Vietnam Grand Journey – 18 Days 17 Nights

🌟 TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Hanoi like a local: heritage boulevards, Temple of Literature, tea culture, Old Quarter walk & water puppet theater
• Ninh Binh beyond the postcard: countryside cycling, hands-on farm work, Galaxy Cave sampan & But Hien cave walk
• Overnight train to the northwest; hill-tribe markets & village visits; Sapa trekking (Sa Seng → Hau Thao) with Muong Hoa panoramas
• Halong Bay overnight cruise: caves/kayak/swim and dawn on the sundeck
• Hoi An slow living: Tra Que herb village cooking & My Son Sanctuary (UNESCO)
• Da Lat highland charm: French villas, railway station, mosaicked Linh Phuoc Pagoda
• Saigon & Cholon: Chinatown lanes, Thien Hau Temple, colonial icons (Post Office, Opera House)
• Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh & Cu Chi Tunnels (respectful, context-led visit)
• Mekong Delta – Cai Be: island cycling, coconut candy workshop, fruit orchards
• Phu Quoc island time: 3 days of sea, spa, snorkeling, and sunsets

✨ DETAILED ITINERARY 
DAY 1: HANOI – WELCOME TO THE THOUSAND YEAR CAPITAL [_/_/_]

Arrive in Hanoi and be welcomed by the guide and transfer to hotel. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, is famous for its centennial architecture and rich culture with influences from Southeast Asia, China and France. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: FULL DAY HANOI CITY TOUR [B/L/_]

Glide past Ba Dinh Square, where independence was proclaimed, and pause at Lenin Garden to see daily life—chess games, tai chi, schoolkids laughing. At the Temple of Literature, stone steles and courtyards trace a millennium of scholarship; musicians may invite you to try a bamboo melody. After lunch, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology opens a window onto 54 ethnic groups (closed Mondays; we adjust).
Walk the Old Quarter, where streets still bear artisan names. In a tucked-away tea house, learn the quiet rituals of Vietnamese tea before circling Hoan Kiem Lake. Close the day with water puppetry, a Northern art of splashing drums and folk tales.
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 3: HANOI – NINH BINH – NIGHT TRAIN TO LAO CAI [B/L/D]

Fields and karst peaks rise as you reach Ninh Binh, “Halong on land.” Choose a 5–15 km countryside cycle through Tho Ha’s lanes, then roll up your sleeves in Dong Tam hamlet—catch fish, water gardens, and cook with friendly hosts.

A sampan glides past rice and reeds toward Galaxy (Thien Ha) Cave; a short stone path and steps lead into a galaxy of stalactites. Continue to But Hien Cave, where formations spark stories. Return to Hanoi for dinner, then board the overnight train to Lao Cai. 

This evening, be met by the guide who will assist with a private transfer to Hanoi Railway Station for an overnight train to Lao Cai.

Overnight on train (Soft-berth train cabin).

DAY 4: LAO CAI – SAPA [B/L/_]

Early morning arrival to the mountains and be greeted by the guide and transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast. Then depending on the day, visit one of the weekly hill-tribe markets (Ban Cam Tue, Cao Son Wed, Lung Khau Nhin Thu, Y Ty Sat, or Muong Hum Sun). Meet mostly Flower H’Mong, with Phu La, Black Dao, Tay, Nung communities produce pyramids, brocade, barter, and a livestock corner where piglets squeal and buffalo appraise you back.

Walk a nearby minority village for a respectful look at home life, weaving, and field rhythms. Wind up to cool-air Sapa, once a French hill station.
Overnight in Sapa.

DAY 5: SAPA - FULL DAY SA SENG - HAU THAO – MEALS [B,L]

This morning, take a short 15 minute drive to Sa Seng Village for a hike.
Begin walking on a small concrete path with beautiful views of the rice terraces that lead to a village of the Black Hmong people. Experience how the local people set up their homes with the surrounding rice and corn farms. Then, continue ascending uphill on a small rocky trail with lush green bamboo forest and bushes.
Lunch is prepared at a nice spot on the top overlooking the large and beautiful Muong Hoa Valley.
This afternoon, descend downhill passing some small hamlets of Hmong ethnic tribe in Hau Thao Village. Be sure to snap some great photos of the mountain that looks towards Fansipan Mountain - the highest in Vietnam. Get a chance to visit a local’s home and learn about the Hmong ethnic culture and their way of life. The last part of the trip is an easy walk in between villages and rice terraces.
End with a pick-up by car at the main road to be transfer back.
Tour summary: Road transfer 45 mins/ Easy walk and visiting local homes for about 5 hours.

DAY 6: SAPA MORNING FREE AT LEISURE – HANOI – MEAL [B/ _/ _]
Spend the morning at leisure before being picked up by the guide and driver for a drive back to Hanoi. 
Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 7: HANOI – HALONG BAY CRUISE [B/L/D]

After breakfast leave Hanoi for a 3hr30mins drive to Halong Bay including a 20-minutes stop on the way. Sail into Halong Bay amid jungled islets. Halong Bay is a beautiful natural wonder in northern Vietnam near the Chinese border. The Bay is dotted with 1,600 limestone islands and islets and covers an area of over 1,500 sqkm. This extraordinary area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. A welcome lunch clinks as limestone walls drift past. Afternoon activities follow your boat’s program—cave visit, kayaking, or a swim in aquamarine coves. Sunset paints the karst in copper. Dinner is served on board.

Overnight on Halong Bay

DAY 8: HALONG – HANOI – FLY TO DA NANG – HOI AN [B/ _/ _]

Enjoy a fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi Airport for the flight to Danang.
Please note: This tour may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Arrive in Danang and be greeted by the guide and transfer to the hotel in Hoi An.
Overnight in Hoi An.
DAY 9: HOI AN - HALF DAY TRA QUE – MY SON [B/ L/ _]

Looking to escape the bustling city? Spend a morning like a local in charming Tra Que herb village.  

The Tra Que vegetable village is a quiet, tranquil and lush green farming area. Lined with neat rows of planted herbs and vegetables. A far cry from the busy streets and incessant horn-honking just around the corner. Although relatively small in size, the Tra Que organic garden is hugely important and well-known in Hoi An. Specifically for producing the highest-quality vegetables thanks to the special techniques used. 
Travel to Hoi An’s countryside and join farmers in the garden, chit-chatting about their lives while assisting in their daily tasks. Having worked up an appetite, prepare a delicious lunch of traditional Hoi An dishes with a local family

In the afternoon, take a half day trip to visit My Son. Here, 40km southwest of Hoi An in a lush green valley, My Son includes a group of towers and temples as well as the ruins of an imperial city in the kingdom of Champa, located in central Vietnam. It is an example of the evolution and change of culture and one of the main proofs of an Asian civilization that has now disappeared. My Son can be considered as the equivalent of places like Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. With its high value, in 1999, the My Son complex was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. On the way back to Hoi An visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of Champa between the 4th and 8th centuries. Some of the finest sculptures in Danang’s Cham Museum originated from here.

Overnight in Hoi An. 
DAY 10: HOI AN – DA NANG – FLY TO DA LAT [B/ _/ _]

Transfer to Da Nang airport for the 70-minute flight to Dalat. Dalat is located 300 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Established as a hill station at the beginning of the century, Dalat is reminiscent of an alpine town with its French chalets and pine forests.
Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Dalat. 

DAY 11: DA LAT CITY HERITAGE [B/ _/ _]

Explore Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, the retro-futurist Da Lat Railway Station, and mosaic-bright Linh Phuoc Pagoda. Afternoon around Xuan Huong Lake and the central market—artichokes, strawberries, coffee beans, and flowers galore.
Overnight in Da Lat.

DAY 12: DA LAT – FLY TO HO CHI MINH – CHOLON (CHINATOWN) [B/ _/ _]

This morning, be met by the guide and driver at the hotel in Da Lat and be transferred to Lien Khuong Airport for the onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City. In the afternoon, weave into Cholon: fabric arcades, Thien Hau Temple’s incense coils, and a lane where silversmiths still hammer patterns by hand.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 13: HO CHI MINH – CAO DAI TEMPLE – CU CHI TUNNELS [B/L/_]

Countryside scenes lead to Tay Ninh’s Cao Dai Great Temple—a kaleidoscope of color and syncretic symbolism. After a local lunch, step respectfully through the Cu Chi Tunnels: camouflaged doors, Hoang Cam kitchen, infirmary, command posts, and a short optional crawl for perspective (widened sections; you may opt out).After this insightful visit, return to the hotel.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
DAY 14: HO CHI MINH – CAI BE – HO CHI MINH [B/L/_]

Drive to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta. Board a wooden boat to canal-cut islands—Tan Phong’s orchards, a coconut candy workshop, cottage industries weaving water hyacinth goods. Cycle shaded lanes past jackfruit trees and river-stilt homes. Return to Saigon by evening.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 15: HO CHI MINH – FLY TO PHU QUOC [B/ _/ _]

After breakfast, be transferred to the airport for a flight to Phu Quoc.

On arrival in Phu Quoc, be transferred to the resort by the resort’s scheduled shuttle bus. 
Spend the rest of the day to relax by the pool or on the sandy beach.
Overnight in Phu Quoc.

DAY 16: PHU QUOC [B/ _/ _]
A full day at leisure in the resort or on the beach.
Overnight in Phu Quoc.

DAY 17: PHU QUOC [B/ _/ _]
A full day at leisure in the resort or on the beach.
Overnight in Phu Quoc.

DAY 18: PHU QUOC [B/ _/ _]
Spend the morning at leisure before checking out. Be transferred to the onward departure flight to Ho Chi Minh City via the resort’s shuttle bus.

***END OF SERVICES***

📍 PRACTICAL INFO

• Duration: 18 Days / 17 Nights
• Start/Finish: Hanoi → Phu Quoc → Saigon (customizable)
• Accommodation: Quality hotels/cruise; twin/double by default; single on request
• Transport: Private A/C vehicles, domestic flights, overnight train, boats per itinerary
• Pace & activity: Easy–moderate city walks; optional cycling/trekking (Sapa/Ninh Binh); kayaking/swim (Halong)
• Best for: Expats, first-time or returning visitors who prefer depth over speed; couples, families, small groups
• Seasonality: Year-round; we adjust day order for weather, tides, and flight schedules

What’s Included:

• Stays: Twin or double room in carefully selected hotels/cruise (shared basis; single on request).
• Meals: As listed in your itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
• Local experts: English- or French-speaking guide throughout scheduled touring (other languages available with a small surcharge).
• Private transport: All tours and transfers by A/C private vehicle as per program.
• Rail segments: Train tickets noted in the itinerary (shared soft-berth/cabin unless specified).
• Boats: All boat/cruise services mentioned in the day-by-day plan.
• Entrances: Admission fees for the sites and activities listed.

What’s Not Included:

• Meals & drinks not specified in the program.
• Services not expressly mentioned above.
• Flights: International and domestic airfares (we can quote on request).
• Personal expenses: Laundry, phone calls, minibar, etc.
• Tips & insurance: Gratuities and travel insurance.

Important Notes:

• Travel insurance: We strongly recommend comprehensive coverage—including emergency medical evacuation—for all trips in Vietnam.
• Pricing window: Quoted prices remain valid for 30 days from the offer date; after this period, rates and conditions may be adjusted.
• Airfare changes: Airline ticket costs can change without prior notice from carriers.
• Peak surcharges: Travel over Christmas, New Year, Tet (Lunar New Year), and Vietnamese public holidays may incur supplements.
• Check-in / check-out: Hotel rooms are typically available from 14:00 on arrival day and until 12:00 on departure day. Early check-in/late check-out can be arranged with a supplement and subject to availability.
• Availability: All services are proposal-only until you confirm. We do not place reservations before receiving your go-ahead.
• Substitutions: If any proposed service is unavailable at booking time, we will offer equivalent alternatives to preserve your itinerary and overall experience.