14 Days Vietnam Highlights Hiking Tour from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi –  Vietnam ( D )

Arrival in the morning. Upon arrival in Hanoi, we are greeted by our guide and chauffeured to our hotel. In the afternoon we have the first opportunity to get to know the lively capital of Hanoi. We visit the ethnological museum, and the temple of literature and take a stroll into Hanoi’s famous old town. In the evening, we enjoy our first dinner together in a local restaurant.

Day Trip

Driving time: approx. 40.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel 3*

Day 2: Hanoi Drive to Mai Chau ( B , L , D )

After breakfast, we are heading to Mai Chau today. On the way, we enjoy beautiful mountainous landscapes. The bus takes us to Tong Dau and we start our hike through picturesque landscapes to the villages of Na Tang and Cha Long. In the evening, we enjoy a traditional dance performance by the villagers.

Day Trip

Distance: approx. 8

Walking time: approx. 02:30

Driving time: approx. 03:30.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Home-stay

Day 3: The mountain villages of Mai Chau

A short transfer takes us to Mai Ha about 30 minutes after breakfast. Here we start our hike to the original mountain villages of Kha and Te. The trail leads through beautiful scenery characterized by primary forests, limestone rocks, terrace fields, and small stilt houses of the Thai minority. Then we go on a narrow concrete path that winds through the fields and we reach our accommodation in about 1.5 hours. Now there is time to recover.

Day Trip

Distance: approx. 15

Walking time: approx. 04:30

Ascent: approx. 300

Descent: approx. 300

Journey time: approx. 00:30

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Home-stay

Day 4: Mai Chau – Boat and bike through dry Halong Bay ( Ninh Binh )

After breakfast, we take a bus to Kenh Ga, from here we cycle 27 km (about 3h) through the landscape marked with characteristic limestone tips past Hoa Lu Temple to Tam Coc. In the afternoon we embark on a Vietnamese rowboat, a so-called sampan, and row (about 2h) through caves and past rice fields.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tam Coc hotel

Day 5: Tam Coc – Halong Bay Natural Wonders

Today we’re going to Halong Bay. To discover this unique place, we’ll board a junk. Halong Bay is a natural wonder with numerous islands and limestones that protrude from emerald green waters. We visit one of the famous caves and climb the Ti Top mountain. As long as the water is warm enough, we bathe in the bay. Fresh seafood food is prepared and served by our experienced chef. We spend the night in breathtaking surroundings on our junk.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Luxury Junk Cruise ( Private cabin )

Day 6: Halong – Hanoi night train to Dong Hoi

This morning we have breakfast aboard our junk. After that, we practice tai chi and visit a cave. We go to Hanoi around noon. After arriving in Hanoi, we will be entertained by a water puppet show in the water puppet theatre. The art of water doll theatre has a long tradition in Vietnam and is still very authentic and non-touristy in this place. We also get to know “Bia hoi”, the Vietnamese drinking culture. In the evening we take the air-conditioned night train to Dong Hoi (8-10h).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: A/C express train

Day 7: Dong Hoi – Hiking in Phong Nha National Park

Arrive at Dong Hoi early in the morning. From here it takes a bus to Phong Nha. Here we have breakfast in a local restaurant before visiting the caves of Phong Nha. We need our hiking equipment here. We start at the Ho Chi Minh Trail at km 15 and hike through extensive grass hills with huge trees to Dau Rai. At noon we hike uphill along Tien stream to Nuoc Lan cave, from here we continue to Chay Lap. The traditional wooden houses are surrounded by fascinating limestone rocks and are located in the middle of Phong Nha — Ke Bang National Park. The accommodation is simple but very clean, tasteful and tidy. We sleep in beds that are protected by a mosquito net. The mountains here are home to the rare Ha Tinh langur monkeys. At noon we follow Tien Bach to Nuoc Lan cave. On this hike, rivers have to be crossed over and over again.

Day Trip

Distance: approx. 8

Walking time: approx. 04:30

Ascent: approx. 200

Descent: approx. 200

Driving time: approx. 01:00

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Heritage by Night

Day 8: Impressive Cave formations – Hue

After breakfast, we visit the Hang Thien Duong (Paradise Cave) today, which was discovered only in 2005 and is one of the largest caves in the world at 31 kilometers long. The deeper we go into the cave, the better the white crystal-clear stalactites become visible and many spectacular formations can be discovered. After this impressive experience, we will go to Hue afterward. Arrive late afternoon. Check-in and overnight at the hotel.

Day Trip

Distance: approx. 3

Walking time: approx. 01:30

Driving time: approx. 05:00

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Asia Hotel

Day 9: The old imperial city of Hue

In the morning we take a boat trip on the peaceful perfume river with a stopover at the famous Thien Mu Pagoda. Then we continue to the imperial tomb of Emperor Tu Duc with its more than 50 monuments. Passing rice fields, orchards, community houses, primary schools, and a cemetery, we reach the quiet village of Thuy Bieu, where we will have lunch. In Thuy Bieu we will rest with a pleasant foot bath with medicinal herbs including a foot massage. Finally, we head back to the center to visit the imperial citadel.

Day Trip

Distance: approx. 8

Walking time: approx. 02:00

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Asia Hotel

Day 10: Hue Across the Sea Cloud Pass – Hoian

We then follow one of the most breathtaking routes in Vietnam. We drive over Mandarin Road towards Hoi An, crossing the Hai Van Pass (Sea Clouds Pass). We follow the hilly highway, which offers beautiful views over white sandy beaches and lush forests. On the way, we visit Marble Mountain (Ngu Hanh Son) during a stopover. For a panoramic view of the sea and the city of Da Nang, we climb it. In the evening we visit Hoi An’s Old Town.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Venues Hotel

Day 11: Relax in Hoi An

Today we are enjoying a day off in Hoi An. The city is known for its numerous canals and well-preserved old town. The city’s colorful history is reflected in its architecture. The mix of styles and epochs includes wooden Chinese shophouses and temples, colorful buildings from the French colonial era, and typical Vietnamese narrow townhouses with their artfully designed façades. The Japanese Bridge, a covered bridge with a pagoda, is a landmark of the city.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Venues Hotel

Day 12: Flight to Saigon and Mekong Delta

We’re going south to Saigon. Upon arrival, transfer to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s “rice bowl”, takes place. Once in Cai Be, we head to a charming resort on the banks of the Mekong River. In the afternoon, we hike through lush orchards and visit a local pagoda and Ba Kiet’s old house.

Day Tour

Walking Time: approx. 01:00

Driving time: approx. 03:00

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation, Mekong Lodge

Day 13: Mekong Delta to  Saigon

In the morning we go on a boat trip to Tan Phong Island. On a hike, we explore the island with its tropical orchards. We leave town and return to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). Once there we visit the city with the central post office, Ngoc Hoang Temple, and Thien Hau Pagoda, located in China Town.

Day Trip

Distance: approx. 3

Walking time: approx. 02:00

Driving time: approx. 03:00

Meals; breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Liberty Central Saigon Hotel

Day 14: Saigon – Departure

This day is available to us free of charge. We can take the opportunity to get some last souvenirs and make the impressions of the last week take effect. Transfer to the airport for departure. (checkout noon)

Meals: breakfast