Itinerary

Day 1 Hanoi

Hanoi is nestled on the banks of the Red River, it is a beautiful city that retains an air of French colonial elegance with pretty yellow stucco buildings lining leafy streets. Hanoi is also a city of lakes, which adds to its air of sleepy grace. In the middle of the city lies the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake with the 18th-century Ngoc Son Temple sitting on an island in its center. To the north of Hoan Kiem Lake is the Old Quarter, a fascinating maze of small antiquated streets lined with markets and pavement restaurants and cafes. Also worth a visit, the former Ville Française was the old French administrative center and is characterized by enormous colonial-era châteaux and wide spacious boulevards. It also houses Hanoi’s most popular attraction, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

You will be met and transferred between the airport to your hotel in a private vehicle with an English speaking driver.

An evening performance of Vietnam's famous water puppets. Puppet Masters stand partly submerged in the water and control their delicate puppets using long poles. The telling of traditional stories and fables is supported with color, movement and classical Vietnamese music. Afterwards, enjoy a buffet dinner at Brother's Cafe.

The luxurious Meliã is located right in the city center of Hanoi, inside the diplomatic and financial district and close to main tourist attractions, entertainment and shopping areas. Most ministries and embassies are located within 1 km distance. Meliã Hanoi has 306 well-furnished rooms and the largest pillar less Ballroom in Vietnam. From its 22 stories, guest can enjoy the view of the city which boasts many parks, rivers and lakes. Meliã Hanoi offers excellent services with a touch of Vietnamese to make the guest's stay satisfying and memorable.

Overnight at Melia.

Day 2 Hanoi

Your private guide will take you by bicycle to the Quang Ba flowermarket. Admire the enormous selection of flowers and interact with local people. Visit HoChiMinh Mausoleum and witness the ceremonial hoisting of the flag, accompanied by a parade and the national song. Afterwards enjoy traditional Vietnamese Pho and coffee.

Almost unique amongst Asian capital cities, Hanoi's French quarter is now fully recognized as an important part of Vietnam's heritage. Yet much of the history behind it still remains a mystery to most. Today, you will take a tour exploring the French Quarter through the ideas of its architects and the shape of its stones. It sets about unraveling all threads of civilization, which have left their mark on the area, beginning with recent reminders in a Soviet style. Discover a different world altogether as will visit the Buddhist pagoda of Quan Su, the centre of Vietnamese Buddhism and Tran Hung Dao streets. Learn about the French approach to justice and punishment and hear tales of daring Vietnamese resistance to the repressive regime. Finish your walking tour with a nice cup of Vietnamese coffee.

Transfer between Hanoi Train station and your Hanoi hotel with private car and driver.

Travel in style on board the luxurious Victoria Express Train. The Victoria Express Train features one dining carriage and two sleeping carriages to make your travelling experience a most comfortable one. With its elegant carriages, the Victoria Express Train recalls a more romantic era. Passing through the exotic landscapes of North Vietnam, between the charming cities of Hanoi and Lao Cai it offers every visitor a wonderful traveling experience. Watch the beautiful scenery in front of you, from the luxury of your seat, or take a nap in the comfort of our cozy sleeping carriage. If you prefer, you can indulge yourself in our dining carriage, “Le Tonkin”, where you can savor the delights of traditional Vietnamese and Western cuisine. Our talented Chef Nguyen Tien Duc will be waiting for you with a selection of the best wines, adding a further exquisite touch to a memorable experience.

Overnight at Victoria Carriage.

Day 3 Sapa

Sapa is an incredibly picturesque village that lies on the Hoang Lien Son mountain range near the Chinese border in NW Vietnam. It is called as "the Tonkinese Alps" You can see many hill tribe people, their villages, rice terraces, lush vegetation, and Fansipan, highest peak in Vietnam.

Transfer between Lao Cai train station and Sapa in a private vehicle with guide and driver.

You will be picked up from your Sapa hotel by private car and English speaking driver for a short drive to the Silver Waterfall (best in the rainy season from May to November). Take a short walk to the waterfall where a great view is offered of the surrounding mountains and the lush forests of Hoang Lien National Park. Here your guide will explain the many species of trees that are grown in this special area of Sapa. Continue by car to Heaven's Gate where Fansipan Mountain, the highest peak in Indochina, can be viewed.

The Victoria Sapa Resort is the only luxury hotel in North-Western Vietnam, and was built as a traditional mountain chalet with accented wooden décor and a welcoming stone hearth fireplace. The Victoria Sapa Resort overhangs the village, blending in perfectly with the natural surroundings. The resort features 77 stylishly designed rooms, each with private terrace, wood flooring and a warm touch of local decoration. Enjoy fine dining at Ta Van Restaurant and enjoy a glass of red wine by the fireplace at Ta Fin Bar. After a day of sightseeing in the Sapa region, unwind at the spa center before turning in.

Overnight at Victoria Sapa.

Day 4 Sapa

Depart from Sapa and enjoy the magnificent view from your private car on the way to Lao Chai village. Along the road, stop at stalls that serve tea, fruits and sweets. Arrive at the Black H’mong village of Lao Chai, where you will experience the daily life of the community. Afterwards, walk from Lao Chai to Ta Van village, where the Zay hill tribes live. Here you will rest and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by your local guide (included). After lunch enjoy an afternoon of trekking through bamboo forests, followed by relaxation beside a waterfall. Continue and explore the Red Dao village of Giang Ta Chai. The tour ends with a return by private car to Sapa

Overnight at Victoria Sapa.

Day 5 Lao Cai

Lao Cai Province is located in the north of the country. It borders the provinces of Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Son La, and Lai Chau, as well as the province of Yunnan in the People's Republic of China. Lao Cai is a mountainous region. In the northwest of the province is Phan Xi Pang (a.k.a. Fansipan), Vietnam's highest mountain. The province is bisected by the Red River, the most significant river of northern Vietnam, which flows out of China towards the capital Hanoi. Much of the province is heavily forested. The temperature generally ranges between 18° and 28°, although lowland areas tend to have less variation than mountainous areas

Leaving Sapa early in the morning, travel by private car to Bac Ha Market (2.5hours). Visit the large outdoor market where various Hilltribe peoples come to buy and sell handicraft goods. After exploring the market, enjoy a complimentary lunch at a local restaurant. Leave Bac Ha Market for Trung Do Village, and enjoy a scenic water buffalo cart ride traveling through countryside of the Tay people. From the village, travel by boat down the Chay River and experience the picturesque scenery and magnificent sights along the way. After the boat trip, enjoy a refreshing cup of tea before transport back to Sapa.

Transfer between Sapa and Lao Cai train station in a private vehicle with guide and driver.

Travel in style on board the luxurious Victoria Express Train. The Victoria Express Train features one dining carriage and two sleeping carriages to make your travelling experience a most comfortable one. With its elegant carriages, the Victoria Express Train recalls a more romantic era. Passing through the exotic landscapes of North Vietnam, between the charming cities of Hanoi and Lao Cai it offers every visitor a wonderful traveling experience. Watch the beautiful scenery in front of you, from the luxury of your seat, or take a nap in the comfort of our cozy sleeping carriage. If you prefer, you can indulge yourself in our dining carriage, “Le Tonkin”, where you can savor the delights of traditional Vietnamese and Western cuisine. Our talented Chef Nguyen Tien Duc will be waiting for you with a selection of the best wines, adding a further exquisite touch to a memorable experience.

Overnight at Victoria Carriage.

Day 6 Halong Bay

Ha Long Bay is located 160km (100 miles) north of Hanoi, this is an amazing complex of 3000 chalk islands rising out of the South China Sea. The area is strange, eerie and very beautiful. Many of the islands contain bizarre cave formations and grottoes. An entire culture of floating villages has evolved with interlinked boats that can move from island to island.

Transfer between Hanoi Train station and your Hanoi hotel with private car and driver.

You will be picked up at 8am for your private transfer to Halong City. This takes roughly 3 hours. You may stop enroute to admire the local scenery. Arrive at the port around 11:30am and board the ship. Begin sailing and pass through a magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waves like dragons’ teeth. After lunch, take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay dotted with golden sails, go swimming on a quiet beach or sunbath on the sundeck. Later in the afternoon, you will visit an interesting fishing village with an opportunity to interact with local people who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. Back on board enjoy a lavish dinner. Overnight on board.

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Launched in mid 2006, the wooden junk that combines classic beauty with modern comfort. Our custom-designed junk features three decks that house an elegant restaurant, lounge, two bars, a small boutique, library and ten luxurious sleeping cabins. With so much space, passengers can truly unwind.

Overnight at Jasmine Halong Cruise .

Day 7 Hue

Hue was the capitol of Vietnam, from 1744 until 1945, when the last emperor abdicated. The city was severely damaged in the war, but many architectural gems remain. The city features the old Imperial complex, the Citadel and the Forbidden city, pagodas, and the many tombs of the emperors that lie a few kilometers south of the city. Each tomb is a walled compound containing temples, palaces, and lakes. Hue is divided between the older fortified Citadel, containing almost everything interesting, and the new, smaller sprawl that has developed across the river. The new side contains most of the facilities, the hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and banks. It is a quiet, relaxing city, big enough to be interesting but small enough to bicycle around.

Wake up to Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck and continue cruising the bays. Breakfast buffet will be served in the restaurant, then you will visit the limestone grotto. Disembark in Halong City around 11am and transfer back to Hanoi with your private vehicle, guide and driver.

You will be met and transferred between the airport to your hotel in a private vehicle with an English speaking driver.

Relax during this short domestic flight travelling between Hanoi and Hue, Vietnam.

Airport transfer with private guide, driver and vehicle.

Enjoy a dinner in a Royal Residence with a descendant of Vietnam's Imperial Family. Dinner includes private transportation and guide.

La Residence Hotel & Spa is brilliantly located on the river banks of the Perfume River in the centre of Hue. Its incredible location overlooking the Citadel and the Perfume River gives this resort its uniqueness, embracing total serene tranquility. Art Deco inspired rooms are stylishly decorated with lovely details of the great 1920's and 1950's era. Dine at Le Parfum restaurant, ideal for breakfast and dinner buffets, and have a tantalizing cocktail at the lobby bar. Indulge your senses at La Flamboyant Spa, or merely laze around the pool all day and gaze out toward the river.

Overnight at La Residence (5*).

Day 8 Hoi An

Hoi An is a small town in Central Vietnam famous for its wooden houses, for its family chapels, for its Assembly Halls and for its silk shops. The town of Hoi An, known as Faifo in Europe, played a central role in the commerce between Vietnam and the rest of the world from the 16th to the 19th century. Nowadays the town attracts tourists from all the continents.

In the morning you will be transferred by private vehicle to visit the Hue Citadel - Vietnam’s former imperial capital and a recognized UNESCO World Heritage site. With an area of 500ha and a system of three circles of ramparts, this citadel is far more elaborate than those constructed by previous empires. After lunch (included), continue your tour with a boat cruise along the Perfume River. Enjoy this romantic cruise and visit the Minh Mang Tomb. Finish up at Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue.

Transfer between Hue and Hoi An with private car and English speaking Driver.

Life Resort Hoi An is a tranquil getaway tucked into the French colonial town, Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 94 rooms are offered as junior suites, superior rooms, and grand suites. Each is set with with high standard fabrics and furnishings, using contemporary decor. Subtle delights mark this deluxe resort experience, known for genuinely hospitable staff. Dine at Senses Restaurant, which is host to the mouthwatering flavors of Vietnam, or Cafe Vienna, the European-style hotel hangout. Later, take a bicycle trip through the town and countryside or a ferry ride to the beach.

Overnight at Life Resort.

Day 9 Hoi An

Begin your day with a guided bicycle ride through old streets to the workshop of a local artisan. Receive a brief introduction to the history, shape, and colour of traditional lanterns, and learn the process of making them. You will have an opportunity to create your own lantern and keep it as a souvenir. Next continue to a Hoi An cooking school, where you will learn to cook traditional Vietnamese food, have lunch and relax. After lunch you will return to the workshop to decorate and pack your lantern. The tour ends with a guided ride back to the hotel.

Overnight at Life Resort.

Day 10 Dalat

Da Lat is a popular vacation spot for native Vietnamese who are looking for some R&R in a cool spot. This city is popular due to its crisp mountain air, beautiful surrounding forests, and California like weather.

Airport transfer between Danang airport and Hoi An with private vehicle, Driver, and English-speaking guide.

Fly from Danang to Dalat.

Transfer between Da Lat airport and your hotel with private vehicle and English speaking Driver.

You will be picked up by private car and english speaking driver and taken to the Cable Car Station. Enjoy a ride to Tuyen Lam Lake. Upon arrival, take a boat trip to a local village where you will enjoy a short elephant ride through the park. Lunch is included.

Ana Mandara Villas are lush French colonial-influenced accommodations seated in the countryside of Central Vietnam. Built almost one hundred years ago, each of the 17 villas have been renovated and preserved. Acres of land promise stunning views of the region. Spacious and marked by luxurious accents and fittings, 64 individual spaces are offered, some with living rooms and some as spa suites, but all guaranteeing comfort and peace. The surrounding countryside and town provide beautiful views from all areas of the gently sloping hillside property.

Overnight at Ana Mandara Villas.

Day 11 Dalat

You will be picked up by private car and English speaking guide today and transfer to Lang Bian Mountain, the highest peak from Dalat to South of Vietnam. Trek from the base 1, 450m to the summit 2, 169m. You will pass a vegetable farm, wood and rain forest. Enjoy the commanding view of the highlands (from which is possible to see the South China Sea on a clear day). After lunch (included) in a local restaurant, we continue to visit Lat village - the indigenous people of Dalat with their rich culture, long houses and weavings.

Overnight at Ana Mandara Villas.

Day 12 Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is more modern than other Vietnamese cities, and has retained its French colonial influences. The streets are jam-packed with mopeds and scooters, often carrying whole families. Highlights in the city include the colorful Emperor of Jade Pagoda, an excellent example of a Chinese temple. The Hôtel de Ville is a wonderful example of French colonial architecture. The twin towers of Notre Dame Cathedral have been a familiar landmark in Ho Chi Minh City since the 1880s. The War Remnants Museum bears witness to the suffering inflicted on the Vietnamese people during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s. Other sites relevant to that era are Reunification Hall and the former US Embassy. An interesting excursion from Saigon is a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels in which the South Vietnamese Communists concealed themselves and from which they launched attacks on US soldiers.

Transfer between Da Lat airport and your hotel with private vehicle and English speaking Driver.

Relax during this short domestic flight travelling between Dalat and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Enjoy a private transfer with English Speaking Driver between Ho Chi Minh City airport and your hotel.

You will be picked up by private car and English speaking driver for a visit to Jade Emperor Pagoda that is a lovely and quiet place of worship. The temple was filled with elaborate wooden carvings on tablets and towering papier-mâché statues. Continue on to visit some more major temples: Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda (for the Chinese God "Guan Gong"), and Quan Am Pagoda (for the Budhhist Bodhisattva of "Guan Yin"). Enjoy a cyclo tour around the city centre and make a stop at Ben Thanh market - the biggest market in Ho Chi Minh City for shopping. You can buy fresh tropical fruits and local products.

Take an enjoyable evening cruise. “Bonsai I” is the biggest existing dragon boat in Vietnam and a replica of a Royal Vietnamese style dragon boat dating back from the 19th century. The three decks offer 3 stylish bars, large buffet and dining deck, live cooking stations, show stage, wheel house, bathrooms, cabins and a fully operated kitchen. The cruise goes along Saigon’s modern skyline to the outskirts of the city.

The Renaissance Riverside is located in the heart of Saigon's business district, the Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon offers first-class hospitality, comfortable rooms and modern amenities. After a long day, relax at the poolside terrace or enjoy a leisurely dinner at Kabin, known as one of the finest Chinese restaurants in the city. Take a dip in the rooftop pool and visit the Health Club for an invigorating workout with the latest gym equipment. Otherwise, simply enjoy the incredible views of the Saigon River and stroll to museums, galleries and other area attractions. You’ll find that the hotel’s central location, panoramic views and impeccable service makes this the ideal place to stay while visiting Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight at Renaissance Riverside.

Day 13 Ho Chi Minh City

Take a full day tour to the Mekong Delta. Drive with your private car and english speaking driver to Vinhlong, a 2.5-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy a boat trip along the Mekong River to view the daily life of local people who work and play on the waterways of the Mekong Delta. The trip includes a visit to the unique floating market at Cai Be. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in late afternoon. Lunch is included with this tour.

Overnight at Renaissance Riverside.

Day 14 Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy a private transfer with English Speaking Driver between Ho Chi Minh City airport and your hotel.

Depart from Ho Chi Minh City International airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

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