Start City: Hanoi
Departure city: HCMC
Route: Hanoi – Sapa – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay – Danang – Hoi An – Hue – Saigon – Mekong delta – Can Tho – Phu Quoc
Duration: 18 Days 17 Nights
Private Tour. Departure: Daily, upon your request.
– Extendable with optional tours
Please let us know your international arrival and departure flight time, so that we can adjust your itinerary much better.
BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Hanoi city tour – night train to Sapa
Day 3: Sapa exploration
Day 4: Sapa discovery – night train to Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi Arrival – Ninh Binh Ancient capital
Day 6: Ninh Binh – Drive to Halong Bay – Overnight on boat
Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Danang – Hoi An
Day 8: Hoi An Ancient Town
Day 9: Hoi An – Marble Mountain – Sea Cloudy Pass – Drive to Hue
Day 10: Hue Royal citadel
Day 11: Hue – Fly to Saigon – City tour – Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 12: Saigon – Mekong Delta – Cai Be Floating Market – Can Tho
Day 13: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating market
Day 14: Can Tho – Fly to Phu Quoc – Beach relaxation
Day 15: Phu Quoc Beach relaxation
Day 16: Phu Quoc Free and easy
Day 17: Phu Quoc – Fly to Saigon
Day 18: Saigon departure
COST: Price is quoted in US dollars per person based on double/twin room.
Group size | 2 persons | 4 pax | 6 pax | Single Supp |
Land Tour/pp | 1,703 | 1,410 | 1,298 | 736 |
4 domestic flights/pp | 295 | 295 | 295 | |
Total/pp | US $ 1,998 | 1,705 | 1,593 |
Tour Includes | Tour Excludes |
– 4 Domestic flights: Hanoi – Danang; Hue – HCMC; Can Tho – Phu Quoc – HCMC – Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels – Private tours, transfers and all services as mentioned in the itinerary – Services of a private driver and air-conditioned vehicle – Service of English speaking guides in every location – Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited – Meals as mentioned in the itinerary |
– International flights |
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Welcome to Hanoi: Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Your guide and driver will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your hotel in the city center. In the afternoon, take a walk around the center, visiting some of Hanoi’s main attractions: the Opera House, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. In the evening enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture – followed by a welcome dinner at one of Hanoi’s finest restaurants.
Meals: Welcome Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour – night train to Sapa
Today you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone.
The visit includes most of the City’s outstanding historical and cultural sites.
– Temple of Literature, built in 11th Century and the country’s first University
– The complex of Ho Chi Minh historical sites (include: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, HCM’s Stilt House and One Pillar Pagoda – (closed on Monday & Friday)
– Quan Thanh Temples & Tran Quoc Pagoda
– Visit one of the museums in Hanoi (Museum of History, Museum of Ethnology, Museum of Fine Art, Hoa Lo prison which is also known as the “Hanoi Hilton”
Late afternoon, we will have a brief city tour: discover Hanoi Old Quarter on cyclo ride or open electric car.
In the evening, have your dinner on your account – before heading to the train station to catch your night train to Laocai.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: on train (in 4 soft berths cabin with A/C).
Day 3: Sapa exploration
The train arrives at the Laocai railway station in the early morning. Your guide and driver will meet you there and take you on the 40km drive to Sapa – Northwest Vietnam’s premier travel destination. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then catch a few hours of rest before beginning your adventure in this beautiful mountain landscape and home to many minority hill tribe peoples. In the late morning, your guide will take you on a two hour trek through the terraced rice fields to visit the villages Cat Cat and Sin Chai, where you will learn about local traditions and daily life. Rest of the day, you are free at leisure or explore the town on your own.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa hill tribe villages visit. Night train back to Hanoi.
A whole day to discover nature as well as the different culture of the hill tribe people on a new trek in Sapa with a H’mong guide who speaks excellent English.
You will begin with a walking tour of Sapa market, then trek downhill from village to village around Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai and Ta Van area which are beautifully decorated by terraced-fields and the houses of H’mong, Red Zao and Zay people. You have several levels for your trekking today from soft trek (2-3miles), medium trek (3-4 miles) and hard trek (5 miles +).
This is a great opportunity for taking photos of breathtaking landscapes, friendly hill-tribe people at home and work.
You will enjoy a home-hosted lunch in the village of Zay people.
Later in the afternoon a jeep or van will take you back to Sapa then drive to Laocai for you to take night train to Hanoi
Meal: Breakfast, lunch.
Accommodation: On train (in 4 soft berths cabin with A/C).
Day 5: Hanoi Arrival – Ninh Binh Ancient capital
We leave Hanoi at ~ 08.00 and head south for a 2-hour drive along Highway One. Along the way, stop where you wish to take photographs of local villages and the surrounding landscape.
Hoa Lu , situated 100 km south of Hanoi, was the capital city of Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty between 968 and 1009 AD. Some of the sanctuaries and tombs have survived the years and can still be seen today. From time to time, archaeologists have excavated buried parts of this citadel with rusty weapons and ceramics. The temples are said to be built on the old foundation of their original palaces in 11-12th centuries and restored in 17th century.
On arrival, we start cycling on the countryside road, onto Hoa Lu – an ancient citadel, maybe with a stop for its history in the 10th century. Then we continue our riding through the limestone peaks to Tam Coc, passing rice paddies and through the rural villages.
Here we are in Tam Coc and lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
Afternoon, take the amazing boat trip to visit Trang An grottoes which is a gathering of 31 valleys, 50 cross-water caves, and home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna, many of them in the Red Book of Vietnam. While rowing through Trang An grotto in the quiet, fresh air of the highlands, with only the sound of birds and the oars stirring the clear water and surrounded by magnificent forested mountains upon which graze white goats, visitors enjoy a heaven on earth.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh
Day 6: Ninh Binh – Drive to Halong Bay – Overnight on boat
After breakfast you will have over 4 hour drive along the country side of the Red River Delta to the UNESCO world’s heritage site of Halong Bay.
Spend 24 hours on a traditional Junk Cruise in the amazing bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as we sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the Tonkin Gulf (weather permitting). Pass the night on your junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: on cruise.
Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Danang – Hoi An
Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as you navigate back to Halong City. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier. Your driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Noi Bai Airport of Hanoi to catch your flight to Danang. Upon arrival, you will get picked up and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 8: Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An is a small city in Central Vietnam famous for its wooden houses, family chapels, Assembly Halls and for its silk shops. It is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants who traded mainly in high quality silks. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.
We spend a walking tour around this enchanting port town and visit its numerous places of interest: 400 years old Japanese Bridge, 300 years old Chinese temple, 200 years old Vietnamese former merchants’ house, the local fish market … Around the town we can see a numerous art galleries and tailor shops, get some made-to-order clothes if you like. After lunch in local restaurant, you will have a chance to ride a “Xich Lo or pedicab” through the opposite site of Hoi An River bank where you can take a panorama of Hoi An town. Keep on the “Xich Lo” through the tiny lanes of Hoi An countryside, passing the fields of corn, sweet potatoes, beautiful local fruit-garden … Stop over the local fishing village, get on the boat for 2 hours streaming down to Cua Dai estuary to enjoy the sunset cuise on the river.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 9: Hoi An – Marble Mountain – Sea Cloudy Pass – Drive to Hue
Car p/u at your hotel and transfer to Hue. The first stop is the Marble Mountain where you can see some marble factories and see their art works. We then have a chance to see My Khe Beach – one of the most beautiful and famous beach in Vietnam. The next stop is Cham museum where displayed the exhibitions of Cham people. The Cham museum in Danang has incomparably the best collection anywhere of Cham materials, mostly sculptures. After that, we drive 20km on Sea cloud pass (Hai Van Pass) – the highest pass in the country and one of the most scenic hillside roads in Vietnam. Sea cloud pass is the last spur of the Truong Son Range that reaches to the sea, sightseeing in Vietnam is at its best here with the sequel of valleys and lagoons as the road descends lower. And our last destination is Lang co beach which lies on the most beautiful curve of the “S” where you can be the first to see sunrise in Vietnam. Lang Co beach attracts visitors by its wild beauty with white sand and blue sea. Arrive Hue in mid afternoon and stay overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Day 10: Hue Royal citadel
Hue was once the Imperial capital and now listed as a World heritage site. Sitting on the banks of the delightful Perfume River you will find amazing citadels, fabulous palaces and royal tombs. Many of the sites can be reached by river and this makes an excellent way to see the city.
Pick up from hotel in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. A boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River visits Hue’s best-known religious sites, Thien Mu Pagoda. Then continue to discover Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945 including Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, and Forbidden Purple City.
The afternoon continues with a visit to the elaborate tombs of emperors Tu Duc & Khai Dinh. This guided tour gives you a deep understanding about King’s philosophy of geomancy and how this affected royal life.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Day 11: Hue – Fly to Saigon – City tour – Cu Chi Tunnels
Enjoy a full day to tour Saigon’s diverse attractions. Start with a visit to Saigon’s China Town, then learn about traditional Vietnamese medicine at the FITO Museum and browse through the amazing array of goods at Ben Thanh Market. Stop for lunch then continue on the city tour with a visit to the War Remnants Museum and former Presidential Palace. Conclude the day exploring the city’s French colonial architecture, stopping at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the City’s Post Office.
After lunch, we drive to Cu Chi Tunnel which is only 70km from the center of Saigon. This place was called ‘Iron Triangle’ by American during the war and actually it stood as a stronghold of Vietcong (Vietnamese Army) for almost 30 years despite of many American bombs and military actions. A walk underground the tunnels will help you understand how the Vietnamese people had fought and won the war.
Back to the Saigon centre for stay overnight at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon
Day 12: Saigon – Mekong Delta – Cai Be – Can Tho
Today you leave Saigon and travel to the Mekong River Delta. Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before driving to the riverside town, Cai Be. Along the way, stop at a candy factory and orchard garden, where you have an opportunity to listen to traditional music. Enjoy a relaxing lunch at a riverside restaurant, then cross the Mekong by motorized boat to visit some fluvial islands and explore the countryside by bicycle. Your driver and will meet you at Vinh Long jetty and take you to Can Tho City for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho.
Day 13: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating market
After breakfast at hotel, we have the morning to explore Cai Rang, the largest floating market in Mekong Delta. Cai Rang Floating Market is open all day but it is busiest from sunrise to about 9 AM. The main items sold there are farm products and specialties of Cai Rang Town and neighboring areas. Every boat has a long upright pole at its bow on which samples of the goods for sale are hung.
Stay overnight at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho.
Day 14: Can Tho – Fly to Phu Quoc – Beach relaxation
Breakfast at your hotel, staying at your own leisure until get picked up for a short flight to Phu Quoc Island.
Transfer from/ to included. Staying overnight at your hotel.
Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phu Quoc
Tourguide: N/A
Day 15 & Day 16: Phu Quoc Beach relaxation
Phu Quoc Island, peaceful tropical paradise, floats in the warm turquoise waters in the Gulf of Thailand, 50kms from the Vietnamese mainland and a 50 minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho. Open year round with a peak season from November to March, Phu Quoc is becoming well known for stunning beaches, the easy going and relaxed atmosphere, friendly locals, and fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling.
Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phu Quoc
Tourguide: N/A
Day 17: Phu Quoc – Fly to Saigon
In the morning, breakfast at the hotel. Fly back to Saigon after visiting Phu Quoc town and some of the most beautiful sites.
Upon arrival to Saigon, transfer back and stay overnight at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon
Day 18: Saigon departure
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel and you are free in your own until departure time. Private Car/Van of Myanmar Tours Expert will transfer you to Tan Son Nhat International airport for departure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A.
Bon Jouney!