Let’s start a busy day with many interesting activities and visits that can’t be missed when you are with family in Hanoi.
 
First, we visit the Van Phuc Village, an over century-old craft village renowned for its traditional silk weaving techniques and high-quality products. Learn all about the village and people during a walk around while observing the process of making beautiful fabric paintings of Vietnamese scenes of daily life from silk scraps. 
 
Visit a local workshop, located inside the heart of the village, which helps the villagers export silk products and is also a vocational school for disabled people.  Have a chat with some local artisans to see how they make beautiful fabric paintings of Vietnamese scenes of daily life from silk scraps. Experience a hands-on demonstration of how to create your own designs from leftover silk scraps under the guidance of local skillful artisans and take it home as a unique souvenir. 
 
Second, on the way back to downtown, spend a fascinating hour with a family of musicians that owns a mini-museum with a collection of more than 200 traditional Vietnamese musical instruments of ethnic minority groups, representing the effort of an exemplary artist over half a century ago. Meet with the artist and his wife to learn about traditional musical instruments and listen to wonderful melodies from bamboo, or stone and find out how to play and share music passion with the family members. 
 
Drive back to downtown for more sightseeing. Visit Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, the Temple of Literature & Vietnam’s first university, constructed in the 11th century.
 
Next, explore local life along the train tracks: Every day, the trains pass through what otherwise functions as a narrow alley in this residential area, a normal routine for people who live here. Make a stop at a vintage coffee shop, where you sit on very small chairs, as is the special style of Hanoi, while watching the train passing by (the guide will advise you the best time to visit based on the train schedule). This allows you to feel the contrast between the old and modern vibes of this city.
 
End the day with an hour of cyclo tour in the Old Quarter. Sit back and relax while your driver weaves through the busy streets, dodging speeding motorbikes and rolling past the Old Streets. Stop at Hoan Kiem Lake to learn about the legend of the lake.
 
Accommodation: in Hanoi.
Meal: Breakfast

Morning departure from downtown Hanoi for a scenic drive southwest to Mai Chau that is famed for its splendid scenery of mountains and valleys surrounded by lush green landscapes.
 
Driving through Mai Chau town to Mai Hich Village, inhabited by the White Thai people, where the traditional lifestyle and customs have been preserved despite the rapid development of exterior modern society. Check-into your homestay where a homemade lunch is ready for you.
 
This afternoon is time for exploring surrounding areas. Enjoy a leisure walk going through lush corn and rice fields with opportunities to stop and observe the daily activities of local farmers. End this peaceful afternoon with a rafting journey, floating along a tranquil stream and learn how to paddle and steer your handcrafted raft the traditional way.
 
Return to your homestay with the evening at your leisure. Enjoy dinner with local specialties and learn more about local traditions and customs from the residents.
 
Accommodation: Homestay in Mai Hich Village.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner 

This morning, after being awakened by the sounds of nature, hop on a bicycle and ride leisurely around the village to capture picturesque landscapes and enjoy the relaxing rhythm of local life. Your guide will facilitate chats with local hill tribe people to learn about their daily lives including planting rice, vegetables, herding buffaloes etc.
Continuing our journey to Puluong Retreat which lies 500 meters above sea level, the beautiful retreat is a truly relaxing escape with its captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting.
 
Lunch served at the lodge upon your arrival.
 
This afternoon, get close to the rural life of local people by walking downhill and uphill passing through lush terraced fields and breathtaking mountains. Engage with locals for a glimpse into their daily farming activities. Return to your retreat and spend the remainder of the day free at your leisure.
 
Accommodation: Pu Luong Retreat
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
 
Note:
Hiking grade: Easy, 5km (uphill and downhill)

This morning, you will start early to descend into the beautiful valley facing the Retreat and wander along the small and winding mountain roads which will take you to the hidden Uoi Village, located at the base of a towering mountain and in the middle of the forest.
 
Wind your way to Lan Village where you will hop on your bicycle for an easy ride through farmland, villages, wild fields, ponds, rivers and mountains. Stop along the way to have a chat with local villagers for an overview about their traditional customs and culture.  Notice the ever-changing scenery as you travel through the beautiful spots of the region.
After lunch with local specialties, transfer back to Hanoi by private vehicle.
 
Accommodation: in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
 
Note:
Hiking grade: Easy, 3-4km (uphill and downhill)
Cycling grade:  Easy 3km

After breakfast, check out of your room and you will be picked up by your private driver, depart for HaLong Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site – where thousands of spectacular limestone islets and grottoes rise from the clear emerald Gulf of Tonkin. Upon arrival at the port, proceed checking in. Enjoy a welcome drink on board before having lunch. Use the time to relax while the ship is cruising through many rocky islets, floating villages and small beaches. Visit a floating fishing village, talk and meet with local villagers prior to your swimming or free time on your own on the sundeck. Dinner would be ready at the time the ship anchors at a quiet assigned overnight area.
 
Accommodation: on board in HaLong Bay.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
 
Note: Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions or local administration regulations.

Awaken early and join the Tai Chi session on the sundeck or enjoy the breathtaking views of the bay while the ship cruises leisurely.
Enjoy a cave excursion after breakfast, then go back to your cabin to freshen up and check out of your room. A brunch will be served on board while cruising toward the pier and disembarking around early noon.
Your vehicle is ready to take you straight to the airport for a flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to Hoi An town.
 
Accommodation: in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch or brunch. 

This morning is filled with interesting activities. Setting off from your hotel, a motorbike driver will take you to the Hoi An rural area to visit a traditional boat building workshop, as well as local families producing local crafts such as mat weaving and rice crackers. Chat with friendly locals about their daily lives as well as their farming work; and why not hands-on for your own interesting experience? Zig-zag ride through peaceful villages, going by rice paddies and farmlands, you will arrive at the water coconut river to take a bamboo basket rowboat, and lastly, experience Hoi An street food for lunch. Your colorful experiences are really painted!
 
In the afternoon, explore Hoi An Ancient Town, including the rich architectural fusion of a 300 year-old Chinese temple, a 400 year-old Japanese covered bridge, a 200 year-old Vietnamese former merchant home influenced by visiting Hoi An’s narrow streets where each house façade is adorned with lanterns. End the afternoon with a visit to a home of local craftsman where you will learn how to create or decorate a lantern and take it home as a souvenir
 
In the evening, we suggest that you join the unique public activity at the outdoor stage along the Hoai River nightly: Bai Choi singing, a folk music genre practiced in Vietnam’s central region, has been added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Firstly, learn the rules of the game and you are invited to join the performance or just be part of the audience.
 
Accommodation: in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy your spare time in Hoi An. Leave for  Da Nang Airport for an afternoon flight to Phu Quoc Island, a paradise for a stunning beach vacation.
On arrival, be welcomed by our local driver and go to your beach resort for relaxation.
Overnight on Phu Quoc Island  
 
Current flight schedule:
VNA direct flight is scheduled on every Tue, Thu, Fri and Sun.
VJC direct flight is scheduled on every Wed, Fri, and Sun.

Accommodation: on Phu Quoc Island
Meal: Breakfast
 
 
OPTIONAL: Snorkeling and Fishing Tour
This morning, head out to Duong Dong Pier to catch a boat and cruise north along the coastline where you will likely only catch small fish but will certainly enjoy the experience and ocean scenery. Continue onto Turtle Island for swimming or snorkeling to explore the fascinating sounds of the ocean and take in the pristine beauty of the underwater coral reef kingdom. Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch on board while the boat heads to the pristine Bang Thang Beach where you can spend some time relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, or sunbathing on the white sand beach. At the end of the day, cruise back to the mainland. 
 
Notes:
Tour duration: 7.5-8 hours (08.30-16.30)
The tour is subject to weather condition
The tour is suspended during the rainy season from May to October

Accommodation: on Phu Quoc Island
Meal: Breakfast
 
OPTIONAL: Islands and Snorkeling Tour
Today, transfer to the An Thoi Pier for a relaxing cruise across the Gulf of Thailand. Enjoy snorkeling and fishing at the two most beautiful spots to discover the vivid coral and diverse marine life, including a large variety of nudibranchs, shrimp, crabs and cowries. Relax on white sand and turquoise water and then transfer back to the mainland at the end of the day. 
Notes:

Take a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). On arrival, you will be picked up by our guide and transferred to the city for a sightseeing tour which offers a good mix of both famous attractions and less known markets and sites of this vibrant, fast-paced city. Head out to visit the Central Post office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Reunification Palace. Next, you will visit a local food market, flowers market, and a local residence to experience local life. Evening is your free time to relax or explore the hustle and bustle of the city's nightlife.
 
Accommodation: in Ho Chi Minh City
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, you will head out to the Cu Chi tunnels, through urbanized areas and a typically lush southern Vietnamese countryside. The tunnel complex was dug in 1948 for the guerrillas to hide from French air and ground sweeps. It also served as communication routes and food and weapon caches as well as hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the American war. Visit the underground villages to better understand the tunnels’ history, life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese’s resilience during the combats.
 
After discovering the Cu Chi Tunnels, our guide will bring you to a local farm where you will learn about feeding crickets and how local people prepare special dishes from crickets. Green tea to be served by your friendly host, and you are invited to taste some cricket spring rolls. Such a fun way to experience local life!
Go back to your hotel for relaxing.
 
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast, cricket snack