Vietnam is a country of contrasts, vivid landscapes and deep history. A destination that stays true to its authenticity, traditions and unique character!
Although Vietnam is often associated with rice fields, floating markets and the iconic conical hats, the country has so much more to offer. Striking natural beauty, jungles, remote regions, largely untouched ecological reserves, karst landscapes, one of the world’s largest cave systems, some of which have only recently been explored, vibrant cities, ancient temples and a cuisine that is reason enough to travel there.
Stretching approximately 1,650 km from north to south, Vietnam offers an impressive variety of landscapes and climate zones, with each region revealing a different side of the country.
This journey focuses on the highlights of northern and central Vietnam. We begin in the lively city of Hanoi, hike through forests, rice fields and villages in Pu Luong and Ninh Binh, enjoy a cruise in Ha Long Bay and explore ancient Hoi An, My Son and the imperial city of Hue.
A rich journey through Vietnam’s nature, history and culture, designed for travelers who love exploration, authentic experiences and good company!
Highlights
We meet at Athens International Airport and begin our journey to Vietnam, a destination of contrasts, rich history and authentic experiences. Our flight is operated by Air China, via Beijing, departing at 13:10 and arriving in Hanoi the following day at 11:55.
We arrive in Hanoi at 11:55. After completing the necessary entry formalities, we transfer to our hotel in the heart of the Old Quarter. In the afternoon, we enjoy our first taste of Vietnam’s capital with a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and through the lively streets of the Old Quarter, where street vendors, local aromas, flavors and everyday city scenes bring Hanoi to life. Overnight at La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel & Spa 4*, ideally located next to Hoan Kiem Lake, in double rooms with breakfast.
Today is dedicated to discovering lively Hanoi, a city filled with history, energy and everyday scenes of local life. We visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, dedicated to the country’s 54 ethnic groups, and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius.
The afternoon is free to wander through the atmospheric Old Quarter, watch the train pass along the famous Train Street while enjoying an egg coffee, or attend a traditional water puppet show.
Overnight at the same hotel.
We leave Hanoi behind and travel by road to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, a beautiful rural region where the villages are home to the White Thai and Muong ethnic communities.
Our first hiking experience begins here, as we follow local trails used by the villagers in their everyday life and pass through small settlements along the way. During the route, we stop at a local home, where we have the opportunity to meet the family, learn more about their daily routine and experience a more authentic side of rural Vietnam.
We then transfer to Pu Luong Eco Garden 3* (4.8), where we stay overnight in Bamboo Rooms with private bathrooms. Surrounded by nature and the calm atmosphere of Pu Luong, we welcome the New Year in a truly special setting.
Early in the morning, we set out on another hiking route in Pu Luong, walking through bamboo forests, tall trees, small villages and terraced rice fields.
Our route takes us through the villages of Kho Muong and Pho Doan. After enjoying a picnic lunch along the way, we continue on a rural trail through the Pu Luong valley, with beautiful views over the rice fields.
Overnight at the same hotel.
Before leaving the Pu Luong valley behind, we enjoy a scenic hike along the Cham River, where we see the area’s ancient giant water wheels.
We then continue to Ninh Binh, one of Vietnam’s most striking regions, known for its karst landscapes, temples and scattered historic sites. Here, we explore Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam, often described as “Ha Long Bay on land”, enjoy a boat ride through the protected landscapes of Trang An and climb to the rocky viewpoint near Bich Dong Pagoda, with panoramic views over the valley.
Overnight at Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort 4*.
In the morning, we set off on our two-day cruise in Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes.
Once on board, we settle into our spacious cabins, all with private bathrooms and balconies, and begin sailing among the bay’s impressive karst limestone islands. Lunch and dinner are served buffet-style at the ship’s restaurant.
In the evening, we anchor in a quiet bay for the night.
Accommodation is on board Le Journey Elegance, a wooden vessel with 22 cabins.
We wake up early to enjoy the sunrise from the boat, with a peaceful tai chi session on deck. After breakfast, we complete our cruise and return to the port.
We then head to Hanoi Airport for our afternoon flight to Danang, before continuing by road to Hoi An.
In the evening, we take our first walk through the Old Town, which comes beautifully to life after dark. The narrow streets and canals along the Thu Bon River glow with colorful lanterns, creating a wonderfully atmospheric scene.
Overnight in the heart of the Old Town at Mulberry Collection Silk Eco 4*, in double rooms with breakfast.
We begin with a cycling tour through the rural countryside surrounding Hoi An, heading to Tra Que village, known for its aromatic herbs.
Here, we meet local farmers and get a closer look at everyday agricultural life in the area. Lunch is enjoyed in the village, with the chance to taste local specialties such as tam huu — small pork and shrimp skewers — along with six other regional dishes.
We then continue to My Son, the most important Cham archaeological site in central Vietnam.
In the afternoon, we return to Hoi An for time to stroll through the Old Town and visit the gallery-museum of the remarkable photographer Réhahn.
Overnight at the same hotel.
After breakfast, we depart for Hue, where we visit the magnificent Imperial Citadel, built in 1804.
With its imposing, fortress-like appearance and its location in the heart of the city, the Citadel stretches over a perimeter of more than 10 kilometers. Inspired by the fortifications of Vauban, it consists of three main sections: the Capital City (Kinh Thanh), the Imperial City (Hoang Thanh) and the Forbidden Purple City (Cam Thanh). Although it suffered significant damage in 1968 during the Vietnam War, restoration and preservation work continues today, bringing new life to this important cultural heritage site.
We then explore the Mausoleum of Tu Duc, an exceptional example of traditional Vietnamese architecture and one of Hue’s most beautiful landmarks.
In the afternoon, we transfer to Hue Airport for our return flight to Hanoi. Overnight at La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel & Spa 4*, in double rooms with breakfast.
The morning is free to enjoy our last moments in Hanoi before we transfer to the airport for our return flight to Greece.
Our flight departs for Beijing at 13:20, arriving at 17:50.
With enough time in Beijing, we make the most of our stopover with a walk and dinner around Houhai Lake and the surrounding Hutongs, before continuing our journey home.
We take our overnight flight from Beijing to Athens, departing at 02:30 and arriving at 08:00. We return to Greece with lasting images, experiences and memories from a truly special journey through Vietnam.
📢 Early Bird Special Offer
Valid for bookings made until 31 August.
After the Early Bird offer expires, the following participation fee applies:
Extra:
To reserve your spot, please read the booking terms first. Once you have accepted them, you can proceed with the online booking process by clicking “Book Now”. The deposit payment is completed during the booking process, by card or via IRIS.
The remaining balance must be paid by 15 November 2026.
Payments should be made to the following Alpha Bank account:
IBAN: GR1001407960796002002013550
Account name: OUTDOORS TRAINING IKE
When making the bank transfer or deposit, please include your full name and the trip name “Vietnam December 2026” in the payment reference.
In case of cancellation, the following cancellation policy applies:
To enter Vietnam, you are required to have a passport valid for at least 6 months after your departure date from the country, as well as a travel visa, which will be arranged by our office.
For the visa application, you will need to send us a scanned copy of your passport in PDF format, along with a passport-style photo taken by a professional photographer. Digitized photos or selfies that do not meet the required specifications cannot be accepted.
These documents must be sent to us no later than 30 days before departure. In case of late submission, which may result in the visa not being issued on time, our office cannot be held responsible for any additional costs or for denied entry into the country.
Accommodation is in 3 and 4 hotels**, in double rooms with private bathroom and breakfast.
Hotels are selected primarily for their location, ensuring they best support the smooth running of the itinerary while also offering convenient access to the local market and surrounding area.
Meals include all breakfasts at the accommodations, 2 dinners and 2 lunches, one of which is a picnic lunch.
The remaining meals can be enjoyed at local traditional restaurants, where, in addition to Vietnamese dishes, you will find a wide variety of flavors from across Asia.
Vietnam is famous for its cuisine, and this trip is a wonderful opportunity to experience it in different ways, from carefully selected street food spots, always chosen where there is a high local turnover as a sign of freshness, to restaurants with a more refined gastronomic character.
Transfers are carried out by private air-conditioned vehicle.
Our tour leader or local guide reserves the right to modify the itinerary if required due to weather conditions or other local circumstances, such as strikes, political unrest or other unforeseen factors.
Any changes will be made with the smooth running of the program and the safety of participants as the main priority. Any additional costs that may arise from such changes are covered by the participants.
There are no mandatory vaccinations required for entry into Vietnam.
For your safety when moving around the cities, especially at intersections in Hanoi and Saigon, please be mindful of the heavy traffic, particularly scooters.
It is recommended to drink bottled or filtered water. If you would like to try street food, choose busy places, as high turnover is usually a good indication of freshness.
It is also advisable to always carry mosquito repellent, as well as a rain jacket for possible sudden showers.
The trip cost includes travel insurance with AddValue, under the BASIC coverage plan.
This plan covers trips at altitudes of up to 3,000 m and travelers up to 65 years old. An extension may be available for travelers up to 80 years old.
Please note that travel insurance is a specialized service. Detailed and accurate information regarding insurance options, coverage and policy exclusions can only be provided by the insurance provider.
We therefore recommend contacting our insurance advisor, who will help you decide whether to remain with the included plan or upgrade your coverage package.
During our trip, northern Vietnam is in its dry season, with temperatures around 20°C, ideal for sightseeing and hiking.
In central Vietnam, temperatures are usually milder to warmer, while the region is towards the end of the wet season. For this reason, some rainfall may occur on certain days.
The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Indicative exchange rate in May: €1 = approximately 30,600 VND.
Euros are accepted at currency exchange offices in the capital, and ATMs are also available for cash withdrawals. We recommend informing your bank about your trip in advance.
For personal expenses and meals not included in the itinerary, around €300 is usually sufficient for the duration of the trip. However, it is advisable to budget extra for tips and personal purchases.
Before our departure from Greece, you will be invited to join a WhatsApp group, so please make sure you have the app installed on your mobile phone.
Through this group, you will receive daily updates about the itinerary, as well as other useful information during the trip.
To stay connected throughout the journey, we recommend purchasing a local SIM card upon arrival at the airport. Viettel is a recommended local provider, with good coverage.
Please also note that Wi-Fi is available at the accommodations, with the exception of the overnight stay on board the boat.
Tipping is optional, but it is a thoughtful way to show appreciation to the tour leader and local staff who help make the trip run smoothly and enjoyably.
For local tips, we recommend budgeting approximately €40–50 per person in total. For our tour leader, the amount is entirely at your discretion.
Recommended first-aid kit:
To enter Vietnam, you need a passport valid for at least 6 months after your departure date from the country, as well as a travel visa, which will be arranged by our office.
For the visa application, you will need to send us a scanned copy of your passport in PDF format and a passport-style photo taken by a professional photographer, according to the required specifications. These documents must be sent no later than 30 days before departure.
The trip is designed for 12–15 participants
The Early Bird offer is valid for bookings made until 31 August.
There are no mandatory vaccinations required for entry into Vietnam.
Yes, travel insurance with AddValue is included in the trip cost, under the BASIC coverage plan.
This plan covers trips at altitudes of up to 3,000 m and travelers up to 65 years old. An extension may be available for travelers up to 80 years old.
During our trip, northern Vietnam is in its dry season, with temperatures around 20°C, ideal for sightseeing and hiking.
In central Vietnam, temperatures are usually milder to warmer, while the region is towards the end of the wet season. For this reason, some rainfall may occur on certain days.
The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Indicative exchange rate in May: €1 = approximately 30,600 VND.
Euros are accepted at currency exchange offices in the capital, and ATMs are also available for cash withdrawals. We recommend informing your bank about your trip in advance.
For personal expenses and meals not included in the itinerary, around €300 is usually sufficient for the duration of the trip. However, it is advisable to budget extra for tips and personal purchases.
Before our departure from Greece, you will be invited to join a WhatsApp group, through which you will receive daily updates about the itinerary and other useful information during the trip.
To stay connected throughout the journey, we recommend purchasing a local SIM card upon arrival at the airport. Viettel is a recommended local provider, with good coverage.
Wi-Fi is available at the accommodations, with the exception of the overnight stay on board the boat.
Accommodation is in 3 and 4 hotels**, in double rooms with private bathroom and breakfast.
Hotels are selected primarily for their location, ensuring they best support the smooth running of the itinerary while also offering convenient access to the local market and surrounding area.
Meals include all breakfasts at the accommodations, as well as:
1 New Year’s Eve dinner
2 dinners on board
1 picnic lunch
1 additional meal
The remaining meals can be enjoyed at local traditional restaurants, where, in addition to Vietnamese dishes, you will usually find a wide variety of options from the wider Asian cuisine.
Local transfers are carried out by private air-conditioned vehicle.
Domestic flights, as described in the itinerary, are also included.
International flights are operated by Air China, via Beijing.
The outbound flight departs from Athens on 28 December 2026 at 13:10, arriving in Hanoi the following day at 11:55.
The return flight departs from Hanoi to Beijing on 7 January 2027 at 13:20, arriving in Beijing at 17:50. The overnight flight from Beijing to Athens departs at 02:30 and arrives in Athens at 08:00 on 8 January 2027.
No, tips are not included.
Tipping is optional, but it is a thoughtful way to show appreciation to the tour leader and local staff who help make the trip run smoothly and enjoyably. For local tips, we recommend budgeting approximately €40–50 per person in total. For our tour leader, the amount is entirely at your discretion.
Price from €2910
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