Mesmerizing Vietnam – 22 Days

Feel an absolute Vietnam through the specially designed 3-week itinerary of all heritage sites, iconic destinations, pristine nature, and friendly people that define the S-shape country. Journey from Hanoi, the cultural heart of Vietnam to the majestic nature of Sapa, Ninh Binh, and Halong Bay. Get a vivid historical lesson at Hue and Hoi An before relaxing at dreaming Nha Trang and romantic Dalat. Enjoy the unforgettable experiences at vibrant Ho Chi Minh City on Vespa and rustic Mekong Delta on a sampan. Another place brings another taste of local specialties as well as astounding activities.

General Information

Tour Route: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay – Sapa – Hanoi – Hue – Hoi An – Nha Trang – Dalat – Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta
Duration: 22 Days/ 21 Nights
Date: No fixed dates
Start/ End: Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh City
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Accommodation: Listed below or equivalent

Brief Itinerary

Northern Vietnam 8-day Itinerary 
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Hanoi Food & City Tour
Day 3: Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Hang Mua
Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay
Day 5: Lan Ha Bay
Day 6: Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba – Hanoi – Night Train to Sapa
Day 7: Sapa Villages Trekking Tour – Lao Chai Homestay
Day 8: Homestay – Mount Fansipan by Cable Car – Hanoi
Central Vietnam 9-day Itinerary
Day 9: Hanoi – Fly to Hue – City Tour
Day 10: Hue’s Riverboat & Royal Tombs – Hoi An
Day 11: Hoi An – Eco-Farming & Fishing Group Tour – Walking Tour
Day 12: Hoi An Leisure Day
Day 13: Hoi An – Fly to Nha Trang
Day 14: Nha Trang Beaches & Special Islands Tour
Day 15: Nha Trang Leisure Day
Day 16: Nha Trang – Drive to Dalat
Day 17: Dalat City Tour
Southern Vietnam 5-day Itinerary
Day 18: Dalat – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 19:Ho Chi Minh City Tour & Vespa Tour
Day 20:Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta
Day 21:Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh City
Day 22:Ho Chi Minh City Departure

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival – Welcome Dinner (D)

Welcome up on arrival by local tour guide and driver then we transfer to hotel. After check-in hotel, we will start walking around the Old Quarter along different streets, try to taste many kinds of local food such as beef/chicken noodle soup, oil-fried pastry, tofu, rice pancake, pillow cake, sweet soup, stuff pancake with pork, draught beer… and one of our best surprised is a stop at Dong Xuan whole sales market where we know many kinds of ingredients being sold.

Day 2: Hanoi Food & City Tour (B, L, D)

Today we will venture out to explore Hanoi. First up we will drive to the Ho Chi Minh complex where we will spend time at Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (Outside), his former stilt-house, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar Pagoda. Followings we visit the Temple of Literature, which originally built as a temple to Confucius. After lunch, we visit the Museum of Ethnology, which is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples and the infamous Hoa Lo Prison Museum. Hoa Lo is also known as the ‘’Hanoi Hilton’’ and was where former US presidential candidate John McCain was incarcerated for over 5 years.

Later this afternoon, we enjoy 1-hour cyclo tour of the French inspired “old quarter”. We will be free for shopping in the old quarter ranges from markets through to designer boutique stores to amazing contemporary art galleries.

Remarks:

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is not opened on every Monday & Friday.
• Museum of Ethnology is closed on every Monday.
• The Museum can be moved to your favourite museum in Hanoi.

You might like to consider the following alternatives for your day in Hanoi:

• Vietnamese Women’s Museum – one of the most interesting museums in Hanoi and voted among ’10 Must-see sites in Hanoi’ by the Tripadvisor. The museum has three main galleries and three main themes: Women in Family, Women in History and Women’s Fashion. With more than 1000 materials, photos and objects displayed in the museum show the role the Vietnamese women in History and Family life.
• The History, Fine Arts and Army Museum – large, but many interesting exhibits
• The Hanoi Citadel – in the process of being released by the Army: two buildings now accessible
• The Dong Xuan, Hang Be or Hom markets – large, crowded, but very Vietnamese
• Joseph’s Cathedral – European neo-Gothic (plenty of up-market shops and restaurants nearby)

Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Hang Mua (B, L, D)

Pick up at your hotel at 8 AM, we will drive Southward of Hanoi to Ninh Binh province. On arrival, we will visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital dated back from 10^th and 11^th centuries. The area is one of rice fields broken by picturesque limestone mountains. It features several dozen monuments, including King Dinh and King Le Temple & Tombs….We then stop at a local restaurant for lunch.

After lunch, we take sampan along the Ngo Dong River to visit three caves Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba (Tam Coc) in the Ngo Dong River and Hang Mua. Dancing Cave is where you can get the impressive panoramic view of Tam Coc and NinhBinh city when you reach the top point of Ngoa Long mountain (about 500 stone steps). Our pleasant boat rowing starts from the embroidery village of Van Lam then proceed through a scenic landscape dominated by rice fields and karst limestone to three natural caves, of which, the largest is 125m long with its ceiling about 2m high above the water. The boats are typically rowed by one or two local women who also sell embroidered goods. In the afternoon, we will be driven back to Hanoi for overnight accommodation.

Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay (B, L, D)

Pick-up at hotel after breakfast, we drive to Halong Bay. On arrival, we embark on Sena Cruise followed by a fabulous lunch is served while Sena Cruises starts her sail into magnificent Ha Long Bay – an extension of Ha Long Wonder which is much quieter and has fewer tourists. She will pass famous Finger Islet, Candle Islet and thousands of uniquely shaped limestone towers and islands.

In the afternoon, we reaches Bright and Dark Cave areas which lie on the border of Halong bay, Bai Tu Long bay and Lan Ha bay. It is time to discover Lan Ha Bay yourselves with your travel buddy sharing kayak. While kayaking, you will have a brief look at the geology of the karts mountains that form a beautiful surrounding. Then, we return back to Sena Cruises and enjoy our afternoon tea ceremony and “Happy Hour Deal” in all bars on cruise. On board, we will show you how to serve Vietnamese Lotus Tea in the right but simply way in order to preserve all its sweetness and lingering taste, but just simpler yet still fastidious to make. when you taste this noble tea, you will know that it is worth the price. A cup of high-grade green tea combined with lotus’s luscious fragrance gives us a crisp, sweet, vanilla hinted flavor with the scent of Lotus flower lingering in the mouth.

Before dinner, our experienced captain will choose the most tranquil area to anchor for overnight. After the incredible dinner, take your leisure time to chat at the bar, watch the movie in the restaurant, enjoy Spa treatment. In the late of day, reward yourself with a large selection of cocktails at panoramic bar or take one of our onboard activities: squid fishing, karaoke.

Overnight on board
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Lan Ha Bay (B, L, D)

Start our day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt and have breakfast on board and enjoy the peaceful morning of Lan Ha Bay. We then transfer to the day boat and continue towards Lan Ha Bay on the hidden route for different amazing sightseeing, pass by Ba Trai Dao (Three-peach Beach), Hon Dua (the Stick Islet), Buddhist Statue Stone… On each 2-seat kayak, our tour guide will lead you to paddle under a tunnel grotto to a stunning lagoon (depending on the tide sometimes). Here you can dip into the emerald waters. Swimming and snorkeling to see corals or you can also reach some secluded beaches for a while relaxing lying on sand…

After having lunch on board, our transferring boat will take you to  Cai Beo fishing village, the largest floating village in the Gulf of Tonkin, and relish the beauty of Lan Ha Bay. The floating village has become a safe shelter for fishing boats when storms happen. (There are appropriately 300 households living in floating villages of Lan Ha Bay). By seeing the village, you will have the chance to explore the exciting life on floating village of the sea. Then, we return back to cruise and relac on sundeck with a cocktail before dinner is served. You may take the rest of the night with drinks on sundeck or try your luck with catching squids.

Overnight on board
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba – Hanoi – Night Train to Sapa (B, L)

Being an early bird for photo hunt and join our Tai-chi session on the sundeck to refresh your body and mind. Sena Cruises continues her sail to Cat Ba Island, passing amazing karst towers. Tea, coffee and light breakfast is served with fresh air and peaceful surroundings. We then visit Trung Trang Cave and iconic and historic cave in Cat Ba island.

(Optional depend on the weather and tide, at 07:15 our crew will take you to Viet Hai, a small village located in the midst of the jungles, covered by the high mountain range of Cat Ba National Park. Spending around 30 minutes for biking along, you will feel the peaceful atmosphere and charming scenery of a typical village in the North of Vietnam.)

Returning back to cruise, we then spend time eating brunch while Sena Cruise slowly navigates emerald water and thousands of karst mountains towards the harbour for a transfer back to Hanoi. We will take a shower and relax in hotel near train station for the night train to Lao Cai. Our tour guide will arrive at 9pm and lead you to Hanoi Train Station for night train to Sapa.

Overnight on train
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch

Day 7: Sapa Villages Trekking Tour – Lao Chai Homestay (B, L, D)

After arrival, our guide will pick you up at Lao Cai Station and we will transfer to Sapa in around 1-hour. When you arrive Sapa, we will eat breakfast in here before starting our trip. Met up at your hotel in Sapa by local guide and driver for a short transfer to Cat Cat village. After a couple of minutes, you follow steps going downhill to Cat Cat village. You will stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station for a while before continuing the 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 toward 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. We then stay in Ta Van and stay in homestay of minorities in here.

Overnight in Sapa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Homestay – Mount Fansipan by Cable Car – Hanoi (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we take a short drive to Fansipan Legend where we start the cable car ride to Fansipan Summit – the ‘Roof of Indochina’ with 3,143-meter height. Normally, it takes at least two or three days to reach the Peak of Fansipan Mountain on foot. However, with the newly three-rope cable car system we can see the peak and spectacular surrounding from the peak within half a day. The cable car ride will take around 20 minutes then we challenge ourselves with the rest 636 high steps to reach to the top. After visiting the Fansipan Peak, we will be back to the town centre and have lunch. Around 3pm, we return back to Hanoi by bus and reach Hanoi at 9pm. Spend the rest of night in Hanoi ( No Guide)

Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Hanoi – Fly to Hue – City Tour (B)

This morning, we will have a short flight to Hue (No Guide). On your arrival in Hue, we move to hotel to put the luggage in here before visiting the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945, after exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument. We will then depart to the Hue Royal Fine Art Museum, which is housed within the former Dien Long An Royal Palace. Then, we spend time in An Dinh Palace before having a lunch in garden house. After lunch, we will finish our day with the local Dong Ba Market to see the daily life of local people. Return back to hotel and spend the rest of night in here.

These are the famous Hue Street Food that you should know and sample in Hue city:

• Banh Uot – Grilled Pork Wrapped with Hue Wet Rice Paper
• Coffee Viet – black or with condensed milk
• Che – Sweet Soup
• Bun Bo Hue – Hue Beef Vermicelli Soup
• Banh Khoai – Hue Fried Pancake
• Cha Hue– Hue Sausage
• Banh Loc – Filtered Tapioca Dumplings
• Banh Ram It – Fried dumpling topped with Sticky Rice Dumpling
• Nem Lui – Grilled Ground Pork on Stick.
• Me Xung – Sesame candy
• Bun Thit Nuong – Grilled Pork Vermicelli
• Banh Beo – Steamed Rice Discs Topped with Shrimp

Overnight in Hue
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10: Hue’s Riverboat & Royal Tombs – Hoi An (B, L, D)

Pick up at hotel at 8:30 AM, we will board the Dragon Boat on the romantic Perfume River heading out for the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to the most beautiful tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. We will enjoy a great view on the Perfume River and surrounding area. Thien Mu Pagoda is considered the symbol of Hue, and of Buddhism in Vietnam. From here, we rejoin our van and go visit King Khai Dinh’s Tomb

After the tour, 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 arrival in Danang, we will have a brief visit at Cham Museum – the houses of the most complete collection if Cham Artifacts anywhere in the world; China Beach – where the American named and used to have their Rest and Relaxation; and the Marble Mountain – the five elements of the Universe (water, wood, air, fire and earth). We will arrive in Hoi An in the late afternoon. Spend the rest of day to relax.

Overnight in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11: Hoi An – Eco-Farming & Fishing Group Tour – Walking Tour (B, L, D)

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 first hand. 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 and start our walking tour around the ancient town to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, the temples and pagodas of Chinese appearance. The rest of day will be for you to enjoy this town on your own.

Overnight in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12: Hoi An Leisure Day (B)

The day will be free for shopping, strolling in the town, lazing on the beach, or whatever takes your fancy. We’ll spend the night in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Hoi An – Fly to Nha Trang (B, L, D)

This morning we transfer back to Danang airport for a short flight to Nha Trang (No Guide). 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 (No Guide)

Overnight in Nha Trang
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Nha Trang Beaches & Special Islands Tour (B, L, D)

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 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.

Overnight in Nha Trang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15: Nha Trang Leisure Day (B)

Today is free for you to enjoy this city on your own.

Day 16: Nha Trang – Drive to Dalat (B)

Today, our driver will pick you up from hotel in Nha Trang and drive you to Dalat. On the way, you will see the amazing view to change from sea to mountain. The rest day will be spend for relaxing.

Overnight in Dalat
Meals: Breakfast

Day 17: Dalat City Tour (B, L, D)

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.

Overnight in Dalat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 18: Dalat – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L, D)

From Dalat, we have a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (No Guide). 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 to leave luggage. After that, we head to the Cu Chi tunnels, otherwise known as the “Iron Triangle” or “Iron Land”. Before entering the tunnels, we will see a short introductory video showing how they were constructed, followed by an exploration of the maze of tunnels, some of which have been widened to allow tourist access. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500lb bombs dropped by B52 bombers. After that we transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City for dinner.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City Tour & Vespa Tour (B, L, D)

Today, we visit all the highlights in Ho Chi Minh city such as the Reunification Palace, a palace of old President in South of Vietnam during the American war; the War Remnants Museum where is   poignant display of the futility of war; Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office, the two sites that we can’t ignore when we visit the city.

After lunch, we travel to the district 5 to visit Cho Lon (China town) and Thien Hau Temple to understand more about our faith. We then head back to the center to do shopping at famous Ben Thanh market, this bustling and well-organized market is very popular with tourists, primarily due to its central location. It has a wide selection of goods ranging from fake Nike shoes to beautiful silk Ao Dai. Our free evening activities should be: walking around at the night market in Ben Thanh market area; explore the highest building in Saigon, Bitexco…. We then return back to hotel. At 6pm, tour guide of Vespa pick you up at hotel 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 hotels, say goodbye with Vespa drivers, tour guide, and enjoy a peaceful night.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in Vespa Tour

Day 20: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta (B, L, D)

We are pick-up at hotel then travel to Vinh Long Town where we have a stop at the local market. Here we can experience as well as have nice photos of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, nakes, rice field rats, tropical fruits, vegetables…. After that, we take 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; enjoy some kinds of fruits and tea when listening to the traditional music at a local home.

The rowing boat continues on taking us deeper into the countryside on smaller canals so we can enjoy the 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 contacts with them and see how they catch fish or pick up fruits by ancestral ways in Mekong Delta… One more thing to do in 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 Vinhlong city where we take our own vehicle to Can Tho City, the heart of Mekong Delta. You will spend the night in Can Tho City.

Overnight in Can Tho
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 21: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)

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. Before return back to Ho Chi Minh City, we will 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.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 22: 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! See you on the next Vietnam vacation!