DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI - AIRPORT TRANSFER

Hanoi - Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you will be greeted and taken to your hotel in the city center. Check-in is available from 2 pm. The rest of the day is yours to explore and shop at your leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR (B,L)

Hanoi - 8:00 am: Pick-up from the hotel.
We will visit:

• The Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum.

Temple of Literature & National University - Built in 1070 to honor Confucius, this site served as Vietnam’s first Royal National University. It also commemorates 82 Vietnamese doctorates who excelled in rigorous exams during the feudal era.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, with the History Museum as an alternative), showcasing informative displays of the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including vibrant hill tribe costumes.

Old Quarter - Return to the Old Quarter for a 1-hour cyclo tour. Visit Ngoc Son Temple, located on a small island in Hoan Kiem Lake. Dating back to the 13th century, the lake is a scenic heart of Hanoi, popular with both tourists and locals.

DAY 3: HANOI – NINH BINH - HANOI (B,L)

Hanoi - 07:30 – 8:00: Meet our friendly guide and depart for Ninh Binh province.

09:15: Take a short 15-20 minute break to relax.

Bai Dinh Pagoda - 10:30: Explore Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest in Southeast Asia, known for its 500 Stone Arhat Statues, 36-ton bronze Bell, and 100-ton Buddha Statue.

11:00: Enjoy lunch at a restaurant featuring local dishes like goat meat, fish, chicken, and fried rice. Vegetarian options are available at the buffet.

Trang An Grottoes - 13:00: Visit Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. Known for its stunning cave system, it was chosen as a filming location for the 2016 movie “Kong: Skull Island.” A 2.5-hour boat trip will showcase its beauty.

Mua Caves - 15:30: Return to the Limousine Bus and head to Mua Cave (Dancing Cave). Climb nearly 500 steps to reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain for a breathtaking view of Tam Coc.

17:00: Board the bus back to Hanoi.

19:00: Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 4: HANOI – SAPA - CAT CAT VILLAGE (B,L,D)

Sapa - 6:00-6:20: Pick-up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter, board a bus to Sapa Town.

9:30: Travel along the highway to Lao Cai city for the first rest stop.

11:00: Second rest stop in Lao Cai city before continuing to Sapa.

Cat Cat Village - 13:00: Arrive in Sapa Town, where you’ll see the traditional costumes of H’mong, Dzao, and Tay ethnic groups. Enjoy lunch with local Vietnamese dishes.

The trek covers about 3.5 km and lasts 2 hours.

14:30: Take a short walk to the entrance of Cat Cat Village, home to the Black H’mong ethnic group, located in a deep valley at the base of Fansipan Peak. A local guide will show you the daily life of the locals, leading you to a waterfall where the French built a Hydraulic Power Station. Capture photos with the bridge and waterfall, then hike uphill to catch the bus back to Sapa in the afternoon.

16:30: Return to Sapa Town. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at a hotel with evening activities.

DAY 5: SAPA - FANSIPAN - Y LINH HO - LAO CHAI VILLAGE - HANOI (B,L,D)

Fansipan - 7:30: Breakfast at the hotel and check-out (luggage will be stored at the hotel).

8:30: After breakfast, a driver will take you to the Cable Car Station for a 20-minute ride offering spectacular views.

At an altitude of 2800 meters, enjoy the scenery, take photos, visit a pagoda, and trek 600 steps to reach the peak of Fansipan, known as the Roof of Indochina. Spend about 1.5 hours hiking and taking photos.

12:00: Return to the Cable Car Station and head back to Sapa town.

12:30 - 13:30: Lunch at a restaurant.

Ta Van Village - 14:15-14:30: Trek through rice terraces and along Muong Hoa Stream to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai, admiring the stunning landscape of Hoang Lien Son Mountain.

The trek covers about 12 km and lasts 4 hours.

17:45: Check into a bungalow and meet the Dzay family. Enjoy the mountain life at sunset, participate in cooking local dishes, and savor a peaceful dinner.

DAY 6: SAPA - LAO CHAI – TA VAN – GIANG A CHAI VILLAGES - HANOI (B,L)

Giang Ta Chai Village - 8:00: Breakfast prepared by the family, then start a new day with an engaging trek.

8:45: Continue walking to the rice paddies for a photo session of the stunning landscapes, trek through a bamboo forest, and enjoy a panoramic view of Giang Ta Chai village, home to the Red Dzao people.

The trek covers about 3 km and lasts 3.5 hours.

Sapa - 11:00: Cross the Giang Ta Chai Bridge to the main road, where the bus will pick you up to return to Sapa Town.

13:30 - 14:45: Relax and enjoy yourself, with the option to shower in the hotel’s public bathroom.

14:45 - 15:00: Gather with the group at the hotel to prepare for the journey back to Hanoi.

15:30: Board the bus to Hanoi, with two rest stops along the way.

HANOI - HA LONG BAY (B, L, D)

Halong Bay - 08:15 – 08:45: Pick-up from your hotel or private address by our shuttle bus. Short break halfway.
11:45 – 12:00: Arrive at Tuan Chau marina, transfer by tender to La Pandora cruises.

12:45 – 13:00: Welcome aboard the cruise with a refreshing drink. Meet the captain and crew during the cruise briefing and safety instructions.

13:00 – 13:15: Enjoy a special lunch featuring Vietnamese cuisine, fresh seafood, and a variety of appetizing dishes while sailing through the Islets of Con Vit.

Lan Ha Bay - 16:00: The cruise sails through Lan Ha Bay, surrounded by extraordinary limestone karst landscapes. We proceed to Ong Cam Area of Lan Ha Bay, a tranquil tourist paradise in Vietnam. Enjoy kayaking or swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Bay.

Halong Bay - 17:30: Return to La Pandora Cruise, drop anchor for an overnight stay. Participate in a cooking demonstration (learn to make Spring rolls) and enjoy the complimentary Sunset Party on the sundeck with local wine and fresh fruit.

19:00: Dinner is served in the restaurant. Relish delicious local food prepared by our excellent onboard catering staff. After dinner, retire to your cabin or join the fishing excursion, watch a movie, have a drink at the bar, access wifi, or play exciting games. Overnight on board.

HALONG - HANOI (B, L)

Halong Bay - 06:00: Witness the sunrise and admire the endless miraculous scenery of the Bay. Engage in an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck.
06:30: Light breakfast, coffee, and tea served.
07:00: Visit Dark & Bright Cave and islets by local rowing boats, a wild and mysterious beauty in the heart of the World Heritage site.
09:15: Return to La Pandora Cruise, relax before checking out.
10:00: Lunch served on board.
12:00: Disembark at Tuan Chau marina by tender. Take our shuttle bus back to Hanoi.
15:00 – 15:30: Arrive back at your hotel or home.

DAY 9: HANOI – FLY TO DANANG – MARBLE MOUNTAIN - 7 MAU COCONUT FOREST – HOI AN (B,D)

The Marble Mountains - 13:00-13:45: Pick-up from hotels in Da Nang and begin the journey with a visit to Ngu Hanh Son mountain, known as Marble Mountain. Explore the Non Nuoc Village at the mountain’s base, famous for stone sculptures and handicrafts. Admire the stone and marble artworks created by local artists. Ascend the mountain to enjoy the serene scenery at the temples and be amazed by the mysterious yet impressive caves.

Bay Mau Coconut Forest - 15:30: Continue to Coconut Forest in Cam Thanh, Hoi An. Visit the Coconut Forest (about 5 km southeast of Hoi An Old Town), a poetic place with clear green water and a coconut tree ecosystem. Experience basket boat riding around the forest, learn about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, and engage in activities with the boatman. Enjoy a magical basket boat ride demonstration, participate in a fun basket boat race, and observe traditional fishing net throwing, offering wonderful experiences.

Hoi An - 17:00: Move to Hoi An ancient town, a renowned walking town and a major trading center in Southeast Asia during the 16th century due to early Western trader occupation. In Hoi An, admire the high cultural values, traditional customs, lifestyle, and ancient culinary practices of the locals. Experience a flashback to a 16th-century Vietnamese town. Walk around and visit ancient houses, assembly halls, bridges, and temples. Hoi An is especially captivating with lanterns illuminating the streets in the evening, immersing you in the ancient architecture and the glow of lanterns. Enjoy free time to explore the Hoi An night market.
19:00: Savor delicious local dishes for dinner at a restaurant in Hoi An.
20:00-20:30: Bid farewell to Hoi An Town and return to Da Nang city.
21:00-21:30: Arrive back at your hotel in Da Nang.

DAY 10: HUE ANCIENT EMPEROR CITADEL (B,L)

Hue - 07:30: Pick-up from Da Nang and depart for Hue city (about 102 km north of Da Nang).
Begin the trip with the spectacular natural scenes of Hai Van mountain pass, one of the world’s top ten most beautiful coastal roads. After crossing the pass, stop at Lap An lagoon, where the breathtaking beauty of the lagoon’s basin and water surface captivates every visitor at first sight.
10:30: Visit the Khai Dinh tomb, the final resting place of a Nguyen Emperor. Admire the tomb’s unique architectural design and learn about the myths and legends surrounding this controversial emperor.
12:00: Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local specialty restaurant serving Hue-style dishes.

Hue - 13:00: Continue to Hue imperial city, the palace of 13 Nguyen Kings, and delve into the past to learn about Vietnam’s last dynasty through stories from our friendly tour guide. Explore this vast complex containing the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City, and the Emperor’s private residence, and learn about the Nguyen dynasty. Discover other architectural masterpieces such as temples, pavilions, gardens, and the gates to the Imperial City.
Visit Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery, and admire its iconic 7-story pagoda, the unofficial symbol of the city. Located on the bank of the poetic Perfume River, it features the typical traditional architecture of Hue pagodas.
15:30: Return to Da Nang city.
17:30-18:00: End of services at your hotel in Da Nang.

DAY 11: HOI AN FREE LEISURE (B)

Hoi An - Enjoy a day of leisure at your own pace.

DAY 12: HOI AN - DANANG - FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH – CU CHI TUNNELS (B, L)

Ho Chi Minh City - After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Cu Chi Tunnels - Afternoon: Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, a legendary underground network of over 220 km, a must-see for both Vietnamese and international travelers interested in Vietnam War history. The tunnels are now a historical site in Vietnam and are considered a heroic district for their role in resisting US forces during the Vietnam War.

Located about 60 km from Ho Chi Minh City, the tour departs at 1:00 pm from the Vietnam Adventure Tours office or your hotel. Enjoy the scenery along the way, passing lush rice fields and seeing ducks and water buffalo swimming in the rivers. It’s hard to imagine that this area was once devastated by bombs and mines during the war when Cu Chi was a “free target zone.”

DAY 13: MEKONG DELTA FULL DAY (B, L)

My Tho - At 8:00 am, leave the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and start your trip to My Tho, a town on the left side of the Mekong River. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, dating back to the late 19th century.

Mekong Delta - Embark on a boat on the Mekong River and travel downstream along Dragon Island to observe daily river activities like fishing and fish farming, and cross the 3 km wide river.

Next, navigate through the Xep canal to a village, visit local industries, and stop at a farmer’s house to enjoy fruits, honey tea, and local music. Travel by horse cart and switch to a small rowing boat on the river.

Lunch at a local riverside restaurant, enjoying specialties like elephant ear fish and shrimp. The boat tour includes a visit to a coconut candy factory to taste some sweets. In the afternoon, cycle around the village, meet local villagers, and experience daily life in the Mekong Delta.

Return to My Tho by crossing the large river again.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City for an overnight stay.

DAY 14: SAIGON DEPARTURE (B) - AIRPORT DROP OFF

Ho Chi Minh City - After breakfast, enjoy free time for relaxation until your transfer for departure from Saigon. The hotel is available until noon.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

• Tips, Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, personal expense

This trip is organized by Authentic Adventures Vietnam, Immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of Vietnam. Enjoy the breathtaking view from the most beautiful infinity pool in Sapa. Bike to appreciate the striking scenery along the roads in Ninh Binh’s countryside. Take rowing-boat ride with the soundtrack of the river lapping against the oars in TrangAn. Set sail through Halong Bay in style on an elegant cruise. Experience the daily life of locals in Hoian, MeKong Delta

Enjoy a variety of activities, from boat cruises to cave explorations, ensuring an adventure-packed itinerary. Indulge in the flavors of Vietnam with fresh seafood and local specialties.

Elevate your journey with a travel company known for its commitment to authenticity, ensuring a seamless and memorable escape.

Best regards,
Authentic Adventures Vietnam

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.