Hoi An, Vietnam
Vietnam unveiled
Hanoi • Mai Chau • Hanoi • Da Nang • Hoi An • Quy Nhon • Hanoi
From Hanoi’s Old Quarter to the Central Coast
This carefully paced journey travels from northern Vietnam to its quieter central coast, combining the energy and history of Hanoi with the mountain landscapes of Mai Chau, the heritage of Hoi An, and the palm-fringed beaches of Quy Nhon.
Begin in Hanoi, exploring the atmospheric Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, historic temples and the city’s everyday rhythm. A particularly immersive morning introduces you to local life through tai chi, a market visit and a hands-on culinary experience. From Hanoi, travel into the verdant mountains of Mai Chau, where rice paddies, forests, villages and traditional stilt houses provide a scenic backdrop for walking and off-road exploration.
Continue south to Hoi An, the former trading port whose lantern-lit streets, historic houses, Chinese assembly halls and Japanese Bridge reflect centuries of international influence. The final chapter takes you by luxury train along Vietnam’s scenic coastline to Quy Nhon, a more tranquil seaside destination where several days can be devoted to beaches, water activities and relaxation.
Highlights
Old Quarters of Hanoi.
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.
Rice valleys of Mai Chau.
Excursion through Mai Chau’s countryside.
UNESCO-listed Old Town of Hoi An.
Japanese Bridge in Hoi An
Train journey from Hoi An’s region to Quy Nhon.
Beaches and clear waters of Quy Nhon.
DAY 1 | Arrive HANOI
First Impressions of Vietnam’s Capital
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer privately into the city.
After time to settle in, head out for your first exploration of the capital. Walk through the Old Quarter, where narrow lanes, historic buildings, small temples, cafés and lively street scenes create one of Vietnam’s most distinctive urban atmospheres.
Continue towards Hoan Kiem Lake, a tranquil green space at the centre of the city. Walk across the scarlet Cau The Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple, set on a small island within the lake.
The evening is free to experience Hanoi at your own pace.
DAY 2 | HANOI
Live Like a Local
Begin the morning with an immersive introduction to everyday life in Hanoi.
Meet a local host and start the day with an outdoor tai chi session, followed by a visit to a lively neighbourhood market to discover the ingredients and flavours that form part of daily Vietnamese cooking.
Continue with a private cooking experience, learning about local ingredients and techniques before sampling the dishes you have prepared.
Later, explore more of Hanoi independently or with your guide. Suggested cultural visits include the Temple of Literature, founded in the 11th century and associated with Vietnam’s early centre of learning, followed by the distinctive One Pillar Pagoda.
DAY 3 | HANOI – MAI CHAU
Into the Emerald Valley
Leave Hanoi behind and travel by private vehicle towards Mai Chau, a peaceful valley surrounded by mountains and forest.
The road gradually leaves the capital’s urban landscape behind, revealing increasingly rural scenery and agricultural countryside.
On arrival, discover the remarkable setting of Mai Chau, with its patchwork rice paddies, forested slopes, mountain peaks and traditional houses raised on stilts.
Spend the remainder of the day enjoying the tranquility of the valley and its rural surroundings.
DAY 4 | MAI CHAU
Rice Fields, Villages & Mountain Trails
Set out with a local guide on a scenic walking excursion through the Mai Chau valley.
Follow paths along the river and climb towards higher ground for expansive views over the surrounding countryside, including the villages of Panh and Cun Pheo.
Continue through rice paddies and cultivated fields towards Co Cham, a small farming community where you can meet local residents and gain an insight into rural life in northern Vietnam.
Return later for a slower afternoon surrounded by the peaceful mountain scenery.
DAY 5 | MAI CHAU
Off-Road Into the Mountains
Today offers a more adventurous perspective on Mai Chau.
Set out in a 4×4 vehicle with your local driver-guide, following rural and mountain tracks into less-visited parts of the valley.
Travel through changing landscapes of forest, farmland and mountain settlements, stopping along the way at waterfalls and small villages.
The day combines spectacular scenery with opportunities to interact with local communities and see aspects of rural Vietnam away from the principal tourist routes.
Later, return to Mai Chau and enjoy some unhurried time in the valley.
DAY 6 | MAI CHAU – HANOI – DA NANG – HOI AN
From Mountain Valley to Ancient Trading Port
After breakfast, leave Mai Chau and return by private transfer towards Hanoi Airport.
Board your flight to Da Nang, the gateway to central Vietnam. On arrival, continue by private road transfer to Hoi An.
Later, begin exploring the atmospheric streets of this historic trading town.
Hoi An’s UNESCO-listed Old Town preserves an exceptional collection of historic houses, merchant buildings, Chinese assembly halls and colourful lantern-lined streets, reflecting the town’s centuries-old role as an international trading port.
Spend the evening discovering its character at a leisurely pace.
DAY 7 | HOI AN
Heritage, Crafts & Lantern-Lit Streets
Continue exploring historic Hoi An with your private guide.
Discover the town’s architectural heritage, including its historic Chinese assembly halls and the iconic Japanese Bridge.
Hoi An is also renowned for its long tradition of silk and tailoring. Visit a local tailor or craft workshop to see how garments and other pieces are produced, with time to browse the town’s boutiques and artisan stores.
The remainder of the day is free to wander through the narrow lanes, browse galleries and cafés, or return to the riverside as Hoi An’s colourful lanterns begin to illuminate the streets.
DAY 8 | HOI AN – QUY NHON
A Scenic Journey Along the Coast
Today begins one of the journey’s most memorable transitions.
Travel towards the railway station and board a luxury train for the scenic journey towards Quy Nhon.
As the train moves southward, the scenery changes continually, passing through lush countryside, emerald-green landscapes and stretches of Vietnam’s coastline.
Settle into your private surroundings and enjoy the changing views as the journey unfolds.
Arrive in Quy Nhon, a comparatively tranquil coastal city known for its attractive beaches and clear waters, and continue by private transfer to the coast.
DAY 9 | QUY NHON
The Quiet Coast of Central Vietnam
Wake to the relaxed atmosphere of Vietnam’s central coast.
Spend the day enjoying Quy Nhon’s broad sandy beaches and clear coastal waters. There is time for swimming and other water-based activities, or simply to relax beside the sea.
For a change of scenery, explore the surrounding coastline and discover quieter stretches away from the main urban area.
The day is intentionally flexible, allowing you to settle into the slower rhythm of this relatively uncrowded coastal destination.
DAY 10 | QUY NHON
Sea, Sand & Slow Living
Enjoy another leisurely day on the Quy Nhon coast.
Spend time beside the beach, take part in optional watersports or explore the surrounding coastline. The combination of golden sands, palm-fringed shores and clear blue water makes this an ideal final chapter after the cultural and mountain experiences earlier in the itinerary.
Later, return to the coast for a final sunset over central Vietnam.
DAY 11 | QUY NHON – HANOI
Farewell to Vietnam
Enjoy your final morning beside the sea, with time for a last walk along the beach or a relaxed start to the day.
Later, transfer privately to Quy Nhon Airport for your flight to Hanoi.
On arrival, connect with your international departure, bringing your journey through Vietnam to its close. The original itinerary similarly uses Quy Nhon as the final coastal stay before returning north for the international connection.
