Vietnam Adventure 15 Days
(15 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Hanoi, Pu Luong, Phong Nha National Park, Hue, Hoian, Ho Chi Minh
This trip has been designed for those looking to get off-the-beaten-track and enjoy some adventure on their tour of Vietnam, this trip takes in some of the most spectacular natural wonders Vietnam has to offer. Starting in Hanoi you can explore the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, before heading over to the Pu Luong Valley, close to Mai Chau, to spend 3 days exploring the stunning natural scenery and fascinating local life of this undeveloped region of northern Vietnam. From here you will return to Hanoi to board an overnight train to Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Stay in a local homestay, from where you can explore the gorgeous countryside and the myriad cave systems of this unspoilt corner of Vietnam. Your next destination will be Hue, the former Imperial capital. Built on the banks of the Perfume River during the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue has become renowned for the architecture of its citadel, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples. Then continue by road to Hoian for a couple of days at the atmospheric old port town of Hoi An, before finishing off with a night in buzzing Saigon.
Overview Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi, transfer to hotel for 2 nights
Day 2: Moring tour of Hanoi, afternoon at leisure
Day 3: Drive to the Pu Luong Valley for a 2 night stay
Day 4: Full day exploring the Pu Luong Valley
Day 5: Drive back to Hanoi to board an overnight train to Dong Hoi
Day 6: Arrive Dong Hoi, transfer to the Phong Nha for a 3 night stay in a local homestay
Day 7: Phong Nha National Park: guided tour around the national park
Day 8: Phong Nha National Park: day trip to the Abandoned Valley
Day 9: Travel by road to Hue, for a 2 night stay
Day 10: Full day tour of Hue's Imperial Heritage sights
Day 11: Travel by road to Hoian, for a 3 night stay
Day 10: Hoi An: day at leisure
Day 11: Hoi An: day at leisure
Day 12: Fly to Saigon for 1 night stay, afternoon at leisure
Day 15: Transfer to airport. End of service.
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi
Upon arrival at Hanoi airport you will be welcomed to Vietnam by your private English speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi (B)
Morning tour of Hanoi: Today's tour of Hanoi starts with a visit to to Ho Chi Minh's complex, including the mausoleum of the nation's founder and leader. Here, large crowds gather to pay there respects to the man they simply call Uncle Ho as they silently file past his glass sarcophagus. The Presidential Palace and Uncle Ho's wooden stilt house can also be seen here. One of must-see places in the complex is One Pillar pagoda dating back 11th century. From far view its shape looks like a huge lotus flower. The next stop is the Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's oldest university and dedicated to one of the world's most famous scholars, Confucious. Inside the temple grounds, huge steles rest on the backs of even larger stone turtles (in Vietnam's culture, the turtle represents longevity). The stele recorded the names of the successful candidates who later became mandarins in the Emperor's court.
Afternoon at leisure in Hanoi: You have the afternoon at leisure to explore the Vietnamese capital independently. Stroll around the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, go shopping in the Old Quarter, or sample some of Hanoi’s many culinary delights.
Day 3: Hanoi – Pu Luong Valley (B/L/D)
After breakfast, travel by road from Hanoi to Pu Luong Valley in Thanh Hoa province. Depending on traffic, this is a journey of approximately 4 hours. On arrival, you will be transferred to the Pu Luong Retreat to check-in and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 4: Pu Luong Valley (B/L/D)
This morning, you have the chance to get close to village life and interact with locals living in the hills above the Retreat. Enjoy a walk around the working farm land and rice terraces, where you can see the local people’s daily life and learn about local products made in the area such as rice wine and textiles.
Enjoy a simple picnic lunch, following which you will continue your walk along the Cham River in search of water wheels. You can get up close to the wheels and see how the simple but clever mechanism operates. Take a short rest at a local fisherman’s house before gearing up for your afternoon rafting adventure. Learn how to paddle and steer your handcrafted rafts, and float along the calm river, enjoying the views as you go. Once you arrive at the picturesque Tan Lap Bridge you will disembark your rafts and be transferred back to the Pu Luong Retreat, where dinner is included tonight.
Day 5: Pu Luong - Hanoi – Night train to Dong Hoi (B/L)
This morning you have some time at leisure to enjoy a final few hours at the Pu Luong Retreat. You can simply relax or enjoy the surroundings. After lunch at Pu Luong Retreat, you will be picked up from the hotel by your driver & guide and head back to Hanoi, a journey of around 4 hours. On arrival in Hanoi you will be transferred to the railway station in time to board your overnight train to Dong Hoi. Overnight in the train in shared 4-berth compartment.
Overnight train: Depart from Hanoi Station on train SE1 to Dong Hoi. The train departs at 19:30 and arrives at 05:35 the following day. A 4-berth air-conditioned soft-sleeper cabin can be booked for your exclusive use with surcharge.
Day 6: Dong Hoi - Phong Nha National Park (B)
Upon arrival at Dong Hoi train station you will be met by a local guide and driver, and there will be the chance to visit a local restaurant in the city for a cup of coffee/Vietnamese green tea and to enjoy a basic breakfast before heading to the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
This afternoon you will have the opportunity to take a mountain bike to explore the countryside, and visit a local village famous for producing rice wine. Enjoy the scenery and landscape of this unspoilt part of Vietnam before returning to your homestay for an evening at leisure. Tonight there is the option to have dinner with the local family who run the homestay. Overnignt at Jungle Boss Homestay.
Day 7: Phong Nha National Park (B/L)
Today you will spend some time exploring the National Park and some of the caves hidden within.
Phong Nha Cave was the first cave in the area to be opened to tourism, and is still one of the most popular sights today. Take a boat ride from town past some gorgeous rural scenery and into the cave itself, before making your own way back out on foot. Another unmissable sight is
Paradise Cave, the longest dry cave in Asia and only discovered a few years ago. Once you get past the unassuming entrance and down into the cave’s interior, it is one of the most stunningly beautiful caves in the world. Sturdy wooden walkways have been set up for tourists to explore the first km of the cave, but anyone continuing further than that must be part of an organised tour. The entrance to Paradise Cave is located up a hill, and a visit here involves a large number of steps, and should only be attempted by those who have a reasonable amount of fitness. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and then the rest of the day is free for you to relax and explore the captivating surroundings at your own pace.
Day 8: Phong Nha National Park (B/L)
Today you will set out from the homestay for a full day excursion in the caves and valleys of the national park. The
Abandoned Valley is a remote area of the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, covering a section of the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail. From the departure point you will trek through the jungle to the other exit of the
Dark Cave, where you can explore up to 500m inside. Trek for another hour over to
E Cave, one of the most impressive caves in the area. Enjoy a BBQ lunch in the cave entrance and swim in the crystal clear spring that runs from E cave.
Continue your trek through the jungle along a different trail back to the Ho Chi Minh Road, and enjoy a cold drink before being taken back to your homestay early evening for a well-deserved rest. This tour involves a 12km trek across some challenging terrain, and should only be attempted by those
who have a reasonable level of fitness.
This tour may be shared with other tourists.
Importtant Note:
Best time: From April to August
Activities: 12km of Jungle trekking, explore Dark cave, Jungle BBQ, Swim in hang E cave
Adventure level: Medium high – fitness for the challenging terrain of the 12km hike. NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE.
Gear provided: Vietnamese soldier trekking boots if required (we suggest bringing your trekking shoes just in case our boots don’t suit you), headlight, helmet, gloves, and life jacket.
Gear to bring: Trekking clothes (long trousers and shirt), personal toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, sunglasses, swimming gear.
Day 9: Phong Nha – Hue (B/L)
After breakfast this morning meet your guide for the drive to Hue via Quang Tri province, a journey of approximately 5 hours. Today's drive will pass through beautiful countryside scenery on the way. This narrow province borders Thua Thien-Hue to the south, Quang Tri in the middle, Laos to the west and the East Sea to the east. It was famous during the Vietnam/American war for being the location of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). There will be stops en route to see some of the highlights of this area which include the ancient citadel of Quang Tri, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant on the way. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation at hotel in Hue.
Day 10: Hue (B/L)
Afterbreakfast, you will board a private traditional boat for a cruise on the romantic Perfume River as you head out to the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded by ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. Continue along the river to the Royal Tombs of Minh Mang, the second emperor of the Nguyen Dynesty who reigned until 1841. The tomb blends traditional architecture with a magical natural setting, and consists of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, and pavilions). After lunch, visit Hue Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue.
Day 11: Hue – Hoian (B)
After enjoying breakfast, drive south along highway 1 to Hoian, a journey of approximately 3 hours. The highway meets the Hai Van Pass (meaning Pass of the Ocean Clouds). There are some spectacular vista points and photo opportunities en-route as the Truong Son mountain range cuts across the narrow centre of the country. The mountain range has created a barrier to the cold airstreams from the north which often results in thick cloudbanks over the peaks. The pass has been a strategic military focal point during Vietnam’s turbulent history and from the top there are views of the curve of Da Nang Bay. Continue south to Hoian where you will check-in to your hotel. This afternoon is free at leisure. Accommodation at hotel in Hoian.
Day 12 & 13: Hoian - At leisure without guide and driver (B)
Hoi An ancient town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.
You have these days free to relax in Hoi An. Alternatively there are opportunities to visit the beach, cycle in some beautiful countryside, visit the ruins at My Son, discover the artists of Hoi An or see a tailor to get some clothes made. Overnight at hotel in Hoian
Day 14: Hoian – Danang – Ho Chi Minh (B)
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh city, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel for three-night stay. Rest of the day at leisure to explore this bustling city independently. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)
Free at leisure until your transfer by private car to airport for your onward flight home.
Cities |
Recommended Hotels |
Room Type |
Website |
Superior Category |
Hanoi |
Thien Thai Hotel |
Deluxe room |
www.thienthaihotel.com |
Mai Chau |
Pu Luong Retreat |
Valley view bungalow |
www.puluongretreat.com |
Phong Nha |
Jungle Boss Homestay |
Standard room |
www.junglebosshomestay.com |
Sy’s Homstay |
Standard room |
www.sy-homestay.com |
Hue |
Eldora Hotel |
Deluxe city view room |
www.eldorahotel.com |
Hoian |
Ancient House Resort |
Garden view room |
www.ancienthouseresort.com |
Ho Chi Minh |
Signature Saigon Hotel |
Deluxe room |
www.signaturesaigonhotel.vn |
Prices are quoted in US dollars per person base on minimum two travelers
Group Size |
Valid from 1 May 2017 to 30 Apr 2018. Price per person in USD for private party of |
2 – 3 persons |
4 - 5 persons |
6 – 8 persons |
Single Supplement |
Superior |
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Rates vary depend on group size, travel time, accommodation level, transportation and other service. Please contact us to get the best price!
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
+ 13 nights hotel accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room
+ Internal flight tickets: Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh city
+ Night train Hanoi – Dong Hoi (shared 4 berth cabin)
+ Tours and transfers as mentioned by air conditioned vehicle
+ English or French speaking guide (for other languages supplements apply)
+ Meals as specified in the itinerary (B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
+ Entrance fees for mentioned visits
+ Boat trip as mentioned in the itinerary
+ Vietnam visa on arrival pre-approved letter
+ Mineral water on coach
+ Service charges and government tax
TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:
+ International flights & departure taxes if any
+ Personal travel insurance
+ Bank charge relating to payment
+ Vietnam visa stamp fee (US$ 25 & 1 passport photo for each person)
+ Tips, gratuities and personal expenses as drink, laundry, phone...
+ Optional tours, Kayaking, Spa, Beauty & Massage on boat in Ha Long
+ Early check-in or late check-out:
- Check-in time at hotel: 14:00 - Check-out time: Before 12:00
+ Compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and Peak Season Surcharges for the following periods:
- The Hung Kings Anniversary from 6 April 2017 to 7 April 2017
- Victory Day & Labour Day from 29 April 2017 to 02 May 2017
- Independent Day from 02 September to 03 September 2017
- Christmas Eve gala dinner (December 24, 2017)
- New Year’s Eve gala dinner (December 31, 2017)
- New Year & Holiday: 24 December 2017 to 10 January 2018
- Lunar New Year from 15 Feb 2018 to 20 February 2018
+ Other services not mentioned above
DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT:
+ A deposit of 30% of the total tour cost is required when you confirm your reservation and it should be made by bank transfer to the bank account of Halong Tour & Service. The remaining amount shall be paid to Halong Tour at least 30 working days before the guest’s departure.
Beneficiary name:
NGUYEN THI THU
Beneficiary account number (USD):
105485589
Beneficiary address:
45 Hang Bun Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi , Vietnam
Bank name:
ASIA COMMERCIAL JOINT-STOCK BANK (ACB)
Bank address:
442 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
SWIFT code:
ASCBVNVX
Website: www.acb.com.vn
Note:
Overseas bank charge is on your side