Nice experience, very customer-oriented company fast and easy booking, very fast reaction. Mr. Bien a well-prepared guide and enthusiastic. You should try this experience.
13-Day Tour: Colour of Vietnam
Private Tour
Experienced Guides
Must-See Locations
Experience the best of Vietnam on this unforgettable journey – a blend of cultural discovery and natural splendour. Escape to the tranquil beauty of the North, marvel at the grandeur of ancient architecture in the Central and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the South. Guided by experienced, English-speaking guides, this tour showcases both iconic destinations and hidden gems of Vietnam.
Highlights
Enjoy a peaceful escape to Mai Chau
Cruise along Halong Bay
Discover the ancient capital of Hoa Lu
Stroll through the Hue Citadel of the Nguyen Dynasty
Savor the charm of Hoi An Ancient Town
Experience the dynamic energy of Ho Chi Minh City
Click the Tabs to See More
Tour Details
Price
Adults:
- Solo adult travellers pay the standard adult rate.
- Groups of 2 or more enjoy discounted rates per person.
Children:
- Children under 3 years old travel for free.
- Children ages 3-11 pay 75% of the adult rate.
* Please see our FAQs page for further pricing details.
Season
We operate all year round except for Vietnamese New Year. Contact us for more information.
Trip Specifications
This tour only operates as a private tour meaning it is fully customisable. All group sizes and ages can be accommodated.
Included
• All entrance fees
• Fully air-conditioned vehicle
• All taxes
• Bottled water
• English-speaking guide
• 9 nights in hotel + 1 night at homestay + 1 night on cruise + 1 night on train
• All breakfasts + 4 lunches + 4 dinners
Not included
• Visa fees
• Gratuities
• Booking fees
What to bring
• Hiking shoes
• Sunscreen
• Hat (and helmet if possible)
• Insect repellent
• Light jacket
• Raincoat or poncho
• More packing ideas can be provided on request
What to wear
Please be sensitive to the local customs and ensure you dress respectfully.
* It is obligatory to cover your shoulders and the upper part of your knees when visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi.
Itinerary
Welcome to Hanoi!
Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted by a local guide, then depart for the city center (approximately a 45 minute-drive) for an orientation tour including the must-sees: Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, Hanoi Opera House, Long Bien Bridge (formerly Paul Doumer Bridge), the flag tower and the remains of the ancient Citadel…
Transfer to your hotel. Take some time to relax and recover from your flight. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring Hanoi at your own pace.
√ Meals included: NA
√ Accommodation: Hotel
* Please note: This itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted to accommodate jet lag. We can customize daily activities based on your energy levels.
» Early check-in (extra charge)
» 60-minute soothing massage in a city spa center + 25 USD/PAX
» Breakfast with Pho Noodle and Egg Coffee + 15 USD/PAX (including tour guide)
» Lunch at a restaurant in town + 15 USD/PAX (including guide and private transfer RT)
» At the end of the day (around 7:00 p.m.), meet your guide in the hotel lobby and transfer to the restaurant by private car. Enjoy Hanoi specialties featuring Bun Cha (a symbol of Vietnamese cuisine with grilled fish, fresh noodles, dill and aromatic plants) + 17 USD/PAX
Cultural Immersion Day in Hanoi
Embark on a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Next, transfer to Long Bien District to meet the master artisan Mr. PHAN Thanh Liem. You will enjoy a private water puppet show and create your own puppet in a hands-on workshop.
In the afternoon, explore the Vietnamese Women’s Museum. Later, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi built in the 6th century. Not far away, take a walk along Truc Bach Lake where pilot McCain’s American B52 bomber plane crashed during the war. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon for some well-deserved rest.
Around 6:00 p.m., join us for a cyclo ride through the lively streets of the Old Quarter, then soak up the local atmosphere with a street food evening, just like the Hanoians!
√ Meals included: Breakfast · Dinner
√ Accommodation: Hotel
Cultural Encounters in Mai Chau
Begin your day with breakfast and check out of your hotel. At the time agreed by you and your guide, meet at the hotel reception then depart for the beautiful Mai Chau District. Inhabited by the H’Mong and Thai minorities, Mai Chau and its plateau are considered the true tea paradise, with some 3,000 hectares dedicated just for tea.
Enjoy lunch on site “local style” in an unpretentious restaurant. Next, head out for Pa Co Village to reach the house of Mr. A Pao. On arrival, the host family will offer you a welcome drink in a beautiful house on stilts.
Depending on your physical condition, take a nice walk or bike ride along the scenic paths around the village. Seize the opportunity to have friendly encounters with the H’Mong population living in the surrounding area.
√ Meals included: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
√ Accommodation: Host family
Explore Local Traditions and Scenic Trails
This morning, visit a local family to learn about wax painting and indigo dyeing. Afterwards, hike in the surrounding area. You will pass through plum plantations used to make the local liqueur “ruou man” and continue through tea and corn plantations.
Depart for the beautiful Pu Luong Nature Reserve. This region is known for its stunning green landscapes and rich biodiversity, stretching from Mai Chau in the northwest to Cuc Phuong National Park in the southeast. Upon arrival, check in at your accommodation and enjoy lunch.
In the afternoon, embark on a leisurely walk tailored to your fitness level. You will follow a picturesque path through the rice fields to reach the villages of Ban Uoi and Ban Don. Continue for about twenty minutes to reach the charming village of Kho Muong.
√ Meals included: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
√ Accommodation: Hotel, homestay
* Please note: The landscape may vary with the changing seasons. Wear suitable walking shoes for your convenience.
Scenic Adventures and Local Experiences
After breakfast, drive to Ban Cong Village. Disembark to begin a leisurely 20-minute walk along a 3-kilometer path that leads to the enchanting Suoi Cham Spring. Here, you will board a sampan for a serene 45-minute cruise, surrounded by breathtaking views of the countryside. Your journey concludes at a charming suspension bridge before you can return to savor a delicious local lunch at a homestay.
In the afternoon, enjoy your free time to explore the stunning region at your own pace. Immerse yourself in the local culture with a leisurely walk through nearby villages, or simply relax and soak in the scenery of the terraced rice fields.
At the end of the day, return to your accommodation for dinner and a restful night’s sleep.
√ Meals included: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
√ Accommodation: Hotel/ homestay
* Please note: The landscape may vary with the changing seasons.
» For group of 10 or more: + 65 USD/PAX
As dusk settles, indulge in a captivating folklore evening. Meet local villagers, dressed in vibrant traditional attire, who will enchant you with their dance and music performances. You can enjoy the music and savor the local rice wine around a cozy campfire. There is an option to have dinner with the villagers as the music fills the night air.
Scenic Boat Trips
Today, embark on a journey to Ninh Binh, “Ha Long Bay on Land.” The landscape here is renowned for its resemblance to the iconic Ha Long Bay, with several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Trang An Landscape Complex. Head out for Tam Coc Village and check in at your hotel.
In the afternoon, visit the captivating Bich Dong Pagoda, a sanctuary nestled within the heart of a rock formation. Admire its three ancient pagodas, dating back to the 18th century. Afterwards, embark on a serene boat trip through a mesmerizing world of limestone karsts and rice paddies.
Next, explore Thung Nham Bird Park, a haven of tranquility surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Glide through shimmering waters for approximately 2.5 hours, where towering limestone cliffs and vibrant birdlife create an unforgettable spectacle.
√ Meals included: Breakfast
√ Accommodation: Hotel
» Dinner featuring local specialties with goat meat + 15 USD/PAX *
» Gala dinner at the temple Thai Vi at Tam Coc Village where you can enjoy a meal while admiring the spectacle of traditional music and dances – a mixture of sacred and secular songs and dances (available for groups from 20 people) + 37 USD/PAX *
(*) Including tour guide and private transfer RT
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site
This morning, depart with your local guide and private vehicle for Ha Long Bay. Its landscape is marked by the 1,969 karst islands which have earned the site its place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Board around midday on your junk and settle into your cabin. Enjoy your welcome drink followed by lunch on board. Next, venture into a natural cave to discover intricate rock formations. Take in a stunning panorama of the bay at sunset.
Activities available on board:
- Squid fishing – Become a real fisherman! You can try your hand at fishing squid with some useful tips from the crew and then savor the freshly cooked squid.
- Relax on the deck – Totally unwind while admiring the glamor of Ha Long Bay or watching the sunrise and sunset over the bay. These moments are magical!
- Kayaking (2 people per kayak) – Balance yourself and navigate through mesmerizing landscape. The warm waters, even in winter, make kayaking a delightful experience throughout the year. This activity is, however, subject to change based on weather conditions.
√ Meals included: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
√ Accommodation: On board
Say goodbye to the North
After breakfast on board, you might then join a Tai Chi session at dawn. Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that increases strength, muscle tone, and reduces stress. Continue the cruise and enjoy your brunch on board.
Disembark and return to Ha Noi. On the returning trip, stop for a visit to But Thap Pagoda (The Pagoda of Pen Tower) in Bac Ninh Province. This pagoda is famous for its collection of precious wooden statues, including the Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin. You will arrive in Ha Noi late in the afternoon.
Board the train and settle into air-conditioned berths (4 people per compartment, basic comfort according to local standards). We recommend bringing earplugs. Enjoy a restful sleep on the train as you travel to Hue.
√ Meals included: Breakfast · Lunch
√ Accommodation: On board
* Please note: The itinerary and visits in the bay may be adjusted according to the schedule of each confirmed junk, tide, and weather conditions.
» Dinner of Hanoi specialties such as Bun Cha made from grilled pork balls served with fresh rice vermicelli, aromatic plants and “nuoc mam” fish sauce + 12 USD/PAX (including tour guide and private transfer RT)
» Private compartment on the night train:
- Single Occupancy (1 person per compartment): + 166 USD/PAX
- Double Occupancy (2 people per compartment): + 62 USD/PAX
- Triple Occupancy (3 people per compartment): + 27 USD/PAX
» Hanoi – Hue by airplane + 85 USD/PAX (Air tickets issued by MAIKA TOURS): Direct transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, you will be welcomed by your local guide from the Central Vietnam and transferred to your hotel to settle into your room. Dinner is available at an extra charge.
Welcome to the Land of Elegance!
Upon early arrival at Hue Train Station, you will be welcomed by your local guide and transferred to the city center. Savor local breakfast – the famous Bun Bo Hue, soup made from rice vermicelli garnished with beef, vegetables, and spices.
* Please note: For those who opt to travel to Hue by plane, breakfast will be served at the hotel.
After breakfast, visit the Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda. Continue your journey to the bustling market of Dong Ba, which is renowned for its beautiful conical hats, as well as basketwork, fabrics, tropical fruits and sweets.
In the afternoon, hop on a motorbike (with driver and helmet provided) to explore the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, the most remote and majestic in the Hue countryside. This stunning site exemplifies the perfect harmony between architecture and nature. Inspired by Chinese sanctuaries from the Ming era, these tombs were set in the middle of mountains, rivers and pine forests.
√ Meals included: Breakfast
√ Accommodation: Hotel
» Early check-in (rooms available upon arrival at an extra charge)
» Dinner with street food by bike or pedicab while tasting the specialties of Hue such as rice pancakes with shrimp and ground pork (banh beo, banh nam, banh bot loc, banh khoai…) and dessert with sweet soups + 55 USD/PAX *
» An alternative meal vegetarian menu, Hue delight + 20 USD/PAX *
» Imperial dinner in costumes (For group of 10) – Join us around 6:00 p.m. at the restaurant in a sumptuous setting with gilding and splendor representing the historic Hue. Dress in royal costumes and savor dishes that once graced the tables of kings and queens, meticulously adorned with dragons and symbolic birds, and refined to the finest details + 25 USD/PAX*
(*) Including tour guide and private transfer RT
Journey through Hai Van Pass to Hoi An
Depart for Hoi An via the national road, crossing Hai Van Pass (Hai Van means ‘Ocean Cloud’). This pass forms the natural boundary between Thua Thien Hue Province and Da Nang City. As the highest pass in Vietnam, it offers breathtaking views of the Eastern Sea. En route, stop in Da Nang to visit the Cham Museum, which boasts one of the world’s most exquisite collections of sculptures from the ancient Champa Kingdom.
Upon arrival in Hoi An, transfer to the hotel and check into your room. In the afternoon, stroll through the Ancient Town and visit the Fujian Assembly Hall, Chuc Thanh Pagoda, the old wooden houses and the famous Japanese Bridge.
At the end of the day, you will enjoy free time at your leisure in the bustling neighborhoods on both banks of Thu Bon River where the fun begins when the sun sets.
√ Meals included: Breakfast
√ Accommodation: Hotel
» Lunch and dinner are available at an extra charge.
» Dinner with Hoi An specialties featuring Banh Vac “white rose” (white rice paste stuffed with shrimp), a unique local delicacy and Cao Lau, a typical dish made with fresh noodles, marinated pork and aromatic herbs + 22 USD/PAX.
» Hotel upgrades (extra charge):
- 2 nights in a 4-star beach resort in Hoi An
- 2 nights in a 5-star beach resort in Hoi An
See things at your own pace
This day is for you to discover the ancient town at your own pace. There are several options to complete your experiences of the day.
√ Meals included: Breakfast
√ Accommodation: Hotel
» 6 HRS Discovery of the My Son archaeological site including lunch + 85 USD/PAX *
» 6 HRS Discovery of Mount Ba Na including lunch + 115 USD/PAX *
» 5 HRS Eco-tour to Cam Thanh village including lunch + 55 USD/PAX *
» 3 HRS Introductory local cooking class and lunch + 45 USD/PAX *
» 2 HRS Lantern Making Experience + 25 USD/PAX *
» TEH DAR SHOW show evening from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 1ER class + 55 USD/PAX *
(*) Including tour guide and private transfer RT
Welcome to the “Pearl of the Orient”!
With your guide, transfer to Da Nang Airport to take your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you in the arrivals hall. Then you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Ho Chi Minh City, once known as Saigon, was famously dubbed the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ and the ‘Paris of Asia.’ Established during the Second Empire, Saigon was the capital of Cochinchina (now southern Vietnam), the only French colony at the time, with Tonkin and Annam being protectorates.
Journey into the heart of the city for an immersive exploration of Cho Lon, Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant Chinatown. Discover the architectural splendor of the Thien Hau Temple, a sacred site steeped in history and tradition. Next, immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of Binh Tay Market, a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and aromas as you explore its diverse range of goods.
In the afternoon, make a walking tour in the city center to see the main emblematic monuments of Saigon: Reunification Palace, Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Catinat Street), Ben Thanh Market and its stalls.
Enjoy free time for an evening stroll along Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street to experience the city’s vibrant energy.
√ Meals included: Breakfast
√ Accommodation: Hotel
» Lunch in a local restaurant, taste in an original way, one of the most popular dishes of Vietnamese cuisine, the famous “Pho” served in a stone bowl accompanied by fresh noodles + 10 USD/PAX
» Dinner of local specialties based on grilled meats and hot pot in a popular typical restaurant, called “ Quan Nhau » by the people of Saigon, where students, workers, families mix after their day + 35 USD/PAX
» Around 6:00 p.m., board a junk at Bach Dang quay for a dinner cruise. Your meal will be served as the boat sails along the Saigon River where you can enjoy a pleasant panoramic view of the city at dusk. Dinner is accompanied by a live music show/concert + 35 USD/PAX
» AO SHOW + 55 USD/PAX – AO Show is a captivating blend of acrobatics and traditional Vietnamese artistry. Performed at the iconic Saigon Opera House, the show takes its name from “Làng Phô,” meaning “village and town.” For an hour, skilled performers mesmerize audiences with a stunning array of bamboo-inspired acts that celebrate the heart and soul of Vietnamese life.
Savor your last moments in Vietnam
After breakfast, check out at the hotel no later than 12:00 p.m. Make additional discoveries on your own, shop or simply relax. Then, depending on the schedule of your return flight, meet your private driver and transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
√ Meals included: Breakfast
» Late check-out, rooms available until 6:00 p.m. (extra cost)
» A 60-minute soothing massage in a city spa center + 25 USD/PAX
» Lunch OR dinner in a restaurant in town + 15 USD/PAX (including private transfer)
On day 13 in Ho Chi Minh City, you can experience more of Vietnam with customizable 4-day, 3-night extensions:
» Extension 4D3N in Mekong Delta
» Extension 4D3N in Siem Reap (Cambodia)
» Beach extension 4D3N at a 5-star resort in Ho Tram Beach
» Beach extension 4D3N at a 4-star resort in Mui Ne Beach
See What Our Guests are Saying
I now refer my friends, family and colleagues, as well as book all of my tours, accommodation and flights with Maika because I feel very lucky to have finally found an organisation in Asia that gives me the confidence to do so.
The tour was very well organized, and the guide spoke very good English. We got to see and experience so many things: Besides visiting a pagoda and Buddha statue, we also went on a boat ride (with a stop to enjoy a coconut drink) and visited local businesses producing rice paper, conical hats and mats. We had fresh fruit and tea for a snack and Pho soup for lunch which was delicious! We had such a good day and would highly recommend this tour!
We went on this tour, two families of four, with children aged 9-12 years old. We were really happy with it and highly recommend. Lin was our guide and she was fantastic, would really do a trip with her again. It was nice to do this privately and easy to adjust with Lin if needed. Maika helped us book the accommodation in Can Tho which we really appreciated. Would highly recommend and for sure do again.
You did a great job looking after all of our family of 7. The kids enjoyed all the tours and especially the Mekong cruise …as did we……because the kids were so happy we got to enjoy some time to ourselves too. I would recommend Maika Tours if your thinking of visiting Vietnam!
