Vietnam classic tour bring you from the electricity of Saigon to the peace of Hue to the bustle of Hanoi. From the murky waters of the Mekong to the pristine beaches of Nha Trang to the dramatic mountains of Sapa...
This is our only tour that has been especially designed to start in Saigon and finish in Hanoi, explore the diverse landscapes and city environments of Vietnam, experience the tranquility of rural Vietnam in the lowlands and the highlands
Arrival in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam’s most evocative and largest City, meet and transfer airport to hotel before we start our Vietnam classic tour.
After breakfast we start our Vietnam classic tour by making a 70km journey north of the city to visit the incredible underground Cu Chi Tunnels network, constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle against the French and then the Americans for independence and eventual reunification. The Cu Chi tunnels are a highlight of any visit to Southern Vietnam and they give a fascinating insight into the lives of soldiers during this difficult period of Vietnamese history. Drive back to HCMC city at noon time.
In the afternoon, visit the Chinatown, Ho Chi Minh City’s busiest and most bustling neighborhood. Explore the back alleys and market roads on foot. Continue to city downtown and take a stroll around the impressive old French-built post office and Notre Dame Cathedral before continuing to the City Hall area, another grand old colonial-era relic. Then you are free to explore the Dong Khoi area, home to the legendary Continental Hotel, made by Graham Greene in the Quiet American, and lots of restaurants, bars and boutiques. Overnight in HCMC.
Leave Saigon behind, head out to un-touched areas not well-known by tourists in Ben Tre. Board the Apricot Cruise, featuring a new boat design open on all sides to allow the river breezes to flow freely. From the comfort of your Apricot Cruise, meander down the Mekong observing local life play out along the river banks. Stop at some local families and see how traditional methods utilize every bit of the coconut. Learn how to make local cakes, and why you don’t let a fortune-teller tell you what is supposed to happen in the future.
It is a full day of interesting experiences: boat rowing through winding water-coconut canals, bike riding along lush rural roads, sampling cakes, tea with honey, and enjoying lunch served with Mekong specialties at Apricot Riverside Restaurant. Join us, relax, enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and have memorable experiences. Then continue driving to Can Tho City.
To continue our Classic Vietnam tour we will cruise along the small picturesque tributaries by rowing boat to visit the Cai Rang floating market. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and the daily activities along the Mekong canals, visit a rice husking mill. Disembark at Ninh Kieu quay and visit an ancient house in Binh Thuy (10 km from Cantho city). Drive back to HCMC via My Tho. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, driver takes you back to airport for 1 hour flight Danang city. Upon arrival, meet and transfer 38km further to Hoi An town.
The afternoon, you start to cycle to Thu Bon wharf on Bach Dang street and take a ferry along Thu Bon River to Tra Nhieu fishing village. Here you will have a brief introduction to the history, traditional handicraft of the village such as: farming, fishing, poultry and livestock breeding, sleeping mat making. After that, you will be taken in a boat with fisherman to learn how to cast a net, catch fish, shrimp and crap. Have dinner with special dishes at the local house. Bid farewell to the fishermen. Continue riding bicycle to the wharf and back to Hoi An by boat.
Enjoy Hoi An by night.
Free morning at leisure.
This Vietnam Classic tour will bring you to the capital of Hue along one of the most beautiful coastal stretches of Vietnam and over the Hai Van Pass (or the Pass of Ocean Cloud). Make a stop at the small fishing village of Lang Co, often referred to as one of the most beautiful bays in the world, then continue to Hue city.
Hue city is famed for its elegant royal cuisine. This morning, you join in a typical cooking class to learn some signature recipes - This is the highlight of our Vietnam Classic Tour. The talent chef leads you to visit the biggest market in Hue named Dong Ba where you can see all the typical features of a traditional Vietnamese market. Come back to restaurant and start to put your hands-on cooking then enjoy the dishes that you’ve cooked.
You will continue the day with visit to the Citadel which including the Capital city, the Imperial city and the Forbidden City. Continue visit the intricately decorated tomb of Khai Dinh, which contains a beautiful altar and a bust of the king. Enjoy your night in Hue
Morning is free to relax.
In the afternoon, head to the airport for a flight to Hanoi. Disembark and then straight to your hotel in the city center. Check in and take a moment to relax after the flight because in the evening you’ll visit a typical extended family with at least three generations living together under the same roof. Join in with the cooking and then sit down to a meal of traditional northern cuisine. Enjoy some cultural exchange and seasonal fruits for dessert.
Rest your night in Hanoi.
Spend the whole day to explore Vietnam’s capital city. First visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his modest stilt house where he chose to live and work and also the museum dedicated to his memory. We continue visit to the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th century. Nowadays, students come and pray for a good luck in their exam.
In the afternoon, visit the largest and most interesting Museum of Vietnam Ethnology. Return to city down town and discover the famed Old Quarter on foot. Walking through the hidden alleys, be amazed at the old style tube houses then visit the lively market and lovely peaceful temple Bach Ma. Next, hop on a traditional bicycle rickshaws move at leisure pace that’s perfect for photos and slow-moving sightseeing. Sit back and relax while your driver weaves through the busy streets, dodging speeding motorbikes and rolling past French colonial houses.
Today, you will take 2hours drive south of Hanoi to Van Long in Ninh Binh province. Visit Dinh and Le temples of the Ancient Capital Hoa Lu and then you will move to Van Long. Enjoy oxcart ride (or cycling option) through village to Van Long wharf. Take 2 hours traditional sampan boat trip along the Van Long River. Along the way you will see caves, green rice fields, limestone mountains and the rural life of the locals before returning to Hanoi at 6:00 pm. Leisure time.
Evening, transferred to station to take an night train to Lao Cai - 4-berths sharing cabin, soft beds, air-conditioning (no guide on train).
Upon arrival, welcomed by our guide and have breakfast in a restaurant. Then, we will continue our Vietnam classic tour by visit Bac Ha town to explore this fascinating Bac Ha dye market, one of the most popular in the region. Held only on Sunday, the market is a focal point for many of the region’s ethnic groups such as Flower H’mong, Tay and Thai. They come to trade wares such as silver jewelry and embroidered clothing, farm product, cow, horse, pig. This spectacularly colorful market is well-known for its many hand-made craft products. Your time to wonder around the market, take in the game or try rice wine. Then visit the H’mong people village nearby, walking through the village, invited by the local people to their home for a cup of tea and talk about their life, tradition.
Afternoon, drive another 2 hours to Sapa, check-in hotel and free for relax.
After breakfast, begin the day with a 3km trek through breathtaking landscape to the village of Suoi Ho, home to Hmong minority. From here you can enjoy views over endless rice terraces, and you will have the opportunity to see some of the animals used by the locals. Continuing trekking to Matra village, you will come across the impressive ruins of a church dating back to the French occupation in the early 1900s. Take a minute to explore this intriguing sight and take some photos. Trekking to the village of Ta Phin, you will be able to meet both Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities. The Red Dao is known for their expertise in herbal medicine as well as usage of plants from the land to treat many illnesses. Your guide will be able to introduce you to some Red Dao women who can tell you more about their many remedies. A Red Dao herbal medicine bath can be arranged for you to experience, so please ask. Transport will be provided from Ta Phin back to Sapa town.
Free morning at leisure or explore more to Sapa at your own space.
In the afternoon, take 5 hour bus drive to Hanoi City (no guide on bus).
After breakfast, take a drive to Ha Long Bay (without tour guide), one of the World Natural Heritages recognized by UNESCO - This is the highlight of many Vietnam Classic tours. With thousands of spectacular limestone islands rising from the clear, emerald sea in the Gulf of Tonkin. Upon arrival, welcome aboard. Enjoy welcome drink before check in at your cabin. While the junk is passing many islets, caves, floating villages and beaches, your lunch will be served on board with fresh seafood. Relax on the sundeck. Later on, the junk moves a quiet area to dock for overnight stay. Dinner with Vietnamese food is served on board.
Spend your night on board.
Please note:
-Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions or administration regulations.
-No guide from Hanoi to Halong
In the morning you have the option of a sunrise tai chi class before enjoying some tea and coffee. Delve into and explore a Halong Bay cave before brunch, which is served at around 9am. As you enjoy your final meal onboard, the cruise ship heads back to the dock. Disembark at the pier and head back to Hanoi (without tour guide). Free for rest of day before the end of our Vietnam Classic tour.
Depart back to airport for departure.
Hotel rooms with daily breakfasts as mentioned or similar
Transfer services in private air-conditioned vehicle, unless when other vehicles are mentioned
Entrance fees and other boat fees where applicable
Meals as listed in the program (B= Breakfast; L= Lunch & D = Dinner); pre-arranged at local restaurants based on local food with set menus
Local English-speaking guides on day with tours
Government taxes & service charges
Internal airfares in the tour as mentioned
Drinks and other meals not clearly mentioned
Surcharge for special requests on food and meals
Entrance fees, car, and guide service during free time
Travel insurance
All kind of gratuities for guides, drivers, and others
Surcharge for public holidays (if any)
Internal airfares not mentioned in the tour
International airfare from/to your point of arrival/departure
Personal expenses such as bar, telephone. laundry bills,...
All other services not stated in the program
Surcharge for peak season
1. Tourist Visa
Please make sure your passport has at least 6 months validity from the entry date. Also please check whether you need an entry visa to Asian countries before starting your trip. Please consult with our travel consultant if you are not sure.
2. Notes on Airfares
All airfares are subject to change until final purchase.
Eco-flex class: allow to re-book (change date, change flight) without fee, but subject to availability. Passenger(s) pay surcharge between classes (if any)
Refund fee: 15% of airfare plus service charge.
Airport tax included
Child under 2 yrs: 10% of adult airfare; Child from 2 to 11 yrs: 75% of adult airfare
3. Land Transportation
Our price based on the group arrives at one time (on one flight). In case clients arrive at different flight times, and need different airport transfers, the extra transfer will be charged. We apply the same for the departure date.
4. Travel Insurance
Our price of the tour does not include travel insurance. We highly recommend you purchase health/travel insurance for your trip to Asia.
5. Responsibility
Except in situations beyond human control, VietnamStay will be held responsible for any additional expense resulting from the change caused by us in itinerary, transportation, and accommodation.
However, VietnamStay cannot be held responsible for denied boarding, nor for additional costs incurred due to the situations beyond human control.
The detailed program and schedule of flights are subject to changes by the airline without prior notice and in accordance with the weather conditions and daily operation of flights. Consequently, itinerary concerns might be adjusted. If this occurs, VietnamStay will endeavor to secure alternative arrangements.
6. Vaccine
It is not compulsory to get any vaccine to visit our countries. But we encourage you to have popular vaccines such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio…. You may consult your doctor before traveling.
1. How to Book and Confirm Your Tour:
No service secured at our proposal, services in destination (hotel, boat, flight, guide etc) are subject to availability.
Please send a booking order to VietnamStay as soon as you agree on our proposal to secure your trip arrangement. Similar alternative service to be suggested when your choice is unavailable at the time of booking.
2. Passport and Flight Details
Full passport information is required in your booking order for flight reservation & hotel check-in
International flight details of arrival & departure are required for airport transfer arrangements
3. Deposit and Payment
At least 30% deposit of the total tour cost to be deposited upon commitment of the tour.
The outstanding amount to be paid prior to arrival date or at our offices in Viet Nam on your arrival day.
4. Cancellation, Amendment Policy, and Charges
In practice, VietnamStay always does the best to minimize the cancellation penalty for our guests but we must abide by the cancellation policy of each service provider.
Low season 01 May – 30 Sep | High season 01 Oct – 30 Apr | |
More than 20 days prior to the guest’s arrival day | No charge | No charge |
From 16 to 20 days | 10% | 20% |
From 8 to 15 days | 30% | 50% |
From 03 to 07 days | 50% | 75% |
Within 02 days or no show | 100% | 100% |
Please be advised that during Peak Season (Christmas and New Year) and during Public Holidays different cancellation policies may apply. The cancellation policy for such a period will be informed to the client(s) case by case.
5. Children Policy (Land Services Only)
Accompanied child from 1- 4 yrs: Free of charge if sharing existing bed with parents
Accompanied child from 5 – 6 yrs: charge 30% of adult price if sharing existing bed(s) with parents
Accompanied child from 5 – 6 yrs: charge 50% of adult price if using extra bed/mattress in parents’ room
Accompanied child from 7 – 11 yrs: charge 75% of adult price if using extra bed/mattress in parents’ room
Accompanied child from 12 yrs up: pay as adult rate
In case a child under 12 yrs using a twin share room with an adult, please pay full fare.
With VietnamStay, each tour is different according to the customers wishes. Please share with us your travel need and we will customize it for you.
Fill out our personalized travel form to receive a FREE quote!
Once you receive the personalized quote, you can alter it with us to better meet your requirements.
Send booking order to us as soon as you agree on our proposal to secure your trip arrangement.
After confirmation, VietnamStay will begin arranging the finest services for you.
It’s time to pack your suitcases and embark on an adventure to explore new horizons. Wishing you a safe journey!
