16 DAYS – FULL EMOTIONAL VIETNAM REGIONS (V16)
Offering all the wonders of Vietnam in one trip, Magical Vietnam by Vexperi Travel is the perfect snapshot for tourists of all ages. Travelling from North to South, from the tranquil Hanoi to the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City. You will have a chance to see the most magnificent limestone mountains and cruise into the turquoise water in Halong Bay. Then step into the ancient citadel of Hue to understand about the glorious old time of Vietnam's once capital. As well as, see the modern life of Ho Chi Minh and get into the authentic traditional lifestyle of Mekong Delta.
BRIEF SCHEDULE
Day 1: Welcome to Vietnam - Hanoi arrival
Day 2: Hanoi - Full day city tour - Water puppet show (B/L)
Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau: Moutainous romantic rice valley (B/L)
Day 4: Mai Chau – Mai Hich: Peaceful villages (B/L/D)
Day 5: Mai Hich – Pu Luong: Natural reserve (B/L)
Day 6: Pu Luong – Ninh Binh: Paddy field cycling (B/L)
Day 7: Ninh Binh beauty : Hoa Lu (ancient capital) - Trang An (B/L)
Day 8: Ninh Binh to Halong bay: Natural wonder of the world (B/L/D)
Day 9: Halong – Noi Bai airport (Hanoi) - Hue city (Ancient Capital) (B/L)
Day 10: Hue city - The royal city of Hue (B/L)
Day 11: Hue city – Hoi An: The Lantern – ancient town (B/L)
Day 12: Hoi An beauty – Ancient town exploration (B/L)
Day 13: Hoi An – Saigon city (The Pearl Of The Orient) (B)
Day 14: Saigon – Mekong Delta (B/L)
Day 15: Saigon – Cu Chi: Discovering French colonial buildings And Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)
Day 16: Farewell – Saigon Departure (B)
The tour ends here!
Thank you and see you in other tours
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DETAIL ITINERARY
Day 1: Welcome to Vietnam - Hanoi arrival
Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Your driver and tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Check into the hotel and have free time to explore the city at your own pace, or rest after the flight.
- Welcome Board
- Private transfer: from Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) to Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi - City tour full day – water puppet show (B/L)
Exploring the charming city of Hanoi, often referred to as the ‘Paris of the East’, with its yellow ochre colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes.
The first place is Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish IsLand in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi built in the 6th century. This is listed one of the most 16 beautiful pagodas in the world by UK Daily Mail. Visiting the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument of marble and granite built to house the preserved body of beloved revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, affectionately known to the Vietnamese as “Uncle Ho”. Visiting the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built in 1049 of wood in the shape of a lotus blossom and set on a single stone pillar. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university built in the late 11th century. The picturesque temple is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote. In the afternoon, visiting the fascinating Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays) which houses an extensive collection of traditional costumes and artefacts from Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups.
Conclude your day by watching an entertaining water puppet performance, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form said to have originated in the flooded rice fields of the Red River Delta where villagers entertained themselves by manipulating puppets over the water. The show uses colourful wooden puppets to depict scenes of rural life and episodes of national history set to music.
- Overnight at the hotel.
- Private group: 7 hours
Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau: Moutainous romantic rice valley (B/L)
After 4 hours and haft running to the west of Hanoi, you will reach Mai Chau town, a district in Hoa Binh province. This place is famous for being a very romantic valley with rice fields and streams surrounding the villages. The best way to enjoy this beauty is to cycle or walk through the winding roads and ancient stilt houses. Although life has changed here, you will find it truly fascinating the daily life and work in the fields of the White Thai people in Vietnam.
Day 4: Mai Chau – Mai Hich: Peaceful villages (B/L/D)
Today, we will go to Mai Hich. It is 11km south of Mai Chau town. If you want to explore a remote place but not too sad, this is truly the place for you.
Nestled between two mountain slopes, Mai Hich is as if lying in the middle of a giant river. There are several peaceful villages located along a large stream. Around there is the green of corn fields and golden rice fields. On the cycling or walking path, the gardens and fields that open up are sometimes narrow and sometimes wide, very attractive. You may suddenly encounter cows or buffaloes falling in love with grass in the fields like in a fairy tale.
White Thai people here are very friendly. To explore this place, in the morning when you arrive at the homestay, your tour guide will take you for a short walk around Hich 1 and Hich 2 villages. A great opportunity to observe and interact closely with the lives of the people. You will see extremely adorable children always smiling and greeting you. After lunch and a little rest, in the afternoon you will enjoy the beauty of Mai Hich by cycling or hiking. An even more wonderful experience on the way back. Have you ever glided across the water on a bamboo raft? It will be very interesting. Ending the day at Mai Hich will be a dinner filled with local Thai flavors.
Day 5: Mai Hich – Pu Luong: Natural reserve (B/L)
After about 1.5 hours from Mai Hich, we will arrive at Pu Luong - a nature reserve located in Thanh Hoa province, home to the Black Thai people. This place is really remote because it is a mountainous area, far from towns.
On the winding road like a horse's intestines, you will satisfy your eyes with the sight of bamboo forests and romantic mountain slopes. After a wonderful lunch you will check in to a beautiful resort with a swimming pool and prepare for an afternoon scenic walk.
Through a small path and winding roads, you will see terraced fields appearing behind the trees. we will hike 4km through fields and poetic paths. In particular, we will visit Muong Kho village and Muong Kho bat cave. This is one of the best points of Pu Luong. A village hidden behind mountains with poetic landscape. A giant cave that is 250 million years old is waiting for you to explore.
At the resort, before nightfall, before dinner is served, relax in the water of the swimming pool.
Day 6: Pu Luong – Ninh Binh: Paddy field cycling (B/L)
Opening a new day with fresh air and majestic beauty of view from the resort. After nice breakfast and coffee time. 8:00, driver and tour guide will take you to Pho Doan local market. We must say that it is another world: poor life but so interesting. All products are made and found by locals sold and displayed there.
Take time to feel it until you think it is enough for you then following the tour guide. He will take you along the villages, the fields, You'll have chance to engage with locals here and see their rural way of life. Sometimes, on your roads, there would be other spaces that open in your eyes. They are beautiful paddle fields or rice terraces. That moment, just stop and have your own best pics to keep something about that area. especially the basin terraced fields. It's as beautiful as if it wasn't created by nature but someone thought of it and painted it. This is a worthy reward for you after walking.
At the end of hiking tour, delicious lunch is waiting for you.
After lunch, Driver and tour guide will take you to Tam Coc – Ninh Binh, a center of tourism in Ninh Binh province. You will see the beauty of flat land with different paddle fields. Just check in the hotel or resort before taking time to talk a walk around or riding on a bike to see around. You would never be upset. That area is so lovely and poetic.
Back to hotel to take a bath and have a great dinner.
Day 7: Ninh Binh beauty : Hoa Lu (ancient capital) - Trang An (B/L)
Embark on an exciting adventure with a visit to Hoa Lu, Vietnam's ancient capital and first centralized feudal state from the late 10th century. Though the old citadel is mostly in ruins, the temples of the Dinh and Le dynasties remain and are surrounded by picturesque rice paddies.
Savor a delightful lunch at a local restaurant, featuring a variety of local dishes such as goat meat and fried rice.
After lunch, take a 2,5-hour bamboo boat ride to Trang An. It all comes together to form a masterpiece that the Vietnamese refer to as "Halong Bay on land."
This is a world heritage site with two values: cultural and natural. I really don't want to say much about it before you enjoy it for yourself. Imagine a fairy tale and you are a part of it. You will have wonderful moments to rest. Close your eyes to feel the wind and the sounds of birds around you.
If time allows, challenge yourself with 470 stone steps to conquer the top of Mount Mua, one of the attractive spots in Ninh Binh before returning to the hotel. This will be an unforgettable experience for you.
Day 8: Ninh Binh to Halong bay: Natural wonder of the world (B/L/D)
7:30, Driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and take you along a scenic route to Halong Bay where you will board a cruise ship. From Ninh Binh to Halong, you will go through 4 provinces in northeastern Vietnam. You will see many interesting things on the road.
- Private transfer: from Ninh Binh to Ha Long Bay / 3.5 hours
Getting on Cruise and running to the sea from Tuan Chau habour. And here is the basic schedule on the cruise.
Onboarding - Visit Dark & Bright Cave 2D1N (Stellar Of The Seas)
Welcome aboard and refresh yourself with the welcome drink. Meet the captain, and crew for briefing and safety instructions.
12h30 approx: Check-in on the cruise.
13h00 approx: Enjoy lunch
14h00 approx: Receive key and check-in the cabin.
14h30 – 15h30 approx: Kayaking or Relaxing on a local rowboat to visit Dark and Bright cave.
15h30 – 17h30: Swimming around the cruise
18h00 approx: Cooking demonstration
18h00 – 19h00: Join the Happy Hour
19h00: Enjoy dinner
- Overnight on cruise
Day 9: Halong – Noi Bai airport (Hanoi) - Hue city (Ancient Capital) (B/L)
Rise early today to view the sunrise at the wonder of nature with breakfast served in the dining room. A Tai Chi class on the sun deck will awake your mind and muscles.
Then head off to visit the limestone cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. After your exploration return to the boat to check out and enjoy the brunch while the cruise is sailing back to the harbor. Later you will be transferred back to Hanoi, from where you will take your flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, your private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation.
- Overnight in Hue
Day 10: Hue city - The Royal City Of Hue (B/L)
Hue City is the cultural, political, and economic center of the Thua Thien Hue province, and used to be an old imperial city of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty. During this time, the most remarkable architectural monuments were constructed, which now are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Your guide will meet you at your hotel around 8:00-8:30 am.
Start your exploration with the boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda, which is the oldest pagodas in Hue. Then visit the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Here you will also visit the Royal Antiques Museum to see the collection of ornaments from the Nguyen dynasty. Then head to the bustling Dong Ba market.
Have delicious Vietnamese lunch. In the afternoon, we will head to Khai Dinh’s Tomb, which combines traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch, making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. Then explore Minh Mang's Tomb, which represents the Confucian style. On the way, you will also visit conical hats and incense sticks villages.
You will be back at your hotel around 16:00-17:00.
- Overnight in Hue
Day 11: Hue city – Hoi An: The Lantern – ancient town (B/L)
Have breakfast at the hotel and get ready for the transfer from Hue to Hoi An by private car. You will drive through one of the most beautiful roads in the world - Hai Van Pass. You will be blown away by the stunning views of the mountains and the sea. Upon arrival in Hoi An check in the hotel and have free time to explore the surrounding area.
- Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 12: Hoi An beauty – Ancient town exploration - Fishing and Basket Boat Tour (B/L)
Today your English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel around 8:00 am and take you for a cycle trip to the countryside and rivers around Hoi An. As you meander through the countryside, you will experience the friendliness of the local people greeting you along the way and enjoy the beautiful views of the neighborhood.
After that, you will board a boat for a river cruise to meet and engage with local fishermen. Enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. Later, you will take a paddle boat trip in a unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat down the waterways of a coconut palm paradise.
After the boat trip, have delicious lunch and cycle back to your hotel.
Walking around tourist attractions in Hoi An town.
- Overnight in Hoi An
Day 13: Hoi An – Saigon city (The Pearl Of The Orient) (B)
Relish the remaining moment in Hoi An before your private driver escorts you to the Da Nang airport to take the flight to Saigon city (The Pearl Of The Orient) Ho Chi Minh city. When you arrive in Saigon city, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in the city center. The rest of the time is free at leisure.
Day 14: Saigon – Mekong Delta (B/L)
7:20: Kick start your day with a hearty breakfast and a trip to Mekong Delta follows, depart for My Tho, the town that lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands.
Stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking around the country lane and see orchards, and enjoy tropical fruits, folk song music which performed by the local people. Visit the fruit plantation.
Riding a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and treat yourself in the beauty of the countryside, visit the family business, visit a honey-bee farm, enjoy honey tea and coconut candy workshop.
Have lunch at a local restaurant. Break time.
In the afternoon, time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong delta. Hammock relaxing and enjoy cool breeze for those can’t join the cycling trip
Return to Saigon - Overnight in Saigon
Day 15: Saigon – Cu Chi: Discovering French colonial buildings And Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)
Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office. Continue to the War Remnants Museum, which has a vast display of both the Indochina wars.
Have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, depart for Cu Chi tunnel. The trip will take approximately one and a half hours bus driving. Upon arrival, you will have a short introduction about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime. Then, spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems. The tunnels include specially constructed living areas with kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterward, try a special tea and cassava (guerilla food during the war). Later you will be back at your hotel.
- Overnight in Saigon
Day 16: Day 11: Farewell – Sai Gon city Departure (B)
Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip to Vietnam. Complete the hotel check-out formalities, after which you can visit the local markets to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later your private driver will transfer you to the airport to take your flight back home.
Wish you all the best and see you soon!
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THINGS INCLUDED
Accommodation
3-stars hotels:
Hanoi: Mina Hotel & Spa or similar
Ninh Binh: Le Clos Du Fil hotel or similar
Halong Bay: Le Journey Cruise or similar
Hue: Cherish Hue Hotel or similar
Hoi An: Kim An Hotel Hoi An or similar
Ho Chi Minh: Prague or similar
4-stars hotels:
Hanoi: Tirant Hotel or similar
Ninh Binh: Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort
Halong Bay: Sky Cruise Halong or similar
Hue: Eldora Hotel or similar
Hoi An: Le Pavillon Luxury Hotel asd Spa or similar
Ho Chi Minh: Cochin Zen Hotel or similar
5-stars hotels:
Hanoi: The Oriental Jade Hotel and Spa or similar
Ninh Binh: Emeralda Resort Tam Coc or similar
Halong Bay: Era Cruise or similar
Hue: Silk Path Grand Hue Hotel and Spa or similar
Hoi An: Palm Garden Hoi An or similar
Ho Chi Minh: The Myst Dong Khoi or similar
Check-in room at 14:00 // Check-out room at 12:00 noon (Except Early check-in or Late check-out mentioned in the program)
Flights
Domestic flights from Hanoi to Hue (operated by Vietjet Air or similar, with 20 kg luggage allowance)
Domestic flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh (operated by Vietjet Air or similar, with 20 kg luggage allowance)
Guide
Experienced English speaking guide
French/German/Spanish/Russian/Chinese speaking guides are available upon request. The surcharge will be applied
Meals
As per the tour program:
B=breakfast
L-Lunch
D-Dinner
Transport
- Door-to-door pick-up & drop-off services by private car
- Air-conditioned bus between Hanoi and Halong Bay (2-way)
- Air-conditioned bus or private cars for the excursions
Other included
– All sightseeing tickets according to the itinerary
– Tissues and water on coach
– Service charges and government tax
– 24/7 hotline support guaranteed
– Vietnam Visa letter approval
Other not included
X International flights and departure taxes
X Beverage, Personal expenses, tips, and gratuities
X Early check-in and late check-out (If not mentioned)
X Compulsory Gala Dinner on 24 Dec, 31 Dec and 21 Jan (Tet)
X Public holiday surcharge (Christmas and New Year, Tet holiday) if applicable
X Surcharge for airport cabs from 12:00 am – 05:00 am
X Visa stamping fee on arrival at the airport (Vietnam: $25/person)
X Services not mentioned above
