Discover the Unbeaten Path to Vietnam on a 14-Day Tour

Upon arrival, you will be met outside the baggage claim area by your friendly driver who will escort you to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to downtown with a brief introduction en route. 

Your guide will be holding a welcome signboard with the Sun Getaways Travel Logo & your name. During the drive, your guide will provide an introduction to Hanoi. Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city and home to seven million people. 

Night 1: Overnight in hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast at your hotel. The guide pick you up at your hotel and then visit the capital of Vietnam, a city that celebrated 1.000 years in 2010 has countless fascinating cultural and historic sites and our day tour will visit the highlights.

See the grand and solemn mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov), the ‘icon of Hanoi’ – The One Pillar Pagoda, West Lake’s Tran Quoc temple. After lunch, visit the beautiful Temple of Literature, and visit Long Bien bridge.

You’ll end your day with a show at the Water Puppet Theater – a beautifully unique cultural performance from northern Vietnam.

Night 2: Overnight in hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast and check out the hotel, our tour guide and driver will pick you up for an interesting journey to Western Northern Vietnam. Taking high-speed road Ha Noi – Lao Cai toward Bac Ha.

You will spend the afternoon on a motorbike tour to Hoang Thu Pho village, up and downhill to see unbreathing sight-seeings. If the weather permits, you can swim at the waterfall. Sleep 1 night at a local homestay. 

Night 3: Overnight in hotel in Bac Ha

Option 1: If this day is Sunday – Visit Bac Ha Market.

Bac Ha Market is held every Sunday and is the biggest minority people market in Northwest Vietnam. Alive with the bright colors and extravagant costumes of the local people, here you will meet Flower Hmong (Red Hmong), Black Dao, Tay, Nung, La Chi, Phu La, and other minority groups who come from far and wide to buy and sell a wide variety of goods and livestock, to exchange news and to renew friendships.

In the past, the market was a centre for trading horses but now that motorbikes have replaced them it is more common to see buffalo, cows, goats, fish and other livestock being traded. The market opens at around 7.30am and closes mid-afternoon, so an early start is advisable. Take time to wander around the market, enjoy the atmosphere and have fun trying out your trading skills with the friendly local people.

Have lunch in a local restaurant where a variety of foods are available for your delectation and delight. You can even try the traditional local lunch of Thang Co (horse stew) and strong corn wine! After lunch, you will be driven to Ban Phung village. Sleep in homestay.

Option 2: If this day is Wednesday – Visit Sin Cheng Market.

Located in the center of Si Ma Cai districts more than 10km away, in the past, there have a lot of difficulties when traveling on this road, so Sin Cheng was almost separate from the outside. That barrier makes it difficult for Sin Cheng land and people to get rich as the lower, but also so that the value of a long tradition still preserved.

On Wednesday morning, starting at 8.30 am from Bac Ha to Sin Cheng market, it takes us about 1.30 hours. Opened only one time each week from 9.00 am to 1.30 pm. This market which is in the border area is far 40km from Bac Ha (in the Si Ma Cai district) so just a few people know this place. The market is almost untouched by modern life. Where you will be surprised by the way of living of the people here that you can find nowhere in the modern world.

After the market, we come back to Bac Ha for lunch. And then we go to visit some villages of the Mong and Tay ethnic minorities around Bac Ha town about 2 hours. After lunch, you will be driven to Ban Phung village. Sleep in homestay.

Option 3: If this day is Thursday – Visit Lung Khau Nhin Market.

Lung Khau Nhin is a small market very close to the border with China, close to Muong Khuong town. The Black Dao, Giay, Tay, and Flower Hmong (Red Hmong) minority peoples all attend this market.

Lung Khau Nhin market is held every Thursday starting around 7.30 am and closing in the early afternoon. The market is set in beautiful scenery and is very remote. It is a very ‘authentic’ market with few tourists visiting. The market mainly sells vegetables, seeds, and livestock for the minority peoples.

Drive to Lung Khau Nhin (67 km/2 hours from Bac Ha) Spend time walking around the market taking in the sights and sounds and perhaps trading with the local people. On the way back we will stop in Muong Khuong and pay a visit to pineapple and tea plantations. You can have lunch either in Muong Khuong village After lunch, you will be driven to Ban Phung village. Sleep in homestay.

Option 4: If this day is another day in the week – Freetime to explore Bac Ha Town – Ban Phung village.

After breakfast, you will have free time to walk around the town. You also can visit Hoang A Tuong Palace – Meo’s King.

After lunch, you will be driven to Ban Phung village. Locating on the Tay Con Linh mountain range. Phung Village has an unsullied nature and is the home of La Chi ethnic. Villages are connected by steep winding roads. This will bring you to off-the-beaten paths (in every sense of the word!). The transfer will stop about 10 km away from your homestay.

From there, you can choose either trek up to your accommodation or hop on the back of the bike. Vietnam’s extreme north will be greatly rewarded with some of the most breathtaking mountain and cliff views imaginable as well as a peak into the lives of the villagers who inhabit the region.

Night 4: Overnight in hotel in Ban Phung

After breakfast, we start the day to discover Ban Phung on foot. We will explore the terraced fields and the beautiful landscape of Ban Phung. While hiking, we can have the opportunity to meet and talk with locals to better understand their lives.

Most locals are La Chi, they often speak their language, and they can speak very few Vietnamese words. After hiking, we stop at a La Chi to visit their house. Return to the inhabitant for your second night.

Night 5: Overnight in hotel in Ban Phung

After late breakfast, we will say goodbye to Ban Phung village, and head to Hoang Su Phi. 

Upon arrival in Hoang Su Phi, you will check in your room and walk around to visit Nam Hong village – Home of the Red Dao people to discover their local daily life before having dinner.

Night 6: Overnight in hotel in Hoang Su Phi

Getting up in the extravagant marvelous of the wildness. A day cannot be better with a home-cooked breakfast with your host. Make sure you eat a lot as you will need energy for an active day.

You will set out on a trek to explore the many villages situated at high altitudes around Thong Nguyen. The path will carry us upwards for about half an hour before spilling out into scenes of lush forest, tea plantations, terraced rice fields, and majestic mountain slopes. During our hike, we will stop for lunch with another local family, and many encounters can be had with the locals along the path.

The trekking route will be customized based on your request from medium to hard trek. Your day can also be filled with various activities Hiking in the area from a few hours to a full day.

Participating in agricultural activities: Prepare the rice field for transplanting: May – June. Harvesting paddy rice: September to mid-October. Carp fishing in the terrace fields: August to mid-September.Tea harvesting and processing: March – April; June-July; October-November.

Discovering the rich and various local crafts Enjoying a bath with herbs or specialties of the Dzao ethnic group Watching and joining cooking preparation By the end of the afternoon, you will be back to your accommodation, when you’re free to utilize the rest of the day as you see fit, before having dinner.

Night 7: Overnight in hotel in Hoang Su Phi

In the morning, you will head back to Hanoi. En route, you will stop along the way to visit the villages, take memorable pictures, and admire the landscapes before arriving in Hanoi in the afternoon. Distance: 300 km – 7.5 – 8.0 hours.

Night 8: Overnight in hotel in Hanoi

09h10 to 09h30 am: You will be collected from Hanoi Old Quarter to take the new highway to Got Ferry Terminal – Cat Hai Town, Haiphong City where we arrive at around 11h30. The passengers have a chance to experience on longest and newest bridge in the South East Asia area. You can take special tea at Peony Cruise’s lounge with a warm welcome.

12h30: Transfer by tender to the PEONY CRUISE.

13h00: We welcome our guests onboard the PEONY CRUISE and then check in, enjoy a Welcome Drink, receive cruise briefing, safety instructions and check-in. Start cruising and explore Halong Bay – one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

13h15: PEONY CRUISE proceeds to Da Chong islet, where you can see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. Have an International Buffet Lunch while passing via the islets of the Con Vit area. These amazing limestone karst formations rise out of the sea impressively. This area is untouched, as not many cruise ships use the route via the Cat Ba Island – Thoi Quyt area – Coc Ngoi islet – through Gia Luan area where is belong to Cat Ba National Park

15h30: Explore the bay in the area where Ao Ech is situated. You enjoy on your own for kayaking at Ao Ech area to discover the hidden charm of Lan Ha Bay with its quieter.

16h30: Peony Cruise gets in the less populated area at Tra Bau which is located in Lan Ha Bay. You will enjoy the green emerald and cool water by swimming.

17h30: Returning PEONY CRUISE, you can watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Onboard you may join a traditional cooking class. Our chef will instruct you in the making of some Vietnam dishes. In the early evening, the boat has its Happy Hour deal

19h30: Sumptuous Candlelight Deluxe Dinner Set Menu is served. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting

21h30: Enjoy the landscape of the bay at night up on the top deck. Relax whilst enjoying drinks from the bar. Try your hand at night squid fishing, or watching a movie in the restaurant. Overnight on board.

23h00:End of Day One program  

Night 9: Overnight on Cruise

The day starts early onboard with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi also called Tai chi chuan, combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements. Coffee, tea and pastries for breakfast are served in the dining room with a morning view of the bay’s landscape.

7h45: We progress to Trung Trang cave by bus on Cat Ba island which is located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park with Kim Giao forest around the cave.

Trung Trang Valley is the largest valley on Cat Ba Island. The valley covers an area of approximately 300 hectares, has a depth of 10m to 30m, and is around 15km in the middle of Cat Ba National Park. Trung Trang Cave measures 300m lengthwise through the mountains. The cave was carved by nature for more than 2000 years. The cave has many stalactites that take on various shapes that will awe and inspire visitors to use their imagination.

9h45: Cruise welcomes you back on board and it is time to check out.

10h00: Whilst cruising back you can enjoy a delightful brunch

10h30: Tea Ceremony is served at the restaurant. You will learn how to enjoy Vietnamese tea and Vietnamese culture at this ceremony. Joining Tea Ceremony with our crew’s team and have great fun with us!

12h00: We return to the quayside in the south of the bay, where our visitors disembark. We bid farewell at GOT ferry, this is the end of the program.

14h30: Arrive back to Ha Noi then our private car will pick you up at the airport. Take your flight Ha Noi – Danang . Once you arrive at the airport, the driver will pick you up at hotel in Hoian.

Night 10: Overnight in hotel in Hoian

Option 1 – Cooking class:

Your cooking class today will begin with a visit to a colorful local market, buying all the necessary ingredients and heading back to prepare. Your chef will demonstrate how to cook some typical Vietnam cuisine, you will then start cooking yourself and enjoy what you have cooked.

In the afternoon, explore the enchanting time-capsule town of Old Hoi An on a walking tour with your guide. Hoi An was a major seaport in Asia and it resulted in a fusion of style and culture that has been perfectly preserved. Wander traditional Chinese shops, luxurious French homes, and an ancient Japanese bridge. The town is home to silk markets, Vietnamese food stalls, and talented street performers– all of which are sure to charm you. 

Option 2 – Vegetable village:

Breakfast at your hotel and then it’s time for a little bit of exercise and riding a bike to Tra Que Village and a visit to a local farm. This is a very special involvement in true Vietnamese rural life. You will learn about the history of the village and then be shown the daily practices of growing vegetables. You will learn how vegetables are used in traditional Vietnamese medicine. 

You will join in the activities of the farmers – collecting seaweed fertilizer, sowing, raking, watering and picking. Your cultural immersion continues as you join the family to prepare and eat the lunch you have helped grow. You will also taste other local specialties such as Tam huu (spring roll) and Banh xeo (pancake). 

Of course, you must also join in the after-lunch nap before returning to the field to learn how to harvest and wrap the produce. Mid-afternoon we wave goodbye to your new friends and go back to Hoian to visit Hoian Old Quarter. Return to your hotel for relaxing 

Option 3 – Countryside biking or motor riding:

Our guide will pick you up at the hotel by motorbike, ride to Tra Que village and then ride back to the river for aboard a local ferry to  Kim Bong Village. This village is not only famous for wood carving but weaving sleeping mats as well, so we will stop at a family to see how they weaved the mat for everyday use in the old times before having today’s popular mattresses. 

Visit a local family making the famous local noodle – Mi Quang is another chance to learn the local life. You also have a chance to make and eat the perfect banh dap (rice cracker). Riding into a small village. Have lunch at Cam Thanh homestay. Back to town for a walking tour and free in the evening. 

Note: If you prefer biking than scooter tour, we can be flexible to modify the route, matching your ability. 

Night 11: Overnight in hotel in Hoi An.

After checking out, our driver will transfer you to the Da Nang airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Welcome to the once southern capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, where the streets are lively and the scents are enticing, from chili to garlic, ginger to coriander.

You arrive at the airport and are met by your private transfer who will soon have you relaxing in the comforts of your hotel centrally located within the city. Vietnam’s center of commerce, the modern metropolis, wraps around the Saigon River bringing a vibrant skyline to the soothing waterway. Through a blend of tradition, modernity, colonial history, and reunification, the wonder of Vietnam has begun.

Night 12: Overnight hotel in Ho Chi Minh

08:30 am: The guide will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to Ben Tre.

On arrival in Hàm Luông pier. Cruse  on Bến Tre river  exploring  the  lively activities along river as fishing, water transferring…….see  brick making in  handy traditional style by printing and baking. Visit one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along canal. Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village. Take a walk to family workshop making sleepmats and enjoying some fruits and tea. Riding a motor cart (xe lôi) or bike  on shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on really life and find out  about tropical culture from Peasants. Lunch at Hai Hồ house. Afternoon –  riding a sampan  along canal, before boat back to Ham Luông pier.  End your touring, going back to HCM city.

Drop you off at your hotel.

Night 13: Overnight in hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Your time will be your own until your private car and driver arrive to take you to the airport for your flight to your next destination. 

Note: Check-in time – 2.00 pm and check-out time – 12.00 pm

Finish an unforgettable Vietnam Tour with Sun Getaways Travel. Goodbye & see you the next time!