AD8: Vietnam overland tour 21 days 20 nights

Itinerary in Brief:

Day 1: Ho chi minh arrival
Day 2: Ho chi minh city – Cu chi tunnel (B, L)
Day 3: Ho chi minh – Mekong delta – Caibe floating market (B, L)
Day 4: Ho chi minh – Dalat (B, L)
Day 5: Dalat – Nha trang (B, L)
Day 6: Nha trang island tour (B, L)
Day 7: Nha trang – Buon Ma Thuot – Lak Lake (B, L,D)
Day 8: Lak lake – Pleiku – Kontum (B, L)
Day 9: Kontum – Hoian (B, L)
Day 10: Hoian – Hue (B)
Day 11: Hue – Hanoi overnight on train (B, L)
Day 12: Hanoi (B, L)
Day 13: Hanoi – Mai chau (B, L,D)
Day 14: Mai chau - Son la – Dien Bien Phu (B, L)
Day 15: Dien Bien Phu – Tam Duong (B)
Day 16: Tam Duong – Sapa (B)
Day 17: Sapa – Catcat village (B, L)
Day 18: Lao chai – Tavan villages- night train back Hanoi (B, L)
Day 19:Hanoi – Halong bay on board (B, L, D)
Day 20: Halong – Hanoi (Brunch)
Day 21: Hanoi departure (B)

Itinerary in Details:

Day 1: Ho chi minh arrival
Arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, welcome and transfer to hotel by Asia View Travel guides with signboard, check in, relax. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh. (The first day’s programme can be re- arranged according to your arrival time in Ho chi minh).

Day 2: Ho chi minh city – Cuchi tunnel (B, L)
Morning we continue to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war. Transfer back Ho chi minh city. Afternoon we spend a half day seeing some major sights of the city. We  visit the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office. We continue our trip on to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.

Day 3: Ho chi minh – Mekong delta – Caibe floating market (B, L)

Day 4: Ho chi minh – Dalat (B, L)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Dalat via the National highway 20. Enjoy the smooth drive with the beautiful landscape. Stop for photos at the La Nga lake and the floating village. Visit the Dambri waterfall. Lunch at local restaurant. Proceed to Dalat, The city is set around a lake and surrounded forests, waterfalls and rolling countryside. Visit the tea and coffee plantations in Lien Khuong. Free at leisure in the late afternoon. Overnight at hotel  in Dalat.

Day 5: Dalat – Nha trang (B, L)
Our sightseeing tour of Da Lat takes in the former residence of Emperor Bao Dai, Hang Nga Crazy  House, Tuyen Lam  Lake, the Central Market, the Love Valley and Lam Ty Ni Pagoda. The afternoon, our guide and  driver will take us out of Da Lat and back down the Prenn Pass for a stop at the ''Chicken village". From here we will head east and down the Ngoan Muc pass to the coastal lowlands. Our destination for today is Nha Trang, the country's premier Resort town. This part of the country was once inhabited by an ancient civilization known as the Cham, and our next stop will be at the Po Klong Garai Cham tower. This amazing structure, which has endured the test of time, the elements and indeed war, was built in the 13th century. We will stop for a late lunch en-route and arrive in Nha Trang  late afternoon. At leisure.  Overnight at hotel in Nhatrang.
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Day 6: Nha Trang island tour (B, L)
Start from your hotel to Cau Da port. Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Mieu Island is the first place to visit, many sea species of Nha Trang/Khanh Hoa province make a small ocean world there. Mun Island is the best island for snorkeling where you can see lots of lives colorful corals and fish. Visit a fishing village and taking a fresh lunch at the island. On the way back you will be able to see caves in which the sea swallows make their nest.

Day 7: Nha trang – Buon Ma Thuot – Lak Lake (B,L, D)
The beautiful Ponagar Cham Towers is one of the most interesting sights in Nha Trang .We visit this and  Long Son Pagoda before we head the coast towards the Central Highlands, travelling via the famous town of Buon Ma Thuot to Lak Lake. On arrival, Visit Jun village, enjoy a ride on Lak lake by dug-out canoe for 1 hour to see the local people fishing . Visit M’Lieng village on the other side of the lake. Walk around the village to discover the daily life of the ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands. Ride an elephant for 1 hour. In the evening, there is an option to enjoy Gong music (on own account). Dinner and Over night in long house-on-stilts by Lak lake.

Day 8: Lak Lake  – Pleiku – Kontum ( B, L,D )
After breakfast, we travel by roads along the central highlands and pass  Vietnam's biggest growing coffee area to Pleiku and Komtum, our final destination. The deep contrast of lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil is incredible all along the way with Rubber plantation, Pine plantation, Tea plantation. Arrive in Kontum, we visit the town with the Komtum Seminary, the traditional culture center, the Wooden Church  (a special architecture erected in the 1913 where the priests give office in Bahnar language), Orphange, and some traditional villages Ethnic Minorities: Pleitonghia, Konhngokotu. Overnight in Kontum.

Day 9: Kontum – Hoian (B, L)
The scenic journey continues to Hoi An which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. We make our way past the beautiful mountainous region towards the central coast. A part of the pleasure of travellng in this region is the simple joy of seeing the rice fields and the smiling faces of the people. On arrival in Hoian, check in, relax. Overnight at hotel in Hoian.

Day 10: Hoian – Hue (B )

This morning an interesting walk around the old quarter streets will acquaint us with Hoian's some major landmarks.The ancient architecture of Hoian is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. There are plenty to see in this delightful and tranquil town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market. We visit these on our walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past.
Afternoon we embark on northern bound journey to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The scenic route passes through Da Nang as we are climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the picturesque fishing villages of Lang Co. Arrive in Hue late afternoon, check in, relax.

Day 11: Hue – Hanoi overnight on train (B, L)

This morning we explore Hue, including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. We embark on a boat for cruise upstream on the Perfume River which also gives us a taste of the scenic countryside as well as an enjoyable visit to The beautiful pagoda of Thien Mu. One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc, Emperor Khai Dinh. Transfer to the train station for an overnight journey to Hanoi. The train conditions are basic ; we travel in soft sleeper class which is a compartment for up to four people. Overnight on train.

Day 12: Hanoi (B, L)

The train journey arrives in Hanoi this morning. Pick up, transfer to hotel for breakfast and freshen up. We then spend a full day in Vietnam's capital. We start city tour  with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh ( Close on Monday, Friday & November), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with the impressive Ethnology Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit the, Quan Thanh Temple, West lake, the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple. Do the walking tour around the 36 streets of the Hanoi old quarter to learn more about simple life of Hanoian. Enjoy water puppet show- a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers, and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

 Day 13 ; Hanoi – Mai chau ( B, L,D )
Afterbreakfast at hotel, pick up and drive to Mai Chau, in Hoa Binh province. This scenic area is home to many hill tribes, including the Dzao, Muong and Thai. We arrive in Pom Koong, a village of the ‘White Thai’, who predominantly inhabit the area. Lunch in Mai Chau, walk around the Mai Chau valley to visit the villages of Thai people with house on stilt, embroidery art and home stay with hill tribe people, enjoy their common life and activities. We have dinner and spend the night in the houses of the local people.  You can enjoy a traditional dance ( by your own ) and drink the local rice wine, called Ruou Can. Overnight at local house.

Day 14: Mai chau – Dien Bien Phu (B, L)
Drive to Son La, a stop in Moc Chau with hundreds of giant grass farm for cows...visit the ancient prison in the French war period. Stop for lunch in Tuan Giao. Continue on to Dien Bien Phu, crossing over the Phan Din Pass, known as the highest and longest pass in Viet Nam with an altitude of 1,500m. At the middle of the pass, we visit a multi-ethnic primary school and a village of White H’mong hill tribe where children in colorful traditional clothing welcome us with warm smiles. We continue to Dien Bien Phu, the site of decisive battle in Viet Nam’s struggle for independence from the French in 1954. Overnight at hotel in Dien Bien 

Day 15: Dien Bien – Tam Duong ( B )
This morning  we visit famous sites of Indochina War, the Ellianne Hill and the War museum which detail the events that took place. The relics from the battle including old French tanks and artillery pieces are displayed. Of special interest is the reconstruction of the bunker where the French commander, Colonel de Castries, surrendered to Viet Minh forces. Heading out of the town, guide and car take you throughout Lai Chau for Tam Duong. The roads are difficult at times, but the spectacular landscape with a mixture of terraced fields and hill villages makes the hardship all worthwhile. On the way, we have some opportunities to encounter the Red Hmong, Kho Mu, Mang, Dao people who still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress.We arrive in Tam Duong by late afternoon, check in hotel, relax.

Day 16: Tam Duong – Sapa  ( B )
The scenery of the north is unequalled although the conditions are very simple. After breakfast we set off on a half day drive following the mountain roads to Sa Pa, our final destination. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sapa was founded in the early years of the last century as a hill resort for French administrators when the heat on the plain became unbearable. We arrive in Sapa by mid afternoon and can soak up the fresh climate as much as we want by spending our time wandering this famous hill town. The ethnic people are frequently seen on the main street of Sapa and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. Overnight in SaPa.

Day 17: Sapa – Catcat village (B, L )

After breakfast, we visit the bustling Sa Pa Market where the Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay and Xa Pho ethnic minorities converge from the nearby mountainsides and valleys to trade their goods and buy provisions. The Phan Si Pan Range boasts Vietnam's highest mountain and lends an alpine feel to the area surrounding this hill station. This afternoon at 1pm from the hotel there will be a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, and Sansaho village home to the H'mong  hill tribes minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

Day 18: Lao chai – Tavan villages - night train back Hanoi (B, L)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel Embark on a lovely  walk  that will take us along small paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Tavan, home to H'mong, and Dzay people. This is a absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. Stopping for a picnic lunch on the way at a family in Ta Van village. Opportunity to meet with local people and study the art of making batik and local weaving villages - study textile tradition of craft women o Black H'mong and Red Dzao. Transfer back to Laocai for night train back Hanoi. Overnight on train.

Day 19: Hanoi – Halong bay on board (B, L, D)
The train arrive in Hanoi around 5:30AM. Please find your way by foot back to a mini hotel near the Tran Quy Cap station gate to have shower and basic set menu breakfast. 8:30 Am start a 3.5 hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Overnight on Junk.

Day 20: Halong – Hanoi (Brunch)
Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi, free rest of the time. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 21: Hanoi departure (B)
Breakfast at hotel, free time until  transfer to  the airport for your  departure flight. Say goodbye Vietnam.

Thank you for traveling with Asia View Travel.

Accommodation Options

Tour includes:
• All accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels and local house as stated in the itinerary
• 2 days 1 night cruise on HalongBay ( private cabin - Sharing boat )
• 2 nights on train with soft sleep 4 berth/ cabin
•  All tours & transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle or Jeep as stated in the itinerary
• Private English or French speaking guide
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary with local foods (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Boat cruise as stated
• Train ticket with soft sleep 4 berth/cabin Hue – Hanoi, Lao Cai - Hanoi
• Entrance fees and permits for all sights visited
• Mineral water & towel
• Government taxes & Service charges
 
Tour excludes:
• International flights to and from Vietnam
• Vietnam visa arrangement (upon request visa on arrival at 15 USD, not including stamping fee at 25 USD)
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Kayak in Halong Bay
• Personal travel insurance (Compulsory)
• Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills
• Tips and gratuities

What to bring:

• Sun Block
• Wide brim hat
• Camera + Film
• Comfortable shoes
• Rain gear
• Warm clothes
• Insect Repellent
• Original Passport