Classic Vietnam: Sapa to Ho Chi Minh

Two weeks is all you need for the adventure of a lifetime in Vietnam. Kick things off with an immersive hiking...

Vietnam

Classic Vietnam: Sapa to Ho Chi Minh

DAY 1 Hanoi/Sa Pá

Welcome to Vietnam! Join your group this morning for a welcome meeting before driving to Sa Pa, the trekking capital of Southeast Asia! This evening, join your group for a cooking demonstration and dinner.

Administrative

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Hanoi- Sa Pá

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Your Foodie Moment: Sa Pa Cooking Demonstration

Sa Pá

Join a hands-on cooking demonstration, then sit down and enjoy the meal!

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Sapa Eco Bungalow

Hotel
DAY 2 Sa Pá

Today starts your epic trekking adventure through Sa Pa. Trek for about 10 km today with a chance to rest and eat lunch part way. We'll hike through rice terraces, through local communities and have a chance to understand the unique way of life in Sa Pa. In the afternoon, we'll learn traditional wax and dying techniques used by the local villagers at Hmong Batik House.

Sapa Trekking Day 1

Sa Pá

Start trekking through the breathtaking view of Lao Chai Village, in the heart of Muong Hoa Valley. This picturesque village spans over 29 square kilometers and is considered one of the big villages in the region. We'll trek 6.5 km to Supan, stop for lunch, then continue on for 3.5 km to Ta Van Village. This community offers a unique cultural experience and a glimpse into the daily life of different ethnic people in Sa Pa.

Traditional Wax Technique

Sa Pá- Sapa Lodge

In Muong Hoa Batik House, learn the traditional technique of using bamboo tools in hot wax. Then, with time permitting, learn the natural indigo dying process used by the local villagers.

Accommodation

Sapa Eco Bungalow

Hotel
DAY 3 Sa Pá

Start today with a visit to the Red Dao community in Sin Chai Village. We'll have a moment to admire this beautiful and unique community before starting today's trek. Have your cameras ready as we trek through this seemingly untouched landscape. After the trek, we'll drive to Nam Than Village for a hands-on bamboo paper making experience with the local community.

Sapa Trekking Day 2

Sa Pá- Sapa Lodge

Start today at Sin Chai Village, a community of the Red Dao ethnic group at the far end of the Sa Pa valley. Witness the beautifully embroidered garments, silver jewelry and intricate head pieces. Trek four about 2 hours through spectacular landscapes with no other tourists around.

Bamboo Paper Making

Sa Pá

Get hands-on and learn to make paper from bamboo with local villagers in Nam Than Village.

Accommodation

Sapa Eco Bungalow

Hotel
DAY 4 Sa Pá

After breakfast, drive to Sa Pa Town where you will have the whole day at leisure to explore. Opt to enjoy the hot springs, get a massage, shop for souvenirs or visit the famous Fansipan Peak. This evening, catch an overnight train back to Hanoi.

Free Time

Sa Pá

Enjoy a free day in this amazing place.

Rail

Basic Overnight Train (beds)

Hanoi- Lào Cai8h-9h

Sit back, relax and get some sleep during this overnight train journey.

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Optional Activities - Day 4Show

Accommodation

Day Use Room: A25 Sapa Hotel

Hotel
DAY 5 Sa Pá/Hanoi

Rise early this morning as the overnight train pulls into Hanoi. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Hanoi. Meet up in the evening for an optional dinner with your CEO.

Free Time

Hanoi

Enjoy a free afternoon in Hanoi.

Accommodation

Chalcedony Hotel

Hotel
DAY 6 Hanoi/Ha Long

Enjoy a Ha Long Bay cruise on a junk boat with visits to a cave and an island lookout. Savour a seafood lunch and dinner. Drive to Bai Chay harbour, the jumping off point for Ha Long Bay. Thousands of islands with intricate cave systems rise dramatically from the waters. Sail past limestone karst mountains in the junk boat and stop to visit some of the islands and caves. In the evening, devour a seafood dinner, then opt to enjoy a drink on deck under the stars.

Automobile

Shared Van

Hanoi- Hạ Long Bay4h

Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.

Watercraft

Junk Boat

Ha Long

Skim across the water aboard this iconic traditional Asian sailboat.

Water Tour

Halong Bay Overnight Cruise

Board a traditional junk boat at Ha Long Bay harbour and cruise out onto serene waters. Marvel at massive limestone karst mountains jutting out of the water, creating unforgettable spectacular scenery. Swim, kayak or go cave exploring on one of the islands, if conditions are right. Indulge in fresh seafood meals with a variety of dishes to sample. Drift to sleep in a cozy cabin on board. On rare occasion Halong Bay is closed to tourist vessels by the government authorities due to extreme weather conditions. Should this occur, an alternate activity will be provided.

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Optional Activities - Day 6Show

Accommodation

Ha Long Bay Overnight Boat

Junk Boat
DAY 7 Ha Long/Huế

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board before sailing back to the port and return to Hanoi. Enjoy some time in the city before an overnight train to Hue. Interested in local cuisine? Opt to pre-book the "Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour" activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Hạ Long Bay- Hanoi3h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time

HanoiAFTERNOON

Spend a few hours exploring this beautiful capital city. Visit some shops, have a bia hoi on a street corner or grab a coffee in a lakeside café.

Rail

Overnight Train (beds)

Hanoi- Huế13h-14h

Drive about 15 mins to the station and then board the southbound train for the overnight journey.

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Optional Activities - Day 7Show

DAY 8 Huế

Pull into Hue early in the morning and dive right into the city, starting with a guided tour of the Imperial Citadel, Royal Tomb and Tien Mu Pagoda. The rest of the day, you are free to explore the city how you'd like. Arrive early to Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Start the day with a visit to the Tien Mu Pagoda followed by a visit to the tomb of one of Vietnam’s former emperors. After, opt for a vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery. While in the city, try some local Hue specialties such as banh khoai (Hue savoury pancakes), and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp). Wash it all down with a Hue beer. Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

Landmark

Thien Mu Pagoda Visit

Huế

Visit Tien Mu, one of the tallest and, perhaps, most elegant pagodas in Vietnam, at seven storeys high. Take a step back in time touring this historic temple - built more than 400 years ago along the north shore of the Perfume River, it has been the site of many political protests.

Land Tour

Imperial Citadel Tour

Huế

Tour this one-time capital city and UNESCO World Heritage site. See the walled fortress and former palace, which has many palaces, gateways, courtyards, and gardens to explore. The Forbidden Purple City (modelled on China's Forbidden City) inside the citadel was once home to the imperial family and was significantly damaged during the Vietnam War.

Landmark

Royal Tombs Visit

Huế

Visit the Royal Tombs along the Perfume River in Hue. Embracing the concept of Feng Shui, these tombs are extremely ornate and provide fantastic insight into the lives of the former rulers.

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Optional Activities - Day 8Show

Accommodation

Asia Hotel

Hotel
DAY 9 Huế/Hoi An

Drive the Hai Van pass. Take advantage of Hoi An's many options over the 2.5 days in town. Opt for a cooking class, riverboat trip, bike ride, beach time, tailor visit or My Son ruins. Cross the Hai Van Pass (weather permitting), with fantastic views in all directions, before arriving to Hoi An in the afternoon. With three nights here, there's plenty of time to explore all this charming town has to offer.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Huế- Hoi An4h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time

Hoi AnAFTERNOON

Use free time in this quaint town to explore any way you like.

Accommodation

Uptown Hoi An Hotel

Hotel
DAY 10 Hoi An

Explore all Hoi An has to offer. Dive into the culture, hang out on the beach or get clothes tailor-made in one of the many shops around town. Enjoy a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures-supported project.

Planeterra

Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles

Hoi An2h-3h

Try some of the oodles of noodles (more than 26 types!) available in the city in this tasty cooking class. Run by our G for Good partners, STREETS International, this class was developed exclusively for G Adventures. Former street youth that are part of this hospitality training program, will help you prepare and cook a number of different types of noodles. This program helps these youth practice their English, increasing their skill-set and opportunities available to them in the tourism industry. Enjoy your yummy creations while learning more about the local cuisine and this initiative which empowers street youth through skills and employment training.

Free Time

Hoi AnHALF_DAY

Explore this charming city.

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Optional Activities - Day 10Show

Accommodation

Uptown Hoi An Hotel

Hotel
DAY 11 Hoi An

Spend a free day exploring all Hoi An has to offer.

Free Time

Hoi AnFULL_DAY

Enjoy free time in this charming town.

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Optional Activities - Day 11Show

Accommodation

Uptown Hoi An Hotel

Hotel
DAY 12 Hoi An/Ho Chi Minh City

Fly from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City with free time to explore this hectic and amazing city. Drive to Da Nang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, once the capital of South Vietnam and the country’s commercial centre. Start exploring the small alleys and busy streets, keeping an eye out for laquerware shops and delicious local food stalls.

Air

Plane

Da Nang- Ho Chi Minh City1.5h

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Accommodation

Amory Hotel

Hotel
DAY 13 Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn more about the Vietnam War. Use free time in the afternoon to explore sprawling Ho Chi Minh City. With some free time in the city, opt to visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through the immense Ben Thanh Market. Also well worth a visit are the Reunification Palace (the residence of South Vietnam presidents before 1975), the city's Chinese quarter of Cholon, and the War Remnants Museum.

Land Tour

Cu Chi Tunnels Guided Tour

Củ Chi

Take a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex network of tunnels that the Viet Cong lived in to protect themselves from opposing forces during the Vietnam War. Try crawling through some of the tunnels (if you’re not claustrophobic). These tunnels stored ammunition, had underground hospitals, and served as a hidden base for attacking allied forces.

Free Time

Ho Chi Minh CityAFTERNOON

Get out and explore this frenetic city.

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Optional Activities - Day 13Show

Accommodation

Amory Hotel

Hotel
DAY 14 Ho Chi Minh City

Depart at any time. Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Day
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