Vietnam, The Grand Tour
27 Days Throughout The Motherland

Greetings & transfer to the hotel. Ideally located at the heart of the beautiful and historic old quarter and Vietnam’s famous 36 streets.

We start our journey by exploring Ha Giang, the farthest province in the North of Vietnam. On the way, we stopped at Tuyen Quang, which has 300 historical cultural vestiges. Visit Den Cam (Forbidden Temple) and Den Mau Thuong- these are 2 most sacred temples in Tuyen Quang, with its magnificent nature and mountain landscape around, the tourists are dragged to come and visit it. After that, on our way to Ha Giang, visit Thac Cai temple, one of the most famous and sacred temples to the belief of the local people. (B/L/D)

Begin our day to explore the highlights in the deep of Ha Giang, start with driving to Yen Minh then continue our journey east into the Mien River valley. Observe the river banks flanked by bamboo forests and wooden houses. From Yen Minh to the town of Pho Bang, where the beautiful pass with a green valley is the highest point and most beautiful to see the panorama of Sung La. Visit H’mong King’s Palace – considered a gem of the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang & a popular tourist destination besides the Dong Van Stone Plateau. (B/L/D)

Morning drive through the famous Happiness Road. This road was built between 1959 and 1965 by 16 ethnic groups from 8 provinces of Northern Vietnam. Ma Pi Leng is probably the most epic mountain pass in Vietnam. No wonder why travelers consider it as one of the “Big Four Passes” in the mountains of northern Vietnam, besides Deo O Quy Ho (in Sapa), Khau Phạ Pass and Pha Din Pass. The most scenic part of the Happiness Road is the stretch from Dong Van to Meo Vac. Here, the pass is carved on the edge of the limestone mountain, hundreds of meters above the Nho Que river gorge, one of Vietnam’s most unique tectonic formations. (B/L/D)

Take a scenic day trip north of Cao Bang to the beautiful Ban Gioc Waterfalls, one of Vietnam’s most impressive natural sights. Located in the northeastern province of Cao Bang, the falls are 30 meters high and 300 meters across, making Ban Gioc the widest (but not the highest) waterfall in the country. The falls occur on the Quay Son river, a beautiful jade-blue body of water through a pastoral landscape of rice fields and bamboo groves surrounded by limestone pinnacles. The unique landscape includes limestone karst formations soaring from the verdant rice paddies of Tay, H’Mong and Dzao ethnic minority groups. (B/L)

Morning depart to visit Ba Be lake, Vietnam’s largest natural lake which is now the centerpiece of an extensive National Park. The park and the surrounding area is limestone country, so lakes, waterfalls, caves, and unusual rock formations abound. The whole area is richly forested, home to many ethnic minority communities. Board a private boat for a cruise on Ba Be lake to visit to the Puong Grotto and the Dau Dang waterfall. (B/L)

Morning depart to visit Tam Chuc pagoda, situated in the North of Ha Nam province, is being built on the foundation of the former pagoda and is surrounded by newly built structures, a parking lot, an immense lake system, and lush forests. Tam Chuc pagoda enchants the eyes of visitors with its great combination of impressive architecture and spectacular landscapes. Continue to drive to Thanh Hoa with the famous Sam Son beach. (B/L/D)

Visit Quyet mountain complex – Phuong Hoang Trung Do – a place that leaves bold historical imprints, is rich in epics, and is associated with a long history and events. Important history to commemorate the hero Quang Trung Nguyen Hue. Drive to Thanh Chuong tea island, and you admire the vast and clear lake, through the green tea hills. After freely taking souvenir photos, you can buy bunches of fresh green tea picked by local people on the hillside with a unique and unforgettable flavor. (B/L/D)

Drive to the river where we take a boat trip to the park and famed caves at Phong Nha – Ke Bang, one of the newest UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites in Vietnam. The park has some beautiful limestone formations, grottoes, caves, forests, rivers, and streams. The limestone mountain range contains the longest underground river on the planet, rich flora, and fauna. Continue to visit Thien Duong (Paradise) cave, which was discovered by a local man in 2005. This cave is 31 km long, longer than Phong Nha Cave which had been considered the longest cave in this national park. The limestone formation is also more spectacular than that of Phong Nha Cave. The British cave explorers were impressed by the beautiful and spectacular stalactites and stalagmites inside this cave. (B/L/D)

Depart to Hue city. On the way, stop by to visit the 17th parallel, Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai River and Kinh Hoang (consternated) Boulevard. Visit Our Lady Of Lavang Church.

Hue city, the ancient capital, is intimately connected to the imperial Nguyễn Dynasty. Boat cruise on Huong river to visit Linh Mu pagoda on the left bank of the Perfume river. It was built in 1601, and then Lord Nguyen Phuc Tan renovated it in 1665. In 1710 Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu had a great bell cast (2.5 m high, weighed 3,285 kg) and a stele (2.58 m high) erected on the back of a marble tortoise in 1715. Visit Khai Dinh Tomb was built between 1920 and 1931. It is located in a vast expanse of wilderness, and looks like a magnificent palace perched on the slope of a limestone mountain. It is accessible by climbing 109 stone steps. Unlike the construction materials used for the other tomb, Khai Dinh mausoleum was built with modern materials such as steel and reinforced concrete. The peculiar feature of the tomb is the magnificent porcelain decorations on the walls, columns, and ceilings. The Tu Duc tomb called the Tomb of Modesty, the necropolis complex is enclosed by a thick wall following the contour of the hill, among a pine tree forest. Tu Duc’s tomb is one of the most beautiful works of royal architecture of the Nguyen dynasty and a romantic picture of mounts and lakes. (B/L/D)

Boat cruise to visit Linh Mu pagoda on the left bank of the Perfume river. It was built in 1601, and then Lord Nguyen Phuc Tan renovated it in 1665. In 1710 Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu had a great bell cast and a stele erected on the back of a marble tortoise 1715. Visit Khai Dinh Tomb was built between 1920 and 1931. It is located in a vast expanse of wilderness and looks like a magnificent palace perched on the slope of a limestone mountain. It is accessible by climbing 109 stone steps. Unlike the construction materials used for the other tomb, Khai Dinh mausoleum was built with modern materials such as steel and reinforced concrete. The peculiar feature of the tomb is the magnificent porcelain decorations on the walls, columns and ceilings. The Tu Duc tomb called Tomb of Modesty, the necropolis complex is enclosed by a thick wall following the contour of the hill, among a pine tree forest. Tu Duc tomb is not only one of the most beautiful works of royal architecture of the Nguyen dynasty but also is a romantic picture of mounts and lakes.

Cyclo drive from Trang Tien bridge to visit the Emperor Citadel of the Nguyen Dynasty. Step by step explores the history of Vietnam under the reign of the Nguyen Kings, how they built the citadel, why they must be in that shape, and many interesting stories. Visit the South Gate, palaces, and many historical sites. Shopping at Dong Ba market. Enjoy Royal dinner with Royal custom and live Vietnamese traditional music. (B/D)

Depart to visit Hoi An, an ancient city that has retained much of its original charm and culture. Your guide will lead you on a walking tour of this historic part of town and show you some of the centuries-old houses. Visit Phuoc Kien Temple, Tan Ky old house, which showcases many ceramic antiques. Explore the special architectural style of Bridge pagoda. Explore and take pictures of the Hoai river and the everyday life of people in central Vietnam. Make a short city tour and visit the Japanese Covered bridge, a Chinese Community hall, a former Merchandise house and the historical museum.

Visit Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village: Learn about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families, and their community. Take a wooden boat transferring to Cam Thanh water coconut village. Learn about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families, and their community. Board on the boat and commence cruising on the Cua Dai River. Join local fishermen on the river and experience a round net or cast net. Learn how to paddle the Vietnamese unique bamboo basket boat. Explore the now tranquil coconut palm flanked waterways of a past war and hear of the extreme conditions endured by soldiers of both sides.
Afternoon enjoy the city tour at Danang, Vietnam’s third largest city, which is slated to become the major economic center in central Vietnam. Going back in time, Danang was where the Sahuynh culture flourished during the Iron Age, over 3,000 years ago. The first inhabitants of the region were the ancestors of the Cham people. Danang is a beautiful seashore city surrounded by river, sea and mountain that perfectly blends modernist architecture with a variety of spectacular scenery. (B/L)

Spend the day on the beautiful Ba Na Hills. Marvel at the exquisite architecture of the Linh Ung Pagoda, stand before the vast 30-meter statue of Buddha and enjoy a traditional lunch after your visit to the Tinh Tam Garden.

Enjoy the cable car to Ba Na mountain to see a vast view of the sea, Danang city, and rice fields spreading to the horizon. Established in 1919, Bana hill inherited from the French, lush Ba Na has refreshingly cool weather and gorgeous countryside views. Stop at the station to visit Vong Nguyet hills, Linh Ung pagoda & The Old Villas of French.
Perched 1500m up a mountain 48km west of Da Nang, Ba Na Hill Station provides a welcome change from the coast. The site was first developed by the French in the 1920s, who escaped the summer heat for its cool, mountain air. Given the weather, you may have to content yourself with a more atmospheric scene of mountains wreathed in mist, but while it’s raining on the lower slopes, the summit may be above the clouds, enjoying brilliant sunshine. Enjoy the sightseeing from the Golden bridge. Winding its way around a 150-meter course lined with flowers, a golden bridge shimmers against the Ba Na Hills, supported by a pair of giant hands.
The bridge’s 150-meter length is divided into eight spans. Along each perimeter is a line of Lobelia Chrysanthemum flowers, adding a further layer of color to the gold balustrades. The giant pair of hands has been finished with a weathered effect, creating the illusion of age and antiquity. (B/L)

Your journey to visit the Kontum town, a mysterious region of Central Highlands where the majority inhabitants make up the Bahnar. Have a visit to the Wooden Cathedral that was built in 1913 by a French Catholic Missionary & has been restored. Close by is Vinh Son Orphanage where you can see a big charity center that brings up a total of 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 Gia Lai Province. City tour starts with a visit to Plei Phun village of Jarai – the largest ethnic group in Central Highlands, a good opportunity to explore the Jarai culture. Afternoon visit Bahnar minorities such as Dektu -Deron -Dedoa – Dekop where you have opportunities to discover their traditional custom and culture, especially the community building called “ Roong house “ which looks like an axe blade pointing in to the sky. You also enjoy the Gong performance, a kind of musical instrument that has been recognized as a Non-Physical Heritage of mankind by the world community awarded by UNESCO in 2005 followed a try of “ homebrew rice wine “ (B/L/D)

Morning visit Minh Thanh pagoda that is currently one of the biggest architectures and is also considered the most beautiful in Central Highlands. Continue to drive to Buon Me Thuot, the large city in a coffee plantation area and the provincial city of Daklak province, is the home to number of several different ethnic minorities such as Ede, Mnong, Jarai…Visit the Ethnological Museum where you can see many things come from the daily life of Ethnic minorities in Vietnam such as clothes, cultivated tools, musical instruments…Continue on to visit Akodhon village of Ede minority where you can stroll around the village to discover the architectures of the house-on-stilts. (B/D)

Visit Draysap, waterfall that is Fall of Mist in the Ede language, is surrounded by rainforest and is considered one of the biggest and most beautiful waterfalls in Buon Me Thuot. Afternoon drive to the city to Buon Don, that was the Capital city of Daklak province during 19th century, the village of Mnong minority who traditionally specialised in hunting and domesticating the wild elephants. You also have opportunities to visit the Laos’ Ancient house-on-stilts that was built over 100 years ago, Bamboo suspension bridge crossing the Serepok river, the grave house of a well-known wild elephant hunting King. (B/L/D)

Visit Lak lake that is the biggest natural lake in the Central Highlands. This is really a splendid lake; a destination of Ecology – Culture unique attractions with a natural poetic beauty of the surrounding mountains and forests. By the side of Lak Lake is the size of the M’nong Rlam village of Jun with over 30 longhouses. Different from the M’nong Gar who live in on-ground houses, the M’nong Rlam live in longhouses which are built on stilts like the Edeh. Their method of building longhouses 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. None of the metal nail is used and the houses are cool and well-ventilated, thanks to the building materials of thatch and bamboo. 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 drink jar-wine with the villagers. Drive to Dalat, sometimes known as the “City of Eternal Spring”. The drive is long but the 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 the sightseeing in Dalat and take in the art deco former Summer Palace of Emperor Bao Dai, Xuan Huong lake, the Central Market, Love Valley, Domaine De Marie Church & Than Tho lakes. Enjoy the cable car to the beauty of Truc Lam Zen Institute, , produces his abstract paintings and writes poetry, produces his abstract paintings and writes poetry. Visit the primitive islands with colorful flowers and take the cable cabin to see Dalat town in sky. The lake has been surrounded by many stories and legends with sorrowful endings in which the heroine drowns in the lake to keep her true love forever. Visit the Data waterfalls. Visit Linh Phuoc Pagoda, also called Ve Chai Pagoda, the unique pagoda. It was decorated by fragments of ancient porcelain. Hundreds of Buddas are present in the main hall. In the afternoon, take a cable car running from Robin Hill to the Truc Lam Temple. The ride covers 2.3 kilometers with 50 brightly painted cabins spanning the distance. The panoramic views of Dalat are worth the effort. (B/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. Arriving in Vung Tau, you visit the White House Palace, offering a wonderful view of the beach and the city. (B/L)

Morning 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. Depart to Can Tho. Enjoy your time at Night Market (B/L)

Morning take the boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river ( Bassac river ) . The boat trip later takes you to the Cai Rang Floating Market, which are the most original ones and bustling.

Visit Binh Thuy Ancient House – one of the most ancient houses and the main background in the film L’amant of French director J. Annaud, was built in 1870 with French style in architecture. Continue visit Thien Vien Truc Lam Phuong Nam: is new pagoda and largest one in the Mekong Delta. Inaugurated in May 2014. As you enter the compound, you will find yourself on the huge spuare, flanked with two lotus ponds and lined with expensive sculptures of the praying men. The red-brick pagoda has elegantly carved wooden and windows and the tiled roof has beautifull curves and dragons. A giant bell and a gong stand in front of the temple. (B/D)

Depart to Soc Trang for visit Clay Pagoda & Khmer Nation Museum. Visit city Bac Lieu, to 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 and lavish spending, once burned money to boil bean. 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. Drive to Rach Gia. (B/D)

Depart to Ha Tien for visit Hon Chong with Cavern Pagoda. Visit Ha Tien Thap Canh: Tam Bao Pagoda (so-called Tieu Pagoda) – one of Ha Tien highlights and also where Mac Cuu’s mother practiced religion. then Mac Cuu Mausoleum: worship and burial place of Ha Tien Town’s founder. – Thach Dong (Stone Cave) – which associates with the image of Quynh Nga Princess in Thach Sanh – Ly Thong Legend and Pass U Minh Thuong National Park to feel the beauty of Vietnam Southern Land. Visit to Mac Cuu Tombs. Phu Dung Pagoda, Thach Dong Thon Van, Xa Xia border gate. Mui Nai beach. Continue to Chau Doc downtown, to visit the traditional Trading Market, and experience lots of interesting things! Besides that, your guide will give you more informations about the amazing history of the region, and you will visit some of the most beautiful pagodas of the region! Stop to visit famous Mieu Ba Chua Xu. After that transfer to Tra Su cajuput forest, which is renowned for not only its almost-untouched natural beauty but also its sanctuary of flora and fauna. Take a boat trip into the forest, you will immediately feel like you are harmonizing with nature because of all of the impressive pictures of cajuputs, the fragrance of the flowers and the music-like noise of birds, insects and animals making people relaxed and comfortable. From the observation post, you can overlook the forest with an area of nearly 900 ha, home of many birds and animals, including some rare ones. (B/D)

The watery world of the Mekong Delta is home to many bustling floating markets. Depart to Vinh Long city. Taking a boat on the Mekong river, visit handicraft workshop, where local people make pop rice, coconut candy, rice paper….After that go to Cai Be, where you stay at Mekong Riverside. You can sit on balcony porch & enjoy watching the local river life. (B/D)

Enjoy your morning. Have lunch. Depart to Saigon. (B/L)