A grand tour of Vietnam

Embark on a wide-ranging tour that immerses you in all the tradition, scenery, and astonishing sights of Vietnam. 24 days traveling from North to South Vietnam on Grand Vietnam Tour and experience local life up close

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (D)

Welcome at the airport and transfer to hotel for check-in and tour briefing. Free to rest till welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant.
Day 2: Hanoi Tour - Train to Lao Cai (B)

This morning we start exploring Hanoi, taking in the city's outstanding tourist sites such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Single Pillar Pagoda, the West Lake, the Temple of Literature. Proceed to the Museum of Ethnology and admire the country’s ethnic cultural diversities. Continue with a tour on 'cyclo' through the Old Quarter, a series of guild streets where the local still trade the old way. Enjoy the famed water puppet performance before boarding a train to Lao Cai in the Far North.
Day 3: Lao Cai - Sapa (B)

Arrival in Lao Cai railway station early this morning and transfer 40 km uphill to Sapa. After breakfast and refreshment, we’ll travel by car to Lao Chai village of the Black Hmong, visit the village and discover the local life. From Lao Chai, take a trekking tour towards Ta Van, the ethnic village of Day people. Return to Sapa mid-afternoon and a climb up the Ham Rong Mount to enjoy the great view of the town as well as terraced rice paddies and deep valleys.

Note: 4 hours of walking
Day 4: Sapa - Ban Ho - Nam Toong (B, L, D)

This morning, trek along the fringes of the rainforest skirting the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range. Ascend to the Red Dao village of Nam Toong where we enjoy pinic lunch at a local school. Hiking on we’ll reach Ban Ho, a beautiful village located next to a gorgeous turquoise river, and then on to Supan to take our jeep to a nice Ecolodge for dinner and overnight.

Note: 5 hours of walking
Day 5: Sapa - Heaven Gate - Sin Chai - Lao Cai - Train to Hanoi (B, L)

This morning we drive to Silver Waterfall and “Heaven Gate”, the highest roadway pass in Vietnam. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Mount Fansipan, the rooftop of Indochina, before a downhill trek through bamboo forest. After lunch by the river, continue to Sin Chai and learn about community-based tourism projects in the village. After that, drive back to Sapa and on to Lao Cai for refreshment at a mini hotel before the night train to Hanoi.
Note: 4 hours of walking
Day 6: Hanoi-Halong (B, L, D)

Back in Hanoi early this morning, we’ll go to a fine restaurant for breakfast first. Revitalized, we journey to Halong Bay, Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder, on a new highway that passes through large rice fields of the Red River Delta. We arrive in Halong at noon and board on a beautiful wooden junk for a 24-hour cruise on the legendary bay. From the comfort of our junk, we’ll spend the day exploring this incredible setting and discovering the many islands and inlets found in the bay made famous in the film Indochine. You can challenge yourself with kayaking and swimming.
Day 7: Halong-Hanoi-Train to Dong Hoi (Brunch)

Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City. En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even further! Disembark at 11:00 AM and return to Hanoi to board a southbound train for Dong Hoi.
Day 8: Dong Hoi – Phong Nha – Dong Hoi (B)

Early morning arrival in Dong Hoi, we’ll firstly transfer to hotel for refreshment and breakfast. Next we drive 40 km to Ke Bang to explore the largest National Park in Vietnam. Set in the biggest limestone mountain range on the planet, the park boasts beautiful limestone formations, grottoes and caves, underground rivers, pristine sandbanks and the immense primeval forest. Float down the Son River (Crimson River) to discover the fascinating stalactites and stalagmites in Phong Nha cave, one of the biggest caves in the world. Later, a walk to sample the unique fauna and flora of the park. Return to Dong Hoi early afternoon and free to enjoy the powder-soft beaches.
Day 9: Dong Hoi – Hue (B, L)

Depart Dong Hoi for Hue, the former capital of Vietnam. Along the way we’ll visit Vinh Moc Tunnels and Quang Tri Citadel, famous relics from Vietnam War. Arrive in Hue late afternoon, settle in to hotel and relax.
Day 10: Hue (B, D)

We start today tour with boat trip along the serene Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda, the most revered Buddhist site in Central Vietnam. Continue to the Royal Citadel which is recognized by UNESCO a World Culture Heritage, then a garden house built after oriental geomancy rules. This afternoon we pay a visit to the mausoleum of Tu Duc on a serene hill, a life-size palace for the emperor in his other life. Stroll the bustling Dong Ba market that’s full of exotic sights and sounds and round off the evening with the dinner in royal style with live court music.
Day 11: Hue – Danang – Hoian (B)

Depart Hue for Hoian via the scenic Hai Van Pass to enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramas in Vietnam, as you look out over the central coastline. We will also pass through the quiet, white sandy beach of Lang Co along the way. Arrive in Danang and visit the Cham Museum. Later, continue to Hoian and take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit the former merchants' homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Chinese Assembly Halls and the colourful market.
Day 12: Hoian - Quy Nhon (B)

Leave Hoian for Quy Nhon on a scenic road, visit ancient sandstone towers by the ethnic Cham on the way.
Day 13: Quy Nhon – Pleiku (B)

Continue the trip to Pleiku in the Central Highland with optional stops en route to visit coffee plantations or take pictures. This is the land of various extinct volcanoes, countless basaltic fields, waterfalls, boundless green plantations, multiple tribal groups with unique traditions and customs… In Pleiku, we’ll visit Dektu and Dekcop villages of the Bahnar minority; enjoy villagers’ hospitality through their gong performance and wine.
Day 14: Pleiku – Buon Me Thuot (B)

Transfer to Buon Me Thuot city and visit the Museum of Ethnic Minorities, Draysap Waterfall and nearby villages of the Ede.
Day 15: Buon Me Thuot – Da Lat (B)

This morning we drive to Lak Lake and visit Jun village of the M’nong before a dug-out canoe ride on Lak Lake for 1 hour to see local people fishing. Then we climb aboard elephants for a ride through the countryside to capture the mesmerising wilderness and discover the daily life of the ethnic minorities. After lunch we depart Buon Me Thuot for Dalat on a beautiful drive past a kaleidoscope of small villages, lush green coffee and tea plantations.
Day 16: Dalat (B, L)

Today we tour Dalat flower market, the French Railway Station, Truc Lam pagoda, Emperor Bao Dai’s summer palace, the crazy house of Hang Nga, XQ embroidery village, Tuyen Lam Lake.
Day 17: Dalat - Nha Trang (B)

Today we drive downhill to Nha Trang, taking the road over Ngoan Muc pass which affords spectacular views. Rest of the day after hotel check-in will be free for you to enjoy the beaches and beachfront tourist services of Nha Trang.
Day 18: Nha Trang (B, L)

Spend a morning cruising amongst tropical islands through turquoise water, enjoying swimming, snorkeling and seafood. Afternoon visit the Oceanographic Institute, Po Naga Towers, the remnants of Cham Kingdom, Long Son Pagoda, the lively Dam market.
Day 19: Nha Trang - Saigon (B)

We fly to Saigon late in the morning and spend the afternoon touring the city’s outstanding attractions such as the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the French Post Office, Ben Thanh market, and the frenetic Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hue streets etc…
Day 20: Saigon (B, L)

We start the day with a drive off the city to Cu Chi amazing tunnel system built by Communist guerillas during the Vietnam War. Proceed to Tay Ninh to witness the noon services of adherents to Caodai Sect, a most ridiculous religion in the world, in a beautiful edifice called Holy See Temple.
Day 21: Saigon - Chau Doc (B, L)

Depart Saigon for Chau Doc and a chance to experience the Mekong River Delta region, a world that lives and works on the water – a photographer’s paradise. After stops along the way to gain understanding of this unique region, we arrive in Chau Doc in the afternoon, and then take a tour to interesting villages, ending at a village inhabited by the Cham people.
Day 22: Chau Doc - Can Tho (B, L)

In the morning, a visit to Sam Mountain, a complex of temples and pagodas, in this region near the Cambodian border. We continue to the Tinh Bien Border Market, then to Tri Ton and Long Xuyen, with stops at ethnic Khmer villages. Arriving in Can Tho, we take a spin around this city to experience the waterfront at Ninh Kieu Quay, bustling and exciting with Hau River life.
Day 23: Can Tho - Cai Rang Floating Market - Saigon (B, L)

Early this morning, we enjoy a boat ride to the extraordinary river market of Cai Rang. Famous as the largest on the complex of water-ways that comprise the Mekong Delta, this market provides a huge array of exotic fruits and vegetables. The boat tour will be capped off with a visit to My Khanh, a genuine working Delta village that is typical of the region. In the afternoon, we return to Saigon. A visit to Cho Lon –Saigon's China Town – can be arranged at your wish.
Day 25: Departure (B)

Free time at leisure before transfer to the international airport for departure flight