Essential Vietnam Tour

Welcome to Hanoi: Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Your guide and driver will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your hotel in the city center.

In the afternoon, take a walk around the center, visiting some of Hanoi’s main attractions: the Opera House, St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.

St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi city

In the evening enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture – followed by a welcome dinner at one of Hanoi’s finest restaurants.

Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Pickup at 08:00, you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. Start with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. Follow it with the Ethnology Museum (You can visit other museums based on your interests - let your travel consultant knows).

In the afternoon, transfer to the Ba Dinh Square where stands the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh who led Vietnam to its independence from French colonial rule. This site has become an important city landmark and a perfect place to learn more about Vietnam's rich history. From there, wander through the beautiful surrounding gardens toward the One Pillar Pagoda and Presidential Palace, where a replica of Ho Chi Minh's simple working space is on display.

Hanoi Cyclo tour

Later, hop on a cyclo, one of the most typical vehicles in Hanoi, is a human-powered transport with a seat at the front for passengers and the driver at the back. With this hour leisurely ride, which is the perfect chance for photos and slow-moving sightseeing, you will have a great local touch.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Meet our knowledge, experienced tour guide and driver at your hotel then depart from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, located in the marshy Red River Delta, featuring a network of waterways coupled with spectacular limestone formations rising up from rice paddy fields. Upon arrival, you will start your tour by visiting Hoa Lu - Vietnam's medieval ancient capital. Marvel at famous ancient temples of Le and the Dinh Dynasties, two of the last remaining structures from the 10th-century (968-1009). Here, you can learn more about the first feudal government of Vietnam. Diversity of culture combined with 1,000-year-old heritage and traditions is the main highlight of this place.

Viewpoint in Mua Cave

The following stop in the morning is Hang Mua (Mua Cave), just about 9km far from Hoa Lu. Spend about 90 minutes to explore the glamorous “queen” of Trang An. There are 486 white stone steps leading to the peak of the mountain, which is often referred to image of a mini Great Wall. On both edges of the stairs, there are stone lines that are elaborately decorated with the symbol of dragon or phoenix carved inspired by the Tran dynasty’s art. Standing on top of Hang Mua, you will be surely impressive with the magnificent landscape and panorama views down to the Tam Coc area.

After lunch, step aboard a boat and drift peacefully along a scenic river through the lush, green landscape around Tam Coc. Pass through the three caves named Hang Ca, Hang Giua and Hang Cuoi that made Vietnam famous in the French film 'Indochine'. During the rowing boat ride, you will enjoy a unique landscape that has been dubbed “Halong Bay on Land”.

Conclude your day with a visit to Thai Vi Temple, a must-see place in Tam Coc Town. It has long been well-known not only as a cultural historical relic but also an evidence of stone carving art of Ninh Binh’s sculptors. The day tour to Ninh Binh comes to an end with transportation back to Hanoi, arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Early morning, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and then leave Hanoi for Sapa on a six-hour journey on the Vietnam’s longest and modern highway. Upon arrival, check in the hotel followed by your lunch.

Sapa Town

The afternoon drive to Sau Chua ethnic Black Hmong village. This village has been recently discovered and much less visited. It is located on the mountain summit; therefore, you can take the best photos of panorama Sapa town down there at sunset. Besides, you will have lots of interactions with the villagers who show their great hospitality and want to share their life so you’ll learn more about how they live. Back to the hotel then and have the rest of day at your leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before setting out on a trek to explore Sapa’s cultural diversity and haunting natural beauty. Take a guided hike through yawning valleys decorated with terraced rice fields and pass through remote hill tribe villages.

You have three trekking options to choose from: Soft trek (~ 3 km), medium trek (~ 6km) and long trek (~12km). Trekking is an excellent way to explore the daily life and familiarize yourself with the cultures of the H’mong, Dzao and Dzay people who populate the region. Drive back to Sapa in the late afternoon. 

After breakfast, we are driven to Tram Ton Pass where we will spend 30 minutes for view beautiful sceneries. Along the way, you have chances to see wild flowers. Continue to visit the Heavens Gate, the highest stretch of road in Vietnam as well as the provincial border of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. And then you will be transferred to cable car station where we will have 25 minutes travelling to Fansipan Mountain where is considered to be the most beautiful landscape of Vietnam now. After lunch time, farewell the beautiful Sapa Town for the 6 hour journey back to Hanoi.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before setting out on a 2.5 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay. Spend nearly 24 hours cruise on the amazing Halong bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as you sail out into the mystical bay. 

In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin (weather permits). Pass the night on your junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters. (The route and activities depend on specific cruise, weather condition and permission of the Halong Authority and could be changed by season).

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as you navigate back to Halong City. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier. 

Your driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Noi Bai Airport of Hanoi for your flight to Danang. On arrival Danang airport, our guide and driver welcome you and transfer you to a resort right on beach for fresh. Evening is your free time to enjoy the fresh air at resort.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Danang

After being picked up from your hotel in Danang City by your diver, you will head towards the Truong Son mountains, located approximately 45 minutes away. Here you'll enjoy a full day exploring Ba Na Hills, a former French holiday resort and a place of stunning natural beauty. Explore Vietnam’s extraordinary natural beauty and let the incredible views from Ba Na Hills take your breath away! Ascend the hill via one of the 10 most impressive cable car infrastructure systems worldwide (ranked by CNN), and see the giant hands of the amazing Golden Bridge (Cau Vang). Visitors who travel to Sun World Ba Na Hills are lavished with the changeable four seasons in a single day and a diverse set of festive, recreational activities and places of interests. Sun World Ba Na Hills is on its own a fascinating entertainment world in which grown-ups, children and young outdoor enthusiasts can figure out their fun in a single complex.

Later, take the cable car down to the ground and drive to Danang City. Visit Danang's signature attractions that let you immerse yourself in the life of a typical dweller. You'll cross one of Vietnam's longest suspension bridges, Thuan Phuoc Bridge, while admiring the beautiful Han River and views of the landscapes below. Stop at the Son Tra Peninsula, known as the "green lungs" of Danang, and get a closer look at the details of its many pagodas, including a giant Lady Buddha - the biggest Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Statue in Vietnam. Next, explore Han Market, where you will be able to experience the amazing diversity of Vietnamese trade.

In the late afternoon, we transfer to Hoian, enjoy a scenic journey along the beach-side to Hoian Ancient Town, approximately 45 minutes. 

• Rice pasta rolls.
• Braised eggplant in clay pot.
• Spicy grilled pork.
• Grilled fish in banana leaf.

Enjoy your just-been-made dishes, added with a salad, bread and dessert to fulfill your lunch. Be awarded a certificate which is signed and stamped by the restaurant’s manager to affirm your pass of this cooking course.

 

In the afternoon, take a walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient town centre, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tan Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge. Immerse yourself in the tranquility and charm of this sleepy riverside town...

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian

Our guide and driver will pick up you at the hotel in Hoian and travel to Danang city. Explore Marble Mountain is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills, representing the five elements: Kim (metal), Thuy (water), Moc (wood), Hoa (fire) and Tho (earth). During the road trip, you could explore the Water mountain by elevator or staircase and find yourself lost in the mysterious air of Huyen Khong Cave. A must-see stop for you in Danang, not only for sightseeing, but also for stone craft and sculpture! Visit Cham Museum – The creativeness which base on Champa ancient art.

Have lunch at the restaurant. Transfer to Hue through Hai Van Pass – with the breathtaking pass in Central Vietnam will put you on one of the most memorable and adventurous winding rides. On the road, you will be admired Lang Co beach and Lap An Lagoon- famous landscapes in Hue. Arrive in Hue. Check in hotel.

Evening is your own free time to wander around streets to enjoy nightlife as well as for street foods dinner. Have travel to Truong Tien Bridge and enjoy its beauties with Perfume River. Free have your own time and overnight in Hue.

Optional: Hue folk music on boat on Perfume River or Hue Royal Dinner to get more knowledge of royal dishes

After breakfast at the hotel, you travel outside of Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Dinh Area). The Cu Chi Tunnels are an underground labyrinth of passageways, used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War (or “American War” as it’s referred to here) as protection against American air raids. Those inclined are invited to crawl through selections of the tunnels to better understand what life was like for the Vietnamese soldiers during wartime. Come back to Saigon for lunch and spend the rest of day to explore the city on your own.