OVERVIEW

Vietnam Impression

The tour provides a unique touch to major highlights of Vietnam from the charming Vietnamese capital city with the bustle Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture to the mountain landscape and the magnificent Halong bay. This tour can be customized to meet your specific needs.

ITINERARY

Hanoi | Sapa | Ha Long | Hue | Hoi An | Da Nang | Ho Chi Minh City | Ben Tre

Show all Info Show less info
Day 01

Hanoi Arrival

Welcome to Hanoi!

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Meals: Not included

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Upon arriving to Hanoi, our tour guide and driver will personally meet you at the airport, transfer you to hotel in the downtown for check-in. The rest of the day you are free at leisure. 
Day 02

Hanoi City Tour - Night Train to Lao Cai - Sapa

Discover the highlights of Hanoi on a city tour and take a train to Sapa

Accommodation: Overnight on train to Lao Cai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

08:00: Our tour guide and driver pick you up at the hotel lobby. Start your tour with a visit of Ho Chi Minh Complex including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, House-on-Stilts, One Pillar pagoda. After that, visit the Temple of Literature - a temple to Confucius, this is also known as Vietnam’s first University dating back to 1070.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Continue the tour with a visit of the Museum of Ethnology, widely acknowledged as the best museum in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. As well as the comprehensive array of exhibits inside, there are also traditional tribal houses reconstructed within the ground. Go back to the center of Hanoi to visit Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake.
A 45 minute Cyclo
Tour takes you through the Old Quarter of Hanoi, also known as the 36 streets and guilds, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally each of the street’s names was related to the products being sold there. It’s a great place to explore on foot with numerous photo opportunities.
Then check in a Day use hotel for refreshing.
Dine before the transfer to Hanoi train station to board the overnight train to Sapa.
Day 03

Lao Cai - Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van village

Admire the beautiful landscape and observe the culture of ethnic people

Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Early morning, arrival in Lao Cai, Asia Top Travel's guide will welcome you at the exit platform, transfer you to Sapa for refreshing and having breakfast before the trek.
After breakfast, departure for a mini trekking journey. There are many photo opportunities on the way. Travel downhill to Muong Hoa valley. Begin the trekking on a fairly rocky road through Lao Chai village, a Black Hmong’s ethnic village. Then continue to Ta Van village of Giay ethnic minority people. The terrace fields are great for photographing. Visit local people’s house and schools en-route. Return to Sapa by car. Enjoy your time at leisure.
Day 04

Sapa - Cat Cat Village - Transfer back to Hanoi

We visit Cat Cat village before heading back Hanoi Capital

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you will start trekking to Cat Cat Village which is occupied by the Black H’mong tribe. You will experience the tribal way of life while enjoying wonderful views of the terraced rice paddy fields and the waterfall in Cat Cat village. Coming here,you can see the hydroelectric power station which was built by the French in twentieth century. After that, you will go back to hotel to check out and have lunch at restaurant.
Afternoon: Free time to explore Sapa town or go shopping at Sapa Market.
15.00- 15: 30: say good bye Sapa. You get back to Hanoi by limousine van. Arrival to hotel in Hanoi at around 20.30 - 21.00pm. You check in hotel and have time at leisure. Dinner today is on your own arrangement.
Day 05

Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Trang An

We leave Hanoi for the ancient capital and Halong Bay on land

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

8.00AM: Asia Top Travel tour expert pick you up at your hotel, travel to Hoa Lu. Along the way, we may take some stop-over for photo and refreshment while enjoying rural stunning scenery on the way. Arrive in Hoa Lu which is the former capital of Vietnam (968 – 1009) under Dinh and Le dynasties. Visit Dinh temple, Le temple and surroundings.
Have lunch at local restaurant with local food.
After lunch, take the amazing boat trip to visit Trang An grottoes which is a gathering of 31 valleys, 50 cross-water caves, and home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna, many of them in the Red Book of Vietnam. While rowing through Trang An grotto in the quiet, fresh air of the highlands, with only the sound of birds and the oars stirring the clear water and surrounded by magnificent forested mountains upon which graze white goats, visitors enjoy a heaven on earth.
15:00: Leave Trang An and drive back Hanoi city. 
18:00: Arrive your hotel in Hanoi 
 
Day 06

Hanoi - Halong Bay

Enjoy spectacular views from your boat

Accommodation: Overnight on Halong bay cruise

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

09:30': Our driver will pick you up at your hotel lobby by a private car. After that we leave Hanoi for a 2.5 hour to reach Halong Bay.
12:00′ – 12:30′: At Tuan Chau International Marina, a tender boat will take you to our Halong Phoenix Cruiser. A refreshing welcome drink is served and you can check into your cabin.
13:00′: When you are putting all of your stuffs into your cabin, our boat starts gliding out to the centre of the World Heritage Site. Your lunch, at the boat’s restaurant, is would be served with fresh local seafood, but vegetable menu is always available at your request. From the marina area, our cruiser passes by Dog Head and Swan Islands, Ba Hang Floating villages (with floating houses), Incense Burner then Thumb Islands before reaching to Luon cave area for kayaking.
14:30′ – 15:00′: We have time to gear up for one hour kayaking around Luon cave area .Our guide will show you some basic safety guidelines and techniques to paddle before helping you to sit on our brand new sit-on-top kayaks. After that our boat will help you visit the Titop Island one hour for swimming, sun-bathing or getting a panoramic view on island peak.
17:00′: As the sun sets over the bay, we head back to our cruise and relax. Coffee, tea and fruits will be available on the sundeck or you can order your favorite drink while our boat cruises to the night’s anchorage area.
19:00′: Dinner will be served with local seafood. After dinner you may choose to enjoy drinks from the bar or top deck or experience squid fishing before retiring.
Day 07

Halong bay - Hanoi - Hue

Say goodbye to Halong Bay, transfer to Hanoi airport for a flight to Hue

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

07:00′ – 07:45′: Enjoy the morning view of the beautiful landscape with a cup of coffee or tea. Have breakfast in the fresh air.
08:00′ – 09:00′: You will visit the impressive Cave of Halong Bay – Surprising Cave (Sửng Sốt) with your tour guide, a truly awesome and amazing cave to experience.
10:00′: Check out of your cabin and settle your bill as our boat begins cruising back to the harbor. Experience more views of Halong Bay such as Fighting Cocks Island (Symbol of Halong Bay), Incense Burner and Stone Dogs Islands.
10:20′: A cooking demonstration onboard shows you how to make authentic Vietnamese Spring rolls. You will learn about the recipes and techniques that create this popular dish of Vietnamese people.
10:45′: Lunch is served on board during cruising towards the harbor.
11:20′: Depart the Halong Phoenix Cruiser and travel by tender boat back to Tuan Chau International Marina 
Meet our driver and transfer to Hanoi airport for late afternoon flight to Hue.
Arrive in Hue city, meet your tour guide and transfer to your hotel. Check-in and relax. The rest of day you are free at leisure.
Day 08

Hue City Tour

Visit the highlights of Hue ancient town

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

This morning, we take a boat trip along poetic Perfume River to reach the ancient Thien Mu pagoda, a special cultural - historical site where still preserves a legendary tale about the Heaven Fairy Lady since Nguyen Dynasty. 
Then, we visit  Hue Citadel. Here you will walk around and take a look into the special feudal relics of immense architectural and cultural values. Then we visit the major sites including the Imperial Citadel with Forbidden Royal City like in Beijing. 
Have lunch at Y Thao garden restaurant. 
In the afternoon, we visit the tomb and monument of King Tu Duc which is located in a very beautiful area. This is an opportunity to learn more about Nguyen Kings and to enjoy the spectacular landscape. Your lunch is served at a local restaurant.
Then we visit Conical hat village: To see and learn how the locals make the conical hat ( non la). ( Non la- traditional indispensable accessory expressing the hidden charm and simplicity of women).
Conclude your day at Incense stick making village: Observe how locals make sandalwood and cinnamon incense. 
 
Day 09

Hue - Hoian City tour - Thanh Ha pottery village

Enjoy your first day in Hoian charming town

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

8:00am: Our guide and driver pick you up at hotel lobby.
This morning we drive over the mighty Hai Van Pass and take in the spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and famous Lang Co fishing village.  
Upon arrival Hoian, you will enjoy a walking tour around this enchanting port town. We 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. 
After lunch in a local restaurant, you will enjoy a short boat ride to Thanh Ha pottery village which has a long historical legacy and it used to play an important role in the  development of Hoi An ancient town. It’s better to head straight to the narrow lanes behind the village tourist park to find the families busy churning out pots, sculptures, roof tiles and cute handcrafted whistles shaped like animals…
Your trip end at your hotel in the late afternoon at about 5:30pm
 
Day 10

Hoi An - Cam Thanh Coconut village – Tra Que vegetable village

Observe the local life in villages and try to be a cook in a local family

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

8:30: After being collected from your hotel, a short bicycle competency test will be given. For those uncomfortable with a pushbike, then other methods of transport can be arranged. The tour starts by cycling along level ground to the Thu Bon River to visit a local fishing village.
Ride along country lanes at a peaceful pace viewing local life and pause to see farmers toiling in their rice fields using centuries of farming practices. Peddle your way through palm forests, across bridges, fields of water buffalo....
Biking  along country lanes at a peaceful pace viewing local life and pause to see farmers
9:00: Take a short break in a local family at Cam Thanh Village before enjoying 1.5 hours ride on Traditional Basket Boat (round boat) in the Water Coconut Palm Forest . Learn how to sail the basket boat and spend your time to catch fishes and “purple crabs” in the Canal.
10:30: Continue to drive to Tra Que Organic Vegetable Village where a large variety of vegetable are produced for the local community. At the village, you will be shown the environmentally sustainable practices which the local villagers have used for centuries and is still being used extensively today.
11:30: Visit a local family and after a short, informative and fun cooking lesson, we sit down for a delicious lunch.
In the afternoon, we drive back hotel for relaxing.
 
Day 11

Hoian - Danang - Fly to Ho Chi Minh

Fly to the bustling city

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Meals: Breakfast,

You are free at your leisure until being transfer to Danang airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh city.
Upon arrival Tan Son Nhat airport, you will be escorted to hotel for check in. Lunch & dinner today are on your own arrangement.
You may also take an optional show or a night tour in Saigon.
Day 12

Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi tunnels - City Tour

Have a full day for Ho Chi Minh discovery

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

8:00am: Our guide & driver pick you up at hotel.
A half day tour to Cu Chi, located about 70 km from Saigon, where you will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, the former stronghold of the Viet Cong with a network of tunnels three levels deep stretching over 200 km. 
Cu Chi tunnels played a vital part in the U.S.-Vietnam War in that they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area only 30 to 40 km from former Saigon .
At its height, the tunnel system stretched from Saigon to the Cambodian border. The network, parts of which were several levels deep, included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens.
Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and feel of what underground life during the war must have been like.
The tunnels have been widened for our benefit (otherwise we would not be able to enter them!) For those interested there's even the opportunity to try an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. (On your own cost)
Your lunch will be served at a local restaurant en route.
Your afternoon begins with the exploration of Ho Chi Minh city, including the Reunification Palace that was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975. Then, continuing our trip visiting War Remnants Museum that is formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes. This is a poignant display the futility of war. Close to the museum, we go to visit the Central Post Office that is the country’s largest post office was built since 1891. It is a fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam's largest post office. Your trip ends at your hotel at about 5:30pm
 
Day 13

Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta - Ben Tre

Enjoy a Mekong delta day trip

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

08:00am: our guide and driver pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the “Capital” of Coconut – Ben Tre. It takes about 2-2.5 hours transfer on the way to Ben Tre. On arrival in Hung Vuong Pier (Ben Tre town). Take a boat on Ben Tre river – one of tributaries of Mekong river, Sight-seeing  lively activities along river as fishing,water transfering... Stop at brickwork to see how to make bricks in handy traditional style by printing and baking. Visit one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along Cái sơn canal. Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to Nhon Thanh village. Take a walk to family workshop making sleep mats and enjoying some fruits.

Take a tuk tuk or ride on shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on realy life and find out  about tropical culture from Peasants. Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon -  Take rowing-boat along water palm creek and  boat along Cai Coi creek back to Hung Vuong Pier where our driver awaits for you to transfer back to Ho Chi Minh.
Day 14

Ho Chi Minh Departure

Say goodbye to our team in Ho Chi Minh Airport

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Breakfast

You are free at your leisure until our driver picks up & transfers you to the airport for your departure flight.

Price

  • We can customize this itinerary to meet your specific needs. 
  • Please click the yellow button Send Enquiry This Tour to get our free quotes. 

TOUR INCLUSIONS

For your peace of mind, our tours are designed to include as much as possible in the price, but also to give you the freedom to find a special place to eat or to seek out an independent adventure that especially appeals to you.
Trip Inclusions
  • Full transportation by private vehicle except the transfer from Sapa to Hanoi by shared limousine
  • Meals: 13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 2 dinners
  • Professional and knowledge English- speaking guide on tour
  • Entrance fees to all the tourist sides on the itinerary
  • Private Boat trip in Trang An, Hue, Hoian, Mekong delta
  • 13 nights Accommodation with daily breakfast
  • Mineral drinking water on the tour
  • Domestic flight tickets
Trip Exclusions
  • International flight ticket
  • Visa fees
  • Tips

Related tours