TOUR DETAILS

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Tour type: Local life & Culture, Local food, Heritages, Wildlife, Beach

Duration:  18 days

Participants: unlimited

Rating: *****

 

VALUE

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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

Ninh Binh with Trang An eco-tourism declared as UNESCO natural heritage site

Hue Forbidden Citadel and Hoian ancient town

Fantastic tropical beach in Nha Trang beach city

Dalat is located in Central Highland and surrounded by hills, pine forests, lakes, waterfalls and some French relics. Reputed with the distinctive temperate climate, it is ideal place for meditation and medical treatment.

Mekong delta local life with Cai Rang floating market

Explore Ho Chi Minh city - most bustling city with the spectacular acrobatics & athleticism of this bamboo circus show.

China town with Rickshaw trip passing by some city’s landmark

Remark: All tour packages are very flexible to make any necessary adjustment to fit your interest and suite your demand

 

PROGRAM

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Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
Upon arrival your guide will greet you and transfer by private car through the city to your hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is easy and rest. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour [B]
Breakfast at hotel, free in the morning.

In the afternoon, at 14:00, we start our trip with visiting these tourist site:

*China town: also called “Cho Lon” is where the Ming Dynasty first settled in Vietnam.

*Rickshaw one hour trip: Sightseeing around the town and passing by some city’s landmarks by Rickshaw (cyclo tour).

*A O Show start at 18:00

*Listen to folk Vietnamese music played with traditional instruments

Be amazed by the spectacular acrobatics & athleticism of this bamboo circus show

After show, transfer back to hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Day 3: Mekong Delta [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 orchards and village. After that, check-in homestay.

Day 4: Mekong Delta - Short Biking - Ho Chi Minh city [B, L]

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 enjoy one hour bike trip 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 5: Ho Chi Minh City - Da Lat [B] 
Dalat is located 300 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Free until being transferred to the airport for flight home.
Enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing in Dalat: visiting Bao Dai's Summer Palace. Continue the tour with the former Railway Station (in use only for an optional steam train ride) which is remarkable with its architecture and its old steam locomotive. End the tour at the town's bustling central market, reputed for its fresh vegetables and fruits. Overnight in Dalat.

Day 6: Dalat waterfall – Drive to Nha Trang [B]
Your private transfer leads to Datanla waterfall for sightseeing before proceeding to Nha Trang. After 3 hour drive, we arrive and admire a picturesque scenery uphill through spectacular landscapes of leafy mountains, windy passes, splendid valleys and evergreen plantations with some stops en-route for photos. Replacing of Dalat highland, we pass by the coast salt ponds and green paddy fields to Nha Trang. In the afternoon, start short city tour of these interesting sites such as: Po Nagar Cham Towers, the Alexandre Yersin Museum, XQ workshop where refine handmade embroideries can be found, Long Son Pagoda and the lively and colorful Dam Market. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Optional:

Watching Dream Show which is famous in Nha Trang beach city and shouldn't miss it

Day 7: Nha Trang bay and relaxation [B, L]
Enjoy your dynamic day with boat trip with stops at some nearby islands inside Nha Trang Bay. First paying a visit to an island fishing village where you have chance to wander through a local market, communicate with the local people and "taste" a round bamboo basket boat trip. There are some more active activities awaiting you such as: swimming in the clear warm water and enjoy snorkeling to discover the colorful coral reefs. Enjoying seafood lunch on the boat before get see off back to hotel.

In the afternoon, free at your leisure on the beach for yellow sunlight, blue sea and white sand.

Day 8:  Fly to Hoi An & City Tour [B]
Take 50-minute flight in the morning to Danang. On arrival in Danang drive 40-minutes to Hoi An. Later on, 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 for thousands of silk, fashionable outlet and accessories.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Visit to My Son Holy Temples & Easy Hoi An [B] 
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. After hearing brief introduction about the history and colorful culture of Cham Kingdom, we continue visiting the remains of the refine-crafted red brick temples with indoor exhibition for monuments.

Afternoon at leisure and shop around. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 10:  Drive to Hue City [B] 
Best way to travel from Hoian to Hue is by private car which offerings you a millions of opportunities to take breathtaking pictures of some beauty spots on the way such as: Hai Van pass, Lang Co beach, My Khe beach and Marble mountain...With the distance of 145 km, it takes us around 5 hours by private car.

At 8:30, your private transfer will pick you up at your hotel in Hoian then heading to Hue city. On the route, making some stops to see the scenic fishing village Lang Co beach, Hai Van pass- the highest pass in the country and one of the most scenic and historic hillside roads in Vietnam. On the way, drop-in the local restaurant for having lunch before arrive in Hue around 14:00.   

Upon arrival, you are free for relaxing at your resort or walking around to enjoy your own exploration in this quiet city. Overnight in Hue.

Day 11:  Hue Visit [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 quite 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, one of the oldest religious relics with its famous seven-story eight-sided tower. Then enjoying the scenic boat trip along the Perfume River before being transferred back to hotel for relaxing.

Day 12: Fly to Hanoi & City Tour [B]
This morning you will take a short flight to Hanoi. On arrival explore Vietnam’s capital on an escorted full day city tour.

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 stem.

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, short walking to outdoor theater for watching Water Puppet Show.

After that, we will have 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.

Note:

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!

Must-see/eat/do-things:

Night market (Friday night to Sunday night)

Walking around Hanoi Old Quarter

Delicious Street food inside Hanoi Old Quarter (find out some good local restaurants in our Welcome Pack)

Traditional cultural performance such as: Water Puppet Show, Ionah Show, Four palaces.

Highlighted optional tours:

Enjoy Home Hosted Dinner at the local house

Hanoi nightlife tour

Day 13:  Hoa Lu & Tam Coc Excursion [B, L]
At 8:00: Our guide will meet you up at the hotel's lobby and we will start a 2-hour scenic road trip along the Highway No.1, passing by the green rice fields and small villages.

Upon arrival to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 11th century, we take a short walk to the complex temples of Dinh & Le Dynasty, learn about the Vietnam - China War in the past and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside with the buffaloes, rice fields, mountains and river in very fresh air environment. Having lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, take a short walk to the boat station and take a boat trip alongside the canal to enjoy the scenic landscape of long picturesque river dotted with green rice fields and small bamboo boats. Discover the three stunning caves which is declared Natural World Heritage.

Around 15:00, get-on the bus and back to Hanoi. Around 17:00, will arrive Hanoi center for hotel check-in.

Note:

Our lunch today will be added the goat meat which is well-known and delicious specialty in this place. If you can not eat it, please inform us when booking.

Also Dried-Fried-Rice will be included to taste its flavor (also called "Com chay")

Some local try to take pictures of you then beg you to buy these one. If you do not like to buy it, just refuse politely. That the best solution for some small cultural conflicts during our journey.

Day 14: Sapa town & soft trek [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. Check-in homestay, it is the private local house and we will enjoy cozy dinner atmosphere with the host also.

Day 15: Visit Red Dao hill tribe [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 before heading back to Hanoi and arrive around 20:00.  

Note: Some options for transportation Hanoi-Sapa-Hanoi

*By private car with about 5 hour drive from Hanoi to get there.

*By Limousine shuttle bus, you get chance to enjoy luxury transport services with affordable price. On bus, it is available Wifi, Wet tissue, Mineral Water.

*By night train, it takes us around 8 hours to get there. The train departs at 21:00 from Hanoi and arrive Laocai/Sapa around 05:00 early morning.

Day 16: Hanoi - Halong Bay [B, L, D]
At 07:45 - 08:15, our representative meet you up at hotel's lobby then heading out to 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 the fishing farm, a refreshing swim and kayaking to explore other caves/lagoons. At 19:00, enjoy a spectacular dinner. Overnight on board.

Day 17: Halong Bay - 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 by shuttle bus.   

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 18: Departure Hanoi [B]
Today is departure day. Enjoy some free time for last minute shopping before transfer to airport for flight home.

 

INCLUSIONS:

 

·       All private transfer and transportation

·       Accommodation in shared twin/double room with daily breakfast

·       Experienced English speaking guide, except the free days as mention in the program

·       Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast ; L: Lunch ; D: Diner)

·       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

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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.

·     About homestay, kindly notice that almost homestays are clean and in good conditions in big cities such as: Hanoi, Hoian and Ho Chi Minh city. However, in some remote area or in mountainous area, almost homestays belongs to the ethnic or hill tribe people, they are is very basic and we will share the same huge space with other groups. Each groups will be separated by the curtains, each person will be provided one mosquito net, pillow, blanket and mat.

·        Please bring with you some necessary stuffs on tour such as: anti-insect repellents, anti-sun cream, sung-glasses, good shoes.