HONEYMOON VIETNAM 2023 – PU LUONG – CON DAO – 22D21N
This is one of our customized tours and one we are definitely proud of! It gives you the very best selections of Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay (Bai Tu Long Bay), Hoa Lu & Tam Coc, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Hue, Hoi An, Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels and Mui Ne. For sure this will be a trip you’ll treasure the rest of your life…
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 to 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.
This tour is specially designed 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
Meals: Dinner
Guide: English speaking tour guide
Accommodation: 4* Hotel – Swimming pool – Deluxe Double Room
Day 2:
Hanoi City & Red River Delta Cycling Tour
- 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 13 Bat Su 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, we set off towards the famous Train Street and Hanoi Street Murals, along the Train Street.
On this cycling tour we furthermore 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.
We cycle along beautiful tree-lined streets and take in the fresh air around the West Lake area, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Truc Bach Lake.
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.
Transportation: Cycling
Meals: Breakfast
Guide: English speaking tour guide
Accommodation: 4* Hotel – Swimming pool – Deluxe Double Room
Day 3:
Mai Chau Cycling – Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Your driver will pick you up at 8am for the 4-hour scenic drive via a breathtaking mountain pass towards Mai Chau. On arrival we enjoy lunch at a fantastic place with great views of the valley before we set off for a relaxing cycle ride in the valley where we cycle through the rice fields pass some of the ethnic Tai villages that are dotted around in this beautiful valley.
We continue our way for another hour to reach your accommodation in Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Time to check-in and relax at this beautiful place where dinner will be served later in the evening.
Transportation: Private A/C transportation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guide: English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Valley View Bungalow – Swimming pool
Day 4:
Pu Luong Trekking
Today, after breakfast, we start early today and descend into the beautiful valley and walk around tumbling rice terraces. We trek through small paths, shrouded in vegetation, to slowly reveal a picturesque village sitting at the base of a towering mountain. A truly marvelous sight and for sure photogenic!
We descend further into the valley and weave between small countryside roads and farmlands, villages and wild fields, ponds and rivers, mountains and open land. Savor the ever-changing scenery as you trek to a beautiful spot to enjoy lunch.
We’ll enjoy lunch on the way and relax a little bit before we make our way back to your overnight for dinner and another relaxing night at your idyllic overnight stay.
Transportation: Hiking
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guide: English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Valley View Bungalow – Swimming pool
Day 5:
Pu Luong – Hanoi
Today you’ll have a relax morning, another trek is optional though. After lunch your driver will take you back to your accommodation in Hanoi where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.
Transportation: Private A/C transportation
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Guide: English speaking tour guide
Accommodation: 4* Hotel – Swimming pool – Deluxe Double Room
Day 6:
Hanoi – Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay
This brand-new luxury Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay cruise is an excellent choice for those looking for a unique route through the less touristy areas of both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay and to do it in comfort and style. A truly unique experience.
The cruise has top quality, designed and luxury cabins for a journey in comfort while we take you deep into the natural wonder with various interesting activities, like kayaking, swimming and biking.
Before dinner, our experienced captain will choose the most tranquil area to anchor for the night.
Transportation: A/C luxury transfer – cruise
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guide: English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Deluxe balcony cabin
Day 7:
Lan Ha Bay – Viet Hai Village – Cat Ba – Bai Dinh
On the second day we’ll visit Cat Ba National Park for a relaxing cycling trip before we continue cruising through the bay. Back at the harbour we’ll arrange a comfortable transfer by limousine bus to your accommodation in Bai Dinh where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.
Transportation: Cruise and A/C comfortable transfer
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Guide: English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Bai Dinh Resort – Swimming pool – Deluxe Garden View Double Room
Day 8:
Bai Dinh – 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: Bai Dinh Resort – Swimming pool – Deluxe Garden View Double Room
Day 9:
Bai Dinh – Hanoi – Dong Hoi – Phong Nha
Today you’ll have a free morning to relax or do some more sightseeing in the area around by yourself, bicycles are available but please respect the check-out time.
Your driver will pick you up for the 2-hour drive to the airport of Hanoi for your flight to Dong Hoi. On arrival your driver will be ready with a sign with your name on to drive you to your accommodation in Phong Nha, it will take around 45 minutes. The further evening will be at your own interpretation.
Transportation: Private transfers
Meals: Breakfast
Guide: N/A
Accommodation: Phong Nha – Lake Villa
Day 10:
Phong Nha – Elephant Cave & Ma Da Valley Jungle Trek
Trek: 9km
Swim: 600m Tra-Ang & Crystal Lake (optional)
Fitness Level: Moderate
Pick-up around 8am – This trek is perfect for those with little hiking background but want to get a true jungle and cave experience. It begins deep in the jungle of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam. You’ll take a short hike to the impressive Elephant Cave, then a walk-through Ma Da Valley to the amazingly blue waters of Crystal Ma Da Lake. After lunch and swimming, you’ll continue trekking to Tra Ang Cave were everyone will gear up to swim into the furthest reaches of the cave.
Once the team reaches the trail-head you will plunge into the jungle and begin the uphill climb into Elephant Cave. Upon completing the most difficult 20 minutes of the trek you will be rewarded with the magnificent sight of 60-meter high, 300-meter long Elephant cave. Our guides will lead you through the cave, take you into the depths, and tell you about the war history of the cave.
After exploring Elephant Cave, the team will hike the jungle trail, cross rivers, and balance across fallen trees. Deep into Ma Da Valley you and the team will go until you reach the heavenly blue waters of Ma Da Crystal Lake. Here you and the team will have the opportunity to take a swim, do some cliff jumping and enjoy a delicious Jungle BBQ prepared by your porter (vegan options also available).
With full bellies and feeling refreshed you and the team will gear up and continue on the jungle hike. A few kilometers down the trail and a couple river crossings later the team will come upon a large bend in the river and a staging area for the swim into Tra Ang Cave. After a short scramble up some limestone rocks you will reach the cool waters of Tra Ang Cave and begin the 600m swim into the furthest depths of the cave.
Once the Tra Ang Cave swim is completed, our guides will lead you to the road. Here your driver will be waiting for you with a cold beer or soda and a ride back to your accommodation where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.
Transportation: Transfers and trekking
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Guide: English speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Phong Nha – Lake Villa
Day 11:
Phong Nha – Vinh Moc Tunnels – Hue
After a relaxed breakfast, your driver will pick up at 11am for the private transfer to Hue. This journey normally takes around 3 hours and because the famous Vinh Moc Tunnels are on route we will make a stop of about an hour to let you visit this place by yourself. The Vinh Moc Tunnels served as storage and shelter during the American War. Please keep in mind that your driver is not a tour guide and his English is limited but the place is easy to explore by yourself. Local guides are available on sight though.
At around 3pm we will arrive in Hue where we will drop you off at your hotel.
The further day and evening will be at your own interpretation.
Transportation: A/C private transfer
Meals: Breakfast
Guide: N/A
Accommodation: 4* Hotel – Swimming pool – Deluxe Double Room
Day 12:
Hue – Deluxe City Tour
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: 4* Hotel – Swimming pool – Deluxe Double Room
Day 13:
Motorbike Tour via Hai Van Pass
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 garden View Double Room
Day 14:
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 also show you how traditional wooden river boats are made and you can learn the secret of weaving the colorful straw “Hoi An” sleeping mats. A great experience is to try the renowned Vietnamese basket boats on the River. You will spend the day with first-hand contact with one of the rural inhabitants of the region, far from the usual tourist circuits. We will be back around 5pm in Hanoi Old Town.
Transportation: Bicycles
Meals: Breakfast and local lunch
Guide: English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Beach Villa – Swimming pool – Deluxe Garden View Double Room
Day 15:
Hoi An – Free Day
Today you’ll have a free day to explore Hoi An and it’s countryside by yourself. It is easy to get around by bicycle and even the beaches An Bang and Cua Dai are within 20 minutes. 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 Garden View Double Room
Day 16:
Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast and check out, your private transportation will pick you up to drive you to the airport of Da Nang for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
On arrival your private airport pick-up service will be ready with a sign with your name on it to take you to your hotel to check-in. The further day and evening will be at your own interpretation.
We of course have plenty of tips to explore the city.
Transportation: Private (airport) transfers and domestic flight
Meals: Breakfast
Guide: N/A
Accommodation: 4* Hotel – Swimming pool – Deluxe Double Room
Day 17:
Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels by Speed Boat – Ho Chi Minh City
Depending on your hotel location you will either be picked up in between 8 and 8.30am, or you’ll need to go to our meeting point to start your cultural and historical adventure! Please see your voucher for specific details.
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 War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market or your hotel in District 1. Expected time back is around 2:30pm.
Transportation: Short transfers and speed boat
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Guide: English speaking tour guide
Accommodation: 4* Hotel – Swimming pool – Deluxe Double Room
Day 18:
Ho Chi Minh City – Ben Tre – Can Tho
At 8.00am we depart for a 1.5-hour drive from Saigon to Ben Tre, one of the country’s southern provinces, situated in the Delta of the Mekong River. Take in the highway as you leave behind the busy city. Pass Rach Mieu Bridge before reaching Huu Dinh hamlet. Get on a tri-motor cycle (xe loi) ride to enjoy the lush surroundings of rice paddies and fruit farms alongside the narrow village roads.
Arrive at the waterfront where we board your charming cruise for a glimpse at the Delta scenery while enjoying some fresh coconut juice. The first stop we make is to visit coconut processing. We return to your cruise and make our next stop at a brick making shop, where the locals still use centuries-old traditional methods to make the bricks by hand. A bicycle trip will take you around Phong Nam village, around 4km, through gardens with a stop at a rice noodles factory, “hu tieu”, one of most popular breakfast dishes in the region. Walk about 3 minutes to visit Mrs. Huong’s home. Her family lives on fishing, shrimp and farming. Enjoy the tropical fruits and honey tea in her garden before taking the rowing sampan; be paddled by a personalized rowing trip to discover the maze of small canals.
We row you back to your boat and head to the restaurant where you can enjoy your 5-course lunch and freshen up before we switch to bicycles for a 500m ride (about 4 minutes, or 7-10 minutes’ walk) through village roads, past green gardens and local houses. We stop at another local house, of Mr Sau Tuong, a former Vietcong soldier who survived two years fighting the Khmer Rouge in Phnom Penh.
Now he and his wife live on making rice paper, which is the most famous specialty of My Long village. Have a chat with him and enjoy the crispy rice paper made by his wife, and see how it is made. After the visit, the boat will be waiting for you at the pier nearby to bring you back to Ben Tre city from where your private transportation will take you to your accommodation in Can Tho where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.
Transportation: Private A/C transportation and cruise
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Guide: English speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Ecolodge – Deluxe Double Room
Day 19:
Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh City – Con Dao
Today we start early, at 5:30am for a boat trip to catch the sunrise and visit Cai Rang floating market. We will enjoy a ‘floating breakfast’ at the floating market to give you that extra special feel. After that we will show you how local people make rice noodle and you can of course try it for yourself. We then take you to an organic cacao farm where you can see how cacao trees grow and will learn how to make chocolate Vietnam style. You’ll of course get the chance to taste real chocolate, fresh chocolate fruits, chocolate bar and cacao nibs.
We finish the trip at Can Tho city around 11am with an early lunch from where we’ve arranged your private transfer to bring you to the airport in Ho Chi Minh City for your — flight to Con Dao. Estimated arrival time will be — and on arrival your pick-up service will be ready to take you to your accommodation where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.
Transportation: Private transfers and fast boat
Meals: Breakfast
Guide: English speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Villa Boutique Hotel – Deluxe Double Room
Day 20 – 21:
Con Dao – Free Days
Enjoy some fantastic free days on this tropical island.
Transportation: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Guide: N/A
Accommodation: Villa Boutique Hotel – Deluxe Double Room
Day 22:
Con Dao – Ho Chi Minh City – …
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 for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City and your scheduled flight home.
Transportation: Transportation to the airport and domestic flight
Meals: Breakfast
Guide: N/A
Accommodation: N/A
- (Private) transportation as indicated in the program.
- All tours as mentioned in the overview
- Domestic flights as indicated in the overview
- Accommodation as specific itineraries
- Meals as indicated in the day programs or specific itineraries
- All entrance fees (as indicated in the day programs or specific itineraries,
Taxes and Service Charges - English speaking tour guides
- Beverages
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- All not indicated in our itinerary
- Booking vouchers we provided
- Valid Passport with valid visa
- Cash for personal expense
Special food requests
Please let us know if you have specific eating restrictions, allergic for certain things or if you are vegetarian, we can take that into account during the trips.
Useful information
Especially for the north and central Vietnam;
In the period between November and April, the weather is variable, from sunny to cold and rainy. It is advisable during this period to bring some rain gear with some warmer clothes. In the period from April to November, it is good to pack a hat with a wide brim, sunscreen (at least SPF15) and a reliable insect repellent. A thin rain poncho is useful all year round.
The south of Vietnam is generally a lot warmer all year round, so warm clothing is not really necessary.
Get Up And Go Vietnam does everything to make your trip an unforgettable experience. Unfortunately, we have no control over weather conditions. Our apologies for that!
What do I need to know?
During the period March to November it will good to pack your swimming gear, a towel, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen (at least SPF15), a reliable insect repellent, toiletries, a camera and lots of batteries. Warm clothing for the cooler months of November to March is advised. How much luggage can I take? Your vehicle has limited space so please keep your luggage to a maximum of 15kgs in a backpack or soft over-night bag and include a small day pack to hand carry for easy access to camera, sunscreen, water etc. Inhibitions can be left in the luggage storage rooms at your hotel with your other unwanted baggage.
Get Up and Go Vietnam is doing all possible to make your journey and travel experience an unforgettable one. Weather conditions, we unfortunately cannot control. Our apologies for that!