11-Day Vietnam Exploration

11-Day Vietnam Exploration Itinerary

Day 1 Hanoi Arrival

Welcome to Vietnam! After obtaining your visa and collecting your luggage, the guide will lead the way to your awaiting driver. You will be privately transferred to your accommodations. Stay right in the heart of the city next to the central Hoan Kiem lake. With the fascinating Old Quarter right at your fingertips, you can easily explore the city at your own pace.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hanoi
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Ba Vi Eco Tour

Have a hearty breakfast at the hotel, then head out to the countryside located at the outskirts of Hanoi. Arriving at a local house, you will be welcomed with fresh honey tea and green lentils or lotus seeds that were made by a local family. You will visit a 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. Head back to Hanoi to end the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hanoi
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3 Ha Long Bay

In the morning, check out of the hotel, and get picked up by the Cruise team. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see.
On arrival at the pier, you will board the cruise and enjoy the fantastic views of limestone rocks and the karst grottoes. Have an utterly delicious seafood lunch and enjoy the time at the sundeck exploring the Bay.
The cruise will stop in a secret place where you will spend time kayaking or swimming, so you can explore the karst grottoes closer. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities taking part on the boat or just relax.
Overnight Location: Boat on Ha Long Bay
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 More Time in Ha Long Bay, Train to Sapa

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 awaken 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 to Hanoi.
Leisure time in Ha Noi until 8:30pm, our driver escorts you to the train station. Take a night train to Sapa.
Overnight Location: Overnight train
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 5 Sap Lao Chai, Ta Van Village Trek

Hiking today through the Muong Hoa valley, you can hike along the Muong Hoa River, snaking through the valley nearby Sapa town. Upon your arrival in Muong Hoa valley, start walking downhill along a large path through Lao Chai hamlet which is situated on the top of a hill. You will then take a suspension bridge crossing the Muong Hoa River to Ly Lao Chai village. Visit some local homes. You will continue walking fields of steep hillsides to Giang Ta Van, another village of the H'mong at high elevation before descending to Ta Van Village of the Giay people. After that, you will be dropped off in Sapa town.

For your leisure time in the afternoon, you can go out to shop for handicrafts, drop by the Sapa Love Market, savour the flavour of traditional Hmong-style cuisine, or have a herbal bath or massage in the town.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Sapa
Distance: 4-5 hours, 14km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 6 The Highest Peak of Indochina

Today you will visit Fansipan peak, which is the highest mountain of the Indochinese range and considered the rooftop of Indochina. Start at the Fansipan Cable Car Station. Under the instruction of the staff at the cable car station, you will take the cable car up to Fansipan Peak. While staying there, you will have the opportunity to take many photos of the fantastic panoramic view.

At the end of the trip, you will transfer back to the train station and take a night train to Hanoi.
Overnight Location: Overnight train
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Flight to Ancient Town

Arrive in Hanoi in the morning and transfer to the airport for the flight to Danang. From Danang airport the driver will pick you up and transfer to Hoi An.

Your day is at leisure in The Lantern Town.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hoi An
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Motorbike Trip to My Son Holy Land

This morning you will depart for your special trip to My Son by motorbike. You’ll take a different, less touristy route to see the best of My Son Holy Land. See the amazing Cham temples and some local life.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Enjoy your last night in Hoi An.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hoi An
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and Leisure Time

Have free time before your transfer to the airport. You’ll fly to Ho Chi Minh city. This city has amazing bustling streets, fantastic restaurants, and thriving trees making it perfect for days of sightseeing, Spend the afternoon shopping and the evening enjoying a sunset drink at a rooftop bar or on a cruise over Saigon River.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Excursion to Mekong Delta

Begin today with a ride to My Tho Town. Enjoy the lush green fields and peaceful Vam Co Dong River before arriving. You will visit the Vinh Trang pagoda which reflects the unique architecture of this oldest pagoda in Southern Vietnam. Appreciate the blends of Vietnamese culture, Khmer culture, and European architecture in this pagoda. Then, you will get on a motorized boat to discover the fishing villages, floating farms, and the four islets of this area.

Heading to Rach Mieu bridge, you will disembark at Thoi Son Islet for a leisurely wander to the village. Experience local life, visit fruit orchards, and enjoy seasonal fruits while listening to the traditional Southern folk music. Visit a bee farm and sample appetizing honey tea, or you can also opt to go to a python farm nearby.

Head back to the boat, riding up to Ben Tre Province. Here, observe the coconut candy workshop to see how locals make it by hand. Enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit the crocodile farm located on Unicorn Island. Get back to the car for a transfer to Ho Chi Minh City for your last night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 11 Departure

Enjoy breakfast on the final day of your trip. If you have some time this morning, you can visit the local markets and buy souvenirs. Later, proceed to the airport for departure and board your flight back home.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast