Vietnam: See & Do Almost it ALL in 11 Days, First Class Traveling

People are lured to Vietnam because this fascinating destination offers great food, affordable prices, and stunning nature. Geopolitical warfare from 1955 to 1975 represents a country of decades ago. Today’s Vietnam is one of visitors, expats, and natives together enjoying the outdoor restaurants, bars, and beaches.

Our tour begins in the city of Da Nang. The highlights for today are Dragon Bridge, which features a rather unique architectural design, and the beach near our hotel. Today is used mostly for getting settled in.

Today we make a day trip from Da Nang to the charming town of Hoi An. En route, we make a stop in an area called Marble Mountains (a.k.a. Ngũ Hành Sơn). This is essentially a cluster of five marble and limestone hills. All of the mountains have cave entrances and numerous tunnels. Of the five hills, we are taken specifically to Mount Thuy. To reach the top, we take the elevator. Once at the top, we visit a cave and a pagoda.

We arrive in Hoi An mid-afternoon. Lunch is included on today’s tour. After our meal, we are provided with a guided tour of the town. Highlights include the local outdoor market, the traditional homes, the bridge, and the silk shops. After our sightseeing tour, we are taken to a local restaurant. We take a cooking class there. Dinner is included on today’s tour. Once done with our meal, we have a walk around town. It is beautifully illuminated at night. We return to Da Nang in the nighttime.

Before relocating by flight from Da Nang to the capital that is Hanoi, we visit a hill station and resort called Ba Na Hill Station (a.k.a. Ba Na Hills). It was founded in 1919 by French colonists.

It was built as a leisure destination for French tourists. Being located 1500 meters above sea level, it has a view of the East Sea and the surrounding mountains. We reach this hill station and resort by cable car. In operation since March 29, 2013, it holds the world record for the longest nonstop single track cable car, at 5,801 meters (19,032 feet) in length. Highlights of our tour include the internationally acclaimed Golden Bridge, the garden, and the wine cellar.

Another detail worth mentioning is that a buffet-style lunch is included on today’s tour.

Before relocating by land to the town of Ha Giang, we explore Hanoi. Highlights include the Museum of Vietnamese History, the Opera House, and the Dong Xuan Market. Hanoi is home to little streets and alleyways with food stalls, as well as restaurants squeezed up next to each other. The city vibe is one that visitors can easily feel and appreciate.

There is much to see as we relocate today by land from Ha Giang to the village of Dong Van. Firstly, we are taken to Quan Ba Heaven Gate. From there, we hike to the top to see fine views of the surrounding mountains. Next, we are taken to Lung Tam Valley. En route, a stop is made so we can take some nice photos of the surroundings, including the so-called Fairy Mountain. Once in the valley, we enjoy the steep and winding roads amid the beautiful landscape.

Next, we are taken to the town of Yen Minh. There we see how locals do centuries-old weaving and embroidery techniques. Afterward, we eat. Lunch is included on today’s tour. After our meal, we are taken to Sung La Valley, home to fine scenery and local tribes. Just before reaching our final destination, Dong Van, we are taken to a village called Sa Phin.

There we meet a local tribe wearing colorful attire, see traditional homes, and visit H'Mong King Palace. After getting settled into our room, we are taken by foot to the town center. There we find traditional homes and meet tribal people. Afterward, we are taken to the town market, where we eat. Dinner is included on today’s tour. After our meal, we are taken by foot back to our hotel.

There is much to see as we relocate today by land from Dong Van to Ba Be National Park. If we are there on a Sunday, first we see Dong Van’s outdoor market. Just watching what is going on is an experience in itself, very culturally rich.

Once we have left Dong Van, our first destination is a scenic pass called Ma Pí Leng. Next, we are taken to a village called Meo Vac. There we meet a local tribe wearing traditional black attire, see traditional homes, and pass by Nho Que River.

Next, we are taken to the small town of Bao Lac. There we can purchase lunch. After our meal, we are taken to our hotel, located in the area of Ba Be National Park. Note that dinner is included on today’s tour, at our hotel specifically.

Before relocating back to Hanoi, there is much to see and do at Ba Be National Park. The morning starts with a boat cruise around the lake. Highlights include Puong Cave, meeting tribal people in a village called Cam Ha, An Ma Temple, and hiking to and exploring Hua Ma Cave.

The afternoon is all about trekking around the park.
Dinner to-go is included on today’s tour and is served right before leaving the park, en route to Hanoi.

Note that the stunning Ban Gioc Waterfall is not on our standard itinerary due to the logistical challenge of reaching it. If you want to see this waterfall, it would need to be added after visiting Ba Be National Park and before returning to Hanoi.

The drive from Ba Be National Park to Ban Gioc Waterfall takes about 5.5 hours. There we go bamboo rafting close to the waterfall as well as visit the relatively nearby Tiger Cave (a.k.a. Nguom Ngao Cave). The drive from Ban Gioc Waterfall to Hanoi takes around 7 hours.

We go on a day trip today to Ha Long Bay. This is Vietnam’s most popular day trip destination…and for good reason. Ha Long Bay is arguably the country’s most naturally gifted area, along with the rice fields of the North.

Highlights today include Surprising Cave, swimming and kayaking or bamboo rafting at Titov Island, and watching the sunset (if visiting between April and September). Note that lunch is included on today’s tour, during the boat ride.

We make another day trip today. Our first destination is the ancient capital of Vietnam, Hoa Lu. There we are provided with a guided tour of 2 temples. Lunch is included on today’s tour and is served after visiting Hoa Lu. Next, we are driven to a river called Tam Coc.

There we go on a boat cruise. The highlights are the surrounding rice fields and 3 caves. Upon returning to the dock, we take a hike to Mua Cave. Its location offers fine views of the surroundings. Lastly, we return to our hotel.

Below is the list of attractions we will try to see today.
1. Presidential Palace

2. One Pillar Pagoda

3. Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

4. Ho Tay Lake: Inside the lake, you can see a pagoda called Chua Tran Quoc.

5. Vietnam Military History Museum

6. Lotte Observation Deck

7. Hoan Kiem Lake (a.k.a. Restored Sword Lake)

8. Saint Joseph’s Cathedral

9. Ta Hien Street: This is Hanoi’s mo
st popular street for nightlife and is otherwise home to several food stalls.

Our tour ends this morning. Hanoi is the final destination on our tour of Vietnam. Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport.