Travel Style
Essentials Tours
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Sa Pa, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Hanoi
Highlights Itinerary Accommodation Inclusions/Exclusions
This 12-day adventure offers a perfect blend of urban excitement, ravishing landscapes, and cultural heritage, ensuring memories that will last a lifetime. You will start your journey in Ho Chi Minh City, where modernity meets tradition, then venture into the lush Mekong Delta for a relaxing escape. Next, let’s explore the ancient charm of Hoi An, wander through the nostalgic streets of Hanoi, and immerse yourself in the surreal beauty of Sapa. Finally, spend your last two days unwinding in the mystical appeal of Halong Bay.
Upon arrival at the Tan Son Nhat Airport, you will be welcomed by your driver and local guide before getting transferred by private car to your hotel.
Included meals: -
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Spend this day to venture Cu Chi Tunnels and unveil Ho Chi Minh City. Drive for around 2 hours, you will reach the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the most significant historical sites in Vietnam. This immense network of underground tunnels was initially hand-dug by the Viet Minh in the late 1940s during the French-Indochina War, then expanded and used massively by the Viet Cong during the subsequent Vietnam War. At its peak, the system was 250 kilometers long, 8 – 12 meters deep, and remarkably well-equipped.
On-site, you will watch a documentary on the tunnels and the Vietnam War, and then pass through narrow and dark underground ducts to discover distinct rooms, including offices, kitchens, bunk rooms, weapons stores, and even clinics. At the end of the Cu Chi Tunnels touring, you will taste a culinary specialty of Cu Chi, boiled cassava, a typical Vietnamese dish consumed daily during wartime. Afterward, get on the way to return to Ho Chi Minh City.
In the afternoon, set off to uncover a few prominent attractions of the city: the French colonial Saigon Central Post Office, the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, and Dong Khoi Street - a wide avenue lined with luxurious shops and hotels. Next, spend some time roaming the insightful War Remnants Museum – exhibits US weapons and vehicles used during the Vietnam War. This museum also displays photographs showcasing the war’s effects on Vietnamese civilians, including the consequences of chemical weapons.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
This morning, depart from Ho Chi Minh City and head west to explore Ben Tre Province in the Mekong Delta region. You will board the boat sailing along the Chet Say River - a Mekong’s tributary. Make stops to discover several local workshops to gain a deeper insight into some local specialties such as the coconut candies and a brick factory to learn about the local way of making handmade bricks, etc. During your adventure in Mekong Delta, you will ride a local motorized rickshaw called xe loi to wander around the village and catch some fascinating sights of traditional farms, rice fields, and vegetable plants.
At noon, move toward a humble local restaurant for a delicious and hearty lunch made of regional specialties, such as “elephant-ear fish” and freshwater shrimps. In the afternoon, hop on a bicycle to traverse the village roads with lush landscape, visit a local workshop specializing in carpet weaving, enjoy a leisurely sampan ride along the zigzag canals, then travel back to Ho Chi Minh City by car.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh Cit
This morning, move to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your flight to Da Nang City, which typically takes about 1.5 hours. Upon your arrival at Da Nang Airport, you will be picked up by your enthusiastic tour guide and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An.
Late afternoon is the time for a lovely sunset cruise on the Thu Bon River. Reaching the dock, you will get on a wooden boat to sail along the major branch of the Thu Bon River’s lower section. You can take in the beautiful surroundings while gaining some knowledge about the local lifestyle. As the boat heads toward the Cua Dai Estuary, you will have a chance to observe the lush green Bay Mau Coconut Forest, the magnificent scenery of the countryside, and many interesting activities on the Thu Bon River. Spend the dusk soaking in the spectacular view of the Thu Bon River before returning to Hoi An.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Today, you will get to explore Hoi An Ancient Town, a charming place recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The well-preserved ancient streets and houses showcase a harmonious blend of Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, and French architectural elements can be seen via outstanding structures like the renowned Japanese Covered Bridge, the marvelous Fujian Assembly Hall, and the 200-year-old house of Tan Ky. After touring the town, you will enjoy a folklore show in one of the old houses.
Later, commence a relaxing bicycle ride through Hoi An’s rural paths to Tra Que Vegetable Village, known for its organic farming practices and production of fresh vegetables and herbs. Take your time to observe local farmers’ daily work, or even join them in planting and picking vegetables. At lunch, feast on the village’s specialties and some other salient dishes of the region.
In the afternoon, join a lantern workshop to learn more about this traditional handicraft. Introduced to Hoi hundreds of years ago by the Chinese, the art of lantern-making has now become a symbol of the city’s rich cultural heritage. The workshop allows you to create your lanterns from bamboo frames and silk fabric under the guidance of skilled artisans. This is a work of precision, which requires patience and a touch of dexterity to complete. At the end of the class, you’ll be able to take home your masterpiece as a meaningful souvenir.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Remark: Guests who can’t ride bicycles will travel to Tra Que Village by Car
In the morning, you will catch a flight from Da Nang to Hanoi, which also takes approximately 1.5 hours. After arriving, meet up with your local guide and move to the center of Hanoi for check-in.
Spend the afternoon experiencing Hanoians’ life in the 1950s by traversing the Old Quarter on a cycle rickshaw in 45 minutes. This exciting cyclo ride let you discover the cultural heart of Vietnam’s capital where each street is historically dedicated to a particular trade: silver items, silks, medicinal herbs, paper products, tin goods, jewelry, cooking utensils, painting supplies, fish sauce, jars and ceramics... This maze-like quarter stands out with not only old-fashioned Vietnamese houses, pagodas, and temples, but also colonial French buildings, cozy cafes, and colorful shops. As the ride ends, let’s stop by a cafe and feel the vivacious ambiance over the train street where trains often pass by. The rest of the day will be your free time for further delving into Hanoi’s mesmerizing beauty.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Begin your full-day discovery of the capital with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - the final resting place of Vietnam’s greatest leader, his traditional stilt house, and the architecturally striking One-Pillar Pagoda nearby. Later on, you will explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Created in November 1997 at the Francophonie Summit, it is both a research center and a public museum that showcases the rich diversity of the country’s 54 ethnic groups.
In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Temple of Literature (or Van Mieu in Vietnamese), a temple dedicated to Confucius and also the site of Vietnam’s first university. Established in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, the university was first opened exclusively for princes and mandarins. This complex is like a peaceful oasis amid the bustling city with ornate gates, pretty water lily ponds, traditional-style pavilions, and well-manicured gardens.
After the tour, you will get back to your hotel for a rest till check-out time at 6pm. After check out the hotel, have free time to explore the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake or Sword Lake and savor local food. At 9am, you’re transferred to the railway station for the overnight train to Sapa.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Overnight train (4-berth sharing cabin)
Notes: The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is closed on Monday. You can opt for an alternative to visit the Hoa Lo Prison or the Vietnamese Woman Museum.
Kickstart this morning with a thrilling hike to the heart of the Hoang Lien Mountain Range. As you reach Tram Ton Pass, begin a leisurely walk into the jungle and cool down by the plunging 100m-high Love Waterfall, then continue to trek to some hill-tribe villages. En route, you will get a glimpse of vast rice terraces embraced by winding rivers - an illustrious feature of the area. The trekking route starts at Y Linh Ho village, giving you a great opportunity to meet up, observe, or even communicate with ethnic locals in this region. Next, walk along the idyllic trails while admiring the meticulously sculpted rice fields that stretch across the hillsides of Muong Hoa Valley. You will head to Lao Chai Village before ending the trek at Ta Van Village.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
The following day in Sapa, you will get to know an authentic hill tribe market - a traditional market of the ethnic groups in Northern Vietnam. Here, the minority inhabitants in multi-colored clothes will welcome you with bright smiles while presenting their customs and products, typically fabrics, bags, meat, fruits, and local dishes. After lunch at a local house, you will head to Lao Cai City. Make a stop en route for a scenic boat ride along the emerald Chay River to the enchanting Tien Cave, which offers a pleasant escape into the unspoiled beauty of Northern Vietnam’s countryside. Later, you will head to Lao Cai station and have a rest at a hotel nearby in a few hours before embarking on your overnight train back to Hanoi.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Overnight train (4-berth sharing cabin)
Notes: The ethnic markets are open once a week and you will have chances to visit different markets depending on the date.
- Tuesday: Coc Ly Market (89 km from Sapa town) - A small yet high-spirited market located along the placid Chay River. This is where Hmong, Black Dao, and Nung people gather for not only good trading, but also socializing and culture exchange.
- Wednesday: Cao Son Market (78 km from Sapa town) - A market of Hmong, Phu La, Dao, and Black Han ethnic groups in Muong Khuong District. Placed amidst beautiful mountains near the Chinese border, this market offers a less crowded, more intimate experience.
- Thursday: Lung Khau Nhin Market (76 km from Sapa town) - A smaller market that boasts a peaceful atmosphere and stunning mountain background. The market’s compact size makes it perfect for cultural immersion.
- Saturday: Can Cau Market (116 km from Sapa town) - The most remote weekly market in the area, located along a dirt road that leads to the border town Si Ma Cai. This is the largest buffalo market in Northwest Vietnam with hundreds of buffaloes traded in each market session.
- Sunday: Bac ha Market (97 km from Sapa town) - The largest and most well-known ethnic market in the Sapa region. It is a restless event where many ethnic groups such as the Hmong, Tay, and Nung… gather to trade goods, livestock, handmade crafts, and local delicacies.
After reaching the Hanoi railway station early this morning, you will check in at a hotel nearby for breakfast and a short rest before continuing to venture to Halong Bay - a fabulous natural wonder that’s approximately 2.5 hours of driving from Hanoi. This world-famous bay is one of the most stunning landscapes in Vietnam with over 1,900 limestone islands and islets, mostly uninhabited and unvisited. These towering formations rise majestically from the emerald waters, creating a breathtaking panorama that helped the bay earn its UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994. Upon arrival, you will soon embark on an inclusive cruise trip through the most splendid attractions of Halong Bay. The trip includes delectable meals with freshly caught seafood, and fun activities onboard after the night falls.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Halong Bay overnight cruise
On the next day on Halong Bay, let’s get up at dawn to admire the gorgeous sunrise over the turquoise waters of the bay. The cruise will continue to glide around the bay until it finally docks at the end of the morning. After that, you will return to Hanoi. Have free time at your leisure to explore further of Hanoi City and go shopping around the Hanoi Old Quarter.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
After checking out of the hotel, you will head out of the Old Quarter to a small local market, where your chef awaits. They will accompany you as you explore the vibrant market stalls and discover a colorful array of fresh ingredients and local produce. Next, move to a riverside house to savor a warm cup of tea. With your hosts as your guide, you’ll dive into the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking, master the preparation of several authentic dishes, and learn more about the local culture. When your culinary creations are complete, sit down to enjoy a delicious, freshly prepared meal before bidding a fond farewell to your hosts.
After the meal, take a rest before taking a 30-minute drive to Noi Bai Airport for your outbound flight.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
INCLUSION
- Accommodations with daily breakfast
- Private transfer with air conditioning
- Professional local English-speaking guide
- Overnight train Hanoi – Sapa (round way) – 4 berth sharing cabin
- Non-private cruise on Ha Long Bay
- Meals mentioned in the program
- Boat trip as indicated in the program
- Entrance fees
- 02 bottles of water per person for full day tour
EXCLUSION
- Food/drinks not mentioned in the program
- International and Domestic Airfares
- Tips and Gratuities
- Services not mentioned in the program
BOOK THIS TRIP
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4 days 3 nights
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10 days 9 nights
7 days 6 nights
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