Absolute Vietnam tour

THROUGH ABSOLUTE VIETNAM TOUR, YOU WILL DISCOVER

Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City

Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer by private car to your hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City tour (B, L)

Today you will have a full day city tour. First drive to Cholon, known as Chinatown district to discover the markets and the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda – dedicated to worship the goddess of the Sea. Visit Vietnam’s first traditional medicine museum, the FITO Museum where there is an amazing collection of 3,000 items related to the development of Vietnamese traditional medicine.

Get back to the city center, visit of Ben Thanh market which offer an incredible fresh produce on displays. Walk through the market to explore the variety of goods for sale.

In the afternoon, pay visit to the War Remnants museum then the former Presidential Palace. Stroll to the major colonial area of Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly known as Rue Catinat), the Opera House and the nearby City Hall.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi tunnels – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)

Depart Ho Chi Minh City at 8AM for the drive to Tay Ninh. Upon arrival, visit the Cao Dai great temple at Tay Ninh, with its flamboyant architecture, where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious mosaic.

In the afternoon, visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels which once were the head quarter of the Viet Cong, consist of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. In the late afternoon journey back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)

This morning, after breakfast, depart from bustling Ho Chi Minh City for the 2-hour journey to the delta Cai Be town.

On arrival, board the boat for a cruise in the delta’s waterways. Start the journey by passing by Cai Be’s floating market. Then, continue to visit some local factories before return to the boat to cruise to Dong Hoa Hiep Island, here, enjoy the scenery and the river life of the local villagers along the way. Lunch is at a local Mekong-style meal with specialties of the area.

Following the cruise drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City – Dalat – Half day tour (B)

This morning take a short flight to Dalat. In the afternoon pay a visit to Bao Dai’s Summer Palace that is located on a hill just outside the main center. Bao Dai was the last Emperor of the Vietnam’s Nguyen dynasty and he left the country in 1954. It is a classic example of art deco that is a tourist attraction in itself. Continue to visit an old railway station with its old steam locomotive in French style. Next, visit Xuan Huong lake and Lam Ty Ni pagoda. End the tour at the town’s bustling central market, renowned for its fresh vegetables and fruit that is rarely found in a tropical country.

Overnight in Dalat.

Day 6: Dalat – Nha Trang – Half day tour (B, L)

In the morning, leave Dalat and drive to the coastal city of Nha Trang. Drive on a panoramic route down a lush mountain pass the coastal plains of Central Vietnam.

In the afternoon take a half day city tour of Nha Trang to visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers, the Alexander Yersin Museum, the ‘XQ’ workshop where exquisite handmade embroideries, Long Son Pagoda, with its enormous white Buddha statue and the lively and highly colourful Dam Market.

Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 7: Nha Trang – Half day boat trip to the islands (B, L)

Take a morning boat trip on Nha Trang Bay to visit some of the nearby islands to swim and snorkel in the clear warm water. Along the way, visit nearby villages or simply relax on the boat’s deck. After a fresh seafood lunch on ‘Bamboo Island’, return to Nha Trang City.

Free time at leisure in the afternoon.

Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 8: Nha Trang – Fly to Danang – Hoi An – Half day visit (B)

Today take a flight to Danang. Upon arrival, transfer to Hoi An ancient town, UNESCO Heritage and well-preserved major Asian trading port of the 17th and 18th centuries, where architecture and peaceful lifestyle has changed very little over the years.

Have a walking tour of the ancient town to discover Tan Ky ancient house, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colourful market.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An (B, L)

Spend the morning to visit My Son, the capital and the religion centre of the former Champa Kingdom. It is a complex consisting of several Champa monuments, located in a valley about 2 km in diameter, surrounded by hills. My Son was one of the centers of Hindu temples in Southeast Asia region and is the only UNSECO heritage of this type in Vietnam.

Spend free time at leisure in the afternoon.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 10: Hoi An – Danang – Hue (B, L)

Today, leave Hoi An for Hue on the picturesque coastal journey. After a short drive from Hoi An, arrive Danang city and visit the Cham museum which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds (Hai Van Pass) and dropping down to the beautiful fishing village of Lang Co. Arrive Hue in the afternoon.

Hue is the former imperial capital of Vietnam. It is the only place that preserves many historical, cultural, architectural and artistic values of the whole country.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 11: Hue city tour (B, L)

Start your day at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty reigned between 1802 and 1945. From here take a cyclo ride through“Old City” to Tinh Tam lake where Emperors used to come to relax.

After the citadel, drive to Thien Mu pagoda (Celestial Lady pagoda) shadowing in the Perfume River. Continue to former emperor Minh Mang’s tomb located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds.

Spend time to walk around Dong Ba market with your guide! The market is one of the must-see destinations in Hue: The material culture of Hue remains so far can be found in the Dong Ba market, and also traditional Hue dishes. The market has become a hub for international restaurants and hotels selling Hue specialties to tourists.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 12: Hue – Fly to Hanoi – Half day tour (B)

After breakfast, take a short flight to Hanoi. In the afternoon, take a half day guided tour of the city!
Firstly, visit the Temple of Literature built in 1070 and Quoc Tu Giam (built in 1076) – Vietnam’s first university which was established to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. Over the past 1,000 years, through the ups and downs of time and history, the relics still retain the architecture of the Le and the Nguyen Dynasty.

Continue to visit the exciting Ethnology Museum (closed on Mondays), which is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.

Lately, walk around Hanoi’s Old Quarter through vibrant Hang Be market and around Hoan Kiem lake. Considered to be the cradle of ancient things, the memory of a time still intact the lines and calm, it has become the reason why many travelers visit this place once in a lifetime.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 13: Hanoi – Duong Lam village (B, L)

Today set off from Hanoi and travel west, passing through the scenic North Red River Delta on the 1.5 hour drive. Arrive Duong Lam ancient village and have a great chance to discover the special architecture through its surviving laterite brick ancient houses built 3 or 4 centuries ago. Upon arrival firstly, visit Mia Pagoda, built in the 15th century. Admire the 287 statues of all size and material like wood, mud and bronze. Following, visit Mong Phu commune house, then walk through the brick alleyways to see the old laterite houses which make the village more special and charming. For lunch, enjoy a local style meal in a rustic hundreds-year old house. Before returning to Hanoi, make a stop at a local family and get hands-on making rice straw puppet and “Che Lam” (rice cake) – a rustic specialty of this home town. Transfer back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 14: Hanoi – Half day street food tour – Overnight train to Lao Cai (B, L)

This tour begins at 9AM: exploring a local “wet market”. The market is always busy with shoppers buying ingredients for the day’s meals.

Hop into a local food alleyway and enjoy a bowl of “Pho”, Vietnam’s national dish. Slurp a bowl of this delicious noodle soup at a popular local shop, getting a first taste of Hanoi’s culinary culture.

Wander through smaller lane ways where vendors set up shop along the roadside. Grab a small stool and sample typical Hanoi dishes of “banh xeo” crispy pancake, and bun cha, fresh rice noodles with grilled pork.
Then walk off some of the food with a stroll through the bustling Old Quarter. Find a street side café and taste a cup of traditional Vietnamese coffee while people watching.

With a full belly and better understanding of Vietnamese gastronomy, return to the hotel.

Free time at leisure in the afternoon.

This evening transfer to Hanoi train station for the overnight train to Lao Cai, the gateway to Sapa.

Overnight on the train in a soft sleeper 4 berth cabin (can be upgraded to 2 berth cabin with a supplement).

Day 15: Lao Cai – Local market – Sapa (B, L)

Arrive in Lao Cai train station in the early morning, welcomed by your guide and driver then drive to visit a local market. (Coc Ly on Tuesday, Cao Son on Wednesday, Lung Khau Nhin on Thursday, Can Cau on Saturday, Bac Ha on Sunday). Here see mostly Flower Hmong, however Black Dao, Nung, Phu La and Tay minority ethnic groups also gather here. At the market there are variety of local products offered for sale which not found in other areas such as an interesting animal market where pot-bellied pigs, horses, cows and buffaloes are sold.

Transfer to Sapa then take a walking tour of the town for a visit to the busy market where Black H’Mong, Red Dao, Tay, and other hill tribe people converge from the surrounding villages to sell their silverware and handicrafts. Next, take a light trek through Muong Hoa valley to discover local villages set against the stunning Hoang Lien Son mountain range and Indochina’s highest peak, Mt. Fansipan. A picnic lunch will be served en-route.

Note: Comfortable walking shoes must be worn on treks in Sapa. Note that if the trekking conditions are wet, programs may be diverted.

Overnight in Sapa.

Day 16: Sapa local villages (B, L)

After breakfast, leave Sapa for a 30-minute road transfer to Ban Khoang valley. Enjoy the breathtaking view of Hoang Lien mountain range along the way, also known as The Tonkinese Alps.

The first stop is at Lu Khau village, the home to Red Dzao hill tribe and a few H’mong. Here, explore the village, meet the friendly local people and learn about their culture and unique lifestyle in the countryside.

After lunch, take a soft walk through the charming Ta Giang Phinh valley. Walk on the village path which winds down the impressive valley, home to Blue H’mong hill tribe people. Visit local handicraft workshops, see farmers working with buffaloes.

Head back to Sapa town in the later afternoon.

Overnight in Sapa.

Day 17: Sapa – Hanoi (B)

Spend the morning at leisure until check-out time at 12:00 PM. This afternoon head back to Hanoi by bus.
Arrive in Hanoi late in the evening.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 18: Hanoi – Halong Bay boat cruise (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Then leave Hanoi for a 4-hour scenic drive to Halong Bay. Arrive at the jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After the welcome onboard, a buffet lunch will be served while the boat cruises towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities like visiting the cave or taking a row boat to the floating villages (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just relaxing on the beach. At day’s end, the boat sets anchor for the night among the limestone towering formations. Set dinner is served on board.

Overnight on boat in Halong Bay.

Day 19: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L)

If you wish, get up early to join the crew for a morning Tai Chi lesson on the boat’s sundeck. As the sun rises on Halong Bay, breakfast is served while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi and arrive at around 3.30-4 PM.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Note: The itinerary may be subject to change depending on weather conditions at time of the boat departure.

Day 20: Hanoi – Departure (B)

Enjoy some free time for last minute purchases or simply relax before the transfer to Noi Bai airport for the onward flight.

You might be interested in our Best of Vietnam tour, otherwise look for other interesting options in our Vietnam multi-destination tours.