THOROUGHLY VIETNAM – Sites & Cities
(19 DAYS 18 NIGHTS)
Hanoi – Ha Long – Ninh Binh – Sa Pa – Da Nang – Hue – Hoi An – Saigon – Phu Quoc
Description
This trip is intended for those who have time and are keen to see major places of interest throughout Vietnam. The most important sites will be covered, providing you with a lively memory of Vietnam. The journey visits both the new and old city of Hanoi, the mystical world of Ha Long Bay and Sa Pa, the romance and peacefulness of Hue and Hoi An, the bustling Saigon, and verdant lands of Mekong Delta.
Highlights
- Meet friendly locals and taste delicious Vietnamese food every day at atmospheric restaurants
- Join a full-day city tour in Hanoi featuring both historical and cultural highlights
- Enjoy a water puppet theatrical show depicting agricultural traditions from the first millennium
- Explore limestone islands and emerald green waters of Ha Long Bay World Heritage site
- Explore Sa Pa, the huge mountainous area of Vietnam
- Shop around and wander through the charming streets of ancient Hoi An
- Enjoy a marvelous boat trip on the romantic Perfume River
- Visit the most significant monuments of Vietnam’s imperial dynasties
- Cruise on the Mekong River, visit the orchards and rice fields in the Mekong Delta
- Relax on the beautiful beach in Phu Quoc.
Program
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Pick up at Noi Bai Airport and transfer with guide to the hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi (Breakfast)
The full-day city tour features cultural and historical highlights, comprising Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and the former leader’s house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Ethnology Museum, the Quan Thanh Temple, the Tran Quoc Pagoda, and the old quarters. Enjoy a water puppet show, the unique Vietnamese traditional art, which originates from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists, men and women, stand waist-deep in water to manipulate the puppets, making them move, talk, laugh, and even dance on the surface of the water. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (Breakfast, lunch)
In the morning, transfer with guide to Ha Long City (170km). Upon arrival, get on board for a stunning cruise in Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO. Visit some magical grottoes while relaxing in the renowned scenic beauty of Vietnam’s most beautiful bay. Enjoy a traditional lunch with the freshest and finest seafood. Overnight aboard the Junk.
Day 4: Ha Long – Ninh Binh (Breakfast)
After lunch on the traditional sailing vessel known as a junk, you’ll be transferred from Ha Long to Ninh Binh (dry Ha Long Bay) by car for check in at your hotel. Dry Halong is famous for its calm river that passes trough stunning archeological wonders; it is also know for the famous Tam Coc Bich Dong pagoda nearby. Overnight in Ninh Binh.
Day 5: Ninh Binh – Hanoi – Lao Cai (Breakfast)
On this excursion in Ninh Binh you visit the Dinh and Le dynasty temples in Hoa Lu, an ancient capital of Vietnam. We take a boat to visit Tam Coc, then travel to the Bich Dong cave pagodas dating from the 17th century. Transfer by vehicle to the train station in Ha Noi for the train to Lao Cai . Overnight on train.
Day 6: Lao Cai – Bac Ha – Sapa (Breakfast)
In the early morning, we drive from Lao Cai to Bac Ha (70 km) via a winding road with breathtaking mountain views. Visit Bac Ha Fair (on Sunday only), considered the liveliest and crowded fair in the region. Then transfer to Sa Pa for hotel check-in. Overnight in Sa Pa.
Day 7: Sa Pa – Hanoi (Breakfast)
Visit the villages of the Red Yao and the Black H’mong ethnic minority people at Ta Phin. Socialize with the villagers, wander around the villages and see how they live in harmony with nature. The rest of day is at leisure or you can shop for delicate embroideries. Transfer to Lao Cai for the train back to Hanoi. Overnight on train.
Day 8: Hanoi – Hue (Breakfast)
Arrive in Hanoi in the morning and transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue. Pick up at the airport and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon take a marvelous boat ride on the Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda, a symbol of Hue. Visit the Imperial Citadel, built in 1804 on a site chosen in accordance with the principles of geomancy. Overnight in Hue.
Day 9: Hue (Breakfast)
Enjoy a tour of Hue visiting the tombs of Tu Duc king and Khai Dinh king. Go shopping at Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue.
Day 10: Hue – Hoi An (Breakfast)
Leave for Hoi An (140 km, 87 mi). Enjoy beautiful landscapes along the Hai Van pass. Stop over at Lang Co Beach. Visit Marble Mountain and the Cham museum in Da Nang before arriving in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 11: Hoi An (Breakfast)
Enjoy a day trip to explore World Heritage sites. Travel over rural roads to My Son to see architectural treasures and sculptures of Cham culture. Explore the ancient city’s traditional and original antique houses, temples and workshops. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 12: Hoi An – Saigon – Can Tho (Breakfast, Lunch)
Transfer from Hoi An to the airport in Da Nang for the flight to Saigon. Enjoy an excursion to My Tho, a peaceful town on the bank of Mekong River. The tour includes a cruise on the Mekong River, a visit to orchards and local homes, a sampan ride on palm-shaded creeks, a taste of seasonal fruit-and-honey tea and a performance of traditional southern singing. Lunch of Mekong specialties is provided. Transfer to Can Tho. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 13: Can Tho – Saigon (Breakfast)
Enjoy an early morning boat ride on the Mekong River to the bustling Cai Rang floating markets thronged with buyers and sellers paddling boats laden with exotic fruits and vegetables. Taste seasonal fruit at verdant orchard. Return to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 14: Saigon – Phu Quoc (Breakfast)
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Phu Quoc. Pick up and transfer for check in the hotel. Overnight in Phu Quoc.
Day 15 – Day 18: Saigon (Breakfast)
Free at leisure activities in your resort in Phu Quoc.
Day 19: Phu Quoc – Saigon for Departure (Breakfast)
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Saigon and departure.