Vietnam Classic Trip - Discover Vietnam from the rustic sides to the prosperous ones

Detailed itinerary for this classic trip discovering Vietnam

Day 01: Arrival Ha Noi

Meet and greet upon arrival to airport.
Transfer to our hotel in Ha Noi. Overnight in hotel at Ha Noi.

Day 02: Ha Noi city tour (B,L)
Today, we have full-day tour of Vietnam’s capital city. You will visit the house on - stilts of Ho Chi Minh ( this is where our uncle Ho spent the rest of his life ) and the One Pillar Pagoda ( it was constructed in 1049) and the Litterature Temple ( a habitual symbol of Hanoi ), the Museum of Ethnology. Enjoy fish cake lunch at typical Hanoi restaurant. Visit Hang Bong Street to purchase Communion party banners/badges.  Tonight we will attend the water puppet show. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 03: Ha Noi- Perfume Pagoda (B,L)
Departing Hanoi at 07.30 we have a two hour drive through the picturesque countryside and back roads to the village of Duc for some refreshments before boarding our boats for a 1.5 hour ride along the scenic Yen river. After this we will walk to the Thien Tru Pagoda (Heavens Kitchen) and the Perfume Cave and Pagoda - an hours walk in total. On our way back we visit Giai Oan and Tuyet Son Pagodas. Lunch will be at one of the little food stalls near Thien Tru Pagoda. After lunch the boat will take us back to our car for the drive back to Hanoi.  We arrive in Hanoi around 18.00.
Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 04: Ha Noi- Ninh Binh - night train to Sapa (B,L)
8.00 a.m: Drive  2 hours through the northern countryside to Tam Coc. Embark on an open river sampan for a 3 hour cruise along the Ngo Dong River flowing peacefully between 2 spectacular limestone mountain ranges. Enjoy the wonders of nature. Feel the peace and quiet. And bring along your camera ! After lunch drive along the wonderful route of Vietnam’s “ Inland Ha Long Bay “ through villages, rice fields and impressive limestone mountains. Enter HoaLu, the capital city of Vietnam before 1010 AD, and discover an important piece of the country’s early history  in the “ Ancient Capital ". Transfer back to Ha Noi train station for night train to Sapa. Overnight on train.

Day 05: Sapa tribal Village (B, L)

The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 06:00. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer us to Sapa.  The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1.5 hours to make our way up the mountains. Once at Sapa, we will check into hotel, we have a freshen up and breakfast at the hotel. At 10am from the hotel there will be a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, and Sinchai villages home to the Hmong hill tribes minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area.  Return to Sapa in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Sa Pa.

Day 06:  Sapa tribal Village (B, L)
After breakfast we will take a jeep along the valley to Rose Garden. From here we will trek into the verdant villages and rice field to Lao Chai and Tavan villages. Ta Van is the village In northern Vietnam in habited by the colour fully-dressed Dzay ethnic minority. Opportunity to learn and see H’mong people working with natural weaving and dying .This village is supposed to be one of the most beautiful area in this regions. Afternoon walk to Ham rong mountain for a birth eye view to Moung Hoa valley and Fansipan mountain. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 07: Sapa- night train to Ha Noi (B)
Free leisure time until to transfer to Lao Cai Station to take the train to Ha Noi. Overnight on solf sleeper train.

Day 08: Ha Noi- Ha Long Bay (B,L,D)
After breakfast, we will be transfered to Halong Bay, which will take about 3 hours. Arrive Halong bay you will board to cruise around Halong bay and soak in the misty atmosphere of this world heritage site. Halong bay is a breathtaking secluded bay with over 3,000 limestone islands rising from the clear emerald waters of the Bac Bo gulf. It is one of the most magnificent scenic regions in Vietnam and has been referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World. The area of about 1500sq km is dotted with innumerable beaches and grottoes, created over thousands of year by the waves and wind. You will have the opportunity to swim from your boat and explore some caves. You will enjoy a seafood feast for lunch on board. We will continue our excursion around this stunning bay until the sun comes down.
Overnight on boat.

Day 09: Ha Long Bay- Ha Noi (B)

Today you will have time to explore the stunning Halong bay. Continuing to visit caves, islands and swimming on beautiful beaches. Transfer back to Ha Noi. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 10: Ha Noi- Hue (B,L)
Today we take the flight to Hue. Transfer to our hotel in Hue. This  afternoon we explore Imperial Citadel and check out amazing Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue.

Day 11: Hue- Da Nang- Hoi An (B)
Morning boat cruise on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and Minh Mang Royal Tomb.
Overland to Hue via Lang Co beach, Hai van pass and Marble Mountains. Visit to Cham Museum in Danang. Arrive to Hoian, check in hotel. Free at leisure.
Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 12: Hoi An - Free leisure time (B)
Today, you will have free time to explore Hoi An by yourselves. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 13: Da Nang- Nha Trang (B)
Flight to Nhatrang. Transfer to our hotel in Nhatrang. Free at leisure. You will have 3 days at  leisure to enjoy the beach or explore Nha Trang by yourselves. Overnight at hotel in Nhatrang.

Day 14: Nha Trang- Free leisure time (B)
Day 15:  Nha Trang- Free leisure time (B)
Day 16: Nha Trang- Sai Gon (B)
Free leisure time until transfer to airport for your flight to Sai Gon. Overnight in Sai Gon.

Day 17: Sai Gon- Cu Chi Tunnel (B,L)
Am:  Explore Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence.
PM:   Tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, takes in the former Presidential Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral. Overnight in Sai Gon.

Day 18: Me Kong Delta (B,L)
We set off this morning for a drive through the Mekong Delta to Cai Be floating market. Here we will board our private boat for a cruise along the maze of waterways and canals to Vinh Long. We will stop at the home of a Bonsai gardener for a sumptuous Delta lunch, before continuing our exploration of the tributaries and canals of the delta. Following these visits we will once again board our vehicle for the drive to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Sai Gon.

Day 19: Departure (B)
Morning at leisure until the departure transfer to airport for your flight home.

Caption : B = Breakfast ; L = Lunch ; D = Dinner

Note: The itinerary described above maybe subject to change depending weather conditions , airline and other unexpected problems.

Trip  included:

-  English Speaking Guide
-  All accommodation on double/ twin room with daily breakfast
-  Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
-  All tours & transfers in private car
-  Superior tickets on Livitrans Express train: Ha Noi- Lao Cai- Ha Noi (Sharing 4 soft berth cabin)
-  Boat trip as indicated in the itinerary
-  Domestic airfare & airport taxes: Ha Noi- Hue, Da nang- Nha Trang- Sai Gon
-  Entrance fees and permits during guided time.

Trip excluded:
-  International Airfares.
-  International departure tax
-  Meals not indicated
-  Visas and visa arrangement
-  Personal travel insurance (Compulsory).
-  Personal expenses such as Bar, Telephone and Laundry bills.
-  Tips and gratuities


Visit Custom Vietnam Travel website for more information about this trip and the other classic tours in Vietnam.

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