Find travel perfection, with the wisdom of expert

Contact us

VIETNAM

VNA003: RESPECT YOUR NATURE & GO GREEN 17D16N

Day 01 - Arrive in Hanoi via flight 

 

With ochre-colored colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes, Hanoi is full of charm. Its history is tied to French colonialism and the architecture, cuisine and local culture still bear evidence of the French influence.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, embark the comfortable vehicle for transferring (approx. 60mins) to your hotel in downtown of the city, check-in and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.









Day 02 - Hanoi 

 

Start the tour at the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument lavishly built using marble and granite, and where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” resides. Next stop is the lotus shaped One Pillar Pagoda – resting on a single stone pillar emerging from the water. Then, visit to the Temple of Literature, the first university for the sons of Mandarins, for an overview about Hanoian culture and appreciation for ancient Vietnamese architecture. 


In the afternoon, visit the serene Museum of Ethnology that offers a fascinating insight into Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups. After that, enjoy a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter of “36 streets and 36 wares” to witness the vibrant life along the street sides. Cap off the day with a show at the water puppet theater - a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes of rural life and episodes of national history. 









Day 03 - Hanoi / Halong Bay

 

After breakfast, embark on a 3.5 hour drive to Halong Bay. Board your deluxe junk where a welcome drinks awaits. After a relaxing break, enjoy a delicious lunch while cruising through the magical bay where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waters like dragon teeth. 

 

After lunch, take a sampan ride to visit a floating fishing village. Back on board for sunset and later unwind at the restaurant for dinner.









Day 04 - Halong Bay

 

After breakfast, enjoy a short transfer that brings you to a day-trip boat to cruise along the bay’s most untouched areas. Enjoy kayaking in cool, emerald-green water, sunbathing on quiet beaches. 


After lunch, soak up the relaxing atmosphere as we continue to kayak and later cruise around fishing villages. Return to your junk in the evening to watch the sun set over Halong Bay. Dinner is on board.

 









Day 05 - Halong Bay / Hanoi

 

Wake up early to catch the dramatic sunrise on the bay and enjoy a Tai Chi demonstration on the top deck of the junk and witness the sun rise over the bay. 

 

Visit a magnificent limestone grotto where stalactites are hanging from the high ceiling forming numerous designs and shapes. Return to the boat for brunch while cruising back to the dock station.

 

Transfer (approx. 3.5 hours) back to Hanoi for the night.









Day 06 - Hanoi / Ba Vi / Mai Chau

 

After breakfast, drive to visit Ba Vi, an isolate mountain. It is a home to 44 mammal species, 114 bird species, 15 reptile species and nine amphibian species. This is also the place to look for the recently-split Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush. Hike through the jungle to observe Ba Vi’s wildlife


Continue to Mai Chau where offers a splendid vista of valleys covered in lush vegetation and stilt houses inhabited mainly by the H’mong and White Thai ethnic groupsCheck-in Mai Chau Lodge. Dinner is accompanied by a traditional dance performance by the local White Thai tribe. 









Day 07 - Mai Chau

 

After breakfast, visit Xalinh village inhabited by the H’mong hill tribe. Enjoy the cool breeze brushing against your face while walking for two hours through mountain trails. Optional visit Pa Co primary school. Stop along the way to observe local traditions which you may encounter. 


Afternoon is opt to enjoy a relaxing walk to the nearby Thai villages of Pom Coong and Lac. There you have some time for handicraft shopping from the local artisans, strolling around or enjoy a cup of coffee with the friendly villagers. 









Day 08 - Mai Chau / Hanoi / Dalat via flight

 

After breakfast, transfer to Hanoi airport for the flight to Dalat. Upon arrival, meet with your guide and transfer to your hotel for check in. Evening is at leisure

Richard J.








Day 09 - Dalat

 

In the morning, visit Van Thanh hamlet where you can stroll along the garden paths to admire the colorful scenery and learn more about the traditional gardening methodsContinue driving and witness the beautiful rural outskirts before you pay a visit to a family-run silk making factory. Get all the insights of the entire process from cocoon to garment. Take a short drive to the imposing Elephant Waterfall for the fresh air and cool breeze after walking the 145 rather steep steps downhill. After lunch, pay a visit to the Dalat railway station, which was designed with elements of architecture from the East of France. Enjoy one way open-air train ride to Trai Mat hamlet. Then drive to the Domain de Marie Church built in 1938 atop of a hill. The church offers stunning panoramic views. Spend the remainder of the day strolling through the colorful Dalat market with your guide before returning to your hotel.









Day 10 - Dalat

 

Start your trip with a visit to Lat Village at the base of Lang Bian Mountain. Chance to see one of the last traditional Lat houses built on piles with rough plank walls and a thatched roof. 


Then embark on a one way cable car to visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery and Tuyen Lam LakeTake a boat to the other side of the lake and hike over forest tracks through areas of remnant tropical evergreen forest. The rare and endemic Grey-crowned Crocias was re-discovered here a few years ago after not being seen for nearly 60 years. 


Other interesting bird species subject to be seen include the Slender-billed Oriole, Maroon Oriole, Rufous-backed Sibia, Black-hooded and the White-cheeked Laughing thrush. Drive back to your hotel for a leisure evening.









Day 11 - Dalat / Nam Cat Tien

 

Morning, depart for a scenic 3.5 hour drive to Cat Tien National Park, a part of the wet tropical forest complex and one of the precious natural forests remaining in Vietnam. There are an estimated 230 species of birds making their habitat in this forest. Endangered birds that can be encountered here include Germains Peacock-Pheasant, Green Peafowl, and the Orange-Necked PartridgeThen, take a short trek through the jungle to see the wildlife and make your way to a bear rehabilitation centerThis evening, travel by vehicle deep into the park and use a spotlight to see the nocturnal wildlife. Enjoy a good night’s rest in the lodge and fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle.









Day 12 - Nam Cat Tien

 

After breakfast, enjoy a 30min drive through forest to the trekking point and start trekking 5km to the crocodile lake, stopping often along the way to view the myriad varieties of birds and if you’re lucky larger mammals. The lake is home to the endangered Siamese crocodile and is one of the last places in the world where they can be seen. Enjoy packed lunch along the way. Trek back to the Lodge for a well-earned rest and dinner. 









Day 13 - Nam Cat Tien / Saigon

 

Pay a visit to the Dao Tien Endangered Primate Species Center this morning. The goal of this facility is to rescue and rehabilitate endangered primates such as gibbons and return them to the wild. Nam Cat Tien National Park is home to several species of gibbon including the gold-cheeked and black-crested varieties. Return to the lodge by midday for lunch and reflect on your time exploring one of Vietnam’s top National Parks before you check out. Drive to Saigon for a leisure evening.









Day 14 - Saigon

 

Morning, visit FITO, the first museum of traditional medicine in Vietnam, offering an insight into how traditional medicine was used in the past. Then, visit to China Town; visit Thien Hau temple and take time to make a wish, write it on a small card and attach it to one of the incense coils in the local custom


This afternoon, visit to the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war, is a short drive away and reveals the history of Saigon during its turbulent recent past. From there, take a short walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris. Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel, before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower. Stroll along Dong Khoi street, and appreciate the splendidly restored exteriors of the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville which are still two of the finest buildings in Saigon.









Day 15 - Saigon / Mekong Delta


Depart from Saigon and head two hours to Mekong Delta, which will help you get closer to daily life and agricultural activities along the Mekong River. Visit the small Cai Be floating market, experience how people exchanging goods, fruit and many other commodities on their boats. 

 

Lunch will be served at an ancient Mandarin house where four generations of family members live together. After feasting on Mekong Delta specialties, you may wish to take a stroll around the orchard to see how fruit is cultivated. 


Then, drive to your home-stay located on Long Island which is renowned for its fruit orchards and sedge fields. After check in, take some rest on your own or make some further own exploration of the village before returning for dinner. You will have a chance to practice making “Banh Xeo” – a type of savory pancake and a specialty of the Mekong region. The family will be your host this evening and they are happy to share with you in details about the typical life in the Mekong region. 










Day 16 - Mekong Delta / Saigon


After an intimate breakfast with the family, start exploring the island by bicycle through quiet back roads. Pedal along paved lane ways and dirt paths passing fruit orchards and meet friendly people in the village. Stop en route to visit a local market to witness the colorful and bustling local trade, and then continue your bike to sedge fields, you will see the cutting and weaving of this grass which is used to make traditional mats. 


Next stop will be the sleeping mat weaving workshop, where you have opportunity to see local workers make sleeping mats and learn how it contributes to their income. 


After having lunch, bid farewell to your hosts and take the local ferry back to the mainland. Say goodbye to your local friends for the drive back to Saigon. 










Day 17 - Saigon departure via flight

 

Check-out of your hotel no later than 12:00 noon and transfer (approx. 30mins) to the airport for your onward flight to next destination or returns your home.









Enquire now