Itinerary
Discover the spirit of Vietnam on a trip from north to south, taking in all the attractions in between. Discover captivating cities, intriguing cultures and stunning natural beauty as we explore the Sapa valley, Halong Bay, Hoian, Nha Trang, Dalat, Mekong delta and Phu Quoc. This trip will leave even the well traveled feet mesmerised.
Day 1: Arrival Hanoi (D)
Arrival in Hanoi, the tour guide will pick us up and transfer to hotel. Check in and free time for our relaxing. In the evening, we have welcome dinner at a fine restaurant in the city. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Sapa (B/L/D)
We start our one day city tour from the lobby of the hotel at 8:30am with our tour guide & driver pick -up. We will drive to Ho Chi Minh Complex, where we will spend a couple of hour to visit: Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh museum and one pillar pagoda. Keep going to see the Temple of Literature: Originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society placed then and now on education. Lunch will be at a fine local restaurant in Hanoi.
In the afternoon, we will visit one of the most interesting museums in Vietnam, Museum of Ethnology, which is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority people. Following by that we will wander around the city by car to see the real life of Hanoi as well as the difference parts the city.
After that; we get back to city center where we take one-hour cyclo around the Old Quarter, known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Before we have dinner and transfer to railway station for the train to Sapa at 9.10pm and arrive Sapa at 5.30am, we will have chance to enjoy the unique Water Puppet show to hear to know Vietnamese traditional instruments and singing from the live musicians who play throughout the show. Overnight on the train to Sapa
Notes:
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opening time: Open from Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 8am to 11pm. Closed on Mondays and Fridays. The mausoleum is closed for two months of the year, usually October and November, when Ho Chi Minh’s body is maintenance. Ethnology Museum is closed on Mondays.
Day 3: Sapa – Bac Ha Market (B/L)
You will be met by local guide and driver upon your arrival at Lao Cai station then transferred to a local restaurant for breakfast. Then start our drive to Bac Ha town. The road is relatively flat from Lao Cai to Bao Nhai bridge. After crossing the bridge, we begin our journey up to Bac Ha. Bac Ha market, located in the heart of Bac ha small town is the largest one in the area. Every Sunday, the different and colorful ethnic minority come all here to sell their homemade products or buy something for the family. They are Hmong, Phu La, Back Dzao, Tay or Nung minorities. Some of these ethnic minorities can’t be met in any other areas. Your lunch will be provided in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we drive downhill towards Lao Cai for about half an hour. We stop on the way (before reaching Lao Cai) to take a short walk to Trung Do village inhabited by Tay people. Tay villages are always set up at the foot of a mountain or along a stream and are named after a mountain, a field, or a river. Each village contains about 15-20 households. A large village is divided into many small hamlets. The houses are built on stilts or level with the ground. Stop by a traditional Tay house for a cup of tea before taking a boat cruise upstream the Chay River. The scenery is very beautiful on both sides of the river. The boat trip will end at Bao Nhai bridge where your vehicle will be waiting for you for the journey back to Sapa. Overnight at hotel in Sapa
Day 4: Sapa – Cat Cat Village (B/L)
After having breakfast we are ready to explore Sapa town. We embark on a lovely walking tour to the hill tribe village of Cat Cat, home of the H’Mong hill tribe minority people. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with families that live in the area. Overnight at hotel in Sapa
Day 5: Sapa – Taphin Village – Hanoi (B)
In the morning today your journey will be mostly driving downhill toward Lao Cai, before taking a left turn into a small paved road leading to Taphin village. Here you can experience the unmixed cultural life of Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities, 2 largest ethnic groups in the area. They live happily together while maintaining their own tradition from generation to generation. You can recognise them by dressing while they are both very famous of handicraft. We will enjoy walking among local people. The trip also offers you the opportunity to visit the local houses. We are free time before the guide will take us to railway station for the train to Hanoi. Overnight on the train to Hanoi
Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)
Our tour guide will pick us up at the railway station, transfer to hotel to relax then we have breakfast and transfer to Halong Bay at 8am. We take a 3-hour scenic drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay.
10H00: Stopover on the way for refreshments
12h00: Arrive at Tuan Chau Wharf – Break and photo opportunities
12h30: Board Glory Cruises for departure. A welcome drink will be served
13h00: Lunch is served while cruising through the bay
15h30: Visit exciting Cua Van fishing village, the village is free from busy roads and streets, electric lights, houses and high rise buildings. Instead, there are only herds of little boats and rafts. You will have the chance to discover the traditional culture and customs of the fishermen.
16h30: Enjoy kayaking or swimming (if the weather permits).
17h00: Back on board and continue cruising to Drum Cave (Hang Trong) for docking
19h00: Dinner is served.
21h00: Leisure time to enjoy a chat around the bar or enjoy night fishing.
Relax and spend a romantic night on Glory Cruise
Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Hue (B/L)
07.00: Coffee and tea will be served
08.00: Continue cruising.
08h15: Visit splendid Sung Sot Cave
09h00: Check out and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay, passing Dinh Huong Island, fishing villages, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island and Sail Island.
09.30: Buffet brunch (breakfast/lunch) while cruising back through Halong Bay to the pier
11h30: Arrive at the pier. Time to say goodbye to the crew
12h00: Drive from Halong to Hanoi.
14h00: Stopover in Dong Trieu town to visit a Ceramics workshop.
16.00: Arrive in Hanoi then we will be transferred to airport for the flight to Hue. Arrival Hue, the tour guide will transfer us to hotel, check in hotel and relax. Overnight in Hue
Day 8: Hue City Tour (B/L)
Hue City is known as an ancient Capital city of many original historical vestiges. There are more than 100 architectural works to be extremely reflected the life of Emperors and Mandarins under Nguyen’s reign. Situated in the middle of hills on the Southern Bank of Perfume River are very beautiful tombs of Nguyen Kings.
The tour guide will pick you up at hotel. We will be met and transferred to the Wharf where we will cruise along the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda (The Heavenly Lady pagoda) and surroundings. And then we take our vehicle to Tu Duc King’s tomb, which is one of the most beautiful works of Royal Architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty. The tomb lies in a boundless pine forest. Then we transfer back to the city for our delicious lunch at a fine local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will go to visit Hue Citadel and Tomb of Khai Dinh King. Overnight in Hue
Day 9: Hue – Hoian (B/L)
After breakfast at the hotel, we travel by vehicle to Hoian along scenic highway 1A. Along the way we will stop to visit Hai Van Pass, China South Beach and Marble Mountain – the five elements of the Universe (water, wood, air, fire and earth). We will arrive in Hoian in the afternoon and relax. At 3pm, with the tour guide picks up, we will start walking tour around the ancient town to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, the temples and pagodas of Chinese appearance. Overnight at hotel in Hoian
Day 10: Hoian – My Son (B)
My Son, located 69 km southwest of Danang, was an imperial city during the Cham dynasty, and 75km far from Hoi An. My Son is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the second to the thirteenth century. Their religion was primarily derived from Indian Hinduism. My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. The complex is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. My Son Sanctuary is a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 70 architectural works. They include temples and towers that connect to each other with complicated red brick designs. The main component of the Cham architectural design is the tower, built to reflect the divinity of the king. Our day starts at 08:00 at hotel and come back hotel at around 13:00. Overnight at hotel in Hoian
Day 11: Hoian – Danang – Nha Trang (B)
Flight to Nha Trang at by Vietnam Airlines
Having breakfast then our tour guide will transfer you to the airport for the flight to Nha Trang. Arrival Nha Trang, the guide will transfer you to hotel, check in hotel and relax. Overnight in Nha Trang
Day 12: Nha Trang City Tour (B/L)
This excursion takes you to visit a selection of the numerous attractions in Nha Trang City. First the car will drive you to Cau Da for a visit the Vietnam Oceanographic Institute to see the whole collection of sea creatures in Nhatrang Bay. After that, you will go to Long Son Pagoda, Catheral or Stone Church built in French colony time, Chong Promontory Rocks and the Po Nagar Temples. The tour ends after the visit to local Dam Market.
Overnight in Nha Trang
Day 13: Nha Trang – Dalat (B/L)
Today we will drive to Dalat. Arrival Dalat, we are free time to relax and walk around to visit Dalat City. Overnight in Dalat
Day 14: Dalat City Tour (B/L)
After breakfast, we will leave hotel for visiting Datanla Waterfall, Tuyen Lam Lake, Truc Lam Pagoda. The complex was completed in 1994 with the aim of giving new life to the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect, a uniquely Vietnamese form of Zen founded during the Tran Dynasty (A.D 1225-1400). Then proceed to Bao Dai’s Summer Palace; Bao Dai was Vietnam’s last emperor, Flower City Garden, Crazy House and the natural silk embroidery workshop. Overnight in Dalat
Day 15: Dalat – Ho Chi Minh (B)
Flight to Ho Chi Minh at by Vietnam Airlines
Today you will have breakfast before our tour guide will transfer you to airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrival Ho Chi Minh, our tour guide will meet and transfer to hotel, check in hotel and relax. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 16: Ho Chi Minh City Tour – Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)
After breakfast we depart our hotel for the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace for the president of the South of Vietnam. After that, we will visit War Remnant Museum, where we can see countless artifacts, photographs and pictures documenting about the second Indochina war. Before our lunch, we stop at Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post and Emperor Pagoda. Our delicious lunch will be served at a local noodle soup restaurant called “Presidential Pho 2000”, named due to a surprise visit by former US president Bill Clinton during his visit that year.
In the afternoon, we will leave Saigon for the Cu Chi tunnels, otherwise known as the “Iron Triangle” or “Iron Land“. On our way there we will drive through pleasant countryside; rubber plantations and rice paddies. Before entering the tunnels, we will see a short introductory video showing how they were constructed, followed by an exploration of the maze of tunnels, some of which have been widened to allow tourist access. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500lb bombs dropped by B52 bombers. After that we transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 17: Ho Chi Minh – Vinh Long – Cantho (B/L)
Morning start from hotel at 8 AM, leaving Ho Chi Minh City, travels to Cai Be, we drive for about 2,5 hours. Vivid farming activities and the riverine life of the Mekong Delta can be seen en route. Take a boat trip from Cai Be along the mighty Mekong River and its tributaries to view the riverine of local people who work and play on the waterways of the Mekong Delta. It would be a miss if we do not visit floating market at Cai Be, and a family-run workshop making popcorn, pop-rice and rice paper. A taste of these local products with green tea brings you a great feeling in tropical weather. Lunch will be set up in a local house that located on an island, which is fertile place for different fruits and trees. After lunch, taking a short nap on a hammock under the shady garden or you also can do cycling along the village paths to enjoy the beautiful of country side. Lastly, the cruise will transfer us to Vinh Long city where we take our vehicle to Can Tho – the heart of Mekong Delta. Overnight in Can Tho. Overnight in Cantho
Day 18: Cantho – Chau Doc (B/L)
Early morning today, we will take the boat trip to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market with the busy sense right at the time. This is a biggest floating market in Mekong Delta where you can see the daily life and local people selling their products on boats. After that, we are back to hotel for breakfast then heading to Chau Doc. Overnight in Chau Doc
Day 19: Chau Doc – Phu Quoc (B)
Have breakfast then we drive to Rach Gia to take the speedboat to Phu Quoc. Arrival Phu Quoc, the driver will transfer you to the hotel, check in hotel and relax. Overnight in Phu Quoc
Day 20: Phu Quoc Free Time (B)
Today you will have a free day to relax or go shopping. Overnight in Phu Quoc
Day 21: Phu Quoc Free Time (B)
Today you will have a free day to relax or go shopping. Overnight in Phu Quoc
Day 22: Phu Quoc – Ho Chi Minh (B)
Flight to Ho Chi Minh at by Vietnam Airlines
Free time before the driver transfer you to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh. Arrival Ho Chi Minh, the driver will transfer you to hotel, check in hotel and relax. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh
Day 23: Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)
Free time before the driver transfer you to the airport for departure flight. End of services!
