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The Best of Vietnam Highlights Tour

See the highlights of Vietnam while travelling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, including the 1,000 year old capital Hanoi; experiencing tranquil Ha Long Bay, the northern highland town of Sapa and the stunning scenery in the north. Take in Central Vietnam, the Forbidden city of Hue and the most developed city, Danang, with beautiful beaches nearby.
 
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  • Hanoi: Capital of Vietnam with old French style buildings, lakes and the Old Quarter
  • Ha Long Bay: UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its fresh, and calm waters populated with thousands of islands and islets
  • Sapa: In the mountainous area of Vietnam, where travellers can experience four seasons in one day.
  • Hoi An: Situated only 30KM from Da Nang, Hoi An is a beautiful, old town with historic architecture, traditional culture and famous textile industries.
  • Ho Chi Minh City: The biggest city in Vietnam, which is famous for the Ben Thanh Market and war relics.

Introduction

Travel from the 1000 year old capital, Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Experience tranquil Halong Bay, the northern highland town of Sapa and the stunning scenery of the north. Take in Central Vietnam with the Forbidden City of Hue, the most developed city, Danang with beautiful beaches nearby, and the ancient town of Hoi An. In the south experience historic Saigon and the lush Mekong Delta.

 

Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive - Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi - City Tour
Day 3: Hanoi - Ha Long
Day 4: Ha Long - Hanoi - Lao Cai
Day 5: Lao Cai - Sapa - Cat Cat
Day 6: Sapa - Lao Chai - Tavan - Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi - Hue
Day 8: Hue City Tour
Day 9: Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An
Day 10: Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City
Day 11: Saigon City Tour
Day 12: Saigon - My Tho - Can Tho
Day 13: Cai Rang Floating Market - Ho Chi Minh City
Day14: Ho Chi Minh City departure

Day by Day

Day 1: Arrive - Hanoi (D)

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be met at Noi Bai Airport and taken to your hotel in Hanoi for a relaxing evening and dinner at one of Hanoi’s best restaurants. Overnight at your hotel.

 

Day 2: Hanoi - City Tour  (B,L)

After breakfast at the hotel, start your city tour at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, the iconic One-Pillar Pagoda and the historic Tran Quoc Pagoda.

Continue with a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, established in 1076, then have lunch in one of Hanoi’s famous restaurants. In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Ethnology then ride in a traditional cyclo around the famous Old Quarter, stop at Dong Xuan Market, and enjoy a Water Puppet show. back to your hotel to shower and relax. Have dinner at your own expense. Overnight in Hanoi Hotel.

 

Day 3: Hanoi - Ha Long (B,L,D)

Our car will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi at around 8:30AM and drive you to Ha Long (or Hai Phong), arriving around noon.

Each cruise has its own itinerary and they all cover highlights of the Bay, including:

-  Cruise around Ha Long Bay and/or Bai Tu Long Bay and/or  Lan Ha Bay, with it’s many  islands and islets surrounded by calm water
-  Visit Heaven Palace Cave and/or Surprising Cave
-  Join cruise activities: cooking class, Tai Chi demonstration, kayaking, swimming, fishing…


Lunch and dinner will be served on the boat. Overnight in your private room on the cruise.

 

Day 4: Ha Long – Hanoi - Lao Cai (B,L,D)  

Travellers are reminded the day before to wake up early, around 5.30 or 6.00 AM, for sunrise or swimming, if weather permits. Breakfast/brunch is served from around 7.30AM followed by a visit to Heaven Palace Cave or Surprising Cave if not visited on the first day.

Return to the harbour around noon, then drive back to Hanoi, arriving around 16:00.

Free time to relax and have dinner at the restaurant before being escorted to the railway station for the overnight train to Lao Cai, departing at 21:10.



 

Day 5: Lao Cai - Sapa - Cat Cat (B,L)

Arrive by train in Lao Cai around 06:00, transfer to Sapa by car. After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will meet you for a short trek to Cat Cat village, home of  the H’mong ethnic people in the valley.

The village has remained mostly free of outside influences and provides excellent views of the valley, the magnificent limestone mountains and lush paddy fields. Enjoy a visit to a local family and observe some of their traditional customs.  Travel down into the valley to see the stunning white curtain of the Cat Cat waterfall, surrounded by flowers and deep green pine trees. The rocks near the river and waterfall are a popular place for taking scenic photos and sunbathing during good weather. Return to your hotel.Overnight at your hotel.

 

Day 6: Sapa - Lao Chai – Tavan – Hanoi (B,L,D) 

Have breakfast at your hotel before travelling by private car to Lao Chai Village, home of the Black Hmong people. Take a short trek down to the river to visit a hill tribe house and see local women making their traditional costumes, then move on to the Ta Van Village of the Dzay ethnic minority.

Trek back to the main road to meet the car for your ride back to Sapa, then transfer to Lao Cai for dinner and your overnight train back to Hanoi.

 

Day 7: Hanoi – Hue (B)

Upon arrival by train in Hanoi at around 5:00am, you will be picked up by our car and driver and taken to have breakfast. Enjoy free time and have lunch at your own expense in Hanoi before transferring to the Airport for your 12:40 flight to Hue.

Our guide will meet you at the Airport in Hue and take you to your hotel.  Enjoy free time after check-in. Dinner not included this evening.


Day 8: Hue City Tour (B,L) 

This morning, tour the Hue Royal Citadel, constructed by Emperor Gia Long in the first decades of the 19th century, and now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit the Imperial Museum containing many historic artifacts from the Imperial City, then enjoy a restaurant lunch. Take a leisurely boat trip along the Perfume River in the afternoon to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang and the Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh. In the late afternoon visit the famous Dong Ba Market. Evening free, dinner not included.

Day 9: Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An (B,L)
 
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the ancient town of Hoi An, over the Hai Van Pass to Da Nang, stopping at Lang Co Beach, the Cham Museum and Marble Mountain, enroute. Lunch in Hoi An.

In the afternoon take a walking tour of Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries, and enjoy the traditional architecture and relaxed lifestyle. Visit the centuries-old homes of merchants, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful, bustling market.

Evening is free for you to have dinner and explore the town on your own.

Day 10: Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City (B) 

Have the morning free in Hoi An to relax, go shopping and enjoy the atmosphere of this intriguing ancient town. Transfer to the Airport in Da Nang for the 13:30 flight to Ho Chi Minh City where you will be met at the Airport and taken to your hotel.

A free evening in the city and stay overnight.

Day 11: Saigon, City Tour (B,L)  

After breakfast at your hotel, take a full day tour of this historic city visiting the former Presidential Palace, the War Remnants Museum, and see the famous architecture of the city centre including Notre Dame Cathedral, the City Hall, the Municipal Theatre and Xa Loi Pagoda, as well as Ben Thanh Market and China Town (Cholon).
Evening free.

Day 12: Saigon - My Tho - Can Tho (B,L)  

8:00AM pick up at your hotel after breakfast to transfer by car to My Tho where you will travel in a motorized boat along the Bao Dinh Canal, lined with stilt houses and fruit plantations.

Visit the My Tho Wholesale Fruit Market and Turtle Island and eat lunch served in the heart of an orchard. Continue your boat ride through the Tan Trach Canal in Ben Tre, cruise in the shadows of the water coconut trees, and visit family businesses to experience a taste of the local agricultural lifestyle. Enjoy walking through the fruit plantations on Thoi Son Island and row among the numerous creeks before returning to My Tho by rowboat. Transfer to Can Tho and check into your hotel on arrival. Evening free.

Day 13: Can Tho - Cai Rang Floating Market - Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)
After breakfast, take a boat trip at 8:00am to see the famous Cai Rang Floating Market bustling with activity in the morning hours. Cruise through the intricate system of small channels, visit a village that specializes in making rice noodles and see the delicate “monkey bridges” of the Mekong Delta.

Break for lunch before driving back to Ho Chi Minh City with a stop to visit the Bonsai Garden in My Tho on the way. Arrive back in Ho Chi Minh City around 17:30 for a free evening to relax, have dinner or do that final shopping.

Day14: Ho Chi Minh City Departure

After breakfast at the hotel, your day is free to enjoy the city until you transfer to the airport for your outgoing flight.

 

Rate & Inclusions

Note:

This tour uses a mixture of local transport, including two flights. You need to carry your own luggage so pack as lightly as possible.
 

Temperatures in Southeast Asia can be very hot and humid depending on the season you travel.
 

We will try to run your tour as close to the itinerary as conditions will allow. On rare occasions, local events may affect the way your itinerary operates. We ask for your flexibility and understanding in these situations.
 

Solo passengers who have not booked a single supplement will be sharing a room with another group member of the same sex.
 

This tour includes a compulsory Local Payment that needs to be paid to the Tour Leader on Day 1 of your tour.

Remarks: 

1. All of our itineraries can be tailor-made to suit your requirements, allowing us to create the perfect holiday just for you. Please click on the “Tailor this trip" button and complete the requested information for us. Upon receipt, our travel consultant will customize the best value vacation for your kind consideration. Please note: Changes CAN be made to the itinerary after our initial quote, but may result in a price change also!
 

2. We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina in particular (Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos) hotel prices make up the major expense of your holiday. Therefore, we would like to clarify how we define these charges:

· Boutique & character hotels: from $50-$80 USD per room/ per night

· Comfort = 3 star hotels from US$ 40 - US$ 60 per room/ per night

· Superior = 4 star hotels from US$ 80 - US$ 110 per room/ per night

· Deluxe = 5 star hotels from US$120 - US$ 190++ per room/ per night

· High-end = Best of the best hotels fr om US$ 250++ per room/ per night

 Included

 
  • Hotels in places as indicated (double/ twin room)
  • Private tours with English speaking guide for the entire trip, except leisure time
  • Entrance fees to  applicable tourist sites 
  • All transfers in air conditioned transport
  • Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
  • Train ticket: Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi
  • Flight ticket: Hanoi – Hue, Danang – Saigon (Vietnam Airlines, Economy Class)
  • Government Tax – Service Charges – Accommodations

 Excluded:

 
  • International flight ticket
  • Visa arrangements
  • Other meals not mentioned
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Laundry
  • Other not stated above
  • Travel Insurance

Cancellation by Customer

 
  • Cancellation received before 60 days: No charge
  • Cancellation received from 30 days to 59 days prior arrival date: 10% of total rate
  • Cancellation received from 15 days to 29 days prior arrival date: 30% of total rate
  • Cancellation received from 7 days to 14 days prior arrival date: 50% of total rate
  • Cancellation received less than 7 days prior arrival date or No show: 100% of total rate

Children Policy

 
  • The rate for children applicable for one child sharing a twin or double cabin with two adults
  • For infant (<04 years old): FOC except domestic ticket cost
  • 04 - 11 years old without bed: 50% adult rate
  • 04 - 11 years old with extra bed: 75% adult rate
  • 04 - 11 years old in twin share: 90% adult rate

Service & Travel Advice

Service Details During The Trip

 

We’ll immerse you in the diverse cultures of Vietnam by showcasing the unique local flavors. By balancing included sightseeing and free time, we can customize your dream vacation with the things you have always wanted to do.
 

  • Private Local Tour Guide: You will have a fully licensed local tour guide from 'welcome' until you are farewelled at the airport. Your guide will guide, help, assist and take care of you in order to make your tour worry-free. Vietnam Exploration Booking tours offer the best tour guides based on the features of your itinerary and the make up of the group, to maximize your tour while travelling. Having the right guide means you have the best experience.
  • Private Drivers and Vehicle: Safety is the first priority for transportation. All vehicles are in good condition and are well maintained with fully licensed and experienced drivers ensuring you are in safe hands. To maximize your comfort and enjoyable experience, cold drinking water and refreshing towels are provided in the car. 
  • ​​Local Flavor Meals: You don’t worry about meals; we select both restaurants and menus for you. Vietnam Exploration Booking tours only chooses clean restaurants with pleasant environments for our guests. The menu is also carefully selected to ensure you can try different food at every meal. We will recommend and arrange local cuisine since it is part of the cultural experience while travelling. We can also recommend where to eat so you can enjoy your favourite food when not eating with the group.
  • Well-Selected Hotels: Comfort and good value are our priorities when choosing hotels for our guests. We do our best to ensure good rest by the comfort of the mattress and bedding and offering rooms with a pleasant decorative style, user friendly facilities, good service and a great breakfast!

Things to Bring:

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes suitable for activities such as cycling and for long drives. Prepare for all kinds of weather. Bring a scarf, hat/cap, sun screen, sun glasses, a light waterproof jacket or umbrella and insect repellent. The weather is normally hot from May to October in Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An but Saigon and Mekong Delta are hot the whole year around.

You should bring cash with you, preferably in Vietnamese Dong because the banking system doesn’t always function well. US Dollars and Euro are accepted in many places too. You should bring your medications with you although there are pharmacies in all destinations, if you do get sick.
 

Did we hit the mark with all the items on your travelling holiday bucket list?

If not, don’t worry. We specialize in tailor-made tours and can customize this program to create your dream trip. Get in touch with us create your personalized program.

Don't want the fun to end?
 

Why not combine this tour with Cambodia tours, Laos tours, Myanmar tours or spend a few days in the tropical paradise that is the Viet Nam coast? We take care of everything from flights to transfers and accommodation so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday. Explore our other destinations or speak with your personal Travel Consultant for some expert advice on suitable combinations.

Are you planning to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar or Thailand? We are here to help you save time and money.

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