Vietnam Panorama Tour

After breakfast, our guide will pick you up and show you around Hanoi, Vietnam’s gracious capital. We enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, home to his mausoleum, garden, house on stilts and a museum which traces his life and work.
 
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.
 
In the afternoon, visit the impressive Ethnologic Museum that is dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. This museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibition area with the most popular architectural styles of house’s ethnic people. The museum closes on every Monday.
 
Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast we will pick up you and transfer you about 65 km from Hanoi to visit Duong Lam ancient village

Situated in Son Tay province, this village has been known as a museum of laterite with ancient houses aged up to 400 years old Duong Lam, and a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red River Delta.
 
On arrival we take a walk on the village path to visit Mong Phu temple where is dedicated to national heroes, King Ngo Quyen temple and King Phung Hung temple. Enjoy Vietnamese special Vietnamese lunch in an ancient house. While you are in the house you can also join the local people in producing local specialties such as soft green-lentil cake and rice cakes filled with brown onion and enjoy these products (Depends on the season of the year). Continue to visit Mia Pagoda - built in 15th century and admire 287 statues of all sizes before transfer back to your hotel in Hanoi. You have free time until we transfer to the rail way station to board a soft sleep & AC train to Lao Cai/Sapa (21:00).

At approximately 06:00 we arrive in Lao Cai. Your chauffeur waits with a 45 minutes’ drive by private car, from Lao Cai Station to Sapa. After a fresh up and breakfast, we drive from Sapa town to Lao Chai village.
 
Lao Chai & Ta Van Villages are the places where ethnic  black H’mong and Dzay people are living. Here you will enjoy the fresh air, see terraced fields and stream and visit some of Black H’mong families to learn more about their culture and customs.
 
Along the road, you have a chance to contemplate the beauty in peace of the Muong Hoa Valley, magnificent surroundings of mountains and rice terrace fields. Particularly, you can meet many ethnic minority groups (H’mong, Zay, and Red Dao) whose stalls are along the way to sell fruits or sweets. From the main road, we get off the car and trek along a local path until we reach the Black H’mong village of Lao Chai and experience the daily life of the villagers. Continue walking from Lao Chai to Ta Van village, where the Zay hill tribes live. Here you take a rest and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by your local guide in a local house.
 
After lunch, relax and continue trekking to the meeting point on the main road for transferring back to Sapa town. The rest of this day is at leisure. Discover the fanciful Sapa town on your own, its bustling market with colorful handmade brocatelle stuffs of the ethnic people, tea and coffee shops as well as the local culture in this mountainous town. Overnight in Sapa

After breakfast, we drive past the beautiful scenery for a 100km to the tranquil town of Bac Ha,
 
Located 105 km from Sapa, this is the biggest weekly market opening every Sunday morning. Here you will have a chance to witness thousands of local minority people in their traditional ethnic dress, drink alcohol and trade goods.
 
Upon arrival, we will explore Bac Ha lively Market which not much changed by time. It is considered the most unique and colorful market in the region where thousands of local minority people in their traditional attires busily meet, drink alcohol and trade goods. We then continue our trip to Thac Ba Lake. The night in a beautifully constructed stilt house down by the lakeside.

Thac Ba is the biggest man-made lake in Vietnam and captivates travelers with its incredible authentic beauty and more than 300 islands under lush vegetation. We participate in a boat trip and visit some Dzao and Tay villages. After lunch in a local restaurant our expedition North West comes to the end. In the afternoon we arrive back in Hanoi. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Early morning transfer to Hanoi airport for flight to Dong Hoi. Arrive in Dong Hoi in the morning, have breakfast then we will drive you to visit Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.
 
Located in Quang Binh Province, Phong Nha-Ke Bang national park has been recognized as a world natural heritage site by the UNESCO in 2003. Visit the cave, you can explore the remain of Cham altars and inscriptions inside.
 
Getting on boat and cruise on the world's longest underground river to Phong Nha Cave. The deeper one penetrates, the more magical are the natural aspects of the caves. After on boat for 700m, a large dry passage is appear, then you can walk to discover the cave for 500m more. You will have a chance to explore the remaining of Cham Altars and Inscriptions inside. Overnight at the hotel in Dong Hoi Town

Our second day is explore the Paradise Cave
 
Considered the largest complex of caves in the world, Paradise Cave was discovered in 2005 by scientists from the British Cave Research Association with the help of a local man. With naturally primitive features, it looks like a landscape painting, attracting many visitors.
 
In the afternoon transfer back to your hotel in Hue for check-in and relaxing.

Hue was the capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty. Not only is it famous for the splendid architecture of citadels, palaces, royal tombs and pagodas but the ancient traditions of Hue also create a unique romantic city.

Overnight at the hotel in Hue

We then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, including a boat trip to visit the picturesque Thien Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda
 
Built in 1601, it is one of the best know religious and must-see sites in Hue. Both landscape and monuments here are always in harmony and bring a feeling of peace for travelers 
 
Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc.
Stretching along the Perfume River, Tu Duc mausoleum is considered to be the most picturesque site of Hue. The tomb was designed by the Emperor Tu Duc himself and this is the largest architectural work of Nguyen Dynasty’s royal palaces and tombs.
Transfer back to Hue center Hue for lunch at local restaurant.
 
In the afternoon we continue to visit the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City
Built in the 19th century by Nguyen dynasty, the Citadel becomes the most important historical and cultural monument in Vietnam. It is a square 2 km wall encompassing 3 walled enclosures: the Citadel, the Yellow Imperial city, and the Forbidden Purple city.
 
If time permits, we continue to do the walking and shopping in Dong Ba Market to enjoy the specialty of Hue city. Overnight at the hotel in Hue

After having breakfast, we continue our south journey by road to Hoian
 
The ancient town of Hoian is a small town in Central Vietnam. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoian was a busy international commercial port for foreign merchants. Today, Hoian is popular for its peaceful beauty, eclectic architecture, tailors and cafes.
The scenery en route is very beautiful. We make a stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments before winding our way up the spectacular Hai Van Pass to admire the stunning views north to Lang Co beach and south to Danang City. Continue on our way down to the other side and head to Da Nang where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arrival in Hoi An, we will have our first glimpse of this beautiful boutique town recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The tranquil and charm of Hoi An with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, and the colorful riverside market make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places. Overnight at hotel in Hoian 

Start your exploration today with a visit to the 4th century Cham religious sanctuary of My Son,
 
Located in a beautiful green valley, the ruins at My Son are the largest and most intact remaining in Vietnam. It is also the home to the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which records the development of the culture and history of the Cham people.
 
Return to Hoian for lunch. In the afternoon enjoy a leisure cruise on Thu Bon River to visit the Thanh Ha ceramic Pottery village, where we can see old men who produce jars, bowls, vases…  Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An

Morning after having breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Lunch served at a local restaurant. 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.
 
We then move to some French colonial structures including the Old Sai Gon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral.
 
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.
 
We continue our trip to 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 is to visit bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight at the hotel in HCM city

After breakfast, we depart for a long day of visit including of Cao Dai Temples  
 
Located in Tay Ninh province, Cao Dai Temple will be a good choice for those interested in the Vietnamese religion. In its main building, there are four prayers conducted daily, and travellers can witness or even join in the ceremonies. Tay Ninh is also famous for Ba Den Mountain Festival which is attractive to lots of visitors.
 
Afterwards we continue to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels
 
Located 70 km northwest of Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese soldiers in the American war. Nowadays, the tunnels have become a popular tourist attraction of Vietnam.
 
Overnight at the hotel in HCM city

Drive to Mekong Delta, we take a riverboat for a cruise along the riverbank of the Mekong Delta.
 
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.
 
Landing on the Tortoise Island to visit fruit garden, enjoy some of tropical fruits. Take a horse cart to visit from garden to garden in a small village. Rowing boat cruise along wonderful canals to visit orchards and the houses of local people. Visit a coconut candy workshop in Ben Tre.  Then takes a boat cruise to small waterway and come to have lunch at a local restaurant. Boat cruise again to a small riverside village and join in a home stay in the garden to learn Vietnamese culture of the Mekong Delta. Take some catch fishing tools, the farmers will show you how to catch fishes and shrimps in the canals and learn to cook local cakes and foods.
 
In the afternoon head to Can Tho for our overnight
 
Can Tho, situated in the heart of the Mekong delta, is well-known for Ninh Kieu wharf and Bang Lang garden. With plenty of restaurants, floating markets and friendly people, this riverside province never fails to capture the traveler’s heart.

Rising early to the sounds of the Delta coming to life for another day, we breakfast and start our trip with a boat cruise on sparking streams along the endless waterway of Mighty Mekong River to Cai Rang floating markets. 
 
One of the most enjoyable things to do in Mekong Delta is visiting Cai Rang Floating Market where you can see fruits, specialties of Mekong Delta. Beside, you can also buy garden tools or enjoy a Vietnamese breakfast dishes like rice noodle “Pho”.
 
After lunch at a local restaurant, we transfer back to Saigon for around 3.5 hours. Overnight in Saigon

Today you are free until time to transfer to airport for flight home. End of Golden Trail Travel services