22 Days - Absolute Vietnam Journeys

Day 01:  Welcome to Hanoi  (D)
Pick you up at airport and transfer to your hotels in Hanoi and have a walk around Hoan Kiem lake area to catch a first glimpse of this peaceful city. In the evening, we'll have a special dinner out at a stylic restaurant, where our guide will summarize the itinerary for coming days.

Day 02: Hanoi city Tour and Night Train to Sapa(B)
This morning explore the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake area of downtown Hanoi. Known as the historical center of Hanoi, the lake is a communal meeting point and a hive of activity throughout the day. Enjoy a cup of strong local coffee overlooking the lake and then later drive to the outskirts of town to visit the excellent Ethnology Museum. Here you will learn more about the diverse ethnic minorities you will encounter on your journey to Sapa. This evening transfer to the train station in Hanoi to catch the overnight train to Lao Cai.

Day 03: Lao Cai - Hill tribe Market – Sapa (B,L)
Morning drive to hill tribe market where you'll see hundreds of locals of different colourful hilltribes going to attend this weekly market selling primitive commodity like: chickens, buffalow, raw tobaco,brocade.... It will be a great opportunity for taking photos, get to know about their life and have the atmostphere of an authentic hill tribe markets. It is all up to you how long you want to stay in the market, then we'll drive back to Sapa with stop for luch and visit local villages. Overnight in Sapa

Day 04: Sapa – Lao Chai and Tavan village walk  - Homestay (B,L,D)
Morning guided tour of Sapa town and the local colourful market. Afternoon short drive Ta Van Hoa Valley, and then descend by foot through the largest terraced rice paddy area in the Sapa region. The walk takes you through the village of Lao Chai, home to the Black Hmong minority, then onto the village of Ta Van, inhabited by the Giay minority. It is a great opportunity to observe the daily life and traditional hospitality of these people. Overnight at homestay. 

Day 05: Sapa – Mong Sen – Overnight on Train back to Hanoi (B)
Moring walk from Tavan to Giang Ta Chai- a village of Red Dzao ethnic group through rice terrass. Visit some local afamily, school of the village, get contacted with nice locals before take a short drive back to Sapa. Afternoon visit  around Mong sen village- another interesing village near Sapa before heading down to Lao cai for taking a night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on train.

Day 06: Hanoi free at leisure and Water Puppet performance. (B)
A day at leisure and enjoy water puppet performance in late afternoon

Day 07: Hanoi – Drive to Halong Bay – Halong Bay Cruise (B,L,D)
Take a scenic drive for 3.5 hours to Halong city with stop to have to see authentic locals farming rice and taking photos. Our cruise will start at noon and take you to explore the magnificiences of Halong Bay World Heritage sites passing hundreds of tiny limestone karsts, local floating villages, running in to local fishermen living on their sampan and visit Sung sot Grotto- the biggest dry grotto in Halong Bay with its amazing insights. Have a chance for swimming in the bay. Overnight on Traditional Junks in the bay

Day 08: More Halong Bay Cruise – Drive back to Hanoi (Brunch)
You’ll spend the morning cruising the spectacular Halong Bay with it’s thousands of limestone islets that rise out of the sea before enjoy a nice seafood lunch onboard and  take a drive journey  back  to Hanoi

Day 09: Hanoi flight to Hue at noon (B)
You will be transfer to the airport for flight to Hue at noon. Overnight in Hue.

Day 10: Hue city tour(B,D)
Morning guided visits to the Imperial city, then take a boat ride on the Perfume river to Thien Mu Pagoda and TuDuc Mausoleum. This evening enjoy an imperial dinner as the royals once did complete with costumes!

Day 11: Hue drive to Hoian – Hoian visit (B)
Drive to Danang via the breathtaking HaiVan pass. Stop at the Marble Mountains to climb Water Mountain and explore the cave pagodas before visiting Cham Museum with its collection of relics from the Cham Kingdom. Car transfer to the ancient town of HoiAn where the mix of Japanese and Chinese architecture reflects its past history as an important trading port. Overnight in HoiAn at hotel

Day 12: Hoian at leisiure(B)
Today is at leisure, you can choose to explore the countryside further on your bike, or visit Hoi An‟s tailors, galleries and nearby beach.

Day 13: Hoian- Fisherman Tour in Nam Thanh villages (B,L)
We’ll ride bike to Nam Thanh fishing village and walk around to talk to local fishermen and learn the unique fishing techniques as well as their fishing tools. Take boat ride with some local fisherman and try casting the net while talking to them and share experiences. Come to Dai Chiem estuary to visit the peaceful waterways with great views of local fishing boats and floating community. Lunch at a local restaurant before return to Hoi An

Day 14: Hoian drive to Quy Nhon. Overnight in Quy Nhon (B)
Drive through quiet countryside into the coastal town of Quy Nhon. Visit the sobering site of My Lai en-route. Overnight in Quy Nhon

Day 15: Hoian drive to Nha Trang. Nha Trang Visit (B)
Visit a local humanities centre before continuing on to NhaTrang for some sunny relaxation time. Take time to visit The Po Nagar Cham Temples before check in your hotel. Overnight in Nhatrang

Day 16: Nha Trang boat trip to islands off Nha Trang coast (B,L)
Morning short drive to Cau Da Port and boat cruise to Nha Trang Bay to see the great landscape of over 19 islands on the Bay. Heading out to Hon Mun Conserve Sea Creatures Zone. Enjoy  your swimming, diving and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters with numerous sea creatures. Continue to Mot Island, Tam island and finally Chai village  to explore explore the daily life of local people, visit the floating fish farm and rowing in a basket boat before return to Nha Trang. Lunch served on board. Overnight in Nhatrang

Day 17: Nha Trang – Dalat (B)
Morning drive to Dalat, a very popular destination for Vietnamese local people. Free to walk leisurely around the city, drink coffee at local uphill restaurant, riding horse around the lake while enjoying this peaceful city. In the evening, our guide picks you up for a dinner out.

Day 18: Dalat city tours (B)
Today, we embark on the city tour to the most wanted places of Dalat including: Dalat railway station, Bao Dai Summer Palace, Crazy house,  Linh Phuoc Pagoda, Truc Lam Zen Monastery , Robin Hill for great view of Dalat and take cable car over Tuyen Lam lake before visit to village of Lat ethnic minority.

Day 19: Dalat – Saigon (B)
Morning  drive southeast for 7 hours (approx 250kms) to Ho Chi Minh City. On the way we pass small hamlets as well as tea, coffee cashew nut, rubber and tobacco plantations. Along the way we can make stops as requested to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 20: Saigon & Cuchi tunnels (B)
Morning visit to the famous Cu Chi tunnels to experience how the Viet Cong lived underground during the American war. Lunch during visits. Afternoon, Saigon city tour will include an orientation tour of Saigon’s main boulevards, Notre Dame Cathedral, the splendid Post Office, the bustling Ben Thanh market and ChoLon China town. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 21: Saigon – Mekong. Overnight in Can Tho (B,L)
Excursion to VinhLong in the Mekong delta where you will enjoy a boat trip on the legendary Mekong River visiting Cai Be floating market then cruise along small canals towards one of the islands which is a typical plantation growing a variety of tropical fruits. Lunch in a bonsai garden. Visit a local farmers village before driving on to CanTho city. Overnight at CanTho.

Day  22: More visits in Mekong Delta – Drive back to Saigon - Departure(B)
Early morning boat trip to visit CaiRang, the busiest floating market in South East Asia. Return to Saigon with a stop at MyTho for lunch. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
 

How to minimise the cost of your holiday:

• Avoid travel at peak times, i.e. Christmas, New Year and lunar New Year.
• Take more friends with you! Larger parties lead to price reductions as many costs are shared;
• Avoid single supplements by making sure your group comprises an even number of travellers;
• Consider taking a more in-depth tour of one country rather than trying to visit too many countries in one trip. International flights between countries add cost. If you like one country, you can always go back to a neighbouring country next year!
• To customize this  sample itinerary to suite your travel plan and personal interestes, please send your request to : [email protected]
• Our tour operation depends on many factors some of which are beyond our control. We reserve the right to amend programmes in case of unexpected problems caused by weather, airlines, transport companies and local organisations. For Tailor Made options please enquire. Price is per person sharing twin or double room.