Splendid Vietnam Holiday in 2 weeks

Welcome to Hanoi, the starting point of your stunning Vietnam culture and history tours! Being the second largest and the capital city in Vietnam, Hanoi is a heartening place with prominent economic development, but also the cradle of Red River Delta culture. Hanoi city is also characterized by French colonial buildings scattered throughout the city, wide tree-lined streets, delectable gastronomy, and a vibrant pace of life. 

Upon your arrival, your driver and local tour guide will welcome you and transfer you from the airport to Hanoi City. Check into the hotel and have a relaxing time till rest of the day.

Meals included: None

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Please note: Hotel standard check-in time is 14:00 pm. Early check-in is available upon room availability.

Embark on a full-day city tour of Hanoi with cultural and historical attractions in the city. You will begin at Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi, built in the 6th century. Originally located on a dyke that the flood caused to be relocated to an ideal peninsula on West Lake, Tran Quoc is nowadays a photogenic spot in Hanoi. It's optional to use a car or take a 15-minute walk from Tran Quoc Pagoda to Ba Dinh Square, where you can see the iconic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. There is the resting place of Vietnam's greatest president Ho Chi Minh where housing his embalmed body. See the mausoleum from the front, then have a pleasant stroll and visit the Presidential Palace, the accommodations of Ho Chi Minh, and the One Pillar Pagoda. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, renowned as Vietnam's first university. This attraction showcases Vietnamese culture and beliefs and remains a crucial part of local life today. Afterward, you will have a relaxing cyclo ride for a glimpse of Hanoi’s corners and admire the iconic colonial buildings such as the Legend Metropole Hanoi, the Hanoi Opera House, the State Bank, Saint Joseph Church, and so on. Farewell, cyclo rider at Hanoi Old Quarter, for your exploration of this vibrant corner, a unique and busy commercial place, as well as to intermingle with the lively local lifestyle. Finish the walking tour at Hoan Kiem Lake, renowned as the heart of Hanoi, and enjoy the Water Puppet Show, which dates back over a thousand years. Originating as a peasant hobby, later developed into royal entertainment, depicting the daily life and legends of Vietnamese farmers and accompanied by traditional, lively music.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Today you will leave for Hoa Lu, one of the most renowned sites in the country for its lush nature and its breathtaking limestone peaks. At the so-called “land-based Halong Bay,” you will discover the temples of kings Dinh and Le, built in the 10th century in the heart of the forest. In the afternoon, you will hop aboard a sampan for a boat excursion to the Tam Coc caves (the three lagoons), where you will be amazed at the aquatic landscape and towering rock formations that surround you. You will then return to your mini hotel in Hanoi (use 3 hours).

In the evening, you will take the night train from Hanoi station to Lao Cai.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Overnight stay in train (with air-conditioned cabins with 4 berths per cabin – 4pax/cabin)

In the early morning, you will arrive at Lao Cai Station and depart for Sapa, which lies placidly at the base of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain range. After freshening up and having breakfast, you will visit the Love Waterfall in Sapa. Love Waterfall is located at an altitude of 1800 m above sea level, within the Hoang Lien Son National Park. To reach it, you have to cross a wild path. The waterfall is a suitable place for those who love nature and want to explore the mountains. It is one of Sapa's tourist attractions for those seeking grand natural views.

Next, you will walk to Y Linh Ho village, where you will be lucky enough to admire the colorful traditional clothes of the inhabitants. Your adventure will continue along sinuous paths that wind through the verdant rice fields of the Muong Hoa valley. You will head to Lao Chai, then end the excursion in Ta Van.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch in a local house, or a picnic lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

In the morning, you will travel to Ta Phin Village - a popular hill tribe village, approximately six miles north of Sapa. Ta Phin village regularly welcomes trekkers to experience a more traditional way of life in Vietnam's mountainous northwest. Here, the Red Dao, Black Hmong, and Kinh ethnic groups live side by side and continue to uphold their distinct cultures, making the visit a unique opportunity to learn about their differences and spend time interacting with members of each group. The Hmong have unique marriage traditions; the red Dao are known for their expertise in herbal medicine and for using earthly plants to cure many diseases. You will also see Ta Phin Cave, which goes very deep into the mountains, and women making brocade products for sale.

This afternoon, return to Hanoi by a comfortable 10-seater limousine. Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi around 7.30 pm - 8.00 pm. 

Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Today, you’ll travel 2.5 hours from Hanoi to Halong Bay for the overnight boat cruising on the stunning bay, including 1,969 islands and islets of giant rock formations. While the boat sets sail toward Halong Bay's core area, you will have lunch at the boat's restaurant. In the afternoon, you will get to the islands of Halong Bay to go hiking to Halong Bay cave, do kayaking in a calm area, or take a local wooden boat if you cannot ride a kayak. Return the boat when the sun sets; you shall enjoy a tea break and chill on the boat before dinner. Remarks: The order of activities might vary slightly depending on the crew's schedule. 

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Overnight cruise on Halong Bay

In the morning, there is a Tai Chi lesson available on the top deck for you to participate in and enjoy the freshness of Halong Bay. After breakfast, you will make a stop on other islands in Halong Bay for further exploration and to enjoy nature. The boat then sails toward the mainland on a different route for your further admiration of Halong Bay scenes. Leaving the boat at noon, you will meet up with your driver and head to the airport for your flight to Hue, the former capital of central Vietnam. 
Upon arrival in Hue, you will meet your local tour guide and transfer from Phu Bai Airport to your hotel in Hue City for check-in.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, or brunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

After breakfast at the hotel, you will begin your full-day tour in Hue with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, an unmissable part of your historical tour in Vietnam. Hue became Vietnam's capital in 1802 when Gia Long, the king, successfully took control of the entire country after the civil war between the two main clans, Trinh and Nguyen, as well as rebellions by previous dynasties. Lasting for nearly 150 years, the Nguyen Dynasty ended when Vietnam officially became a French colony and left behind fanciful Royal relics, cultural etiquette, sophisticated ornamentation, and so on. Afterward, you will reach Phu Mong tranquil village in Hue for a nice walk in the countryside area, and visit Xuan Vien Tieu Cung ancient house. Most of the ancient houses in the garden in Hue were once the property of mandarin families or royal members, as evidenced by the use of rare woods, architecture, mother-of-pearl-inlaid interiors, etc. 
After lunch, you will travel to Thien Mu Pagoda on Ha Khe Hill. It's an iconic pagoda of Hue located near the Perfume River. Lastly, you will visit Tu Duc King's tomb, which is one of the nicest tombs in Hue. The king designed the tomb himself and had it ready before his death. Well known as a king passionate about poetry, Tu Duc had his tomb constructed with a romantic pond and pavilion for the king to drink wine and compose literature. 

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Leaving Hue in the morning for Hoi An old town, you will travel along a stunning path passing pristine Lang Co Beach, the Hai Van Pass, where the ocean meets the clouds. You can stop along the way to take in the picturesque scenes and tentatively arrive in Hoi An at noon. 

In the afternoon, you will explore and enjoy the atmospheric Hoi An old town by meandering through narrow alleys lined with Chinese houses over two centuries old, the Japanese-style bridge, and the Tan Ky house, which once belonged to a rich merchant. Hoi An town is a place of cultural blending, where Asian and Western traders regularly came and built their own houses. The evening will be free for you to enjoy the nighttime in Hoi An town, with colorful lanterns, plenty of local street food, and the night market.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

This morning, you will hop on your bicycle and travel through the lush countryside of Hoi An toward Tra Que Village. Participate with local people, and you will learn how villagers plant vegetables and herbs. Afterward, try making one of Vietnam's best dishes - Banh Xeo or sizzling cake, followed by lunch. After lunch, you can rest before continuing your cycling to Cam Thanh Village, crossing the floodplain and rice fields, and enjoying the scenic countryside and the villagers. From here, board the local boat at the mouth of the Thu Bon River and learn about the local fishing styles and catching fish. The bamboo basket boat will then take you into the mangrove forest. Have a break before returning to Hoi An town by land transfer.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Have a pleasant time on your own till good time, you will get a transfer from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the next stop of your tour exploring Vietnamese culture and history. Upon your arrival, you will see your local tour guide and travel to the city center. 

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is undeniably the most modern and vibrant city in Vietnam, making it one of the best things to see and do in Vietnam, and a city that deepens your understanding of Vietnam's history. This morning, you will head to Cu Chi Tunnels, a must-visit on historical tours in Vietnam. The underground systems were dug by the Vietnamese Resistance force during the war against the French, and then extended further during the Vietnam War. Exploring the tunnels 3 to 4 meters (9 - 13 feet) under the ground, you could imagine how the war went on at the time. Afterward, you shall return Ho Chi Minh City centre for lunch. 
In the afternoon, you will explore the historical sites of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the War Remnants Museum and learn more about the Vietnam War with the exhibitions of US weapons, photos of the war consequences, details of chemical weapons, and so on. Then admire the buildings, including French colonial buildings like the old Post Office, nearby Notre Dame Cathedral, and the pedestrian Dong Khoi Street.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

This morning, you will travel to the Mekong Delta region in southern Vietnam and enjoy a pleasant day trip in the countryside. The Mekong Delta is the last piece of your best Vietnam itinerary. Arriving at Cai Be pier, you will board local boat and cruise toward Vinh Long for a tropical hideaway. Make stops to taste the fruits from local villagers' orchards and learn about some handicrafts. Have lunch at a local house; afterward, you will head back to Cai Be by boat and return to Ho Chi Minh City by late afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Have free time on your own till the transfer to the airport for your flight to your next destination.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Not applicable

Please note: Hotel standard check-out time is 12:00 pm