Taste of Vietnam Adventure 18 days 17 nights
• Tour duration: 18 DAYS 17 NIGHTS
• Depart from: Hanoi - Stop off: Ho Chi Minh
• Tour price: US$ 5402
+ Private tour with English/French speaking guide
+ You choose your date of departure
+ Starting from Hanoi & ending in HCMC
Outlined Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Hanoi (D)
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B)
Day 3: Hanoi - Victoria night train to Lao Cai (B, D)
Day 4. Lao Cai - Sapa (B, L)
Day 5: Sapa - Hanoi (B, L)
Day 6: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay (B, L, D)
Day 7: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi (Brunch)
Day 8: Hanoi - Hue (B, L)
Day 9: Hue (B, L)
Day 10: Hue (B, L)
Day 11: Hue - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City City - Cu Chi Tunnels - Cao Dai Temples (B, L)
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (B, L)
Day 14: Mekong Delta - HCM City - Con Dao Island(B, L)
Day 15: Con Dao Islands (B)
Day 16: Con Dao Islands (B)
Day 17: Con Dao Islands (B)
Day 18: Con Dao Island - Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)
TASTE OF VIETNAM ADVENTURE 18 DAYS 17 NIGHTS
Hanoi - Sapa - Ha Long Bay - Hue -
Saigon - Can Tho and Con Dao Island
Day 1: Arrival Hanoi (D)
After
arrival in Hanoi airport, you will meet our representative who will handle your
transfer to your hotel for check-in. You’ll enjoy a welcome dinner at the
Wild Rice Restaurant and stay overnight at the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B)
Start
your luxury adventure trip in Hanoi, Vietnam’s artistic and intellectual
capital. Explore the fascinating Old Quarter and its hundreds of specialty
shops selling silk clothing, lacquer ware, embroidered linens, furniture,
bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more. Then walk around Hoan
Kiem Lake, ride a cyclo to dinner, and watch a performance at the Thang Long
Water Puppet Theater. You’ll be able to dine in French colonial villas which
have been converted into gourmet restaurants. You will enjoy people watching at
stylish cafes and shop for impressive modern art in the city's many galleries.
You can also choose to visit Hanoi’s main cultural attractions, including the
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his House on Stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine
Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature. You will then stay overnight at
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi - Victoria night train to Lao Cai (B,
D)
You will
be able to enjoy a free day of leisure in the colonial city of Hanoi. You can
visit the bustling, narrow streets of the Old Quarter, or perhaps opt for
viewing some of Hanoi 's many museums, in particular the Museum of Ethnology,
which is dedicated to Vietnam 's 54 ethnic minority peoples. After that, you
may want to visit Hoa Lo prison, formerly known by its inmates as 'The Hanoi
Hilton'. You can then stroll around the French quarter, where many of the Embassies
are located. Your trip to Sapa will then start with an overnight train journey
to the border town of Lao Cai on the Victoria Express departure at 22:00.
Day 4: Lao Cai - Sapa (B, L)
The train
will arrive at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 06:00. There will be
a vehicle waiting to transfer you to Sapa. The drive to Sapa is 33 km and takes
roughly 1.5 hours. Once at Sapa, we will check into the Victoria Hotel in order
to freshen up, have breakfast at TaVan Restaurant and then enjoy a free morning
to explore the town. After a 10 a.m. pickup from the hotel, there will be a
walking tour of the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the Black H'mong
minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa,
we will meet some of the local people on their way to and from Sapa. Here you
will have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that
live in the area, followed by an overnight at stay at the Victoria Sapa Hotel.
Day 5. Sapa - Hanoi (B, L)
Following
breakfast, you’ll explore the Sapa Sunday market and then set out on a 3-4 hour
trek that will take us along buffalo paths and trails. You also pass through
the hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, home to the H'mong and Dzay
people. This is an absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery,
inhabited by some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. Stop for lunch
on the way to Ta Van village. From the willage you will transfer back to Lao
Cai for the Victoria Express train journey back to Hanoi. The train departs at
21:15 and is an overnight journey.
Day 6: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay (B, L, D)
After
arriving in Hanoi at around 5 am in the morning, you will be picked up and
transferred to a local restaurant for breakfast and morning coffee. Next up, will
be a visit to Ha Long Bay, which offers out-of-this-world kayaking experiences,
suitable for both first-time paddlers and the serious marine explorer. Unique
and remote limestone islands sprout from the sea, making for some fascinating
exploring the inlets. Many of these isolated islands feature dramatic sea caves
and sheltered, pristine beaches, which are best enjoyed by travelling aboard a
private junk and sea kayak, off the more common tourist beaten path. There will
be an overnight stay on the boat.
Day 7: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi (Brunch)
Upon
rising to the sound of waves lapping against the boat, you’ll start your day
with complimentary tea & coffee, followed by more boating or
kayaking. After a buffet brunch on board, we’ll cruise back to
the harbor, disembarking at Ha Long City. Your car will be waiting to take
you back to Hanoi, where you’ll enjoy a one hour massage, followed by
unscheduled leisure time. You’ll then spend the night at the Sofitel
Legend Metropole Hanoi.
Day 8: Hanoi - Hue (B, L)
You will
take a flight to Hue, arriving at Phu Bai Airport, where you will be guided directly
to your hotel. The afternoon will include a tour of Hue City, where you will
visit the Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba
market. The evening ends with dinner at a local Hue restaurant and an
overnight stay.
Day 9: Hue (B, L)
Following
breakfast in the hotel, you will board a private traditional boat for a cruise
on the romantic Perfume River. You may disembark for a bike tour of Hue.
Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded by ancient tombs of past emperors,
some of which will be on the itinerary for the day. The charming Lady Pagoda
(Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day and is located at the
convergence of rivers, which makes it an ideal place for a great view of
the Perfume River and surrounding area. From here you will cruise further to
the ornate Minh Mang's tomb. You will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before
driving to visit King Tu Duc's tomb and an overnight stay in Hue.
Day 10: Hue (B, L)
After 9
days busy, today will be your chance to do absolutely nothing or you may take
an option for an excursion to Hoi An Ancient town. From the 16th to 18th
centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese,
Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders. Trading was primarily for
high grade silk, which is still produced in the area, as well as ceramics.
Today, Hoi An is a quaint riverside town, popular with tourists for its
eclectic architecture, tailors shops, and numerous cafes. You will enjoy a
half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient
Quarter, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200-year old
Tam Ky ancestral house, and the Japanese Bridge. Following the tour, there will
be free time for shopping, including visits to local tailors who can do custom
made clothing very quickly. You may return to Hue for an overnight stay, or if
you prefer (and with prior notice) you can stay the night in Hoi An or Da Nang.
Day 11: Hue - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Next up
will be a flight to Ho Minh City (formerly Saigon), where you’ll be taken to
your hotel and stay for two evenings. Ho Chi Minh City is the largest and
busiest city in Vietnam, with a population of 7 million people. In the
afternoon, you will visit the Reunification Palace and the Opera House and
Hotel de Ville. If you desire, you can also visit the powerful War Remnants
Museum. Following that, you can explore colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi
Street. This is the city's main shopping boulevard, with shops selling
clothes and accessories by new Vietnamese designers and hill tribe
craftsmen. High quality linens and housewares are also an available
treat. Then, spoil yourself with some of Saigon’s strong iced coffee and a
banh mi (baguette sandwich), followed by a night out and overnight stay in HCMC
Day 12: HCMC - Cao Dai Temple - Cu Chi tunnels
(B/L)
In the
morning you will be driven to to Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh. Tay Ninh, near the
Cambodian border, is home to the unique Cao Dai sect, whose patron saints
include Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo and Winston Churchill, to name a few. The
religion is a hybrid of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. The
Cao Dai Temple has been described as the Disneyland of the East.
The trip to Tay Ninh is combined with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. At its
height, the tunnel system stretched over 250km going from Saigon to the
Cambodian border, it was three levels deep, including a network of innumerable
trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons
factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today, the remaining
tunnels have become a major tourist attraction, giving you a unique experience
and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam war must have been
like. You return to HCMC at approximately 6 p.m.
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (B,
L)
You will
Leave HCMC on your way to lush My Tho. You’ll take a private cruise and
witness the amazing vegetation of the canals on your way to an orchard, where
you’ll have lunch in a bonsai garden in the heart of the Mekong Delta.
You will
also visit the snake farm in Dong Tam that breeds snakes for wine, among other
things. Then you’ll visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, a combination of Asian and
European styling, before heading to Can Tho city for an overnight stay.
Day 14: Mekong Delta - HCM City - Con Dao Island (B,
L)
Waking up
to the sounds of the Mekong River, you‘ll take a boat trip to join the Cai Rang
floating market. It is one of the most bustling floating markets in
the Mekong Delta, with hundreds of small boats jostling for space to sell their
goods. After sampling local fruits, your guide will escort you back to
the hotel through the myriad canals. Then it’s off to the airport, where you
will bid farewell to your guide and driver before flying to Con Dao
Islands to relax.
Day 15: Con Dao Islands (B)
Upon
being welcomed to the island, you’ll be transferred to the Six Senses Con Dao,
where you can enjoy some leisure time. Con Dao Island is an
untouched and breathtakingly beautiful area, protected for decades as a
national and marine park. Six Senses Con Dao (sixsenses.com) is the first
5-star luxury resort on the island, having just opened in December 2010. This
secluded island hideaway in the East Sea is a hedonist's dream of 50 luxury
villas on a truly idyllic stretch of white sand beach, each with its own
private infinity pool, open-air bathroom, living area and un-obstructed
views of the sea.
Day 16: Con Dao Islands (B)
You are
free to lounge at the resort or take a bicycle tour to visit the Con Dao
National Park, Con Dao Museum, French and American prisons, beautiful beaches,
forests and the sunset. Unlike some other concept hotels, Six Senses Con Dao
truly embraces its surroundings, with each villa built from materials from
sustainable sources (mirroring the ethos of the brand), while providing the
most breath-taking view of the island. From catamaran sailing to cookery, from
diving to dining, Six Senses Con Dao is a cool hideaway for all ages, tastes
and sensibilities.
Day 17: Con Dao Islands (B)
You’ll be
offered an outstanding range of spa treatments and wellness activities, before
enjoying a moonlit dinner for two at the water's edge. The days is yours
to take a private cookery class in your own villa, hike in search of the
local wildlife, stay up late to watch turtles nesting on the beach... or simply
lie back, relax and draw breath amidst the natural beauty of this Vietnamese
paradise.
Day 18: Con Dao Island - Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)
You’ll
probably be both refreshed and wanting to wind down your trip, so there are no
activities planned for this day. Enjoy your free time and the last page of your
travel until you are escorted to the airport for your flight to Saigon on your
way home.
List of
hotels recommended by New Vision Tour |
||
Destinations
|
Hotel
Name |
Room
Type |
Luxury
Category |
||
Hanoi |
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi |
Historical
Wing |
Ha Long Bay |
PARADISE LUXURY |
Deluxe
Balcony cabin |
Sapa |
Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa |
Suite |
Sapa Train |
Victoria Express Train |
Superior
4-berth sharing cabin |
Hue |
La Residence Hotel & Spa |
Deluxe
Riverview |
Ho Chi Minh |
Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel |
Park
Deluxe |
Can Tho |
Victoria Can Tho Resort |
Suite |
Con Dao |
Six Senses Con Dao |
Ocean
Front Villa |
Special note:
List of
hotels is recommended by New Vision Tour. Please feel free to advise hotels you
prefer in each category or combine hotels category at your wish (tour price
will be changed accordingly).
Group size |
Valid from 01 Oct until 30 April |
||||||
1 |
2 |
3-4 |
5-6 |
7-9 |
10-14 |
Sgl Sup |
|
Luxury |
11,538 |
6,609 |
6,398 |
6,149 |
6,132 |
6,025 |
4,058 |
Group size |
Valid from 01 May until 30 Sept |
||||||
1 |
2 |
3-4 |
5-6 |
7-9 |
10-14 |
Sgl Sup |
|
Luxury |
10,227 |
5,951 |
5,741 |
5,493 |
5,476 |
5,402 |
3,402 |
+ Private door-to-door pick-up & drop-off services
+ All private transportation with guide
+ Accommodation shared in Double/Twin room with daily breakfast
+ All In-tour flights as per itinerary
+ Experienced English speaking guide
+ Ha Long Bay cruise program with in-house guide on board
+ Train ticket Hanoi-Lao Cai-Hanoi, shared in 4-berth cabin
+ Private boat trip
+ Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
+ All sightseeing tickets
+ Tissues and water on coach
+ Visa On Arrival pre-approved letter
+ Services charges and government tax.
+ Exclusive and personalized single agent/single customer service.
+ No extra charge after services confirmation
+ 24/7 hotline support guaranteed
+ International flights & departure taxes
+ Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
+ Travel insurance
+ Beverage
+ Peak season surcharge if any
+ Compulsory Gala dinner on Xmas & New Year if any
+ Vietnam visa stamp fee (US$ 45 & 02 passport photos per person)
+ Other services not mentioned above.