ITA Travel - Vietnam 18D/17N : Vietnam Road & Rail Discovery

Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival (-/-/D)

On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ha Noi, Vietnam’s capital, is one thousand year old city with peaceful lakes, French styled buildings, old quarter streets, tree lined boulevards, brightly painted temples and pagodas. (If time permits) we enjoy a short cyclo ride around the old quarter streets to see the different local ways of life. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 2: Hanoi –  (B/L)

Today we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. The beautiful West Lake and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history are also highlight of our trip. We visit these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance.

Overnight train to Lao Cai

Day 3: Sapa (B/L/D)

Pick up at Lao Cai station and transfer to hotel in Sapa, the town in the mist of cloud. As soon as arriving in this small quiet town you will be impressed by the romantic appearance of old French architecture and the streets filled with various kinds of hilltribes’costumes up and down the hills. Have shower and then order for breakfast. After a short relax, we start trekking to Laochai — Tavan. You will trek through remote villages of Red Dao, Black H’mong and Giay ethnic groups, pass incredbly beautiful valleys and rice — terraces. Have picnic lunch on the hill. After a 5-hours trek, have a short relax before our Jeep pick you up and back Sapa. Have dinner and enjoy Sapa at night with streets full of local brocade works and children in their colorful costumes walk in group and sing together. The Cathedral is worth seeing, too.

Day 4: Sapa – Hanoi (B/L/D)

Today you will take a cable car ride to the roof ò Indochina, the Fanxipan Peak. Back Sapa town for luch. Have lunch. In the afternoon, visiting Silver Waterfall, Dragon Jaw mountain and see garden of Mongolia, Gate of Heaven. Have dinner and take the night train to Hanoi. Overnight on train.

Day 5: Hanoi – Ha Long (B/L/D)

Arrive in Hanoi early in the morning. Have shower and breakfast. Free at leisure and take a ride to Halong. Overnight in Halong.

Day 6: Ha Long – Hanoi – Hue (B/L/D)

This morning we have a boat trip (4-hours) on Halong Bay to see thousands of strange- shaped islets and islands which will remind of many interesting images in mysterious tales or legends, stop for visit magnificent scenes of Halong through system of Karst caves and grottoes such as: Thien Cung, Sung Sot...Lunch with sea food will be served on boat. We have some swimming in fresh water before go on ahead to Ha noi. In the evening, we will transfer to the train station, and board the Reunification Express to Hue and our bed for the night is a 4-bed sleeper carriage. 

Day 7: Hue (B/L/D)     

On arrival Hue in the morning and transferred to hotel. After a morning at leisure, we take a boat trip on the Perfume River, stopping at the beautiful pagoda of Thien Mu and The Imperial Citadel, in the tranquil setting garden and lakes.

Day 8: Hue – Hoi An (B/L/D)

The elaborate mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc are also visited this morning before we drive to Hoi an. The scenic route passes fishing village of Lang Co before through Hai Van tunnel. On our journey we make stops at the sensational Marble Mountains and the display of Cham’s sculpture.  Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoi An (B/L/D)

Sightseeing of Hoi An which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. The tranquillity and charm of this town with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, brightly painted temples and pagodas make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 10: Hoi An – Nha Trang (B/L/D)

On train from Danang to Nha trang. Upon arrival, you are transferred to hotel for leisure..

Day 11: Nha Trang (B/L/D)

The fabulous sunny weather, turquoise water surrounding a string of islands and white sandy beach stretching the whole length of the city make Nha Trang one of Vietnam's premier beach resorts. The usual water spots such as fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving are also available. On these free days, you can soak up as much sun and sea as you want by spending your time on the turquoise water enjoying swimming or lazing on a beach. Over night in Nha Trang.

Day 12: Nha Trang – Da Lat (B/L/D)

Today we will have free time relaxing on a beach or strolling around the town. Travel to Dalat on road. Enjoy cooler mountain air, and is in a region dotted with waterfalls, forests, gardens and lakes.  Overnight in Dalat.

Day 13: Da Lat (B/L/D)

Begin our tour by visiting Prenn and Datanla waterfall, Tuyen Lam Lake. Boat trip to the jungle - Walking up the hill. Challenge yourself with riding Elephant- Lunch. Overnight in Dalat.

Day 14: Da Lat – Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/D)

After breakfast, enjoy a half day city tour includes: Domain De Marie Church, crazy house, flower garden, Xuan Huong Lake, Emperor Bao Dai's Summer Palace. Then, travel on road to Ho Chi Minh city. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 15: Ho Chi Minh - My Tho – Ho Chi Minh (B/L/D)

Explore the Mekong Delta, the heart of South Vietnam, dotted with rice paddies and fruit plantations.  Take various boat trips amongst the smaller tributaries to visit local floating markets, villages, home industries and plantations.

Day 16: Ho Chi Minh – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi – Ho Chi Minh (B/L/D)

Heading out of town we travel by road to Tay Ninh, the head quarter of Cao Dai region. On arrival we attend the fantastic mid-day temple service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. On return trip we also make stop to explore Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh half day city (B/L/-)

A half day tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals takes in the Nôtre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, a lacquerware factory, the bustling market of Binh Tay Market in Chinatown. Afternoon at leisure and free.

Day 18: Ho Chi Minh city – departure (B/-/-)

Transfer to airport to take your flight home.