Summary
Enjoy this 14-day Vietnam and Myanmar Itinerary from Hanoi to Yangon and visit 2 countries during the same trip. In Vietnam you will discover the city of Hanoi, you will enjoy trekking through various villages of the Hmong ethnic minority, discover the natural landscape, rice terraces and the hospitable local people of the Muong Hoa Valley. You will enjoy a cruise around the incredible Halong Bay, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and since 2011, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. During the cruise, you will visit Sung Sot Cave, better known as the Cave of Surprises, on Bo Hon Island where you will discover a show with a diverse number of flowstones, stalagmites, stalactites and columns formed over millions of years. In Myanmar, you will enjoy a guided tour of the city of Bagan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the city of Yangon where you will visit the Botataung Pagoda and the Shwedagon Pagoda. You will also visit such cities as Mandalay, Ava and Mingun and enjoy a boat ride on the Inle Lake.
Individual travel request form Enjoy a private tour
Alfonso
Local travel expert in Vietnam
More than 10 years living and working in tourism in Southeast Asia. Based in Hanoi, but living for work periods in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. In love with Asian culture and the wonders that I do not stop discovering in these amazing countries. They certainly do not stop surprising me with something daily.
Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the city. At the hotel, you will be given a brief introduction of your trip and any last minute doubts will be clarified.
Accommodation in Hanoi.
On this day, you will enjoy a private guided tour with an English speaking guide in Ninh Binh Province, where you will visit Hoa Lu (the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries under 3 dynasties: Dinh, Le and Ly), Mua Cave, offering panoramic views from the peak above and Tam Coc (meaning three caves in Vietnamese and part of the Trang An landscape complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) where you will take the sampan boat down the river through the rice fields to the sacred caves.
Accommodation in Hanoi.
You will start the day with a private guided tour of the city of Hanoi with an English speaking guide. You will visit Ba Dinh Square (where President Ho Chi Minh read the proclamation of the independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and where Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is located), Tran Quoc Pagoda (the oldest pagoda in the city built originally in the 6th century) and the Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius, which was once the first university in the country. You will also visit Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as the Lake of the Restored Sword, and Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain) where you will enjoy a cyclo ride through the alleys of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
You will then be transferred to the station to take the night train to Lao Cai (4-berth shared cabin).
Overnight in train.
Upon arrival in Lao Cai, you will be transferred to the hotel in Sapa to take a shower, relax and have breakfast.
Next, you will enjoy a private tour with an English speaking guide to Suoi Ho, a quiet village near the city of Sapa where its inhabitants preserve the traditional way of life. You will start a two-hour trekking through various villages of the Hmong ethnic minority arriving at Ma Tra village.
In the evening, you will be transferred to the hotel in Sapa.
Accommodation in Sapa.
In the morning, you will visit the Muong Hoa Valley, popular for its enchanting natural scenery, unique rice terraces and hospitable local people. You will enjoy a gentle trek to the south of the valley and arrive at Y Linh Ho village where the Black H'mong ethnic minority live. Near the village of Lao Chai, located 6 km from the city of Sapa, is the village of Ta Van, where the Dzay ethnic minority live. The small, narrow road leading to Ta Van is beautiful with terraces on either side. The simple beauty of the stilt houses of the village will also amaze you.
You will have lunch at a local house where you can taste special dishes of the local people.
Next, you will be transferred to Lao Cai train station where you will take the night train to Hanoi.
Overnight in train.
In the morning, you will be transferred to Halong Bay where you will enjoy a cruise including reception with a welcome drink. Halong Bay is a 1,553 square kilometre extension of water that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994 and since November 11, 2011 is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. You will have lunch on board while enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
After lunch, you will have time to enjoy kayaking and relax.
Next, you will sail to Ho Dong Tien Cave (Fairy Lake Cave), one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay, where you will anchor for the night. You will enjoy dinner on board and have free time for a drink on the upper deck.
Overnight on board.
After breakfast on board, you will visit Sung Sot Cave, better known as the Cave of Surprises, discovered by the French in 1901 and originally called “Grotte des Surprises”. It is a limestone karst cave, the largest in Halong Bay, which can be reached after a hard climb to Bo Hon Island. At approximately 25 metres above sea level, the cave covers a total area of about 10,000 square metres and is made up of two chambers. The first, known as the waiting room, is about 30 metres high and offers a grand entrance to the second largest chamber where you will discover a spectacle with a diverse number of flowstones, stalagmites, stalactites and columns formed over millions of years. As you enter the second chamber, you will understand why the cave is called the Cave of Surprises.
Then, during the cruise, you will pass by iconic islets such as the fighting cocks or the stone dog islet.
In more the afternoon, you will enjoy a Vietnamese cooking class by the chef on board before arriving in port and brunch on board.
After brunch, you will be transferred to the hotel in Hanoi.
Accommodation in Hanoi.
At the appointed time, you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Yangon.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Yangon.
Accommodation in Yangon.
At the appointed time, you will be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Bagan, which is an ancient city and a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Mandalay region of Myanmar. From the 9th to the 13th century, the city was the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, the first kingdom to unify the regions that would later constitute Myanmar.
In Bagan, you will enjoy a private guided tour with an English speaking guide and see several important attractions starting with the Shwezigon Pagoda, the most important mural in the area, dating from the 11th century. The pagoda consists of a circular Buddhist stupa gilded with gold leaf and surrounded by smaller temples and shrines. The construction of the Shwezigon Pagoda began during the reign of King Anawrahta (r. 1044–77), the founder of the Pagan Empire, in 1059–1060 and was completed in 1102, during the reign of his son, King Kyansittha. more Over the centuries, the pagoda has been damaged by many earthquakes and other natural calamities, and has been restored several times, but the lower level terraces have remained as they were before.
You will also visit the Htilominlo Temple, a Buddhist temple built during the reign of King Htilominlo (1211-1231). The temple is three stories high with a height of 46 metres, is built of red brick and is known for its elaborate plaster moldings. On the first floor of the temple, there are four Buddhas looking in each direction.
Next, you will discover the Manuha Temple, a two-story rectangular building built by the captive king Mon Manuha in 1067 that houses huge statues of Buddha and is one of the oldest temples in Bagan. Finally, you will visit Nanpaya Temple, which was built by the captive King Makuta of the Thaton Kingdom. It was built with mud mortar, stone and brick and was used as the residence of Manuha. The temple contains intricate carvings of Brahma and also contains representations of other Hindu gods.
Then you will go to Pwar Saw village, where you will share experiences with local people.
Accommodation in Bagan.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Mandalay, the second largest city in Myanmar after Yangon.
Upon arrival in Mandalay, you will visit Mahamuni Temple and see the Mahamuni Buddha (Gautama Buddha) statue inside it, which is the most revered image in Myanmar and makes this temple one of the most religious pilgrimage sites across the country.
Next, you will be transferred to Amarapura, the ancient capital of Myanmar, and visit the Mahagandhayon Monastery, a monastic college known for its strict adherence to the Vinaya, the Buddhist monastic code. The monastery was first established by Agatithuka Sayadaw, a Thudhamma-affiliated monk around 1908, as a meditation monastery for monks who lived in the forest.
Then, you will visit Sagaing city to see fascinating landscapes of the Ayeyarwady River.
You will continue your more trip to Ava for visiting the Maenu Okkyaung Monastery (Maha Aungmye Bonzan) built by Queen Nanmadaw Me Nu in 1818 to serve as the residence of her religious preceptor, the Nyaunggan Sayadaw U Po and the Bargayar Monastery (Maha Waiyan Bontha Bagaya), built during the reign of King Hsinbyushin (1763-1776) by the town officer of Magwe, Maha Thiri Zeya Thinkhaya and dedicated to Shin Dhammabhinanda.
You will return to Amarapura to enjoy the sunset on the U-Bein Bridge.
Accommodation in Mandalay.
This day of the 14-day Vietnam and Myanmar Itinerary will start with a boat trip to Mingun. You will visit the Mingun Pagoda (Mingun Pahtodawgyi) and the Mingun Bell which weighs 90 tons and is the largest bell in the country.
You will continue the tour to the Myatheindan Pagoda, also known as the Hsinbyume Pagoda, a large pagoda on the northern part of Mingun that is painted white and is modeled after the physical description of the Buddhist holy mountain, Mount Meru. After visiting the pagoda, you will enjoy a local craft workshop.
Next, you will visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda, a Buddhist stupa that contains the largest book in the world. It is located at the foot of Mandalay Hill and was built during the reign of King Mindon. The stupa itself, which is gilded on its terraces, is 57 m high and is modeled after the Shwezigon Pagoda.
You will continue your journey with the visit of more the Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden Palace Monastery) which was originally part of the royal palace of Amarapura, before being transferred to Mandalay, where it formed the northern section of the Hmannan (Crystal Palace) and part of the royal apartments of the King Thibaw Min. The building was heavily gilded and adorned with glass mosaics. The monastery is built in the traditional Burmese architectural style and is known for its teak carvings from Buddhist myths, which adorn its walls and ceilings.
Later on, you will watch the sunset over the city from the top of Mandalay Hill.
Accommodation in Mandalay.
At the appointed time, you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Heho.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred by road to Nyaung Shwe and enjoy a boat ride on Inle Lake.
You will visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inn Paw Khone village, and Nga Phe Chaung Monastery. The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda is a notable Buddhist site in Myanmar located on Inle Lake where the great annual festival of pagodas is held during which the main Buddha images from the temple circulate on a royal barge across Inle Lake. The pagoda houses five small golden Buddha images, which have been covered with gold leaf to the point that their original forms can’t be seen. The images are of different sizes, ranging from approximately 230 to 460 mm tall and are believed to have been brought to Inle Lake by King Alaungsithu.
Accommodation in Inle.
The day will start with the transfer to the airport to take the domestic flight to Yangon.
Upon arrival in Yangon, you will enjoy a guided tour of the city. You will visit the Botataung Pagoda, first built by Mon around the same time as the Shwedagon Pagoda. The Pagoda was completely destroyed during World War II and was rebuilt after the war. The new pagoda has an original design and a height of 40.13 m and its main attraction is the interior hollow of the stupa, which has a walkway shaped like a mirror maze lined with glass showcases containing many ancient relics and artefacts that were sealed inside the previous pagoda.
Next, you will visit the Shwedagon Pagoda, which is the holiest Buddhist pagoda in Thuwanabumi, in the southern part of Myanmar, as it is believed to contain relics of the four previous Buddhas of the current kalpa. Built 2,500 years ago on the 51-metre-high more Singuttara Hill, the pagoda is a 112-metre-high golden stupa that dominates the Yangon skyline.
Afterwards, you will enjoy a stroll through Chinatown and have free time at Bogyoke Market (closed on Mondays).
Accommodation in Yangon.
On your departure day, you will be transferred to Yangon International Airport to take your international departure flight.
Prices
Travel dates
Upon request for individual travellers
Price per person in €
2 Pers.
4 Pers.
6 Pers.
Standard cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024)
2365€
1967€
1814€
Standard cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024)
2469€
2064€
1908€
Superior cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024)
2551€
2152€
1997€
Superior cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024)
2738€
2339€
2191€
Luxury cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024)
2756€
2358€
2203€
Luxury cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024)
2924€
2526€
2371€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 2 Pers. | 4 Pers. | 6 Pers. | ||
|
Upon request for individual travellers |
Standard cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 2365€ | 1967€ | 1814€ |
| Standard cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024) | 2469€ | 2064€ | 1908€ | |
| Superior cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 2551€ | 2152€ | 1997€ | |
| Superior cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024) | 2738€ | 2339€ | 2191€ | |
| Luxury cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 2756€ | 2358€ | 2203€ | |
| Luxury cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024) | 2924€ | 2526€ | 2371€ | |
What's Included
- 10 nights accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at Standard, Superior or Luxury category hotels, 2 nights in the night train, 1 night on board the cruise ship;
- Breakfast at the hotels / on board the cruise ship;
- Lunch on day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 of the itinerary;
- Brunch on board on day 7 of the itinerary;
- Dinner on day 6 of the itinerary;
- Excursions with English speaking guides according to the itinerary;
- Entrance fees according to the itinerary;
- Vietnamese cooking class by the chef on board
- Road and boat transportation according to the itinerary;
- Night train Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hanoi, 4-berth shared cabin;
- International flight from Hanoi to Yangon;
- Domestic flights in Myanmar;
- Local SIM card with data package included.