The winding road along Vietnam's coastline connecting the country's important cities and towns has borne witness to many twists and turns in her recent history. Built in the 18th century by Vietnamese foot soldiers and mandarins, it was called mandarin route. From the hectic traffic and fast business pace of Ho Chi Minh city to pristine beaches in Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Da Nang... and historical sites in Qui Nhon, Hoi An, Hue and Ha Noi, the mandarin route will be with you wherever you go. You will set foot on a maiden expanse of land between Dong Hoi and Ninh Binh where you will find the local people and landscape exotic beyond your imagination. twenty-one days of travelling along this backbone route will give you an opportunity to tell your friends that "I have been there and have learnt about Vietnam - the land is wonderful".
Day 1 : Arrival Ho Chi Minh city (L)
Arrive at Tan Son Nhat airport. Meet and transfer to hotel. Visit the most exciting crowded city: Unification Palace Thong Nhat, Maria Cathedral, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, China town, Thien Hau pagoda, Cho Lon market. Boat trip along Ho Chi Minh city river with live music. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) - My Tho (B, L)
Departure to My Tho. Visit Vinh Trang pagoda (ancient Cham culture), boat cruise in Mekong river to Thoi Son islet. Stroll through verdant orchards, sampan ride on palm-shaded creeks and meeting with peasants at local home. Return to Ho Chi Minh city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) - Da Lat (B, L)
Coach trip to Da Lat, stopover to visit Bao Loc silk factory and Ga village of K´ho ethnic with traditional weaving brocade. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Da Lat - Nha Trang (B, L)
Visit Da Lat market, King Bao Dai palace and some other architectures of Da Lat. Leave for Nha Trang with Prenn waterfall. Stopover at Ngoan Muc pass and Po Klong Giarai Cham Tower. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Nha Trang City Tour (B, L)
Visit the Tropical Marine park, boat cruise to visit Tri Nguyen Aquarium, Hon Tam islet, sunbathing. Visit Yersin Museum, Po Nagar Cham Tower. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Nha Trang - Buon Me Thuot (B, L)
Leave to Buon Me Thuot. Visit Jarai ethnic village, Highlands Minorities Museum, central market. Overnight at White horse hotel.
Day 7: Buon Me Thuot - Lac lake - Pleiku (B, L)
Full day visit the Lac lake and enjoy elephants working, ridding, Drai Sap waterfall , then transfer to Pleiku. Overnight at Pleiku.
Day 8: Pleiku - Hoi An (B, L)
Leave for HoiAn. Stopover in Pleiku to visit Giarai village, enjoy welknown Cham Towers: Silver Tower, Bronze Tower, Chien Dan Tower. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9: Hoi An - Da Nang - Hue (B, L)
Visit HoiAn ancient city. Coach trip to Da Nang. Visit Cham museum, Ngu Hanh Son mountain. Across the steep & winding Hai Van Pass to Hue. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 10: Hue City Tour (B, L)
Boat cruise on the Perfume river to visit Thien Mu pagoda, King Minh Mang's Tomb. Visit Dai Noi Imperial Citadel and King Tu Duc's Tomb. Floating dinner with Hue folk song. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 11: Hue - Ha Noi (B, L) domestic flight
Morning fly to Hanoi. Pick up at the airport. Transfer to hotel in the old quarter of Hanoi. Free time. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 12: Ha Noi - Hoa Binh - Son La (B, L)
Leave to Son La with stopover to visit the Mai Chau area, continue to Moc Chau. Visit Yen Chau on the way. Overnight at hotel .
Day 13: Son La - Dien Bien Phu (B, L)
Visit the centre market, Son La mansion. Continue to Dien Bien Phu. Visit the Dien Bien market. Overnight at hotel in Dien Bien.
Day 14: Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau - Phong Tho (B, L)
Visit the Dien Bien museum, Elianne hill, De Castrie cellar. Coach trip to Lai Chau, Phong Tho, stopover to visit the Thai, Meo village along the way. Overnight at hotel .
Day 15: Phong Tho - Sapa (B, L)
Leave to Sapa a well-known resort in Vietnam. Stopover to visit some ethnic villages on the way. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.
Day 16: Sapa Tour (B, L)
Visit the Meo and Red Dao in Sapa, Sapa market, Dragon Head mountain. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.
Day 17: Sapa - Ha Noi (B, L)
Return to Hanoi. Visit beauty spots along the way. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 18: Ha Noi - Ha Long bay (B, L)
Departure to Ha Long Bay - the World Heritage granted by UNESCO in 1994. Stopover to visit Flower market, Trang Kenh temple, Du Hang pagoda and Woolen Carpet Trang Kenh factory. Overnight at hotel in Ha Long.
Day 19: Ha Long bay - Ha Noi (B, L)
Boat trip through majestic Ha Long Bay. Enjoy beautiful landscape of Ha Long naturally formed by islands and islets, explore natural caves or sunbathing. Return Hanoi. Overnight at hotel .
Day 20: Ha Noi City Tour (B, L)
Visit Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh museum, One Pillar pagoda, Temple of Literature - the first university of Vietnam (built in 1070), Ngoc Son temple and 36 old streets. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 21: Ha Noi Departure (B)
Breakfast. Shopping. Transfer to Noi Bai airport for departure.
Price Includes:
- Full transportation by private car or bus as tour program indicated.
- Domestic flight ticket: Hue - Hanoi
- Full meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- Visa on arrival to Vietnam ( 1 month Single)
- English/French speaking guide and Entrance fees.
- Boat trip in Nha Trang, Lak lake, Tien Giang river in My Tho and Ha Long bay.
- Twin-share accommodation with daily breakfast; ( A/C room)
Price Excludes:
- Personal expenses and Personal insurance
- International airport tax in Hanoi at USD 14.00 nett per person
- Other meals and drinks.
- Emergency Evacuation.
- Other services not mentioned above.
As indicated: (A/C= Air-conditioning, O/N= Overnight, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Tariff for this trip: The tariff may differentiate according to number of participants and the high or low seasons in Vietnam. Please contact our travel consultant for the price of this trip.