14 Days Vietnam Discovery Tour: Hanoi – Sapa – Halong Bay – Da Nang – Hoi An – Saigon

Highlights

• Explore Hanoi’s historic Tran Quoc Pagoda
• Trek through Sapa’s stunning rice terraces
• Cruise and kayak around magnificent Halong Bay
• Walk across the iconic Golden Bridge in Da Nang
• Discover the ancient My Son Sanctuary

BRIEF:

• Day 1 Ha Noi Arrival
• Day 2 Ha Noi – Night train to Sapa (B/L)
• Day 3 Sapa trekking (B/L/D)
• Day 4 Sapa Trekking – Night train to Hanoi (B/L)
• Day 5 Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)
• Day 6 Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Da Nang (B/L)
• Day 7 Ba Na Hills (B/L)
• Day 8 Cam Thanh Eco Tour – My Son Holyland (B/L)
• Day 9 Cham Island Sightseeing and Snorkeling (B/L)
• Day 10 Hoi An – Fly to Sai Gon (B)
• Day 11 Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)
• Day 12 Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta (B/L)
• Day 13 Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
• Day 14 Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Xin chào!

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, meet your private driver and transfer to your hotel in central Hanoi for check-in.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to unwind after your flight.

Meals: No meals included

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Night Train to Sapa (B/L)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.

08:00–08:30: Meet your friendly local guide and begin your Hanoi city exploration.

Tran Quoc Pagoda (08:45): Located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake, this is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century.

Ho Chi Minh Complex (09:30): Visit the Mausoleum (viewing Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body), his stilt houses, and the peaceful garden compound. Continue to the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy.

Notes:

• Dress modestly when visiting religious or political sites.
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays, Fridays, and for annual maintenance (15 June–15 August).

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (11:15): Explore the diverse cultures of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.

On Mondays, the visit will be replaced by the Vietnamese Women’s Museum.

12:45: Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant.

14:00: Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university (11th century).

15:15: Explore Hoa Lo Prison Museum, known by American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton.”

16:15–16:30: Return to the hotel.

Free time for dinner (on your own).

20:40: Transfer to Hanoi Station for your overnight train to Lao Cai.

Accommodation: Overnight train (soft sleeper berths)

Day 3: Sapa Trekking – Cat Cat Village (B/L/D)

05:30–06:00: Arrive in Lao Cai. Transfer to Sapa for breakfast.

08:30–09:00: Walk to the entrance of Cat Cat Village, home to the Black H’Mong people. Explore traditional houses, observe daily life, and trek to the valley bottom to see the French-built hydroelectric station and waterfall.

Easy trek: 2.5 km | ~2 hours

12:30: Lunch at a local restaurant.

14:30: Check in to your hotel and enjoy free time to relax or explore Sapa Town.

Optional: Fansipan Cable Car – the highest peak in Indochina (not included).

Dinner and overnight in Sapa.

Day 4: Sapa Trekking – Night Train to Hanoi (B/L)

07:00–08:30: Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and leave large luggage at reception.

08:30: Start trekking through:

• Y Linh Ho Village
• Lao Chai Village (Black H’Mong)
• Ta Van Village (Dzay ethnic group)

Enjoy magnificent rice terraces and the landscapes of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

Trek: 9 km | ~3.5 hours

12:30: Lunch at a local restaurant.

13:30: Meet the bus at Ta Van Bridge and return to Sapa town.

Free time until 17:00, then transfer to Lao Cai Station.

Dinner on your own. Take the overnight train back to Hanoi.

Accommodation: Overnight train

Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise (B/L/D)

05:30–06:00: Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to the hotel for breakfast.

08:30: Depart for Halong Bay.

12:00: Arrive at Halong Harbor.

12:30: Board your cruise, enjoy a welcome drink, cruise briefing, and check-in.

13:00: Vietnamese lunch served on board while cruising through the majestic limestone formations.

Afternoon activities:

15:00: Visit Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave

16:00: Stop at Titop or Soi Sim Island for swimming or hiking to the viewpoint

17:30: Return to the cruise for relaxation, sunset viewing, and cocktails

18:00: Join the Sunset Party & Vietnamese Cooking Class

19:00: Dinner on board.

20:30: Evening activities: squid fishing, karaoke, or relaxing on deck.

Overnight on the cruise.

Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Da Nang (B/L)

06:00: Sunrise watching on the sundeck.

07:00: Morning tea/coffee and light breakfast.

07:40: Visit Halong Pearl Farm.

08:30: Kayaking to explore the bay on your own.

10:00: Check out of your cabin.

10:45: Early lunch while cruising back to port.

12:00: Disembark and drive back to Hanoi.

15:30: Arrive in Hanoi. Free time until your airport transfer.

Fly to Da Nang. Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Da Nang.

Day 7: Ba Na Hills – Golden Bridge – Transfer to Hoi An (B/L)

Breakfast at hotel.

07:30–08:00: Pick-up for Ba Na Hills.

Enjoy the world-class cable car system with panoramic views.

Visits include:

• Golden Bridge
• Le Jardin d’Amour (9 themed gardens)
• Linh Ung Pagoda
• French Village (street performances, bell tower, cathedral square, etc.)

Lunch buffet at a restaurant.

Afternoon:

Take the Lava Train to new check-in hotspots such as Helios Waterfall, Time Gate, Moon Kingdom…

Enjoy Fantasy Park with 90+ free games (5D theater, Dinosaur Park, Freefall Tower, etc.)

15:00: Return via cable car.

16:45–17:45: Transfer back to your hotel in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Cam Thanh Eco Tour – My Son Sanctuary – Sunset Cruise (B/L)

Breakfast at hotel.

09:00: Transfer to Cam Thanh Coconut Village:

• Meet local fishermen
• Try cast-net and round-net fishing
• Ride bamboo basket boats
• Basket boat race & performances
• Catch crabs and cast fishing nets
• Join a cooking demonstration with a chef

Enjoy a 7-dish local lunch

13:00: Depart for My Son Sanctuary – UNESCO World Heritage Site.

14:30–16:30: Explore the ancient Champa temples and enjoy traditional Cham performances.

16:30: Transfer to the pier for a scenic boat trip on the Thu Bon River during sunset.

18:00: Return to Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Cham Island Sightseeing & Snorkeling (B/L)

Breakfast at hotel.

07:30–08:30: Pick up and transfer to Cua Dai Harbor.

08:30: Speedboat to Cham Island.

09:00: Visit:

• Marine Protected Area
• Boat Shelter
• Hai Tang Pagoda
• Traditional Fishing Village

10:00: Swimming & snorkeling.

11:30: Relax at Bai Ong or Bai Chong Beach and enjoy a seafood lunch.

14:00: Return to Hoi An.

Free time to explore the ancient town.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 10: Hoi An – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (B)

Breakfast at hotel.

Free time until transfer to Da Nang Airport for flight to Saigon.

On arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City Tour – Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)

Breakfast at hotel.

07:30–08:00: Begin your city tour:

• Independence Palace (Reunification Palace)
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• Central Post Office
• War Remnants Museum

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Transfer to Cu Chi Tunnels.

Watch an introductory video and explore the underground tunnel system, including living quarters, kitchens, storage areas, field hospitals, and hidden traps.

Taste cassava and hot tea, the traditional guerrilla food.

Optional: experience the shooting range (extra cost).

Return to Saigon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Can Tho (B/L)

Breakfast at hotel.

07:30: Depart for Cai Be.

Take a boat ride to the remaining area of the old floating market.

Visit villages, sample local snacks (coconut candy, puffed rice), taste fresh fruits, and enjoy Southern folk music.

Take a rowing sampan through small canals.

Arrive at Tan Phong Island for:

• Cooking class
• Traditional lunch
• Cycling through orchards
• Visiting Ba Kiet’s ancient house
• Boat back to Cai Be, then drive to Can Tho.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Day 13: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Saigon (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Take a boat trip along the Bassac River and visit the bustling Cai Rang Floating Market.

Continue to:

• Fruit plantation
• Local noodle factory
• Munir Ansay Pagoda (Khmer pagoda)
• Con Son tourist area to pick and enjoy seasonal fruits

Enjoy lunch before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

17:00–17:30: Drop-off at your hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Free time to relax until your airport transfer. Your 14-Day Vietnam Journey ends here. Thank you for traveling with Smile Travel! We hope to welcome you again.