Ultimate Vietnam Grand Tour – 28 Days

Welcome up on arrival by local tour guide and driver then we transfer to hotel. Relax for the rest of the day.

Around 6 pm, we will start walking around the Old Quarter along different streets, try to taste many kinds of local food such as beef/chicken noodle soup, oil-fried pastry, tofu, rice pancake, pillow cake, sweet soup, stuff pancake with pork, draught beer… and one of our best surprised is a stop at Dong Xuan whole sales market where we know many kinds of ingredients being sold.

Last but not least is our happy ending at a hidden coffee in the Old Quarters enjoy its famous ‘egg coffee’ in a pleasant surrounding overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. It would be a great chance to immerse in the local life of the local at weekend here. After the tour, we return back to hotel in old quarter Hanoi.

These are the famous street foods that you can try in Hanoi:

• Bánh Cuốn – Steamed rice paper rolls
• Bún Ốc – Vietnamese freshwater Snails Noodle
• Bún Riêu Cua – The Hearty Crab Soup Noodle (Not suitable for people allergic to crustacean shells)
• Bún Cá – Noodle soup with fish
• Bánh Xèo & Nem Lụi – Crispy pancakes and lemongrass pork skewers
• Miến Xào Lươn – Glass noodles with eel
• Bánh Đa Trộn – Mixed flat rice noodles
• Bánh Tôm – Hanoi shrimp cakes
• Chả Rươi – Fried Worm (Based on season)
• Bánh Gối – Crispy ’empanadas’
• Mỳ Gà Tần – Chicken noodles in herbal broth
• Chè – Colourful Sweet Dessert Soup
• Lẩu – Vietnamese Hot-pot (Such as Thai Hot Pot, Hearty Crab Hot Pot, Beef Hotpot, Mixed Hot Pot, …)
• Steaky Rices – Corn Sticky Rices, Green Sticky Rice Sticks, sticky rice with caramelized pork and eggs, etc)
• Egg Coffee or Green Bean Egg Café

Hanoi, located in the Red River Delta, in the center of North Vietnam, and is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam, the center of culture, politics, economy, and trade of the whole country. Throughout the thousand years of its eventful history, marked by destruction, wars, and natural calamities, Hà Nội still preserves many ancient architectural works including the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples. Famous sites include the One Pillar Pagoda (built in 1049), the Confucius Temple (built in 1070), Thang Long Citadel, Hà Nội Opera House, President Hồ Chí Minh’s Mausoleum, and so on…

Itinerary of Hanoi City Tour full day:

08h00-08h30: We will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter or Hanoi Opera House. In the morning, we will visit:

• Tran Quoc Pagoda located on the east side isle of the West Lake (Tay Ho district), is considered the most ancient pagoda in Thang Long – Hanoi with its historical progression in 1500 years. It has a harmonious combination of the majesty, hoariness of architecture, and peaceful landscape of West Lake. From the Ly and Tran dynasties period, it had become the Buddhist center of Thang Long.
• Visit the complex of President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (Mausoleum and Stilt House) – Where the great leader lived and worked until the last years of his life. Here, you will have the opportunity to learn about Uncle Ho’s simple life. In addition, you will stop by One Pillar Pagoda to admire one of the 4 symbols of Hanoi.

Note: with departure days on Monday and Friday, the Mausoleum Management Board will carry out maintenance of the mausoleum, you will visit only outside of Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, stilt house, and One Pillar Pagoda.

• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: This is the most recent yet probably the largest and undoubtedly the most interesting museum in Hanoi and Vietnam. There are indoor and outdoor sections, and while the in-housed exhibition is particularly informative, the outdoor display and activities make the museum stand out. There are a number of houses modeled after the traditional architecture of ethnic minorities, especially those who live in Northern and Central highlands.

On Monday, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is closed, instead of the Vietnamese Women’s Museum.
Noon: Return to the Old Quarter to have lunch at the restaurant. After lunch, you will see 36 streets from the car and listen to the guide tell stories about the streets of the ancient urban marketplace.

Afternoon: We will visit:

• The Temple of Literature (The first university in Vietnam): Being an ancient school of Thang Long and the first university in Vietnam, the Temple of Literature is acknowledged as an ancient historical-cultural heritage that gives tourists a deeper understanding of Hanoi’s years of culture and tradition.
• Hoa Lo Prison: Built-in 1899. The French held mainly political prisoners here, along with those awaiting sentencing at the nearby Court of Justice, as well as American pilots who had been shot down and captured as prisoners of war. The pilots sarcastically called it the “Hanoi Hilton. John McCain was held here at various times during his five and a half years as a POW.

16h00: End of Hanoi City Tour, the car will take you back to the hotel.

Around 6:30 a.m., the shared D-Car will pick you up and transfer you to Sapa in 6 hours. On your arrival, you will check-in and then have a short rest before starting a short drive south toward Muong Hoa Valley which is the largest rice paddy terraced in the Sapa area. The walk commences at a point near an ancient rock field that was uncovered by a French researcher in 1925. There are 159 carved rocks on an area of eight square kilometers in Muong Hoa Valley in Hau Thao and Ta Van Communes. The shapes of the carved rocks have provoked the curiosity of both local and foreign researchers wishing to decode the mysterious messages for nearly a century. After a short time to discover the rock field, you follow a dirt trail going downhill to the rattan bridge, waterfall, and Giang Ta Chai village of Red Dao people. This portion of the trek offers a stunning view of Muong Hoa valleys as well as chances to understand the life of tribal peoples in remote land when paying a visit to a local house of Red Dao. The trek continues toward the Su Pan Village of Black H’mong people then up to the main road where your car is awaiting a transfer back to Sapa.

Approx: Grade 2 of 5/ 1 hours driving/ 2,5 hours walking.

After breakfast, we transfer to Cat Cat Village. After a couple of minutes, you follow the steps going downhill to Cat Cat village. You will stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station for a while before continuing the trek on a dirt trail through rice paddy terraces. You also will enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. You eventually arrive in Y Linh Ho village of the Black Hmong minority, where you can take a rest while you are served lunch near the river.

After lunch, you head toward Muong Hoa Valley. You will pass through the Lao Chai village of the Black Hmong minority and then the Tavan village of the Giay minority by following a very popular trekking route. You will return to Sapa from Tavan by car.

Approx: 0.5-hour driving / 5 hours walking / 1-hour lunch.

Bac Ha market, located in the heart of Bac Ha small town is the largest one in the area. Every Sunday, the different and colorful ethnic minority come all here to sell their homemade products or buy something for the family. They are Hmong, Phu La, Back Dzao, Tay or Nung minorities. Some of these ethnic minorities can’t be met in any other areas. The highlights of this trip is living yourself in Bac Ha colorful market which happens only on Sunday and also taking a wonderful boat trip upstream Chay River, to have some pleasant walks through Tay village.

Around 4 am, You will be met by a local guide and driver upon your arrival at the hotel in Sapa then transferred to a local restaurant for breakfast. Then start our drive to Bac Ha town. The road is relatively flat from Lao Cai to Bao Nhai Bridge. After crossing the bridge, we begin our journey up to Bac Ha. Bac Ha market, located in the heart of Bac Ha small town is the largest one in the area. Every Sunday, the different and colorful ethnic minorities come all here to sell their homemade products or buy something for the family. They are Hmong, Phu La, Back Dzao, Tay, or Nung minorities. Some of these ethnic minorities can’t be met in any other areas. Your lunch will be provided in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we drive downhill towards Lao Cai for about half an hour. We stop on the way (before reaching Lao Cai) to take a short walk to Trung Do village inhabited by Tay people. Tay villages are always set up at the foot of a mountain or along a stream and are named after a mountain, a field, or a river. Each village contains about 15-20 households. A large village is divided into many small hamlets. The houses are built on stilts or level with the ground. Stop by a traditional Tay house for a cup of tea before taking a boat cruise upstream the Chay River. The scenery is very beautiful on both sides of the river. The boat trip will end at Bao Nhai Bridge where your vehicle will be waiting for you for the journey back to Sapa.

After the tour, we will transfer to the Lao Cai Train Station and embark the night train back to Hanoi.
*Surcharge for Can Cau Market: $40 per person

This morning, the train will arrive at 5:30 am and our guide will pick you up at Hanoi Station and we all will transfer to eat Phở Chấm as a breakfast. After breakfast, we will take a cup of coffee at the Cà Bóp Cofee Shop while waiting for the shuttle bus to pick you up to start our journey.

Around 7:45 – 8:30 am by shuttle bus to start our journey. When we arrive at Tuan Chau Marina, you will get checked in at La Regina Royal waiting lounge, and enjoy welcome drink and express check-in before boarding. Once arrive, you will be given a short briefing about your cruise itinerary and safety regulations while you enjoy some complimentary welcoming drinks. Shortly after, we start our vacation with a delicious lunch set menu in the restaurant. As the cruise departs towards Halong Bay – a natural wonder of the world, absorb yourself in the gorgeous scenery and famous sights of limestone.

Around 15:00, your first excursion is a visit to Luon Cave. This is considered as one of the most ideal places in Halong for kayaking or rowing boat. After that, you will visit Titov Island, where you can go swimming or hike to the top for another stunning, panoramic view of the Bay. Then, we return back to the cruise and enjoy the Bay sunset while enjoying the “Happy Hour” special. You may also join our chef in the kitchen to learn how to make traditional spring rolls. At 7 pm, we enjoy our special dinner in the restaurant or on the sundeck (if the weather is permit). After dinner, it’s your choice for a fun squid fishing, spa (surcharge) or relaxing before spending the rest of night on board

11:30 Arrive at Le Regina Royal waiting lounge in Halong International Harbour, enjoy welcome drink and express check-in before boarding.
12:30 Transferred to La Regina Royal Cruise by a tender boat, enjoy a Welcome Drink from crew member while manager introduce the safety briefing and clearing our the itinerary.
13:00 Let your vacation start with a delicious lunch set menu in the restaurant. As the cruise departs towards Halong Bay – a natural wonder of the world, absorb yourself in the gorgeous scenery and famous sights of limestone.
15:00 Your first excursion is a visit to Luon Cave. This is considered as one of the most ideal places in Halong for kayaking or rowing boat. After that, you will visit Titov Island, where you can go swimming or hike to the top for another stunning, panoramic view of the Bay.
17:30 Return to the cruise and enjoy the Bay sunset while enjoying the “Happy Hour” special. You may also join our chef in the kitchen to learn how to make traditional spring rolls.
19:00 Enjoy our special dinner in the restaurant or on the sundeck (if the weather permits). After dinner, it’s your choice for a fun squid fishing, spa (surcharge) or relaxing.

In the early morning, we greet the new day on the sundeck with a tachi session and enjoy the fresh air on the bay while you unwind with a cup of tea or coffee.  Following, we visit to the magnificent Sung Sot Cave, where you can take in the panoramic views across Halong Bay. After time in here, we return back to La Regina Royal Cruise and spend time to check-out before having the Vietnamese cuisine buffet is served at the restaurant while the boat heads back to the harbor and get on the shuttle bus to return back to Hanoi in around 2.5 – 3 hours.

06:00 Greet the new day on the sundeck with Tai Chi Exercise.
06:30 Light breakfast is served at the restaurant.
07:30 After breakfast, Your next excursion is a visit to the magnificent Sung Sot Cave, where you can take in the panoramic views across Halong Bay.
09:00 Come back to La Regina Royal Cruise. Check out of the cabin.
09:45 A Vietnamese cuisine buffet is served at the restaurant while the boat heads back to the harbor.
11:00 Disembark at the harbor. After returning back to Hanoi, we will transfer to Noi Bai Airport for the flight to Danang. On your arrival in Danang, our car and English-speaking tour guide will wait at Danang International airport to transfer you to Hoi An Ancient Town for accommodation.

We have an early start this morning as we head off to our Farming & Fishing Life Eco Tour. Starting at Tra Que Village, we will get a personal insight into the local farming communities. We set about joining the farmers in preparing their land for sowing, helping to fertilize the garden using seaweed from the local river and watering it in using huge tin cans strapped to our backs. Following this, we will begin our leisurely cycling tour through the countryside witnessing local Vietnamese rural life first hand. Late morning we will board our Hoi An Eco-tour boat for a river cruise. Here we will meet and witness local fishermen working their craft, before enjoying a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. We then transfer to a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat for a quick race and ride down a coconut palm lined waterway. Lunch today, is on board our boat, which is prepared using vegetables picked earlier at Tra Que Village.

After lunch, we have some free time to wander around Hoi An town centre before heading back to the hotel. Then, we will start our walking tour around the ancient town to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky’s old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, and the temples, and pagodas of Chinese appearance. Then we are back to our hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing.

Today is a free day.

Morning
07:00 am – 08:00 am: Our Minivan and a tour guide pick you up at the hotel lobby. Reach Ba Na Hills via Cable Car.
9:30 am: Spend your time on the most modern Cable Car in Southeast Asia, then take The Climbing Train to visit the top of the mountain& further explore Le Jardin D’Amour (consists of 9 gardens), Debay Wine Cellar (old wineries) & Linh Ung Pagoda. Continue the 2^nd Cable Car to visit the French Village (enjoy Street Music, watch Art’s statue), Campanile, Nine Floor Goddess Shrine, Tombstone Temple, Linh Phong Monastery, Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple & Tru Vu Tea Shop. Watch Carnival Performance Show, Square Du Dome … Challenge the most popular adventure ride – Slide of Tube Car (free ride),

Afternoon
11:00 Visit the Golden Bridge. Located in the middle of the mountain, the bridge is designed to be soft, the entire bridge covered with a magnificent yellow. From the distance, the bridge is like a silk strip floating in white clouds. What makes the bridge more special is the huge supporting hand.
Lunch at Restaurant (Buffet).

Join Fantasy Park with Walking in Fairy Forest, discovering Dinosaur Park, play 5D wild west, enjoy 4D death race ride, watch 3D mega 360 degree, ride on Journey into the underground, enter Jurassic Park, challenge Freefall Tower and participate in adventure in Horror House and over 90 free games.

15:00: Return to the Cable Car to leave Ba Na Hills
16:45 – 17:45: Our Minivan brings you back to your hotel. Tour ends.

This morning we transferred back to Danang airport for a short flight to Nha Trang. On arrival, we will be met and driven to our hotel, which is overlooking the Bay. The rest of the day free for strolling in the town, lazing on the beach, or whatever takes your fancy. We’ll spend the night in Nha Trang.

Today is a free day.
Optional Program: City Tour with Mud Bath (L)
9 AM: We go to the harbor by car; visit Vienam Oceanographic Institute. Get on the boat; photo stop at Tri Nguyen aquarium (outside), Snorkel at Tam island; Enjoy local basket boat and explore the life of fishermen at Mieu fishing village. Then come to Bamboo resort for a special seafood lunch, Relax and swim at Bamboo Island till the time you want to come back to the mainland. Then we go to the resort hot spa which is an ideal place for health recovery. Indulge yourself by soaking in the warm spring water and mineral mud and then you surely feel so… fresh as a daisy at the hotel.

This morning, you will enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before departing to Dalat. Today we visit seven wanted places of Dalat city with the first destination of Robin Hill, 1,650m in height to get the panorama of the romantic city of Dalat. We will then visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery that is the largest Zen Monastery in Vietnam (Cable car upon request); Tuyen Lam Lake, considered the nicest lake in Dalat; Bao Dai Summer Palace where the last Emperor of Vietnam, Bao Dai King (1913 – 1997) stayed and ruled his Vietnam from 1949 to 1954.

After lunch, we keep on visiting the Crazy House a brightly painted concrete house that winds itself around trees, mimicking their shapes; Dalat Railway station which is remarkable with its architecture and its old steam locomotive; Trai Matgo through vegetable farms. Later in the day, we take a 7km train to this place (one-way train only), Linh Phuoc pagoda, this pagoda is the most colorful and decorated one in Dalat, caved with tens of thousands of beer bottles and broken china ceramic, Lat minority people’s village, where the people live in wooden, thatched huts.

Da Lat is well known for the best quality agricultural products of Vietnam such as vegetable, fruit and tea. Please join our new tour to discover the beautiful landscape and countryside of Da Lat.

 After your breakfast at hotel. Transfer with ESG on a scenic road from Da Lat to Cau Dat townlet. Discover Dalat’s countryside on the way. Cau Dat farm is the favourite destination for those who love nature, breathing in fresh air and enjoy the peace and quietness of the countryside. On arrival, visit the oldest tea farm and tea factory of Vietnam which was built in 1927. Sip the hot tea in the cool air of the museum among hundred years old machines and learn the history of tea farming and producing. Then go by buggy to visit and harvest the organic vegetable and fruit at the farms nearby. Taste the cucumber, lettuce and strawberry ( seasonal dependant ) direct from the plants. Wow! What a sweet and fresh taste ! Take picture of the vast green tea platation hills. Then stop at a coffee shop on the hillside. Try some cake and taste the best cup of coffee in the best moutain view of Dalat. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant.

After lunch, drive to the Lado wine factory. What a surprise that Vietnamese can make not only wine but the best wine. Visit the wine cellar and wine glass castle. Taste wine and learn Vietnam wine history, walk around the factory. On the way back to the city, visit one of  the biggest bell in Vietnam at Linh Phuoc pagoda. Take pictures of beautiful hill terrace there. Then back to the hotel

From Dalat, we will transfer to Lak Lake in 4 hours. Welcome at Lak Lake boat pier; transfer guest to LAK Tented Camp by boat. Check in and relax. Have lunch at Y Lak Restaurant.

In the afternoon, LAK Tented Camp’s tour guide will assist guests explore cultural aspects & local life at Yang Tao Ethnic Village, experience handmade pottery made by M‘Nong people, visit gardens of coffee, drink fermented cocoa. Back to LAK Tented Camp, enjoy Gong show, drink Ruou Can (Tube Wine). Have dinner at Y LAK Restaurant

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave for Buon Ma Thuot. Make some stops along the way to take beautiful photos of the scenery, including Dray Nur Waterfall. Lunch in Ban Don at a small restaurant.

After lunch, you will visit the Ban Don Suspension Bridge and the ancient stilt house of the elephant-hunting king. Ban Don Suspension bridge is located on the banks of the Serepok River, made of bamboo, and rattan, and reinforced with iron cables. It is about 1 km long, with many segments connected in harmony with a system of rest floors. Then, move to Akothon village in the afternoon and have a cup of coffee at Arul House.

This morning, we will transfer to Pleiku. Arrive around midday, check in your motel, and take a short break. Following lunch, you’ll go to Bien Ho Che, Lake Bien Ho, Minh Thanh Pagoda, and Central Market. Pleiku offers a free meal and overnight stay.

Today will be a free day before you take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, welcome upon arrival by a local tour guide and driver then we transfer to the hotel for check-in. After check-in, we will be free to wander around the hustle and bustle city

Group size: 4 – 12 people

At 7.30 am, we will pick you up at the hotel in HCMC. The first place of the morning trip is Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification palace, which was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. We continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars. Lunch will be served in the local restaurant

Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours of bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime. Then, you can spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the specially constructed living areas with kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.

We have a break time for relaxation or time for those who want to try a real shooting gun. At 7 pm, we return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Notes:

*The Notre Dame Cathedral has been restored, so the guests just visit outside.
*Drop-off time is subject to traffic, weather…so the finished time could be later than expected.

Group size: 25 people

07:30: Pick up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and start the trip to Cai Be. Upon arrival in Cai Be, have a boat ride to the remaining site of a renowned wholesale floating market on the Tien River many years ago. This site entitles you to learn something about the local trading habits that has changed due to the age of modern society when more terrestrial transportation and high techniques of agriculture have dominated everywhere. There, you can realize how diverse the area is and how rich orchard gardens are, which makes it the basket of fruit in the lower part of the Mekong River.

Ramble in small villages where you will uncover the beauty of an ancient house and learn about the indigenous culture. Make a short visit to a small family business where the locals make coconut fudges and crispy rice popcorn. Savor delicious fresh fruit and feel the slow rhythms of Southern Vietnamese folk music – a kind of music entwined with the life and culture of the Mekong Delta people. Paddle through small canals – an exciting experience since you can look around, unwind, and soak up the wonderful atmosphere of the Upper Mekong Delta. Additionally, after arrival on Tan Phong Island, immerse yourself in nature’s tranquility.

At lunch time, you not only enjoy luscious food but also get closer to the locals as it is a chance to learn how to prepare Vietnamese specialties. The meal is cooked on your own and served in the heart of the local garden. Cycle on the village path through orchards. Meet the local islanders to learn more about the local daily life in the Mekong Delta. Visit Ba Kiệt’s ancient house. Take a boat ride back to Cai Be and meet your bus for the trip to Can Tho City.

Have breakfast at the hotel. You can take a leisurely boat ride to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong River (Bassac River), then visit Cai Rang Floating Market, the most vibrant floating market in the area.

Walking tour of the local noodle factory. Visit Munir Ansay Pagoda – a Khmer temple, famous for its unique structure. Then, move by boat to the Con Son tourist area, visit the fruit plantation, and enjoy seasonal fruits. Have lunch and return to Ho Chi Minh City.

***Please note: Drop-off time is subject to traffic, weather…so the finished time could be later than expected.

Today, we take the limousine to Mui Ne.

Free day

Time will be free until our car arrives at the hotel to take us to the airport in good time to board our departure flight. Trip ends. See you on the next Vietnam Local Tour Operator!