North to South via Central Highlands
(22 days from Hanoi to HCM City) 

We think that a complete discovery of Viet Nam requires at least three weeks. Thus, this trip combines the 15-day Viet Nam authentic tour and the discovery of Ba Be national park located in a gorgeous area glutted of waterfalls, rivers and caves where up to 30 animal species such as wild pigs, bears, panthers, monkeys and birds are inhabited. 

Day 01: Ha Noi arrival (D) 

On arrival in Ha Noi you will be welcomed by your guide at Noi Bai airport in Ha Noi and transferred to your centrally located hotel with a comfortable vehicle. Ha Noi is one of Asia’s most charming cities.This day is scheduled for you to take some rest after a long flight. You will have the opportunity to explore the city on your own. Of course your guide will be available at your request. You will have dinner in a local restaurant and stay overnight in your hotel in Ha Noi.

Day 02: Ha Noi – Ba Be (B, L, D)

Route to the northern mountains where Ba Be is located. Ba Be is Viet Nam’s largest natural lake and an extensive National Park. The park and the surrounding area is limestone country, lakes, waterfalls, caves and unusual rock formations. The whole area is richly forested and home to many ethnic minority groups.  Homestay overnight in a Tay ethnic stilt house on the lakeside. 

Day 03: Ba Be (B, L, D)

We discover Ba Be beautiful national park by a boat trip on the lakes to Dau Dang waterfalls and Poung cave. Then, we walk in the mountain to the H'mong and Dzao villages. Second homestay overnight in a Tay stilt house on the lakeside.

Day 04: Ba Be – Ha Long bay (B, L)

Route to Ha Long via Thai Nguyen and Bac Ninh (390 km). On our way we pass magnificent green rice paddies tended by women farmers in conical hats. Arrival in Ha Long in the afternoon. You have the opportunity to get the first impression of the city by yourself. You stay overnight in your hotel.

Day 05: Ha Long bay – cruise aboard our private junk  (B, L, D)

In Ha Long city we get aboard our private boat for a full afternoon of cruising in the ‘bay of dragon’. Views of sailing junks navigating past over 3000 limestone islands and rocky outcrops jutting out of the bay are nothing short of spectacular. We visit some of the most beautiful caves in the area and climb Mount Ti Top where you enjoy a panoramic view of the bay. A seafood lunch and dinner including shrimps, squids, fishes and other delicious bites will be served onboard (non seafood also available). You will stay overnight on the junk. It is a wonderful experience to spend the night on the bay. Bedding and towels are provided.

 Day 06: Ha Long bay – Tam Coc (B)

After breakfast, we visit a fishermen's village in the middle of Lan Ha bay. Back to the pier where we catch our private vehicle to go Ninh Binh. We stop in Thai Binh province for a visit to the wooden Keo pagoda nested in a lovely village. We continue to Ninh Binh where we have dinner and stay overnight.

Day 07: Tam Coc – Ha Noi (B, L) 

After breakfast in our hotel we continue our trip towards Tam Coc which is often referred to as "Ha Long Bay on Land". We take a sightseeing tour by boat traveling downstream the river through small villages and rice fields surrounded by spectacular limestone formations. We admire the natural beauty of the Tam Coc caves. In the afternoon, we pay a visit to Kenh Ga floating village by boat. Then, route to Ha Noi where we spend the night in our hotel.

Day 08: Ha Noi - Hue (B, L)

Today we will discover the pearl of Southeast Asia - Ha Noi. We begin our trip at Hoan Kiem (Restored Sword) Lake, famous of the legend of the tortoise and the sword back in the 15th century. We continue with a visit to the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and his disciples. This Temple was Viet Nam’s first university founded in 1076. We also pay a visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Quan Thanh Temple. Then, we drive to Hanoi railway station to catch an overnight train to Hue. We travel in ‘soft sleeper’ class which is a compartment for up to 4 people. Blankets and pillows are provided. The food on the train is not the best you will have in Viet Nam, so we usually buy food in Ha Noi as snacks to eat along the way. The journey will last for about 12 hours and allows you to experience a taste of the ‘real’ Viet Nam.  

Optional flight Ha Noi-Hue: In stead of taking the overnight train, it is possible to fly between Hue and Ha Noi. Please contact us for details.

Day 09: Hue arrival (B, L)

Hue, the last imperial capital of Viet Nam (1802 -1945 under Nguyen Dynasty), is known as ‘the city of peace and poetry’. The city has a charming and romantic atmosphere. We arrive in Hue early in the morning and check in the hotel. In the afternoon we visit the Forbidden Citadel with a two-hour biking tour. We stay overnight in the hotel.

Day 10: Hue discovery (B, L)

With a small sampan we make a cruise upstream the Perfume River, which gives us a taste of the tranquil countryside. We visit the beautiful Thien Mu Pagoda and Hon Chen Temple. From here, we start a trek towards the remote area of small imperial tombs. Many of these imperial tombs seem to be forgotten albeit they look impressive and mysterious. We end our excursion with a visit to one of the most romantic places of the area - the royal mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. Located in lush vegetation, the tomb combines majesty with oriental charm. We stay overnight in Hue.

Day 11: Hue – Hoi An (B)

This morning we embark on one of Viet Nam’s most spectacular road trips to Hoi An. We follow the stunning Mandarin Road and cross over the high mountain of Hai Van (Ocean Cloud) Pass from where we have the splendid panoramic view of Lang Co beach, villages and lagoons. On arrival in Hoi An, we check in our hotel.

Day 12: Hoi An, walking and biking around (B, L)

The ancient town of Hoi An was originally a Cham port town, but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. Hoi An was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 1999. Today we will discovery Hoi An by cycling around this charming city and its lovely and authentic countryside. Following a beautiful path, we cycle to Cua Dai beach. Overnight in your hotel in Hoi An.

Day 13: Hoi An – Da Nang – Pleiku   (B, D)

We drive to Da Nang to take off for a short flight to Pleiku. There we enter the Central Highlands, which borders Laos and spreads along the Truong Son mountain range. It is the home of countless hill tribes whose origin comes from India and Malaysia. Nowadays, most of these minorities are being pushed to the remote forestry areas because of the development of coffee and rubber tree plantations. In Pleiku town we visit the T'Nung Lake situated in a huge crater created by a volcano. Afterwards we pay a visit to the Dektu village, home of the Gia Rai minority. You stay overnight in your hotel in Pleiku.

Day 14: Pleiku – Kontum (B, L)

After breakfast in hotel, we continue our way up to Tan Canh to visit the village of the Sedang minority. The people here cope with poverty but are rich enough to offer you their warm and friendly smiles.  We return to Kontum, where we visit the Banar village and a protestant church made of wood. The ‘Wooden Church’ was built in 1913 and has been carefully restored. The stained-glass window includes both Christian and local imagery. We continue our trip towards Kontum where we will stay for the night in a hotel.

Day 15: Kontum – Buon Ma Thuot (B, L)

On a road situated between coffee plantations and rubber trees we drive towards Lak lake. On the way we pass Buon Ma Thuot, an interesting city in which we visit the Ethnographic Museum. Then we have some time free to visit the village of the M'Nong minority. The M'Nong population possesses the majority of the Central Highlands, and the people living here have the gift to train elephants. In the afternoon we experience an exciting excursion on the back of an elephant. We stay overnight in the houses on stilts of the M'nong people.

Day 16: Buon Ma Thuot – Nha Trang - Whale Island (B, L, D)

We leave the Highlands and continue our way to Nha Trang in the coastal area. The sea is Nha Trang's main attraction. Warm and clear for most of the year, with sandy beaches and rocky islands with coral reefs. On arrival in Nha Trang we check in our hotel which offers us a beautiful view upon the seaside. This afternoon we visit the Ponagar Towers (built between 7^th and 12^th centuries and used by Cham Hindus) and the Long Son Pagoda (above the pagoda on the top of a hill is a giant seated Buddha that dominates the city. We finish the afternoon tour with an interesting visit to the Oceanographic Institute. The rest of the day is planned for leisure - you will have plenty of time for swimming and sunbathing on the white sandy beach of Nha Trang. Meals are fresh seafood oriented prepared by our professional cooks. We will spend the night in our lovely hotel on the beach.

Day 17: Nha Trang - Whale Island (B, L, D)

Leisure time on the white sandy beaches. We spend the night in our lovely hotel on the beach.

Day 18: Nha Trang - Whale Island – Sai Gon (B)

Free time to relax, a perfect opportunity to work on your tan! In the late afternoon, we catch the train to Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh City). We will spend the night in our wagon to sleep during the journey which will last for about 12 hours.
Optional flight Nha Trang-Sai Gon: In stead of taking the overnight train, it is possible to fly between Nha Trang and Sai Gon. Please contact us for details.

Day 19: Sai Gon - Mekong Delta - (B, L, D)                  

After breakfast we explore the vivid economic capital of Viet Nam - Ho Chi Minh City (Sai Gon). In this busy, bright and bustling city, we visit the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, a symbol of semi-colonial architecture. You will then be transferred to Mekong Delta in a comfortable vehicle. We arrive in Cai Be where we cruise on the Mekong River towards An Phuoc Island. The scenery here is completely different from all the settings we have seen before, but nevertheless it is as magnificent and breathtaking. Tonight we are invited to stay in the house of a local family where a delicious ‘Mekong River’ style meal will be prepared for us.
 

Day 20: Cai Be – Long Xuyen   (B, L)

We wake up in the early morning by the sounds of the local boats. We take a local boat to visit Cai Be floating market. The scenery here and the photo opportunities are terrific. Hundreds of people take part in the market by boat. Rice, fresh fruits, fish, handicrafts, everything is for sale! A highlight is cruising in a boat around the small canals in the region, which is a great way to observe the Delta’s lifestyle close-up. After our visit to the market we walk to Tan Phong Island. Route to Long Xuyen via Sa Dec. You stay overnight in your hotel in Long Xuyen, the heart of Mekong Delta.

Day 21: Long Xuyen – Sai Gon   (B, L)

Early the morning we visit the busy Long Xuyen market. Then we discover the Cu Lao Ong Ho Island on foot. Route to Sai Gon where you overnight in your hotel.

Day 22: Sai Gon - departure (B)

You will have free time until we transfer you to Sai Gon’s Tan Son Nhat airport for your departure flight.

End of our service      
 

Trip facts: 

* Trip reference: * Trip spirit: off the beaten track, basic comfort

* When to go: all year round

* Group:  from 2 persons with private services
 

Hotels provided during this trip  

Price in person

Tariff valid until 31 December 2007

The price includes:

• Accommodation in standard hotels with daily breakfast (hotels can be upgraded upon request)
• Meals as stated in the program (B = Breakfast ; L = Lunch ; D = Diner)
• Air-conditioned vehicles for all transportations,
• English speaking guide
• Boat trips as mentioned in the program,
• Overnight train (Ha Noi-Hue)
• Domestic flight (Da Nang-Nha Trang)
• Sightseeing and entrance fees

The price excludes:

• International air-tickets and airport departure taxes
• Meals not mentioned in the program (between 5 - 7 Euros/meal/person)
• Optional tours and activities during free time
• Tips and items of a personal nature