Day-to-day schedule
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to Vietnam! Your tour starts in Ho Chi Minh City, where you can use your hotel room from check in time (12.00 hrs at noon) on day 1. Your travel companions will also arrive this first day, the exact time will be depending on their flight schedule. You will meet your English speaking tour leader at 12.00 hrs noon on day 1 in the lobby of your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Wander the busy streets of this metropolis for hours and you will still hardly scratch the surface as there is just so much to see. Ho Chi Minh City is steeped in history and offers an array of museums, pagodas, temples, colonial buildings and churches. Some interesting museums include the unique War Memorial Museum and the Vietnamese History Museum, both well worth a visit. The cities oldest pagoda ‘Giac Lam’ is a must-see and the bustling Chinese district of Cholon, the cities main trading centre is great for grabbing delicious food at a reasonable price.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City
Free time. On day 2 there is an optional trip to Tay Ninh and Cu Chi. Tay Ninh is the centre of the colourful Cao Dai religion, the result of an attempt to create a fusion of both Eastern and Western philosophies and religions, at midday you can witness the daily ceremony in the extravagant temple. After that we travel to Cu Chi. This impressive underground tunnel network was built by the Vietminh in the 1940s to resist the French colonists and Japanese occupation and was later used by Vietcong guerrillas for surprise attacks against American troops during the Vietnam War.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang
Today you have much of the day free to do as you please until the end of the afternoon when you will be departing by night train to Nha Trang (second class soft sleeper). Once on board, take a look through the train and take a look at the hard-seat' section where travelers hang all evening in their hammocks between banks, or on their roll mat, placed upon the floor. The train also serves meals. On the evening menu is rice, vegetables and meat and in the morning steamed noodle soup or a sandwich. At the train stations that you will be stopping off at, you will also find plenty of food and drink for sale. The trains run in Vietnam at a slow pace. If it is still light, you can enjoy the landscape. At some stations, the train will stop for a long time to wait for an oncoming train. This is because you will find single tracks only, across almost all of the country.
Day 4: Nha Trang
After the train journey you can relax on the 8 km long fine sandy beach of Nha Trang. Nha Trang is Vietnam's largest resort, with good restaurants. If you like fish, then you can feast on prawns and exotic fish in the restaurants here. Nha Trang is located near a natural harbour where you can also swim in addition to snorkeling and diving.
Fans of amusement parks can take an optional excursion to the Vinpearlland Amusement Park where you will find, among other rides, a carousel, bumper cars and 4D movies for your viewing pleasure.
Day 5: Nha Trang - Whale Island
In the morning you'll be picked up from the hotel and driven to Van Ninh, 60 km north of Nha Trang, where the boat leaves to Whale Island. After a short boat trip of ten minutes you reach the idyllic Whale Island, like a fairy tale hideaway. Here you'll spend two wonderful days. You'll spend two nights in simple bamboo huts with fan and private bathroom on this dream island with swaying palm trees, pristine coral reefs and a relaxed atmosphere. You'll feel just like Robinson Crusoe!
Day 6: Whale Island
A free day in paradise! Why not take a dip in the sea after you wake up!? Today you can do what you want to. Snorkeling, diving, surfing, sailing, kayaking, anything. Or if you prefer, you can also read a good book in your hammock, relaxing at your own hut- the choice is yours.
Day 7: Whale Island - Qui Nhon
Take the boat back to Van Ninh and say goodbye to your dream island. The bus awaits for a beautiful ride along the coast to Qui Nhon. You will see picturesque fishing villages where time seems to have stood still, deserted beaches and as always those warm, friendly people who appear to be laughing at us! An truly unforgettable day!
Day 8: Qui Nhon - Hoi An
Today you travel along the scenic coast towards Hoi An, formerly known as Faifo. Estimated travel time is 5 hours (290 km).
Hoi An is a town with traditional houses and is considered by many travelers as one of the most attractive and one of the most fun places to experience Vietnam. Visit the picturesque market there, with baskets full of colourful fish, shrimp, vegetables or fruit. Many old wooden houses and historic buildings are often witnesses of the past. Some of the old Chinese houses are open to visitors. The interior of these houses appear exactly the same as they did centuries ago. Even some old Chinese temples are still in use.
Day 9: Hoi An
Day at leisure. You can take a short boat trip on the river or go independently to one of the quiet beaches of Hoi An. You can also choose a tour in the beautiful surrounding area. It is also possible to visit the Cham ruins of My Son, another important cultural and historical part of the heritage of the country.
Day 10: Hoi An - Da Nang - Marble Mountains - Hué
You drive northwards today but not for very long (only 130 km, travel time approximately three hours), but we'll go via a few stops. You first go to Da Nang, where you can choose to visit the Cham Museum. The museum has the largest collection of Cham sculptures in the world with more than 300 images of sandstone. The images date from the 7th to the 15th century. The images from the period until the 10th century reveal influences from mainly Hindu India and Indonesia. In the period between the 10th and 15th century Khmer influences prevailed in Cambodia.
You can also visit the famous Marble Mountains and China Beach. The beautiful Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) are five hills with caves. During the Vietnam War it was a refuge for the Vietcong. Now it's a Buddhist shrine. The many caves displaying their different images bear witness to this.
After a spectacular drive along the coast, you arrive in the ancient imperial city of Hue. The spatially designed French town with its buildings, broad avenues and the Perfume River is very atmospheric. The main landmark of this city, which not surprisingly has more than 200,000 inhabitants, is the Huong Giang, which translates as the "nice-smelling river".
In the afternoon you can have a look at the vast Forbidden Purple City. The Forbidden City is not that old, the oldest part dates from the early 19th century from the time of the Nguyen emperors. It is one of the few grand buildings of Vietnam history.
Day 11: Hué - Hanoi
Around the city of Hue, in the undulating landscape, are the imperial mausoleums. One of the most pleasant ways to visit mausoleums is by boat. You can take an optional boat trip on the Perfume River to the imperial tombs and pagodas just outside the city. The 21 meters high Thien Mu pagoda is located on the north bank of the river and has seven floors. It was built in 1844 and has long been the symbol of Vietnam. On each floor is another Buddha statue. Behind the pagoda tower is a beautiful temple.
At the end of the afternoon before departing by night train to Hanoi (soft sleeper second class, scheduled departure time is 16.50 hours, subject to change). The train carries the name 'reunification express', and North and South Vietnam are in fact connected in this way!
Day 12: Hanoi
In the morning we arrive in the capital city of Hanoi for a two night stay. Filled with small shops, lively markets, lakes and cafes, Hanoi still retains some of its village atmosphere, despite having a population of millions. The avenues and streets lined by French villas still have a charming and unspoilt air and the residents of Hanoi are famed for their hospitality.
Day 13: Hanoi - Lao Cai
Although Hanoi's oldest capital of Southeast Asia, most buildings are relatively new. There are some beautiful temples and pagodas. The market in the old town is very beautiful. On the market and the streets around it are many varieties of rice, tropical fruits, flowers, herbs, vegetables and handicrafts (baskets, bowls) for sale. Livestock is also displayed for the meals, such as dogs, parrots and snakes. For the early birds among us it is a must in the morning to walk toward Hoan Kiem Lake. The park is crawling with the Vietnamese practicing badminton or tai chi. Maybe visit the Eenzuilige Pagoda and see if a show of Water Puppetry is in progress.
In the evening you'll board the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai (soft sleeper second class, scheduled departure time is 21.30 hours, subject to change).
Day 14: Lao Cai – Can Cau (Saturday market) – Bac Ha
Upon arrival in Lao Cai (scheduled arrival time is 06.00 hours, subject to change), first visit the Saturday market in Can Cau. Here you will have an initial meeting with some minorities of this region. Most people who walk around in this market are from the Hmong tribe, the most colorful are the Flower Hmong. They are identified by their beautiful skirts and live mainly in elevated locations. We have the time to observe the ins and outs of the market. It is a paradise for photographers and for those without a camera it is an experience. Everywhere there is something to see.
After visiting the market you'll drive for under an hour (25 km) further to the little visited Bac Ha. Here, in the afternoon you can take a beautiful walk to a Hmong village in the area, or view the old Hmong King's House.
(Note: If the train to Lao Cai is unfortunately seriously delayed, then the visit to the morning market of Can Cau is not possible).
Day 15: Bac Ha (Sunday market) – Sapa
The most famous weekend market in Northern Vietnam takes place today and the many colourful tribes such as Flower Hmong, Tay and Nung come to Bac Ha to sell their produce.
After visiting the market you travel around 3 hours (90 km) further to Sapa (aka Sa Pa). After this beautiful drive, you are allowed the time to get acquainted with various colorful hill tribes such as the Red Zao and the Blue Hmong in Sapa area. The Black Hmong, Red Dao and Giay's come to Sapa to sell their wares there. The Hmong are selling their hats and the Dao, their costumes. The color-clad Red Dao live further from Sapa. Some travel more than 30 km from their remote villages to be here.
Day 16: Sapa
Sapa is a former French military outpost, set in a breathtaking valley close to the Chinese border where you have the day to explore. If you have opted for our hiking trip (must be pre-booked at time of booking your tour) then this would begin today.
Optional 2-day Hiking Trip: Highly recommended for hiking and/or nature enthusiasts, this trip takes place on days 16-17 of your tour. Accompanied by an experienced guide you will hike through a varied landscape of jungle and small fields and sleep in a tribal village. In the afternoon of the second day you will rejoin the rest of the group. Lunch and dinner on the first day, and breakfast and lunch on the second day are included in the price. The hike is recommended for people with a good fitness level. Remember that the trip will become more difficult than usual in the event of heavy rain. Please note: this trek will run with a minimum of 6 passengers and if we have less passengers, the price will increase.
Description of the optional trek:
First day: From Sapa, visit the Hmong village of Cat Cat. (Your main luggage can be left in Sapa and you will see it after your trek back.) In the village of Lao Chai San, you enjoy your lunch. Today you walk about 5 to 6 hours through villages of Hmong, Muong Hoa partly along the river. You stay with a family that belongs to the Dzay in the village of Ta. Meals for participants will today include lunch and dinner.
Second walking day: After breakfast we say goodbye to our host family and continue our trek through terraced rice fields and bamboo forests. Today we walk about 3 hours through villages of the Red Zao, and Giang Ta Chai. The panoramas are sometimes spectacular. From the village of Ban Ho you drive back to Sapa. Meals for participants will today include breakfast and lunch.
Note: This trek is run in different ways. Sometimes the group split in two, and depending on the season and weather conditions the route is slightly modified. It is possible that you will be going to other villages on your trek. Your tour leader will assess this based upon the situation on the ground. The number of hours quoted above is therefore approximate.
Day 17: Sapa
Free day in Sapa. The travelers who opted for the optional two-day trek will be walking for their second day.
Day 18: Sapa - Lao Cai - Hanoi
You will have part of the day to your own desires. During the afternoon you go to Lao Cai, where you get the night train back to Hanoi (scheduled departure time is 20.50 hours, subject to change).
Day 19: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay
Early in the morning (planned arrival time is 05.00 hours, subject to change) you again arrive in the now familiar capital Hanoi. Here you go by bus straight to the stunning natural beauty of Ha Long Bay (Bay of the descending dragon). We will stop for breakfast. The journey of 170 km takes about three hours to complete.
For centuries among the vast area (over 1500 km ²) of Ha Long Bay have remained the main attractions of Vietnam. And rightly so: the jagged limestone rocks seem to rise steeply from the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin and the 3,000 islands and coves, making this area unforgettable. You make a boat trip through this magical area and also sleep on the boat. During the boat trip you have 1x lunch, 1x dinner and 1x breakfast included.
Day 20: Ha Long Bay - End of tour at Hanoi Airport
The last day of your tour. Your tour ends upon arrival at the international airport of Hanoi. We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of Vietnam.
Your personal ‘my.shoestring’ page on our website is the perfect way to make contact with other travellers before and after your trip. You can read and create journals from trips and upload your photos onto the photo gallery. Visit my shoestring today.
When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any post-tour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (day 20) is not included.
***Our tour to Vietnam already has a guaranteed departure with a minimum number of 2 participants. For groups upto and including 5 participants there are some adjustments concerning the tour leader and the transfers. There will not be one tour leader guiding you throughout the whole tour; you will be guided by an English speaking station guide in the South of Vietnam, another (station) guide in Central Vietnam and a third (station) guide in the North of Vietnam (days 1,3,4,5,8,10,11,13,14,15,16,17,18,19 and 20). The transfers will also be arranged in a different way: if there are only 2 participants you will be transferred in a car (with a driver and a guide). In case of 3 – 5 participants you will be transferred in a mini bus (with a driver and a guide). For groups upto and including 5 participants the Halong Bay boat excursion will be join in (which means no private boat but shared with other travelers). When there are at least 6 participants who have booked this tour to Vietnam, there will be one tour leader guiding you throughout the whole tour, transfers and excursions will be privately for you and the other participants of this tour.
It is possible that the group for a part of this trip is combined with the participants of our 13-day Vietnam in 2 weeks trip. Obviously, we ensure that the maximum of 24 participants is not exceeded. The local English-speaking tour guide(s) ensure(s) proper execution of the trip.