Our Vietnam trip is one of my favorites, if not my most favorite of all our trips. It has everything: breathtaking beauty, great architecture, unbelievable food, and the nicest and most accommodating people you will find anywhere. Below I lay out our entire itinerary day by day so you can get a feel for all the options Vietnam has in store. It's amazing how inexpensive it is. The total for each person of our all inclusive adventure thru Vietnam was $1600. If you took our itinerary below and copied it and did it yourself without the personal guides you would save over 50%. Also, we upgraded a lot of our accommodations since this trip was for my wife's birthday and even so, the hotels were still not more than $25 per night.
The junk we spent the night on
Hanoi - Days 1 and 2
Our 16 days started in Hanoi in the north and eventually we made it all the way to Ho Chi Minh in the south. (Siagon). Just about any trip to Vietnam will start in Hanoi since it’s the capital and has the international airport. Hanoi is worth spending a day in due to all the sights but it isn’t as beautiful as other areas of Vietnam. By comparison it can be a bit dirty and hectic, but the vibe there is so much different than the rest of the country that you should really experience it. Don’t be afraid to get out and try the food and shop the streets.
We stayed at the Golden River Hotel for $25 each night when we were in Hanoi and it was excellent.
In Vietnam they don't have a lot of refrigeration, so often you'll pick out your food while it's still alive out front of the restaurant.
Itinerary
You’ll visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state (closed on every Monday & Friday and October & November) and see the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked. You’ll continue to visit the One Pillar Pagoda and hear the legend of its construction, born from the love of an emperor in the 11th Century. You’ll drive to visit the serene Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi, on the banks of Hanoi’s West Lake. You’ll also call the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and the dedicated to Confucius, it is a serene retreat from the busy streets outside and later become Vietnam’s first university.
After lunch at local restaurant, driver and guide will take you to visit the Ethnology Museum for an overview of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic and enjoy an orientation of the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture, including the recently restored Opera House. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Lake of Restored Sword from the legend that surrounds it en-route to one of the city’s fascinating museums.
In the afternoon, you’ll take to the streets by walking tour of the Ancient Quarter of 36 streets District. This densely populated corner of the city was once a centre of commerce where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, you’ll see streets name such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter’s paradise. You’ll then be picked up to watch the Water Puppet show an art form unique to northern Vietnam, and a good, light-hearted introduction to its rural culture.
Ninh Binh - Day 3
The ancient temples in Hoa Lu were incredible to witness. But hiring a small boat at Tam Coc was an incredible experience. The women row the boats with their feet. Then the river disappears into a mountain! It basically slices right thru the mountain and you row thru it like a cave. Don’t miss this trip it’s very cheap and just takes a couple hours of your day.
Itinerary
Drive to Ninh Binh (110 km). When you arrive in Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam, you’ll visit Dinh and Le temples, which dedicated to Emperor Dinh and a memory of Emperor Le. You'll follow by a brief visit to the remains of the Old Palace. You'll be driven to Tam Coc (three grottoes) and have lunch at the local restaurant. You’ll be rowed along a gentle river between paddy fields and through the Tam Coc, You'll enjoy a peaceful valley among limestone ‘karst’ hills on the way. Drive back to Hanoi. You’ll check in at local standard hotel for refreshment. You’ll then check out at around 18.00 and board your overnight train to Lao Cai.
Ancient temples in Hoa Lu
Entering the natural river made tunnel thru the mountain at Tam Coc
Scenery from Tam Coc
- Interesting fact: The train ride to Lao Cai was a definite cultural experience! No one spoke english and we were left to guess when to get off the train and if we missed our stop, the next one was in China. We were told you definitely don’t want to accidently ride the train to China.
Lao Cai/Sapa - Day 4 and 5
Everyone is going to have their favorite part of Vietnam because there is so much diversity across the country. Our favorite was the hiking in the mountains of Sapa. It’s a very authentic cultural experience. We took supplies to give to the locals in the villages on the way and stayed in a village home stay for the evening after a very long hike thru beautiful step plantations of rice. The town of Sapa was also very quaint and large enough to have things to do and see but not large or crowded at all. In a few hours you could really get a good feel for the town.
Itinerary
After breakfast, you’ll hike down to the H’mong ethnic minority villages on the way. You'll then take a walk to visit Lao Chai village, a village of H’mong people. After picnic lunch, you’ll continue your trek to Ta Van village, a village of Day people. The walk is moderate to intermediate descending down into a scenic valley of cascading water crossed by suspension bridges.
You’ll spend the night in the house of one of the village’s families.
Escape to the rugged mountain region north of Hanoi inhabited by ethnic groups seemingly a world away from the fast pace of urban life. Located near the Chinese border, Sapa lies at an elevation of 1,650 metres and is a former French hill station that has recently grown in popularity as a destination for those seeking adventure among Vietnam's highest mountain ranges.
Primarily Vietnamese in character, Sapa comes alive during the weekend market when the local ethnic H'mong and Dzao people trek in from nearby villages to sell their wares. Surrounded by the vista of Vietnam's highest peak, Fan Si Pan (3,142 metres), the region holds countless trails and walks for all levels of enthusiasts and provides an introduction into the lives of the isolated communities of the north.
Hiking around Sapa can be quite arduous. The tracks are rough in places, and your route will take along undulating terraces and through the villages. Stout walking shoes and good sun protection are essential. The total distance is 12 kilometres on the first day and about 4 km on the second day.
After breakfast and an early start, you’ll hike to visit the Red Dao ethnic minority people of Giang Ta Chai village, where you’ll have lunch. You’ll be driven back to Sapa for refreshment up at a local standard hotel. You’ll then be escorted to Lao Cai station. You’ll have dinner by yourselves. You'll then take an overnight sleeper train at 20.00 back to Hanoi.
You'll spend the night on Livitrans train – four-berth cabin
Typical local's home in one of the villages
Cutest kids that followed us for miles since we had snacks
One of the schools we visited to take supplies
Hanoi / Halong Bay / Hanoi - Day 6 and 7
Halong Bay was another of our tops while in Vietnam. I’ve heard people say this area is too touristy and crowded but we didn’t notice either of those. We did travel during slow season though. Overall the view of the huge limestone spires jutting out of the bay was incredible. Couple with spending the evening on a beautiful Junk boat and visiting the floating villages and it was a magical place.
Itinerary
Arriving in Hanoi early in the morning, you’ll be picked up and transferred to a local standard hotel for refreshment. After breakfast, you’ll leave for Ha Long Bay, which is often called Vietnam's eighth wonder of the world and once visited, it is hard to dispute that claim. 4000 spectacular limestone outcroppings, cliffs, arches and coves compete for space in an area that is without doubt the most outstandingly naturally beautiful in the country - incomparable coastal scenery. On arrival, you’ll board your boat, a wooden junk that will take you first to the busy World Heritage area Ha Long Bay, which is translated as “Descending Dragon”. You’ll stop off at an islet and climb though a series of breathtaking caves and grottoes, marveling at some of the most impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations anywhere in the world and then making a stop secluded beach where you can enjoy cruising among the cave dotted island and seeing the small fishing boats with are always feature of this lovely bay. Weather permitting, you’ll be able to swim, fish, climb a hill for an overview of the Bay’s remarkable seascape. All your meals will be provided on board, usually based on fresh seafood. You'll spend the night on the boat.
You'll have western breakfast on boat and then spend the morning cruising Ha Long Bay, followed by lunch just before docking to the harbour at around 11.30. On the way back from Ha Long, you’ll enter one of the villages nearby to enjoy the life of the Northern farmer. If the time permits, you can visit a school for children. You’ll return to Hanoi for your domestic flight to Hue. On arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel.
The junk we spent the night on
Natural tunnel thru the mountain
Floating village
Hue - Day 8
The many beautiful temples and tombs make Hue a great day trip. The architecture and beauty of the city add a lot of interest.
Itinerary
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll have a boat cruise to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most famous structures in Vietnam on the banks of the Perfume River.
You’ll then be driven to the Royal Tombs of Minh Mang, the most majestic emperor and a staunch follower of Confucianism with many wives, concubines and a small army of children. Planned by the Emperor and built shortly after his death in formal Chinese style, it’s opulent and exotic, and a good example of classic Sino-Vietnamese architecture.
In the afternoon, you'll drive to visit Royal Tu Duc tomb, the "poet Emperor", is set in an elegant garden with a magnificent lake and pavilion complex. The simplest of the actual tomb (a monument - he was buried elsewhere to thwart grave robbers) is at odds with the lavish opulence of his reign. You'll then be picked up to visit the Royal Khai Dinh tomb is an unprepossessing concrete construction on the side of a wide valley. Its interest lies in the uneasy combination of Vietnamese and European features, the use of fragments of ceramics and glass for decoration, and the striking views from the courtyard in front of the mausoleum.
In the evening, you'll sit down for dinner in the pleasant surroundings and a comfortable atmosphere of another of the garden houses. The owner will prepare and serve a traditional meal based on the distinctive characteristics of classic Hue cuisine. The garden houses are a unique feature of Hue. The houses are traditional, privately owned, and set in attractive formal gardens. Some have connections with the old Royal Imperial Court. Hue traditional architecture has long had close associations with the natural environment. The garden houses reflect this association. Each is highly individual - house and garden, people and scenery, plants, clouds and water co-exist and blend with each other in a harmonious context. The narrow streets and abundant flora give the garden house area a country village feeling.
You’ll spend the night at Mondial Hotel (*** city centre, Standard Double room)
Hoi An - Day 9 and 10
This is a beautiful ancient city that is known for all the silk tailors in the town. Many people have suits and clothes of all kinds custom made in the town. I had several silk shirts made. My wife brought them a picture from a catalog and they made that outfit for her overnight! It was incredible and very inexpensive. This is a great town to ensure you have a free day to just fully take in the sights.
Itinerary
Breakfast at your hotel, you'll then be picked up to travel to Hoi An. You’ll drive to Lang Co Beach and the lagoon far below. You'll then cross the high mountain pass of Hai Van with excellent view to see Danang spread out. After lunch at local restaurant, you’ll have a brief to visit Cham museum, remarkable Hindu statuary. The Cham left a legacy of excellent sculptures as they were pushed south by the advancing Vietnamese invaders. Driver and guide will take you to visit China Beach, immortalized for many by the US television show and still one the most spectacular beach in Asia. You’ll then visit the Marble Mountain, Stone Carving village where you can admire the stone products of local people. You'll travel to Hoi An to have a visit the town, and enjoy its considerable significance in the history of Vietnam town. You’ll enter a narrow street to look at unique Japanese covered bridge, Chinese communal house, shop for art at one of the numerous galleries and enjoy riverside ambience.
You’ll spend the night at Lotus Hotel
Hoi An town is a UNESCO World Heritage area. An ancient trading port, once the largest in Indochina, Hoi An was a meeting point for many cultures that left their mark in the different architectural features of its wooden buildings. The original traditional street pattern still exists, as does the quay that once welcomed ships from all over East Asia and beyond. Many remained there for months at a time, waiting for favorable trade winds to carry them home.
There are plenty of good restaurants offering a variety of cuisines and price levels. The town is also a good place for shopping for silk. You can have your clothes tailor-made within a day or two at reasonable cost.
Hoi An town is three kilometers from Cua Dai Beach - part of what was once known as China Beach and used for rest and recreation by American GIs during the Vietnam War. The beach is composed of white sand fringed with palm trees and overlooks the South China Sea.
The 2nd day will be free for strolling in the town, lazing on the beach, or whatever takes your fancy.
You’ll spend the night at Lotus Hotel
500 year old bridge in Hoi An
Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Siagon) - Day 11
After breakfast, your time is your own until your car arrives to take you to Danang airport for the afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where a guide will meet you and take you to your hotel. After checking in you’ll be free, perhaps for a preliminary wander around Ho Chi Minh City’s busy streets and shops.
Ho Chi Minh City - Day 12
The locals in Ho Chi Minh still call it Saigon. The still resent Hanoi in the north renaming it after the Vietnam war.
If you visit the Cu Chi tunnels while in Ho Chi Minh pay the extra money and rent an M60 so you can shoot this famous american fully auto machine gun that Rambo carried. It’s worth it. What a blast.
Also if you visit the war museum remember it is ran by communists so you will get a different story than you have heard in America. They call the American war of aggression and detail all the terrible things America did without mentioned the horrible things the communists did to their own people in Vietnam. After we left the museum somewhat shaken up several locals made a point to come and tell us that they didn’t believe the propaganda and loved America and all americans. It was very nice to have these interactions.
Itinerary
In the morning, you'll visit the Cu Chi tunnels, a byzantine maze of underground passages, chambers, rooms and booby traps used by both the Vietminh and the Viet Cong to suddenly materialize as if from nowhere, launch a lightning ambush, and vanish equally rapidly. You’ll drive back to Ho Chi Minh City to have lunch at local restaurant
In the afternoon, you’ll visit Centre Post Office with colonial building and the Cathedral Church. Your next place is the Museum of War Remnants provides a very partial, but riveting, perspective of the ‘American War. You’ll have approximately two hour to visit Ben Thanh market, one of the liveliest areas of Ho Chi Minh City, is packed with every conceivable commodity and a visit to lacquer workshop to see the complex processes and meticulous workmanship involved in this traditional Vietnamese craft product.
You’ll spend the night at Saigon Hotel
Renting an M60 in the jungles at Cu Chi
This is actually down inside the Cu Chi Tunnels
Vinh Long - Day 13
The floating market was a real treat to see in action. Everything taking place on boats is amazing. Many locals are rowing around selling coffee and snacks as well as trinkets. It was a great time. Amazing to see how they have made their own boats and boat motors out of anything with an engine.
Drive to Vinh Long, a city famous by the Mekong River and floating market. You’ll cruise to visit Cai Be floating market, fruit orchards, a traditional family-run brick kiln. You'll have a lunch at one of the local family and have a shot show of traditional music in Mekong Delta which is operated by the local people.
You'll have time to wonder around the fruit market to buy some kind of famous tropical fruit such as banana, pomelo, and dragon fruit and so on. You'll be driven further into the Mekong Delta to Can Tho where you'll spend the night.
You’ll spend the night at Saigon Can Tho Hotel
Going to the floating village via boat
Making puffed rice snacks
Floating village
Mekong Delta - Day 14
The boat ride down the Mekong was very enjoyable with a great meal served at a riverside restaurant. It was a needed relaxing day after such a hurried few days.
Itinerary
You'll have breakfast at your hotel and then be picked up to Ninh Kieu Harbour. You'll then take about two hour boat trip to cruise along the Mekong River to Cai Rang floating market. You can enjoy the Mekong rural lifestyle. You’ll travel back to Vinh Long to have lunch at local restaurant. You’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City.
You’ll spend the night at Saigon Hotel
Floating down the Mekong Delta
Floating down the Mekong Delta
Travel back to Hanoi - Day 15
Your time will be your own until your private car and driver arrives to take you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight to Hanoi. On arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel.
You'll spend the night at Golden River hotel
Hanoi - Day 16
This was a day we spent enjoying Hanoi with no schedule. It was nice to sip the wonderful Vietnamese coffee and get to look into areas we didn’t spend much time at earlier in the trip.
After breakfast, you’ll be free until your driver arrives to take you to Noi Bai airport for your departure flight (the room at hotel is not available until your departure flight).
Total price not including international airfare to Vietnam but including all domestic airfare, car, and boat travel was $1600 per person. This include at least one meal a day, two meals some days, and all the activities / tours.