Vietnam stretches 1650 km north-to-south with each and every mile displaying the simple and complex beauty of this magical country. Discover the intoxicating scenery in the north with an overnight cruise on Halong Bay, or the rice terraces and rustic mountaintop villages of Sapa to life along the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City in the south.
Tour Highlights
Experience a food tour through the capital city Hanoi
Cruise the must-see attraction of Halong Bay to discover this exquisite natural wonder
Explore the ancient town of Hoi An and later relax with a sunset cruise
Discover the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels
A 12-14 Vietnam tour is just about enough time to discover the intrigue and mystery of the country while getting to visit the highlights from north to south.
Hanoi
A highlights tour of Hanoi with the help of a local English-speaking guide makes it possible to see the most famous sites, such as Hoa Lo Prison, Temple of Literature, One-Pillar Pagoda, and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Hanoi’s French Quarter is also worth a visit with its stunning architecture and grand boulevards.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter is well worth exploring with its thirty-six narrow streets with many including the name of the goods traded. This is a great place to find an array of goods like herbal medicines, silk and jewelery. Hoan Kiem Lake lies nearby and a great place to spend an afternoon walk. Also, in the evening, an authentic water puppet show that depicts local tales is certain to please the family.
Halong Bay
A four-hour journey from Hanoi leads to arriving in Halong Bay and the chance to cruise the stunning this seascape with its emerald waters and uniquely shaped rocky outcrops. In total there are 1,696 rocky karst outcrops, islets and islands with many of these islets given creative names by the locals.
A cruise includes visiting the local caves and floating fishing villages, while a short kayak trip or swimming excursion is also a possibility. The best experience on Halong Bay is possible with an overnight cruise and sleeping on a traditional junk boat for the night.
Halong Bay was recognised as a UNESCO natural World Heritage Site in 1994 and continues to be one of Vietnam’s most popular destinations for tourists to visit on the Vietnam customized tour.
With its fresh seafood, historical and cultural connections, archaeological significance, and all-round beauty, this is certain to feature as a must-visit place on any tour organised by a trusted Vietnam travel company.
Sapa
A trip to the hill retreat of Sapa gives instant access to amazing mountain views with its endless fields of rice. Sapa is located in north-western Vietnam and has a unique, diverse geographical region with a rich variety in insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds and plants. The entire district is dominated by Mt. Fansipan and the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Mt. Fansipan has the tallest peak in Vietnam at nearly 3143 metres.
Sapa is a popular trekking destination for its varied terrain and wonderful scenery. A tough challenge includes a trek up the mount which is not only appreciated by the trekking enthusiasts, but also gives a perfect opportunity to see the splendid mountain vista.
A trek through the local ethnic minority villages makes it possible to learn about the beliefs, customs and lifestyle of the locals. There are plenty of ethnic minorities in Sapa, including the Xa Pho, Zay, Tay, Yao and Hmong. A trip to Sapa on the 2 week tour of Vietnam is one of the best choices for the travellers that want to easily meet the locals.
Also, the most authentic time in Sapa is experienced with a stay in a homestay for the night, which is easily organized with a local Vietnam travel agent.
Hoi An
Fly to Danang before making the final stretch of the journey to nearby Hoi An. Walk the ancient Old Town to really appreciate the local history and architecture. Other attractions in the local area include a visit to a local factory, a cooking school to learn the local cuisine, or lunch at a well-known restaurant.
My Son
Take in the cluster of ruins in My Son, an abandoned religious site that dates between the 4th and 14th century. Travellers can also interact with the locals and visit a local home to watch the process of rice paper being made. Also, it is possible to witness the daily life of the Vietnamese organic farmer. Elsewhere, travellers can enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the river, rent a motorbike to get more freedom to explore the local area, or even visit the many silk shops.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a city buzzing with energy and a great place for visitors to discover the tastiest of street stalls to the classiest of restaurants, the cheapest of guesthouses or the finest of hotels, or the scrum of the markets to the choicest of boutiques.
A guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City gives a perfect opportunity to visit the most interesting sights such as the French colonial era Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Reunification Palace.
An hour journey from the city leads travellers to the fascinating site of the Cu Chi tunnels which was a vital part of both the Vietnam and French wars.
Mekong Delta
A trip into the Mekong Delta is sure to give a wonderful end to the Vietnam holiday package. On the way to the delta, it is worth stopping at the very large Cao Dai temple. This temple is very colourful and represents an interesting mix of religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Confucianism and Buddhist.
A cruise of the Mekong should include visiting the popular floating markets, including Cai Be to get a real appreciation of the local lifestyle. Plus, travelling along the river makes it is possible to witness several of the local industries such as fruit orchards and candy making.