Vietnam multi activity tours: Travel Hanoi Ninh Binh Mai Chau Sapa Halong bay Hue Hoian Mekong Delta Cu Chi Phan Thiet 17 days
The 17-day tour includes different outdoor activities and Vietnam cultural highlights that is highly recommended to individuals, small group tours, family holidays. Begin the tour in Hanoi, travelling to Phat Diem cathedral, Van Long, Ninh Binh, then up to Mai Chau valley where you enjoy a full day hike before returning Hanoi and taking the overnight train to Laocai. Once in Sapa, you enjoy an overnight villages trek through local H’mong and Dzao villages. The multisport tour continues with such highlights as Halong bay cruises, Hue imperial, Hoian ancient town, Mekong delta, Cu Chi tunnels and ends up with a three-day to Mui Ne, Phan Thiet beach.
Day 1: Hanoi – Phat Diem Cathedral – Van Long, Ninh Binh.
Depart for Ninh binh. Visit the Phat Diem Cathedral. Phat Diem Church is really a group of different churches made of stone and wood, and is the centre of Catholicism in Northern Vietnam. It is designed in Vietnamese style mixed harmoniously with European Catholic traditions. Then we go back to Van Long for lunch (not included in the package). In the afternoon, have a rowing boat trip around natural caves and grottoes, admire the wonderful landscape of the tourist area. Overnigt in Van Long.
Day 2: Van Long – Kenh Ga village – Mai Chau.
Transfer to Kenh Ga – “The Chicken Canal” for another motorized boat trip along the Hoang Long river to experience the real life of a Vietnamese catholic community. Set on the banks of the Hoang Long River, Kenh Ga is a remarkable place, not only because it is surrounded by the same massive rocks that dominate Hoa Lu, but also because for most of the year the entire community lives on the water itself. The floating village of Kenh Ga receives relatively few visitors compared to nearby Hoa Lu and the peoples’ aquatic way of life has changed little over the centuries.
After the boat trip, continue our journey to Mai Chau valley where we stop for overnight. Overnight on stilt-house.
Day 3: Hiking Mai Chau valley.
Breakfast at the Thai stilt house then we leave the village for a full day hiking around. We will pass many different Thai hamlets, through rice fields, hill sides…Stop sometimes to visit local houses and talk with local people. Your picnic lunch will be provided on spot. And one of the highlight on this walk is to experience the everyday life and culture white Thai people and stay in their traditional house on stilts as honoured guests. In the evening, assist to the traditional music and dance show which is performed by the Thai young girls and boys who all come from the village. Try also some rice alcohol which is made of traditional plants and local sticky rice.
Day 4: Mai Chau – Hanoi. Overnight train to Lao Cai.
After breakfast, we take our journey back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi around noon. Free lunch in town. In the afternoon, enjoy a short cyclo excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sales at these places. After free dinner, transfer to Hanoi Railways Station for taking overnight train to Laocai. Overnight on the train.
Day 5: Arrive Laocai. Travel to Sapa. Trekking Sapa villages.
Arrive Lao Cai approximately 5h30am. Our local team will meet the group at the station and transfer to Sapa. Breakfast will be provided at a local restaurant in Sapa before trekking uphill through mountainous area. Enjoy while walking the spectacular view over rice paddy terraces, corn fields. Your picnic lunch will be provided on the spot. After lunch, we continue our trek downhill towards Taphin village where you will meet Red Dao and Black Hmong minorities, two largest ethnic groups in Sapa area. Stop by a house to talk with local people to know a bit more about their daily life, their customs and tradition. Have dinner and
overnight in the village.
Day 6: Trekking Sapa. Travel to Lao Cai. Overnight train back to Hanoi.
After breakfast, we start our trek towards Sapa. We will pass through several minority villages; rive
paddy terraces along the way. Upon arriving in Matra village inhabited by Black Hmong people, we
will stop for our lunch. Then, we continue our walk to Sapa. Have a short rest/shower before transfer to Lao Cai station and get the night train back to Hanoi. Train???. Departure at 20:30 (TBA).
Day 7: Arrive Hanoi. Hanoi – Halong bay.
Arrive in Hanoi in the early morning, you will be met by another Lotussia Travel guide, driver then transferred to a local restaurant for early breakfast then depart to Halong. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board the Bai Tho traditional sailing junk (or similar junk). Whilst cruising the exquisite waters sample the regions fresh seafood. Visit the recently discovered Surprise Grotto with its great views, and on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Alternatively journey to Dau Go Cave and nearby see the famous stalagmites and stalactites of Thien Cung Cave. Enjoy a swim in the emerald waters of Halong Bay at any spot that you wish to visit or take a kayaking trip to explore the Bay (optional). Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner. Overnight on board junk.
Day 8: Halong bay – Hanoi. Fly to Hue.
Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City. En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons. Disembark at the dock at Halong City at 11h00. Transfer back to Hanoi.
Free time for shopping.
In the evening, transfer to Hanoi Railways station for taking the night train to Hue. Departure at 19h00. Overnight on the train.
Day 9: Hue city tour.
Upon your arrival in Hue Railways station at around 08h00am, you will be welcome by another Lotussia Travel guide and transferred to your hotel in town for breakfast and quick shower (early check in is subject to hotel availability).
Then we will board a private boat for a cruise on the romantic Perfume River. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda), setting in converge of rivers will be the first stop of the day. The pagoda gives you a great view on the Perfume River and the surrounding area. Then we will be picked up again by our car for a short drive to the Minh Mang tomb. In the afternoon, we will experience the Hue citadel, which is recognized as a World Heritage Site. Overnight in Hue.
Day 10: Hue – Danang – Hoian. Hoian city tour.
Depart for Lang Co, a small village of fishermen. Taking photograph from Hai Van Pass (The pass of Sea and Cloud). Arrive in Hoian around noon. Free lunch in town.
In the afternoon, start the visit of this charming small town, first commercial center in Vietnam since the 15th century, with more than 800 classified buildings such as Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old house, Assembly Hall Chinese. Phuc Kien Pagoda, Hoian Museum and Market. Free dinner in town. Overnight in Hoian.
Day 11: Return Da Nang. Fly to Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon). Saigon city tour.
After breakfast, transfer to Danang airport for the morning flight to Saigon.
Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh city airport, you will be met by another Lotussia local guide and driver and transferred to city center. Free lunch in town.
In the afternoon, start the tour with Ho Chi Minh City highlights including the Post Office, cathedral, Reunification palace, centre town, then continuation towards Cholon, visit Thien Hau temple, Binh Tay market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 12: Travel to the Mekong Delta (Saigon – My Tho – Can Tho)
Today we depart hotel at 8h00 and make our way to My Tho. On arrival we embark on a boat navigating around the intricate small canals to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands. The exciting excursion will lead us to the famous Unicorn Island where we stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and enjoy wonderful traditional music. We continue to Ben Tre Province to visit some fascinating local industries. We meet up with our vehicle for three hour drive to Can Tho, the capital city of the Mekong Delta. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 13: Can Tho – Saigon.
The impressive floating market of Rai Rang is a major part of our sightseeing tour in delta region. Upon leaving hotel we set off on a short drive and enjoy a boat trip to explore Cai Rang, whose the trading way is unique; each boat usually sells one particular item, whether it be pumpkins, pineapples, sugar canes. In order that the customer knows where to shop, they hang that item from the highest part of the boat. At the end of the river trip we drive back to Ho Chi Minh. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 14: Day trip to Cu Chi tunnels. Travel to Mui Ne beach, Phan Thiet.
Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Cu Chi to visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. Then we will go back to Ho Chi Minh city and transfer to Phan Thiet beach (Muine). The scenic 200km drive north on Highway One passes through the bustling city of Bien Hoa before cutting through dense rubber plantations. Arrive in Phan Thiet and check into resort. Overnight in Phan Thiet.
Day 15 & 16: Phan Thiet beach resort.
Full day free at leisure to enjoy the prime beach of Phan Thiet or just relax on the hotel/resort poolside. Optional golf course or beach activities can be arranged on the spot with hotel/resort. Overnight in Phan Thiet.
Day 17: Phan Thiet – Saigon.
Free at leisure until transfer back to Saigon (Checkout time is at 12h00).
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