Trip dates: 25 Dec '26 - 01 Jan '27

🍜 ITINERARY

Days 1 & 2 - Accommodation | Somerset by Ascott, Ho Chi Minh City or similar

 🇻🇳 Day-2 (26 Dec, Sat) 

Through the Tunnels & Into the Night

• By now, you've probably noticed how welcoming and cheerful the Vietnamese people are. It's easy to forget that just a few decades ago, this country went through one of the most devastating wars in modern history.

• We'll begin with the Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the most remarkable remnants of the Vietnam War. Hidden beneath the forests outside the city is an enormous network of tunnels once used by Vietnamese soldiers and civilians as living quarters, command posts, kitchens, storage areas, and routes for moving soldiers and supplies.

• A local guide will take us through the site and explain how the tunnel system worked, how guerrilla warfare was carried out, and what everyday life was like underground. You'll also see the remains of an abandoned American tank and other wartime structures scattered around the forest.

• There is also a small shooting range where, at an additional cost, you can try firing some of the firearms used during the war, including assault rifles and machine guns. This is completely optional.

• From Cu Chi, we'll return to Ho Chi Minh City and visit the War Remnants Museum. Through photographs, military equipment, and personal accounts, the museum presents the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective and offers a deeper understanding of the conflict and its consequences.

• After the museum, we'll return to our accommodation to freshen up and rest. Once night falls, we'll head back out to experience a completely different side of Ho Chi Minh City.

• We'll spend the evening at Nguyen Hue Walking Street, where the roughly 1-kilometre stretch comes alive with street food, cafés, music, performers, and crowds. With regular vehicle traffic stopped, people walk, dance, eat, and simply enjoy the atmosphere. It's loud, colourful, energetic, and a complete contrast to the history we experienced earlier.

• And the night doesn't end there. Around 11:00 PM, we'll hop onto an open-top double-decker bus for a late-night ride through Ho Chi Minh City. From the upper deck, we'll pass several of the city's landmarks while watching the illuminated streets unfold around us.

✅ Inclusions:

• • Cu Chi Tunnels entry with local guide

  • War Remnants Museum entry

  • Late night bus tour

  • All local transportations

  • Meals: NIL

  • Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City

❌ Exclusions:

• • Meals: All meals

 🇻🇳 Day-3 (27 Dec, Sun) 

A Night Above the Clouds at Ba Na Hills

• We'll catch an early morning flight to Da Nang, marking the beginning of our journey through Central Vietnam. But Da Nang isn't our final destination. From the airport, we'll head towards Ba Na Hills, where we'll spend the night in a French-themed village built high on the mountain.

• The story of Ba Na Hills dates back to the early 1900s, when the French developed it as a hill station and summer retreat. Today, that colonial-era hill station has transformed into a mountaintop resort filled with gardens, attractions, restaurants, and beautifully designed European-style buildings.

• Most visitors experience Ba Na Hills as a day trip. We've found a better way to experience it—by staying overnight at the only hotel inside the resort. Once the day visitors leave, the crowds disappear and the entire mountain takes on a much quieter character.

• Our journey to the summit begins with a roughly 20-minute cable car ride. Since we're staying overnight, we'll use the dedicated guest entrance and avoid the long queues. As we climb higher, the forests and valleys of Central Vietnam stretch out beneath us.

• After leaving our luggage at the hotel, we'll spend the day exploring the resort. We'll come across attractions such as Le Jardin D'Amour Gardens, Linh Ung Pagoda, Debay Wine Cellar, Lunar Castle, and Fantasy Park, where most of the attractions are included with our entry ticket. Smaller cable cars connect different sections of the mountain, making it easy to move around.

• As evening sets in, the cable cars stop operating and the day visitors gradually disappear. The cafés, restaurants, festive lights, and illuminated squares create a completely different atmosphere. Take a walk through the quiet streets, enjoy the cool mountain air, or relax in the hotel's heated indoor swimming pool, available exclusively to overnight guests.

• We'll spend the night high above the clouds at Ba Na Hills. Tomorrow morning, we'll wake up before the crowds arrive and experience one of Vietnam's most iconic attractions at its quietest.

✅ Inclusions:

• • Domestic flight ticket from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang with 15kg checked-in luggage

  • Ba Na Hills entry ticket

  • Cable car ticket

  • All local transportations

  • Meals: NIL

  • Accommodation in Ba Na Hills

❌ Exclusions:

• • Meals: All meals

Day 3 - Accommodation | Mercure Resort - Ba Na Hills, Da Nang

 🇻🇳 Day-4 (28 Dec, Mon) 

Beating the Crowds at the Golden Bridge

• You might have noticed that we haven't mentioned the Golden Bridge yet, even though it's the most iconic landmark of Ba Na Hills. There's a reason for that.

• During the day, the bridge is packed with visitors, making it difficult to truly enjoy the experience. By staying overnight, we get to visit early in the morning, before the crowds arrive. It's one of the biggest advantages of spending the night inside the resort.

• After soaking in the peaceful views and capturing those crowd-free photos, we'll return to the hotel for breakfast. Before checking out, there's still time to enjoy a few more attractions around Ba Na Hills. Watch the lively performances in the French Village, or, if you're looking for a bit more adrenaline, hop on the Alpine Coaster, a self-controlled ride offering sweeping views of the mountains. (Please note that the Alpine Coaster requires a separate ticket.)

• By late afternoon, we'll descend by cable car and proceed to Hoi An, an ancient trading port that feels completely different from the fast-paced streets of Ho Chi Minh City.

• Hoi An is best explored on foot. Its narrow streets are lined with cafés, family-run restaurants, tailor shops that can stitch custom-made clothing overnight, and small bakeries serving some of Vietnam's best Bánh Mì. As evening approaches, hundreds of colourful lanterns begin to light up the old town, reflecting gently on the canal and giving the entire area a different character after sunset.

• Our accommodation is located just outside the pedestrian-only old town, making it easy to head in and out whenever we like. After checking in and freshening up, the rest of the evening is yours to wander the lantern-lit streets, try the local food, or simply enjoy the atmosphere at your own pace before returning for the night or even get a custom-made clothing stitched overnight.

✅ Inclusions:

• • Cable car ticket

  • All local transportations

  • Meals: Breakfast

  • Accommodation in Hoi An

❌ Exclusions:

• • Alpine coaster ticket (Approx. ₹400 per ride)

  • Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 - Accommodation | Em’s House Homestay, Hoi An or similar

 🇻🇳 Day-5 (29 Dec, Tue) 

Exploring Hoi An

• After yesterday's Ba Na hills visit and evening walk through Hoi An, there's no need for an early start today. Enjoy a relaxed morning and head out for breakfast whenever you're ready. The cafés around our homestay serve everything from local Vietnamese favourites to international breakfast options.

• Once everyone is ready, we'll continue exploring Hoi An on scooters, one of the easiest ways to get around. If you've been observing the roads since arriving in Vietnam, you'll have noticed that vehicles drive on the right-hand side. The traffic may seem busy at first, but it follows a rhythm. We'll go over a few basic riding guidelines before setting off and make sure everyone rides responsibly.

• Our first stop is the Coconut Boat Ride. Local boatmen and women paddle us through peaceful waterways lined with coconut palms in traditional round bamboo boats. If you've seen videos of the famous spinning basket boats, this is where they happen. Those interested can hop on for the experience with a small tip.

• By afternoon, we'll be back in Hoi An, and hit a few more cafes and sovernier huntinh in the market before our drive back to Da Nang. 

• From here, we'll continue our journey north on an overnight sleeper train to Ninh Binh. The cabins are comfortable, and the journey itself is part of the experience, passing through towns and countryside while you settle in for the night. There's also a dining coach on board serving simple Vietnamese meals.

✅ Inclusions:

• • Scooter rental - 2 persons per scooter

  • Coconut Boat Ride

  • Overnight sleeper train ticket from Da Nang to Ninh Binh

  • Meals: NIL

  • Accommodation in Sleeper train

❌ Exclusions:

• • Meals: All meals

Day 5 - Accommodation | Overnight Sleeper Train

 🇻🇳 Day-6 (30 Dec, Wed) 

Limestone Valleys & Boat Rides in Ninh Binh

• Our day begins a little earlier than usual as we'll be getting off the overnight train at Ninh Binh, even though it's not the train's final destination. Often called the "Ha Long Bay on land," this UNESCO World Heritage region is known for its limestone mountains, winding rivers, and vast rice fields.

• After arriving, we'll head to our accommodation and leave our luggage at the reception before setting out to explore. One of the reasons we chose this stay is its peaceful setting, with a large pond surrounded by limestone cliffs—a nice place to return to after a day of exploring.

• Once again, we'll get around on scooters, stopping for breakfast before riding through quiet village roads and rice fields to Hang Múa. A climb of around 500 steps leads to the summit, where the famous stone dragon sits along the ridge. The panoramic view over the Tam Coc valley is well worth the effort.

• After a relaxed lunch at one of the local cafés, we'll continue to Trang An, the filming location for Kong: Skull Island. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is best explored by traditional wooden sampan boats. The 2–3 hour journey takes us through emerald waterways, towering limestone karsts, and a series of natural caves. There are three different routes available, and from our previous visits, we've found one that offers the best cave experience.

• By evening, we'll return to our accommodation and relax after another memorable day in northern Vietnam.

✅ Inclusions:

• • Scooter rental - 2 persons per scooter

  • Hang Mua hike entry

  • Trang An boat ride ticket

  • All local transportations

  • Meals: NIL

  • Accommodation in Ninh Binh - An's Eco Garden

❌ Exclusions:

• • Meals: All meals

Day-6 Accommodation | An's Eco Garden, Ninh Binh or similar

 🇻🇳 Day-7 (31 Dec, Thu) 

From the Countryside to the Heart of Hanoi

• Today, we'll leave the peaceful countryside of Ninh Binh behind and make our way to Hanoi, the capital and one of Vietnam's most lively cities. A drive of a couple of hours will take us straight to the Old Quarter, where our accommodation is located.

• The Old Quarter is the beating heart of Hanoi, packed with street-food stalls, local shops, cafés, and clubs. With everything happening right outside our doorstep, there's probably no better place to welcome the New Year.

• We'll reach Hanoi by afternoon and check in. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city at your own pace—walk through the narrow streets, hunt for local food, browse the shops or simply find a café and watch Hanoi go by.

• Later in the night, we'll regroup and head out together to celebrate the New Year. We'll spend the final hours of 2026 together on the lively streets of Hanoi and welcome 2027 as a group.

✅ Inclusions:

• • All local transportations

  • Meals: NIL

  • Accommodation in Hanoi

❌ Exclusions:

• • Meals: All meals

Days 7 & 9 - Accommodation | Amorita Boutique Hotel, Hanoi or similar

 🇻🇳 Day-8 (01 Jan, Fri) 

Farewell, Vietnam (or) Sailing into New Year

• It's time to bid farewell to Vietnam after the days of travelling through its bustling cities, peaceful countryside, mountain landscapes, and coastal waters.

• You can take your flights to your destinations from Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), Hanoi, anytime on this day.

(OR)

• You can extend the trip for 2 more days with an overnight cruise in Halong Bay.

• After welcoming the New Year in Hanoi, we'll start the first day of the year on a more relaxed note as we leave the city behind and head towards Ha Long Bay for an overnight luxury cruise.

• After breakfast, we'll begin the drive to Tuan Chau International Marina, the gateway to the cruise. From there, a small transfer boat takes us out into the bay, where our cruise ship awaits.

• Once on board, the crew will welcome us with a short safety briefing before we check into our cabins. As we settle in for lunch, the cruise slowly sails deeper into the limestone islands that make Ha Long Bay one of Vietnam's most iconic landscapes.

• Later in the afternoon, we'll transfer to traditional bamboo boats to explore the Dark & Bright Cave. Depending on the tide, the cave entrance changes dramatically, and on some days, high water levels may even prevent access—one of the reasons every visit to Ha Long Bay feels a little different.

• Back on the cruise, there's time to enjoy the bay at your own pace. If you're up for it, put on a life jacket and take a swim in the calm waters. A support boat remains nearby throughout the activity, so you can simply relax and enjoy the experience.

• As evening approaches, find a comfortable spot on deck and watch the sun slowly disappear behind the limestone islands. It's one of those moments where doing nothing is often the best plan.

• After dinner, you can join the onboard evening activities, spend time with the group, or simply sit on the deck under the stars before calling it a night.

✅ Inclusions:

• • If returning to India today

    • • Airport drop

  • If opted for Cruise package

    • • All activities in cruise ship

      • All local transportations

      • Meals: Lunch & Dinner

      • Accommodation in Cruise ship

❌ Exclusions:

• • Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - Accommodation | Venus or Dora Cruise, Ha Long Bay

 🇻🇳 Day-9 (02 Jan, Sat) 

A Relaxed Morning in Ha Long Bay

• If you'd like to start the day with a peaceful sunrise over the bay or join the optional Tai Chi session on the sundeck, set your alarm a little earlier. Otherwise, enjoy a little extra sleep before the day begins.

• A light breakfast will be served around 6:30 AM, after which we'll head out for one final activity—kayaking. Whether you paddle with a partner or venture out on your own, it's a great way to experience the calm waters and towering limestone cliffs from a different perspective.

• Back on board, a hearty brunch will be served as the cruise makes its way back to the marina, marking the end of our Ha Long Bay experience.

• After reaching the port, we'll drive back to Hanoi, the final destination of our journey. Once we've checked into our hotel and had some time to freshen up, we'll head out together for dinner and an evening walk through Hanoi's lively food streets.

✅ Inclusions:

• • All activities in cruise ship

  • All local transportations

  • Meals: Breakfast & Brunch

  • Accommodation in Hanoi

❌ Exclusions:

• • Meals: Dinner

🍜 PACKAGE COST

🍜 GENERAL INFO