Days 1 | Saigon
Upon arrival in Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam, clear immigration, and transfer to the hotel for some rest.
Accommodation in Saigon at the Grand Hotel (5-star) or similar

Day 2 | Saigon
After breakfast, embark on a tour of Cho Lon, also known as “Chinatown,” in Saigon. Explore the market streets in this part of the city and visit the temples that reflect the cultural blend of Chinese and Vietnamese influences in this unique area. Visit the War Museum, a must-see site showcasing special exhibits and impressive photos from the Vietnam War. Explore the post office designed by Alfred Eiffel and stroll along Dong Khoi Street, representing the last two centuries in Vietnam, from the colonial period through the communist era to the turbulent 21st century. In the afternoon, enjoy a special tour riding on traditional scooters through the non-tourist neighborhoods of Saigon, where you can meet the authentic residents of the city. Visit local markets and street food stalls in District 4, District 10, and District 8, away from the touristy areas. Wander through market streets and authentic neighborhoods of the districts. Stay with local families, where you can learn about the lives of the city’s residents and the challenges they face in the changing and developing Vietnamese society.
Accommodation in Saigon

Day 3 | Delta of the Mekong
Explore the Delta of the Mekong, an area filled with lush greenery, exotic fruit orchards, and expansive rice fields. Witness the local trade in small boats navigating the mighty Mekong River. Visit local workshops processing coconuts and producing bricks, among other activities. Take a boat trip to Ben Tre, the most authentic town in the Delta. Upon arrival in Ben Tre, embark on an exclusive cruise on the Apricot Cruise, a boat tour developed by the “Dragon Path” to reach the heart of the authentic delta. During the cruise, interact with the local population, and visit local workshops processing coconut products and making bricks. Explore various modes of transportation, including tuk-tuks, large boats, and small rowing boats. Stay with a local family that owns a tropical fruit plantation and learn about life in the Mekong Delta. If possible, meet a veteran of the Vietnam War who will share memories from that time. After the cruise, continue the journey through the landscapes of the Mekong Delta until reaching the large city of Can Tho. Take a short tour of the city, enjoy dinner, and stay at the hotel.
Accommodation in Can Tho at the Sheraton Hotel (5-star) or similar

Day 4 | Can Tho to Chau Doc
Wake up early for an enchanting tour of the floating market Cai Rang, then continue our journey through the landscapes of the southern Mekong Delta, along the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Arrive in Chau Doc, a city located on the border of Vietnam and Cambodia. Explore the Cham minority village, originating from Cambodia, and one of the great secrets of southern Vietnam – the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary with its green cajuput forest. Continue to Sam Mountain for a pilgrimage, then head to our charming hotel situated on the mountain with breathtaking views of the Mekong Delta.
Accommodation in Chau Doc at the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel (boutique hotel) or similar

Day 5 | Chau Doc to Phnom Penh and onward flight to Siem Reap
Depart in the morning for a journey to the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, take a flight to the capital of the Khmer Empire and the most important and impressive archaeological site in Asia (arguably the world) – the ruins of Angkor. These ruins have given rise to the rebuilt settlement that became the city of Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, transfer to the hotel for dinner.
Accommodation in Siem Reap at the Borei Angkor Hotel (boutique hotel) or similar

Day 6 | Siem Reap
After breakfast, we will embark on a tour of Ta Prohm Temple, where the jungle meets the remnants of Angkor city. The sight of the tree roots enveloping the temple ruins is one of the most iconic in all of Angkor’s sites. We will explore the depths of the temple, witnessing the intersection of nature and human creation, seemingly crafted for each other. From there, we’ll proceed to the stone terraces of the leper king and the Terrace of the Elephants. We’ll visit Banteay Kdei Temple, one of the few Hindu temples in the area, and the Srah Srang reservoir, where we’ll learn about Angkor’s marvelous water system. In the afternoon, we’ll head to the southern gate of Angkor Thom and visit the Bayon Temple, known for its crowned faces and impressive stone carvings.
Accommodation in Siem Reap

Day 7 | Siem Reap and Flight to Hanoi
After breakfast, we’ll explore the Tonle Sap Lake, where the Mekong River expands into a lake up to 100 km wide. We’ll take a boat ride on the lake, stopping for lunch in one of the nearby villages. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Angkor Wat, one of the world’s largest temples. We’ll walk along its impressive stone carvings and climb to the top for a panoramic view (if possible). We’ll wait for sunset to see the temple’s towers reflected in the surrounding water. Later, we’ll head to the airport for a flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, we’ll take a traditional Vietnamese cyclo (bike taxi) ride to our hotel.
Accommodation in Hanoi at the Melia Hotel (5-star) or similar

Day 8 | Hanoi
In the morning, we’ll visit a small hidden market not known to tourists, exploring the local life, similar to a journey through a time tunnel. We’ll then tour the complex dedicated to the great Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, his modest stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda. For lunch, we’ll indulge in Hanoi’s street food, a highlight of Aharoni and Gidi’s Dragon Trail. We’ll learn about various dishes and taste street food specialties, each with its own fascinating story. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Temple of Literature, which served as the Confucian university during the imperial era. The special day will conclude with an authentic performance of a ceremony from Vietnamese folk religion, a unique experience not typically witnessed by tourists.
Accommodation in Hanoi

Day 9 | Hanoi to Cat Ba
After breakfast, we’ll visit the Vinh Phuc Market, accompanied by a Vietnamese master chef finalist. We’ll explore the market, learn about the origins of various foods, and understand the unique tastes characterized by abundant herbs rarely found elsewhere. From the market, we’ll head to Hon Gai City, located near the entrance to one of the world’s famous sites, Halong Bay. Upon arrival at the pier, we’ll board a boat that will take us on a less-explored route through Halong Bay. We’ll witness breathtaking views of thousands of islands scattered in the open sea, engaging in the bustling activity of fishermen in their boats. We’ll continue the journey until we reach our destination for the day, Cat Ba Island. Upon arrival, we’ll take a walk to enjoy the karst landscape, followed by a scenic drive along the sea to our resort, located in front of the stunning islands.
Accommodation in Cat Ba at the Flamingo Resort (5-star) or similar

Day 10 | Lan Ha Bay and Halong
Despite extensive development, Cat Ba Island still offers a one-time opportunity to experience the daily lives of the fishermen populating Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay. We’ll embark on local small boats to visit a whole fishing village, where everyone lives in houses overlooking their boats, joyous gardens, and social services. All of this against the backdrop of the stunning bay. We’ll return to the hotel and depart for the northern coast of the island for our final experience of the trip—a sleepover cruise ship in the waters of Lan Ha Bay. We’ll take a boat ride among the rocks emerging from the emerald waters, where we’ll swim in the bay’s pleasant waters and enjoy our private ship. We’ll end the day with dinner on the boat.
Accommodation on a deluxe cruise ship

Day 11 | Halong Bay to Hanoi
We’ll wake up to see the sunrise over the enchanting bay, away from the typical tourist and affirming the charm of the tourist boats. We’ll start the morning with a kayaking excursion to one of Lan Ha Bay’s magical lagoons, followed by a visit to one of the beaches for swimming and enjoyment of the bay’s pleasant waters. We’ll return to the ship for organization and lunch, bidding farewell to the magical bay. We’ll head to Hanoi, where we’ll complete our city tour and enjoy a special dinner.
Accommodation in Hanoi

Day 12 | Hanoi to China Border
In the early morning, we’ll embark on a journey to one of the most special places in northern Vietnam, Tho Ha Island, renowned for its production of rice paper, a crucial ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. We’ll cross the island by ferry, explore its unique market, and witness the authentic daily life of the locals in the simple stalls selling local products. Tho Ha Island is a center to produce rice papers, essential in Vietnamese cuisine. We’ll stroll among the village houses, visit one of the homes to try making rice paper and listen to the unique local songs. We’ll conclude the visit to the island and continue a long journey until we reach Lao Cai, the border town between Vietnam and China. There, we’ll pass through the border formalities and enter the Yunnan province of China, heading to the town of He Kou, “Gateway to the River,” according to direct translation. Upon arrival, we’ll take a short tour of the town and settle into our beautiful hotel.
Accommodation in He Kou at the Xin he Wan Resort (5-star) or similar

Day 13 | Hekou to Yuanyang
After breakfast, we embark on a breathtaking journey along the “Red River,” which separates China and Vietnam. We’ll travel along mountain ridges covered with banana and pineapple plantations, stopping at fruit stalls and villages along the way until we reach the town of Yuanyang. From there, we’ll start a climb towards the mountainous path to the village of Xian Jie, our home, for the next few days. Gradually, the magnificent, terraced landscapes will unfold before our eyes.
Upon reaching the hotel, we’ll immediately set out to explore the western part of the world’s largest terraced basin. We’ll walk along the path to the village of Qingkou, the largest and most representative village of the Hani minority, which is crucial in creating this human-made wonder. We’ll continue to various viewpoints along the way leading to Laohuzui, one of the major terraced centers in the region and one of the largest in the world. Getting off the bus, we’ll walk amidst the glittering terraces bathed in sunlight, waiting for the magical moments of sunset over the terraces, and then return to our hotel for the night.
Accommodation in Yuanyang

Day 14 | Yuanyang and the “Long Table” Festival
The endless ocean of terraces, stretching between two towns and dozens of villages, is collectively known as the Yuanyang Rice Terraces. On this day, we’ll set out to uncover the immense beauty of this region.
We’ll continue our journey along the stunning landscapes of the Yuanyang Rice Terraces until we reach a small hidden village where we’ll celebrate the annual “Long Table” Festival (Chang Jie). The festival attracts tens of thousands of ethnic minorities, all dressed in their traditional costumes, celebrating with traditional ceremonies, music, and endless dance parades.
In the afternoon, we’ll return to Yuanyang to explore more terraced areas and witness the sunset from a different perspective.
Accommodation in Yuanyang

Day 15 | Yuanyang to Jianshui
We’ll start the morning early with a trip to the most famous sunrise spot in this part of the world, Duoyishu. This spot attracts hundreds and thousands of photographers every year trying to capture the magic moment when the sun’s rays hit the endless rice terraces, changing their colors every few seconds. On our way back, we’ll pass through the Bada terraces, the largest concentration of terraces in the world. Then, we’ll visit a vibrant local market, predominantly inhabited by the Yi minority.
Afterward, we’ll head to the ancient town of Jianshui, one of the hidden and enchanting gems of Yunnan province. This ancient town, crucial to the “Southern Silk Road” during the 13th-15th centuries, has preserved its elegant and charming architecture to this day. We’ll wander through the ancient town, surrounded by well-preserved city walls, central sites, and charming streets.
Our day will begin with a walking tour of the Confucius Temple (Wen Miao), the second largest in the world. Here, we’ll learn about the thinking system that guided China for 2,500 years and is still influential today. We’ll continue to explore the hidden villages in the hills around the city, with their well-preserved ancient houses. We’ll end our tour in the town, from where we’ll continue our journey to the major city of Yunnan province, Kunming. Upon arrival, we’ll take a short city tour and have a concluding dinner before heading to our hotel.
Accommodation in Jianshui at Lin An 5-star hotel or similar

Day 16 | Jianshui to Guangzhou and Departure
In the morning, we’ll continue to explore the various sites in Jianshui. Afterward, we’ll embark on a long journey to Kunming Airport for a short flight to the major city of Guangzhou. There, we’ll enjoy an evening meal before returning to the airport for our flight back home.

The Price Include:

• Domestic flights as detailed in the itinerary (Saigon-Siem Reap // Siem Reap-Hanoi // Kunming-Guangzhou)
• Accommodation in 5-4 stars hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis
• Accommodation in a luxurious sleeping boat in Halong Bay
• Full board, all meals (except on days when there is a lunchtime flight) including a bottle of water per person during the meal
• All the sites and shows that are written in the program, including entrance fees
• English/French-speaking local guides accompany the trip
• Travel in an air-conditioned bus
• Mineral water on the bus

The Price does not Include:

• International Flight
• Vietnam entry visa (from 50 dollars) [Needed depending on nationality]
• Cambodia entry visa (about 30 dollars) – will be made upon arrival in Cambodia and will be paid there
• China entry visa – $115 in cash to be paid at the border crossing
• Tips for service providers
• Meals that are not included in the itinerary
• Drinks during meals
• Personal expenses (shopping, etc.)
• personal insurance
• Everything that is not under the section “The Price Include”