15 Day Active Vietnam
Highlights: Hanoi, Sapa, Lao Cai, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Dalat, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Ho Chi Minh City
Trip start: Hanoi
Trip end: Ho Chi Minh City
Price Range:  from $2,900 to $3,460 *
_{* USD per person based on 2-4 people, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.}

Trip Summary
The ultimate tour of Vietnam – from hiking the rice terraces of Sapa to biking the floating markets of the Mekong Delta, see all of the major highlights from North to South. Along the way explore the fascinating history of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and see the stark contrast between old and new. Witness the stunning landscapes of Dalat and Halong Bay, from the dramatic limestone cliffs of the North to the rolling hills of the Central Highlands. Enjoy the many beaches as you travel the coast, fishing in Hoi An, and snorkelling in Nha Trang. This is an all encompassing tour of Vietnam, with private touring throughout.

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.
Maison D'Hanoi Hanova Hotel is conveniently located within 3 minutes walk to the famous Hoan Kiem Lake, the old quarters with its walking streets and colonial architectures. Its 55 tasteful rooms are specially designed for both the leisure and discerning corporate guests alike. The Minh Hai Lobby Gallery, the Piano Bar and all-day-dining Hanova Cafe produces an ambience (every inch) an impeccable and unique boutique hotel. All of the 55 guest rooms and suites are equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, mini fridge, multi-channel satellite television, mini bar, IDD telephone, shower/bath tub combination, hair dryer, individually controlled air-conditioning, safe-box and free internet access. Suites are with DVD components.
Overnight at Maison D`Hanoi.

Day 2 Hanoi
You will be picked up by private car and English speaking driver for a visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his former residence, One pillar Pagoda. We will also visit the Temple of Literature. After lunch, we head to Bat Trang ceramic village. Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple and experience a one hour cyclo tour. Lunch is included.
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).
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 by private car and English speaking driver today for a visit to the colourful Coc Ly Market. Every Tuesday morning the people from the surrounding ethnic villages such as Flower H’mong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen gather to buy and sell their products. Having explored the market, you will have a boat trip to Flower H’mong village of Na Nen then trek to Trung Do village of the Tay people. Enjoy a picnic lunch in local house before continuing your boat trip along the river banks. At the conclusion to this tour you will be picked up in the Bao Nhai village and driven back to Sapa.
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).
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 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
From Sapa you will be cycling downhill into Muong Hoa and the Ban Ho valley. The ride offers beautiful views of the fantastic mountains and rice paddy fields along the way to a Tay stilt restaurant, where you will have lunch. After eating, you will take a pleasant walk to the Ecolodge, which consists of 25 individual lodges placed in a circle around the hills. From the Ecolodge there are breathtaking views across the scenic valleys below, which are home to villages of Tay, Red Dao and Xa Pho minorities. Later you will cycle over to the nearby Red Dao village of Lech. Here you have time to explore the daily life of the Red Dao people. After visiting the Red Dao village you cycle back to the Ecolodge from where you will return to Sapa by car.
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).
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 5 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. A optional Kayaking trip is available weather permitting. Back on board enjoy a lavish dinner. Overnight on board.
Launched in November 2008 and March 2009, the first two Paradise Cruiser feature 17 luxurious cabins each furnished in a cozy colonial style. Each boat can accommodate up to 34 passengers for cruises on Halong Bay. Paradise 3 went into service in December 2009. Sister ship of the Paradise 2, Paradise 3 offers the same standards of comfort that these two predecessors. Overall, the fleet of the three Paradise Cruiser will host 51 luxurious cabins and lavish suites as well as an exciting array of activities to be enjoyed while experiencing the natural beauty and spectacular scenery of the Bay of the Descending Dragon.
Overnight at Paradise Cruises.

Day 6 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.
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.
Enjoy a short flight today to Danang.
Airport transfer between Danang airport and Hoi An with private vehicle, Driver, and English-speaking guide.
On 5-hectares of unspoiled tropical gardens sits The Palm Garden resort which features more than 400 palm trees and 106 well-decorated standard and suite bungalows that intermingle among a grass-covered landscape. Located on Cua Dai Beach, in the town of Hoi An, the resort is just 25 minutes from Da Nang International Airport and 5 minutes to the ancient town of Hoi An. Both Vietnamese and International cuisine is served at the restaurants and delectable cocktails are mixed at the resort’s various bars. Take part in a variety of exciting water sports or relax at the resort’s luxurious Shiseido Spa. The wonderful ambiance, design and high standards of service at The Palm Garden resort adds to an amazing holiday experience for you and your fellow travelers.
Overnight at Palm Garden Resort.

Day 7 Hoi An
Enjoy this private guided tour to CamKim fishing village. Here you will see the sights along the river and learn how to fish with the traditional methods of the Mekong. You will be instructed how to row a boat, spread a net, and catch fish. Afterwards head to a local restaurant and prepare your catch. Return to Cua Dai to take photographs and watch the sunset, or to go to the Bay Mau coconut forest in the Thuan Tinh eco- tourism zone.
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).
Overnight at Palm Garden Resort.

Day 8 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.
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Dalat, visiting Xuan Huong Lake, the Flower Garden, Linh Son Pagoda, Bao Dai's summer palace, built in 1933 and the famous Hang Nga guest house and art gallery, also known as the "crazy house".
Built before 1975, Ngoc Lan cinema was reconstructed and transformed into Ngoc Lan hotel in 1981. Located in the center of Dalat city, on a poetic hill and overlooking the picturesque Xuan Huong lake, Ngoc Lan has been a favorite hotel of most travelers to Dalat for many years. 91 modern rooms, spacious lobby, bars, international standard conference halls, Wifi internet connection, a private underground parking, sky view restaurant & bar overlooking the whole Dalat panorama and inherited location in the heart of Dalat city, next to the famous Central market.
Overnight at Ngoc Lan Hotel.

Day 9 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.
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).
Overnight at Ngoc Lan Hotel.

Day 10 Nha Trang
The city of Nha Trang is becoming more popular with tourists in recent years. Yet, with a population of 300,000, Nha Trang still retains its small town atmosphere. This resort town is well known for its miles of beach and the friendliness of its people. The city is flanked by nearly ten kilometers of prime beach where the water is warm year round. The average temperature in Nha Trang is 26 C. It is 1,287 km south of Hanoi, 624 km south of Hue and 442 km from Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon). Nha Trang has several famous islands. Most notable are Hon Tre, Hon Yen, Hon Rua and the Spratly islands.
Private transfer between Nha Trang and Dalat with private car, and english speaking driver (225km, approx 5 hours).
You will be picked up by private car and english speaking driver today for a visit to Yangbay Waterfall. Take photos along the way and enjoy the view of the green covered countryside and villages. Enjoy Yang Bay and Yang Khang Waterfalls. Spend a leisurely day swimming and resting in the hammocks by the waterfalls. After lunch, experience a live musical show by Yangbay artists. You will continue to visit Orchid garden and view a bear conservation area by electric car. Late afternoon you will be transferred back to hotel.
The five-star Sunrise Beach Resort is a spectacular boutique hotel that symbolizes luxury and elegance for both the leisure and business traveler. The resort is located on Nha Trang, one of the most sought after and pristine beaches of Vietnam. A wide range of activities are available, including dive trips, jet skiing and various beach activities. There is also a kids’ club available. The Sky Bar at the resort is a modern cocktail bar open from 5 pm until midnight, and the Dining Room offers fine Western and Asian cuisine. If you would like to sample some top Vietnamese food, head straight over to Huong Viet Restaurant. The Pool Garden Terrace serves refreshing drinks and cocktails.
Overnight at Sunrise Beach Resort (4+*).

Day 11 Nha Trang
You will be picked up today by private car and english speaking guide for a day trip to Mun island - a Marine Protected Area MPA, in Nha Trang Bay. Spend the day diving and snorkeling with your guide. Experience the richest coral biodiversity of corals identified in Vietnam with over 350 species and many kinds of big, colourful fish. Enjoy seafood lunch on the island before returning back to your hotel late afternoon.
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).
Overnight at Sunrise Beach Resort (4+*).

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.
Enjoy a private transfer between Nha Trang airport and your hotel.
Fly from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City.
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 half day city tour. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, a neo-Romanesque cathedral constructed between 1877 and 1883 using bricks from Marseilles and stained-glass windows from Chartres. Also visit the Old Saigon Post Office and Cholon, the Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City. During our tour we will also visit the Emperor Jade Pagoda (Phuoc Hai), one of the most interesting pagodas in Vietnam. It is filled with smoky incense and fantastic carved figurines. It was built by the Cantonese community around the turn of the 20th century and is still buzzing with worshippers, many lounging in the front gardens.
Lavender Hotel sits in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, near the Ben Thanh Handicraft Market, Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica and Saigon Opera House. A great choice for business travelers, it is close to many commercial areas and international consulates. All guestrooms are well-furnished, elegantly-designed and modern-equipped to establish a homey feel. To facilitate any meetings and seminars, the hotel provides fully-equipped meeting rooms of varying sizes, including a business center and library. The Saigon View Restaurant and Bar, which offers panoramic view of the Ben Thanh market and the central city area, attracts gourmets not only with its service-minded staff but also delightful Vietnamese and Western specialties.
Overnight at Lavender Hotel.

Day 13 Can Tho
Can Tho is regarded as the "Western capital", with an estimated population of 1,121,000, is the biggest city in the Mekong Delta. The city is located on the south bank of the Hau River, the bigger branch of the Mekong River. It is 169 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city. Can Tho is famous because of its floating markets, Cai Rang, Phung Hiep, where people sell and buy things on the river, its bird garden, Ninh Kieu port and others. Guests can enjoy local fruit specialties such as pomelo, longan, jackfruit, mango and durian.
Meet at your hotel in the morning and transfer to Vinh Long, a town located along the banks of the Mekong river. What makes the trip to Vinh Long so worthwhile is not only the town itself, but also the beautiful small islands in the river. Take A boat trip will bring you to the popular spots for tourist – Binh Hoa Phuoc island where land are totally given over to agriculture, especially the raising of tropical fruits. Lunch at local restaurant (is in the price included). In the afternoon, continue driving to Can Tho.
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).
The Victoria Can Tho Hotel is the only luxury hotel in the centre of the Mekong Delta, the four star Victoria Can Tho Resort blends colonial-style architecture with the natural beauty of the river. Close to Can Tho town, but a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, the resort lies on the banks of the Hau River, set amidst gardens with a plethora of exotic plants. The Victoria Can Tho Resort features 92 rooms, including 8 luxurious suites, all designed with wood flooring, authentic Vietnamese decoration and balconies offering spectacular views of the river, pool or of the garden. Each room combines the elegance of traditional artifacts and the comfort of an international standard hotel.
Overnight at Victoria Can Tho .

Day 14 Ho Chi Minh City
Depart in the morning from your hotel and head to Ninh Kieu wharf by shuttle-boat, where you can see bustling activity along the Can Tho riverbanks. Approach Cai Rang floating market, where you will see up close the hectic commerce of the many local vendors. To understand more about lifestyle here keep going into the small creeks called Rach Nho, where you will get a clear view of the Southern countryside. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, ride through the Cantho countryside via small bicycle tracks. Stop along the way at on of the many fruit orchards to taste some of the succulent fruits of the Mekong Delta
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).
You will be picked up from your Can Tho hotel by private car and transfered to Ho Chi Minh City with an English speaking guide and driver.
Lavender Hotel sits in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, near the Ben Thanh Handicraft Market, Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica and Saigon Opera House. A great choice for business travelers, it is close to many commercial areas and international consulates. All guestrooms are well-furnished, elegantly-designed and modern-equipped to establish a homey feel. To facilitate any meetings and seminars, the hotel provides fully-equipped meeting rooms of varying sizes, including a business center and library. The Saigon View Restaurant and Bar, which offers panoramic view of the Ben Thanh market and the central city area, attracts gourmets not only with its service-minded staff but also delightful Vietnamese and Western specialties.
Overnight at Lavender Hotel.

Day 15 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.

Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure – Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance