11 days
with 2 travellers
16 travellers
Embark on a captivating 11-day journey through Vietnam. Begin with an overnight train to Sapa and explore its stunning landscapes and ethnic villages. Discover Hanoi’s rich heritage, then venture to Ninh Binh’s dramatic karst scenery and cruise Halong Bay’s emerald waters. Travel to Hue, visiting royal tombs and ancient pagodas, before crossing the scenic Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. Enjoy a bike tour of Cam Kim Island or a walking tour of Hoi An’s well-preserved Old Town. Conclude in Danang or continue your adventure. Highlights include Fansipan Cable Car, Halong Bay cruise, and Hoi An’s historical charm.
On arrival in Hanoi, be met by your local guide and transfer to the station. Overnight train to begin your onward journey to Sapa. Enjoy your stay for the coming evening on the Chapa Express Train – shared cabin (or similar).
As dawn approaches, arrive early into Lao Cai station, where you will disembark and transfer to your hotel in Sapa town. Along the way, take in the spectacular panoramic mountain scenery. Located in the far northwest of Vietnam in the mountains bordering China, Sapa is home to deep mountain valleys and traditional villages. After enjoying a delightful breakfast with your fellow travellers, you will spend your morning admiring the beauty of Sapa on-board the Fansipan Cable Car that will take you 3000m to the upmost peak of Fansipan to explore the many temples as well as admire the natural beauty of Hoang Lien Son and Muong Hoa Valley. Enjoy your stay for the coming evening at the Bamboo Hotel (or similar)
This morning, you will be met at your hotel in Sapa by local guide and driver for a short road transfer heading northwards of Sapa along national road 4C to O Quy Ho with several stops for magnificent landscapes of Fansipan, Sin Chai valley and especially amazing flower and vegetable farms . Then turn right to follow a narrow road for half an hour getting through the wild region with thick rain forest covering walled-up mountains, passing several waterfalls before arriving to Ban Khoang, a village of the Red Zao ethnic peoples who live their unique way of life and well maintain their traditional values. The village looks prosperous thanks to the combination of wet rice cultivation on the terraced fields with cardamom farming under the shade of trees in thick forest. Spend over an hour walking to explore this remote village for a brief understanding of local life. Leaving Ban Khoang and process along the road for about 10km to Ta Giang Phinh valley inhabited by the Black Hmong who live in some small villages scattering along a peaceful stream. Enjoy an hour lunch break on the bank of a stream before walking along village path which connects village to village to witness daily activities of local life such as plough and harrow the fields, growing, harvesting or doing some house work. In leisure months men often gather to build new houses or repair parts of old ones while women stay home making their traditional costumes. The walk ends in mid-afternoon, picked up for the road ride back to Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.
After enjoying breakfast, take advantage of a leisurely morning to explore Sapa at your own pace. Then you begin a scenic return drive through the mountains, heading back towards Hanoi. Along the way, enjoy the changing landscapes as you descend from Sapa's highlands to the vibrant city of Hanoi. On arrival in Hanoi, transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time until your tour briefing and welcome drinks with your fellow travellers. Stay the next two nights at Le Jardin Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Full day Hanoi City Tour This morning you will be met at your hotel by your guide at 8am to begin your city tour with an orientation drive past some of Hanoi's unique sites including Long Bien Bridge, St Joseph's Church & the Opera House. Continue with a walking tour through the fascinating Old Quarter - 36 ancient streets where you can observe the daily bustle of life around the markets where peddlers continue to trade as they have done for centuries. We then visit the Ho Chi Minh Quarter, dedicated to the father of modern Vietnam – Uncle Ho, to see his mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, his 'house on stilts' and the One Pillar Pagoda. A short drive to take a look at the Citadel & Flag Tower which was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010. After stopping for lunch at KOTO Van Mieu restaurant continue your tour with a visit to the Temple of Literature - Vietnam's first university now dedicated to Confucian worship. Also visit Tran Quoc and Ngoc Son Temples and then the “Hanoi Hilton” - the nickname given to the place where U.S pilots shot down over North Vietnamese airspace were imprisoned during the Vietnam War - now converted into a small museum. Return to your hotel where your tour ends. (Lunch included)
Important message Please note that the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays; The Ho Chi Minh Museum & the Citadel are closed on Mondays.The Presidential Palace can only be viewed from the outside. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum has annual maintenance normally from September for 2 to 3 months and can only be viewed from the outside. All other sites in the Ho Chi Minh complex are still accessible during this period.
Full day Hoa Lu & Trang An Landscape Complex This morning you will be met at 8am at your hotel by your guide for your 90km drive south to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam dating back to the 10th century. Visit the famous sanctuary of Dinh Tien Hoang, a former emperor of the Dinh Dynasty, and the temple dedicated to the Le Emperor. Following the demise of the Le dynasty the capital was moved to Ha Noi. After lunch (own arrangement) we visit the Trang An Landscape Complex. A spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, many of them partly submerged and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs. Exploration of caves at different altitudes has revealed archaeological traces of human activity over a continuous period of more than 30,000 years. Recently awarded UNESCO world heritage status we take a small boat through this magnificent area before transferring to your hotel in Ninh Binh for check-in. Lunch not included. Enjoy your stay for the coming evening at the Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel (or similar).
Marvel at the towering limestone karsts and vast paddy fields as you make your way from Ninh Binh to Halong City, the gateway to Halong Bay. Dotted with 3,000 limestones karsts, Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s stunning natural wonders. Board a beautifully appointed junk boat and begin to cruise the impressive emerald waters of Halong Bay. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch before stopping to explore the many secluded corners of the bay. In the evening, retreat to your private cabin, or relax on the main deck or at the bar. Overnight on-board of Victoria Star Cruise (or similar)
Rise early to enjoy a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck, or choose to relax and take in your final moments in this majestic location before feasting on a delicious buffet brunch. After disembarkation, drive back to Hanoi for your onwards flight to the former imperial capital of Hue, situated on the banks of the Perfume River. Enjoy your stay for the coming evening at Silk Path Grand Hue Hotel And Spa (or similar).
This morning you will be met at your hotel at 8am by your guide for a half day city tour of Hue. We start by viewing the tomb of the fourth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty Tu Duc which is set beautifully amongst lakes & frangipani trees. Continue with a stop at Bunker Hill which overlooks the Perfume River with panoramic views of the plains that stretch towards the mountains in the west & then a brief stop at the Tiger Colossium. Next we explore the impressive home of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors - the Citadel. Graded as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, much of the Citadel was destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968 but is gradually being restored. We finish with a short boat trip to the much-revered Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s oldest and most beautiful. After your own lunch, you will leave Hue for Hoi An. The guide and driver will take you over the beautiful Hai Van Pass - Vietnam's geographical and psychological boundary between north and south. The peak of the pass lies perpetually shrouded in clouds. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for check-in. This evening is free for you to explore Hoi An at leisure. Stay the next two nights at Little Residence - Little Boutique (or similar).
Early morning departure by bike for a ride to Cam Kim Island. Cycle for about 13km mainly on small paved paths in the middle of the island, through rice and corn fields, passing by beautiful hamlets. Visit Kim Bong carpentry village where traditional skill sets have been utilized for a long history of building boats, beautiful wooden houses and furniture in the old town dating from the 18th century. Experience a family making noodles and rice paper in the village. Proceed to Tra Nhieu fishing village, where you talk with the family about lifestyle and tradition you can have fun with a fisherman by trying to cast a fishing-net for fish, shrimp, and crab. Finally, you will take a boat for 1-hour boat trip from Tra Nhieu village back to Hoi An town.
Please note from April 2025 the bike tour will be discountinued and only the Hoi An walking tour will take place.
This morning, you will begin your walking tour of this UNESCO world heritage site. Hoi An was once Vietnam’s most active trading centre and over many centuries the Old Town has been largely preserved. The architecture of the city reflects the influence of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French and British traders. Hoi An is also the town where French Missionary Alexandre De Rhodes introduced Catholicism to Vietnam as well as the Romanised script that has become the standard Vietnamese script. Today you will be guided on a walking tour through the streets of enchanting Hoi An. You will visit a traditional ancient house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese Assembly Hall, Chau Ong pagoda and the Japanese Covered Bridge. The tour will end in Hoi An Ancient Town where you can enjoy more time at your leisure. Overnight in Hoian.
After breakfast, take a short drive to Danang where you’ll conclude your journey or continue on to your next destination."
We recommend arriving in Hanoi one day earlier, depending on your point of origin, to acclimate yourself before the tour begins. The evening train to Sapa departs late, so a pre-night stay in Hanoi can be arranged if needed. Let us know if you'd like assistance with booking an extra night's stay.
Unique - Fansipan Cable Car Ride: Ascend 3,000 meters to Vietnam's highest peak for stunning mountain and valley views.
Ethnic Village Visits: Explore remote Red Zao and Black Hmong villages, experiencing traditional life and terraced rice fields.
Social - Talk with the local family about lifestyle and tradition in Tra Nhieu fishing village
Taste - Experience a family making noodles and rice paper
Taste - Home hosted lunch with Mekong's specialties in an ancient house
Unique - Visit of the Trang An Landscape Complex
Unique - River cruising on Halong Bay and overnight onboard
Unique - Tai Chi lesson on Halong Bay at sunrise
Unique - Drive through the Hai Van Pass, geographical & psychological boundary between north and south
8 nights in 4 star hotels
1 night on a train
1 night o n a boat
Daily breakfast
3 local lunches
1 local dinners
Airport transfer on arrival and departure
Air-conditioned vehicle
All flight specified in itinerary
English speaking tour guide
All entrance fees
All tipping
START DAY | MONTH |
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Thursday, 14 November 2024 | Sunday, 24 November 2024 |
Thursday, 28 November 2024 | Sunday, 8 December 2024 |
Thursday, 12 December 2024 | Sunday, 22 December 2024 |
Thursday, 26 December 2024 | Sunday, 5 January 2025 |
Thursday, 9 January 2025 | Sunday, 19 January 2025 |
Thursday, 23 January 2025 | Sunday, 2 February 2025 |
Thursday, 6 February 2025 | Sunday, 16 February 2025 |
Thursday, 20 February 2025 | Sunday, 2 March 2025 |
Thursday, 6 March 2025 | Sunday, 16 March 2025 |
Thursday, 20 March 2025 | Sunday, 30 March 2025 |
Thursday, 3 April 2025 | Sunday, 13 April 2025 |
Thursday, 17 April 2025 | Sunday, 27 April 2025 |
Thursday, 1 May 2025 | Sunday, 11 May 2025 |
Thursday, 15 May 2025 | Sunday, 25 May 2025 |
Thursday, 29 May 2025 | Sunday, 8 June 2025 |
Thursday, 12 June 2025 | Sunday, 22 June 2025 |
Thursday, 26 June 2025 | Sunday, 6 July 2025 |
Thursday, 10 July 2025 | Sunday, 20 July 2025 |
Thursday, 24 July 2025 | Sunday, 3 August 2025 |
Thursday, 7 August 2025 | Sunday, 17 August 2025 |
Thursday, 21 August 2025 | Sunday, 31 August 2025 |
Thursday, 4 September 2025 | Sunday, 14 September 2025 |
Thursday, 18 September 2025 | Sunday, 28 September 2025 |
Thursday, 2 October 2025 | Sunday, 12 October 2025 |
Thursday, 16 October 2025 | Sunday, 26 October 2025 |
Thursday, 30 October 2025 | Sunday, 9 November 2025 |
Thursday, 13 November 2025 | Sunday, 23 November 2025 |
Thursday, 27 November 2025 | Sunday, 7 December 2025 |
Thursday, 11 December 2025 | Sunday, 21 December 2025 |
Thursday, 25 December 2025 | Sunday, 4 January 2026 |
Thursday, 8 January 2026 | Sunday, 18 January 2026 |
Thursday, 22 January 2026 | Sunday, 1 February 2026 |
Thursday, 5 February 2026 | Sunday, 15 February 2026 |
Thursday, 19 February 2026 | Sunday, 1 March 2026 |
Thursday, 5 March 2026 | Sunday, 15 March 2026 |
Thursday, 19 March 2026 | Sunday, 29 March 2026 |
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