Vietnam by Trail: An Active Journey from Mountains to Sea

Depart on an overnight flight to Hanoi and transfer to your hotel in the Old Quarter upon arrival. Gather for a welcome dinner and opt to take an evening lakeside walk. (D)

Walking: 1-hour walk on paved lakeside path

Spend a full day exploring Hanoi on guided walks. Venture to Ho Chi Minh’s home and mausoleum and see the French colonial Presidential Palace that served as his official residence. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda and join a local historian for a tour of the Hoa Lo Prison, dubbed the “Hanoi Hilton” by American POWs imprisoned here. Stop for a typical Vietnamese lunch and a tasting of egg coffee, a Hanoi favorite, before heading to the French Quarter for a guided walk along Hoàn Kiếm Lake to Ngọc Sơn Temple and the Hanoi Opera House. (B,L)

Walking: 1-2 miles (morning) and 2-3 miles (afternoon) on busy, mostly flat city streets and sidewalks with some uneven terrain

 Travel to Ha Long Bay and board a traditional-style sailing boat for an overnight cruise. In a remote section of this World Heritage site, discover hidden caves and inlets near Thien Canh Son. Then embark on a guided kayaking excursion, passing beneath towering karst formations and learning about the bay’s wild geology. Watch the sunset on deck and take part in a cooking lesson before dinner on board. If you wish, opt to try squid fishing from the boat tonight. (B,L,D)

Kayaking: 1-2 miles on calm waters

Walking: 30-45 minutes for cave exploration, including a descent and ascent with approx. 100 stone steps each way

Opt to rise early for tai chi on deck, then travel by bamboo boat to a floating village to learn about everyday life on the water. After a final lunch on board, disembark and drive to Ninh Binh, a province in the Red River Delta where the ancient capital of Hoa Lu is situated. Check into your hotel before dinner together. (B,L,D)

Take a day trip to Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam’s first and largest national park, home to more than 2,000 plant varieties, hundreds of mammals and reptiles, and some 330 birds species.  Meet conservation experts at a wildlife rescue center to hear firsthand about efforts to protect the park’s biodiversity. See a 1,000-year-old tree and venture into the Cave of Prehistoric Man, where prehistoric fossils and tools have been found. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure. (B,L,D)

Walking (morning): 1-2 miles on trails and paved paths

Walking (afternoon): 2 miles on trails and paved paths

Journey to the World Heritage site of Trang An, where vertical karst cliffs flank dazzling paddies. Explore the region by river boat, sailing past rice fields, caves, and age-old temples where local residents still come to worship. In the quaint village of Bat Trang, ceramics have been produced since the 11th century. Meet the founder of a pottery studio for a discussion about Bat Trang’s artistic traditions, then experience them yourself during a hands-on pottery workshop. You’ll also enjoy lunch here and a chance to explore the village’s timeless lanes. Later, transfer to Hanoi and check in to day rooms at a hotel in town. Dine at your own pace at the hotel, then board a night train to the culturally rich Sapa region. (B,L)

Walking: 1-2 miles paved village lanes and dirt roads with some uneven terrain

Arrive in the town of Sapa early the next morning and head to your hotel. Nestled in a verdant valley near Mount Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak, Sapa is your base for discovering the terraced rice fields and diverse hilltribe villages of the region. After lunch, travel to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai, known for its traditional batik-making—a textile art using wax and natural dyes to create designs on fabric. Visit a batik workshop to try your hand at the craft and learn about its significance. Then set out on a hike to the village of Y Linh Ho. Enjoy a free evening in Sapa town. (B,L)

Walking: 1-2 miles miles on paved village roads and dirt lanes with some uneven or slippery terrain and gentle ascents and descents

After breakfast, set out on a village-to-village trek, following trails that lace through emerald hills and terraced paddies, and encountering the distinctive traditions of the ethnic hilltribes you encounter. Drive to the village of Thanh Phu, stopping en route at an ancient rock garden and viewpoint overlooking the valley. In Nậm Nhìu, where members of the Red Dzao community have long resided, enjoy a village walk before trekking to Nậm Sài. Here, learn about the embroidery traditions of the indigenous Xá Phó community. Continue on the trail to Nậm Cang, known for its traditional silver artisans and herbal medicine practices. After lunch, take part in a traditional bamboo paper-making workshop. Return to Sapa town for an evening at leisure. (B,L)

Walking: 5-6 miles (2-3 hours) on miles on paved village roads and dirt lanes with some uneven or slippery terrain and gentle ascents and descents

Rise early for the drive back to Hanoi, where you’ll catch an afternoon flight south to Danang. Continue overland to the historic trading town of Hoi An, another World Heritage site. Check in to your hotel in time for dinner on your own before meeting up for an evening walk through Hoi An’s enchanting Ancient Town, illuminated with hundreds of colorful lanterns. (B,L)

Walking: 1-2 miles paved or stone city streets

Spend the day cycling through the beautiful countryside villages of central Vietnam. Set off from your hotel on a gentle ride to Cam Kim Island, where the master woodcarvers responsible for Hoi An’s intricate architecture have resided for generations. On a guided walk, hear about the village's role in Hoi An’s maritime history. Bike past fields of lush produce to Tra Que, known as the “vegetable village,” and take part in a cooking class in a local home. Using freshly harvested ingredients, concoct a countryside lunch and savor it with the group before cycling back to the hotel. In the evening, meet with a historic preservation specialist to hear how the heritage homes of Hoi An are being restored and protected. Enjoy an evening at leisure in Hoi An. (B,L)

Biking: 13 miles on mostly flat paved roads

Walking: 1-2 miles on paved village roads and dirt lanes

Step back in time on a guided walk through Hoi An’s Ancient Town. Follow timeless lanes lined with beautifully preserved wooden architecture, and see vestiges of Hoi An’s history as a bustling maritime trading port from the 15th to 19th centuries. After lunch on your own, take advantage of a free afternoon to linger in the Ancient Town, venture to one of the lovely beaches nearby, or relax at a café or a spa. Regroup in the evening for a dazzling contemporary art performance that merges Vietnam's past and present through dance, acrobatics, and bamboo music. Then head to a local restaurant and toast your adventures in Vietnam at a farewell dinner. (B,D)

Walking: 1-2 miles on paved streets and sidewalks with some ascents and descents

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Danang for your onward flight. (B)