Your Travel Experience with ARRIVAL
Day 1
ARRIVAL
Arrive in lantern-lit Hoi An and settle into your stay near the riverside heart (Airport transfers not included). In the afternoon, meet the rest of the group for a stroll through the ochre-walled Ancient Town with your guide – past temples, bridges and slow-turning wheels of history. A postcard-perfect intro to Vietnam’s storied soul.
Day 1 - 2
EMM Hotel Hoi An (or similar)
Bright, central, and easygoing, this hotel comes with bikes, a pool and prime access to Hoi An’s Ancient Town. Just far enough from the bustle for a good night’s sleep, but close enough to wander the lantern-lit streets by foot or wheel.
Day 1
Hoi An Walking Tour
A guided stroll through Hoi An’s UNESCO-listed Ancient Town. Wander ochre lanes, Japanese bridges, and merchant houses that whisper of spice routes and silk trades. A sensory, slow dive into Vietnam’s multi-layered past.
Day 2 - 3
EMM Hotel Hue (or similar)
A splash of colour in Vietnam’s former imperial capital. With a pool to cool off and the Citadel just minutes away, this modern stay keeps you close to Hue’s historic pulse without skimping on comfort or calm.
Day 2
Hue Imperial Citadel Tour
Step inside the moated Citadel of Hue – the seat of Nguyen emperors. Explore palaces, gates and royal halls scarred by war yet steeped in ceremony. It’s Vietnam’s own Forbidden City, full of faded grandeur and imperial echoes.
Day 3
Phong Nha Riverside Homestay (or similar)
Simple, warm, and right on the river – this locally run homestay puts you in the heart of Phong Nha’s quiet beauty. Expect early mist, cold beers and real connection.
Vinh Moc Tunnels Visit
Walk through an underground world where entire communities once lived to survive the war. These hand-dug tunnels near the DMZ offer a sobering, powerful insight into resilience, resourcefulness and Vietnam’s wartime reality.
Day 4 - 5
Kim Lien Hotel (or similar)
A no-frills city stop, fit for a functional overnight in Vinh. Think clean beds, a hot shower, and a decent sleep before you hit the road again. Not a highlight – but a handy halfway house en route to the magic.
Day 4
Phong Nha Cave Boat Ride
Board a wooden boat and slip into Phong Nha Cave’s surreal underworld. Glide past towering stalactites, vaulted chambers, and hidden rivers. Nature carved this masterpiece over millennia – you just get to float through it.
Day 5 - 6
Tam Coc Rice Fields Resort (or similar)
A laid-back stay tucked between karst cliffs and endless green paddies. Think open-air verandas, rustic finishes and views that feel like a painting. It’s your launchpad for slow Ninh Binh days or cave-laced adventures.
Day 5
Hang Mua Viewpoint Climb
Climb 500 stone steps to the Hang Mua summit, where jagged limestone peaks rise over wide, green rice fields. It’s a sweaty climb, but the cinematic views – Ninh Binh at its most jaw-dropping – are worth every step.
Day 6 - 7
Mai Chau Lodge (or similar)
Traditional decor meets mountain calm in this rice paddy-fringed retreat. With stilt house charm, valley views and an inviting pool, it's the perfect welcome to rural Vietnam. A place where time slows and every window frames stillness.
Day 6
Mai Chau Valley Walk
Wander through peaceful villages nestled in the Mai Chau Valley. Meet weavers, pass rice paddies and see a slower, rooted rhythm of life. This gentle walk brings you face-to-face with the everyday beauty of rural Vietnam.
Cuc Phuong Primate Centre Visit
Visit a rescue centre deep in Cuc Phuong National Park, home to rare langurs and endangered gibbons. Learn how conservationists protect Vietnam’s primates, then stroll through the leafy grounds of the country’s oldest national park.
Day 7 - 8
Flower Garden Hotel Hanoi (or similar)
Set near Hanoi’s Old Quarter with rooftop views over the capital’s buzz. A mix of comfort and convenience with a soft landing after days on the road. Step out for one last pho, or stay in and watch the city hum from above.
Day 7
Hanoi Landmarks Tour
A guided intro to Hanoi’s cultural heart. Visit the Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university – and Tran Quoc Pagoda, set serenely on West Lake. Sacred, scholarly and steeped in symbolism, these icons reveal the capital’s quiet side.
Day 8
Departure
Spend your morning as you please – coffee, markets, or a bonus bolt out to Halong Bay for a day cruise (optional). Check out by noon, with airport transfers available. Whether you fly or float, your story doesn’t end here – it’s just gaining depth.