Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (D) 

Arrive at Noi Bai Airport prepair for the Vietnam adventure tour. Pick up and transfer to a hotel. Hanoi, Vietnam's capital city, boasts tree-lined streets and centuries-old temples. An afternoon sightseeing tour features both cultural and historical highlights, comprising the Temple of Literature, the Ethnology Museum, the old quarters and a downtown pedicab ride (1 hour). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi - Bac Ha (B, L, D) 

Spend the whole day on coach relishing the geographical diversity of Tonkin from Hanoito Bac Ha (320km) with rice fields in the Red River Delta, palm-tree hills in the midlands and pine forests on the limestone plateau of Bac Ha, home to the Flower H'mong tribe. There are opportunities to enjoy the friendliness of the Nung and Black Yao tribes en route. Overnight in Bac Ha.

Day 3: Bac Ha - Can Cau - Sapa (B, L , D)
 

Leave for Can Cau (20km) via a winding road with breath-taking mountain views. Visit Can Cau Fair (on Saturday only) with thousands of Flower H’mong gathering and trading farm products and colourful clothing in natural surroundings. It is no doubt one of the most attractive places for photo hunters in Vietnam. Leave Can Cau by road for an interesting trip to Sapa (130km). Nestling on Mount Fansipan, Sapa offers spectacular scenery and is home to different hill-tribes. The evening entertainment is a tribal folk show at a bar. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 4: Sapa - Tam Duong (B, L, D)
 

The morning is leisure to wander around Sapa Fair (on Sunday only) with hundreds of Black H'mong and Red Yao gathering. Socialize with the tribesmen and enjoy bargaining for unique souvenirs. Travel on a winding road to Tam Duong (70km) across Hoang Lien Son, the highest pass in Vietnam (2,047 metres). Overnight in Tam Duong.

Day 5: Tam Duong - Muong So - Lai Chau (B, L, D)
 

Leave for Lai Chau (130km) via a picturesque road along the Nam Na River. Stop by Muong So Fair (on Monday only), rarely visited by travellers, with throngs of H’mong, Day, Yaoand Thai coming and going merrily in their distinctive traditional costumes. Admire the beautiful Lai Ha Suspension Bridge and Hang Tom Suspension Bridge near Lai Chau Town. Overnight in Lai Chau.

Day 6: Lai Chau -Pa Uon - Son La (B, L, D)
 

Enjoy a boat ride down to Pa Uon (7 hours). View the spectacular scenery of the gorges on the Da River. With precipitous cliffs towering over river sides and hill-tribe villages (Black Thai, Xa, White H'mong) scattered on sandy bank, the boat trip ranks among the best in Vietnam. Have picnic lunch en route. Onwards to Son La (65km). Overnight in Son La.

Day 7: Son La - Xa Linh - Hang Kia (B, L, D) 

Leave for Xa Linh (120km) via a scenic road past Black Thai villages and lush rice field valleys. Have lunch at a Black H'mong home at Xa Linh. Trek to Hang Kia (8km), a Red H'mong hamlet. H'mong people used to be well-known for planting poppy trees, but now live on brocade weaving and cereal cultivation. Majestic mountains and the simple lifestyle of the locals amaze all tastes. Have dinner at a Red H'mong home at Hang Kia. Overnight at the home.

Day 8: Hang Kia - Cun Pheo (B, L, D)
 

Travel down to Cun Pheo (15km), a picturesque Muong hamlet, via a trekking trail over forested mountains and through villages with houses-on-stilts among rice and corn fields. Have picnic lunch en route. In the evening, stroll around the hamlet with torches to get to know the activities of Muong people at night time. Share dinner and accommodation at a local home at Cun Pheo.

Day 9: Cun Pheo - Xam Khoe - Hoa Binh (B, L, D)
 

Continue to trek to Xam Khoe (7km) on a trail through peaceful villages and lush rice fields. Xam Khoe is home to the White Thai tribe whose girls boast soft manners and most graceful costumes. Stop at a local home for lunch. Transfer to Hoa Binh by car (90km). Enjoy a tribal folk show performed at a traditional house-on-stilts. Overnight in Hoa Binh.

Day 10: Hoa Binh - Hanoi ( B, L, D) 

Leave for Hanoi (75km) via a pleasant road. The rest of the day is leisure for personal pursuits in Hanoi. The evening entertainment is a water puppet show, a theatrical genre reflecting the agricultural civilization of thousands of years ago. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 11: Departure from Hanoi (B) 

Spend last minutes for downtown shopping (ceramics, silver-carvings, silk,...) or at leisure before check-out. Transfer to the airport for departure.

Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi - Quang Binh (B, L)

Departure from Ha Noi by local bus, 4WD, or private vehicle to Ha Giang. Lunch on the way. Arrival in the afternoon in Quang Binh, Bamboo rafting is here to have a gentle and relaxing ride along the Silver River , this takes you through a few Tribal Villages where you can stop to chat. If it is particularly hot there, you can swim in the Bac (Silver) River. Very pleasant and giving you a feeling of being completely at one with your surroundings, and being in times past. Dinner and overnight in Quang Binh - either the government guest house (Govermen run with A/C) or a home stay with a local family. At present, that is the choice of accommodation available. . More plans are being made to provide Quang Binh with other alternatives.

 Day 2: Quang Binh full day (B, L, D)

Breakfast, motorbike tour up and around the mountains, taking in the beautiful scenery and visit the waterfall and have lunch with the Local people in one of the
many little villages along the way. In the afternoon, a visit to the caves we will check out a local Cave, called Pac Tham. This cave is very interesting and has a stream running through it and a big pool which is deep. You can have a swim here if you desire! Return to Quang Binh to have dinner at a local restaurant where you can taste local cuisine, and the evening's can be spent watching and enjoying their Traditional Fire Dancing on hot coals (if you book to see and enjoy this/ small charge for this). Also tasting their locally produced Corn Wine. O/N in Quang Binh.

Day 3: Quang Binh - Tuyen Quang -Ha Noi ( B, L)

Breakfast, say goodbye and depart for Tuyen Quang, lunch, hot mineral bath available if desired (very relaxing and healthy after being in remote areas). Return to Ha Noi.
Or other selection:
TanTrao: a small valley lying between mountains and jungles in Son Duong district, Tuyen Quang province. Tan Trao is a historical area that was used as a resistance base before the August 1945 Revolution. Tan Trao was a temporary capital of the independent. Section of the country, where the Vietnamese Communist Party held several meetings, especially during August 1945. On the 13th, attendees voted in favor of a general revolution during a National Conference meeting of the Communist Party. On the 16th, the National Assembly Conference was held. Ten major policies were voted by the Vietminh, the League for the Independence of Vietnam, and a temporary government chaired by President Ho Chi Minh was established. The Vietminh army was also founded on that day. Also on the 16th, the Temple Government led by President Ho Chi Minh had a meeting in the Tan Trao Communal House. The participants of this conference stayed at the Hong Thai Communal House. One hundred meters north of the communal house is the Tan Trao Banyan Tree.
Between June and August 1945, before he returned to Hanoi , President Ho Chi Minh resided in this area in a cottage erected by the liberation soldiers.
Return to Hanoi via Thai Nguyen Province .

Contact Lotussia Travel for more information and Book this tour.

Itinerary in brief

Day 1: Hanoi - Tuyen Quang - Quang Binh (-,L,D)
 

- Depart at 08.00 from Hanoi with Lotussia Travel guide by vehicle for Tuyen Quang Town Ship via Viet Tri, Phu Tho which takes about 4 hours including some tea breaks and viewing stops along the way. The drive of this part offers lively scenery of the northern country side from the Red River Delta to the midland of Phu Tho province with palm forest and tea plantation on the hilly land.
- Arrive in Tuyen Quang Township at about 12.00, lunch break.
- Leaving Tuyen Quang at 13.00 for 2 hours driving uphill along the Lo River to Vinh Tuy.

 - Take a short break at Vinh Tuy before taking a back road to travel through the prosperous lowland of Ha Giang province. This region stretches for over 50km long, lying between the Chay and Lo rivers with dozens of beautiful valleys separated by low mountain passages and being homes to the Tay ethnic peoples.
- 16.00 stop for visiting Chi village consisting of nearly 100 wooden houses built on stilts in the traditional style of the Tay which lies at the center of a spectacular valley.
- 17.00 leaving Chi village for Quang Binh town let. Checking in hotel, freshen up and Dinner.
• Total driving is 306 km. walking for about two hours for sightseeing and visiting villages.
• Staying overnight Ha Phuong Guesthouse: Air-coned and clean room, private bathroom with hot shower, western toilet.
• Lunch & Dinner: Vietnamese set menu

Day 2: Quang Binh - Nam An - Quan Ba(Tam Son town let)(B,L,D)
 

- Breakfast and leaving Quang Binh at 08.00 and driving 12 km to My Bac Commune and spend 20 minutes to visit the communal market before walking around My Pac village, paying visit to local homes to discover the unique culture of the Pa Then ethnic peoples. There is opportunities to see Pa Then women making traditional brocade and costumes.
- 09.30: Leaving My Pac Village and driving 38 km for about an hour to Nam An. This is a special tip of the day! At the top of the mountain pass about 3 km for the main road, great view of the below valleys, the Lo river… opens wide and far. Nam An used to be a narrow and deep valley, built into a lake for water storage to run a hydraulic power plant and now has become spectacular lake with a peninsular for eco-tourist sport. The group will spend an hour walking around the lake to pay visit to a Red Zao village whose culture and living style is remaining as its was for hundreds of years. Lunch in a house built by the water and relax. Clients may swim in the emerald clear water or moving around the lake on bamboo rafts or boats.
- Leaving Nam An at about 13.30 driving 45 km to Ha Giang and then uphill 43 km to Quan Ba. Clients will enjoy stunning landscapes along the Lo river from Nam An to Ha Giang and then the real high mountains cenery for an hour from Ha Giang to Quan Ba. At about 16.00 arriving at Quyet Tien Commune locating near the top of Quan Ba pass at 1000 m above sea level. Here the group will spend an hours enjoying marvel of nature and paying visit to 2 villages: One is Lung Muoi village of the H’mong with traditional living style of the highlander ethnics and the other, Vinh Tien village of the Kinh peoples immigrated to the region in 1980s in a government project attempting to give local minority ethnic peoples an example about intensive farming so that they can learn better farming technique from these immigrants.
- Continue by road 6 km to the top of the pass for another stop to admire magnificent scenery of a the large valley which is surrounded by high mountains including Quan Ba town let. Then driving down hill to Quan Ba before it get dark. Check in hotel, freshen up and dinner.
• Total driving is 136 km. walking for about 3 hours for sightseeing and visiting villages.
• Staying overnight Tam Son Guesthouse: Air-coned and clean room, private bathroom with hot shower, western toilet.
• Lunch & Dinner: Vietnamese set menu

Day 3: Quan Ba - Yen Minh - Pho Bang - Dong Van (107 Km) (B,L,D)
 

- Breakfast, check out hotel at 08.00, the group will pay a visit to a village of the Zao ao dai(Zao with long dress) 6 km away from the hotel which is well located in a fabulous valley with perfect nature setting for a culture discovery of this ethnic group in the region.
- Continue by road 4C along the Mtem river which sneaks its way between 2 high mountain ranges for 16 km to the foot of yen Minh pass. Here the group will take a walk for about 30 minutes to explore a village of the La Chi ethnic, one of smallest ethnic groups with only over 3000 individuals in Vietnam. - Passing over Yen Minh mountain pass with several stops for stunning scenery of the surrounding area, paying visit to a small Red Zao village near the top of the pass before descending downhill to Yen Minh town let for early lunch break.
- Leaving Yen Minh at about 12.00, the road gets steeper heading the limestone highlands. Rock and rock everywhere along the two sides of the road. Rarely appeared some narrow pieces of land and these are real treasure of the region for the local peoples, mainly H’mong to grow corn for their staple food. In this hard highland, peoples learn the best value of soil and water! Out of imagination but a truly fact that the H’mong peoples get soil from these pieces to carry uphill in back basket to put it in rocky holes to grow corn. - After 27 km driving through lime stone highland, the group arrives in Pho Bang, the ancient market and town let of the H’mong famous for the traditional two storey houses with clay wall of the H’mong. Spend an hours walking around this charming town let. - Leaving Pho Bang and driving back 5 km then getting downhill to the bottom of a long valley for another stop to visit Lung Cam village, paying visit to several homes of the H’mong including a 70 years old house where the famous Vietnamese film: The story about Pha’s life taken.
- Continues driving towards Dong Van for 14 km and arriving to the Vuong family palace, known as the King of the H’mong. The site is recognized as national historical site for its unique architectural structure as well as of its charm. - The last portion 14 km of the road to Dong Van offers unforgettable memory of the nature magnificence. Arriving at Dong Van at about 17.00, check in hotel, freshen up and clients may take an easy walk around the old street of Dong Van and the market.
• Total driving is 107 km. walking for about two and a half hours for sightseeing and visiting villages.
• Staying overnight Rocky Highland Hotel: Air-coned and clean room, private bathroom with hot shower, western toilet.
• Lunch & Dinner: Vietnamese set menu

Day 4: Dong Van - Lung Cu - Meo Vac - Bao Lac (B,L,D)
Opt1: On week day:
 

- Wake up early, breakfast at 6.30 and depart at 7.30 for Lung Cu, 26 km from Dong Van for visiting the northern most commune of Vietnam, especially paying visit to the only Red Lolo ethnic village. If on Friday, clients will have chance to attend the local communal market here, where some hundreds of ethnic peoples from H’mong, Zao and Lolo ethnic gather once a week not only for shopping but also for socializing. - Driving back to Dong Van, having a short rest, check out hotel and leaving for Meo Vac.

Opt2: On Sunday:
 

- Breakfast and joining the local for the market. Dong Van Sunday market is the biggest and famous market in the region taken place every Sunday. Same as the market in Bac Ha, Lao Cai, local ethnic peoples for villages in the region wear their best traditional costumes to go to the market as joining a festival for meeting, socializing…
- Check out hotel at 10.00 and leaving Dong Van for Meo Vac.
- This portion of the road is famous for tough road but stunning landscapes of Ma Pi Leng pass. The narrow road winds its way on deserted and walled-up lime stone mountain sides up and down hill for 21 km. Take a long break at the top of the pass to pay visiting to a small hamlet of the H’mong built on rock, then stop at the monument awarding to the builder of the road to admire marvelous scenery before descending to Meo Vac town let for Lunch break.
- Leaving Meo Vac at 13.30 along the newly built road for 50 km through the remotest region of the far north. Stop at Niem Son commune for enjoying the beautiful scenery of the valley where the Nho Que river meets the upstream portion of the Gam river. Continue driving along this back road for 20 km till Ly Bon commune where it meets national road 34, turn left and follow road 34 along the Gam river to Bao Lac(Cao Bang Province).
- Arriving Bao Lac in late afternoon at about 17.00, check in hotel, freshen up and then take a short walk around this charming town. If on Saturday, the town will be lively with ethnic peoples coming downhill from remote villages for the market on Sunday morning. There is a chance to meet the Black Lolo peoples who live in very high mountain and always wear beautiful traditional costumes when come down for the Sunday market.
• Total driving is 155 km. walking for about two hours for sightseeing and visiting villages.
• Staying overnight Bao Lac Guesthouse: Air-coned and clean room, private bathroom with hot shower, western toilet.
• Lunch & Dinner: Vietnamese set menu

Day 5: Bao Lac - Tinh Tuc - Ba Be national Park (164 Km) (B,L,D)
 

- Breakfast, check out hotel and leave Bao Lac at 08.00. If on Sunday, the group will spend an hour here for joining local tribal peoples at the market place and leaving later at about 09.00.
- Driving 73 km along national road 34 to Tinh Tuc with some stops along the way for beautiful landscapes. Walking about half an hour to visit a small village of the San Chay ethnic peoples at Hung Dao Commune.
- Lunch break at Tinh Tuc and then leaving the national road 34 for the provincial road 212, passing over the 15 km long Golia pass with stop at the top for magnificent scenery of the lowland of Cao bang province.
- Continue driving for another hour along this narrow road and arrive at Na Khao commune in mid afternoon. Here the group will pay visiting to the Lanh village of the Zao Tien(Zao with coins).
- Then take the last portion 30 km of the road to the hear quarter of Ba Be national park in an hour. Check in hotel, relax and free walking to explore the beautiful nature of the famous nature reserve.
• Total driving is 152 km. walking for about two hours for sightseeing and visiting villages.
• Staying overnight at Ba Be National Park Hotel: Air-coned and clean room, private bathroom with hot shower, western toilet.
• Lunch & Dinner: Vietnamese set menu

Day 6: Ba Be Lake boat cruise - Road trip to Hanoi (B, L,-)
 

- After breakfast, the group will take a 45 minutes walk through the well protected forest of the park to the lake side.
- Boarding a boat for the 3 hours cruise around the lake, one of the largest natural lakes in Vietnam which is encircled by walled-up limestone mountains covered with thick forest. The boat cruise will be highlighted with the Fairy Pond, Dau Dang waterfall and especially part of the Nang river where the water pour to the lake.
- Arrive back to the head quarter of the park at 11.00, having an early lunch and then leaving for Hanoi.
- The whole afternoon is for driving 260 km for Hanoi along national road 3 via Bac Can and Thai Nguyen with some break along the way. Arriving in Hanoi at about 18.00 and the trip ends.
• Total driving is 260 km. walking for about one hour for, three hours boat trip.
• Lunch: Vietnamese set menu

Day 1: Hà Nội – Me Village – Ha Giang (320 km)
 

- Picked up at 08.00 and depart from Hanoi for Ha Giang for 7 hours drive along the national road 2 via Viet Tri, Tuyen Quang.
- Take some photo stops along the way: Palm forests, tea plantations, stunning valleys along the way.
- Lunch break at Tuyen Quang town.
- Arrive in Ha Giang town at 04.00, check in hotel for freshen up and then take a walk for an hour to visit Me Village of the Tay ethnic peoples which is beautifully set in a stunning valley 3 km away from the hotel.
- Lunch is included.
- Acc: Huy Hoan Hotel – 2 star

 Day 2: Hà Giang – Meo Vac
 

- Breakfast in a local restaurant and leave Ha Giang following national road 34 for 3 hours(94 km) via Bac Me and Bao Lam tonwn lets, along the Gam River. Enjoy a short walk for half an hour around a small valley in Minh Ngoc commune(32 km from Ha Giang).
- Lunch break at Bao Lam town let in a local restaurant – local food
- Drive for 2 hours uphill to Meo Vac(72 km), check in hotel for a short rest before enjoy a beautiful walk along the Nho Que River, paying visiting to villages of the Tay and Nung ethnic peoples. Back to Meo Vac town let and be free to walk around the town for a breath of local life.
- Breakfast and Lunch included. Dinner at clients’ own.
- -Acc: Hoa Cuong Hotel – 2 star

Day 3: Meo Vac – Dong Van – Walking
 

- Enjoy a short walk to visit Meo Vac market for interesting morning activities after breakfast .
- Leaving this charming town at 09.30 for a short drive(21 km) uphill the Ma Pi Leng pass, famous for its magnificence with several viewing stops and paying visit to an amazing village of the H’mong peoples near the top of the pass.
- Arriving in Dong Van almost at noon, check in hotel, Lunch and take a short rest.
- The whole afternoon is for walking to explore the countryside for a discovery of local way of life on this tough rocky highland, paying visit to H’mong villages as well as the ancient street of Dong Van Town let.
- Breakfast and Lunch included. Dinner at clients’ own.
- Acc: Rocky Highland Hotel – 2 star

Day 4: Dong Van – Lung Cu – Vuong Palace – Pho Bang – Quan Ba
 

- Leaving Dong Van for Lung Cu Commune, the northernmost land of Vietnam(26 km – 45 m drive). Here clients will pay visit to a village of the Lo Lo peoples for an unique culture discovery of this very small ethnic group. If on Friday, clients will join locals for the weekly market here with chances to meet tribal peoples such as H’mong, Lo Lo, Han… in their best traditional costume.
- Leaving Lung Cu for another 45 m drive to the historical site of the Vuong Family Palace – Known as the palace of the H’mong King which located in stunning and magnificent valley of Xa Phin. Beside paying visit to the palace and enjoying marvelous scenery, there is a chance to attent the local market here of on the date of the Snake or Pig(Lunar Calindar)
- Continue the trip for 23 km road ride to Pho Bang, the ancient town featured with 2 storeys clay houses, yin & yang tile roofs. Spend an hour walking along the narrow streets of this charming town. If on date of the Dragon or Dog, the clients will have chance to attend the traditional market of the tribal peoples.
- Lunch break in Pho Bang in a local restaurant or picnic.
- Continue driving downhill along road 4C 27 km to Yen Minh and passing over the Yen Minh mountain pass with some stops for marvelous scenery. Then onto Tam Son townlet of Quan Ba District. Enjoy several short walk along the way for beautiful landscapes and paying visit to villages of the H’mong and Dao.
- Arriving in Tam Son late in the afternoon, check in local guesthouse and free walk to explore this charming town let.
- Breakfast and Lunch included. Dinner at clients’ own.
- Acc: Tam Son Guesthouse – Basic:  large & clean room, windows, hot shower, air-coned

Day 5: Quan Ba – Ha  Giang – Ha Noi
 

- Leaving Tam Son town let and drive uphill to the Cong Troi(Quan Ba Heaven Gate) which is famous for the great view of the Tam Son valley with the “ Twin Hills”. Clients may wish to take a short walk to visit small hamlet of the H’mong here before continuing downhill along the road 4C to Ha Giang and onto Hanoi.
- Lunch stop at Bac Quang town let.
- Arriving back to Hanoi in late afternoon, about 6.00 pm and trip end.

Highlight: Saigon - Mekong Delta - Nam Cat Tien National Park - Danang - Hoi An - Bach Ma National Park - Hue - Hanoi - Cuc Phuong National Park - Ninh Binh - Halong Bay - Cat Ba National Park - Sapa (Hoang Lien Son National Park) - Hanoi.

Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Saigon

Arrival in Saigon. Meet Lotussia Travel guide at the airport and transfer to hotel in Saigon. Welcome dinner and tour briefing in the evening. Overnight in Saigon

Summary

Hotel transfer:  20 mins
Meal: Welcome Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 2: City tour & Cu Chi Tunnel

After breakfast in hotel we take a city tour to see the different faces of this bustling city on a full day tour with extensive visits to the Re-Unification Palace, the Central Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Jade Emperor Temple and the Ben Thanh market. Lunch in local restaurant. After lunch we drive to the famous Cu Chi underground tunnel system to experience how the Viet Cong lived and fought during the American War.  Back to Saigon in the afternoon.

Summary:

Sightseeing:  Half day city tour & half day tour to Cu Chi tunnel
Transportation: AC vehicle
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 3: Mekong Delta 

After breakfast we depart for Cai Be. Upon arrival in Cai Be we board a boat for a journey through the town’s floating market. See how river life goes on, trading between merchant ships and local farmers. Cruise through secluded canals and over the Mighty Mekong to an island where we stop to enjoy seasonal fruits. More cruise on small canals by rowing boat. Visit to local families and have lunch in local restaurant. Take motor boat to Vinh Long town. Bus transfer back to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon.

Summary:

Cruise & Culture exploration:  Full day
Transfer Saigon – Cai Be: 1.5 hr
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:  Hotel in Saigon

Day 4: Saigon – Nam Cat Tien National Park

Leave Saigon for Cat Tien National Park in the morning. The terrain rises up gradually via volcanic area. On arrival, we cross Dong Nai River to the park center. We meet the forest ranger and start trek 15km to Crocodile Lake Station where we have dinner and stay overnight.
From 20.00 to 22.00 we can spot animals from rangers watch tower.
*Note: check with your guide for using boat to discover the lake, there are crocodiles in the lake.

Summary

Transfer Saigon – Cat Tien:   3 hrs
Trekking: 15 km, Intermediate grade
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:   Forest station

Day 5: Nam Cat Tien – Saigon

Breakfast at the Crocodile Lake Station. Start our hard trek 15km through jungle to Dat Do Ranger Station. A great day for bird watching. Picnic lunch en route. Upon arrival at Dat Do Ranger Station we have a short rest.

Jeep 4wd pick up at the ranger station and transfer 20km back to the park center. This is route of buffer zone along Dong Nai River where Chau Ma and Stieng ethnic minority cultivate and settle their villages centuries ago.
15.00 back to the park center. We leave Cat Tien National Park for Saigon. Trip completes in Saigon.

Summary

Transfer Cat Tien - Saigon:   3 hrs
Trekking:15 km, Intermediate grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Flight to Danang – Hoian

Breakfast in hotel and free at leisure until we are transferred to airport to take a short flight to Danang. On arrival in Danang we take a bus ride to the ancient town of Hoian. We will check in a resort on the beach and spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach. In the evening we take a walk in the illustrated ancient part of Hoian and have dinner with local delights. Overnight in Hoian. 

Summary:

Flight Saigon – Danang: 1hr
Transfer Danang – Hoian:  1hr
Transportation:  Airplane, AC vehicle
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:  Hotel in Hoain

Day 7: Hoian – Bach Ma National Park

After breakfast in the hotel we drive north to Bach Ma National Park, which is located in the mid way from Hoian to Hue. Upon arrival at the park we visit the visitor centre take a jeep ride up to the centre of the park where we have lunch in the restaurant of the park. After lunch we embark on a beautiful jungle trek. We will walk on animal trails and listen to bird songs and see beautiful water falls. After the trek we take a great jeep ride to the summit of the mountain for watching sunset and panorama view of the park. Dinner and overnight in Bach Ma resort in the park.

Summary:

Trek: 3-hr, intermediate grade
Transfer Hoian – Bach Ma:  2hr
Transportation:  AC vehicle, Jeep
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:  Hotel in the park

Day 8: Bach Ma – Hue 

Short trek in the morning following jungle trails. If we are lucky we would see animals seeking food. Breakfast at the campsite. We leave Bach Ma National Park at 10 am driving to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue we check in hotel and have lunch in local restaurant. In the afternoon we visit to Imperial Citadel, which is a walled fortress and was intended to be a copy of Chinese Emperors’ Forbidden City in Beijing. After the trip we transfer back to hotel. Overnight in Hue

Summary

Transfer Bach Ma – Hue:   1,5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:   Hotel in Hue

Day 9: Hue – Night train to Hanoi

Today we have a full day tour to see all the “must-see” in Hue. In the morning we will take a relaxing boat trip on Perfume River to reach Thien Mu Pagoda, a beautiful pagoda on a small hill looking over the river. After the pagoda we continue cruising on the river to reach the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, with its lotus-filled lake and central pavilion and the simple and serene Tomb of Khai Dinh. After that we drive back to Hue for lunch. Back to hotel for a short rest before we catch train to Hanoi. Overnight on train

Summary:

Sightseeing:Full day
Transportation:  AC vehicle, Boat, Night train
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:  Soft sleeper AC cabin on train

Day 10: Hanoi – Cuc Phuong National Park

Arrive in Hanoi in early morning. Picked up at Hanoi Railway Station and transferred to Ninh Binh which is 100km south of Hanoi. Upon arrival in Ninh Binh we have breakfast in local restaurant and continue to Cuc Phuong National Park. We will visit to Primate Rescued Centre where we meet the park’s rangers and learn about different kinds of monkey, gibbon and langur in Vietnam. We continue to Bong, the centre of the park, where we start our jungle trek. We will have picnic lunch in the park under the shade of a giant tree. This jungle trek ends in the afternoon when we reach Khanh Village, home of Muong ethnic minority. Tonight we will have dinner and overnight in a traditional house-on-stilt of a Muong family.

Summary

Transfer Hanoi – Cuc Phuong:  2.5 hr
Trekking: 18 km, Intermediate to Challenging grade
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:   Home stay

Day 11: Cuc Phuong – Tam Coc – Hoa Lu – Hanoi

Breakfast in the village before we head to Tam Coc, also known as Halong Bay on the rice field thanks to its stunning rock formations emerging on river and rice field similer to Halong Bay. We will take a relaxing rowing boat trip on river to see caves and impressive scenery. Lunch in local restaurant in Tam Coc before we drive to Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam, which dates from 9th century.  Visit to temples and walk hundred steps up to top of a mountain for a panorama view of the old capital. Drive back to Hanoi. Check in hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Summary

Transfer Hoa Lu – Hanoi:   2 hrs
Boat trip: 2 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:   Hotel in Hanoi

Day 12: City tour of Hanoi

After breakfast in the hotel you will take an interesting guided city tour of Hanoi including Ho Chi Minh complex (the mausoleum, the house & garden and the museum) and One Pillar Pagoda, a unique ancient architecture. After here we move to Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam’s first university, dates back to 1070. Its peaceful gardens and pavilions offer a relaxing respite from Hanoi’s busy streets. Lunch in local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we enjoy a relaxing cyclo tour in the ancient part of Hanoi. Walking down some small and lively street to see busy local market then join locals for green tea or coffee in local café. Free time for shopping. Back to the hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Note: “Cyclo is three wheeled rickshaws, operated by pedal-power, with a seat attached to the front. 

Summary:

Sightseeing:full day
Transportation:  AC vehicle, cyclo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:  Hotel in Hanoi

Day 13: Hanoi – Halong Bay

Leave Hanoi for Halong Bay at 8.30am. On the way we will have a short break for refreshment at a handicraft centre. Upon arrival in Halong City we board a junk for a fine seafood lunch and an amazing cruise on the bay. We will explore Thien Cung Cave after lunch. Dinner and overnight on junk

Summary:

Transfer Hanoi – Halong:  3.5 hrs
Transportation:   AC vehicle, Junk
Activities:    Cruising
Meals:     Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:   Twin shared AC cabin on Junk

Day 14: Halong – Cat Ba National Park

After breakfast we will move to another junk for a cruise to Lan Ha Bay, which is smaller than Ha Long Bay and near Cat Ba Island. We cruise around Lan Ha Bay and reach Cat Ba Island around noon. Transferred to Cat Ba Town we check in hotel and have a lunch break. In the afternoon we take a beautiful drive to Cat Ba National Park for a short hike to the summit of Trung Trang peak for panorama view of Halong Bay. Overnight in hotel on Cat Ba Island.

Summary:

Transfer Halong – Cat Ba:  3 hrs
Transportation:   Boat, Bus
Activities: Cruising, Hiking, Introductory grade
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:   Hotel on Cat Ba Island

Day 15: Cat Ba – Hai Phong – Hanoi – Night train to Lao Cai

Breakfast in hotel and free at leisure in the morning. In early afternoon we take a hydrofoil to Hai Phong City. We will be picked up and transferred back to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi we take shower, pack up and have dinner before taking night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.

Summary:

Transfer Cat Ba – Hai Phong:1 hr
Transfer Hai Phong – Hanoi: 2 hrs
Transportation:   Hydrofoil, AC vehicle, Night train
Meal:     Breakfast
Accommodation:   soft sleeper in AC cabin

Day 16: Lao Cai – Sapa (Hoang Lien Son National Park) Trek and Home stay

Arrive in Lao Cai around 6am. Bus transfer to Sapa. On arrival in Sapa we check in hotel and have breakfast in local restaurant. After breakfast we have free time to explore Sapa Town and its local market. In early afternoon we begin out trek down to Muong Hoa valley. We first descend the valley on tarmac then hit a beautiful dirt path which runs through rice terraces and minority villages. We will have a break in Lao Chai Village to visit the church and the school of this H'mong village. Continue to Ta Van village, home of Dzay people, where we spend our night in a local house. Dinner in the home stay.

Summary

Transfer Lao Cai – Sapa:   1 hr
Trekking:15 km, Intermediate grade
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:   Home stay

Day 17: Sapa Trek & home stay

After breakfast at the home stay we leave Ta Van for Giang Ta Chai, a village of the Red Dzao ethnic minority. We will trek through bamboo forest and reach GIang Ta Chai around noon. Lunch in a Red Dzao family. After lunch, we cross a river and walk on the main road for 10 minutes before we trek down to Ban Ho, a village of the Tay ethnic minority. Dinner and overnight with a local family.

Summary

Trekking: 20 km, Intermediate grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home stay

Day 18: Ban Ho – Sapa – Lao Cai

After breakfast stroll around Ban Ho villages, visiting to village school and then trek to Ban Den, where we meet our bus and take a beautiful drive back to Sapa. Upon arrive in Sapa we take shower and spend the rest of the day exploring Sapa town. At 5.30 pm we will be transferred to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi.

Summary

Trekking:5 km, Intermediate grade
Transfer Ben Den – Sapa:   20 mins
Transfer Sapa – railway station:  1-hr
Transportation:Jeep or bus, Night train
Meal:Breakfast
Accommodation: Soft sleeper in AC cabin

Day 19: In Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi early in the morning. Transferred to hotel, breakfast in the hotel and free at leisure for the rest of the day. Overnight in Hanoi.

Summary

Transfer to hotel in Hanoi:   10 mins
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 20: Departure

Breakfast in the hotel and free until we are transferred to airport for departure. Trip completes.

Summary

Transfer to airport:    50 mins
Meal: Breakfast 

Note on client safety

+ We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reasons, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor which may influence client safety.
+ This Cheaper Option is offered to those who seek for good travel experience at an affordable budget. We offer the finest 2-star hotels instead of 3-star hotels in all destinations. These 2-star hotels are chosen for good location, clean, comfortable room and nice staff