South Vietnam from South to North in 3 weeks

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City

  Upon your arrival, you will meet your Orient Skyline Travel guide, then you will be taken to your hotel by private car to check in. You will spend your first night in the country's largest city, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, known for its French colonial landmarks, but also for its small food stalls lining the city streets, especially around Bến Thành Market, a lively market.

• day 2

  Visit of Ho Chi Minh City

  

  Today, you will enjoy a full day to visit the city. You will start your visit with a first walk in Cholon, known as the Chinatown district, to discover the markets and the Thien Hau Cantonese pagoda, dedicated to the worship of the sea goddess. You will then begin the visit of the first museum of traditional medicine in Vietnam, the FITO museum, which presents an astonishing collection of 3,000 items on the development of Vietnamese traditional medicine. Return to the city center for a visit to Ben Thanh Market (Bến Thành Market), where an incredible display of fresh products is offered. Stroll through the market to explore the variety of products for sale and, above all, if you wish, taste the different dishes offered. In the afternoon, visit the war remnants and then the former presidential palace. Walk through the main colonial district of Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Saigon post office, Dong Khoi street (formerly known as Catinat street), the Opera House, and the city hall. You will spend your second night in Ho Chi Minh City.

• day 3

  Ho Chi Minh City – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi Tunnels – Ho Chi Minh City

  Departure from Ho Chi Minh City at 8:00 am to reach Tay Ninh. Upon your arrival, admire the great Cao Dai temple in Tay Ninh, with its flamboyant architecture, where all the major religions of the world blend into a unique religious mosaic. Before returning to Ho Chi Minh City, you can visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels, which were once the headquarters of the Viet Cong. This is an incredible network of underground tunnels built by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars.

• day 4

  Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City

  

  After a good local breakfast, you will set off to discover the lively city of Ho Chi Minh City for a 2-hour journey to the delta town of Cai Be. Upon arrival, board a cruise through the waterways of the delta. Start your journey by passing through the Cai Be floating market. Then take the opportunity to visit local factories before returning to the boat to head to Dong Hoa Hiep Island, where you can admire the scenery and river life of the villagers. Lunch is served in a local Mekong-style restaurant, with specialties from the region. After the cruise, you will return to the legendary city of Ho Chi Minh City.

• day 5

  Ho Chi Minh City – Flight to Dalat

  

  Upon your arrival in Dalat, you can visit Bao Dai's summer palace, located on a hill just outside the main center. Bao Dai was the last emperor of the Nguyen dynasty in Vietnam and eventually left the country in 1954. It is a classic example of Art Deco, a tourist attraction in itself. Continue your visit by exploring an old train station aboard its vintage steam locomotive. Then visit Xuan Huong Lake and Lam Ty Ni Pagoda. End the tour at the city's lively central market, renowned for its fresh vegetables and fruits, which are rarely found in a tropical country.

• day 6

  Dalat – Nha Trang

  

  After a good night's sleep, you will leave Dalat to reach the coastal city of Nha Trang. You will be driven along a scenic road, passing through a lush mountain that crosses the central coastal plains of Vietnam. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit the city of Nha Trang for half a day to discover the Cham Po Nagar towers, the Alexander Yersin museum, the "XQ" workshop where you can observe magnificent handmade embroideries, as well as the Long Son pagoda with its immense colorful statue of the dam. You will spend the night in this same city.

• day 7

  Nha Trang – Half-day boat trip to the islands

  Take a morning boat trip on Nha Trang Bay to visit some of the nearby islands and swim in the clear, warm water. On the way, visit the neighboring villages or simply relax on the boat deck. After a seafood lunch on Bamboo Island, you will return to the city of Nha Trang. You can fully enjoy your afternoon to pursue your activities in complete freedom.

• day 8

  Nha Trang – Flight to Danang – Hoi An – Half-day visit

  

  Today, take a flight to Danang. Upon your arrival, you will be directly transferred to the ancient city of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the main Asian trading port of the 17th and 18th centuries, where the architecture and peaceful way of life have changed very little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient city and discover the old Tan Ky house, the 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge, a Chinese communal hall, and the colorful market.

• day 9

  Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An

  After a well-deserved rest in the city of Hoi An, you will spend the morning visiting My Son, the capital and religious center of the former kingdom of Champa. It is a complex composed of several Champa monuments, located in a valley about 2 km in diameter, surrounded by hills. My Son was one of the centers of Hindu temples in the Southeast Asia region and is the only heritage of this type in Vietnam.

• day 10

  Hoi An – Danang – Hue

  

  Today, leave Hoi An for Hue on a picturesque coastal journey. After a short drive from Hoi An, you will arrive in Danang and visit the Cham Museum, which houses the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. Next, cross the Ocean Clouds Pass (Hai Van Pass) before heading to the beautiful fishing village of Lang Co. You will arrive in Hue in the afternoon, the imperial capital of Vietnam. It is the only place that preserves many historical, cultural, architectural, and artistic values of the entire country. You will spend the night in this city, which you will continue to explore the next day in great shape.

• day 11

  Visit of the city of Hue

  Start your day at the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen dynasty reigned between 1802 and 1945. From there, take a bike ride through the "old town" to Tinh Tam Lake, where the emperors used to relax. After the citadel, head to Thien Mu Pagoda (the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady), which is reflected in the Perfume River. Continue to the tomb of the former emperor Minh Mang, located in a peaceful setting of gardens and ponds. Take the time to stroll around Dong Ba Market with your guide! The market is one of Hue's must-see sites: the material culture of Hue is still present today in Dong Ba Market, as well as in Hue's traditional dishes. The market has become a hub for international restaurants and hotels selling Hue specialties to tourists.

• day 12

  Hue – Flight to Hanoi – Half-day tour

  After breakfast, take a short flight to Hanoi. In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day guided tour of the city! Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, has a culture influenced by Asian, Chinese, and French elements. Start your visit at the Temple of Literature, built in 1070, and Quoc Tu Giam (built in 1076), the first Vietnamese university created to educate royalty, mandarins, and members of Vietnam's elite. Over the past 1000 years, throughout history and up to today, the relics still preserve the architecture of the Le and Nguyen dynasties. Continue your visit with the fascinating Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays), which is both a research center and a public museum showcasing 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. Finally, you can enjoy a walk in Hanoi's Old Quarter, through the lively Hang Be market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. Considered the cradle of ancient things and a memory of a time still intact and calm, it has become the reason why many travelers wish to visit it at least once in their lives.

• day 13

  Hanoi – Duong Lam Village

  Today, leave Hanoi and head west, passing through the picturesque Red River Delta, about an hour and a half drive away. Upon arriving at the ancient village of Duong Lam, you will have the opportunity to discover its original architecture through its old laterite brick houses, built 3-4 centuries ago. You can also visit the Mia Pagoda, built in the 15th century, and admire the 287 statues of all sizes and different materials, such as wood, mud, and bronze. Next, visit the Mong Phu communal house, then walk through the brick alleys to see the old laterite houses that make the village even more special and charming. For lunch, enjoy a local-style meal in a rustic house several hundred years old. Before returning to Hanoi, stop by a local family making rice straw puppets and "Che Lam" (a rice cake), a rustic specialty of this hometown.

• day 14

  Hanoi – Street food – Night train to Lao Cai

  

  This tour, starting at 9 a.m., will allow you to explore a local "wet market." This market is frequented by buyers who come to acquire ingredients for the day's meals. Passing through a local food alley, you will have the chance to taste a bowl of "Pho," the national dish of Vietnam. Continue to enjoy the gastronomy of Hanoi by savoring a bowl of this delicious noodle soup in a popular local establishment. Stroll through the small alleys where vendors set up along the roadside and enjoy typical Hanoi dishes: crispy pancakes "banh xeo" and bun cha, fresh rice noodles with grilled pork. In the lively old town, find a street café and drink a cup of traditional Vietnamese coffee while watching the passersby. You will return to the hotel with a full stomach and a better understanding of Vietnamese cuisine. That same evening, you will be transferred to Hanoi station for the night train (soft sleeper with 4 berths, which can be upgraded to a 2-berth cabin for an additional fee) to Lao Cai, the gateway to Sapa.

• day 15

  Lao Cai – Local market – Sapa

  Arrival at Lao Cai station in the early morning, you will meet your guide-driver, then take the road to visit a local market (Coc Ly on Tuesday, Cao Son on Wednesday, Lung Khau Nhin on Thursday, Can Cau on Saturday, Bac Ha on Sunday). There you will see in particular the H’mong flowers, but also the Dao, Nung, Phu La, and Tay ethnic groups. At the market, you will find a variety of local products typical of the region: pigs, horses, cows, and buffaloes. To finish, you will head to Sapa, where you can stroll around the town and discover the very busy market, in which different hill tribes such as the Black H’Mong, Red Daos, and Tay converge from surrounding villages to sell their silverware and handicrafts. Then, take a light hike through the Muong Hoa valley to discover the villages in the region. Note: Comfortable walking shoes should be worn during hikes in Sapa. Note that if hiking conditions are wet, the programs may be diverted.

• day 16

  Local villages of Sapa

  

  After breakfast, depart from Sapa for a 30-minute transfer to the Ban Khoang valley. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Hoang Lien mountain range, also known as the Tonkinese Alps. The first stop is the village of Lu Khau, home to the Red Dzao tribe and some H’mong. You can explore the village, meet the friendly locals, and discover their culture as well as their unique rural lifestyle. After lunch, take a walk in the charming village of Ta Giang Phinh, which winds through the impressive valley where the Blue H’mong tribes live. Visit the local craft workshops, where you can see farmers working with buffaloes.

• day 17

  Sapa – Hanoi

  Enjoy the last day in Sapa before your departure at 12:00 pm by bus to Hanoi, where you will spend the night.

• day 18

  Hanoi – Cruise in Halong Bay

  

  Upon your arrival at Hanoi station, take a short break at your hotel to have breakfast. Then, you will leave Hanoi for a scenic 4-hour drive to Halong Bay. You will arrive at the pier in Halong city around noon and proceed with the check-in formalities. After the welcome on board, a buffet will be served while the boat heads towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy various visits and/or activities: visit a cave, board a boat (depending on the itineraries) to reach the floating villages or relax on the beach. At the end of the day, the boat will anchor for the night among the impressive limestone formations. Dinner will be served on board. You will spend a night on the boat in Halong Bay.

• day 19

  Halong Bay – Hanoi

  If you wish, you can join the crew at dawn for a morning Taichi lesson on the boat's terrace. As the sun rises over Halong Bay, breakfast is served while the ships slowly pass through the magnificent rock formations and return to the port. Disembarkation and transfer to Hanoi, arrival around 3:30-4:00 pm. You will spend your last night in Hanoi. Note: The itinerary may be subject to change depending on weather conditions at the time of the boat's departure.

• day 20

  Hanoi – Departure

  After this 3-week journey in Vietnam, from south to north, filled with memories and discoveries, you will be able to enjoy your free time for some last-minute shopping or to relax before the transfer to Noi Bai airport for your departure flight.