Vietnam Garden Tour
$0
per person
16 Days
This 16-day Garden Tour through Vietnam offers a unique blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and horticultural discovery. From the vibrant streets and historical sites of Hanoi and Saigon, to tranquil villages renowned for gardening traditions and local cuisine, this journey invites you to explore Vietnam’s rich gardening culture. Experience garden artistry hands-on, cruise through scenic landscapes like Halong Bay and the Mekong Delta, and immerse yourself in the lifestyle and flavors of the Vietnamese countryside.
Highlights:
- Explore Hanoi’s iconic sites and enjoy a traditional Water Puppet show and cyclo ride through the Old Quarter
- Visit Van Giang village to meet artist gardeners and learn about Vietnamese plant shaping philosophy
- Cruise Halong Bay aboard a traditional junk with visits to caves and floating villages
- Discover Hue’s Imperial Citadel, Perfume River, and unique garden houses with a Royal Dinner experience
- Explore ancient villages like Phuoc Tich, and enjoy a cooking class inspired by local ingredients
- Tour the historic and scenic sites along the central coast including Hoi An’s ancient quarter and Cham Museum
- Cycle through Tra Que and other villages, engaging in traditional farming and fishing activities
- Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels and attend a Caodai noon service at Tay Ninh
- Experience Mekong Delta’s river markets, horticultural villages, and cottage industries
- Enjoy free days in Saigon for personal exploration and relaxation
Expert:
Discover Vietnam’s gardens in 16–17 days: Hanoi, Van Giang, Halong Bay, Hue, Phuoc Tich, Hoi An, Tra Que, Saigon, Cu Chi, Cai Mon, the Mekong Delta, and Can Tho — a cultural journey blending horticulture, rural life, cuisine, and iconic landscapes.
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Reviews
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Departure/Return Location
Hanoi (start) - Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon (finish) -
Departure Time
Flexible, depending on your flight schedule -
Return Time
Flexible, depending on your flight schedule
Tour Plan
1
Day 01: Welcome to Hanoi (D)
You’ll receive cordial welcome upon arrival in Hanoi and transfer to city centre for hotel check-in and tour briefing. Welcome Dinner at a decent Vietnamese restaurant
2
Day 02: Hanoi (B)
This morning we take a city tour that includes Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. You will see the elegant French Colonial architecture and the tree lined boulevards of this vibrant city. After time to relax this afternoon gather at the hotel to drive to the Water Puppet Theatre - a 'must see' show of traditional Vietnamese puppet wizardry! We follow this with a cyclo tour of the Old Quarter.
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Day 03: Hanoi (B, L)
We drive 30 km to the village of Van Giang where we’ll meet up with friendly artist gardeners, visit most beautiful gardens and learn about the growing, tending, shaping POSE plants as well as the underlain meanings of the major positions. Gardening isn’t merely business but also a philosophy that reflects a living attitude, a kind of virtue forgery. Later you can try your hands at trimming, shaping young plants with help from friendly gardeners. Then we’ll have a brief class on rural fares of North Vietnam where you can take part in preparing the lunch. Mid-afternoon we return to Hanoi.
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Day 04: Hanoi-Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Today we journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. En route we’ll make a stop to study rice farming and interact with local farmers. Arrive in Halong and board a junk for a cruise on the emerald green waters of Halong Bay, among the 3,000 spectacular limestone islets. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch whilst cruising the emerald waters; visit an astonishing cave and a floating village. Dinner and overnight aboard
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Day 05: Halong-Hanoi – Hue (Brunch)
Wake up to the morning coffee then continue cruising to other majestic islands. Get ashore about noontime after a wholesome breakfast and transfer back to Hanoi. Visit the mansion of artist Thanh Chuong and have a case study of how to build a traditional living space that matches well with the environment. Next we board a flight to Hue for the evening.
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Day 06: Hue (B, L, D)
This morning we start exploring the former capital city of Vietnam with a boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River to Hue's best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda. Continue to the Imperial Citadel, the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty ruling Vietnam between 1802 and 1945. Lunch at a garden restaurant will be followed by a visit to the mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. Next we tour Kim Long, the village of garden houses unique to Hue. Conclude the day with a stroll in Dong Ba Market, famous for selling the best conical hats in Vietnam. Sample a Royal Dinner with entertainment from Hue musicians to round off the evening.
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Day 07: Hue (B)
This morning we journey 50 km overland to Phuoc Tich and tour the oldest village of the Viet people in the Middle of Vietnam. Revealed to the travelling public in 2003, the village is widely recognized an ideal for a study of old time rural life through its location, population, houses, customs, trades, etc. The village has dozens of homes that are from 100 to 200 years old. Many imprints of Champa and ancient Viet cultures are still preserved in the temples, pagodas, worship halls and communal houses. The whole afternoon will be for a class on dishes inspired by salt.
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Day 08: Hue-Danang-Hoian (B)
Today we depart Hue for Hoian, taking a scenic road. En route we’ll be stopping at Lang Co Beach, Hai Van Pass, and China Beach for pictures and leisure. Visit the Cham Museum in Danang then continue to Hoian for hotel amenities. Mid-afternoon we visit the ancient quarter of Hoian -a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the town’s ancient quarter to visit the former merchants' homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market.
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Day 09: Hoian –Tra Que Village (B, L)
Start the morning with a very easy bicycle ride to nearby Tra Que village. Walk around the market gardens and see traditional farming methods and an abundance of fresh herbs and vegetables being grown. Some of us might do some planting of vegetables and afterwards be treated to a small cooking demonstration followed by lunch. Return to Hoian with the rest of the day free to relax and enjoy this delightful small town.
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Day 10: Hoian Farming & Fishing Tour (B, L)
This morning we cycle country roads & enjoy beautiful views of rice paddies, water buffalos, bamboo bridges, rural daily activities. We call at a typical fishing village to learn about local fishing way of life. We can even take part in fishing on the river, using round net and cast net, rowing circular coracles. Taste rural fare then explore the beautiful canals densely fringed by coconut palms.
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Day 11: Hoian -Saigon (B)
Travel to Danang and take a flight to Saigon. Take a tour to see the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Post Office, Old US Embassy, the glitzy area around Lam Son Square.
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Day 12: Saigon-Cu Chi Tunnels-Caodai Temple (B)
Drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. Continue to Tay Ninh and witness the noon service by adherent of Caodai Sect., one of the most ridiculous religions in the world.
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Day 13: Saigon – Cai Mon – Can Tho (B, L)
This morning we journey to Ben Tre province to have a day with gardeners in the village of Cai Mon, noted for its bonsai and other ornamental plants. We’ll visit some out of the 13 horticulture co-operatives in the village, meet up with recognised gardeners, have a lecture on the formation and development of the trade, try our hands at basic works. Lunch of Mekong Delta specialties such as Elephant Ear Fish, Rice Ball, etc… Mid-afternoon we transfer to Can Tho for overnight accommodation.
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Day 14: Can Tho-Vinh Long-Saigon (B, L)
This morning, very early, enjoy a boat ride to the extraordinary river market of Cai Rang. Famous as one of the largest on the complex of water-ways that comprise the Mekong Delta, this market provides exotic fruits and vegetables for a vast market. The owner of a garden typical of the region will greet and provide us more knowledge of Mekong Delta horticulture. Next we drive to Vinh Long and again hop on a boat to the cottage industries of Cho Cua village. Visit a ceramic tile factory, a tofu and fish sauce factory, a blacksmith’s, a roof thatcher’s and a rice husking business. Sample delicacies of the region of such as Elephant Ear fish, Rice Ball, etc... for lunch before returning to Saigon.
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Day 15: Saigon (B)
A free day to relax or further explore the city on your own
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Day 16: Departure from Saigon (B)
Free until transfer to the airport for departure
Tour Location
Hanoi – Van Giang – Halong Bay – Hue – Phuoc Tich – Hoi An – Tra Que – Saigon – Cu Chi – Tay Ninh – Cai Mon – Can Tho – Vinh Long – Mekong Delta
The Vietnam Garden Tour is a 16–17 day celebration of Vietnamese horticulture, village life, cultural heritage, and traditional craftsmanship — connecting iconic cities with garden villages, farming communities, and river landscapes.
- Hanoi – Historic landmarks, French-colonial boulevards, Water Puppet show, and cyclo tour of the Old Quarter.
- Van Giang Village – Meet artist gardeners, explore POSE plant shaping, learn bonsai philosophy, and join a rural cooking class.
- Halong Bay – Junk cruise among limestone islets, cave visits, floating villages, seafood meals, and sunrise on the bay.
- Hue – Perfume River boat trip, Thien Mu Pagoda, Imperial Citadel, Tu Duc Mausoleum, Kim Long garden houses, Royal Dinner, and Dong Ba Market.
- Phuoc Tich Village – 200-year-old homes, ancient Viet and Champa cultural imprints, and a unique village cooking class.
- Hoi An – Ancient quarter walking tour, Japanese Covered Bridge, old merchant houses, colorful markets, Cham Museum visit en route.
- Tra Que Village – Cycling, organic gardens, planting vegetables, farming demonstrations, and a cooking class.
- Fishing Villages (Hoi An area) – Traditional fishing techniques, coracle boat rowing, coconut-palm waterways, and rural cuisine.
- Dalat (Itinerary 2) – Flower markets, monasteries, lakes, pagodas, and family flower farms in the Central Highlands.
- Saigon – Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, Lam Son Square, and major historical sites.
- Cu Chi & Tay Ninh – Cu Chi Tunnels and the Caodai noon service at the Holy See Temple.
- Cai Mon Village – Bonsai heritage village, horticulture cooperatives, gardening workshops, and Mekong Delta specialties.
- Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market and horticultural households of the region.
- Vinh Long – Cottage industries including tile kilns, tofu makers, blacksmiths, fish sauce workshops, roof thatchers, and rice-husking mills.
A serene, hands-on journey that unites gardens, culture, cuisine, and the everyday artistry of Vietnamese rural life.