Highlights of Vietnam – 20 Days

This tour operated by Hanoi local tour will take us from stately Hanoi, the World Heritage site Halong Bay to the ethnic minority tribes in Sapa, explore the cultural Hue city, the enchant Hoi An Ancient Town, the city never sleeps – Ho Chi Minh City, and the floating world in Mekong Delta. The tour lets us witness the most stunning landscapes, historical sites, colorful minority cultures, and meet friendly people.

General Information

Tour Route: Hanoi - Sapa - Halong Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - Cu Chi Tunnels - Mekong Delta
Duration: 20 Days/ 19 Nights
Departure Date: Any Time You Wish
Start/ End: Hanoi/ Saigon

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour
Day 3: Free Day in Hanoi – Night Train to Sapa
Day 4 - 5: Sapa Town
Day 6: Sapa – Back to Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Day 8: Halong Bay on Deluxe Cruise
Day 9: Halong Kayaking & Karst Formation Exploration
Day 10: Hanoi – Night Train to Hue
Day 11 - 12: Deep inside Hue
Day 13: Hue – Hoi An Ancient Town
Day 14: Free Day in Hoi An
Day 15: Hoi An – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Day 16: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels – Tay Ninh
Day 17: Mekong Delta Exploration
Day 18: Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City
Day 19: Free Day in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 20: Ho Chi Minh Departure

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam! Right upon arrival, you will be greeted by our local guide and driver, then transferred to the hotel for relaxation after a long flight. Enjoy the welcome dinner at a restaurant serving the fine Vietnamese traditional cuisine. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B, L, D)

Start your day with pickup at around 8.30 am after breakfast by the local guide followed by an interesting Hanoi City Tour. Hanoi, the heart of the North with a variety of historical sites as well as unique culinary. Embark the route to visit Ho Chi Minh Complex and the Temple of Literature, two main highlights of “must-visit” places in Hanoi. We then stop to savor lunch at a local fine restaurant.

In the afternoon, we visit the Ethnology Museum, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and then transfer to the West Lake area where has Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda. After that, we experience a one-hour cyclo tour to travel around the Old Quarter, capture the daily life of Hanoians. Later on, spend one hour to watch the Water Puppet Show in the theater right nearby Hoan Kiem Lake. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Free Day in Hanoi – Night Train to Sapa (B)

A wonderful day to relax, free shopping, and delve into Hanoi in your way. The night train will start at around 9.00 pm. Meet the guide and then transfer to Hanoi Railway Station to the overnight train to Sapa, which is famous as “heaven on the cloud”. Overnight on the sleeper berth cabins.

Day 4, 5: Sapa Town (B, L, D)

Arriving Lao Cai in the very early morning, then transfer the 35km drive to the former hill station of Sapa. We have time to refresh, and ready for the upcoming activities.

Embark on a walk to Cat Cat Valley, passing through some H’ mong villages en route. Later on, we have a short drive to the Red Dao village of Ta Phin nestled in the picturesque valley. The next site of the two-day in Sapa is a small village called Ta Van. It’s inhabited by the Tay minority. Here we will be the guests in a traditional homestay.

Also, you can spend time to conquer the peak of Fansipan Mount in Sapa, which is considered as the heaven on the cloud and so magnificent with stunning nature.
Overnight at homestay in Sapa.

Day 6: Sapa – Back to Hanoi (B, L, D)

We continue the trek through the stunning scenery passing through several ethnic villages along the way. Back to Sapa to release weariness after the hard travel.
In the afternoon, hop on a drive to Lao Cai and overnight soft sleeper train back to Hanoi.

Day 7: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B)

We’re in Hanoi very early in the morning and transfer to the restaurant for our breakfast and relax transferring to the hotel. Relax in the hotel.

Day 8: Halong Bay on Deluxe Cruise (B, L, D)

Depart from the capital for the deluxe cruise in Halong Bay within three hours. We have a short stop en route at the Sao Do center running for the handicapped children.

It’s approximately midday, we arrive in Halong Bay and transfer to the cruise. Right when we settle in, we can begin the cruise around the stunning Halong Bay accompanied by a delicious lunch. After lunch, we have a chance to explore some of the limestone caves dotted around the Bay. Relish in the time in here, there stand many activities such as swimming in the clear water, kayaking through the formation karst. In the evening, there is a splendid meal consisting of fresh seafood dishes as well as traditional Vietnamese dishes while we’re in the heart of the bay.

Day 9: Halong Kayaking & Karst Formation Exploration (B, L, D)

Get up early and join Tai Chi Exercise to charge energy for a full day exploration Halong Bay. This morning will continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas.

For people who wish to do more kayaking, the option is to spend most of the morning with the kayaks and rendezvous with the cruise for lunch. The kayaks are lightweight and easy to use and in keeping with our safety policies and all participants will be issued with water buoyancy vests.
As the sun slowly goes down, it’ great to relax in the cruise with drink and gaze the natural splendor of the day. Savor the tasty meal on board.

Day 10: Hanoi – Night Train to Hue (B, L, D)

After savoring the breakfast on board in Halong Bay, we will then return to the main harbor before transfer to the awaiting vehicle for a three-hour journey back to Hanoi. Tonight we will take the overnight train to Hue – soft sleeper 4 berth cabins with air-conditioning.

Day 11, 12: Deep inside Hue (B, L, D)

After check-in & enjoy the breakfast at the hotel in Hue, we will visit the Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, and Dong Ba Market. We next cruise along the Perfume River in Hue to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and other tourist destinations in Hue. Overnight in Hue.

Day 13: Hue – Hoi An Ancient Town (B, L, D)

After savor breakfast at the hotel, jump into the vehicle travel along the scenic highway 1A to Hoi An, the ancient beauty of Vietnam. Along the way, we stop to sightsee the stunning views from North to Lang Co Beach, South to Da Nang city. Da Nang is renowned for Cham Museum, China Beach – where America named and used to have rest and relaxation. Visit the Marble Mountain – the five elements of the Universe (including water, wood, water, fire, and earth). We will arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon and then relax before dinner. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 14: Free Day in Hoi An (B)

After breakfast, embark on the tour at the meeting point. We visit Hoi An colorful market and experience the amazing sights, sounds, and the special aromas of the busy market. We have the opportunity to interact with the locals and purchase some goods. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 15: Hoi An – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, D)

Relax in the morning and then fly to Ho Chi Minh City, the dynamic city in Vietnam.

Day 16: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels – Tay Ninh (B, L, D)

In the morning, leave the city for the Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the best highlights to visit. It’s the historic artifacts since Vietnam – UK war, also known as the “Iron Triangle” or “Iron Land”. We will drive through the pleasant countryside, the rubber plantations, and the rice paddies. Have time to explore the maze of tunnels, which have been widened to allow tourist access. There are a variety of mantras and the remains of an American tank, and numerous bomb craters by 500lb bombs dropped by B52 bombers, which are all on display.

After lunch, we drive to Tay Ninh near the Cambodia border, home to the unique Cao Dai sect. Join in Cao Dai worshippers for the daily noontide ceremony. Return to Ho Chi Minh for overnight accommodation.

Day 17: Mekong Delta Exploration (B, L, D)

After a light breakfast in the morning, we depart Ho Chi Minh for Cai Be Town where we can take the boat ride through the natural canal, witness the stilt houses and the fruit plantation along the riversides. Cai Be wholesale fruit market is known as the most colorful floating market in Mekong Delta.

After lunch, we continue the tour on cruising through the natural canal in this island, under the shadow of the coconut trees. Also, we visit the local family where can experience the agricultural lifestyle. Walkthrough the fruit plantation in An Binh Island, we will undergo the rowing boat ride along the creeks before coming to Vinh Long province by motorized boat. Then we transfer to the awaiting vehicle to drive to Can Tho. Overnight in Can Tho.

Day 18: Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, D)

Say hello to the new day, enjoy the tasty breakfast, we will then take the morning trip to Cai Rang floating market with the bustling sense at the same time. Then we keep on cruising through the small channels system, visit the rice noodles making a village. Let’s try to experience the “Monkey Bridge” in the Mekong Delta before returning Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 19: Free Day in Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, D)

Free to relax as well as many other personal activities before the farewell dinner on the cruise on the Saigon River.

Day 20: Ho Chi Minh City Departure

After breakfast, the driver will take you to the airport for the flight home. The 20-day Vietnam tour ends. If you are concerned this suggested itinerary, click to the Free Enquiry This Tour for free check all details and the budget the tour will range from.