Fabulous Vietnam Explorer – 13 Days

Head to remote corners of Vietnam for an incredible adventure travel filled with long-standing cultures and spectacular landscapes. Embark on an incredible adventure travel experience through the remote corners of Vietnam. Discover the long-standing cultures and spectacular landscapes from Halong Bay to Phong Nha National Park and Ha Giang. Take a peaceful boat trip at Ba Be Lake and explore the historic city of Hue before ending your journey in the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City. Get ready for an unforgettable two-week adventure.

General Information

Tour Route: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hoi An – Hue – Phong Nha – Hanoi – Ha Giang – Ba Be Lake
Duration: 13 Days/ 12 Nights
Date: No fixed dates
Start/ End: Hanoi/ Hanoi
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Accommodation: Listed below or equivalent
Adventure Activities: Trekking, Strolling, Motorbike, Boat Trips, Kayaking, Zip-lining

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Day 3: Halong with Cat Ba Island – Hanoi – Fly to Hoi An
Day 4: Hoi An Ancient Town
Day 5: Hoi An – Drive to Hue
Day 6: Hue City Tour – Drive to Phong Nha
Day 7: Phong Nha Cave
Day 8: Phong Nha – Fly to Hanoi
Day 9: Hanoi – Ha Giang
Day 10: Ha Giang – Dong Van – Meo Vac
Day 11: Meo Vac – Ba Be National Park
Day 12: Ba Be – Boat trip – Back to Hanoi
Day 13: Hanoi Departure

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)

Welcome upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport by Viet Vision Travel’s local tour guide and driver then transfer to hotel for check-in. Relax for the rest of the day. In the evening, enjoy welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant in town.

Day 2: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on Cruise (B, L, D)

In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel in Hanoi by luxury Limousine van then travel to Halong Bay in about 2 hours. At noon, embark on the cruise ship at Cat Hai port. Enjoy a welcome drink and cruise briefing. Lunch will be served while the ship is cruising into the primitive Lan Ha Bay. In the afternoon, travel by a bamboo boat and visit Bright Cave, a serene round lake surrounded by lush trees and high stone cliffs. Then it is your time to swim in the private emerald water. At the sunset, return to the cruise ship for sunset tea on the top deck.

In the evening, enjoy the shimmering atmosphere of thousands of stars while tasting fantastic, expertly prepared dinner on the floating farm in the center of serene Lan Ha Bay. You will be impressed by an absorbing fruit and vegetable carving demonstration together with a traditional music performance. Afterward, relax with Massage and Spa treatment which is always available upon request.

Day 3: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Hoi An (B, L)

Begin your second day in Halong Bay with a Tai Chi session or a photo hunt at the gorgeous dawn of Halong Bay. After breakfast, experience kayaking to discover the lovely Tra Bau area where you will visit a fishing farm and socialize with the fishermen to know more about life here and how the people work every day.

After that, return to the ship and pack your luggage and check out of your cabin while cruising towards the port. Next, join a cooking demonstration of Vietnamese traditional cuisine before enjoying an extraordinary Buffet lunch. At noon, disembark the cruise ship and farewell Halong Bay. Later, get on the vehicle and travel back to Hanoi. Continue the trip by a domestic flight to Danang then transfer to Hoi An ancient town. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day 4: Hoi An Farming & Fishing Tour (B, L)

This morning, cycle to a local farming village to join the daily work life of local farmers such as hoeing soil, watering veggies at an organic herb garden, riding water buffalo in the field and enjoy the freshest air of the countryside beauty. After that, board the Hoi An Eco-tour boat and cruise to the Cua Dai Sea where you can learn and try the local traditional fishing techniques using cast nets. Next, sit on a strange and unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat to explore the tranquil coconut-palm-flanked waterways and join in an interesting race with others ones. Also, have relaxed fun by catching beautiful purple crabs on a bamboo basket boat. After visiting a local water coconut palm village, take a short walk around the village and have some tea and snack at a local house.

Back on board our Hoi An Eco-tour boat, enjoy lunch and drink on the boat, then return back to the hotel in Hoi An. In the afternoon, stroll downtown for a leisure sightseeing tour to the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, and the temples and pagodas of Chinese appearance. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day 5: Hoi An – Drive to Hue (B, L)

After breakfast, travel by vehicle to Hue along scenic Hai Van Pass to contemplate the stunning views of North-Lang Co Beach and South – Danang city. On arrival in Danang, visit Cham Museum – the home to the most wonderful collection of Cham Artifacts in the world; China Beach – where the Americans named and used for their relaxation; and the Marble Mountain – the mountain of the five elements of the Universe (water, wood, air, fire and earth).

After Hue arrival in the afternoon, check-in at hotel and lunch, visit the Imperial Citadel built by Nguyen Dynasty – the ruler of Vietnam between 1802 and 1945. Next, depart to the Hue Royal Fine Art Museum, which is housed within the former Dien Long An Royal Palace. Finish this day with a visit to Dong Ba Market to see the daily life of local people and play some interesting games. Overnight at hotel in Hue

Day 6: Hue Tour – Drive to Phong Nha (B, L)

In the morning, board the Dragon Boat on the romantic Perfume River to reach the charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) which is considered the symbol of Hue, and of Buddhism in Vietnam Enjoy a great view on the Perfume River and surrounding area. Next, visit King Khai Dinh’s Tomb and King Tu Duc’s Tomb. In the afternoon, drive to Phong Nha National Park which takes about 4 driving hours. Check-in hotel in Phong Nha. Overnight at hotel in Phong Nha.

Day 7: Bong Lai Valley – Phong Nha Cave by motorbike (B, L)

After breakfast, have a motorbike adventure trip in Phong Nha. Reach the Duck Farm in Bong Lai Valley where you can Feed the duck and ride a buffalo. After lunch in Moi Moi Restaurant, depart for Phong Nha Cave and prepare to ride the Dragon Boat. Upon arrival, explore 300 meters exiting the cave by foot to unlock the mysteries of this World Heritage Site. In the late afternoon, traveling back through Son River by boat. Overnight at the hotel in Phong Nha.

Day 8: Lake House – Paradise cave – Dark cave – Dong Hoi Airport – Fly To Hanoi (B, L)

After breakfast at hotel, you will be picked up from the hotel and proceed to visit Paradise Cave. Enjoy lunch at Dark Cave Restaurant. Later, get prepare with equipment and proceed with Zip – Lining across Chay River. Next, travel to Dark Cave where you can swim and enjoy mud bath.  Participate in water activities with simple obstacles in Chay River then. Visit the Lake House before return to the hotel and transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Hanoi. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 9: Hanoi – Ha Giang (B, L, D)

Today, leave Hanoi and journey north to Ha Giang. Along around 7 hours of transportation, you can enjoy some of the most breathtaking sceneries in Vietnam. On the way, stop at some small villages to get a closer look at the local life and take some awesome photos. After the long drive, take a short walk around Ha Giang to visit a Tay and Nung village, set in a picturesque valley near town. Overnight at hotel in Ha Giang.

Day 10: Ha Giang – Dong Van – Meo Vac (B, L, D)

After breakfast, depart for Dong Van – the largest karst plateau and the famous geopark of Vietnam. On the way, visit Lung Cu flagpole and the heaven gate Quan Ba. Continue to climb the chain of limestone peaks for a panoramic view of the villages and surrounding areas. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, spend several stops visiting Mong villages that have old mud houses, some built in a colonial style. Three times per month in the evening, all the houses around the market light colorful lanterns. Overnight at hotel in Meo Vac.

Approx: 3-hour driving/ 1.5 hours walking.

Day 11: Meo Vac – Ba Be Lake (B, L, D)

After breakfast, wander around the local market and interact with the local people. Then drive from Dong Van along the Nho Que River and go through Ma Pi Leng pass which is considered as the most beautiful pass in Vietnam. Return to Meo Vac and have a short rest before driving to Ba Be Lake. Tonight, enjoy dinner and traditional tube liquor in a homestay with a nice river view and overnight in Pac Ngoi village. Overnight at homestay in Ba Be.

Day 12: Ba Be Lake – Back to Hanoi by van (B, L)

This morning, take a boat trip on Ba Be Lake, the largest lake in Vietnam which has a water area around 500ha, spreading over 8km. Visit Puong Cave – one of the most beautiful caves in Ba Be national park, and then take the boat to Dau Dang waterfall. While waiting for the lunch served in Minority restaurant, take a short walk to visit Dau Dang waterfall. After lunch, take a boat back to Pac Ngoi village for few minutes of repose then transfer back to Hanoi (240 km), Arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 13: Hanoi Departure (B)

After breakfast, feel free until the driver arrives to take you to Noi Bai Airport for your departure flight. Tour ends. See you again in the next Vietnam tour packages.