Vietnam Travel Plan choice

Today, you'll arrive in Hanoi and and a driver will meet you at arrivals for your hotel transfer. On the way you’ll get your first impressions of Vietnam, buzzing with street traders and mopeds. Your hotel in situated in the centre of the Old Quarter - the beating heart of Hanoi - surrounded by food stalls and quirky restaurants. Narrow streets criss-cross each other, their pavements displaying all manner of local goods.

In the 13th century, the 36 original streets were divided up among the craft guilds, each guild claiming its own street. This system remains to this day, for example Shoe Street has only shoe shops. All street names begin with 'Hang', meaning trade. You'll find silver on Hang Bac, copper on Hang Dong, and silk on Hang Gai. The Old Quarter is also home to a fascinating market with a booming trade in live chickens and fish, and a heady aroma of spices.
During the first day of your three week Vietnam itinerary, you can visit peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake and munch on a typical Vietnamese spring roll.

This morning, you'll be collected from your hotel at approximately 8:00am and taken to the coastal town of Halong for the next leg of your three week Vietnam itinerary. The junk awaits you. Once onboard, you'll kick off your trip with a lunch caught fresh from the sea. Afterwards the boat will begin its superb cruise through the region past small limestone islands, some of which are thickly forested, others are inhabited and some have secretly secluded sandy beaches. During the cruise you'll visit one of the many hidden caves and you'll be able to take a dive into the azure waters from one of the tropical beaches - a real highlight of our Vietnam three week itinerary. Fishing enthusiasts can attempt to catch their evening meal with a traditional rod and tackle. During dinner, you can mull over the impressions of the day and watch the sunset whilst enjoying a glass of Vietnamese wine. Life really doesn't get much better than this.

This morning you'll be woken by the wafting scent of a delicious breakfast. You'll then begin your morning cruise, which features trips to various islands and visits to fascinating rock formations. This entire area is a photographer's paradise, so be sure to keep your camera at the ready. Following this, you will board a small bamboo boat to explore the spooky Luong Cave. Lunch will be served aboard the junk during your return to the mainland.

At Halong, your minibus will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi. You will then spend another night in the city, dining on local dishes and soaking up ambience as you stroll along tree-lined boulevards before your three week Vietnam itinerary continues tomorrow. 

Today, you'll walk a little less (4km or so) to the small village of the Red Dzao people. On the way, you'll cross a couple of bamboo bridges over clear mountain streams. There will be plenty of magnificent views and you'll come across many women working in the fields. Though they may only speak a few words of English, they are incredibly warm and welcoming people and will often invite you for tea in their homes. The houses are built mostly of wood and cane and there’s usually a fire in the middle of the room. The headgear worn by these people is mostly red. Initially, the villagers might seem rather shy, but if you give them a smile, you'll quickly be rewarded with beaming faces. Once you're back in Sapa, you can just relax or wander round the local market.

On Saturday evening from about 7pm, the Love Market takes place in Sapa - a real highlight of any three week Vietnam itinerary. Young eligible men and women from the Dzao region meet here, dressed in finery, in the hope of snagging a partner. We can definitely recommend taking a look.

This morning, it's time to grab your backpack and say farewell to Sapa as you continue with your three week Vietnam itinerary. First, you'll take a drive to Bac Ha, a small mountain village famous for its busy market. You'll visit this market, where many mountain tribes come to sell their wares. It is a feast for the senses, with traders dressed in a rainbow of colours displaying fresh vegetables, meats, and other products. It's also a perfect opportunity to pick up a few unique Vietnamese souvenirs made by local people.

After lightening your pockets at the market, you'll drive towards the Chinese border to catch a glimpse of the chaotic jumble of Chinese signs. From here, you can see the bridge and stretch of water that forms the actual boundary between the two countries. At the end of the afternoon, you'll be taken to Lao Cai where you'll have plenty of time to grab an evening meal before boarding the night train back to Hanoi.

You'll arrive back in Hanoi at around 6am. It's very easy to fix the transfer from the train to the hotel yourself - there will be plenty of taxis and tuk-tuks at the station. However, you may find that your room is not quite ready for you. If this is the case, you can leave your luggage in reception and enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. You can usually get into your room from around mid-morning. If you wish your room to be ready as soon as you arrive, we can book a day room for you at an additional cost. Just let us know, and we'll make the arrangements.

There's nothing on the agenda of your three week Vietnam itinerary today, so you can relax and take things at your own pace. Hanoi has plenty of temples, pagodas and museums, if you're looking for a culture fix. The Temple of Literature is an oasis of peace and tranquility in the midst of the urban sprawl. 

 

Today you'll fly from Hanoi to Danang, an airport close to enchanting Hoi An. The transfers to and from the respective airports are very easy for you to arrange yourself - you'll never be short of taxi drivers in Vietnam! Hoi An is, for many people, the highlight of their three week Vietnam itinerary. It is also a perfect halfway point between the north and south of the country.

Hoi An is well known for its enthusiastic tailors, its art galleries, and its narrow streets crammed with tiny wooden cafes. During you stay, you can lazily browse the streets and hire a tailor to sew your made-to-measure outfit. There is plenty to do in and around the port town, including a cycle trip past the paddy fields to the beach. The beach is surprisingly quiet in the daytime, so you can stretch out on a lounger under a thatched parasol and enjoy the peace. At sunset, the beach will fill with locals who come here to cool off, chat, and play football at the end of a long working day.
 

Today you are free to wander lazily through the tiny streets of Hoi An. If you are feeling adventurous you can pay a visit to the historical site of My Son (optional). The area was the most important religious and intellectual centre in Vietnam until the 13th century and the temples are fascinating buildings to explore. Nowadays, My Son is a UNESCO World Heritage site, lying about 40km southwest of Hoi An in a wild, green valley.

Hoi An is jam-packed with tailors and you can have a good made-to-measure suit made for a fraction of the price you would pay in the UK. This is also the best place to purchase dresses, trousers, shirts etc. The perfect opportunity to update your wardrobe! Although the tailors can put together a suit for you in no time, it's best to plan to have this done a few days before you travel to the next destination on your three week Vietnam itinerary. This way any alterations can be made while you're in town.

This is essentially a free day, so you can stay in the old town or head for the beach for some sun-kissed relaxation. However, we can also offer you the opportunity to whip up some authentic Vietnamese dishes in the kitchen. If you choose this option you'll be collected from your hotel and taken directly to the cooking school. This is the best possible way to get to know local Vietnamese cuisine and hear all about typical Vietnamese dishes. You'll have a go at preparing your own dishes.

The afternoon is yours to spend as you please. You'll spend all three nights in Hoi An in a comfortable, centrally located hotel in the historic centre of town, so you won't have to worry about taxi cabs or rickshaws to get home, you can simply walk back to your hotel. The hotel also has a swimming pool and breakfast is included during your stay.

Today, you' ll leave Hoi An, probably with a whole new wardrobe, and continue with your three week Vietnam itinerary. You'll take a quick domestic flight from Danang to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. We'll book your flight, but you'll organise your own taxis or rickshaws to and from the airports. This is extremely easy to do. Once you've settled in at your comfortable hotel, you can explore the city at your own pace. You'll stay in a room with air-conditioning for a leisurely 3 nights. The hotel is just around the corner from Tham Street, the centre of the bustling backpackers quarter. The area is literally crammed with dozens of cosy local restaurants and souvenir shops.

If you are feeling full of get-up-and-go, you can visit some places of interest. We can recommend the Reunification Palace and the hard-hitting American War Museum. Alternatively, hire a cycle rickshaw for a whirlwind tour of the city's sights.
 

Today you'll travel to the Cu Chi tunnels by minibus, passing peaceful paddy fields and watching delta life. You'll also see an unusual floating temple along the way. 

The Viet Cong dug the haunting network of the Cu Chi tunnels during the Vietnam War to hide from American forces. You can climb into the tunnels and experience the eerie atmosphere first hand - a really memorable part of your three week Vietnam itinerary. Many have been enlarged especially for tourists, making them far less hair-raising for visitors. However, if you're feeling brave, you can also try the originals. It's a unique, if creepy, experience. The guide will explain the history and the precise uses of the tunnels. In the adjoining Cu Chi Museum, you can also see a video with vintage American film material.

You'll head back to Ho Chi Minh City at about 2pm, giving you plenty of time to explore more of the city or sit at a pavement cafes and watch the world go by. 

The next two days of your three week Vietnam itinerary are dedicated to the Mekong Delta. The Mekong River, with its vast fertile delta, is the backbone of the economy in the south. At 7:30 AM, the minibus will arrive to take you in the direction of Cai Be. From here, you'll hop onto a boat and sail in a small group through the Mekong Delta. In Cai Be you'll sail past colourful, floating markets, where vendors will offer their wares from their boats jammed with produce, dangling their goods in the air from a long pole.
You'll also sail through canals inhabited by the people of the Mekong Delta. Daily life will pass you by as you sail through small villages, past rice paddies and when visiting family businesses. These businesses refine rice or make candy out of coconuts. While sailing through the maze of canals, you'll visit one of the many islands on the Mekong; Vinh Long Island. After a lunch consisting of Mekong Delta specialities, you'll sail for approximately 3 hours until you reach Can Tho, where you'll arrive in time for sunset. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, for instance low water levels, this entire portion of the trip will be conducted by mini bus.

The boat will then take you to a simple but charming hotel for the night. It lies in Cantho on the banks of the Mekong, where you can relax in the evening with a cool drink and watch the sunset.

Today you'll leave your hotel at 7.30am for the next leg of your three week Vietnam itinerary. The local boat will take you to the floating market of Cai Rang, which is the largest, most important, and probably the noisiest floating market in the Mekong Delta. In order to get close to all of the excitement of the floating market, you'll transfer over into a bamboo rowboat. Naturally you yourself won't have to row during this journey and therefore you'll have plenty of time to negotiate and purchase goods. In the village on the banks of the river, you'll drop in on a factory where rice is ‘puffed’ and transformed into Vietnamese rice cakes. You will also visit a small rice noodle factory (if it's open on that day!)

An air-conditioned bus will then take you on to Rach Gia and Phu Quoc Island.

Phu Quoc Island is nicknamed the Emerald Island for its tropical greenery. It also has magnificent beaches, some of the very best in Vietnam. You'll stay in a beach resort on peaceful Ong Lang Beach for the last few days of your three week Vietnam itinerary. This is a spectacular stretch of ivory beach on the west side of the island, fringed by palm trees providing some welcome shade.

During the dry season, from December to June, the temperatures can soar, so be sure to bring plenty of sun tan lotion. You'll especially need extra protection from the sun in the months January and February. With clear blue skies and calm seas, this is a fantastic place to get away from it all. Duirng the summer months July and August, the island can receive quite a bit of rainfall. It may not be possible to dive during these months.

During your stay on Phu Quoc Island you'll spend the night in tastefully decorated cabins that exude charm and warmth. There is an excellent restaurant with a magical seaview for romantic sunset meals and tasty fresh fish is regularly on the menu.

Today, you can stretch out on the white sandy beach or rock gently in a hammock under the palm trees with your nose in a book. If you're feeling lively, you can swim in the azure waters, snorkel, or even take a dive to explore the underwater world. There is a diving school on the island, and it's very easy to arrange lessons. If you'd like to try diving on Phu Quoc during your three week Vietnam itinerary, just let us know and we'll organise everything for you.

More restless travellers can explore the tropical wilderness of interior Phu Quoc Island. In 2001, almost 70% of the island was declared to be a national park, so the ecosystems on the island have been completely preserved. It is also mountainous and almost completely covered in rainforest, with a number of natural springs for a quick refreshing dip. The best known and most accessible spring is called the Suoi Da Ban (also called Stony Surface Stream).