Vietnam Backroads, 21 days

Tour Overview

Discover the diverse charms of Vietnam over three weeks. This excursion begins in dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, where we will explore the city’s colonial buildings, atmospheric pagodas and fascinating war-time memorials, including the incredible Cu Chi Tunnel network. We will venture into the Mekong Delta to enjoy a traditional home-stay as well as visiting colourful floating markets, verdant islands and small villages. We will travel to the charming colonial hill town of Da Lat to tour its architecture, pagodas and beautiful natural scenery. We will pass dramatic mountains and pretty coffee plantations, before exploring the tranquil Lak Lake. We will trek through the traditional villages and rolling countryside around Kon Tum, staying overnight with a local family. We will walk through the picturesque town of Hoi An, learning about its multicultural heritage, seen its unique mix of architectural influences. We will discover the ancient citadel of Hue and cruise down the Perfume River, visiting pagodas and mausoleums in the area. In Northern Vietnam, we will experience several adventurous nights travelling by sleeper train. We will discover Hanoi’s fascinating culture, historic sites and vibrant street life. We will trek around the splendid hill town of Sapa, taking in the stunning vistas and meeting hill-tribe communities. We will embark on an overnight cruise through awe-inspiring Halong Bay, taking in the staggering scenery and visiting the majestic Surprise Cave.

Tour Information

Tour HighLight

+Discover thriving Ho Chi Minh City, touring it’s French colonial architecture, war memorials, pagodas and markets

+Spend two days cruising through the tranquil Mekong Delta region, passing lush islands, rice fields, floating markets and enjoying a traditional home-stay

+Visit the scenic hill town of Da Lat, exploring the key attractions in the town and the surrounding rural area

+Explore the tranquil Lak Lake and see its key attractions, spending a night with a family living here

+Trek through the beautiful countryside around Kon Tum, taking in stunning landscapes and staying overnight with an ethnic minority family

+Spend two nights staying with hill-tribe families in traditional houses and learning about their culture and customs

+Walk around the charming town of Hoi An, taking in a cooking class and with optional time to relax on the nearby beach

+Explore the ancient citadel of Hue as well as the attractions in the surrounding area

+Spend several nights travelling on a sleeper train

+Tour the most exciting attractions in Hanoi, including historic monuments, temples, museums and markets

+Discover the delightful hill town of Sapa and trek through the surrounding hills, taking in the sensational scenery

+Cruise by boat through the gorgeous vistas of Halong Bay and visit a majestic cave

+Private airport transfers and experienced, knowledgeable local guides ensure that you will get the most out of your trip

Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival – Ho Chi Minh

Greeted  at airport by our guide and driven to hotel. Check in hotel and have free time.

OVERNIGHT: Ho Chi Minh MEALS: No

On arrival at Ho Chi Minh Airport, you are met by our guide and taken to your hotel by private transfer. You may have some time free to relax or discover at your own leisure. The bustling city of Ho Chi Minh, still called Saigon by many locals, was originally a fishing village built up on a vast swampland, but it has developed into Saigon under the French domination. The effervescent development has bought Ho Chi Minh some cosmic changes from a war-torn city to a thriving metropolis. However, the architecture, local culture and lifestyle in Ho Chi Minh are still a reconciliation among French, American and Chinese influences. This fast growing city is now punctuated with elegant international hotels and exclusive restaurants, crowded with motorbikes, cars and vociferous cyclo drivers, and excited by numerous shopping areas, sidewalk cafés and noodle stalls. They have formed a dynamic urban area in very special sense and make for an endless exploration in this  south Vietnamese gem.

Day 2

Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Spend a half day exploring some major sights of Ho Chi Minh. Stroll around Nguyen Hue Boulevard, visit Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office and War Remnant Exhibit. Continue to see Jade Emperor Pagoda and walk through Ben Thanh Market.

OVERNIGHT: Ho Chi Minh MEALS: Breakfast

Day 3

Ho Chi Minh – Cai Be Market – Vinh Long

Binh Island and enjoy some activities to explore the local life and fruit gardens. Check in a local house  and live as farmers.

OVERNIGHT: Vinh Long MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

An Binh Island - Vinh Long – Ho Chi Minh

Continue exploring An Binh Island on a  biking trip. See the local life around this island and some industry cottages. Take a boat trip across  Mekong River to Vinh Long and travel back to Ho Chi Minh. En route visit Vinh Trang Pagoda and China Town.

OVERNIGHT: Ho Chi Minh MEALS: Breakfast

Day 5

Ho Chi Minh – Bao Loc – Da Lat

Leave Ho Chi Minh for Vietnam’s central highland and drive past rice fields, rubber forest and tea plantation. Arriving in Da Lat Town, visit Xuan Huong Lake and Dalat Market.

OVERNIGHT: Dalat MEALS: Breakfast

Day 6

Da Lat City Tour

Continue exploring Da Lat with Chicken Church, Bao Dai Residence, Lam Ty Ni Pagoda and Hang Nga House. Take an optional train ride to Linh Phuoc Pagoda before heading to see Tuyen Lam Lake and Zen Buddhist Pagoda.

OVERNIGHT: Dalat MEALS: Breakfast

Day 7

Da Lat – Lak Lake

Set forth on journey to La Lake in Buon Ma Thuot and drive past  the scenic mountain landscape. Arriving in Lak Lake, take a walk to see June Village or join an optional boat ride on lake.

OVERNIGHT: Lak Lake MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8

Lak Lake – Pleiku – Kon Tum

Have free time to explore Lak lake before driving to Kon Tum. En route , have some stops to see the landscape and stretch the legs. Check in hotel in Kon Tum and see this town at leisure.

OVERNIGHT: Kon Tum MEALS: Breakfast

Day 9

Kon Tum Trekking

Spend this day walking into the surrounding mountain areas of Kon Tum Town. Trek to see the mountain scenery and many ethnic minorities. Enjoy a boat trip along   Dakbla River and learn more about  Bahnar hill tribe culture. 

OVERNIGHT: Kon Tum MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Kon Tum – Hoi An

Catch a look at Nha Rong Konklor and head back to Kon Tum Town. Visit Wooden Church and Bishop of Kon Tum Building. Travel along Ho Chi Minh Highway to Hoi An and pass by many old war fields; Phoenix Airfield, Charlie Hill,…. and mountain landscape.

OVERNIGHT: Hoi An MEALS: Breakfast

Day 11

Hoi An City Tour

Spend a half day exploring Hoi An on a walking tour. Visit Japanese Bridge, Museum  of Trade Ceramics, Phung Huong Ancient House, Chua Ong Pagoda and Phuc Kien Assemby Hall. Have free time to relax on Cua Dai Beach and do some shopping activities.

OVERNIGHT: Hoi An MEALS: Breakfast

Day 12

Hoi An – Da Nang – Hue

Take a drive to  Hue. En route , visit Marble Mountain, Cham Museum, Hai Van pass and Lang Co Village.  Check in hotel in Hue and take a boat trip to see Thien Mu Pagoda.

OVERNIGHT: Hue MEALS: Breakfast

Day 13

Hue City Tour – Hanoi

Enjoy a full day tour  of Hue, inclduing Hue Citadel, Dong Ba market , Minh Mang and Khai Dinh Masoleum. Board a train for overnight journey to Hanoi .

OVERNIGHT: Train MEALS: Breakfast

Day 14

Arrival – Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to hotel. Have free time to relax before walking around old quarter of Hanoi and catching a look at Hoan Kiem Lake.

OVERNIGHT: Hanoi MEALS: Breakfast

Day 15

Hanoi City Tour – Lao Cai

Spend a day to explore Hanoi, seeing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum ( close on Mon. and Fri) and  Ho Chi Minh House , One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of  Literature  and Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.  Take a walk around the old quarter and enjoy a water puppet show. Travel on night train to Lao Cai.

OVERNIGHT: Train MEALS: Breakfast

Day 16

Lao Cai – Sapa – Tam Duong Market – Sapa

Arriving in Lao Cai, take a drive uphill to Sapa. Continue travelling by road along O Quy Ho Pass to Tam Duong. Visit local market and venture into the homeland of Lao and Lu hill tribe people. Return to Sapa and have time to explore  this hill town.

OVERNIGHT: Sapa MEALS: Breakfast

Day 17

Sapa Walking – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van

Go on trek to explore the extremely beautiful region around Sapa Town. Walk down Muong Hoa Valley and pass by Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai Villages, see many hill tribe people doing their homework. Check a local house of Giay family in Ta Van.

OVERNIGHT: Sapa MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18

Ta Van Walking – Giang Ta Chai – Su Pan – Sapa – Hanoi

Continue waling down to the lowland of Sapa and see the Red Zao people. Drive back to Sapa Town and check out for your journey back to Hanoi.

OVERNIGHT: Hanoi MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 19

Hanoi – Halong Bay

Take a drive through the countryside to  Halong Bay. Embark a cruise for two day trip in Halong Bay, visit the scenic stone landscape and enjoy sea activities.

OVERNIGHT: Halong MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 20

Halong Bay – Hanoi

Get up early to join the Tai Chi exercise or explore the bay at dawn. Visit Surprise cave and have brunch on cruise before heading back to Hanoi.

OVERNIGHT: Hanoi MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 21

Hanoi – Departure

Check out hotel and transfer to airport for departure.

OVERNIGHT: No MEALS: Breakfast

READ MORE

What are Included?

Tour Transport:

Car, minivan or bus, private or joint boat , train,  mentioned  flights ( 20kg luggage allowance )

Tour Accommodation:

13 nights at hotel  and 1 night on cruise on twin sharing basis , 4 night homestay , 2 night on train based cabin for 4 passengers.

Included Meals:

19 breakfasts (B), 4 lunches (L), 5 dinners (D) , 1 brunch (B)

Guide/Leader:

English speaking guide. French , Germany , Spanish, Italian, Russian  speaking guide can be arranged with on request.

Tour Activities:

Sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh  with entrance fee

Boat trip in Cai Be

Biking trip at An Binh Island

Sightseeing tour of Da Lat with entrance fee

Boat trip on Lak Lake

Trekking in Kon Tum

Sightseeing tour of Kon Tum with entrance fee

Sightseeing tour of Hoi An with entrance fee

Sightseeing tour of Hue with entrance fee

Boat trip on Perfume River in Hue

Sightseeing tour of Hanoi with entrance fee

Water puppet show in Hanoi

Trekking in Sapa

Day trip to Tam Duong

Boat trip in Halong Bay with entrance fee

What are Excluded?

 

Transport  to/from Hanoi

Optional services ( extra activities, pre /post night)

Visa fee to Vietnam and  travel insurance

Tipping for tour guide/ leader, driver and local service

Single room on request and personal expenses

How are Hotels?

NO LISTING

Tour document

To make your trip more convenient, we would like to provide quick facts to ensure that you have the right travel documents.

PASSPORT & VISA

The passport must have six-months validity remaining and one blank page for entry stamp. To enter Vietnam, foreigners require a valid visa, except  nationals of certain countries, which may visit Vietnam without visa for a period of time. You are required to contact our sales dep. to get the update visa exemption.

VACCINATION

At this time, no vaccination is required, but you should check with your doctor the health  information of Vietnam.

CUSTOM REGULATION

Based on the current custom regulation of Vietnam, visitors can get free import : 200 cigarettes, or 20 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 1,5 liters liquor at 20% volumes and above or 2 liters liquor below 20% volume or 3 liters of alcoholic beverages (excl. wines) and soft drinks, 5 kilograms of tea in maximum, 3 kilograms of coffee in maximum, a reasonable quantity of perfume and personal belongings, and other goods, total value of which is not exceeding ten million VND.

Import and export of firearms and ammunition is prohibited. Transit transportation of firearms, ammunition, explosives and highly dangerous goods is subject to prior approval from the government of Viet Nam.

No restriction of currency is applied for entry or exit Vietnam. However you must make the declaration if you bring along  Vietnamese Dong in excess of VND 150,000,000 or foreign currency in excess of 5,000 U.S. dollars or equivalent.  

HOW CLIENTS SAY?

0.0

No reviews

base on 0 Reviews

100% recommend by travellers

Excellent0%

Very good0%

Good0%

Average0%

Poor0%

NEED SOME HELP?

Speak to our travel expert (+ 84) 9 44 56 77 88
Chat online with our travel expert

The office is open from 8h00 to 18h00, Mon. through Fri. and 8h00 to 11h30 on Sat, 24h/7 hotline support

REQUEST

WHERE TO GO ON TOUR?

Recent viewed?