BEN AND MICHELLE'S PLAN: VIET NAM ITINERARY 18D17N IN THE SOUTH, CENTRAL & NORTH

Welcome to Sai Gon aka Ho Chi Minh city – the biggest city in Viet Nam.

Get picked up by our driver.

Transfer to the hotel. Check in hotel then having free time.

Overnight in Sai Gon

Having your free day in Sai Gon for relaxing.

Overnight in Sai Gon

Private Sai Gon “Foodie” By Night Motorbike Tour

Pick-up: 5:30-6:00 PM Drop-off: 8:30-9:00 PM

What you’ll do

• Hop on motorbike and head to the seafood haven! Taste mouthwatering dishes with clams, squid, and scallops, spiced to perfection. Sip a cold   beer or soda for an extra kick!
• Feel the wind as we pass iconic bridges like Bason Bridge and immerse yourself in the lively vibe of Ho Chi Minh City while riding to district 3 for a fresh Banh Mi!
• Enter Saigon’s hidden alleys for Banh Xeo or Banh Khot! Try sizzling cakes and mini pancakes. Pile on fresh veggies and dip in sweet and sour fish sauce for crunch and flavor!
• Take a leisurely walk and snap nice pics at Ho Thi Ky Market, a vibrant flower market.
• Satisfy your sweet tooth with creamy avocado cream, a delightful Vietnamese dessert. Don’t miss tasty Banh Trang Nuong (Vietnamese pizza) or Bo La Lot (Vietnamese Grilled Beef Wrapped in Betel Leaves)!
• Get back to the hotel with great memories of amazing flavors and unforgettable moments of our motorbike food tour!

Overnight in Sai Gon

7:00-7:30 Get picked-up from your accommodation in the city center to the Mekong Delta, My Tho City. On the way, you will pass by beautiful rice paddy fields. There will be a break stop for restroom and coffee.

ITINERARY

A smooth one-and-half-hour bus ride through rice field scenery along National Highway 1 brings you to the beautiful rural district of Trung Luong.

On arrival at My Tho, after visiting Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely cruise on the Tien River to view the four beautiful islands: Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise. Boats pass by the fish rafts along the Tien River, overlooking the Rach Mieu Bridge. Stroll along the village road, visit the orchard and enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of “Southern Vietnamese folk music” performed by locals.

Riding a hand-rowed sampan through the Tan Thach canal. Then visit the coconut candy mill and take an amazing rowing boat trip along the small canal on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals.

Enjoy lunch at the local restaurant; Then the motorboat will take you back to the cruise. Meet on the bus and return to Ho Chi Minh City. This trip provides a fascinating insight into daily life in the Mekong Delta, and you are guaranteed to take home your private collection of beautiful memories.

Overnight in Sai Gon

Have your breakfast. Check out hotel. Driver takes you to airport. Fly to Da Nang.

Overnight in Da Nang

MARBLE MOUNTAINS – MONKEY MOUNTAIN – AM PHU CAVE MORNING TOUR

08:30 We’ll pick you up at the hotel and visit Monkey Mountain. A giant statue of Lady Buddha with a beautiful background such as mountains and a huge garden of bonsai would draw your attention. You will definitely get lost in the garden of heaven with gripping stories when gently walking and enjoying a fresh breeze.

09:30– 10:00 Discovery the Marble Mountains and stop for a walk along the site to see local factories of stone sculptures – the most impressive handicrafts village in Da Nang. – Check in the Marble Mountains by climbing up to the top (elevator is optional). Here we will see beautiful pagodas which were made in the 19th century by the last dynasty of the Viet Nam monarchy, and visit Huyền Không or Tàng Chơn caves.

– Keep going to see the biggest fascinating cave named as Âm Phủ cave. You will learn interesting philosophies of Buddhism and take photos with amazing natural creations.

12:00 Have lunch at a local restaurant with local and authentic Vietnamese cuisines.

13:30 Tour guide will drop you at your hotel.

Overnight in Da Nang

7:30 – Pick up from your hotel in Đà Nẵng. – Drive via Hải Vân Pass.

• Stop at the top for breathtaking views of the coastline and mountains.
• Quick photo stop at the Hải Vân Gate.

08:45 – Short stop at Lăng Cô Beach – white sand & turquoise water.

– Continue to Lập An Lagoon

• Quick coffee break with a stunning backdrop of mountains and water

10:30–12:00 – Visit Imperial City (Citadel) – explore the Noon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Forbidden Purple City, and royal gardens.

12:15–13:15 – Lunch at a local Hue restaurant

13:30–14:15 – Visit Khai Dinh Tomb – a unique blend of Eastern and Western architecture.

14:30–15:00 – Visit Thiên Mụ Pagoda – overlooking the Perfume River.

15:15 – Depart Hue.

18:00–18:30 – Arrive back in Đà Nẵng.

Overnight in Da Nang

10:00 Get picked up by our tour guide and 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,

After lunch heading to 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.

Finish Hoi An city tour. Our guide will take you back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An

Having your free day for resting.

Overnight in Hoi An

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!

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

Experience the Best of Hanoi with Hanoi Jeep Tours. Are you ready to explore Hanoi in a unique and exciting way?

Join Hanoi Jeep Tours and discover the hidden gems of the city. We begin our journey by picking you up from your hotel located in and around Hanoi Old Quarter. Our guide and driver will greet you at your hotel lobby or a meeting point and give you a safety briefing before we begin our adventure.

On the first part of our Hanoi Jeep Tours, we’ll expose you to the REAL HANOI and give you a day-in-the-life experience of the city. We’ll take you through parts of the city that other travel companies don’t usually venture into, including maze-like backstreets, tiny alleyways, local homes, schools, random markets, and black marketplaces. You’ll get to experience where and how locals live, work, and play. At Hanoi Backstreet Tours, we don’t just show you the good side, but also the bad and weird sides of your destination. For us, the popular tourist sites are the tip of the iceberg, and the real destinations are hidden in the parts-unknown.

The second part of our Hanoi Jeep Tours takes you to pass by the MUST-SEE places of Hanoi, including the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, the Tran Quoc Buddhist temples, the amazing Hanoi TRAIN-STREET, the enchanting French Quarter, the hustling and bustling Old Quarter, the romantic lakes of Hoan Kiem and West Lake, Hanoi Opera House, and the famous Long Bien bridge, etc.

Finally, our tour ends with food! We’ll take you to the Hidden Gem Cafe, where you can savor the tastiest, authentic, healthy, and organic dishes of Hanoi. We offer vegan and vegetarian options as well. Join Hanoi Jeep Tours and experience the beauty, culture, and authentic tastes of Hanoi.

16:00 Bus picks up to Ha Giang. Arrive to Ha Giang around mid-night.

Overnight in Ha Giang

8.00am Tour is start at our homestay in Ha Giang city, our tour guide and drivers will brief for you how to be safe to sit behind with easy riders.

On the first day, you will see a big change in the scenery when you drive into the mountain roads. We will stop at Bac Sum Slope to enjoy the view and have drinks before arrival the town of Quan Ba.

The tour takes you through the Dong Van Karst Geopark – a major geoheritage site in Vietnam. You will see a lot of terraced rice fields, thousands of limestone rocks and magnificent views and hidden villages at the Valley. People will be working on the land and you will get a taste of rural north Vietnamese countryside life. Our riders also take you to the Quan Ba Heaven gate & Twin mountains – the famous viewpoint in Ha Giang.

We will have lunch in local restaurant in Yen Minh Town. After lunch, we drive to Dong Van Town, you will make a stop at Tham Ma Slope and the residence of the Vuong’s family, which is still called “H’mong King Palace”.

Then we will come to homestay and have dinner in Dong Van Town.

Overnight in Dong Van

After have breakfast at homestay, on this day you will have chance to see the most beautiful landscape in Ha Giang and see the amazing heaven pass – Ma Pi Leng pass where you can see the Nho Que river underneath.

This pass is well known, most tourists call this the most beautiful part of the loop. Just after the pass you will take another road back to Yen Minh.

This road takes you through equally beautiful landscapes as the first day. From Yen Minh the route takes you back to Ha Giang City. During the tour you will see the different cultures and hill tribes such as the H’mong tribe living in the Ha Giang province.

Their beautiful clothes are easily recognisable. You will be impressed along the way by all aspects of the trip, the stunning views, fascinating country life and beautiful cultures. The whole trip is an immensely rewarding experience and will give you a long-life memory.

Get a bus to back to Ha Noi at night. You will arrive to Ha Noi in early morning.

Overnight in bus

Arrive to Ha Noi around 4am. Having a rest day in Ha Noi.

Overnight in Ha Noi

7:30 Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel. We take you to Ninh Binh province which is far from Hanoi city about 120 km.

09:30: Have a short break for 20 minutes to relax

10:30: The first destination in this trip is visit Hoa Lu ancient capital. This is the first capital of Vietnam. Come to visit Hoa Lu, you will learn about why the capital was moved to Hanoi nowadays. You are impressed on an outstanding architecture when entering temples of King Dinh and King Le, the first and second emperors of ancient Vietnam, built in the 17th century. Try to feel ancient atmospheres in Hoa Lu ancient capital.

11:45: Having lunch at the local restaurant.

13:00: Visit Trang An which was recognized by UNESCO as The world Heritage Site in 2014. Trang An has the wonderful tunnel cave system so that Kong’s Movie Group chose this place for New Version of Kong in 2016 – “Skull Island “. Boat trip to visit Trang An to see the amazing beauty of this landscape with many caves such as: Sang Cave (Light Cave), Toi Cave (Dark cave), Nau Ruou Cave (Cooking Wine), green river and natural view.

15:30: Get on the bus to go to Mua Cave (Dancing Cave). Walk up almost 500 steps, you can reach to the top of Lying Dragon Moutain, have an amazing panoramic view of Tam Coc from here.

16:30 – 17:00 Finish Ninh Binh day trip.

Overnight in Tam Coc

07:45: Get picked up from your hotel. Driver take you to Tuan Chau port by private car.

08:15 – 11:30: Follow the newest highway connecting Hanoi and Hai Phong.

Upon arrival at Station number 17 – OVERNIGHT CRUISE PORT, Tuan Chau Maria, Ha Long passengers will be welcomed by receptionist at La Casta’s waiting lounge.

11:30 – 12:00: After taking a rest, our high-speed tender will transfer you to the main boat (Around 25 minutes).

Get onboard and warmly welcome from La Casta crew team with welcome drink.

After that, you will be given a short briefing about La Casta Cruise and safety guideline at our restaurant.

Complete the check-in procedure and check-into your cabin

13:00: Enjoy a lunch in the restaurant. La Casta Cruise start to depart for the voyage to discover the Lan Ha Bay.

15:45: Visit the Ba Trai Dao area and the natural lagoon of Lan Ha Bay – this area includes the beach breaths a romantic atmosphere and three smaller islets like three giant peaches on the sea. You can join with our activities such as: kayaking, swimming, sightseeing and explore the Ba Trai Dao area.

(In unfavorable weather conditions, to ensure the safety of our guest, this destination would be change into Dark and Bright cave– famous for the pristine natural beauty and poetic, attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. You can join with our activities such as: kayaking, sightseeing on the   bamboo boat, … This is the best time for you to enjoy bamboo boats or swimming which is an interesting activity to discover the truest beauty of the stunning limestone structure and the blue sky of Lan Ha Bay).

17:30 – 18:30: Come back to our La Casta cruise and enjoy the pre-dinner sunset party with Happy Hour Promotion (buy 2 get 1 free with some kinds of drinks) at the bar while watching the view of the bay at sunset.

18:00: Join a cooking demonstration, our chef will guide you how to make some simple signature Vietnamese dishes.

19:30: Enjoy special seafood and typical Vietnamese food on the cruise.

21:00: Evening entertainment: Squid fishing, karaoke…

Overnight on the La Casta Cruise. 

06:15: Wake up early, join the Tai Chi session on sundeck area, enjoy the fresh atmosphere and watch the sunrise in Lan Ha Bay.

07:00 – 07:45: Have breakfast. Admit morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.

08:00: Stroke the stunning views of the Bay and its dramatic limestone islets

Visit the famous Tra Bau, it is time for freely kayak and explore the landscape, or swim…

09:00: Back to your cabin, relax and check carefully all the luggage before leaving your cabin.

09:30: Check-out and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay for room service. Complete check out procedure and enjoy your brunch at La Casta cruise.

10:30: Enjoy the brunch at restaurant.

11:30: Disembark at Tuan Chau harbor, we hope you have enjoyed your time with us and wish you a safe onward journey.

14:30 – 15:00 Arrive to Ha Noi city.

* 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.

Overnight in Ha Noi

Check out hotel. Driver picks up to the airport. Fly to home

Trip ends. See you next time!

Note: Driver picks up 3,5 hours before your departure flight!

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