Vietnam Highlands and Lakes 15 Days / 14 Nights

In the morning, explore the Ho Chi Minh complex, where you will see the former leader’s Mausoleum and the house on stilts where he lived. Visit the unique One Pillar Pagoda and proceed to the Temple of Literature, a tranquil sanctuary that was the first university of Vietnam. Admire the architecture and the gardens of this cultural treasure.

Stroll through the ancient streets of the Old Quarter that are full of history and poetry, and admire the old cafes and galleries that showcase the unparalleled elegance of Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

Depart from Hanoi and travel through the northern mountains to the countryside of green fields and tea plantations. Head to Ba Be Lake, the largest natural lake in Vietnam, located in Bac Kan province, about 240 km northeast of Hanoi. On the way, stop at the Thai Nguyen Minority and Culture Museum and learn more about the lifestyles and traditions of the various ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. 

Have lunch at a local restaurant and then continue your journey. 

Arrive at the lake in the afternoon and enjoy some relaxing time before having a delicious dinner of local food. Spend the night in a traditional stilt house with a Tay minority family.

Overnight in Ba Be

Ba Be is one of the most beautiful national parks in Viet Nam, with its rich wildlife, plants and scenic lake. It is also a place where you can find peace and tranquility. 

After breakfast at around 8:30am, join your tour guide for a trek to Pac Ngoi Village, where the people live by fishing and farming rice and corn on the land of Soi Bai. Taker a look at the stilt houses along the stream and then cycle to the area of the Tay ethnic village to explore a stunning cave in the mountain. Continue your journey by bike to Hua Ma cave and Silk Waterfall, which are about 5 km away. Cool off by swimming in the water like the local kids. Enjoy a picnic lunch next to the waterfall. 

In the afternoon, return the bikes, walk around the lake and admire the sunset. Visit the local markets to buy some souvenirs and take a boat back to the homestay. Have dinner and spend the night in the village.

Overnight Ba Be

Have breakfast at the homestay and then check out and leave your bags in the car. You will only need your camera for today’s adventure. Board a private boat and cruise through the three connected lakes of Ba Be, which means The Three Bays. Proceed to the Nang River and enjoy the wildlife along the banks. Reach the amazing Puong Cave, which is a huge tunnel carved by the river over millions of years. The cave is 300m long and 30m high and has many stalactites and stalagmites. Continue your boat trip to a small Tay village and learn about their culture and lifestyle. 

Drive back to Hanoi and arrive around 5pm. The rest of the day is free to explore the Old Quarter, shop for souvenirs or relax at the hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi

In the morning, drive to Halong bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with stunning natural beauty. Its name means “The Descending Dragons” in Vietnamese. The bay features more than a thousand islands of limestone that jut out of the sea, and some of them have incredible caves within. 

Arrive at the pier, board the cruise and start exploring this amazing bay. Enjoy a wonderful journey among the surreal islands in the calm emerald green waters. 

At night, you will anchor on the bay and savor a delicious seafood dinner on board.

Overnight on board

Note: the Halong itinerary may vary depending on the latest cruise itineraries

Start your day early in the morning with coffee and tea on the sundeck, along with a Tai Chi class. After breakfast, keep exploring the bay and some of its many caves. 

Lunch is served on board as you head back to the docks. 

After disembarkation, continue to the Do temple in Bac Ninh Province, admire the ancient architecture and learn about the history of the Ly dynasty. 

Later, head to the airport for a short flight to Danang. Upon arrival and pickup by your tour guide and driver, transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An

Spend a full day exploring the ancient town of Hoi An, a former trading hub on the Thu Bon River. Hoi An has a rich history of cultural exchange and commerce, dating back to the Cham civilization from the 2nd to the 10th century. Later, it became a popular destination for merchants and missionaries from various countries, such as India, China, Japan, Portugal, France, and more. They left their mark on the architecture and culture of Hoi An, creating a unique blend of influences. Today, Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a charming place to explore. 

Start with the Japanese covered bridge, a symbol of Hoi An that was built in the 16th century by the Japanese community to connect with the Chinese quarter. Then, visit the Phuc Kien assembly hall, a beautiful temple that was founded by the Fujian Chinese in the 17th century to worship their ancestors and gods. Proceed to the Phung Hung old mansion, a typical example of Hoi An’s architecture that combines Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese elements. The house is over 200 years old and has been preserved by eight generations of the same family. Later, pay a visit to the Hoi An museum (either the Sa Huynh museum or the Ceramic museum) and learn more about the history, culture, and art of Hoi An. 

In the afternoon, stroll leisurely in the old town, soak up the atmosphere, learn more about its unique culture, shop for tailor-made clothing, shoes, lanterns, and food, or just relax on the beach

Overnight in Hoi An

Drive to Pleiku, a place known for its volcanic crater and the old battlefields. On the way, stop to see the Wooden Church, a nearly 100-year-old building that combines the local and western culture in its design. Visit the Bishop’s House, Orphanage, Bana Village – the home of one of the first minority groups in Central Highlands – and see their unique Rong house, Iron Suspension bridge, and Kon Tum Prison. 

Check in at your hotel and have some free time to explore the town at night.

Overnight in Pleiku

Explore Bien Ho Lake, the largest and most beautiful fresh water lake in Tay Nguyen also known as ‘the ocean on the mountain’, ‘the jade stone’ or ‘the eye’ of Pleiku. Then drive through a pepper farm and rubber plantation to Buon Ma Thuot, the place where the biggest coffee plantations in Vietnam are located.

Overnight in Buon Ma Thuot

In the morning, drive to Yok Don National Park where you will have a unique opportunity to observe three Yok Don elephants in their natural environment. These elephants used to be exploited for tourism, but now they are free to roam and enjoy their lives in the forest. Follow them from a safe distance and learn about their personalities, backgrounds and history from your local tour guide. The guide will also share the stories and traditions of the ethnic minorities who have a close relationship with the elephants. Get to know the rich biodiversity of the park, including the plants and animals that inhabit it. With a bit of luck, discover some traces of the rare wild elephants that live in the park, such as footprints, feeding signs or droppings. 

Continue to the Elephant Conservation Centre and learn more about the efforts to protect and care for these magnificent animals. 

Have lunch on the spot and then proceed to Don village, a historical and cultural site. See the Bamboo bridge, a 100-year-old stilt house, and the grave of N’Thu Knul, a leader of his tribe who tamed many wild elephants and gave a rare white one to the Thai Royal Family. The Thai King honored him with the title of Khunjunob, “the lord of elephant catchers”.

At the end of the day, drive back to hotel.

Overnight in Buon Ma Thuot

Begin your day by driving to Lak Lake, one of the largest and most scenic natural lakes in the Highlands. The lake is surrounded by mountains and home to the Mnong ethnic group, who have their own distinctive culture and architecture. Enjoy the beauty of the lake, take a ride on a traditional dug-out canoe, and watch how the locals fish in their own way. 

Later take a boat and visit some of the villages where the Hmong ethnic minority people live, such as Jun, Mlieng and Le. Learn about their lifestyle, customs and traditions. 

Continue to Dalat, a charming city that was once a French hill station. Dalat is known as the “Town of Eternal Spring” because of its pleasant climate and abundant flowers. On the way, pass by coffee plantations and pine forests, and stop to visit some of the attractions, such as the Prenn Falls and the Thousand Flowers Valley. Admire the old French villas that dot the city.

Overnight in Dalat

In the morning, visit the Tuyen Lam Lake and the Truc Lam Pagoda, which can be reached by a cable car (optional). Then explore the Valley of Love, a romantic and scenic spot. 

Leave this cool mountain town and take a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City, also known and often referred to by its traditional name Saigon, the southern metropolis that used to be known as “The Pearl of the East”.

Overnight in Saigon

Start your day with a visit to the War Remnants Museum which displays the history and consequences of the wars in Vietnam. The museum is a member of the International Network of Museums for Peace and was established on September 4, 1975. Next, visit the Reunification Palace as well as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office, two iconic examples of French colonial architecture. The Post Office was built between 1877 and 1883 by Gustave Eiffel, the renowned designer of the tower in Paris that proudly bears his name. To honor the city’s Chinese heritage, pay a visit to Thien Hau Pagoda, a temple built in 1863 by the Chinese community of Saigon and dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, and the Cho Lon market, a bustling place to shop for local goods. 

Overnight in Saigon

Enjoy some free time until transfer to the airport for your outbound flight.