Overview
Vietnam is a young country (more than half the population is under 30) with a long history. The diversity of the landscape is guaranteed to satisfy, no matter what you are looking for on your trip.
See the old French influence on the city of Hanoi, explore Halong Bay, trek through the mountains for some heart pumping exercise or explore up in the highlands (a favourite retreat for Vietnamese royalty).
See the small coastal towns to feel like you’re stepping back in time in these nearly untouched communities before catching some rays at a funky modern beach resort; then dive in for some water sports in a place like Phan Thiet (Vietnam’s kite-surfing capital), or on a peaceful island in the south where life moves nice and slowly.
Key Information about Vietnam
Currency
Vietnamese Dong
Capital City
Hanoi
Language
Vietnamese
Flight Time from Malta
11h 39min
20 Days Vietnam Honeymoon
Day 1 - Ha noi arrival
Upon your arrival in Noi Bai Airport, our guide and private car will greet you and transfer to hotel for check in. A nice room with roses and candle will be ready for your romantic and cosy stay at hotel.
Have a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation at hotel in Hanoi.
Meals Included: Dinner at local restaurant
Day 2 - HALONG
From Hanoi, head East for more than 3 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994.
The road will pass by the Red River delta with green paddy fields and rural villages, where hard-work farmers are busy with their farming jobs, ploughing buffaloes or planting seedling. Upon arrival in Halong, we’ll take a big boat to cruise the Bay to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes.
After a lunch of fresh seafood on board, we can visit the Surprising Grotto, stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating villages and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Back to the boat for dinner late afternoon. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the boat near Titov Beach.
Honeymoon set up will be prepared specially for your sweet honeymoon journey.
Please note: You only have an English speaking guide on the boat.
Meals Included: Lunch at restaurant, Lunch and Dinner on board
Day 3 - HALONG – HANOI – LAO CAI
After breakfast, visit by boat or kayak to Luon Cave, a ring-shaped pool inside an island in Halong with absolutely tranquil landscape and emerald water.
Back to the Wharf of Halong passing the most densely area with many islands that have been named like the Cock-Fighting Rock, Sail Island, Incense burner rock or Sea Dog Rock. Arrive at Halong Wharf around 10.30. Then come back to Hanoi center, relax at a mini hotel near the train station.
After dinner by yourself, transfer to Hanoi Railway Station to take the night train at 20:30 to Lao Cai.
Overnight on the train (soft sleeper 4-berth cabin)
Meals Included: Brunch on board
Day 4 - LAO CAI - SAPA
Arrive at Lao Cai Station at 06.00. Picked-up and transferred to Sapa by car (40km mountain road from Lao Cai).
The mountain landscape of Sapa is magnificent and beautiful in both winter mist or green springtime. Stop at misty pinewoods, graceful terraced paddy fields and get lovely pictures of charming Hmong or Dzao girls we see on the mountainside. After arriving in Sapa, we will have breakfast before and leave our luggage at the hotel before hanging around with our guide to Sapa market, where we can meet the montagnards and admire their handicrafts made of wood, silver, or dyed and embroidered fabrics and clothes.
Take a 2-km short trekking to Cat Cat Village, the home of Hmong Ethic. Meeting and talking with locals to learn more about their daily life. Go on to Lao Chai (10km from Sapa) and walk thru 3km to Tavan with stops at the villages of the tribal people Hmong, Tay and Dzay en route. Back to Sapa town for overnight.
Accommodation at hotel in Sapa.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, Picnic lunch
Day 5 - SAPA – LAO CAI - HANOI
After breakfast, we will drive toward Bac Ha, about 110km from Sapa. With a dozen of tribes living in the surroundings, including Flower Hmong, Chinese, Nhang, Dzao, Nung, Phu La, Thai and King (or Viet), the market is extremely exciting esp. in the early morning.
The winding road to Bac Ha helps maintain the colours (in both literal and figurative sense) of the area. In this market, we can meet hundreds of beautiful women from Flower Hmong tribe, who are famous for their wonderful craft and hand-made flowering clothes and textile fabrics, or intermingle with people from Black Hmong, Dzay, Dzao and other ethnic groups coming to the market not for purchasing stuffs, but for meeting and chatting – just once a week - like in a real cultural center.
After lunchtime, we can hike around or take our car heading to further hamlets in Ban Pho, Trieu Cai, or Na Hoi. Back to Lao Cai Station later afternoon to take the night train from Lao Cai to Hanoi. (Lunch in Bac Ha).
Overnight on the train.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, Picnic lunch
Day 6 - HANOI
Picked-up by car at Hanoi Station around 05.00. After breakfast and a short relax at a mini hotel near the train station, we will start the Hanoi city tour. Our tour will start by visiting Ho Chi Minh Museum.
The Ho Chi Minh Museum is the preserver of everything memorable related to Ho Chi Minh. The Museum consists of five extensive floors and was inaugurated on 2nd September, 1990, celebrating the 100th birthday occasion of the beloved President. Close by, the famous One Pillar Pagoda is worth a passing look. Built by King Ly Thai To in 1049, the structure has become an important symbol for the Hanoian. After that, we will continue to visit theLiterature Temple and Quoc Tu Giam – Vietnam’s first University, constructed in 1070. Its gardens and well- preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past.
When you finish your lunch at a local restaurant, we will proceed to Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. This is the most recent yet probable the largest and undoubtedly the most interesting museums in Hanoi and Vietnam. This is worth a thorough visit, for those who are keen to learn about the multiculturality of Vietnam and for those who would appreciate some green space.
Then we will stop at Sword Lake to visit Ngoc Son Temple and learn more about the lake’s legend.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at local restaurant
Day 7 - NINH BINH - DONG HOI
Drive to Ninh Binh, situated 92 km south of Hanoi. Your journey takes you to Tam Coc, often called “Dry Halong Bay”. Limestone karsts rise from rice fields and winding streams. Enjoy the spectacular scenery during a leisurely boat ride in traditional local sampans paddling through “Three Caves” (Tam Coc in Vietnamese).
After lunch at local restaurant, visit Bich Dong Pagoda and proceed to Hoa Lu - the ancient capital - to visit some temples of the Dinh and Le Dynasties. Back to Hanoi and stop at the mini hotel for refreshment before arrival at the railway station to take the night train to Dong Hoi.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at local restaurant
Day 8 - DONG HOI – PHONG NHA – HANG EN
On arrival to Dong Hoi, you are picked up at the train station & transfer to a mini hotel in Phong Nha for breakfast & relaxation before Start your ultimate adventure with a pickup from your hotel between 8:00 am and 8:30 am.
Learn all about safety and collect your gear before driving 45mins through the National Park to reach the trailhead. A steep jungle hill starts the adventure, with a refreshing river at the bottom. Hike through rich jungle to reach the Ban Doong minority village, where a hot cup of tea welcomes you. Lunch takes place shortly after near the river, and then it’s back into the jungle, through river streams, and across the river valley until Hang En lays on the horizon.
Enter the cave around 3 PM, and enjoy your afternoon swimming, before a sizzling BBQ dinner is served, complete with rice wine and beautiful flocks of swifts overhead.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, Meals as included in the package tour organized by Oxalis
Day 9 - HANG EN – BAN DOONG VILLAE – PHONG NHA
Awake for breakfast early and explore the breath-taking exit, and then trek through the dry passage to the viewpoint high above camp, where 300 million year old fossils can be witnessed. In the late morning, trek back through the mountainous river valley, through jungle and across streams, until reaching Doong village again.
Enjoy a picnic lunch by the stream and then prepare for the biggest challenge ahead, climbing the treacherous hill up to the Ho Chi Minh Road.
Watch out for leeches and push ahead to the road, where cold drinks are waiting. Return by vehicle to Phong Nha by 5:00 pm
Meals Included: Meals as included in the package tour
Day 10 - PHONG NHA - HUE
After breakfast, take 2.5 hours to arrive to Hue. Check in hotel & relax. Have lunch at a garden restaurant before visiting Imperial Enclosure including the Citadel, Forbidden City, Hue Museum of Royal Fine Arts. Dinner at your own account for flexibility.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at local restaurant
Day 11 - HUE – DANANG – HOI AN
After breakfast, go on to Thien Mu pagoda and visit the Tombs of King Minh Mang and Tu Duc – two best-reserved monuments of the Nguyen Emperors since early 19th and early 20th centuries.
Have lunch at a local restaurant, then we will depart from Hue, passingDanang with stops to sightsee the Cham Museum, the marvelous museum which tells us in advance about the Cham Culture, once brightened in Central Vietnam.
Go on to the Marble Mountain, enjoy the landscape of Hai Van (the “Ocean Cloudy Mountain Pass”) and Lang Co Beach before reaching Hoian in the late afternoon. Check in hotel & free at your own leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at local restaurant
Day 12 - HOI AN – DANAG – NHA TRANG
You are free till transfer to Danang Airport to take the midday flight to Nha Trang. On arrival, you are picked up & transferred to hotel for check in. Free at your own leisure to relax on the beach.
The market tour will give you an insight not just into the scents and flavor of Vietnamese herbs and spices but also real market culture, how to bargain and where to buy your fresh foodstuff. The market place is the core of Vietnamese society.
On the way back to the restaurant, we will take a walk along the busy river bank till An Hoi Bridge before boarding our private boat for a transfer across the river to the Restaurant, it takes about 25mins to 30 mins on the quiet river and you will see living activities of local fishing people.
Upon arrival, you will receive a refreshing seasonal drink as a welcomed drink from our hospitality staff. We start our cooking lesson. The lesson runs for about 2 hours. The head chef first present a theory lesson, and then He demonstrates course by course according to the lesson plan, during his demonstrate He will ask some check questions to ensure that you understand what he does, of course you can ask questions at any time.
You will see the finished courses and you will have plenty of opportunity to get involved and try your hand at reproducing the flavours. + You can dine on the dishes you have just prepared. We will also supply you with a recipe containing all the information you need to reproduce an authentic taste.
This afternoon is for discover Hoian ancient town by your self – walking over the tile- roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly Halls and Trading Houses, Pagodas, and stroll around the market located by Thu Bon river, you may find out the same feelings of the artists, who see the charm of Hoi An a magical old world of Oriental feel and source of inspiration.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at local restaurant
Day 13 - HOI AN – DANAG – NHA TRANG
You are free till transfer to Danang Airport to take the midday flight to Nha Trang. On arrival, you are picked up & transferred to hotel for check in. Free at your own leisure to relax on the beach.
Transfer from hotel to airport in Danang and from airport to hotel in Nha Trang is with car and driver only, no Tour guide
Accommodation at hotel in Nha Trang
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Day 14 - NHA TRANG
Full day at leisure in Nha Trang.
Accommodation at hotel in Nha Trang.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Day 15 - NHA TRANG - DALAT
After breakfast, transfer by road from Nha Trang to Dalat, which takes you around more than 3 hours. On arrival to Dalat, check in hotel for relaxation. (transfer is with car and driver only, no tour guide) In the afternoon, take an interesting rope course. These high ropes course elements are also supplemented with a number of lower ropes course elements.
Ropes Courses are great for building up the confidence of team members and focusing on leadership skills such as trust and commitment.
The best Ropes Course in Vietnam contains 100+ meter Flying Fox (Zip Line), a Monkey Bridge that sits 40 feet up in the air, and a Leap of Faith that requires a precarious leap from a pole.
Zip Line Challenge:
This fun challenge requires participants to zip line across the lake and hit targets in the water with darts. It’s also the only way to get over to some of the more challenging ropes course elements like the Monkey Bridge and Leap of Faith.
Monkey Bridge:
Team members must climb up to the top of the pole, balance and then leap to the high wire handle. This activity focuses on confidence and trust again at a very high level. People are moved way outside of their comfort zones and tested.
Leap of Faith:
Team members must climb up to the top of the monkey bridge and walk across in the fastest time possible. This activity requires confidence in oneself and trust in the person belaying you below.
Accommodation at hotel in Dalat.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, Picnic Lunch
Day 16 - DALAT
In the morning at 8AM, take a fantastic day trip (white water rafting), which goes into one of the least explored areas of Dalat, and down a fantastic stretch of the Langbian River with Class 2,3, and 4 rapids.
A fantastic way to see the deep countryside of Vietnam and get your adrenaline fix for the week at the same time. This is expedition style rafting with no close access to the river by any major roads. This river is remote. The walk down to the river and the boat launch area is about 45 minutes and through 3 kilometers of stunning scenery. The trip will finish around 4:00-4: 30PM.
Accommodation at hotel in Dalat.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, Picnic Lunch
Day 17 - DALAT – HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight to Saigon. (transfer from hotel in Dalat to airport is with car and driver only, no tour guide)
On arrival, you will be welcomed at the Tan Son Nhat airport and transfer to the city center to start the city tour at the Reunification Palace, the witness of the fierce Vietnam War ended in 1975. The grand building today is a Museum and Hall of official receptions. Nearby the Palace are the colonial-styled Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883 and one of the city’s major landmarks. Back to your hotel for check in.
After lunch, we will drive to visit Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the few remaining monuments to the fierce Vietnam War. We can even crawl a part of the tunnel to experience the real life of the Vietnamese guerrillas, who used to use and live inside this system during the wartime.
Accommodation at hotel in Saigon.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at local restaurant
Day 18 - SAIGON – MY THO – CAN THO
Head to the South to My Tho and Ben Tre, the homeland of coconut and family factories with local products. Stop en route to visit Dong Tam Snake farm and Vinh Trang pagoda. Upon arrival in My Tho, we will take a small boat to go between canals into gardens and rural houses, where a lot of families produce coconut candy, feed the bee for honey, or plant juicy fruit. Stop at some families and their small factories. Lunch en route.
Accommodation at hotel in Can Tho
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at local restaurant
Day 19 - CAN THO - SAIGON
A highlight of trips to the Mekong delta is its floating market, whose activities are most exciting in the early morning. So we can wake up early today to arrive in Cai Rang or Phong Dien Floating market to enjoy the daily life of Mekong people, who come to the markets on the rivers everyday with lots of fruits, foodstuff and other consumer goods. Visit the Farms in Can Tho on the way back to Saigon. Dinner at your own arrangement.
Accommodation at hotel in Saigon
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at local restaurant
Day 20 - SAIGON Departure
Transfer to the Tan Son Nhat Airport and check in for your flight to Bali via Kuala Lumpur.
The above stay in Vietnam includes:
- Accommodation in shared twin room with air-condition (AC) and private bathroom
- Meals as stated above
- Transfers and tours with local English speaking guides in private air-conditioned vehicles
- All entrance fees, boat fees and / or cyclo fees as mentioned in the programme
- Drinking water and cold towels available on the vehicles
The above stay in Vietnam does not include:
- Optional tours
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc.
- Meals and services other than mentioned in the program
- Drinks with meals
- Compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak season surcharges which will be advised at the time of booking
- Visa application and visa stamp fees at Vietnamese embassies overseas and/ or upon arrival (Please note that a visa is compulsory for most nationalities.)