Tour overview
OVERVIEW:
Length of Trip: 14D/13N
HCMC – MEKONG DELTA – HOI AN – HUE – HANOI – HALONG BAY – SAPA – HANOI
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
- 10 nights in a twin sharing room at a hotel including ABF.
- Air-conditioned transportation except for time at leisure.
- Train from Hanoi to Lao Cai and vice versa (soft sleeper cabin with air conditioning).
- Traditional Junk in HaLong Bay.
- 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
- Drinks and tips.
- Visa handling.
- International flights & international airport tax.
- Flights tickets from Nha Trang to Da Nang, Hue to Hanoi and airport tax.
- Other flights and airport tax.
- Insurance.
- Personal expenses.
- Others not mentioned
FULL ITINERARY
DAY 1: HCMC ARRIVAL
On arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, our guide will meet and transfer you to your hotel. Free time to discover the city & have dinner on your own. Overnight in HCMC.
DAY 2: CU CHI TUNNEL - HCMC (B)
In the morning, transfer to Cu Chi to explore the remarkable underground tunnel network and former Viet Cong stronghold, 30 km northwest of HCMC. Cu Chi Tunnels consist of a network of more than 200 km of underground tunnels used by resistance fighters during the U.S./Vietnam War. Drive back to HCMC.
In the afternoon, free to visit HCMC with Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the former US Embassy. Shopping at Ben Thanh Market. Overnight in HCMC.
DAY 3: HCMC - CAI BE - CAN THO - BOAT CRUISE (B, L)
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 river sides. Visit the My Tho wholesale fruit market. Proceed to the 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. Have dinner on your own and overnight at a hotel in Can Tho. (Local homestay will be arranged on request).
DAY 4: PHONG DIEN - CAI RANG - HCMC (B, L)
7:00 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 channels 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 5: HCMC - DA NANG - HOI AN (B)
Free at your leisure before transferring to the airport for the flight at noon to Da Nang, the third biggest city. Stop in Da Nang to visit the Cham Museum containing the most extensive collection of Cham art worldwide.
DAY 6: HOI AN - MY SON - TRA KIEU - HOI AN (B, L)
We will start a full-day tour to My Son, 40 km southwest of Hoi An, which flourished from the late 400s to the mid-1200s and was an important Holy Land of the Champa people. The My Son Sanctuary is an exceptional example of cultural interchange, with the introduction of Hindu architecture from the Indian sub-continent into Southeast Asia. Back to Hoi An in the afternoon. Have dinner and overnight in Hoi An.
DAY 7: HOI AN - HUE (B)
Drive from Hoi An to Hue. Stop en route at the Marble Mountains, famed for its stonecutters and for being a “Viet Cong” guerilla hideout during the Vietnam War. Keep driving to Hue, passing over a spectacular mountain pass and by a seaside fishing village. Upon arrival in Hue, visit the Imperial Citadel. Drive to the outskirts of Hue to visit the elaborate tomb of Emperor Tu Duc.
DAY 8: HUE - BOAT CRUISE - HANOI (B)
Morning boat cruise through the center of Hue on the romantic Perfume River. Visit the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda along the riverbank. Check out and transfer to the airport for the flight to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi and take a rest. Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 9: HANOI - HA LONG BAY (B, L, D)
In the morning, we travel to the World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay where our boat and sumptuous seafood feast awaits us. Cruising amongst the limestone islets, you will have a chance to explore various caves including Dinh Huong Island, Fighting Cock Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, and the Cave of Surprise - a natural cave of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.
Enjoy swimming at Titov Beach. Passing across a fishing-floating house and bargain for some fresh shrimp, crabs, and fish. Overnight on board.
DAY 10: HA LONG BAY - LAO CAI (B, L)
After a night on board our deluxe junk, you will awake to see daylight filtering through the early morning mist and the towering rock formations, leaving you with unforgettable memories of your visit. Lunch on board.
Transfer to Hanoi in the afternoon. After dinner, you will be picked up to transfer to the railway station for the train to Lao Cai province. Overnight on train.
DAY 11: LAO CAI - SAPA (B, L)
Arrive in Lao Cai early in the morning. Have breakfast in Lao Cai. Meet and transfer to “the town of fog” of Sapa by van. Check in and free time to visit Ham Rong Mountain with scenic spots: Gate of Heaven, Garden of Orchids, and the Silver Waterfall. In the afternoon, trekking tour to Cat Cat Village, 3 km south of Sapa. After dinner on your own, free time to discover the typical “Love Market” and taste grilled eggs, sugarcanes, and sweet potatoes. Overnight in Sapa.
DAY 12: SAPA - LAO CAI - HANOI (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we drive to Lao Chai. It’s home to Black H’Mong and Dzay people. Continue to visit Ta Van village. Have a picnic lunch. Then the van picks you up and transfers to Lao Cai station for the night train to Hanoi. Have dinner at a local restaurant in Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.
DAY 13: HANOI CITY (B)
Pick up at Hanoi station and have breakfast before visiting the rich cultural and historical city with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the Museum of Fine Arts, and shopping in the Old Quarter. Have lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 14: HANOI DEPARTURE (B)
Free for your leisure until transfer to the airport for the flight home.
