Highlights:
• Explore an array of city attractions in Hanoi and Ninh Binh
• A real local experience to visit Sapa and Bac Ha colorful market
• Cast away on a traditional junk boat and set sail through hundreds of limestone karsts that rise dramatically from the emerald waters of Halong Bay
• Explore the Imperial city Hue well-known for its temples, tombs, palaces and pagodas.
• Take part in all activities in Hoi An such as: rice planting, go fishing, experience local life in Cham Island, cooking class…
• Relaxing on Mui Ne Beach, canyoning experience in Dalat
• Visit the famous Cu Chi network of underground tunnels used as a military base for the Viet Cong in the Vietnam War
• Take a boat trip and enjoy the spectacular scenery of Mekong Delta
ITINERARY:
DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL (MEAL: NO)
Arrival at Noi Bai Airport, Our driver will welcome you at airport terminal and transfer you to the hotel in the center. You will check in at the hotel and you will visit the center of the city by your own.
Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Please note that check in time at hotel is 14:00.
Inclusion: Airport pick up service, Accommodation
DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR – QUINTESSENCE OF TONKIN SHOW (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
At 08:00 Am, Our guide will pick you up at hotel and we will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting place. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Lying to one side of the mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. You will then continue on to the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda in West Lake. It is one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. Thereafter, you will visit the Bat Trang pottery village. The visit applies during Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. You will have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon , after lunch, you will proceed to visit the Ethnology Museum. The tour applies on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. You will visit the Temple of Literature or Quoc Tu Giam and Vietnam’s first university which was constructed in 1070.
Then we past Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful waters and the beauty of Ngoc Son Temple. Transfer to hotel. Until at 06:30 Pm, our staff will pick you up at hotel and transfer to meeting point for a shuttle bus transfer to the countryside of Hanoi named Saison district to watch a Vietnam must – see cultural spectacle which delivers audiences a unique and memorable exploration of the Red River Delta. Return back to hotel around 9:30 Pm. Stay overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast and lunch, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 3: HOA LU – TAM COC – NIGHT TRAIN TO LAO CAI (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
At 08:00 Am: Meet your tour guide at your hotel. We will drive around 2.5 hours to Hoa Lu - the historic capital of Viet Nam and the famous ancient temples of the Le and the Dinh Dynasties. You can see the royal citadel where the emperors lived and know more about part of feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history.
Then you will have Buffet lunch featuring Vietnamese cuisine.
Continue to take a boat trip to visit Tam Coc, known as “Halong Bay on land”. You will have a chance to see views of majestic limestone cliffs and three mysterious caves, as well as countryside sights, like peaceful streams, rice paddies and deserted green fields.
You can join to ride bicycle around countryside roads and villages to see the local farmers and buffaloes working on the rice fields. Get on bus to transfer back to Hanoi, drop you off at hotel. Free and easy in evening. Until our staff will come to pick you up at your hotel and transfer to Hanoi Railway Station for take a night train to Lao Cai. Stay overnight on train.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast and lunch, all entrance fees, train ticket - sharing train cabin 4 berth with A/C.
DAY 4: LAO CAI – BAC HA MARKET (SUNDAY MORNING) – SAPA (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
At around 06:00 Am, You will arrive in Lao Cai train station, a small border town by the Red River. My guide will meet you at the exit gate, and take you to a local restaurant in Lao Cai for breakfast. Then you will leave for Bac Ha (70 km) via a winding road with breath-taking mountain views. Visit Bac Ha market (on Sunday only), considered the liveliest and crowded in the region. It attracts a large number of Flower H’mong and other hill-tribe groups (Nung, Phu La, Tay). It is no doubt one of the most attractive places for photo hunters in Vietnam. Lunch at local restaurant. Then, back to Lao Cai and continue an interesting trip to Sapa (38 km). Nestling on Fansipan mount, Sapa offers spectacular scenery and is home to different hill-tribes. Dinner on your own. Night at hotel in Sapa.
Remark: Bac Ha market is open on Sunday only, the following markets may replace Bac Ha market according to your arrival date:
- Can Cau market (20 km from Bac Ha) on Saturday morning.
- Coc Ly market on Tuesday morning.
- Cao Son market on Wednesday morning
- Lung Khau Nhin market on Thursday morning.
Inclusion: transportation, English speaking tour guide, meals: breakfst and lunch, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 5: SAPA TREKKING TO HANG DA – HAU THAO - SAPA (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
Breakfast at hotel. 08:00 You start the tour from Sapa. Take a short road transfer along the motor way southwards for 4 km with a stop along the way for stunning scenery of Fansipan mountain and Muong Hoa valley. Trekking uphill along a large and rocky path for 2 hours to Hang Da village of the Black H’mong which hides itself under lush trees on high elevation of the Den Thang Mountain. Explore the village, paying visiting to local families. Lunch break in the village.
After lunch, continue trekking along the same trail which goes on the high mountain side for about an hour which offers a great view of Muong Hoa valley until arriving at Thao Hong Den, another village of the Black H’mong to pay a visit to several local families. To continue, you will go downhill for another hour along a dirt track to Pho village at the center of Hau Thao commune. You will be picked up and transfer by road back to Sapa. Dinner on your own. Overnight in hotel in Sapa
Remark: The program of trek can be adjusted depending on the weather conditions, your age and your healthy status:
– Option 1: Lao chai / Ta Van (5 km, soft trek, very touristy)
– Option 2: Cat Cat / Y Linh Ho / Lao Chai / Tavan (14 km, medium trek)
– Option 3: Xau Chau / Xa Xeng / Hau Thao / Giang Ta Chai (14 km, medium trek, off the beaten tracky)
Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, meals: breakfast and picnic lunch, all entrance fees, transportation.
DAY 6: SAPA TREKKING TO VILLAGES: SUOI HO – MA TRA – AFTERNOON BUS TO HANOI (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
At 8:00Am, Start a short walk (3 km) downhill through beautiful orchid gardens and pine forests. You will reach the village of Suoi Ho, home to H’mong minorities from where you can enjoy views over endless rice paddies. Continue our trek on a trail through rice paddy fields toward Ma Tra village, another village of H’mong minorities. Their house is normally built of land and has no windows because of the cold in the winter. It is possible to stop by a primary school (close at weekend and summer time) for a quick visit. Transfer to Hanoi by shared bus (6 hours). Dinner on your own. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking tour guide, meals: breakfast and picnic lunch, all entrance fees, sharing bus from Sapa to Hanoi.
DAY 7 : HANOI – HA LONG BAY (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)
08:00 – 08:30: Our tour guide and bus pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi old quarter.
08:30: Departure to Halong Bay for 3.5 Hours.
10:00: Arrive in Hai Duong province, and have 20 minute short break.
12:00: Arrive to Tuan Chau harbor, 12:15 Welcome to cruise and enjoy Welcome drink, get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Check-in your cabin.
12:30: Enjoy Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian lunch, while cruising in the magnificent Halong Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.
15:00: You at Tung Gau Area. The airy and fresh air, cool breezes, blue sea and sky, and natural seascape will captivate any visitors setting foot here. Especially, Tung Gau of Lan Ha Bay is extremely suitable for enjoying kayaking and swiming and then Visiting Halong Pearl Farm Village
17.30: Come back to our cruise and relax.
19:30: Time for dinner enjoying special food on the cruise.
21:00: Evening entertainments: play game on the cruise: cards game, chess, karaoke, squid fishing, and overnight on the cruise.
Inclusion: Transportation, English Speaking Guide, All entrance fees, Kayaking, Swimming, meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner, accommodation on cruise
Note: Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather and operating conditions.
DAY 8: HA LONG BAY - HANOI (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
06.30: Early morning sun risers can enjoy Tai Chi lesson on sundeck.
07.00: Morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast.
08:00: Arriving Sung Sot Cave (Amazing Cave) and joining with guide to visiting and explore the cave
10:00: Check-out and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay. Join cooking class guided directly by Chef of Rosa Boutique cruise. You have chance to practice Vietnamese traditional dishes such as spring roll or famous cuisine of Vietnam.
11:00: Enjoy the lunch on cruise.
12:00: Rosa Cruise are landing Halong Bay harbor, tourist say goodbye to sailors and finish the cruise.
12:30: Return to Hanoi by shuttle bus.
14:30: Stopover in Hai Duong province to visit a ceramics workshop.
16:00 – 16:30: Arrive in Hanoi. Free and easy the evening. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Inclusion: Transportation, entrance fees, meals: breakfast and lunch, English speaking guide, accommodation
DAY 9: HANOI – FLY TO HUE (BREAKFAST/-/-)
Free and easy visit Hanoi. Until our driver will pick you up at hotel and transfer to airport and fly to Hue. Another driver will pick you up at airport and transfer to hotel. Stay overnight in Hue.
Inclusion: Airport transfer service, Accommodation
DAY 10 : HUE CITY TOUR (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
At 08:30 Am, our tour guide will pick you up at hotel. Then you will start the Hue city tour. Visit Thanh Toan Bridge - The only other tiled roof bridge in Vietnam aside from the one in Hoi An. This wooden arch bridge has been built for the local villagers who are into farming and fishing. The old bridge served and still serving the local villagers on their daily life needs. The bridge connects the local market and the village houses.
Visit Minh Mang tomb - The tomb of the most beloved Emperor of Nguyen dynasty. Minh Mang Tomb is considered as the most majestic of all of the Royal Tombs. The impressive architecture that complements with the nature gives you a good impression of the Emperor who lives within the walls of the 18 hectares tomb.
Visit Khai Dinh tomb - The smallest but the most expensive tomb of all. Every corner of the tomb is very detailed which reflects how luxurious the emperor was. Lunch in a restaurant that serves Western, Asian and Vietnamese food.
We visit Citadel - Imperial City is the home of Vietnam's last royal dynasty - the Nguyen Dynasty. This is the highlight of the tour. You will learn the rise, struggles and fall of the Nguyen Dynasty and how it affected the whole country.
Visit Thien Mu Pagoda - The oldest pagoda in Hue city.
Get on a dragon boat cruise to see the sunset on the way back to the city.
Drop you off at your hotel in Hue. Stay overnight in Hue.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: lunch ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 11: HUE – HOIAN (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
Breakfast at hotel. At 08:00 Am, Transfer to Hoi An along Highway 1 which links Hanoi to Sai Gon. This drive is reputedly the most beautiful in all Vietnam, taking you past coastal fishing settlements, most notably Lang Co with its stunning lagoon backdrop. The drive also takes you over Hai Van Pass (or ‘pass of the ocean clouds’). Lunch at a local restaurant in Hoian.
The afternoon is spent strolling through the narrow streets of this atmospheric old town. This former port, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is full of architectural gems that show a range of influences. Around the seventeenth century Hoi An was one of the busiest ports in South East Asia. Enriched by the proceeds of this trade many merchants constructed beautiful homes. You should start by visiting Japanese bridge, Quan Cong temple, Fujian temple, one of the old houses and the local market. Then , take a boat trip on Thu Bon river. Dinner on your own. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: lunch ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 12: HOI AN RICE PLANTING AND FISHING TOUR (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
Picking you up at your hotel by mini- van, we will bring you over the countryside where bike are available to ride (If you don't know how to ride bicycles, please use our scooter "XE OM" services and you pay the extra 120,000 VND).
You start the day by cycling to the local farmer in Cam Thanh Ecological village. Here you are greeted by a local host and then you join with them how to grow wet rice with their family.
Starting farming work like plough and raking with buffalo, riding water buffalo, learning how to transplant rice, flooding farm, grinding rice, pounding rice.
After then, Our guide and van will bring down to a local fishing village. You will be boarded on boat .
Joining to go fishing with local fishermen at Phuoc Hai local fishing boat to experience local cast net CHAI.
Continue to visit water coconut palm jungle, enjoying the basket boat and visiting the water coconut palm forest.
Learn how to learn origami such as grasshoppers, flowers, rings, caps, bracelets toys made from water coconut leaves...,
Having a fun to catch crab around the water coconut palm forest and after then boarding back boat, morning time you will get lunch and afternoon time you will get dinner on boat, and cold beer or soft drink we will bring you back to your hotel. Free and easy visit Hoi An in afternoon. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast & lunch ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 13: HOIAN FREE AND EASY (BREAKFAST/-/-)
Breakfast at hotel, free and easy visit Hoi An. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
Inclusion: Meals: breakfast; accommodation.
DAY 14: HOI AN COOKING CLASS (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
08:00- 08:30am, a trip to the market to purchase some fresh, locally grown herbs. Then, we board our river boat for a relaxing 30 minutes ride to Thuan Tinh Island, which is recognized by Hoi An as an official ecological zone.
To visit the Local Village, we take a row boat ride through the water coconut trees. We then walk through the gardens to visit Ms. Hoa's house to meet her family and snack on grilled rice cakes and iced tea. From there, we head back to our open-air cooking class overlooking the water coconut trees and river. Our chefs will show you how to make Vietnamese food while you enjoy the cool breeze and peaceful setting.
Our chefs have prepared a 4 course cooking class of traditional Vietnamese dishes. They will demonstrate how to prepare them, and then it's your turn-you prepare your own tasty Vietnamese lunch!! We start with a homemade Passion fruit Juice soda to whet your appetite.
Around at 2 Pm: finish and you will be free in afternoon. Overnight in Hoi An.
Inclusion: Transportation, all entrance fees, meals: breakfast and lunch, english speaking guide, accommodation, all ingredients for cooking
DAY 15: MY SON HOLLY LAND - MARBLE MOUNTAIN (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
At 08:00 Am, our guide and car will pick you up at hotel and start visiting My Son Holyland, a World Heritage, located in a lush valley, My Son was a capital and religious center of Cham people, now remaining with red brick towers and sanctuaries. My Son, considered to be in the same league as some of Southeast Asia's greatest archaeological sites, including Angkor in Cambodia, Bagan in Myanmar, Ayutthaya in Thailand and Borobudur in Indonesia. These towers and sanctuaries was built from the 7 to 13 centuries. Having lunch at a good local restaurant. Continue visiting The Marble Mountaint. Climb up the stone stairs and enjoy the panoramic view of the nearby countryside, and visit caves , pagodas.Get down the mountains in another direction to visit the stone village in here, where the local skilled sculptors create many Marble products, which are exported to countries worldwide. Then transfer back to hotel. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast and lunch, accommodation.
DAY 16: HOIAN – DANANG AIRPORT – FLY TO DALAT (BREAKFAST/-/-)
Our driver will pick you up at hotel and transfer to airport, fly to Dalat. Arrive in Dalat, there is another drver will pick you up at airport and transfer to hotel. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Inclusion: Airport transfer service, Accommodation
DAY 17: DALAT CITY TOUR (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
At 08:00 - 8:30 Am, Our tour guide will pick you up at hotel. we will leave for a tour of Dalat and the surrounding areas.
We will stop on Robin-hill’s peak to look over the landscape, then take a cable car through pine forests and vegetable farms to Truc Lam pagoda and Tuyen lam lake.
Next destination is back up to the city center where we will visit Bao Dai’s summer palace and crazy house, a brightly painted concrete house which winds itself around trees, mimicking their shapes. It functions as a guest house.
After visiting crazy house we keep going to visit Linh Phuoc pagoda and the old railway station which is well known in Indochina by it's beautiful architecture.
Guide and driver take you back to Dalat flower gardens and Dalat university.The university campus sits on a hilly area of 40 hectares with variety of styled building hidden throughout pine trees.Transfer back to hotel. Stay overnight in Da Lat.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: lunch ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 18: DALAT SPECIAL CANYONING TOUR (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
At 08:30 Am: Our guide will pick you up at hotel. Transfer by bus along picturesque road to the South of the city, head the Datanla Waterfall.
Stop at Gathering point, You will learn the basics of knot tying, harness wearing and abseiling techniquesto begin conquering the 10km adventure activities hide deeply in the jungle with this challenge to other challenges.
Dry cliff at 18 m - First activity, After we mastered the skills to rappel down the steep cliffs. Quiver is for sure because of the first time to test your skills but very excited to launch yourself into the air and landed safely.
Water sliding - the stones have been eroded by the water, creating idea venue for us to water slide down into rapid water. Gently lean over, hands keep the shoulders, take a deep breath is when you slide down the water pulled from the wall, pushing you into the depths of water then up in the water with an excited feeling.
"Sky" falls - Water pours down massively. Negative thoughts appear in your head and against you to challenge your mental power. All you need now is a strong heart, a cool head and be alert to face and conquer the human weakness in you.
Being a Batman - This is a real challenge for you to take jumps from 7m and 11m cliff into a deep lake. Do not hesitate, be strong, nothing can stop your steps. It would be a major change in thinking when you accomplishing.
“Washing Machine”- You will walk down until your back touches the waterfall, take a deep breath to increase hot blood up to your brain, straight the legs, wide eyes and relax your body. It will spin you around, clean your body and push you out of the falls before hiking up to thehighway and meet our vehicle for transport back to town. Stay overnight in Da Lat.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, lunch ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 19: DALAT – CYCLING TO MUI NE (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
At 07:30 Am: Our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel. Our support vehicle takes you from Da Lat to Di Linh town (75km), where we start the ride down to Mui Ne. About 70 km in total, the ride goes through small minority villages and jungle forested valleys to the beautiful beaches in the distance.
The first section of biking is through coffee plantations and pine forests about 5 km uphill climb to get you warmed up. This is followed by plenty of downhill and rolling sections, with picturesque and fantastic views.
A final amazing downhill pass (20km) is completed before the road flattens out with along cruise to the Ma Lam town with rice fields, dragon fruit farms.
The ride’s almost finished here and our vehicle transports us the rest of the way to Mui Ne. The support vehicle is used to transport all luggage and provisions for lunch and refreshment. Arrive at hotel in Mui Ne. Check in hotel and stay overnight in Mui Ne.
Inclusion: Transportation, mountain bike, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, picnic lunch ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 20: MUI NE FREE AND EASY (BREAKFAST/-/-)
Free and easy visit Mui Ne. Relax on beach. Stay overnight in Mui Ne.
Inclusion: Meals: Breakfast, Accommodation.
DAY 21: MUI NE FREE AND EASY (BREAKFAST/-/-)
Free and easy visit Mui Ne. Relax on beach. Stay overnight in Mui Ne.
Inclusion: Meals: Breakfast, Accommodation.
DAY 22: MUI NE – HO CHI MINH CITY (BREAKFAST/-/-)
Free and easy visit Mui Ne. Until our driver will pick you up at hotel and transfer to Ho CHi Minh City. Check in hotel. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Inclusion: Transportation, Meals: Breakfast, Accommodation.
DAY 23: HO CHI MINH CITY – CU CHI TUNNELS (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
07:45 Am: Our guide will pick you up at hotel.
Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu.
Continue seeingthe beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars.
Have lunch at local restaurant.
Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.
Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun.
17:00 pm : Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, picnic lunch ; All entrance fees, Accommodation.
DAY 24: HO CHI MINH – CAI BE – VINH LONG – CAN THO (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
Depart Ho Chi Minh City around 8h30 Am for a scenic morning drive to Cai Be. From Cai Be ,take a boat trip along the mighty Mekong River and its tributaries to view the daily lives of people who work and play on the waterways of the Mekong Delta.The trip includes a visit to the floating market at Cai Be,and a family-run business producing pop rice,coconut candy,rice paper- a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine.Lunch is on an island mid-river,in a local house set amongst fruit orchards and bonsai trees and then followed by a performance of traditional Vietnamese music.Continue to Vinh Long by sampan boat, and proceed by car to Can Tho for overnight. Stay overnight in Can Tho.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast & lunch ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 25: CAN THO – CHAU DOC (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
After breakfast, 8am take a boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong River (Bassac River), then visit the Cai Rang floating market, which are the best in the region. You will probably have tried Vietnamese vermicelli soup, so now go and see how it is made. Then wander around the village and talk with the local people. Learn how to cross a "monkey bridge" which is built from a single bamboo. Break for lunch. Proceed to Chau Doc. Overnight in Chau Doc.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast & lunch ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 26: CHAU DOC – HO CHI MINH CITY ( BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
After breakfast, take a nice boat trip through the floating village to visit a fish farm to see how the Mekong Delta people raise fish in their floating houses. Visit the Cham minority with their traditional weaving village, followed by a local Islamic Mosque. Trip back to Hochiminh city. Check in hotel. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast & lunch ; all entrance fees, Accommodation.
DAY 27: HO CHI MINH DEPARTURE ( BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
Breakfast at hotel. Free at your own time until the driver meets you then transfers to the airport for your flight home or next destination. Tour ends.
