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16-Day The Grand Vietnam Trip

Customisable Itinerary
5.0 • (1 review)

Trip Overview

This trip offers an in-depth experience of Vietnam, from the cities to its World Heritage Sites and Natural Wonders. Starting from vibrant Thang Long-Hanoi following by the terraced rice fields and hill tribes in Sapa before experiencing a wonderful night on a traditional cruise in Halong Bay in the north.

Then, learn about the history of Hue's Citadel and Hoi An Ancient Town and finally wrap up the journey in bustling Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. Savouring local cuisines with a special street food tasting with local people in very local restaurants - the best way to connect with the culture.
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Outdoors & Nature
Adventure
Hiking & Trekking
Cycling
Wellness
Cruising
Food & Drink

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Itinerary

Day 1

Your 16 Days in Vietnam Start Here!

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Your 16 Days in Vietnam Start Here!

Widely acknowledged as one of the loveliest cities in Asia, this one-thousand-year-old city offers you something totally different from other Asian cities. Hanoi still retains a small-town provincial charm and unique blend of a French legacy with wide, tree-lined boulevards, parks, grand villas and an artistic, café society.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Authentic Hanoi Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Dong Xuan MarketOptional Activity

    Old Quarter Exploring By Cyclo

    Water Puppet Show

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Noi Bai International Airport to Old Quarter

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hanoi

Day 2

Hanoi

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Hanoi

This full-day city tour offers you the Hanoi’s most interesting sights, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the house on stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda followed by Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda originally constructed in the sixth century. You also visit the Temple of Literature, have a walk around the Sword Lake, visit Ngoc Son Temple and end the day with a cup of Vietnamese coffee at a street-pub.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Authentic Hanoi Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

    Quan Thanh Temple

    Tran Quoc Pagoda

    Hanoi Street Food Tasting

    Temple of Literature

    Hoa Lo Prison

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hanoi

Day 3

Ninh Binh and Journey to Sapa

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Ninh Binh and Journey to Sapa

Located on the southern end of the Red River Delta, Ninh Binh is blessed with diverse topography of both mountainous and coastal areas. It can be said that the province contains all the scenic quintessence of the whole of Vietnam within its relatively small size. Not only that, Ninh Binh represents typical rural villages of the northern region with vast green paddy fields, expanding to the mountains and the poetic river that flows to the horizon. In the evening, get the train to Sapa.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Night Train To and From Sapa

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bai Dinh Temple

    Tam Coc Boat Ride

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hanoi to Ninh Bình

    Private Driver from Ninh Bình to Hanoi

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hanoi

    Ninh Bình Province

Day 4

Sapa

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Sapa

You'll arrive early morning and go to your hotel in the town. Surrounded by pictorial mountains, rice terraces and a diversity of hill tribes in the remote northwest of Vietnam, Sapa is a quiet town frequently used as a base for trekking, rice paddies and traditional villages which are home to a wealth of ethnic minorities such as the H’mong, the Red Dao, the Tay, the Day peoples.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Freesia Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Sapa MarketOptional Activity

    Cat Cat Village

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Lào Cai to Sa Pa

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hanoi

    Lào Cai

Day 5

Sapa

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Sapa

Start your day in Sapa with light trekking along buffalo paths to the Ta Van and Lao Chai, villages of the H’Mong and the Day ethnic peoples. You'll go through stunning scenery, inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet and have more time to learn about other ethnic communities in Sapa.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Freesia Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Lao Chai

    Ta Van Village

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Ta Van to Sa Pa

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Lào Cai

Day 6

Bac Ha Market

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Bac Ha Market

Bac Ha market takes place every Sunday, it is a unique hill tribe market in northwest Vietnam and is only of the only ones in Southeast Asia. Alive with the bright colours and extravagant costumes of the local people, here you will meet Red H' Mong, Black Dao, Tay, Nung, La Chi, Phu La and other minority groups who come from far and wide to buy and sell a wide variety of goods and livestock while exchanging news and to renewing friendships. In the evening, take the train back to Hanoi

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    Accommodation

    Night Train To and From Sapa

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bac Ha Market

    Hoang A Tuong Mansion

    Ban Pho Village

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Sa Pa to Bắc Hà District

    Private Driver from Bắc Hà District to Lào Cai

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Lào Cai

    Hanoi

Day 7

Hanoi to Halong Bay

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Hanoi to Halong Bay

Located in the Gulf of Tonkin in the northeast of Vietnam, Halong Bay boasts magnificent scenery and covers an area of 43,400 ha and including over 1600 islands and islets, most of which are uninhabited. It forms a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars and is an ideal example of a mature karst landscape developed during a warm and wet tropical climate. The Bay's exceptional scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest.

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    Accommodation

    Rosa Cruise3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cruise Program

    Halong Pearl Farm Village

    Halong Bay Cruise

    Squid Fishing

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from ga hanoi to Hanoi

    Private Driver from Hanoi to Halong Bay

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hanoi

    Quảng Ninh Province

    Haiphong

    Hạ Long

Day 8

Halong Bay to Hanoi

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Halong Bay to Hanoi

Start your morning with Tai Chi as the sun rises before having a light breakfast. Then, you'll explore some caves and have a quick cooking class before you sit down to lunch as the cruise makes its way back to the way. Enjoy the bay's magnificent scenery of countless rugged limestone islands before making your way back to Hanoi.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Authentic Hanoi Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tai Chi

    Surprise Cave

    Cooking Class on Halong

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Halong Bay to Hanoi

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Quảng Ninh Province

    Haiphong

    Hanoi

Day 9

Fly to Hue

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Fly to Hue

Established as the capital of unified Viet Nam in 1802, Hue was not only the political but also the cultural and religious centre under the Nguyen dynasty until 1945. The Perfume River winds its way through the Hue Citadel giving this unique feudal capital a setting of great natural beauty. On arrival, you'll have time to explore this fascinating historic city.

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    Accommodation

    Alba Spa Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Trang Tien BridgeOptional Activity

    Tu Duc Tomb

    Tomb of Minh Mang

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hanoi to Noi Bai International Airport

    Plane from Hanoi to Hue

    Private Driver from Phu Bai Airport to Hue

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hanoi

    Thua Thien Hue

    Hương Trà

Day 10

Hue

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Hue

Enjoy your whole day exploring Hue including Hue Citadel with boat trip cruising on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda, a well-known sacred and religious site in the city of Hue. Then visit Thanh Toan village, one of the most beautiful villages in Hue. It’s also time to sample some of Hue's finest street food followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee at a street-pub-cafe.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Alba Spa Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Boat Trip on Perfume River

    Hue Imperial City

    Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities

    Hue Street Food Tasting

    Thanh Toan Village

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thua Thien Hue

Day 11

Hue to Hoi An

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Hue to Hoi An

Continue your 16 days in Vietnam today in Hoi An. Hoi An is one of the oldest towns in Southeast Asia and characterised by a rich blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and European architecture painted in yellow and blue. Your journey to Hoi An is over the Hai Van Pass where you have a stop for a panoramic view over the Lang Co Beach, made famous by the British TV Show Top Gear, and regarded as one of the most beautiful journeys in the world.

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    Accommodation

    Kiman Old Town Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cham Museum Da NangOptional Activity

    Marble MountainsOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hue to Hội An

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thua Thien Hue

    Quang Nam Province

    Da Nang

Day 12

Hoi An

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Hoi An

Your stay in the Hoi An Ancient Town will be full of interesting sights. Starting with a walk to discover the Ancient Town with its old houses, narrow streets, moss-grown walls. You have a chance to sample some of Hoi An famous street food followed by a visit to Tra Que Vegetable village by bicycle.

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    Accommodation

    Kiman Old Town Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hoi An Ancient Town

    Hoi An Street Food Tasting

    Tra Que Village

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Quang Nam Province

    Hội An

Day 13

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

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Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

You'll take a one-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City - a city full of surprises! The core of the city is still adorned with wide elegant boulevards and historic French colonial buildings and offers plenty of reasons to visit: from its blend of historic, attractions to vibrant shopping, dining and nightlife.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Sen Viet Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tasting

    Independence Palace

    Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

    Saigon Central Post Office

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hội An to Da Nang International Airport

    Plane from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City

    Private Driver from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Ho Chi Minh City

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Quang Nam Province

    Ho Chi Minh

Day 14

My Tho in the Mekong Delta

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My Tho in the Mekong Delta

Cruise through the lush labyrinth of palm-fringed channels, rivers, and islands of the Mekong Delta. My Tho offers a fascinating glimpse into the way of life of the people who depend on this fragile waterway for their survival. You also visit local villages, farms, and factories to find out about the products that come from this region.

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    Accommodation

    Van Phat Riverside3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    My Tho Boat Trip

    Thoi Son Island

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Mỹ Tho

    Bus from Mỹ Tho to Can Tho

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ho Chi Minh

    Tien Giang

    Mỹ Tho

    Cần Thơ

Day 15

The Floating Market

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The Floating Market

Located on the south bank of the Hau River, a distributary of the Mekong River, Can Tho is famous for its floating markets, where people sell and buy things on the river. You'll also visit the rice paper-making village and picturesque rural canals that lead you to more hidden villages. Cai Rang, the biggest floating market is just 6km from Can Tho. This is a wholesale market, so look at what's tied to the long pole above the boat to figure out what they're selling to smaller traders.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Sen Viet Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cai Rang Floating Market

    Biking through Can Tho

    Binh Thuy Temple

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Cần Thơ to Ho Chi Minh City

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Cần Thơ

    Ho Chi Minh

Day 16

Departure Ho Chi Minh City

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Departure Ho Chi Minh City

Today is the last day of your 16 days in Vietnam. Enjoy free time at your hotel or you can do some last-minute souvenir shopping before meeting your guide for transfer to airport for your flight home. Have a nice journey. Thanks for joining us.

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    Transportations

    Private Driver from Sen Viet Hotel to Tan Son Nhat International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ho Chi Minh

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What’s included?

  • 15 nights accommodation
  • 42 activities
  • 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

What’s not included?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits

Inspiration for you

Explore the authentic activities in Vietnam

Old Quarter Exploring By Cyclo, Hanoi, Vietnam|Water Puppet Show, Hanoi, Vietnam|Temple of Literature, Hanoi, Vietnam|Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi, Vietnam|Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi, Vietnam|Quan Thanh Temple, Hanoi, Vietnam|Hanoi Street Food Tasting, Hanoi, Vietnam|Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi, Vietnam|Bai Dinh Temple, Ninh Bình Province, Vietnam|Tam Coc Boat Ride, Ninh Bình Province, Vietnam|Cat Cat Village, Lao Cai, Vietnam|Ta Van Village, Lao Cai, Vietnam|Lao Chai, Lao Cai, Vietnam|Hoang A Tuong Mansion, Lao Cai, Vietnam|Ban Pho Village, Lao Cai, Vietnam|Bac Ha Market, Lao Cai, Vietnam|Squid Fishing, Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam|Halong Pearl Farm Village, Haiphong, Vietnam|Cruise Program, Haiphong, Vietnam|Halong Bay Cruise, Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam|Surprise Cave, Haiphong, Vietnam|Tai Chi, Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam|Cooking Class on Halong, Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam|Tu Duc Tomb, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam|Tomb of Minh Mang, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam|Boat Trip on Perfume River, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam|Hue Street Food Tasting, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam|Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam|Thanh Toan Village, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam|Hue Imperial City, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam|Tra Que Village, Quảng Nam, Vietnam|Hoi An Street Food Tasting, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam|Hoi An Ancient Town, Quảng Nam, Vietnam|Saigon Central Post Office, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam|Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam|Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam|Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tasting, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam|Thoi Son Island, Tien Giang, Vietnam|My Tho Boat Trip, Tien Giang, Vietnam|Cai Rang Floating Market, Cần Thơ, Vietnam|Biking through Can Tho, Cần Thơ, Vietnam|Binh Thuy Temple, Cần Thơ, Vietnam