The Essence of Vietnam Tour Package spans over 16 days and takes you through the vibrant cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and the charming towns of Sapa, Hoi An, and Nha Trang. This comprehensive tour showcases the best of Vietnam’s rich culture, history, and natural beauty, as you explore bustling city streets, awe-inspiring natural landscapes, and ancient temples. From the stunning rice terraces of Sapa to the sandy beaches of Nha Trang, this tour provides an unforgettable experience of Vietnam’s diverse regions. Throughout the tour, you’ll stay in comfortable hotels and be accompanied by Golden Lotus Travel‘s knowledgeable guides who will provide insightful commentary on the country’s rich cultural history.
Hanoi – Noi Bai International Airport (Google Map)
1 hour before departure
Warmly welcome on arrival Hanoi airport. Transfer to hotel. At leisure. Afternoon private walking city tour to visit local market. Evening enjoy water puppet show. Welcome dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.
Full day City Tour in Hanoi – Vietnam ‘s artistic and intellectual capital. Explore the fascinating Old Quarter and its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquerware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more.
Enjoy people watching at stylish cafes. Shop for impressive modern art in the city’s many galleries. Also visit Hanoi ‘s main cultural attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his House on Stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature. Your adventure trip to Sapa begins with an overnight train from Vietnam’s capital city to the border town of Lao Cai. Overnight on train.
Early arrives at Lao Cai station at approximately 6:00 am. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer us to Sapa. The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1.5 hours.
Once at Sapa, we will check-in hotel (Early check-in subject to availability). Have breakfast at the hotel restaurant then enjoy a free time to explore around town. At 10 a.m. from the hotel there will be a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, 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 in Sapa.
Following breakfast at we explore the Sapa daily market and then set out on our 3-4 hour trek that will take us along buffalo paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Tavan, home to H’mong, and Dzay people. This is an absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. Picnic lunch on the way at a family in Ta Van village. Overnight in Sapa.
Following breakfast, we drive to explore the Bac Ha Sunday market – the most interesting hill tribe market in Asia. Visit some villages of H’Mong people before we transfer back to Lao Cai for the train journey back to Hanoi. Overnight on train.
Arrived early in Hanoi . Pick up and transfer to the hotel. Free at leisure.
In the afternoon taking part in a cooking class and enjoy dinner prepared by you. Overnight in Hanoi.
In the morning you will drive to Halong Bay City, approximately 3 hours away. Once at Halong Bay City you are welcome on board for a four-hour cruise on the stunning bay, stopping along the way to visit one of the limestone caves in the area. As you are cruising, the boat crew will serve you a sumptuous local seafood lunch. After 4 hour navigation you sail back to harbor and rejoin car back to your hotel in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Free until transfer to airport for flight to Danang. Pick up and Hoi An. Afternoon tour of Marble Mountains and Cham Museum or ruins in My Son. Overnight in Hoi An.
Enjoy a free day at leisure in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.
At leisure or optional tour to the former Imperial Capital Hue. Overnight in Hoi An.
Transfer and flight to Nha Trang for three-night stay. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Free at leisure. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Free at leisure. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Transfer and flight to Ho Chi Minh City for two-night stay. Afternoon private city touring by cyclo. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Option 1: Mekong Delta on Cai Be Princess
Our one day cruise excursion starts at 8:00 from the lobby of your hotel in Saigon with a drive to Cai Be – Phu An where we will board the Cai Be Princess at around 11.00 am. The tour will start with the visit of Cai Be colorful floating market. We will proceed by visiting some local home factories such as rice paste making, rice popcorn, coco candies, and longans drying processing.
The trip continues along the Mekong canals to Dong Hoa Hiep Island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. During these 40 minutes cruise you will discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong Delta rural life. Stops on the way can be made upon request for particular visits or photos making. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people.
Lunch awaits you at Le Longanier restaurant at La Residence de Phu An resort, a superb Indochine style resort. After a short walk along a narrow canal, the excursion will end at around 3.30pm where the vehicle will await you for your transfer back to Saigon .
Option 2: Cao Dai Temple & Cu Chi Underground tunnels
This morning we drove to Cao Dai Temples in Tay Ninh. Cao Dai Holy See Temple is the cathedral of the CaoDai tourism religion with the Divine Eye – official symbol of Caodaism. Cao Dai followers worship Jesus Christ, Confucius, Taoism, and Buddha. Time to observe the midday service.
Following lunch we will drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels – Cu Chi Tunnels consist of more than 200km of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War. Afternoon free at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
There is no activity planned for today. Enjoy your free time for souvernir shopping until transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
I cannot express enough how much I loved the Essence of Vietnam Tour Package! From the idyllic beaches of Nha Trang to the enchanting city of Hoi An, every moment was unforgettable. The accommodations were excellent, and the activities were engaging and educational. This tour exceeded all of my expectations and left me with memories that will last a lifetime.
The Essence of Vietnam Tour Package was an exceptional way to discover the various facets of Vietnam. We explored the bustling cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, marveled at the stunning rice terraces of Sapa, and fell in love with the charming town of Hoi An. The tour was expertly organized, and the guides were knowledgeable and attentive. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking an authentic and immersive Vietnamese experience.
The Essence of Vietnam Tour Package was an incredible adventure that took us from the bustling city streets of Hanoi to the tranquil mountain town of Sapa. Our guides were knowledgeable and welcoming, and the itinerary was expertly crafted. I would wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a comprehensive and memorable Vietnamese experience.
