meals specified in the itinerary (B = Breakfasts, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
• Domestic air ticket (Hanoi to Hue, Danang to Ho Chi Minh), 20 kg checked baggage, 7 kg hand baggage
• Boat trip in Ha Long, Mekong delta
• All entrance fees for touring as itinerary
• Stationed English speaking tour guides for touring in each city.
• Bottle water (3 bottles x 500ml per bottle for a full day tour, 2 bottles for a half day tour and 1 bottle for arrival transfer).
• Child 0 – 5 years old: 10%, 6 – 10 years old: 50% (sharing bed with parents, maximum 2 children per couple), 100% of adult price if requiring a separate bed

General Exclusions

• Vietnam visa
• Travel Insurance for medical and accidents within Vietnam
• Compulsory dinner on 24 Dec and 31 Dec if applicable - surcharge will be advised separately
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal expenses such as: laundry, shopping, beverage, etc.
• International arrival or departure flights
• All others services not mentioned in inclusions

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Cancellations for accommodation, flight, trains and cruises will be specific as suppliers' terms and conditions, and for touring cancellations within 7 days or no show will incur a 100% cancellation fee. Specific cancellation and amendment terms will be specified in the actual booking confirmation.