Xin Chao and welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, a Topas representative will welcome you to the land of the ascending dragon before heading straight to your hotel in the heart of the city. The day is at leisure to discover Hanoi on your own, wandering the crooked alleys of the iconic Old Quarter and the promenade around Hoan Kiem Lake until an evening dinner date with a local family.

When you want to get to know a culture, there’s nothing quite like breaking bread (or spooning rice) with a local family. Expect to fill up on spring rolls, hearty soups, light stir fries and plenty of hot white rice. Get to know the family without worrying about the language barrier, as English-speaking students from the local university will accompany you throughout, teaching you about local etiquette and making sure you avoid making any social faux pas.

Included meals: Dinner
Distance and Activities: 45’ drive

Experience the morning like a true Hanoian at Hang Be Market, one of the Old Quarter’s liveliest “wet” markets. Wet means fresh, so expect picture-perfect mountains of vegetables, a rainbow of exotic, tropical fruits, and all manner of other items.

Once you’ve had enough to eat, pass the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on the way to the Temple of Literature, the oldest university in the country that also functions as a place of prayer, especially for students during exam week). Then head to the Citadel and Flag Tower, a true testament of Vietnam’s strength, resilience, and beauty.

Browse the superb exhibits at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, an essential stop on any visit to Hanoi. Learn about the heroines of Vietnamese society, especially in regards to ethnic minorities, war, and modern exhibitions before heading back to the Old Quarter for a tasty lunch in one of the Old Quarter’s most picturesque houses, with tiled flooring, ancient wooden beams, and antique furniture.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance and Activities: 4h sightseeing tour

Depart Hanoi after breakfast and travel through the Red River Delta, the cradle of Vietnamese civilization for thousands of years, with ancient craft villages and cultivated countryside.

Upon arrival to Moon Garden Homestay, enjoy lunch and a welcome drink in the tiled courtyard while absorbing the old-world atmosphere of Vietnam’s countryside

After lunch, enjoy an herbal hand spa while practicing Vietnamese with a family member of the homestay. Once you’re nice and rested, take a gentle walk through the surrounding area, exploring the quiet villages of Ky Son, Tam Son, and Van Minh as well as Cham farming communities.

Return to the homestay and observe a traditional prayer ceremony featuring Vietnam’s unique and accessible form of Buddhism followed by a big dinner and  footbath flavored with ginger, salt, and medicinal herbs to ensure a seamless sleep.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance and Activities: 1.5h drive, 6 km walking tour 

After a superb night’s sleep, enjoy a hearty breakfast. Then, hop onto a bicycle and explore the surrounding countryside. Whizz through farming communities and learn how the locals work the land – which will be different depending on the season – before arriving at Duong Lam, one of Vietnam’s best-preserved villages.

Duong Lam is famous for its preserved, centuries-old houses, and the production of tuong, a kind of fermented bean dipping sauce that you can sample if you’re feeling up for it! Settle down for a picnic lunch in one of the ancient houses before continuing on to the tomb of Ngo Quyen and the temple of Phung Hung, two of Vietnam’s most important historical figures.

On the return to Hanoi, stop by Thay Pagoda, a gorgeous pagoda dedicated to Buddha. Admire the ornate architecture and charming scenery before checking-in to your city hotel. Rest up before an evening attendance of My Village at the Hanoi Opera House, a modern performance of rhythmic dancing, acrobatics and juggling showcasing traditional Vietnamese lifestyle with bamboo props and folk music.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance and Activities: 6 km cycling, 1.5h drive

Savor your last morning in Vietnam with a final bowl of pho and enjoy the day at leisure until your transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for onward travel.

Included meals: Breakfast
Distance and Activities: 45’ transfer