Chao mung! Welcome to Vietnam and the captivating ancient capital, Hanoi. After landing in Hanoi, collect your luggage and head towards the arrival hall. Our team member will be there to greet you and help with your transportation to the hotel. (The standard check-in time is 3:00 pm.) Once you've checked in at the hotel, take a moment to unwind and rejuvenate. Depending on your arrival timing, seize the opportunity to leisurely explore the afternoon or evening at your own pace.

Overnight in Hanoi

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel. Embark on the first day of your journey with a guided tour of Hanoi. Depart from the hotel at 08:30 to explore Vietnam’s oldest university, the Temple of Literature, established in 1076. Originally named Quoc Tu Giam, this institution was housed within a temple and aimed to educate the country's elite, including royalty and mandarins. Continue the tour with a stop at the renowned One Pillar Pagoda, among Vietnam's most iconic temples. Nearby lies the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, a pivotal figure in Vietnam's modern history, along with his modest stilt house. Please note that these sites are observed from the outside and are closed on Mondays and Fridays, as well as during October and November.

Conclude the morning with a visit to the scenic West Lake and the Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda, dating back to the sixth century. Tran Quoc Pagoda holds the distinction of being Hanoi's oldest pagoda, with a history spanning over 1,500 years. Enjoy lunch at an authentic Vietnamese restaurant, followed by free leisure time for the remainder of the day.

Overnight in Hanoi

Begin your day with a nourishing breakfast at your hotel, and kick off the first day of your journey with a guided tour of Hanoi. Your excursion commences with a departure from your hotel at 08:30 AM, taking you first to the Temple of Literature, a historic establishment that dates all the way back to 1076. This revered institution was established within a temple complex with the purpose of educating Vietnam's nobility and elite class.

Following this, you'll delve into the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, a profound symbol of Vietnam's cultural heritage. Nearby, you'll encounter the mausoleum and unassuming stilt house of Ho Chi Minh, a central figure in the modern history of Vietnam. It's important to note that these sites are viewable from the exterior and are closed on Mondays and Fridays, as well as during the months of October and November.

To round off your morning, you'll visit the picturesque West Lake and the Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda, a place of worship with a remarkable history stretching over 1,500 years, making it one of Hanoi's most ancient pagodas. Following your exploration, relish a delicious lunch at an authentic Vietnamese restaurant, and the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace.

Overnight in Pu Luong

This leisurely stroll through the exquisite rice terrace valley in front of the Retreat is a well-known and uncomplicated activity. We will commence by descending into the charming valley, which offers captivating views of cascading rice terraces. Subsequently, we'll traverse narrow, lush pathways that gradually unveil the picturesque Uoi village nestled at the foot of a towering mountain. You'll find it hard to keep your camera still when you witness the panoramic view of the village from an elevated vantage point.

We'll continue our downhill walk to Uoi village, and then proceed to Lan village. If time allows, there's a possibility of visiting a local family to gain insights into their traditional brocade weaving techniques, although this is not guaranteed. Following that, we'll meander through the rice paddies once more to return to the main road, where our car will be waiting to pick us up. You'll then be transported back to Puluong Retreat, where lunch will be served.

In the afternoon, you can check out from the Lodge and begin your journey back to Hanoi. Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Following breakfast in Hanoi, begin your journey from the capital to Halong Bay, which is approximately a 3-hour and 30-minute drive. Upon reaching Halong City's pier at around noon, you'll go through the check-in process. Once onboard the vessel, you'll receive a warm welcome, and a delightful lunch will be served as the boat cruises towards the bay. In the afternoon, you can engage in some sightseeing, partake in on-board activities (based on the boat's specific itinerary), or simply unwind on the vessel. As the day draws to a close, the boat drops anchor among the striking karst formations for the night, and dinner will be served onboard.

For those who wake up early, a remarkable sunrise over the karst formations of Halong Bay can be a memorable experience. Following this, breakfast will be served shortly. You can savor your breakfast (or brunch on certain boats) while the vessel gently navigates through the stunning rock formations, heading back to the port.

Upon disembarking, our guide and driver will be ready to transport you to Hanoi for your departing flight. Once back on land, we will arrange for your transfer to catch a flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival at the airport, you will embark on a forty-five-minute journey to Hoi An, where you'll check in at the hotel.

Morning or afternoon departure depend on availability

Hoi An, an ancient port town, was established through a blend of various cultures from Vietnam, Japan, China, and Europe. Fortunately, many of the historic structures in this town have been well-preserved, maintaining their original condition, although some are now utilized for commercial purposes. This ensures that travelers can gain a comprehensive understanding of the history and cultural diversity of this remarkable place. Our half-day excursion primarily involves a leisurely stroll.

During our walk, we'll meander through old streets, pass by several historical houses, observe the daily lives of the local inhabitants, and witness the harmonious coexistence of historical elements and modernity in the town. We'll also visit some ancient monuments from other nations, such as the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Fujian Assembly Hall of Chinese origin.

After a bit of walking, quench your thirst and savor the genuine flavors of Hoi An with a refreshing glass of traditional herbal drink from a street-side vendor. If time permits, we may also drop by a handicraft store, where you can witness the creation of some of the most iconic souvenirs in town and even take a few of them back with you.

Following your breakfast, our transportation service will convey you to Da Nang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. After approximately 1.5 hours of flying, you'll arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, where our driver will be ready to transport you to your city center hotel. Check-in at the hotel and enjoy some free time for the remainder of the day.

This morning, you'll embark on a 55-kilometer drive from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi District, renowned for its remarkable network of underground tunnels. These tunnels extend for over 200 kilometers and consist of a central system with numerous interconnected branches leading to hideouts, shelters, and other subterranean passageways. For lunch, you'll have the opportunity to savor traditional noodles.

In the afternoon, you'll immerse yourself in the attractions of Ho Chi Minh City. This will include viewing examples of French colonial architecture and delving into Vietnam's tumultuous history at the Museum. Your guide will lead you to the most intriguing sights that Ho Chi Minh City has to offer.

You'll commence by departing from your hotel to the Reunification Palace, a beautifully preserved residence that once housed the President of the Republic of Vietnam. On April 30th, 1975, this iconic place marked the official end of the American War. Following that, you'll visit Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, which was constructed in 1880, and the Old Post Office, a stunning example of classical French colonial architecture built between 1886 and 1891.

Your final stop will be at a local market, where you can practice your bargaining skills while shopping for souvenirs and immerse yourself in the local way of life and culture. Here, you'll encounter some of the most friendly, vibrant, and hospitable people in the city. Following this eventful day, you'll return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and have free time for the remainder of the day. You'll spend the night in Saigon.

Following breakfast at your hotel, we set out for the Cai Be market. Before reaching the heart of the Cai Be market, our car will make a stop at the Cai Be Cao Dai Oratories, a symbol of local religious uniqueness. From there, you'll be transferred to tourist boats for a visit to the rice floating market in An Cu commune, Cai Be district. This is the largest rice trade market in the southwestern region of Vietnam, where you'll have the opportunity to engage with the traders and gain insights into their daily lives.

Our journey continues to the ancient village of Dong Hoa Hiep commune and the Cai Be floating market. After leaving the floating market, the tourist boats will take you to Tan Phong islet, where you'll visit the Hai Yen bee farm. Here, you can explore a large flower garden where bees produce honey, enjoy fresh honey tea, and learn more about the life of bees. You'll also have the chance to visit the Linhzhi mushroom area, try your hand at catching fish with your feet, and experience crossing the monkey bridges.

Next, you'll visit Ms. Hang's orchard and savor fruits picked by yourself, all while listening to Vietnamese folk music. Afterward, you'll hop into a rowing boat and navigate through a small canal. Your journey then takes you to the Mekong Eco restaurant, where you'll participate in cooking and enjoy lunch.

After your meal, you'll cycle to Ms. Ba's house to learn the art of making rice paper, which is used in various spring roll dishes. Then, you'll continue to Ms. Sau's house to observe the process of crafting banana hammocks from the rope made of dried banana leaves. You'll also visit Ms. Muoi, an elderly woman, to witness the method of making nipa leaves used as roofing for traditional Vietnamese houses. Upon bidding farewell to Ms. Muoi, you'll cycle to Thao's house to learn how to weave water hyacinth and even create your own handmade gift with the guidance of Ms. Thao. Finally, you'll return to Mekong Ecolodge for some rest.

At around 4:30 p.m., you'll have the opportunity to experience the Hiep Duc ferry boat alongside the local people as you cross the Tien River, and our car will pick you up on the opposite side. You'll spend the night in Saigon.

You have free time on your hands before your departure, and you're welcome to participate in our optional and engaging excursions both within and around Ho Chi Minh City. One of the options is our "Good Morning Saigon!" tour. It's important to be aware that the hotel's standard check-out time is 12:00. If you wish to extend your stay, a late check-out can be arranged, depending on room availability, and an additional fee will be incurred.

When you're ready to head to the airport in Ho Chi Minh City for your onward flight, we will provide the transfer service. Your tour concludes upon your arrival at the airport.