TRIP OVERVIEW
Vietnam Adventure - North East is an 20-day travel itinerary which, as the name suggests, includes the most fascinating and traditional attractions of the mountains and nature north of Vietnam.
Walking through the streets of beautiful Hanoi and visiting the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, the impressive monument dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh, the hidden charm and antiquity of the old quarter with wonderful cuisine and the renowned water puppet show.
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of the Halong Bay, UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994 and one of the seven wonders of the world, surrounded by spectacular karst mountains.
Sapa is a place of natural beauty, with cascading rice terraces, misty valleys and majestic peaks. It is also a cultural hub, home to several minority ethnic groups with unique customs and traditions.
Ha Giang is famous for its magnificent karst plateaus, spectacular rice terraces, jaw-dropping mountain passes, authentic ethnic villages and rich cultural heritage. With enchanting landscapes, mouth-watering cuisine and friendly people, Ha Giang, Vietnam, is a destination that will leave an indelible memory, crossing the famous Ma Pi Leng pass and immersing yourself in peaceful ethnic villages, Ha Giang offers endless opportunities for adventure and exploration.
The proposed itinerary can be adapted to your specific travel needs and combined with additional routes.
Group tour: Yes
Data: As you wish
Start end: Hanoi – Saigon/ Vice versa
Type of tour: Heritage and Nature
Tailor-made tours: Absolutely yes!
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Hanoi
Day 02: Hanoi - city tour
Day 03: Hanoi - Lao Cai - Sapa
Day 04: Sapa - Y Linh Ho - Bac Ha
Day 05: Bac Ha - Hoang Su Phi
Day 06: Hoang Su Phi - Quan Ba (Ha Giang)
Day 07: Quan Ba - Yen Minh - Pho Bang - Dong Van
Day 08: Dong Van - Ma Pi Leng - Nho Que River - Meo Vac
Day 09: Meo Vac - Ba Be Lake
Day 10: Ba Be - Hanoi
Day 11: Hanoi - Ninh Binh
Day 12: Ninh Binh - Baia di Ha Long
Day 13: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi – Flight to Hue
Day 14: Hue – visit the citadel
Day 15: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An – visit to the town
Day 16: Hoi An – My Son – Cam Thanh village
Day 17: Hoi An – Da Nang – Flight to Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 18: Saigon – city tour - Mekong Delta - Can Tho
Day 19: Cai Rang – floating market - Saigon
Day 20: Saigon – Departure
Detailed itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Hanoi
Welcome to Hanoi – the capital, cultural and political city of Vietnam.
Arrival in Hanoi, welcome at Noi Bai international airport by the guide and driver, transfer to the hotel for a rest after the long flight. Free time for a walk in the old quarter around your hotel. Hanoi's Old Quarter is one of the oldest capitals in the world, home to well-preserved colonial structures, historic pagodas and distinctive buildings.
The room is available for check-in after 2pm.
Overnight in Hanoi.
- Assistance: private tour guide and driver
- Meals included: no
Day 02: Hanoi - city tour
The Hanoi city tour begins with a visit to the Tran Quoc Pagoda – Country Defense Pagoda – this 1,500-year-old pagoda combines ancient architecture with the poetic and mesmerizing beauty of the West Lake landscape.
Then we head towards the Ba Dinh National Square where you can see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, It is the ancient Mot Cot Pagoda – One Pillar Pagoda to represent the purity of the lotus flower. Next, we pay a visit to the Van Mieu - National Prisoner (Temple of Literature), the first university in Vietnam built in 1070. We return to the center for a walk Green lake (lake of the returned sword), the Ngoc Son Temple, The old quarter with 36 streets of own goods, Hanoi ancient house.
During the tour here, you could taste some Hanoi specialties such as Egg coffee. Our local guide will then take you to one of Hanoi's best kept secrets, a hidden cafe with breathtaking views of the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. This hard-to-find cafe is one of the few remaining in the city that still serves egg coffee, a delicious local delicacy that we'll sample while admiring the hustle and bustle of the city center below. Or, if coffee isn't your style, a cold beer or fresh coconut awaits you!
Let's relax after the day with one water puppet show reflecting the daily life of Vietnamese farmers (growing rice and catching fish), community entertainment (swimming competition, dragon dance) and historical legends.
Overnight in Hanoi.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: no
Day 03: Hanoi – Lao Cai - Sapa
After breakfast, we we set off in the direction of Sapa, an incredibly beautiful town located in the Hoang Lien Son mountains. The Hoang Lien Son mountains are located in the northwest of Vietnam, near the border with China and are known as “the Tonkin Alps” or the top of Indochina. There are many hill tribes, rice terraces and lush greenery in Sapa and surrounding areas.
Arrival in Sapa, check-in at Ta Phin village of the Red Dzao in the afternoon. We trek to Ma Tra and Ta Phin villages. Along the way, the guide introduces you to the history of the Red Dzao people, their ethnic homeland (clothes, altars, household utensils). Let's explore them embroidery techniques and you can wear their costumes, collect tobacco leaves with hospitable locals in Ta Phin.
Upon your return, you will observe how to prepare and cook the herb leaves and you will experience the medicinal leaf bath in a wooden barrel, a traditional method of the Red Dzao people, very good for health.
You can prepare dinner with the host. Dinner and overnight stay with a local family.
Overnight in Sapa.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: no
Day 04: Sapa – trekking in Muong Hoa valley
After breakfast, we begin to do the trekking to Y Linh Ho village and Muong Hoa valley, hides within blankets of fluffy white clouds, among pristine forests and mountains with lush green terraced rice fields, deserted and peaceful. Y Linh Ho wins the traveler's heart with her small, simple, even very rudimentary houses of the H'Mong people, host a community with preserved ancestral customs, giving you the chance to discover, share and exchange with a community that has remained authentic.
A delicious lunch at Lao Chai village of Giay minority, free time for a rest, or a massage after trekking, you can take a walk to enjoy the view of the valley, as well as swim in the nearby river.
Transfer to Bac Ha.
Overnight in Bac Ha.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: no
Day 05: Bac Ha weekly market - Hoang Su Phi
In the morning, departure for a visit to the Bac Ha market, the weekly market of the surrounding tribes which has taken place once a week on Sunday morning for more than a century, and is one of the largest and most colorful markets in the region. Men and women from the Nung, Tay and Dzao, and H'mong communities come to the market not only to buy and sell goods, but also to socialize, spend time together, and make friends with other community members. On this occasion they wear the most beautiful, elaborate and colorful traditional clothes.
After that, a visit to the casa del Re H'Mong Hoang A Tuong, subsequently a short walk to Giang Thai Pho village. We will be invited to join a local family for enjoy a green tea or corn schnapps and chat with families.
Next, we take an extremely interesting journey from Bac Ha to Xin Man. We are unlikely to encounter any other travelers on this route, but the scenery is exceptional. Afterwards departure to Hoang Su Phi, where we have an opportunity to admire one of the largest terraced fields in Vietnam. Founded hundreds of years ago, Hoang Su Phi District currently has a population of over 60,000 people, representing 17 ethnic minorities. They live mainly by growing rice and other crops. In the rocky mountains of Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province, the Dzao, H'Mong and Nung ethnic groups grow rice after the rains covered the dry fields at the end of June. We have the rest of the day to relax and have a quiet night's rest at Pan Hou Lodge.
Overnight in Hoang Su Phi.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: no
Day 06: Ha Giang – Quan Ba
Today we continue to Quan Ba. The beauty of the landscape will make us make several panoramic stops along the way. Among them are the unforgettable view from the Heaven's Gate of Co Tien Doi (or Quan Ba Doi) mountain and the view of Tam Son city from the top.
Arrival at the hotel in Quan Ba. After checking in, you are free to wander around the surrounding area.
Overnight in Quan Ba.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: no
Day 07: Quan Ba - Yen Minh - Pho Bang - Dong Van
In the morning, our journey continued with a very picturesque road through the rice terraces. There will be some interesting stops along the way. A visit to the village of Pho Cao with the typical houses of the H'mong people, recognizable by the stone fences around the houses, and the village of Sung La to visit the ancient houses of the H'mong people with mud walls. This place became famous thanks to the scenes filmed in the 2006 film "Pao Story" by director Ngo Quang Hai, an adaptation of the short story "The Sound of the Harp Behind the Stone Fence" by award-winning writer Do Bich Thuy. An opportunity to observe the H'mong Sa Phin Royal Palace from the outside, which belonged to the richest and most powerful family in Chau Dong Van in the early 20th century. Continue to the Old Lung Cu flagpole, the northernmost point of the country before arriving at the ancient city of Dong Van. Accommodation is in the hotel and after some rest we recommend having a cup of coffee at the Old Quarter Café (optional).
Overnight in Dong Van.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: no
Day 08: Dong Van - Ma Pi Leng - Nho Que River - Meo Vac
Today's departure will be very early, to enjoy a long and exciting day of sightseeing. The first stop is the village of Lo Lo Chai, a village in the north of Ha Giang province, a place so wild, authentic and enchanting that it is often mentioned in local fairy tales and legends. It is set on a rocky plateau and from here the view is filled with the green of the surrounding vegetation. Near the town there is a large natural lake, which makes the atmosphere even more magical. About 100 families live here, 90% of which belong to the Lo Lo ethnic group. In the region, this is the only place where traditional architecture is exclusively preserved. We continue to visit the Ma Pi Leng pass with breathtaking views of the canyon of the same name created by the Nho Que river. It is possible to take a short boat trip on the river but you must notify the tour guide in advance to book the boat (unfortunately it is not possible to book too far in advance).
Arrival in Meo Vac in the evening and hotel accommodation.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: no
Day 09: Meo Vac - Ba Be Lake
We leave Meo Vac to head towards Ba Be Lake, located in Ba Be National Park. We take a boat ride to see the picturesque scenery. The crystal clear water seems to merge with the nature surrounding the lake. The tour guide will tell us about the places of interest during the tour: Fairy Pond, An Ma Temple, Ba Goa Island and Puong Cave.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: no
Day 10: Ba Be – Hanoi
In the morning, you will enjoy a peaceful boat trip to Ba Be Lake, exploring the pristine tropical tropical park, with a stop to visit Puong Limestone Cave and Dau Dang Waterfall. After having lunch at a simple restaurant near Dau Dang waterfall, you will return to Hanoi where you will arrive late at night, concluding your journey along the beaten paths of Vietnam.
Overnight in Hanoi.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: no
Day 11: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – former capital
After breakfast, we start the day with a scenic drive to Ninh Binh, also known as "Ha Long Bay on the mainland", the scenery is very similar to Ha Long, but surrounded by beautiful rice fields instead of the sea.
Upon arrival in Ninh Binh, visit to make a climb to the Dancing Caves (Mua Caves) where they offer a stunning panoramic view of Ninh Binh. (Note: You have to climb 486 steps)
Then reward yourself with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before continuing your cycling adventure to explore the hidden corners of Ninh Binh. Explore the cultural treasures of Ninh Binh with a visit to the famous Bich Dong Pagoda. Immerse yourself in Vietnamese history and immerse yourself in the serenity of this sacred place, guided by knowledgeable experts who will enlighten you about its rich heritage and traditions. Travel through picturesque valleys, capture breathtaking views of the limestone mountains, and capture timeless photos of authentic Vietnamese rural life. Afterwards, boarding traditional rowing boats that float down the winding river in Tam Coc, passing three majestic caves. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the rural villages and the lush landscapes that open up before your eyes.
Overnight in Ninh Binh.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: no
Day 12: Ninh Binh – Ha Long Bay
Morning arrival at Hanoi station and after breakfast, departure for Halong Bay – the eighth wonder of the world through the rice fields and countryside of the Red River Delta. Arrive Halong at around noon, board a boat for one cruise magnificent in the bay. During this cruise, you can admire many karst mountains, caves, lagoons in all forms. Furthermore, the light, the clouds and the fog create a magical atmosphere. Free time to do a bath or discover the bay in kayak. In the late afternoon, the ship drops anchor for the night in the bay. After your seafood dinner on board, you can participate in squid fishing or sing karaoke.
Overnight stay on board in a private cabin.
NB: The program will be as on the website of the boat you choose
- Assistance: private guide and driver (the private guide does not come on board)
- Meals included: breakfast in the hotel, lunch and dinner on board
Day 13: Sunrise at the bay** **Halong – Hanoi – volo per Hue
In the morning at 6:00, those who get up early manage to participate in do Tai Chi in the middle of the bay and admire the sunrise. After breakfast, we leave our junk and with sampans (typical boats) and leave for the visit to a cave/island famous or we will have time to a few bathrooms on these small and splendid beaches (if the climate allows it). After brunch (early lunch) on the junk, we return to the port of embarkation. At the end of the morning we return to Hanoi. On the way, we make a stop to visit the Phu Lang pottery village.
Finally, we return to Hanoi in time for our domestic flight to Hue.
(The cruise itinerary will vary depending on the type of junk used and the sea conditions. The common guide on board will be in English/French)
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: breakfast and lunch on board (brunch)
Day 14: Hue – city tour
Hue - a charming city located on the banks of the Perfume River, where the last feudal Nguyen dynasty in Vietnam was located, offers a tour of cultural heritages and royal architecture.
After breakfast, we begin to visit the pagoda in Thien Mu - Heavenly Woman Pagoda - one of the oldest religious buildings in Hue and Vietnam. Next, we head to visit the imperial citadel which was the home of Vietnam's last royal dynasty. It is composed of three distinct parts: the capital city, the imperial city and the forbidden city with the Pavilion of the Five Phoenixes, The Supreme Peace Palace and the Dynastic temple The Mieu: grandiose buildings arranged in a harmonious succession according to the principles established by geomantic science.
Then we go to the village of Thuy Bieu, famous above all for the grapefruit tree, which in our country is called Thanh Tra, the oldest citrus tree cultivated by man, with green bark and a delicate aroma. It is considered one of the three species from which all the other citrus fruits known today originate, together with the cedar and the mandarin. Every spring, fragrant white grapefruit flowers bloom throughout the village garden.
After lunch, we leave the city to visit the tomba di Minh Mang - a carefully planned place of peace and rest that reflects the peaceful and contemplative spirit of the eponymous emperor.
Overnight in Hue.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: breakfast at hotel
Day 15: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An
In the morning, we head towards Hoi An city with a stop along the way and admire beautiful landscapes on the cloud pass where it divides the climate of the north and the south.
In the following, a climb to Marble Mountains - each mountain takes its name from the five natural elements: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. The largest and most famous Thuy Son (water) is open to the public. At its feet, in the village of Dong Hai, hundreds of families still dedicate themselves to the ancient art of stone working. We go up a short stone staircase, halfway up the hill, where, leaning against the stone wall, during the reign of King Minh Mang, the Pagoda in Linh Ung, one of the most important places of worship in the region.
I arrive at Hoi An town, located about thirty kilometers south-east of Da Nang, on the banks of the Thu Bon River. In the 16th century, this ancient port of Champa was called Faifo. You can take a walk in the historic center to admire the glittering and most romantic town with millions of lanterns in Vietnam.
One in Hoi An for a walking tour of Old Town of Hoi An, one of the most precious jewels of Vietnam's historical heritage, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Hoi An is a city full of buildings from this period, including the famous Japanese bridge built in the style of a pagoda in the 16th century, the meeting rooms where locals gathered for celebrations and traditional houses which are still preserved, even the descendants of the first owners still live here. We stop at one workshop to learn silk production and craftsmanship of Hoi An. You have an opportunity to make a lantern of bamboo and silk and you could take it home as a beautiful memory of this romantic town.
Overnight in Hoi An.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: breakfast at hotel
Day 16: Hoi An – My Son sanctuary – Hoi An – visit the town
In the morning visit to the ancient "Holy Land of My Son" of the Kingdom of Champa, the My Son Sanctuary, a group of ruined temples and sanctuaries built about 30 km from Hoi An, which was contemporary and antagonistic to the great Angkor Empire, classified "World Heritage" by UNESCO. In a magnificent rocky amphitheater surrounded by thick wild vegetation, the ancient Cham rulers built brick and sandstone sanctuaries between the 6th and 14th centuries, where they venerated the gods Shiva and Vishnu. Ceremonies in honor of the gods have been celebrated for centuries.
Return to Hoi An for lunch at a local family in Tra Que vegetable village, then bike to Cua Dai Pier where we take the boat to go to Thanh Nam fishing village. The guide will introduce you to the history of the town and its traditional fishing tools: basket, net, wooden boat... before learning all the secrets of this activity by fishing in the company of a local fisherman.
Overnight in Hoi An.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: breakfast at hotel
Day 17: Hoi An – Da Nang - flight to Saigon – Cu Chi tunnel
After breakfast, transfer to Da Nang for the flight to Saigon– the vital city but also rich in testimonies of the past.
Arrival and transfer to visit Cu Chi tunnel located 60 km from Saigon. The tunnels connected command posts, hospitals, shelters and weapons factories during World War II. There famous underground fortress of the Viet Cong who built an incredible underground network of warehouses, dormitories, armories, kitchens, medical departments and command posts, connected by 250 kilometers of tunnels and tunnels, and withstood every bombing and attack by American forces for years. The visit begins with a documentary on the tunnels and wars of the 60s and 70s. Then we get into underground tunnels, which are only large enough for one person at a time, where there are offices, kitchens, conference rooms, an armory and even a hospital.
Return to Saigon.
Overnight in Saigon.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: breakfast at hotel
Day 18: Saigon – city tour – Mekong Delta – Can Tho
In the morning, we visit the most important places in the city: the War Museum, designed to denounce American aggression in Vietnam; Central Post Office, with rich colonial reliefs, gracious shuttered windows, and a vast concourse with arches like those of a Victorian train station; The Notre Dame Cathedral, an elegant combination of red brick and white stone, overlooks a large tree-lined square; Chinatown with Binh Tay market, the pagoda in Thien Hau and finally the Ben Thanh market.
In the following, departure towards Can Tho, along the way we stop to visit the Binh Thuy ancient house, which is recorded in the romantic and famous film of “Lover”. The house contains a mixture of Eastern and Western cultures, the place of worship inside the house is still purely Vietnamese. This demonstrates the sophistication and aesthetics of the family owner: absorbing new things but still retaining the soul of the nation.
Arrival at the hotel in the afternoon and check in.
Overnight in Can Tho.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: breakfast at hotel
Day 19: Can Tho – floating market – Saigon
In the morning visit the Cai Rang floating market, one of the largest floating markets in the Mekong Delta. Here we have the opportunity to see the hustle and bustle of hundreds of boats of different sizes, canoes, boats loaded with fruits, vegetables, rice, spices, clothes and goods of all kinds. A beautiful background for photos and impressive memories.
Next, visit a local orchard where we can taste many tropical fruits.
After the visit, return to Saigon.
- Assistance: private guide and driver
- Meals included: breakfast at hotel
Day 19: Saigon - Departure
Free day, the private driver will pick you up at the hotel and head to the airport, possibly in the evening, to take the return flight to your home, or the flight to Siem Reap, to continue the trip to Cambodia.
- Assistance: private driver
- Meals included: breakfast at hotel
End of program
*****
Il tour include:
• Tours and transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
• 2 bottles of water/per day/person
• All overnight stays with daily breakfast in selected hotels
• Private Italian speaking guide
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary with local foods (B=breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner)
• Boat cruise as indicated
• Entrances and permits for all places visited
• Mineral water and towel
• Government taxes and service charges
The tour excludes:
• International airfare and airport tax
• Personal travel insurance
• Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills.
• Tips