Vietnam Tour 17 days: A Green Trip

For those wanting to escape from the noise or mass tourism and take the holiday off the beaten path, consider this "Vietnam Tour 17 days: A Green Trip" itinerary, where you can immerse yourselves in the green color, clean and quiet atmosphere, and unspoiled nature for 17 days

17 days 16 nights

Vietnam

Classic Highlights

Attractions

Ha Noi - Cuc Phuong National Park - Ninh Binh - Nam Dinh - Cat Ba Island - Ha Long City - Nam Cat Tien National Park - Sai Gon

Duration

17 days 16 nights

Code

VCT4

Type of tour

Private tour

Overview

This "Vietnam Tour 17 days: A Green Trip" takes you off the beaten path to explore the unspoiled beauty of Vietnam's national parks, rural villages, and the lush Mekong Delta. The tour is perfect for nature lovers and those seeking authentic cultural experiences.

Highlights include visiting Cuc Phuong and Nam Cat Tien national parks, where you can hike through the forest to discover the wildlife and stay in homestays to learn about the local culture. You will also get a chance to experience a relaxing rowing boat trip in Trang An, known as Ha Long Bay on land.

The itinerary includes a visit to Giao Xuan commune to live like a local, a hydrofoil ride from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island for swimming in the pure water and half-day tour of Cat Ba National Park, and a glimpse of stunning Ha Long Bay. You will also escape the bustling city of Saigon to explore the Mekong Delta by speed boat and have the opportunity to experience unforgettable activities such as feeding crocodiles, crab fishing, and bird-watching.

Overall, this tour promises to be an exciting journey through the unspoiled beauty of Vietnam, allowing you to experience the country's authentic culture and incredible natural wonders.

Highlights

Escape from the mass tourist and contemplate the wild beautiful nature of Cuc Phuong and Nam Cat Tien Pak.
Walking in the forest of Cuc Phuong and Nam Cat Tien national park to discover the wildlife.
Discovery the villages and stay in homestay of ethnic people and learn about their culture.
Enjoy a relaxing rowing boat trip in Trang An, known as Ha Long Bay on land
Deep into the countryside and live like a local in Giao Xuan commune
Get a ride to Xuan Thuy National Park for bird watching and nice bicycle road with beautiful countryside journey and amazing landscape of Nam Dinh
Unique experience with a hydrofoil from Hai Phong to Cat Ba
Swimming in the pure water of Cat Ba island
A glimpse of stunning Ha Long Bay just by a daily boat trip
Escape from bustle Saigon for the lush, green tributaries of the Mekong Delta by a speed boat to Can Gio Forest. Here you have an opportunity to experience the most exciting and unforgettable activities such as feeding the crocodiles, crab fishing, bird-watching, rowing boat on Giant Bat lagoon,

Itinerary

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We welcome you at the airport and transfer to hotel for check in. Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The rest of the day is at your leisure and yours to explore on your own. Overnight in Hanoi

After having breakfast, meet your guide and continue exploring Hanoi. Start with the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh

Our first stop is to visit the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh. Located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, this is the most important monument of Vietnam in which Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved. This site only opens on Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 08:00 – 11:00.

The next destination is the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house was completed on May 19th, 1958 as a birthday present for uncle Ho and becomes a symbol of his simple life.

Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda. The pagoda looks like a lotus blossoming from the square pond. It was constructed in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong based on his dream of Goddess of Mercy seating on a lotus flower and giving him a boy. In 1954, it was destroyed by the French and then restored in 1955.

We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. This temple provides an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history.

Afternoon, have a little leisure time to back your hotel, then tour around the city's Old Quarter by a bicycle rickshaw, called a cyclo. In this part of town, each colorful street is devoted to a particular craft or ware. You will be pedaled amongst the quaint French buildings along Shoe Street, Silk Street and Banner Street (to name just a few), ending at the historic Hoan Kiem Lake - the social center of Hanoi.

In the late afternoon, you will enjoy the Water Puppet Performance, a unique Vietnamese traditional art.

Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Morning leave Hanoi and departure for Ninh Binh, we drive around km by vehicle to Ninh Binh, and continue to Cuc Phuong National Park. On arrival we visit the Animal Rescue Center and learn about the park’s biodiversity and variety of endangered species. From Bong Center of the Cuc Phuong National park where we start trekking about 18km with support of the local guide through the local rain forest of the park. Picnic lunch served in the shade of a giant tree. After 6-hr trek with lots of descents and ascents on jungle trails we make the last climb downhill to a peaceful valley and reach the village of Khanh, home to Muong ethnic minority. We check in the homestay. The family greets us warmly with the smile. Tonight we will enjoy dinner with the family and free time to chat with the host. Overnight at the stilt home

After breakfast we say goodbye to the hosts and walk 7 km to the main road where we meet our bus. The walk is pleasant as we pass expansive rice paddies and sugarcane farms. We will be transferred to Hoa Lu - The former capital of Vietnam during King Dinh and King Le dynasties in the 10th century covers an area of 300 ha. But, now, in Hoa Lu there are just 2 temples dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh.

We then take an amazing boat trip to visit the Trang An grottoes

Trang An has an area of 1500 hectares and is a gathering of 31 valleys, 50 cross-water caves, and home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna surrounded by magnificent forested mountains, which makes it become a fascinating destination.

Transfer you back to your hotel in Ninh Binh for your overnight.

After breakfast transfer to Nam Dinh City. Upon arrival at Vi Khe village, you have an opportunity to visit one of the largest bonsai village in Vietnam where trees are created in many shapes by bonsai craftsman such as phoenix, dragon, horses, unicorn… or a symbol of Temple of Literature. Followed to explore countryside museum where you can learn about the traditional life of Vietnamese farmers. In the afternoon, experience a great trip to salt field and become a truly salt- farmer or fisherman. To round off the day, transfer to Ecosea Center for relaxing and enjoying a BBQ dinner with local seafood. And then enjoy traditional music show – the symbol of Red River Delta and recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by Unesco (Cheo, Van Singing, Quan Ho folk song). Ovrernight in homestay –living with enthusiastic of local people

Rising up early at 5 a.m at a pure & harmonious atmosphere of the countryside, and start your day with an hour cycling around Giao Xuan Commune and enjoy the beauty of sunrise. Go through and visit a local fish-sauce factory where you can see the traditional methods of making this delicious sauce. You will have full experience about Spirit of Vietnam Culture. Come back to Ecosea Center and have breakfast and check out. Continue with bicycle to Xuan Thuy National Park for bird watching and nice bicycle road with beautiful countryside journey and amazing landscape of Nam Dinh. Getting on boat and take a trip around the national park, check in clams Hut. Have lunch there with seafood. And transfer to visit Phu Nhai Church this is the first place of Christ religion step into Vietnam. Get on our bus and continue transfer you to Hai Phong province for an overnight.

After breakfast transfer to Hai Phong port city to take a hydrofoil for 2 hours to Cat Ba Island.

Cat Ba is the largest island in Ha Long Bay and has a wide variety of natural ecosystems. It also offers visitors the added options of relaxation and adventure, which brings them an unforgettable experience.

Here our vehicle is waiting for us to transfer you to your hotel in Cat Ba. Upon arrival have free time for beach relaxing or wandering around the island. Overnight at the hotel in Cat Ba Island

This morning we visit the Cat Ba National Park. Stop along the way to visit the old military hospital cave used by the North Vietnamese Army during American War. When being on arrival at the entrance of the park, we start trekking around 3 km up to Ngu Lam Mountain where we will enjoy a panorama view of this region. Spend the rest of the day to swim in the pure water of Cat Ba Island or lying on the beach. Overnight at the hotel in Cat Ba Island

Rising up early and transfer to Gia Luan Habour for your ferry to Tuan Chau Habour. You then wait until we check in our cruise at around 12:00 (noon time)

Declared as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural attractions. Nearly 200 km far from Hanoi, the bay is dotted with 1600 limestone islands, capturing visitors’ attention.

Board a wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Dinner served on board. Overnight on Junk

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back-up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 4-5 hours transfer back to Hanoi for your overnight

Today you have free time in Hanoi until we transfer you to the airport for your flight to Saigon. In the afternoon we pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy before we visit the Reunification Palace

Reunification Palace is a unique construction designed for the President of South Vietnam during Vietnam War. When entering, visitors can not only admire its architectural beauty but also enjoy fresh atmosphere created by trees and grasses around.

Continue our trip to some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office.

Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous architectural monuments influenced by European architecture. Both its exterior and interior are impressive with bright red color of bricks, stained glass panels and carved tiles, attracting many tourists.

After seeing the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum

War Remnants Museum primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War. War Remnants Museum comprises a series of themed rooms in several buildings, with period military equipment placed within a walled yard.

Our last stop today is the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight at the hotel in HCM city

After breakfast, at 7.30am, we leave the busy city of Sai Gon and head to a mountainous area, full of roadside plantations of rubber and green coffee. An approximately 3 and a half hour driving takes us to a former volcanic crater, known as Lava tubes. Crossing Dong Nai River to enter Nam Cat Tien National Park, we enable to begin our wildlife experience.

For nature lovers, a trip to Nam Cat Tien National Park would be a memorized experience. Coming here, you can explore not only the nature but the culture and traditional work of hill tribe people by visiting Ta Lai village.

We have lunch at the park and prepare for a hike into Crocodile Lake. A jeep takes us along a 10km-long concrete road before the 5km trekking into the forest begins. The sounds of thousands of insects and long howls of grey monkeys and the startling strange chirps of a forest bird keep us company. A rustic forester outpost is the only facility out on the lake. Accommodation is Spartan, but looking into the red eyes of a crocodile while out on the lake in a small canoe makes the visit well worth it. Tonight, enjoy a simple dinner made by forest rangers.

Hike back out from the jungle to the main route where our jeep picks us up and transfer back to the park Headquarters. Accommodation is arranged in air-conditioned rooms with hot showers in the park center. This afternoon, we walk for 2 hours through the jungle to a bird watchtower that gives a great view of the surrounding area. At night, a jeep equipped with a spot light will take you night spotting. Typical wildlife seen at night includes deer, civet, guar, mongoose, macaque, snakes and other small animals. Overnight at a guesthouse

After breakfast at the park headquarters, we go on to Tien Island. Then we make our way out of the park and transportation is arranged to take us back to Saigon. Upon arrival in Saigon, you have free time for relaxing. Overnight in Saigon

The Mekong Delta is the region in southern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea. It is a very rich and lush area, covered with rice fields, that produces about half of the total of Vietnam’s agricultural output.

Morning at 08:30 depart from the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City to the area referred locally as ‘the rice bowl of Vietnam’. On arrival in Ben Tre Province head towards Tien Giang where you will board your local boat for a cruise among the aptly named Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix Islands. En-route visit a small factory producing handicrafts made of coconut and Turtle Island, where a stop will be made in a tropical orchard to taste some exotic fruit. After the boat trip, take a ride on a horse driven cart along country roads to a famed garden for a honey tasting session. Continue on a smaller rowing boat for a more adventurous cruise on the Xep Canal which is set amongst a forest of palm trees. In the afternoon return to Ben Tre for lunch. Afternoon transfer back to HCM city. Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh

After breakfast, our guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and bring you by car to our boat at our pier. Your boat will depart Saigon for the lush, green tributaries of the Mekong Delta. A light breakfast of pastries or sandwiches, tropical fruit and Vietnamese white/black coffee is served. Begin your exploration with a visit Can Giuoc Market, a bustling local riverside market at the gateway to the Mekong Delta. At around this time, the surrounding landscape will begin to change from lush riverside water palms to dusky mangrove swamps as you move from the Delta towards Can Gio Forest. Arrive at the Giant Bat Lagoon and explore gently by rowing boat, before trekking through the mangrove jungle. Enjoy a delicious traditional Vietnamese lunch at a private riverside location, including the Mekong Delta speciality, Elephant Ear Fish. Continue your trip to Vam Sat Eco Park, where you will visit a crocodile reserve (and feed them if you wish!) and see monkey in their natural habitat, as well as enjoy crab fishing and bird-watching for exotic local and migratory species. You can also enjoy another mangrove jungle walk. In the early afternoon we depart Can Gio’s mangrove jungles for a journey back to Saigon. Upon arrival at Saigon pier, we will pick up and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Saigon

Today is at your leisure before checking out and transferring to Tan Son Nhat airport for your onward flight. Thank you for choosing our Vietnam Tour 17 days!

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Trip notes

Tour includes:

Accommodation in a double or twin share room with daily breakfast
1 night at homestay in Cuc Phuong National Park
Private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers.
Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
Experienced English speaking guide during all tours and transfers
Meals as indicated by Vietnamese foods at the restaurant (B= breakfast; L=Lunch; D = Dinner)
Local private boat excursions in Ninh Binh, Mekong Delta
Water Puppet show ticket & cyclo tour in Hanoi
Bicycle in Nam Dinh
Hydrofoil from Hai Phong to Cat Ba
Sharing Can Gio forest trip on speed boat
2 days 1 night in ha long bay cruise
Water & cool towels during transfer
Government taxes & service charge

Tour excludes:

Vietnam Visa stamp fee: USD 25/person
International airfare and departure taxes
Meals, if not specified in the itinerary
Early check in/late check out
Domestic flights and domestic airport taxes
Gala dinner on 24th and 31st December if any
Surcharged for Public holidays
Drinks and meal not mentioned
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks … etc.
Personal travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).
Gratuities/ Tipping
All other services not specified in the itinerary