GRAND VIETNAM 27 DAYS
Hanoi, Halong, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Hoian, Hue, Saigon, Mekong Delta, Vung Tau beach
TOUR DETAIL
Tour type: Local life, Nature, Cuisines, Heritages, Wildlife, Beach
Duration: 27 days
Participants: unlimited
Price: From US$2,295
Rating: *****
VALUE
Admire authentic experience and extraordinary natural landscape of Vietnam - this S-shaped country
Cover all heritage sites that shouldn’t be missed on your vacation
Conquer Fansipan - highest roof of Indochina
Pu Luong stunning valley surrounded by mountains, rivers and dotted paddy fields
Ninh Binh with Trang An eco-tourism declared as UNESCO natural heritage site
Phong Nha National Park with stunning caves
Wildlife with Bach Ma national park
Hue Forbidden Citadel and Hoian ancient town
Fantastic beach relaxation in Hoian
Mekong delta local life with Cai Rang floating market
PROGRAM
Day 1: Hanoi arrive (None meal)
Upon arrival, our representative will welcome you at the airport by hanging out Welcome Signboard with your name and our logo on it. After greeting custom, transfer to city center for hotel check-in. Overnight in hotel.
Must-see/eat/do-things:
Night market (Friday night to Sunday night)
Walking around Hanoi Old Quarter
Delicious Street food inside Hanoi Old Quarter
Traditional cultural performance such as: Water Puppet Show, Ionah Show, Traditional music and dancing performance
Highlighted optional tours:
Enjoy Home Hosted Dinner at the local house
Hanoi nightlife tour
Day 2: Hanoi highlighted city tour (B/L/-)
At 08:00, enjoy your city tour by visiting: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Houses-on-stilts, which tells the life story of the great leader, as well as serves as his final resting place. One Pillar Pagoda, one of the oldest one, was built from the 11th century. It rises on a one pillar from the middle of a square lotus pond which seems a giant flower on its tall stems. Continue the city tour with the Temple of Literature- the first university in Vietnam.
Having lunch at nice local restaurant for Vietnamese cuisines. In the afternoon, we will visit Ethnology Museum, which gives a deep knowledge of the country's ethnic groups, their customs and the style of local life. The beautiful grounds display original old houses from many different ethnic groups.
Later on, take short walk to outdoor theater for watching Water Puppet Show before enjoy walking tour around Old Quarters area (or Dong Xuan market) and learn some Vietnamese to bargain tropical fruits with the vendors. That will be most amazing experience you have never had before. Then back to hotel.
Notice:
On Monday and Friday, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ethnic museums are closed - Ancient Citadel and Fine Art Museum will be arranged as substitution. Program is subject to change without prior notice due to weather, local holidays and other condition we can not control.
Day 3: Hanoi – Pu Luong (B/L/D)
Depart from Hanoi at 08:00, our guide will meet you up at the hotel’s lobby. Your private transfer vehicle takes you to Pu Luong. The drive takes most of the morning with stunning view of mountains, valleys, sugarcane farms and rice paddies. You would have a stop en-route for photo opportunities and stretch out whenever you need. Upon arrival, check in the lodge or homestay. Having lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, trekking to the surroundings and visiting ethnic villages. Overnight in Pu Luong
Note: Stay overnight in a traditional stilt-house of the Thai people, an incredibly enriching experience in which you can learn about this fascinating culture first hand. (The home stay accommodation consists of comfortable curtained-off sleeping areas in one long room; all bedding and mosquito nets are provided).
Day 4: Pu Luong – Ninh Binh (B/L)
After breakfast, get transferred to a trekking point and embark on a stunning trek to visit Ban Hang village before proceeding straight to Ninh Binh where we have chance to witness the remarkable scenery of rural landscapes. It is complex of limestone mountains is surrounded by long river run and dotted green paddy fields.
Upon arrival, visiting Hoa Lu ancient capital with its relics of Dinh and Le temples which is dedicated to great Kings of the Dinh and Early Le Dynasties in 10th and 11th centuries. Afterward, treat yourself with picturesque boat trip along karst formation through three adjacent caves before check-in hotel. Overnight in homestay in Ninh Binh.
Day 5: Ninh Binh – Halong (B/L)
Have breakfast at hotel, at 08:00, kick off your day by a scenic drive to Halong Bay.
Upon arrival, at noon time, embark the cruise for 2 day 1 night cruising through Ha Long Bay which is declared as UNESCO World Natural Heritage.
In Ha Long, you will sail your cruise for an overnight stay amongst nearly 2,000 limestone island emerging in bay and pass many rock formations with various shapes and sizes. Then sample a delicious seafood lunch while sightseeing the panorama view of the bay.
In the afternoon, you will visit fishing farm, a refreshing swim, kayaking to explore other caves/lagoons.
At 19:00, enjoy a spectacular dinner. Overnight on board.
Day 6: Halong - Hanoi (Brunch)
Start the day with calming Tai Chi, often accompanied by an amazing sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of the bay’s landscape. The cruise passes beautiful spots and you will sail further before having buffet brunch on board. Back at the dock, where you will be met and transferred to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 7: Hanoi free (B)
Free all day to explore this bustling city or just relax in your hotel.
Day 8: Hanoi - Sapa - Trek to ethnic villages (B/L)
At 07:30 - 08:00, start your journey with private 5 hour drive on Highway Noibai, kick off the bustling atmosphere in the city to get fresh air, enjoy rural life with green rice fields, water buffaloes, mountain ranges... Upon arrival at noon time, drop-in the local nice restaurant for delicious Sapa cuisines.
In the afternoon, after short break, your private transfer lead you to the gate of Lao Chai village. From there, enjoy your trekking route through some ethnic villages in Muong Hoa valley with scenic view. On the way, discovering the local culture by visiting some local houses, chatting with the local and admiring the spectacular nature with the terraced paddy fields.
We have 2 options: back to town for hotel check-in or experience homestay at the private local house and cozy dinner with the host. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 9: Sapa - Conquer Fansipan (B/L)
7:30 After breakfast, feeling the air and daily life activities of Sapa town.
8:30 Guide take you to the venue for cable car to Fanxipan for the spectacular and wonderful panorama view of Sapa.
12:00 Come back to restaurant and have lunch, enjoy your time with comfort! After lunch, you have all time free in afternoon and night for leisure and shopping. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Sapa - Ta Phin village - Hanoi (B/L)
In this morning, after breakfast, you are free for last minute shopping or walking around to admire the space of culture, nature, wildlife and hill tribes in this places who keep their distinctive culture sustainable, unchangeable in the modern nowadays.
Having lunch at local restaurant for special Sapa cuisines then heading to Ta Phin village for short trekking to explore Red Dao hill tribe before heading back to Hanoi and arrive around 20:00.
Day 11: Hanoi free - Night train to Dong Hoi
Night train SE3 depart at 22:00 and arrive 07:40 on next day (sharing soft berth-cabin on train)
Overnight on train
Day 12: Dong Hoi - Phong Nha National Park (B/L)
Upon arrival early morning, transfer to Phong Nha national park. On arrival, take 25 minute boat trip to Phong Nha cave and spend a couple hours to see the cave. This cave is called as water cave, is famous for its rock formation which has been given names such as the “Lion”, the “Fairy Caves”, the “Royal Court”, and the “Buddha”. Then exploring Dark cave with various active activities such as: visiting cave, zipline and kayaking. Afterward, transfer back to hotel for check-in. Overnight in Chay Lap homestay.
Day 13: Phong Nha Cave - Hue (B/L)
After breakfast at your hotel, our guide and driver will pick you up for a drive to Paradise cave. Spend the day visiting this amazing cave. Paradise Cave is the longest dry cave in Asia. With naturally primitive features, Paradise Cave looks like a landscape painting, making it very attractive. Then transfer directly to Hue. Overnight in Hue
Day 14: Hue city tour (B)
Located centrally in Vietnam, Hue is much different with the busy cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. All citizen always move in an energetic and busy manner in contrary to the quiet and slow atmosphere in this city.
At 8.00: Our guide will meet you up at your hotel. Kick off your day by visiting the Minh Mang tomb which offers a balance of landscape and ancient royal architecture that is quite unique when comparing with other regular tombs in this place.
Next to pay a visit to the Khai Dinh Tomb, famous for its magnificent concrete structure and that is the perfect fusion of Eastern art elements with Western designs. Later on, drive back to the city center for lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, after short break, heading to visit Citadel by short drive, founded by Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945. It was declared as UNESCO cultural heritage site because of its ancient Capital which attract many tourist attention. Afterward, your private car takes you to Thien Mu pagoda then enjoying the scenic boat trip along the Perfume River before being transferred back to hotel for relaxing.
Optional tour:
Cooking class to learn how to cook specialties of Hue city
Watching traditional royal music performance “Nha Nhac Cung Dinh Hue” which was declared as UNESCO cultural heritage.
Day 15: Hue – Wild life with Bach Ma National park - Hoian (B/L/D)
At 8:00 - You are picked up at your hotel in Hue city and we kick-off your day with scenic scenery on both of road sides.
The first part is the road between Hue and Bach Ma. A very nice countryside lane built on a strip of land between the sea and coastal lagoons among the largest in the country. This is a dive into typical Vietnamese countryside. It is rural and charming.
Upon arrival to Bach Ma National Park, we start our exploration of this area, at the entry of the park we start a drive of 19km father to starting point. Stunning sceneries while we are driving up, there are tons of opportunities to stop, shot photos and get fresh air. Get off from the van, we trek on a single trail to the waterfall and continue on the Five Lakes Cascade trail through the green forest (around 6.5km in total). Enjoy your picnic lunch before heading back to Hue or stop in Hoian. Trip ends at your hotel in Hue around 17:00.
Note:
The trip can be conducted with starting point in Hue then ends tour in Hoian or vice versa with same time table. If you have any special request about that, please contact us for more information.
If ending tour in Hoian, we will pass by some beauty spots on the way such as: Hai Van pass, Lang Co beach, My Khe beach and Marble mountain.
Day 16: Hoi An city tour - My Son Sanctuary [B]
In the center, Hoian - Danang - Hue creates the mystical heritage lines of Vietnam which linking the UNESCO Cultural Heritage sites of Hue Forbidden Citadel, Hoian ancient town with the marvelous Danang beach city.
At 08:00, our representative will meet you up at the hotel's lobby then heading to My Son Holy Sanctuary of the Cham people, one of the most typical existing relics of Hindu affection in SE Asia. Upon arrival, you can recognize although almost was destroyed during the war, the remain is still lively with complex of Hindu architecture temples which look similar with Angkor Wat of Cambodia and Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand.
Later on, departing to Hoian ancient town for having delicious lunch with Hoian refine cuisines. After short break, walking around charming town which are outlined with Chinese traders' homes and wooden houses renovated and reused as restaurants, coffee stores and outlets for local artists, artisan and outfitters. Explore the iconic symbol of the famous trading port in the past, they are the extraordinary 16th century Japanese Bridge and Unique unification of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture is exhibited in this peaceful town. If time permits, we will enjoy last minute shopping around. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 17: Hoi An Eco-tour in countryside (B/D)
At 08:00, get picked up by your guide and jump on the bike and ride to the local ferry, which lead you to the village of Tra Nhieu as the different world with the city center: peaceful, surrounded by many giant water coconut tree and still preserved some traditional handicrafts until nowadays.
After ferry, start biking through the village road and shady paths, have stop en-route to free your leg, shot breathtaking pictures while relaxing.
Later on, we have chance to learn how wooden fishing boats are made using traditional methods and sightseeing the local's daily life. Other craft products are hand-made rice paper, hand-made colorful woven mats and at last, we can practice several traditional fishing techniques that have been used for many generations.
Next, enjoy one hour bamboo basket boat trip running through a coconut marsh and try to paddle it by yourself which is quite difficult to control it on straight direction. After that, cruising back to Hoian on Thu Bon scenic river before your guide see you off at the hotel.
Day 18 - 21: Hoi An free on the beach (B)
Free on An Bang beach or walking around to discover this charming city from your side.
Overnight in Hoian.
Day 22: Hoian – fly to Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Free until being transferred to the airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, get picked up and transferred to the city center for hotel check-in. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 23: Ho Chi Minh city tour - Cu Chi tunnel (B)
At 08:30, Get picked up by guide at your hotel's lobby and start short drive to visit some iconic symbol of Ho Chi Minh city - historical relics during the war: Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by exploring the Reunification Palace, and the noteworthy site of the War Remnants Museum.
In the afternoon, after delicious lunch, proceeding to Cu Chi tunnel, located 70km from HCMC, it captures almost tourist attention because of its network of over 200km of tunnels. During the French war, this underground connecting tunnel system became a legendary in Vietnam country's victory.
In the past, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, especially living areas, food storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. Nowadays, it is quite hard to imagine the destruction, damage & defoliation over this whole area, caused by bombing and mines. There is plenty of evidence of the savage battle that occurred here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was called "Free Target Zone".
Day 24: Ho Chi Minh city - Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh city (B/L)
Start around 2 hour drive to the outskirt of Ho Chi Minh city, leave the bustling city behind, enjoy the scenic countryside in the rural area. On arrival in My Tho, first stop is to visit Vinh Trang pagoda to get first impression about this area's religion. Next stop is at the pier to take a leisurely boat ride along the river. En-route, sightseeing the stilt houses, orchards and fishing villages along the river bank.
After having lunch in local restaurant, start cruising on a sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals or practise to paddle the sampan by yourself. Then enjoying seasonal fruit & honey tea while watching Southern Vietnamese folk music which is performed by the locals. Later on, call-in a small family-run factory which specialize on producing the delicious coconut candies. Come to taste candies & observe the traditional procession to make it and enjoy the local life of Mekong delta as you ramble through the fruit plantation and village. Afterward, check-in homestay.
Day 25: Cai Rang floating market - Ho Chi Minh City (B)
In this morning, wake-up early to enjoy the busiest atmosphere of the floating local market. Take a gentle boat trip to explore the picturesque scenery of the Lower Mekong river (also called Bassac River), then reaching to visit Cai Rang floating market (& Phong Dien is optional), which are the most dynamic in the whole religion. Then hanging around the village, meeting the friendly locals and learn how to cross a "Monkey bridge" which is built by only one stem of bamboo. Having lunch at local restaurant before heading back to HCM city.
Day 26: Ho Chi Minh City Free (B)
Free for relaxing or last minute shopping before moving to next destination on the next day. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 27: Ho Chi Minh City departure (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel, free until enjoy your private transfer to the airport for flight home. It is time to bid farewell Vietnam.
INCLUSIONS
· All private transfer and transportation
· Accommodation in shared twin/double room with daily breakfast
· Experienced English speaking guide, except the free days as mentioned
· Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast ; L: Lunch ; D: Dinner)
· All sightseeing tickets and permits.
· Water on car.
· Services charges and government tax.
· No extra charge after confirmation
· 24/7 hotline support guaranteed
· Bottled mineral water on bus
EXCLUSIONS:
· All flights in tour
· Other meals and drinks
· Travel insurance
· Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
· Vietnam visa stamp fee
· Others not mentioned above
IMPORTANT NOTES:
· Rooms at hotels are available only from 1400 on arrival day till 1200 on departure date. A supplement will be added if early check-in or late check-out is desired.
· Please bring with you some necessary stuffs on tour such as: anti-insect repellents, anti-sun cream, sung-glasses, good shoes and swimsuit