Vietnam in a Banana Leaf
Visiting: VietnamCode: GTVE
Tour price from USD 1420.00 for 22 days - Land Only
The Tour Price displayed here is for the tour only and does not include international flights. Our flight prices are very competitive, please ask for a quote when making your booking
Plus a local payment of pp payable locallyThis is a payment for your trip that must be paid locally to your tour leader on the 1st day of the trip, in the specified currency.
Visiting: Vietnam
This is your full-on trip up the coast of Vietnam and into the hills of Sapa. From hectic Ho Chi Minh City to historic Hanoi.
Vietnam in a Banana Leaf
Ready, set, pagoda.(Was Vietnam Encompassed)
Day
Ho Chi Minh City
Day
Mekong Delta
(2B, D)Day
Cu Chi Tunnels
Take a tour of the tunnel network and be thankful that some parts have been widened for us fatties. Crawl through a section of the Cu Chi Tunnels Learn how the brave men and women of Cu Chi built underground hospitals, kitchens and meeting rooms during their struggle Spend the last afternoon in Vietnam shopping in the city’s main business district, or take a cyclo ride through the busy city streets to Ho Chi Minh’s Chinatown district, Cholon (B)Day
Dalat
Suck in a lungful of fresh mountain air and head to Coffee Street, which is packed with little coffee stalls (obviously). Combined with the clean, crisp air you’ll definitely be wide awake by now. Join a local bus for the day-long drive to Dalat Mix with locals and other travellers on board the bus Journey past rubber and teak plantations before ascending the jungle-clad pass to Bao Loc Continue past tea and coffee plantations, where the people and their houses look very different to those in Ho Chi MinhEnjoy a full free day to explore some of the more interesting sights in Dalat, including the old railway station, Bao Dai, and the Hang Nga Guesthouse, known as the 'Crazy House' Perhaps pay a visit to one of Dalat's most notable residents, Buddhist monk/artist, Vien Thuc, and purchase his black ink on paper paintings and calligraphy for approximately US$5 a piece Why not try lunch is the upstairs 'mezzanine' floor of the fruit and vegetable pavilion in Dalat's central market Take an optional trip out to 'Lat Village' – a local ethnic hill tribe community located just outside Dalat (2B)Day
Nha Trang - island cruise - overnight train
Pack your swimmers and towel for our cruise around the islands. You’re on your own for the day before we catch our overnight train to Danang then the bus to Hoi An.Enjoy plenty of time to worship the sun during two full days in Nha Trang Head out onto the water for a day to cruise around the islands Spend stacks of time swimming and snorkellingIndulge in a lunchtime feast of freshly caught seafood and other delights for non-fish eaters Board the overnight sleeper train bound for Danang (B, L)Day
Hoi An
Hire a bike and check out the countryside, take a riverboat cruise, relax on a nearby beach, eat in the cheap cafes or update your wardrobe at one of the same-day tailors. Drive through the busy streets of Danang and pass by the massive former US airbase that was, in 1968, the busiest airport in the world Take a walking tour of Hoi AnEnjoy free time - there’s such a broad choice of things to see and do, and they can all be experienced without difficulty Perhaps rent bicycles and set off to explore the surrounding countryside, take a boat trip on the river, relax on the nearby beach, enjoy the cuisine on offer at some of the town’s numerous cheap cafes or have some clothes made upWhy not venture further afield to Vietnam’s world famous ‘China Beach’ and the adjacent Marble Mountains An optional visit to the Kingdom of Champa, the ancient ruins at My Son, can be completed in half a dayLeave Hoi An and take the day train to Nha Trang (B)Day
Hue
Packed with temples, tombs, palaces and pagodas, Hue is great for history buffs (and Instagram fans). Don’t miss the Purple Forbidden Palace and the Citadel walls.Mount local ‘shopping’ bikes and cycle down to the riversidePlace the bikes on board a ‘Dragon Boat’, and enjoy a cruise up the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu pagodaChoose to either cycle back into town from here, approximately 8km, or staying on the boat to head back down river to the Citadel Spend a couple of hours exploring Hue’s massive walled citadel and the Forbidden Purple Palace enclosed withinPerhaps cycle out to one of the Royal tombs such as the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, one of the best remaining examples of its kind Alternatively, set off on an optional motorcycle tour of the sights in Hue and some surrounding villages (2B)Day
Hanoi
(B)Day
Halong Bay
They say the limestone karsts in Halong Bay were formed when dragons were sent to spit big lumps of jade into the water, creating a wall that would protect Vietnam from invaders. No dragons were harmed in the making of this legend. Take a 3½-hour drive through the fertile Red River Delta to the bayside town of Bai Chay Board a chartered boat and enjoy a full afternoon lazing on deck as you cruise through the seascapeIndulge in a seafood lunch is served on board Perhaps go for a swim before going ashore on one of the islands to explore colourful limestone caves Be lucky to witness a sunset over Halong Bay before enjoying dinner prepared by the crew (B, L, D)Day
Hanoi
(B)Day
Sapa - village trek - overnight train
Trek from Sapa into the surrounding hills and stay with a family in a remote hill tribe village. Perhaps catch a glimpse of China over the other side of the river Drive into the mountains and on to the picturesque minority hill tribe town of Sapa, set amidst mountain scenery and in the shadow of Vietnam's tallest peak, Mt. Fansipan Spend the afternoon getting to know this little town Set out on an adventurous two-day trek up the Muong Hoa River Valley, with its lush vegetation and rice terraces Spend the night in the cosy longhouse belonging to one of the local familiesIndulge in a hearty hill tribe breakfast, get picked up by jeeps and driven back to Sapa Head back to Lao Cai where we board the overnight train to Hanoi (2B, D)Day
Hanoi
Back in Hanoi there’s free time to check out some art galleries or just stroll around after our epic trip. Enjoy more free time in Hanoi to explore the many temples, pagodas and museums, or simply choose to relax (B)While the information presented here details our planned itinerary, including routes taken, activities included, accommodation and meeting times, please accept that unforseen changes may occur. We are constantly on the lookout to improve our program and further enhance your experience. Naturally, we will keep you up to date with any last minute amendments to your tour.
Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner
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