Discover Vietnam 17 Days

DAY 1 : Arrive HCM – Water Puppet Show And Dinner on Cruise ( D ) 

Welcome to Viet Nam! Diver with tour guide will pick you up from the airport then transfer you to the hotel in center of Ho Chi Minh City. You check in hotel and take rest.

 – 17h00pm; Tour guide will pick you up at your hotel go to see Water Puppet Show then dinner on Cruise

– 18:00pm: Water Puppet Show which brings you a sense of the charming beauty and richness of the Vietnamese cultural life in the countryside, in contrast to the nation’s increasing urbanization. The show is a unique mix of bamboo cirque, acrobatic acts, contemporary dance, and theatrical visual art. The live music echoes Vietnamese Southern songs. All in all, this quintessential blend of genres creates a unique stage language, which well captures the essence of Vietnam’s fascinating culture.

 – 19.00pm: Experience the cyclo trip around the downtown area, and then head towards the dock for boarding the junk to start your dinner. Cruise on Saigon River to explore the Saigon nightlife.

– 21.15pm – 21.30pm: Come back to your hotel.

DAY 2: Ho Chi Minh City- Cu Chi Tunnel Tour  (B,L )

Dep time: 08:00 am – Arr time: 19:00 pm

• Take the morning trip to visits:
• Independence Palace – also known at the Reunification palace, 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.
• Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral
• The historic Central Post Office. 
• Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars.
• Have lunch at local restaurant
• Depart for Cu Chi tunnel – the trip will take approximately one and a half hours bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, 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 purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.
• Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun (not including)

DAY 3: Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Ben Tre – Can Tho  (B, L,D)

8:00 AM Pick up at your hotel in HCMC. Depart for My Tho .Take a boat ride along the river, view the stilt houses and the fruit plantation along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise island and have lunch in the orchard. Enjoy a boat ride through Tan Thach natural canal in Ben Tre, cruising under the shadow of the water coconut trees. Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle. Enjoy a rowing boat ride along the creeks. After taking a delightful walking through the fruit plantation village. Proceed to Can Tho. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your proposed hotel in Can Tho. (Family home stay can be arranged on request.

Stay in a hotel in Can Tho

Check into your hotel on arrival at Can Tho. Free to explore the city on your own in the afternoon. You can also visit a village, meet the local people, have dinner with them and enjoy their music. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Can Tho.

DAY 4: Can Tho- Ho Chi Minh City  (B, L)

Taking very early morning boat trip (5:30am usually recommended) to visit the Cai Rang floating market which is wholesale market of fruit and vegetable at its busiest at this time of the day. Keep cruising through the small channels system and visit a rice noodle making village. Experience the “Monkey Bridge” in the Delta. Head towards Phong Dien for the smaller, quieter floating market (optional). Break for lunch. Return to Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 5 : Ho Chi Minh-– Da Nang  (B ):

Morning: Pick-up in your hotel in HCM to transfer to the airport then take flight to Da Nang , Driver will  pick you up at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Hoi An

Afternoon: Free time to discover by yourself  in Hoi An

DAY 6: Marble Mountains – Monkey Mountain – My Son Holly Land ( B/L)

7:30 – 8:00 am: We’ll pick you up at the hotel in Hoi An and transfer you to Da Nang city (around 35km).

8:30 am: Take you to the first stop – Monkey Mountain. A giant statue of Lady Buddha with a beautiful background such as mountains and a huge garden of bonsai would draw your attention. You will definitely get lost in the garden of heaven with gripping stories when gently walking and enjoying a fresh breeze.
10:15 am: Arrive in Marble Mountains and stop for a walk along the site to see local factories of stone sculptures – the most impressive handicrafts village in Da Nang.

– Check in the Marble Mountains by climbing up to the top (elevator is optional). Here we will see beautiful pagodas which were made in the 19th century by the last dynasty of Viet Nam monarchy, and visit Huyền Không and Tàng Chơn caves.
11:30 am: Keep going to see the biggest fascinating cave named Âm Phủ cave. You will learn interesting philosophies of Buddhism and take photos of amazing natural creations.

12:00 pm: Have lunch at a local restaurant with local and authentic Vietnamese cuisines.

1:00 pm: Keep your moving to Hoi An city for drop off and pick up the travelers and depart to My Son Sanctuary. – The World Cultural Heritage. 
2:30 pm: Arrive at My Son Sanctuary and we’ll have 2 hours to discover the site by walking throughout the landscape, learning histories with our local English-speaking guide, and enjoying the Champa’s traditional performances.

4:30 pm -5pm : Get back to minivan then transfer to the wharf for taking a boat trip to Hoi An with a nice and cool breeze on boarding, beautiful sunset river scenery on the biggest river in Vietnam Central named Thu Bon River. Get your camera ready for the amazing moment of local people’s activities along the river. You will enjoy the Vietnamese Banh My on the boat trip.
6:00 pm- 6.30pm: Arrive at Hoi An, we will drop you at your hotel. 

DAY 7:  : Free Discover Hoi An (B)

• Take free time relax and enjoy your time in Hoi An

DAY 8: Cham Island Sightseeing  And Snorkeling  (B/L)

8:00 – 08:30 am – Pick up at hotel ( Hoi an city) to Cua Dai harbor

09:00 am  – Relaxing in fresh cool wind , you will enjoy the beautiful landscape on a speed boat to Cham Island.

09:30 am – Arriving at Lang Beach. Visiting the Marine Protected Area, The Boat Shelter, Hai Tang pagoda, Traditional fishing Village

10:00 am – Swimming and snorkeling

11:30 am – Staying at Bai Ong ecological zone or Bai Chong beach, swimming, taking time to enjoy a sea food lunch.

2:00 pm – Packing luggage for return trip to Hoi An

2:30 pm  – Seeing you off at your hotel and finish your trip

DAY 9 :  Explore Hue City – Flight To Ha Noi (B/L)

Breakfast. Check out of the hotel and carry all luggage .

07:00 – 7:30 am: The van and tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Hoi An

On the way, we will stop to visit some beautiful attraction such as: Hai Van pass – is an approximately 21km long mountain pass on National Route 1A in Vietnam. It is the natural border of Thua Thien Hue Province and Da Nang City, one of the most scenic hillside roads in Vietnam.

And sightseeing Lap An Lagoon – Lang Co beach – With more than 10km long white sand beach and blue sea water, Lang Co beach is an ideal place for relaxing, swimming and taking photos.

10:45 am: You will visit the Khai Dinh Tomb, the tomb had elements of Eastern art mixed with Western designs.

12:00 pm: Having a nice lunch with Hue cuisine and rest at beautiful restaurant

1:00 pm: You will continue visiting Hue imperial city – the palace of 13 Nguyen Kings with Ngo Mon Gate, Library, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns, etc.

3:00 pm: Visiting Thien Mu pagoda associated with culture and history of Hue.

3:45 pm: Transfer to the airport

Will arrive HaNoi in evening , car pick up and transfer to hotel at Hanoi center.

Free at Hanoi in evening.

DAY 10: Hanoi City tour (L)

Hanoi, located on the banks of the Red River, is one of the most ancient capital in the world, where travelers can find well-preserved colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, temples and unique museums within the city center

ITINERARY:

• 00- 8.30: Get picked up by our friendly guide and start to explore Hanoi City
• 45: Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake
• It is the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi built in the 6th century.
• 30: Visit Ho Chi Minh complex, you have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969. Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Goddess of Mercy – It is the most unique pagoda in the world
• Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, temples, pagodas…
• Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays.
• Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed at least 2 months (15thJune -15thAugust) for the annual maintaining but still can take picture Mausoleum and visit around that area
• 15: Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam
• Special Note : we will visit Women Museum instead of Ethnology Museum closed on Mondays
• 45: Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine
• with 8 delicious dishes.
•  
• 00-14.15 : Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11 century
• 15: Leave for Hoa Lo Prison Museum which originally used by the French colonists in Indochinafor political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. During this later period, it was known to American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton
• 15 -16.30: Tour finishes. Back to hotel
• Evening time is free.

SPECIAL NOTES:

• Should bring the necessary things such as : cash, cellphone or camera, raincoat/ umbrella ,sun block …( depending on the weather)
• Option Cyclo Ride/ Puppet Show will be done in the end of the tour.
• Tour may finish a bit earlier or later in some cases
• The order of the itinerary can be changed depending on our guide’s arrangement

DAY 11 : Ninh Binh –Mua Cave ( B/L)

Highlights

 Ninh Binh Town is far from Ha Noi about 90 km in the south where has so many beautiful famous landscapes such as: Mua Cave means dancing cave, this is a great place with trekking activate to conquer Mua mountains where You will have an impressive overview and beautiful photos of limestone mountains, Ngo Giang river & rice fields in Tam Coc & Trang An in Ninh Binh. Let’s come and experience ….. Trang An Eco-Tourism Complex is a complex beauty – landscapes called as an ‘outdoor geological museum’ with numerous caves, mountains, valley water, trees and the historic relic. Trang An cave ecosystem almost belongings to Hoa Lu District and a part of northwest city of Ninh Binh province.      

• 8h00 – 8h45: Pick up at your hotel then depart to Ninh Binh on the way you can see the picture of rural in VietNam with fertilizer green fields, buffalos are eating grass, ducks are swimming…10h45 arrive at Hoa Lu Temple – the first capital of Vietnam was buit from 10 century. You will spend few minutes for overview.
• 11h00: Arrive Mua cave which is constructed following the model of “miniature Great Wall” in China with nearly 500 steps up to mountains to conquer. You will spend about one hour to do hard trekking up to the top of the mountain for overview the impressive panoramic view of Tam Coc, Trang An & Ninh Binh city.   
• 12h30: Get on bus to Restaurant, then have lunch with special Vietnamese foods.
• 13h30: Depart to visit Trang An Eco-tourism, take boat trip to visit cave complex: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou, Sinh Cave, Si Cave…etc.
• 17h00: Getting on the car return to Hanoi.
• 19h00 – 19h30: Back to Hanoi drop you back your address Tour ends.
• Evening is free

DAY 12-: Halong Bay-Lan Ha Bay by Lacasta cruise 5 start ( B/ L/D)

• 7:45 – 8:15: Get picked up from your hotel (In Hanoi Old Quarter area and not included in cabin rate).
• 8:15 ~ 11:30: Follow the newest highway connecting Hanoi and Hai Phong.
• Upon arrival at Station number 17 – OVERNIGHT CRUISE PORT, Tuan Chau Maria, Ha Long passengers will be welcomed by receptionist at La Casta’s waiting lounge.
• 11:30 – 12:00: After taking a rest, our high speed tender will transfer you to the main boat (Around 25 minutes).
• Get onboard and warmly welcome from La Casta crew team with welcome drink. After that, you will be given a short briefing about La Casta Cruise and safety guideline at our restaurant. Complete the check-in procedure and check-into our suite cabins.
• 13:00: Enjoy a lunch in the restaurant. La Casta Cruise start to depart for the voyage to discover the Lan Ha Bay.
• 15:45: Visit the Ba Trai Dao area and the natural lagoon of Lan Ha Bay – this area includes the beach breaths a romantic atmosphere and three smaller islets like three giant peaches on the sea. You can join with our activities such as: kayaking, swimming, sightseeing and explore the Ba Trai Dao area.
• (In unfavorable weather conditions, to ensure the safety of our guest, this destination would be change into Dark and Bright cave- famous for the pristine natural beauty and poetic, attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. You can join with our activities such as: kayaking, sightseeing on the bamboo boat, … – This is the best time for you to enjoy bamboo boats or swimming which is an interesting activity to discover the truest beauty of the stunning limestone structure and the blue sky of Lan Ha Bay).
• 17:30 – 18:30: Come back to our La Casta cruise and enjoy the pre-dinner sunset party with Happy Hour Promotion (buy 1 get 1 free with some kinds of drinks) at the bar while watching the view of the bay at sunset.
• 18:00: Join a cooking demonstration, our chef will guide you how to make some simple signature Vietnamese dishes.
• 19:30: Enjoy special seafood and typical Vietnamese food on the cruise.
• 21:00: Evening entertainment: Squid fishing, karaoke… Overnight on the La Casta Cruise

DAY 13: Lan Ha Bay- Ha Noi (B/L)

• 6:15:Wake up early, join the Tai Chi session on sundeck area, enjoy the fresh atmosphere and watch the sunrise in Lan Ha Bay.
• 7:00 – 7:45:Have breakfast. Admit morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.
• 08:00:Stroke the stunning views of the Bay and it’s dramatic limestone islets
  Visit the famous Tra Bau, it’s time for freely kayak and explore the landscape, or swim…
• 09:00:Back to your cabin, relax and check carefully all the luggage before leaving your cabin.
• 09:30:Check-out and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay for room service. Complete check out procedure and enjoy your brunch at La Casta cruise.
• 10:30:Enjoy the brunch at restaurant.
• 11:30:Disembark at Tuan Chau harbor, we hope you have enjoyed your time with us and wish you a safe onward journey.
• Around 15H00 will arrived Hanoi, check in your hotel, evening is free time.
• * Because of cruising conditions, the program may be changed slightly due to specific weather or tide conditions without prior notice to visitors. Wi-Fi is available although internet connectivity is limited due to the geography of Ha Long.
• IMPORTANT NOTES:
• Program & activities:
• The itinerary can be changed without prior notice
• The time line of this itinerary is not exact, actual timeline will be informed on cruise before departure
• All activities are included and optional. You can stay on the boat and relax instead of joining outside activities.
• Food & beverage on board:
• All meals on board are included as clearly stated in the program
• Standard menus onboard are served for all customers. there is a special food request, please inform us at least 24 hours before departure.
• Personal documents and belongings:
• Not to be missed: Valid ID card/Passport (necessary for check-in)

 DAY 14 : Hanoi – Lao Chai – Ta Van village (L/D):

• 30 : Pick up from Bus Station get on sleeping bus and depart for Sapa Town.
• 30: Follow the highway to Lao Cai citywith the first comfort break
• 00: Second comfort break at Lao Cai city before approaching Sapa
• 00: Arrive Sapa Town with colourful traditional costumes of H’Mong, Dzao, Tay ethnic People.

 Welcome drink and itinerary briefing

       Enjoy the lunch with local Vietnamese dishes

• 15: A short drive to Y Linh Ho then trek through the rice terraces and along Muong Hoa Stream to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai to see the spectacular landscape of Hoang Lien Son Mountain. You approach Ta Van village where Dzao Ethnic People inhabits in late afternoon.
• Trekking distance is about 9 kms and it lasts for 3.5 hours
• 45: Check in homestay; get to know the family of Dzao People. Spend time to enjoy the mountain life on Sunset. You may attend cooking local dishes with the family and enjoy dinner in peace.
• In the evening, you can join the local bar nearby with music and socialize with other tourists then overnight at homestay.

DAY 15: Medium trek Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai village (B/ L/ D):

• 8:00: Have breakfast prepared by the family and start a new day with more interesting trek.
• 8:45: Keep walking to the rice paddies where you have a nice photo session of the amazing surrounding landscapes; a trek through the bamboo forest; stop to have a panorama view of Giang Ta Chai village – home of red Dzao People.
• 11:00: Trek through the Giang Ta Chai Bridge to main road, bus picks you up to come back Sapa Town.
• Trekking distance is about 4 kms and it lasts for 2 hours
• 12:00 – 14.00: Welcome drink at hotel, have lunch with delicious Vietnamese dishes and check in procedures
• 14:30: A short walk to the gate of Cat Cat village which is home of Black H’mong ethnic people and is located near the bottom of a deep valley at the foot of  Fansipan Peak. Our local guide will show you the daily life activities of the locals, trek down to the valley bottom to the waterfall where the French built a Hydraulic Power Station, stop for photo with bridge and waterfall then you will walk uphill for bus to pick up to get back to Sapa in the afternoon.
• 16:30: Come back to Sapa Town. Have dinner and overnight in hotel with night activities.

DAY 16: Sapa transfer to Ha Noi and Tour finishes (B/L):

• 30 – 12.00: Have breakfast at hotel and free times to discover Sapa town by yourself.
• 00 – 13.00: Have a shower at hotel, have lunch, time at leisure on your own.
• 30: Meet all group members at hotel to get ready for Hanoi.
• 00: Get on bus to go back to Hanoi with two comfort breaks.
• 30 – 21.00: Arrive Hanoi, check in Hotel and free at night time.

DAY 17: Free at Ha Noi- Departure   (B)
After breakfast , depend the time in your flight ticket, we have car and driver take you to the airport. The end of trip!
Thank you so much to choose Explore Travel with you in your trip.!