Vietnam

Walking Vietnam: Paths of Wonder from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Program No. 22552RJ
Enjoy comfortable walking adventures throughout Vietnam, beginning in the capital city of Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh City — Saigon. Explore villages, citadels, bays and more!

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At a Glance

Footpaths through lush, green valleys that wind their way to tranquil villages. Bustling sidewalks through energetic marketplaces. Pathways to historic citadels, pagodas and tombs where past Emperors now lie in rest. There is no shortage of roads to walk throughout Vietnam — and they each lead to something fascinating! Join us for a walking adventure that begins in the capital of Hanoi and ends in Ho Chi Minh City — Saigon — for an up-close look at the places and people that inhabit this exotic nation.

Extend Your Adventure

This program includes an optional program extension.

Extension: Ancient Temples of Angkor

Continue your learning adventure with a four-day extension to Cambodia. Visit four ancient temples of Angkor and learn about their significance for the Khmer people.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Walking up to 3.5 miles (up to 3 hours) per day over varied terrain.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Spend a night on the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay and journey past towering limestone islands.
  • Create your own Vietnamese cuisine in a hands-on cooking class that begins in the markets and ends with a delicious meal.
  • Walk along the streets of Ho Chi Minh City — Saigon — to explore its Opera House and Cathedral, and watch as locals practice tai chi in Tao Dan Park.

General Notes

Looking to extend your stay? This program has a post-extension, "Extension: Ancient Temples of Angkor" (#22617).
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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17 days
16 nights
33 meals
14 B 10 L 9 D
DAY
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
DAY
2
En Route
In Flight
DAY
3
Arrive Hanoi, Program Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Hanoi
D
Mercure Hanoi La Gare Hotel

Activity note: Hotel check-in at 2: 00 p.m. Arrivals throughout the day. Please note that if the group flight arrives after 5:30 p.m., we will conduct the Orientation the next morning so you can rest after your long journey.

Afternoon: Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. In addition to the program theme and logistics, we will review the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Please be aware that indicated times are approximate and that program activities and schedules could change due to local circumstances such as weather, traffic conditions, etc. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. During free time, the Group Leader will often be available for informal excursions, activities, or meals not included in the program. You are welcome to join if you wish, with any associated costs at your own expense.

Dinner: Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. Coffee, tea and bottled water included; additional beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
Walking Discovery of the Old Quarter, Water Puppet Show
Hanoi
B,L
Mercure Hanoi La Gare Hotel

Activity note: Approximately 4 miles of walking today.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, we have a walking exploration introducing us to the highlights of Hanoi, the ancient, charming capital of Vietnam. We begin in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the ‘36 streets’. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It is a fascinating place to explore. We walk through charming Hang Be Market, around Hoan Kiem Lake and pause at Ngoc Son temple. After our walk, we coach to the Temple of Literature.

Lunch: Lunch for a cause at KOTO Restaurant, where we will enjoy Vietnamese food with international twists. KOTO or ‘Know One Teach One’ is supported by Street Voices, an NGO dedicated to offering a brighter future to disadvantaged youth experiencing, or at risk ofk homelessness in Vietnam. The youth in the KOTO training program study hospitality and English, gaining life skills and essential professional experience through working at KOTO Restaurant.

Afternoon: We walk to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which we view from the outside. Ho Chi Minh is regarded as the father of modern Vietnam. We visit the former president’s Ho Chi Minh House on Stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. The house illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary. We then visit the Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda before heading to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater for a show. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form portraying scenes from rural life and national history.

Dinner: At own arrangements. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
Women's Museum, Coach to Mai Chau
Mai Chau
B,D
Sol Bungalows

Activity note: The coach transfer from Hanoi to Mai Chau is approximately 90 miles/4 hours, with rest stops along the way. Limited walking today; around 30 minutes from the lodge to a restaurant for dinner.

Breakfast: Buffet offering local and international cuisine with hot and cold options.

Morning: We walk to the Women’s Museum for a guided visit where we learn about the contribution of women to Vietnam's history and culture as well as their roles in military conflicts and commerce. We view the remarkable collection of propaganda posters, costumes, tribal basketware and fabric motifs from ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. We return to our hotel and check out.

Lunch: At own arrangements.

Afternoon: We depart by coach for Mai Chau. Mai Chau is surrounded by mountains and rice paddy fields. The villagers of Mai Chau are mostly of the White Thai ethnic tribe, distantly related to the tribes of Thailand, Laos and China. Upon our arrival in Mai Chau, we check in to our hotel. We have some time to relax before we walk to a local restaurant for dinner.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: After dinner, we return to our hotel and have the rest of the evening at leisure.

DAY
6
Pu Luang Nature Reserve, Free Time
Mai Chau
B,L,D
Sol Bungalows

Activity note: Walking around the villages near Pu Luong Reserve (approximately 4.5 miles/3 hours).

Breakfast: Buffet offering local and international cuisine with hot and cold options.

Morning: We transfer by coach to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. On arrival, we trek along footpaths surrounded by picturesque hills with splendid tiers of rice terraces. We pass several idyllic villages surrounded by lush farmland and beautiful mountains. The path is steep and it can get slippery if it rains. We recommend bringing your fold-up walking poles with you.

Lunch: We enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the local villages in the Reserve before coaching back to Mai Chau.

Afternoon: After our return to Mai Chau, we have some free time in the late afternoon.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
7
Coach to Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu Citadel
Ninh Binh
B,L,D
Emeralda Resort

Activity note: The coach journey from Mai Chau to Ninh Binh is 100 miles/4 hours, with rest stops along the way. In the afternoon, the coach from Ninh Binh to Hoa Lu is approximately 15 miles/30 minutes. Walking approximately 2.5 miles/2 hours, with stops to look at sites along the way.

Breakfast: Buffet offering local and international cuisine with hot and cold options.

Morning: We transfer by coach from Mai Chau to Ninh Binh, located in the Red River Delta, close to Ha Long Bay. This area is famous for its spectacular limestone karst topography jutting out of the horizon. Upon arrival in Ninh Binh, we check in to the resort hotel and enjoy lunch.

Lunch: At the resort. Coffee, tea and bottled water included; additional beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: We transfer by coach to the site of Vietnam's first capital, Hoa Lu. Here we view the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968 - 980), and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980 - 1009). The ancient Hoa Lu Citadel, most of which has since been destroyed, once covered an area of three square kilometers. Afterwards, if time permits, we take a half-hour walk up one of the surrounding limestone karst hills for breath-taking views.

Dinner: At the resort.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
8
Cuc Phuong National Park, Tum Coc, Sampan Ride
Ninh Binh
B,L
Emeralda Resort

Activity note: The distance from the hotel to the cave is approximately 15 miles/45 minutes. Walking around Phuong National Park for approximately 2 hours, with stops along the way. Getting on/off small rowboats.

Breakfast: Buffet offering local and international cuisine with hot and cold options.

Morning: We board our motorcoach and drive to Cuc Phuong National Park. We first have a lecture on the work of the Endangered Primate Rescue Center. Our Group Leader then takes us on a guided walk through the national park and the Endangered Primate Rescue Center.

Lunch: At a local restaurant at Cuc Phuong National Park.

Afternoon: We transfer by coach to explore the Thien Ha (Galaxy) Cave located near the foot of Tuong Mountain. To get to the cave we will board small boats and enjoy a peaceful ride through a river canal for approximately one mile. We return by coach to our hotel.

Dinner: At own arrangements. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
9
Coach to Ha Long Bay, Junk, Thien Canh Son Cave
Ha Long Bay
B,L,D
Victory Cruise

Activity note: Driving time is approximately 4 hours with rest stops. Our Ha Long Bay program may be subject to change depending on weather conditions and approval from port authorities.

Breakfast: Early morning buffet offering local and international cuisine with hot and cold options.

Morning: We board our motorcoach and depart for Ha Long Bay. "Ha Long", which means "Bay of Descending Dragons", is a stunning area, famous for its scenic ocean karst topography. We arrive at the jetty in Ha Long City around noon and proceed with check-in formalities to board our Vietnamese junk. We enjoy a welcome drink while our Cruise Manager goes through the itinerary and safety briefing.

Lunch: We will have a buffet meal aboard the junk. Coffee, tea and water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: This afternoon we visit Thien Canh Son Cave. The cave provides wild and mysterious beauty. Inside the cave, it is an ethereal wonderland with naturally carved images resembling a lotus flower and a baby elephant. The ceiling of the cave is covered with a shiny ‘gem carpet’, and numerous sparkling stalactites appear like ’hanging lamps’. Stone statues of seals and flowers create an imaginary dream world. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure on the junk.

Dinner: On board the junk. Coffee, tea and water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. At the end of the day the junk sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Enjoy the sunset over the enchanting Ha Long Bay. Prepare for check-out in the morning.

DAY
10
Floating Village, Fly to Da Nang, Drive to Hoi An
Hoi An
B,D
Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel & Spa

Activity note: The drive from Ha Long Bay to Hanoi International Airport is approximately 111 miles/4 hours, with a stop along the way. Flight time from Hanoi to Da Nang is approximately 1 hour. It is an early evening flight (subject to change). The drive from Da Nang airport to our hotel in Hoi An is approximately 20 miles/1 hour.

Breakfast: Enjoy sunrise over the bay. Start your day with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck with complimentary tea and coffee. At around 7.00 a.m. a light breakfast is served.

Morning: This morning we transfer from the junk to traditional rowboats and visit a floating village. We return to the junk and relax. At around 9.00 a.m. brunch is served in the restaurant. We disembark mid-morning and transfer via coach to Hanoi International Airport for our flight to Da Nang.

Lunch: We have a light snack lunch at the airport.

Afternoon: We arrive at Hanoi Airport late in the afternoon and board our flight to Da Nang. Upon our arrival in Da Nang, we transfer by coach to our program hotel in Hoi An and check in.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
11
Vietnamese Cooking Class, Guided Walk
Hoi An
B,L
Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel & Spa

Activity note: The field trip walking around old Hoi An is approximately 3 miles/1.5 hours.

Breakfast: Buffet offering local and international cuisine with hot and cold options.

Morning: We become more familiar with the art of Vietnamese cooking with a start-to-finish cooking course. This four-hour class combines a market visit with an overview of ingredients common in Vietnamese food and a hands-on cooking class where we make our own multi-course meal. It is a great way to see all the nooks and crannies of a Vietnamese market and understand the secrets behind Vietnamese cooking. The class begins with a one-hour visit to the Hoi An market where we learn how to select the freshest ingredients. We return to the cooking school where a lovely air-conditioned room with individual cooking stations will be used for the cooking class. Here each dish will be made as we follow step-by-step instructions. Additional assistance is offered by staff to those that might need some extra help. The class not only covers cooking techniques but also herbal remedies and tricks to using Vietnamese vegetable graters and knives. Our efforts are rewarded by the lunch that we have made for ourselves!

Lunch: Enjoy your cooked meal at the school.

Afternoon: We join our Group Leader for a half-day walking discovery of Hoi An, a major trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries. On our leisurely walk, we will get to know this charming, old-world, trading port with its narrow streets, traditional houses and grand former merchants’ homes. We will visit the town’s iconic 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the Chinese Communal Hall before taking in the sights and sounds of the colorful local marketplace. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are at leisure.

Dinner: At own arrangements.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
12
Tra Que Vegetable Village, Coach to Hue
Hue
B,L,D
Hotel Saigon Morin

Activity note: The drive from Hoi An to Hue is approximately 77 miles/3 hours, with stops along the way. Walking around the village is approximately 3 miles/1.5 hours.

Breakfast: Buffet offering local and international cuisine with hot and cold options.

Morning: This morning we visit Tra Que Vegetable Village, located in the communal area of Hoi An. We walk through many gardens growing a large variety of vegetables and learn about some of the traditional organic techniques used by the farmers. We relax at a nearby house and soak our feet in an herbal bath. There will be a short cooking demonstration before a delicious lunch overlooking the gardens.

Lunch: At the village after a cooking demonstration.

Afternoon: We transfer by coach to Hue. The drive takes us along one of the most breathtaking highways in Asia. We travel over the Hai Van Pass offering spectacular views of the South China Sea. Upon our arrival in Hue, we check in to our hotel with time to rest and freshen up before dinner.

Dinner: We enjoy an authentic Hue-style dinner in one of the traditional gardens.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
13
Imperial Citadel, Celestial Lady Pagoda, Long Chau Temple
Hue
B,L
Hotel Saigon Morin

Activity note: The walking distance is approximately 4 miles today.

Breakfast: Buffet offering local and international cuisine with hot and cold options.

Morning: This morning we walk to the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Although the Citadel still retains some of its original grandeur from the era of construction, the visible damage to the structure reflects the tumultuous years of Vietnam's recent past. From here we walk to Chua Thien Mu (about 2.7 miles), the “Celestial Lady Pagoda”. Thien Mu Pagoda was constructed in 1601. The 21-meter-tall tower is the centerpiece of the pagoda and represents seven reincarnations of the Buddha overlooking the peaceful Perfume River. On the grounds of the pagoda is the Austin car made famous in 1963 by a resident monk, Thich Quang Duc, who drove the vehicle to Saigon to protest against the southern regime. The photo of his self-immolation was captured and became one of the most well-known images of the war. We continue with a boat ride crossing the Perfume River for lunch at one of the riverside resorts.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We walk for approximately one mile to Ho Quyen (the tiger fighting arena). It was built in 1830, during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, to stage yearly battles between an elephant and a tiger. A few-hundred meters away is Long Chau Temple, known locally as Dien Voi Re (the Palace of the Crying Elephants). This is the palace where royal elephants were buried and worshipped.

Dinner: At own arrangements.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
14
Free Time, Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
B,D
Sila Urban Living

Activity note: The flight time from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is approximately 1.5 hours. Walking today for approximately 1.5 miles, with stops along the way.

Breakfast: Buffet offering local and international cuisine with hot and cold options.

Morning: This morning we transfer by coach to Hue airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Lunch: At own arrangements.

Afternoon: Upon our arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, we transfer to our hotel and check in. After some down time, we take a historic walk from our hotel to visit some of the iconic monuments and buildings found in Ho Chi Minh City. Our walk will take in sites such as the Opera House, Continental Hotel, the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the historic Rex Hotel. We finish our walk at the iconic Saigon Bar at the Caravelle Hotel, and enjoy a refreshing cocktail at happy hour.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
15
Early Morning Exploration, Presentation, University Students
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
B,L
Sila Urban Living

Activity note: The morning excursion is approximately 7 miles total, on foot and on local transport.

Breakfast: Good Morning Saigon! Wake up to the sounds of Vietnam with an expert-led field trip that takes us around Ho Chi Minh City in the early-morning hours when it is buzzing with local activity. We watch the graceful movements of Tai Chi in the park and jostle with traders at the morning market. Our Group Leader and driver will pick us up at around 6:00 a.m. to catch the first rays of the sun and to see Saigon waking up. Our local form of transport (an open style van with no air-conditioning) will allow us to be fully immersed in the atmosphere of the city. We stop at Tao Dan Park, where locals practice their morning exercises – Tai Chi, aerobics and badminton. We stroll around the park to a small pagoda where we are likely to see locals performing daily prayers. Buddhism in Vietnam has had a symbiotic relationship with Taoism, Chinese spirituality, as well as aspects of indigenous Vietnamese religion. We return to our hotel for breakfast. Buffet offering local and international cuisine with hot and cold options.

Morning: We then transfer to a buzzing local market. We walk through tiny back alleys into the local neighborhoods of the city. Families have set up small food stalls along the way and we can also venture into a small temple honoring five Mother Goddesses before continuing to a monastery where the monks will be happy to show us around. From here, we walk to one of the older parts of the city where French-era villas can be seen along a teak-tree-lined street.

Lunch: At a local restaurant. Coffee, tea and bottled water included; additional beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: We visit the University of Social Science and Humanities for a presentation on Vietnamese Development in the Past 20 Years. After the presentation, we will meet with the professor and university students to discuss the changes and their visions for the future. We return to the hotel for some free time in the late afternoon.

Dinner: Dinner at own arrangements.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
16
Mekong Delta, Village Walking Discovery
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
B,L,D
Sila Urban Living

Activity note: Walking around a village in the Mekong Delta for approximately 4 miles/2.5 hours.

Breakfast: This morning we depart from the central pier in Ho Chi Minh City for a scenic field trip to the Mekong Delta aboard a speedboat. A light breakfast will be served on the boat.

Morning: We explore an area of the Mekong Delta that few other visitors get to experience. We have many fascinating cultural stops including local pagodas, the Cao Dai Temple, a riverside market, local workshops and historical sites along the way.

Lunch: Set menu served family-style at a local restaurant in the Mekong Delta.

Afternoon: After lunch, we continue to explore the Mekong Delta area before heading back to Saigon.

Dinner: Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant with a complimentary farewell drink. Coffee, tea and bottled water included; additional beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Say farewell to new Road Scholar friends. Pack and prepare for departures home tomorrow.

DAY
17
Program Concludes
In Flight
B

Activity note: Morning departures. Hotel check-out by 12:00 noon.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Program concludes. Depart for Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City, for your return flight home. See Final Program Information Packet for Departure Transfer information from the hotel to the airport. Note that hotel check-out time is 12:00 noon. If you are on a later flight you might want to consider booking a late check-out or an extended stay. For those interested in extending your stay with a four day excursion to Siem Reap, Cambodia, to explore the Angkor Temples, please contact Road Scholar to enroll in the Extension program: #22617. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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