BHAVIND'S PLAN: VIET NAM ITINERARY 10D9N IN NORTH & CENTRAL PART

Welcome to Ha Noi! The capital city of Viet Nam.

Get picked up by our local driver from the airport. Transfer to your hotel.

Hotel check in! Spend your time for resting after the long hour flights.

Overnight in Ha Noi!

09:00: Starting the trip to explore Hanoi old quarter with your local friend.

Visiting Hanoi 36 streets, hidden gems, the places which is only locals know…

First, visiting Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi built in the 6th century.

The next stop is Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11th century.

Then, Hoa Lo Prison Museum which originally used by the French colonists in Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners during the Vietnam War. During this later period, it was known to American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton”.

AFTERNOON: Discover Hanoi like a true local! Our Food Tour is not just about indulging in the city’s iconic dishes—it’s a journey through its culture, history, and hidden treasures that most tourists miss.

🌟 What’s on the Menu?

Savor Hanoi’s most beloved dishes, all carefully selected to showcase the city’s culinary excellence:

• Phở: Vietnam’s world-famous noodle soup.
• Bún Chả: Grilled pork and vermicelli, a dish that captivated even President Obama!
• Bánh Mì: A perfect blend of French and Vietnamese flavors in a crispy baguette.
• Nem Rán: Crispy spring rolls with delightful fillings.
• Cà Phê Trứng: Hanoi’s signature creamy egg coffee.

Dessert: End with a choice of chè or fruit yogurt for a sweet finish.

🚂 Unique Highlight: Train Street Experience

Overnight in Ha Noi!

06:20: Our sleeping bus will pick you at the address on Tran Quang Khai street and depart to Sapa following Noi Bai – Lao Cai highway. Along the way, you will have a chance to enjoy the beauty of northwestern mountains, terraced fields sparkling in sunlight or dim in thick fog. Have two short breaks in 30 minutes for each and then continue the trip to Sapa.

13.00 – 13:30: Arrive in Sapa, eat lunch and check in at the hotel.

14:30: You will start hiking to Cat Cat Village which is occupied by the Black H’mong tribe.

Here, you can see the hydroelectric power station which was built by the French in the twentieth century. You will experience the tribal way of life of ethnic minorities while enjoying wonderful views of the terraced rice paddy fields and the waterfall in Cat Cat village. Visitors will also understand culture, unique customs, traditional crafts such as weaving, touching carved silver, forged agricultural tools…Come back to the hotel.

After dinner, you are free to explore the charm of Sapa by night, enjoy roasted corn, baked eggs beside charcoal fire or go shopping. Especially on Saturday night, we highly recommend a stop at the Love Market – one of the unique cultures of ethnic minorities in northwest Vietnam. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

Overnight in Sapa.

Have breakfast in the hotel.

08:00: Car and tour guide take you to Fansipan Cable Car Station to start the journey to conquer Fansipan with the world’s most modern 3-wire cable car system with a cabin that can accommodate up to 30 visitors. Then continue conquering to the top of Fansipan at 3.143m higher from sea-level, the roof of Indochina.

11:30: Back to Sapa, have lunch and rest.

14:00: Get on the bus and go back to Hanoi.

20:30 – 21:00: Arrive to Ha Noi

Overnight in Ha Noi.

07:45-08:30: You will be picked up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and transferred to Ha Long .

11:30-12:00: Upon arrival at Tuan Chau International Cruise Port, you will enjoy a warm welcome by our cruise staff in the waiting lounge and complete check-in procedure.

12:00: Upon boarding Amanda Cruise, our crew welcome you with a refreshing drink and cold towel before checking into your cabin. The vessel leaves Tuan Chau Marina, taking you on an exciting journey to discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay. Along the way, you can enjoy the view of some of the most beautiful spots in Ha Long and admire the grandeur of the Bay with thousands of limestone islands while the vessel heads to Luon Cave & Titop Island.

Enjoy your lunch at our luxurious restaurant on board while the vessel cruises toward Luon Cave.

14.00: You will be transferred to Titop Island by tender.

Visit Titop Island and hike to the top for stunning views of Ha Long Bay, or have a fun swim in the clear blue water.

16.00: Exploring Sung Sot cave. This is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay. The cave has some unique rock formations which couldn’t be found anywhere else. The path to the mouth of Sung Sot Cave is under a canopy of leaves. Walking through steep stone steps, tourists may have the feeling of climbing on mountains and experience the excitement as if they are stepping to the sky.

17.30-18.00: Back on board, you will participate in Sunset party & cooking class while the vessel cruises toward the shore. You can enjoy relaxing moments while sipping a cup of traditional Vietnamese tea or coffee on the sundeck amid wonderful scenery and beautiful sunset. Ha Long Bay is calm during the day, but when the sun goes down, the Bay becomes even more tranquil and peaceful.

You will be instructed to make delicious Fresh Spring rolls by our chef and then enjoy the rolls made on your own.

17.30-18.30: Happy hour – BUY 2 DRINK GET 1 FOR FREE

19.30: Gala Dinner. Enjoy your dinner on the Sundeck (if the weather is favorable)

20.30: After dinner, you will enjoy a peaceful view of the Bay at night on the deck. You can also participate in evening activities such as herbal foot bath in your room (free of charge), Bamboo dancing, fashion show traditional customers “Footsteps of Heritage” and some drinks at Sky Bar and massage (subject to additional charge), while admiring breathtaking view of the Bay at night and squid fishing.

The cruise ship anchors for your peaceful night stay in quiet area.

Overnight in Amanda Ha Long Bay cruise.

06:15: Start your day with Tai Chi class on the sundeck.

06:30-07:00: Enjoy a light breakfast with coffee, tea, cake and fruit.

07:30: You return to your cabin to prepare for kayaking activities in Luon Cave.

Arriving at Luon Cave area, you will participate in kayaking or rafting here around the thousand-year-old rock formations.

08:30-09:30: Back on board, you can rest in your room, enjoy the herbal foot bath prepared by our crew, sunbathe on the sundeck, take pictures of HaLong Bay or shop for souvenirs on the boat.

09:30: Check-out time.

Please put your luggage outside your cabin and leave the room key at the reception desk. Our staff will transfer your luggage to the waiting area. While waiting, you can shop for some products of Amanda cruise.

10:00: Enjoy an early lunch buffet at the restaurant on the 2nd floor and settle the bills if any.

11:00: Arrival at Tuan Chau Marina.

14:30: Drop off at hotel in the old quarter Hanoi.

*Because of cruising conditions, the program may be changed slightly due to specific weather or tide conditions without prior notice to visitors. Wi-Fi is available although internet connectivity is limited due to the geography of Ha Long.

Driver takes you to the airport. Fly to Da Nang – city of Central part Viet Nam.

Overnight in Da Nang.

08.00 – 08.30: Picking up at Da Nang city and leaving for Hue city

On the way, we can see some beautiful attraction such as: Hai Van pass – is an approximately 21km long mountain pass on National Route 1A in Vietnam. It is the natural border of Thua Thien Hue Province and Da Nang City, one of the most scenic hillside roads in Vietnam.

10:45: You will visit the Khai Dinh Tomb, the tomb had elements of Eastern art mixed with Western designs.

12:00: Having a nice lunch with Hue cuisine and rest at beautiful restaurant

13:00: You will continue visiting Hue imperial city – the palace of 13 Nguyen Kings with

Ngo Mon Gate, Library, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns, etc.

15:00: Visiting Thien Mu pagoda associated with culture and history of Hue.

15:45: Return to Da Nang.

Overnight in Da Nang.

08:00: Local guide picks up at the hotel. Go to market with our chef (about 30 minutes). We will have a chance to see and experience the noise as well as directly contact sellers. In addition to this, we will show the ingredients for use in our lesson.

Transfer to Cam Thanh village by car or boat on the way, you can explore the beautiful views of the Vietnamese countryside and see the water and coconut trees growing together. Enjoy your time with basket boat rowing through the coconut jungle forest

12:00: Enjoy a welcome drink and take a rest at our restaurant, then join the cooking class. Our chef will teach you how to cook some local food. After the lesson, enjoy what you have cooked.

13:30: Return to hotel in Hoi An. Check in hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An

14:30: Our guide will meet you at our hotel in Hoi An City Center and start the Hoi An City Tour.

Firstly, you’ll visit Hoi An Market which is always bustling. It offers an unmissable shopping experience. This market is full of sights, colors, sounds and smells.

Next to Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, a colorful mélange of bright gates, dragon statues and elaborate rooftops. Get an introduction to ancestor worship while visiting the family altar and watching local devotees making offerings.

You will see remarkably well-preserved old houses: Phung Hung Ancient House or Tan Ky Ancient House. That have withstood 200 years of weather and war. Learn about the prosperous merchants who used to live in these homes, trading with buyers from all around the world.

After that, going to Museum of Folk Culture in Hoi An, a display of artifacts depicts ancient local daily life in a 150-year-old Chinese merchant house. Especially, you will enjoy art shows at Hoi An Traditional Performing Arts House.

Make a stop at the Japanese Bridge. The bridge spans a small waterway and was constructed more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. Admire the carvings and paintings inside the bridge, learning about their symbolism and cultural significance.

Additionally, visit some of Hoi An’s well-known handicraft shops and artwork galleries. Discover smaller laneways and local neighborhoods gaining a better appreciation of Hoi An’s endless charm.

Enjoy your time with the boat ride and release the flower lantern to pray for the lucks to you and your family. You will immerse yourself in the fanciful space of the lantern street.

18:30: Finish Hoi An city tour

Our guide will take you back to your hotel in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Have your breakfast. Check out hotel. Driver picks up you to the airport to fly to home.

Trip ends. See you next time!

Thank you for travelling with Jenny From The Blog!!!