Vietnam highlights 18 days

Arrival in Noi Bai airport , you will be picked up then transferred to the hotel in city center. The check-in is available at 2 pm. The day is free for your own exploration and shopping. Overnight at hotel.

At 12:15, our tour starts at your hotel in and around Hanoi Old Quarter, You will be greeted by our guide and driver at your hotel lobby or our meeting point for safety briefing, we then begin our adventure!

On the first part of our Hanoi Jeep Tours, we expose you the REAL HANOI with a day in the life experiences, featured with the parts-unknown of the city with slices of life in the maze of backstreets, tiny alleyways, local homes, schools, random markets and black market, experiencing where & how locals live, work and play. Other travel companies show just you the beautiful and tell you to run away from the bad and the weird of your destinations. On Hanoi Backstreet Tours’ journeys, not only do we show you the good but we also expose the bad and the weird of your destinations as it is what it is. For us, the run-off-the mill tourist sites are only the tip of the iceberg, the majority of your destinations remains hidden in the parts-unknown.

On the second part Hanoi Jeep Tours, we pass by & stop at the  MUST-SEEE places of our beautiful city such as Ho Chi Minh mausoleum-the Mecca of Vietnamese, The 1000 year-old Buddhist and Toasist temples of Tran Quoc, temple of Literature, the historical train-street, the enchanting French Quarter, The hustling & bustling Old Quarter, the romantic lakes of Hoan Kiem, West lake , Hanoi Opera House & famous Long Bien bridge etc.

On the last part of Hanoi Jeep tours is food! We have  AUTHENTIC, HEALTHY & ORGANIC FOOD at Hidden Gem Cafe where we savor the tastiest of the tasty dishes of Hanoi including family heirloom & secret recipe dishes and local delicacies. Vegan & Vegetarian options are available.

After breakfast, around 6:45-7:00, take 6-hour drive to Sapa by sharing limousine. On arrival, you will commence your short journey by driving south toward Muong Hoa valley. You will then start your walk by descending into the valley, which is the largest rice paddy terraced among Sapa area. The guide can provide you interesting information about rice. If you visit the valley sometime in between May and October, you will be able to observe and experience how the local do planting and harvesting, one of the most important activities in the daily life. The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority to Ta Van village of Giay minority.

Here you will be warmly welcomed by a local Giay family. Back to Sapa for overnight

After breakfast, at 8AM, private transport will take you to Silver Waterfall, the highest in Vietnam with a 300m drop. An ascent to the base of the waterfall will enable you to explore the surrounding landscape. This is a famous spot and is regularly visited by monks to pray. After that, we are driven to Tram Ton Pass where we will trek 30 minutes through the forest. Along the way, you have chances to see wild flowers. Trekking along the Golden Stream, you will arrive at Love Waterfall. It is the best place for relax in Sapa, returning to Tram Ton Pass. Then we continue our drive uphill to the Heavens Gate, the highest stretch of road in Vietnam as well as the provincial border of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. Enjoy fantastic view over the valley!

After that we will be transferred to cable car station where we will have 25 minutes travelling to Fanxipan Mountain where is considered to be the most beautiful landscape of Vietnam now. Reach the altitute of 2800 meters, you have a good time to see the view and take photos, visit pagoda the spiritual destinations and trek up to 600 steps you will reach the peak of Fansipan – the Roof of Indochina. ( Spend about 1,5 hours for hiking and taking photos).

Back to Sapa for overnight

In the morning, at 8AM, visit Cat Cat village. Trek your way to the hill tribe and discover a farming community that sustains itself through its cultural goods and agricultural expertise. Make the most out of your 3km journey by taking pictures of the natural beauty abundant in the region. Upon arrival, discover a small village near a hill, surrounded by fields of rice terraces and corn. Be greeted by the sight of local women working with looms, which will turn into vibrant brocades of all colors and themes. Get your loved ones cloth pieces, as well as other products available on site.

After shopping for souvenirs, head to the French commissioned old Hydro Electric Power Station. Just next door is the Cat Cat Waterfall, a peaceful place that leads to a big stream below. Immerse yourself in the local scene by mingling with the people and by exploring the place

Then at 2PM, you are transferred to Hanoi by sharing limousine. Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, at 8AM, we pick you up at your hotel in Old Quater, departure for Hoa Lu – Tam Coc, enjoying the beautiful sceneries of the rural areas on the way.

10h30: After arriving in Ninh Binh province, the guide takes you to visit Hoa Lu – the Ancient Royal capital of Viet Nam. We will visit Dinh king temple and Le king temple, in the 10th century, finding out the heroic histories of this two Kings in Chinese Wars. After that, we go to Tam Coc (10 km far from Hoa Lu).

11h30: Visit Mua Cave (Mua mean Dance) with 500 steps up to the Top of Mua Moutain. On the Top, you can overview all the nice scene of Hoa Lu.

Have a lunch break

14h00: Then get on a small sampan to visit Thung Nham bird park, discover the most features of this area with more than 4000 birds of 40 species flying to inhabit every day. Your best chance to take nice photos.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Check in hotel for overnight

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then at 9AM, visit Bai Dinh Pagoda complex, one of the largest pagodas not only in Vietnam but also in Southeast Asia. This place is scenically set on the foothill of Dinh Mountain, surrounded by amazing away views of the exquisite river valley below, and dotted with limestone karsts, which will take your breath. The pagoda complexes stunningly boast an array of the most massive and magnificent refined Vietnamese architecture, which will take a full day to explore. With sacred atmospheres and an intriguing Buddhism story told by your guide, you cannot fail to be enchanted.

The visit ends with a walk up the summit mountain to see the 100 ton bronze statue of Buddha Sakyamuni and a chance to enjoy the panoramic view of the picturesque landscape dotted with limestone mountains.

After lunch time, you will leave for the Trang An Grottoes, a UNESCO-listed series of grottoes carved from the region’s striking natural monoliths of limestone, which rises dramatically out from the rice paddy fields. Deep among the towering mountains, are pristine places of mystical valleys, numerous fresh water ponds, and jungle. Embark on a traditional sampan gently rowed down the exquisite river through four caves. Enjoy the sunset over the lime karsts while cruising on the clear water back to the main tourist boat terminal.

Overnight in Ninh Binh

06:40-07:10: pick up with our limousine bus. Short break half way.

12h00-12h30 : Check in Reception at dock 35 Tuan Chau
12h30 – 12h45: Leaving dock to cruise in the bay
13h15 – 13h30: Check in Cruise and Have lunch
15h30 -17h00: Kayaking and swimming at Tra Bau area (the background of “Kong Skull Island movie”) or use Jacuzzi (Located prow of 3rd deck)
Notice: Short close or swim suite, flip flop is suitable for kayaking. Reception Provide: Life jackets; Towels, Dry bags (keep Camera, cellphone to take picture)
Meeting point: The Reception (The back of the second Deck)
18h00: Enjoy Sunset Party: Cakes; peanut; fruit, tea for Complementary and join the cooking demonstration during sunset party, enjoy happy hour and relax.
19h30: Have dinner
20h30: Evening entertainments: squid fishing, relaxing and spend the night on the Cruise.

7h00: Practice Taichi on the Sundeck
7h45: Have breakfast: Eggs, cake, coffee… You could skip it if you want to sleep more
08h45 – 10h00: Visit Dark & Bright cave by our tender. You can do the rowing boat trip by local people. Or You can stay on the cruise for relaxing.
10h00: Go back to the cruise
10h45: Check your cabin out. Please put your luggage in front of the door and return your room key to the receptionist, take good care of your important
belongings.
11h00: Have lunch at the restaurant
12h00: Leaving Doris Cruise to get on the transfer boat back Tuan Chau Harbor dock 35.

After that, transfer to the airport for flight to Danang. On arrival, be picked up to hotel for check in & overnight

In the morning, at 8AM, explore Hoi An ancient town, when visiting the Japanese Pagoda Bridge, Chinese streets, old Phung Hung houses, Hoi An’s market and ancient port. On the 1st and 15th of every lunar month, Hoi An’s ancient town is lit up by hundreds of colorful lanterns, giving it an extra portion of sparkle. Enjoy the city’s transformation and stroll through this quaint, glowing fairytale town in your free time.

 Afternoon, embark on the boat to Cua Dai sand dune, enjoy casting net show and learn how to cast net by local fisher man. Continue to Cam Thanh Water coconut village, have a brief introduction to the history there.

Take on the basket boat along the water coconut river. Overnight in Hoi An

8:00: Pick up from the hotel in Hoi An and start transfer to Ba Na Hills

Check in at the Suoi Mo Cable Car Station and transfer to Marseille Station

Explore Golden Bridge (The Hands of The Gods) – majestic and impressive as a scene in “Game of Thrones” or “ The Lords of the Rings”

Drop by Le Jardin D’Amour (the Flower Garden of Love) with 9 gardens of Le Jardin D’Amour are 9 amusing tales in 9 varying architectures, which harmonize so well in a visual sonata of beauty

Continue the trip with Linh Ung Pagoda & Debay Wine Cellar (entrance fee to the wine cellar at your own expense)

Afternoon: Discover and play games at the Fantasy Park – a perfect tourist attraction for an entire family as well as to explore King Peak

Return to the Cable Car Station and back to the Gateway then transfer to your beach resort for check in

Free to relax at the resort with its own private beach.

After breakfast, at 8:15, you are transferred to the airport for flight to Saigon. On arrival, be picked up to hotel for check in.

Our talented guide with the motorbike picks you up at your hotel (or any location requested by you). After a short riding instruction and program introduction of Night Saigon Food Tour by Motorbike, we hop on the motorbike.

• 1st stop: Popular local eatery in alley

Vietnamese pancake (Banh xeo)

Khot cake

• 2nd stop: Try good Vietnamese noodle soup

Beef noodle soup or Crab noodle soup

• 3rd stop: Ho Thi Ky flower & Cambodian market

Vietnamese pizza (Grilled rice paper with toppings)

• 4th stop: Ngo Gia Tu old apartment building & street food area & a dessert shop since 1975

Coconut ice cream or Vietnamese beef stew dish with bread

• 5th stop: Former mafia hotspot but a hustle street food area in the recent & Xom Chieu night food market & Vinh Khanh snail street

Steamed clam with lemongrass

Grilled scallop with green onion oil

Grilled Shrimp with chili (or Stir-fried noodles with beef)

Fertilized duck egg if you dare enough

Local beer

Non-seafood dishes are available like BBQ meat if you can’t eat seafood and snails

Bonus hidden places

Nguyen Thien Thuat apartment buildings

Through lots of hidden alleys

Overnight in Saigon

At 8AM, take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars.

Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours car driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.

Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun.

Return to Saigon. End trip.

At 8AM, leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and start your trip to depart for My Tho, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda which sated back to the late 19^th century. Then, you embark a boat on Mekong river and go down stream, along Dragon Island to see daily activities on river as catching, raising fish on farm and conquer the 3 km large river by crossing.

Next, you get through the Xep canal to village, visit some fascinating local industries and stop in farmer house to enjoy some fruits, honey tea and listen to local music. Drive on paths by horse cart and change on small rowing boat to river.

Lunch in local restaurant by river, enjoying some local speciality as elephant ear fish and shrimp. Boat takes tour to coconut candy and taste some sweet. In the afternoon, time for cycling around the village, meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong delta.

Go back to My Tho by get over back large river.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City for overnight

After breakfast, free time for relaxation until being transferred to take your departure flight from Saigon.