Vietnam Explorer - 16 days/15 nights

Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Sa Pa - Hoi An - Hue - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Experience the pristine beauty of the mountains and coast up close on this tour with short treks and sea kayaking, while starting and ending in the historically famous cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Private local guides with a passion for the history of their country make this an unforgettable trip.

• Itinerary
• Rates
• Book This Tour

Privately-Guided! Whether you are a single person, a couple, or a group, you'll have your own guide and driver for all airport pickups, drop offs, and daily excursions. 
 
Choose Your Own Dates! This is not a fixed-departure-date tour. Just let us know the dates that work best for you and we will arrange everything.
 
Customizable! Need more time? Less time? Want to see or do something that isn't included? Just let us know, and we will arrange it for you and let you know the change in costs.
 
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Trip Highlights

• Kayaking in UNESCO World Heritage Site Halong Bay
• A traditional Water Puppet Show in Hanoi
• Mekong Delta cruise aboard the Cai Be Princess
• A visit to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels

Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrive Hanoi
Arrive at the Hanoi airport where you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2:  Hanoi
Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards, and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is an attractive city with French-colonial style buildings and less traffic than other cities in Asia. In the morning take a cyclo trip from the charming Old Quarter of Hanoi to the French Quarter where you’ll discover why this city is called the “Paris of the East.” Proceed to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - the symbol of the country – then to the Presidential Palace, Presidential Garden, his House on Stilts and One Pillar Pagoda. After that, visit the Temple of Literature. After lunch, visit the Ethnology Museum where you can see the outline of the 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam. In the evening, attend a traditional Water Puppet Show, a fantastic art form originating in northern Vietnam, showing at the Municipal Water Puppet Theater on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake. Overnight in Hanoi. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3:  Hanoi to Halong Bay
After breakfast at your hotel, depart for Halong Bay through the Red River Delta and board a traditional Vietnamese junk for a two night cruise through Halong Bay. Upon arrival to Halong, embark on the junk and set sail through the bay while lunch is served. Pass into the picturesque “Dragon descending to the sea” Bay, which has 1,969 limestone islets rising from the sea.  Pass Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Sung Sot Cave, before stopping at Titov Beach for a swim. Dinner is served on the boat as the sun sets. Sea kayaks are available on board for your use. Overnight on the junk. (All meals)

Day 4:  Halong Bay
Today journey across Halong Bay, visiting Tortoise Island and Man’s Head Island before embarking on a small bamboo boat to explore Luon Cave. Enjoy lunch on board before stopping at Ba Ham Lake and Three Peaches Beach. The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure for fishing and relaxing before dinner is served on board. Overnight on the junk. (All meals)

Day 5:  Halong Bay to Hanoi to Lao Cai
Enjoy breakfast on board, while continuing to cruise around the waters of the bays before returning to the pier just before noon to disembark. On the way back to Hanoi, visit Tho Ha village. Take a short ferry ride to visit a local home and watch a rice paper making demonstration. Walk to a 400 year old pagoda and spend some time exploring the village’s narrow alleys and old houses constructed from broken pieces of terracotta. Continue on to Hanoi where you will board the Victoria Express overnight train to Lao Cai. The journey takes 10 hours. Overnight on the train. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6:  Lao Cai to Sapa
Upon arrival at the Lao Cai train station, be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Sapa. After breakfast, you will have a chance to walk around to discover the town in the morning before enjoying lunch at Hoa Sua Restaurant. In the afternoon take a hike to visit Cat Cat and Sin Chai, the villages of the H'mong people. Overnight in Sapa. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 7:  Sapa
Explore the dramatic countryside around Sapa, visiting some of the local villages that nestle in the valleys and hillsides around Sapa such as Lao Chai and Tavan. This area is inhabited mainly by the Black H’mong and Red Dzao peoples, as well as the Tay. Return to Sapa for lunch at Chapa Restaurant. In the afternoon you'll have the option of visiting Taphin, the village of the Red Dzao people, or climb up Han Rong Mountain, a beautiful hike with a great view of the Fansipan summit and Sapa town, or have the rest of the day at leisure to explore the town on your own. Overnight in Sapa. (Breakfast, Lunch)
 
Day 8:  Sapa to Hanoi 
Today you'll return to Hanoi by vehicle. The rest of the day is free for your own activities such as an evening walk around the romantic Hoan Kiam Lake in the center of Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi. (Breakfast, Lunch)

*Note you can also return to Hanoi by the overnight train the evening of Day 7 and have Day 8 as a free day in Hanoi.
 
Day 9:  Hanoi to Danang to Hoi An 
Transfer to the airport for your flight from Hanoi to Danang. Upon arrival in Danang, you'll be met and transferred by vehicle to Hoi An, about a 45 minute drive past Marble Mountains and small villages. Spend your afternoon on a walking tour of this picturesque riverside town. Overnight in Hoi An. (Breakfast)
 
Day 10:  Hoi An to Hue 
In the morning, take a cyclo trip to the rural area of Hoi An. Follow the Thu Bon river bank and enjoy the view of Hoi An town from across the river. See some villages before taking a boat trip on the Thu Bon River, where you will have a chance to see the daily life of local people along the river. After lunch drive to Danang and visit the Cham Museum, which hosts the largest collection of Cham artifacts in the world. Continue to Hue along the famous China Beach and Hai Van Pass. Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years. It houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices. After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Hue. (Breakfast, Lunch)
 
Day 11:  Hue 
Morning take a cyclo trip from your hotel over famous Trang Tien bridge and Dong Ba market. The cyclo will take you around the ancient Imperial Citadel of Hue, through the streets and past the local shops for an overview of daily life of this famous citadel. Stop at the Noon Gate for a walking tour inside the citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. See the Flag Tower, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, and the Forbidden Purple City. After lunch visit Tu Doc Tomb before driving to Thien Mu Pagoda, the symbol of Hue city. On the way back, take a walk around Kim Long village where you can visit the original ancient house of the former mandarin, mingle with local people and experience their daily activities in the village. Overnight in Hue (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 12:  Hue to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Upon arrival you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the largest city in Vietnam. There are street markets, pavement cafes, and sleek new cafes and pubs. The city churns and bubbles with activity. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. In the afternoon, visit the major sights including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the War Remnants Museum. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). (Breakfast, Lunch)
 
Day 13:  Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 
After breakfast, take an excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh. Cu Chi was an important base during the American War because of its strategic location. The Vietcong built a 200km long network of tunnels connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Dug out of hard laterite by hand tools without the use of cement, this amazing network was never discovered. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). (Breakfast, Lunch)
 
Day 14:  Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Can Tho
Today transfer to Cai Be and board the Cai Be Princess to the colorful Cai Be Floating Market, then visit some local home factories to discover traditional rice paste making, rice pop corn, coco candies and longyans drying process. After enjoying a great lunch at a superb Indochina villa, Le Longanier, located in a lush garden by the river, your sampan will cruise to Dong Hoa Hiep while you observe the typical Mekong Delta rural life. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people. Visit an ancient mandarin house from the 19th century and enjoy a cup of tea with the family. Proceed to Vinh Long, passing beautiful landscapes along Dong Phu canal and the islands famous for their fruit orchards. Stops can be made at An Binh ancient church or at Tam Ho bonsais garden. After crossing the Co Chien River, the excursion will end at Vinh Long. Drive to Can Tho and check into your hotel. Overnight in Can Tho (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 15:  Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 
After an early breakfast, go by boat to the Cai Rang Floating Market, the largest and most bustling of the Mekong Delta markets. Cai Rang is best explored in the early morning hours, before 9am. Fruit and vegetable vendors assemble from all over, hanging samples of their wares on long poles above. After exploring the market, visit the bustling land market and the local factory that processes rice from the Mekong Delta. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). The rest of the day is free for last minute shopping or other activities on your own. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). (Breakfast, Lunch)
 
Day 16:  Departure
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (Breakfast)

Rates

Per Person Rates (based on double occupancy):
Prices good through May 31, 2011

4-star Hotels: $3,345
5-star Hotels: $4,690
 
Single Person Rates
4-star Hotels: $5,955
5-star Hotels: $8,565
 
Single Room Supplement (in groups of 2 or more)
4-star Hotels: $1315
5-star Hotels: $2,575
 
Rates Include

• All airport transfers to and from hotel
• All tours and excursions as outlined in the itinerary
• In-country flights as outlined in the itinerary
• All surface transportation as per the itinerary by an air conditioned car
• Hotel accommodation on twin sharing bed & breakfast basis inclusive of all taxes and service charges
• All meals during the cruise on Halong Bay
• Services of a local English speaking guide for all visits and excursions

 
Rates Do Not Include

• International airfare
• Visa fees
• Airport departure taxes
• Tips
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Dinners except on the Ha Long Bay cruise
• Supplements for stays during peak seasons or holidays such as Christmas or New Year's Eve and mandatory gala dinners at the hotels on those dates

Hotels

To Book This Tour

1. Download, print, and fill out the Reservation Form for each person.
2. Fax the form to 206-529-4803, or mail it with your non-refundable $500 per person deposit to:
   
   Red Lantern Journeys
   1000 N. Northlake Way
   Suite H Seattle, WA 98103
   
   
3. Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made less than 75 days prior to departure, full payment will be due upon confirmation of hotels and flights.

 
Payments must be made by personal check, bank wire transfer, or credit card. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will initiate the reservations and send you a statement showing your payment. Approximately 4 weeks prior to your departure, we will send you a final confirmation package containing your itinerary and detailed information on the logistics of your trip.
 
Forms to Download (pdf file)
Reservation Form with Complete Terms and Conditions