14 Days Essence of Vietnam Tour

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival, your local tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport. Then, the guide will escort you to the hotel and help you check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: B

Today, you will take a couple of hours to drive outside of Hanoi. The tour heads deep into Vietnam’s picturesque countryside to discover Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Le dynasties, before taking a sampan trip down the Tam Coc River. It's also called the ‘Halong Bay on Land', this region is famous for its charming grottoes and limestone karst mountains.

After the tour, you will dive back to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: B

In the morning, your guide and driver will pick up at your hotel, start the tour to beautiful Tran Quoc Pagoda located on the shores of West Lake. This Pagoda is full of amazing Buddhist symbolism that visitors can learn more about.

Then, head to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Vietnamese great father, President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, where he lived on and off from 1958 to 1969.

The next destination is One Pillar Pagoda, a group of structures consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square lake. Leave the pagoda for the Temple of Literature, which is the first college of Vietnam.

In the afternoon, you need to choose one of the city’s museums (History Museum or Ethnology Museum) to visit. After that, drive back to admire Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple before taking cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore in Hanoi.

In the evening, board the overnight train to Lao Cai to discover the mountain tribes in northern Vietnam.

Overnight on the train.

Meals: B

Arrive in Lao Cai railway station in the early morning around 6:30 am.

Your guide will pick you up from the train and then escort you to your hotel in the highland town Sapa. You can have a good rest at the hotel.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a relaxing walking tour through the beautiful rice terrace fields, and visit the Ta Van Village and Red Dao Village to discover the local ethnic tribe Back H'mong and Giang Ta Chai.

Overnight in Sapa.

Meals: B

After breakfast, depart for the highland town of Bac Ha Market where you can wander through the district market, considered one of the most colorful ethnic markets in the Northwest.

After lunch, drive back to Sapa. On clear days you can see the highest mountain of Vietnam, the Fansipan Mountain. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Finally, head to Lao Cai Railway Station by car. You will take a night train at 21:40 to Hanoi.

Overnight on train.

Meals: B / L / D

After breakfast, travel to Halong Bay, one of the Wonders of the Orient (3 hr. drive). Your cruise across Halong Bay starts around noon on Tuan Chau Island at the doorstep of Vietnam's most fascinating wonder. As the boat sets sails, you will be greeted by the Paradise Crew and Cruise Manager who will aim throughout your stay at providing you with the highest standards of service for pure pleasure and utmost comfort onboard.

During the afternoon, discover some of the treasures spread across the Bay of the Descending Dragon: fascinating caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, fantastic rock formations rising up out of emerald water. While onboard, you can take advantage of the leisure of the Spa, Beauty & Massage services; surrounded by a stunning setting in motion, you can attend the chef's cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking.

One of the highlights of your stay on board is the innovative and varied cuisine offered at Lunch and Dinner in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages from around the world.

Overnight in Halong Bay.

Flight: Domestic flight include and arranged by Indochina Tour

Meals: B

Wake up to Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck and continue cruising the bays. The breakfast buffet will be served in the restaurant, followed by a visit to the limestone grotto. Disembark in Halong City around noon and transfer back to Hanoi Airport and take the flight to Danang.

Upon arrival, your guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to Hoi An for check in.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: B

In the morning, travel to the My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views, lies the 4th century My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden for living or development. The ruins lie in a beautiful mountainous landscape. Enter the temples to hear all about the history and stories of the Cham people and this holy site.

In the afternoon, continue on to the Ancient Capital of Hoi An, which features the 16th-century port town in its preserved state. The town is a perfect mixture of ancient architecture, houses, and temples as well as modern western restaurants and cafes. The historic sites you will visit are the Japanese Bridge, a renowned Chinese Temple, and former Vietnamese merchants' houses.

Later, take a boat trip along the Huai River to Thanh Ha Pottery Village and see how local people work on their crafts. In the evening, the town became so romantic when the lights come on and you see colorful lanterns everywhere especially the flower lanterns floating on the river.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: B

Enjoy some relaxing time in the morning until transfer to Hue in the afternoon. Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, it is well known for its historic monuments which have earned it a place in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

In the evening, you can enjoy a royal dinner in a royal residence with a descendant of the imperial family, it is an excellent opportunity for you to experience the imperial life in ancient time.

Overight in Hue.

Meals: B

Today's tour starts with a visit to the Perfume River, renowned for its natural scenery and numerous flowers which envelop its shores. Along the river, you'll view Vietnamese daily life up close. Take a boat ride along the river to the Tomb of Minh Mang, featuring gardens, many steps, and beautiful decorations.

Move on to visit Tu Doc, a complex with the private royal residence and a tomb that also houses the body of one of the wealthiest emperors in Vietnam. Legend has it that his body is buried with vast treasures in an inconspicuous place, which archaeologists have tried but failed to find. Visit the Khai Dinh Tomb, a more modern ornately decorated tomb.

Next, you are able to explore the Imperial City of Hue. With an area of 500ha and a system of three circles of ramparts, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel) and Khai Dinh Tomb, Hue Citadel is the result of the intermingling of many architectural trends: European and Asian, as well as ancient and modern.

After that, visit Tu Duc Tomb and Dong Ba market for shopping.

Overnight in Hue.

Flight: Domestic flight include and arranged by Indochina Tour

Meals: B

Today, you will take the flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, your private local guide from IndochinaTour.com will welcome you at the airport. And you will be escorted to your hotel.

Rest of the day is at your own leisure.

Overnight in Saigon.

Meals: B

Today, you will be escorted to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Discover these amazing systems developed by the guerrillas fighting in the Vietnam War. You'll have an opportunity to see the various weapons used in the war on display. Then learn about the innovative ways the guerrillas survived and fought back in the war. The impressive underground system they built remains to tell the story of the Vietnam War.

In the afternoon, see the highlights of Saigon and learn the history of these iconic landmarks.

Start by visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral. Constructed by French colonists during their settlement, discover its significance as the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia.

Across the road is the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical architectural building considered one of the main attractions in the city. Visit the Reunification Palace, home of South Vietnam’s President during the war.

The next stop is Cholon, the Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh. Explore the thickly settled district rife with tea-houses and pagodas, and the famous Binh Tay Market.

Finish today's journey with a visit to the Emperor Jade Pagoda. Also known as the Tortoise Pagoda, this figurine-filled place of worship is considered by many to be Saigon's finest.

Overnight in Saigon.

Meals: B

This morning, transfer to remote My Tho. This burgeoning capital rests in the Mekong Delta and is surrounded by beautiful countryside known as the "rice basket of Vietnam".

Firstly, head to visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, decorated with mosaics made from broken pottery. Overlooked by a tall white Buddha, it is set amongst lovely gardens overflowing with flowers, shrubs, lotus pools, and tombs, and ornate gates that provide entry.

Continue on a boat ride along the river to view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages.

After lunch, visit An Khanh, a small village that specializes in fruit orchards and coconut sweets. If time permits, you can take a short cycling trip through the island or explore the island on foot (the island is flat and relatively small).

Overnight in Saigon.

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Meals: B

Today, you can enjoy your free time to explore this city until transfer to the airport. Hope you have a nice trip home and look forward to traveling with you again!

Service End.