Vietnam: Power & Culture Expedition in 13 Days

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you’ll be welcomed by our tour director and transferred to your hotel in the center of Hanoi city. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll receive a brief orientation covering cultural norms, local customs, and safety tips to help you settle in comfortably. Check in to your hotel.
If time permits, enjoy a leisurely walk around the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake, a peaceful green space in the city center, and visit Ngoc Son Temple, located on a small island accessible by the red-painted Huc Bridge.
In the evening, gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant—your first taste of Vietnamese cuisine.
Meals: Dinner.
 

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before setting out to explore some of Hanoi’s cultural and historical landmarks.
Begin with a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university, dating back to the 11th century. Next, pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum for an exterior view and learn about the surrounding area, including Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence in 1945.
Enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant featuring traditional Vietnamese dishes.
Continue your journey to a traditional water puppet village on the outskirts of Hanoi. Watch a live puppet show—an art form that dates back nearly 1,000 years—then take part in a hands-on workshop, where you'll learn basic puppeteering techniques and try making your own small puppet to take home.
Return to the hotel. Take time to relax.
Enjoy a dinner together, then spend your evening exploring Hanoi’s bustling streets, soak in the city's vibrant night atmosphere.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch.
 

After breakfast at the hotel, depart Hanoi and head northwest toward Hoa Binh Province, known for its scenic mountains and hydroelectric development.
Your first stop is the Hoa Binh Dam, one of Vietnam’s largest sources of renewable energy. Join a guided visit with an expert who will explain how the dam operates and contributes to the country’s power grid.
Afterward, board a boat for a peaceful upstream cruise. A light lunch will be served on board, offering a relaxing break in nature.
Disembark and continue by road to Mai Chau Valley, home to the Thai ethnic minority. Surrounded by rice paddies and stilt-house villages.
In the evening, enjoy a home-cooked dinner and take part in a traditional Thai dance performance, often accompanied by lively music and bamboo dancing. Overnight in Mai Chau.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner.
 

Wake up to the peaceful sounds of the countryside, enjoy a breakfast and hop on a guided cycling tour through the valley’s green rice fields and small villages. This is a great opportunity to observe local life. After a morning of exploration, take a break for lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, continue your journey to the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, known for its terraced fields, forested hills, and quiet charm. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge or eco-retreat, then take some time to relax and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
End the day with dinner at your accommodation, overnight in Pu Luong.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch.
 

Start your day with a hearty breakfast before setting off on a morning trek through the stunning landscapes of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Your route will take you through local villages, passing rice terraces, bamboo forests, and remote hamlets.
Along the way, you’ll interact with local families and observe how they live in harmony with nature.
After the trek, enjoy a well-deserved lunch in the village.
In the afternoon, transfer by to Ninh Binh, a province famous for its karst landscapes and historic sites. Arrive by late afternoon and check in to your hotel, where you’ll have time to rest and recharge.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner.
 

Begin your day with a sampan boat trip through the breathtaking Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its limestone karsts, winding rivers, and spiritual landmarks.
Next, head to Mua Cave, where a climb of nearly 500 steps leads to a stunning panoramic viewpoint over the Tam Coc valley and surrounding rice fields.
After a local lunch, board your bus and continue your journey to Halong City.
Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy some free time to walk along the beach or relax with views of Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s most iconic coastal landscapes.
Overnight in Halong City.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch.
 

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the harbor and board your Halong Bay cruise—a highlight of the journey. As the boat sails across this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will visit famous spots such as:
•    Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) – one of the largest and most beautiful caves in the bay
•    Titov Island – with time to swim or climb to the island’s viewpoint
•    Luon Cave – where you’ll enjoy a short kayaking experience or take a bamboo boat through a quiet lagoon
A lunch will be served on board while you cruise between the limestone cliffs.
In the afternoon, return to the harbor and transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, a private transfer will take you to your hotel in Hoi An, where you can settle in and rest after a full day.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch.
 

Wake up and get ready for one of the most exciting days of the journey—a perfect mix of exploration and fun!
Start the morning with a guided cycling tour through the charming streets of Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ride through lantern-lit alleys, pass by old merchant houses.
Midday, enjoy free time for lunch—don’t miss trying a local favorite, Banh Mi Hoi An, known across Vietnam for its unique flavor and fresh ingredients.
In the afternoon, transfer to VinWonders Hoi An, a large theme and water park offering thrilling water slides, pools, games, and cultural shows. It's a chance to relax, have fun, and bond with classmates after days of travel and exploration.
Return to your hotel in Hoi An in the evening and free at your own for rest of the day.
Meals: Breakfast.
 

Spend your morning enjoying the beautiful beaches of Hoi An. Take part in fun group activities like beach volleyball, beach soccer, or simply relax, swim, and soak up the sun with your friends.
Return to the hotel to freshen up and check out, followed by a group lunch.
Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport for your flight to Can Tho, the heart of the Mekong Delta.
Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and get settled before gathering for dinner, ready to begin your Mekong adventure the next day.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner.
 

After breakfast at the hotel, depart Can Tho and head south to Bac Lieu, home to Vietnam’s largest coastal wind power plant. You’ll have the chance to observe the turbines up close and meet with a local engineer, who will explain how the system works, the challenges and advantages of coastal wind farm development, and how renewable energy helps reduce Vietnam’s reliance on fossil fuels while supporting energy security and economic growth.
It's also a good spot for an impressive photo opportunity.
After the visit, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, sampling regional dishes from the Mekong Delta.
In the afternoon, continue your journey to Ben Tre. Upon arrival, check in to a local homestay and experience warm, rural hospitality.
Later in the day, take part in a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class, where you’ll prepare a traditional dinner with your hosts using fresh, local ingredients. It’s a fun and meaningful way to connect with local life and end the day together.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner.
 

In the morning, board a local boat and begin your exploration of the Mekong Delta’s winding canals. Cruise through the peaceful waterways, pass floating houses, and stop to visit a fruit orchard, where you can sample fresh tropical fruits and learn about local agriculture.
Continue your journey with a visit to a coconut candy workshop, where you'll see how this sweet local treat is made—from husking coconuts to hand-wrapping each piece.
Enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant, featuring regional specialties.
In the afternoon, transfer by bus to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch.
 

After breakfast, begin your day with a guided tour of some of Ho Chi Minh City’s most iconic landmarks. Highlights include:
•    The historic Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel, with its beautiful colonial architecture.
•    Notre-Dame Cathedral, an emblem of the city’s French colonial past.
•    The impactful War Remnants Museum, which offers insight into the Vietnam War from multiple perspectives.
After the tour, enjoy a free afternoon at leisure. You can explore nearby cafes, shop for souvenirs at Ben Thanh Market, or relax at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast/ Dinner.
 

After breakfast at the hotel, depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your return flight home.
Meals: Breakfast.