Vietnam Adventures: Land of Wonders

Arrive in Danang. Pick up & transfer to the hotel

Enjoy the cable car ride to Ba Na Mountain and a panoramic view of the sea, Danang city, and rice fields spreading towards the horizon. At the top, you will explore lush Ba Na Hills, established in 1919 by French colonialism, it has refreshingly cool weather and gorgeous countryside views. Visit Vong Nguyet hills, Linh Ung pagoda and the old French villas. (B/L/D)

Depart to Pleiku. On the way, stop to visit Kon Tum town, a remote region of Central Highlands inhabited mostly by the Bahnar ethnic group. Have a look at the Wooden Cathedral built in 1913 by a French Catholic missionary and recently restored. Close by is Vinh Son Orphanage, a major charity center that cares for 200 children, most of whom are from the minority villages and have been rescued by local people and sisters from the church. (B/L/D)

Pleiku is the capital of the Gia Lai Province. City tour starts with a visit to Plei Phun village, where you will have the opportunity to explore the Jarai culture, the largest ethnic group in Central Highlands. In the afternoon, visit Bahnar minority such as Dektu -Deron -Dedoa – Dekop where you can learn about their traditional custom and culture, and see “Roong house”, their community building that looks like an axe blade pointing to the sky. You also enjoy the Gong performance, a musical instrument recognized as a Non-Physical Heritage of mankind by UNESCO in 2005, followed a taste of homebrew rice wine. (B/L/D)

Visit the Minh Thanh pagoda, considered one of the biggest and most beautiful ones in Central Highlands. Continue to drive to Buon Me Thuot, the capital city of Dak Lak province known as the regional coffee capital. It is the home to a number of several different ethnic minorities such as Ede, Mnong, Jarai … (B/L/D)

Visit Dray Sap Falls (meaning Fall of Mist in the Ede language), is a waterfall surrounded by rainforest and considered one of the biggest and most beautiful in Central Highlands. In the afternoon, drive to Buon Don, the former capital of Dak Lak province during the 19th century. (B/L/D)

Visit Lak Lake, a truly splendid and largest natural body of water in Central Highlands. An ecological and cultural attraction, this lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains and forests. On its bank is the sizeable the M’nong Rlam village of Jun with over 30 long houses. Different from the M’nong Gar who live in on-ground houses, the M’nong Rlam, like the Edeh, live in long houses built on stilts. Their method of building houses has remained simple and consists mainly of binding bamboo and thatch for the roof and walls, and constructing support pillars and framing with wood using tenon-mortise technique. No metal nail is used and the houses are cool and well-ventilated, thanks to the building materials. In the M’nong language, Jun means “jutting out.” Come to Lak Lake, you may ride elephants around the village, row dugout canoes on the lake or enjoy the Gong show and drinking jar-wine with the villagers. Drive to Dalat, sometimes known as the “City of Eternal Spring”. The drive is long but views are fantastic. Established at the beginning of 20th century, Dalat is reminiscent of an alpine town with its French chalets and pine forests. (B/L/D)

Enjoy sightseeing in Dalat, sometimes known as the “City of Eternal Spring”. Established at the beginning of 20th century, Dalat is reminiscent of an alpine town with its French chalets and pine forests. Enjoy the cable to the peaceful Truc Lam Zen Monastery, which includes a temple that promotes Zen Buddhism through paintings and poetry. Visit the primitive islands brimming with colorful flowers and take the cable cabin to see Dalat town from the sky. The lake is associated with many legends including a doomed love story of lovers who drowned in the lake to keep their love true forever. Visit Datala waterfalls, and the Love Valley. (B/L/D)

Drive to Vung Tau, preserves the feel of a harmonious community of religions, mountains, beaches and architecture, both old and new, was known as Cap Saint-Jacques under French occupation.

We start our city tour to explore this small exciting sea-town. We will first visit the spectacular Jesus Statue for a morning panoramic view of the city and shoreline. Built in 1972, this statue is standing in Nui Nho (Nho Mount) with 32 meters high and 18.3 meters long arms. Climbing to the top; we will enjoy a breathtaking view of Vung Tau city. Transfer to the next visit Nirvana Pagoda (Niet Ban Tinh Xa) is one of the biggest pagodas in the city. When you get here, you can try to drum the giant bronze bell in the upper level for fortune, good health, and success. The final place for visit is the White Palace which was used as the summer palace of the last Emperor of Vietnam, Bao Dai, before we enjoy one of the best hotel on the beach where we stay.

Drive to Can Tho, Visit My Khanh Tourist Village, can experience the old days of southerners’ life by taking on the costume of a rich landlord who lived in a big house or of a normal traditional farmer to feel the difference. Enjoy go shopping at Can Tho Night Market. (B/L/D)

Depart to Soc Trang for visit Clay Pagoda & Khmer Nation Museum. Continue to Ca Mau. Visit the “Tac Say Church” (Truong Buu Diep Sepulchre Franciscan Father) – the famous Sacred Catholic. (B/L/D)

Take a canoe to explore Khu Can Cu Rung Duoc (Mangrove Forest Base).  The natural scenery full of mangrove forests of birds, wild animals, and fishes gives Ca Mau a very distinctive beauty.  Continue to vung Dat Mui.  Ca Mau cape is the Southernmost location with the last milestone of Vietnam mainland.  After having photos taken, standing by milestone 0 you can contemplate the forest and sea swelling in the distance and feel the heat mixed with the salty air. Setting you foot in the final of the South of Vietnam.

Depart to Bac Lieu, the homeland of Cao Van Lau, who composed the Da Co Hoai Lang article, the art form of singing, the forerunner of  Don Ca Tai Tu – culture medium by UNESCO recognized as Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Stop to see the villa of Cong tu Bac Lieu – a legendary rich playboy who lived in the early 1900s, famous for his wealth & lavish spending, once burned money to boil bean. (B/L/D)

Transfer to Vinh Long city. Taking boat on the Mekong river, visit handicraft workshop, where local people make pop rice, coconut candy, rice paper….Bus pick up at Cai Be. Drive to Saigon. (B/L)