Vietnam Glory Tour (12 days/11 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.

We will have lunch at local restaurant and then pay a visit to the Hanoi Ethnology Museum, which focuses on the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam. From here we will take a 1-hour cyclo ride around Hanoi’s iconic Older Quarter, where you will have the opportunity to visit Hoan Kiem Lake and its famous Ngoc Son Temple. You will be transferred back to the hotel to freshen up, and our transport will bring you to the Hanoi Train Station, where you will catch a night train to the hill station of Lao Cai (Sapa). Overnight on Train.

You will arrive at Lao Cai station around 6:00 AM, where our transport will meet you and bring you out to Sapa. (Before beginning your trip, you will have breakfast at a local restaurant.) Your day begins with a drive to the Lao Chai village, where we will start trekking downhill to Muong Hoa Valley. As we trek through the picturesque rice paddies, we’ll pass through the area’s small hamlets where you can learn about the customs and daily habits of hill tribes in the region. You’ll have a chance to speak with the locals of the village, and we will have a picnic lunch along the way. After lunch, you will continue trekking through the villages and terraced rice fields to the Dzay People’s Ta Van Village (considered to be the most beautiful village in the area). We will have dinner here and spend the evening at a local family’s homestay in Ta Van.

After having breakfast at the homestay, you will continue the trek onwards towards the Red Dao people’s Giang Ta Chai village- home to a beautiful waterfall. The Red Dao women are known for their colorful red embroideries and coins on their clothing, as well as their brightly colored red head scarves. Observing a Red Dao legend, some of these women have even shaved off their eyebrows. You will continue along from Giang Ta Chai through small paths in the rice fields, crossing a picturesque suspended bridge over the Muong Hoa River, and up to the Supan village where you will meet the transfer back to Sapa. (There will be a picnic lunch along the way with a local family.) Upon arrival in Sapa you are free to walk around, shop, or try the local cuisine before transferring back to the Lao Cai station for the night train back to Hanoi. (Overnight on train.)

You will arrive in Hanoi at around 5 AM where a “day room” will be available at a MinMax Travel affiliate hotel (nearby the train station), where you can shower, freshen up and enjoy some breakfast. Our shuttle bus will pick you up from the hotel around 8.00 – 8.30 AM, and carry you onwards towards 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. You will have the afternoon and evening to yourself, where you can relax, eat out or explore Hanoi’s bustling, captivating streets. (Overnight in Hanoi).

On Day 7 you are free in the morning to explore Hanoi until our driver transfers you to Noi Bai Airport for the short flight south to Hue. Upon arrival, a MinMax Travel staff member will pick you up, transfer and check you into your hotel. The rest of day is open for you to explore Hue. (Overnight in Hue.)

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. The afternoon will be spent exploring the elaborate mausoleums and monuments of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh.

In the late afternoon, 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).

Day 9 is open for you to explore Hoi An. Spend the day at Hoi An’s beautiful beach (one of Vietnam’s finest!) or have some clothes tailor made by one of the local experts (very inexpensive in Hoi An!) If you like to cook, Hoi An also offers some amazing cooking classes where you can spend a memorable day exploring the local markets and learning the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine alongside an expert chef. (Overnight in Hoi An.)

After breakfast in Hoi An, you will take a morning flight south to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon on arrival, one of our staff members will pick you up and begin your city tour. Starting off at the Reunification Palace, you will have the chance to 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 drive to the hotel for check in and relaxation. (Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.)

The morning of Day 11, we will leave Ho Chi Minh City for the 2.5-hour drive south to the delta town of Cai Be. Upon arrival, you will board a boat to the iconic Cai Be floating market, where traders have been living and working along the delta waters for generations. Along the way we will have the chance to admire the delta scenery and daily life of the local villagers. We will then take a 1-hour bicycle tour around Tan Thanh to visit some of the local countryside. Here you can experience some memorable sights such as rice barges and traditional shipyards, and even get the chance to taste some delicious, local tropical fruits. In the afternoon we will return to Ho Chi Minh City for the evening. (Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City)

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.

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