Summary
During this interesting 2-week Vietnam Itinerary from North to South (Adventure and Culture), you will discover wonderful attractions including cities, temples, caves, islands and mountains. The tour will start in Hanoi and end in Ho Chi Minh. You will begin the journey with a trekking itinerary through several villages of the Hmong ethnic minority in the North of Vietnam and discover the beautiful rice terraces. You will also 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. You will spend the night on board the ship and enjoy a Vietnamese cooking class by the chef. During the cruise, you will pass by emblematic islets such as the fighting cocks or the stone dog islet and 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. You will also visit the Mekong Delta and enjoy a boat trip across the Bassac River to visit Cai Rang Floating Market. In the area, you will visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, an ancient architecture jewel of the South of Vietnam. This is a private guided tour and can be customized upon request.
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.
Free time for rest.
You will then be transferred to the station to take the night train to Lao Cai (4-berth shared cabin).
Overnight in train.
On this day you will discover Hanoi on your own.
Overnight in Hanoi.
You will enjoy a free morning in Hanoi.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the train station to take the night train to Lao Cai (4-berth shared cabin).
Overnight in train.
After arriving in Lao Cai, you will be transferred to the hotel, where you will have some free time for rest.
The day will begin with private visit to Muong Hoa Valley with English speaking guide. You will continue your journey with a soft trekking to Y Linh Ho village, where the Black H'mong ethnic minority live.
You will continue your trekking to Lao Chai village, surrounded by impressive rice terraces. Next, you will visit the village of Ta Van, where people belonging to 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.
Lunch at a local house in Ta Van village.
Free time for the rest of the day.
Overnight in Ta Van village.
After breakfast, you will continue your trekking itinerary through the villages of Giang Ta Chai y Su Pan, where people belonging to Dzao Rojo and H'mong Negro ethnic minorities live. You will cross the Ra Tan Bridge, before returning to Sapa.
Lunch en route.
Free time in Sapa.
Next, you will be transferred to the train station to take the night train to Hanoi (4-berth shared cabin).
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 Hanoi airport for your flight to Hue.
Upon arrival in Hue, you will be transferred to the hotel.
Overnight in Hue.
On this day, you will visit the former imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty, the city of Hue that will take you back in time, and discover its history. You will visit the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty: Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, second emperor of the dynasty and Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, twelfth emperor of the dynasty.
Next, you will visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue, also known as Dai Noi, which is divided into three structures: the Imperial City (Hoang Thanh), the Capital Citadel (Kinh Thanh) and the Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh) reserved for the Emperor of Annam (currently Vietnam) who lived there, and the members of the imperial family.
Then, you will visit the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady (Chua Thien Mu) which is about 5 kilometres from the Imperial Citadel of Hue, on the northern bank of the Perfume River and is considered as the unofficial symbol of the city.
more
Overnight in Hue.
After breakfast, you will travel by road to Hoi An city. On the way, you will make a stop at the Hai Van Pass, known as the Ocean Cloud Pass, which is considered to have the most beautiful beaches in the world at its two ends. You will also see the Marble Mountains formed by five mountains that are named after the five elements: Thuy Son (water), Hoa Son (fire), Kim Son (metal), Moc Son (wood) and Tho Son (earth).
Arrival in Hoi An and lunch at a local restaurant.
You will have a free afternoon in Hoi An to visit the old town.
Overnight in Hoi An.
This day of the itinerary is free. You can enjoy it on your own.
Overnight in Hoi An.
You will have a free morning to enjoy the city of Hoi An.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Da Nang airport to take the domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh.
In the morning, you will travel by road to the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, you will walk through the town, visit some local workshops, a coconut factory and an old house.
Lunch at a local garden restaurant.
Next, will take a small boat across the Tien River to Vinh Long.
Transfer to Can Tho and free time for the rest of the day.
Overnight in Can Tho.
After breakfast, you will enjoy a boat trip across the Bassac River to visit Cai Rang Floating Market.
Next, you will visit the fruit garden and the Vinh Trang Pagoda, an ancient architecture jewel of the south located in My Tho city.
After lunch, you will return to Ho Chi Minh.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
On your departure day, you will be transferred to Ho Chi Minh airport to take the departure flight.
Prices
Travel dates
Upon request for individual travellers
Price per person in €
2 Pers.
4 Pers.
6 Pers.
Standard cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Sept. 30, 2024)
1175€
1132€
1114€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 2 Pers. | 4 Pers. | 6 Pers. | ||
|
Upon request for individual travellers |
Standard cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 1175€ | 1132€ | 1114€ |
What's Included
- 10 nights accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at Standard 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 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 13 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;
- Domestic flight Hanoi - Hue / Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh;
- Local SIM card with data package included.