Natural Wonders & Stunning Sapa (Vietnam in 13 Days – 11 Nights in Destination)

Arrival at your US departure airport ready to check-in for an overnight flight * to Hanoi. Night on board.

* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Arrive in Vietnam and transfer to your hotel. Take the opportunity to explore this bustling city and get to know your surroundings and relax ready for your trip to the Vietnamese countryside and to the hill station of Sapa. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off early en route to Sapa, located in the hills in North-West Vietnam and an area of lush greenery, rice paddies and beautiful vistas. Arrive in Sapa and check-in before meeting with a local guide for a trail tour which will take you past traditional fruit gardens, vegetable farms and untouched landscapes before you arrive at Cat Cat Village. Marvel at the beautiful Cat Cat Waterfall, where you will have time to relax to the sounds of the crystal waterfall. Return to the hotel by car and overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart from the hotel on a beautifully picturesque hike through the landscape of the Sapa Valley. Admire the rice terraces which carve into the hills as the morning mists rise and the sun shines. Continue on to the Muong Hoa River and pass by the villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van Giay. Cross a suspension bridge and discover a fascinating collection of ancient rock carvings. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the village before you venture to the bamboo forest of Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village. Return to the road and transfer by car back to Sapa. Spend the evening at your leisure and enjoy an overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart for the daily Sapa market, which is a real insight into Vietnamese culture and is sure to be a colorful and vibrant sight. After visiting the market, head out of town where you can walk downhill across a charming stream to Suoi Ho Village, which sits beautifully upon a low hill. Visit the local homes and get a great understanding of local life before continuing on to Ma Tra Village, which is home to a stunningly colorful flower farm. Visit the ruins of a French Catholic church before being transferred back to Sapa. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure before taking a shuttle bus back to Hanoi for an overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on an eye-opening full-day tour of Hanoi, famed for its thriving contemporary art scene and colonial-era French architecture. Meet your guide and drive a tthe hotel this morning to pay a visit to the first stop of the day, the historic Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum,* the final resting place of the nation's founder. After a walk through the nearby botanical garden of the Presidential Palace, visit Ho Chi Minh's house, a humble dwelling modelled on a rural Vietnamese stilt house. Next, enjoy a tour of the One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 and designed to resemble a lotus blossom. One of the great pleasures of visiting Hanoi is exploring its legendary street food markets, so next up, head to the Old Quarter to discover the authentic heart of the city. See the markets of Hang Be and Dong Xuan and take a culinary journey as you enjoy a traditional street food lunch including an appetizer, main course and dessert. Of course, no Vietnamese meal would be complete without a traditional egg coffee, enjoyed at an authentic coffee stall. The final visit of the day is the beautiful Lake Hoan Kiem before capping off the day with a cold glass of Bia Hoi beer at a local bar. The remainder of the evening is free to enjoy Hanoi at your leisure. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

* Please note: Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum is viewed from the outside on Mondays, Fridays and in the afternoon as it is closed at these times.

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by road to Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage area of outstanding natural beauty known for its limestone islands and glistening waters. Travel through the rich farmlands of the delta and witness the daily life of the Vietnamese villages. Arrive in Ha Long and board a traditional junk boat, to being your cruise on the bay with a welcome drink. Lunch on board. The cruise passes by many fascinating islets and may stop for a while to visit local fishing villages, caves and limestone islands. Relax at your leisure on the sun deck. Dinner and overnight on board.

* There will be no guide on board.

** Halong Bay Cruise: The cruise operator will choose ONE itinerary to either Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay. Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions or local administration regulations.

Breakfast at the hotel. Get to know Hoi An today on a half-day guided walking tour. See the ancient town, famous for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian streets and vibrant culture. Discover historic merchant houses, ancient pagodas and tranquil places of worship, as well as the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, an icon of Hoi An and the beautiful woodcarvings of the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation. Visit a traditional Hoi An tailor shop, where you can purchase made-to-order clothes and learn about the heritage of bespoke clothes-making in Hoi An before enjoying a 1-hour scenic boat ride on the Thu Bon River. Spend the rest of the day getting to know this vibrant city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel. Get to know Hoi An today on a half-day guided walking tour. See the ancient town, famous for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian streets and vibrant culture. Discover historic merchant houses, ancient pagodas and tranquil places of worship, as well as the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, an icon of Hoi An and the beautiful woodcarvings of the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation. Visit a traditional Hoi An tailor shop, where you can purchase made-to-order clothes and learn about the heritage of bespoke clothes-making in Hoi An before enjoying a 1-hour scenic boat ride on the Thu Bon River. Spend the rest of the day getting to know this vibrant city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Hoi An behind today as you embark on a scenic coastal drive towards the city of Hue. Along this spectacular route enjoy the views of passing countryside and daily life in rural Vietnam. Make a stop at My Khe beach, one of the most beautiful in the county and experience breathtaking panoramic views from the top of the famous Hai Van pass. Stop at Lang Co Lagoon to admire traditional fishing methods in action before arriving in Hue in the afternoon. A tranquil city, it was once the Imperial capital, home to an array of palaces, pagodas, royal tombs and temples, built under the Nguyen dynasty on the banks of the Perfume River. On arrival, enjoy a tour of the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the impressive Royal Tu Duc Tomb. End the day with an interesting visit to a family-run incense stick-making workshop. Overnight stay in Hue.

Breakfast at the hotel. Early transfer to the airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, meet your guide and visit the moving War Remnants Museum which presents a partial, but riveting, view of the American War. Continue visiting the Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel and move to the Notre Dame Cathedral and the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day in this exciting city.* We recommend an optional excursion to discover the magical Mekong Delta. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

* Optional Mekong Delta Excursion: Depart to Ben Tre province crossing Rach Mieu bridge. On arrival in Hung Vuong Pier, hop on a motorized boat on the Ben Tre River, one of the tributes of Mekong River while witnessing the lively activities of local life along the way. Stop at a brick kiln and visit one of the many coconut processing workshops located along the canal. Take a motorized cart or bicycle along the shady paths and pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to discover everyday life on the river. Take a rowing-boat along a beautiful water palm creek before you return to the pier.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a morning at your leisure, we the option to enjoy a half-day Cu Chi tunnels visit.* In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip.

* Optional Cu Chi Tunnels Excursion:  Spend the morning exploring the impressive tunnel complex of Cu Chi, dug in 1948 for guerrillas to escape the bombardment of French forces. Explore the underground villages and understand the history of the tunnels.

If you wish to take part in the Cu Chi Tunnels Excursion on the last day of your itinerary, please make sure you book your flight home after 5pm.