Experience the Essence of Vietnam in 16 Days Trip
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Overview
Embark on our 16 Days Essence of Vietnam tour, a comprehensive exploration revealing the hidden treasures of this captivating destination. From the iconic Ha Long Bay to the stunning landscapes of Sapa, the ancient charm of Hoi An, and the historical richness of Hue, culminating in the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City. Explore the countryside of the Mekong Delta and the historic Cu Chi Tunnels for an unforgettable journey through Vietnam's highlights.
Highlights:
- Experience an overnight cruise on the breathtaking Halong Bay.
- Immerse yourself in the untouched landscapes of Sapa, trekking to Cat Cat village.
- Marvel at the spectacular scenery of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.
- Explore the historic monuments of Hoi An town.
- Discover the ancient architectural marvels of My Son Holy Land.
- Visit significant historical sites in Hanoi, Hue, and Saigon.
- Witness the richness of the Mekong Delta and gain insight into Vietnam's history at the Cu Chi tunnels.
Included/Excluded
- Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room.
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
- Flight ticket from Hanoi- Da Nang and Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh with 20kg check in luggage and 7kg hand carry
- Flight ticket from Hue- Ho Chi Minh with 20kg check-in and 7kg carried.
- English-speaking guide and transfer on tour.
- Airport transfer in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh city
- 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 on 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on board
Day 3: Ha Long Bay- Hanoi- Recheck in hotel (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
*Due to cruising conditions, slight program modifications may occur due to specific weather or tide conditions without prior notice to guests. While Wi-Fi is available, please note that internet connectivity may be limited due to the geographic characteristics of the bay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight in Hanoi
Day 4: Hanoi- Bus to Sapa- Trekking to Cat Cat Village (B, L)
Having breakfast at the hotel, check out and you can leave your big bags at the hotel lobby. Pick up time for the sleeping bus is 6:30am.
Leave Hanoi for around a 6-hour scenic drive to Sapa, home to the ethnic minority people and famous for its breathtaking views of cloud–woven mountaintops and gaping valleys.
Hanoi – Sapa: 315km/duration: 6 hours. Upon arrival, you will leave your luggage at the hotel and then do trekking to the 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: Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van Village Trekking (B, L)
Have breakfast at the hotel and prepare a light pack for trekking
9.30: Trek from Sapa to Y Linh Ho then trek through the rice terraces and along Muong Hoa Stream to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai to see the spectacular landscape of Hoang Lien Son Mountain.
12.30: Picnic lunch at Lao Chai Village
13.30: Heading to Ta Van village - home of Dzay ethnic people.
14.30: Bus picks you up at Ta Van Bridge to Sapa.
Trekking distance is about 12 km and it lasts for 4.5 hours
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
Day 6: Sapa free and easy- Bus back to Hanoi (B)
Today, you'll have the entire morning to leisurely explore and discover the charming town of Sapa at your own pace. In the afternoon, you'll be escorted to the bus station for your return journey to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi at approximately 9:00 PM, you'll check back into the hotel for a comfortable evening stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 7: Airport transfer - Fly to Hue - 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 Hue. Arrive in Hue and check in hotel. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure, discovering the small 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 Hue
Day 8: Check out - Hue city tour - Drop off at hotel in Hoi An (B, L)
10:30 - 10:45AM: Get picked up from hotel to start the tour.
10:45am – You will visit the Khai Dinh tomb, the tomb had elements of Eastern art mixed with Western
designs.
12:00pm – Having nice lunch with Hue cuisine and rest at beautiful restaurant
13:00 – You will continue visiting Hue imperial city – the palace of 13 Nguyen Kings with Ngo Mon
Gate, Library, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns …
15:00 – Visiting Thien Mu pagoda associated with culture and history of Hue.
15:45 – Transferred to hotel in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 9: Sunset My Son Holly Land (B)
13:00 –13:30: Our guide picks you up at your hotel and departs to My Son Sanctuary – The World Cultural Heritage.
15:00: Arrive at My Son and we’ll have 2 hours to discover the site by walking through the landscape, exploring Champa cultures and the remaining structures with our local English– speaking guide, and enjoying the Champa’s traditional performances.
17:15: Get back to minivan then transfer to the wharf for taking a boat trip to Hoi An with a nice and cool breeze on boarding, beautiful sunset river scenery on the biggest river in Vietnam Central named Thu Bon River. Get your camera ready for the amazing moment of local people’s activities along the river
18:30: Arrive at Hoi An and we will drop you at your hotel. Tour ends!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 10: Free and easy (B)
Today, you will have a full day free and easy in Hoi An to discover the ancient town on your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 11: 12:00 check out - Transfer to hotel in Da Nang - Check in hotel (B)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, and then you'll have free time until 12:00. We'll organize a car to transfer you to your hotel in Da Nang, where you'll check in and have the rest of the day to relax and unwind.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Da Nang
Day 12: Free and easy (B)
Free to discover the beach city on your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Da Nang
Day 13: 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 14: 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
Please take note: Wear comfortable clothing and shoes for your excursion. It's also advisable to bring a poncho in case of rain.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
Day 15: Cu Chi Tunnel half day tour (B)
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.
Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, 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 purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.
Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun.
Return to Saigon. End trip.
Kindly note: Please be advised that lunch is not included in the itinerary. You will return to the hotel around 3:00 PM, so it is recommended that you have a substantial breakfast to sustain you until your return.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
Day 16: Airport transfer- Ho Chi Minh departure- Trip ends (B)
Today marks your departure home according to your schedule. Kindly provide us with your departure time from Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and we'll organize a car to take you there.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: No
3 Comments
4.4
I was impressed by all natural scenes in all the tour destinations.
The schedule is suitable for us. My husband and I would like to say thank you to S Vietnam tea, especially Ms Linh who support us during the trip.
The accommodation is nice and have beautiful view and make us feel very relax and comfortable.
5
The trip was very well organised and we both had a wonderful time. Met variety of CO- travellers some of whom have become our friends.
The tour guides were very friendly and caring especially in respect of food requirement which were meticulously adhered to.
The schedules were fatefully adhered to. All our expectations were fully met and care taken by Anna our. Advisor was remarkable.
I would love to take more vacation with S Vietnam Adventures in future
Thoroughly enjoyable
5
This was a great trip for us and Anna was amazing! She arranged everything like clockwork for us, was extremely polite and kept in touch through out our trip, had amazing recommendations during our free days! This trip is really very well organised, can be customised and the hotels in all the places that we stayed at were amazing! Vietnam is a beautiful country with so much to offer from North, Central to South and I would recommend you to book with S Vietnam Adventures!!