This is a fascinating journey from Ho Chi Minh City in the south to Hanoi in the north, taking in the best places in central Vietnam for sightseeing and experiencing the lifestyle of the people in the different regions of the land, engaging in various activities like cycling, trekking and boating in the Mekong Delta to the imperial seat of Vietnam and old-world charm of the capital city Hanoi.
Highlights
- Cu Chi Tunnel is incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence.
- exciting excursion will pass the lush green vegetation before arriving at the famous Unicorn Island
- ancient architecture of Hoi An is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional styles with Chinese and Japanese influences
- Halong Bay is one of new seven wonders in the world
- Trang an - Mua Cave
- Sapa Mountain and cable car to Fansipan
Brief Itinerary:
Day 1 : Ho Chi Minh City - Arrival
Day 2 : Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel (B,L)
Day 3 : Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (B,L)
Day 4 : Flight to Danang - Hoian (B,L)
Day 5 : Myson Hollyland - city (B,L)
Day 6 : Cycling to Tra Nhieu Village (B,L)
Day 7 : Hoian - Danang - Hue (B,L)
Day 8 : Hue City tour (B,L)
Day 9 : Flight to Hanoi - Street food tour (B,D)
Day 10 : Hanoi city Tour (B,L)
Day 11: Hanoi - Trang an - Mua cave - Night train to Sapa (B,L)
Day 12: Bac Ha Market on sunday (B,L)
Day 13: Sapa - Cable car (B,L) - Night train back to Hanoi
Day 14: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B,L,D)
Day 15: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B,L)
Day 16: Hanoi departure (B)
Day 1 : Ho Chi Minh City – Arrival
Your driver and guide will welcome you at the airport then transfer you to the hotel to check in. You are free today to relax or explore the city at your leisure. You may wish to walk around and do some shopping or explore the many coffee shops and bars found across the city.
Day 2 : Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel (B,L)
This morning set out for the incredible underground Cu Chi Tunnel constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the Vietnam War and take a half-day city tour of the bustling metropolis - a contradiction of its northern counterpart, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafés. Still called Sai Gon by many locals, you'll discover the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Sai Gon Post Office, and the War Remnants Museum.
Day 3 : Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (B,L)
This morning, leave Ho Chi Minh City for the next stage of your Vietnam 2-week tour and enjoy the scenic journey along the national highway, lined with green rice fields. You first arrive in My Tho, where you will visit Vinh Trang Pagoda and take a leisurely boat ride along the river to view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. In the afternoon, you'll drive a little further to Can Tho.
Day 4 : Mekong Delta - Flight to Danang (B)
Wake up early morning at 5 am to take a boat trip to explore the picturesque of Mekong Delta. You'll see the local people living along the river banks and visit the Cai Răng Floating Market, which is one of the liveliest markets in the whole religion then transfer to airport for flight to Danang. Arrival Danang airport – Guide and driver come to pick up to hotel to check in. Overnight at hotel in Hoian
Day 5: Hoian Myson Hollyland - City tour (B,L)
Between the 4th and 13th centuries a unique culture which owed its spiritual origins to Indian Hinduism developed on the coast of contemporary Viet Nam. This is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower-temples located in a dramatic site that was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence After Lunch – you will visit Hoian ancient town The ancient architecture of Hoi An is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional styles with Chinese and Japanese influences. There is plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are the famous Japanese covered-bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200-year old Tamky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda and the vibrant market.
Day 6: Biking to Tran Nhieu fishing village (B,L)
The guide takes you from your hotel to where you board cross the Thu Bon River for about 15 minutes, to the Kim Bong carpenters village. You will visit the shipbuilding workshop, wood carving, mosaic and other workshops. The locals will teach you how to make traditional wooden boats at Mr Kha’s workshop that has been opened for 85 years. He manufactures cart boats, woven by bamboo and palm trees. To Tra Que village, you will be warmly greeted by Mr. Minh family, 3 generations one , a welcome drink "basil juice", stroll through the village and meet local people who work in the garden. The local farmer will teach you all about cultivation methods and how to protect developing vegetable from the insects as well as join the farmers in preparing gardening activities such as raking the ground, sowing, watering greens, transplanting and tending greens. You will learn how to cook traditional food here as“ Tam Huu” spring roll, “Xeo” pancake. Your lunch will consist of many local delicacies including “Tam Huu” spring roll, “Banh Xeo” or local pancake of people in Centre of Viet Nam.
Day 7: Hoian - Danang - Hue (B,L)
After a relaxing breakfast we head for Hue while enjoying the view of the coast and Da Nang, you can visit Non Nuoc Beach, Cham Museum which has a fascinating collection of rare works of art, and last, the famous Marble Mountain. On the way, enjoying the view of the coast and Da Nang from the top of Hai Van Pass on the way. Overnight at hotel in Hue
Day 8: Hue city tour (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel. Then our guide and driver come to pick up you for Hue City tour. Imperial Citadel: The home of Vietnam’s last royal dynasty- the Nguyen Dynasty. Visit Thien Mu Pagoda then take boat to visit Perfume river. Minh Mang tomb: The tomb of emperor Minh Mang (1791-1841) the 2nd King of Nguyen dynasty. Conical hat village: To see and learn how the locals make the conical hat ( non la). ( Non la- traditional indispensable accessory expressing the hidden charm and simplicity of women). Incense stick making village: Observe how locals make sandalwood and cinnamon incense Then transfer back to Hotel in Hue
Day 9: Hue - Flight to Hanoi - Food Tour (B,D)
Breakfast at hotel – you are free until driver comes to pick up to airport for flight to Hanoi. Arrival Hanoi, guide and driver come to pick up to hotel to check in, you are relaxed until guide comes to pick up for Hanoi walking street food tour. We start the walking part of our tour early first visiting the colorful local markets where we meet stall holders and talk about their food. Our walk then continues along both high streets and back streets exploring beaten corners in Hanoi Old Quarter that you never known by walking yourself, enjoying elegance Hanoi through tranquility French quarter with birds singing. You will taste food, drink endless local beverage while chatting with street vendors. The purpose of our tour is to provide you with a unique opportunity to experience and learn about exciting history, exceptional culture, as well as distinctive architecture of Hanoi following its unique cuisine trail – we ensure the food is hygienically handled and provide a comfortable venue for the tastings. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 10: Hanoi city (B,L)
After Breakfast, our guide and driver will come hotel to pick up you for tour, 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), the One Pillar Pagoda (it was constructed in 1049), Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Literature Temple (a habitual symbol of Hanoi), and watching water puppet show. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 11:Trang An- Mua Cave - Night train to Sapa (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel then our guide and driver come to pick up you to visit Trang an Nature reserve and Mua Cave. Ninh Binh is considered as Halong Bay on land with beautiful landscape and pristine sightseeing. After 2 hours, you arrive in Trang An Landscape Complex Wharf – the most exciting boating trip by sampan boat rows along Hoang Long river and through caves. The boat trip brings you to admire the stunning scenery from the rivers and Limestone Karsts with rich fauna and flora. After Lunch We visit Mua cave, where we hike up 500 steps to conquer the Ngoa Long mountain’s peak, here you observe the stunning rice fields, Tam Coc and Ngo Dong River. Finshing tour you will transfer back to Hanoi. Relax at hotel near station then take overnight train to Sapa at 22:00 PM
Day 12: Sapa Arrival – Bac Ha Market on Sunday (B,L)
Arrival Sapa in early moring. Our guide and driver come to pick up for breakfast. After that you will move to Bac Ha Market. Located at 110km from Sapa, Bac Ha mountain town is well-known by travelers with the most colorful market of the hill tribes in the North of Vietnam. This every-Sunday-market attended by at least 8 ethnic groups and last from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM. It is also chance for tourists to discover the H’mong King’s palace (old building built by the French & Chinese). In the afternoon, we go for a light trek to visit Ban Pho, the village is home to flower H’mong minority. We are invited to enter several local houses to have some green tea, corn wine, listen to the host talking about their family, talk to them… and then enjoy landscapes on a roundabout way to Bac Ha for get back to Lao Cai to continue up to Sapa
Day 13: Sapa Tour - Night train back to Hanoi (B,L)
This moring you will have soft trek to Cat Cat Village of the Black H’mong where you can see beautiful rice terraces. After Lunch at local restaurant, you will take cable car to visit Fansipan Mountain with the height 3,143m, the roof of Indochin . You can see beautiful sightseeing around and nice Buddha. Afternoon, we transfer to Lao Cai station to take overnight train back to Hanoi
Day 14: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B,L,D)
Arrival Hanoi in early morning, move to Hotel near station for relax and have breakfast. Then driver comes to pick up to Halong Bay
08:00 – 08:30: The Swan shutter bus will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi and heading to northeast of Vietnam. At the middle of the way, we have a quick stop to stretch your leg and refresh then continue our way to Halong Bay.
12.00: Arrive at Swan office in Ha Long, have a bit time to relax , and then you will transfer to Swan Cruises by tender. 12.45: Enjoy welcome drink, be briefing about safety on boat and activities included then check in your cabin.
13.30: Have lunch while leisurely cruising to the core of Bai Tu Long Bay.
15.30: Arrive to Cap La Island - the beautiful area in Bai Tu Long bay. Enjoy kayaking through the karsts and breathtaking nature, and relaxing (According to Halong Bay Board Management, all cruises in Halong Bay are not allowed to organize swimming activities)
17.30: Get back to the boat and enjoy Sunset party while our cruise is sailing to the overnight anchorage. 19.00: Have dinner in the dining room on board.
20.30: Free time for joining Games, you may also try your luck with squid fishing.
Day 15: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B,L)
06.30: Start your day with Tai Chi on the Sundeck. Enjoy early morning landscape of the bay.
07.00: Have breakfast on board (tea and coffee are free)
08.00: Explore Thien Canh Son cave. Our tour guide will explain the history of Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay and this Cave, made by Mother Nature
09.30: Finish packing and check out your cabin. Prepare to join in our traditional cooking demonstration.
10.30: Attend in a Vietnamese cooking demonstration.
11.00: Enjoy lunch while our cruise is returning Hon Gai harbour.
12.00: Back to the harbor and disembark in Hon Gai pier.
12.30: Farewell Halong Bay then our bus will take you back to Hanoi.
17.00: End of 2-day-1-night trip on Swan Cruises Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 16: Hanoi departure (B)
Breakfast at hotel – you are free until driver comes to pick up to airport for flight departure.
