“Vivu Travel: Highly Recommended”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed June 14, 2015 NEW via mobile

I am a female solo traveler and I did the 18-day Vietnam tour in May 2015 with Vivu Travel. My customized trip included a mix of private and group tours, covering northern, central and southern regions of Vietnam which included car rides, bus rides, train rides, boat rides and domestic flight transfers.

Before my trip started, I communicated with one of their travel consultants named Ms Nguyen Phuong Ngoc via email exchanges. Ngoc is an excellent agent who is very patient with my questions and answered them immediately. During my trip, she went to great lengths to ensure that my trip is comfortable and if there is any error in the logistics arrangements, she corrected it immediately. For instance, there was a misunderstanding on the part of the Saigon driver who was supposed to send me to the airport. I informed Ngoc about it, and after pulling a few strings, she secured a free taxi ride for me to the airport. In another instance, I feedback to her on the condition of one of the hotels that I was staying (and it was only a feedback that doesn't need any urgent attention), but she immediately called the hotel to request them to correct the situation and she even sent a complimentary fruit basket to my room.

While in Vietnam, I was very well taken care of, and I never felt doubtful about my safety when traveling with Vivu. All pick-ups and transfers were arranged very efficiently, and the drivers and guides who were with me throughout the trip were polite, respectful, careful and fun to be with.

Vivu Travel is highly recommended and if you do decide to go with them, ask for Ngoc as your personal Vietnam travel consultant.

 

Shirley W.
Phoenix, Arizona
Visited May 2015

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GRAND VIETNAM TOUR - 18 DAYS FROM HA NOI IN MIXING PRIVATE & GROUP TRIP
DESTINATION: HANOI – SAPA – HALONG –NINH BINH - HUE – HOIAN – NHA TRANG – HO CHI MINH- MEKONG

CLIENT’S NAME:  MS SHIRLEY WONG
TRAVEL PERIOD: MAY 2015
ACCOMMODATION: 3,4  STAR
NUMBER OF ROOM: 01 SINGLE

 

ITINERARY

If you want the same tour itinerary, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for booking!

If you want Ms.Ngoc to be your private travel consultant, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!

 

Day 1:15 May (Fri) Hanoi Arrival
Meal: None
+Private guide, car

Arrive at Noi Bai airport, welcome by our private Vietnam tour guide and driver and transfer to you hotel for check in. Free at leisure and overnight in Hanoi.

Accommodation: Medallion / Superior

Day 2: 16 May (Sat) Hanoi City Tour
Meal: Breakfast
+Private tour

Today we enjoy a full day Hanoi city tour of this charming capital city including the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh (close on Monday & Friday), the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the impressive Ethnologic Museum, the beautiful West Lake, the Tran Vu Pagoda, the peaceful lake of the Restored Sword.
Afternoon we take a cyclo tour for a short excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. End Hanoi city tour with a fantastic traditional water puppet show. 20h00: Get night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train

Accommodation: Tourist train / wooden cabin with A/ C (4 people sharing in a cabin)

Day 3: 17  May ( Sun) Lao Cai– Bac Ha Market on Sunday only – Sapa
Meals: None
+Tour on group
Pick up at Lao Cai train station by our guide and take you to a local restaurant for breakfast ( you will pay for your breakfast ) and wait our shuttle bus and tour guide from Sapa to Lao Cai and pick you to visit famous Bac Ha Sunday Market where many ethnic minorities such as Flower H'mong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay and Nung minorities gather to buy and sell local products that cannot be found elsewhere. The maket is also a meeting place for men to drink away troubles, women to talk, the young to find lover. After lunch by your own, if you wish, we take a walking visit to visit Ban Pho village of the Flower H'Mong and Nung minority, see their dailiy life and learn about their customs and habits
In the late afternoon, shuttle bus will transfer you back to Sapa. Check in and overnight in Sapa

Accommodation: Sapa Luxury / Standard or Similar

Day 4: 18 May ( Mon) Lao Cai – Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van - Sapa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
+ (Tour on group)

After breakfast at hotel. Relax few hours then start trekking to visit Lao Chai and Ta Van village of the Black H'mong and the Day people where you can enjoy fresh air, amazing scenery of the imposing mountain range, trek down world's most beautiful terraced rice fields and learn unique culture and life of these ethnic groups. Back to Sapa by shuttle bus and overnight in Sapa.

Accommodation: Sapa Luxury / Standard or Similar

Day 5: 19 May (Tue) Sapa – Cat Cat – Sapa – Train to Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast
+Guide (Private half day tour)- shuttle bus to Lao Cai

After breakfast, our tour guide will pick you to take a light trek to Cat Cat village, the home of Black H’mong tribe, in this trip you have chance to take so many photos of Muong Hoa valley, Faxipan mountain range, Faxipan peak – the roof of Indochina with 3143m above the sea level. Trek back to Sapa for relax.
In the afternoon, you have free time to take photo of Dragon Mountain and view Sapa town from Cloudy Yard on the top of mountain.
4h30 -5h00PM. Shuttle bus will come to your hotel and transfer you to Lao Cai train station for night train back to Hanoi.

Accommodation: Tourist train / wooden cabin with A/ C (4 people sharing in a cabin)

Day 6: 20 May ( Wed) Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
+ Guide and shuttle bus of sails (Tour on group)

This day we will arrange a mini hotel in Hanoi for you to take shower and have breakfast before shuttle bus come and pick you to Halong bay.
7h45 – 8h30: Guide and shuttle bus of cruise will pick you up at your hotel for Halong bay.
12h00 – 12h30 Embark on Oriental Sails followed by cruise briefing
13h00 – 15h30 Savor a delectable lunch as Oriental Sails cruise further along the limestone islands of Fighting Cock, Turtle Island …            
15h30 – 17h30 Visit Amazing Cave(Sung Sot Cave) and kayak along the hidden parts of the bay
17h30 – 19h00 Go swimming, snap photos or just relax as the sun starts to set
19h00 Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests or just laze around. Halong-Bay-Cave
Overnight on board

Accommodation: Oriental Sails

Day 7: 21 May (Thu) Halong – Hanoi
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
+ Guide and shuttle bus of sails (Tour on group)

06h30 – 07h00 Start your day with swimming, exercise or photo hunt
07h00 – 11h00 Have breakfast at sunrise. Visit Ti Top Island, cruise to Ba Hang Fishing Village, pass Dog Rock and Incense Burner, and then head back to the Harbor
Have lunch around 11h00
12h00 – 16h30 Transfer back to Hanoi and trip finishes at the hotel around 16h30

Accommodation: Medallion / Superior

 
Day 8: 22 May (Fri) Hanoi – Tam Coc
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
+Tour on group

After breakfast, tour guide and shuttle bus will come to hotel and pick you for visit the Dinh and Le sanctuaries. These are the two remaining temples of the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu.  Hoa Lu – Tam Coc. The first is dedicated to Dinh Tien Hoang (also known as Dinh Bo Linh), an Emperor from the Dinh Dynasty. The second commemorates the rulers of the Le Dynasty. Dinh Bo Linh successfully conquered Vietnam’s first independent rulers, the Ngo Dynasty. On his death in 980, General Le Hoan wisely married Dinh’s widow and established the Le Dynasty and enlarged the citadel..
Have lunch in the local restaurant then take a rowing boat to Tam Coc the Poetically penned ‘Halong Bay on the rice paddies’, the area around Tam Coc boasts stunning scenery. While Halong Bay has rugged rock formations jutting out of the sea, here they soar skywards from a sea of green. After a boat trip along the Boi River, we continue visit Bich Dong pagoda before returning to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Accommodation: Medallion / Superior

Day 9: 23 May ( Sat) Hanoi – Hue by Vietnam airlines VN 1543 13:40  14:50
Meals: Breakfast
+ Private guide and car

Free at leisure few hours until our tour guide and driver see you off Noi Bai airport for your flight with Vietnam airlines to Hue. Upon arrival Hue, the local tour guide in Hue will welcome to Hue. Check in hotel if the room is available.
Free time at leisure and overnight in Hue.

Accommodation: Hue Queen / Standard

Day 10: 24 May ( Sun)  Hue City Tour
Meal: Breakfast
+Tour on group

Today we start the tour by visit Minh Mang or King Tu Duc’s tomb, Imperial Citadel, the Purple Forbidden City, Thien Mu Pagoda the Imperial Citadel, the Purple Forbidden City and Thien Mu pagoda before taking the beautiful sunset cruise on Perfume Pagoda back to your hotel. Overnight in a Hue hotel.

Accommodation: Hue Queen / Standard

Day 11:25 May ( Mon) Hue – drive to Hoian
Meals: Breakfast
+ Private car with driver

Transfer to Hoian in the morning, we will stop in Danang beach, Lang Co beach, Hai Van pass to take photos. Upon arrival, free time to take a walking tour around Hoian ancient town. Overnight in Hoian.

Accommodation: Sunshine hotel / Economy room

Day 12:26 May (Tue) Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An
Meal: Breakfast
+ Tour on group

After breakfast, we invite you an interesting visit to My Son Holy land, once the spiritual capital of Champa Kingdom that dominated South East Asia for nearly a thousand years and occupied most of the central parts of Vietnam from 2nd century to 16th century with very rich in history and culture. Contemplate its remarkable red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries.
Drive back to Hoi An, end of group tour
In the afternoon, you have free time to take photo and visit the former merchants' homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Pagoda and the colorful riverside market. Overnight in a Hoi An hotel.

Accommodation: Sunshine hotel / Economy room

Day 13: 27 May (Wed) Hoian – Danang – Nha Trang VN 1943 06:00    07:05
Meals: Breakfast
+ Private guide, car

Free at leisure until our local tour guide see you off airport for short flight to Nha Trang. Arrive in Nha Trang, welcome by Vietnam tour guide to hotel for check in and overnight in Nha Trang.

Accommodation:
Option 1: Novotel / Standard
 

Day 14: 28 May (Thu) Nha Trang free
Meal: Breakfast

NhaTrang is Vietnam’s best-known Vietnam beach destination, a perfect break during or your Vietnam Tours with miles of white sandy beaches, swaying coconut palms and wonderful fresh seafood restaurants. Day free at leisure. Overnight in a Nha Trang.

Accommodation:
Option 1: Novotel / Standard
 

Day 15: 29 May ( Fri) Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh city VN 1351 08:25    09:20
Meals: Breakfast
+ Private half day tour
This morning, your guide and driver in Nha Trang will see you off airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival, private tour guide and driver in Ho Chi Minh will welcome you and take you to hotel for check in.
In the afternoon, visit the Reunification Palace, followed by exploring Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office & XQ embroidery workshop. End the trip with a visit to Ben Thanh Market, time for shopping. Back to hotel for overnight.

Accommodation: Eden Saigon hotel /Deluxe

Day 16: 30 May ( Sat)   Ho Chi Minh - My Tho – Ben Tre – Can Tho
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
+ Tour on group

Leave Ho Chi Minh city, enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields. On arrived at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shade of the water coconut trees along natural canals. Have a short cycling tour then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by the locals. Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through fruit plantations and villages.  Proceed to Can Tho. Overnight in the hotel. Free time to visit bustling Can Tho market.

Accommodation: Van Phat 1 hotel / Superior room

Day 17: 31 May ( Sun) Phong Dien - Cai Rang floating market – Ho Chi Minh
Meals: Breakfast
+ Tour on group

Take a leisurely boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river then proceed to Cai Rang & Phong Dien floating markets, which are the liveliest in the whole religion.
Have you ever tasted Vietnamese vermicelli soup? Well, now go and see how it is made. Then wander around the village and meet the friendly local people and experience how to cross a "Monkey bridge" which is built by only one stem of bamboo. Visit the orchard garden. Stop for lunch by your own. On the way back to HCM city by bus the last stop is to see how incense sticks are made. Drop you off at your hotel around 17h30 – 18h00.

Accommodation: Eden Saigon hotel /Deluxe

Day 18: 1 June ( Mon) Ho Chi Minh  - Singapore
Meal: Breakfast
+ Private car with driver only, do not need tour guide

Free time at leisure for you to wrap up your memorial Vietnam Holiday until Vivutravel's private car with driver will see you off at the airport with the sincere thanks for travel to Vietnam and with Vivutravel. We hope that you have enjoyed your Vietnam Trip and look forward to welcoming you back for your next Vietnam Tours, goodbye and see you again!!!

END OF SERVICE

Inclusion:
03 domestic flights Hanoi – Hue, Danng-Nha Trang, Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh with Vietnam airlines ( Economy class )
Return train ticket Hanoi – Lao Cai - Hanoi
Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver or in group as mentioned in the itinerary
Hotel accommodation in double room
1 night on board the junk in Ha Long
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
English speaking guide (except free days)
Entrance fees to indicated sights
Boat trips in Can Tho

Exclusion:
International flight in / out Vietnam
Drinks  
Other meals
Insurance
Personal expenses
Tip for guide and driver
Other not mentioned in the itinerary