Vietnam Discovery Tour – 12 Days (Domestic flights Included)

This is an authentic itinerary for a Vietnam discovery in 12 days in very reasonable pacing. We offer you a chance to visit beautiful highlights of Vietnam such as Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh city, Mekong Delta…

HIGHLIGHT

– Incredible 12 day tour through Vietnam with a jam-packed itinerary.
– Depart from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city as your option.
– Discover Hanoi City in a tour that takes you to all the most famous city landmarks and finishes with a night train to Sapa
– See the stunning scenery of the Hoang Lien mountain ranges in Sapa, meet local tribes, trek through rice paddies and stay overnight with the tour’s host family
– Hike through bamboo forests, the cascading Giang Ta Chai waterfall, visiting local villages and a night train back to Hanoi
– Hop aboard an Halong Cruise and sail through thousands of islands, enjoy lunch on-board, explore of the huge Surprise Cave, enjoy kayaking, swimming and barbecue dinner onboard.
– Spend a day in Hue City and check out ancient mausoleums, the Imperial Capital and glide along the Perfume River at sunset
– Marvel at the architecture in Saigon City including cathedrals and one of the oldest temples.
– Wind through the picturesque tributaries of the famous Mekong and hop out at the vibrant Cai Rang floating market
– Most meals included
– Domestic flights, land transfers, tickets and accommodation are taken care of
– Knowledgeable, English-speaking tour guide

DETAIL ITINERARY

DAY 1: HANOI CITY TOUR (L)

After having breakfast the tour guide and shuttle bus will arrive to pick up you to join Hanoi city tour at 8.30am. You will start the tour by visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-palace. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live. Lying on one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, built by King Ly Thai To in 1049 the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continue to visit the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam) – Vietnam’s first University constructed in 1070. Its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Have lunch at local restaurants. Proceed to visit the Ethnology Museum. After that we will take you to Hoan Kiem Lake, see the peaceful water, and visit Ngoc Son Temple. Take an hour cyclo tour around the bustling old quarter to see the ordinary life in Hanoi.

At 18.00, Back to your hotel. It’s your free time now to have dinner and a short while to explore the streets of Hanoi. After your dinner, around 20.00,  Our tour assistant pick up from your hotel to go to Tran Quy Cap train station. He will lead you to your cabin on the train. The train departs for Sapa and sleep the night on train. Travel time approx 9 hrs.

DAY 2:  SAPA – Y LINH HO – LAO CHAI – TA VAN  ( B, L, D)

At 6.30 am, arrive at Lao Cao station. We will pick you up at Lao Cai railway station by bus, to take you to the township of Sapa which takes approx one hour.

After breakfast and a morning shower, start the first 6km 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. Continuea a 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 where we stay for the night. It gives you a worth chance to learn about the local house architecture which is full of their daily life styles and exclusive custom. Enjoy the landscapes.

Overnight in a local house of a friendly Dzay familly.

DAY 3 : TA VAN – GIANG TA CHAI – SU PAN – SA PA (B, L, D)

Enjoy mountainous landscape with your sunrise coffee, then enjoy a delicious breakfast ready to trek through bamboo forests towards Giang Ta Chai waterfall, cross over a rattan suspension bridge and enter Giang Ta Chai village which is inhabited by the Red Zao minorities. Here we will experience their daily life then cross over the Muong Hoa River up the mountain to visit Supan village of the H’mong people. We then take the bus back to Sapa. Take a fresh shower in our hotel in Sapa.

At 17.00, get a transfer to Lao Cai station and going back to Hanoi on a night train. Overnight on the train.

DAY 4 : HANOI – HALONG BAY (L,D)

Around 5:30 AM, you will arrive Hanoi. Our guide will pick you up at station then take you to hotel. You will have free time to relax and have breakfast before starting Halong Bay Tour.

07.50-08.00: You will be picked up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and transferred to Ha Long.

11:30-12:00 Upon arrival at Tuan Chau International Cruise Port, you will enjoy a warm welcome by our cruise staff in the waiting lounge and complete check-in procedure.

12:00 Upon boarding Amanda Cruise, our crew welcome you with a refreshing drink and cold towel before checking into your cabin. The vessel leaves Tuan Chau Marina, taking you on an exciting journey to discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay. Along the way, you can enjoy the view of some of the most beautiful spots in Ha Long and admire the grandeur of the Bay with thousands of limestone islands while the vessel heads to Luon Cave & Titop Island.

Enjoy your lunch at our luxurious restaurant on board while the vessel cruises toward Luon Cave.

14.00: You return to your cabin for a short rest and prepare for kayaking activities in Luon Cave.

Arriving at Luon Cave area, you will participate in kayaking or rafting here around the thousand year-old rock formations.

16.00: You will be transferred to Titop Island by tender.

Visit Titop Island and hike to the top for stunning views of Ha Long Bay, or have a fun swim in the clear blue water.

17.30-18.00 Back on board, you will participate in Sunset party & cooking class while the vessel cruises toward the shore. You can enjoy relaxing moments while sipping a cup of traditional Vietnamese tea or coffee on the sundeck amid wonderful scenery and beautiful sunset. Ha Long Bay is calm during the day, but when the sun goes down, the Bay becomes even more tranquil and peaceful.

You will be instructed to make delicious Fresh Spring rolls by our chef and then enjoy the rolls made on your own.

17.30-18.30 Happy hour – BUY 2 DRINK GET 1 FOR FREE

19.30 Gala Dinner. Enjoy your dinner on the Sundeck (if the weather is favorable)

20.30 After dinner, you will enjoy a peaceful view of the Bay at night on the deck. You can also participate in evening activities such as herbal foot bath in your room (free of charge), Bamboo dancing, fashion show traditional customes “Footsteps of Heritage” and some drinks at Sky Bar and massage (subject to additional charge), while admiring breathtaking view of the Bay at night and squid fishing.

The cruise ship anchors for your peaceful night stay in quiet area

Overnight on Amanda Halong Cruise.

DAY 5 : HALONG BAY – HANOI (B/L)

06.15: Start your day with Tai Chi class on the sundeck.

06.30-07.00 Enjoy a light breakfast with coffee, tea, cake and fruit.

07.30 Exploring Sung Sot cave. This is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay. The cave has some unique rock formations which couldn’t be found anywhere else. The path to the mouth of Sung Sot Cave is under a canopy of leaves. Walking through steep stone steps, tourists may have the feeling of climbing on mountains and experience the excitement as if they are stepping to the sky.

08.30-09.30 Back on board, you can rest in your room, enjoy the herbal foot bath prepared by our crew, sunbathe on the sundeck, take pictures of HaLong Bay or shop for souvenirs on the boat.

09.30 Check-out time.

Please put your luggage outside your cabin and leave the room key at the reception desk. Our staff will transfer your luggage to the waiting area. While waiting, you can shop for some products of Amanda cruise.

10.00 Enjoy an early lunch buffet at the restaurant on the 2nd floor and settle the bills if any.

11.00 Arrival at Tuan Chau Marina.
The get transfer back Hanoi, arrive Hanoi about 3:30 Pm.

You are free to relax and overnight in hotel in Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 6 : HANOI FREE DAY – FLIGHT TO DA NANG (B, L)

Free day in Hanoi.

Flight to Da Nang and transfer to Hoi An Ancient town. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

DAY 7 : MY SON – HOI AN – TRANSFER TO HUE (B, L)

Morning, at 8.00, Our guide picks you up at hotel and leave Hoi An for visiting My Son Holly Land – the ruins of Cham people and was an imperial city during Cham dynasty. Here you can have more chance to explore and understand of technique of Old Cham people in making red bricks to build Tower which still now a secret to everyone, you can see a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 65 architectural works. It also surprises for those who are curious with architectural art. In 1999, UNESCO labeled the Cham architecture in My Son as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Moreover, you have chance to enjoy traditional music performed by Cham girls in their colorful uniforms.
12:00 AM: Leave My Son and transfer to boat – station, get on boat cruise along Thu Bon river to traditional craft village of Thanh Ha pottery and Kim Bong carpentry villages. A snack will be served on boat. Arrive Hoi An river Dock at 3PM.

We pick up from the Dock and transfer to Hue and stay overnight at hotel in Hue.

DAY 8 : HUE CITY TOUR (B, L)

AM: After breakfast, at 08.00, Our guide and driver pick up you at your hotel and then take a full day to discover Hue: visit Emperor Minh Mang’s Mausoleum, Emperor Khai Dinh’s Mausoleum, Performing Programs Of VO KINH VAN AN – Vietnam Traditional Kungfu and Emperor Tu Duc ’s Mausoleums. Stop on the way to see how conical hats and incense sticks are made. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

PM: Visit Imperial capital during Nguyen Dynasty and the seven – storey Thien Mu Pagoda on the riverbank. Return by boat on the gentle Perfume River and do not miss the sunset on the river. You will come back your hotel at 17.30pm .

Stay overnight at hotel in Hue.

DAY 9 : HUE – FREE DAY TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT (B)

You have free day to go around Hue for sight-seeing and shopping.

Transfer to airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Stay overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.

DAY 10 : HO CHI MINH (B, L)

Morning, around 8.00 AM, our guide picks you up at hotel.

Option 1: Visit Cu Chi Tunnel.

Heading to Cu Chi for visiting Cu Chi tunnel. The tunnel network of Cu Chi became legendary during the 1960s for its role in facilitating VietCong control of a large rural area only 30km to 40km from Ho Chi Minh city. After lunch at a local restaurant in Cu Chi, go back to Ho Chi Minh city.

Afternoon, your leisure for exploring the city yourself or go shopping. Stay overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.

Option 2: Ho Chi Minh city tour

Morning, Visit to the Re-Unification Palace, the former palace of President Thieu and his predecessors. Today this building is a museum and venue for Government official receptions. Inside you can visit the President’s room. Nearby is the Central Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877- 1883 and is one of the city’s major landmarks. Neo-Romanesque in form, the Cathedral is the major seat of the Catholic religion in modern Vietnam. Continue to visit the War Remains Museum, where you can learn a lot about the Vietnam War. After lunch in local restaurant, you will visit to Jade Emperor Temple, one of the oldest Chinese temples in Ho Chi Minh city. Continue to Binh Tay market in China Town and the last sight we will visit today is Ben Thanh market, where all kind of local goods are offered.

Stay overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 11 : HO CHI MINH CITY – MEKONG DELTA (B, L) shared with other groups. 
8 am, after having breakfast at hotel check out and leave Ho Chi Minh city, enjoy the scenic journey along the way bordered by green rice fields. On arrived at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shade of the water coconut trees along natural canals, then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, performed by the locals. Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through fruit plantations and villages. Proceed to Can Tho. Overnight in the hotel. Free time to visit bustling Can Tho market.
Overnight at West hotel Can tho

Day 12: MEKONG DELTA – HO CHI MINH (B, L)

After breakfast, Take a leisurely boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river ( Bassac River), then proceed to visit Cai Răng floating market (& Phong Dien is optional), which are the liveliest in the whole religion.
Have you ever tasted Vietnamese vermicelli soup? Well, now go and see how it is made. Then wander around the village and meet the friendly local people and experience how to cross a “Monkey bridge” which is built by only o¬ne stem of bamboo. Visit the orchard garden. Stop for lunch. Back to HCM city at around 5 pm.

End the journey.

Tour price includes:

    Domestic flights.
    Boats in Hue and Mekong Delta.
    Kayakking: Safe, clean and beautiful.
    Room on boat in Halong bay with Air Conditioner.
    Train tickets Ha Noi/Lao Cai return.
    Meals mentioned (B,L,D = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
    Transfer and transport as tour program.
    English speaking tour guide.
    Mentioned accommodations.
    Entrance and sightseeing fees.

Excludes:

Visa to Vietnam

Single Supplement for solo traveler

Other meals and drinks

Other optional activities not included in the package.

Travel insurance, personal expense