17-Day Trans-Vietnam by Train

Brief information

Tour type: Private, classic tour

Hotel options: 2-star; 3-star; 4-star

Duration: 17 days

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

Highlights: Hanoi, Sapa and Bac Ha market, Halong Bay with a romantic night on board, Hue Imperial citadel, Hoi An ancient town, Nha Trang Bay and Islands, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh city.

Features:
- Transportation: car, train, boat
- Different accommodation type: hotel, on train, on boat, homestay.
- Long distance by trains, 5 nights on trains.
- Combination of activities, landscape, life style, climate in different parts in Vietnam.

Price: From US$1020

Brief itinerary and service:

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Our driver and tour guide will pick you up at Hanoi airport then transfer to your hotel in Hanoi. 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 - Lao Cai
After breakfast at your hotel, be ready for a city tour escorted by an English speaking guide. We will visit Tran Quoc pagoda, the oldest one in Hanoi, located on a semi island in West lake. Then heading to Ho Chi Minh mausoleum complex, visit his stilt house and museum telling you about his life and revolutionary cause. The next stop is One Pillar pagoda, located right within the mausoleum complex area, one of the most iconic pagoda in Vietnam. The morning tour ends with a visit to the Literature Temple, the first university of Vietnam, built in 1070 at the time of King Ly Thanh Tong. This ancient site offers a lake of literature, the Well of Heavenly Clarity, turtle steles, pavilions, courtyards and passageways that were once used by royalty.

After lunch at local restaurant, we continue to visit Vietnam museum of ethnology where introduce lifestyles and cultures of 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups. Beside the indoor exhibition, the museum also has out-door area displaying number of houses modeling after the traditional architecture of ethnic minorities which makes the museum stand out from others. Optionally, we visit Hoa Lo prison, built by French colonist to keep Vietnamese political prisoners. After this visit, have some time hanging around until the Water Puppet show being started. Have dinner at local restaurant then go to train station for night train to Lao Cai. Stay overnight in a 4-soft-berth cabin (shared cabin).

Day 3: Lao Cai - Sapa - Trekking to ethnic villages and homestay
You are welcome at Lao Cai train station in early morning and transferred to Sapa town. Have few hours to relax, freshening bath and breakfast before trekking. Visit Y linh Ho and Lao Chai village of H'Mong minority, spend time to talk with local people and have lunch with an ethnic family or in a drinking shop on the way somewhere near river bank. Continue hiking to Ta Van village of Dzay minority, this is where you will get homestay with a local family, experience their daily life, learn about their work and original custom.

Day 4: Ta Van - Giang Ta Chai - Su Pan - Sapa
After breakfast at your home-stay, say goodbye to your host and continue the trip to visit other ethnic villages. Trek through bamboo forests toward Giang Ta Chai waterfall, cross over a rattan suspension bridge to enter Giang Ta Chai village which is inhabited by Red Dzao minority, visit local people to learn about their tradition and custom. Continue to cross over the Muong Hoa river up the mountain to visit Su Pan village of H'Mong people. After that, trek back to the car park and drive back to Sapa town, check in hotel. Have your free evening to discover the small town.

Day 5: Sapa - Sunday Bac Ha market - Lao Cai station - Hanoi
Today we leave Sapa for Bac Ha and attend the most colorful and biggest market of hill tribes in North Vietnam. This every-Sunday market attended by at least 8 ethnic groups and last from 9am to 2pm. Beside trading home-made products, people also take this chance to meet up, reunite with friends or relatives, boast new hand-made traditional costumes or even find their dates. Take your time to enjoy the market and find some souvenirs to bring home. Then we will spend a little time to visit H'Mong King's Palace (an old building built by French colonist) before having lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we have light trek to visit Ban Pho, the home village of Flower H'Mong minority. Visit several local families and listen to them talking about their family, daily life and custom, enjoy hospitality of people here. Finally, come back to your car to return Lao Cai station for night train back to Hanoi. Enjoy spectacular landscape on the way with mountain, valley, green forest and terrace fields. Stay overnight on train in 4-soft berth cabin.

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 get a short sleep and breakfast (local dish).

You are picked up at around 8.00am to depart for Halong Bay. 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 – Hue
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 Hue. Stay overnight on train in 4-soft-berth cabin.

Day 8: Hue city tour
Your guide will welcome you at the train station and transfer you to hotel for some relax and having breakfast. After that, proceed to the dock for a night boat cruise on Perfume river. The boat will stop in front of Thien Mu pagoda, a historic architecture that is considered the symbol of Hue. Take your time to make a visit into the pagoda then continue by car to discover Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen’s Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945 including Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, and Forbidden Purple City. After lunch at local restaurant, we will visit royal tombs of Emperor Tu Duc or Khai Dinh, given a deep understanding about King’s philosophy of geomancy and how this affected royal life. Overnight at hotel in Hue.

Day 9: Hue - Hoi An
Say goodbye to Hue, we leave for Hoi An via Da Nang. On the way, we will stop at Cham museum and Marble Mountain for short visits. Then continue the trip through Hai Van Pass, the highest and one of the most scenic hillside road in Vietnam. On nice days, you can enjoy the whole vista of Da Nang city, the Tien Sa sea port, Son Tra peninsula, Cham island and long sandy beaches from the pass.

Upon arrival Hoi An, check-in hotel then take a short tour to visit this charming old town including Ong pagoda, ancient houses, Assembly Hall of Cantonese Chinese Congregation, Japanese Covered Bridge, handicraft shops. Stay overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day 10: Hoi An - Nha Trang
Today, be free and easy to discover Hoi An. You can rent a bicycle at hotel to visit some nearby villages, just about few km away from Hoi An such as Tra Que vegetable village, Thanh Ha Pottery village, Van Lang fishing village... that will give you an insight into local life and culture.

Our driver will pick-up you at hotel in late evening to transfer you to the train station for night train to Nha Trang. Stay overnight in 4 soft berth cabin.

Day 11: Nha Trang Island tour
Pick-up at your hotel and transfer 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. You will also be able to see caves in which the sea swallows make their nest. Then relaxing, swimming & doing water sports or other activities at Mot Island, Tranh Beach Island or on a small island calling “Mini beach”. Taking a fresh lunch at the island. On the way back you will visit a fishing village before going to the shore.

Stay overnight at hotel in Nha Trang.

Day 12: Nha Trang - HCMC
You are free today to discover Nha Trang city. Recommended activities are swimming and sunbathing on the beach, visit Vietnam Oceanographic Institute, Long Son pagoda, Po Nagar temples, Stone church, go shopping at Dam market.

Get transfer in the evening to go to the railway station for night train to Ho Chi Minh City. Stay overnight in 4 soft berth cabin.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh city tour
Your tour guide welcome at the train station with transfer. After having breakfast, we start our city tour including Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, War Remnants museum, Jade Emperor temple, historic French colonial buildings (City Hall, Post Office central), China town. Lunch will be at local restaurant.

Stay overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 14: HCMC - Cu Chi - Cao Dai
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 15: HCMC – Mekong Delta
After breakfast transferred from Ho Chi Minh city to Cai Be. Upon arrival at Cai Be harbor, get on board and cruise along the river to reach Mekong Lodge and check in your bungalow. After lunch in restaurant, start walking to discover the nearby village around Mekong lodge. We will visit family workshops making coconut candy and brick to see the traditional production of goods in Mekong Delta; meet and talk with local people and enjoy their friendliness and warm hospitality.

In the evening, get some hands on culinary experience by attending cooking class. Our chef will instruct you to prepare the lodge's signature dishes, have fun and some interesting recipes to bring home with. Enjoy dinner in a cozy atmosphere.

Stay overnight at Mekong lodge.

Day 16: Mekong Delta - HCMC
After breakfast, get on a hand rowed sampan to visit Cai Be floating market, a cultural feature of Mekong Delta. Try to visit early to see the most vibrant scene on Tien river with hundreds of boats gathering for fresh product trade.

Around noon, cycle back to Mekong Lodge for check-out, then get on shuttle boat to go back Cai Be harbor. Continue by car to return to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 17: HCMC Departure
You are free for personal activity till transfer for departure to next destination.
Tour ends.

2020 Quotation & Services

Hotel categories	Net rate in US$/person in group of					Single supplement
	1	2-3	4-5	6-7	8 up
Tourist **	2300	1446	1188	1061	1020	211
Superior ***	2463	1528	1269	1142	1102	273
First Class ****	2921	1756	1498	1371	1331	449

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.
- 5 nights on train (4 berths, AC cabin)
- 1 night on boat (private AC cabin for 2 people with bathroom).
Transportation:
- Land transfer by private vehicle for whole trip.
- Sharing boat cruise in Halong Bay (private cabin for 2 people with bathroom)
- Boat trip on Perfume river and Mekong river.
- Train tickets Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hanoi; Hanoi - Hue, Da Nang - Nha Trang, Nha Trang - HCMC (4 berths, AC cabin)
Others:
- Meals as mentioned. B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: dinner
- English speaking guides.
- 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