Vietnam Soft-adventure

Brief Information

Tour type: Private, soft-adventure tour

Hotel options: 2-star; 3-star; 4-star

Duration: 16 days

Departure/end: Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City or vice-versa

Highlights: Hanoi city, Mountain trekking and homestay with hill tribe people, Halong Bay with a romantic night on board, discover Phong Nha cave systems, Hoi An ancient town, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong and Ho Chi Minh city.

Features:
- Various means of transportation: car, train, flight, boat, cyclo
- Different accommodation type: hotel, on train, on boat
- Combination of activities, landscape, life style, climate in different parts in Vietnam.

Price: From US$1127

Brief itinerary and service:

Download brochure of 16-day Vietnam Soft-adventure Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Our driver and tour guide will pick you up at Hanoi airport then transfer to your hotel in Hanoi for check-in. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore a little of downtown and enjoy a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake by yourself.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi city tour
Our full-day city tour begins with a visit to the President Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and residence. We also visit the famous One Pillar Pagoda nearby. Leave the President's complex, we go to the Museum of Ethnology, which is an excellent museum containing the ethnic costumes of the various minorities of Vietnam, as well as relics, tools and even full size replicas of their homes and buildings.
After lunch in a local restaurant, we continue to visit the Temple of Literature which was the first university in Vietnam and was built in 1070. We then take a cyclo tour around the Old Quarter. We will then enjoy the unique performance of Water Puppet show and have dinner at the local restaurant before transferring to the station for night train to Sapa.
Overnight on train to Lao Cai.

Day 3: Lao Cai arrival – Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van
An early morning arrive Lao Cai station. Transfer to Sapa town. We start our trekking with a walk down to the South-west of Sapa (12 km of trekking), visit Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages of the H’Mong minority. After lunch at a local family in Lao Chai or in a drinking shop nearby the river bank, we keep on hiking to Ta Van village of the Dzay where we stay overnight in a local family. Here you have opportunity to experience their daily life, work and original custom.
Homestay at the Dzay local house.

Day 4: Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai – Su Pan - Sapa
14 km walking to visit 2 villages of the red Dzao, the H’Mong (Giang Ta Chai & Su Pan). Visit a beautiful waterfall and rattan bridge. Enjoy landscapes … through bamboo forest on the way to the main road to get the Car to return to Sapa.
Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

Day 5: Bac Ha market – Hanoi
Located at 110 km from Sapa, Bac Ha mountain town is well-known by travelers with the most colorful market of the hill tribes in the North of Vietnam. This every-Sunday-market attended by at least 8 ethnic groups and last from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM. It is also chance for tourists to discover the H’Mong King’s palace (old building built with the French & Chinese style).
In the afternoon, we go for a light trek to visit Ban Pho, the village is home to flower H’Mong minority. We are invited to enter several local houses to have some green tea, corn wine, listen to the host talking about their family, talk to them … and then enjoy landscapes on a roundabout way to Bac Ha for get back to Lao Cai to catch the train to Hanoi.
Overnight on train to Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Meet with local tour guide upon arrival at Hanoi train station in the early morning. Check in a small standard hotel nearby the station to have a bath and breakfast (local dish).
You are picked up at around 8.00am to depart for Halong. Upon arrival the dock, a ferry will be waiting to transfer you to the boat. Enjoy your welcome drink from the boat crew while listening a briefing about itinerary and safety onboard. After checking in your cabin, savor a delectable lunch as the junk cruises further along the Bay passing many limestone islands formed in different shapes emerging unevenly from emerald green water. Having fun with kayak to visit Ba Hang or Luon cave, then continue to visit Amazing cave - one of the most beautiful caves on the Bay. Dinner is served with multiple courses at around 19.00. After that you can join squid fishing or take your own time to socialize with other guests or just laze around. Overnight on board.

Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Dong Hoi
Start your new day with a Tai Chi lesson on sun deck. After breakfast, transferred by ferry to Ti Top Island for swimming or climbing the highest peak to get panorama view over the Bay. Back to the main boat to attend a short cooking class before lunch is served. Enjoy peaceful moment while the boat glides on the Bay till reaching the dock for the trip back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you are free to have dinner on your own until the boarding time for night train to Dong Hoi. Stay overnight on train.

Day 8: Dong Hoi – Phong Nha – Jungle trekking and caving
Meet with local tour guide upon arrival at Dong Hoi train station and transfer to the hotel in Dong Hoi to have some rest and breakfast. Start your trip to Phong Nha National Park at about 8am. Upon arrival at trek point departure, you will start trekking through tropical jungle to come to abandoned valley, a remote area in the National Park. Our guide will tell you many stories about Vietnam – America war when you walk in narrow paths of Ho Chi Minh trail. Continue your trek along the river to reach Hang E cave and have BBQ jungle lunch. After a short break, swim in the crystal clear water to enter and discover this one of the most beautiful river caves in Phong Nha which is still unspoilt. We will come back Ho Chi Minh trail from the valley in a different path and get transfer back to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 9: Discover Paradise cave and Dark cave
After breakfast at hotel, be ready for a new adventure at the National Park. We will first visit Paradise cave, the longest dry cave in Asia. Called “Paradise” because once getting inside, you will feel the wells of heavenly clarity all around with a series of white crystal stalactites resembling glass pillars and many other spectacular formations. Continue your trip to Mooc Spring Eco Trail which is well known for its deep blue water, beautiful rapids, waterfalls and vegetation. At the right time of year the orchid garden will be filled with colorful flowers and exotic birds. Participants will get the chance to relax and save up some energy which will be very useful at the next stop … Dark Cave!
Dark cave was discovered in 1990 and soon became one of the most popular destinations in the area. To enter the cave, tourists will have to take a zip-line ride and then swim about 20 meters in beautiful deep blue water of Chay river which flows through the cave. While exploring the cave, our guide will give you a lot of information about the history of its formation; you will find many ancient fossils which are over a billion year old. If interested, you can try natural mud bath inside the cave that is very healthy for your skin before paddling a kayak to get out. Your car will be waiting for you to transfer you back to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 10: Phong Nha – DMZ - Hue
After breakfast at hotel, leave Dong Hoi for Quang Tri province, visit DMZ (Demilitarized zone) to learn about Vietnam War history of this area. The DMZ is the old border area that divided North and South Vietnam until the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 and was once the bloodiest battle field that killed hundred thousands of soldiers and residences from both sides. Many ruins of old American military base still exist here.
We will visit Ben Hai river, Hien Luong Bridge and Vinh Moc tunnels where entire village ever lived for two and a half year to avoid the intense bombing of American force. After lunch at local restaurant, continue to visit Rock Pile (US marine look-out), Dak Rong Bridge (one of the main branches of the Ho Chi Minh trail), and Khe Sanh Combat Base, the site of a US base which fell under attack in early 1968. The attack of the North Vietnam Army on Khe Sanh was a diversion for the 1968 Tet Offensive in the south. The old airfield of red dirt still remains. 
After the tour, proceed to Hue, stay overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Hue - Hoi An 
In the morning, take half day Hue city tour including boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda – a symbol of Hue, visit Imperial Citadel and spend a short time at Dong Ba market.
After lunch, proceed to Hoi An and enjoy your free time to discover this little charming old town. Follow the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures and visit its numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, the local fish market. Around the town we can see a numerous art galleries and tailor shops, get some made-to-order clothes if you like. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day 12: Hoi An- HCMC arrival
Today, you will take the early flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh city, also called Saigon. This is the largest city in Vietnam and the nation's economic capital. The metropolitan area Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding towns, is populated by more than 9 million.
We take a short city tour to the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral. You will also admire the many beautiful French colonial buildings such as the main post office and the former Hotel de Ville (city hall). If time permits, we will visit the bustling Cho Lon Market (Chinatown). This trip helps you view the city from another perspective and to see the abundance of fresh local produce that is such an important feature of Vietnamese cuisine.
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 13: HCMC – Cao Dai Temple – Cu Chi Tunnels
Today, we head out to Cao Dai Holy See, attend the noontide service ceremony and visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi is actually the name of the district which covers an extensive underground network (approximately 200 kilometers) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used extensively for refuge and storage and also utilized as a military base for the Viet Cong close to Saigon. The 1968 Tet Offensive was launched from Cu Chi with surprising effect. A section of the tunnels has been widened to allow tourists to get a feel for what the life underground must have been like (please note that this will be hot and sweaty and also a bit claustrophobic!). 
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 14: HCMC – Mekong Delta
After breakfast transferred from Ho Chi Minh city to Cai Be, greeting at Cai Be harbor and explore the lively Cai Be floating market, walking for visit the handicraft village of the local people. Keep on the boat trip to Mekong Lodge & check-in bungalows.
After lunch relax and walking or biking visit Phu Chau or Pho Tinh pagodas. Late afternoon participating in cooking class and diner with what you’ve cooked.

Day 15: Mekong Delta - HCMC
After breakfast in the restaurant walking or cycling tour around the island. Go to one of the orchard, free fruits picking of mango, rambutan, longan …
Boat transfer to Cai Be harbor and catch your car again to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 16: HCMC Departure
You are free for personal activity till transfer for departure to next destination.
Tour ends.

2020 Quotation

Hotel categories	Net rate in US$/person in group of						Single supplement
	1 prs	2-3 prs	4-5 prs	6-7 prs	8-9 prs	10 prs up
Tourist	2731	1622	1316	1181	1127	On request	222
Superior	2913	1714	1408	1272	1218	On request	292
First Class	3348	1931	1625	1490	1436	On request	459

Note:

- Single supplement not apply on train.
- The price is not applicable on National Holidays, Christmas and New Year.

Includes:
Accommodation:
- 10 nights twin/double sharing at hotels with daily breakfast.
- 3 nights on train (4 berths, AC cabin)
- 1 night on boat (private cabin for 2 people with bathroom).
- 1 night homestay with hill tribe people.
Transportation:
- Land transfer by private vehicle for whole trip.
- Sharing boat cruise in Halong Bay (private cabin for 2 people with bathroom)
- Train tickets Hanoi – Lao Cai and vice-verse; Hanoi - Dong Hoi (4 berths, AC cabin)
- Air tickets and all taxes: DAD-SGN
Others:
- Meals as mentioned. B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: dinner
- English speaking guides on touring days.
- Admission fees for all sightseeing places on tour.
- 1 bottle of mineral water and wet tissue per person on touring day.
- Free Vietnam visa approval letter.
- Service charge and Government taxes
Excludes:
- International air tickets.
- Visa stamping fee.
- Personal expenses.
- Drinks.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Services not clearly mentioned above.

LIST OF HOTELS ON TOUR