Detailed itinerary
Welcome to Tailormade Vietnam
Holidays...As we travel through Vietnam , we look forward to sharing our passion
for this beautiful destination with you. Diverse, beautiful and lots of fun,
Vietnam is a great place for an adventure. From historic Hanoi in the north, up
to colourful hilltribes of Sapa, out to cruise on World Heritage Halong Bay,
down to the beautiful cities of Hue and Hoi An, beaching it in Nha Trang,
homestay on the quiet backwaters of Mekong Delta and concluding in the modern Ho
Chi Minh City, this is really a fabulous trip! Everybody will be entertained by
boats, fish, rivers, mountains, ocean, people, bargains, history, colour,
culture and lots lots more.
highlights
Take a cyclo ride in Hanoi's Old Quarter, Dive into the
emerald-green waters of Halong Bay, Stay on Cat Ba island, Trek
the mountains near Sapa, Explore Vietnam's imperial past in Hue,
Cycle among the rice paddies near Hoi An, Swim in the South
China Sea, Get a taste of local life in a Mekong Delta homestay,
Crawl down a Cu Chi Tunnel
itinerary disclaimer
The itinerary attached is correct at time of printing. It may
differ slightly to the one in reality. Occasionally our
itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past
travellers, comments and our own research. Please note that our
brochure is usually released by the end of each year. If you
have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have
been some changes to improve the itinerary. It is very important
that you print a final copy of your Trip Dossier to review a
couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes
that affect your plans
Day 1 Hanoi
arrival
You are met on arrival at Hanoi Airport and transferred to your
hotel - please advise flight details at time of booking. Hanoi,
the capital of Vietnam, is a charming city of about 4 million
people, famous for its beautiful lakes, shaded boulevards and
verdant public parks. The city centre is an architectural museum
piece, its blocks of ochre buildings retaining the air of a
provincial French town of the 1930s, contrary to the fast living
and bustling air of Saigon. As Vietnam develops to compete with
other South East Asian countries, Hanoi's Hoan Kiem Lake
reflects the modern office buildings, old Buddhist temples and
tangle of ancient streets. The city hums with the never ending
flow of bicycles, cyclos, latest model Mercedes Benzs and
everything from the racy new Honda Dreams to 30 year old Russian
motor bikes. The rest of your day is at leisure for independent
exploration - a walking tour of the old quarter is a wonderful
way to spend some of the day. You will find an amazing selection
of shops in Hang Gai selling everything from souvenirs to
exquisite silk clothing, beautifully embroidered tablecloths and
CDs.
Overnight: Hanoi A1 hotel or similar
Meals included:
None
Day 2 Halong Bay, Junk overnight
This morning you are collected at around 8.30am by your guide
for the 4 hour drive to Halong Bay . En route there will be a
short stop at the Sao Do centre run for and by handicapped
children. On arrival we board our deluxe junk, this traditional
wooden sailing junk boat offers a unique way of navigating the
limestone karsts of Halong Bay with all the comforts of a
motorised, floating hotel. Once settled in, you start your
cruise round the majestic Halong Bay while
enjoying a delicious lunch. After lunch you have the chance to
explore some of the limestone caves dotted around the bay. Then,
the captain will find a secluded spot where you can swim in the
clear water of the bay, soak up the sun on the top deck. In the
evening the cook prepares a sumptuous meal as the boat weighs
anchor in the heart of the bay. For those who are interested,
there is the opportunity to do some night fishing.
Overnight:
On
board deluxe junk boat
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3 Halong Bay exploration
After breakfast, you
are transfered to a day – trip boat with private crew and
another wonderful cruise to the bay’s most untouched areas to
visit Tortoise island , Man's head island, Dong Tien Lake, Van
Gia floating villages..., if the tides are low, we have a chance
to visit Ba Ham Lakes, Three Peach Island. Lunch is served on
board by your chef, your cruise continues as you move around the
bay finding more secluded lagoons for swimming or kayaking. Late
in the afternoon we return to the mother boat for the night
Overnight:
On
board deluxe junk boat
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4 Halong
Bay - Cat Ba Island
Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay you have time for an
early morning swim followed by breakfast. This morning we
continue to discover the natural beauty of the Bay along the way
to Cat Ba island where you have the options of visiting the
national park, cycling around town, taking a boat trip to Monkey
island or simply lazing the day away on nearby beaches. We spend
the night in the island
Overnight:
Holiday View hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 5 Cat Ba Island - Hai Phong, overnight train to Sapa
We spend the mornig
free at your leisure, a popular option is taking a bike trip
around this beautiful island. After lunch we are ferried by
hydrofoil to the sea port city of Hai Phong. There is time
afterwards to take in some more sights of Hai Phong before
transfer back to Ha Noi for the night train to Sapa, we travel
in air-conditioned comfort in our soft sleeper cabins! (approx
10 hours)
Overnight: Night train, private deluxe soft sleeper cabin
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6 Sapa
You are met on arrival into Lao Cao in the early morning and
transferred to Sapa by minibus, driving through dramatic and
breathtaking scenery. The remainder of your day is at leisure to
explore this fascinating town. You can take some exercise with a
walk to Cat Cat village, set in a beautiful valley just outside
Sapa. As you walk to the village nestled in the valley below
Sapa, you will meet some of the local minority people on their
way to and from Sapa. These minority people walk to Sapa to
trade at the markets - always an exciting place.
Remember that the weather gets cold particularly in January and
February so don't forget some warm clothing.
Overnight:
Holiday hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
ETHNIC MINORITIES OF VIETNAM
There is nothing better than walking amongst the rice paddy
patchwork that makes up the mountains of northwest Vietnam . To
awake and wander off from the village among the clouds and watch
as the mist rises from the mountaintops is unforgettable.
Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic minorities and a number of these
have made the mountainous region of the north their base. During
our time here we’ll meet many of these fascinating people and
have the privilege of staying as guests in their villages. As we
wander through the mountains we're constantly met by the
delighted squeals and smiles of children and we'll see many
members of the ethnic groups who still wear their traditional
dress. We'll meet people dressed in exquisite hand-embroidered
clothes,and others weaving fabrics, embroidering ancient
patterns, dying cloth with indigo and using beeswax to create a
batik design. The ethnic groups are well adapted to the harsh
life on hillsides, and you will see many terraces built into the
slopes where rice and vegetables are grown
Day 7 Sapa trek- Ta Van homestay
Following breakfast you embark on a six hour trek with your
guide which takes you along buffalo paths and trails and through
several hilltribe villages. This is an absolutely spectacular
walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the
friendliest people you can hope to meet. Stopping for a picnic
lunch along the way, you spend the night with a family in Ta Van
Village, inhabited by the Zay people. These people have become
very adept at rice cultivation, in marked contrast to the
H'mong, and have a higher living standard as a result.
Overnight: Homestay
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
TREKKING
The mountains and valleys of Sapa offer spectacular scenery,
clear air and fascinating hilltribe villages. The trek consists
of a combination of walking and moderate hiking. For the most
part, we walk along established tracks used by local people and
the trek is led throughout by a qualified guide. Although
everyone can walk at his or her own pace, there are some steep
ascents and descents, which can be tough on your legs. We
recommend that you bring hiking boots with ankle support as
footing can be treacherous. You will only require a small amount
of luggage during the trek, and you can leave the vast majority
of your belongings in storage at our hotel in Hanoi , leaving
you with only a small daypack to carry. Our accommodation will
be in village houses. Basic bedding is provided, but we
recommend you bring your own sleeping sheet. As we are trekking
through one of Vietnam ’s most remote regions, please be
prepared for very basic washing facilities.
Day 8 Sapa trek- overnight train back to Ha Noi
After breakfast, you set off for a two hour walk to Giang Ta
Chai village where you meet up with your vehicle to take you
back to Sapa town. Arriving back in Sapa around lunchtime, you
have a free afternoon to further explore the town before your
transfer to the train station for the an overnight trip back to
Hanoi.
Overnight:
Night train, private deluxe soft sleeper cabin
Meals included: Breakfast
Days 9-10 Hue sightseeing
On the morning of day 9 you will be transferred to the airport
for a short flight to Hue (included). Founded as a royal city in
1687, Hue is the gateway to the treasures of Vietnam 's royal
past. Today Hue remains one of Vietnam 's major tourist
attractions. This quiet city is widely known for the magnificent
architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and
temples built under the Nguyen dynasty in a poetic background of
greenery on the banks of the Perfume river. We have the
opportunity to visit the Imperial Citadel, one of the Nguyen
emperors' tombs, the famed Thien Mu Pagoda, the busy Dong Ba
Market and also enjoy a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River
. A coffee at one of the riverside coffee shops at sunset is
also an experience not to be missed.
Overnight:
Asia hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfasts
THE IMPERIAL CITY
When Hue was established as the country’s capital by Nguyen
Emperor Gia Long, he built a vast citadel with the Imperial City
at its centre, designed in keeping with the symmetrical layout
of the Forbidden City in Beijing (about a north-south axis).
During it’s period of prosperity the Imperial City consisted of
some 148 splendidly decorated buildings - palaces, assembly
halls, pavilions, ancestral alters, and gardens spread over
6km2. During the Vietnam War the site was devastated, but a
number of the buildings have now been restored to their former
glory.
THIEN MU (“HEAVENLY LADY”) PAGODA
Built in 1601, by Lord Nguyen Hoang, this is Hue ’s oldest and
finest pagoda, romantically situated on the banks of the Perfume
River . The pagoda takes its name from a legend about a lady who
appeared to Nguyen Hoang and told him of the spiritual
significance of this place by the river. He erected the pagoda
to mark the event and the importance of the site. Throughout its
history, the pagoda has been a centre for Buddhism in Hue and,
more famously, its monks waged strong opposition to colonialism
and the repression of Buddhists by President
Diem in the 60s.
MAUSOLEUMS OF THE NGUYEN EMPERORS
Unlike other Emperors in Vietnam ’s history, who were buried in
ancestral villages, the Nguyen rulers had grand mausoleums built
as their final resting places. They are situated in the forested
valley of the Perfume River, 12km away from Hue city, surrounded
by lovely gardens - a wonderfully tranquil place to spend a
couple of hours.
Days 11-12 Hoi An
Leaving Hue , our bus journey takes us south through rural
countryside and the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co
before ascending the dramatic Hai Van Pass, past stunning rural
and coastal scenery, to the town of Danang , visiting the Cham
Museum with its unique, Hindu style sculptures. We drive the
short distance south to famous China Beach and then to the
enchanting town of Hoi An - newly declared World Heritage Site
(approx. 5 hours). Once a thriving river port, the town's
architecture has been preserved and restored. This small town is
a favourite with CTV passengers. Wandering the streets and
narrow alleyways brings hours of pleasure and discovery. Today's
trade is in ceramics, wood-ware, paintings and tailoring. There
is something here for everyone and it is the perfect place to
pick up gifts for those at home. There are options here for a
half day tour to My Son, another World Heritage of Vietnam, or a
boat trip to the handicraft villages of Kim Bong carpentry,
Thanh Ha ceramics or simply lazing the day away on a neaby
beach.
Overnight:
Hai Au hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfasts
Days 13-15 Nha Trang- Whale Island
Boarding the Reunification Express, we marvel at the
breathtaking scenery outside the window during our journey to
the beachside city of Nha Trang . It is a long but interesting
journey (approx. 9 hours). We arrive in Nha Trang in the early
evening and will be transferred to our hotel.
Nha Trang is one of Vietnam 's most attractive coastal towns,
with its charm derived from a harmonious combination of
mountains, islands, sea and sand. For those who rise early,
morning exercise on the beachfront is an experience not to be
missed. Very much a resort town, Nha Trang boasts restaurants of
all cuisines.
Overnight:
Que Huong hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
On day 14 we are transferred by road and boat to the secluded
Whale Island (approx 2 hrs driving). Two days to swim, sail,
explore the island or go snorkeling
Overnight:
Whale Island resort
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
WHALE
ISLAND
Away from the noise and activity of the mainland here you can
enjoy complete rest and relaxation. Development on the island
has been limited to one lovely little resort, so it easily
retains the feel of a real island hideaway. It’s a wonderfully
peaceful place to wander, or find a quiet spot on the beach to
relax and swim in the warm waters. There are daily excursions to
the nearby coral gardens for snorkelling. You will spend your
time here feasting on the superb cuisine served by our French
and Vietnamese hosts, soaking up the tropical atmosphere. As you
relax on a bamboo chair, sipping a cocktail in the waterside bar
watching the magical sunset over the South China Sea , you won’t
want to leave.
Day 16 Sai Gon
You are transferred to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi
Minh City (included). You are met on arrival at Ho Chi Minh City
Airport and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, there
is much for you to discover on your own, how about scooting off
on cyclos to Cholon, the Chinatown area of Ho Chi Minh City for
a spot of temple hopping? Or perhaps you'd like to
visit the Vietnamese version of a department store for some
shopping - the choice is yours!
Overnight:
Tan Hai Long 1 hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Days 17-18 Mekong delta homestay- Cu Chi tunnels
On day 17 we travel south to Cai Be (approx. 3 hours), we board
our waiting boats to cross the upper Mekong River and explore
its intricate waterways. This is our introduction to a world
where life depends on the river. We visit a fruit orchard where
we can sample tropical fruits, before continuing on to visit
some local cottage industries. Around sunset we make our way up
one of the many canals to our homestay. Our treat this evening
is a wonderful meal of Delta specialities before settling down
under our mosquito nets for the night.
Overnight: Homestay
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
MEKONG
DELTA & HOMESTAY
Making its way from the plateaus of Tibet through China, Laos
and Cambodia, the Mekong fans out as it reaches Vietnam,
originally forming nine tributaries that gave the delta region
its Vietnamese name ‘Cuu Long” (meaning nine dragons). Once
aboard a little wooden boat you’ll find yourself in amongst the
water highways that are used to transport everything from school
children, to mountains of rice husks and baskets of glisteningly
ripe fruit. The delta supports a mass of cottage industries and
at every turn there are people making rice paper, or piling pots
into smoking kilns and bashing out tools for harvesting the
plentiful supply of rice. After chilling out in a hammock over
lunch you’ll get to jump in a rowing boat and don a conical hat
for a peaceful trip downstream (experienced rower provided!).
Home for the night is courtesy of a local family in a house on
the edge of the river where their amazing hospitality has to be
experienced to be believed. After exploring the area, feasting
on an excellent dinner and washing it all down with rice wine it
is heaven to watch the fireflies flicker about and have the
sounds of the river soothe you to sleep. We sleep in army-cot
style bed complete with basic bedding and a mosquito net, but
you will need to bring a towel. Shower facilities are also
available to help freshen up for the following morning of
discovering life around this beautiful region.
Activity
starts early in the Delta, so we're up with the birds. After
breakfast we visit the busy Cai Be floating market before
re-boarding our bus and heading to the tunnels of Cu Chi
(approx. 4 hours). This former Viet Cong stronghold provides an
insight into the resourcefulness and tenacity of the Vietnamese
people.
We return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon (approx. 2
hours).
Overnight:
Tan Hai Long 1 hotel or similar
Meals included:
None
Day 19 Departure
Today is at your leisure in Ho Chi Minh City. You are free for
more exploration before transfer to Sai Gon airport for the
flight home. Extra nights can be added in Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals included: Breakfast
General Notes:
• Tailormade Vietnam Holidays reserves the right to alter or revise the prices
and the itinerary when circumstances beyond the company's control deem it
necessary.
• Accommodation in hotels is subject to availability. If the
listed hotels are fully booked, alternate accommodation will be offered at the
same level.
• If there are any requests regarding special meals, dietary
requirements, early check in, late check out, adjoining room and so on, please
inform the company when booking. Such requests are subject to confirmation and
availability.
Day
1 Hanoi 
Days
2-5 Halong Bay junk overnight, Cat Ba Island
Days
6-8 Sapa, hilltribe trekking & homestay 
Days
9-10 Hue 
Days
11-12 Hoi An
Days
13-15 Nha Trang & Whale Island 
Day
16 Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Days
17-18 Mekong Delta Homestay and Cu Chi Tunnels
Day
19 Sai Gon 
