Vietnam Grand Adventure

Brief Information

Tour type: Private, adventure tour

Hotel options: 2-star; 3-star; 4-star

Duration: 21 days

Departure/end: Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City or vice-versa

Highlights: Hanoi city, Ha Giang trekking and homestay with hill tribe people, Halong Bay with a romantic night on board, caving tour in Phong Nha the Kingdom of cave, DMZ, Hoi An ancient town, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong and Ho Chi Minh city.

Features:
- Various means of transportation: car, train, flight, boat, cyclo
- Different accommodation type: hotel, on train, on boat
- Combination of activities, landscape, life style, climate in different parts in Vietnam.

Price: From US$1575

Brief itinerary and service:

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Our driver and tour guide will pick you up at Hanoi airport then transfer to your hotel in Hanoi for check-in. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore a little of downtown and enjoy a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake by yourself. Recommended activities today are cyclo tour around Old street Quarter and water puppetry show.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi - Ha Giang
Our guide will pick-up you at your hotel in Hanoi. On the way to Ha Giang we will visit Ethnology Museum in Thai Nguyen province. Arrive Hoang Su Phi, the land of terrace field. Meet our local guide and enjoy the first homestay.

Day 3: Trekking day
First day trekking to Nam Hong village (5-6 hours), on the way you will have chance to contemplate rice terrace field, mountain, bamboo forest, local hill tribe with their daily life, daily works. Hill tribe people here are mainly Man Ta Pan and long-dress Dzao. Have lunch en route. Overnight at homestay with Man Ta Pan house.

Day 4: Trekking day
Keep a walking to Phin Ho village (5-6 hours). This area is isolated with house scattered on hill slope looking down to terrace field. Our guide will take you on local path through field, village, up and down hill. Enjoy breathtaking landscape of the region. You may stop somewhere to see people work, say hello and talk with them will make them happy. Your lunch is served in a house on the way. Stay with local people, Tay hill tribe.

Day 5: Ha Giang – Bac Ha
Again your breakfast is served by our guide/porter then we continue our trek until reach the road and get on our car to Bac Ha.

Day 6: Bac Ha (Can Cau or Coc Ly) market – Sapa
Market days in mountain area is usually held weekly. On that day people from all corner come to the market. They go to the market with different purposes. You can see some people bring pig, chicken for sales, some have a bunch of vegetable or bottle of honey. They can sell anything they grow or pick in the forest and get all for their needs here. Some girls are in beautiful and vivid clothes as in festival. In fact market days are festivals for them, not only bartering but also for the needs of communicating, updating with news or simply a drink with friends.
Depending on your travel date we will arrange a market day for your tour. There are 3 markets you should visit: Sunday market of Bac Ha; Saturday market of Can Cau; Tuesday market of Coc Ly. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

Day 7: Sapa – 2,200 m of altitude
Breakfast then start the tour by car to silver waterfall, Tram Ton pass - from this highest pass in Vietnam, starts the strenuous climb to the peak. 8 hours through primitive forest, many small streams and bamboo forests…reach the top of 2.200 m, make tents, and prepare for dinner. This is the 1st night for travelers, guide and porters to seat friendly close to each others beside the fire to enjoy the tasty moment that all have once in the life of experience.

Day 8: 2.200 m – Fansipan – 2,700 m
A hard climb heads up to the top the summit (3,143 m). At the top you will be the vanquisher. Take your time to enjoy yourself, take pictures and your lunch then descend the same way down to 2,700 m for camping and cooking something for congratulation winners-over night there.

Day 9: 2.700 – Sin Chai – Sapa - Hanoi
Take another way to go down to the foot of the mountain. Stop by a spring for a bath and have lunch before going to visit Sin Chai Village. After that take a car back to Sapa. Bus to Lao Cai Station to get night train back to Hanoi.

Day 10: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Meet with local tour guide upon arrival at Hanoi train station in the early morning. Check in a small standard hotel nearby the station to get a short sleep and breakfast (local dish).
You are picked up at around 8.00am to depart for Halong Bay. Upon arrival the dock, a ferry will be waiting to transfer you to the boat. Enjoy your welcome drink from the boat crew while listening a briefing about itinerary and safety onboard. After checking in your cabin, savor a delectable lunch as the junk cruises further along the Bay passing many limestone islands formed in different shapes emerging unevenly from emerald green water. Having fun with kayak to visit Ba Hang or Luon cave, then continue to visit Amazing cave - one of the most beautiful caves on the Bay. Dinner is served with multiple courses at around 19.00. After that you can join squid fishing or take your own time to socialize with other guests or just laze around. Overnight on board.

Day 11: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Dong Hoi
Start your new day with a Tai Chi lesson on sun deck. After breakfast, transferred by ferry to Ti Top island for swimming or climbing the highest peak to get panorama view over the Bay. Back to the main boat to attend a short cooking class before lunch is served. Enjoy peaceful moment while the boat glides on the Bay till reaching the dock for the trip back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you are free to have dinner on your own until the boarding time for night train to Dong Hoi. Stay overnight on train.

Day 12: Jungle trekking and caving
Pick up at your hotel to depart for the National Park. Upon arrival trek departure point, start trekking deep into dense forest to visit caves known for its beautiful surroundings and stalagmite and stalactite formations. Visitors will get the chance to swim inside the cave as there runs a river inside of it. Immerse yourself into the jungle with many ancient trees, exotic flowers, unique plants and animals such as monkeys and colorful birds. Then we will set up camp and spend the night with some games, food and drinks.

Day 13: Explore more caves, trekking
Be the true explorers to go deep inside the cave and discover its unspoilt beauty while traveling through the entire length of the cave with necessary equipments provided. Visitors will have funny time on trying natural mud bath or joining some adventurous games after finishing the cave. Have lunch with tasty Vietnamese foods at the restaurant. Drive back to hotel in Phong Nha for overnight stay.

Day 14: Discover the Paradise and Dark Cave
Pick up at your hotel and drive onto the Ho Chi Minh west trail to reach the drop off point. From this point on, you will have to hike following our guide to visit Paradise Cave, one of the most beautiful caves in the National Park with a series of white crystal stalactites resembling glass pillars and many other spectacular formations. Continue your trip to the next stop … Dark Cave!
Dark cave was discovered in 1990 and soon became one of the most popular destinations in the area. To enter the cave, tourists will have to take a zip-line ride and then swim about 20 meters in beautiful deep blue water of Chay river which flows through the cave. While exploring the cave, our guide will give you a lot of information about the history of its formation; you will find many ancient fossils which are over a billion year old. If interested, you can try natural mud bath inside the cave that is very healthy for your skin before paddling a kayak to get out. Your car will be waiting for you to transfer you back to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 15: Dong Hoi – DMZ - Hue
After breakfast at hotel, leave Dong Hoi for Quang Tri province, visit DMZ (Demilitarized zone) to learn about Vietnam War history of this area. The DMZ is the old border area that divided North and South Vietnam until the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 and was once the bloodiest battle field that killed hundred thousands of soldiers and residences from both sides. Many ruins of old American military base still exist here.
We will visit Ben Hai river, Hien Luong Bridge and Vinh Moc tunnels where entire village ever lived for two and a half year to avoid the intense bombing of American force. After lunch at local restaurant, continue to visit Rock Pile (US marine look-out), Dak Rong Bridge (one of the main branches of the Ho Chi Minh trail), and Khe Sanh Combat Base, the site of a U.S base which fell under attack in early 1968. The attack of the North Vietnam Army on Khe Sanh was a diversion for the 1968 Tet Offensive in the south. The old airfield of red dirt still remains. 
After the tour, proceed to Hue, stay overnight at hotel.

Day 16: Hue - Hoi An
In the morning, take half day Hue city tour including boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda – a symbol of Hue, visit Imperial Citadel and spend a short time at Dong Ba market.
After lunch, proceed to Hoi An and enjoy your free time to discover this little charming old town. Follow the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures and visit its numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, the local fish market. Around the town we can see a numerous art galleries and tailor shops, get some made-to-order clothes if you like. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day 17: Hoi An- HCMC
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 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 18: HCMC – Cao Dai – Cu Chi
Today, we head out to Cao Dai Holy See, attend the noontide service ceremony and visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi is actually the name of the district which covers an extensive underground network (approximately 200 kilometers) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used extensively for refuge and storage and also utilized as a military base for the Viet Cong close to Saigon. The 1968 Tet Offensive was launched from Cu Chi with surprising effect. A section of the tunnels has been widened to allow tourists to get a feel for what the life underground must have been like (please note that this will be hot and sweaty and also a bit claustrophobic!). Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 19: HCMC – Mekong Delta
After breakfast transferred from Ho Chi Minh city to Cai Be, greeting at Cai Be harbor and explore the lively Cai Be floating market, walking for visit the handicraft village of the local people. Keep on the boat trip to an ecolodge & check-in bungalows.
After lunch relax and walking or biking visit Phu Chau & Pho Tinh pagodas. Late afternoon participating in cooking class and diner with what you’ve cooked.

Day 20: Mekong Delta - HCMC
After breakfast in the restaurant walking or cycling tour around the island. Go to one of the orchard, free fruits picking of mango, rambutan, longan…
Boat transfer to Cai Be harbor and catch your car again to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 21: HCMC Departure
You are free for personal activity till transfer for departure to next destination.
Tour ends.

2020 Quotation

Hotel categories	Net rate in US$/person in group of						Single supplement
	1 prs	2-3 prs	4-5 prs	6-7 prs	8-9 prs	10 prs up
Tourist	4295	2468	2030	1662	1575	On request	281
Superior	4474	2557	2120	1752	1665	On request	350
First Class	4906	2774	2336	1968	1881	On request	516

Note:

- Single supplement not apply on train.
- The price is not applicable on National Holidays, Christmas and New Year.

Includes:
Accommodation:
- 11 nights twin/double sharing at hotels with daily breakfast.
- 2 nights on train (4 berths, AC cabin)
- 1 night on boat (private cabin for 2 people with bathroom).
- 3 nights homestay with hill tribe people.
- 3 nights camping site.
Transportation:
- Land transfer by private vehicle for whole trip.
- Sharing boat cruise in Halong Bay (private cabin for 2 people with bathroom)
- Train tickets Lao Cai - Hanoi; Hanoi - Dong Hoi (4 berths, AC cabin)
- Air tickets and all taxes: DAD-SGN
Others:
- Meals as mentioned. B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: dinner
- English speaking guides.
- Admission fees for all sightseeing places on tour.
- 1 bottle of mineral water and wet tissue per person on touring day.
- Free Vietnam visa approval letter.
- Service charge and Government taxes
Excludes:
- International air tickets.
- Visa stamping fee.
- Personal expenses.
- Drinks.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Services not clearly mentioned above.

LIST OF HOTELS ON TOUR