Vietnam in Depth

14 days 13 nights

Ha Noi – Ninh Binh – Sapa – Ha Long Bay – Phong Nha – Hue – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi City tour (B/L)

Day 3: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Night train to Lao Cai (B/L)

Day 4: Lao Cai – Sapa (B/L)

Day 5: Sapa – Hanoi (B/L)

Day 6: Hanoi – Halong (overnight on board) (B/L)

Day 7: Halong – Hanoi (B/L/D)

Day 8: Hanoi – Flight to Dong Hoi – Phong Nha (B)

Day 9: Phong Nha (B)

Day 10: Phong Nha – Hue (B)

Day 11: Hue – Hoi An (B/L)

Day 12: Hoi An – Danang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (B)

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta (B/L)

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City tour – Departure (B)

Day 1. Arrival in Ha Noi

Welcome to the thousand-year old capital of Vietnam! On your arrival at Hanoi airport, you will meet your tour guide and travel to your hotel in the city center. Relax and explore Hanoi on your own.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2. Ha Noi (Breakfast/Lunch)

Today you will explore the charming capital city of Hanoi visiting significant sites including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh’s traditional stilt house, Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam.

In the afternoon, you will visit Ethnology Museum (close on Monday) which offers an insight into the 54 different ethnic groups of Vietnam. After that, continue with a walk to the Old Quarter, named after the original 36 artisan guilds that date back to the 13th century, then stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake area. Finish the day with a traditional Water Puppet show, an art form which was invented a thousand years ago by the farmers of the Red River Delta area , that depicts scenes from the country’s history.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3. Ha Noi – Ninh Binh – Night train to Lao Cai (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, depart from your hotel for a 2.5-hour drive through rural North Vietnam to Hoa Lu, the seat of Vietnam’s first capital. As you explore this important historical site, you’ll have the chance to roam through the Hoa Lu Citadel and visit ancient temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang (Dinh Dynasty, 968–80) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh (Le Dynasty, 980–1009).

After lunch, head to the UNESCO-listed Trang An Landscape Complex. Here, unwind on a peaceful riverboat ride that passes through a series of caves (one of which takes 15 minutes to pass through). Trang An is sure to wow you with its spectacular landscape of jagged karst mountains and valleys. As you float along, take some photos of the enormous karst peaks that jut out from the green rice fields—this landscape is what gives this region the nickname, “Halong on Land”.

Return to Hanoi and free time at your leisure until your transfer to the railway station for a night train to Lao Cai.

Day 4. Lao Cai – Sapa (Breakfast/Lunch)

Upon arrival at Lao Cai Station, transfer to a local restaurant where breakfast will be served. Depart for Bac Ha Market (on Sunday), a common ground for people of different ethnicities to meet and exchange their agricultural products. Visit the nearby Ban Pho village inhabited by Flower Hmong before heading to Sapa.

After lunch, depart for a half-day trekking tour to Hang Da and Sau Chua Villages, just about 8km east of Sapa where the Black Hmong people have been living their traditional and unique way of life despite the recent changes and effects caused by the fast development and tourism boom in Sapa town.

Spend the evening at leisure to discover Sapa Town independently. Overnight in Sapa.

Appropriate footwear must be worn on treks in Sapa. Note that if conditions are wet, programs may be changed.

Day 5. Sapa – Ha Noi (Breakfast/Lunch)

This morning, leave Sapa for Ban Khoang Valley. Along the way enjoy the breathtaking view of Hoang Lien Mountain Range, also known as The Tonkinese Alps. On arrival at Ban Khoang village, take some great pictures of the impressive and beautiful landscape before starting an easy walk to visit a village of the Red Dao ethnic whose women are very skilled in making their own embroidery.

Depart from Ban Khoang Valley for Ta Giang Phinh Valley. Walk on the village path which winds down the impressive valley, home to Blue Hmong ethnic minority people. Visit some local houses to see some handicrafts workshops, observe villagers working in the fields tending their crops with buffalos.

Transfer back to Sapa town for lunch. Take join-in bus transfer from Sapa to Hanoi and arrive in the late evening.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6. Ha Noi – Ha Long Bay (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

This morning you will depart for a three hour drive to Halong city. Upon arrival, the crew will greet you on board with a refreshing welcome drink and then the cruise begins! While navigating the way through the emerald waters and limestone islands, lunch is served with delicious fresh seafood. As cruising through the bay, marvel at the amazing karst scenery with different formations. Halong Bay is littered with hidden caves and grottoes and we’ll take some time to explore one of these. For those feeling active you then can explore the bay by sea kayak.

After the dinner, night fishing is available on the main deck. Overnight on board.

Day 7. Ha Long Bay – Ha Noi (Breakfast/Lunch)

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of Halong Bay’s landscape. Continue cruising to explore more of the bay and enjoy the brunch breakfast before returning to the Jetty at noon time.

Return to Hanoi and take a street food tasting tour through the narrow streets of the city to learn better about Vietnamese cuisine.

Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 8. Ha Noi – flight to Dong Hoi – Phong Nha (Breakfast)

Morning flight to Dong Hoi city. Upon arrival, you will meet the local guide for a private transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. This remarkable park is one of the world’s most wonderful karst ecosystems, protecting over 104 kilometers of caves and underground rivers.

On arrival in Phong Nha area, begin exploring with a relaxing boat trip on the Son River to explore the most popular Phong Nha Water cave. Board the private boat for the 2.5 km cruise down the Son River to the mouth of the cave. Pass by the entrance and enter the mystical tunnels, filled with giant stalactites and stalagmites and crystal clear waters.

After the visit, enjoy the sunset over Son river. Overnight in Phong Nha.

Day 9. Phong Nha (Breakfast)

After breakfast, enjoy a half day easy biking adventure exploring Bong Lai village and the surrounding peaceful countryside with the local guide. Cycle on quiet village paths and roads past rice paddy fields and small hamlets, and along the way stop for plenty of photos and to enjoy the scenic landscape.

In the afternoon, visit the Paradise Cave only opened to the public in 2010. Have a chance to see one of the largest and most impressive accessible caves in the entire area. Overnight in Phong Nha.

Day 10. Phong Nha – Hue (Breakfast)

After breakfast, depart from Phong Nha to Hue passing by the demilitarized zone (DMZ). Stop on the road to see some of the famous DMZ sights, such as the Vinh Moc tunnel, a strategic site that was the target of endless bombing during the Vietnam War. Then, visit the famous Hien Luong Bridge, Doc Mieu Base, Quang Tri Citadel, and Khe Sanh Combat Base. Drive to Hue in the late afternoon. Overnight in Hue.

Day 11. Hue – Hoi An (Breakfast/Lunch)

This morning, hop on a cylo and ride along the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu pagoda. On the way, stop at a typical garden house of Hue city, which was built according to precise rules of geomancy. The peacefulness of the home will offer you a chance to experience the true serenity of such a place. Continue to the majestic Imperial Citadel, home of Vietnam’s last royal dynasty from 1802 to 1945.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Tomb of Minh Mang. Take time to admire its significant architecture in a charming landscape, with 40 buildings arranged along a 700-meter long axis surrounded by hills, fragrant pines and lakes. After the visit, transfer to Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 12. Hoi An – Da Nang – flight to Ho Chi Minh (Breakfast)

In the morning, take a bicycle ride through picturesque scenes to Cam Thanh village. Embark on a boat to cruise to Cua Dai River. Here, you’ll witness traditional fishing methods where the local fishermen throw a giant nest to catch the fish. Move to a bamboo basket boat. This fun ride will take you into a beautiful mangrove forest.

Return to Hoi An ancient town to explore this historical port city. Declared as a World Heritage Site in 1994, Hoi An is a beautifully preserved town and exudes a tranquil ambiance. Here, you can stroll around at leisure to see beautiful Japanese houses and Chinese temples.

Free time at your leisure before heading to Da Nang airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh city, locally known as Saigon.

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 13. Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh (Breakfast/Lunch)

Leave the busy streets of Saigon and drive deep into the Mekong Delta to Cai Be. Upon arrival, board a private boat and start exploring the Delta passing by trading boats laden with fresh products while cruising past river islands, coconut groves, and fish farms. Stop at small family-run workshops making local specialties such as rice popcorn and coconut candy. Get a closer look at the lives of its residents walking through a local village and flourishing fruit gardens. Arrive at the home of Mr. Kiet and his family. The house has been lived in by more than four generations and is a great example of traditional ‘Mandarin’ architecture.

A delicious home-cooked Vietnamese meal will be served for lunch in the family’s house before saying farewell to the host family and continuing to Tan Phong Island. Take a local row boat through the narrow canals around the island, appreciating the tranquility and lush landscapes of this part of the Delta. Return to the city center in the late afternoon. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 14. Ho Chi Minh – Departure (Breakfast)

Today enjoy a city tour that reveals the cultural gems and fascinating backstories of Ho Chi Minh city.

Your first stop is the Chinatown district of Cholon, where you’ll visit the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda, which is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and Binh Tay market. Continue to visit the major colonial landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Saigon Post Office, the atmospheric neighborhood of Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), the Continental Hotel, City Hall, and the Opera House. Then, take a moment to peruse the exhibition halls of the War Remnants Museum.

Free time until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

End of all services.

Inclusions services: 

• Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
• Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
• Experienced and skilled English-Speaking Guide
• All admission fee at attractions as mentioned in the itinerary.
• All meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Sharing cabins in Halong tour as mentioned in the itinerary.

Exclusions services: 

• Visa handling fee,visa stamping fee.
• Internal airfares in the tour (please refer to the airfare supplement)
• International airfare from/to Vietnam
• Any other meals not mentioned above.
• Any kind of drinks in meals
• All other services which are not mentioned in INCLUSIONS
• Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
• Travel insurance in all kinds
• Personal expenses such as Bar, telephone, Laundry bills …
• Tipping/ Gratuities Guideline
• Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (Typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.
• Surcharge for peak season/public holidays if any.