Historical & Natural Vietnam Tour
Our Historical and Natural journey through Vietnam starts in the heart of the country in the French quarter of the cosmopolitan and busy city of Hanoi. Once here you have time to explore the city’s streets via a cyclo ride before spending time with a local family and enjoying a traditional home-cooked meal. From Hanoi, you travel out to Ha Long Bay, where you will board a one-night two-day cruise that takes you around the remarkable National Park of breath-taking Ha Long Bay. After time onboard to reflect and relax you return back to Hanoi and board an overnight sleeper to Sapa.
On your train journey you leave behind the hot flat valleys of the Red River for the cool and misty highlands of Sapa. Once there you can mingle with the Minority people as you get to explore Sapa’s fascinating markets and trek to some nearby villages for further encounters with these remarkable people and their interesting traditions.
After spending time in this invigorating and colourful region your last few days in Vietnam will be spent on Vietnam’s picturesque central coast and the historical UNESCO city of Hoi An. Once there you will experience a completely different side of the country with a huge contrast in scenery, food and the way of living in the area. Your holiday to Vietnam then comes to a climax on the relaxing white sandy beaches and turquoise waters of the warm South China sea, which is the perfect place to unwind before returning home.
Highlights
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Hanoi full day city tour
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Dinner with a local Vietnamese family
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Ha Long Bay
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Sung Sot Cave
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Night train to Lao Cai
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Trekking around Ma Tra and Suoi Ho
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Visit local hill tribes and the Red Dzao people
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Breath-taking Sapa
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See the Dzay ethnic people
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Historical Hoi An
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Test your hand at fishing and eating your catch
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Hoi An countryside scooter tour
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Day
1
Hanoi
Arrival
Upon arrival in Noi Bai Airport you are welcomed by a ‘See Asia Differently’ representative and transferred to your hotel. You will then be free to relax and settle in for the remainder of the day or explore the city under your own steam.
Overnight in Hanoi (Meals: _/_/_)
Day
2
Hanoi
City Tour & Home Hosted Dinner
Today you will spend the day exploring Hanoi and learning about its history and legends, which will deepen your appreciation for the city. In the evening, instead of having dinner in a fancy restaurant, you will be treated to a traditional Vietnamese dinner with a local family in their house. This is a great opportunity to learn about the Hanoian’s way of life and culture.
Overnight in Hanoi (Meals: B/_/D)
Day
3
Ha Long Bay
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay | Drive: 3 hours
In the morning you leave Hanoi behind again and travel out to the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay; a World Heritage site of outstanding beauty. You then board your junk boat and enjoy lunch as you set sail. In the afternoon you will stop to explore ‘Sung Sot Cave’, considered to be the most beautiful cave in the Bay. Back on board you then enjoy dinner and settle in for the night.
Overnight on board (Meals: B/L/D)
Day
4
Lao Cai
Ha Long Bay to Lao Cai | Drive: 3 hours
In the morning you will be served brunch as your boat slowly cruises past the many beautiful islets of Ha Long Bay on its way back to port. As you disembark your driver will greet you and transfer you back to Hanoi; where you will catch the night train to Lao Cai.
Overnight on night train (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
5
Sapa
Lao Cai to Sapa | Drive: 2 hours
After arriving at Lao Cai train station you journey to Ma Tra where you can enjoy breakfast before exploring the picturesque Hmong village on your own. You then start your trek of the local villages and tiered rice fields that are famous in this region. On this stunning trek, you will visit the hillside villages of Suoi Ho and Ma Tra, as well as Ta Phin village, which is home to Red Dzao people. After a memorizing day, you are then picked up and driven to Sapa, where you can rest your legs after 10km (6 hours) of trekking.
Overnight in Sapa (Meals: B/L/_)
Day
6
Hanoi
Sapa to Hanoi | Drive: 5.5 hours
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel you journey out to Lao Chai Village, where you will take a light trek through the Muong Hoa Valley to the village of Ta Van Village, which is home to the Dzay ethnic people. The scenery in this area is simply stunning and you will have time to enjoy the area; the clean fresh air and have lunch before taking the 15:30 shuttle bus back to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
7
Hoi An
Hanoi to Hoi An | Flight: 1 hour
Today you are free to enjoy your last morning in Hanoi before being transferred to the airport for onward flight to Danang. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you and drive you to your hotel in Hoi An. You then have the rest of the afternoon to settle into your new surroundings.
Overnight in Hoi An (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
8
Hoi An
Fish & Chips Tour & Half Day City Tour
Today, you travel to local Cam Thanh fishing Village, to learn all about traditional fishing techniques. You will get to put your skills to the test as you paddle a unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat as you go in search of the biggest fish of the day. After enjoying lunch prepared by your host you then travel back to Hoi An for a delightful afternoon walking tour around the ancient and picturesque town.
Overnight in Hoi An (Meals: B/L/_)
Day
9
Hoi An
Scooter Countryside Tour
Your scooter adventure tour starts by riding over the bridge to Cam Kim Island, to visit the ancestral 100 years old House of Mr Huynh Ri and a traditional boat builders yard. Continue through sleepy villages and breathtaking scenery, learning about handicrafts, farming, the production of Banh Dap rice crackers and the art of roasting coffee. You then cross a 300-metre bamboo bridge to Binh Giang and Binh Duong and the coast before visiting some local markets and returning to Hoi An old town.
Overnight in Hoi An (Meals: B/L/_)
Day
10
Hoi An
Departure
Today you will be free to enjoy your last day in Vietnam before being transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
(Meals: B/_/_)
Tour includes
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Airport pick up and drop off
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Overnights as mentioned
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Excursions as mentioned
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Transportation in private A/C vehicle
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English speaking guide
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Meals as mentioned (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner – excludes drinks)
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All taxes
Tour excludes
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All flights unless included in itinerary & Visa fees
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International airport tax (Included in Airline Ticket)
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Meals, unless mentioned differently
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Beverages and personal expenses
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Other excursions and entrance fees
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Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation and evacuation in the event of accident of illness)
Please note: You must have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining on it as well as bringing with you 4 passport size photos with you for your visa, as well as having a couple spare.
Contact Us
Start planning your holiday today
Call us on 0208 150 5150, for International callers 004420 8150 5150, send us an e-mail [email protected] or just use the form opposite.
Your next steps:
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1Get in touch and talk to our specialist Asia travel team
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2We then craft a unique and tailor-made itinerary just for you.
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3We will stay in touch with you all the way through your holiday experience
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4Pack you bags and get ready for your Asia holiday of a life time
On arrival in Asia we will meet you at the airport, transfer you to your hotel and then sit down to run over your holiday program again. We then introduce you to your local guides and give you some helpful local travel tips; such as local restaurant and bar suggestions and some cultural insights.
Towns & Cities in Vietnam
Vietnam has no shortage of captivating destination to visit on your holiday. Refer to our Towns & cities guide to plan the perfect trip.
Our Favourite Hotels in Vietnam
There are so many beautiful hotels to choose from in Vietnam. So we have selected a few of our most favourite and characterful hotels; giving you a taste of what you can expect.