Vietnam Hidden Charm (15 days/14 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 you to 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 your hotel where you can freshen up and prepare your luggage, and in the evening our driver will take you to the Hanoi Train station. You will ride the night train to the Lao Cai Train Station (Sapa), spending the night on the train.

Upon arrival, you will be picked up at the Lao Cai Station early in the morning by one of our MinMax travel affiliates (in a private car). You will arrive to Sapa around 8:00 AM, where you can enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant. Your tour of Sapa will then begin with a 6-km jeep ride, followed by a 2-km walk down to the Lao Chai and Ta Van villages- home to the Dzay minority peoples. We will have a picnic lunch around midday with the local peoples, where you can learn all about their daily life, works and special customs… all while soaking in the amazing landscapes! Our car will pick you up from here and will bring you back to Sapa in the evening. (Overnight in Sapa.)

After breakfast, we will take the 2.5-hour drive to Bac Ha, where we will meet and learn about the peaceful lives of 6 different minority peoples (Flower H’mong, Black Dzao, Tay, Dzay, Ha Nhi and Nung). We will pay a visit to the Bac Ha 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 to Hanoi’s Train Station around 5:30 AM where you can walk to a MinMax Travel affiliate hotel nearby the train station. Here you’ll have the opportunity to freshen up, relax and have some breakfast. Pick up from the hotel will be around 8.00 – 8.30AM, with a shuttle bus taking you 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. From the hotel in Hanoi our driver will transfer you to the airport for an evening flight to Hue City. A MinMax Travel staff member will pick you up, transfer and check you in to the hotel, and you’ll spend the night 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. Before heading back to your hotel, you will have the chance to stroll around Dong Ba Market alongside your guide to shop for some great local souvenirs. (Overnight in Hue City)

After breakfast, we will leave Hue City for the ancient 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. Upon arrival in Hoi An, you will visit all the major attractions (on foot) within this ancient Vietnamese port town. The attractions will include the iconic Japanese covered bridge, ancient Chinese Assembly Halls and some typical 18th century Vietnamese merchant houses. After the tour you will have a chance to go shopping in town or relax by the banks of Hoi An’s Thu Bon River. (Overnight in Hoi An.)

As Hoi An is often many traveler’s favorite destination in Vietnam, we leave an entire day for you to explore this vibrant, cultural town on your own. Visit Hoi An’s pristine beaches, take a bike ride through the countryside and rice paddies, take an informative cooking class or consider getting some tailor made clothes in Vietnam’s tailoring capital! With so many attractions in this favorite Vietnam destination, you won’t have to look too far to keep busy! (Overnight in Hoi An)

On the morning of Day 10, you will take an early flight to the southern city of Ho Chi Minh City. Upon on arrival, one of our MinMax Travel guides will pick you up and begin your Ho Chi Minh City Tour. The day will being with a visit to the Reunification Palace, where 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)

On the morning of Day 11, we will leave Ho Chi Minh City for the 2.5-hour drive south to the Mekong delta town of Cai Be. Upon arrival, we will board a traditional boat to explore the Cai Be floating markets, where locals have been living and trading amidst the delta waters for generations. Throughout the peaceful cruise, you’ll have the chance to photograph the unique delta scenery and daily habits of the local villagers. After our cruise we will take a 1-hour bicycle ride through the picturesque countryside of Tan Thanh, where you can observe traditional rice barges, shipyards, and taste some exotic tropical fruits. We will return to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening and stay overnight.

On the morning of Day 12, you will take an early flight to Phu Quoc Island. Upon arrival, a MinMax Travel affiliate will pick you up, transfer and check you in to your hotel. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure. (Overnight in Phu Quoc Island.)

You will have all of Day 13 free to yourself- enjoy swimming, relaxing and soaking up Phu Quoc’s beautiful beaches.(Overnight in Phu Quoc)

You are free for the day to relax on Phu Quoc Island until our driver transfers you to the airport for your flight back to Ho Chi Minh City. A MinMax guide will pick you up, transfer you and check you into your hotel. (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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