Vietnam's attractions

Description

Tour type: private - easy

Class: superior - luxury

Duration: 10 days
Arrival/ Departure: Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh or reverse.
Price: from 925USD/person
Meals planned: B: breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
Group size: on request (2 - 16 person)

Highlights: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, sea kayaking, charming Hoi An, Hue Imperial City,  nice beach, boat cruises, Ho Chi Minh City, Cao Dai Temple, Cu Chi Tunnels.

Introduction: This tour is specially designed for travelers with limited time to visit Vietnam. You will have an overview of Vietnam's culture, beautiful sites, history and great chance to explore the nature while kayaking. What is more to expect than visiting the Natural Word Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay, Cultural Word Heritage Site of Hoi An Ancient Town, historical site of Cu Chi Tunnels and many pagodas, museums in just 7 days. 

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi arrival and city tour (L)

Day 2: Hanoi - Ha Long (B, L, D)

Day 3: Ha Long - Hanoi - Lao Cai (B, L, D)*

Day 4: Lao Cai - Bac Ha Market - Sapa (B, L)**

Day 5: Sapa Trekking (B, L)

Day 6: Sapa - Lao Cai - Hanoi (B, L, D)

Day 7: Hanoi - Hue (B, L)

Day 8: Hue - Hoi An (B, L)

Day 9: Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh departure (B, L)

Note*: This is a typical tour made by Tuan Linh Travel. In any case, please contact us for details in accordance with your departure date or customized itinerary.

DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi (L)
As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered to be one of cultural centers of Vietnam, where most of Vietnamese dynasties had left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike. Even when the nation's capital moved to Hue under the Nguyen dynasty in 1802, the city of Hanoi continued to flourish, especially after the French took control in 1888 and modeled the city's architecture to their tastes, lending an important aesthetic to the city's rich stylistic heritage. The city boasts more than 1,000 years of history, and that of the past few hundred years has been well preserved.
You are picked at the hotel for a guided full day tour of Hanoi, visiting the major sights, including the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and paying a homage to Vietnam's most famous revolutionary, Ho Chi Minh. After lunch, we visit Ethnology Museum, the miniature of Vietnam with 54 ethnic groups. We will then enjoy a walking tour around the old Quarter before the unique performance of Water Puppet show.
Overnight at Hotel, Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Halong Bay has twice been recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Area for its exceptional scenic beauty and outstanding geological and geomorphic values. Thousands of islands emerging uneven in the fanciful waves look strong and magnificent but also mild and vivid. Amidst these islands, we feel as if we were astray in a petrified legendary world.
8:00: You are picked up at the hotel. You can leave your luggage behind at the hotel in Hanoi and pack an overnight bag.
12.15 pm: Arrive in Halong city, board our traditional wooden junk boat for an overnight journey. Sip on a refreshing welcome drink upon check in before you begin the cruise through the bay. Feast on a delicious lunch as you cruise among hundreds of islets (Dinh Huong islet, Ga Choi – Fighting Cock islet, Dog islet, Finger islet, etc.) to discover untouched pockets of Halong Bay and visit Sung Sot cave, one of the most imposing grottos of the Bay. You will then go kayaking from the Soi Sim beach to Luon Cave to enjoy the quite atmosphere of the bay.
19.30pm: Enjoy your dinner with fresh seafood on board.
21.00pm: Squid fishing or relax and chatting with your partner, friends, family.
Overnight on Halong Bay Junk.
Day 3: Halong - Hanoi - Lao Cai (B, L, D)*
7.00am: For early risers complimentary tea, coffee, fruit and cake are served. Enjoy Sunrise on the Bay. Continue to explore the Bay.
8.00am: Sail past rock formations such as Man’s Head islet, Tortoise islet, Butterfly cave, Lion islet, Bai Tho mountain, enjoy the tranquil scenery as the boat meanders its way through the bay on the way back to Halong city, etc. Arrange your luggage and do the check out onboard at around 9.00 am. Enjoy a wholesome brunch as your boat weaves through strange-shaped limestone rock formations.
11.45am: Arrive back at Halong city for disembarkation where your driver waits to take you back to your Hanoi, on the way call on a ceramic village to see craftsmen do their works. Free time for your personal activities and shopping in the Old Quarter and dinner before transferring to the Train station to catch the night tourist train to Lao Cai.
Overnight on train (sharing 4-soft-berth cabin with air-conditioning).
Day 4: Lao Cai - Bac Ha Market - Sapa** (B, L)
Welcome by a local guide at Lao Cai station. Breakfast then transfer 60 km to the morning Sunday Bac Ha Market, the most colorful market of the hill tribes in the North of Vietnam. This every-Sunday-market attended by at least 8 ethnic groups and last from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM. It is also chance for tourists to discover the H’mong King’s palace (old building built by the French & Chinese).
In the afternoon, we go for a light trek to visit Ban Pho, the village is home to flower H’mong minority. We are invited to enter several local houses to have some green tea, corn wine, listen to the host talking about their family, talk to them… and then enjoy landscapes on a roundabout way to Bac Ha for get back to Lao Cai and Sapa.
Overnight at hotel in Sapa.
Day 5: Sapa Trekking (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel. Start the tour with 6 km of walking down to the south east of Sapa along the side of Muong Hoa valley to Y Linh Ho village of the Black H’mong. Continue on 2km of trekking down to Lao Chai village of the H’mong. Lunch at a local family, and then walk through terraced rice fields to Ta Van village of the Dzay minority people. It gives you a worth chance for you to learn about the local house architecture which is full of their daily life styles and exclusive custom. Enjoy the landscapes…on the way. Get back to Sapa.
Over night at hotel in Sapa.
Day 6: Sapa - Lao Cai - Hanoi (B, L, D)
Breakfast at hotel, then start a walk down to the South-west of Sapa (around 4 km) 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, and then next 6 km to Sin Chai, the village located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain, “the roof of Vietnam and Indochina”. From here you can enjoy huge stunning landscapes before climbing up and getting back to Sapa by car. Transfer to Lao Cai station for dinner and catching the night train back to Hanoi.
Overnight on train (sharing 4-soft-berth cabin with A/C)
Day 7: Hanoi – Hue (B, L)
Hue is located in Thua Thien prefecture and is in the central part of Vietnam, 660 km from Ha Noi and 1080 km from Saigon. Hue became the name of Vietnam's most well known ancient capital because many historical buildings are located in Hue, largely a legacy from its time as a capital of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945). Inside the city are the Royal Citadel, Flag Tower, Royal Palace, and Royal Tombs. Hue’s Forbidden Purple City was once reserved for the royal family; it was severely damaged during the War. Outside the city is the religious site known as Nam Giao Hill, or Heaven’s Altar.
We will arrive at Hanoi Station early in the morning. Check in a nearby standard hotel for resting and taking a bath before enjoying light breakfast and transferring to the airport for flight to Hue.
Arrive in Hue and take a full day tour of the Old Imperial City. Our visiting sites include Old Imperial City, Flag Tower, Thien Mu Pagoda, Royal Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Our exciting day ends with romantic cruise on the Perfume River with Royal music on boat.
Overnight at hotel, Hue.
Day 8: Hue – Hoi An (B, L)
Hoi An was originally a Cham port town, but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. There is a distinctly Chinese appearance with pagodas and assembly halls scattered along the small streets. Hoi An was once a bustling port in centuries gone by, before the river silted up.
We travel by private vehicle from Hue to Da Nang - Journey south along Highway 1 past the Hai Van Pass and Lang Co. Visit Cham Museum, Marble Mountain and China Beach. Arrive in Hoi An, an ancient trading center and have lunch.
A short tour here takes us to see a historic house, the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall. We enjoy a free afternoon to make the most of delightful Hoi An and its surrounding areas. The market is a good place to buy silk that can be made up into fine garments, all within a day. Close to town is the Cua Dai beach, which can be reached easily by bicycle, is an ideal place to swim and relax.
Overnight at Hotel, Hoi An.
Day 9: Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Today, you will take the early flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh city, also called Saigon. This is the largest city in Vietnam and the nation's economic capital. The metropolitan area Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding towns, is populated by more than 9 million.
We take a short city tour to the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral. You will also admire the many beautiful French colonial buildings such as the main post office and the former Hotel de Ville (city hall). If time permits, we will visit the bustling Cho Lon Market (Chinatown). This trip helps you view the city from another perspective and to see the abundance of fresh local produce that is such an important feature of Vietnamese cuisine.
Overnight at Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh departure (B, L)
Excursion to Tay Ninh: Visit the Cao Dai Great Temple, Nui Ba Den (Black Lady Mountain), which towers 850m above the surrounding plains. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon: continue proceeding to Cu Chi Tunnels. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City and transfer directly to the airport for evening departure flight.
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* The itinerary in Halong may change depending on the option you choose. The meals in day 3 may be mid-morning buffet (buffet brunch) and dinner.

** The day to visit Bac Ha Market must be on Sunday, and it can be switched to day 5 or 6 to suite your schedule.

Quotation

Category	Net rate in US$/person in party of			Single room
	2 - 3	4 - 5	>6
Superior	1329	1045	925	+230
First class	1500	1217	1097	+358
Deluxe	1805	1521	1401	+580
Luxury	Contact us for price

Note*: rates are not applied on New Year, National Holidays, festivals..

Inclusion:

• Twin-shared rooms at 3-5 star hotels.

• Land transfer by private A/C vehicle for whole trip.

• Boat trip in Halong Bay and Hue.

• English speaking guide. Other languages are available upon request.

• Admission fees for all sightseeing places

• Bottles of mineral water available on the car.

• Meals as mentioned in the program. Special requirements (vegetarian, diet, Muslim food etc.) could be arranged upon prior notice.

See details of services we provide in our tours

Exclusion:

• All flights and airport tax (Hanoi - Hue: US$85; Da Nang - Saigon: US$85)

• Visa arrangement

• Travel insurances.

• Drinks and personal expenses (laundry, phone calls etc.).

• Services not clearly mentioned above.

Packing list: Passport, towels, toiletries, flash light, change of clothes, sun block, sun glasses, sun hat, insect repellent, proper hiking shoes and rain coat.

Accommodation

Category	Cities	Hotels	Class	Room Type
Superior	Hanoi	Hoa Binh Palace	3*	Superior
	Sapa	Holiday Sapa hotel	3*	Standard
	Halong cruise	Oriental Sails	3*	Deluxe
	Hue	Ideal  hotel	3*	Superior
	Hoi An	Pho Hoi Riverside	3*	Superior
	Ho Chi Minh	Sapphire Hotel	3*	Superior
First class	Hanoi	Sunway Hanoi	4*	Superior
	Sapa	Chau Long Hotel(New Wing)	4*	ROH
	Halong cruise	Victory Cruise	4*	Superior
	Hue	Huong Giang hotel	4*	Deluxe
	Hoi An	Hoi An hotel	4*	Superior
	Ho Chi Minh	First hotel	4*	Superior
Deluxe	Hanoi	Moevenpick Hotel	5*	Superior
	Sapa	Victoria Sapa Resort	4*	Superior
	Halong cruise	Indochina Sails	4*	Superior
	Hue	Celadon Palace	5*	Deluxe
	Hoi An	Palm Garden Resort	5*	Garden - View
	Ho Chi Minh	Windsor Plaza Hotel	5*	Deluxe
Luxury	Hanoi	Sofitel Metropole Hotel	5*	Opera Room
	Sapa	Victoria Resort	4*	Superior
	Halong cruise	Jasmine Junk	5*	Premium
	Hue	La Residence Hotel	5*	Superior
	Hoi An	Victoria Resort	5*	Superior
	Ho Chi Minh City	Park Yark Hotel	5*	Park Room

Note*:

• Hotels and/or room type would be changed on your requests with surcharge/discount (if any).

• Similar hotels will be selected  in case pointed ones are full.