CUSTOMIZABLE ITINERARY
In this “The Very Best of Vietnam” tour, you will have a wonderful opportunity to visit the most popular attractions. What will be included in this tour? The trip will begin by exploring the iconic sites of Hanoi, Sapa and the villages of the ethnic communities in the northern region. Enjoy the extraordinary view of thousands of limestone islands in Halong Bay. In the central region of Vietnam, you’ll visit Danang’s renowned sites, wander the streets of Hoi An Ancient Town and learn the stories behind Hue’s historic landmarks. Next, observe closely the spectacular maze of Cu Chi tunnels and experience the hustle and bustle life in the Mekong Delta. The last destination on the tour will be Ho Chi Minh City – the most vibrant city in Vietnam.
Day 1 : Xin Chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam.
Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, your private guide and driver are waiting to meet you, holding up a welcome signboard with your names on it and take you directly to your hotel in the Old Quarter.
We have left this afternoon free for you to relax, unwind, and become accustomed to your new surroundings. There will be a short tour briefing this evening with your guide followed by a welcome dinner at KOTO restaurant, a social enterprise that trains and employs underprivileged youth to provide a step up in life.
Please note: Your travel documents contain a Visa-on-Arrival letter (unless otherwise arranged). Please ensure to pack this in your carry-on luggage. Your Visa-on-Arrival letter must be presented to Customs upon entry into the country.
Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: (_/_/D)
Day 2 : HANOI – FULLDAY CITY TOUR & LOCAL FOOD DISCOVERY
Today with the help of your private guide and driver, you will get to explore the city’s top attractions, sample Hanoi’s authentic local dishes away from the tourist trails, hunkering down with the locals on the street at a variety of atmospheric food stalls. Morning
Begin with a tour of Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex where the Vietnamese people honour the country’s ‘Great Father’. Here you’ll visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which contains the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh and his House on Stilts to observe how he lived and how his life unfolded to become one of modern history’s greatest names. Nearside his house is the miniature 11th-century One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple of historical and cultural significance.
From HCM Complex, you will take a leisurely walk through the small laneways toward Huu Tiep Lake. Explore the grounds of a 400-year-old temple, followed by a stroll through traditional local market streets to see the B52 crash site at the lake. This US bomber was shot down during the 1972 bombing raids of Ha Noi, a poignant reminder of Vietnam’s recent history.
Take a short drive to the outskirt of Hanoi to visit the fascinating Museum of Ethnology which is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the 54 recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam. Some of them you will meet during your trip to Sapa.
Today you will have Pho for lunch, a Vietnamese Noodle shop. Some of the local people call this world-famous Noodle soup “Mac-Noodles” since it is as popular here as MacDonalds is in other parts of the world! At the restaurant, your tour guide will explain the routine during Vietnamese meal times, and also tell you which special ingredients are needed for you.
After lunch, continue to visit the millennia-old Temple of Literature and explore its role in the country’s past, as both a university and a Confucius temple. Next is Hoa Lo (so-called Hanoi Hilton), a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. Prisoners of War.
Embark on a fun cyclo (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi) ride through the French colonial architecture of the precinct known as the French Quater, past the French-style villas, the Vietnam History Museum, the heritage Metropole Legend Hotel and the Opera House, name to a few.
Enjoy a cup of unmissable Egg coffee at Pho Co Café with stunning views of Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and the surroundings.
Finish the day with a walking tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter (in contrast to the French Quarter) to discover the street food scene in Hanoi where it feels like you are never further than a few metres from a street food stall. Your guide will talk you through the ingredients and the different herbs of each dish, while you are crouching on tiny plastic stools in a back alley. Sample delicious dishes like Nom Du Du (green papaya salad), Banh Mi Pa Te (a sandwich that reflects Vietnam’s culinary heritage), and the famous Hanoi dish Bun Cha (grilled pork and noodles).
Day 3 : HANOI – SAPA | PRIVATE TRANSPORT
Morning
After breakfast, you will be collected at the hotel and transferred on the road for 5,5 hours to Sapa. Established as a hill station by the French in 1922, Sapa today is a must-visit destination in the Northwest. This is northern Vietnam’s premier trekking base, from where hikers launch themselves into a surrounding countryside of cascading rice terraces and tiny hill-tribe villages that seem a world apart.
Afternoon
After arriving Sapa and checking into your hotel, your private guide and driver will pick you up and take you (40-minute drive) to Tram Ton Pass, a height of 2047 meters above sea level, the highest pass in Vietnam. Enjoy amazing views of the surrounding mountains and lush forests of the Hoang Lien National Park. From there, you will trek 30 minutes through a tropical rain forest enjoying the wonderful flora and fauna. Continue to trek along a stream arriving at the Love Waterfall, a wonderful place to relax in Sapa. Return to Tram Ton Pass and drive back to Sapa where the balance of the day will be free at your leisure.
You can stroll around the town, visit the Old French Church, or climb the Dragon’s Jaw Mountain where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Old town below.
Overnight in Sapa
Day 4 : SAPA – MA TRA & TA PHIN VILLAGES
Morning
After breakfast, you will meet your tour guide again and begin the day with a 3km-trek through the breathtaking landscape to the village of Suoi Ho.
Continue your hike toward the stunning village of Matra. You will pass the impressive ruins of a French Catholic church built in the early twentieth century. Take a few minutes to explore this intriguing sight and take some photos as you wish.
Your hike will grow deeper until your arrival at Ta Phin Village, inhabited by the Red Dzao ethnic minority tribe, with their beautiful traditionally embroidered outfits and practice of shaving their hair and eyebrows as a sign of respect. Ta Phin village is also home to the Black H’mong minority who live their own way with no cultural mixture.
Pause at a Red Dzao family and over a cup of tea, have a chat with them learning about their lifestyle. Enjoy a delicious lunch cooked and served by the family.
Afternoon
After lunch, you have time to stroll around the village, take pictures and do some fun shopping. The Red Dao people are known for their expertise in herbal medicine as well as the usage of plants from the land to treat many illnesses. If you’re a bit sore from the activities of the day, sample a traditional herbal bath made by a local Dzao specialist, famous for its therapeutic qualities.
Leaving Ta Phin you will be picked by your private driver and taken back to Sapa town where the balance of the day will be at your leisure. You may take a stroll around the town, visit the Stone Church, and the night market for some delicious local delicacies.
Overnight in Sapa
Day 5 : SAPA – BAC HA SUNDAY MARKET – NIGHT TRAIN TO HANOI
Morning
After breakfast and check out of the hotel, you will be picked up and driven for three hours to Bac Ha for the colorful Sunday Market. Nestled deep in the mountains, Bac Ha town is a quiet backwater Monday to Saturday, but by Sunday crowds of locals from thousands of surrounding villages descend on the town for trading at the market.
Upon arrival, you will set out to explore the market with your guide. The market itself is a kaleidoscope of color, noise, and culture, where locals in an array of traditional dress barter for cows and show off delicately embroidered and embellished designs. Wander, camera in hand, and soak in the lively atmosphere while fending off the persistent sellers. The scent of fresh herbs and fragrant, strong tobacco wafts among the tented stalls and the overpowering smell of animals drifts down from the live market above.
Afternoon
After lunch at a local restaurant, you will drive downhill to Trung Do Village which is home to the Tay minority. Here you will visit a traditional Tay house then travel by boat through this amazing countryside to Bao Nhai Village. Finish the boat trip you’ll continue onwards to Lao Cai station for your night train journey back to Hanoi. You will have the opportunity to drop your bags at a local restaurant near the station where you can have dinner before boarding the train. Accommodation on the train will be on a shared basis in a four-berth soft sleeper compartment with air-conditioning. The train leaves around 20:00 and arrives in Hanoi at 06:00 the next morning.
Overnight on the air-conditioned train
Day 6 : HA NOI - HA LONG BAY 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT | THE LUXURY CRUISE
Morning
Upon arrival at Hanoi Train Station your private guide will pick you up and take you to a nearby hotel where you will have the opportunity to take a shower and have some rest.
After breakfast, your private tour guide will pick you up and take you through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to the legendary Halong Bay where you will board a traditional-style Vietnamese Junk Boat that is your home for the evening. The limestone karsts and tropical islets rising up from the emerald waters of the bay provide an ethereal backdrop for your leisurely cruise.
Upon arrival you’ll be welcomed aboard your Stylish Junk boat, each with its own individual route, to begin your cruise around the bay’s thousands of limestone islets and caves.
Afternoon
After a delicious lunch on board, you will spend time to sunbathe on the sundeck and enjoy the peaceful tranquility of the bay.
Later you will visit Sung Sot Cave “Grotte des Surprises” a hidden gem of mother nature. Float peacefully through magnificent limestone formations containing thousands of stalagmites and stalactites.
Continue to cruise. As you weave your way through the islands, you’ll come across secluded bays, white sandy beaches, and floating villages.
There is plenty of leisure time to enjoy activities both onboard and around the fantastical scenery of the Bay. Pamper yourself at the cruise spa or swim in the emerald waters.
Toward the end of the day, you will sail to the overnight mooring area. During this time – the magical “blue hour” – Halong Bay reveals its true, magnificent beauty. You have a chance to attend the chef’s cooking demonstration or enjoy a mesmerising sunset on the top deck before a scrumptious dinner.
The rest of the evening will be at leisure. You can watch a movie or join the crew for squid fishing before retiring to your room for a restful sleep.
Note: If your time permits, we would highly recommend an additional night on board which gives you a lot more time to relax and take in the amazing landscape. You’ll get to cruise deeper into the Bay where it’s more beautiful and less crowded.
Overnight on board in Halong Bay
Day 7 : HA LONG BAY - HA NOI - FLIGHT TO DA NANG | HOI AN
Morning
The graceful practice of Tai Chi eases you into your day as is the local custom. Join a ‘Local Specialist’ on the deck of the Junk boat for a morning class in exquisite natural.
today end of the ttour in ha long bay , our tour guide will take you to ha noi hotel short break then having food before we will go to airport to the the flight to Da Nang at 19:30.
Evening relax and shopping
Day 8 : HOI AN RELAX AND STREET FOOD TOUR IN THE EVENING
Day 9 : BA NA HILL | HAND GOLDEN BRIDGE | ONE FULL DAY TOUR
Located in the Truong Son mountain range 25 km at an altitude of 1487m, its temperate climate, unspoiled forest, and spectacular views over the city of Da Nang, awe-inspiring bay and the Lao mountain range made Ba Na a past popular place to retreat for the long ago. Ba Na Hills – the double Guinness World record cable car, honored as both the longest and highest non-stop system in operation. However you will experience the cable car ride up to the hills. Upon arrival you will visit to the Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park is a family entertainment complex. 07:30: Our driver and tour guide pick you up at the hotel lobby and go to Ba Na Hills. Get on cable car, spend your time on the most modern Cable Car in Southeast and see the panorama of Danang City.
After finishing the first cable car, you will visit The Golden Bridge - which has the most exotic structure and also the world-s most prominent pedestrian bridges highlighted by the British Guard newspaper, France wine cellar, Le Jardin D-amourn (consists of 9 gardens).
Continue the 2nd Cable Car to visit the French Village (enjoy Street Music, watch Arts statue), Campanile, Nine Floor Goddess Shrine, Tombstone Temple, Linh Phong Monastery, Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple & Tru Vu Tea Shop.
Watch Carnival Performance Show, Square Du Dome.
Experient the most popular adventure ride - Slide of Tube Car (free ride). Have lunch at a nice restaurant and a very beautiful view (buffet)
Join in Fantasy Park with Walking in Fairy Forest, discover Dinosaur Park, play 5D wild west, enjoy 4D death race ride, watch 3D mega 360 degree, ride on Journey into the underground, enter Jurassic Park, challenge Freefall Tower and participate in adventure in Horror House and over 90 free games.
15:00: Leaving Ba Na Hills. Our
17:15: Back to your hotel. Tour ends.
Day 10: HOI AN ACIENT ONE FULL DAY TOUR 8:00 - 17:00
Today after breakfast at 8:00 A,M our guide will come and take you go on the tour.
Day 11: HOI AN FLIGHT TO NHA TRANG - MUI NE
Today Morning at 10:00 our driver will come and take you to Da Nang Airport to take the flight to Nha Trang then heading to Mui Ne by private transport. Flight Depature at 12:00 Lunch time.
Overnight in Mui Ne Beach Resort
Day 12: MUI NE LEISURE | BEACH BREAK
Day 13: MUI NE SAND DUNE TOUR | PRIVATE JEEP. TWO SPECIAL OPTIONS: SUNRISE & SUNSET
ITINERARY
04:30: Departing from your hotel lobby by our private Jeep and heading to the white sand dunes to see the sunrise.
05:15: Visiting White sand dunes, at the top of the sand dune, catching the first sunrise of the day. Other activities can be taken: riding quad-bikes over the dunes (additional charge).
06:15: Visiting Red sand dunes, slopes are less steep than the White sand dunes, great opportunity for taking photo as red color of the sand is great contrast to background scenery, sliding down sand dunes’ slopes with sand boarding.
07:00: Visiting the fishing village, observing the daily lives of fishermen, morning catch is hauled to shore and women are busy sorting out the catch, and fishing boats are lining up and waiting to depart.
07:30: Visiting Fairy stream (Suoi Tien) Leave your shoes on the rack then walk through the entrance gate. You’ll be wading in ankle-deep cold water all the way to the natural stream and here you will see all the sand blocks with many different colors. where the small stream running through the middle and here you will have a chance to try the ostriches riding (paid extra).
09:00 Returning back to your hotel.
ITINERARY
13:30: We will pick you up at your hotel then heading to the Fairy Stream.
13:45: Visiting Fairy stream (Suoi Tien) Leave your shoes on the rack then walk through the entrance gate. You’ll be wading in ankle-deep cold water all the way to the natural stream and here you will see all the sand blocks with many different colors where the small stream running through the middle and here you will have a chance to ride the ostriches riding (paid extra).
14:45 Visiting the fishing village, observing the daily lives of the local fishermen.
15:45 Visiting White sand dunes, activities can be taken: riding quad-bikes over sand dunes (additional charge).
17:15 Visiting Red sand dunes, slopes are less steep than the White sand dunes, great opportunity for taking the photo as red colour of the sand is great contrast to background scenery and observing the spectacular sunset over the sand dunes is a amazing view.
18:00 After the sunset, returning back to your hotel.
Day 14: MUI NE | RELAX | SHOPPING
Day 15: ANOTHER RELAXING DAY IN MUI NE
Day 16: CHECK IN TA CU MOUNTAIN HALF DAY TOUR
Day 17: MUI NE LEISURE | BEACH BREAK
Day 18: MUI NE - CU CHI TUNNEL & MEKONG DELTA
• Cu Chi Tunnel
• Dragon Phoenix Island
• Fruit garden
• Tradional Horse Wheels Or Riding Bicycle
• Coconut candy factory and rice-papars
• Boat Rowing On The River.
Day 19: MEKONG DELTA - HO CHI MINH CITY
• Cai Rang Floating Market
• Vinh Trang Pagoda
• Dong Tam Snake Farm
Time to Discover the 2 Biggest Floating Markets South of Mekong Delta
After breakfast we will take another speed boat to go through Hau River, Cai Rang and Phong Dien floalting market - one of the two biggest markets in south of Mekong Delta. After the markets we will stop at the snake farm then head back to Ho Chi Minh City. End of the Tour.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 20: HO CHI MINH FLIGHT BACK HOME
Today if your flight in the late evening we can arrange for you a short city tour or shopping, before we take you back to Ho Chi Minh Airport to take the flight home
End of the tour ! Have A Nice Trip
Tour included: Accommodation, Food, English Guide, Transport, Domestic flight ticket, sightseeing entrance fee tickets as mentioned in tour itineraries, Fast Track Visa on arrival, pick up and drop off at the airport