Vietnam Southbound Adventurous Journey – 25 Days

Embark on a 25-day multi-activity adventure journey to explore the lesser-known sites of Vietnam. Commute like a local in Hoi An, discover hidden communities in Sapa, climb magnificent mountains at Halong Bay, and kayak through scenic limestone mountains. One of the highlights of this journey is a trek to discover the mysterious Cu Chi Tunnels, an intricate network of underground passages used by the Vietnamese during the war. Explore this fascinating site and learn about the history and ingenuity of the Vietnamese people.

General Information

Tour Route: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Mekong Delta – Hoi An – Hue – Hanoi – Ha Giang – Sapa – Halong Bay
Duration: 25 Days/ 24 Nights
Date: Departure date upon your request
Start/ End: Saigon/ Hanoi
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Accommodation: Listed below or equivalent

Brief Itinerary

South Vietnam Adventure
Day 1: Saigon Arrival
Day 2: Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 3: Saigon – Vinh Long – Can Tho
Day 4: Can Tho – Saigon
Central Vietnam Adventure
Day 5: Saigon – Fly to Danang – Hoi An
Day 6: Hoi An – My Son – Walking Tour
Day 7: Hoi An Farming & Fishing Tour
Day 8: Hoi An Free Day
Day 9: Hoi An – Danang – Train to Hue
Day 10: Hue City Tour
Day 11: Hue – Thuy Bieu Village (Optional)
Day 12: Hue – Fly to Hanoi
North Vietnam Adventure
Day 13: Hanoi City Tour
Day 14: Hanoi – Ha Giang
Day 15: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh
Day 16: Dong Van – Lung Cu – Ma Pi Leng – Meo Vac
Day 17: Meo Vac – Yen Minh – Lung Khuy Cave – Hanoi
Day 18: Hanoi – Night Train to Sapa
Day 19: Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van
Day 20: Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai – Su Pan – Sapa
Day 21: Sapa – Cat Cat – Limousine bus to Hanoi
Day 22: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Day 23: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Day 24: Hanoi – Free Day
Day 25: Hanoi Departure

South Vietnam Adventure

Day 1: Saigon Arrival

On arrival at the airport in Ho Chi Minh City, you will be welcomed by our guide and driver then transfer to hotel for check-in and repose. The rest of the day is your leisure to explore Saigon. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 2: Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels & City Tour (B, L)

In the morning, head to the Cu Chi tunnels – the legendary underground system of tunnels used by Vietcong soldiers in the Vietnam War. Before exploring the tunnels, see a short video about how these tunnels were constructed. Then follow your guide to unlock the mysteries of this well-known historical relics. You can also witness various mantraps, the remains of an American tank and various bomb craters dropped by B52 bombers of American troops. Later, transfer to Saigon for lunch.

After lunch, visit the Reunification Palace, the old Presidential Palace for the presidents of the puppet government in Southern Vietnam. After that, travel to the War Remnant Museum, where you can see countless artifacts, pictures, and stories documenting the gory Vietnam War. Next, stop at Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office to know more the most vibrant and modern city of Vietnam. In the late afternoon, visit the Ben Thanh market – the biggest traditional market in town where you can find yourself one of the most mouthwatering foods for your dinner. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 3: Saigon – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B, L)

In the morning, depart for 2 hours to Cai Be in the depth of Mekong Delta. On the way, visit the first chocolate factory in South Vietnam to know how to make chocolate and taste some. After that, begin the journey with an interesting boat trip heading to evergreen islands on Mekong River through a large network of meandering tributaries, crisscrossed with countless arroyos.

After lunch, cruise to Vinh Long to discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong Delta rural life. At the end of the afternoon, move to Can Tho for an overnight

Day 4: Can Tho – Saigon (B, L)

After breakfast at hotel, take a motorboat to visit Cai Rang – the most fascinating floating market where we can see all trading activities by boat on Mekong River. Next, pay a short bike ride along the village to see the local life, observing the beautiful scenery and daily activities of the locals then visiting local fruit gardens. Before head to Ho Chi Minh City, visit Vinh Trang Pagoda which is one of the iconic religious constructions in Southern Vietnam.

On arrival in Saigon, you can take a rest or continue the trip to Buu Long Pagoda voted by National Geographic as one of the most beautiful Buddhist pagodas in the world. Overnight in Saigon.

Central Vietnam Adventure

Day 5: Saigon – Fly to Da Nang – Hoi An (B, L)

Feel free until a car arrives to take you to the airport to board the flight to Da Nang. On arrival in this city, visit Cham Museum – the houses of the most wonderful Cham Artifacts in the world and the Marble Mountain – the mountain of five elements in the Universe (Water, Wood, Air, Fire, and Earth).

After that, leave for Hoi An and arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon. The rest of the day will be free for strolling around the town, lazing on the beach, or whatever takes our fancy. Overnight in Hoi An

Day 6: Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary – Hoi An Walking Tour (B, L)

You will be picked up at the hotel in the morning by local tour guide and driver then depart for the ancient ruins of My Son Holy Land and Tra Kieu capital – the former administration center of the Champa Kingdom. Discover the majestic ancient relics at My Son including ancient towers which were built in the 4^th century.

In the afternoon, return to Hoi An, enjoy lunch and walk to the downtown for a leisure excursion. Explore 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. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 7: Hoi An Farming Tour & Fishing Tour (B, L)

Wake up early this morning as heading off to the Farming & Fishing Life Eco Tour. At Tra Que Village, get an insight into the communities of local farming and join the farmers with preparing the land for sowing, fertilizing the garden, and watering it.

Afterward, cycle leisurely through the countryside where you can see the real local Vietnamese rural life. Next, board the Hoi An Eco-tour boat for a river cruise to meet local fishermen working their craft and experience traditional net fishing. Then transfer to a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat for an interesting race along a coconut palm-lined waterway. Lunch on board with the fresh vegetable from Tra Que village. The rest of the day is your leisure to discover Hoi An on your own style. Overnight in Hoi An

Day 8: Hoi An Free Day (B)

Free and easy on your own. You can relax on An Bang beach, taste some traditional street foods and drinks, interact with local people, and visit colorful lantern shops. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoi An – Da Nang – Train to Hue (B)

In the morning, transfer to Da Nang train station and take a train to Hue with the stunning view of Hai Van Pass. Upon arrival in Hue, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, reach the iconic Trang Tien Bridge then explore Dong Ba Market to find the famous Bun Bo Hue (Hue Beef Noodle Soup) and interact with friendly local people. Overnight in Hue.

Day 10: Hue City Tour (B, L)

In the morning, board the Dragon Boat on the romantic Perfume River heading out for the charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) which is considered the symbol of Hue, and of Buddhism in Vietnam. Next, discover the tombs of two emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh of the last dynasty in Vietnam in the 19^th century.

In the afternoon, step back to the history of Vietnam with a visit to the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled the country in the 19^th and 20^th centuries with stunning palaces and unique architectures. Then depart to the Hue Royal Fine Art Museum, which is housed within the old Dien Long An Royal Palace. Overnight in Hue.

Day 11: Hue Free & Easy (B)

Free and easy on your own. Overnight in Hue.

Option: Thuy Bieu Village with Cooking Class

In the morning, board the boat for a scenic cruise to Hue Ecolodge in Thuy Bieu Eco-village. Spend time strolling or biking around quiet village to visit a local garden, an old ancestral temple and communicate with the local. Then travel to some handicraft families including the incense making family, the joss paper making family and the paper painting family to discover the daily life of local people and see their work with joy and enthusiasm.

Next, join a special cooking class at Hue Ecolodge under the instruction of Eco-chief to make Hue traditional cakes. After that, it is time to taste the dishes that you have prepared then relax by steeping your feet in medicinal herb water – a traditional therapeutic practice and enjoy an excellent massage by blind people.

Day 12: Hue – Fly to Hanoi (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in. Later, visit Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda which is also recognized by National Geographic Magazine as one of the most stunning Buddhist constructions. Enjoy the sunset on West Lake before returning to the hotel for overnight.

North Vietnam Adventure

Day 13: Hanoi City Tour with Hidden Train Street (B, L)

Today, venture out to explore Hanoi with the first stop at the Ho Chi Minh complex of Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt-house, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar Pagoda. Next, move to the Temple of Literature, which was originally built as the first national university and a temple to Confucius. After lunch, visit the Museum of Ethnology, which has an extensive display dedicated to the tradition and cultures of Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples or the infamous Hoa Lo Prison Museum known as the ‘’Hanoi Hilton’’ in the Vietnam War.

Next, pass by the hidden Tran Phu train street where you can enjoy a cup of coffee on the iron tracks and feel the steady lifestyle of local people here which differs from the bustle streets outside. In the late afternoon, enjoy 1-hour cyclo tour around the French-inspired Hanoi Old Quarter. You will be free for shopping in the old quarter ranging from designer boutique stores to amazing contemporary art galleries. Then sit down to enjoy a traditional performance of the famous Water Puppets.

Day 14: Hanoi – Ha Giang (B, L, D)

In the morning, your guide and the vehicle will pick you up at your hotel for the travel to Ha Giang in northern Vietnam. Upon arrival in Ha Giang, transfer to the hotel for check-in and lunch. Later, you will be taken to the nearby hill tribe village to visit the Tay village where you can watch buffalo, cows and the peaceful life of the locals. Enjoy dinner and overnight in Ha Giang.

Day 15: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh (B, L, D)

After breakfast, drive uphill to Quan Ba – the Heaven gate in Tam Son, hiking around Quan Ba, visit the Twins Hill and have lunch. Keep going to uphill to see the Chinese style construction in Vuong King’s Palace who led about 70,000 of the H’Mong ethnic people in this area. In the afternoon, arrive in Dong Van to explore the UNESCO Dong Van Karst Plateau and visit a village of local people. Overnight in Ha Giang

Day 16: Dong Van – Lung Cu Flagpole – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Meo Vac (B, L, D)

After breakfast, take about 2 hours driving to get to Lung Cu Flagpole, then visit Ma Pi Leng pass which is the most beautiful view in Vietnam from mountains. Between the cliffs, you can see a unique river – Nho Que and take a boat trip. In the late afternoon, you can walk around to see the market in Meo Vac Town. Overnight in guesthouse in Meo Vac.

Day 17: Meo Vac – Yen Minh – Lung Khuy Cave – Hanoi (B, L)

In the morning, travel to Lung Khuy cave with thousands of stalagmites and stalactites. Along the way, you can behold the astonishing rice terraces with hark-working farmers. After lunch, back to Ha Giang city center to refresh and be ready for departure to Hanoi. Get on the limousine bus and get back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 18: Hanoi – Sapa by Night Train (B)

Today, you have time to relax after the Ha Giang trip. In the evening, travel to Hanoi Train Station to catch the night train to Sapa, Lao Cai. Overnight on train.

Day 19: Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van (B, L, D)

Today, travel 6km of trekking down to the southeast of Sapa along the Muong Hoa valley to Y Linh Ho village of the Black H’mong people. Continue on 2km of trekking down to Lao Chai village of the H’mong. Lunch at a local family, and then walk through terraced rice fields to Ta Van village of the Dzay minority people where we stay for the night. It is worth your while to visit the local house architecture which is full of their daily lifestyles and exclusive tradition. Overnight in a local homestay.

Day 20: Sapa – Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai – Su Pan (B, L, D)

After breakfast, continue on 14 km of trekking to visit 2 villages of the red Dzao and the H’mong at Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai Village to see rustic stilt houses, and rice terraces. Visit a beautiful waterfall and Rattan Bridge then reach the main road to catch the Car to return to Sapa town. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 21: Sapa – Cat Cat Village (B, L)

This morning, spend a walk down to the Southwest of Sapa (around 4 km) to explore Cat Cat village of the Black H’mong. Relax at the foot of a stunning waterfall and a vestige of a hydroelectric power station which was constructed by the French during the Vietnamese colonial time. Enjoy picnic lunch by the side of the river, and then next 6 km to Sin Chai, the village located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain, “the roof of Vietnam and Indochina”. From here, you can enjoy the huge stunning landscapes before taking a car to return to Sapa. Then we will get the limousine bus back to Hanoi to arrive at around 9.00 PM.

Option: Fansipan by Cable Car

After breakfast at the hotel, take 4-minute Mountain Train through valleys, viaducts, and tunnels offering beautiful views of surrounding villages as well as nature. Reaching the Cable Car station, get off the train and enjoy another 20 minutes cable car ride up to the top.

After a 20-minute ride, start challenging yourself with 636 high steps up to Fansipan Summit – which is considered ‘The Roof of Indochina’ with 3,143-meter height. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of Hoang Lien Mountain and lush forest, walk down to the cable car station and ride back. Take the Mountain Train back to town

Day 22: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D)

In the morning, departure to Halong Bay for about 3.5 hours. On arrival in Tuan Chau harbor, get on the Cruise ship and enjoy a welcome drink with a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Check-in your cabin. Next, enjoy Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian lunch on cruising in the magnificent Halong Bay and admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.

Later, visit Pearl Farm Village to learn how to make the gorgeous pearls then feel free to swim and kayak in the airy and fresh air, cool breezes, blue sea and sky, and natural seascape. Return to the cruise ship, relax and enjoy sunset party with fruits and juices. After dinner, join in evening entertainment such as playing games on the cruise, body massage, and squid fishing. Overnight on Cruise.

Day 23: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L)

Wake up early morning to behold the sunrise and participate in Tai Chi lessons on sundeck. Then enjoy the gorgeous dawn of the bay’s landscape with a cup of warm tea.

After breakfast, arrive in Sung Sot Cave (Amazing Cave) and unlock the mysteries of this wonderful cave. Next, check out from your private cabin and join in a cooking class guided directly by Chef of the cruise ship. You have a chance to practice Vietnamese traditional dishes and unique dipping sauces. Enjoy lunch on the cruise while the cruise is landing at Halong Bay harbor. Farewell, the ship’s cruise then returns to Hanoi by shuttle bus. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 24: Hanoi – Free Day (B, L)

Today is your leisure to explore the 1000-year-old capital on your own style.

Day 25: Hanoi Departure (B)

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