SVE18
18 days
Vietnam
The Sophisticated Vietnam Explorer 18 days is a comprehensive journey designed to showcase the very best of Vietnam’s cultural depth, natural beauty, and historical legacy from north to south. This carefully curated itinerary takes you through a rich tapestry of landscapes, traditions, and local experiences that reflect the country’s unique identity.
Your adventure begins in Hanoi, the thousand-year-old capital where ancient temples, French colonial architecture, and vibrant street life blend into a fascinating introduction to Vietnamese culture. From there, you travel to the breathtaking seascape of Ha Long Bay, where thousands of limestone karsts rise dramatically from emerald waters, offering an unforgettable cruise experience.
Continue to the tranquil countryside of Ninh Binh, often called “Ha Long Bay on land,” where rivers wind through rice fields and limestone mountains, and ancient temples lie hidden among dramatic landscapes. Next, head to the northern highlands of Sapa, a region of terraced rice fields, misty valleys, and vibrant ethnic minority cultures that offer both scenic trekking and meaningful cultural encounters.
The journey then moves to central Vietnam, beginning with the charming riverside town of Hoi An, known for its lantern-lit streets, preserved ancient architecture, and rich trading history. From there, explore the imperial heritage of Hue, home to royal citadels, ancient tombs, and a deep connection to Vietnam’s dynastic past.
Heading south, you arrive in the dynamic metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, where modern skyscrapers stand alongside historic landmarks and bustling markets. Just outside the city, discover the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, an intricate underground network that played a crucial role during wartime history.
The journey continues into the Mekong Delta, starting with My Tho, where life revolves around waterways, fruit orchards, and traditional riverside villages. Experience the vibrant trading culture of the famous Cai Rang Floating Market, where boats filled with produce create a colorful and lively morning scene on the river.
Finally, immerse yourself in the serene wilderness of Tra Su Cajuput Forest, a peaceful sanctuary of flooded mangroves, birdlife, and winding waterways that offers a tranquil contrast to the bustling cities.
Blending history, culture, nature, and authentic local life, the Sophisticated Vietnam Explorer 18 days delivers a complete and unforgettable exploration of Vietnam’s most iconic destinations
Xin Chào Việt Nam (welcome to Vietnam)! Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), meet your driver for your private transfer to your hotel in Hanoi. You will receive a welcome packet at check-in with all the information and paperwork you will need on tour.
You have the rest of the day to relax. Stroll around tree-lined boulevards, sit in the hotel lounge, or simply rest to the beat of everyday life as motorbikes and bicycles weave between old temples and French colonial structures.
Overnight in Hanoi
Your own guide and driver will show you Hanoi’s top sights today. Travel off the beaten path to some of the city’s most authentic restaurants to dine with locals and enjoy traditional Vietnamese food.
Visit the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex in the morning to learn about its significance to Vietnam and its people. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum to witness his embalmed body and his House on Stilts to learn about his rise to power. The eleventh-century Buddhist One Pillar Pagoda is near to his home.
From HCM Complex, wander leisurely toward Huu Tiep Lake amid meandering alleys. You can walk through medieval market streets to reach the lakeside B52 crash site after seeing a 400-year-old temple. This US bomber was shot down during the 1972 Ha Noi bombings, a sobering reminder of Vietnam’s recent past.
On Hanoi’s outskirts, the curious Museum of Ethnology displays relics from Vietnam’s 54 official ethnic groups as a public museum and research center. They may appear on your Sapa trip.
Pho will be your lunch spot today. Due to its popularity in this region, some locals call it “Mac-Noodles.” At the restaurant, your guide will explain Vietnamese lunch rituals and offer any necessary ingredients.
Good afternoon.
The Temple of Literature, a Confucian temple and university spanning millennia, is one of several ancient places to visit after lunch. After that comes Hoa Lo, also known as the Hanoi Hilton, a penitentiary that housed political prisoners during French colonial rule in Vietnam and later as a US POW camp.
You can see the French Quarter’s beautiful French colonial architecture on fun cyclo rides past French-style homes, the Vietnam History Museum, the Metropole Legend Hotel, the Opera House, and more.
Enjoy Egg coffee and stunning views of Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and the surrounding surroundings at Pho Co Café.
To finish the day, explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter (not the French Quarter) to learn about its street food culture, which sells everything from noodle soup to barbecued pig. Your guide will explain each dish’s herbs and ingredients on little plastic seats in a dark alley. Try Nom Du Du (green papaya salad), Banh Mi Pa Te (a sandwich that exhibits Vietnam’s culinary history), and Bun Cha (grilled pork and noodles), a Hanoi specialty.
Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Hanoi Street Food
After breakfast at your accommodation, take a picturesque drive south to Ninh Binh, an area of incredible natural beauty commonly nicknamed ‘Ha Long on Land’. Your adventure begins in Hoa Lu, the first capital of Vietnam, where you’ll visit monuments linked to old emperors of the Dinh and Le Dynasties. Most of the citadel is gone, but the surviving temples and stone foundations still resound with the spirit of Vietnam’s early emperors.
Take your time to stop and take pictures of village life and the stunning scenery as you continue through the beautiful countryside to Tam Coc. Here you can hop on board a classic wooden sampan for a peaceful ride over the twisting canals. Emerald rice paddies and looming limestone karsts will soon have your boat sailing past them, and you’ll soon see why this area is so famously nicknamed.
Upon returning to shore, transfer back to Hanoi. The evening is free to rest and enjoy at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Morning.
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your accommodation by the limousine personnel and transferred to Sapa. It’s a five-hour drive. Sapa was established by the French as a highland station in 1922 and is now a must-see in the Northwest. This is the best place for hiking in northern Vietnam, with hikers setting off into a surrounding landscape of rolling rice terraces and little hill-tribe communities that seem a world away.
Afternoon
Enjoy an afternoon walk through the tiered rice paddy fields to Ta Van Village to discover more about the local ‘Zay’ people. This walk is of basic/moderate difficulty (about. 7km) on nicely built pathways and cobblestone steps. Note: This route offers undulating terrain but no difficult ascents or descents. Or you can choose to spend the day at leisure to explore the town of Sapa.
Overnight in Sapa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Breakfast at the hotel and start another walking tour to visit 2 villages of the H’Mong people (Catcat and Xin Chai). Walk further to witness the spectacular Tien Sa Waterfall and a hydroelectric power facility dating back to the French occupation. On the way back to Sapa, you will enjoy the spectacular scenery of lush forests and rice fields. Today’s walk is at a basic/moderate level (about 7km) on good trails and cobbled steps.
The H’Mong/Mong are an indigenous people of Asia. In the 18th century the H’Mong began to go south from China because of political upheaval and Chinese threats. They are among the major ethnic minorities in Vietnam.
Note:
This is an undulating walk, but there are no challenging ascents or descents.
If you don’t want to walk, you are welcome to spend the day at leisure in Sapa.
Overnight in Sapa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After checking out, your guide and driver will transfer you to Fansipan Cable Car Station to enjoy the cable car ride – the world’s longest and highest cable car, running up from the sleepy Sapa Town to the peak of 3,143-meter Fansipan Mountain, known as Indochina’s rooftop.
Upon arrival, you will take a 20-minute cable car ride through the clouds up to Mountain Fansipan. Enjoy the view from the highest point of this incredible mountain. The lush green and subtropical vegetation make this mountain beautiful.
Leaving Fansipan Mountain, you have lunch at the local restaurant before getting the limousine bus to transfer back to Hanoi on an approximately 5-hour journey
Note: You will have the opportunity to drop your bags after checking out of the hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast
Our driver will pick you up at the hotel and take you to Halong Bay, a UNESCO–recognized World Natural Heritage site, in about 3 hours.
Board your typical junk-style vessel and set sail for an overnight trip in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed area. Sit back in your deck chair and sail over emerald waters while seeing the towering limestone karst islands.
Enjoy a seafood lunch, then participate in some afternoon activities such as swimming, relaxing on a remote beach, climbing to the top of a lookout for an amazing panoramic view, or enjoying a ride on a rowing boat into a secluded bay. Sail further into the bay to a pearl farm. Watch a cooking demonstration of traditional Vietnamese cuisine and have dinner on board. Set anchor late in the evening for an overnight stay amid the stunning limestone peaks.
Note: We recommend that you bring an overnight bag for your cruise. The rest of your luggage will be safely stored, or you can bring all your possessions with you if you like.
Overnight on the boat in Halong Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start your day with Tai Chi on the sundeck, breathing in the crisp sea air as the sun rises over the karsts. Enjoy a short cooking class where you will learn to prepare local delicacies such as spring rolls. Enjoy a light brunch on board, followed by a relaxing trip back into port, then transfer to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, meet your local driver and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An for check-in.
Overnight in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
It would be great if we could get a close-up and personal look at the local fishing and cooking groups. As soon as you are picked up from your hotel in Hoi An, you will begin your journey to the neighborhood market, where you will shop for the ingredients you will need for the day. In order to prepare for the culinary lesson that will take place later, you need follow the guide and head to the village of Cam Thanh to purchase organic veggies. On the other hand, before we start this session, let’s go on our boat and go on a river tour. During this trip, we will get the opportunity to interact with local fishermen and have a firsthand experience of traditional net fishing. As you navigate the canals of the coconut palm paradise, you will also have the opportunity to paddle the one-of-a-kind bamboo basket boat that is traditional to Vietnam. By taking this tour, you will have the opportunity to gain a cultural perspective on the ways of life of both our farming and fishing communities.
You will then be able to enroll in a cooking lesson, during which you will learn how to prepare dishes such as deep-fried spring rolls, papaya salad with shrimp crackers, pork or fish cooked in a clay pot with steamed rice, and Banh Xeo, which is a rice pancake topped with fresh salad combined with seasonal fruit for dessert. It is now time for lunch.
Overnight in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Today is free to explore Hoi An at your leisure. Explore tailoring shops, pedal to An Bang Beach, or unwind at a riverfront café. Those interested in learning more about the region’s culture and cuisine can take advantage of optional tours.
Overnight in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
This morning is your time to enjoy the last day in Hoi An
After check out the hotel, a private car to head to Hue. You can enjoy wide views of the coast and mountains as you drive along the lovely Hai Van Pass. Take a short break at the beautiful Lang Co Beach along the way.
Hue is a lovely city in the middle of Vietnam that is famous for its long history, beautiful scenery, and imperial architecture. During the Nguyen Dynasty, it was the capital of Vietnam. The many palaces, churches, and tombs that are spread out across the city show how important it was historically. When you get to Hue this afternoon, check into your hotel and have the rest of the evening to yourself.
Overnight in Hue
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning, go on a tour of Hue. To get to the Thiên Mụ Pagoda, take a boat ride on the calm Perfume River in the morning. The pagoda is an important sign of Vietnam and Hue. It was built on a hill with a view of the Song Huong (Perfume River), 4 km southwest of the Citadel. It is called Thap Phuoc Duyen and is 21 meters tall. It was built in 1844 during the rule of Emperor Thieu Tri. Each of the building’s seven floors is named after a manushi-buddha, which means a Buddha who took on human form. After that, take a car to the beautiful tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. He was the fourth emperor of Vietnam’s Nguyễn dynasty and ruled from 1847 to 1883. After that, have lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Go see the Imperial Citadel in the afternoon. There are palaces, ornate rooms, libraries, residences, and colleges inside the beautiful Citadel, which was built according to strict geomancy rules. After seeing the citadel, keep going to Dong Ba Market, which is the oldest market of its kind in Hue. It has hundreds of shops selling cheap clothes, household items, crafts, and fresh food. The tour will end at your hotel, where you can spend the rest of the day however you want.
Overnight in Hue
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Morning
You will be collected after breakfast and transferred to Hue Airport for a short flight south to Ho Chi Minh City, still referred to as Saigon by the people. It is the biggest city in Vietnam. It sits near the Mekong Delta.
Arrive and check into your accommodation in the city centre.
Afternoon
We go to the Reunification Palace. This is where, on 30th April 1975, the war came to an end, as tank 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of the mansion of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.
You will then continue to visit outside the Notre Dame Cathedral, built by the French colonists during their settlement. Across the street lies the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical architectural landmark that is regarded as one of the primary tourist attractions in the city.
Return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, leave Ho Chi Minh City and make your way to the world-famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which are situated approximately 60 kilometers distant. During the Vietnam War, this remarkable subterranean network—which extends over 200 kilometers—was crucial. The Viet Cong were able to travel stealthily through the jungle because to their network of tunnels that linked their command centers, hospitals, living quarters, and supply routes.
Discover the tenacity and resourcefulness of the locals and, if you so desire, descend into the maze of tunnels for yourself. Explore the area’s notoriously dangerous bamboo-spiked traps and its deceptively hidden entrances.
In the afternoon, you’ll be able to return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day till evening.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh
Meals: Breakfast
Set out from Ho Chi Minh City at about 7:45 in the morning for the scenic Mekong Delta, where you’ll see rural towns and verdant rice terraces. Make a pit stop at the stunning Vinh Trang Pagoda.
Get to My Tho and then take a boat ride down the Mekong River to relax and take in the beautiful surroundings, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Visit small local workshops to learn how to make coconut candy and other regional specialties as you cruise through the coconut-lined canals of Ben Tre on a sampan. Experience the warmth of the local families as you partake in honey tea, tropical fruits, and traditional folk music from the South.
You will continue your journey to Can Tho, the heart of the Mekong Delta, after enjoying a tasty Vietnamese lunch. After you’ve checked into your hotel, you’ll have the evening to yourself to discover the lively night market, riverside promenade, or neighborhood cafes.
Overnight in Can Tho
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Morning
Get some breakfast and check out of your hotel. You will be picked up by your private vehicle and taken to Muoi Cuong Cocoa Farm. This 1.2-hectare plantation was the first of its kind in the Mekong Delta, and it uses sustainable growing practices. From a humble beginning with 100 trees, the farm has grown to encompass more than 2,000 trees, encompassing two distinct cocoa kinds. Get a rundown on everything that goes into making chocolate, from picking the beans to fermenting and drying them, and find out how cocoa beans become fragrant, delicious chocolate. Cocoa wine, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, chocolate chocolates, and pure cocoa for baking and desserts will all be available for tasting and purchase (at your own expense).
Keep on to Binh Thuy Ancient House, a wonderful illustration of the history of the Mekong Delta. The house is renowned for its Vietnamese and French architectural harmony; it is surrounded by a beautiful garden with fruit trees, flowers, a collection of rare orchids, and a record-breaking cactus; and it is immersed in fascinating history.
Go to a nearby restaurant for lunch.
Afternoon
Travel 120 km (about 3 hours) from Can Tho to Chau Doc, a riverfront town in An Giang Province that borders Cambodia.
After your arrival, you can relax and enjoy the remainder of the day at your hotel.
Overnight in Chau Doc
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Morning
The 850-hectare Tra Su Cajuput Forest is a haven for rare and colorful birds and other wildlife, and your tour guide will be happy to show you around this significant sanctuary first thing in the morning. Upon arrival, stroll along the longest bamboo bridge in Vietnam, taking in the picturesque cajuput trees and verdant wetlands as you savor the peaceful surroundings. The observatory is a little hike away, but it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding forest canopy and glistening rivers. The next step is to hop aboard a traditional paddle boat and make your way through the tranquil natural wonder while taking in the sights, sounds, and postcard-worthy scenery. You’ll be able to hear the soft splash of the oars as you glide along the tiny channels shaded by tall cajuput trees.
Take a break for lunch at one of the riverside eateries.
Afternoon,
Make your way to Ho Chi Minh City. After you get there, check into your hotel and spend the day as you choose.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After you have finished your breakfast, your private shuttle will meet you at the hotel and take you to Ho Chi Minh International Airport. Once there, you will either catch your aircraft back home or continue on to more exciting adventures; we will assist you with the planning process.
+84.968.537.258
info@vietnamstridetravel.com
