Home

Introduction:
Welcome to Active Travel Indochina...As we travel through Vietnam,we look forward to sharing our passion for this beautiful destination with you. The 19 day trip will take you from  the colonial elegance of Ha Noi to the natural wonder of Halong Bay, the imperial splendor of Hue, enchanting Hoi An, the colorful Montagnards of the Central Highlands, the white beaches of Nha Trang and rural scenery of Mekong Delta combine to make this a most memorable trip. Finishing in hectic Ho Chi Minh City, don't miss the Ben Thanh market for some fantastic shopping...

Tour highlights:

* Hanoi’s beautiful colonial streets and Water Puppet Show

* Boat cruise in spectacular Halong Bay

* Explore Vietnam's imperial past in Hue

* The historical trading town of Hoi An

* Riding elephant in Buon Ma Thuot

* Dive into the emerald-green waters of Nha Trang

* Homestay on the quiet backwaters of Mekong Delta

* Dynamic and vibrant city of Saigon

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Ha Noi – Halong Bay – Hue – Hoi An – Buon Ma Thuot –  Mekong Delta – Sai Gon

Day 1 Hanoi arrival

Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, our guide and driver will welcome you and transfer you to hotel in Hanoi.

The rest of your day is at leisure for independent exploration – just catch a sight of Hoan Kiem lake or explore the maze of streets in the city's fascinating Old Quarter where you are certain to find something unique to buy. 

Overnight at Hanoi A1 hotel in Hanoi

Meal inclusions: None

Day 2 Ha Noi city tour, Water puppet performance

On the morning of day 2 we take a city tour to Ho Chi Minh complex, his house on stilts and the museum and One Pillar Pagoda. We also make a visit to the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, which is now dedicated to Confucian worship and “Hanoi Hilton” –a nick name given by US pilots during the war.

In the afternoon we attend a performance of traditional water puppetry

Overnight at Hanoi A1 hotel in Hanoi

Meal inclusions: Breakfast and lunch

Day 3 Halong Bay cruise, overnight on boat

08:00  Pick up from hotel by private car, transferred to Halong City.

11:30  Arrive at Bai Chay/Halong pier.

12:15 Transfer by tender to the Indochina Sails boat – enjoy Welcome Drink. Receive cruise briefing and check in to cabins and begin cruise.

13:00  Lunch - deluxe Vietnamese and International Set Menu.

Massage service is available beginning after lunch and throughout the cruise.

14.30  Arrive at Titop Island. Enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach and climbing the steps to the top of the mountain on the island for fantastic views and photo opportunities. Water and towels supplied. We will spend about 45 minutes on the island.

15.15 Transfer back to the boat and sail for approximately 45 minutes to our second destination - the Bat Cave area.

16.15 Arrive at the Bat Cave area. Start optional cruise program and excursions. passing through extraordinary shaped-islands while getting to Vong Vieng area. Enjoy sunbathing onboard with cool drinks.

18:30  Arrive at Luon Bo area - anchor for overnight.

19:00  Dinner - deluxe Vietnamese & Western Buffet or Set Menu Dinner.

20:30  Evening activities include: film entertainment in the dining room at approximately 9:15, board games and playing cards are available, join squid fishing from the boat with our crew, massage services are available. Also at this time we offer, when possible - depending on weather conditions, an excursion to a nearby squid fishing boat. We travel by tender and you will be able to board the squid boat and see how the local fishermen catch squid and other fish, the excursion lasts about 45 minutes.

21:00 – 23:00  Happy Hour! Buy one drink - get one free (wine excluded).

Overnight: on board Indochina Sails junk boat

Meal inclusions: Breakfast and lunch and dinner

Day 4 Halong Bay exploration, kayaking

6:45  Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served in the dining room.

7:00  Arrive at the Surprise Cave area, there is a small fishing village here. Relax onboard. You may join Tai Chi instruction on the sundeck at 7:00, duraion about 30 minutes.

7:45  Enjoy Breakfast Set Menu or Buffet served in the dining room.

8:30  Transfer by tender to the “Day Boat” and begin to cruise to some of Halong Bay’s more secluded and untouched locales. Exact locations depend on tide conditions. Enjoy a leisurely day of kayaking and swimming. A multi-course lunch will be served mid-day.

16:00  Return by tender to the Indochina Sails boat.

18:30  Arrive at Luon Bo area - anchor for overnight.

19:00  Dinner - deluxe Vietnamese and Western Buffet or Set Menu Dinner

.20:30  Evening activities include: film entertainment in the dining room at approximately 9:15, board games and playing cards are available, join squid fishing from the boat with our crew, massage services are available. Also at this time we offer, when possible - depending on weather conditions, an excursion to a nearby squid fishing boat. We travel by tender and you will be able to board the squid boat and see how the local fishermen catch squid and other fish, the excursion lasts about 45 minutes.

21:00 – 23:00  Happy Hour!

Buy one drink - get one free (wine excluded).

Overnight: on board Indochina Sails junk boat

Meal inclusions: Breakfast and lunch and dinner

Day 5 Halong Bay – Hanoi, overnight train to Hue

6:45  Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served in the dining room.

7:00  Arrive at the Surprise Cave area, there is a small fishing village here. Relax onboard. You may join Tai Chi instruction on the sundeck at 7:00, duraion about 30 minutes.

8:00  Transfer by tender to the Surprise Cave. Walk up the 100 steps to the entrance of the cave and tour on foot for  approximately 45 minutes.

9:00  Upon return to the boat take time to freshen up and please check-out of cabins. Please leave heavy luggage outside of the cabins (staff will transfer to the pier). Depart for Bai Chay/Halong pier.

9:30   Enjoy Breakfast Set Menu or Buffet served in the dining room. Settle bills in the dining room after breakfast.

10:00  Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room and enjoy the bay scenery as we approach the pier.
10:45  Arrive at Bai Chay/Halong pier.

11:00  Transfer by tender to the pier, get on our private car for the drive back to Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi about 15.30 you are free at your leisure before boarding our Reunification Express overnight train for Hue. We travel in air-conditioned comfort in our soft sleeper cabins!

Overnight: TSC express train (First class, private wooden cabin of 4 berths)

Meal inclusions: Brunch

Days 6-7 Hue Sightseeing

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 with a guided tour to visit the Imperial Citadel, one of the Nguyen emperors' tombs, the famed Thien Mu Pagoda 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.

A highlight of the trip is a city tour by motorbike. A great way to get off the beaten track & see Vietnam in close-up, with lunch is served at a monastery or a convent. The nuns are super friendly at the convent, and the meal - a fully vegetarian buffet

Overnight at Asia hotel in Hue

Meal inclusions: Breakfast and lunch

Days 8-10 Hue Sightseeing Hoi An free exploration

Leaving Hue, our 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. We drive the short distance south to famous Sandy Beach and then to the enchanting town of Hoi An - declared World Heritage Site (approx. 4 hours). Once a thriving river port, the town's architecture has been preserved and restored. This small town is a favourite with Active Travel Indochina travellers, and 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 visit to the World Heritage My Son Sanctuary, the traditional handicraft villages of Kim Bong carpentry, Thanh Ha ceramics or simply lazing the day away on a nearby beach.

On day 10 we make a day trip to visit the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son.

Overnight at Palm Garden resort in Hoi An

Meal inclusions: Breakfasts

Day 11 Buon Ma Thuot

A 45 minute flight takes us from Da Nang to the Central Highlands of Buon Ma Thuot, This region is mostly inhabited by Vietnam's minority groups - the Montagnard (mountain) people. Off-the-beaten-track, you won't find too many tourists here, and the visit offers a fascinating insight into the colourful everyday lives of some of Vietnam's minority people. This town is also known as the country's coffee capital and the beans are grown all over the region. Be sure to pick up a caffeinated beverage while in town - but be prepared for a real kick. Vietnamese coffee is strong, black and sweetened with lots of sugar or condensed milk

Overnight at Dakruco hotel in Buon Ma Thuot

Meal inclusions: Breakfast

Day 12 Buon Ma Thuot exploration

On the morning of day 12 we depart for Lak Lake, a Mnong language appellation meaning "water". Discover an elevation by the lake is the Bao Dai Kings Residence, daily activities of Mnong ethnic moniority in Jun village, riding elephant for 3 hours, rowing dug-out boat (one hour). At late afternoon, attend "Cong Chien "musical performance of Mnong people and drink "Can" wine. Sleeping in bungalow.

Overnight at Bungalow in Lak Lake area

Meal inclusions: Breakfast and lunch

Days 13-14 Nha Trang Whale Island resort

From Buon Ma Thuot we drive downhill through spectacular sceneries to the beach city of Nha Trang, one of Vietnam's most attractive and charming coastal towns, featuring a harmonious combination of mountains, islands, sea and sand. We are transferred by road and boat to the secluded Whale Island. Two days to swim, sail, relax and explore the island or go snorkeling.

Overnight at Bungalow in Whale Island resort

Meal inclusions: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 15 Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh City)

A short flight brings us to the emerging economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City (approx. 1 hour). Our hotel is located close to Ben Thanh Market and the city's main shopping district, so there is much for you to discover on your own and you will have plenty of interesting and fun ideas. 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 at Grand hotel in Sai Gon

Meal inclusions: Breakfast

Day 16 Mekong Delta homestay

On day 2 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 at homestay in Vinh Long

Meal inclusions: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 17 Mekong Delta exploration, visit floating market, Cu Chi tunnels

Rising early to the sounds of the Delta coming to life for another day, we have breakfast and start our trip with a boat cruise on sparking streams along the endless waterway of Mighty Mekong River to visit a floating market. There will be hundreds of boats loaded with fruits, vegetables and fish jostling for trade. Sellers advertise their wares by crying out across the waters.

Leaving the market, you will re-board our car and heading to the tunnels of Cu Chi. 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 late afternoon..

Overnight at Grand hotel in Sai Gon

Meal inclusions: Breakfast and lunch

Day 18 Sai Gon city tour

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam with a population of just over eight million people. The huge number of people rushing about their daily lives gives Ho Chi Minh City a dynamic atmosphere.

Today we take a tour around the city, you are going to visit the Reunification Palace, War remnants museum, Municipal Theatre, Notre Dame Cathedral, The General Post Office....

Overnight at Grand hotel in Sai Gon

Meal inclusions: Breakfast and lunch

Day 19 Departure

Today is your departure, you are free at your leisure until transferred to Sai Gon airport for the flight home.

TOUR ENDS.

Tour Includes:

• Accommodation with daily breakfasts

• Extra meals as per the itinerary

• Private transportation

• Tours and excursions as described in the program

• Local English speaking tour guide

• Entrance fees and permits where applicable during guided time

Tour does not include:

• Other airfares and taxes

• Transfers beyond the itinerary

• Entrance fees and permits during free time

• Personal expenses such as: Telephone, laundry, and bar bills.

• Food & drinks not mentioned within the itinerary

• Tips & Personal expenses

• Travel insurance