Tour overview
OVERVIEW:
Length of Trip: 19D/18N
HANOI – MAI CHAU – HOA LU – HALONG BAY – HUE – DA NANG – HOI AN – QUY NHON – NHA TRANG – DA LAT – HCM CITY – TAY NINH – CU CHI – MEKONG
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
This tour is designed for travelers who prefer to visit from south to north. Starting from HCMC – the metropolis in the south of Vietnam and driving along the seashore and discovering step by step historical sites, sunlight beaches, ancient palaces, unique Ha Long to the tribal market of Sapa up in northern Vietnam makes the trip unforgettable.
Included
- 16 nights hotel accommodation in twin-shared room including tax and service charge.
- 01 night on Ha Long Cruise.
- Land transfer by air-conditioned vehicle for the whole trip.
- Boat cruise in Ha Long, Hue, Can Tho.
- Entrance fees and sightseeing as specified.
- Meals as indicated in the program (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner). Special food requirements could be arranged with prior notice from guests.
- - English/ French speaking guide. Other languages are available upon request.
Not Included
- International flights.
- Domestic flights Hanoi - Hue, Dalat - HCMC and airport taxes.
- Visa handling & insurance.
- Personal expenses.
- Others not mentioned.
DAY 1: ARRIVE HANOI
On arrival at Hanoi Noibai Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After our welcome drink and tour briefing, we enjoy a performance of Vietnam’s unique traditional Water Puppetry.
DAY 2: HANOI (B)
Commencing the day with a heritage walk, we visit President HCM’s Mausoleum and humble house on stilts, as well as the famous One Pillar Pagoda and Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s first University). Insight into Vietnam’s ethnic diversity is gained at the Museum of Ethnology, while Hoa Lo Prison Museum is a more sobering experience. After enjoying the tranquility of Hoan Kiem Lake’s Ngoc Son Temple, we are free to explore the intriguing and bustling Old Quarter with its 36 streets packed with traditional handicrafts and goods.
DAY 3: HANOI - MAI CHAU (B, L, D)
Traveling to the province of Hoa Binh, we pass through a region of spectacular limestone mountains and tea plantations to arrive in Mai Chau. We spend the night in a village long house of the Thai minority in Lac village, experiencing their wonderful hospitality, traditional dancing, and rice wine.
DAY 4: MAI CHAU - HOA LU - HANOI (B, L)
Leaving the people of the mountains behind, we drive through rural countryside to the 10th Century capital of Hoa Lu to visit temples of King Dinh and King Le. Continue to visit the magnificent grotto of Tam Coc, also known as “Ha Long Bay on land,” as we navigate the river’s limestone outcrops by rowboat, discovering the ancient temples before heading back to Hanoi.
DAY 5: HANOI - HA LONG BAY (B, L, D)
Leave Hanoi by road for Ha Long Bay. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo, and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Ha Long and board our traditional sailing junk. Enjoy the fresh seafood lunch while cruising the exquisite waters and viewing Dog Island, Incense Urn Island, Fighting Cock Island, Finger Island, and Hoa Cuong Island. Explore the mystery of Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave). Enjoy a swim in the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay at any spot that you wish to visit. Watch the sunset over the bay while enjoying a delicious dinner. Overnight on board.
DAY 6: HA LONG - HANOI (B, L)
Wake up to enjoy a wholesome breakfast and fresh coffee before cruising to visit Man’s Head Island, Tortoise Island, and Bai Tu Long Bay. Take a small bamboo boat to visit Luon Cave. After another wonderful fresh seafood lunch on board, disembark at the dock at Ha Long City. Transfer back to Hanoi by road.
DAY 7: HANOI - HUE (B)
Free time in Hanoi until transfer to the airport for a flight to Hue. Upon arrival, pick-up and transfer to hotel for check-in. Relax at the hotel. Overnight in Hue.
DAY 8: HUE (B)
Following the late morning visit at the Imperial City of Hue and our hotel. In the afternoon, we take a leisurely cruise by royal dragon boat on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda’s stone steps. Our boat waits as we climb the stairs to explore one of Vietnam’s oldest and most revered pagodas. Gliding through the clear waters, we arrive at the majestic and serene tomb of King Ming Mang. Free time for shopping at Dong Ba market in the late afternoon.
DAY 9: HUE - DA NANG - HOI AN (B)
Before leaving Hue, we glimpse the regal splendor of times past as we walk the cobbled paths through the grounds of the imposing Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City. We continue our road trip to Da Nang, where the Museum of Cham Sculpture displays carvings from a once powerful and prosperous civilization. Arriving into the old merchant town of Hoi An, the heritage streets beckon exploration. Be tempted by the art galleries, handcrafted woodwork, ceramics, lanterns, embroidery, and tailor shops where an entire wardrobe can be made overnight.
DAY 10: HOI AN - QUY NHON (B)
This morning we enjoyed a guided introduction to Hoi An, where restored shophouses, Chinese Assembly Halls, Japanese Bridge, and shared water wells paint a vivid story. Boarding on our bus, we travel down Highway No. 1 and pass through landscapes filled with lush rice fields and spectacular coastal scenery before arriving in Quy Nhon for our overnight stop.
DAY 11: QUY NHON - NHA TRANG (B)
Hugging the dramatic granite cliffs, our road takes us through the picturesque beach and fishing village of Dai Lanh to Nha Trang. We are free to enjoy the beachfront and swim or relax in the shade of a thatched umbrella or swaying coconut palm and take advantage of a massage and manicure.
DAY 12: NHA TRANG (B, L)
A visit to the imposing 7th-century Cham Tower of Po Nagar is followed by a tour of the Oceanographic Institute of aquatic flora and fauna. At Ben Da harbor, we board our boat and cruise the waters of Nha Trang Bay. Bobbing boats and swaying nets can be observed as we sit down to a sumptuous lunch of the freshest seafood at the Mieu island fishing village.
DAY 13: NHA TRANG - DA LAT (B)
Leaving the golden sands behind, we visit the remarkable Cham Towers of Poklon Garai before commencing our ascent into the mountains of the South Central Highlands. Panoramic views of the coastal plains, pine-clad mountains, and crisp cool air herald our approach to the French Hill Station of Da Lat.
DAY 14: DALAT - HCMC BY PLANE (B)
In the morning, we have time to explore Da Lat’s stairways and cobbled lanes, colorful central market, beautiful flower gardens, tranquil lake, and grand French villas. As we descend from the “City of Eternal Spring,” in the afternoon we take the plane to the frenetic bustle of HCMC.
DAY 15: HCMC (B)
We are engulfed by the dynamic energy of HCMC as we explore historic landmarks including Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the former US Embassy. As we enter the Chinese District of Cho Lon, home to the largest wholesale market in Vietnam, the energy is palpable and respite from the frenetic activity is found within the ornate walls of Chinatown’s oldest pagoda, Thien Hau. Continue to visit the War Museum before ending the day-tour at Ben Thanh Market for shopping.
DAY 16: TAY NINH - CU CHI (B, L)
A drive to Tay Ninh, near the Cambodian border, allows us to witness the hypnotic noontime service and eclectic architecture of the Cao Dai religion. In the afternoon, we explore the phenomenal underground tunnel network and former Viet Cong stronghold at Cu Chi, before returning to HCMC.
DAY 17: HCMC - CAN THO (B, L)
At 8:00 AM, pick up at your hotel in HCMC. Depart for My Tho. Take the boat ride through the Bao Dinh natural canal, view the stilt houses and the fruit plantation along the riversides. Visit the My Tho wholesale fruit market. Proceed to Tortoise Island. Lunch served in the heart of the orchard. Enjoy the nice boat ride through the Tan Thach natural canal in Ben Tre, cruise under the shadow of the water coconut trees. Visit the family where you can experience the agricultural lifestyle. Trekking through the fruit plantation in Thoi Son Island, enjoy the rowing boat ride along the creeks before returning to My Tho by motorized boat. Proceed to Can Tho. Dinner on guests’ accounts. Overnight at your proposed hotel in Can Tho. (Family homestay will be arranged on request.)
DAY 18: CAN THO - VINH LONG - HCMC (B, L)
07:00 AM After breakfast, take the morning boat trip to visit the Phong Dien floating market with the busy scene right at the time. Keep cruising through the small channel system, visit the rice noodle-making village. Experience the "Monkey Bridge" in the Delta. Visit the second floating market of Cai Rang. Break time for lunch. Return to HCMC via Vinh Long to visit the local snake market.
DAY 19: DEPART HCMC (B)
A good opportunity to do some last-minute shopping before your transfer to HCMC Airport for your ongoing flight.
