GRAND VIETNAM

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1

  Hanoi arrival (NO MEAL)

  Upon arrival in Hanoi – a thousand years Capital, meet and transfer to hotel in the city central. Rest of day is your free time at leisure.

  Overnight in Hanoi.

• Day 2

  Hanoi city – Night train to Lao Cai (B, L)

  Spend the whole day joining in a Hanoi city tour to explore this capital city. Firstly, visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his modest stilt house where he chose to live and work and also the museum dedicated to his memory. Continue visiting the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th century. Nowadays, students come and pray for a good luck in their examinations.

  In the afternoon, visit the largest and most interesting Museum of Vietnam Ethnology. Return to city downtown, discover the famed Old Quarter on foot. Walk through the hidden alleys and amazed at the old styled tube houses, visit the lively local market and lovely peaceful temple Bach Ma. Next, hop on traditional bicycle rickshaws move at leisure pace that’s perfect for photos and slow-moving sightseeing. Sit back and relax while your driver weaves through the busy streets, dodging speeding motorbikes and rolling past French colonial houses. As the local do, sit down at a local café by the main church, enjoy a cup of ‘Tra Chanh’ – green tea with lime and chat with the youth. Free time until driver & tour guide transfer you to station. Take the local train to Lao Cai – Sapa.

  Overnight on train (compartment of 4-berths sharing, soft bed, a/c)

  Note: - Shorts and tank tops are not allowed in Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & pagodas.

  - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays & Fridays.

  - Museum of Vietnam Ethnology is closed on Mondays.

• Day 3

  Lao Cai – Sapa – Suoi Ho – Ma Tra – Ta Phin (B)

  On arrival at Lao Cai Station, picked up by tour guide & driver and transfer to Sapa. Breakfast, then begin the day with a 3km trek through breathtaking landscape to the village of Suoi Ho, home to Hmong minority. From here you can enjoy views over endless rice terraces, and you will have the opportunity to see some of the animals used by the locals. Continuing on to Matra village, you will come across the impressive ruins of a church dating back to the French occupation in the early 1900s. Take a minute to explore this intriguing sight and take some photos.

  Trekking to the village of Ta Phin, in which the second largest population ethnic minority in Sa Pa after H’mong people – Red Dzao people count major residence. Red Dzao is easily recognized as the women’s distinctive costume with bright red color. Red Dzao cultivate on larger and flat fields.

  Overnight in Sapa.

• Day 4

  Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van – Hanoi (B)

  Our guide and driver will welcome you at the hotel and transfer to Lao Chai village. Today, you will hike through the most beautiful landscape of the Muong Hoa Valley, home to magnificent views of mountain terrain with high and steep rice terraces dotted with houses of H’mong people.

  From the main road, we follow the hiking road down to Lao Chai village, settled alongside of Muong Hoa valley. Capture the wonderful rice terraces as far as the eyes could see. You then hike along Muong Hoa stream to Lao Chai & Ta Van village, home to Black H’mong community, who lives mainly on rice cultivation in terraced fields. Stop at any your interest to interact local or shoot nice pictures of Muong Hoa Valley. The waiting car will take you back to your hotel in Sa Pa town.

  Then limousine Dcar will pick you up and transfer back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi at ~21.00.

  Overnight in Hanoi.

• Day 5

  Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B, L, D) Local guide on boat

  After breakfast, you are picked-up and transferred 3.5hours through the Red River Delta on our way to Halong city.

  Upon arrival, the crew will greet us abroad the traditional style junk with a refreshing welcome drink and then the cruise begins! While navigating the way through the emerald waters and limestone islands, lunch is served with delicious fresh seafood (vegetarians are also catered for). As cruising through the bay, marvel at the amazing karst scenery with different formations. Halong Bay is littered with hidden caves and grottoes and we’ll take some time to explore one of these. For those felling active you then can explore the bay by sea kayak. After the dinner, night fishing is available on the main deck. Overnight onboard on the bay.

  Note: Cruise itinerary is subject to change according to weather condition.

• Day 6

  Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Dong Hoi (B)

  Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of Halong Bay’s landscape. Continue cruising to explore more of the bay and enjoy the brunch breakfast before returning to the Jetty at noon time. Then, driver will pick you up & drive back to Hanoi’s airport. Take an evening flight to Dong Hoi. Upon arrival in Dong Hoi Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel to check-in.

  Overnight in Dong Hoi.

• Day 7

  Dong Hoi – Phong Nha – Paradise Cave (B, L) (JOIN-IN TOUR)

  7:30 – 8:00 Pick up at your hotel.

  8:00 – 9:00 Visit the semi-wild enclosure and take a walk around and learn about the wild animal rescue programme particularly the Ha Tinh langurs.

  9:00 - 10:15 Drive on the Victory Road 20 – a historic road used during the Vietnam War. Stop at Tra Ang Bridge and enjoy a brilliant photo opportunity out over the mountains.

  10:15 – 10:45 Visit 8 Ladies Cave and the memorial temple for a short by memorable experience.

  10:45– 11:00 Travel to Paradise Cave (Dong Thien Duong).

  11:00 – 13:00 Enjoy Paradise Cave for two hours – which includes around 540 steps to the top of the hill. It is tough but is a real sense of accomplishment when you get the top, and then find yourself walking down into Paradise Cave (additional $5 per person supplement paid directly at the park for golf buggy).

  13:00 – 14:00 Lunch at Chay Lap Riverside. You have a chance to go for a swim in the beautiful river and relax on our sun chairs.

  14:00 – 15:00 Cycling from Chay Lap to Tram Village. Enjoy a short walk through the village, learning about their stories and way of life on the river banks in one of the poorest towns of Phong Nha.

  15:00 – 15:30 Continue cycling back to Phong Nha, or a transfer will be organized.

  16:00 – 16:30 Tour ends

  Overnight in Phong Nha.

• Day 8

  Quang Binh – Hue (B)

  Free time on your own until transferring to Hue. On arrival, check-in and have free time at leisure.

  Overnight in Hue.

• Day 9

  Hue City (B)

  09.00AM, Our guide and driver meet you at hotel and transfer to the boat landing for a leisure boat trip along the Perfume River to visit the towering Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most famous landmarks of Hue. We then continue boat trip to visit King Minh Mang Tomb that located on the left bank of the Huong River, which represents the perfect harmony between nature and architecture. Minh Mang King (1821–1840) boasted to have 64 princesses and 78 princes.

  After lunch on your own expense, visit the Imperial Citadel where Kings of Vietnam’s last feudal dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945, including Flag Tower, Nine Holy Cannons, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns, Forbidden Purple City, etc. On the way back, admire the beautiful landscapes and the sunset on the way back Stay overnight at your hotel in Hue.

• Day 10

  Hue – Danang – Hoi An (B)

  After breakfast, depart Hue for Hoi An along the Highway 1. This drive is reputedly the most beautiful in all Vietnam. The drive passes the coastal fishing settlements, most notably Lang Co with its stunning lagoon backdrop and takes us over Hai Van Pass ‘pass of the ocean clouds’. Arrive in Hoi An at noon time.

  In the afternoon, you will do an easy walking tour to visit Hoi An ancient town, recently named as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visit Tan Ky House, a late 18th-century merchant’s residence. The Fukhien Association, also known as the Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation, was founded as a place where minority Fujian Chinese could hold meetings, the Japanese bridge. Next, visit the temple for the worship of Thien Hau, goddess of the sea and protector of fishermen and sailors.

  Overnight in Hoi An

• Day 11

  Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary (B)

  Pick up at your hotel and transfer to My Son Sanctuary, an UNESCO World Heritage site, 40 km southwest of Hoi An. Located in a lush valley, My Son once was a capital and religious center of Cham people. With its impressive red brick towers and sanctuaries, My Son is considered to be in the same league as some of Southeast Asia's greatest archaeological sites, including Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Bagan in Myanmar, Ayutthaya in Thailand and Borobudur in Indonesia. The remaining towers and sanctuaries were built from the 7th to 13th centuries.

  Finish tour at your hotel.

  Overnight in Hoian.

• Day 12

  Hoi An – Da Nang – Nha Trang (B)

  Transfer to Da Nang Airport to fly to Nha Trang. Relax on the beach.

  Overnight in Nha Trang.

• Day 13

  Nha Trang free (B)

  Free time to relax on your own or you can join our optional group tour with surcharge as below:

  Nha Trang half day special island tour (with surcharge)

  9AM: We go to the habour by car; Get on the boat and go to Tam island for swimming and snorkeling. Then go to Mieu island to enjoy local basket boat and explore the life of fishermen at Mieu fishing village. After that photo stop at Tringuyen aquarium (outside only), Then come to Bamboo resort for a special seafood lunch, Relax and come back to the hotel.

  Overnight in Nha Trang.

• Day 14

  Nha Trang – Da Lat (B)

  In the morning, drive from coastal city to highland by road. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for fresh up.

  Overnight in Dalat.

• Day 15

  Da Lat (B, L)

  After your breakfast at hotel, enjoy a full day for sightseeing in romantic flower city of Da Lat. We first visit the palace of Bao Dai who was the last emperor of Vietnam, then we continue to go to the Crazy house (Spider web mansion) for your fun and imagination. This house resembles a tree with strange rooms inside. A highlight of the day is the cable car ride from Robin hill to Truc Lam Zen Buddish temple.

  At noon, enjoy the lunch at Datanla waterfall restaurant after an adventurous trip by roller coaster through the jungle to see the wild fall.

  After lunch we go to Dalat colourful market and the railway station. Then drive to Trai Mat town (10kms from Da Lat) to visit the biggest bell in the south Vietnam at unique Linh Phuoc pagoda with mosaic decoration. Take pictures of beautiful hill terrace on the way back to the hotel.

  Overnight in Dalat.

• Day 16

  Da Lat – Ho Chi Minh (B)

  Breakfast at hotel and relax until your flight to Ho Chi Minh City

  Welcomed at International Tan Son Nhat airport by local driver and transferred to hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 17

  Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels – Half day City tour (B)

  After breakfast, depart for Cu Chi Tunnels. Located about 70 kilometers to the northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels were created to assist the Viet Minh to combat the French in 1948. This is an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storages, weapon shops, field hospitals, and command centers. During the American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a fire free zone and was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of the tunnels have been open for visitors.

  Afternoon visit will offer a quick view of the busiest city including War Museum, Reunification Palace then discover China Town lively life.

  Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

• Day 18

  Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Can Tho (B, L)

  After breakfast, leave behind the hustle and bustle of Saigon to delve into the Mekong Delta, a patchwork of emerald greens and the rice bowl of southern Vietnam. After 2 hour drive, arrive Ben Tre province crossing Rach Mieu Bridge, hop on a private motorize and cruise through the waterways and cannel of the Mekong delta to visit fruits orchards and learn about the local cottage industries like brick kiln-making, coconut processing, sleeping mats. Take a motorized cart (tuk tuk) or bicycle on shady paths, passing by green rice fiends and vegetable plains. Lunch is served in local restaurant.

  After lunch, we experience a rowing-boat ride along beautiful water palm creek before we continue by the motorized boat back to the pier. Continue by car to Can Tho City.

  Overnight in Can Tho.

• Day 19

  Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City (B)

  Cruising along the small picturesque tributaries by rowing boat, we will see the Cai Rang floating market. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and the daily activities along the Mekong canals, visit a rice husking mill. Disembark at Ninh Kieu quay and visit an ancient house in Binh Thuy (10 km from Cantho city). Drive back to HCMC via My Tho.

  Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

• Day 20

  Ho Chi Minh City – Departure (B)

  Leave some time free to soak up the atmosphere of the city before being transferred to airport for our onward flight.

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Kindly contact us or send email to tour@vietnamstay.com for the updated price!

Services Include:

• Hotel room with daily breakfast as mention or similar
• Transfer services in private air-conditioned vehicle
• Shuttle bus Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hanoi
• One-way train ticket for Sapa trip bases on sharing 4-soft berth cabin with A/C
• Entrance fees, other boat fees where applicable
• Meals as listed in the program B= Breakfast; L= Lunch & D = Dinner: pre-arranged at local restaurants based on local food with set menu.
• Tours with local English speaking guide on day with tours
• Join-in tour on Day 7
• Government taxes & service charges.

Services Exclude:

• Drinks and other meals not clearly mentioned
• Surcharge for special request on food, and meals.
• Entrance fees, guide service during free time.
• Travel insurance
• All kind of gratuities for guides, drivers & others
• Surcharge for public holidays (if any)
• Internal airfares in the tour (please refer to the airfare supplement)
• International airfare from/to Vietnam
• Vietnam Visa handling fee, visa stamp fee.
• Personal expenses such as Bar, telephone & Laundry bills
• All other service not stated in the program.

 A. CANCELLATION POLICY:

The cancellation charges below refer to the non-transferable fee that is charged to the group member who has cancelled their tour:

• More than 45 days before departure: No cancellation charge
• Between 45 and 30 days before departure: 10% of total tour cost 
• Between 30 days and 15 days before departure: 25% of total tour cost
• Between 15 days and 7 days before departure: 50% of total tour cost
• Less than 7 days before departure: 90% of total tour cost
• No-show at the airport on the day of arrival/departure: 100% of total tour cost

B. CHILDREN POLICY (land service only)

• Child from 1- 4 yrs:  Free of charge if sharing bed with parents 
• Child from 5 – 6 yrs: charge 30% of adult price if sharing existing bed(s) with parents
• Child from 5 – 6 yrs: charge 50% of adult price if using extra bed/mattress in parents’ room
• Child from 7 – 11 yrs: charge 75% of adult price if using extra bed/mattress in parents’ room
• Child from 12 yrs up: pay as adult rate