Entrancing holiday in Vietnam - 21 days | 20 nights

Itinerary in brief :

Day 1 : Hanoi - arrival (D)
Day 2 : Hanoi – City tour (B/L)
Day 3 : Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Linh Coc Thung Nham - Tam Coc (B/L) (130km – 3h00)
Day 4 : Tam Coc - Halong Bay cruise (B/L/D) (190km – 4h00)
Day 5 : Halong Bay - Hanoi - Lao Cai (B/L) [by night train or Express bus]
Day 6 : Lao Cai - Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van village (B/L/D) (trekking – 11km)
Day 7 : Ta Van - Sapa - Ma Tra village - Ba Ha (B/L)
Day 8 : Bac Ha market - Lao Cai - Hanoi (B)
Day 9 : Hanoi - Hue (B/D) (600 km – 1h15 by plane)
Day 10 : Hue : discovery by a cruise on Huong River (B/L)
Day 11 : Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An (B/L) (100 km – 2h00)
Day 12 : Hoi An: Cycling from Tra Que village to Van Lang village (B / L)
Day 13 : Hoi An: leisure time (B)
Day 14 : Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh city (B/L) (1000 km – 1h15 by plane)
Day 15 : HCM city - Ben Tre - Mekong Lodge (B ; L ; D)
Day 16 : Mekong Lodge - Cai Be floating market - HCM city (B / L)
Day 17 : HCM city - Phu Quoc island by plane (B)
Day 18 : Phu Quoc – FREE & EASY (B)
Day 19 : Phu Quoc – FREE & EASY (B)
Day 20 : Phu Quoc island - HCM city by plane (B)
Day 21 : HCM city - Departure (B)

Day 1 : HANOI - arrival (D)

When arriving, welcome at the airport and transfer to your selected hotel.
Early in the evening, join a water puppet show, a distinct Vietnamese art in which a split-bamboo screen obscures puppets which stand in water and are manipulated using long poles hidden beneath the water.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 : HANOI – City tour (B/L)

After breakfast, spend your day taking a tour around the capital and visiting such sites as
the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside),a large memorial in Hanoi, located in the centre of Ba Dinh Square, which is the place where Vietminh leader Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945.
his former residence,stilt house of Ho Chi Minh, the founder of modern Vietnam, fondly known as “Uncle Ho”.
One Pillar Pagoda, the emperor Lý Thái Tông constructed the temple in gratitude for this in 1049 by erecting a pillar in the middle of a lotus pond, similar to the one he saw in the dream that he met the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who handed him a baby son while seated on a lotus flower.
Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university where offering ceremonies, study sessions and the strict exams of the Dai Viet took place. Built in 1070 at the time of King Lý Nhân Tông, it is one of several temples in Vietnam which are dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars.
Lunch in a restaurant.
In the afternoon, continue to the Museum of Ethnology, which focuses on the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam.
Then, you will enjoy a very interesting walking tour around the old quarter within 1,5 hours. Firstly the trip start from head of Cao Thang street where local people sell all traditional cooking spices of Vietnam such as onions, garlic, mushrooms, black mushrooms, peppers, lemongrass, ginger, galangal ... Then moving to Dong Xuan market, the biggest market in Hanoi, originally built by the French administration and surrounded by different streets, you will go through the market and turn right to Hang Ma street, the road is shimmered by decorating stuff , Chinese toys, the colorful lanterns, paper goods and in particular paper votive offerings.
Passing by Luong Van Can, Lan Ong, you arrive Hang Buom street where located the oldest temple of Hanoi - Bach Ma Temple, you will take some rest to admire the temple before continue walking through Ta Hien, Dinh Liet street to the most peaceful small alley of Hanoi - Trung Yen. On the way you have chance to explore daily life of local people who live and sharing their life in the confined spaces. We continue to Hang Be street - used to be one of the best well-known outdoor markets in town dating from medieval, with famous food”Mam Tep Chung Thit”, some years ago, it was disintegrated. At the end of this road, there is a coffee shop named Cafe market, where we will invite you a cup of coffee or iced fruit smoothies
We end of trip at Hoan Kiem Lake, in front of Water Puppet show theatre, from here you can continue your walking or back to your hotel.
Discover Hoan Kiem Lake, meaning "Lake of the Returned Sword" , where emperor Lê Lá»£i was boating on the lake when his magic sword, Heaven's Will, was grabbed by a turtle who quickly disappeared into the depths.
Take a beautiful picture on the The Huc red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple.
Come back to your hotel. Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3 : HANOI / NINH BINH / LINH COC - THUNG NHAM / TAM COC (B/L) (130km – 3h00)

After an early breakfast, transfer to Tam Coc, so-called “Inland Halong Bay”.
Arrive in Tam Coc, check in hotel.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
Afternoon, transfer to Linh Coc wharf and take a small sampan for a spectacular 2-hour cruise through numerous waterways admiring a beautiful rural landscape of limestone cliffs and rice fields to the stunning Linh Coc - Thung Nham caves, located in Hai Nham village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, With spectacular natural scenery, the limestone range that stretches around to take the small valley created the charming landscape as captivating. Visitors sit about half an hour the boat was the first to cave called Bouddha cave.
Boats take visitors into the cave, a good atmosphere and cool whip make visitors forgets the worries of daily life, there is only ice and water with long flowing ribbons stalactites diversified enough, visitors can name each stone in its own sense .... Through the Bouddha cave, in front of tourists is a vast green valley with limestone bands wrapped around the campus shady trees cleared, holiday cottages.
Come back to your hotel, free time.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Tam Coc Chez Loan homestay or similar.

Day 4 : TAM COC / HALONG BAY cruise (B/L/D) (160km – 3h30)

After breakfast, transfer to Halong Bay – the World Heritage Site listed by UNESCO.
Arrive around 12h30 and take a junk for a memorable cruise through the mystical Halong Bay.
Enjoy fresh seafood set lunch while our Halong Sail is peacefully passing Burn of Incense, Dog, Fighting Cock Island and Halong fishing village.
Visit the most magical and beautiful cave – Sung Sot Cave, means Surprised Cave or Amazing Cave which is on Bo Hon Island and is one of the most spectacular and largest grottoes of Ha Long Bay. The mouth of the grotto is reached by ascending about a hundred stone steps.
Trek and swim at Titop Island, which gives you a chance to view panorama view of Halong bay from the top and do kayaking nearby.
Enjoy fresh seafood set dinner on the bay.
Enjoy films or squid fishing at night if requested.
Overnight on the junk.

Day 5 : HALONG / HANOI / LAO CAI (B/L) (160km – 3h30)

Wake up in the next morning at sunrise.
Experience Tai Chi Lesson on the sundeck if request in advance.
Enjoy an energizing breakfast.
Visit Luon Cave by small boat and then the boat passes Man Head Island, Tortoise Island.
Check out the cabin and clear the bills.
Demonstration of cutting flowers from fruits and roots.
Check out the boat to transfer to Cua Vang for lunch or lunch at boat.
Come back to Hanoi.
Dinner in your own.
In the late afternoon, transfer to the railway station to a the night train to Sapa (from 2016 you can replace the train by the express bus with a new highway).
Overnight on train (A/C soft sleeper - 4 persons/ cabin).

Day 6 : LAO CAI / SAPA / LAO CHAI / TA VAN (B/L/D) (trekking – 11km)

Arrive at Lao Cai railway station at about 6h00 then transfer to Sapa, which is home for more than 30 minority tribes (Black H’mong, Flower H’mong, Red Dzao) and of Vietnam’s highest peak - Fansipan Mount.
Have breakfast in the hotel or restaurant (optional) before the trip starts.
Walk along the main road for a while then take a small path uphill to get to Lao Chai village of the Black H’Mong tribe.
Lunch en route.
After lunch, continue to Ta Van village to visit the Dzay tribe, which is supposed to be the most beautiful one in the area and then stay at local house (total trekking at the average level: 11km - 5hours).
Dinner at the home-stay.
Overnight in Ta Van village at a Dzay family.

Day 7 : TA VAN / SAPA / MA TRA / BAC HA (B/L)

After breakfast, come back to Sapa by a private car.
trekking to the Ma Tra village for the discovery of Black H’mong (trekking at the easy level: 4km - 2,5 hours).
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Transfer to Bac Ha, being a minority ethnic people market, Bac Ha market is located in 100 km from Sapa, Bac Ha is famous for its Sunday market which is a trading centre and meeting place for couples, friends, and relatives. Every Sunday, Bac Ha hosts the biggest fair near the mountainous highlands and the Chinese border. It is the largest and most colourful market in the area and attracts throngs of villagers from the surrounding hill tribes.
Arrive and check in hotel in Bac Ha.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Bac Ha.

Day 8 : BAC HA MARKET - LAO CAI - HANOI (B)

In the morning, discovery of Bac Ha market (only on sunday).
Afternoon, trekking to visit Ban Pho village where the Flower H’mong lives.
Transfer to Lao Cai railway station.
Meals on your own.
Overnight on train (A/C soft sleeper - 4 persons/ cabin). (from 2016 you can replace the train by the express bus with a new highway).

Day 9 : HANOI / HUE (B/D) (600 km – 1h15 by plane)

Arrive in Hanoi at about 5h30 in the morning and transfer to the hotel near the train station (our first choice is New Moon hotel - 20 Tran Quy Cap str.,).
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take your morning flight to Hue, (pronounced ‘hway’), was a Unesco World Heritage site, deeply evocative capital of the Nguyen emperors(1802-1945) still resonates with the glories of imperial Vietnam, even though many of its finest buildings were destroyed during the American War. Palaces and pagodas, tombs and temples, culture and cuisine, history and heartbreak – there’s no shortage of poetic pairings to describe it.
After arrival, check in hotel.
Visit the Imperial Citadel, City of the Nguyen Dynasty (1804-1945), Visit some of the most highly revered site in this World Heritage area; The Flag Tower, South Door, Edict Pavilion, Supreme Harmony Palace, and the Forbidden Purple City.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Hue.

Day 10 : HUE : discovery by a cruise on Huong River (B/L)

8h00AM: Pick up at your hotel, take a boat for a cruise on the gentle Huong River.
Visit Thien Mu pagoda, built in 1601 on the order of the first Nguyen lords, Nguyen Hoang, who at that time was the governor of Hue.
Continue to a quiet Thuy Bieu village – 6.5 km from the city centre – a laidback village famous for growing the Thanh Tra fruit (a kind of small pomelo), visit many garden houses, a unique feature of Hue countryside, and enjoy a nice walking and biking around the village.
Visit an old communal house, pass by several ancient ancestral temples and communicate with local people.
Visit an incense making family and discover the daily life of local people while they are working strenuously with joy and enthusiasm. You may also join their activities: gardening, talking and drinking tea with them.
Back to Thuy Bieu restaurant, relax by steeping your foot in medicinal herb water – a traditional therapeutic practice and enjoy excellent massage by blind people.
Lunch at Thuy Bieu restaurant.
In the afternoon, discovery of Emperor Minh Mang’s tomb, ponds and gardens is known for its perfect harmony between architecture and its natural environment. It began to be built during his reign (1820-1841) and was completed only in 1843, two years after his death by his successor Thieu Tri.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Hue.

Day 11 : HUE / DANANG / HOI AN (B/L) 100 km – 2h00

After breakfast, transfer to Da Nang through Hai Van Pass and through the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co.
When arriving in Da Nang, visit the Cham Museum and Marble Mountain, (Ngu Hanh Son) is about 8km southeast of Da Nang City. This is a cluster of five marble mountains lying close to the sea. That is why, it is dubbed Hon Non Nuoc, which means Mountain and Water in Vietnamese.
Continue to the riverside town of Hoi An, an important trading port during the 17th and 18th centuries and officially listed as a World Heritage Site.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, walk around Hoi An ancient town and exploring its treasures :
Quan Cong temple – the brave and loyal Chinese General.
Phuc Kien pagoda, This is the most well-known assembly hall in the ancient town.Fukjianese were Chinese traders who first came to Hoi An in great number, at least in the XVII century. That was the reason why all above mentioned gods were worshipped in this pagoda after the collapse of the old pagoda.
The Japanese Bridge, Hoi An’s signature landmark used widely as an emblem of the town. It was built by Japanese merchants in the 16the century
Tan Ky ancient house, the most popular of Hoi An’s old houses.
Hoi An port, the World Heritage listed by Unesco.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 12 : HOI AN: Cycling from Tra Que village to Van Lang village (B / L)

8h00AM the guide will meet you in your hotel lobby, than you will cycle around Hoi An towards the Tra Que vegetable village - About 150 farmers and 400 owners live on there and cultivate about 20 types of vegetables and herbs such as mint, lettuce, basil, cilantro, broccoli and many more. From the more than 40 hectares of land 8 tons of Village Tra vegetables are sold every year. The vegetable growers do not use pesticides or GMOs, using natural fertilizers instead, including seaweed found in the river and harvested by gardeners every morning.
During the walk, you will cross vast rice fields in the countryside and quiet road, far away from the tourist trails. You will see the activities of the inhabitants through the villages of Hoian.
Walk in Tra Que vegetable village and meet local people working in the garden.
The local farmer will teach you all about cultivation methods and how to protect developing vegetable from the insects as well as join the farmers in preparing gardening activities such as raking the ground, sowing, watering greens, transplanting and tending greens.
Continue riding through paddy field, Ba Le market, kindergarten ... until reaching Van Lang fisherman village and Bay Mau coconut water forest - about 7 hectares, surrounded by mangrove forests, canals, houses covered by coconut water leaf. This place had ever been the refuge for people and local soldiers during the Vietnam War. Nowadays, it is famous for providing the most seafood products.
You will be warmly welcomed at Mr. Han – a 3 generations family, taste of green tea and stroll through the village. You will row a basket boat within the hands of skillful locals and discover their techniques of traditional fishery in water coconut forest.
Back Mr. Han’ family for enjoy a foot bath with medicinal herbs, traditional therapeutic practice before getting ready to prepare lunch with a local family. Lunch will feature many local delicacies, such as Tam Huu spring rolls, BanhXeo local pancakes, grilled fish in banana leaf and others.
After lunch, free time and take a short rest before returning to your hotel about 15h30.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 13 : HOI AN: leisure time (B)

Breakfast at hotel, full day leisure time to shopping or relaxing on Hoi An beach.
Meals on your own.
Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 14 : HOI AN / DANANG / HO CHI MINH CITY (B/L) (1000 km – 1h15 by plane)

After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Ho Chi Minh, under the name Saigon, it was the capital of the French colony of Cochin-china and later of the independent republic of South Vietnam from 1955–75. On 2 July 1976, Saigon was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City, name of Vietnamese communist revolutionary leader who was prime minister (1945–1955) and president (1945–1969) of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam).
When arriving in Ho Chi Minh, transfer to your selected hotel.
In the same morning, discover a busy Saigon, enjoy a tour in the Old Colonial Residential Quarte and visit:
the City’s old Hotel, a palace built by the French architect Paul Gardès of 1902-19081 in the center of Saigon in Indochina at the time.
the Opera House, inspired by the architecture of the Opera Garnier in Paris, which was built in 1900. The facade of the opera is a replica of the Petit Palais in Paris
Notre-Dame Cathedral, The famous central Saigon Cathedral, built in 1877, is one of HCMC's architectural marvels, built with materials imported from France.
Post Office signed by Gustave Eiffel.
Lunch in a restaurant.
In the afternoon, discover the Chinese quarter “Cho Lon” and its impressive Binh Tay market.
End of the day with a visit to a lacquerware factory.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city today).

Day 15 : HCM city - BEN TRE - MEKONG LODGE (B ; L ; D)

8h30: Departure from HCM city, heading to Cai Be river wharf (110km- 2h30’ by car)
Upon arriving, our tour guide will welcome and take you to Mekong lodge by boat. Check in your private bungalows in the Mekong Lodge.
12pm Enjoy lunch in the restaurant with a delicious planned menu.
In the afternoon, at 3pm, we will begin our private walking or bicycle tour to discover the nearby village around the Lodge. We will go through off road paths that are free of any traffic, and enjoying beautiful rice terraces along the way.
Sampan trip in an arroyo, visit local orchards and taste some freshly picked fruit.
6:30pm Getting some hands on culinary experience by joining a "Vietnamese cooking demo", and enjoy the dishes that you have prepared.
Note: The bar at the Lodge opens from 7am to 12am, located at the end of the big swimming pool.
Overnight at the Mekong Lodge (authentic | swimming pool | nice garden).

Day 16 : MEKONG LODGE - CAI BE FLOATING MARKET - HCM city (B / L)

07:10 am Breakfast in the restaurant.
08:00 getting on our rowed sampan to visit Cai Be floating and ground market.
We will visit families making rice cake, coconut candy, caramen souffle cake to see the traditional production of goods in Mekong Delta. Tasting some local honey tea.
Come back to the Lodge.
Check out around 11h30 am. Take a lunch local.
Come back directly to Ho Chi Minh city. Check in your hotel.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight in HCM city (SAIGON).

Day 17 : SAIGON - PHU QUOC ISLAND by plane (B)

After breakfast, free time untill the transfer (without guide) to the airport for your flight to Phu Quoc island.
Picked up by driver, check in hotel and free time on your own.
Meals on your own.
Overnight in Phu Quoc.