Backroads of Vietnam Tour 24 Days

Arrive Lao Cai, pick up at Lao Cai Station then we go to Sapa. Breakfast at local restaurant and then start trekking. The first part is on the road but we soon turn to the right and walk on a small path down the valley to the Muong Hoa River and from here to the Black H’mong village Lao Chai. Black H’mong is one of the biggest minority groups in the Sapa area. They are proud of their culture and keep their traditions and way of living. They have their own language and wear traditional indigio blue clothing. After this you continue to Ta Van village (1.200 m) to visit Zay people. Zay is a fairly small minority group of about 38.000 people who live mainly in the mountains in Northwest Vietnam. The development has meant that some of their old customs have been lost but many women still wear traditional shirts with a purple, blue or green color. The Zay houses are build of wood and bamboo with a clay floor. Overnight in Sapa.

We continue our trek, passing through many different hilltribe villages along the way. On our journey we meet many of the local people. Black Hmong, Tay, Red Dao and Sa Pho are some of the many minority groups who have settled in this remote region. Our second night of trekking is most likely spent in the village of Ban Ho. 

06.30-7.45 Before enjoying the breakfast with cookies and tea, café at the restaurant of the cruise, tourists can try the taichi session on the sundeck at the break of dawn on Bai Tu Long Bay
7.45-8.45 Explore the area of Hon Co Island and Co Cave (Grass Cave, also known as Thien Canh Son).  You can revel in the breathtaking view of Bai Tu Long bay from above, as well as the glorious long white sand of Hon Co Island.
Tourists can relax on the white sand beach of Co Island, enjoy swimming on the area of Co Island. With the long white sand beaches and the crystal-like green water, definitely, tourists would have the fantastic moments after exploring the cave.
8.45 Tourists come back to the cruise by tender.
9.15 Tourists arrange the luggage and check out.
9.30-10.30 Tourists can enjoy the light lunch (brunch) in Sealife Cruise while the cruise departs from Hon Co Island back to Vinashin dock.
11.15 Arrive back at Vinashin dock, Halong city for disembarkation where your driver waits to take you back to your Hanoi
16.30 Arrive in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Da Nang via beautifully Hai Van Pass, stop on they way for breath taking at Lang Co Beach, then continue to Da Nang, visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture. Continue to visit Marble Moutains, the mountains stand for 5 element on earth like: Metal, Plant, Water, Fire, Earth. You can climb up the mountain to visit a pagoda in Huyen Khong Cave. Down the the mountain is the stone carving village, you can watch the art work on site with marble stone. Then transfer to Hoi An, the famous World Cuture Heritage town. Check in on arrival. Overnight in Hoi An.​​​​​​​

In the morning, our guide and car will come to pick you up at your hotel then transfer to Hoi An ancient town.  Start our morning by strolling around the Hoi An ancient town to visit: Chua Cau or Japanese Covered Bridge-considered the symbol of Hoi An the finest example of Japanese architecture. Step back in time to discover the Chinese street with stunning Phuc Kien Hall and Phung Hung old house typical of Hoian original architecture. We then visit Hoi An vibrant market and ancient port to explore the rythm of local daily life and savor the true color, flavor and taste of the oriental. Finally, we visit Phuc Thanh Pagoda – the oldest pagoda in Hoi An built in 1454 with Chinese bonze. Have lunch in the local restaurant with specialties of Hoian: the Cao Lau noodle and White Rose dumpling.   In the afternoon, take a boat trip on Thu Bon River - the poetic river that shaped the verdant nature and rich cultural heritage of Hoian. Stop en route to visit two handicraft villages nestled on the river banks: Thanh Ha pottery village and Kim Bong carpentry village well known for their nice handicraft products. Transfer back to the hotel afterward. Relax and Overnight in Hoi An.

Free at leisure at the hotel and then discover Hoi An city by yourself or relax on beach. Overnight in Hoi An.​​​​​​​

Free at leisure at the hotel and then discover Hoi An city by yourself or relax on beach. Overnight in Hoi An.​​​​​​​

Pick up at airport in Buon Ma Thuot and drive about 80 kms to the rural village of Nam Ka before walking the final 3 kms to our home for the night. Our homestay is in Rai village, which is an Ede minority village. Our accommodation, a traditional long house-on-stilt of Ede group, is very simple but clean and comfortable.

We are picked up at Buon Ma Thuot in the afternoon. Driving about 80 kms to the rural village of Nam Ka before walking the final 3 kms to our home for the night. Our homestay is in Rai village, which is an Ede minority village. Our accommodation, a traditional long house-on-stilt of Ede group, is very simple but clean and comfortable

Today, we have a full day for trekking through evergreen forest to the lovely Buon Triet lake. The trek is 18 kms but is graded easy and the temperature remains quite comfortable. We are picked up by pedal boatsand enjoy a ride across this beautiful lake before enjoying an afternoon swim. This evening is spent in Jatu villagewhere our hosts belong to the M’nong minority.

We will take private transport to Jun village. Enjoying a ride across Lak lake by elephant to M’Lieng village. Walking around the village to discover the daily life of ethnic minority in the Central Highlands. Back to Jun village by boat. This evening is spent at a hotel in Buon Ma Thuot where you can take the delights of a hot shower. By night, you take a walk on the streets and enjoy some of the best quality coffee in Vietnam.

There are some interesting things to do this morning. Visit Ethnology Museum where we can see many things come from the daily life of ethnic minorities in Vietnam such as: clothes, cultivated tools, musical instruments... We continue on to Khai Doan Pagoda, the last one of Nguyen Dynasty in the Central Highlands. The architecture of this pagoda is mixed between long house-on-stilts of Ede group and traditional house in Hue. Visit Buon Ma Thuot’s bustling regional market. You can buy some souvenirs before driving to Kon Tum in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Kon Tum.

Visit the Big Seminary, the Wooden Church and drive to Kon Ko Lor II village. Start hiking through Kon Ko Ri village, across rice and sugar-cane fields. You will meet Bana ethnic people and discover the architecture of Rong house which looks like an axe blade pointing in to the sky. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a ride on the river by rubber boat to Kon Ko Tu village. This evening is spent in Rong house that belongs to the Bana minority.

The private transport will take us to Dak To. Walk across a suspension bridge to visit some villages of Se Dang minority. Back to Kon Tum and transport to Plei Ku. Visit Phun village, a traditional village of Jarai ethnic group with a typical cemetery in the Central Highlands. The tombs are decorated by wooden statues. Going on to T’nung Lake before checking in hotel in Plei Ku.

Today we drive to Qui Nhon via Highway No.19 with stopover at An Khe to visit the former bases: 1st Bn 7th CAV Base Camp, 3rd Bde "Garry Owen" Base Camp, Looking West from 3rd Bde, The Barrier Line, 1/9 CAV Area and Manyang passes, having lunch on the way. Proceed to Qui Nhon. Overnight at beach resort in Quy Nhon.

Morning departure for the beach city of Nha Trang by Highway 1, stopping at any point that interests you along the way. Arrive at Nha Trang, check into hotel. Free evening for strolling around the city. Overnight in Nha Trang city.

09:00 Pick up at hotel to Cau Da port
09:15 Transfer to Fishing village by speed boat 
09:20 Visit Fishing village which is the floating fisherman’s village, try taking bamboo boat (20 minutes)
09:45  See many fishes in South China sea at Tri Nguyen Aquarium (45 minutes)
10:30 Move to Mun Island where has crystal water (15 minutes)
10:45 Enjoy swimming and snorkeling at Mun island (90 minutes) 
12:15 Move to Con Se Tre on Tre Island for lunch (15 minutes) 
12:30 Enjoy the spectacular landscape at Con Se Tre, having lunch and relaxing 
(lunch:60 minutes, relaxing: 75 minutes)
14:45 Back to harbor (10 minutes) 
14:55  Back to hotel (15 minutes)
Free time on beach and relax. Overnight in Nha Trang.