Soft Adventure Through Vietnam in 28 days

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, Sonasia’s guide & driver will pick you up and transfer directly to the hotel in the old quarter of Hanoi.

Vietnam's capital races to make up for time lost to the ravages of war and a government that as recently as the 1990s kept the outside world at bay. Its streets surge with scooters vying for right of way amid the din of constantly blaring horns, and all-around layers of history reveal periods of French and Chinese occupation – offering a glimpse into the resilience of ambitious, proud Hanoians.

07:30 – 08:00 Pick-up at Hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter to go to Pu Luong Nature Reserve by Limousine Bus.

09:00 Short break in Luong Son (Outside of Hanoi).

11:00 Stop at the local market of the Muong Ethnic Minority; enjoy the beautiful scenery of Thung Khe Pass (One of the 10 most beautiful passes in Vietnam). 

12:00 Arrival in Mai Chau and transfer to a van to go to Pu Luong Reserve nature

13:00 Check in and lunch at Pu Luong Eco Garden – The Mountain Retreat.

14:30 – 17:30 Board the van to the starting point. Following the small road through the terrace rice and sugar cane fields, cross the Hanging Bridges to visit other remote rural villages of Thai Ethnic. Stop at the giant waterwheels, ducks farm to learn about the agriculture before getting on the Bamboo Raft for a relaxing cruise on Cham stream (cruise depending on weather conditions).

17:30 Pick up the van to go to the Eco Garden – Mountain Retreat. Enjoy swimming in the Infinity Pool.

19:00 BBQ Dinner at the lodge, enjoy some local rice wine. Have a quiet night in the middle of the Reserve.

07:00 – 08:00 Have breakfast in the lodge. Enjoying the breathtaking view from Pu Luong Eco Garden – The Mountain Retreat.

08:30 – 12:00 Trek following the small roads through the terrace rice fields and cross the stream to visit remote hidden village of Kho Muong to learn about the local people in Pu Luong.(6kms) Explore Doi Cave (Bat cave), this is the largest cave in Pu Luong. (Depending on the weather condition)

12:00 Back to the Eco Garden – The Mountain Retreat, check out.

13:00 Have lunch and have free time to relax in the Infinity pool or walking around the village before boarding the car to go to Ninh Binh at 14:30.

17:30 Arrive in Ninh Binh Retreat, check in and have free time.

19:00 Have dinner at the retreat

7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast at the Retreat

8:30 to 12:00 Cycling through the limestone karsts to reach 2 temples of the first 2 Emperors in the 10th Century in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital hike up the Ma Yen Mountain to visit the King’s tomb in 10th century and enjoy the panorama view from the mountain. On the way back, stop in a local family to discover daily life and culture and share a tea with them.

12:00 -13:30 Check out and have lunch at the Retreat

13:30 -16:00 Go to Trang An for a boat ride in between the karst pics and enjoy the beautiful scenery and peaceful atmosphere.

16:00 Board the bus to go to Hanoi.

19:00 Drop off in Hanoi old quarter.

Overnight in Hanoi

7.30 - 8:00 pick up from your hotel in Hanoi for driving on highway No. 3. 

You will also visit the Museum of the Cultures of Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups in Thai Nguyen City where you can browse the objects, photographs and exhibits that give a better understanding of the various ethnic groups and their agricultural tools, handicrafts and traditional costumes worn for worship. 

There will be a stop for lunch before your transfer extremely north to Cao Bang through scatterings of villages and rice paddies. 

You will get the chance to stop at a village known for its tobacco production (depend on growing season). 

This road is less explored by the stream of tourists so that you can really enjoy the view of and peaceful life along the way.

Tonight, you have dinner and stay overnight in the homestay of a Nung's family in Quang Uyen.

After breakfast at the homestay, you will depart for Trung Khanh which lies on the border with China. 

Here you will have the chance to meet the Nung people in the village of Phuoc Sen, a mountainous village famous for its traditional blacksmith craft. The farming tools made here are an integral part of the lifestyle which is evident in the surrounding rice paddies and fields. 

Nestled in amongst these amazing landscapes is the breathtaking Ban Gioc Waterfall which spans over 300 meters, half in Vietnam and half in China. 

You will have time to soak up the powerful atmosphere of the falls and take some fantastic photos before heading to another natural wonder, Nguom Ngao Cave. This cave stretches out 2,144 meters underground and is brimming with incredible stalactites and stalagmites. 

You will then make your way to return Cao Bang town and going down on snake pass to Ba Be Lake.

Tonight, you will stay overnight on traditional house of Tay ethnic family. 

At the homestay, you can relax and unwind from the day and enjoy a meal of home cooked local food.

After breakfast, get on the boat and start exploring Ba Be, the biggest freshwater lake of Vietnam.

You can relax on board, do some wildlife spotting or if you need to cool off, you can jump into the cool, clean waters for a refreshing swim! 

As you float on Ba Be Lake, you can take in the scenery of the surrounding karsts decorated with patches of wild vegetation and inhabited by all sorts of interesting creatures. 

The boat ride along the Nang River, with time to explore the stunning Ba Be Lake, the caves of Puong Grotto, where you can explore the stalactites and stalagmites which are a result of the erosion of the river on the karst as well as looking out for the bat colony several thousand strong. 

After that, depart for the journey back to Hanoi, a drive of approximately 150 miles (230 kilometers). We will stop at some hills tea plant before returning to your hotel in the bustling city of Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi just before the dust falls, transfer to your hotel in old quarter.

Overnight in Hanoi

You have ample time to relax or strolling around the small street of Hanoi before taking the flight to Dong Hoi, the gateway to explore the famous Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.

Upon arrival, transfer to Phong Nha to check-in to the hotel.

The standard hotel check-in time is 14:00. Early check-in is subject to availability and not included.

Overnight in Phong Nha.

07:30 - 08:00AM Pick up and join a one-hour drive to the starting point in Tan Hoa, located 70km from Phong Nha. Briefing and tour preparations are here.

The trek starts with a flat path past the peanut field and grazing buffalo and cows. A river crossing leads to a short but steep and rocky uphill section. 

At the top you will enter Secret Cave, a short but beautiful cave. 

Descend to the next valley. Cross the valley on a flat path to enjoy a picnic lunch in the entrance of Hung Ton Cave. 

Continue through Hung Ton Cave to a 10m ladder descent with a safety line. Reach the underground river and swim out of the exit to To Mo Valley. 

Enjoy a swim in the lake before heading up out of the valley. Another steep hill follows before you descend to La Ken Valley and your campsite.

The second day is a long trekking day over hills and through beautiful valleys and jungle.

You will cover a total of 8km with a 350m ascent. From the campsite, you will head uphill and trek through the jungle to Hung Nhai, a pleasant and mainly flat scenic valley. 

Lunch will be next to the river, before the last big hill of the day. 

Ascend and descend around 200m to arrive at a different river valley. 

A short trek upstream leads you to your campsite and beautiful blue lagoon. Here the underground river wells up providing a cool natural swimming pool. 

Relax and enjoy this after your long hike.

In the morning, the trail is a large jumble of rocks to pick your way over, with the help and direction of the guide and safety team. 

As you enter the cave you will appreciate the full size of the passage. Plants and algae cover many of the calcite formations. Further into the cave you will see splendid cave features such as a ceiling dome, and multiple layers of rock, giving the walls a stripy appearance. 

A 10m ladder will be climbed up with a safety rope, and a short distance later you will see the end of the cave, an opening into the jungle.

Continue into the jungle valley and trek for around 30 minutes to the second cave. A small opening with swirling stripy patterns on the walls drops into a much larger passage filled with calcite formations. 

Enjoy lunch in the jungle after finishing the second cave. The final challenge of the Expedition now follows. Cross the small valley and climb up around 200m on a rocky trail. 

Take your time, this is not a race. From the top the descent is initially steep and rocky, and up and down, but soon joins an old logging trail, and then follow a flat forest walk back to the road. 

Here you will be picked up with a welcome cold drink.

Transfer back to Phong Nha arriving around 07:00 PM

Depart early morning and head south to Hue.

On the way, stop at the childhood home of the General Vo Nguyen Giap. He was born in this village in 1911 and is famous for his leadership which led to the victory of the battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1946 against the French army. The house was actually burned by French soldiers but restored in 1977. Visit the beautiful traditional wooden house in a charming garden thanks to Mr. Ham, his grandson who currently lives there and listen to his stories of his grandfather.  

Then drive on for another hour before making a stop at Vinh Moc Tunnels. The route is scenic after leaving the main highway passing through quaint villages and skirting along Cua Tung Beach. Learn all about the Vinh Moc village story which is a feat of humanity and resistance during the Vietnam War. Explore the tunnels and enjoy the beautiful sea view upon exit!

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Dong Ha.

In the afternoon, drive around 30 min to the 500-year-old village of Phuoc Tich. Once famous and prosperous because of its pottery, the village has dozens of homes that are from 100 to 200 years old and several old temples, pagodas, worship halls and communal houses still remain. Many imprints of Champa and ancient Viet cultures are still preserved such as lingas (a very complex symbol of Hinduism). The religious culture of the village is seen via families, which have their own ancestor worship halls, each worshiping five direct generations.

Arrive in Hue in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Hue.

Around 8:00a.m in the morning, our local guide picks you up from hotel in Hue and start heading to Dong Ba market which is the biggest and most significant central market of Hue city to explore daily life of local people and see how they sell products. You will also have chance to buy some special products such as conical hat, sesame cake…

We then take an easy boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda which is the oldest one and the symbol of this city.

Leaving Thien Mu pagoda after a 30-minute visit, car will pick us up  and transfer to the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen’s Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945 including Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, and Forbidden Purple City. We spend one and a half hour there before leaving for lunch.

At around 11:30a.m, we go back to the town and have lunch at a local restaurant with pretty setting. Get some rest before continuing the trip in the afternoon.
About 2:00p.m, we jump on car and travel to Khai Dinh tomb first. This tomb is a perfect combination of Eastern and Western architecture. The next tomb is of King Minh Mang. Touted as the most majestic of all Nguyen Dynasty royal tombs, Minh Mang Tomb is a complex of 40 constructions: palaces, temples, pavilions, etc. 

After visiting Minh Mang tomb, we will travel to conical hat village to see how craftsmen make this beautiful product and get a chance to interact with locals.

Transfer back to your hotel before the dust falls over the city. Overnight in Hue

Today, we will have a full day traveling to Hue with the scooter. 

Hue to Hoi An motorbike tour route is one of the most breathtaking routes in Viet Nam. What can be greater than the adventurous feeling on a top gear motorbike via rural, coastal and mountainous roads to explore real Vietnam?

8:30AM: Our guide picks you up at your hotel.

9:00AM: First, we visit Thanh Toan, an ancient tiled roof bridge, located nearby a local market among rice fields. Our tour guide will introduce almost every type of product in market such as vegetable, fish and pork. You can also learn about the process of planting rice and the life of farmers in the past by visiting agriculture museum.

10:30AM: Approximatly 20 km from the city of ghost, we will stop on Vinh Hien bridge where get amazing pics on the mouth of the biggest lagoon in southeast Asia. Also, you can admire the picturesque view of little boat and fish farm on the lagoon.

11:30AM: We reach Elephant Spring in Hue where you can swim or just keep yourself cool in the water of “white hoses peak”.  You can have lunch with some local food here such as forest chicken and morning glory.

1:00PM: Lunch at Lang Co beach – one of the most beautiful beaches in the world

2:30PM: Leaving Lang Co, you will travel through the most impressive pass in Viet Nam, Hai Van. With sudden curves, blind corners and little yellow temples along the road, Hai Van Pass will satisfy your desire for adventure. Standing on mossy bunkers to view the spectacular beauty of the mountains and ocean. At this pass, you can easily the difference between Da Nang and Hue in term of weather.

3:30PM: After traveling through Hai Van pass, we continue the Hue to Hoi An motorbike tour by taking a coastal road via Thuan Phuoc Bridge. After that we have a break at My khe beach.

4:30PM: Driving 9km south of Danang city center we will get to the Marble Mountains, a group of five marble and limestone mountains, you will know how it was named after the five elements of the ancient oriental philosophy: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. You have the opportunity to have some souvenirs in 400-year-old craft village.

5:30PM: Arrive at Hoi An and drop off at your hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An

Pick-up from your hotel and climb atop your bicycle to begin your explorative ride through the verdant beauty of the countryside. 

Admire luscious landscapes thronged with paddies and winding waterways and stop at several quaint towns to gain insight into indigenous cultural traditions. 

We will cycle to a farming area called Tra Que Vegetable Village, which supplies organic veggies for all of Hoi An and nearby areas. 

Next, venture to the picturesque banks of the Thu Bon River and embark on a majestic cruise down the waterway. Marvel at the riverside beauty of the area then disembark at a floating island to appease your appetite with a flavorsome and fulfilling barbecue feast. 

Watch the sun sink into the horizon and cast a fiery glow over the scenery while finishing your delicious meal. Afterwards, return to the boat and glide down the river as dusk shrouds the countryside in atmospheric light. 

Approach the glittering lights of Hoi An and cycle through the bustling streets back to your hotel in town.

Overnight in Hoi An

You have ample time in the morning to explore the town of Hoi An by yourselves.

At mid-afternoon, our driver will come to pick you up and transfer directly to Da Nang to take the overnight bus to Buon Ma Thuot.

The bus start from Da Nang Bus Station at 17:00PM and arrive in Buon Ma Thuot Bus Station at 07:15AM the following day.

Overnight on bus

Upon arrival, our guide & driver will transfer you into tow to have a breakfast at local restaurant.

After a soft rest, visit Amakong – Khamphetlao to learn about the traditional stilt house of the Central Highlands. Our guide will explain about customary laws and elephant hunting, the life of elephants. You can touch the elephant hunting tools or fishing net of the people here.

Visit and learn about the process of making Amakong medicine, following with the visit to the medicinal garden with rare herbs before continuing to Ben Nuoc at Krong B village. 

Our next stop is to visit the Ko Tam community eco-tourism site. The ecological diversity of the area combines many artificial areas, giving a very special impression from the first look like a picture with many different colors, is made up of countless species of flowers such as form.

In the afternoon, continue the tour with a visit to the Museum of Ethnic Minorities, which displays images and historical artifacts, cultural life of the people of Dak Lak province, nourishment and production of coffee beans, orchard plantation. 

Transfer back to your hotel after that.

Overnight in Buon Ma Thuot

In the morning, transfer further north to visit Ban Don, which famous for its cross-cultural diversity and traditional hunting and domestication of elephants. 

You are introduced to the old house over 120 years of Laos, heard about the customary and elephant hunting, the life of the elephant through the Monument of the elephant hunting elephant and elephant, walking the suspension bridge crossing the Serepok River. 

Visit Ban Don ecotourism and the longest Ede house in the Central Highlands, learn about the matriarchy and spiritual life of villagers .... 

In addition, the boys and girls will welcome you with the song Ayray, traditional dances in the program of gong music. 

In the afternoon, return to Buon Ma Thuot City, visit the Buon Ma Thuot Exile, one of the most brutal prisoners of the French colonial government in Vietnam, where detained revolutionary soldiers of Vietnam.

Continue to Khai Doan Pagoda, the first temple of Buddhist organizations in the Restoration of Buddhism in Vietnam in the Central Highlands, the imperial reign of the reign of the Bao Dai period. 

The temple was designed by Doan Huy Hoang and Hoang Thi Cuc (the imperial king of Khai Dinh) and some Buddhists made their donation to the Trung Viet Sangha. 

We then transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Buon Ma Thuot

Today, we will travel to Da Lat, which is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its distinctive temperate climate.

Along the way, visit Draysap waterfall, located on the upstream of Serepok river, showing the majesty of the mountains and unique culture of the Central Highlands. 

Enjoy the majestic feeling of Draysap waterfall on the top of the falls, you also dipped in the fresh water of the Inner Stream ..., visit the mushroom house, wildlife park at the falls. 

Our next stop is Lak Lake Resort - the largest natural freshwater lake in Dak Lak, the second largest in Vietnam (behind Ba Be Lake). Around the lake there are large mountains covered by primitive forests. 

On the way visit Elephant Rock - the largest monolithic stone in Vietnam, visit coffee garden, rubber, pepper, cashew ... 

If you wish, take an elephant ride to visit the village and the lake, take a dug out to visit the lake. 

From there, continue to drive to Da Lat with the option to visit the lake of Buon Tua Srah, local villages or markets along the way.

We also have chance to stop and enjoy the view from Phu Son Pass.

Arrive in Da Lat just in time to catch the sunset.

Overnight in Da Lat

After breakfast, we will start our motorbike tour to explore the Da Lat waterfalls loop which consists of the 4 most beautiful waterfalls in the area.

We will first drive south to Datanla waterfall. Located away 8km from the city, Datanla Waterfall is one of the favorite places of visitors, who come to Dalat. There is always a large amount of water due to the upstream of the water source is always stable. 

Our second stop is at Prenn waterfall, which is an eco-tourism complex with a total area of nearly 1,000ha in the midst of a pristine, primitive forest. 

We continue our drive 40km further to the south of the city to visit the 50-meter height of Pongour waterfall, divided into seven cascading waterfalls making the view from a distance as beautiful as a beautiful woman's hair. The big ones, on the cascading waterfalls that make the white foam flying.

Last but not least, we will head north to visit the Elephant Waterfalls, which is a beauty completely without human intervention hand. A wild beauty as the message itself of the plateau. The Elephant Waterfall, also known as Lieng Rhoau Waterfall, is one of the beautiful waterfalls of the majestic Tay Nguyen Mountains with a height of over 30m, 15m wide, not far from Linh An Pagoda. 

Although located in the town but the waterfall still retains the charm. In 2001, Dalat elephant waterfall was recognized as a national landscape monument.

You have ample time to enjoy the water and the natural pool here before taking the last stretch of the waterfall loop to come back to Da Lat city

Overnight in Da Lat.

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM. We will pick you up at hotel in Dalat and departure to Phan Rang city. This is a route through tranquil and romantic countryside, tropical forests and lush green farms. Pit stops with scenic spots and majestic mountains will help you relax on the long journey.

We will make the first stop at Cau Dat Tea Farm, which has large airy spaces with winding hills covered by green tea and Oolong tea trees. You can also visit the ancient tea factory built in 1927 and learn about the tea processing method.

Our car will get through the Ngoan Muc Pass with a long and winding road down the mountain, crossing two giant water pipes that bring water from the reservoir to the hydroelectric plant. 

Arriving in Phan Rang, we will visit Po Klong Garai Towers is known as one of the typical Cham architecture built in the late 13th century. 

The fruitful vineyards along both sides of the way surely attract you. We stop and visit a large vineyard, their products are safe and good in quality included grapes, grape wines, grape juice, nectar, and jams. You will hear about grape growing, harvesting, storage and processing grapes into finished products.

After that, visit Bau Truc Pottery Village, this is the oldest pottery village in South East Asia, famous for its pottery handicrafts and unique firing clay technique.

We make the last stop at the Cham brocade-weaving village. The village now has more than 500 skilled weavers. The task of weaving fabrics is for women, while men cut and sew the brocade into finished products for the market.

We will arrive at the hotel before the sunset. Overnight in Phan Rang

You have 2 full days of relaxation. With perhaps the best weather in Vietnam, Phan Rang is a low-key coastal city where swimming and seafood take priority. 

There may also be an opportunity to hit up some awesome snorkeling spots or hire a surfboard or paddle-board – as if the shimmering waters of the South China Sea are not enough. 

Phan Rang’s vibe is more beach beers than beach bars, so slow down and take it easy after more than 20 day of adventure before continuing further south.

Overnight in Phan Rang

Phan-tastic – another day to soak up the sun, catch up on your favorite book, and enjoy a day of swim, sunbake, eat, repeat. 

In the afternoon, we will transfer to Nha Trang to take the flight to Ho Chi Minh city.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

After breakfast, this morning drive to visit the infamous Cu Chi tunnels. First constructed by the Vietnamese during their colonial war with the French, the tunnels were later greatly expanded and went on to achieve notoriety during the Vietnam War, when they served as an underground command base for 10,000 Viet Cong troops. Exploring Cu Chi gives some idea as to the conditions that the Vietnamese had to endure (the tunnels are narrow and can be quite claustrophobic). 

The afternoon allows for more time in the city including an optional visit to the waterpark, a great way to cool off from the mid-day sun.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

In the morning, transfer to Cai Lay, where our Mekong Delta cycling tour being with the first stretch to Cai Be. 

Upon arrival, take a boat trip along the mighty tributaries of the Mekong River to view the daily lives of those who work and live on the waterways of the Mekong Delta. 

We have ample time to visit the unique "floating" market at Cai Be, and see a family-run business producing rice paper - a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. 

Lunch will be served on an island mid-river, in a local house set amongst fruit orchards and bonsai trees, whilst enjoying a performance of traditional Vietnamese music. 

In the afternoon, continue to ride to An Binh Island admiring the peaceful scenes of farmers seeding, ploughing, and harvesting their fields. 

Arrive in Vinh Long before the sunset, check in your hotel.

Overnight in Vinh Long

In the morning, visit craft industries and see local residents make tofu, floor tiles, and bricks. 

Then, continue to ride to Can Tho and spend the afternoon at a fruit market or riding around the countryside to admire the view and local life.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Early morning, take a boat ride from the Ninh Kieu dock in Can Tho to visit the teeming floating market at Cai Rang.

Then, ride on small tracks and stop at a fruit orchard to taste some of the succulent fruits of the Mekong Delta. 

Enjoy lunch en-route to Ho Chi Minh City.

Free for the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight