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Experience The Real Vietnam

Vietnam’s Grand Discovery: 14 Days

Price from
1150USD
Duration
14 Days
Distance
Leisure Holiday
Difficulty
Leisure Holiday
Tour Code
Trip Departure
Hanoi
Trip Style: Private
Classis : None cycling
Group size
02-10
Finish in
Ho Chi Minh City

OVERVIEW

Vietnam’s grand discovery would give you a full insight into Vietnam’s hidden charm which departure from Northern to the most Southern of Vietnam. The trip also offers you a great chance to visit almost all World Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO in Vietnam and present you with vast knowledge and expertise of Vietnam as the most authentic and bespoke holiday ever. Additionally, let’s admire the incredible beauty of the mountainous area and spirit of Vietnam through its important historical sites, splendid nature, culture, and warm-heart people throughout Vietnam.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Go through the fascinating network of narrow alleys and shophouses, also known as ‘The 36 Streets’ of Hanoi by Cyclo.
  • Enjoy a unique fascinating show of Water Puppetry, a traditional stage art of Northern Vietnam.
  • A boat trip in Tam Coc where spectacular limestone karsts juting out from the green paddy fields
  • A lifetime experience with an overnight train to the land of the hill tribe people; Enjoy the sublime natural beauty and cool climate of Sapa’s valleys, and trek through the local ethnic hamlets.
  • Take a leisure cruise on Ha Long Bay and spend one night floating in the middle of the world’s new seven wonders.
  • Strolling along th7\narrow street of an ancient town in Hoi An and Hue, a boat trip along the Perfume River. Having fun with a cooking class on the floating restaurant
  • Explore the metropolitan Saigon city in a different way on a night cruise along the Saigon river with special dinner and traditional folk music being served.
  • Indulge your mouth with a trip to the homeland of Vietnamese fresh fruits.
  • Vietnam’s Grand Discovery: 14 Days
  • Vietnam’s Grand Discovery: 14 Days
  • Vietnam’s Grand Discovery: 14 Days
  • Vietnam’s Grand Discovery: 14 Days
  • Vietnam’s Grand Discovery: 14 Days
  • Vietnam’s Grand Discovery: 14 Days
  • Vietnam’s Grand Discovery: 14 Days
  • Vietnam’s Grand Discovery: 14 Days
  • Vietnam’s Grand Discovery: 14 Days
  • Vietnam’s Grand Discovery: 14 Days

Vietnam's Grand Discovery

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Welcomed by Countryside Adventures Team at Noi Bai international airport, then transfer to your hotel downtown. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.


Day 2: Hanoi Full-Day Guided Trip
Today, we will take a guided tour to experience both the history and daily of the locals in Hanoi Capital. Driving pass the historical Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the independence of Vietnam in 1945. Our Driver then drops us off at Lenin Garden – a  communal space of local for taking an easy walk through before strolling through areas where sewing shops have been in family hands for generations, and people still practice the old ways or admire the daily life of local people in the alley of Hanoi.
The next visit is the Temple of Literature and explores its role in the country’s past, as both a university and a temple.
If interested, make a stop at the last courtyard where Vietnamese traditional instruments contribute to the oriental feel. For travelers who are musicians, opportunities to play some notes will present themselves, all under the guidance of the artists. Afterward, visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), which is both a research center and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam.
Lunch is at a local restaurant. Towards the end of the tour, embark on a walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Witness the ancient commercial street names, mirroring the crafts and businesses dating back over a thousand years. Make a stop at Thuong Tra tea house nestled in an old apartment building, just to escape from Hanoi’s bustling life and learn about the importance of drinking tea in Vietnamese society while sipping on a cup of tea.
Then take a stroll around the charming Hoan Kiem Lake to enjoy local daily life passing by. Finish the day with a Water Puppet show. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history. Overnight in Hanoi.


Day 3: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Night train to Lao Cai – Sapa

Depart the hotel this morning at 07:30 for a 2.5-hour drive through rural northern Vietnam to Ninh Binh Province — one of the most beautiful parts of Vietnam with its dramatic scenery and historical temples. The rice fields here are beautiful and the area has earned the nickname of ‘Dry Halong Bay’, a moniker borne out by the limestone karsts which dominate the landscape.
Upon arrival, begin a leisure 5 to 15 km (according to preference) biking trip around Tho Ha village passing by peaceful villages and enjoying the rustic countryside landscapes.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant.
Afternoon activities:
Continue to Dong Tam Hamlet to join in some engaging agricultural activities such as catching crabs, fishing and transplanting, watering vegetables, and more. Enjoy lunch before boarding the sampan for a 1.5-hour boat trip cruising over a small canal among the paddy fields for 1km, then stroll along the winding rocky path of the foot for 200m and go up 20 steps to reach the Galaxy Cave gate. Get inside the cave and admire the spectacular stalactites above the cave ceiling. Continue to discover But Hien cave and be attracted by many natural sparkling stalactites with shapes and figures before returning on the same route. Transfer back to Hanoi city.
Take a rest at your day-use mini-hotel. Dinner at your own arrangement before transferring to Hanoi Railway Station to board the night train to Lao Cai, land of the hill tribe people. Overnight on the train at 4-berth wooden compartment with AC.


Day 4: Lao Cai – Bac Ha Market – Sapa
Arrive at Lao Cai Station at 06.00. Picked-up and transfer for breakfast at a local restaurant.
If today is Saturday, Sunday, or Tuesday, nothing will be better than driving overland to a market of the hill tribal people, mainly from Flower Hmong ethnic group. Depending on the day, you can choose either Can Cau (Sat), Bac Ha (Sun), or Coc Ly (Tues).
After breakfast, we will drive toward Bac Ha, about 70km from Lao Cai. With a dozen tribes living in the surroundings, including Flower Hmong, Chinese, Nhang, Dzao, Nung, Phu La, Thai, and King (or Viet), the market is extremely exciting, especially in the early morning. The winding road to Bac Ha helps maintain the colors (in both literal and figurative sense) of the area. The distance to Can Cau and Coc Ly from Bac Ha is 30 – 50km. In all these markets, we can meet hundreds of beautiful women from the Flower Hmong tribe, who are famous for their wonderful craft and hand-made flowering clothes and textile fabrics, or intermingle with people from Black Hmong, Dzay, Dzao, and other ethnic groups coming to the market not for purchasing stuff, but for meeting and chatting – just once a week – like in a real cultural center. After lunchtime, we can hike around or take our car heading to further hamlets in Ban Pho, Trieu Cai, or Na Hoi. Afternoon, driving to Sapa overnight.


Day 5:Sapa – Cat Cat Village – Lao Chai – Tavan – Train to Hanoi

After breakfast, hanging around with our guide to visiting the Sapa town including the church, walking streets where we can meet the Montagnards and admire their handicrafts made of wood, silver, or dyed and embroidered fabrics and clothes. We then take 2-km short trekking to Cat Cat Village, the home of Hmong Ethic. Meeting and talking with locals to learn more about their daily life. Go on to Lao Chai (10km from Sapa) and walk thru 3km to Tavan with stops at the villages of the tribal people Hmong. Afternoon drive to Lao Cai Station to board the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train. (a 4-berth wooden compartment with AC).
Note: Around 4-5 hours walking/trekking in total.
Optional tour: Take the train thru the valley then cable car to Fanxipan Peak in the afternoon instead of visiting Lao Chai and Ta Van Villages. (cost quoted separately)


Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on Cruise.
Upon arrival in Hanoi, we will be picked up at the Station and arrive in a mini-hotel for Breakfast and a short relaxation before transferring to Halong Bay. At 9 am, head East for more than 2 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO
Morning, Check out and drive toward Haiphong city to Halong Bay. It would take around 3hr30mins including a 30 – minutes stop on the way.
The scenery of Halong Bay where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into bizarre shapes is truly an iconic image for Vietnam.
An overnight boat trip is the best way to enjoy this Vietnamese must-see.
Arrive at the jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After a  welcome onboard, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself.
In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board.
Towards the end of the day, the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.
Overnight on Halong Bay.


Day 7: Halong Bay – Noi Bai Airport – Danang – Hoian
Enjoy the sunrise and Taichi practicing and breakfast is served (also brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises are slowly back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi or Haiphong airport
Take a short flight to Danang, on arrival in Danang transfer 40-minutes to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years.
Overnight in Hoi An.


Day 8: Hoi An Discovery
This morning, go on a walking tour in Hoi An, a charming destination with two faces – the old-world trading port of narrow streets and traditional houses, and the beach with its new resorts and long stretches of clean white sand. In keeping with Hoi An’s heritage as a trading port, the town’s tiny shop houses now host a range of craft shops and artisans including some of Asia’s best tailors. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the center of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday. Take a walking tour of the ancient town center to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge, a Chinese communal hall, and the colorful market.
This afternoon, Get on a boat and go upstream the ‘Mother River’ from Thu Bon to Duy Vinh Village.  These villages are well-known for traditional weaving sedge mat. This land was created by three Alluvium Rivers such as Thu Bon, Truong Giang, and Ly Ly which provides the perfect land to plant the materials for the sedge mat. Pass by a shrimp and duck farm to get a glimpse of agricultural river life.
Depending on the season (from Feb to Apr and from Jul to Sep), see golden paddy fields during harvest season or green groves of jute along the banks of the Thu Bon River. Upon arrival at Ban Thach Mat Village, where abundant sources of raw rush used to weave mats have allowed the villagers to develop their own handicrafts and improve their lives for 400 years and start cycling to explore the beauty of a typical village in the Central of Vietnam. Learn the full process of sedge mat weaving from cutting sedge on the field to a finished mat following the traditional method. See the way locals manage to keep their traditional occupation in a modern and constantly evolving time. Display personal creativity with unique patterns! End the trip sharing a simple yet friendly home-hosted brunch and return to Hoi An by bike across Cam Kim Bridge.
Overnight in Hoi An.


Day 9: Hoi An Cooking Class – My Son Holy land
Have breakfast at the hotel. Today is your time for a cooking class to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine. Together with your tour guide, you will be transferred by a boat trip to a local market to purchase the food. Here your guide will explain to you about the river life, traditional fishing methods as well as guide you on how to choose the food for your lunch. After that, having a cooking lesson with our chef, in the floating restaurant. Enjoy your lunch and take a short rest.
Afternoon, drive to visit My Son Sanctuary where you can discover the hidden treasure of the Cham culture that once brightly developed in the area of present Central Vietnam. Thanks to the beauty and secrets of building the Cham Towers hereby, My Son had been also designated by UNESCO as one of the five World Heritages in Vietnam. Transfer back to Hoian Town. Overnight in Hoian.


Day 10: Hoi An – Hue Imperial City.
Enjoy this morning at leisure before leaving Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Its mesmerizing tombs and mausoleums of the last emperors of Vietnam reveal fascinating insights into the lives of the imperial families and their subjects. The ancient Citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern. The Royal Citadel was badly damaged in the latter stages of the war but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today. Overnight in Hue.


Day 11: Hue Discovery
At 08:30 this morning, depart from the hotel in Hue for a city tour of the ancient town. Start at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. From here take a cyclo through dai noi ‘Old City. Stop for a visit to Tran Dinh Son private museum with a collection of everyday items that past Kings have used. Learn how royal descendants are keeping the family’s traditions alive today.
Continue to visit Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River; constructed in 1601, the 21-meter tall tower is the centerpiece of the pagoda and represents seven reincarnations of Buddha. In the grounds of the pagoda is the Austin car made famous when in 1963, a resident monk drove the vehicle to what was then Saigon to protest against the southern regime, the photo of his self immortalization was captured and was one of the most well-known images of the war.
Lunch at a local restaurant for an authentic Hue style cuisine.
Continue to former emperor Minh Mang’s tomb located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds, inspired by the Chinese Confucianism, a harmonious design of balance and symmetry for the emperor’s resting place.
Journey on to Khai Dinh’s Tomb designed in traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. Overnight in Hue.


Day 12: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City.
Transfer to Hue Airport after breakfast for the short flight to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by the locals.
Meet with a local guide and set off on a half-day tour in Ho Chi Minh City. Start with a visit to the city’s most iconic building: Reunification Hall. Formerly called the Presidential Palace, images of the building were seen around the world on 30 April 1975 when tanks stormed the gates as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese. Hear the echoes of time while walking through this historic downtown site.
Then take a stroll to Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, City Hall, the old Saigon Post Office, Hear about the glory days of French Indochina and how that era continues to influence aspects of modern Vietnamese culture.
Step inside the War Remnants Museum for an insightful, yet somber, look into Vietnam’s military history. See exhibitions displaying imagery from the French and American wars, learning more about the country’s struggle for independence, and hearing tales of the resilience of the Vietnamese people.
Then step off the tourist trail for one last visit on this Ho Chi Minh City tour at a Vietnamese coffee shop, sit down, and taste the coffee like locals. After this insightful visit, return to the hotel.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.


Day 13: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Floating market
This tour begins at 07:30. Leave the busy streets and modern buildings of Ho Chi Minh City behind on the Mekong Delta day trip.
On arrival in Cai Be Township,, take a boat to sightsee activities along the riverside such as fishing and water transferring. Stopping at the local Floating market to experience how the locals buy and sell seasonal fruits in Mekong Delta.
Stopping at one of the local boats to taste fruits and get to know about their local life.
Keep cruising along the canals to a coconut candy workshop. Get a chance to learn all about the coconut candy making process. Taste honey harvested by the residents and the different kinds of tropical fruits. Cruise along local creeks through the villages to enjoy the tranquility of the countryside. Lunch is served at a local riverside restaurant.
Afternoon, take a local sampan trip through the island to see local river life. At the end of the tour, drive back to Saigon.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.


Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City Departure.
Today is free at leisure until time to transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for your home onward flight.
Goodbye and see you the next time.


Countryside Adventures Team

Inclusion
Experienced local Guide through out the trip
Ground Transportation
03 stars - Accommodation
Entrance Tickets
Halong Boat trip
Night train to Lao Cai -Sapa
Domestic FLights

Vietnam's Grand Discovery

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Welcomed by Countryside Adventures Team at Noi Bai international airport, then transfer to your hotel downtown. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.


Day 2: Hanoi Full-Day Guided Trip
Today, we will take a guided tour to experience both the history and daily of the locals in Hanoi Capital. Driving pass the historical Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the independence of Vietnam in 1945. Our Driver then drops us off at Lenin Garden – a  communal space of local for taking an easy walk through before strolling through areas where sewing shops have been in family hands for generations, and people still practice the old ways or admire the daily life of local people in the alley of Hanoi.
The next visit is the Temple of Literature and explores its role in the country’s past, as both a university and a temple.
If interested, make a stop at the last courtyard where Vietnamese traditional instruments contribute to the oriental feel. For travelers who are musicians, opportunities to play some notes will present themselves, all under the guidance of the artists. Afterward, visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), which is both a research center and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam.
Lunch is at a local restaurant. Towards the end of the tour, embark on a walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Witness the ancient commercial street names, mirroring the crafts and businesses dating back over a thousand years. Make a stop at Thuong Tra tea house nestled in an old apartment building, just to escape from Hanoi’s bustling life and learn about the importance of drinking tea in Vietnamese society while sipping on a cup of tea.
Then take a stroll around the charming Hoan Kiem Lake to enjoy local daily life passing by. Finish the day with a Water Puppet show. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history. Overnight in Hanoi.


Day 3: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Night train to Lao Cai – Sapa

Depart the hotel this morning at 07:30 for a 2.5-hour drive through rural northern Vietnam to Ninh Binh Province — one of the most beautiful parts of Vietnam with its dramatic scenery and historical temples. The rice fields here are beautiful and the area has earned the nickname of ‘Dry Halong Bay’, a moniker borne out by the limestone karsts which dominate the landscape.
Upon arrival, begin a leisure 5 to 15 km (according to preference) biking trip around Tho Ha village passing by peaceful villages and enjoying the rustic countryside landscapes.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant.
Afternoon activities:
Continue to Dong Tam Hamlet to join in some engaging agricultural activities such as catching crabs, fishing and transplanting, watering vegetables, and more. Enjoy lunch before boarding the sampan for a 1.5-hour boat trip cruising over a small canal among the paddy fields for 1km, then stroll along the winding rocky path of the foot for 200m and go up 20 steps to reach the Galaxy Cave gate. Get inside the cave and admire the spectacular stalactites above the cave ceiling. Continue to discover But Hien cave and be attracted by many natural sparkling stalactites with shapes and figures before returning on the same route. Transfer back to Hanoi city.
Take a rest at your day-use mini-hotel. Dinner at your own arrangement before transferring to Hanoi Railway Station to board the night train to Lao Cai, land of the hill tribe people. Overnight on the train at 4-berth wooden compartment with AC.


Day 4: Lao Cai – Bac Ha Market – Sapa
Arrive at Lao Cai Station at 06.00. Picked-up and transfer for breakfast at a local restaurant.
If today is Saturday, Sunday, or Tuesday, nothing will be better than driving overland to a market of the hill tribal people, mainly from Flower Hmong ethnic group. Depending on the day, you can choose either Can Cau (Sat), Bac Ha (Sun), or Coc Ly (Tues).
After breakfast, we will drive toward Bac Ha, about 70km from Lao Cai. With a dozen tribes living in the surroundings, including Flower Hmong, Chinese, Nhang, Dzao, Nung, Phu La, Thai, and King (or Viet), the market is extremely exciting, especially in the early morning. The winding road to Bac Ha helps maintain the colors (in both literal and figurative sense) of the area. The distance to Can Cau and Coc Ly from Bac Ha is 30 – 50km. In all these markets, we can meet hundreds of beautiful women from the Flower Hmong tribe, who are famous for their wonderful craft and hand-made flowering clothes and textile fabrics, or intermingle with people from Black Hmong, Dzay, Dzao, and other ethnic groups coming to the market not for purchasing stuff, but for meeting and chatting – just once a week – like in a real cultural center. After lunchtime, we can hike around or take our car heading to further hamlets in Ban Pho, Trieu Cai, or Na Hoi. Afternoon, driving to Sapa overnight.


Day 5:Sapa – Cat Cat Village – Lao Chai – Tavan – Train to Hanoi

After breakfast, hanging around with our guide to visiting the Sapa town including the church, walking streets where we can meet the Montagnards and admire their handicrafts made of wood, silver, or dyed and embroidered fabrics and clothes. We then take 2-km short trekking to Cat Cat Village, the home of Hmong Ethic. Meeting and talking with locals to learn more about their daily life. Go on to Lao Chai (10km from Sapa) and walk thru 3km to Tavan with stops at the villages of the tribal people Hmong. Afternoon drive to Lao Cai Station to board the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train. (a 4-berth wooden compartment with AC).
Note: Around 4-5 hours walking/trekking in total.
Optional tour: Take the train thru the valley then cable car to Fanxipan Peak in the afternoon instead of visiting Lao Chai and Ta Van Villages. (cost quoted separately)


Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on Cruise.
Upon arrival in Hanoi, we will be picked up at the Station and arrive in a mini-hotel for Breakfast and a short relaxation before transferring to Halong Bay. At 9 am, head East for more than 2 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO
Morning, Check out and drive toward Haiphong city to Halong Bay. It would take around 3hr30mins including a 30 – minutes stop on the way.
The scenery of Halong Bay where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into bizarre shapes is truly an iconic image for Vietnam.
An overnight boat trip is the best way to enjoy this Vietnamese must-see.
Arrive at the jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After a  welcome onboard, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself.
In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board.
Towards the end of the day, the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.
Overnight on Halong Bay.


Day 7: Halong Bay – Noi Bai Airport – Danang – Hoian
Enjoy the sunrise and Taichi practicing and breakfast is served (also brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises are slowly back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi or Haiphong airport
Take a short flight to Danang, on arrival in Danang transfer 40-minutes to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years.
Overnight in Hoi An.


Day 8: Hoi An Discovery
This morning, go on a walking tour in Hoi An, a charming destination with two faces – the old-world trading port of narrow streets and traditional houses, and the beach with its new resorts and long stretches of clean white sand. In keeping with Hoi An’s heritage as a trading port, the town’s tiny shop houses now host a range of craft shops and artisans including some of Asia’s best tailors. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the center of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday. Take a walking tour of the ancient town center to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge, a Chinese communal hall, and the colorful market.
This afternoon, Get on a boat and go upstream the ‘Mother River’ from Thu Bon to Duy Vinh Village.  These villages are well-known for traditional weaving sedge mat. This land was created by three Alluvium Rivers such as Thu Bon, Truong Giang, and Ly Ly which provides the perfect land to plant the materials for the sedge mat. Pass by a shrimp and duck farm to get a glimpse of agricultural river life.
Depending on the season (from Feb to Apr and from Jul to Sep), see golden paddy fields during harvest season or green groves of jute along the banks of the Thu Bon River. Upon arrival at Ban Thach Mat Village, where abundant sources of raw rush used to weave mats have allowed the villagers to develop their own handicrafts and improve their lives for 400 years and start cycling to explore the beauty of a typical village in the Central of Vietnam. Learn the full process of sedge mat weaving from cutting sedge on the field to a finished mat following the traditional method. See the way locals manage to keep their traditional occupation in a modern and constantly evolving time. Display personal creativity with unique patterns! End the trip sharing a simple yet friendly home-hosted brunch and return to Hoi An by bike across Cam Kim Bridge.
Overnight in Hoi An.


Day 9: Hoi An Cooking Class – My Son Holy land
Have breakfast at the hotel. Today is your time for a cooking class to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine. Together with your tour guide, you will be transferred by a boat trip to a local market to purchase the food. Here your guide will explain to you about the river life, traditional fishing methods as well as guide you on how to choose the food for your lunch. After that, having a cooking lesson with our chef, in the floating restaurant. Enjoy your lunch and take a short rest.
Afternoon, drive to visit My Son Sanctuary where you can discover the hidden treasure of the Cham culture that once brightly developed in the area of present Central Vietnam. Thanks to the beauty and secrets of building the Cham Towers hereby, My Son had been also designated by UNESCO as one of the five World Heritages in Vietnam. Transfer back to Hoian Town. Overnight in Hoian.


Day 10: Hoi An – Hue Imperial City.
Enjoy this morning at leisure before leaving Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Its mesmerizing tombs and mausoleums of the last emperors of Vietnam reveal fascinating insights into the lives of the imperial families and their subjects. The ancient Citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern. The Royal Citadel was badly damaged in the latter stages of the war but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today. Overnight in Hue.


Day 11: Hue Discovery
At 08:30 this morning, depart from the hotel in Hue for a city tour of the ancient town. Start at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. From here take a cyclo through dai noi ‘Old City. Stop for a visit to Tran Dinh Son private museum with a collection of everyday items that past Kings have used. Learn how royal descendants are keeping the family’s traditions alive today.
Continue to visit Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River; constructed in 1601, the 21-meter tall tower is the centerpiece of the pagoda and represents seven reincarnations of Buddha. In the grounds of the pagoda is the Austin car made famous when in 1963, a resident monk drove the vehicle to what was then Saigon to protest against the southern regime, the photo of his self immortalization was captured and was one of the most well-known images of the war.
Lunch at a local restaurant for an authentic Hue style cuisine.
Continue to former emperor Minh Mang’s tomb located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds, inspired by the Chinese Confucianism, a harmonious design of balance and symmetry for the emperor’s resting place.
Journey on to Khai Dinh’s Tomb designed in traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. Overnight in Hue.


Day 12: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City.
Transfer to Hue Airport after breakfast for the short flight to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by the locals.
Meet with a local guide and set off on a half-day tour in Ho Chi Minh City. Start with a visit to the city’s most iconic building: Reunification Hall. Formerly called the Presidential Palace, images of the building were seen around the world on 30 April 1975 when tanks stormed the gates as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese. Hear the echoes of time while walking through this historic downtown site.
Then take a stroll to Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, City Hall, the old Saigon Post Office, Hear about the glory days of French Indochina and how that era continues to influence aspects of modern Vietnamese culture.
Step inside the War Remnants Museum for an insightful, yet somber, look into Vietnam’s military history. See exhibitions displaying imagery from the French and American wars, learning more about the country’s struggle for independence, and hearing tales of the resilience of the Vietnamese people.
Then step off the tourist trail for one last visit on this Ho Chi Minh City tour at a Vietnamese coffee shop, sit down, and taste the coffee like locals. After this insightful visit, return to the hotel.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.


Day 13: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Floating market
This tour begins at 07:30. Leave the busy streets and modern buildings of Ho Chi Minh City behind on the Mekong Delta day trip.
On arrival in Cai Be Township,, take a boat to sightsee activities along the riverside such as fishing and water transferring. Stopping at the local Floating market to experience how the locals buy and sell seasonal fruits in Mekong Delta.
Stopping at one of the local boats to taste fruits and get to know about their local life.
Keep cruising along the canals to a coconut candy workshop. Get a chance to learn all about the coconut candy making process. Taste honey harvested by the residents and the different kinds of tropical fruits. Cruise along local creeks through the villages to enjoy the tranquility of the countryside. Lunch is served at a local riverside restaurant.
Afternoon, take a local sampan trip through the island to see local river life. At the end of the tour, drive back to Saigon.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.


Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City Departure.
Today is free at leisure until time to transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for your home onward flight.
Goodbye and see you the next time.


Countryside Adventures Team

Inclusion
Experienced local Guide through out the trip
Ground Transportation
03 stars - Accommodation
Entrance Tickets
Halong Boat trip
Night train to Lao Cai -Sapa
Domestic FLights

11 nights hotel accommodation on a twin-share basic with daily breakfast
01 night stay overnight on Board in Halong Bay in twin-share cabin.

02 nights Train from Hanoi -Lao Cai -Hanoi
Kayaking in Halong Bay
Internal flight tickets: Hanoi – Danang  – Hue –  Ho Chi Minh City (economy class) Vietnam Airlines including fuel charge & Airport taxes.
Meals as mentioned in the itineraries: Vietnamese food, Asian Food basic.
All landed transfers within the tour by air-conditioned vehicle, including pick-up and drop-off at airports on arrival and departure days
English Speaking Tour guide. Other languages on request
Boat trips in the Mekong Delta, Hue & Hoi An
All entrance and sightseeing fees
Water Puppet Show & Cyclo Tour in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Approval letter for landing visa to Vietnam: single entry, one month valid
All taxes & services charge.


Tour Cost Non-Included:

International airfare and airport tax in Vietnam
Beverages and other meals do not indicate in the program
Visa fees to Vietnam
Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
Massage onboard
Travel insurance
Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping…)
Tipping/ Gratuities
Single supplement
Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (typhoon, floods),
flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes, etc.

Package cost base on per person’s cost in U.S Dollar.


  1. Group size: 02 persons: 2030 USD per person.
  2. Group size: 03-05 persons: 1750 USD per person.
  3. Group size: 06-08 persons: 1550USD per person.
  4. Group size: 09 -12 persons: 1450 USD per person.

Best time to travel to Vietnam

Vietnam is long and slender, with different regions subject to different weather conditions at any one time, which makes figuring out the best time to visit Vietnam somewhat tricky.

The country has a tropical monsoon climate. If you’re visiting the south of the country the driest months tend to be between December and April, while the north of the country is typically driest in spring and autumn.

Within this broad weather, the picture is regional variations, with differences in altitude also key to varying temperatures. Whereas the south tends to have a year-round tropical climate, the north is considerably cooler in winter.


Climate of Vietnam

The weather in Vietnam is defined by the monsoon season. The southern summer monsoon brings rain to the two deltas and west-facing slopes. At the same time, the cold winter monsoon picks up moisture over the Gulf of Tonkin and dumps it along the central coast and the eastern edge of the central highlands.

There are marked differences according to altitude and latitude; temperatures in the south of Vietnam remain calm all year round, while the north experiences distinct seasonal variations.


When is the best time to visit Vietnam?

If you intend to see a bit of everything, you need to work around the regional weather differences. Overall, autumn/winter (September – December) and spring (March and April) are probably the most favorable seasons if you’re planning to cover the whole country.

Most of Vietnam enjoys dry conditions and basks in the sunshine by December. Central Vietnam is the exception, which is gradually emerging from its rainy season. So it’s a good time to head to the southern coast if you want to soak up some rays and rack up some time on Vietnam’s gorgeous beaches. Beaches such as Mui Ne, or on the island of Phu Quoc are great in this month.

It’s also a good time to visit Ho Chi Minh City, with temperatures averaging a comfortable 26ºC.

If you’re planning a Christmas getaway be aware that things get booked up way in advance, so plan ahead.

Outdoor activities in the north are good in December. It is somewhat chilly, however, especially in the mountains – so pack extra layers.


Vietnamese food

The staple of Vietnamese meals is rice, with noodles a popular alternative at breakfast or as a snack. Typically, rice will be accompanied by a fish or meat dish, a vegetable dish and soup, followed by a green tea digestive. Seafood and fish – from rivers, lakes, canals and paddy fields as well as the sea – are favoured throughout the country, either fresh or dried. The most commonly used flavourings are shallots, coriander and lemon grass. Ginger, saffron, mint, anise and a basil-type herb also feature strongly, and coconut milk gives some southern dishes a distinctive richness.

Even in the south, Vietnamese food tends not to be over-spicy; instead chilli sauces or fresh chillies are served separately. Vietnam’s most famous seasoning is the ubiquitous nuoc mam, a nutrient-packed sauce which either is added during cooking or forms the base for various dipping sauces. Nuoc mam is made by fermenting huge quantities of fish in vats of salt for between six months and a year, after which the dark brown liquid is strained and graded according to its age and flavour. Foreigners usually find the smell of the sauce pretty rank, but most soon acquire a taste for its distinctive salty-sweetness.

The use of monosodium glutamate (MSG) can be excessive, especially in northern cooking, and some people are known to react badly to the seasoning. A few restaurants in the main cities have cottoned on to the foibles of foreigners and advertise MSG-free food; elsewhere, try saying khong co my chinh (without MSG), and keep your fingers crossed. Note that what looks like salt on the table is sometimes MSG, so taste it first.

The most famous Vietnamese dish has to be spring rolls, variously known as cha gio, cha nem, nem ran or just plain nem. Various combinations of minced pork, shrimp or crab, rice vermicelli, onions, bean sprouts and an edible fungus are rolled in rice-paper wrappers, and then eaten fresh or deep-fried. In some places they’re served with a bowl of lettuce and/or mint. In addition, a southern variation has barbecued strips of pork wrapped in semi-transparent rice wrappers, along with raw ingredients such as green banana and star fruit, and then dunked in a rich peanut sauce – every bit as tasty as it sounds.


Drinks

Giai khat means “quench your thirst” and you’ll see the signs everywhere, on stands selling fresh juices, bottled cold drinks or outside cafés and bia hoi (draught beer) outlets. Many drinks are served with ice: tempting though it may be, the only really safe policy is to avoid ice altogether – dung bo da, cam on (“no ice, thanks”) should do the trick. That said, ice in the top hotels, bars and restaurants is generally reliable, and some people take the risk in less salubrious establishments with apparent impunity.


Tea and coffee

Tea drinking is part of the social ritual in Vietnam. Small cups of refreshing, strong, green tea are presented to all guests or visitors: water is well boiled and safe to drink, as long as the cup itself is clean, and it’s considered rude not to take at least a sip. Although your cup will be continually replenished to show hospitality, you don’t have to carry on drinking; the polite way to decline a refill is to place your hand over the cup when your host is about to replenish it. Green tea is also served at the end of every restaurant meal, particularly in the south, and usually provided free.

Coffee production has boomed in recent years, largely for export, with serious environmental and social consequences. The Vietnamese drink coffee very strong and in small quantities, with a large dollop of condensed milk at the bottom of the cup. Traditionally, coffee is filtered at the table by means of a small dripper balanced over the cup or glass, which sometimes sits in a bowl of hot water to keep it warm. However, places accustomed to tourists increasingly run to fresh (pasteurized) milk, while in the main cities you’ll now find fancy Western-style cafés turning out decent lattes and cappuccinos. Highland Coffee has become Vietnam’s very own Starbucks-style chain, while out in the sticks you’re best off going for cafés with a Trung Nguyen sign.


Money

Vietnam’s unit of currency is the dong, which you’ll see abbreviated as “đ”, “d” or “VND” after an amount. Notes come in denominations of 500đ, 1000đ, 2000đ, 5000đ, 10,000đ, 20,000đ, 50,000đ, 100,000đ, 200,000đ and 500,000đ, coins in 200đ, 500đ, 1000đ, 2000đ and 5000đ (though coins are rarely seen). In addition to the dong, the American dollar operates as a parallel, unofficial currency and it’s a good idea to carry some dollars as a back-up to pay large bills. On the whole, though, it’s more convenient to operate in dong, and you’ll often find dong prices are slightly lower than the equivalent in dollars. For the latest exchange rates go to xe.com.

Dong are not available outside Vietnam at present, so take in some small-denomination American dollars to use until you reach a bank or ATM. Most banks and exchange bureaux don’t charge for changing foreign currency into dong; banks in major cities will accept euros and other major currencies, but elsewhere may only accept dollars. Some tour agents and hotels will also change money, and most jewellery shops in Vietnam will exchange dollars at a slightly better rate than the banks, but watch out for scams. Wherever you change money, ask for a mix of denominations (in remote places, bigger bills can be hard to split), and refuse really tatty banknotes, as you’ll have difficulty getting anyone else to accept them.

There’s also a comprehensive network of ATMs, many open 24 hours: most accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards issued abroad. The maximum withdrawal is two million dong at a time, with a charge per transaction (in addition to whatever surcharges your own bank levies). In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City you’ll also find ATMs operated by ANZ and HSBC. These accept a wider range of cards, including those in the Cirrus and Plus networks.


Health

We recommend that you visit a travel medical doctor and ask about the following vaccinations: typhoid, polio, tetanus, and hepatitis A. A certificate for Yellow Fever is required when arriving from an infected area within six days.


Countryside Adventures