Splendor of Vietnam (Trip from South to North 14 days/13 nights)

Detailed program

Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City                                                          (D)

Arrive at Tan Son Nhat airport, welcome by our private Vietnam tour guide and driver and transfer to Ho Chi Minh city central, the most exciting city of Vietnam, a mecca of commerce, also a city with a chequered history and a rich culture, its pagodas, museums, public buildings, parks and boulevards make it one of the most delightful Vietnam Tours and cities to visit.
We will visit the outside of the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace for the president of the South of Vietnam, one of the city’s most important buildings. Here on 30 April 1975 the American War officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. Then we stop at Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office.
Formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes, the War Remnants Museum features poignant displays of the futility of war. The courtyard outside contains the spoils of war, namely rusting jets, tanks, and cannons captured from the American military machine.
Free time at leisure and overnight in a Ho Chi Minh hotel.  

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City – Cai Be – Can Tho                                               (B,L )

In the morning, we have a short visit the bustling Cho Lon Market, which is very popular with tourists, primarily due to its central location. Cho Lon has a wide selection of goods ranging from fake Nike shoes to beautiful silk ao dais, the traditional costume for women.
Then we move to explore full of Mekong Delta, a major rice producing area, this must be one of the most fascinating riverine deltas in the world. The Mekong splits into nine major arteries that why it’s called as the land of Nine Dragons. A vast network of rivers and waterways with thousands of ships of all sizes plowing the waters gives the Mekong Delta a very special atmosphere and no double one of the most favorite destinations for Vietnam Tours.
On arrival, we will make a boat trip to the Cai Be floating Market, visit villages and meet the people of the Mekong Delta. The boat will take us among the local barges full of fruits and farmers’ products. There are many opportunities for photoshoots in one of the most beautiful floating markets in Mekong Delta. We then stop at local workshops to see the rice paste, coconut candy, and pop rice, pop-corn are made.
Later we take the rowing boat entering deeper into the countryside on the smaller canals where we can see the traditional houses made of wood and palm tree leaves, the local daily life…. After lunch at a local house, we take bikes along the village paths to see the farms, houses and the ancestral ways to pick up fruits in Mekong Delta in the afternoon before getting to Can Tho – the heart of Mekong Delta in Vietnam.

Day 3: Can Tho City – Fly to Danang, Transfer to Hoi An – Walking Tour                   (B, L)

We take a flight to Danang from Can Tho Airport after visiting Cai Rang Floating market in the early morning. The local tour guide and driver welcome us at Danang International Airport then drive you along the coast highway to Hoi An ancient town. Enjoy lunch in the local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we have a walking tour in Hoi An town – one of the World’s Culture Heritages of Vietnam. This quaint riverside town still boasts a wealth of century’s old traditional architecture. The influences of several Asian cultures can be seen in old houses and waterside buildings. It is also famous as a place to be instantly created inexpensive tailored outfits. Overnight in Hoi An.


 

Day 4: Hoi An – Tra Que – Eco tour                                                       (B, L)

This morning, we can choose a bus or bike to cycle to a local farming village to join the daily work life of local farmers – hoeing and a soil, watering veggie at an organic herb garden, riding water buffalo in the field and enjoy the freshest air of the countryside beauty. After that, board the Hoi An Eco-tour boat and cruise to the mouth of the river where it meets the Cua Dai Sea. We also learn and try our hand at local traditional fishing techniques using round and cast nets, learn to paddle the strange and unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boats. Explore the now tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war and hear of the extreme conditions endured by soldiers on both sides. Have a relaxed fun with catching beautiful purple crabs on bamboo basket boat. After visiting a local water coconut palm village, we take a walk around the village and have some tea and snack with local talks…

 

Day 5: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An                                                          (B, L)

This morning, we invite you an interesting visit to My Son Holy land, once the spiritual capital of Champa Kingdom that dominated South East Asia for nearly a thousand years and occupied most of the central parts of Vietnam from 2nd century to 16th century with very rich in history and culture. Contemplate its remarkable red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries.
Drive, back to Hoi An, end of tour today so now you have time to relax your way with many choices such as: cycle around the old town, easy and lazy with the beach, walk through the corners, take photos, try the local foods and coffee, shopping and do one of must-try things in Hoi An: tailor-made clothes.



 

Day 6: Hoi An – Da Nang – Hue                                                         (B, L, D)

Today, we leave Hoi An for Hue, en route have a look at the famous Danang Beach and the Cloud Pass which offers a magnificent view of Lang Co lagoon.
 After having a delicious local lunch, we visit to the Imperial Citadel which will give you a better understanding of the beauty of Vietnamese Royal architecture and culture. Continue our Hue city tour to Thien Mu Pagoda – one of the most popular attractions in Hue with typical traditional architecture of Hue pagodas and famous for the event that buddhist monk from this temple, Thich Quang Duc, burn himself to death for anti-government protest in 1963.
In the evening, enjoy a special Royal Dinner which is prepared with live traditional music performances. Be a King & Queen in Royal Dinner with Royal long Dresses! Overnight in Hue.

 

Day 7: Hue – Flight to Hanoi                                                             (B, L)

Hue, the last imperial capital of Vietnam, well-known for magnificent architecture, not only its pagodas and royal citadel but also its royal tombs laid in small villages and surrounding hills and one of the most popular cities for all the Vietnam Tours. Let see King Ming Mang and King Khai Dinh tombs which are the most beautiful works of royal architecture of the Nguyen dynasty. Enjoy your free time until time to take an afternoon flight to Hanoi. Free dinner and overnight in Hanoi.







 

Day 8: Hanoi City Tour – Night train to Sapa                                             (B, L)

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam with a long background of history and culture, is well-known for its beautiful lakes with the image of local Tai Chi in the early morning, tree-line boulevards, funny street vendors & special street food cuisine.
This day is the day for you to visit Ho Chi Minh complex with first stop at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace & House, One Pillar Pagoda – symbol of Vietnam with unique architecture of lotus flower; there are must-see destinations for all Vietnam tours. Our next stop will be the Temple of Literature which is the first university in Vietnam. It was constructed in 1070, first to honor Confucius and nowadays to celebrate the doctorates and high rank scholars of Vietnam.
Take a break at a local restaurant for having lunch. Our tour guide will suggest you a best option based on your favorites, and then continue our Hanoi city tour to the Museum of Ethnology offering an insight into the 54 different ethnic groups of Vietnam. It introduces Vietnamese traditional ways of life from religious events to the symbolic rituals as well as displays a variety of Vietnamese homes as full-scale replicas outside. End the day tour with a short cyclo ride around the old streets observing daily life of Hanoian, take exotic photos of Hanoi traffic and enjoy a fantastic water puppet show.
In the evening, see off at Hanoi railway station for night train to Sapa. Overnight on train.

Day 9: Sapa – Fanxipan                                                                   (B, L)

Arrive in the early morning in the border town of Lao Cai where it’s a short transfer to Sapa. After breakfast at a local restaurant, we have a walking in the local market which is always the colorful meeting places for the hill tribes, spotlight for any Sapa Tours and of course, your unique Vietnam journey experience. Minority people come down from the mountains to sell their products, or just for catching up on the latest news, gossip, drinking away troubles or seeking for lover. In the morning, drive to visit one of the areas weekly markets;
Market days:
• Can Cau Market – Saturdays
• Bac Ha Market or Muong Hum Market or Muong Khuong Market – Sundays
• Cao Son Market – Wednesdays
• Lung Khau Nhin Market – Thursdays
• Coc Ly Market – Tuesdays
Next, we will have great experience to conquer the top of Indochina – Fansipan Mount Peak in Sapa, by cable car, just have a seat tight in a cabin, within only 15 minutes, you will reach the top of Fansipan at 3143m high. The cable route has welcomed thousands of coming tourists to Sapa to make their dream of conquering the highest Indochina peak to be real. We finish tour today by have lunch in the local restaurant.

Day 10: Ta Van – Lao Chai – Night train to Hanoi                                      (B, L, D)

Time in Sapa is time for you to experiment the special mountain rural in the terraced hills and mountains of this area, the monotony of the expansive green landscape is enlivened by the colors of its hill tribe population. It is here you will find hands stained with color from fabric dyes and shades of blue, red and green intricately embroidered and stitched into jackets, waistcoats, pants, skirts, caps, purses and leggings.

After breakfast at a local restaurant, we will do one of the most beautiful Sapa Tours by driving to visit Lao Chai and Ta Van village of the Black H’mong and the Day people where you can enjoy fresh air, amazing scenery of the imposing mountain range, trek down world’s most beautiful terraced rice fields, visit some local family on the way and learn unique culture and life of these ethnic groups.
In the late afternoon, your tour guide and driver transfer you back to Lao Cai to catch the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.

Day 11: Ha Noi – Tam Coc                                                                 (B, L)

Arrive at Hanoi railway station in the early morning, you can see local people do Tai Chi in the park or on the sidewalk. Have a hot Hanoian breakfast then continue by heading south for the two hour drive along Highway One. We spend one hour visiting the Dinh and Le sanctuaries. These are the two remaining temples of the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu. The first is dedicated to Dinh Tien Hoang (also known as Dinh Bo Linh), an Emperor from the Dinh Dynasty. The second commemorates the rulers of the Le Dynasty. Dinh Bo Linh successfully conquered Vietnam’s first independent rulers, the Ngo Dynasty.
 
We then move on to Tam Coc – Poetically penned ‘Halong Bay on the rice paddies’, the area around Tam Coc boasts stunning scenery. While Halong Bay has rugged rock formations jutting out of the sea, here they soar skywards from a sea of green. After a three hour boat trip along the Boi River, we do beautiful bicycle trip to Bich Dong pagoda for visit to a very nice pagoda and cave.

Day 12: Tam Coc – Halong Bay (Overnight on Deluxe Junk Cruise)                        (B, L, D)

After breakfast today, we travel northeast Quang Ninh province to enjoy our time in the tranquil of Halong Bay. Arriving at Tuan Chau pier at midday, we are welcome by the crew team then check in a tender which transfers us to the cruise. Checking in the room before we enjoy the first delicious seafood lunch. The cruise takes us deeper into the Bay passing thousands of islands and islets with various shapes of Fighting Cocks, Dogs islets….The cruise also passes and stops at the floating village that is free from busy traffic, electric lights, houses, shops, and buildings…
Our activities this afternoon are kayaking, cooking demonstration, relax or swim at the beach or climb up to the top of the island to catch the panorama of the Bay…. Enjoying dinner and relax in the evening on the cruise.

Day 13: Halong Bay – Hanoi                                                               (B, L)

Sunrise moment is the best time ever in Halong Bay that should not be missed. Getting up little early this morning we enjoy the morning view with a cup of tea or coffee then have breakfast. After that, we continue cruising around this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site and explore some more of the intricate cave systems (Sung Sot cave) that make Halong truly unique. After a delicious lunch, we head back to Hanoi.
If it’s weekend tonight (Saturday or Sunday night) we will have a chance to walk to the night market for visiting and shopping. Overnight in Hanoi.



 

Day 14: Hanoi Departure                                                                    (B)

Free at leisure for last-minute shopping before transferring back to the airport for your flight home. Vietnam tour package from south to north ends with the sincere thanks for your travel to Vietnam. We hope that you have enjoyed your Vietnam trip and look forward to welcoming you back for your next Vietnam Tours, goodbye and see you again.

En of services 

 This price include:

• English-speaking guide (other languages upon request)
• Ground transportations
• Entrance fees and permits
• Accommodation with daily breakfast, twin/double/triple sharing
• Meals indicated in the itinerary with (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• Boat excursions
• Cooking class
• Soft biking with helmets, hat….
• Food tasting tour, kayaking….
• Airport tax
• Water during the trip

• Vietnam Entry Visa Fees
• Personal expenses
• International Airfare or Train Tickets to enter or leave Vietnam;
• Domestic flight tickets (Saigon – Danang – Hanoi)
• Tips to your tour guide and driver
• Tourist sites which are not listed in the itinerary
• Any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary
• Excess Baggage Charges
• Single Room Supplement