Passion Vietnam 16 days

Day 01: Ha Noi – Arrival

On arrival at Ha Noi Airport, you are greeted by our guide and taken to your hotel by private transfer.

Ha Noi – The capital of Vietnam, also known as “The cradle of Vietnam’s culture”. Lies besides modern constructions are many hidden gems that still retain their charm and culture from thousands years ago.

Depending on your arrival flight schedule, you either have the opportunity to rest at your hotel if the room is available (please note the check-in time is at 14.00 pm), or take your own exploration of the town.

Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 02: Ha Noi – City discovery – Lao Cai (B)

Today, we start our exploration of Ha Noi, seeing the most notable landmark of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (close on Mon. and Fri.). This imposing marble and granite monument was built towards Ba Dinh Square. We follow the footpath to the One Pillar Pagoda rising from the center of a square lotus pond, ascending on a single pillar and resembling a blossoming lotus flower.

The next place will be the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), which is both a research center and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. As an alternative to the Ethnology Museum, visit the highly acclaimed Hoa Lo Prison which was once known as “Ha Noi Hilton”

We continue the trip to the Temple of Literature & Vietnam’s first university, constructed in the 11th century, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam's past.

After that, visit Ha Noi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 streets’. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities.

Dinner on your own before transfer to Ha Noi Central Station to take the night train to Lao Cai.

Overnight on train.

Note:

The train is in basic condition, has private four-berth, lockable cabins with air-conditioning and toilets are located at each end of the carriage. All bedding is provided.

Day 03: Lao Cai – Bac Ha Sunday Market -  Sapa (B)

Upon arrival at Lao Cai Station, you will met and transfer to mini hotel for freshen up and breakfast.

After that our guide will take you to  Bac Ha Sunday market. Arrive at the market at about 10.00 – 10.30 am, right at the most crowded hours. This local trade fair is rather affected by the influx of mass tourism, but it still offers some colorful pictures and a unique experience.

We see many different ethnic minorities including the Flower Hmong, Dao, Phu La, Nung, La Chi, and Tay, and discover their amazing local trading ways. These hill tribe people come into this conglomeration every Sunday not only to trade but also to enjoy some entertainment, and are recognizably distinct by their dress. They make for the entirely local affair full of noise, color and hustle, and the bustle of commerce.

After the market day, drive toward Sapa town, check in at a hotel and have free time at leisure.

Overnight in Sapa.

Day 04: Sapa – Hiking to Ethnic villages - Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai - Ta Van(B)|Hiking information: Around 8 km on paved road

This morning you will start your hike through the most beautiful landscape of the Muong Hoa Valley, home to magnificent views of mountain terrain with high and steep rice terraces dotted with the houses of H’mong people to Y Linh Ho Village

From the main road, follow the hiking path down to Y Linh Ho Village, alongside Muong Hoa Valley. Capture panoramic views of wonderful rice terraces as far as the eye can see. Then hike along Muong Hoa Stream to Lao Chai Village, home to Black H’mong community, living mainly on rice cultivation in terraced fields. Stop wherever you please to interact with locals or take nice pictures of Muong Hoa Valley. Visit a H’mong family, chat with them about daily life, H’mong culture & lifestyle, while enjoying a local snack with a cup of tea or coffee.

Then the driver will take you back to your hotel in Sa Pa town.  In the late afternoon, you will be free at your own exploration of town.

Overnight in Sapa.

Day 05: Sa Pa – Free time - Lao Cai - Ha Noi (B)

After breakfast, you will be free to explore the town on your own. In the afternoon, you will take a shared tourist bus returning to Hanoi.

Arrive Hanoi in the late evening. Check In hotel and free time afterward.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 06: Ha Noi – Ha Long (B/L/D)

After breakfast, take a 3.5 hour drive to Ha Long Bay, one of the World Natural Heritages recognized by UNESCO with thousands of spectacular limestone islands rising from the clear, emerald sea in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Upon arrival, welcome aboard. Enjoy a welcome drink before check-in your cabin. While the boat is passing many rocky islets, caves, floating villages and beaches, a tasty lunch will be served on board with fresh seafood. Relax on the sundeck.

Later on, the boat moves to a quiet area to dock for overnight stay. Lunch and dinner with Vietnamese food is served on board.

Overnight on board

Note: The itinerary of boats in Ha Long may change without prior notice depending on the situation.

Day 07: Ha Long Bay – Cruise – Ha Noi  –  Fly to Danang, Hoi An (B/Brunch)

The boat cruises around Ha Long Bay, passes by many islets named by their shapes such as Dog, Incense Urn, Fighting Cock, Finger, etc. Breakfast or brunch is served while the boat then continues cruising towards the wharf.

After disembarkation, travel back to Ha Noi city and transfer to Noi Bai airport for domestic flight to Danang On arrival,  you are met by our local tour guide and driven to the hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 08: Hoi An – City discovery (B)

This morning, you will enjoy the walking tour to explore the tiny town of Hoi An with the stops at a 400 year – old Japanese Covered Bridge. This structure was first constructed in the 1590s by the Japanese traders to link them with the Chinese quarters. We head towards the typical Phung Hung House, a building with a mixture of Japanese and Chinese architectural elements.

And continue to visit the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. This colorful building is one of the five well-known halls in Hoi An and dedicated to Thien Hau, the goddess of sea who protects sailors from dangers.

The afternoon is free to enjoy Hoi An further. You can either join –in a lantern making workshop where you can learn how to make the beautiful lanterns or simply ride a bike around the Old town.

Another option is to take a fishing trip to the Thu Bon River, see casting net shows and learn how to cast net by local fishermen. enjoy bamboo basket boats rowing on the Cam Thanh water coconut river.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 09: Hoi An  - Bana Hill (B)

Built in 2017, the  soon became the newest famous tourist attraction in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Located on the top of Ba Na Hills, more than 1,400m above sea level, the Golden Bridge offers breathtaking views of Da Nang City and the ocean.

Morning transfer from Da Nang to Bana Hills cable starting station. Take the cable car to the main cable station (about 20 minutes) to visit this mountainous theme park perched 1,500m high on a mountain, a hill resort inherited from the French. The site was first developed by the French in the 1920s, who escaped the summer heat for its cool, mountain air.

At the station, get to see the Linh Ung Pagoda, Loc Uyen Garden and Quan Am Pavilion. Next, your guide will bring you the Monkey garden and finally to God Mountain, the highest peak in central Vietnam. Stroll through the Golden Bridge amid the foggy hills of the mountain, enjoy the gorgeous view of Da Nang city.

You could choose one in a plenty of restaurants up there to have lunch (your own arrangement) and head into Fantasy Park to enjoy some games later. Then take the journey (by cable car) downhill and transfer back to the hotel Hoi An.

Free time for your own exploration of town.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 10: Hoi An – Marble Mountain – Cham Museum – Hue (B)

Heading out of the town, you will drive to visit the Marble Mountain, also known as Ngu Hanh Son, is the group of five hills, made of limestone and marble. They look like 5 fingers lying close to the sea. There are several caves, caverns, pagodas, many stairs and 2 spectacular viewing points.

And visit the Cham Sculpture Museum. It is a collection of various sandstone sculptures of the Gods in Hinduism of the Champa Kingdom. In this fantastic and rich history museum, our tour guide will tell you a lot of stories about the lives and culture of Cham people, their gods, and their architecture as well.

Leaving the Danang city behind, we continue driving northward to Hue city. We travel along one of Vietnam's most scenic highways and  pass Hai Van Pass and enjoy a breathtaking view from here.

Arrive in Hue city, check in at a hotel and enjoy your free time afterward.

Overnight in Hue.

The full-day tour today will bring you to the massive Hue Citadel where Kings of Vietnam’s last feudal dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945, including Flag Tower, Nine Holy Cannons, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns, and the Forbidden Purple City.

We embark on a traditional boat for a relaxed excursion on the Perfume River. Along the way, we visit the riverside Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most famous landmarks of Hue.

Afternoon is free at your own exploration of town.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 11: Hue - Fly Ho Chi Minh City (B)

The next destination of our trip today is the Ho Chi Minh via a short flight in Hue

Formerly known as “Saigon” before 1975, Ho Chi Minh City today is Vietnam’s commercial center that never sleeps. Although the city is a dynamic metropolis undergoing dramatic change, but the architecture, local culture and lifestyle of Ho Chi Minh are still a reconciliation among French, American and Chinese influences.

Upon arrival, you are met by our guide and driven to your hotel in town for rest.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

1. Climate in Vietnam 

The climate of Vietnam is very different and characteristic from one end of the country to the other because of its latitude differences. The geographical peculiarities of the country make it possible to have a nice trip to Vietnam every season. Indeed, when a region is humid or suffocating, another one presents a sunny and very temperate climate.

+ December to February:

The north and central regions of the country are in the winter.  The average temperature varies between 15°C and 23°C. It is quite cool and humid with irregular rainfall, especially in the mountains where the temperature often drops below 10°C. This period is characterized by a frequent drizzle that the Vietnamese call "rain dust". There is very little sunshine.

The south of the country is considered an ideal period because it is the dry season with 1 to 2 days of rain in a month. It is also the time when the temperature is pleasant, varying between 22°C and 33°C. The vegetation is very green offering you great opportunities to take beautiful pictures.

+ March to May:

This period is known as the most beautiful season of the year for an ideal stay in Vietnam. During this period, the climate is very pleasant. It is the dry season in all the 3 regions of the country but also the period where vegetation is lush, green rice fields offering you great opportunities to take beautiful pictures.

The North is in the spring when the weather is mild. This region benefits from the cool wind with an average temperature of 15°C to 25°C. During this period, this region has a lot of sunshine but rarely rains.

It is also the best time in the center for visits. The climate is rather favorable and tropical. The weather becomes sunnier with a nice rise in temperature between 25°C and 32°C.

The South is considered a good period. The climate is dry and very sunny. However, the heat can be unpleasant, as the average temperature is between 28°C and 34°C and can rise to 41°C. However, frequent short rains bring some coolness.

+ From June to September:

This is the 3rd season of tourism in the country. On the whole, the climate is pleasant from the North to the South to travel in Vietnam.

The north of the country is in summer. The climate carries a hot characteristic with an average temperature of 25°C to 33°C. The rains in this season have a strong characteristic (earlier showers) but are short in the duration of about 30 minutes to 1 hour. For the mountainous region, it is also hot, the rains are frequent but also strong and fast. The sky is blue and sunny and the weather is the clearest of the year while the rice terraces are green. It is ideal for short hikes to ethnic villages.

The center is in a good period to visit this region which is not affected by the summer monsoon. The weather is good with often a heat haze, the temperature can climb to 40°C. The frequency of rains in this region is however less important than in the north. However, if you are located in the seaside resorts of the center, the beach will be your greatest ally to refresh you.

The south has a tropical climate with an average temperature of 25°C to 33°C. It is the rainy season, but the rains are often in the form of heavy showers very fast (about 15 to 30 minutes), after the rain, there is immediately a generous sun under clear weather, and the vegetation is also very green.

+ October to November:

Overall, the month of October to November is considered a very nice season to travel in Vietnam.

The North is in autumn with a very pleasant climate, it is cool and dry with an average temperature of 15°C to 23°C.

The center has a pleasant temperature between 20°C and 28°C. This is the period that also corresponds to the stormy season with heavy rainfall that would lead to flooding more or less important on the coastal strip. This region also knows the heavy rains, despite being present, do not last long.

The south has a tropical climate, with average temperatures ranging from 24°C to 32°C. The sun and heat are always present. During this period, heavy rains (in the form of short but almost daily torrential downpours) come to refresh the atmosphere. Be aware, however, that the heavy rains usually come at the end of the day and should leave you free to explore the area.

Our last advice on the weather 

• Vietnam is located in the path of typhoons and tropical storms and is particularly affected between mid-July and mid-November. With the modernization of infrastructure and weather warnings, there is no major danger.
• The rainy season is not synonymous with all-day rainfall, hence the monsoon season seems to be a more appropriate term, and contrary to popular belief, these rains are nourishing and synonymous with life in Vietnam, a land of water!

2. Accommodation  

The hotels proposed by Horizon Vietnam Travel are classified from 02 to 05 comfortable stars with all the required services.   It is according to your budget and your wishes that we will submit you concrete proposals. It should be noted that a 5-star hotel can cost ten times more than a 2-star hotel. Furthermore, two hotels of the same category may not have the same price, because the quality varies.

The hotels proposed in our offers have been checked by ourselves. Cleanliness, quality of welcome, location, charm and tranquility are our selection criteria. When we have the choice, we prefer hotels of human size and work less with international chains.

Apart from hotels, we have developed fair tourism, through contact with the local population, the possibility of sleeping in the homes of local people, and sharing their daily life. The conditions of these accommodations that we offer are well insured and with the best possible conditions.

Good to know: Please note that during the high season (October to April), hotels can quickly become full. Do not hesitate to book well in advance to avoid any worries about availability.

3. Visa

To travel to Vietnam you must have a valid passport valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

The Government of Vietnam issues the Resolution on Visa Exemption for Entry to Vietnam for citizens of five European countries which are the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. This exemption is applied for a maximum duration of 15 days regardless of passport category and purpose of entry into Vietnam and is valid until June 30, 2021.

For any stay longer than 15 days, or for multiple entries stay in a period of fewer than 15 days, a visa is required. A period of 30 days is required after the last exit from Vietnam to benefit from the visa waiver measure again for a stay not exceeding 15 days.

4. Vaccine

First of all, according to the General Administration of Tourism of Vietnam, vaccination is not mandatory for a trip to Vietnam. We confirm that our country has a tropical climate and therefore there are mosquitoes. However, the case malaria exists only in remote and isolated areas in high mountains. According to our experience, the vaccine will be necessary for trekking trips in isolated areas of high mountains, in forests, lasting from 1 to 3 weeks. While this type of cultural tour will take you through areas where conditions are safe enough.

Usually, our travelers only use anti-mosquito products which are very effective and practical. So it is enough and there is no need to worry about it. However, we will advise you to buy some from home because, in Vietnam, it is difficult to find good quality products. Apart from these anti-mosquito products, it is better to prepare a long jean that can cover your legs completely while walking through rice fields.

Nowadays, all hotels apply very effective treatments against mosquitoes while mosquito nets are well prepared when staying at a local's house.

Note: If you are fragile and sensitive in contagious diseases, we strongly advise you to consult your doctor.

5. International flight

Our offer does not include international flights between your country and Vietnam for two reasons:

International flights from your country are more expensive if purchased in Vietnam. It is, therefore, more advantageous for you to buy them from a ticketing agency in your country.

The payment and booking conditions of international flights are strict while it is difficult for us, a local agency to apply the same conditions (full payment before the trip). Since international financial transactions involve significant bank charges, you will be required to pay unnecessary surcharges.

• Airlines that our travelers recommend :

Direct non-stop flights:

- Vietnam Airlines: https://www.vietnamairlines.com/vn/en/Home

- Air France: https://www.airfrance.fr/

Flights with stopovers :

Qatar Airways: https://www.qatarairways.com/fr-dz/homepage.html

Air Asia: https://www.airasia.com/en/gb

Cathay Pacific: https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/fr_FR/travel-information/oneworld.html

Malaysia Airlines: https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/uk/en.html

Singapore Airlines: https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/vn/home#/book/bookflight

Thai Airways: https://www.thaiairways.com/

Turkish Airlines: https://www.turkishairlines.com/

Lufthansa: https://www.lufthansa.com/vn/fr/homepage

Please note that our tour offers are always adaptable according to your arrival and return dates. So buy the tickets on the dates that suit you, and we will adapt the programming of your tour.

On our part, we are always at your disposal to do free research from a date or an airport if you wish. If you are interested in this proposal, we invite you to go directly to the airline's website to book the ticket, which will allow you to take advantage of the best flight rates.

List of our hotels:

The hotels offered by Horizon Vietnam Travel are classified from 02 to 05 stars at the international standard, and comfortable with all the required services.

+ Standard Category: 2 stars. The rooms are correct, clean, and equipped with a bathroom, satellite television, and air conditioning.

+ Superior category 3 stars. The rooms are generally spacious, and the services and facilities are more numerous.

+ First class category: 4 stars. The rooms are luxurious and spacious and have a wide choice of quality services.

+ Deluxe Category: 4-5 stars. Hotels are of excellent comfort and have a wide range of excellent services. (swimming pool, spa, jacuzzi…).

+ On the other hand, we have developed fair tourism, through contact with the local population, the possibility of sleeping with the locals and sharing their daily life. The conditions of these accommodations that we offer you are well insured and with the best possible conditions.

Our services include:

• Private transportation with air-conditioned vehicle
• Accommodation in the planned hotels or similar in the program with daily breakfast as mentioned 
• Meals are provided in local restaurants of typical Vietnamese cuisine (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner included)
• The English-speaking guide for each city.
• All entry fees to tourist sites
• All the permission to enter the tourist areas
• Boat tours as described in the program
• 02 bottles of mineral water of 0,5 (l)/person/day
• Other services as mentioned in the program (bicycle, boat trip, etc...)
• All fees for all other services as clearly described in the program above.

Our services exclude:

• Airfare on all domestic and international flights (quote separately)
• Drinks and surcharge for special requests on foods and meals
• Entrance fees, guide service during free time & other personal expenses
• Surcharge for public holidays (if any)
• Surcharge for other language-speaking tour guides (upon request)
• Travel insurance 
• Vietnam visa stamping fees 
• All other services are not stated in the program.

More information:

Horizon Vietnam Travel gives you an estimated price per person on our website for the group of six people in low season with standard 2 and 3-star hotels.

The price of this trip varies according to the services chosen (category of accommodation, activities during the trip,...), the tourist seasonality of the year (Christmas and end of year holiday, Lunar New Year holiday in Vietnam), the booking delays and especially the number of participants of your group you wish to travel with.

Please note that Horizon Vietnam Travel only organizes private "tailor-made" trips for groups from 2 persons. We generally propose an offer including all the services on the spot from your arrival until your departure.

Depending on your wishes and your budget, this tour can be adapted and modified in terms of duration, content and departure date.

HORIZON VIETNAM TRAVEL calculates its prices as closely as possible in order to guarantee you the best price/quality ratio.

Our advice: the earlier you book, the better your chances of getting good rates, especially for air services, think about it!

Note: The price of international flights is not included in this estimate.

Please note that this tour is only a first draft and you can also customize it according to your wishes. We remain at your disposal to build your trip perfectly to your expectations and your budget

To obtain a detailed and personalized estimate, please contact us to request an estimate.