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Let’s make a wonderful journey to cover the highlights of the country from Hanoi to ho chi Minh to untap hospitality attitude, rich cuisine, and beautiful sightseeing. During this time, set forth on the tour roaming freely around the heart of Vietnam history and culture – Hanoi. Then, go ahead to an off-beat Sapa to immerse the feeling of the climate of four seasons in one day.
After 2 days to explore the locals, get back in a return night train before the further steps to charming destinations including World Heritage Site – Ha Long Bay, and its “inland alternative”- Hoa Lu, Tam Coc, and then the city of lanterns – Hoi An Ancient town before heading up to the elegant Hue city and now vibrant Ho Chi Minh City. Lastly, your thirteen-day trip ends with the excursion in the amazing Mekong delta upon floating markets, sampan rides, and fruit plantations. Consequently, the extensive tour from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh will give you the best experience.
Firstly, your trip from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh begins with your arrival in Vietnam. Then, our driver will meet and greet you at the airport. You will be back at the hotel by private transportation. Next, check in to the hotel and get over the jet lag. After enjoying the first day yourself, return to the hotel for a relaxing sleep.
After having breakfast at the hotel, our experienced English-speaking will take you to the countryside located on the outskirt of Hanoi then. As estimated, the approximate travel time is one hour and 30 minutes.
Then arriving at Mr. Duoc’s house, he will welcome you with fresh honey tea and green lentils or lotus seeds made by his family. Simultaneously, imagine Vietnam in the old time of war through the stories of Mr. Duoc, who is not only a veteran who lives during those hard times but also a green tea expert. Next, you will visit his tea plantation which is one of the largest in Ri village, and join with locals in green tea processing. Afterward, have a Vietnamese cooking demonstration with another local host and then enjoy a home-cooked lunch in a lovely garden.
As scheduled, you will wander around the village and mingle with local people. Subsequently, you will visit the local craftsman who has been skilled at making conical hats from a very young age and other workshops in the village also to see how people there make tofu or shell the rice. While you meander through the countryside you will experience the friendliness of the local people greeting you along the way.
Then join your guides for a leisurely cycling trip along the country roads. During this time, you have a chance to observe traditional Vietnamese rural life as the local people work in the paddy fields. Along the way, watch out for a water buffalo plowing a paddy field while ducks swim across the top. Now, stop at another host family for foot bathing following the recipes of the Muong ethnic group, and relaxing time before embarking on your private boat for a trip along the Da river. Later, enjoy a transfer from Ba Vi to accommodation in Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Next, you leave Hanoi at 8 am and travel towards Mai Hich, Mai Chau. The peaceful town of Mai Hich is situated in a stunningly beautiful valley surrounded by verdant green mountains and is famed for its breathtaking scenery and friendly hill tribe people. During your time here, you can enjoy the tranquility of the paddy fields and interact with the local people. Limestone peaks climb in the background and banks of green line the road, and then you’ll take regular stops to admire the view across the lush valleys. Upon arrival in Mai Hich, you will meet and be greeted by the village hosts at the local homestay.
In the afternoon, walking or cycling to discover the surrounding villages, and enjoy the beauty of surrounding nature, there’s also the opportunity to help local farmers plant rice seeds in the fields. Otherwise, you can sample the rice wine produced in this region.
Overnight in Mai Hich.
Initially, you start the easy hike along the Xia River and the primeval forests to Ban Buoc. Along the way, you will pass through Den, Ngo, Xum, Thai, and Muong villages where a variety of minority groups with their own unique culture and languages are living. Then, return to Mai Hich by a pleasant bamboo raft ride along the Xia river crossing rice fields of corn and rice, observation of the daily life of the local people. After all, Back at the homestay, relax with a cold drink while watching the sunset over the peaceful mountains.
Overnight in Mai Hich.
Have breakfast at the hotel and have a relaxing time before your driver transfers you to the airport. Then, take the flight to Hue – The ancient Capital
Specifically, today is dedicated to exploring the villages and scenic countryside of provincial Vietnam. The journey from Mai Chau to Ninh Binh is fairly easy and leisurely-paced. Therefore, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take some photos of the surrounding valleys, sugarcane farms, and rice paddies that compose the landscape. Finally, the last stop for the day is the small town of Ninh Binh. The Ninh Binh province is famed for its spectacular limestone karst scenery, lush rice paddies and gently flowing waterways. Then you take a nice sampan ride in Van Long which will take you through the picturesque landscapes of the tormented mountains, planted in the middle of the rice fields.
Overnight in Ninh Binh.
Back on board our private car, enjoy some easier travel on the drive to Halong Bay – home for the next two nights. Because of factoring in some stop-offs along the way, the journey will take approximately 4 hours. Furthermore, take the most scenic route to Halong Bay across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies. On arrival to Halong, you will take a cruise on the bay to explore the limestone rocks and the karst grottoes.
Right away you are done with your exploration of the bay, it is time to enjoy an utterly delicious seafood lunch, after which a trip to the famous limestone cave in Ha Long bay, you’ll get to spend some time here, kayaking or swimming so that you can get closer to the floating villages and shops. Towards the evening, you are set to return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. Moreover, you can also attend the activities taking part on the boat.
Overnight on cruise.
Rise early for a Tai Chi lesson or just to enjoy a hearty breakfast. Afterward, the boat will make its way back to the port stopping at the Cave of Surprises, full of stalagmites and stalactites, or the floating village. From here, you will sail back to the main harbor and return to Hanoi.
You will be back at the airport. Take a flight to Hue.
Overnight in Hue.
Have breakfast at your hotel.
After that, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and you will start your Hue exploration.
Start your trip by exploring Imperial Citadel, the residence of the Nguyen Dynasty, which was Vietnam’s last royal dynasty. During the trip there you will visit The Royal Antiques Museum, one of the first museums in Vietnam. Therefore, many collections of ancient Hue and Royal antiques are displayed here: bronze wares, china, music instruments, royal attires, and personal belongings of the Emperor family of the Nguyen Dynasty. And you continue to Dong Ba market – the best place for cultural gifts and souvenirs.
At lunchtime, you have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon you have a chance to visit the Emperor’s Tombs such as Emperor Khai Dinh’s (1885-1925) Tomb, famous for its beauty and unique architectural style, and Emperor Minh Mang’s (1791-1841) Tomb. On the way back to Hue you will have a stopover at the Conical Hat village to see how famous Vietnamese traditional hats Non-La are produced, and the Incense stick-making village to observe how locals make sandalwood and cinnamon incenses. Then head back to your hotel in Hue.
Overnight in Hue.
Have breakfast at the hotel and also get ready for your transfer to Hoi An by private vehicle via the magnificent Hai Van Pass which is known as “The Cloudy Pass” this winding mountain road overlooks the lush countryside, sandy beaches, and the blue waters of the East Sea.
Upon arrival in Hoi An, you will be transferred to your hotel so the rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Today you will have free time to explore Hoi An at your own pace, seeing what interests you. As far as you know, this ancient town is full of Japanese merchant houses and pagodas, temples, and antique warehouses. Or just lounge about in a laid-back riverside café on the bank of the Thu Bon River.
Overnight in Hoi An.
After you have breakfast at the hotel and a relaxing time, you will board a flight from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City. Accordingly, the approximate flight time is one hour and 30 minutes. Upon your arrival, you are going to be transferred from the airport to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City’s center.
In the afternoon, take a trip to visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification palace, which was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. You then continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the historic Central Post Office. Following the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum, the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Pick up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh city and start the trip to My Tho. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda which sated back to the late 19th century. Then boarding the sampan and cruising around four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands.
Once you stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking in the village paths to contemplate orchards, and enjoy tropical fruits, and Vietnamese folk music performed by the local people. You also visit the fruit plantation. Be rowed in a small sampan through the Thoi Son canal and treat yourself to the beauty of the countryside, visit the family business & bee-keeping farm, and enjoy a honey tea and coconut candy workshop. After that, have lunch at the local restaurant. Break time.
The afternoon is time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meeting the local people to experience their daily life in the Mekong delta. Relaxing on hammocks to enjoy the cool breeze is for those who do not want to join the cycling trip. Proceed to Can Tho.
Overnight in Can Tho.
Have breakfast at the hotel/homestay in the early morning. And then, take a leisure boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong River (Bassac River) before visiting Cai Rang floating market which is the liveliest one in the whole region. Along the way, you will have a walking trip to visit the fruit plantation and local noodle factory. Visit Binh Thuy communal house and Munir Ansay Pagoda – a Khmer pagoda, renowned for its unique structure.
Then have lunch and return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
After you relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip and complete the hotel check-out formalities and then you can visit the local markets and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later, proceed for departure and board your flight back home to wrap up the interesting journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh.
Trip Ends.
