The Exciting Tour to Explore Mysterious Vietnam
Highlights:
The itinerary of mysterious Vietnam helps you discover the enchanting beauty of the incredible caves that nature has bestowed on the country.
The core of the program will include three famous cave systems recognized by UNESCO, including the cave system in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province; the Cave system at Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh province; the Cave complex at Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province.
In addition to charming nature, the program will also allow you to learn about culture, history, and the gentle Vietnamese people. Starting from the elegant beauty of the North to the inherent gentleness and sincerity of the Central region, and ending in the South with open and dynamic landscapes and people.
Details of experience:
An exciting trip to explore Vietnam with the intention of 14 days gives you the mysterious beauty of caves and daily life in this country.
Day 1: Welcome to the capital Hanoi
Timing depends on the landing time of the flight you choose.
The driver and guide will pick you up at the airport and move to the Hanoi center. Tourists check in to the hotel and rest.
After a long flight, the first day in Vietnam will make it easy to recover your energy, freely walking around and relaxing.
Your flight will land at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, one of the two most modern international airports in Vietnam. From this location, it takes about 40 – 45 minutes by car, about 30km, to reach the beautiful capital of Vietnam.
In addition to being the capital, Hanoi is a major cultural and economic center of the Northern region and the whole country. Hanoi’s location is also very convenient for tourists to move to famous nearby attractions. Therefore, this is considered a convenient starting point for your travel journey in Vietnam. Let’s start from here!
Day 2: Thang Long, Hanoi, thousands of years of culture
Estimated time: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Your first day of sightseeing will begin with a visit to Hanoi – a city with cultural imprints and a long and proud history of Vietnamese people.
We choose to introduce to you outstanding and typical relics. In a short period, you will have the most comprehensive and complete overview of Hanoi’s history and culture.
The main destinations in Hanoi to visit today include the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, National History Museum, One Pillar Pagoda, Sword Lake, Turtle Tower, Temple of Literature, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and the old town which preserves 36 traditional streets.
Day 3 & 4: Arrive in Ha Long and explore the mysterious cave system on the bay
Halong Bay has been recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage since 1994 and reaffirmed for the second time in 2000. This location annually attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world, thanks to its fairyland-like beauty.
Covering an area of 1,553 square kilometers, Ha Long Bay owns about 60 mysterious limestone caves scattered across 1,969 large and small islands. They have an incredible beauty, like a maze in the heart of the mountain, with wild features and a shimmering, mysterious stalactite system. The cave system here has contributed to the value of this world’s natural heritage.
Coming to Ha Long, in addition to exploring caves, you can also experience other exciting sea tourism services. You will have a wonderful time amid the stunning scenery that this place offers.
8:30 am of Day 3: you check out of hotels in Hanoi, say goodbye to the capital, and drive to Ha Long. Board a cruise to visit Ha Long Bay and experience tourist activities: explore caves, climb, go to the beach, kayak, go fishing, enjoy seafood, watch the sunset and sunrise at sea, practice tai chi in the morning, and spend the night in the middle of the bay on a luxury yacht.
Overnight on the cruise on the night of Day 3.
11:30 am of Day 4: The cruise takes you back to the wharf where the driver will pick you up and depart for Ninh Binh. Check in to a hotel in Ninh Binh, free to rest.
Overnight in Ninh Binh on the night of Day 4.
Day 5: Continuing the series of discovering unique limestone caves at Trang An scenic complex - Ninh Binh
Estimated time: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
You will visit Tam Coc-Bich Dong by small boat to explore Vai Gioi Cave, But Cave, Tien Ca Cave, and the bird garden at Thung Nham. Move to Hanoi to spend overnight.
If Ha Long has its own unique natural formations of a bay, then the Trang An – Ninh Binh scenic complex has the geological characteristics of a mountainous area. This place has a magical mix of plains, valleys, rivers, streams, and mountains.
At Tam Coc-Bich Dong, you will board small boats and travel on the gentle Ngo Dong River to reach three main caves, called “Tam Coc” in Vietnamese. On the boat journey, you have a chance to see rice fields and peaceful villages lying quietly on both banks. All are surrounded by majestic mountains and forests, creating a magical natural picture.
At the Thung Nham eco-tourism area, you will explore Vai Gioi cave – the largest dry cave in Thung Nham. It also has many different characteristics compared to the water caves you experience in Ha Long or Tam Coc-Bich Dong. Tien Ca Cave and Buddha Cave in Thung Nham also have enchanting beauty.
Thung Nham Bird Garden is the final point of the journey here, where you can witness thousands of storks, egrets, and rare birds flying and nesting.
After exploring Ninh Binh, we drive to Hanoi to rest, and you have time to explore Hanoi at night – on your own.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 6: Hanoi to Dong Hoi to explore the splendor of Paradise Cave in Quang Binh
Estimated time: Full day, depending on the flight time
Fly from Noi Bai Airport to Dong Hoi in Quang Binh Province. Visit Thien Duong cave and rest in Nhat Le Beach.
For those who love caves, it is impossible not to mention the cave system in Quang Binh. According to an announcement from the management board of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, by 2022, there will be more than 400 caves surveyed and measured.
Among them, caves of great value include Son Doong Cave – the largest cave in the world; En Cave – the third largest cave in the world; and Thien Duong Cave – the longest cave in Asia.
In the program, we choose to introduce to you Thien Duong Cave, because this is not only the longest cave in Asia but also because of its magnificent and enchanting beauty. Up to now, this cave is the most beautiful in Quang Binh for medium-easy traveling.
The enchanting beauty, that nature has bestowed on the Paradise Cave, makes us surprised, as if we are lost in a magnificent fairyland. Stalactites, stone pillars, and large spaces in the cave give abstract minds unlimited associations.
Overnight in Dong Hoi City.
Day 7: Journey across the 17th parallel to the ancient capital of Hue
Estimated time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
The driver and guide pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to Hue. On the way, visit Vinh Moc Tunnel, Hien Luong Bridge – Ben Hai as the old 17th parallel.
After a series of days exploring the mysterious beauty in a series of caves from Ha Long – Ninh Binh – Quang Binh, the program will take you further to the Central region with many unforgettable historical traces of Vietnamese people.
During the journey, you visit Vinh Moc Tunnels, a secret tunnel system -hidden deep underground, created by the efforts of local people during the war. It is a place of refuge for many people from the destructive power of bombs and bullets.
The journey also takes you across the 17th Parallel, the Hien Luong Bridge, and the Ben Hai River. That was the boundary that divided the country for many years during the Vietnam War. This place has recorded many unforgettable historical marks of the Vietnamese nation and people.
Today tells you about the courage and strength of the Vietnamese people. From there, it helps you have a clearer view of the pain and loss that every war creates.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 8: Explore the ancient capital of Hue and the history of the Nguyen Dynasty. Hello peaceful Hoi An!
Estimated time: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Explore Hue Citadel, Khai Dinh Mausoleum, Royal Museum, and Thien Mu Pagoda. Travel to Hoi An. On the way, stop to take photos of Hai Van Pass.
Hue was the capital of Vietnam during the feudal reign of the Nguyen Dynasty, lasting from 1802 to 1945. This place retains many architectural works, palaces, and the mausoleum – built during this period.
The program will take you to visit the most important buildings left by the Nguyen Dynasty royal family, such as the Royal Palace – the living and working place of the King and royal family; the Royal Museum – a unique collection of royal relics; and the Tomb of King Khai Dinh – a building with a unique blend of Asian and Western architecture.
The itinerary also includes Thien Mu Pagoda – the most important ancient temple of Hue and Vietnamese Buddhism.
Saying goodbye to Hue, we will take you to Hoi An, a famous tourist town in Vietnam. On the way, stop to take photos at the top of Hai Van Pass, which will give you many beautiful frames of green and majestic nature.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: Great time to rest, relax, and freely visit Hoi An.
The timing is yours.
After many days of travel, activities, and sightseeing, today is free to rest and restore energy. At the same time, we choose Hoi An for your free time because this small neighborhood creates the most wonderful feeling for almost all visitors.
The people here are friendly and gentle and welcome you with all warmth. In Hoi An, you can completely feel comfortable as if you were in your own town. Therefore, a lazy day here will become meaningful.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 10: Visit My Son Sanctuary, Thanh Ha pottery village, and experience making handmade lanterns
Estimated time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
Visit My Son Sanctuary, Thanh Ha Pottery Village, and join the handmade lantern-making course. Have lunch with Vietnamese food.
After a free day of resting and visiting Hoi An ancient town, our driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel for a new day of sightseeing.
The first destination is My Son Sanctuary, about 50km from Hoi An. This place also preserves many important historical vestiges of Champa culture that had had brilliant development once. Among them, the most outstanding is the unique architecture expressed through the temple system preserved to this day. In 1999, My Son was recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.
After visiting My Son, the car will take you back to Hoi An. On the way, visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village. This is a small village with most people making a living by making traditional handmade ceramics. Coming to the pottery village, you will be immersed in the peaceful village life, the gentle and honest people, and their interesting pottery-making techniques.
The last activity we want to experience with you is making handmade lanterns. Coming to Hoi An is coming to the city of lanterns. Lanterns are everywhere, and they are all handmade by locals. A few hours of learning how to make lanterns will bring you and your family members many fun and exciting experiences. After the class, the lantern you made yourself will become a lovely souvenir of the trip.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 11: Hello Ben Tre - the charming land of Mekong
Estimated time: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
The driver takes you from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport to fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Here, the driver and tour guide will drive you to Ben Tre. Board boats to explore river life, visit gardens, and ride auto-rickshaws around the village. Enjoy Mekong Delta’s cuisine, outstanding with Tai Tuong fish and fresh coconut water.
Belonging to the Mekong Delta, Ben Tre has become a convenient place for tourists to learn about the culture and unique lifestyle of the people on the river.
Coming to Ben Tre, you will experience the feeling of sitting on a small boat, sailing down the small canal system, and weaving through lush green gardens. See the lush fruit garden or the vast green rice fields. You also have the opportunity to interact with local people – who have a gentle, open, and airy nature. It gives you a new perspective on Vietnamese people, a green and harmonious array of life.
Overnight in Ben Tre.
Day 12: Say hello to vibrant Ho Chi Minh City
Estimated time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
The driver and guide take you back to Ho Chi Minh City, visit Ben Thanh Market, the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Arts Museum.
Ho Chi Minh, also known as Saigon, currently plays the role of the leading economic and cultural center in Vietnam. This most vibrant and crowded city gives you a much different perspective than the areas you have visited during your recent journey: modern and colorful life, open-minded people, and a fast and bustling pace of life.
However, the city still has many addresses that preserve beautiful cultural and historical imprints. It is the pride of both the Saigon people and the Vietnamese people.
Today, we choose to take you to visit the most outstanding places, giving you a basic view of the colors of Saigon’s past and present.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 13: Easy day to explore HCM
Estimated time: The time is yours.
You take your own time to do what you like. The perfect time to rest, shop for souvenirs and relax before saying goodbye to Vietnam.
You can also immerse yourself in the bustling lifestyle of local people by walking through dusty – but exciting streets in HCM City.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 14: Farewell to Vietnam - end the 14-day journey of exploring a mysterious country
Depending on the departure time of the flight you choose, we will transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport – the largest airport in Vietnam, at present. Therefore, this place is suitable for choosing the most convenient international flight for yourself.
You carefully check all their luggage before checking out of the hotel. The driver and guide will take you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, say goodbye to Saigon – Goodbye Vietnam, ending the tour here.
The 14-day journey to explore mysterious caves with people and nature in gentle, hospitable Vietnam has ended. See you on the next exciting journey.
Inclusion:
11 nights at 4-star accommodations with daily breakfast (or 5-star hotels as your request)
1 night on the 4-star cruise in Halong Bay ( or 5-star cruise as you request)
An English-speaking tour guide to explore the cities
A private car or van for transfer following the itinerary
Domestic airline tickets to fly from Hanoi to Dong Hoi and from Da Nang to HCM City
A water bottle per guest per day
Entrance fee for visiting as in the itinerary
Boat trip in Ninh Binh and Ben Tre
Exclusion:
- Visa applications
- International travel insurance
- Personal expenditure
- Tipping for drivers, and tour guides
- The others not mentioned in the itinerary and inclusion part above
What to note:
The program includes a lot of walking, climbing stairs, and mountains, with a high frequency of movement. Therefore, it is suitable for people in the active age group, from 12 to 60 years old, who love to explore the mysterious beauty of caves, nature, and the people of Vietnam.