12 Days Essential Vietnam from North to South tour
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Overview
In just 12 days, immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of Vietnam, traversing from North to South. Begin with the ancient allure of Hanoi, where you'll explore temples, museums, and other iconic landmarks. Experience the enchantment of an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay, listed among the Seven Wonders of the World. Discover the captivating landscapes and vibrant ethnic villages of Sapa. Wander through the tranquil streets of the ancient town of Hoi An, adorned with timeless beauty. Conclude your journey in the vibrant city of Saigon, where you'll delve into the bustling energy of the Mekong Delta and explore the historic Cu Chi Tunnels.
Highlights:
- Discover the full of culture and history of the Old Quarter
- Spend a night on a cruise in Halong Bay
- Chill yourself in a fresh atmosphere and stunning landscape in the mountainous area named Sapa.
- Do a trek to one of the most impressive ethnic villages in Sapa- Ta Phin Village.
- Have the local overnight trains Sapa- Hanoi, Hanoi- Da Nang.
- Visit a series of impressive tower temples located in a dramatic site of My Son Holy Land
- Explore the most dizzying city- Ho Chi Minh: a high-octane city of commerce and culture
- Immerse yourself in the beautiful waterscape of the Mekong Delta
Included/Excluded
- Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room.
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
- Night train ticket from Sapa- Hanoi and Hanoi to Da Nang
- Flight ticket from Da Nang- Ho Chi Minh with 20kg check-in and 7kg carried.
- English-speaking guide and transfer on tour.
- Airport transfer
- Entrance fees for mentioned visits.
- Service charges and government VAT tax.
- Visa stamp fee.
- Other meals than mentioned in the itinerary.
- International flight into and out of Vietnam.
- Laundry, telephone calls
- Expenditure of personal expenses.
- Gratuities for tour guides/drivers.
- Travel insurance.
Tour Plan
Day 1: Hanoi arrival- Airport transfer- Check in hotel in the center (No meal)
You will be welcomed by a warm driver at Noi Bai International Airport and transferred to hotel in Old Quarter. The rest of the day is free on your own and relax at the hotel.
Please note:
– Check in time is 14.00
– Can be arranged early check in with additional cost.
Meals: No
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi- Ha Long Bay - Overnight in cruise (B, L, D)
07.45 – 08.30: You will be picked up from your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quarter. Then we will head to Ha Long Bay. You may enjoy the landscape of the Red River Delta along the way
11.30: Upon arriving in our lobby in Tuan Chau Marina, you may take a short stretch while our staff arranges all registration with the local government.
12.00 – 12.30: The cruise captain and staff will welcome you onboard after a short tender transfer. While enjoying a refreshing welcome drink, a short cruise briefing and safety instructions will be given.
12.30 – 13.00: The voyages to Ha Long Bay – one of the New Seven Nature Wonders of the World. Lunch is served on board while the cruise passes via amazing limestone karst formations that rise up out of the sea in an impressive manner.
14.00 – 14.30: You will leave the cruise to explore Sung Sot Cave (also known as Surprise/ Amazing Cave), one of the biggest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay.
15.00: Returning to cruise, the trip will continue to Ti Top Island. Here, you can watch the magnificent view over either the Gulf of Tonkin or swim in the emerald green and cool water.
17.00: After a long day, this is the ideal time to enjoy energizing drinks and snacks by joining ‘Happy Hour’ or Cooking Class on the sundeck
19.30: Sumptuous Dinner is served. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff.
20.30: After dinner, various activities including karaoke, and squid fishing are organized. Or you can just laze around with exhilarating drinks from our bar. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure.
Distance Hanoi – Ha Long: 180 kilometers (~3 hours)
Note: Itinerary/ activities may be changed due to the weather or other reasons.
Please note: It is an overnight cruise, please check out of your hotel room, you can leave your big luggage at the hotel lobby or bring all with you. Please also prepare some Vietnam Dong cash in case you need to use at the stop over.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on board
Day 3: Ha Long Bay- Hanoi- Train to Sapa - Overnight on train (B, L)
06.15 – 07.00: Breakfast is served. It can be a great idea to enjoy the meal with the magnificent view of the sunrise in Ha Long Bay.
8.00 -9.30: The cruise gets closer to the center of the Natural Preservation Area. Join our guide on a short trip to Luon Cave. This magic work of nature shows you the formation of karst mountains. You can discover this time masterpiece by kayaking on your own. If you are lucky, you can catch great photos with mischievous monkeys jigging up and down around the cliffs.
9.30: Crew welcomes you back on board and it is time for checking out.
10.00: Whilst cruising back, delightful lunch will be served.
11.35: We return to the quayside in the south of the bay, where our visitors disembark in Tuan Chau Marina. And leave for Ha Noi on our shuttle.
15.30 – 16.00: You will get back to your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quarter
* Because of cruising conditions, the program may be changed slightly due to specific weather or tide conditions without a prior notice to visitors. Wi-Fi is available although internet connectivity is limited due to the geography of the bay.
Leisure till the train departs, we will arrange car to drop you off at the train station. Take the night train to Sapa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight on train
Day 4: Sapa arrival - Cat Cat Village Trekking (B, L)
Upon arrival we will arrange car to pick you up from train station in Lao Cai, drop off at the hotel in Sapa which is about 45 km away.
Having Breakfast at the hotel and get ready for the trekking to Cat Cat Village. A walk down to the South–west of Sapa (around 4km) to visit Cat Cat village of the Black H’mong. Relax at the food of the stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam. Enjoy picnic lunch by the side of the river.
Return to Sapa by car.
• Trekking level: 4/10
• 7km trekking, 3km driving from Cat Cat back to Sapa.
Transfer to Sapa then spend the rest of that day on your own.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
Day 5: Ta Phin Village trekking- Bus back Hanoi (B)
Having breakfast at the hotel then you will do trekking to Ta Phin Village.
We begin the day with a 3km trek through breathtaking landscape to the village of Suoi Ho, home to Hmong minority. From here you can enjoy views over endless rice terraces, and you will have the opportunity to see some of the animals used by the locals. Continuing on to Matra village you will come across the impressive ruins of a church dating back to the French occupation in the early 1900s. Take a minute to explore this intriguing sight and take some photos. Trekking to the village of Ta Phin you will be able to meet both Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities. The Red Dao are known for their expertise in herbal medicine as well as usage of plants from the land to treat many illnesses. Your guide will be able to introduce you to some Red Dao women who can tell you more about their many remedies. A Red Dao herbal medicine bath can be arranged for you to experience, so please ask. Transport will be provided from Ta Phin back to Sapa.
Taking bus back to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi around 21:00pm
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight in Hanoi
Day 6: City tour on Jeep car in the afternoon - Night Train to Da Nang - Overnight on train (B)
Having Free time till 12:30pm. Check out and be ready for the tour.
You will join our City tour on a Jeep car
Part 1: Explore the parts–unknown of Hanoi
- Riding through the maze of zigzagging backstreet and narrow alleyways & markets
- Diving into the rivers of motorbikes and Hanoi street symphony.
- Travelling with all your senses heightened: Watching, Hearing, Touching, Tasting, Smelling…
- Experiencing the GOOD, the BAD and the WEIRD of the city as it is what it is.
- Experiencing different slides of life behind the scene, the hidden part of the iceberg, the parts unknown.
- Meeting people where they live, work, learn and pray.
- Building personal connections and culture exchanges.
Part 2: Hanoi Classical Romance & City’s highlights
- Riding through the chronology of time in Hanoi from the thousand years old parts to the modern parts of the city.
- Cruising around the enchanting French Colonial Quarter, vibrant Hanoi Old Quater.
- Passing by the must–see highlights of Hanoi such as Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, Presidential palace, Ba Dinh square, Temple of literature, Tran Quoc temple, West Lake, Truc Bach lake, Hoan Kiem lake, Opera House, Saint Joseph cathedral and train tracks.
- Crossing and watching the sunset on the historical and legendary Long Bien bridge.
Parts 3: Hanoi Food Culture Experiences
- Savoring 7 authentic Vietnamese dishes and Hanoi delicacies.
- Unique egg coffee, local moonshine, green tea, local beer…
- All food and drinks are healthy, organic and authentic.
After ending the tour, be ready at the lobby around 19:00 pm for the night train to Da Nang from Hanoi.
The train is about 14 hours journey and it is Vietnamese Government Train which has local/ tourist. 4 berths share 1 cabin, shared toilet.
Please note: You should have Dinner period or take away Dinner, bring some snacks/ waters/ fruits on train with you.
Personally, I think the most uncomfortable part of the train journey is its shared toilet. You should prepare for it.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight on train
Day 7: Da Nang arrival- Train station pick up- Check in hotel in Hoi An (No meal)
The train is scheduled to arrive around 1:00 PM. We will be there to pick you up and transfer you to Hoi An Ancient Town. Upon arrival, you will check into a hotel in the ancient town and have time to relax.
Meals: No
Accommodation: Overnight in Hoi An
Day 8: Amazing Sunset My Son Hollyland (B)
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Our guide pick you up at your hotel and depart to My Son Sanctuary  - The World
Cultural Heritage.
3:00 pm: Arrive at My Son and we'll have 2 hours to discover the site by walking throughout the
landscape, learning histories with our local English speaking guide, enjoying the Champa's traditional
performances.
5:15 pm: Get back to mini van then transfer to the wharf for taking a boat trip  to Hoi An with nice and
cool breeze on boarding, beautiful sunset river scenery on the biggest river in the Central of vietnam
named as Thu Bon River. Get your camera ready for the amazing moment of local people activies along
the river
6pm :  arrive at Hoi An, we will drop you at your hotel. Tour ends!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Hoi An
Day 9: Airport transfer- Fly to Ho Chi Minh city- Check in hotel (B)
Enjoy breakfast at hotel. You will have some free time until our driver transport to the airport to take flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh and check in hotel. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure, discovering the most active city in Vietnam.
Note: Check in time is 14:00pm, early check in is subjected to availability and with additional cost.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
Day 10: Mekong Delta full day tour (B, L)
7:30 – 8:00am – Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and start your trip to depart for My Tho, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda which sated back to the late 19th century. Then boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.
Stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking around country lane and seeing orchards, enjoy tropical fruits, folk song music which performed by the local people. Visit the fruit plantation.
Riding a hand–rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and treat yourself in the beauty of the countryside, visit the family business, visit honey–bee farm, enjoy honey tea and coconut candy workshop.
Have lunch at local restaurant. Break time.
In the afternoon, time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong delta. Hammock relaxing and enjoy cool breeze for those can’t join the cycling trip.
Return to hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Distance from Ho Chi Minh to My Tho is about: 67–68 km/ Duration: ~2 hours. My Tho – Tan Trach: 9–10km/ Duration: ~30 minutes
Kindly note: You should wear comfortable clothes, shoes. Bring poncho if it rains.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
Day 11: Free and easy (B)
Today, you'll have the entire day to yourself, free to explore at your leisure.
Additionally, travelers have the option to participate in an optional tour at an additional cost, such as the Cu Chi Tunnels excursion.
07:30-7.50am Our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and then start driving to Cu Chi which is located 60km from HCM city, Cu Chi is now considered a heroic district for its role in the anti-American war in Vietnam. It is legendary for its original tunnel system of over 220km and is a popular spot for both Vietnamese and foreign visitors. The peacefully rural rice paddy scenery contains ducks and water buffalos swimming in the rivers alongside the road. Visitors will find it hard to imagine the destructions, damage, and defoliation all over the area, caused by bombing and mines when Cu Chi was" A Free Target Zone ". The remnants visitors will see show Cu Chi still has her evidence to prove the fierce battleground that took place there and visitors will see the remnants. 13:00 Back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
Day 12: Airport transfer- Ho Chi Minh departure- Trip ends (B)
Today, you will take the flight back home as per your schedule. Please provide us with your departure time from Tan Son Nhat International Airport, we will arrange a car to the airport for you.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: No
5 Comments
5
Lovely time spent touring Vietnam from Hanoi to Saigon. Very well organised. I would recommend to travel with them.
5
Amazing and beautiful nature
Taking the boat through the waterways and enjoy the scenery. Friendly guid and well planned trip.
5
Emily helped us with tours, including site-seeing, cooking classes, and cultural experiences as well as arranging drivers for airport transfers and flights within Vietnam. Everything was seamless, the tours were interesting, informative and very FUN! We recommend S Vietnam Adventures to everyone!
5
We got the most amazing service from Emily. The shuttles and guides aware always on time and Emily was always available
5
Anna is an excellent organizer and very responsive to all our queries and requests for changes . She took care of all the small details also. All arrangements like vehicle, tour guides /drivers, vegetarian food, accommodation handled very professionally.