Wander to Vietnam

Feb 10

Arrival day, welcome dinner

Included: Dinner

Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up at the airport and taken to our hotel in the city center. After getting settled and having a good rest, we’ll start off with an evening orientation and group dinner at one of the city’s great restaurants where we'll enjoy on our first Vietnamese meal.

Feb 11

Highlights: Full-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City, cultural acrobatic show

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we're in for an excellent adventure as we explore Ho Chi Minh's vibrant energy. We'll use a unique combination of a traditional cyclo ride and a leisurely walking tour in order to explore several different neighborhoods full of historical sights, temples, markets and more. Along the way, we'll also have a chance to sample some of the best Southern Vietnamese cuisine. In the evening, we’ll attend an incredible cultural show at the city’s famed opera house, where we'll be wowed by impressive acrobatics and dynamic choreography while traditional Vietnamese instruments provide the beautiful musical backdrop.

Feb 12

Highlights: Flight to Danang, arrival in Hoi An, markets and culture

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After a quick 1.5 hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Danang, we'll transfer 1 hour by private vans to the quaint and charming town of Hoi An. As we arrive in this endearing destination, you'll immediately be drawn in by its relaxed atmosphere, inspiring architecture, cultural gems and tantalizing cuisine. After settling into our centrally located accommodations, we'll venture out for lunch and a coffee at one of the town's famous traditional cafes. We'll then discover the vibrant lanes and neighborhoods that line the river, soaking up the lively and truly appealing ambiance.

Feb 13

Highlights: Full walking tour of Hoi An

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After a leisurely breakfast we'll immerse ourselves in the charm and vibrancy of Hoi An as we spend the day exploring the town on foot. We'll start off by visiting an old merchant's house, checking out the bustling Hoi An market and admiring the intricate details of a stunning Chinese temple and the iconic Japanese Bridge. As we make our way through the city, we'll be transported to a world where the rich history and cultural traditions of Vietnam meet the unique influences of French colonial architecture, resulting in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Dinner will be at a wonderful local restaurant off the main trail, which happens to be one of Wandering Earl's most favorite restaurants in the world!

Feb 14

Highlights: Special cooking class, free time in Hoi An

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we'll embark on a culinary adventure as we learn to prepare some of the most iconic dishes that Hoi An has to offer. From the mouth-watering cao lau noodles to the fragrant banh mi sandwich and the heavenly com ga (chicken rice), we'll discover the secrets behind the flavors that make Hoi An's cuisine so renowned. At a local cooking school, we'll be guided by an expert chef who will demonstrate the preparation of these traditional delicacies before we roll up our sleeves and put our own skills to the test. Afterward, we'll all sit down together for lunch and relish the tasty dishes we've made. With the rest of the day at leisure, you'll have plenty of time to explore more of the town's charming sights and sounds as well.

Feb 15

Highlights: Drive to Hue, lunch in a nunnery, Buddhist pagoda

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We'll bid farewell to the beautiful town of Hoi An and embark on a 3-hour drive to the ancient imperial city of Hue. During the ride, we'll make several stops in order to take in the impressive scenery of central Vietnam's coastal regions. Upon arrival in Hue, we'll begin our visit to this most fascinating town with a special experience - a freshly prepared lunch just for our group at a local Buddhist nunnery. After checking into our hotel, we'll head out again in order to visit the stunning and historically significant Thien Muc Pagoda, overlooking the Perfume River.

Feb 16

Highlights: Tour of Hue's history and culture, Perfume River cruise

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we'll kick off the day with a full guided tour unlike any other. From the back of motorcyles, we'll explore the countryside, war history, imperial history and the buddhist culture. We'll learn how to make incense, visit a hidden colosseum and learn a local craft straight from the masters themselves. We'll discover the Imperial Citadel, Forbidden Purple City and the Imperial Tombs, and we'll also embark on an evening cruise along the Perfume River aboard a traditional dragon boat. We'll take in the sights and sounds of the city from a new perspective as we enjoy a dinner on board the boat.

Feb 17

Highlights: Jeep ride through the beautiful countryside, Vinh Moc Tunnels, arrival at the Phong Nha National Park

Included: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

This morning we'll get into our 1960's jeeps and begin our drive north. We'll stop at the Vinh Moc Tunnels, after passing by some of Vietnam's lesser known beach areas. The Vinh Moc Tunnels are an extensive underground network of tunnels that the Vietnamese lived in for up to 6 months at a time. We'll then enjoy a fresh lunch by the coast before visiting the DMZ between North and South Vietnam. After walking across the bridge that marks this area, we'll continue in our jeeps until we reach the quiet region of Phong Nha. This beautiful area is surrounded by rice fields and mountains and we'll begin by settling into our peaceful accommodations and enjoying a relaxing evening.

Feb 18

Highlights: Phong Nha National Park, cave exploration

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we're ready to explore the stunning Phong Nha National Park, which is home to some of the most impressive scenery in all of Vietnam. Hopping on the back of motorbikes (there's also an option to ride in a vehicle), we'll enter the national park and soak in all of its magnificent landscapes. We'll wind through mountains and valleys, along dramatic limestone peaks, through lush jungle and across bright blue rivers, all offering a wondrous experience in nature. Soon we'll reach Paradise Cave, where we'll explore the largest cave system in the world. This cave is absolutely beyond breathtaking and we'll have a chance to walk 2 kilometers inside of it, passing spectacular natural formations in all directions. From here, we'll wind our way out of the national park as we return to our accommodation for dinner. *Please note: Visiting the Paradise Cave requires a 500 meter / 1500 foot walk along an uphill switchback path, followed by 300 steps down into the cave, and back out again. Once inside the cave, the 2 km walk takes place on a wooden boardwalk.

Feb 19

Highlights: Local villages

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast we'll head out into the serene region surrounding Phong Nha National Park, where the stunning landscapes of rice terraces will unfold before us. This journey will take us through local villages that stand untouched by tourism, offering a genuine glimpse into the daily lives of the communities. The diversity, uniqueness and warm welcome of these communities make this region the perfect setting for deep, meaningful connections with local life. Throughout the day we'll visit several villages, moving at a leisurely pace that will allow us to fully absorb the atmosphere of this area.

Feb 20

Highlights: Flight to Hanoi, Drive back to Hanoi

Included: Breakfast

Off to Hanoi we go! Today's travels will involve a 1 hour drive to the Dong Hoi Airport and a 1 hour flight to Vietnam's capital city of Hanoi. We'll transfer from the Hanoi Airport to our hotel in the city center, for our first glimpse of this grand city. After we take a break at the hotel, we'll spend the late afternoon and evening out and about, visiting the gardens, lakes and temples that will bring Hanoi to life. For dinner, it's time to sample the famously delicious cuisine of Northern Vietnam at one of the best local restaurants in the city.

Feb 21

Highlights: Full city tour of fascinating Hanoi

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we'll kick off the day with a tour of Hanoi's Old Quarters. We'll take our time strolling along the winding streets, enjoying the energy and history of this lively district. Along the way, we'll visit some of the city's most iconic landmarks, such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Bach Ma Temple. As we make our way around, we'll also swing by the Dong Xuan Market, where we'll wander and explore the endless stalls, each packed with all sorts of fresh produce and specialty items unique to the area. No visit to Hanoi is complete without trying the famous egg coffee, so we'll definitely grab a cup and savor the rich flavors. As the day starts to wind down, we'll take a break to recharge before diving into a classic North Vietnamese dinner that'll be the cherry on top of an awesome day.

Feb 22

Highlights: Overnight boat cruise in Ha Long Bay

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we'll leave Hanoi behind and begin our trip to one of Vietnam's most captivating natural marvels - Ha Long Bay. Our adventure involves boarding a traditional junk boat (much more comfortable than that sounds!) where we'll start with a seafood lunch while cruising along the vibrant blue waters of the bay, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. During our expedition, we'll visit surreal coastal caves, swim in the jade waters, stop at nearby Bai Tu Long Bay and marvel at the sunset over the magnificent landscape. After a day filled with such natural beauty and great activities, you'll be able to unwind on our boat, with an optional traditional massage before dinner is served. We'll then spend the night on board the boat, in our comfortable cabins.

Feb 23

Highlights: Return to Hanoi, farewell dinner

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We'll start the day in the tranquil waters of Bai Tu Long Bay, surrounded by even more of the region's remarkable scenery. After breakfast, you'll have the option to hop on a kayak and paddle through a nearby lagoon, allowing you one more chance to enjoy the calming effects of this destination. Next up, we'll visit a floating fishing farm where you'll learn about the traditional lifestyle of the local fishermen in Lan Ha Bay. Afterwards, we'll bid farewell to our boat and make our way back to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, we'll check in to our hotel before heading out for our farewell dinner as this magical two-week trip comes to an end.

Feb 24

Departure day

Included: Breakfast

You will be picked up at the hotel by a private driver who will take you to the airport for your departing flight.