Vietnam’s Highlands and Island Retreats

Experience the beauty and culture of Vietnam on this exciting tour. Start by exploring Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the famous Temple of Literature. Meet local hill tribes and enjoy a private farm-to-table cooking experience in the beautiful countryside of Mai Chau. Relax on the pristine beaches of Phu Quoc or snorkel in its vibrant waters. Discover Ho Chi Minh City’s rich colonial history with visits to landmarks like the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Chinatown. Your Destination Expert will tailor every detail of your journey, from mountain treks to city explorations, ensuring a memorable experience throughout Vietnam.

Highlights

  • Explore Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Temple of Literature.
  • Experience private farm-to-table cooking with local hill tribes in Mai Chau.
  • Relax on Phu Quoc’s beautiful beaches or snorkel in its vibrant waters.
  • Discover Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial history with visits to the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Chinatown.
  • Enjoy a customized journey with your Destination Expert, from mountain treks to city adventures.

What’s included

  • Personalized itinerary based on what you like and your schedule.
  • 24/7 support from our local office during your trip.
  • All accommodations, tours, and transfers are included unless noted otherwise.
  • A private driver for tours and transfers (in some places, guides may also drive).
  • Local guides or shared tours to help you explore your itinerary highlights.
  • A friendly greeting at the airport or your hotel from our representative.
  • Breakfast daily at your hotel, plus any other planned meals.
  • One suitcase and one carry-on bag per person for transfers.

What’s not included

  • International airfare-contact your expert for pricing.
  • Travel insurance, available for purchase after booking.
  • Visas (unless specified).
  • Tips for services and experiences.
  • Lunches, dinners, and drinks (unless included in the itinerary).
  • Excess baggage charges, if applicable.
  • Personal expenses like laundry and room service.
  • Early check-in or late check-out (unless specified).
  • Extra sightseeing or activities not in your itinerary.
  • Optional upgrades or local fees for photography.
  • Passport fees, immunizations, and local departure taxes (when applicable).

Itinerary ideas

  • 1

    Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, a hostess will be waiting for you with a sign that shows your name. She will guide you through fast-track security using your pre-approved E-Visa. After you collect your luggage, she will take you to meet your private driver and English-speaking guide. They will ensure a comfortable transfer to your destination. Enjoy a seamless beginning to your journey in Vietnam as you make your way from the airport to your hotel.

  • 2

    Embark on a full-day tour through Hanoi’s historic landmarks with a private guide. Start at Ba Dinh Square to admire the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the resting place of the revolutionary leader. Explore traditional stilt houses showcasing unique architecture, then visit the One-Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 and known for its lotus shape. Continue to West Lake, a tranquil oasis featuring embassies and coffee shops, and visit the ancient Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of Hanoi’s oldest. After a local lunch, discover the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Conclude your journey in the historic Old Quarter and Sword Lake, stopping at the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple. Experience rich cultural heritage and charm in Hanoi.

  • 3

    Meet your private driver and English-speaking guide for a 4-hour transfer to Mai Chau. Once there, enjoy a 3.5-mile private guided walk from the Avana Retreat, immersing yourself in the stunning countryside. With your knowledgeable guide, stroll through lush green forests, peaceful country roads, and vibrant rice paddy fields. Experience the tranquility of local life as you pass through charming ethnic villages, taking in the beautiful landscape. Let the calming nature surround you on this delightful trek, offering a perfect escape from the busy pace of daily life.

  • 4

    Immerse yourself in local cuisine with a private farm-to-table cooking experience at Avana Retreat. Accompanied by a skilled chef, visit a nearby garden to hand-pick fresh vegetables. Return to the resort’s kitchen to learn cooking techniques and secrets behind each dish. After preparing your meal, enjoy a tasting session, savoring the flavors of your creations. Discover the secrets of authentic Vietnamese gastronomy in this unique culinary adventure.

  • 5

    Embark on a thrilling private mountain expedition in Mai Chau’s primeval forest. After a scenic 30-minute drive from Avana Retreat to Tau Na village, inhabited by the Muong ethnic community, begin your hike with an expert guide. Explore a stunning meadow with charming Hmong stilt houses, where you’ll see children playing and gardens being tended. Follow winding red dirt roads and encounter buffalos before descending to Tau Na for a delicious picnic lunch among the mountains.

    As the sun sets, enjoy a leisurely stroll to a secluded waterfall for a romantic dinner on a small platform by the falls. Relish an intimate dining experience under the stars, surrounded by nature, creating lasting memories.

  • 6

    Meet your private driver and English-speaking guide for a 4-hour transfer to Hanoi. Afterward, board a flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, with an approximate flight time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. Upon arrival, meet your private driver and guide for your airport transfer.

  • 7

    Embark on a captivating private tour of Ho Chi Minh City, where architecture reveals its Chinese and colonial influences. Start with iconic historical sites like the 19th-century central post office, designed by Gustave Eiffel, and the striking red brick Notre-Dame Cathedral. Explore the vibrant Chinatown of Cholon and visit the bustling Binh Tay market, filled with diverse vendor stalls. Next, admire the intricate Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the goddess of the sea, known for its ornate architecture. After a local lunch, customize your experience by visiting either the War Remnants Museum or the FITO Museum, focusing on Vietnam’s traditional medicine. Conclude your tour with free time to discover the hidden gems of Saigon.

  • 8

    Prepare for a captivating private evening adventure in Ho Chi Minh City as your vintage Vespa driver picks you up from your hotel. Settle into the back seat and explore Saigon after dark. Begin at a stylish rooftop venue, enjoying stunning sunset views along with delicious snacks and drinks. Then, traverse the bustling streets to savor authentic seafood and local Banh Xeo. Next, visit a cozy coffee shop featuring live music. Conclude your tour at a vibrant bar, sipping refreshing drinks and dancing to contemporary tunes. At the end of the evening, you’ll return to your hotel with cherished memories of this thrilling night out.

  • 9

    Meet your private driver and English-speaking guide for your airport transfer. Board a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc, with an approximate flight time of 1 hour and 5 minutes. Upon arrival, meet your private driver for your transfer.

  • 10

    At Regent Phu Quoc, enjoy a range of activities including beach volleyball, snorkeling, kayaking, and windsurfing. Relax with spa treatments or rooftop aerial yoga, and explore cooking classes for a culinary adventure. Try Stand-Up Paddle Boarding during golden hour. All experiences are curated for your enjoyment, with advance reservations recommended through your Destination Expert for a perfect island retreat.

  • 11

    Experience ultimate leisure at Regent Phu Quoc. Start your day by your private pool or on the beach, then indulge in unique spa treatments. Savor French-Japanese cuisine at Oku, enjoy cocktails at Bar Jade, and finish with stunning sunset views from Fu Bar or Ocean Club, creating unforgettable memories.

  • 12

    Meet your private driver for an airport transfer.

    Board a flight from Phu Quoc with direct service to Ho Chi Minh City. Approximate flight time is 1 hour and 5 minutes

Accommodation options

The itinerary price includes suggested accommodation. However, My Way Travel are fully customizable, and a specialist can help you choose the best option for your preferences and budget.

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What our clients say about us

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Alice B

22 March 2024 ★★★★★

Vietnam is just epic in every sense! Stephen at My Way Travel built us a bespoke tour to our requested place's from HoChiMin to Phan Thiet, DaLat, NaTrang, HoiAn, Halong Bay ending in Hanoi & it was amazing! All hotels, 3 tour guides over 5 day tours , drivers & transport worked very well & Stephen responded very quickly to any queries. We can’t thank or recommend him highly enough for helping us create an amazing adventure for a 70+ couple where everything was booked & organised but we had plenty of free time to explore on our own & find places for dinner most nights of our 18day trip. I’ll admit I was a little worried about using an unknown to me online agent but I really didn’t need to worry. The only thing I/we got wrong was not realising how tiring a busy tour can be especially in the heat so I’d recommend having a few days on a beach or round a pool relaxing before retuning back to Europe of further afield! Thanks Stephen for creating a well priced pretty last min wonderful tour for us!

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Kyle M

17 January 2024 ★★★★★

Wow, what a trip and experience. My Way Travel did an excellent job in creating a customized private tour itinerary for our 5 week trip to Indochina. Stephen was very responsive and easy to work with in creating a perfect itinerary, customized to our interests, budget, and timeframe. The logistics were well managed and all the tour guides and drivers in all 4 countries were fantastic. Stephen kept in touch throughout our trip to ensure everything was going well. The drivers were all excellent, prompt, and very safe drivers. Special call out to our guides; Tony, Kay, and Loc in Vietnam, Sony and Sambath in Cambodia, and Anne in Thailand for a fantastic cultural and historical experience in your respective countries. These guides were the best and really made our trip special. The sights that we saw were incredible, including Ha Long Bay and of course, Ankgor Wat. We really enjoyed the elephant sanctuary in Laos and the Laos city of Luang Prabang is a hidden gem. The bike tours that we did in Hoi An (Kay) and the Mekong Delta (Loc) to really get into the countryside and engage with local families was an incredible experience that we really enjoyed and will always cherish. We even got to stop at a local school and interact with some of the school children trying to practice their English which was pretty cool. We had a great bike tour in Siem Reap (Sambath) and all the incredible temples around Ankgor Wat. The tours that we had to understand and experience these countries from a historical and cultural perspective, brought to life by our tour guides, really made this trip a unique experience. We were well taken care of throughout our travels and the service and people were so friendly. We would highly recommend My Way Travel for your next trip to SE Asia and will not hesitate to use them in the future. Hopefully you get lucky enough to have some of the tour guides that we had.

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Garethbradburn

12 April 2024 ★★★★★

This was the fourth trip we have done with My Way Travel and arranged by Stephen. As always it was impeccably organised from arriving in Bangkok, flights to Chiang Rai, tour to the elephant sanctuary, to Krabi for a few days at the beach then transfer to Phnom Pen for the higlight of our trip, a cruise up the Mekong on a seriously luxurious boat, then transfer to Seam Riep. The hotels were excellent, the transfers seemless with good english speaking guides. We cannot recommend Stephen more highly.

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Leslie

16 May 2024 ★★★★★

An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!

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Dzintars Naglis

24 April 2024 ★★★★★

Last October 10, we contacted Stephen, the organizer of our dream trip to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in 2018, to ask about Bali trips. He enthusiastically confirmed his expertise in crafting Balinese adventures. We were thrilled to entrust My Way Travel with planning our Balinese getaway. On January 1, we embarked on our Balinese adventure, leaving behind the familiar comforts of Riga, Latvia. As our plane soared into the sky, our minds were filled with images of emerald rice terraces, cascading waterfalls, and serene Balinese temples. Our journey unfolded like a mesmerizing tapestry, each destination adding a new strand of enchantment to our memories. We immersed ourselves in the heart of Ubud, where the rhythmic melodies of gamelan and the intoxicating aroma of incense filled the air. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jatiluwih captivated us with its cascading rice terraces, a testament to the harmonious balance between humans and nature. From the lush jungles of Munduk, we discovered Tirta Gangga, a royal water palace adorned with statues and fountains. The tranquil ambiance of this enchanting haven enveloped us in a sense of serenity and rejuvenation. As our journey drew to a close, we found ourselves basking in the sun-kissed sands of Nusa Dua, where the crystal-clear waters beckoned us to take a refreshing dip. The delectable flavors of Balinese cuisine tantalized our taste buds, leaving us yearning for more of the island's vibrant culinary scene. With each passing day, our appreciation for Stephen's masterful planning deepened. He had seamlessly woven together a tapestry of experiences that perfectly matched our desires, transforming our Balinese adventure into an unforgettable symphony of sights, sounds, and flavors. While the word "perfect" may seem insufficient to describe the exquisiteness of our Balinese escapade, it remains the only word that truly captures the essence of Stephen's impeccable craftsmanship.

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Stuart S

18 December 2024 ★★★★★

We had a fantastic time exploring Vietnam, Thailand & Cambodia with My Way Travel. The trip was beautifully organized to ensure we saw it all, yet paced so that we had plenty of time for spontaneous discovery. The guides were superb, they clearly love their work and as a result, we received fascinating insights into the culture of each country. The pre-planning by the My Way Travel team made sure our specific areas of interest were also covered and we particularly enjoyed the private market tour, cooking class and dinner in Chiang Mai. As you would expect, accommodations and transfers were all top notch. We are looking forward to our next journey! Every activity was coordinated to perfection and we couldn’t be more happy.

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Scott

5 May 2024 ★★★★★

An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!

avatar

Kyle

18 January 2024 ★★★★★

Thank you for helping put together our truly "Amazing Thailand" trip. It went absolutely smoothly from the moment we set foot in Bangkok to the day we left Hong Kong. To a person, the guides were friendly and courteous. I can attest to your professional handling as well as personalization of the trip to provide a wonderful experience. Again, thank you!


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    • Emily
    • Asia Specialist
    • John
    • Thailand and Asia Specialist
    • Hoang
    • Vietnam Specialist

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