The Vietnam Package 28 Day Tour is the perfect way to explore and sample the best that Vietnam has to offer. We will take you on a journey of a lifetime that covers the whole of the country, from the Capital Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon, and the Mekong Delta. Nothing can prepare you, and words cannot describe the experience that awaits you on this incredible of discovery
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (-)
Day 2: Hanoi – Free Time – Night train to Lao Cai, Sapa (B)
Day 3: Bac Ha Market – Sapa (B, L) – Open in Sunday only
Day 4: Sapa – Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho – Tavan (B, L, D)
Day 5: Tavan – Sapa - Hanoi (B, L, D)
Day 6: Hanoi – Mai Chau (B, L, D)
Day 7: Mai Chau (B, L, D)
Day 8: Mai Chau - Pu Luong – Ninh Binh (B, L, D)
Day 9: Bai Dinh Pagoda – Trang An Complex – Hang Mua (B, L)
Day 10: Ninh Binh free (B)
Day 11: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay – Overnight on Board (B, L/D)
Day 12: Halong bay - Hanoi (B/L)
Day 13: Hanoi city tour (B, L,)
Day 14: Hanoi – Fly to Hue (B)
Day 15: Hue City Group Tour (B, L)
Day 16: Hue – Hoi An Walking Tour ½ Day (B)
Day 17: Hoi An – Farming & Fishing Life Eco Group Tour (B, L)
Day 18: Hoi An – Bana Hills – Golden Bridge Group Tour (B, L)
Day 19: Hoi An – Danang – Train to Nha Trang (B)
Day 20: Nha Trang – Special Islands Tour (B, L)
Day 21: Nha Trang – Dalat (B)
Day 22: Dalat City Tour (B, L)
Day 23: Dalat – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Day 24: Ho Chi Minh Tour & Cu Chi Tunnels Group Tour (B, L)
Day 25: Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B, L, D)
Day 26: Cai Rang Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Day 27: Ho Chi Minh City – Ho Chi Minh City (B, D)
Day 28: Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Welcome up on arrival by local tour guide and driver then we transfer to hotel. Relax for the rest of the day. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi – Free Time – Night train to Lao Cai, Sapa (B)
Today is a free day until our tour guide picks you up at the hotel and transfers to Hanoi Station for the night train to Lao Cai, Sapa.
Day 3: Bac Ha Market – Sapa (B, L) – Open in Sunday only
Bac Ha market, located in the heart of Bac ha small town is the largest one in the area. Every Sunday, the different and colorful ethnic minority come all here to sell their homemade products or buy something for the family. They are Hmong, Phu La, Back Dzao, Tay or Nung minorities. Some of these ethnic minorities can’t be met in any other areas. The highlights of this trip is to live yourself in Bac Ha colorful market that happens only on Sunday and also to take a wonderful boat trip upstream Chay River, to have some pleasant walks through Tay village.
You will be met by local guide and driver upon your arrival at Lao Cai station then transferred to a local restaurant for breakfast. Then start our drive to Bac Ha town. The road is relatively flat from Lao Cai to Bao Nhai Bridge. After crossing the bridge, we begin our journey up to Bac Ha. Bac Ha market, located in the heart of Bac ha small town is the largest one in the area. Every Sunday, the different and colorful ethnic minority come all here to sell their homemade products or buy something for the family. They are Hmong, Phu La, Back Dzao, Tay or Nung minorities. Some of these ethnic minorities can’t be met in any other areas. Your lunch will be provided in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we drive downhill towards Lao Cai for about half an hour. We stop on the way (before reaching Lao Cai) to take a short walk to Trung Do village inhabited by Tay people. Tay villages are always set up at the foot of a mountain or along a stream and are named after a mountain, a field, or a river. Each village contains about 15-20 households. A large village is divided into many small hamlets. The houses are built on stilts or level with the ground. Stop by a traditional Tay house for a cup of tea before taking a boat cruise upstream the Chay River. The scenery is very beautiful on both sides of the river. The boat trip will end at Bao Nhai bridge where your vehicle will be waiting for you for the journey back to Sapa.
*Kindly note that Bac Ha Market will be opened in Sunday only. In Saturday, you can visit Can Cau Market (further than Bac Ha and more expensive)
Day 4: Sapa – Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho – Tavan (B, L, D)
Met up at your hotel in Sapa by local guide and your trek will start through the market and leave the busy town behind. After a couple of minutes, you follow a road going downhill to Cat Cat village. You will stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station for a while before you trek on a dirt trail through rice paddy terraces. You also will enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. You eventually arrive in Y Linh Ho village of Black Hmong minority, where you can take a rest while you are served lunch nearby the river. After lunch, you head to Muong Hoa Valley. You will pass through Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority and then Ta Van village of Giay minority by following a very popular trekking route. You will spend the night in local house of Giay minority. You will be able to take a walk to enjoy the valley view as well as swim in the river nearby.
Day 5: Tavan – Sapa and bus going back to Hanoi (B, L, D)
After having breakfast, you start today’s trek, which is mostly uphill until lunchtime. Whenever you stop for a rest, you will be able to enjoy valley view. Before noon, you stop again at a nice spot for lunch. The trek will be softer in the afternoon go back to Sapa town and take a limousine back to Hanoi Capital.
Day 6: Hanoi - Mai Chau (B, L, D)
8h00 Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi, head out for Mai Chau. Stop along the way to visit the Muong tribe and then at Thung Khe Pass for a spectacular view of Mai Chau Valley. Have an authentic lunch with a local family of the White Thai Tribe and enjoy some free time to acquaint yourself with the villagers. Check in your hotel/home-stay/bungalow and rest.
Afternoon, ride a bike to the remote villages, discovering the natural beauty of the valley and the culture of the ethnic minority Thai people on our visits to the Pom Coong and Na Phon villages.
Return to your stay for a relax or help preparing the evening meal to learn about the local cuisine and culture. After dinner, enjoy a traditional dance and music performance of the villagers. Stay overnight in the long stilt house in Mai Chau.
Day 7: Mai Chau free time (B, )
Free Walking or cycling Mai Chau through the less traveled destinations until you reach to Mai Hich village, this is a wonderful place for nature and local culture discovery. Surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes and off from the beaten tracks, Mai Hich brings you the feel of a real adventure and great escape in Vietnam.
Day 8: Mai Chau – Ninh Binh (B/L/D)
Start the day with a simple breakfast with your host family then take a short bike ride through the surrounding countryside, before setting off on a trek through rice terraced paddies in Na Meo, Xam Pa villages and down winding lanes to visit the Cum and Sam Khoe villages. Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture and scenery.
Check out and have lunch at restaurant. Then free time for shopping or relaxing.
15h30 Bid farewell to local host and drive to the urban bustle going to Ninh Binh.
Day 9: Mai Chau – Ninh Binh (B/L/D)
Start the day with a simple breakfast with your host family then take a short bike ride through the surrounding countryside, before setting off on a trek through rice terraced paddies in Na Meo, Xam Pa villages and down winding lanes to visit the Cum and Sam Khoe villages. Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture and scenery.
Check out and have lunch at restaurant. Then free time for shopping or relaxing.
15h30 Bid farewell to local host and drive to the urban bustle going to Ninh Binh.
Day 10: Bai Dinh Pagoda – Trang An Complex – Hang Mua (B, L)
8h30: pick up at your hotel for our day tour of Bai Dinh pagoda & Trang An ecosystem. We spend time to visit the Buddha Prayer place in Bai Dinh Pagoda, the biggest pagoda in Vietnam with 500 La Han statues, biggest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam with 10 meters height, 100 tons weight.
Have lunch at local restaurant with some local special dishes such as Goat meat with elderberry, pork storage vessel.
Continue to visit Trang An Scenic Landscape complex nearby which recently recognized as an UNESCO World natural heritage, get on a rowing boat (small sampan) traveling along the small river with scenic mountain and green fields landscape. Boat takes you to visit cave complex of Trang An: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou in mystery and wildness, the scenery of mountain and rivers – Halong on land of Ninh Binh.
15h45: Get back to Limousine Bus then leave for Mua Cave (Dancing Cave). Walk up almost 500 steps, you can reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain & have an amazing panoramic view of Tam Coc from here
17h00: Get on the bus and go back to Homestay in Ninh Binh
Day 11: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay – Overnight on Board (B, L, D)
07h00: The journey from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay
12h00 – 12h30 Embark The Cruise. Enjoy welcome drink and get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Check-in your cabin.
13h15 Have lunch while cruising in the magnificent Ha Long Bay, admiring the fascinating nature, then anchor at Titop Island area.
15h00 – 16.00 Join a guided visit to Sung Sot Cave (also called Amazing Cave), one of the biggest and the most beautiful cave in Ha Long Bay.
16h00 – 17.00 Climb to the peak of Titop Island for the panorama view of the bay. Going down and relaxing on the beach, swimming in the crystal water.
17h20 Return Oriental Sails, enjoying the sunset while relaxing with Happy hour from now to dinner time at the bar.
18h00 Enjoy happy hours with various drinks on discounts. Take part in a cooking demonstration and food décor with our Chef
19h00 – 21h00 Dinner is served. Private dinner is available on requested
21h00 – 22h00 Time to join squid fishing with the crew, sing karaoke
Day 12: Halong bay - Hanoi (B/L)
06h30 Welcome a new day with amazing dawn on the Legendary Gulf of Tonkin. Refresh your body & soul by a Tai-chi lesson on sundeck.
07h00 – 08h00 Catch morning view of seascapes with a cup of tea or coffee, have breakfast while charming the labyrinth of Karst.
08h00 – 09h00 Join a guided to explore hidden parts of the bay, Luon cave. You share a sampan with other tourists with a local rower or taking a kayak on your own.
09h00 Return to The Cruise for shower.
09h30 Check out your room. The Cruise weighs the anchor to continue to roam the picturesque route toward Bai Chay bridge for photos.
10h50 Have lunch.
11h30 – 11h45 Disembark. Cruise ends.
12h00 – 15h30 Transfer back to Ha Noi City
Day 13: Hanoi city tour (B, L,)
Hanoi, located in the Red River Delta, in the center of North Vietnam, and is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam, the center of culture, politics, economy, and trade of the whole country. Throughout the thousand years of its eventful history, marked by destruction, wars, and natural calamities, Hà Nội still preserves many ancient architectural works including the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples. Famous sites include the One Pillar Pagoda (built in 1049), the Confucius Temple (built in 1070), Thang Long Citadel, the Hanoi Opera House, President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, and so on…
Day 14: Hanoi – Fly to Hue (B)
After breakfast at hotel, free time in Hanoi, then our driver will transfer you to Noi Bai Airport for a flight to Hue. After arrival, you will be transferred to hotel for sleep.
Day 15: Hue City Tour (B, L)
Around 8.00 – 8.30 am, we pick you up at the hotel in Hue to start our journey. The first place of our trip is Thien Mu Pagoda – The oldest pagoda in Hue city. We go there by Dragon boat to have a different look at the fabled Perfume River and also fully admire the beauty of Thien Mu pagoda from afar. After that, we explore the Imperial Citadel – The home of Vietnam & the last royal dynasty – the Nguyen Dynasty. Famously being one of Vietnam’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Imperial City of Hue has long been a must-see attraction for tourists visiting a hidden charm of Vietnam. Once you’re done admiring the imperial city of Hue, you are surprised by the rich collection of Hue Royal Antiques Museum – A collection of ornaments from the Nguyen dynasty. This Museum houses a fine collection of antique pieces belonging to the royal family, including gold seals, hand-stitched robes, gilded books, and silver screens.
Following, we go to Dong Ba Market to see the daily life of local people. It’s relatively clean, with ample space, and most of what’s sold will fit in your suitcase. This place is designed for locals so you can pick up some cheap and tasty eats. The market ranges from raw foods to t-shirts and the usual stuff you find at tourist markets. After lunch, we continue to visit Minh Mang & Khai Dinh King’s Tomb – a blend of Western and Eastern architecture. Khai Dinh designed his tomb himself, after exposure to France, and surely Chinese aesthetics, and it is very different from most other temples with nice colors, and beautiful fusion costumes (although he set a trend if you look at newer temples). This place will suitable for someone who likes history. The view is amazing, if try you can get a lot of perfect pictures. You will be impressed by the majesty and symmetry of the architectural constructions.
One more place on this trip is Conical Hat Village, an incense stick-making village. It has been a well-known trademark in Vietnam and around the world. When it comes to Hue’s traditional villages, Conical Hat Village is one of the most well-known brands. It is dedicated to preserving Hue’s distinctive cultural attractiveness. At around 4:00 – 4:30 pm, we go back to your hotel. Tour ends.
Day 16: Hue – Hoi An Walking Tour ½ Day (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, we travel by vehicle to Hoi An along scenic highway 1A. Along the way, we will stop to contemplate the stunning views North, to Lang Co Beach and South to Danang city. On this way, we won’t have tour guide escort. We will arrive Hoi An in the afternoon and meeting our tour guide at this hotel. From here, we will have a walking tour in here to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky’s old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, and the temples, and pagodas of Chinese appearance. After the tour, we transfer back to hotel in Hoi An for relax or you can have free time in the old quarter.
Day 17: Hoi An – Farming & Fishing Life Eco Group Tour (B, L)
We have an early start this morning as we head off to our Farming & Fishing Life Eco Tour. Starting at Tra Que Village, we will get a personal insight into the local farming communities. We set about joining the farmers in preparing their land for sowing, helping to fertilize the garden using seaweed from the local river and watering it in using huge tin cans strapped to our backs. Following this, we will begin our leisurely cycling tour through the countryside witnessing local Vietnamese rural life firsthand. Late morning we will board our Hoi An Eco-tour boat for a river cruise. Here we will meet and witness local fishermen working their craft, before enjoying a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. We then transfer to a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat for a quick race and ride down a coconut palm-lined waterway. Lunch today, is on board our boat, which is prepared using vegetables picked earlier at Tra Que Village. After lunch, we have some free time to wander around Hoi An town centre before heading back to the hotel.
Day 18: Hoi An – Bana Hills – Golden Bridge Group Tour (B, L)
07:00 am – 08:00 am: Our Minivan and a tour guide pick you up at the hotel lobby. Reach Ba Na Hills via Cable Car.
9:30 am: Spend your time on the most modern Cable Car in Southeast Asia, then take The Climbing Train to visit the top of the mountain& further explore Le Jardin D’Amour (consists of 9 gardens), Debay Wine Cellar (old wineries) & Ling Ung Pagoda. Continue the 2nd Cable Car to visit the French Village (enjoy Street Music, watch Art’s statue), Campanile, Nine Floor Goddess Shrine, Tombstone Temple, Linh Phong Monastery, Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple & Tru Vu Tea Shop. Watch Carnival Performance Show, Square Du Dome … Challenge the most popular adventure ride – Slide of Tube Car (free ride).
11:00: Visit the Golden Bridge. Located in the middle of the mountain, the bridge is designed to be soft, the entire bridge covered with a magnificent yellow. From the distance, the bridge is like a silk strip floating in white clouds. What makes the bridge more special is the huge supporting hand. Lunch at a Restaurant (Buffet). Join Fantasy Park by Walking in Fairy Forest, discovering Dinosaur Park, playing 5D wild west, enjoying a 4D death race ride, watching 3D mega 360 degrees, riding on Journey into the underground, entering Jurassic Park, challenging Freefall Tower, and participating in an adventure in Horror House and over 90 free games.
15:00: Return to the Cable Car to leave Ba Na Hills
16:45 – 17:45: Our Minivan brings you back to your hotel. Tour ends.
Day 19: Hoi An – Danang – Train to Nha Trang (B)
Today, you will be transferred to Danang Station for morning train to Nha Trang. The transfer will take 12-13 hours. On arrival, we will be met and driven to our hotel, which is overlooking the Bay. The rest of the day free for strolling in the town, lazing on the beach, or whatever takes your fancy. We’ll spend the night in Nha Trang.
Day 20: Nha Trang – Special Islands Tour (B, L)
After breakfast at hotel, we will be picked up and transferred to the harbor. We first visit Vietnam Oceanographic Institute and see hundreds of special sea creatures. Get on our boat and have a short stop at Tri Nguyen Aquarium (outside photo shot only). Continue to Mun Island, we will have free time for snorkeling and enjoy local basket boat to explore the life of fisher-men at Mieu fishing village. We then come to a Bamboo Resort (or similar) for a special seafood lunch. Relax and swim at the Bamboo Island until afternoon. Back to the hotel and end the tour at around 5 PM.
Day 21: Nha Trang – Dalat (B)
Today, we transfer from Nha Trang to Dalat.
Day 22: Dalat City Tour (B, L)
Dalat city is located on the Langbiang Plateau in the Southern parts of the Central Highland region. This is a capital of Lam Dong Province. The weather stands in contrast to Vietnam’s otherwise tropical climate. Mist covering the valleys almost year around leads to its name “City of eternal spring”…
Today we visit seven wanted places of Dalat city with the first destination of the Robin Hill, 1,650m height to get the panorama of romantic city of Dalat. We will then visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery that is the largest Zen Monastery of Vietnam (Cable car up on request); Tuyen Lam Lake, considered as the nicest lake in Dalat; Bao Dai Summer Palace where the last Emperor of Vietnam, Bao Dai King (1913 – 1997) stayed and ruled his Vietnam from 1949 to 1954.
After lunch, we keep on visting the Crazy House a brightly painted concrete house that winds itself around trees, mimicking their shapes; Dalat Railway station which is remarkable with its architecture and its old steam locomotive; Trai Matgo through vegetable farms. Later of the day, we take 7km train to this place (one-way train only), Linh Phuoc pagoda, this pagoda is the most colourful decorated one in Dalat, caved with tens of thousands of beer bottles and broken china ceramic, Lat minority people’s village, where the people live in wooden, thatched huts.
Day 23: Dalat – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (B)
We transfer to Lien Khuong Airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, welcome up on arrival by local tour guide and driver then we transfer to hotel. After check-in, we will be free to wander around the hustle and bustle city on your own.
Day 24: Ho Chi Minh Tour & Cu Chi Tunnels Group Tour (B, L)
At 7.30 am, we will pick you up at the hotel in HCMC. The first place of the morning trip is Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, which was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. We continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars. Lunch will be served in the local restaurant.
Depart for Cu Chi tunnels, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours of bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime. Then, you can spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the specially constructed living areas with kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served. We have a break time for relaxation or time for those who want to try a real shooting gun. At 7 pm, we return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Notes:
*The Notre Dame Cathedral has been restored, so the guests just visit outside.
*Drop-off time is subject to traffic, weather…so the finished time could be later than expected.
Inclusions: A/c van picks up and drop off (centrally located hotel in Dist1, HCMC), transfer & sightseeing as per program, English-speaking tour guide, entrance fee, pure bottled water, meal as lunch.
Day 25: Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B, L, D)
We pick you up at the hotel after breakfast and transfer you to Vinh Long. The program will start with a visit to Vinh Long market in the town. This is the best choice for us to take pictures of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, and vegetables… After that, we will travel by boat to visit the brick kilns where we can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. Then, come to visit the orchard & traditional house. We will enjoy some kinds of fruits and tea when listening to traditional music at a homestay.
The rowing boat takes us deeper into the countryside on smaller canals so we can enjoy a peaceful time. It is so interesting to see traditional houses made of wood and palm tree leaves and see some activities of the local farmers with an opportunity to make contact with them and see how they catch fish or pick up fruits in ancestral ways in the Mekong Delta… One more thing to do on this trip is biking! It will be so amazing to bike on village paths to see the local farms, houses, “monkey” bridge, real life… The cruise transfers us back to Vinh Long City where we take our own vehicle to Can Tho.
Day 26: Cai Rang Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Early morning today, we will take the boat trip to visit the famous Cai Rang Floating Market with the busy sense right at the time. This is a biggest floating market in Mekong Delta where we can see the daily life and local people selling their products on boats. If time permits, we can visit Binh Thuy Ancient House in here. After that, you will be back to the hotel and have free time until check out. At noon, we will head back to Ho Chi Minh City and have lunch en-route. Arrive at our hotel in the afternoon and have free time at leisure. We will spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 27: Ho Chi Minh City – Ho Chi Minh City After Dark Group Tour (B, D)
This unique itinerary is designed for tourists who want to discover a different Ho Chi Minh City by night. The traffic is still utter nightmare but the Vespa drivers are so good that we still feel relax and comfortable. You will travel around all the highlight places in Ho Chi Minh City and see how they are in the nighttime, colorful and brightening. You also try many kinds of local food such as Seafood, “Banh xeo – Southern pancake”, “Cha gio – Southern Sprillroll”, “Bo xien nuong – roasted beef” and local beers… We are picked up by Vespa driver at 6 PM and drive to meeting happy point at Cafes Zoom where we enjoy welcome drink and snack. Here, we are also be top models when the Vespa Adventure staff takes us many nice photos and send to us after the tour.
We start our tour once the sun disappears in the west; the drivers drive us around the big streets to small streets and we can see all the daily nightlife of local people. Then we stop at a seafood workshop for our first tasting meal. With all picked up dishes, we enjoy with local beer, fruit juice or cold water while streets outside are still busy. After that, Vespa drivers take us back to center district, passing many highlight places in the city and we finally meet tour guide who take his private Vespa at the Banh Xeo workshop. This is a special street restaurant where we will have chance to see the local women cooking Banh Xeo what we later try with cold drink. When we think we can’t eat anymore, it’s time the Vespa drivers take us to a hidden Vietnamese-style coffee shop to have a taste of Vietnamese live music as local. There is no micro, no power light, it’s only live songs and candle and people whisper to pick up drink. We can stay here long as we can or we will move to the last destination to change the music taste if we are fan of Rock & beer (Optional for family is Ice-cream workshop). We are back to the hotels, say goodbye with Vespa drivers, tour guide, and enjoy a peaceful night.
Day 28: Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)
Time will be free until our car arrives at the hotel to take us to the airport in good time to board our departure flight. Trip ends. Thanks for choosing Vietnam vacatin packages from Vietnam Sightseeing Tours!
