THE BEST OF VIETNAM IN 2023 – 22D21N

Day 1:

Hanoi – Street Food (tasting) Tour

On arrival on your first day your private airport pick-up service will be ready with a sign with your name on it. He’ll take you to your hotel to check-in.

You’ll have some free time before your private tour guide (at 6pm) will meet you at your hotel to start your Street Food Walking & Tasting Tour through the most interesting streets of the 36 streets of the Old Quarter of Hanoi. He will give you a brief introduction about the route of the tour and about the places you will be visiting before we set off to explore Hanoi’s buzz ling Old Quarter in the early evening.

We specially designed this tour to give you the best of what Hanoi as Street Food has to offer, not just to eat full dishes but to also to give you the opportunity to taste here and there so you will have a complete and full experience.

Highlights:

• Spend most time on tasting Vietnamese cuisine around Hanoi
• A nice relaxed experience walking around the Old Quarter while enjoying the company of your tour guide who will inform you about the history and local customs while soaking up the nightlife of Hanoi

Your tour guide will drop you off at the hotel after the tour (around 9.30pm) and the further evening will be at your own interpretation.

Transportation: Private A/C transportation from the airport and walking

Meals: Dinner

Guide: English speaking tour guide

Accommodation: 3* Boutique Hotel in Old Quarter – Deluxe double room

Day 2:

Hanoi City & Red River Delta Cycling Tour – Sapa

• Get a real feel of local life in Hanoi and the Old Quarter
• Cycle through narrow alleys to discover hidden gems parts of Hanoi not known to tourists
• Ride on and under the famous Long Bien Bridge
• Ride single-tracks through farms and plantations in the Red River Delta
• Wind through alleys and street markets, where locals shop every morning

We meet up at our office at 24 Hang Buom Street at 7:45am and after a brief introduction of the trip and safety instructions on how to navigate safely through Hanoi on a bicycle. On this cycling tour we take you through the most interesting parts and markets of the Old Quarter and move on towards the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area where we will take narrow-car-free-alleys to hidden backyards so you can get a real feel of how life has been here for centuries.

Experience how tranquil and peaceful it is just 5-minutes from the buzzling Old Quarter of Hanoi when we cycle on narrow roads through impressive banana plantations and vegetable gardens that cover the fertile grounds of the Red River Delta. The noisy city suddenly seems very far away…

We finish around lunchtime and the afternoon will be at your own interpretation. Our staff will pick you up at 8.30pm to bring you to the train station for your overnight train journey to Sapa.

Transportation: Cycling & Transfer to train station by our staff

Meals: Breakfast

Guide: English speaking tour guide – Guidance to the train station

Accommodation: Overnight train – Soft sleeper – 4-berth shared cabin

Day 3:

Sapa

From the train station your pick-up service will show a sign with your name(s)) pick you up for a 45-minutes drive to our partner hotel in Sapa where a morning shower will be offered followed by breakfast, together with an amazing scenery over Sapa town and the Muong Hoa valley. At around 9am your local private Hmong tour guide will meet you there where your trekking adventure will kick off into the Muong Hoa valley.

We designed our specific route by ourselves, it is a bit more challenging but we avoid the mass by doing so. During the 15 km walk we’ll visit three villages of ethnic populations. Enjoy the spectacular views of the beautiful valley that leads towards Fansipan, the highest peak in Viet Nam and Indochina. The trek leads through the village of Black Hmong people, where you can learn how they weave and embroider their incredible clothes. Further along our descent we’ll enjoy the many colorful rice paddy fields until we reach Ta Van village, inhabited by the Dzay people.

We’ll have a filling lunch on the way and dinner with your host in a cozy homestay.

Transportation: Transfer from train station to Sapa and hiking

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Guide: Local Hmong English-speaking tour guide

Accommodation: Overnight at the homestay – private room

Day 4:

Sapa – Hanoi

After breakfast we continue our trek and pass some stunning scenery and a lovely waterfall along our route. This area is mainly inhabited by Red Dao people and as their names suggests, red is used extensively in the Red Dao women’s clothing and scarves.

Our journey leads us along the small paths edging the rice fields, across the Muong Hoa River and lunch will be on the way at a fantastic spot. We’ll head back to the homestay after our second amazing trekking in the early afternoon where you can enjoy a refreshing shower and some free time before heading back to Sapa for the journey Back to Hanoi where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.

Transportation: Transfer from Ta Van to Sapa – Luxury bus from Sapa to Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Guide: Local Hmong English-speaking tour guide

Accommodation: 3* Boutique Hotel in Old Quarter – Deluxe double room

Day 5 – 6:

Two days and one-night cruise to Halong Bay

Your tour guide will pick you up from your accommodation for the 3.5-hour drive to the harbour where you will board the cruise  for your 2 days and 1-night cruise. Explore the fascinating and breathtaking peaceful view on this unique location as well as start cruising and enjoying our special lunch of Vietnamese Cuisine while the cruise slowly slides on the romantic waves of Halong Bay.

Our choice of cruise is a quality midrange (3*) cruise with great service and food and will take you to the less touristy areas of the bay like Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay! We overnight on board.

Transportation: A/C comfortable transportation – cruise

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Guide: English-speaking tour guide

Accommodation: Private cabin

On the second day, back at the harbour we’ll arrange a comfortable transfer by bus to your accommodation in Tam Coc, with swimming pool, where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.

Day 7:

Tam Coc – Countryside Cycling & Boat Trip

At 8.30am your guide will meet you at reception with your bikes to take you on our own designed day trip through the countryside. On this day we’ll take you off the beaten track into local villages. We’ll take you on a leisurely 2-hour boat trip through stunning karst mountain sceneries and where rivers run through a number of caves. We visit the nicest temples and pagodas in the area and take you to ‘The Rooftop of Ninh Binh’ for spectacular panoramic views of the valley, rice fields and river below.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant and late afternoon we cycle back to your accommodation where the further evening will be at your own interpretation. Total cycling length will be based on your preference but usually is around 25-30km.

Transportation: Bicycles and boat ride

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Guide: English-speaking tour guide

Accommodation: Tam Coc – swimming pool – double room

Day 8:

Tam Coc – Phong Nha

Today you’ll have a free day to relax or do some more sightseeing in the area around Tam Coc by yourself.

Early evening we’ll take you to the train station for your overnight journey to Phong Nha.

Transportation: Private transfer to the train station

Meals: Breakfast

Guide: N/A

Accommodation: Overnight train – Soft sleeper – 4-berth shared cabin

Day 9:

Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park

On arrival your pick-up service will be ready with a sign with your name on it to take you to the hotel to have a shower and breakfast.

After breakfast, at around 8am we’ll start this beautiful and adventurous day to the 2 most impressive caves in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.

At the end of the trip we’ll drop you of at your accommodation where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.

For this day we have several options, from the more easily accessible caves to more challenging cave adventures and jungle treks. Feel free to inform us about your preferences.

Transportation: A/C transportation

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Guide: English-speaking tour guide

Accommodation: Phong Nha – Swimming pool – Double room

Day 10:

Phong Nha – Hue

After a relaxed breakfast, your driver will pick up for the private transfer to Hue. On the way we’ll visit the famous Vinh Moc Tunnels.

We’ll arrive later in the afternoon Hue where we will drop you off at your hotel and the further day and evening will be at your own interpretation.

Transportation: A/C private transfer

Meals: Breakfast

Guide: N/A

Accommodation: 3* Boutique Hotel – Swimming pool – Deluxe double room

Day 11:

Hue

Discover the best of Hue on this thrilling day adventure. We’ll be stepping back in time to explore the most fascinating mausoleums of Emperors past.

This day trip is different compared to most other tours because we run with maximum 12 people to give you a etter experience and interaction with our knowledgeable tour guides. We’ll take you to the local market and of course to the impressive Imperial – Royal City and on a relaxing boat ride on the Parfum River but but also to the most impressive and stunning Emperor tombs. After the tour we will drop you off at the hotel where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.

Transportation: A/C transfers & boat ride

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Guide: English-speaking tour guide

Accommodation: 3* Boutique Hotel – Swimming pool – Deluxe double room

Day 12:

Hue – Hoi An

This day for sure will be one the highlights of your Vietnam trip!. After breakfast and check out we pick you up at your hotel to take you on the best and safest motorbike trip via the famous and magnificent Hai Van Pass, (“ocean cloud pass”) which is an approximately 21 km long mountain pass on National Road 1A in Vietnam.

We will make many stops along the way to show you the best of what the area has to offer and you can enjoy the best seafood lunch at a floating restaurant.

We are proud that we can say that we exclusively work with the best one for this specific trip!

On arrival in Hoi An we will of course bring you to your accommodation where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.

Transportation: Motorbike

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Guide: English-speaking tour guide

Accommodation: Beach Villa – Swimming pool – Deluxe Rooms

Day 13:

Hoi An – Countryside Cycling

Highlights

• Cycling through the scenic and peaceful countryside of Hoi An
• Experience local ferries around the Song Thu River Delta
• Cross floating bridges in the Delta
• Learn how local craftsman make wooden boats and how to weave basket boats
• Experience lunch at a local family

This tour is a perfect combination of bicycle tour and discovery of the Vietnamese culture and way of life.

After a boat transfer, of approximately one hour on the Thu Bon river, you will arrive at a small village in the middle of the delta where you will begin your cycling tour.

The morning will be spent cycling 14km (total length around 23km) across the countryside and rice fields. You will cross from island to island taking the unusual bridges made from wood or bamboo.

A short boat crossing will bring you to a small island where you will enjoy lunch in the home at a local family.

After lunch and some free time to relax we continue cycling through the scenic countryside. You will cross the islands on the Song Thu river Delta using local transportation, including ferries and floating bridge.

We will be back around 5pm in Hoi An Old Town where we finish for today.

Transportation: Bicycles

Meals: Breakfast and local lunch

Guide: English-speaking tour guide

Accommodation: Beach Villa – Swimming pool – Deluxe Rooms

Day 14:

Hoi An – Free Day

These are free days to explore Hoi An and its countryside by yourself. It is easy to get around by bicycle. For the Old Town of Hoi An it is best to just walk around.

Transportation: N/A

Meals: Breakfast

Guide: N/A

Accommodation: Beach Villa – Swimming pool – Deluxe Rooms

Day 15:

Hoi An – Da Nang – Can Tho

Today will start early! After breakfast and check out, your driver will pick you up to drive you to the airport of Da Nang for your flight to Can Tho, in the heart of the Mekong Delta.

On arrival our tour guide will pick you up to have a nice lunch with local dishes before we start a boat trip to discover the area to visit a plant nursery village, a rice separating factory and a local market where we will buy our ingredients for dinner. In the Mekong Delta we also have an ethnic group named ” Khmer ”. You will have a chance to learn more about their culture, customs and language.

After the Khmer village and temples, we return to the boat to take you on a relaxing ride through the mangrove canals and trees along the river to witness local fisherman trying to catch fish.  After about 20 minutes through the canals we arrive at the homestay where your guide grew up. The homestay is fairly new, built in 2019 and is located in a peaceful place. In front the house is the canal and behind the house is the garden where we grow pomelos, organic vegetables and rice.

Are you thirsty now? Don’t worry! We have fresh coconuts, which are picked up right at the garden. You will have some time to relax in the hammocks in the garden or do some cycling in the area. From here you can watch the beautiful sunset before we start cooking dinner.

After dinner we’ll show you beautiful fireflies the buzz around in the sky and enjoy a quit and relaxing evening right in the heart of the Mekong for a perfect local feel. Your room has a fan, mosquito net and air conditioning.

Transportation: Private transfers – domestic flight – small boats

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Guide: English speaking local tour guide

Accommodation: Homestay – private A/C room

Day 16:

Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh City

Today we’ll leave early, around 5.30am, for a boat trip to catch the sunrise and visit Cai Rang floating market. We will enjoy breakfast at the floating market to give you that extra special feel. After that we will see how local people make rice noodle before visiting a fruit garden where you will see all types of fruit trees that grow in the Mekong Delta and of course you’ll get the chance to taste some yummy fruits from their garden.

Around lunchtime and after an early lunch your driver will bring you back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. The journey will take around 2,5 hours.

The further day and evening will be at your own interpretation.

Transportation: Boat ride and private transfer

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Guide: English speaking local tour guide

Accommodation: 3* Boutique Hotel – Swimming pool – Deluxe double room

Day 17:

HCMC – Cu Chi Tunnels by Speed Boat – HCMC

Pick up will be in between 8 and 8.30am to start your cultural and historical adventure!

Located 60km from Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese & foreign tourists alike. The 200km network of tunnels became legendary because of their vital role in the war. In their heyday, the tunnels were fully functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens.

Today, ducks and water buffaloes happily co-exist by the rivers along the side of the road, the peaceful rice paddy scenery masking the areas violent history. Visitors find it hard to imagine the destruction, damage & defoliation throughout this whole area, caused by bombing and mines.

There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960’s when Cu Chi was a “Free Target Zone”.

We’ll escape the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City and take you on a thrilling boat ride along the Saigon River towards the Cu Chi Tunnels. The trip will take about one hour.

At the tunnel complex we will spend time to explore the maze of tunnels with countless trap doors, storage facilities, weapon factories, field hospitals, command centers, kitchens and much more. Enjoy Cassava, one of the typical and popular foods during the American War at Cu Chi tunnels.

You’ll have some spare time to relax or for those who want to try, they can do some real shooting at the range.

On the way back, we will drop you off at the War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market or your hotel in District 1. Expected time back is around 2:30pm.

Transportation: Boat ride and private transfer

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Guide: English speaking local tour guide

Accommodation: 3* Boutique Hotel – Swimming pool – Deluxe double room

Day 18:

Ho Chi Minh City – Mui Ne

Your driver will pick you up in the morning for the 4-hour journey to your accommodation in Mui Ne. You’ll arrive around noon time for check-in and to relax.

The further day and evening will be at your own interpretation.

Transportation: Private transfer by A/C car

Meals: Breakfast

Guide: N/A

Accommodation: 4* Resort – Beach & Swimming pool – Deluxe double room

Day 19 – 20 – 21:

Mui Ne – Free days

Enjoy some free days to relax at this tropical location. Early morning trips to the Red Sand dunes and Fairy Springs are easily arranged through your accommodation.

Transportation: N/A

Meals: Breakfast

Guide: N/A

Accommodation: 4* Resort – Beach & Swimming pool – Deluxe double room

Day 22:

Mui Ne – …

Today the tour unfortunately ends but we are sure that this tour made an indelible memory that you will cherish for the rest of your life!

Remember, our customer service will be at your disposal for advice and or information at all times.

Depending on your flight details your driver will pick you up and drive you to the airport of Ho Chi Minh City for your scheduled flight home.

Transportation: Private transfer to the airport

Meals: Breakfast

Guide: N/A

Accommodation: N/A

Important to know:

We at Get Up And Go Vietnam offer only the best trips and many of them are own designed because we want to give you the best possible experience. We understand that this is just a brief summary of information about the trip. Feel free to contact us so we can fully inform you about the trip and send you a full and more detailed itinerary of this and more of our recommended and own designed trips.