HIGHLIGHT
– Discover Hanoi City in a tour that takes you to all the most famous city landmarks and finishes with a night train to Sapa
– See the stunning scenery of the Hoang Lien mountain ranges in Sapa, meet local tribes, trek through rice paddies and stay overnight with the tour’s host family
– Hike through bamboo forests, the cascading Giang Ta Chai waterfall, visiting local villages and a night train back to Hanoi
– Hop aboard a Halong Cruise and sail through thousands of islands, enjoy lunch onboard, explore of the huge Surprise Cave, enjoy kayaking, swimming and barbecue dinner onboard.
– Spend a day in Hue City and check out ancient mausoleums, the Imperial Capital and glide along the Perfume River at sunset
– Marvel at the architecture in Saigon City including cathedrals and one of the oldest temples.
– Wind through the picturesque tributaries of the famous Mekong and hop out at the vibrant Cai Rang floating market.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi City Tour (L)
After having breakfast the tour guide will pick you up at 8.30 am. You will start the tour by visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting place.
Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live. Lying on one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, built by King Ly Thai To in 1049 the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi.
Continue to visit the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam) – Vietnam’s first University constructed in 1070. Its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past.
Have lunch at local restaurants. Proceed to visit the Ethnology Museum.
After that, we will take you to Hoan Kiem Lake, see the peaceful water, and visit Ngoc Son Temple. Take an hour cyclo tour around the bustling old quarter to see the ordinary life in Hanoi.
At 18.00 pm: Back to your hotel. It’s your free time now to have dinner and a short while to explore the streets of Hanoi.
After your dinner, around 20.00 pm, Our tour assistant pick up from your hotel to go to Tran Quy Cap train station. He will lead you to your cabin on the train. The train departs for Sapa and sleeps the night on the train. Travel time approx 9 hrs.
Day 2: Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van ( B, L, D)
At 6.30 am, arrive at Lao Cao station. We will pick you up at Lao Cai railway station by van, to take you to the township of Sapa which takes approx one hour.
After breakfast and a morning shower, start the first 6km of walking down to the South-East of Sapa along the side of Muong Hoa valley to Y Linh Ho village of the Black H’mong. Continue a 2km of trekking down to Lao Chai village of the H’mong.
Lunch at a local family, and then walk through terraced rice fields to Ta Van village of the Dzay minority people where we stay for the night. It gives you a worth chance to learn about the local house architecture which is full of their daily lifestyles and exclusive custom. Enjoy the landscapes.
Overnight in a local house of a friendly Dzay family.
Day 3: Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai – Su Pan – Sapa (B, L, D)
Enjoy mountainous landscape with your sunrise coffee, then enjoy a delicious breakfast ready to trek through bamboo forests towards Giang Ta Chai waterfall, cross over a rattan suspension bridge and enter Giang Ta Chai village which is inhabited by the Red Zao minorities.
Here we will experience their daily life then cross over the Muong Hoa River up the mountain to visit Supan village of the H’mong people. We then take the bus back to Sapa. Take a fresh shower in our hotel in Sapa.
At 17.00 pm, get a transfer to Lao Cai station and going back to Hanoi on a night train. Overnight on the train.
Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay (L, D)
Around 5:00 am, you will arrive in Hanoi. Our guide will pick you up at the station then take you to the hotel. You will have free time to relax and have breakfast before starting Halong Bay Tour.
08.00 – 8.30 am: After breakfast, car pick you up at your hotel and start the scenic 3.5 hours drive to Halong Bay. Enjoy the landscape of the Red River Delta countryside and have a short break on the way.
12.30 – 13.00 pm: Embark on V’Spirit Classic Cruise followed by a short cruise briefing.
13.30 – 14.30 pm: Savor a delectable lunch while V’Spirit Classic cruises among the limestone islands.
14.30 – 15.30 pm: Explore the amazing Sung Sot Cave – the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay.
15.30 – 16.30 pm: Kayak among the hidden areas of the bay, around the Drum Cave area.
16.30 – 17.30 pm: Return to the main boat and continue cruising to the quiet area while enjoying beautiful seascape on the way.
17.30 – 19.00 pm: Enjoy Sunset Party on the sundeck and admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set.
19.00 pm: Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests, take part in board games, fish for squid, or just laze around.
Overnight on board.
Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B/L)
06.30 – 07.30 am: Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt.
07.30 – 08.30 am: Have breakfast on board and enjoy the peaceful morning of Halong Bay.
08.30 – 09.30 am: Cruising to Titov island. Go swimming and relaxing at the beach of Titov or climb up to the top of the island for a panorama view of Halong Bay.
09.30 am: Return to the boat. Freshen up and check out of your cabin.
09.30 – 10.30 am: Continue your cruise exploring the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more.
10.30 – 11.30 am: While heading back to the harbor, watch the fruit carving demonstration and participate in the Cooking Class before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
10.30 – 11.30 am: Disembark V’Spirit Classic.
12.30 – 13.00 pm: Transfer back to Hanoi.
The trip finishes at around 17h00.
You are free to relax and overnight in a hotel in Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 6: Hanoi Free Day – Flight To Da Nang (B, L)
Free day in Hanoi.
Flight to Da Nang and transfer to Hoi An Ancient town. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Day 7: My Son – Hoi An – Transfer To Hue (B, L)
Morning, at 8.00 am, Our guide picks you up at the hotel and leaves Hoi An for visiting My Son Holly Land – the ruins of Cham people and was an imperial city during Cham dynasty.
Here you can have more chance to explore and understand of the technique of Old Cham people in making red bricks to build Tower which is now still a secret to everyone, you can see a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 65 architectural works.
It also a surprise for those who are curious about architectural art. In 1999, UNESCO labeled the Cham architecture in My Son as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Moreover, you have a chance to enjoy traditional music performed by Cham girls in their colorful uniforms.
Afternoon, we will discover the city of Hoi An by foot. The historic town which used to be a prosperous seaport city from the 16th to 18th centuries is now a beautiful city that can’t be missed while touring the South East Asian region.
While walking through the city, we will visit Hoi An’s Colorful Local Market, Tan Ky Old House, Fu Jian Assembly Hall, and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Travelers can also see local residents raise silkworms and produce silk for Hoi An’s burgeoning textile industry.
Transfer to Hue and stay overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 8: Hue City Tour (B, L)
AM: After breakfast, at 08.00 am: Our guide and driver pick up you at your hotel and then take a full day to discover Hue: visit Emperor Minh Mang’s Mausoleum, Emperor Khai Dinh’s Mausoleum, Performing Programs Of VO KINH VAN AN – Vietnam Traditional Kungfu and Emperor Tu Duc ’s Mausoleums. Stop on the way to see how conical hats and incense sticks are made. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
PM: Visit Imperial capital during Nguyen Dynasty and the seven-story Thien Mu Pagoda on the riverbank. Return by boat on the gentle Perfume River and do not miss the sunset on the river. You will come back to your hotel at 17.30 pm.
Stay overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 9: Hue – Free Day Transfer To The Airport (B)
You have a free day to go around Hue for sight-seeing and shopping.
Transfer to airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Stay overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh (B, L)
Morning, around 8.00 am, our guide picks you up at the hotel.
Option 1: Visit Cu Chi Tunnel
Heading to Cu Chi for visiting Cu Chi tunnel. The tunnel network of Cu Chi became legendary during the 1960s for its role in facilitating Viet Cong control of a large rural area only 30km to 40km from Ho Chi Minh city.
After lunch at a local restaurant in Cu Chi, back to Ho Chi Minh city.
Afternoon, your leisure for exploring the city yourself or go shopping. Stay overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
Option 2: Ho Chi Minh city tour
Morning, Visit the Re-Unification Palace, the former palace of President Thieu and his predecessors.
Today, this building is a museum and venue for Government official receptions. Inside you can visit the President’s room. Nearby is the Central Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 - 1883 and is one of the city’s major landmarks. Neo-Romanesque in form, the Cathedral is the major seat of the Catholic religion in modern Vietnam.
Continue to visit the War Remains Museum, where you can learn a lot about the Vietnam War.
After lunch in a local restaurant, you will visit Jade Emperor Temple, one of the oldest Chinese temples in Ho Chi Minh city.
Continue to Binh Tay market in China Town and the last sight we will visit today is Ben Thanh market, where all kind of local goods are offered.
Stay overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Cai Be – Tan Phong (L, D)
6.30 am: Depart for Cai Be by car/van via Trung Luong Express Highway, stopping to take photos in Tan An town overlooking the picturesque flat rice fields.
9.30 am: On arrival in Cai Be, set off by motor boat to visit the Cai Be floating market and watch the locals trading fruit and many other commodities on board their vessels. Visit a small family business to see how coconut candy and crispy rice popcorn are made.
Then wander into the small villages to visit the orchard and fruit plantation, accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music.
11.30 am: Keep cruising to a series of small canals to experience the charm of the Upper Mekong Delta. Arrive in Tan Phong island, join a cooking class. Enjoy your cooking experience and learn how to prepare special Vietnamese dishes. Food cooked by yourself and fresh river food served in the heart of the garden. Relax on the hammocks to get back your energy.
14.00 pm: Cycle around the village path with fruit orchards and bonsai garden. Meet the local islanders to learn more about the local daily life in the Mekong Delta.
15.00 pm: Meet our local guide and transfer to the island for the overnight homestay experience with the local people. After meeting your homestay hosts, you’re free to walk around the house and village to explore the countryside. You will prepare your own dinner (Vietnamese dishes) with help from your host.
Overnight homestay with your hospitable island hosts.
Day 12: Cai Be – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
After breakfast, you will visit Mr. Ba Duc’s ancient house. It’s one of several houses preserved in a harmonious combination of two architectural styles: Vietnamese and French, whose shape is unique to the colonial period.
Today, you will also visit a rice husking mill to learn about the procedure for rice production. Mekong Delta is popular for its own unique charm.
In Cai Be, a lot of materials are still hand-crafted, such as “Cham La”, the coconut leaves used to weave the roofs of homes. If you want to see how bricks are made, you’ll see it here.
After lunch at a restaurant serving local cuisine, you will take a drive back to HCMC by Van/Bus.
The trip ends in Ho Chi Minh city around 4.30 pm. End the journey.
Inclusion
– Domestic flights
– Boats in Hue and Mekong Delta
– Kayaking: Safe, clean and beautiful
– Room on a boat in Halong bay with A/C
– Train tickets Ha Noi/Lao Cai return
– Meals mentioned (B, L, D = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
– Transfer and transport as tour program
– English speaking tour guide
– Mentioned accommodations
– Entrance and sightseeing fees
Exclusion
– Drinks
– Your private expenses