Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

Arrive decades-old Noi Bai Airport, where ancient Russian MIG fighters still take to the air. The cultural and political capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has slumbered largely unchanged since the sixties. Step back in time on the French-built, tree-lined boulevards and old quarter, which has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years (Hanoi celebrated it's millennial anniversary in October, 2010). Meet escort after clearing immigration* and customs at Noi Bai Airport and transfer to accommodation nearby Hoan Kiem Lake.

* Note: visa required in advance of arrival (please check your pre-tour packet for forms and detailed instructions)

Accommodation : Silk Path Hotel 4* ( Or Similar )

Day 2 : Hanoi City Tour

Today, sightseeing at Hanoi's more interesting landmarks, rising at dawn to wander the morning markets before driving to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where "Uncle Ho" lies in state and the nearby centuries-old Temple of Literature. Afterwards, breaking for lunch featuring at local restaurant before venturing out on foot in the central lake area to explore the busy Old Quarter's shops, galleries, markets, historic sights, and pausing to visit a local family in their traditional "tube" house. In the afternoon, we'll enjoy an activity becoming popular with the Vietnamese. In the evening, delightful water puppets theater — a performance art unique to Vietnam

Bia Hoi, or happy hour, is a post-work custom unique to Hanoi, with draft beer and snacks served up in street cafes. Other culinary treats? The best pho in the country is in Hanoi, don't miss a piping hot bowl in the Old Quarter, elbow-to-elbow with the locals (ask your guide for the better places).

Meals : Breakfast , Lunch

Accommodation : Silk Path Hotel 4* ( Or Similar )

Day 3 : Halong Bay Kayaking

8:00 AM cruise bus pick up from Hanoi to Halong Bay stopping en route to admire the picturesque landscape and villages en route. After arrival, board traditional wooden yacht for seafood lunch while cruising out onto the bay. After docking to hike in Hang Dau Go (Hiding the Timber Cave), the largest grotto in the Halong (everyone going to Halong does this, but it's worth a glance and allows us to prep the kayaks). Afterwards, boarding kayaks for afternoon paddle with your guide. In the afternoon, cruising out into the further reaches of the bay away from other tourists boats along our own unique route. From the deck, enjoy the beautiful sunset and seafood dinner of fresh, local catch. Overnight on board.

Meals : Breakfast , Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Halong Cruise

Day 4 : Halong Bay kayaking - Hanoi

Are we in a James Bond movie (Goldfinger)? After heaping omelettes, fresh soup, bread, butter, jam and a strong jolt of delicious Vietnamese sweetened coffee, we're off for another round of kayaking on the bay, exploring grottoes, coves, inland lagoons, and empty white-sand beaches. Over lunch, we'll motor back to port and then return to Hanoi, arriving in the late afternoon. Evening an dinner free in Hanoi.

Meals : Breakfast , Lunch

Accommodation : Silk Path Hotel

Day 5 : Hanoi Cycling To Mai Chau

Early departure from Hanoi to the beautiful Hoa Binh Province southwest of Hanoi. Along the way, stopping in Giang Mo, a small Muong ethnic village not too far from Hanoi but still retaining its native lifestyle and culture. Here enjoy our first hilltribe encounter, exploring the village by foot, enjoying the rural atmosphere of the surrounding rice fields and visiting with the welcoming locals to learn about their daily routine so different than our own. Afterwards, head on to Mai Chau valley to begin biking through the Thai ethnic villages and surrounding rice and corn farms on dirt paths. Overnight at the picturesque Mai Chau Eco-house.

The Mai Chau is a real treat, built only a few years ago with stunning views of the surrounding landscape and pleasant pool area for post-ride "R&R."

Meals : Breakfast , Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Mai Chau Ecohouse.

Day 6 : Mai Chau to Hanoi Flight to Hue

Mai Chau riding In the morning cycling around Mai Chau to Paso and passing through Blue and Flower H’mong villages, surrounding mountain jungle and apricot and peach orchards. If it is Sunday, visit to the colorful hilltribe market. The Flower H’mong wear especially beautiful traditional clothing here, and we'll ride to village to visit a local home and find out how they make the fanciful brocade for their impressive costumes. After a lunch, we'll return to Hanoi, arriving in the afternoon and then continuing onto the airport for a one-hour flight to Hue, the Imperial capital. After arrival, transfer into the city for check in .Accommodation along the Perfume River.

Meals : Breakfast , Lunch

Accommodation : Hue Asia Hotel ( or Similar )

We leave Hanoi, having glimpsed the artistic center of the country. You will have noticed, rather than formal movements, contemporary Vietnamese art has been shaped more by political and social influences including colonial occupation, wars of liberation, partitioning of the country, socialism, and ultimately economic and cultural isolation (from which the country is now emerging). With no developed or strong artistic traditions to draw from, artists have looked to village life for inspiration, yet with new freedom are exploring modern subjects and mediums (our favorite artist, Le An Dung's, is typical of this mix of old and new).

Day 7 : Hue City Tour

Vietnam's most tranquil city remains largely unchanged by economic expansion in the south. After breakfast, venturing out onto the boulevards along the Perfume River by bike and out into the countryside through seldom-visited villages, pausing to explore two of the finest examples of Imperial architecture, the Tu Duc and Khai Dinh Royal Tombs. Afterwards, continued cycling through the countryside, pausing for a lunch, and then cycling through small villages along quiet roads outside the city, stopping at secondary tombs and places along the river. We'll also visit a local school where the children will be very excited to see us. In the afternoon, there is time free time to enjoy a massage or shopping in Hue city .

Meals : Breakfast , Lunch

Accommodation : Hue Asia Hotel

Not to miss: late afternoon drink at the lounge atop the Hotel with panoramic views over the city, looking out with your map to figure out where you cycled today. Where are the restaurants? It appears Hue would be the perfect setting for restaurants, with the Perfume River cutting through the city like the Seine through Paris. Alas, the people of Hue have no time for it, the city is renowned for education and deeper interests. Indeed, Ho Chi Minh was from the area.

Day 8 : Hue Cycling to Hoi An

A longer day of cycling, departing Hue through small villages to Thuan An beach cycling along the coastlines to Phuoc Tuong pass and emerald green rice fields to the blue waters of Lang Co Lagoon. After a seafood lunch in Lang Co, we'll conquer the 10-kilometer long, 500-meter high Hai Van Pass (Pass of the High Clouds). At the summit, we'll explore French and U.S. forts while savoring panoramic views of the of the coast all the way out to Danang.

After a thrilling descent to the green rice fields and white-sand graveyards around Danang, we'll dismount our bikes and board our bus for transfer through the busy traffic around Danang into Hoi An. Afternoon arrival in Hoi An, typically everyone's favorite stop in Vietnam.

Meals : Breakfast , Lunch

Accommodation : Hoi An Delicacy Hotel & Spa ( or Similar )

Day 9: Hoi An Cycling Around

After breakfast, exploration of charming Hoi An by foot, beginning with the central market, shopping . Cycling to visit Tra Que villages, balance of day free at leisure to relax on Cua Dai Beach or cycling along Thu Bon River to enjoy tranquil cycling through local villages along the coast. In the afternoon free to visiting Hoi An's crafts shops and renowned tailors to be tempted by the town's famous "overnight tailoring."

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Hoi An Delicacy Hotel & Spa.

Hoi An brings all the best of Vietnam together in one place, traditional architecture, delicious local cuisine, picturesque setting, and friendly townspeople. Optional activities (or non-activities) include: lazing at the beach, cooking class at the Red Bridge Restaurant, or half-day spin cycling outside the town.

Day 10 : Hoi An Flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Depart early along the coast to historic the Beach, where U.S. troops enjoyed "R&R" and also exploring nearby Marble Mountain where carving shops work the stone. Afterwards, in Danang before boarding one-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh city ( Saigon ). After arrival, transfer to our central district hotel near the Saigon River for check in.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Alagon Hotel

After 1945, Saigon was the largest and the most developed city in Asia. Today, it is again a boomtown and one of Asia's most-rapidly-changing cities. It may be a shock after the rest of Vietnam, with nearly five million scooters and a rush of development the city is well on its way to becoming another Bangkok (although a uniquely Vietnamese one).

Day 11 : Saigon City Tour

Full-day city tour of vibrant Saigon, visiting historic sites and landmarks, including the Art Deco post office (designed by Eiffel), Reunification Palace, and Ben Thanh Market. After, we'll drive out for lunch in Chinatown, known as Cholon, also exploring the busy Bin Tay market and pagodas. In the afternoon, we'll return to our hotel and have some time for last-minute shopping.

Meals : Breakfast , Lunch

Accommodation : Alagon Hotel

Day 12 : Depart Ho Chi Minh City

Farewell to crew before transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for return flight home (or continue on one of our tour extensions such as the Mekong Delta or the temples of Angkor). Cam on nhieu lam, hen gap lai (thank you very much, see you again)! End The Tour .

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Cycling Ability

You should be an intermediate to advanced cyclist in terms of skills with bike handling, not fitness, and have experienced cycling roads typical in a developing country. If you have not traveled in a developing country on bicycle before, we do not recommend you begin in Vietnam. Although we do our best to skip busier sections and take advantage of side roads, you should feel comfortable riding with some amount of traffic. We would be glad to put you in contact with past travelers, of all abilities, if you would like more feedback.,