Vietnam Escape Tour (19 days/18 nights)

Upon arriving at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, you will be welcomed by one of our MinMax Travel team members and brought to your hotel in a private car. As arrival times vary and international travel can be quite exhausting, we leave the remainder of the day open. Your first night is spent in Hanoi city.

We begin our tour of Hanoi by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Here you can experience the architectural splendor and historical importance of Uncle Ho's final resting place- a national treasure for all Vietnamese. Adjacent to the mausoleum is Ho Chi Minh's former “House on Stilts,” where the leader spent a great deal of his free time. From here we visit the nearby One Pillar Pagoda, an 11th century temple built by King Ly Thai To. This pagoda is not only historically and religiously significant, but is also an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continuing on, we visit one of the city’s most iconic destinations: the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam). Vietnam’s first University, this 11th century establishment boasts perfectly manicured gardens and extremely well-preserved architecture, offering visitors some excellent insight into Vietnam’s rich past.

After a busy morning, we will enjoy lunch at a delicious local restaurant and travel by cyclo through the bustling “Old Quarter” of Hanoi (approximately 1 hour). Our scenic cyclo tour ends with a visit to Lake Hoan Kiem’s Ngoc Son Temple and a live viewing of Hanoi's world-famous Water Puppet Show (Mua Roi Nuoc). A traditional form of entertainment in Northern Vietnam, the roots of these memorable shows date as far back as the 10th century. Day 2 ends with a transfer back to the hotel and another night in the capital city.

Day 3 starts around 8:00-8:30 AM with a hotel pickup and shuttle bus out to Halong Bay. Upon arriving at the port, the Ha Long Cruise boat crew will bring you aboard, where you can enjoy a welcome drink and check in to your assigned cabin. A seafood lunch will be served soon after, and as your boat launches out into the mystical bay, you’ll immediately see many of the numerous attractions. A quiet cruise carries you along the amazing karsts, all boasting different, unique formations. From the Mat Qui (Monster’s face), But Moc & Cap De islets, through the Trong (Drum), Luon and Trinh Nu caves, out into the remarkable Floating Fishing Village- you will be mesmerized and captivated by Halong’s timeless beauty. As for personal time, there will be plenty of opportunities for swimming, sun bathing and photography all throughout the day. Top off the day with an unforgettable sunset dinner and relax under the starlit sky before retiring to the comfort of your cabin.

Early risers can enjoy a morning view of the Bay’s iconic landscapes while waiting for breakfast. After eating, pass the morning hours atop the boat’s upper deck, where you can capture breathtaking, panoramic shots of the rocky islets rising up from the bay’s crystal-clear waters. With no towns, roads or traffic nearby, the silence is absolutely serene. Before heading back to town, explore one more “Amazing” (Sung Sot) cave, swim and relax at the Titop Beach and soak up some top-deck rays. Lunch is served while you make your way to port, and you’ll arrive at the harbor by 12:00 Noon. Your shuttle bus to Hanoi City will be waiting, and you’ll arrive back at the hotel around 4.30PM. In the evening, our driver will transfer you to the Hanoi Train Station, where you will catch a night train north to the hill station of Lao Cai (Sapa). (Overnight on Train)

Upon arrival in Lao Cai (around 5:30AM), you will be picked up and transferred (in a private car) to Sapa. You will have a chance to eat breakfast and relax at local restaurant once you reach the town. You will have the morning to walk around and explore Sapa on your own, and after lunch, will check in to the hotel. Around mid afternoon you will embark on a 2-hour trekking journey from the hotel to visit the authentic Cat Cat Village: home of to the Black H'mong hill tribe. A private car will pick you up and transfer you back to the hotel. (Overnight in Sapa).

After breakfast at the hotel, we will travel down to a neighboring valley to visit 2 other local villages of the H’mong and Dzay people (Lao Chai and Ta Van village). Here you will enjoy a traditional lunch (provided for you in a local family home), where you can experience the local’s daily life, work and special customs amidst the stunning Sapa landscapes. Our car will pick you up and bring you back to the Lao Cai train station where you will catch a night train back to Hanoi City. (Overnight on train).

You will arrive in Hanoi’s Train Station around 5.00AM and walk to a nearby MinMax Travel affiliate hotel where you can freshen up and have some breakfast. You will then prepare your luggage, take an airport transfer and catch a quick flight south to the city of Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, you will be greeted by a local MinMax Travel staff member, transferred to your hotel and have the remainder of the day to yourself.

You will start your tour of this former Imperial Capital (ruled by the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802-1945), by taking a boat trip down the beautiful Perfume River. Here you will encounter the city’s best-known religious site, the Thien Mu Pagoda. After soaking in the scenery and attractions, you will have the chance to try a local lunch at one of our favorite restaurant in Hue. The afternoon will be spent exploring the elaborate mausoleums and monuments of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh.

In the late afternoon, you will drive a few hours south to the town of Hoi An. Along the coastal road to Hoi An, you will experience one of the country’s most beautiful strips of highway, filled with spectacular views of Da Nang, the East Sea and Lang Co’s virgin beaches – some of the best in Vietnam. You will have the opportunity to visit Da Nang’s My Khe Beach on the way to Hoi An, finally arriving to town in the evening. (Check in and spend the evening in Hoi An).

After having breakfast at the hotel, your tour will bring you around to all the main attractions of Hoi An- from the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, Ceramic/Trade Museum and 200-year-old Tam Ky House to the the Chua Ong Pagoda, Thu Bon riverside and the vibrant, outdoor Hoi An Market. One of the “old town’s” most memorable experiences is simply strolling through the picturesque, mango-colored streets. Here you will pass rows of low-tiled shop fronts, traditional communal houses and assembly halls, which reflect the town’s multi-cultural heritage. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant and you can opt for a transfer back to the hotel, or to stay in the beautiful old town for a memorable day/night in Hoi An. (Overnight in Hoi An).

As Hoi An is often many traveler’s favorite destination in Vietnam, we leave an entire day for you to explore this vibrant, cultural town on your own. Visit Hoi An’s pristine beaches, take a bike ride through the countryside and rice paddies, take an informative cooking class or consider getting some tailor-made clothes in Vietnam’s tailoring capital! With so many attractions in this favorite Vietnam destination, you won’t have to look too far to keep busy! (Overnight in Hoi An)

On the morning of the 11th day, you will catch a morning flight to the central highland’s town of Dalat. Upon arrival, you will be picked up by a local MinMax Travel staff member and transfer to hotel.
At 1.30PM: You will begin with a visit to the Bao Dai palace, where the last Emperor of Vietnam (Bao Dai 1913-1997) resided and ruled from 1949 to 1954. After lunch, you will visit the Truc Lam Zen Monastery (the largest Zen Monastery in Vietnam). And then visit the “Valley of love” (a beautiful and romantic landscape) and the XQ Silk Embroidery Village, where you can see handfuls of fascinating silk embroidery paintings, famous all around the world for their unique and regal origins. In the late afternoon you’ll be brought to your hotel and spend the night in Dalat.

You will have the morning of Day 12 free to explore Dalat, and in the afternoon you’ll take the 3- 3.5-hour drive from Dalat to Nha Trang. Upon arrival in Nha Trang, you will check in to the hotel and relax for the remainder of the day. (Overnight in Nha Trang).

The morning starts off with a boat trip through Nha Trang’s iconic bay. Here we will visit some of the nearby islands and you will have the opportunity to both swim and snorkel in the crystal clear, warm waters. After a fresh seafood lunch at one of the island’s top local restaurants, we will return to Nha Trang for a short afternoon city tour. Sights will include the Po Nagar Cham Towers, Long Son Pagoda (with its enormous white Buddha statue) and the lively Dam Market. (Overnight in Nha Trang).

Day 14 you are free to explore Nha Trang for the day. Enjoy relaxing on the beach, swimming, shopping, taking in the sights or trying the local cuisine. (Overnight in Nha Trang.)

You are free to explore Nha Trang one more time until our driver transports you to the airport for the short flight south to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you will be picked up by one of our staff members and transferred to your hotel for check in; the rest of the day is open. (Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.)

After having breakfast, we will begin the tour by visiting the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels. Here you will have the chance to experience what life was like for guerilla soldiers living and fighting underground during the war. Crawling through a 50-100 meter portion of over 200 kilometers of tunnel systems is truly an unforgettable experience. On the ride back to Ho Chi Minh City, we will visit local rice paper workshops with beautiful rice paddy fields illustrating the way.

After returning for lunch, we will begin our Ho Chi Minh City Tour. Starting off at the Reunification Palace, visitors can explore one of the most historically important buildings in the entire city. We will then pay a visit to the poignant War Remnants Museum (formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes), a moving display speaking out on the futility of war. Nearby are some excellent examples of French Colonial architecture (Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office), and we’ll wrap up the day touring the iconic Ben Thanh Market. After observing this vibrant commercial center and exploring some of its famous street life, we will return back to the hotel (overnight in Saigon).

Day 17 begins our exploration of the Mekong Delta region: a major rice producing area of Vietnam. Considered to be one of the world’s most fascinating rivers, the Mekong splits into nine major arteries, creating a vast network of rivers and waterways that fuel the life force of southwestern Vietnam. Between the thousands of ships that cruise through the waters and the everyday, local life thriving along the Mekong’s banks, the Delta region will be one of the most unique and memorable destinations on your Vietnam Tour.

Upon arrival from Ho Chi Minh City, you will make a boat trip out to the iconic Cai Be Floating Markets, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit local villages and meet the charming people of the Mekong Delta region. Your boat trip will continue on to An Binh Island, where you will have lunch with a local family. We will move on with the trip towards the city of Can Tho (the heart of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region), where you will check in to your hotel and have the evening to yourself. (Overnight in Can Tho.)

After having breakfast at the hotel, we will board a small, local rowboat and cruise along the narrow, picturesque tributaries. You will be able to see/photograph the Cai Rang Market (the biggest in Can Tho), the beautiful surrounding delta scenery and the daily activities of the locals who live along the Mekong’s canals. After that, we will visit a rice-husking mill, a rice noodle shop and taste some excellent, local tropical fruits. We will drive back to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening where you will spend the final night.

After breakfast, you will have the chance to explore Ho Chi Minh City one last time (leaving at least 2 hours before your flight’s departure). Our driver will bring you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and your tour is complete!!

We would like to express our sincere thanks for considering and (hopefully) choosing to travel with MinMax. We are confident that you will thoroughly enjoy every moment of your trip and every corner of our beautiful country.

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