Visit charming Hanoi and bustling Saigon. Participate in the rich and colorful cultures of Sapa and become a part of daily Mekong River life. Not to be forgotten, are the ancient stories of the past told at the numerous World Heritage sites in Vietnam's Center. Finally, at least twice on this tour you will find time to relax and let your mind wander by the sea. Cruise amongst the magic of Halong and sun bathe on the gorgeous beaches of Nha Trang. This is Vietnam travel your way, the way travel should be

Itinerary in Brief
Day 1: Arrival Hanoi - Good morning Vietnam
Day 2: Hanoi - City tour of a 1000 years old Capital
Day 3: Hanoi – Van Long Hoa Lu, night train to Lao Cai.
Day 4: Arrival in Lao Cai - Sapa, light trek to homestay
Day 5: Trek back to Sapa
Day 6: Sapa - Tam Duong
Day 7: Tam Duong – Sapa. Night train backs to Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi to Halong Bay - the World Heritage
Day 9: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi.
Day 10: Hanoi
Day 11: Hue - City tour of Vietnam last feudal dynasty, boat trip.
Day 12: Hue cyclo- market then to Hoi An.
Day 13: Hoian- Walking tour in the ancient town
Day 14: Hoi An - Da Nang, fly to Nha Trang (the best beaches & sea corals)
Day 15: Nha Trang, with boat trip
Day 16: Flight to HCM, City tour of SaiGon
Day 17: Tay Ninh and Cu Chi tunnels
Day 18: SaiGon to the fertile Mekong of Cai Be & Can Tho.
Day 19: Can Tho – SaiGon
Day 20: Sai Gon
Day 21: Departure SaiGon

Day 1: Good morning Hanoi

Chao Ban! Welcome to Hanoi, we will meet and take you to your hotel, check-in and today is free at your leisure to rest or explore, discovering your own first impressions of Vietnam. Overnight in Hanoi. Inclusion: Transfer, on - site guide, hotel

Day 2: Hanoi city tour

Depart at 8:00 am from your hotel by van. We will begin our day by visiting Uncle Ho, learning about his great life at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, and his residential place. Next stop is the nearby Temple of Literature. The site of Vietnam´s first University, built in twelfth century, to teach the royals the Confucius theory. Here we will also have a chance to see a traditional music performance. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant for a taste of authentic Hanoi Pho (noodle soup). In the afternoon, choose one from the numerous museums or temples around Hanoi (Museum of Ethnology, Women´s Museum, History Museum or Quan Thanh Temple). A late afternoon walk around Hoan Kiem lake and Hanoi´s fascinating Old Quarter for some great fun, shopping, and street side traditional food, maybe to try one “hanoi bia”. This is your chance to be part of typical Hanoian style and its traditional Vietnamese culture. We finish our relaxing but informative day by attending a Water Puppet Show, a favorite experience for all visitors to Vietnam. We can help you get back to your hotel if you wish, but often our guests would just rather spend the evening enjoying a drink with a view of the city. Have dinner by your own and stay overnight at your hotel. Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee (s), lunch, puppet show ticket, 1 local beer, hotel.

Day 3: Hanoi - Hoa Lu – Van Long, night train to Lao Cai

8:00 am to leave your hotel for our day trip to Ninh Binh, we arrive to the Nature Reserve of Van Long after two hours drive (110km), we board the bamboo rowboat as soon as we arrive for our 2 hours row along this beautiful nature area, senjoying spectacular scenery surrounded by rice paddies and towering limestone mountain peaks. After lunch served at a local riverside restaurant we make a short transfer (4 km) down a peaceful country road to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital eleven centuries ago. Here, there are two temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, the founders of the ancient capital during the 10th century. Return to Hanoi late in the afternoon. Dinner on your own. 8: 15 pm: Transfer from an prearranged meeting spot to the station for your night train to Sapa (Our tour guide will show you a mini hotel which you will have shower and basic breakfast before going on Halong bay- Day 6). Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee (s), lunch, local boat, train ticket.

Day 4: Lao Cai - Sapa – trek to Ta Phin village (12 km ~ 4 hours)

The train arrives in Lao Cai at about 6:00 am where your Footprint guide will welcome you. Look for the “Footprint Travel” sign when you exit the train station. Then take a morning drive through the clouds by car / van to Sapa (about 1.5 hours). When you arrive in Sapa you will be taken to a local restaurant for a morning shower & breakfast. Then we will take a short ride from Sapa to our trekking base where we start our trek through terraced rice fields and Hmong villages. Chances to meet and talk with locals working in the fields are plentiful. We will break for a picnic lunch en route then continue trekking to Ta Phin village of the Dao people (4 hours). Your Dao host family will warmly welcome you to their traditional home where we will share in an ethnic style dinner and stay the night. Inclusion: Transfer, all meals, on - site guide, entrance fee(s), home stay.

Day 5: More trek and back to Sapa

At the first of gleam of daylight, you will see and hear the sounds of morning village life. You can join them in some of their activities, like feeding the animals, cleaning the house, gardening or preparing breakfast. After breakfast, we will complete our trek on a valley route to the main road (4 hours) linking Lao Cai and Sapa. Alternatively, for this long trek, you can choose a short morning wander around the village for about 1 hour, resulting in more time spent with the host family and other villagers. For both options, you will be supported by our car / van back to Sapa (30 minutes). When we arrive back in Sapa we will check in to the hotel, shower, and break for lunch. At 2:30 pm we will visit the gardens of beautiful Ham Rong mountain & take part in a traditional ethnic music performance put on by the ethnic minority people. Then return at your own leisure with free time to discover the secrets of this colorful town. Overnight at the hotel in Sapa town. Inclusion: Transfer, breakfast, lunch, on - site guide, entrance fee(s), hotel.

Day 6: Sapa - Tam Duong

Morning preparations, breakfast, check-out, then it is time to take a wonderful journey by car / van. We will go up and over Tram Ton pass and then descend, zig-zagging to the valley below. The views on this trip are absolutely incredible! Our destination is Tam Duong (~ 90 km from Sapa), but before we get there we will visit Binh Lu and see hilltribe people carrying with them their hand crafted products or leading animals on the way to market. You will be free to wonder around but please be respectful of the people here as they are reluctant to have their picture taken without permission. This area has not seen many tourists. We will have lunch here, then continue through the untouched villages with frequent stops to visit and talk to the locals. Overnight in Lai Chau (Old - Tam Duong). Inclusion: Transfer, breakfast, lunch, on - site guide, entrance fee(s), hotel (Standard 2 star).

Day 7: Tam Duong - Sapa - Hanoi, via night train

Breakfast then back in the car / van for the uphill climb back to Sapa. Time for capture yesterday's missed photographs of this fabulous areas. If this day falls on Sunday then 2 beautiful markets can be visited on our way. You will return to Sapa in late afternoon and finally depart for the Lao Cai train station at 5:30 pm. The train leaves Lao Cai at 8: 15 pm and arrives after a pleasant sleep in your first class, shared AC soft berth to Hanoi at about 5:00 am. Inclusion: Transfer, breakfast, lunch, on - site guide, entrance fee(s), train ticket.

Day 8: Hanoi – Ha Long, welcome on the boat

Arrival in Hanoi in the early morning at round 5:00 am. Please find your way by foot back to a mini hotel near the Tran Quy Cap station gate to have shower and basic set menu breakfast. Depart, 8:00 am on a shared bus from your hotel to Halong city. After 3.5 hours driving and viewing simple, country side, rice paddy life, we arrive at the at port. At 12.00, the junk crews welcome guests on board at Hon Gai Wharf. Enjoy welcome drinks and check in Deluxe cabin. Lunch with fresh local seafood while cruising into Halong bay. Get to Vong Vieng after 2 hours. Start exploring Vong Vieng fishing village and the hidden lagoons in Bai Tu Long Bay by kayaks or our small rowboats. Back to junk to enjoy relaxing or the sunset. Dinner and overnight on board nearby Vong Vieng village or Trinh Nu cave. Inclusion: Transfer, on - site guide, entrances fee, kayak, boat/junk, lunch, dinner, permit, insurance, fishing gears.

Day 9: Explore the tranquil scenery in Bai Tu Long bay, back to Hanoi

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of Bay’s landscape. From 7.30 to 10.30, serve on a La-Carte-Menu, you can order any dishes in the menu whenever you want for breakfast and lunch. Around 8.00, start discovering Ba Cua beach where you can enjoy swimming, sunbathing or relaxing. We will also visit one cave on our way back to Halong city. After cave visit, we are back to our junk, arrange our luggage and check out cabin while cruising back. By noon at 12:00, we will be ashore then hit the road back to Hanoi. Check in hotel in Hanoi and free time to relax and stay overnight at your hotel. Inclusion: Transfer, on – site guide, entrances fee, kayak, boat/junk, breakfast, lunch, hotel.

Day 10: Your free day in Hanoi, Flight to Hue

Today is your free day in the Hanoi capital and all of its fascinating historical charm. Spend your day relaxing or shopping. Some suggestions include waking up early (about 6:00 am) and joining in the some exercise around Hoan Kiem Lake; or taking a cyclo tour around the Old Quarter for a different point of view; or visiting the numerous markets, shopping, and trying all of the street side traditional foods. Hotel pick up for the afternoon flight to Hue. Arrival in Hue. Airport pick up then transfer to your hotel in Hue. Overnight in Hue. Inclusion: Transfer, on – site guide, domestic flight ticket (s), hotel.

Day 11: Hue, city tour – boat trip

Getting started at 09:30 from your hotel, we walk/transfer to the boat dock for our cruising on the Perfume River, viewing the city and the tranquil villages on the riverbank. We will walk up to visit the Thien Mu pagoda, a nicely located pagoda, overlooks the Perfume River and the beautiful scenery beyond, where you get to learn more about the Buddhism in Vietnam. After the pagoda, we take a short ride to visit the former Imperial Citadel. Lunch is next at a local restaurant. Today’s afternoon is our visit to the splendid royal tombs, there are actually more than 6 tombs but we will choose to visit two of three tombs as below: Minh Mang, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Tour ends at 5.30 pm at your hotel. Inclusion: Transfer, on – site guide, entrances fee, breakfast, lunch, local boat trip, hotel.

Day 12: Hue cyclo - Hoian

After breakfasat at your hotel. 9:00 am. We will go on a relaxing cyclo to visit Dong Ba market around 1 hrs then transfer to Hoian. From here it will take us about 4 hours to get to Hoian. There is fabulous sightseeing en route and we may make stops at: Lang Co beach, Hai Van pass, Cham Museum, and the Marble mountains. Then onto Hoian, overnight in here. This is also a very good chance for you to get clothes made with very nice and reasonable price. Inclusion: Transfer, on – site guide, entrance fee (s), breakfast, cyclo, hotel.

Day 13: Hoian, walking tour in the ancient town

The center of Vietnam is home to many of World Heritage Sites and Hoian is one of them. Here in this ancient town of Hoian, 30 km south of Danang, lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. 9:00. Hotel pick up then we walk around the town with your tour guide to visit the old charming Hoi An. We will visit the old Tan Ky House, the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, the stylish Phuc Kien Assembly Hall...Drive back to your hotel then free time to relax, go to Cua Dai Beach which is only 4km away from Hoi An. Say overnight at your hotel. Inclusion: Transfer, on – site guide, entrance fee (s), hotel.

Day 14: Hoian - Nha Trang

Breakfast at the hotel then transfer to the airport in Da Nang for noon-flight to Nha Trang. Airport pick up then transfer to your hotel, it is free to chill out on the beautiful white sand beach. Inclusion: Transfer, on – site guide, hotel.

Day 15: Nha Trang, island boat trip

Morning pick up from hotel and transfer to the boat station (45 minutes). Hop on the boat and begin a day on the water. The first stop will be at Mum Island. This is one of the best places for snorkeling in Nha Trang. Hold your breath for as long as you can and dive deep into this colorful world of fish and coral. Next stop, Tam Island, for sun bathing and relaxing on the off shore beach. Lunch will be served at a nearby fishing village with a selection of fresh seafood. After the lunch we will visit Tri Nguyen Aquarium then take the boat back to Nha Trang city. Free time in the evening and overnight at your hotel. Note: We may need to fly to Saigon this afternoon (4:45 pm) if our next morning flight is not available. Inclusion: Transfer, on – site guide, entrance fee(s), breakfast, lunch, boat, hotel.

Day 16: Nha Trang - Saigon, city tour

We take an early flight this morning at 7:45 am, arriving to Saigon at 8:40 am, transfer down town and check-in at our hotel before our city tour of this bustling Saigon started. Visit the Binh Tay Market in Cho Lon; stopover at Thien Hau, a 150 year old Chinese Temple; then to a Lacquer wares workshop and the Jade Emperor pagoda. In the afternoon visit the War Remnants Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office, we’ll drop you off at your hotel around 5:30 pm. Inclusion: Transfer , on – site guide, entrance fee(s), breakfast, domestic flight ticket (s) , hotel

Day 17: Tay Ninh and the Cu Chi tunnels

Departing Saigon at 8:00 am from your hotel for a morning excursion to Tay Ninh to the Great Cao Dai Temple (a place to worship a mixture of Buddhism, Confucius, Taoism, Hinduism and Christianity). We see the noon mass at the temple (1 hour). Lunch in Tay Ninh. In the afternoon we visit the Cu Chi outdoor museum to learn about the infamous tunnel systems of the Viet Cong. Take this opportunity to get a unique understanding of the guerillas underground fight strategies during the war and crawl through 50 - 100 meters of the 200 km tunnel system. On the way back to Saigon, local rice paper workshops, and views of Vietnam countryside and paddy fields are pleasant sights. We’ll drop you off at your hotel around 5:30 pm. Inclusion: Transfer, on – site guide, entrance fee(s), breakfast, hotel

Day 18: Saigon to the fertile Mekong Delta (Cai Be - Can Tho)

Depart Saigon at 8:00 am from your hotel. Head south to Cai Be. Upon arrival at 10:30 am, board a boat for a journey through the Mekong's floating market. See how river life goes on here, watch the trading between merchant ships and local farmers. Alive and exciting. Cruise through the secluded canals and cross the Mighty Mekong to an island where we will stop to enjoy fresh seasonal fruit before boating to Vinh Long. Back on the bus for our trip to Can Tho to overnight. Inclusion: Transfer, on – site guide, entrance fee(s), breakfast, hotel.

Day 19: Can Tho – Saigon

An early start for a boat trip to Cai Rang floating market, then we have some distance to cover. First a cruise, then a walk on a quiet country road taking in the magnificent scenery and getting a little bit closer to the locals as they go about their daily routine. In the afternoon, we head back to Saigon. At your same Saigon hotel by 6:00 pm. Inclusion: Transfer, on – site guide, entrance fee(s), local boat, breakfast, hotel

Day 20: Free day in Saigon

Breakfast at the hotel then a day at your leisure in Saigon. Today is a great day for you to relax, shop and finish any last preparations before you take your flight home the next day. Inclusion: Breakfast, hotel

Day 21: Departure Saigon, Goodbye Vietnam
Breakfast at hotel. Depending on your flight you may have sometime for some more shopping. Then we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Goodbye and hope to see you again soon! Inclusion: Transfer, breakfast.
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Price in details

S.S is used for Single Supplement, means the single using his/her own room

Trip Notes:

Hotel:  We use 3 star standard hotel.
Sites: Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and almost all museums are closed on Monday and Friday weekly, you can choose to visit another site instead,
Sleeper Train to Sapa: Please click here for more information.
Homestay condition: Very basic, please expect the simple things.
Ha Long Bay tour: We share mini – van, deluxe  Red Dragon or Lagoon Explore Junk with maximum 10 people.   
Car / Van Quality: Using new AC car or van depending on your group size
Flights: Please be aware that flight times, trains, hotels and other services are subject to availability. Where flights/trains are cancelled or delayed Footprint will endeavor to secure alternative arrangements of similar value,
Tour guide: Guide means On-site-guide (Different guides will go with you at different sites. Not the same guide for the whole trip
What to Bring: Passport, change of clothes, sun-glasses & hat, toiletries, sun-block, insect repellent, flashlights, good shoes, personal first aid kit & medicines, small VND notes for buying drinks. If you feel the need then sleeping bags, cable lock for your bags is recommended.

Other Notes:

• This itinerary and supplementary information has been complied in good faith and was accurate at time of writing.
• Please help travel responsibly in Vietnam so that you will have wonderful memories.
• Booking Terms & Conditions: Tour itinerary and tour prices are subject to change without notice