Welcome to Vietnam—and to the heart of it all, Hanoi! This vibrant, often poetic city has been the country’s capital for over 1,000 years, and every corner hums with echoes of the past. From ancient temples and storied lakes to French-colonial architecture and buzzing modern cafés, Hanoi is a city of contrasts and deep-rooted traditions. You’re about to embark on an unforgettable journey through a place where myths, history, and daily life blend seamlessly.

Upon arrival, you’ll be met at the airport by your friendly driver and taken straight to your stylish city hotel—your home base as you dive into Hanoi’s many layers. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, the charm of the capital always feels fresh. Once settled in, enjoy a slow afternoon stroll around your hotel area. Maybe sip a cà phê sữa đá at a sidewalk café, or meander past leafy boulevards and lakeside pagodas. This is your first taste of Hanoi’s rhythm—unhurried yet full of life. Tomorrow promises temples, street food, and hidden alleyways, but for now, just breathe it in. You’ve arrived in a city that doesn’t rush to impress—but always leaves a mark.

Accommodation: Le Jardin Hotel or similar

Transport: Airport transfer from Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi Hotel

Meals: Welcome Dinner

After breakfast, step into the rhythm of Hanoi and experience the city as it truly lives and breathes. Founded in the 11th century, Hanoi is one of Vietnam’s most captivating cities—where every winding street tells a story. You’ll begin in the Old Quarter, a vibrant maze of narrow lanes packed with scooters, shopfronts, and street food vendors. Watch locals go about their daily routines, try a crispy bánh mì or a warm bowl of phở, and soak in the buzz of market life.

Make your way to Đồng Xuân Market, the city’s largest and oldest, with its French colonial facade hinting at Hanoi’s layered past. Then wander south into the elegant French Quarter, where tree-lined boulevards, stately villas, and grand government buildings speak to another chapter in the city’s history. Here, past meets present in the most charming way.

Take a break with a cup of cà phê trứng—Hanoi’s signature egg coffee, whipped creamy and sweet—best enjoyed in a quiet café tucked inside a faded colonial building. It’s more than a drink; it’s a taste of Hanoi’s quirky, resilient soul. Today’s about slowing down and tuning in to the heartbeat of the capital. 

Included activities: Hanoi walking tour {Guided} 

Accommodation: Le Jardin Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast and Snacks

Get ready to witness some of the most breathtaking views in all of Vietnam—and Southeast Asia. After breakfast at your Hanoi hotel, you’ll hit the road toward the legendary seascapes of Halong Bay. But you’re not heading where everyone else is. Instead, you’ll venture further, to the quieter, more secluded waters of Lan Ha Bay—a hidden gem that promises all the beauty with far fewer crowds.

Arrive late morning and board the Sena Cruise – a 16-cabin boutique wooden junk.

Once aboard your comfortable cruise, the day is yours to simply take it all in. Towering limestone karsts rise dramatically from emerald waters, and as the boat glides between them, every turn reveals a new jaw-dropping vista. When sunset arrives, it’ll stop you in your tracks—golden light washing over ancient rock formations in a way no photo could ever quite do justice.

You won’t just be floating and watching—you’ll also hop off the boat and into a kayak to explore a secret sea cave, paddling through still waters surrounded by nature at its most epic. Tonight, you’ll dine and sleep on board, gently rocked by the calm bay, completely immersed in one of the world’s most iconic landscapes. It’s not just a cruise—it’s a front-row seat to nature’s masterpiece.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Transportation: Air-condition limousine shuttle bus from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay 

Accommodation: Sena Cruises or similar

You’ll want to rise early today—trust us. There’s something magical about watching the morning mist lift over the limestone peaks of Lan Ha Bay from the deck of your floating home. For a peaceful start, join a tai chi session on the sundeck as the boat gently sways and the bay slowly comes to life. It’s a moment of calm you’ll carry with you.

Disembark late morning and transfer by road back toward Hanoi, continuing directly to Nội Bài Airport for the domestic flight south to Phú Bài Airport, Huế.  

Welcome to Huế, Vietnam’s former Imperial Capital and a city steeped in poetic beauty and dynastic history. Once the seat of the Nguyễn Emperors, Huế invites you into a world of royal palaces, peaceful pagodas, and tombs fit for kings. Walk the grounds of the Forbidden Purple City, once reserved for emperors and their retinues, and explore the stunning mausoleums scattered along the Perfume River—each one a tribute to power, legacy, and architectural grace. Here, Vietnam’s imperial past feels wonderfully close, wrapped in the stillness of old stone and the fragrance of frangipani trees.

 Meals: Breakfast, Light Lunch 

Transportation: Air-conditioned limousine shuttle bus from Ha Long to Noi Bai Airport, 

Fly from Hanoi to Hue, then a Private car from the Airport to the Hue Hotel

Accommodation: Spatel d’Annam Hotel (or similar)

After breakfast at your hotel, hop on the back of a scooter and let our guide lead you through the soul of Huế. There’s something about exploring this former imperial capital on two wheels—the breeze, the rhythm, the way the city slowly opens up to you. If you don’t fancy going on a scooter, this is fine too – there will be an alternative for you.

First stop: the sprawling grounds of the Forbidden City, where emperors once ruled behind high stone walls and regal red gates. Built in the early 19th century by the Nguyễn Dynasty, this massive walled citadel stretches nearly 2.5 kilometers around and holds over 150 structures—palaces, temples, pavilions, and tranquil gardens, all laid out with the precision of a royal hierarchy. At the heart lies the Forbidden Purple City, once the most private of places, where only the emperor and his closest kin could step foot.

Then it’s on to Tu Duc’s Tomb—a lavish, almost melancholic monument. Beautiful, yes, but also a symbol of misplaced priorities. Tu Duc poured fortunes into this serene retreat while his empire crumbled, paving the way for colonial rule.

For lunch, we’ll trade history for stillness. At a peaceful Buddhist pagoda, you’ll share a simple, wholesome vegetarian meal with the monastics—a quiet moment of reflection amid centuries of stories.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Included activities: Tour Huế on the back of a scooter

Accommodation: Spatel d’Annam Hotel

Today, you’ll hop aboard a local train and ride one of Southeast Asia’s most stunning rail routes—from Huế to Da Nang, winding along the coast and through lush green hills. It’s a slow, scenic three-hour journey where the magic lies not just outside the window, but often right beside you. Be open, be curious—you might end up sharing snacks with a fellow passenger or swapping stories with someone eager to chat about life in Central Vietnam.

Once you arrive in Da Nang, a short drive brings you to the charm of Hoi An. Settle into your boutique hotel, a cozy haven tucked into this enchanting town. 

Hội An was one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia between the 15th and 19th centuries, its lanes shaped by successive waves of Chinese, Japanese, and European merchant communities. The Japanese Covered Bridge (1593), the Chinese assembly halls, the merchant townhouses with their distinctive two-storey facades and internal courtyards: all of it remains intact in the Old Town, UNESCO-listed since 1999. The afternoon is free before stepping out in the early evening when the lanterns come out along the riverside and Hội An becomes one of the most atmospheric places in the country.

Consider a relaxing spa session—a perfect way to unwind after your journey—before heading out to explore Hoi An’s lantern-lit Old Quarter. With its winding alleys, tailor shops, temples, and riverside cafes, Hoi An feels like stepping into another world entirely. A city with its own pace, its own poetry, waiting just outside your door.

Included activities: Explore Hoi An Old Quarter on foot {Guided}

Meals: Breakfast 

Transportation: Driving from Hue hotel to Hue Railway station – Train from Hue to Danang – Driving from Danang Railway station to Hoi An hotel

Accommodation: Lantana Riverside Hoi An Hotel

Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before heading out on a cycling adventure into the heart of Hoi An’s countryside. Your guide will meet you and get you fitted with a bike and helmet, then it’s off to Cẩm Kim Island via quiet backroads that wind past emerald rice fields and sleepy canals.

The ride is gentle and full of charm. You’ll pass farmers tending their crops with the help of water buffalo, families weaving vibrant straw sleeping mats by hand, and skilled artisans carving traditional wooden boats the old-fashioned way. There’s no filter here—just everyday life, unfolding at its own unhurried pace.

By late morning, you’ll visit a local family famous for making traditional Hoi An noodles. Watch the process from start to slurp, then roll up your sleeves and have a go at preparing mì Quảng noodles and bánh đập—crispy rice crackers you literally smash before eating. Lunch is served right there with your generous hosts, homemade and heartfelt.

After lunch, your bike hops on a boat while you sit back and drift along the Thu Bồn River, soaking up the riverside views as Hoi An slowly comes back into sight.

Late afternoon: join artist Lê Thúy for a hands-on natural indigo dyeing workshop. Working with Indigofera tinctoria – processed using a traditional fermentation method unchanged for centuries – she has developed a shibori practice that draws on both Vietnamese and Japanese textile traditions. Her works are held in the permanent collection of the Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane (QAGOMA).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Included activities: Cycling Cam Kim and return by boat {GUIDED} 

Feature Activity: Indigo dyeing at an artist’s private studio {INSTRUCTOR LED}

After breakfast, transfer inland to Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary – approx. 40 kilometres southwest of Hội An, set in a sheltered valley encircled by jungle-covered hills that served both as natural protection and deliberate seclusion for its builders.

Mỹ Sơn was the spiritual and ceremonial centre of the Champa Kingdom – a Hinduised civilisation that dominated central Vietnam from the 2nd to the 15th centuries and maintained sophisticated maritime trading networks across the South China Sea. Construction began in the 4th century and continued for nearly a thousand years across different dynasties of Cham rulers, each adding towers and sanctuaries dedicated to Śiva and associated Hindu deities. The red brick construction technique – the bricks appear bonded without mortar, using a method never fully decoded by modern researchers – produced structures of remarkable durability. Much of the complex was destroyed in 1969 by US bombing during the Vietnam War, but what remains retains considerable power, particularly in its jungle setting. UNESCO World Heritage listed since 1999. Your guide will contextualise the Cham civilisation – its art, its trade links, and its gradual decline – as you move through the ruins.

Return to Hội An late morning with the afternoon free: a tailor visit, a spa session, a slow café afternoon, or a final wander through the Old Town.

At approximately 18:30, the group will gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant – a meal to close the journey.

Accommodation: Lantana Riverside Hoi An Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Your unforgettable adventure through Vietnam comes to an end today as you head to Da Nang airport to travel onward. You’ve ventured to sample street food at some of the country’s most hideaway spots, travelled by train along one of the most spectacular coastal routes in all of Southeast Asia, and plied the iconic limestone landscapes of Halong Bay aboard a luxury boat. And you’ve done, seen and learned so much more, too. We hope your visit to Vietnam has been memorable–and just a taste of all that this incredible and hospitable country has to offer, and we look forward to seeing you on another Pip & Co Travel adventure soon!

If you’d like to extend your stay in Hoi An, please feel free to book an additional night or two. 

Transportation: Airport transfer for departure (from Hoi An hotel to Da Nang Airport)

Meals: Breakfast

Lots of different people! Mostly women in their 50 – 70s have travelled with Pip & Co Travel.

Travellers who share a love of discovery, learning, adventure, fun and kindness of any age are right for Pip & Co Travel trips!

We love having solo travellers on our trips. In fact many of our travellers join our trips on their own.

If you are keen to twin share, it is sometimes possible to match you with another solo traveller. This isn’t guaranteed, though, and if there isn’t another traveller available, you will need to pay the solo supplement.

The cost to have your own room varies for each trip. Check on the payment page or contact Penny for more information. 

Our tours are designed to be enjoyed by people with a reasonable level of everyday fitness. You should feel comfortable walking for several hours at a relaxed pace, sometimes over uneven ground, and managing steps or stairs. Some itineraries may include optional activities such as cycling, light trekking, or boat trips—these are designed to be accessible, and your guides will always support you to participate at your own pace.

You don’t need to be an athlete—just prepared for days filled with exploration, cultural immersion, and a bit of adventure. If you’re concerned about specific activities, please let us know in advance so we can advise you on what to expect and suggest ways to make the experience more comfortable.

This trip is graded easy-moderate. You can expect to be standing for 1-2 hours, taking some steps (approx 8,000 steps per day) walking on uneven ground and getting in and out of a boat or on and off a scooter.

The weather in Northern and Central Vietnam during April, is usually dry and warm. You can expect temperatures of around 26-28 degrees in Hanoi and Lan Ha Bay, and 28-30 in Hue and 28-30 in Hoi An. Days can be warm and sunny, so take care to wear sunscreen, and a hat and cover up. 

Most destinations accept a mix of cash and card payments. Major cities often have good access to ATMs, while more rural areas may be cash-only. It’s best to carry some local currency for small purchases, markets, or tipping. 

Tipping is not necessarily a requirement in Vietnam, but it is a nice thing to do especially if the service you received was excellent. I organise a tipping kitty for each tour group, and I will advise the recommended amount each person to put in (usually around USD$30). This will be used for drivers, porters, specialist guides, and hotel staff.

I will suggest an amount that is suitable as a tip for your tour guide – this is completely at your own discretion, and is usually USD$3 – $5 per person per day.

You need to make a AUD $500 deposit to hold your spot. The final balance of the trip at least 90 days before the start of the trip. You can pay with a major credit card such as Visa or Mastercard (fees apply) or with a bank transfer.

Payment plans can also be arranged.

Visa requirements vary depending on your nationality but Australian passport holders need a visa to enter Vietnam.

The visa needs to be applied for online, at least 7 days before your trip departure and is USD$25.

I will send reminders in the lead up to your departure to make sure you’ve got your visa.

International flights are not included in your tour package.

You should aim to book flights that align with the official tour start and end dates. Where possible, arrive at least one day early to allow time to adjust to the local time zone and recover from long-haul travel.

Your arrival city is Hanoi, and departure city is Danang.

You can fly direct to Hanoi from some cities in Australia and home from Danang through many Asian cities, including Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.