Cities, Highlands & Coasts of Vietnam

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2026 · 9 DAYS

Escape the well-trodden tourist trail and immerse yourself in an authentic Vietnamese adventure with our journey through hidden cities, lush highlands, and untouched coasts. Starting in the dynamic streets of Ho Chi Minh City, we’ll venture into the Central Highlands, where the quiet charm of Buôn Ma Thuột—Vietnam’s coffee capital—awaits. From there, we’ll explore the serene beaches and forgotten Cham ruins of Quy Nhơn, a coastal gem often overlooked by travelers. Our journey culminates in Huế, the imperial city, where history whispers through ancient citadels and tranquil rivers. By skipping the usual stops like Hội An, Đà Nẵng, and Hạ Long Bay, we’ll uncover Vietnam’s lesser-known wonders, perfect for curious travelers seeking culture, adventure, and authenticity—far from the crowds.

Who This Experience Is For

Foodie

You crave Vietnamese food but don't stop at phở and bánh mì. If Huế imperial cuisine and homestyle food (cơm nhà) intrigues you, this trip is right for you.

OTBP Adventurer

You crave an off-the-beaten-path type of Vietnam adventure with raw authenticity and genuine interactions with locals.

Culture & History Buff

From Saigon's historic Chinatown to ancient Cham towers and Huế's imperial citadel, you will get an in depth look at the history and culture of Vietnam.

Note: Itinerary may change, changes will be communicated to travelers in advance when possible.

Itinerary

Get oriented on your first day in Vietnam. Get SIM cards at Viettel. Get to know your fellow travelers!

Explore Chợ Lớn (Saigon’s Chinatown) and its labyrinth of alleyways.

Walk through the Bình Tây Market, a wholesale market with local energy and far less tourists than Bến Thành.

Learn about the religious diversity of Vietnam at Thien Hau Pagoda, Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda, St Francis Xavier Church, Notre Dame Cathedral and more

Dive deep into the history of the Vietnam War at the War Remnants Museum, the South Vietnamese Women Museum, and Reunification Palace
From Ho Chi Minh City, we will fly to Vietnam's coffee capital, Buôn Ma Thuột

Learn more about coffee production at the World Coffee Museum

Taste Vietnam's famous coffee at the Trung Nguyen Coffee Village while surrounded by decades old coffee trees

Immerse yourself in the well preserved Ako Dhong Village, a traditional Ê Đê ethnic minority community known for their stilt houses and wooden sculptures

Dive into Vietnam's lush jungles and waterfalls at Dray Nur or Gia Long waterfall.

Visit the Khai Doan Pagoda, the last pagoda under feudal Vietnam officially recognized by the King

For dinner, sample thịt nướng, made with grilled wild boar
From Buôn Ma Thuột, we will take a 6 hour upright seated limousine to Quy Nhơn (8:30 AM - 2:20 PM)

In Quy Nhơn, we will visit the Cham Towers and learn about the Cham people, an ethnic group with roots in the ancient Champa Kingdom (2nd–19th centuries), once ruled much of central and southern Vietnam. Quy Nhơn (Bình Định Province) was home to Vijaya—a powerful Hindu-Buddhist kingdom

Tháp Đôi (Twin Towers)

Tháp Bánh Ít (Silver Towers)

Tháp Cánh Tiên (Fairy Wing Tower)

Tháp Thủ Thiện – Remote Riverside Ruin

Relax at the white sand and blue water beaches, like Bãi Biển Quy Nhơn or Ky Co Beach

Dine at a classic Vietnamese homestyle restaurant, Cơm bao cấp Quy Nhơn, consisting of 5 - 6 dishes (soup, veggies, meat, seafood, rice, and pickled sauces)
Take a train from Quy Nhơn to Huế (departs at ~7 AM, arrives at ~3PM). Why are we taking a daytime train over a nighttime train? This scenic train goes through the the most beautiful scenic pass in all of Vietnam, the Hai Van pass, with beaches on one side and lush greenery on the other.
Upon arrival, check into hotel, eat dinner and free time for the day
The next day, explore the Imperial Citadel, Vietnam’s political, cultural, and religious center of the Nguyễn Dynasty (1802–1945).
Purple Forbidden City (Tử Cấm Thành): the innermost area, modeled after Beijing’s Forbidden City.
Kiến Trung Palace, commissioned by Emperor Khải Định, the 12th Nguyễn emperor, as his working and living quarters
Thái Hòa Palace, used for coronation ceremonies, royal birthdays, and important state events. Houses the imperial throne.
Dinner will be imperial Huế cuisine at our favorite restaurant in Huế (think bánh bèo, bánh Ướt, bánh khoái, nem lụi, ram Ít, and more)
The next day, pay respects at the Mausoleum of Emperor Tự Đức and Khải Định.
Our final dinner will be another traditional Vietnamese homestyle meal at a restaurant owned by our dear local friend in Huế.
There, we will have the opportunity to speak with his local students who study at his English school.

Highlights

Vietnamese Cooking Class

Learn how to make multiple types of Vietnamese specialty dishes with a Vietnamese chef

Multi-Course Vietnamese Coffee Tasting

At the Trung Nguyen Coffee Village, taste the flavors of Vietnam's best coffees

English & Vietnamese Language Circle

Meet local Vietnamese students and learn some Vietnamese phrases while teaching them English

What Is Included

Grace & Yongjian will accompany you on entire experience (except to/from airport and during free time). We LOVE sharing the beauties of Vietnam with our friends and encourage you to ask any questions!

Whenever necessary, we will have local guides and drivers accompanying us as well.
For all our experiences, we strive to pick accommodations that are clean and authentic.

Whenever possible, we choose to support small, local guesthouses run by people from the community.

Costs differ between single and double occupancy, please review the costs below
Every night, you will try different traditional dishes of the region we are in.

Both of us are HUGE foodies are we can vouch for the quality of the food we pick! If you have any dietary restrictions (vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, etc.) or food allergies, please inform us in advance of the trip so we can make this trip enjoyable and safe for you.
We will cover essential apps and practical on the ground tips that will help you navigate Vietnam like a local. It's also an opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers and ask us any questions!
For any sites mentioned in the itinerary that require an entrance ticket, the cost of the ticket for each traveler will be covered.

Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
All overland transportation, including high speed trains, buses, and rideshares.

Metro rides within cities are not covered.

Transportation during free time is not covered.

Any transportation to Ho Chi Minh City (flight or train) before the trip begins is not covered and any transportation after Day 9 is not covered.
To remember your trip, you will receive a From Roots to Bridges themed goodie bag! Inform us of your t-shirt size prior to the trip.

What Is Not Included

- Travel Insurance (REQUIRED for every traveler)

- Vietnam Tourist Visa (if required)

- Meals Not Included in the Itinerary

- Breakfast, lunch, and alcoholic drinks

- Personal Expenses (souvenirs, gifts, etc.)

- Room service, laundry, incidentals

- Activities not a part of the itinerary

- Hospital bills and related medical expenses
- Damaged or lost personal possessions

Costs

Single Occupancy

$1500 USD (includes VAT)

You will have a room to yourself,

bathroom may be shared with others

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Double Occupancy

$1000 USD (includes VAT)

You will share a room with a person of the same gender or your requested roommate

What Our Travelers Say

Jurrien & Sandra

Together with Grace and Yongjian, we travelled for almost 2 weeks through the province of Yunnan. Having never been to China, we felt a bit overwhelmed with the required preparations for this huge country. Even before we crossed the border from Vietnam to China, they prepared us in every possible way. From how to use Alipay and WeChat, to buying SIM Cards and setting up a VPN. Their knowledge about the area was astounding. Especially on the topics on (local) cuisine and culture, they introduced us to so much we didn't know. The itinerary chosen, suited well with our interests and the execution went very well.

Sebastien

China wasn’t on my travel list until Yongjian and Grace's captivating passion and deep knowledge opened my eyes to its wonders. Their guidance was essential in securing a SIM card, managing payments, booking trains and ordering food. This allowed me to fully embrace Yunnan’s rich diversity, from vibrant markets and museums to stunning landscapes and historical sites. The region’s varied ethnic groups and incredible cuisine enriched every moment. This trip not only left me with precious memories and a new perspective on travel and China but also the gift of friendship with two remarkable people I now call friends.

Angela & Yang

During our trip to China, especially in Fuzhou, Grace and Yongjian made our experience truly unforgettable. Although we have visited China several times before and speak the language (more or less), it can still be challenging to navigate the country, as everything changes so quickly. What made the journey even more special were the fascinating stories they shared about their own trips and the history and culture of the region. Touring with Grace and Yongjian was an absolute pleasure, and I would highly recommend their services to anyone, who want an effortless and memorable trip!

Matt

I've lived in mainland China for over seven years and I was thrilled to join Yongjian and Grace for my first visit to Fujian Province. Together the three of us made stops at the historic district of the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Xichan Temple, and the Overseas Chinese Museum. It was a pleasure touring Fuzhou with Yongjian and Grace, who were kind enough to introduce local delicacies and locate vegetarian restaurants to accommodate my dietary restrictions. I would wholeheartedly recommend booking a tour with Yongjian and Grace--you will not be disappointed!

Ted

I had a wonderful time traveling with Yongjian and Grace. They created a comprehensive itinerary with unique, hard-to-find experiences while remaining flexible and open throughout the trip. Their approach to travel planning reflects their commitment to cultural authenticity and meaningful engagement

with the communities they visit.

I would definitely go on another trip with them!

Frequently Asked Questions

This group experience is designed for adults, 21 years and older.

If you have minors who would like to join an experience like this, we can arrange a private experience specifically for your family.

Please note that each minor requires at least one adult 21+ years old to accompany them.

Refer to our Private Experiences to learn more.
We ask that you enter in our Interest Form where you would like to go and if there is enough interest in visiting that destination, we will consider adding it to the itinerary if possible. The cost of the experience may change.

Alternatively, we can host a Private Experience for you.
Please refer to this official webpage to learn more about Vietnam tourist visa.

From Roots to Bridges will not accept responsibility if you are refused entry to Vietnam because you lack the correct visa documentation.
You should book your departure flight from your home country to Ho Chi Minh City.

The last city in our trip is Hue so you can choose to fly from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City or from Hue to Hanoi and then back to your home country.
Download Grab and Xanh SM (ridesharing), Google Translate (or similar), and Vexere (if you want to book bus tickets).
In Vietnam, we will bring you to a physical store to to buy a SIM card from Viettel.

If you do not have a SIM card slot in your phone, buy an E-SIM like the 3HK E-SIM.
Please refer to these CDC Guidelines for what vaccines to get prior to traveling to Vietnam.

For this experience*, our cancellation policy is below. To cancel your spot, you must email us at hello@graceandyj.com. If applicable, you will receive a refund to your original form of payment between 5-14 business days, excluding bank transaction fees.

More than 60 days prior to departure: Cancellation fee of 20% of total price (deposit)

Between 45 – 60 days prior to departure: Cancellation fee of 40% of the total price

Between 30 – 45 Days: Cancellation fee of 60% of the total price

Less than 30 days prior to departure: No refund

After trip departure: No refund

*Note: Different experiences may have different deposit amounts and cancellation policies. Please refer to each experience page for the most up to date information.
We understand that medical emergencies may cause you to not be able to attend this experience or cut the experience short.

Therefore, we require our travelers to buy travel insurance before the experience begins to cover unforeseen cancellations.

Our Travel Philosophy

We started traveling full time around Asia in 2023 with a desire to reconnect with our ancestral homeland, China. Along the way, we decided to explore other parts of Asia and landed on Vietnam. Spending two months in Vietnam solidified our love for Vietnamese culture, cuisine, people, landscapes, and more. Our best memories in Vietnam were those that we formed in the more off-the-beaten path destinations and we are eager to show you those places, people, and dishes that made Vietnam feel like a second home for us.