Vietnam – a beautiful, unspoiled land, consisting of thrilling mountainous peaks, beautiful limestone karsts and world-class white, sandy beaches, with metropolitan cities and quaint villages to boot.
Here at Indochina Value, we offer private, tailor made Vietnam tour packages to suit anyone’s tastes. Whether you’re a keen hiker, beach bum, a city dweller or a mix of the three, with us you’ll find a Vietnam tour that can suit your every need.
Below you will find the definitive sixteen-day Vietnam tour, from the North of Vietnam down to the South, and all the bits in between.
Why go through the effort of compiling, researching and booking a Vietnam tour package yourself? Just pack your bags, get on the plane and relax; we’ll take care of the rest.
Day 01 – Arrival in Hanoi
After you take the hop to Hanoi, our driver will meet you at the airport and bring you straight to your hotel. Once you have checked in, you can put your bags in the room and rest up or, if you’d prefer, you can begin to explore the wonderful city that is Hanoi. Today will be a free day for you to take it easy and acclimatize to Hanoi’s time zone and tropical weather. You’ll no doubt be hungry, and from a culinary perspective Hanoi has much to offer, from authentic Vietnamese street food to high-end cuisine. If you wish to eat like a local, delicious banh mi sandwiches are available from food carts on practically every street, as is the ever-popular pho, which is Vietnam’s national dish consisting of noodles, broth, vegetables and usually a meat, such as beef. Whatever you decide to do on the first day of your Vietnam tour package, ensure that you rest up – tomorrow will be a busy day as you explore the charms of Hanoi.
Day 02 – Exploring Hanoi
After waking up, you are free to eat breakfast at your hotel or to eat at one of Hanoi’s many coffee shops. From Vietnam war inspired coffee shops to artisanal coffee houses, the coffee culture in strong, and something you may want to take advantage of on your Vietnam tour.
No trip to Hanoi is complete without visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. This a site of great historical significance to many Vietnamese people as it is the final resting place of one the country’s most important historical figures. It is only open during certain times; so visiting early is the best time to see it.
Next stop will be HoanKiem Lake. When people consider the history of Vietnam, the 20th century conflict with the US is usually what comes to mind. However, HoanKiem Lake offers the chance to ponder the ancient history of Vietnam, as it is said the sword of a great warrior was taken to the bottom of the lake by a turtle, after it was used to fight the Chinese.
From here, you will be in a good position to explore the quaint alleys of Hanoi’s old town, sampling the local delicacies and free to shop for a whole range of items, from crafts to clothes.
At night, you can keep yourself entertained with an authentic Vietnamese water puppet show and dinner with a view.
Day 03 – Halong Bay Cruise
Just a short journey from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi is Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your transport will take you from your hotel to the boat, where you will enjoy sailing between the 3000 limestone karsts that sprout from the sea. Dinner will be provided on the boat, on which you can sit back and enjoy the uniquely beautiful views of the most famous region in Vietnam.
Day 04 – Halong Bay Cruise and departure to Sapa
After spending the night on the boat, we recommend waking up early so that you can catch the glorious sunrise from the deck of the boat. Seeing the sun seemingly emerge from the sea and shine through the karsts is a wondrous sight to behold, and one that should not be missed! Whilst the boat makes it way back to the pier, you will eat lunch on the boat whilst the driver will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi.
Once in Hanoi, you will board the night train to take you to the gorgeous countryside of Sapa.
Day 05 – Sapa
Located in the North of Vietnam, Sapa is a mountainous region with picturesque rice terraces and friendly local tribes, such as the Hmong and the Dao people. In Sapa, you will have several trekking tour options, from the beginner level trek to Cat Cat village, to more difficult trek up mountains and longer distances. You can opt to stay at a homestay with local families at Ta Van Village, or to stay in a more glamorous hotel. Both places will prove to be excellent bases from which to explore Sapa.
Day 06 – Sapa and return to Hanoi
Today will be a free day to explore Sapa and the surrounding areas. There is abundance of natural beauty here, such as peaks and waterfalls, as well as a large selection of eateries and places to shop. In the evening, you will take the train home to Hanoi, arriving in the morning.
Day 07 – Hue
Today will be the halfway point in your Vietnam tour package, and you will fittingly be in the middle of the country. After taking the short flight to Hue, you will check in at the hotel before exploring the city. Hue, known as the city of poetry, is a former capital of Vietnam and this can be seen through the grandeur of the ornate citadel. You will visit this building on the Hue City Tour, as well as several other points of interest such as the tomb of the former emperor Tu Doc and other parts of the Imperial City. In the evening, you will have ample opportunity to sample the well-renowned Hue cuisine, accompanied with traditional music.
Day 08 – Hoi An
The next morning, following breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to the scenic city of Hoi An, another UNESCO World Heritage site. On the way, you can take in the views of the beautiful Hai Van Pass, an enchanting drive made famous by the BBC show Top Gear. Once you have checked in at your hotel, you will be ready to take in the beauty of Hoi An! The old town is famous for its yellow-painted buildings, and people travel from far and wide to take advantage of the skilled tailors and seamstresses that ply their trade here, offering you the chance to buy high quality, custom made garments at a fraction of the price you will expect to pay. Hoi An is home to several famous landmarks, such as the Japanese bridge, and an opportunity to eat amongst the pretty lanterns that illuminate the street should not be missed, and this romantic setting may prove to be your favourite part of your Vietnam tour package.
Day 09 – Hoi An Eco Tour
Today will provide you with an opportunity to see how real Vietnamese people live. Once you have eaten breakfast at your hotel, your Vietnam tour will continue with a short bicycle ride to nearby TraQue village. Here you can walk amongst and help the local people as they tend to their farms, whilst learning about the history of the village and the role that their plants play in medicine. You will continue your bike ride then alongside paddy fields, local markets and fishing villages, stopping to help prepare a meal before sitting down alongside the family and tasting the fruits of your labour. Once finished, your will bike back to Hoi An, free to enjoy your evening however you wish.
Day 10 – Nha Trang
From Hoi An, you will be drive the short distance to Da Nang airport, where you will fly to the arguably Vietnam’s finest beach, in the town of Nha Trang, where you will be free to enjoy the luxurious beach lifestyle that it has to offer. There are many things to do here, such as visit the ancient temples, unwind on white, sandy beaches, or let your hair down and sample the local nightlife. You deserve it!
Day 11 –Dalat
Just three hours from Nha Trang is the mountainous region of Dalat. Once you have arrived and checked in to your hotel, you will visit the famous Pongour waterfalls and elephant falls, taking in the beauty of your surrounding on the way. In the evening, you will eat authentic food and visit the markets in the town, where you can buy all kinds of trinkets and souvenirs.
Day 12 – Dalat Coffee Tour and local landmarks
Dalat is famous through Vietnam for the coffee that is grown here. The region has both Arabica and robusta coffee beans grown here, and you will be taken around a coffee farm where you will learn about the different stages of growing coffee and the journey from bean to cup. Of course, you will get chance to taste the delicious coffee that is grown here, even the infamous “weasel” coffee, where the beans are roasted once they are digested by a weasel. It tastes better than it sounds!
Following this, you will visit the Linh Phuoc pagoda and the Crazy House – both of which are architectural wonders for different reasons! In the evening you will enjoy Dalat’s authentic cuisine, before taking the overnight bus to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 13 – Exploring Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is bustling, modern city, with several French colonial landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral. After you have checked in and recuperated, you will embark on a city tour, where you can take in the beauty of the aforementioned landmarks and visit the War Remnants museum. The museum is sure to be a highlight of your Vietnam tour as you learn about the history of the Vietnam war and get to see real tanks, planes and helicopters that were used in the conflict. Following this, you will take in the splendor of the Reunification Palace, before finding yourself in the busy markets, in which you can shop for local and designer goods and eat authentic Vietnamese food.
Ho Chi Minh City has all the trappings of a modern, Western city; modern coffee shops, fancy restaurants and world-famous fashion boutiques, offering you a chance to enjoy a luxurious evening in this famous city.
Day 14 – Trip to Mekong Delta to visit Cai Be floating market
Today you will get the chance to live like a local person and learn more about this beautiful country you have been travelling through! You will be picked up early from your hotel in order to make the most it, before continuing your Vietnam tour with a trip to the nearby Cai Be floating market. Like the name suggests, this is a market on the water, with boats replacing traditional stalls. Here you can buy fruits and vegetables, and eat on the water.
Day 15 – Cultural Day in Surrounding Areas of Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, you will make the short journey to the Cu Chi tunnels. This is a network of tunnels that were used by the Vietnamese soldiers to transport goods and even to live during the Vietnam war. You will be amazed at the intricacy, scope and narrowness of the tunnels, and you will learn a great deal about the war here. You will travel back to Ho Chi Minh City, where you are free to enjoy leisure walk to visit War remnant museum, Independence palace, Ben Thanh market before the final night in this great city by having dinner and taking in a show.
Day 16 – Return home
You will eat breakfast at the hotel and are free to enjoy the city at your leisure until your transfer to the airport, when you will check out and be driven to the airport for your flight home. Your Vietnam tour package has come to an end, and you will reflect upon your trip of a lifetime on the way home.
Note:
– Indochinavalue offer Vietnam visa on arrival at cheapese fee and our travel consultant will help you obtain the visa.
– The domestic flights will be booked by Indochinavalue, the flights are with Vietnamairlines - the national air carrier of Vietnam.
– Breakfast at hotels and lunchese at Vietnamese restaurants are included.
– Private tour guide and car in each destination
– Drinks and personal expenses are not included
– Tips are not included, it can be US$10 per day for tour guide and US$5 per day for driver.