Tour Code: U2UWZ9FNHNZ4
13 Days
Daily Tour
Unlimited
English
Hanoi, Mai Chau, Sapa, Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Ho Chi Minh City
Commence your journey with your arrival in Vietnam. A dedicated chauffeur will warmly welcome you at the airport and ensure your seamless transfer to the hotel via private transportation. Complete the check-in process at the hotel, allowing yourself to recover from any travel fatigue.
Take a leisurely stroll through the city streets, where historic charm, architectural wonders, and a diverse array of products create a vibrant atmosphere throughout the area.
After exploring the city at your own pace on the first day, return to the hotel for a restful night's sleep.
We will pick you up and navigate through the narrow streets to the meeting point where you'll join the group at the historic Old Quarter. Our initial stop will be at the French Quarter, specifically the Opera House, where you'll delve into the history of French colonial architecture.
Mounted on our Vespa, our skilled rider will take you to our second destination to witness the railway train tracks, providing insight into the locals' lives and work, with houses standing just centimeters from the tracks.
Following a short Vespa ride towards Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, our rider will pause at a vantage point offering an overview of the area, including the Presidential Palace, Parliament House, and government offices. Our guide will share the history and stories of Hanoi.
Continuing our ride, we'll pass through a scenic route to see the botanical garden and ride through small alleys with narrow houses, eventually arriving at Huu Hiep Lake to observe the B52 Crash site—an enduring reminder of the 1972 bombing raids.
Our journey proceeds to West Lake, one of Hanoi's largest lakes, providing panoramic views of the city and glimpses into the lives of the affluent.
Heading to Thanh Nien Street near West Lake, we'll stop at the monument of John McCain at Truc Bach Lake, learning about his story and the place where he was shot down.
Back on the Vespa, we'll ride to An Duong Market, immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere and observing locals buying and selling fresh vegetables and food for their daily lives.
The next leg takes us along the riverside to a hidden gem village on the Red River Island, where you'll witness the local way of life, farming activities, and have the opportunity to engage with the residents. Our guide will take you to visit a local family to gain insights into their daily lives.
As we ride through banana farms, enjoy the lush greenery of vegetable farms, and visit a Kumquat farm, a traditional gift during Tet, symbolizing luck, health, wealth, fertility, and peace.
After a fulfilling day of exploration, we'll take a break to savor Vietnamese coffee, including the famous Egg coffee. Our final destination is the Long Bien Bridge, a century-old structure spanning the Red River, connecting the Hoan Kiem and Long Bien districts.
Concluding our journey, we'll head to a local restaurant for you to relish Vietnamese cuisine. Following lunch, our Vespa team will either escort you back to your hotel or drop you off at a location of your choice. Overnight in Hanoi.
Enjoy some free time at your leisure before the driver arrives to pick you up for the journey to Mai Chau. Upon reaching Mai Chau, take the opportunity to unwind and relax in the picturesque village.
Stay overnight in Mai Chau.
Explore the diverse and enchanting landscapes featuring limestone mountains, waterfalls, floating villages, Fairy Pond, and Hoa Binh Lake.
Immerse yourself in the natural surroundings and the daily routines of the Thai and Muong ethnic communities.
At 8:30 AM, following your breakfast, embark on a boat excursion on Da River, the largest lake in Vietnam.
By 9:00 AM, take a brief pause to visit floating houses and engage in the daily lives of the local fishermen.
At 10:00 AM, journey towards Ngoi Hoa Bay and undertake a 15-minute ascent to reach Fairy Pond—an exquisite and unspoiled location that will captivate you with its jade-like blue waters.
By 11:30 AM, return to Mai Chau Hideaway Resort, concluding the day's activities.
Stay overnight in Mai Chau.
Take pleasure in the remaining time in Mai Chau before our chauffeur escorts you back to Hanoi.
Complete the check-in process at the Hanoi hotel and unwind. Between 8:30 – 8:45 pm, our driver will collect you from your accommodation to transfer you to the train station. Embark on an overnight train journey to Sapa.
Stay overnight on the train.
Dedicate the day to a splendid trek through the enchanting landscapes of the Sa Pa valley. Commence your journey on a road that descends along the captivating Cau May street (6 km). Along the way, marvel at the rice terraces veiled in the morning mist, presenting a truly awe-inspiring spectacle.
Follow a narrow trail, traverse the Muong Hoa River, and pass by meticulously tended rice terraces on your route to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai. Progressing through the vibrant rice terraces, you'll arrive at the Ta Van Giay village. Continuing the trek alongside the Muong Hoa River, you'll cross a quaint suspension bridge, approximately 2 km from the settlement. Here, you'll encounter a captivating array of rock carvings, featuring images of people, stilt houses, and intricate decorative patterns. Enjoy lunch in a local home within the village.
After lunch, the journey persists through a bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, a village inhabited by the Red Dao ethnic minority. Following a refreshing break near a waterfall, embark on an uphill climb to reach a road where a waiting car will transport you back to Sapa.
Stay overnight in Sapa.
Your journey will predominantly involve a downhill drive towards Lao Cai, followed by a left turn onto a small paved road leading to Taphin village. Here, immerse yourself in the authentic cultural life of the Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities, the two largest ethnic groups in the region. Despite living together harmoniously, they steadfastly uphold their unique traditions passed down through generations. Distinguish them by their distinctive traditional attire, both renowned for their exceptional handicraft skills. Stroll among the local residents, enjoying the opportunity to visit their homes. The return to Sapa will be by car.
Subsequently, our driver will collect you from your hotel for the journey to the train station. Board the night train destined for Hanoi.
Stay overnight on the train.
Following which our driver will be at your service to transfer you to the airport. Board a flight to Dong Hoi.
Stay overnight in Dong Hoi.
Our team will collect you from your hotel and transport you to Tan Hoa, a location situated 70 km away. Following a safety briefing and equipment check, kindly sign our Release Form before embarking on a full day of trekking. The journey commences with a 2.5 km traverse through fields of peanut crops, alongside majestic water buffaloes, towering corn stalks, leading down to the Rao Nan River. The adventure gains momentum with a 30 m ascent up a rocky hill to a small jungle clearing, providing a moment to catch your breath before descending 100 m in elevation to Hung Ton Valley.
Lunch will be savored at the opening of Hung Ton Cave, and the expedition resumes with rigorous trekking from Hung Ton Valley to Mango Mountain, followed by a descent into Tu Lan Valley (3 km). As mid-afternoon approaches, the Tu Lan campsite will come into view, offering an opportunity for a refreshing swim in the stunning waterfall. Afternoon activities include exploration and swimming through Ken Cave, situated adjacent to the campsite, followed by a delightful BBQ dinner back at the camp. A restful night's sleep awaits in comfortable hammocks or tents nestled among the trees.
Overnight in Tu Lan.
Setting the stage for further cave exploration. Begin by taking a brief swim across the river to immerse yourself in the heart of the Tu Lan Cave System. Pause to appreciate the entrance's blue lagoon before progressing 180 m downstream through Tu Lan Cave entrance. Ascend to explore the dry section, involving climbing and squeezing, reaching the dry exit. Trek a short distance through the valley to the dry entrance of Kim Cave. Take a moment to marvel at the natural window before embarking on a swim (450 m) and trek (500 m) through Hang Kim to To Mo Valley.
A picnic lunch awaits next to a breathtaking waterfall near the mouth of Hung Ton Cave. Subsequently, attempt to follow a dry path before swimming out through Hung Ton wet cave. This is followed by the exploration of a dry passage and a trek down into Hung Ton Valley (800 m). Upon reaching Tan Hoa, take in the scenic beauty while sipping a cold beverage. Showers are available for those who wish to freshen up and change. The return journey to Phong Nha is scheduled for around 4 pm, with an expected arrival by 5:30 pm (Note: 6:00 - 6:30 pm from November to March).
Overnight in Quang Binh.
Take a break and enjoy some leisure time until you are transported to Dong Hoi Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Upon your arrival, our team will be there to greet you at the airport and facilitate your transfer to your chosen accommodation.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
At 8:00 am (or 1:30 pm), your Jeep will pick you up from your hotel to kick off the city tour.
Your first destination is the Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace. This historic site symbolizes the conclusion of the Vietnam War, marked by the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. It holds significant historical value, particularly when North Vietnamese Army tank number 843 breached the gates of the palace, which was then the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.
Following that, you will visit the Museum of American War Crimes, also known as the War Remnants Museum. Renowned as one of Ho Chi Minh City's most visited museums, it exhibits an extensive collection of machinery, weapons, photographs, and documents from Vietnam's wars.
After the museum, you'll marvel at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office, two iconic structures representing the architectural heritage of old Saigon. Conveniently located next to each other in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
Subsequently, the Jeep will guide you through some renowned streets in Saigon such as Dong Khoi Street and Nguyen Hue Street. Continuing the journey, the Jeep will take you to Ben Thanh Market, a vibrant market in District 1, where your guide can assist you in negotiating for various goods. Finally, the Jeep will head to Bui Vien Street and then return you to your hotel.
The tour concludes at 12:00 pm (or 5:30 pm).
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Conclude the check-out process at the hotel, and take the opportunity to explore local markets, acquiring souvenirs for your dear ones. Subsequently, prepare for your departure and embark on your flight homeward. The trip concludes.