15 days from Hanoi
IMPORTANT NOTICES: Tourist seasons in Vietnam
- May to September: low season
- November to April : High season
- December to March : Super peak season
This trip will take you to see the 3 most popular destinations in the Northern part of Vietnam : Hanoi capital, Halong Bay, Sapa, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An
BRIEFING:
- Day 1 – Hanoi arrival – 3 options – welcome dinner
- Day 2 – Hanoi full day private tour
- Day 3 – Hanoi to Halong bay cruise overnight
- Day 4 – Halong bay back to Hanoi
- Day 5 -Hanoi to Sapa – afternoon trekking
- Day 6 – Sapa – Fansipan mountain -Sapa
- Day 7 – Sapa – to Hanoi airport – Flight to Hue – Flight MUST BE after 3.00 PM
- Day 8 – Hue Full Day – Overnight in Hue
- Day 9 – Hue morning train to Danang – Danang half day tour – Overnight in Danang
- Day 10 – Danang – Ba Na Hills – overnight in Danang
- Day 11 – Danang – Hoi an full day tour – Overnight in Hoi An
- Day 12 – Hoi an to Danang – flight to Saigon – Saigon half day tour
- Day 13: Saigon to Mekong Delta day tour
- Day 14: Saigon to Cu Chi tunnels – street food tour by motorbike
- Day 15: Saigon departure
DETAILED ITINERARY :
Day 1 – Hanoi arrival – rest – 4.00 PM 3 wheel pushing bike for one hour – welcome dinner
INCLUSIONS:Private car – Private guide – one hour 3 wheel pushing bike ride- set menu welcome dinner – hotel rooms in Hanoi
It depends on what time you arrive, we will have 3 options:
- Arrive before noon, we will pick you up and then transfer to the city center for lunch. Then check in hotel for resting after a long flight. Evening, do some light activities like : one hour XICH LO (3 wheel pushing bike) around the old quarters, pleasant walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, night market and dinner.
- Arrive after noon, we will pick you up and transfer to the city center for hotel check in. Rest after a long flight. Evening, do some light activities like : one hour XICH LO (3 wheel pushing bike) around the old quarters, pleasant walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, night market and dinner.
- Arrive late afternoon or evening, we will pick you up and transfer to the city center for a welcome dinner. After that, check in the hotel and rest on your own.
Overnight in Hanoi capital
PLEASE NOTE: Hanoi old quarters are very busy, the roads are small and the hotels are small too, rooms are only 20-25 square meters, we choose hotels away from the old quarters
- NOTE: hotel early check in is not promised in advance. It depends on the hotel’s availability and an additional cost will be applied at the moment guests request.
HOTEL CHOICES
- Acoustic hotel 4 star
- Thang Long Opera 4 star
- Q hotel 4 star
- Hong Ngoc hotel 4 star
- Grand Peridot 5 star
- Meritel 5 star
- Apricot 5 star
DAY 2 – HANOI CITY FULL DAY TOUR – OVERNIGHT IN HANOI
INCLUSIONS: private car, English speaking guide, entrance fees, lunch, water, hotel rooms in Hanoi
8.00 am: start exploring Hanoi city’s history, culture, and way of life.
PLEASE click here for the day’s details
DAY 3 – HANOI TO HALONG BAY overnight trip – OVERNIGHT on Halong bay cruise
INCLUSIONS: shared bus from Hanoi, English speaking guide , lunch and dinner on board, entrance fees to visit Halong Bay’s highlighted sites, 5 star Halong bay cruise cabins.
DAY 4: SUNG SOT CAVE – HALONG BAY – HANOI
INCLUSIONS: breakfast and lunch on board, English speaking tour guide, entrance fees and all activities on board, shared bus from Halong Bay to Hanoi, hotel rooms in Hanoi
Please follow day 2 from the previous link
ADDITIONAL COST PER PERSON IF GUESTS CHOOSE ONE OF THESE CRUISES:
- Le Journey Cruise: Same cost
- Syrena Cruise: 300.000 VND
- Alisa cruise : 500.000 – 800.000 VND
- Rita Cruises : 500.000 – 800.000 VND
DAY 5 HANOI TO SAPA – CAT CAT VILLAGE TREKKING – OVERNIGHT IN SAPA
INCLUSIONS: shared LIMOUSINE LUXURY bus from Hanoi to Sapa, hotel in Sapa, guide for trekking, entrance fee to villages.
You can request private transportation and decide your time (but still your time must suit the bus schedule as we only use one way)
7.30 AM, You will be picked up by our Limousine driver and enjoy a 5 hour drive to Sapa with one one – two stops for the toilet.
Lunch is on your own account at the bus stop half way.
After arrival, check in the hotel and rest. Then, take a walking tour around Cat Cat village to enjoy the great simple village life; to admire the significance of nature. Our local guide will help you to get the true feel of the local lifestyle. During the trek, you might see some of these activities and scenes:
- Children taking care of buffalos in the rice fields
- People cutting rice in the fields
- Families prepare dinner
- Naive kids playing in front of their house.
HOTEL CHOICES:
DAY 6 – MOANA CAFE – FANSIPAN MOUNTAIN- OVERNIGHT IN SAPA
INCLUSIONS: Private car to get around, English speaking guide, entrance, 2 way cable car to Fansipan mountain, 2 ways train from Sapa downtown to Fansipan cable car, 01 way train on the mountain, water.
Suggested Timing: 08.00 AM – 5.00 PM
Start the day by taxi to Muong Hoa train station in the center of Sapa. Take a 6 min train to Fansipan cable car. This is a very beautiful train line taking you through the peaceful and romantic villages, flower gardens and rice terraces of Sapa.
Upon arrival, take the cable car up to the mountain and enjoy the great sceneries there. From here you will explore the beauty of natural Sapa with a lot of spots for photo check in.
From there, you will take another train to the top of the mountain – which is considered the ROOF OF INDOCHINA 3143 meters. From there you will walk down to the cable car station (600 steps) to enjoy the atmosphere and natural beauty.
Enjoy lunch on your own account with a wide range of food selection on the mountain.
Take the cable car down, and then take the train back to Sapa downtown.
From here, take our private car to visit Moana cafe,which is a hotspot for photo check in, one drink included.
After that, get in our private car to get back to the hotel.
The day ends at around 5-6.00 PM when you are dropped at the hotel
Evening time and dinner are on your own.
Day 7 – Sapa Limousine bus to Hanoi airport
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast, Shared Limousine Bus, flight to Hue, guide and car pick up at Hue, hotel rooms in Hue city
Breakfast at hotel
Check out and get on our shared luxury Limousine bus at 7.30 AM and spend about 5 hours with one stop en route. Lunch is on your own.
1.00 PM : Arrive at Noi Bai airport of Hanoi capital. Check in your flight for HUE city. Flight MUST BE after 3.00 PM.
6.00 PM: Upon arrival at Phu Bai airport of Hue city, our guide and car pick up and transfer you to hotel for check in.
EVENING OPTIONS :
- 3 wheel pushing bike ride
- Street food tour by motorbike
Day 8 – Hue Full Day – Overnight in Hue
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast, private car, guide, entrance fees to visiting places, lunch, hotel rooms in Hue city.
Hue is the former capital of Vietnam’s imperialism period. It’s where the last Nguyen Dynasty ruled the country from 1802 to 1945 through 13 kings. It’s where you can recall the old days of Vietnam, get to understand Vietnam’s history and visit the King’s RIP places.
Today, you will explore the ancient city of Hue where the last Nguyen dynasty of Vietnam imperialism period lasted.
The sightseeing sites:
- Hue former citadel : 1.5 hours – get to know how the Nguyen kings lived.
- 01 hour cruise on a dragon shaped boat on Huong river (Parfume river) to enjoy the fresh atmosphere and the view of Hue city from the river.
- Thien Mu Pagoda: 30 minutes – built in 1601 on a hill overlooking to Parfume river.
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Tu Duc King tomb – the 4th King that had a traumatic life: 1,5 hour
- Conical and incense production village : This is where you can enjoy how the locals produce traditional conical hats and incense which is used for worshipping ancestors.
- Dong Ba market – the biggest market of Hue downtown
NOTE: You can replace any Tomb you like
HOTEL CHOICES: Click on hotel names for references
- White Lotus 4 star
- Hương Giang hotel 4 star
- Century hotel 4 star
- Saigon Morin 4 star
- Indochine Palace 5 star
- Senna hotel 5 star
Day 9 – Hue morning train to Danang – Danang half day tour – Overnight in Danang
INCLUSIONS: private car and guide to drop off at Hue train station,, train tickets to Danang, private car and guide to pick up at Danang train station, and for Danang city tour, entrance fees, water, simple lunch.
Breakfast at the hotel
You will get picked up at your hotel by our guide and driver to drop you off at Hue train station, our guide will help you to check in the train cabins and remind you of everything.
The train will last 3 hours with one stop through Hai Van Pass (the most spectacular pass in South Vietnam) and beautiful Lang Co Beach
Upon arrival at Danang train station, our guide and driver will pick you up and take you to local restaurant for a simple Vietnamese lunch.
After lunch, explore Danang city by visiting the following sites:
- Linh Ung pagoda on Son Tra Island) – admire the 67m high Lady Buddha statue and the great view of Danang sea from the Son Tra hill.
- An option of taking a Parachute ride is ready at Son Tra island – cost is on your own (have to book in advance)
- Visit Marble mountain – take the elevator to the middle part of the mountain and enjoy the scenery of Linh Ung pagoda. Make a walk through the mountain with about 300 steps, stop by some natural caves. Get down by elevator or walking.
- stop by Dragon bridge for photo – a symbolic landmark of Danang city
After all, check in your hotel and rest on your own in the evening.
HOTEL CHOICES: Click on hotel names to see hotel website
- Minh Toan Galaxy 4 star
- Eden Danang Hotel 4 star
- Royal Ocean 4 star
- Nalod 5 star
- Hilton Garden in 5 star
- Grand-Vrio Ocean 5 star
Day 10 – Danang – Ba Na Hills – overnight in Danang
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast, private guide and car, 2 way cable car to Ba Na Hills, hotel rooms in Da Nang city.
- 08:00 am: Our private car and a tour guide pick you up at your hotel lobby, enjoy a drive to Ba Na Mountain
- Arrive at Ba Na Mountain, get out of the car and walk about one km to the cable car Station. Spend your time in the most modern Cable Car in Southeast Asia.
- After finishing the first cable car, you will visit The Golden Bridge – which has the most exotic structure and also the world’s most prominent pedestrian bridges highlighted by the British Guard newspaper, Le Jardin D’amour (consists of 9 gardens), Linh Ung pagoda.
- Get in the 2nd Cable Car to visit the French Village where you could enjoy Street Music, watch Art’s statue, Campanile, Nine Floor Goddess Shrine, Tombstone Temple, Watch Carnival Performance Show, Square Du Dome …Challenge the most popular adventure ride – Slide of Tube Car (free ride)…
- Ba Na has a diverse variety of food choices. You can just pick whatever you like there, so lunch is on your own account.
- Take the Lava Train from Sun Kingdom to many new attractions for check-in such as Helios waterfall, Time Gate, and The Moon Kingdom …Join in Fantasy Park by walking in Fairy Forest, discovering Dinosaur Park, playing 5D wild west, enjoying 4D death race ride, watching 3D mega 360 degrees, riding on journey into the underground, entering Jurassic Park, challenging Freefall Tower and participating in an adventure in Horror House and over 90 free games.
- 3:00 pm: Return to the Cable Car to get down the hills
- 3.30 PM: Get in our private car and drive about 45 mins back to hotel
- 5.00 PM :Reach the hotel in Danang, and rest on your own.
Day 11- Danang – Hoi an full day tour – Overnight in Hoi An
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast, private guide and car, entrance fees, boat trip, lunch, hotel rooms in Da Nang city.
Breakfast at the hotel and check out with all your luggage on car.
9.00 AM, depart for Hoi An ancient town in 40 minutes. Hoi An is UNESCO cultural heritage thanks to its historical and traditional values. Visit and enjoy the following activities:
- First get to Coconut Jungle to join the MUST-DO round bamboo boat trip with a lot of fun and great experiences.
- An optional bike ride around the old town is recommended with visits of some Chinese temples and highlights of Hoi An ancient town (Hoi An market, Japanese bridge, ect)
- Visit Tra Que vegetable farm, the biggest green farm for Hoi an city.
- Enjoy your own free time in Hoi an : walk along the river, join the public street performances, enjoy evening boat rides to release lanterns, shopping and dinner. All of these are on your own account.
- Enjoy a simple lunch at a local restaurant in town. After lunch, get back on car and check in hotel for resting.
- Afternoon, join a motorbike tour around 3 hours into villages, visiting some traditional villages making mats, bricks, and potteries.
- Get back to hotel or old town at 6.00 PM, then free on your own.
HOTEL CHOICES: Please click on hotel names for references
- Coco river resort 4 star
- Hoi An Royal riverside hotel 4 star
- Ann Retreat 4 star
- Bel Marina 5 star
- Almanity 5 star
- La Siesta resort 5 star
Day 12 – Hoi an to Danang – flight to Saigon – Saigon half day tour
Inclusions: Private car, guide, entrance fees, lunch, water, hotel
Morning, breakfast at hotel, check out and move to Danang airport with our driver.
FLIGHT VJ 625 departing at 9:10 AM
10.35 AM, upon your arrival at Saigon airport, our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to the city center for half day city tour as follows:
- Independence Palace or Reunification Palace : spend 40 minutes witnessing and understanding the Saigon history’s ups and downs with your knowledgeable local guide.
- Enjoy a light lunch with a local Vietnamese food.
- Notre Dame cathedral (stand outside) and Central Post Office (visit inside) : showing great architectures of the French supervision period over Saigon.
- Opera House and City Hall (stand outside) and Nguyen Hue walking street : All of them are in the heart of the city, showing why Saigon was named THE PEARL OF THE FAR EAST and Indochina’s capital city.
- Jade Emperor Pagoda is so proud to welcome President Barrack Obama during his last year’s presidency term 2016 visit to Vietnam. You will understand how the Vietnamese show their religious beliefs especially wishing for Love and Children.
- Nguyễn Hue walking street is where you can enjoy a pleasant walk and learn the historical and modern values of Saigon through our guide’s talks. During the walk you will see from outside Saigon Opera House, People’s Committee, Bitexco Financial Tower.
- After all, we will take you to check in your hotel and evening time is on your own.
HOTEL CHOICES: Please click on the hotel names for references
- Winsuites 4 star
- Silverland Yen 4 star
- A and Em 4 star
- Nikko 5 star
- Caravelle 5 star
- The Myst 5 star
- Grand 5 star
Day 13: Saigon – Mekong Delta day tour (Cai Be – Vinh Long) – Saigon
INLUSIONS: private car, guide, boat trip, coconut drink, lunch, water, hotel room
Please refer to this link for today’s details
Day 14 : Saigon Cu Chi tunnels – evening street food tour by motorbike
Morning: Enjoy 6 hour tour to Cu Chi tunnels
NOTE: Cu Chi tunnels has 2 different sites: Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc.
Ben Dinh is super crowded and touristy
Ben Duoc is more quiet, authentic, and real feeling.
We will visit Ben Duoc site.
Please refer to this link for Cu Chi Tunnels tours
Evening : Enjoy a fun and authentic food tour by motorbike
Please refer to this link for Evening Street food tour
Day 15: Saigon departure
It depends on your flight timing. We have 2 options:
- If your flight is before noon, we will do nothing, just head to the airport by our guide and car’s support
- If your flight is afternoon or evening, we can do another light city tour or shopping before heading to the airport
THE TRIP ENDS.
*** AGREEMENTS AND COMMITMENTS:
- The cost is based on the hotel suggestions, all of which have windows of random views and breakfast. The hotels can be replaced and the cost might increase/decrease if guests require to change
- In case the suggested hotel is sold out by the date guests request, a similar hotel with the same cost will be replaced.
- Included lunches will be local speciality/set menu/buffet stated clearly in each day.
- SIMPLE LUNCH means it’s where the locals eat/not designed for tourists but meet all the hygiene standards (one dish one drink)
- Some days have buffet lunch as it’s a must, no other choices.
- The timing and order in the daily plan for private tours is just suggestion, please feel free to change/adjust as long as it doesn’t cause extra costs.
- For group tours, the timing is fixed, guests cannot change.
- Tipping is customary in Vietnam and it’s suggested 20 USD for guide per day and 10 USD for driver per day (for the whole group)
- Tipping is a MUST in Cambodia (at least 5 USD/person/day)
***TRIP INCLUSIONS CLARIFICATION: beside the detailed inclusions in each day’s itinerary:
- 9nights in 4-5 star hotels/ 5 star cruise cabin in all cities with buffet breakfast included
- Hotel rooms are defaulted for 2 persons ( 1 or 2 beds) with specific room type.
- Entrance fees to all sites mentioned above
- 2 bottles of water per guest per day
- Travel insurance valued at 3.000 USD
- Private/group English speaking tour guide for daily tours – not for airport pickup/dropoff/transfer and not for daily group tours.
TRIP EXCLUSIONS:
- International air tickets
- Visa to Vietnam and Cambodia
- Tips for guides and drivers – It’s customary to TIP 10USD/day/group for driver and 20 USD/day for guides. For big groups from 10 people up, TIP will be a MUST : 3USD per person per day (for both drivers and guides)
- Ordering drinks during included meals
HOTEL REGULATIONS
Check in / check out time: 2.00 PM – 12.00 PM for all hotels
Early check in and late check out are not Promised by the hotels. This can ONLY be discussed upon arrival with the hotel staff and additional costs MUST be paid if the rooms are available.
FOR CRUISES: check in/out time: 12.00 PM – 9.30 AM
TOUR COST per person depends on:
- The total number of travelers
- Specific hotel choices and room type
- Please contact us directly for specific tour costs