The Secret Of Vietnam Tour (17 days/16 nights)

Upon arriving at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, you will be welcomed by one of our MinMax Travel team members and brought to your hotel in a private car. As arrival times vary and international travel can be quite exhausting, we leave the remainder of the day open. Your first night is spent in Hanoi city.

We begin our tour of Hanoi by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Here you can experience the architectural splendor and historical importance of Uncle Ho's final resting place- a national treasure for all Vietnamese. Adjacent to the mausoleum is Ho Chi Minh's former “House on Stilts,” where the leader spent a great deal of his free time. From here we visit the nearby One Pillar Pagoda, an 11th century temple built by King Ly Thai To. This pagoda is not only historically and religiously significant, but is also an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continuing on, we visit one of the city’s most iconic destinations: the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam). Vietnam’s first University, this 11th century establishment boasts perfectly manicured gardens and extremely well-preserved architecture, offering visitors some excellent insight into Vietnam’s rich past.

After a busy morning, we will enjoy lunch at a delicious local restaurant and travel by cyclo through the bustling “Old Quarter” of Hanoi (approximately 1 hour). Our scenic cyclo tour ends with a visit to Lake Hoan Kiem’s Ngoc Son Temple and a live viewing of Hanoi's world-famous Water Puppet Show (Mua Roi Nuoc). A traditional form of entertainment in Northern Vietnam, the roots of these memorable shows date as far back as the 10th century. Day 2 ends with a transfer back to the hotel and another night in the capital city.

Day 3 starts around 8:00-8:30 AM with a hotel pickup and shuttle bus out to Halong Bay. Upon arriving at the port, the Ha Long Cruise boat crew will bring you aboard, where you can enjoy a welcome drink and check in to your assigned cabin. A seafood lunch will be served soon after, and as your boat launches out into the mystical bay, you’ll immediately see many of the numerous attractions. A quiet cruise carries you along the amazing karsts, all boasting different, unique formations. From the Mat Qui (Monster’s face), But Moc & Cap De islets, through the Trong (Drum), Luon and Trinh Nu caves, out into the remarkable Floating Fishing Village- you will be mesmerized and captivated by Halong’s timeless beauty. As for personal time, there will be plenty of opportunities for swimming, sun bathing and photography all throughout the day. Top off the day with an unforgettable sunset dinner and relax under the starlit sky before retiring to the comfort of your cabin.

Early risers can enjoy a morning view of the Bay’s iconic landscapes while waiting for breakfast. After eating, pass the morning hours atop the boat’s upper deck, where you can capture breathtaking, panoramic shots of the rocky islets rising up from the bay’s crystal-clear waters. With no towns, roads or traffic nearby, the silence is absolutely serene. Before heading back to town, explore one more “Amazing” (Sung Sot) cave, swim and relax at the Titop Beach and soak up some top-deck rays. Lunch is served while you make your way to port, and you’ll arrive at the harbor by 12:00 Noon. Your shuttle bus to Hanoi will be waiting, and you’ll arrive back at the hotel around 4.30PM. (Overnight in Hanoi City)

Day 5 is totally open for your exploration of Hanoi. Wander through the ancient streets, soak in the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, find some great souvenirs or taste some excellent local Hanoi cuisine. Around 7:30 pm you will depart from your hotel to the Hanoi train station, where you’ll catch a night train to Lao Cai Station. (Overnight on train.)

Picked up at Laocai Station early in the morning by private car. Arrive at Sapa round 8:00 AM. Breakfast at local restaurant then start the tour with 6 km transferred by car then walk on 2 km down to Lao Chai village, and close Ta Van village of the Dzay minority. Lunch at a local family in Ta Van, all for you to discover their daily life, works and special custom, enjoy landscapes… Continue after through bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai village of the red Dzao, visit a wonderful waterfall & a suspension rattan bridge on the way to the main road for a car to return to Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 7 begins with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a 4-km walk to southwest Sapa, where we will visit the Cat Cat village of the Black H’mong. Following this we will relax and enjoy some food at the stunning waterfall and hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial period in Vietnam. After lunch, we will transfer to Bac Ha, embark on a 2-hour trek to the Ban Pho village, where we will meet the Flower H'Mong people. In this village we can catch a glimpse inside a local house, where we can learn a bit about their lifestyles and traditional customs (we will even try their homemade wine made from corn!). After this journey we will return back to the town and overnight in Bac Ha.

During the visit in Bac Ha, we will meet and learn about the peaceful lives of 6 different minority peoples (Flower H’mong, Black Dzao, Tay, Dzay, HaNhi and Nung). On Day 8 we will get the chance to visit to the local market where all the minority groups meet to share news, joys & sorrows after important harvests. After leaving the market, we will board a boat along the Chay River where colossal rock mountains and breathtaking waterfalls lift our spirits (yet make us feel extremely small!). From the boat we will visit the “Fairy Cave” (located deep in the rocks), as well as the Trung Do Village of the Tay Minority peoples, located just nearby the river. We will take a car back to the Lao Cai Station and board the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on train.

You will arrive in Hanoi’s Train Station around 5:30AM and walk to a nearby MinMax Travel affiliate hotel where you can freshen up and have some breakfast. You will then prepare your luggage, take an airport transfer and catch a quick flight south to the city of Hue City. Upon arrival in Hue, you will be greeted by a local MinMax staff member, transferred to your hotel and have the remainder of the day to yourself.

You will start your tour of this former Imperial Capital (ruled by the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802-1945), by taking a boat trip down the beautiful Perfume River. Here you will encounter the city’s best-known religious site, the Thien Mu Pagoda. After soaking in the scenery and attractions, you will have the chance to try a local lunch at one of our favorite restaurant in Hue City. The afternoon will be spent exploring the elaborate mausoleums and monuments of emperors Tu Duc.

Then, you will drive a few hours south to the town of Hoi An. Along the coastal road to Hoi An, you will experience one of the country’s most beautiful strips of highway, filled with spectacular views of Da Nang, the East Sea and Lang Co’s virgin beaches – some of the best in Vietnam. You will have the opportunity to visit Da Nang’s My Khe Beach on the way to Hoi An, finally arriving to town in the evening. (Check in and spend the evening in Hoi An).

After breakfast in Hoi An, you will pay a visit to the My Son Sanctuary: a UNESCO World Heritage site located 40 km southwest of Hoi An. Situated amidst a lush, green valley, My Son was once the capital and religious center of the Cham peoples. 7-13th century red brick temples, towering monuments and ancient sanctuaries fill this historic site, which is viewed alongside Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, Thailand’s Ayutthaya, Indonesia’s Borobudur and Myanmar’s Bagan; simply one of Vietnam’s must visit destinations! You will return to Hoi An in the afternoon, where you will have the opportunity to tour the area’s iconic Ancient Town. The visit will include the Japanese covered bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, and some typical 18th century Vietnamese merchant houses. Top off the day with some shopping or just relax along the banks of Hoi An’s Thu Bon River. (Overnight in Hoi An)

Day 12 starts at the hotel around 8:30, when you will take a bicycle ride to the Tra Que Vegetable Village, about 3 kilometers away from Hoi An. Here you will get the chance to experience a day of living and working alongside the local vegetable farmers. Tour the organic vegetable and herb gardens, try your hand at some of the main field-working techniques and learn all about the water systems and fresh, organic fertilizers. Heading back to the Tra Que family house, you will work together with our family chef to learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food. Afterwards you can sit down and savor the dishes you worked so hard to prepare! After lunch, you will bike back to your hotel in Hoi An where you can spend the afternoon relaxing, wandering the old town or soaking in the rays at one of Hoi An’s pristine beaches. (Overnight in Hoi An.)

After breakfast, you are free to explore Hoi An City one more time until our driver transports you to the airport for the short flight south to Ho Chi Minh City. A MinMax Travel agent will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel for check in, and the rest of the day can be spent at your leisure. (Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.)

After having breakfast, we will begin the tour by visiting the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels. Here you will have the chance to experience what life was like for guerilla soldiers living and fighting underground during the war. Crawling through a 50-100 meter portion of over 200 kilometers of tunnel systems is truly an unforgettable experience. On the ride back to Ho Chi Minh City, we will visit local rice paper workshops with beautiful rice paddy fields illustrating the way.

After returning for lunch, we will begin our Ho Chi Minh City Tour. Starting off at the Reunification Palace, visitors can explore one of the most historically important buildings in the entire city. We will then pay a visit to the poignant War Remnants Museum (formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes), a moving display speaking out on the futility of war. Nearby are some excellent examples of French Colonial architecture (Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office), and we’ll wrap up the day touring the iconic Ben Thanh Market. After observing this vibrant commercial center and exploring some of its famous street life, we will return back to the hotel (overnight in Saigon).

Day 15 begins our exploration of the Mekong Delta region: a major rice producing area of Vietnam. Considered to be one of the world’s most fascinating rivers, the Mekong splits into nine major arteries, creating a vast network of rivers and waterways that fuel the life force of southwestern Vietnam. Between the thousands of ships that cruise through the waters and the everyday, local life thriving along the Mekong’s banks, the Delta region will be one of the most unique and memorable destinations on your Vietnam Tour.

Upon arrival from Ho Chi Minh City, you will make a boat trip out to the iconic Cai Be Floating Markets, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit local villages and meet the charming people of the Mekong Delta region. Your boat trip will continue on to An Binh Island, where you will have lunch with a local family. We will move on with the trip towards the city of Can Tho (the heart of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region), where you will check in to your hotel and have the evening to yourself. (Overnight in Can Tho.)

After having breakfast at the hotel, we will board a small, local rowboat and cruise along the narrow, picturesque tributaries. You will be able to see/photograph the Cai Rang Market (the biggest in Can Tho), the beautiful surrounding delta scenery and the daily activities of the locals who live along the Mekong’s canals. After that, we will visit a rice-husking mill, a rice noodle shop and taste some excellent, local tropical fruits. We will drive back to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening where you will spend the final night

After breakfast, you will have the chance to explore Ho Chi Minh City one last time (leaving at least 2 hours before your flight’s departure). Our driver will bring you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and your tour is complete!! We would like to express our sincere thanks for considering and (hopefully) choosing to travel with MinMax Travel.

We are confident that you will thoroughly enjoy every moment of your trip and every corner of our beautiful country.

MinMax: The Maximum experience for the Minimum price!

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