Vietnam Discovery – 15 Days

HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• Embark on a delightful cyclo ride through Hanoi’s old quarter and partake in the evening street food scene
• Catch a glimpse of the idyllic countryside of Ninh Binh, savour the awe-inspiring panoramas and the golden rice fields
• Traverse the mountainous terrain of Sa Pa to mingle with the colourful ethnic communities that call the region home
• Soak up the ethereal beauty of Halong Bay on an overnight cruise, and immerse yourself in the idyllic landscape
• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site and former capital of Vietnam, Hue Imperial City
• Explore the historic town of Hoi An and engage in activities such as a cooking class, sunset cruise, and a peek into the daily lives of local villages
• Uncover the bustling metropolis of Saigon and venture through the legendary Cu Chi tunnels
• Discover the rustic beauty of the Mekong Delta, visit farming communities, and traverse the narrow canals by boat.

 

BRIEF ITINERARY:

 

 

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Day 2: Ninh Binh

Day 3: Hanoi – Overnight Train to Lao Cai

Day 4: Lao Cai – Sapa

Day 5: Sapa – Lao Cai – Overnight Train to Hanoi

Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay

Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Hue

Day 8: Hue

Day 9: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An

Day 10: Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary

Day 11: Hoi An – Cooking Class

Day 12: Hoi An – Cham Island

Day 13: Hoi An – Da Nang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City Tour – Cu Chi Tunnels

Day 15: Ho Chi Minh City Departure

 

 

 

DETAILED ITINERARY:

 

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

 

 

Upon arriving at the airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure.

 

 

Day 2: Ninh Binh (B,L)

 

 

You will be transferred to Ninh Binh, a scenic area known for its mountains and rivers. You will visit Mua Cave and climb about 500 steps for a panoramic view of the Tam Coc area, rice fields, and the karst landscape. After lunch, take a traditional boat ride through Tam Coc, also known as “Halong Bay on land,” to see the limestone peaks and rice fields. In the late afternoon, return to your hotel in Hanoi.

 

 

Day 3: Hanoi – Overnight Train to Lao Cai (B,L)

 

 

After breakfast, you get picked up to visit the Museum of Ethnology to learn about the life and culture of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities. Next, visit the Ho Chi Minh complex and see Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, Presidential Palace, House on Stilts, and the One Pillar Pagoda. After lunch, you will visit the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam, and take a cyclo ride around the Old Quarter to observe the daily life of locals. Finally, enjoy a traditional water puppet show before taking an overnight train to Lao Cai.

 

 

Day 4: Lao Cai – Sapa (B)

 

 

Upon arrival in Lao Cai, have breakfast and then transfer to Cat Cat village, home of the H’Mong people. You will have a walking tour of the village and meet the locals. In the afternoon, have free time to relax or explore the town on your own.

 

 

Day 5: Sapa – Lao Cai – Overnight Train to Hanoi (B,L)

 

 

Take a walking tour through the hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, home of the Black H’mong and Dzay people, and Ta Phin village, home of the Red Dzao people. This is a scenic walk with friendly locals. You will then take an overnight train back to Hanoi.

 

 

Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B,L,D)

 

 

Upon arrival at the train station, you will be picked up and taken to a mini hotel for breakfast and rest before leaving for Halong Bay. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Red River Delta’s farmlands and rice fields before boarding an overnight cruise to explore Halong Bay. Have meals and activities on the cruise.

 

 

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

 

After a Tai Chi session and breakfast, the cruise takes you through the islets before returning to the pier. You will then be driven back to Hanoi and taken to the airport for a flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, you get picked up and taken to your hotel for check-in.

 

 

Day 8: Hue (B,L)

 

 

After breakfast, take a boat trip on the Perfume river to visit Thien Mu pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hue. You will then visit the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled from 1802-1945. After lunch, keep visiting the tombs of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh.

 

 

Day 9: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An (B)

 

 

Leave Hue and head towards Hoi An, with a stop at the Hai Van Pass for scenic views of the coastline. After arriving in Hoi An and checking in to the hotel, spend the rest of the day exploring the town’s ancient architecture and charming streets.

 

 

Day 10: Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary (B, L)

 

 

In the morning, take a tour to My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was once the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom. Explore the ruins and learn about the fascinating history of the site. Return to Hoi An in the afternoon and have the rest of the day free to relax or explore more of the town on your own.

 

 

Day 11: Hoi An – Cooking Class (B, L)

 

 

Join a cooking class in the morning to learn how to make some of the delicious dishes of central Vietnam. After shopping for ingredients at a local market, you’ll learn how to prepare and cook the dishes with the guidance of an experienced chef. Enjoy your own creations for lunch, then spend the afternoon at your leisure.

 

 

Day 12: Hoi An – Cham Island (B, L)

 

 

Embark on a day trip to Cham Island, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve located off the coast of Hoi An. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing at some of the island’s most beautiful beaches, then have lunch on the island with fresh seafood. Return to Hoi An in the late afternoon and have the rest of the day free.

 

 

Day 13: Hoi An – Da Nang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (B)

 

 

In the morning, take a transfer to Da Nang airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to the hotel for check in. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city on your own.

 

 

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City Tour – Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L)

 

 

Head out to Cu Chi district to visit the amazing complex of underground tunnels at Cu Chi. After lunch, transfer back to the city to visit the main sights including the Opera House, Town Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, War Remnants museum and Ben Thanh market.

 

 

Day 15: Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

 

 

After breakfast, take free time for your own activities until transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

 

 

PRICE DETAILED:

 

Grade tour	Price per person in USD				Travellers with the private room
	2 pax	3 – 4 pax	5 – 7 pax	8 – 10 pax
3* Hotel	$1.620	$1.450	$1.200	$1.060	$320 extra
4* Hotel	$1.890	$1.680	$1.400	$1.250	$610 extra
5* Hotel	$2.400	$2.180	$1.880	$1.740	$1.110 extra

(Seasonal prices apply and will be confirmed when booking)