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Itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Giang
Day 4: Ha Giang – Meo Vac – Dong Van
Day 5: Dong Van – Saphin – Ha Giang
Day 6: Ha Giang – Ba Be
Day 7: Ba Be
Day 8: Ba Be – Hanoi
Day 9: Hanoi – Ninh Binh
Day 10: Ninh Binh – Ha Long
Day 11: Ha Long – Flight to Da Nang – Transfer to Hoi An
Day 12: Hoi An
Day 13: Hoi An – Hue
Day 14: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 16: Mekong Delta
Day 17: Saigon departure
Itinerary details:
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival – Welcome dinner at a local family
Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam.You are greeted by your guide and driver at Noi Bai International airport for your transfer to the hotel.
You will have time to relax at your hotel and adjust to the pace of Hanoi. This beautiful city is bustling with energy and will soon dispel even the slightest feeling of jetlag.
At night you are invited by a Hanoian family for a warm welcome dinner. Around the dining table, she will tell you more about Vietnamese cuisine which is always in serving fresh food, using a lot of vegetables, herbs and spices and teach you some basic Vietnamese phrases. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi city’s highlights
Option: Wake up early, grab your cameras and head out to Hanoi’s biggest flower market in Quang Ba. Enter Quang Ba Flower Market to see and smell many beautiful and exotic flowers. This is a fantastic spot for photographers to catch some exceptional and colourful scenes. On your way back to the old centre you visit the banks of Truc Bach Lake. Every morning, the local people gather at Truc Bach Lake to practice Tai Chi, do their daily fitness exercises or play badminton. It is the perfect opportunity to encounter real life in Hanoi. You can join in or simply observe this oasis of peace and serenity in the middle of the city centre. Skip breakfast at the hotel this morning and join the locals in the streets for a bowl of Pho. This aromatic beef noodle soup is without a doubt Vietnam’s most famous dish.
Start with a visit to The Presidential Palace (formerly Palace of the Governor-General of French Indochina), Ho Chi Minh’s house-on-stilt and nearby One Pillar Pagoda.
Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2010, the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi is a relic of a succession of dynasties. Dating back over a thousand years to the Chinese Tang dynasty, Hanoi's ancient citadel was the home of Vietnamese sovereigns going back to Dai Viet, when Hanoi was known as Thang Long. You will visit the ruins of royal palaces, a revolutionary bunker and the archeological site.
Afternoon visit to the Temple of Literature – dedicated to Confucius, was built in the 11th century. It was the first university in Vietnam and students still come here to burn incense. You will find a peaceful atmosphere tinged with incense smoke, and sunken lotus ponds populated by fish and turtles.
Visit the home of a water puppet artist, the descendant of a family of water puppet performers. This Vietnamese traditional performance art has roots dating back to the 10th century. You will have a chance to talk with the artist, participate in the process of making the puppets, and enjoy a private water puppet show.
From here, drive to city center for Old Quarter Walking tour. This Hanoi walk provide us chance to witness Hanoi's rich cultural and artistic history.
Spend the rest of your day at Sword Lake. Located at the heart of the city, Sword Lake or Hoan Kiem is a historical site and one of the symbols of Hanoi, with Tortoise Tower and Ngoc Son Temple on the lake's two islands. Take a rest and watch the local life goes by. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Giang – Tien Thang Village
After breakfast at the hotel, our waiting guide and driver will take you to Ha Giang. Your 6.5-hour-drive today will offer beautiful scenes of Vietnam’s northern mountains and chance to interact with very friendly local en-route
Ha Giang arrival in the late afternoon, our enthusiastic driver will take you to the Tien Thang Village. Inhabited by Tay people in a beautiful valley surrounded with rice fields, this peaceful village will provide you interesting experience.
The rest of the day is free at your own leisure. Strolling around the village, interact with very friendly local, or assist the host to prepare the dinner; or simply relaxing. Overnight at homestay in Tien Thang
Day 4: Ha Giang – Meo Vac – Dong Van
Today, with a medium drive but you will soon be enjoying the wonderful sightseeing of this vast limestone mountain range and perpendicular walls of rock, which brings one a feeling of adventure whilst being lost in a magic land, passing the Quan Ba Heaven Gate, and scramble to the top of Fairy Mountain. From here, you can see the famous Twin Mountains and overlook the small towns in the valley spread out at your feet. Have lunch in Yen Minh Town.
Following, you drive to Meo Vac Town. The scenic route climbs over a pass, and then you descend down to Meo Vac valley, a beautiful valley situated very close to Chinese border.
Take time and climb over the Ma Pi Leng Pass. It is probably the most spectacular sightseeing spot of Dong Van Karst Geopark, both in terms of landscape and history; it is the perfect platform for you to view the wonder which eons of geological forces have created.
You keep following the zigzag roads to Dong Van Town. On arrival, strolling the centre of Dong Van Town, you will see the market and two villages which have long made up the heart of Dong Van Commune. Built in the early 20th century, the structures along the Old Street are largely similar in appearance, but many contain unique architectural features of the owner's ethnic group.
Overnight in Dong Van.
Day 5: Dong Van – Sa Phin – Ha Giang
Morning wake up early for wonderful images seekers. Stroll around and capture nice moments of colorful ethnic minority market and try their local food
After breakfast, back to Yen Minh Town, this day will make your itinerary a good pace, not in a rush.
About 14km from Dong Van District centre, you will stop by the Vuong family house, once home to the man considered the King of the H’Mong ethnic people in the Dong Van highland area. The architecture of the building bears highly artistic value and clearly reflects ancient Chinese architecture (Man Thanh Dynasty). It was not only a home, but also a fort in the middle of a rocky highland valley. Continue your drive to Ha Giang City. Overnight in Ha Giang
Day 6: Ha Giang – Ba Be
It is a halfday driving to Pac Ngoi Village, located in Ba Be Lake’s area. This lovely village belongs to Tay Group with unique houses on stilts. It is very relaxing to walk around this picturesque village to meet, to smile to friendly local people in the afternoon. Overnight at Tay’s homestay in Pac Ngoi Village
Day 7: Ba Be Cycling & Boating
Start out your cycle ride along a stream, running by green fields and the homes of Tay people, to reach Hua Ma Cave in 5km. Hua Ma Cave offers trademark underground limestone formations in the midst of Ba Be National Park. A short walk up the mountain and you will enter a wonderland of stalagmites and stalactites. From here you will visit Silver Falls, a 40m falls on the edge of the park which offers a great chance to cool off and enjoy the breeze.
You will cycle back to Pac Ngoi for lunch and a rest.
Take a boat from the river into Ba Be Lake, passing by amazing karst landscapes on the way to Vietnam’s largest natural lake. Located in the midst of a vast range of limestone mountains, the lake is surrounded by dense jungle. Caves and grottoes of all sizes can be found near the lake shore, with many underground streams and waterfalls.
Overnight at Tay’s homestay in Pac Ngoi Village
Cycling details:
Distance: 15km
Grade: Easy
Road: on flat ground dirt and paved roads
Day 8: Ba Be - Hanoi
After breakfast you take a drive back to Hanoi. Lunch on the way.
Hanoi arrival in the afternoon, free to spend the rest of your day at your pace. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 9: Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu – Trang An
After breakfast, you head out to Ninh Binh and start with Hoa Lu, which was the capital of the Dinh and Early Le dynasties in Vietnam in the 10th and 11th century. Its palaces, pagodas, tombs and pavilions built by different dynasties will bring you to a few imperial capitals of the country in the ancient and medieval eras.
End the day by boat trip through the caves of Trang An. A sampan ride will take you through karts landscape, shallow rice paddies, green trees in fresh air will amaze you. Overnight in Ninh Binh
Day 10: Magnificent Ha Long Bay
Breakfast at hotel before heading out to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In Ha Long you board one of our luxury Vietnamese sampans for an overnight boat cruise amongst the more than 3,000 limestone islands and rocks rising majestically out of the turquoize bay. Pass grand rock formations and quaint fishing towns, and sample a delicious buffet made up of freshly caught fish and seafood.
In the afternoon you are offered a choice of other interesting activities: sunbathing, a refreshing swim, or an optional traditional massage on board.
For those who want to go fishing (extra charges apply), a sampan boat will take you to join local fishermen in a nearby area. You will be supplied equipment as the locals use, and can test your skills. You will return to your cruise vessel in time to be ready for dinner.
End the day with a spectacular set-menu gastronomic dinner; steamed crab in tamarind sauce, fresh squid, and delicious mussels are just a few of the many possibilities. Overnight on board.
Day 11: Flight to Da Nang, Hoi An Ancient Town
Start your day with calming Tai Chi, often accompanied by an amazing sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of Bay’s landscape.
Pass beautiful spots such as Trong, Trinh Nu and the Me Cung Caves, and get a chance to explore the Surprise Cave ourselves before our buffet brunch on board.
Back at Ha Long harbour around noon where your waiting vehicle will transfer you back to Noi Bai Airport for your short flight to Da Nang, a busy seaport in Central Vietnam
You are met at Da Nang airport by our local guide and learn a bit about this fascinating country on the way to Hoi An, a World Heritage site designated by UNESCO in 1999. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 12: Hoi An
Your day fills up with very interesting activities. Fantastic experience of local farming and fishing communities. Jump on your bicycles and take a beautiful scenic route through the rice paddies of outside Hoi An.
Share in the daily work of local farmers - maybe hoeing in the fields, harvesting the crops, or even riding a water buffalo.
A boating along calming river leads us to a peaceful fishing village and encounter you fun hands-on experience of fishing net making and particularly paddling the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat while exploring coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war and hear of the extreme conditions endured by soldiers on both sides
Continue your visit to the ancient streets of Hoi An, lined with Chinese traders’ homes and wooden houses reincarnated as restaurants, cafés, and outlets for local artists, craftsmen and tailors. Explore the beautiful 16th century Japanese Bridge. Hoi An's unique fusion of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture is well displayed here, in what is arguably Vietnam's most tourist-friendly town.
The rest of the day is free at leisure to enjoy the shopping in Hoi An – a paradise for silk & fashionable clothing and accessories. Overnight in Hoi An
Day 13: Hoi An – Da Nang – Hue
Leaving Hoi An in the morning, you head out to Hue, the Vietnam’s last feudal capital. Hue is widely known for its magnificent architecture, mystical pagodas and royal tombs spread around many small villages and the surrounding hills.
En-route, stop at Cham Museum – houses a collection of stone scultures from the Hindu-practing Cham Civilization. It’s the artistic quality of the figures: Shiva, garudas, nagas, lions, monkeys, elephants and some examples of the ancient Hindu icons of fertility: lingam altars make this museum is a worth to visit.
Drive to visit the colorful incense and conical hat making village. You will see the process of how these traditional items are produced, and also can try making some yourself.
Continue to Tu Duc Tomb. Tu Duc began planning his tomb long before his death in 1883. The major portions of the tomb complex were completed from 1864-67, along with future temple buildings that served as a palatial retreat for Tu Duc and his many wives during his lifetime.
The rest of the day is free at leisure: you might want to explore Dong Ba Market, or board on a cyclo or simple have a rest at the hotel. Overnight in Hue
Day 14: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City
Today is your insider day trip to Hue Imperial Citadel, recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. Explore the Imperial Citadel, closely modeled along the lines of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Passing Ngo Mon Gate, you enter to the Purple Forbidden City, reserved for the Nguyen royal family from the 18th century until the mid-1900s.
In the afternoon, you visit an over 100-year-old An Hien house. The host, who is descendant of a great mandarin under the time of Gia Long King will tell you interesting stories about the mandarin life and as well Hue culture.
Then head out to Thien Mu Pagoda, a nicely located pagoda overlooking the Perfume River and the beautiful landscape beyond. If you are lucky, you could observe the Pagoda’s praying ceremony and experience local religious life. Also, do not miss the stunning sunset on Perfume River.
You then transfer to the airport and take your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon – the most dynamic city of Vietnam where modern high-rise buildings sit next to ancient temples. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 15: Saigon City’s Highlights
Today you first visit Cu Chi Tunnels, stopping en route to visit a rice paper making village. After an introductory video, viewing various mantraps, the remains of an American tank and numerous bomb craters, you will spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels to see how the Viet Cong survived in this underground network.
Next is visit to FITO Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine. Its collection of 3,000 items, including traditional tools and ancient documents, traces the development of traditional medicine in Vietnam.
In the afternoon, your walking tour following the Graham Greene’s Trail takes you on a journey from colonial to modern Saigon. The Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883, most materials for Saigon's Notre Dame Cathedral were imported from France. Neo-Romanesque in form, it is a major centre of Catholicism in modern Vietnam, and one of the city’s major landmarks. Next to the cathedral stands the Saigon Post Office, a classic French colonial structure, is still a functioning post office today and features huge ceilings, a giant portrait of Uncle Ho, and many beautiful details. Continue along the former Rue Catinat to the Hotel Continental – famous from the ‘Quiet American’ novel and film. Your final stop is at Caravelle Hotel. This hotel and its bar were home to many foreign reporters and secret agents during the Vietnam War. Head up to its rooftop bar to try one of Saigon’s many local beers and enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
Upon boarding, you will enjoy a welcome cocktail and set off on a 2 hour cruise on Saigon River accompanied by traditional Vietnamese music. The buffet is served on the main deck, seating up to 40 persons and featuring classic jazz tunes from the live band. Treat yourself to a massage or view the Saigon skyline from the sun deck with an after dinner drink. Dinner ends after 2 hour cruising.
Overnight in Saigon
Day 16: Saigon – Ben Tre
Travel to Ben Tre, which is famous for its coconut production and quiet, peaceful waterways.
Board your boat for a cruise along Ben Tre River. You will make some stops en-route to meet the local people.
Tour a brick workshop where centuries-old traditional methods are still used; visit a coconut processing workshop along the river and enjoy fruits and coconut juice. At Nhon Thanh Village see mat weavers at work in a local farmer's house.
Jump on a bicycle and pedal along village roads past green gardens, stopping by a local house for lunch. Continue riding through village, field and coconut grove to Ham Luong River. From here you will drive to visit fruit orchards and bonsai gardens, meeting the locals and talking about their work and daily life. Transfer back to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon
Day 17: Saigon departure
This morning is free at your leisure in Ho Chi Minh City and do some last minute shopping before flying back home or on to your next destination. End of service.
