19 Days Exploring Vietnam

Today you leave for Hanoi, the flight is not included in the trip, but we look forward to welcome you, looking for the best and cheapest ticket.

After a long flight you arrive in Hanoi. You will be picked up from the airport by our driver and taken to your centrally located hotel in the old quarter. Many of Hanoi's highlights are just a few minutes' walk from the hotel. Hanoi is an old city with a lot of culture, history and delicious local cuisine. So you're going to enjoy yourself here.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast you can go all the way again. Today you have the whole day to explore the city itself.

Today you can also explore the city with a guide. He then takes you to the Ho Chi Minh complex with the mausoleum where former party leader Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the independence of Vietnam and is now laid out, so that the locals can still worship him daily. You will also visit the Presidential Palace and the House-on-Stilts. Furthermore, the guide takes you to the Temple of Literature. Originally built as a temple for Confucius, dating back to 1070, this was the first university in Vietnam. The temple emphasizes the importance of education within Vietnamese society.

After a delicious local lunch you go to the Museum of Ethnology. This museum is widely recognized as the best in the country and has an extensive exhibition dedicated to the 54 cultural groups of Vietnam. There are even traditional houses reconstructed.Enjoy Water puppet show.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Early in the morning you will be picked up from the hotel in Hanoi for a nice ride of about 5.5 hours in a comfortable bus to the heart of Sapa. It is wonderfully cool here compared to Hanoi! In the winter, December-January, it can even freeze and snow here! It is therefore smart to bring something warm for especially the evenings here. In Sapa town our guide will meet you and provide you with a delicious lunch. We leave Sapa directly behind us and go to the Muong Hoa Valley and the village of Ta Van. Here you will spend the night in  in the middle of the beautiful rice terraces. Be careful, otherwise you will never want to leave! Upon arrival you will receive a welcome drink and then you will be taken to your private loft, cottage or villa. The afternoon you can plan yourself completely to explore the village. Have a chat with the locals and have a drink in the local Bamboo bar, where the delicious family dinner is also served for you

Meals: Breakfast,  Dinner

After breakfast in the middle of the beautiful rice fields of Ta Van, we continue through the beautiful valley with our private tour through the bamboo forests. From here we have plenty of time to discover the local life. We chat, laugh and have lunch with our Hmong guide. We will also meet the local Giay, Red Zo and black Hmong. Depending on your fitness and the weather, the severity of the route can be adjusted. The Hmong guide knows this environment on her thumb, so there are many routes possible!

After a pleasant day in Sapa you can relax in your holiday home, loft or villa. It is also a nice option to chat with the guide and other guests while enjoying a glass of wine in the Bamboo bar. In the evening we can have dinner together again in this cozy, warm homestay.

Meal: Breakfast

Today you will be brought back to Sapa with a private car. The time is free to spend, depending on how long you want to stay in the villa or walk around Sapa.

For example, you can take a nice walk (about 2 hours) to a Cat Cat village, outside the tourist areas where you get a beautiful picture of this picturesque environment, the countryside and its inhabitants. Sapa has a temperate climate and partly because of this everything can be grown here by local people living in the hills. Or if you have walked enough there is the possibility to go to the top of the highest mountain of Indochina, the Fansipan, with a train and then a cable car. Stroll through the colorful town of Sapa or come with a lovely foot massage.

You can leave the luggage in the bus company's office until you leave for Hanoi again around 4 pm

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at local restaurant, then transfer to the Trang An- the first mixed world heritage in vietnam, take a boat to travel along the stream visiting Trang An ecological tourist site: the limestone, valleys and rivers gather together constituting a mysterious and amazing scene. Visit caves with stalactites of all shapes and colors, after lunch, back to hanoi, dinner at local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Around 8 o'clock you will be picked up at your hotel where the 3.5 hour ride to the port of Halong Bay begins. At the beginning of the afternoon you arrive at the pier and board the comfortable Oriental Sails Cruiser. Lunch is served on board while the boat starts to sail through the beautiful bay. It is not for nothing that Halong Bay is on every travel program and is one of the most famous pictures when you think of Vietnam. This unique bay, where limestone rocks rise majestically from the sea, is in its entirety on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This afternoon you can choose from two different activities. So you can visit a fishing village by local bamboo boat where you get a unique insight into the life of the local fishermen. Or if you prefer to go kayaking you will be taken to a small beach where you can see the steep rocks close by paddling. Back on board the Oriental Sails Cruiser you can enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand before dinner is served.

Meals: Breakfast, Brunch

06:30 - 07:00: We start the morning fresh and fruity with Thai Chi on the deck. Chi means literally; send life energy through your body. After this session you are completely full of energy to start the day.

Now that you are up early, it is wonderful to enjoy the sunrise over this beautiful seascape with a nice cup of coffee or tea and a delicious breakfast. Meanwhile, we sail to the Thien Canh Son cave. We visit this special cave after breakfast. It is a medium sized cave in Bai Tu Long Bay. It is very special to see such a cave up close!

At half past 10 we check out our rooms, you can leave your luggage at the reception.

We sail back to the port. On the way you get an early lunch on board the ship, now you can still enjoy the beautiful view from the boat.

Around noon we leave again by transfer back to Hanoi, where we arrive around 5:30. From here you will be taken to the station, so you can take the night train to Dong Hoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

You arrive early in the morning in Dong Hoi. You will be picked up by our local guide and given a nice breakfast at a local restaurant before we leave for the Thien Duong cave with our transfer. This cave was only discovered in 2005 by a local farmer. British cavers researched it further and the cave appears to be more than 35 kilometers deep, making it the deepest of Phong Nha cave. It is therefore not surprising that this cave is directly included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After lunch we leave with the transfer to the hotel in Phong Nha for our overnight stay. From the hotel you have a free program to organize your afternoon time yourself.

Meal: Breakfast

In the morning you make a nice bike ride of about 3 hours to explore the countryside. We cycled along farm fields and along the Son River. You come to the most special places by bike. Then we return to the farm and you can enjoy a day off.

Meal: Breakfast

Vietnam - Hue - DMZ Hien Luang Bridge - Former DMZ day tour

Today we make a ride of about 200 kilometers to Hue. There are a number of stops along the way to learn some pieces of Vietnamese history at the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), the area between the former separation of North and South Vietnam. We see the Hien Luong bridge and Vinh Moc tunnels. On the way we will stop for a lunch. In the afternoon we arrive at the hotel in Hue where we will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast we board the Dragon Boat and sail over the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda. Here we visit the seven-story high tower, a symbol of Hue. After this we continue to the imperial citadel, which was meant as a copy of the forbidden city of the Chinese Emperor in Beijing. After the Ngo Mon Gate we enter the Purple Forbidden City. The Forbidden City was reserved for the royal family Nguyen from the 18th century until the middle of the 20th century. Unfortunately, in 1968, the American bomb attack in response to a communist takeover of Hue put the largest part of the city flat. We shall see here that only a few buildings survived, such as the Thai Hoa temple, the Can Thanh temple, the Mieu and Hieu Lam Cac. All remains are worth a visit.

After lunch in the local restaurant we visit the grave of Emperor Tu Duc. This is the largest and for many the most impressive Royal tomb. After this we return to our hotel.

At 5.00 pm you will be picked up by cyclo (traditional bicycle taxi) at the hotel in Hue City. Then you will be brought to Hen Island where you can enjoy shellfish dishes, such as rice and noodles with 'cockles'. You will feel the original rural atmosphere during dinner, very peaceful and green.

We continue with the cyclo to Hanh. This is one of the best local restaurants. Here you can taste the special 'cakes', Banh beo, Banh and Banh loc made from rice flour. Definitely worth a try!

We then walk through the Le Loi street, along the Parfum river and across the Truong Tien bridge. We take you to the Dong Ba market where you can enjoy another Vietnamese classic 'Bun thit nuong', a delicious rice noodle dish.

At 19.30 we leave the noisy market Dong Ba. We continue our route to the Dinh Tien Hoang street for 'Banh khoai', a 'happy' pancake and 'nem lazy', a sort of satay. On the way you see the Imperial citadel in the atmosphere of the bustling night. At the end you are taken with the cyclo through the streets to admire the romance of the night. You can also buy nice souvenirs, such as sesame sugar, the typical Vietnamese conical hats, sour shrimps, a long traditional dress (Ao Dai) and Minh Mang wines.

21:00: At the end of the tour you will be taken back to the hotel with the cyclo.

Meal: Breakfast

In the morning you will be picked up at the hotel and we drive together to Hoi An. After about an hour we arrive at the 'Elephant springs'. Here you can relax in the rock pools. There are a series of small waterfalls and ponds here. We drive over the spectacular Han-Van-Pas and pass a picturesque fishing village called 'Lang Co'.

Once we have arrived in Hoi An, we will have lunch in an attractive local restaurant.

In the afternoon you make a city walk to get to know this charming town that is on the World Heritage List. The narrow streets with its centuries-old houses with Chinese, Japanese, French and European influences make this a photogenic scene. You visit the 400-year-old Japanese bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, the local fish market and if you want to visit there are numerous art galleries, tailors and small shops. Meanwhile you hear traditional music everywhere and we visit one of the most famous old houses in the city, namely the Tan Ky house. After this the guide will take you to a lantern making workshop, where you will really make one yourself. What a unique experience that is!

To start you taste different traditional Vietnamese tea varieties. You get the bamboo that forms the basis of your frame and beautiful silk, so you can choose a color pattern yourself. The teacher shows you how to make your own Hoi An lantern. The lanterns are easy to fold, or you can take them with you in your bag. It is super fun to take this self made souvenir home. So you always have a nice memory of Hoi An.

After the lesson we bring you back to the hotel for an overnight stay in Hoi An.

Meal: Breakfast

This day you have plenty of time to enjoy one of the nicest towns in Vietnam, Hoi An. Stroll through the small alleys, enjoy the good coffee and the nice little galleries. Or if you prefer to go to the beach, that is also possible because Hoi An is close to the sea. If you want to see more of the surroundings, it is possible to make a nice bike ride where you get to know the countryside and its inhabitants better with the help of a guide.

Meal: Breakfast

You can sleep late today, because the flight to the former Saigon leaves during the day (17.00 / 18.00). You also have enough time to enter the center of Hoi An and to photograph the famous Japanese bridge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning we visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. The Cu Chi tunnels is an attraction that should not be missed when visiting HCMC. You have undoubtedly already heard a few things about the Vietnam War the previous days. But how could it be that the larger, stronger, better-armed American army could not win from the Vietcong guerrilla troops? To better understand this, a visit to the Cu Chi tunnels is very interesting. This place was very strategically located near a former US military base and one of the few easily accessible roads in Vietnam at the time. For those who are interested, there is even the possibility to fire rounds of an AK47 or MK16. Afterwards we have lunch at the 'Big Pig' restaurant.

After lunch we visit the war museum. In this museum you can see moving images of the senseless war. Part of the black-and-white photography of 'Requiem' is very moving to see. This black and white series was dedicated to both foreign and Vietnamese journalists and photographers who died during the conflict. The courtyard of the museum is also very interesting to view. Here you can see the remains of the war, various rusting tanks and cannons.

After this impressive day you will be brought back to your hotel. Tonight you can enjoy a free evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, a two hour drive to My Tho where will expose the colorful outskirt life, picturesque rice fields along the journey. Upon arrival, boat trip to Mekong River with islet stop at Thoi Son to taste seasonal fruits, enjoy traditional folk songs. Then, visit the authentic life of the local and challenge your bargaining power at cottage handicraft shops. An adventurous sampan ride in palm shading creeks will be the next experience of the riverside region Lunch to be served with the Mekong Delta specialty – Deep Fried Elephant ear fish. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast at hotel, free time to discovery Ho Chi Minh city at your own leisure

Meal: Breakfast

Today is the last day of your tour in Vietnam, at the appropriate time you will be picked up and taken to the airport. End of services.

• Child under 12 years old sharing with 01 adult: 90% of adult fare
• Child under 12 years old sharing with 02 adults with extra bed: 80% of adult fare
• Child under 12 years old sharing with 02 adults without extra bed: 50% of adult fare
• Child under 02 years old sharing with 02 adults without bed: FOC

• Prices quoted in USD and subject to change without prior notice.
• Please be informed that the quotation does not imply or constitute availability.
• In case if the hotel listed is unavailable, other similar class hotel shall be provided.
• Compulsory Gala Dinner will be applied during Christmas Eve and New Year Eve.