Grand Vietnam Tour 20 Days / 19 Nights

It can be said that there were three layers of culture overlapping each other during the history of Vietnam: local culture, the culture that mixed with those of China and other countries in the region, and the culture that interacted with Western culture. The most prominent feature of the Vietnamese culture is that it was not assimilated by foreign cultures thanks to the strong local cultural foundations. On the contrary, it was able to utilize and localize those from abroad to enrich the national culture.

The Vietnamese national culture emerged from a concrete living environment: a tropical country with many rivers and the confluence of great cultures. The natural conditions (temperature, humidity, monsoon, water-flows, water-rice agriculture ...) exert a remarkable impact on the material and spiritual life of the nation, the characteristics and psychology of the Vietnamese. The Vietnamese nation was formed early in the history and often had to carry out wars of resistance against foreign invaders, which created a prominent cultural feature: a patriotism that infiltrated and encompassed every aspect of life.

Itinerary brief:

Day 1: Hanoi - Arrival  

Day 2: Hanoi - Halong 

Day 3: Ha Long bay - Hanoi - Lao Cai

Day 4: Lao Cai - Sapa 

Day 5: Sapa - Lao Cai 

Day 6: Lao Cai - Hanoi 

Day 7: Hanoi 

Day 8: Dong Hoi - Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park 

Day 9: Dong Hoi - DMZ - Hue

Day 10: Hue 

Day 11: Hue - Hoi An 

Day 12: Hoi An

Day 13: Hoi An - Da Nang - Nha Trang 

Day 14: Nha Trang

Day 15: Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh City 

Day 16: Ho Chi Minh City 

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta 

Day 18: Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City 

Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi 

Day 20: Ho Chi Minh City -Departure 

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi - Arrival   

You are arrival at our thousand years Capital  Hanoi city. Our guide will welcome you at the airport Noi Bai Airport and then be transferred to your hotel in the center of city. It is time for you to relax after long journey.  Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi - Halong (B/L/D) 

Today we leave Hanoi to Halong bay. Upon arrival, we will embark to a junk /boat for a cruise around Ha Long Bay. While the junk cruising caves, grottoes, floating villages on Ha Long bay, having seafood meals on boat. Stop for a while for an excursing to Surprise Caves, (Grotto of Surprises) and Swimming, Kayaking if weather permitted. In the evening, enjoy the night fishing (if weather permitted). Overnight on board.

Day 3: Ha Long bay - Hanoi - Lao Cai (B/L/D)

In the morning, cruising more in the Halong bay before return to the Halong pier. Having lunch in Halong before return back Hanoi. Having a dinner at a local restaurant before taking a night train to Sapa.

Day 4: Lao Cai - Sapa (B/-/D)

Arrive at Lao Cai train station at about 6.30. our Guide will pick up and transfer to Sapa. Check in at the hotel and freshen your up with breakfast in the good weather of Sapa. Visit Sapa town afterward and in the afternoon, take a 2km short trekking to Cat Cat Village, the home of H'mong minority.

Day 5: Sapa - Lao Cai (B/L/D)

Trekking more or take a short drive by our land cruise to visit Lao Chai and Ta Van Villages, home of H?mong and Day ethic. Along the way are slope rice field, bamboo valley , rustic villages and villager daily work. Return to Sapa and take a transfer to Lao Cai station for night train to Hanoi.

Day 6: Lao Cai - Hanoi (B/-/-) 

Arrive in Hanoi in the morning. Transfer to Nam Hai hotel for bath and breakfast. Leisure time in the morning. Transfer to your hotel at noon time. Our city tour starts with one hour cyclo ride around the old streets including: Hang Giay - Hang Be, Hang Mam - Hang Bac - Ma May - Dao Duy Tu- Hang Chieu - Hang Ma - Hang Ca- Cha Ca- Lan Ong - Thuoc Bac - Lo Ren - Hang Dong - Bat Su - Hang Bo - Luong Van Can - Hang Gai - Cau Do, then stop at Thang Long theatre for enjoying the Water puppet show at 17:15. Tour end at your hotel around 18:30.

Day 7: Hanoi (B/L/-)

In the morning to visit Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, His House on Stilt, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc pagoda, Quan Thanh temple, Army Museum and Hanoi Flag Tower. Time for lunch and check-out. In the afternoon, visit Van Mieu ? Quoc Tu Giam (The First National University established in 1076), short walk to the Fine Art Museum near by at Nguyen Thai Hoc street. The next visiting place should be the Museum of Vietnam Ethnology in Cau Giay District or just go shopping around Silk shops and Art shops in Hang Gai street. Tonight you take a night train to Dong Hoi.

Day 8: Dong Hoi - Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park (B/L/-)

After check in, relaxing, then we will drive you to visit Phong Nha ? Ke Bang National Park. Getting on boat and cruise on the world's longest underground river to Phong Nha Cave. The deeper one penetrates, the more magical are the natural aspects of the caves. After on boat for 700m, a large dry passage is appear, then you can walk to discover the cave for 500m more. You will have a chance to explore the remain of Cham Altars and Inscriptions inside. Overnight in Dong Hoi Town.

Day 9: Dong Hoi - DMZ - Hue (B/L/-)

Drive along back to Hue with a stopover at historic Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai River and the famous Vinh Moc Tunnel. Overnight in Hue.

Day 10: Hue (B/L)

Today we start the tour with the visit to Imperial Citadel and  King Minh Mang tomb, King Tu Duc Tomb, Thien Mu Pagoda. Then we will embark in a boat cruise along Perfume river to admire sunset and enjoy Vietnamese traditional folk song on boat. Overnight in Hue.

Day 11: Hue - Hoi An (B/-/-)

Today we will heading to Hoi An through Hai Van pass, and Lang Co beach ? one of the most beautiful beach of Vietnam. Visit Cham museum on the way, Cham museum is the open air collection of Cham sculpture. Many of the sandstone carvings are breathtaking. After check-in at hotel, visit the Ancient town. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 12: Hoi An (B/L/-)

After breakfast, take a private car from Hoi An Town to My Son Holy Land. Back to Hoi An for lunch. Leisure time in the afternoon for beach activities or relax on the bank of Thu Bon river or shopping around. Overnight in Hoi An. 

Day 13: Hoi An - Da Nang - Nha Trang (B/-/-)

Transfer to Da Nang Airport to fly to Nha trang around noon. Relax on the beach of Nha Trang. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 14: Nha Trang (B/L/-)

You will have one day boat trip. Firstly we will go to Mun Island, the best site for snorkeling where you will see lots of live colorful corals and fish. This site has been officially protected under the support of Danish Government. Relax, sunbath and swimming at Tam island. Then visit Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Mieu Island. At this place, you will see the life of the many sea species of Nha Trang ocean that being made in a smaller world of this aquarium. Return to Nha Trang about 16.00. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 15: Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh City (B/-/-)

Today you will visit Cham Po Nagar Towers, Long Son Pagoda & Stone Church. Cham Po Nagar Towers is the site can not be missed when visiting Nha Trang. Cham Po Nagar Towers is one of the best architectures of Cham People. Leisure on the beach until the transfer time to Cam Ranh Airport for late flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 16: Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/-)

Full day city tour. Our tour start by visit Reunification Palace, then visit War Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral. After lunch, we continue to visit Binh Tay Market, Thien Hau Pagoda, on the way back bustling Chinatown is should not be missed as well. Overnight at Ho Chi Minh city. 

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (B/L)

This Mekong Delta trip provides you a look at varieties of the life and scenery on the Mekong River itself as well as on the bank of the river. Start the trip by a drive to Vinh Long, which on the way is green/yellow rice paddy fields stretching towards the horizon. On arrival, you will embark a boat for cruising the Mekong river with a passing floating Cai Be Market. Along the river is more exploring the local life, farmer and handicraft productions. The boat continues toward Can Tho, you will have a chance enjoy sunset on the way to Can Tho. Overnight at Can Tho city.

Day 18: Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)

The watery world of the Mekong Delta is home to many bustling floating markets. This day you will a boat trip exploring the vibrant floating market of Cai Rang and Phong Dien, whose the trading way is unique; each boat usually sells one particular item. After an impressive boat trip, you are back to Ho Chi Minh via My Tho with stop over a Bonsai garden. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi (B/L)

Drive a long way on the country side of Vietnam to Tay Ninh, 100 km from Ho Chi Minh city. On arrival to the head quarter of Cao Dai religious, you will have a chance to witness the daily ceremony at Cao Dai Holy See, and meet followers come to attend the ceremony wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity and Buddhism. Having lunch at a local restaurant then continue the trip to Cu Chi, visit the incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. Overnight at Ho Chi Minh City. 

Day 20: Ho Chi Minh City -Departure (B)

Free time for shopping or optional visit before transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for departure.

 We can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations.

Type of tour:     (This is the sample tour, you may go with all details above or we can modify to fix your way of travel)
 Easy tour
 Departure:  Any day
 
Feature of tour: This vacation Vietnam tour is the combine cultural tour and relax tour. You visit Vietnam to discover Vietnam culture and also relax after the whole year working: Vietnam country and people.

•  A/c private van for pick up, transfer & sightseing as per porgam.
• Domestic flights : Nha Trang - Danang; Hue - Hanoi ( Economic class ).
• English speaking tour guide.
• Private boat trips in the Mekong Delta, Hue.
•  Share cruise in halong bay.
• Kayaking paddles.
• A/c private soft sleeper cabin : Hanoi - Lai Cai - Hanoi.
• All entrance fees.
• Hotel accommodation based on Twin or Double share.
• Meals as indicated in the tour program : B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; Dinner.
• Approved invitation letter for Vietnamese visa.
• Purified water and wet towel

• International flight to/from Vietnam.
• Travel insurance;
• Drinks & other meals not mentioned in the program.
• Laundry & telephone fee at hotels.
• Vietnamese Entry visa.