Vietnam 22 days tour of highlights and authentic features

After breakfast, leave Hanoi for a drive along the bank of mighty Red River to Bat Trang ceramic village that located about 20km away.
In Bat trang, you will wander around the village for sightseeing and visit workshops to learn how locals here make beautiful stuffs. The working methods here has not changed much for hundreds of year and some of traditional motifs still being used until these days.
Driver to Hung Yen province for a visit to a flower growing village where many kinds of flowers, New Year trees (kumquat, peach flowers and other decorative plants) are grown to supply to towns every day and for Lunar New year.
Continue to the Stork Island village in Hai Duong which is located in the middle of the Red River Delta. Check in home stay in a local house then enjoy home lunch of the local tastes.

This afternoon, you will take a cycle around the villages along the little paved country paths under the shades of greens.
Visit local homes, local farms, join with locals for farm works of vegetable growing, rice cutting (depend on time), learning about local culture lifestyle and working practice.
Later, make a rowing boat trip to visit a bird sanctuary on an island in the middle of a beautiful lake.
Dinner with local specialties then have a tea party and chat with the local host to learn more about their life and culture.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Traditional villages visit

Country cycling

Breakfast, lunch & Dinner

Homestay local house

(Your choice: Get up early and cycle to visit a rice paper and noodle making village then visiting local market and join with locals for morning chanting at the village pagoda).

After breakfast, say goodbye to the host and drive to Ninh Binh province, the land that is famous with spectacular karst landscapes and rustic countryside.
Visit to Hoa Lu ancient capital dating back 10th century and surrounded by a nature wall or high limestone mountains, visiting temples dedicated to National heroes and Kings of the Dinh and Early Le Dynasties. From here you will take a bicycle ride along little country path passing fascinating rice paddies and villages for exploring the rural life.

In the afternoon, take little rowing boat for a leisure ride along peaceful stream amongst jutting mountains and undulating water rice paddies, getting through three natural caves of Tam Coc. The scenery along the gentle row is stunning and it is deserved to be the highlight activities of the day.
Later, pay a visit to the Ngu Nhac Mountain with Bich Dong Pagoda that consist of three temples built on cliff and in cave of the mountains. 
Remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight in Hotel in Tam Coc - Ninh Binh.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Hoa Lu ancient capital sightseeing

Boat rowing Tam coc

Breakfast

Hotel in Ninh Binh

After breakfast, leave Ninh Binh for a scenic drive along rustic country landscapes to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Along the way you will have a short stop to visit the relic of Ho Citadel that was built of stone in 15th century.
Check in accommodation upon arrival in Pu Luong.

This afternoon you take a wonderful light trek to descend into the beautiful valley where you walk around tumbling rice terraces, trekking through small paths shrouded in vegetation to slowly reveal a picturesque village sitting at the base of a towering mountain.
Continuing to the base of the valley, weaving between roads and farmland, villages and wild fields, ponds and rivers, mountains and open land. Savour the ever-changing scenery as you trek to a beautiful spot.
Get transferred back to your accommodation and enjoy the time to wander around exploring the village with its captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting.
Dinner and overnight in ecolodge in Pu Luong.

Notes: You can discuss with the guide to decide the length of the walk you wish to take – it can be 3 or 6 km.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Pu Luong terraces trekking

Breakfast, lunch & Dinner

Ecoldge in Pu Luong

After breakfast, check and drive along jagged mountains and country landscapes to Tan Lac, passing the most spectacular pass of Son Ba Muoi connecting the mountain districts of Thanh Hoa and Hoa Binh province. The drive brings a great feel of adventure and spectacular view of the highland with towering mountains covered by clouds and deep valleys beyond.

Visit the Nam Son Cave, a spectacular cave that is filled with stalagmites and stalactites containing a mysterious lake inside and almost untouched by other tourists.
A local home lunch is served in the house of local Muong people.
Later, drive further downhill catching spectacular view of Lung Van (valley of clouds) then continue to Suoi Lon village of Mai Chau on the bank of Hoa Binh Lake.  
Check in accommodation and enjoy some rest.  
 
This afternoon you will take a cycling to visit nearby villages and Go Lao, a beautiful waterfalls that is a hidden gem of the area.
Remainder of the day is to wander around, sightseeing local life and enjoy local interaction.
Overnight in homestay/lodge in Hoa Binh.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

cave visit

Village cycling

Waterfalls visit

Breakfast, lunch & Dinner

Eco-lodge in Hoa Binh

After breakfast, check out and take a cruise for visiting Hoa Binh Lake, one of the most picturesque lake in the country. The lake covers an area of 208 square km and the total length of 230km. Hoa Binh Lake, part of Black River and is the largest manmade lake in the country, was formed after the building of Hoa Binh hydro power plant. It is so beautiful lake with hundreds of rocky or forested islands emerge up from the tranquil emerald water surface, boasted as Halong Bay on the mountainous area.
Along the cruise, you will take a stop to visit the Thac Bo temple, a sacred temple built on an island right on the edge of the lake.
Disembark the boat at Thung Nai and get back on vehicle drive to Hanoi with stop for a short visit to the Hoa Binh Reservoir and hydropower plant.

Summary of inclusions

Boat cruise Hoa Binh lake

Temple visit

Private vehicle

Breakfast

Hotel in Hanoi

Breakfast is at the hotel. 

08.30AM – 09.00AM: Get picked up from hotel and leave Hanoi for a drive to Hon Gai pier where you board the boat for cruise on spectacular Halong Bay & Bai Tu Long Bay. 

Said to be one of the most beautiful nature wonders in the World, Halong Bay consists of thousands of limestone islands soaring up from the emerald water of the bay. The different shape of islands here is the result of the work of wind and water through millions of year. With dotted pristine beaches, floating villages, amazing natural caves and fascinating scenes, Halong and its surroundings is the must-see for travelers to Vietnam.

Check in on board upon arrival at noon time.
Have lunch while leisurely cruising to the core of the bay amongst thousands of dramatic lime stone islands.
In the afternoon you will enjoy kayaking through the karsts and breathtaking nature or swimming on one of the beaches
Enjoy sunset party while your cruise is sailing to the overnight anchorage. 2 ½ hour

Dinner and overnight on board amongst islands and under star live sky.
Note: The cruise itinerary can be different depending on tide condition, boat and route assigned.

Summary of inclusions

bus transfer

Halong Bay cruise

Halong Kayaking

Breakfast, lunch & Dinner

o/n on board cruiser

Wake up early in the morning to catch the sunrise over the Bay’s spectacular landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. 
After breakfast, take a rowing boat tour around to visit to a floating village.
Later, you will cruise to visit another part of the Halong Bay.
Lunch is served on your way cruising back to the harbor.

Disembark the boat at early noon (11.00 – 11.30 depending on boat and tide). Drive back to Hanoi.
Enjoy sometime free to explore the town on your own until getting a transfer to the train station for overnight train ride to Dong Hoi, gateway to Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park and famous caves.
Overnight on board the train in AC soft sleeper cabin.

Summary of inclusions

Halong Bay cruise

Boat rowing Halong

Breakfast & lunch

Bus transfer

Overnight train

Famous with the karst system and is the home of the largest lime stone cave in the World, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is one of the world's two largest limestone regions and is the oldest major karst in Asia. The area has numerous grottoes and caves and so far only a total of 20 caves with a total length of 70 km have been surveyed. The Park is also the habitat of rich fauna and flora system.

Met and greeted at the Dong Hoi train station and take transferred to the ecolodge in Phong Nha Ke Bang National park.
After breakfast, board a long tail boat for a cruise up the Son River to the Phong Nha Cave, the 'Cave of Teeth and Wind' and enter the mystical tunnels, filled with giant stalactites and stalagmites and crystal clear waters.

In the afternoon, get transferred to the Paradise Cave and take a 30 minute walk then a hike to the cave mouth.
(you can also take electric car drive instead of walking with the expense for car ticket at your own budget. Then the hike from bottom of mountain to the cave mount takes about 20 minutes)
Enjoying a really worthwhile two hours spent in the cave system, admiring countless spectacular stalactites and stalagmites inside this cave, exploring and learning a lot about how they are formed. You will find yourself why the the British cave explorers named it Thien Đuong Cave (Paradise Cave).
Back to the lodge and the remainder of the day is to enjoy your time for kayaking, cycling or gardening, or just relax by the pool.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

river Boat cruise

Phong Nha & paradise cave explore

Breakfast

Ecolodge in Phong Nha

After breakfast, take a drive to Hue via former DMZ, the cut between North and South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.  Visit to Vinh Moc Tunnels, one of the famous tunnel systems used during the war by locals for living, hiding and fighting. This was also the most heavily bombed area in Vietnam. 
Cross the Ben Hai River which demarcated North and South Vietnam and visit to Quang Tri Citadel where in 1972 a fierce battle raged for 81 days that took away life of more than 20 thousands young men from both sides. Lots of photographs, war remnants can be seen at the museum nearby. Continue with a visit to the La Vang Cathedral which despite its years of turmoil remains an important pilgrimage site for Vietnam's Catholics and the structure of a bombed out church can be seen.

Arrive in Hue in the late afternoon. 
Located in the central Vietnam, Hue is the old imperial capital and the treasure of the country’s royal past and known for its both historical values and beautiful natural landscapes.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Vinh Moc tunnels & former dmz visit

War relic in Quang Tri

Breakfast

Hotel in Hue

Today you will have an exciting day with bicycle to explore beautiful Hue city (You can take car drive or motorbike ride instead – up to your choice). 
First, ride your way out of the town center to visit to the traditional bronze casting village where you see locals make beautiful stuffs with traditional tools and methods.
From here you ride across the Da Vien Bridege to the southern bank of the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu, the oldest pagoda in Hue and is iconic symbol of the city.
Continue your ride along the paved road that surround the ancient citadel and get thru an ancient gate to get into the Old Quarter.
Visit the Tinh Tam Lake, the Museum of Royal treasure.
This afternoon you spend time for a walking tour to explore the Hue Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945, reflecting the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today.
Next, stop by the Dong Ba Maket, the central market of the town with plenty of local produces, for sightseeing and perhaps trying some local specialties.
From here you cycle to a traditional village that is famous with traditional handicraft of making paper flowers.
Enjoy sightseeing, local interaction and have for you some best photos.

Back to Hotel in the late afternoon and remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Hotel in Hue.

Summary of inclusions

Hue cycling

Traditional village visit

Royal City discovery

Breakfast

Hotel in Hue

After breakfast, check out hotel and enjoy your exciting day tour to discover Hue royal monuments, countryside and fascinating nature by motorbike (you can choose to take car drive instead).
Ride your way along little paths on hidden villages where traces of time seems to remain intact. Visit a local market which located in beautiful and very poetic country scenery, the centuries-old covered bridge of Thanh Toan and a farming exhibition house then continue your ride through hidden alleys, off the beaten track land, visiting to traditional villages with traditional handicraft such as conical hat, paper and incense making. Later, pay a visit to one of Emperor Mausoleums, special royal architecture, part of the World heritage, built for eternal resting of Emperor and in line with the Royal City. 

Enjoy a vegetarian lunch in a pagoda prepare by Buddhist nuns and get pick up by van then drive toward Da Nang with stop at Lang Co Beach where of white sand and blue water for a swim if you wish then drive up to the top of Hai Van Pass for a spectacular view of the land, mountains and sea. On the way down to Hoi An, you will stop to visit to the Cham Museum, the largest museum for Champa sculpture in Vietnam and visit to Marble Mountains, exploring caves, pagoda on the top of Thuy Son Mountain.
Check in Hotel in Hoi An late afternoon and evening is free at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Country motocycle tour

Royal relics sightseeing

Private vehicle transfer

Breakfast & lunch

Hotel in Hoi An

Nested by the bank of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An ancient town once was the largest sea port the Centre Vietnam from 15th to 19th century and was the hub for merchant boats from both East and West. The town is characterized by medieval streets with yellow painted ancient houses, communal halls, temples all are designated as part of the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1999. The exceptionally well preserved architecture, traditions and life style along with benficialbe tourist services making Hoi An today one of the top destinations in the World.

Today you have a free day to enjoy your walk around Hoi An and exploring featured sights of the town such as central market, former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese communal halland Hoi An museum and so on…

As Hoi an is a paradise for shopping lovers, it is the chance for you to indulge yourself with some fantastic shopping of tailor made clothes and souvenirs.
Along the walk you will also have chance try some local specialties such as: Cao lau, Quang noodle, white rose, VAC cake, fried wonton, chicken rice and so on.
Overnight in Hotel in Hoi An.

Optional activity: Hoi An cooking class

Summary of inclusions

Walking tour of Hoi An

Breakfast

Hotel in Hoi an

This morning you will take a bicycle tour to explore the charming country of Hoi An. Cycle your way through stunning villages and green farm lands, visiting Tra Que herb garden & veggie village, meeting local farmers and joining into farming activities like: hoeing soil, using seaweed, transplanting and watering vegetable…
Following, make your way along undulating rice paddies, shrimp farm, duck farms, getting into hidden country paths, visiting local home and enjoy local interaction.
Later, enjoy a round bamboo boat rowing trip thru the water coconut forest which war the lair of Viet Cong during the war and listen the story about the history of the land.
                                        
A short afternoon flight will take you to Buon Ma Thuot, the capital city of Dak Lak Province and is largest city in Central Highlands region. This place is known for it natural beauty and is famous as the regional "capital of coffee".

Summary of inclusions

Hoi An country cycling

Farming activity

Private airport transfer

Internal flight

Breakfast

Hotel in Buon Me Thuot

Breakfast is at the hotel.
In the morning, visit the Eakmat Coffee Research Institute. Learn about the various processes of coffee cultivation, such as tempering, nursery, planting, grafting, tending and harvesting. Get to know the steps of the wet-dry coffee processing method and have an overview of Vietnam's coffee quality.
From here you drive to visit to Don Village of the Ede, a village famous with tradition of hunting and taming wild elephants (in the old time).
Upon arrival, take a walk along Ede Ako Dhong village to learn the life of Ede ethnic minority communities in Buon Ma Thuot and take photo with unique traditional long house & spread your vision over fabulous view of Serepok river from the exciting swinging bridge and visit the Laos Old House existed over 120 years, the story about the Kings of elephant hunters Khun Yu Nop and Ama Kong, Dak minh Lake, Spiritual Hill, Ban Don forest

This afternoon you spend your time to explore the Dray Nur, Dray Sap and Gia Long waterfalls which are natural highlights of the area.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Hilltribe village visit

Waterfalls explore

Breakfast

Hotel in Buon Me Thuot

After breakfast, check out hotel and take a drive further south to the Lak Lake.
Being the second largest natural lake in Vietnam, the Lak Lake is a huge body of water lies on the elevation of 500m above sea level surrounded by high mountains and original forest.
The scenery around the lake is a postcard portrait of rural life which remains a King summer house and is home to some hill tribe villages of M’nong people who practice matriarchy and traditionally live in distinctive long stilt houses.

Enjoy a dugout canoe ride on the pristine Lak Lake then, get transferred to Da Lat, the “City of Love and flowers’. Along the way you will have stops to visit local villages, nature beauties and get for you some stunning photos.

Located on the Liang Biang Plateau in the South Central Higland of Vietnam with beautiful temperate weather, stunning natural scenery, beautiful architectures of colonial buildings dotted on hillside among green trees and blossoms as well as very colorful minority groups those still maintain their traditional life style and culture identities.

Check in hotel and remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Hotel in Dalat.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Lak lake dug out canoe rowing

Breakfast

Hotel in Da Lat

After breakfast, take a motorbike ride (with driver) for your interesting sightseeing day of Da Lat city and country. (If you don not like motorbike riding, a car/van transportation can be used instead)
Get out of the city centre to the suburban area to enjoy the greenery and rural life.
Here you will take a visit a vegetable village and then a flower growing village to join with local at their farming works, learning about local working methods.
Continue to visit a coffee plantation to learn about famous product of Da Lat in particular and Centre Highland in general. Also, you will have a chance to visit a weasel coffee farm and workshop where farmers feed weasel with best coffee fruits to get the best ‘weasel coffee’.
After those farms, you will have visit to a local workshop of local rice wine distillery and the silk manufacturing workshop.

Get back to town and take a visit to the Crazy House, as its name implies, a special and rebelling idea of architecture that may come from fairy tales. Following is the King Summer Palace, the Domain de Marie monastery - a French built convent with remarkable architectural style and garden, Dragon pagoda, a famous Buddhist temple in the city, so called because of the huge dragon statues made of colorful bottles.
In the afternoon you will get your ride to Elephant Waterfall that are are described as one of the most beautiful of the Central Highlands.
Get back to your Hotel in the late afternoon and evening is free at your leisure. Overnight in Hotel in Dalat.

Summary of inclusions

Da Lat motorbike ride

Country villages explore

Natural waterfalls

Sightseeing Da Lat City

Breakfast

Hotel in Da Lat

Take a transfer to the airport for short morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. 

Being the largest metropolis in Vietnam, Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City is a very dynamic city that contains a big blend of old and new, East and West. This place is characterized by busy traffic, fast moving daily life, skyscrapers, exciting nightlife and is home of some best street foods. 

This afternoon you will have an interesting tour to explore Saigon Ho Chi Minh City with visits to the War Remnant Museum that houses a huge display of documents and artifacts of and about recent wars in Vietnam, the century-old Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Independence Palace (former Presidential Palace of the South of Vietnam).
End your day with a visit to Ben Thanh Market, the central market of Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City.

Evening is free to enjoy Saigon nightlife at your own pace.

Optional activity: Saigon nightlife adventure by scooter

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Internal flight

HCM city Sightseeing

Breakfast

Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, leave Saigon for a 2 hour drive through scenic country land to the Mekong Delta with stops to visit a Cao Dai church of Caodaism whose architecture that could have come straight from a Walt Disney fantasy and where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious cocktail and the Vinh Trang Pagoda, a special Buddhism architecture in Mekong with more than hundred year history.

In the Mekong, you will take boat cruise on a branch of the Mekong River, exploring lively activities along river such as fishing, water transferring etc, visiting to local cottage industries such as coconut candy processing, sleeping mat weaving, salt making, pottery making and so on.
Also, you will have an exciting ride on motor cart (or bicycle) along shady paths, pass by coconut forest, green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on real life and find out about this fascinating tropical land and take little sampan rowing along meandering canal to explore the local way of life.  
Disembark the boat and drive further down to Can Tho.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Boat cruise Mekong River

Sightseeing Mekong land

Breakfast

Hotel in Can Tho

After breakfast, take a boat trip along the small and picturesque tributaries for sightseeing of the Cai Rang floating market, the largest and most famous one in the Mekong Delta.
Here, hundreds of boats gather for selling and buying local products of different kinds and colors making it a very hustle atmosphere on the river.

Disembark the boat and take a tour of Can Tho city with visit to ancient house of Binh Thuy that was the important background for the famous movie of Director J. Annaud – L’amant and visiting to Binh Thuy Temple.

Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City and evening is free to enjoy the town at your own pace.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Boat cruise

Mekong floating market

Breakfast

Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast is at the hotel.
Enjoy your free time at leisure until check out time and taking a private transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Safe travel and see you again!

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast

Private airport transfer