Arrival in Saigon - Welcome to Vietnam! 

Vietnam is rapidly developing but holds onto the charming traditions and culture which make it such a fascinating holiday destination. History has left its mark on Vietnam by way of Chinese, French and American influence.

Transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel with guide and time for leisure.

Overnight in Saigon

Meal(s): None

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

Full day Past and Present Ho Chi Minh City

Tour Start: 08:30

Meeting Point: your hotel lobby

End of Tour: 17:00 (approx.)

Ever-vibrant, ever-changing – this is the buzzing city of Saigon, where sleek skyscrapers loom over incense-infused temples and motorcycles rule the roads. There are classic European-style landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, the ornate City Hall, and the art-deco Post Office. Reminders of a recent past can be seen in the Reunification Palace, famously stormed by tanks in 1975.

Lunch will be at your own arrangement.

In the afternoon, we'll head out to Cholon, the historic Chinatown district, to discover colonial-era gems, Chinese temples, and vivacious street life. Here, you will meet a local artisan who crafts lion dance figures using traditional techniques, an age-old art form deeply tied to Tet celebrations. Witness how these intricate creations come to life and learn about their significance in Vietnamese culture. Enjoy the vibrant city and stop a Saigon’s bustling flower market at Binh Dong Wharf, where locals carefully select peach blossoms, kumquat trees, and fresh flowers to decorate their homes, bringing luck and prosperity for the new year. As Valentine's Day coincides with the Tet season, admire the colorful floral decorations adorning downtown streets and public spaces, a romantic touch blending seamlessly with the lively New Year celebrations.

Overnight in Saigon

Meal(s): Breakfast

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

Saigon in Bloom: Tet Festivities & Spring Market Tour

Tour Start: 08:30

Meeting Point: your hotel lobby

End of Tour: 12:30 (approx.)

On this festive day, immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the Spring Festival Market, where locals gather to shop for Tet essentials, from ornamental plants and festive decorations to specialty foods and lucky charms. Stalls overflow with colorful red envelopes (lì xì), traditional sweets, and handcrafted souvenirs, making it the perfect place to experience the excitement of pre-Tet preparations.

Next, visit Calligraphers’ Quarter, where skilled calligraphy masters, dressed in traditional “áo dài”, create beautifully scripted wishes on red and yellow paper scrolls—symbols of prosperity and good fortune for the new year. You may even request a personalized calligraphy piece as a meaningful keepsake.

Continue to Nguyen Hue Flower Street, a dazzling floral exhibition in the heart of Saigon. Every year, this iconic boulevard transforms into a stunning display of intricate flower arrangements, themed sculptures, and festive decorations, celebrating the spirit of Tet. Take a leisurely stroll along the vibrant walkway, soaking in the beauty of blooming apricot blossoms, artistic installations, and joyful performances that bring the city to life.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Overnight in Saigon

Meal(s): Breakfast

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

Tet Traditions & Mekong Heritage: A New Year Journey

Tour Start: 08:30

Meeting Point: your hotel lobby

The program begins with a trip from Saigon to Vinh Long, where you will enjoy the scenic drive to your homestay. The program will start with a visit to Cai Be town & the ancient church from the boat. Then, you will come to Tân Phong island for the rowing boat. They will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy a peaceful time under the shade of mangrove trees. Stop at the local garden to enjoy some fruits with hot tea when listening to traditional music.

Then, start the biking trip on village paths to see the local daily life: orchard, school, church, pagoda, traditional houses... On the way, we can make some stops to see how they wave the dried water hyacinth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, shoes... (You can walk, but see less). Lunch can be served at 3 Kiet ancient house.

After lunch, back to our boat to go across one of the longest rivers in the world, the Mekong River, to come to An Bình Island, check in Út Trinh homestay. Upon arrival, immerse yourself in Tet preparations, including wrapping Bánh Tét, a traditional rice cake symbolizing gratitude to ancestors with the members of local family. Have a fresh shower before cooking some special dishes for dinner. Enjoy a midnight boat ride to watch the mesmerizing fireworks as the city celebrates New Year’s Eve on the Mekong River. Overnight at the homestay, where you’ll experience the warmth of the local Tet holiday. 

Overnight in Vinh Long

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

1st Day of the Lunar New Year – TET CELEBRATION WITH LOCALS

Spend the first day of the Lunar New Year immersed in the warmth of a traditional Tet celebration with your host family. Enjoy a special Tet breakfast and visit neighbors to experience authentic customs. Witness the excitement of the first visitor tradition, believed to bring luck for the year ahead, and receive lì xì (lucky money), a heartfelt gesture of good fortune and blessings. Stroll around the village, exchange New Year wishes, and embrace the vibrant holiday spirit. Relish home-cooked Tet delicacies and share joyful moments with the local community.

Head out by boat to Phuoc Hau village, where you can explore the rice fields and green vegetable farms by bike. Stop for a tea break with the farmers and learn about their hardworking lives. Then, continue the boat journey to the Red Kingdom at Long Ho, Hoa Tinh, and My An canals, exploring the unique craft of bamboo weaving and observing the picturesque old kilns in Hoa Tinh village. On the way back, enjoy a local tea break before visiting a pottery factory. In the evening, return to the homestay for a delicious dinner, and if your group is over 10 people, enjoy a special music show with oil lamps in the ancient house.

Overnight in Vinh Long

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy some leisure time before checking out and bidding farewell to the Út Trinh family. Take a boat ride through the floating village to see how catfish are farmed along the Mekong River. Visit the Vinh Long market for a vibrant display of tropical fruits, seafood, and local products. This version adds the Tet holiday elements and maintains the original itinerary structure. End of the Mekong trip!

Afterward, head back to Saigon and fly to Danang for a relaxing stay in Hoi An. The driving to Tan Son nhat airport distance is approximately 3,5 hours.

Suggested flight: VN140 SGN/DAD 1640/1805 (Economy class) or similar 

Flight offered seperately

On arrival at Da Nang Airport, your guide will meet and escort you to hotel in Hoi An for check in. The driving distance is approximately 35 minutes. 

Overnight in Hoi An

Meal(s): Breakfast

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

Riverside Craft Village by Bike

Tour Start: 08:30

Meeting Point: your hotel lobby

End of Tour: 14:00 (approx.)

Embark on an exhilarating two-wheeled adventure, pedaling from a rustic steel bridge into a picturesque riverside village famous for its traditional crafts.

Meet Mr. Tung, the village head, and follow his trails to explore daily life along the river. Cycle through scenic rice fields, bamboo forests, and idyllic village roads to visit a local house where traditional fishing boats are crafted from rattan and palm leaves. 

Along the way, villagers processing sedge grass and weaving mats on wooden looms, witnessing how they preserve their craft in the modern era. Stop to watch local fishermen practice ancient fishing techniques, and even join in to help lift the nets while singing the lively folk song “Hò Khoan”

Visit a village temple to learn about the fishermen's reverence for Whales as gods, before ending your journey at Mr. Hung's home. Here, you’ll see his bamboo craftsmanship and watch his wife make Mi Quang noodles, followed by a simple yet heartwarming home-cooked dinner. After the meal, either cycle back to Hoi An or relax on a 45-minute riverboat cruise up the Thu Bon River. (Cycling distance: 5 km)

Ancient town Through Local Stories

Tour Start: 14:00

End of Tour: 17:30 (approx.)

Drop off point: your hotel lobby

Discover Hoi An, a city where time slows down and motorbikes and cars vanish during certain hours, leaving its narrow streets for you to explore on foot. Wander through beautifully preserved merchant houses, atmospheric  temples, and the lively riverfront where colorful fishing boats gently sway on the Thu Bon River. Visit the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Bridge and pay homage to Kazik architect, the pioneers who laid the first stone on the path to Hoi An’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. He made significant contributions to the restoration, preservation, and promotion of Hoi An's heritage. Then meet a local family, living in the ancient town for generations, and listen to their captivating stories over a cup of tea, offering a glimpse into Hoi An’s past and present. End your journey with a quiet moment at the charming Reaching Out tea house, run by speech- and hearing-impaired young locals, where the hustle and bustle of life fades away as soon as you step inside. 

Overnight in Hoi An

Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast is served at your hotel. 

The day is yours to enjoy at leisure. 

Overnight in Hoi An

Meal(s): Breakfast

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

After check-out, your guide will meet and transfer you to Da Nang Airport for your departure flight towards Hanoi. The driving distance is approximately 45 minutes. 

Suggested flight: VN164 DAD/HAN 09:45/11:10 (Economy class) or similar 

Flight offered Seperately

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, your guide will meet and transfer you to your hotel where you can leave your luggage. The driving distance is approximately 50 minutes. 

Note: Standard hotel check-in time is 14:00; early check-in is not included.

Lunch is under your own arrangement.

Hanoi Classic Charms 

Tour Start: 13:30

End of Tour: 16:00 (approx.)

Drop off point: your hotel lobby

Unveil the historic and cultural trails of Hanoi on this classic city tour. Glide past tree-lined avenues adorned with French colonial architecture, including the iconic Opera House. Admire the serene beauty of the "Lake of the Restored Sword," after the legend associated with it. Start with a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, where locals gather to offer incense and pray for academic success in the coming year. Witness the vibrant Calligraphy Street, where scholars skillfully craft meaningful characters on red paper, a cherished Tet tradition believed to bring good fortune. Then immerse yourself in the daily life of Hanoians on a walking tour through the Old Quarter, the oldest continuously inhabited area in Vietnam. This lively district was once a major trading center, with streets named after specific crafts. 

Return to your hotel for check-in and a refreshing shower before heading to a local home for dinner.

Local Stories over Hosted Dinner

Tour Start: 18:00

Meeting Point: your hotel lobby

End of Tour: 21:00 (approx.)

In the evening, weave through Hanoi’s neighborhoods and catch glimpses of daily life—nostalgic old apartment buildings, children playing in the courtyards, and neighbors gathered over a game of chess. This evening, step into the home of a local family for a warm, intimate gathering.

Your host will prepare a spread of traditional Vietnamese dishes, including special Tet delicacies. Over this home-cooked meal, engage in heartfelt conversations as your host shares personal stories—growing up as the helper of a herbal medicine practitioner, serving as a soldier specializing in military Morse code during the Vietnam War, and the deep-rooted traditions of the Lunar New Year.

Experience the warmth of Tet as you receive lì xì (lucky money), a cherished gesture of good fortune. Flip through family photo albums, hear tales of Hanoi’s past, and gain a deeper understanding of Tet customs, from ancestral offerings to the significance of the first visitor of the year.

After an evening of cultural exchange and new friendships, bid farewell to your hosts and return to your hotel with a heart full of memories.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

Morning Dong Ky Village festival 

Tour Start: 08:30

Meeting Point: your hotel lobby

End of Tour: 12:30 (approx.)

Leave Hanoi in the morning for a one-hour drive to Dong Ky, a small village in Bac Ninh, once famous for its handcrafted firecrackers. Though real firecrackers are no longer made, the village still bursts into life every year from the 4th to the 6th day of the Lunar New Year with one of northern Vietnam’s most exciting festivals.

The festival honors General Thien Cuong, a legendary warrior who led the villagers to victory long ago. The energy is contagious—drumming, lion dances, and wrestling matches fill the streets, while locals carry giant symbolic firecrackers in a vibrant procession. Traditional games and rituals add to the excitement, making it a celebration like no other.

Take in the festive spirit, witness deep-rooted traditions in action, and experience the heart of local culture before heading back to Hanoi.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meal(s): Breakfast

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

Morning Doi Son (Duy Tien, Ha Nam) festival

Tour Start: 08:30

Meeting Point: your hotel lobby

End of Tour: 12:30 (approx.)

The day starts with a drive southeast to Doi Son Village, where an age-old agricultural tradition comes to life. Once a year, on the 7th day of the Lunar New Year, the village bursts with energy, filled with the sounds of drums and excited spectators. The event traces back to the 10th century, when King Le Dai Hanh plowed the first furrows of the year, a custom meant to bring in a bountiful harvest.

The main highlight is the ceremonial plowing, where a village elder, dressed as the king, reenacts this historic moment. Drums beat as the crowd gathers to witness the ritual, enjoy folk games, and celebrate the close connection between farming and community life.

The day wraps up with a return to Hanoi, leaving the afternoon free to unwind.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meal(s): Breakfast

Breakfast is served at your hotel.

Wake up in the morning, meet your guide and transfer by private vehicle to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight. The driving distance is approximately 55 minutes.

*** End of service.

Meals: Breakfast

Note: Hotel check-out time is 12h00; late check-out can be arranged at additional cost.