Vietnam Bucket List: Halong Bay, Hoi An and the Mekong

The wait is finally over. Your heart rate rockets, and your plane to Vietnam is ready for take-off! You set off on your adventure at full throttle as countless stars twinkle with the promise that your next couple of weeks in this incredible country will be packed with excitement. You lay back, close your eyes and dream about your adventures one last time before they finally come true!

After a night above the clouds, it's time to say...
'Xin chào, Vietnam!' You're finally in one of the most beautiful countries in Asia, one that's full of lively cities, picturesque rivers and exciting cultures. Now your dreams are finally becoming reality: 'Vietnam, here I am!' Almost as soon as you arrive, you're off to your accommodation. But why waste too much time in a hotel when the bustling city of Hanoi is just waiting to be explored?!
Your first mission? Hit the streets! The vibes? Incredible! The Vietnamese people have a zest for life that's so contagious you won't be able to stop smiling. Soak up the old-school energy as you wander the alleys of the enchanting Old Quarter, marvel at the iconic Vietnamese tube houses and try delicious traditional street food, such as bánh mì and the best pho you've ever had.

It's time for a truly special excursion! You're off to Ninh Binh, where you discover craggy limestone cliffs with moss-covered walls that shoot out of the ground like mushrooms and tower into the sky amidst bright green rice fields and small rivers that wind through the landscape. As your guide leads you and other adventure seekers on your day trip, you're snapping pictures at every turn. First stop: the centuries-old Dinh King Temple! After a reverent visit to the opulent tomb, you hop on your bike and start pedalling or let a driver take you on the back of a motor scooter to the next highlight. The next thing you know, you hear the exciting call: 'All aboard!' So, you climb into a sampan boat and explore the countless waterways that course through Dry Halong Bay. Then it's time to get active again because before you stretch 500 steps leading up to Mua Cave. You lace up your shoes and start the ascent. And it's worth every drop of sweat, because once you reach the top, you're met with a breathtaking panoramic view that stops you in your tracks and makes you say 'Wow!'

Ever heard about the legend of the dragon that made deep furrows in the landscape with its tail on its way to the coast, which were eventually flooded by the sea? No? Well, you're about to learn all about it as you experience the blue wonder in person! Today, you're joining a guide and other adventure seekers and discovering the beautiful rock formations scattered about the bright blue Ha Long Bay. Aboard a traditional boat, you explore the sloping limestone formations, mystical stone arches, steep cliffs and white sand beaches up close. And in Thien Cun, the 'Heavenly Palace' cave, you marvel at huge chambers full of stalactites. Afterwards, it's time for an extra dose of adventure because you're hopping into a kayak and paddling through the water tunnels and winding waterways from which the stunning rock formations that are said to have once been crossed by a dragon tower up from the depths. Then on your way back, you soak in the sight of Vietnam's lush green landscape as you dream of deep blue water, plant-covered crags and dragons.