Wellness, The Great Outdoors, Family Fun, All

16 Days Grand Vietnam

Wellness, The Great Outdoors, Family Fun, All

16 Days Grand Vietnam

Wellness, The Great Outdoors, Family Fun, All

16 Days Grand Vietnam

  • Destination

    Vietnam

  • Trip duration

    16 days, 15 nights

Day 1

Hanoi Arrival

Upon arrival at Hanoi International Airport, we are greeted and transferred to our hotel. Time permitting, as dictated by our arrival time, we embark on an afternoon city tour of this exciting hub to get to grips with Hanoi’s history. Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city situated in the north of the country which is steeped in culture and history. Depending on our time we visit Hoan Kiem Lake which translates to ‘Lake of the Restored Sword’ which holds a mystical story and Ngoc Son Temple which sits is in the middle of the lake. We round our exploration off with a stroll around Hanoi’s Old Quarter, an enclave of both French and Chinese influences. This is best enjoyed on foot to soak up the rich ambiance. Overnight is in Hanoi.

Food

-/-/-

Accommodation

Hanoi

Day 2

Hanoi – City Tour

After breakfast at the hotel, we spend the morning continuing our exploration of Hanoi’s main sites. We visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Mondays, Fridays and throughout October and November for maintenance) and his former residence to discover more about this much admired revolutionary leader. We continue to the One Pillar Pagoda to learn about Vietnam’s Buddhist origins, before visiting the Vietnam Military History Museum, also known as the Army Museum. This has a vast display of weaponry. This attraction can be replaced with the Ethnology Museum depending on individual interest. We then visit the Temple of Literature which was built in the 11th century as Vietnam’s first university; the Fine Arts Museum; and the Quan Thanh Temple. In the evening we enjoy a performance of a traditional Water Puppet Show where the art of puppetry is performed by puppeteers in water and accompanied by music. Overnight is in Hanoi.

Food

B/-/-

Accommodation

Hanoi

Day 3

Hanoi – Mai Chau

After breakfast we are collected from our hotel at 8 am for our three-and-a-half-hour road trip through a picturesque rural setting which is framed with lush green valleys inhabited mostly by Thai and Muong ethnic minorities. There will be plenty of photo opportunities enroute and we should arrive in Mai Chau by midday. We explore the surrounding villages of Lac and Poom Coong by foot and meander alongside verdant rice paddies and quaint stilted houses. There is the option to stay in a hotel, or a homestay in a local stilted house which offers a more authentic experience but the comfort level is more basic with a mattress on a bamboo floor under a mosquito net. The bathroom is outside and is equipped with a western-style WC and warm water. Rice alcohol in jars and traditional music performances can be arranged upon request at an additional cost.

Food

B/-/-

Accommodation

Mai Chau

Day 4

Mai Chau – Ninh Binh

We wake up in the middle of Mai Chau Valley where we can breathe in the fresh air and explore the peaceful atmosphere of this mountainous region. We head through beautiful countryside, quaint villages, visit a local market and ride past verdant rice paddies on a bicycle. Next we drive to Ninh Binh, also known as the dry Ha Long Bay where we hop into a sampan and row alongside limestone rocks that are surrounded by rice paddies and form a landscape similar to that found in Guilin in China. We continue to peaceful Bich Dong Pagoda which was built by Buddhist monks and then visit the ancient city of Hoa Lu which is surrounded by limestone mountains that frame this idyllic location perfectly. Here we have time to explore the temples of King Dinh and King Le. Overnight is in Ninh Binh.

Food

B/-/-

Accommodation

Ninh Binh

Day 5

Ninh Binh – Ha Long [No Guide On Board]

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Ha Long Bay and pass the seaport town of Hai Phong on the way. Here we embark on a sightseeing tour that includes Du Hang Pagoda and Hang Kenh Temple. We then continue to Ha Long Bay to sail the Gulf of Tonkin in style on a traditional junk to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site which is packed with a sublime scenery of 3,000 limestone islands clad in jungle across the emerald waters. We also get the chance to visit some islands, swim and kayak. A seafood lunch is served on board the junk. Overnight is on board.

Food

B/L/D

Accommodation

on board

Day 6

Ha Long Bay – Hanoi

Snacks are enjoyed on board while we continue our sightseeing cruise around this peaceful bay. An early lunch is served on board before we disembark and transfer to Hanoi. Please note that the cruise itinerary is subject to change depending on the cruise company and weather conditions. Overnight is in Hanoi.

Food

B/-/-

Accommodation

Hanoi

Day 7

Hanoi – Hue

We transfer to Hanoi Airport after breakfast for our domestic flight to Hue to continue our Vietnam journey. Upon arrival we are ready for our discovery of ancient Hue which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once home to princes, princesses, high-ranking mandarins and rich families who occupied private residences across the city that have shaped Hue’s elegant ambiance. Our guided tour takes us to Emperor Tu Duc’s Tomb, before cruising the poetical Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, which is one of the most ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. Time permitting, at the end of the day, we will also take a stroll around the central Dong Ba Market which sells a myriad of homeware, handicrafts and fresh produce. Overnight is in Hue.

Food

B/-/-

Accommodation

Hue

Day 8

Hue – Kim Long Cycling, Art of Living within Garden House

A journey around Kim Long village by bicycle is a journey that takes us back in time to retrace the glory of the great city between 1636 and 1687 with its cluster of important cultural relics. This residential area was once home to nobles and the elite in a citadel that was built under the strict rules of fengshui. As we ride on our two wheels along paths lined with vegetables, flowers and rice paddies on either side, we pass historic garden homes that are hidden behind evergreen hedges. Exploration of this area makes for a peaceful trip which gives a true perception of the Hue etiquette of yesteryear. An alternative option is to enjoy this tour on a cyclo. Overnight is in Hue.

Food

B/L/-

Accommodation

Hue

Day 9

Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An

After breakfast, we depart for Da Nang and travel on the winding Hai Van Pass which offers spectacular views of the ocean and pretty red-tiled villages. On the way we stop at the Cham Museum which houses an extensive collection of sculptures dating between the 7th to 15th centuries, before proceeding to tranquil Hoi An. Arriving in this ancient seaport, we set out on our walking tour of this UNESCO World Heritage destination. Hoi An oozes romance and it was once a former prosperous trading post during the 16th to 18th centuries. We visit Tan Ky Old House; Fukien Assembly Hall, and the ancient Japanese Covered Bridge. We also observe locals who raise silkworms and produce silk for Hoi An's burgeoning textile industry. Overnight is in Hoi An.

Food

B/-/-

Accommodation

Hoi An

Day 10

Hoi An Fishermen Tour (Join-In Basis)

After breakfast at the hotel, we set off on an adventure to see a different side of Hoi An – an experience where we meet the local fishing community and try our hand at traditional fishing methods. Our guide will collect us at the hotel to transfer us to the village where we start preparing our equipment that includes a net, basket boats and rods. The fishermen teach us the techniques to spread the ‘ro’ nets in the water into a perfect circle and we will probably appreciate how hard it is to lift them! We will also learn how to retrieve the fish from the baskets too. Throughout this experience we will have plenty of opportunities to interact with the locals and tap into their knowledge. A seafood lunch is included. Overnight is in Hoi An.

Food

B/L/-

Accommodation

Hoi An

Day 11

Hoi An – Da Nang – Nha Trang

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Da Nang to transfer to the airport for our domestic flight to Nha Trang. Dubbed the Riviera of the Southeast Asia Sea, Nha Trang is considered the most charming coastal city in Vietnam, in part due to its 6 km stretch of white sands and swaying coconut trees. The city has a fairly organised layout and was once a base for the former French General-Governor. French influences remain today with large colonial style buildings, villas and hotels. Upon arrival we visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers which is a sacred Hindu site. This tower was built between the 7th and 12th centuries and is still used today as a place of pilgrimage by Cham and Vietnamese Buddhists. Next we visit the Long Son Pagoda, followed by the transfer to the hotel. Overnight is in Nha Trang.

Food

B/-/-

Accommodation

Nha Trang

Day 12

Nha Trang – Da Lat

We depart Nha Trang after breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the former hill station of Da Lat. This cool mountain resort is considered one of Vietnam’s most picturesque spots thanks to its wealth of natural beauty, which includes beautiful lakes, scenic waterfalls, evergreen forests and gardens that can all be enjoyed in cool temperatures. Highlights include the summer Palace of Emperor Bao Dai and Xuan Huong Lake. Upon arrival at Da Lat, we visit the summer Palace of Emperor Bao Dai, which is home to an array of artefacts that belonged to the royal family; Xuan Huong Lake that is in the centre of Da Lat and is regularly frequented by runners; and the old colonial style train station that was built by the French in the early 20th century. We can also visit Crazy House where we can learn more about surrealist architecture. Overnight is in Da Lat.

Food

B/-/-

Accommodation

Da Lat

Day 13

Da Lat – Ho Chi Minh City

Da Lat is dubbed as the ‘City of Flowers’ and this morning after breakfast at the hotel we learn why, with a visit the Da Lat Flower Garden. Home to an array of both native and foreign flower species that blossom at different times of the year, Da Lat Flower Garden is brimming with plants from every colour of the rainbow. After we have explored this well-manicured venue we continue our journey south and transfer to Chi Minh City, stopping at Prenn Waterfall at the bottom of the Prenn Pass on the way. Our journey takes us through Vietnam’s rural and rustic life, alongside rubber plantations and fertile agricultural land. Upon arrival at the southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City we transfer to our hotel. Overnight is in Ho Chi Minh City.

Food

B/-/-

Accommodation

Ho Chi Minh City

Day 14

Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Today we embark on a sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Our expedition takes us to the History Museum; the former Presidential Palace; the beautifully preserved French colonial Central Post Office and the stunning Notre Dame Cathedral that gives us a glimpse into western influences in the country. In the afternoon we continue our exploration of this dynamic and cosmopolitan city. We soak up the ambience of China Town which is the largest in the country, with its colourful Binh Tay market that sells an array of exotic ingredients and we also visit the ornate Thien Hau Temple. Overnight is in Ho Chi Minh City.

Food

B/-/-

Accommodation

Ho Chi Minh City

Day 15

Ho Chi Minh City – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi Tunnels

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Tay Ninh to visit the centre of Cao-Daism, a religion that combines Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and Confucianism. Next we head to the war-era Cu Chi Tunnels and pass picturesque rice fields and rubber plantations to reach this 200 km labyrinth of underground tunnels used by the Vietcong soldiers during the American war. An alternative programme takes us to Ben Tre. This peaceful retreat in the Mekong Delta, with its lush vegetation, snaking canals, and enchanting smiles, is a delight to explore. Here we immerse ourselves in local life and learn how bricks and grass mats are made with traditional techniques, as well as how products are extracted from coco. We taste local exotic fruits and admire the stunning panoramic countryside of green coconut palms, yellow river streams and colourful local products. Lunch is at a local restaurant for both programmes. Overnight is in Ho Chi Minh City.

Food

B/L/-

Accommodation

Ho Chi Minh City

Day 16

Ho Chi Minh City – Departure

After breakfast at the hotel, the rest of the day is free to spend at leisure until the transfer to Ho Chi Minh International Airport for the departure flight.

Food

B/-/-

Travel is an emotional experience, cherishing new corners and venture into unknown landscapes.
Respecting this and giving back to society has taken an important role in our endeavours in leaving only footprints and taking only memories.

Hanoi

Mercure La Gare

Standard

Mai Chau

Mai Chau Ecolodge

Junior Deluxe

Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh Hidden Charm

Superior

Ha Long – Junks

Indochina Sails Premium

Superior

Hue

Indochine Palace hotel

Palace Deluxe

Hoi An

Hoi An Historic Hotel

Superior

Nha Trang

Novotel Hotel

Standard

Ho Chi Minh

Liberty Central Sai Gon Citypoint

Deluxe

Da Lat

Hôtel Du Parc

Superior

Travel is an emotional experience, cherishing new corners and venture into unknown landscapes.
Respecting this and giving back to society has taken an important role in our endeavours in leaving only footprints and taking only memories.

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