Luxury Vietnam in Autumn
TOUR OVERVIEW
- 15 days
- Max people: 25
- Wifi available
- Aug 01 - Sep 30
- Min age: 12+
- Pickup: Airpot
Luxury Vietnam in Autumn: Saigon to Sapa | Jem Travel
Discover the multifaceted faces of Vietnam on this comprehensive and fulfilling tour. From vibrant Saigon to the majestic mountains of the north, this itinerary will provide you with an unforgettable experience, with captivating historic cities, breathtaking landscapes, and authentic traditions.
The journey begins in the dynamic Saigon, admiring the symbolic sites of its history, such as the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels. You will then cross the mighty Mekong River before flying to Hue, the ancient imperial capital, and the picturesque Hoi An.
The tour continues with the exploration of Hanoi, the vibrant cultural capital, before venturing into the captivating mountainous region of Sapa, Tu Le, and Mu Cang Chai. Here, you can immerse yourself in the magnificent beauty of the terraced golden rice fields, surrounded by the picturesque traditional villages and breathtaking landscapes. This region, with its extraordinary harmony between man and nature, will leave an indelible memory.
The itinerary concludes with a visit to Ninh Binh, the “Halong Bay on land,” and a cruise in the magnificent Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This comprehensive tour offers you the opportunity to deeply explore the cultural, natural, and historical diversity of Vietnam, providing you with a truly unique experience.
ITINERARY
Day 1Saigon Arrival
Arrival in Saigon by international flight, go through customs and immigration procedures and receive the visa. Meet the guide and transfer to the hotel (30 minutes). Check-in to the room.
Free time available for some relaxation. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Please note that the room will be available starting from 2:00 PM. Early check-in can be arranged for an additional fee, subject to hotel availability
Day 2Saigon - Cu Chi Speedboat - City Tour
The luxury tour with the speedboat to Cu Chi is a group tour (8-12 pax)
07:00: After breakfast at the hotel, very early in the morning, the speedboat guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and take you by car to our motorboat at the Bach Dang pier.
07:20: You will then depart from Saigon by motorboat. After 15 minutes, the riverbanks will transition from the city to the lush jungle. A light breakfast of sandwiches or pastries, fresh tropical fruit, and Vietnamese iced coffee (Ca phe sua da) will be served while your guide explains the rural traditions and aspects of life along the riverbanks.
08:50: You will arrive at the Cu Chi Tunnels site before the arrival of most large bus groups. You will watch a short ‘propaganda’ introductory video about the Cu Chi area.
09:00: You will explore the tunnel site, which includes exhibits of weapons and traps, navigate through authentic Viet Cong tunnels, visit various underground bunkers (kitchens, meeting rooms, ammunition, etc.), a shooting position, and much more. You can try the local cassava root that sustained the Viet Cong fighters for years.
11:00: Enjoy a delicious traditional Vietnamese lunch along the river, consisting of fried spring rolls, chicken and beef dishes, and soup.
11:30: Say goodbye to the Cu Chi Tunnels and return to Ho Chi Minh City.
13:00: Arrival at the Bach Dang pier. The speedboat staff will take you back to your hotel by car.
Lunch of your choice at a local restaurant.
The afternoon is dedicated to a visit to the Independence Palace, formerly the headquarters of the Presidents of South Vietnam. During our visit, you will have the opportunity to admire the North Vietnamese tank that in 1975 crossed the threshold of the presidential palace, putting an end to the controversial Vietnam War. The five-story palace houses original furnishings reflecting the 1960s and 1970s style, with a basement converted into a bunker. Afterward, you will continue your pleasant tour, heading to the pedestrian street of Nguyen Hue, where you can admire an essential landmark of the city. The Saigon Central Post Office is a beautiful building designed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. The rest of the day will be at your disposal to visit the most famous market in the city, the Ben Thanh Market, which has been open since 1870. Dinner will be on your own, and we will spend the night at the hotel.
Day 3Saigon - Mekong - Saigon - Flight to Hue
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your tour guide and driver for the transfer to Cai Be. During the journey, you will have the opportunity to visit the Cao Dai temple. Once you arrive, you will board a private boat for a luxury cruise along one of the branches of the Mekong River. Experience the rhythm of life on the legendary Mekong River, visiting canals lined with fruit orchards. Afterwards, you will have the chance to discover the traditional activities of the local inhabitants by visiting the village on foot or by bicycle. You will have time to interact with the locals and participate in a workshop where coconut candies are made, a workshop for weaving baskets from water hyacinths, and another workshop specializing in rice paper and rice cake production. You will also have the opportunity to visit a family specialized in hammock production. Enjoy a free lunch of regional specialties at an open-air restaurant in an old house. Finally, savor delicious seasonal fruits while cruising the canals on a small boat, shaded by fruit trees. Return to Saigon. Overnight at the hotel.
Transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport by private car for the flight to Hue.
Day 4Hue City Tour
Breakfast will be served at the hotel.
You will meet our guide at the hotel reception at 8:30 AM. The day starts with a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Hue, dating back to 1601. This pagoda is considered an important spiritual site in the city and is famous for its majestic octagonal tower and the beautiful view of the Perfume River. Afterward, you will visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue, one of the most famous vestiges of the ancient imperial city of Vietnam. The Citadel is composed of three distinct parts: the capital city, the imperial city, and the forbidden city, known respectively as Kinh Thanh, Hoang Thanh, and Cam Thanh.
Lunch will be on your own at a local restaurant. The rest of the afternoon will be dedicated to a visit to the traditional village of Thuy Xuan, famous for its incense production. In this place, highly talented artists keep the precious tradition of the Vietnamese people’s soul alive. Subsequently, you will visit the royal tomb of Tu Duc, a monument that best represents the architecture of the Nguyen dynasty and one of the most extraordinary constructions of the 19th century. The day will conclude with a visit to the Dong Ba Market. You will have the opportunity to explore and discover the wonders of this fascinating market. The pleasant evening will include dinner served on a private junk boat along the Perfume River (approximately from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM).
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5Hue - Danang - Hoi An Visit
Breakfast is included at the hotel, and you will depart for the charming city of Hoi An, crossing through Da Nang. During the journey, you will cross the Hai Van Pass, which represents the geographical, climatic, and cultural boundary between Northern and Southern Vietnam. You will make a brief stop to admire Da Nang from above, including the famous “China Beach,” which stretches for over 30 km. In Da Nang, you will visit the Cham Museum, which houses the richest collection of archaeological artifacts from the ancient Cham Empire, including magnificent works of great importance belonging to this ancient people.
You will arrive in Hoi An around noon. You will have a free lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit the old town, which includes the famous 17th-century Japanese Bridge, the Fukien Assembly Hall, founded by a Chinese community devoted to the Goddess of the Sea, and the old Phung Hung House. You will be accommodated in a hotel for the night.
Day 6Hoi An - Flight to Hanoi
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, you will depart for a visit to My Son, one of the best examples of Hindu civilization in Vietnam. This site is known as the ancient “Holy City” of the Champa Kingdom, which was contemporary and rival of the Angkor Empire. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. My Son is located in a magnificent rocky amphitheater, covered by dense and wild vegetation, where the Cham rulers built their brick and sandstone sanctuaries between the 6th and 14th centuries. Here, for centuries, rituals were celebrated in honor of Shiva and Vishnu. Return to Hoi An and transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi.
Day 7Hanoi City Tour - Train to Lao Cai
Breakfast included at the hotel.
Appointment with our guide at the hotel reception at 8:30 AM. The guide will accompany you to visit the Ethnography Museum, which offers a unique opportunity to explore the cultural richness of the numerous ethnic groups present in the Vietnamese territory. After the museum visit, you will head to the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam), considered the first national university of Vietnam. It was built under the Ly dynasty in the 11th century and served as a place of worship for Confucius and a school for the education of royal children.
You will have a free lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (only from the outside, as it is closed on Mondays and Fridays) and take a pleasant stroll through the botanical gardens. You will also visit the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, where he lived and worked. Then we will reach Ba Dinh Square, the place where Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence of Vietnam from the French in 1945. Subsequently, you will visit the One-Pillar Pagoda, considered one of the most important symbols of the city.
Finally, you will visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, which dates back to the 6th century during the dynasty of Emperor Ly Nam De. To conclude, you will take a cyclo (xich lo) ride for about 40 minutes around the Hoan Kiem Lake, known as the Lake of the Returned Sword, which brings to life the legend of a giant turtle and a magic sword used to drive the Chinese out of Vietnam. Additionally, you will explore the Old Quarter of Hanoi with its famous lively and vibrant alleys.
The day concludes with an exclusive Egg Coffee lesson, a famous specialty of Hanoi. The tour will end around 6:00-6:30 PM.
Dinner will be on your own, and transfer to the train for a trip to Lao Cai. 2pax/cabin
Day 8Lao Cai - Tribe Market - Sapa
Arrival at Lao Cai station around 06:00.
Breakfast at a local restaurant. Departure for Bac Ha, passing through Thanh Kim and Thanh Phu. The Bac Ha region is famous for its weekly markets, which take place in a charming wild landscape. These markets are not only places of goods exchange but also represent a cultural meeting point between the different ethnic groups living harmoniously in this region. You will have the opportunity to visit one of these colorful ethnic markets, which takes place once a week.
(The alternatives include Coc Ly Market – Tuesday, Sin Cheng Market – Wednesday, Lung Khau Nhin Market – Thursday, Lung Phinh Market – Friday, Can Cau Market – Saturday, Bac Ha Market – Sunday).
You can explore the market and observe the products being sold, such as vegetables, poultry, horses, and buffaloes. Your attention will be captivated not only by the liveliness of the market but also by the various ethnic groups wearing colorful attire.
After visiting the market, you will take a short walk through some small ethnic villages that make up Bac Ha, surrounded by cornfields, cassava hills, clay houses, and plum gardens. You will have free lunch at a local restaurant.
Finally, you will head to Sapa. The tour ends around 14:00/15:00. You will have free time in Sapa. Dinner will be on your own, and you will spend the night in a hotel in Sapa or a lodge in the village.
Day 9Sapa - Mu Cang Chai - Tu Le
Wake up early in the morning, have breakfast, and embark on a journey to the Mu Cang Chai region (930m), renowned as the rice terrace capital of Vietnam due to its captivating landscape of rice terraces. You will cross the Khau Pha Pass, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of the rice terraces. Continue along the trail until you reach the village of Lim Mong, a place that has been home to ancient communities of the White Thai and H’Mong ethnic groups for centuries. Afterwards, you will head towards Tu Le. Overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 10Tu Le
Breakfast included at the hotel. You will have the opportunity to visit the picturesque village of La Pan Tan. You can capture the Thai farmers at work in the fields, and during the visit, you will have the chance to play with Thai children and interact with the local community. Return to the hotel for relaxation.
Day 11Tu Le - Hanoi
Breakfast at the hotel. Return to Hanoi by car. Overnight stay at a hotel in Hanoi.
Day 12Hanoi - Ninh Binh
Breakfast at the hotel.
Meet our guide at the hotel’s reception at 08:30. Transfer to Ninh Binh, a place rich in historical, cultural, religious, and natural wonders. During the journey, you will pass through the Red River Delta, where you will have a chance to make a brief stop to admire the beauty of the area.
Upon arrival in Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam from the 9th to the 10th century, you will visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-980) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009), who played a crucial role in achieving independence for the country after a thousand years of Chinese rule.
Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.
The next stop is Tam Coc, also known as the “Halong Bay on land,” which appeared in the famous French film “Indochine.” Upon reaching the pier, you will board a private rowboat for a 90-minute cruise along the Ngo Dong River. You will pass through three caves and admire a splendid landscape dotted with small villages, rice fields, cemeteries, and temples.
The tour then continues to Bich Dong (closed around 16:30-17:00), a typical pagoda located in the Red River Delta countryside, built in the 15th century. Upon arrival, you will cross a stone bridge to reach Chua Ha, and from there, more than 100 steps will lead you to Chua Trung – the cave pagoda housing unique clay statues. Afterwards, you will hike up to Chua Thuong. In this place, you will not only have the opportunity to learn about Buddhism but also enjoy an incredible panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. The tour will end around 18:00/18:30.
Dinner on your own and overnight stay at a hotel in Ninh Binh.
Day 13Ninh Binh - Halong
Breakfast at the hotel.
Meet the driver at the hotel’s reception at 08:00 for a private transfer to Halong (approximately 3 hours with an intermediate stop).
Halong Bay, known as “the bay where the dragon descends into the sea” in Vietnamese, is a stunning bay adorned with thousands of limestone islands, karst caves, cliffs, and islets, making it a picturesque and enchanting place. Magnificent, mysterious, and majestic, Halong Bay has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994 and is considered one of the new seven wonders of the world.
Arrive at the port around 12:00-12:30. Subsequently, you will follow the program provided by the cruise company.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Lunch and dinner with a seafood tasting on board the junk (included – beverages not included).
- Overnight stay on board in a private deluxe cabin (with air conditioning and shower).
- The cruise program may be subject to changes without prior notice due to weather conditions or decisions by local authorities.
- Only an English-speaking guide provided by the cruise company will be available on board the junk.
Day 14Halong - Hanoi
06:30: You can participate in the sunrise Tai Chi session on the sundeck or simply enjoy the breathtaking view of the bay while sipping a cup of tea or coffee.
07:00: Breakfast will be served in a Western style. Time to relax.
10:00: Brunch will be served on board as the junk cruises slowly through the emerald waters and amidst the numerous karst formations towards the port. You will check out from the cruise. Remember to take all your belongings with you.
11:30-12:00: Return to the port and disembark at the Ha Long Cruise Port.
12:00: You will be accompanied back to Hanoi by private car. There will be a stop at a Spa for an exclusive body massage after a long journey. Meals on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 15Hanoi Departure
Breakfast at the hotel.
You will have free time in Hanoi until the transfer to the airport. Please note that the room will be available until 12:00. Please inform us in advance if you wish to extend your stay in the room beyond the departure time. We wish you a pleasant journey back!
